In this first episode, I provide the backstory of Smartphone Photography Training. This provides the context of who I love to help and how I am a little different from every other photography educator out there. 

After 20-years working in a technical area of photography, I didn’t take photos personally and really disliked photography. This became apparent when my mum passed away and I tragically discovered only 6 photos over her last 9 years as my 3 kids grew up. It was then that I realised photos were a gift for others. 

I suspended my prejudice toward the smartphone, took more photos of my family and myself. Surprisingly, I discovered a passion for taking photos of flowers and landscapes. I knew all the technical stuff; however, creativity and creating those stunning photos was a real struggle. I didn’t get it and was a real frustration until I shared a coffee with my professional photographer friend Kyle. 

He explained that his creativity came from applying photography principles and guidelines to every photo. I couldn’t believe it, what I thought was my weakness could become my strength. A systematic approach to photography was the answer. The big AHA moment was thinking about how all the elements in the photo would attract, hold, guide or detract and viewer’s attention and affect their experience. My results accelerated like never. My photos had a purpose, emotion, communicated something, they were special and meant something. 

Researching and delivering these guidelines through in-person workshops, I needed to simplify everything into an easy step-by-step system to deliver the biggest transformation in the shortest time. After investing 2-years in Instructional Design qualification, I created the ‘Complete Smartphone Photography Transformation: 4-Step System.’ Each step has its own step-by-step system: Step 1 – Photo Intention and Storytelling; Step 2 – Composition Stacking; Step 3 – Blurry to Tack-Sharp Photos and Step 4 – Mobile Editing to Enhance the Photo.

Studying photos, you admire, you will be able to break down the elements, identify what the photographer did and model it in your own photos – essentially becoming a Photo Hacker! Smartphone photography is fun, good for the mind, body and soul. You too will have less self-doubt and insecurities about your photos, more self-esteem and feel motivated and inspired. 

The direction of this podcast will be guided by you, the audience. Your comments and reviews provide direct feedback on what you want more. This is not going to be a smartphone camera review or technical podcast. I will be concentrating on solid photography principles and make it relevant to you using your existing smartphone... Android or iPhone.

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Take the14-Day Photo Creativity Challenge to quickly unleash your photo creativity through daily project-based learning: bit.ly/3aBXPhy

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FREE membership – full access to the community forum, unlocked tutorials, downloadable PDFs and 5-part video series: bit.ly/sptgetstarted

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Smartphone photography gear: Struman Optics lens accessories and tripods: bit.ly/3gv9JuC

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Accelerate your learning. Join the Live 6-week small group program: Smartphone Photography Transformation: 5-Step System: bit.ly/sptspt

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Join the email list to stay up to date on the latest articles and tutorials: bit.ly/sptemail

Be passionate, Be creative and Stay curious

- Mike

Read the full article at https://www.smartphonephotographytraining.com/podcast/ep1-welcome-smartphone-photography-club-podcast