9/12 | Photography 101: Get Off Auto

Have you ever picked up your camera and thought, "I know this thing can do so much more... I just have no idea where to start."

This beginner-friendly workshop is designed to help you finally feel comfortable using your DSLR or mirrorless camera. Together, we'll cover the fundamentals of photography, learn what all those important settings actually do, and spend plenty of time putting them into practice.

This isn't a lecture where you'll sit and take notes for three hours. We'll balance learning with hands-on shooting, giving you the opportunity to practice, ask questions, and receive one-on-one guidance throughout the morning.

Whether you want to photograph your family, your travels, your pets, your artwork, your business, or simply capture more of your everyday life, this workshop will help you build the confidence to start using the camera you already own.

No previous photography experience is required.

During this workshop, we'll cover:

• Getting to know your camera
• Aperture, shutter speed & ISO
• Focus and exposure basics
• Lenses and when to use them
• Natural light & composition
• Hands-on shooting practice
• Reviewing photos together and learning from real examples

Included with your workshop

• Three hours of instruction (maximum 8 participants)
• Welcome kit
• Photography workbook & quick-reference cheat sheet
• Access to The Craft Place Photo Club (Name TBD - help me come up with something fun!)
• Learning doesn't stop when class ends. This private Facebook group is a place to share your photos, ask questions, celebrate your progress, get feedback, and continue learning alongside others who are just as excited to keep creating.
• One complimentary 15-minute "Help, I'm Stuck!" coaching session with me after class (phone, FaceTime, or Zoom)
• Ongoing support whenever you stop by The Craft Place while I'm there—I'm always happy to answer quick photography questions.

Please Bring

• Your DSLR or mirrorless camera
• A charged battery
• An empty memory card
• Your user manual - Every camera model is a little different, so while I'll be teaching photography concepts that apply across brands, I may not know the location of every button or menu on your specific camera. Please bring your camera's user manual (printed or digital) so we can quickly reference it if needed.

No previous photography experience required. This workshop is designed for adults, but children are welcome when accompanied by a participating adult. 

When : Saturday, September 12th : 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 

A little about your teacher, Samantha (aka owner of The Craft Place)

One of the questions I get asked all the time at The Craft Place is, "What's your craft?"

Like a lot of creative people, I enjoy a little bit of everything, but photography has always been my first love. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from RIT, and photography has been part of nearly every job I've had throughout my career.

I LOVE taking photos. It has brought so much joy into my life and made me more adventurous. If you want some cool travel photos, you have to travel! If you want photos of moose, you have to get up early and go into the mountains! 

While we'll absolutely cover camera settings, composition, lighting, and the technical side of photography, those are really just tools. The heart of photography isn't memorizing settings—it's learning to notice the world around you, capturing the moments that matter, and having the confidence to simply pick up your camera and start.

One of the biggest barriers I see—not just in photography, but in so many creative hobbies—is simply getting started. I've spent plenty of time trying to figure things out on my own, wishing I could just ask someone, "Okay... but what do I actually need to know?" Sometimes all it takes is having someone answer a question or point you in the right direction, and suddenly something that felt overwhelming becomes approachable.

My goal isn't to turn you into a professional photographer. It's to help you feel confident enough to pick up your camera, experiment, make mistakes, and enjoy the process. Because the photos that matter most usually aren't the perfectly posed ones—they're the everyday moments, the celebrations, the adventures, and the ordinary days you'll be glad you remembered.

My hope is that when you leave, you'll stop worrying about taking the "perfect" photo and start enjoying the process of creating photos you love. 

Also, as much as this class will give you the tools you need, I hate the thought that it just stops there - that's why I've included the Photo Club, the “I’m Stuck” call, and the drop in anytime I’m working and ask me a question. I truly want you to view this as just a starting point and that you aren’t alone in this learning journey. 

Cancellation Policy

Because class sizes are intentionally small, each workshop registration reserves one of only a few available seats.

• Can't make it? You're welcome to transfer your registration to a friend or family member—just let us know before class begins.

• Cancellations made 7 or more days before the workshop will receive studio credit that can be used toward another workshop hosted by Samantha or any drop-in craft at The Craft Place.

• Cancellations made less than 7 days before the workshop are not eligible for studio credit. However, if we're able to fill your spot from the waitlist, we'll gladly issue studio credit.