hey, mama
Ever wish you could slow things down, and bottle up your life?
But that camera you bought years ago is totally intimidating, and you’re tired of trying to piece together how to use it on YouTube, right?
Guess what? You can do this.
You deserve a life well lived and well documented.
It’s all spelled out for you in Manual Mode for Moms. An online photography course that has moms saying, “I didn’t know how much I needed this,” and, “this course and my newfound love of photography brings so much joy to my life.”
So, ready to meet your new favorite teacher?
Hi! I'm Megan. A photographer, art educator, and instructional designer.
I’m fueled by long walks with the dog, a laid back attitude, and soaking up the good stuff! (Plus a few healthy doses of espresso every morning.)
My mission is to help families connect through intentional art and photography practices.
If you’re ready to dust off your camera and start capturing some of the everyday magic you experience with your family, you’re in the right place.
Imagine if you...
Knew exactly what to do when you picked up your camera
Could capture those magic everyday moments with your babes
Could use your camera to be present in your day and enjoy time with your family
Introducing
MANUAL MODE FOR MOMS
What's Inside?
These are the module topics that will have you ditching auto mode for your new friend, manual.
MODULE ONE
Creating a Photography Practice
You’ve got a camera (somewhere) that you had big dreams for, right? Capturing all of babies first moments, tee-ball games, cozy moments at home, family vacations, first days of school…
Let’s dust that camera off, start from scratch, and get you set-up to actually use it! I’ll teach you some secrets to actually utilize your camera at home. We will talk about photographing with intention and how doing this can help you be present in your day and connect with your family. I’ll walk you through the camera parts and decode the most important settings in that crazy-confusing menu! Plus, you’ll get some fun prompts for what to begin taking photographs of!
MODULE TWO
Composition and Focus
Isn’t it frustrating when you try to capture a photo and your background is in focus instead of your subject? Maybe when you just baaaarely miss the mark? Or, when your photo just feels like it’s too busy, cluttered, or slapped-together?
Let’s go over the ins-and-outs of all the focusing features on your camera, so you know when to apply which techniques! If tack-sharp subjects is your goal, these four lessons got ya. I’ll also teach you my method for composing beautiful images in a snap (yeah, I’ve got puns too 😉).
MODULE THREE
The Exposure Triangle
We’ve all done it. We’ve flipped that mode dial to the M and thought, “I’m just gonna try it.” Then you’ve realized cameras must just be magic and worry you’ll never figure out. This might actually be the moment your camera went back to it’s hidey-hole to collect dust. But guess what? You know a magician. *Spoiler* It’s me. I will teach you how to make the magic happen!
I take away the manual mode mystery in five lessons within this module, and replace it with confidence. We walk through each part of the exposure triangle, work through exercises and assignments, and look at still and live examples of how to adjust each setting. We figure out the relationships between them all AND I give you my secret recipe for exposing an image.
MODULE FOUR
Light and Color
Ever seen beautiful, amazing, light in real life, and whipped out your camera to capture it? Ever then looked at the image and thought, “what the?!, that doesn’t look anything like what I am seeing!”
Well, you’ll love this module! I cover the basics of how to look for, approach, read, and manipulate light in four lessons. You know that a photograph is only made from light, right? This is so important! We will literally walk through all sorts of lighting scenarios and teach you how to work them with confidence. You’ll also get the final pieces to my secret recipe for creating compelling images.
BONUSES
All the Extras
Okay, but where’s the cherry on top, Megan? Um, how does a cherry and whipped cream and chocolate drizzle, sound?
In addition to your four major modules, there are bonus lessons on self-portraits, and resources for editing your photos! Plus, a super long video that shows me in the zone, photographing in a tricky situation!
Each module also has downloadable resources like workbooks, cheatsheets, and guides. On top of THAT, there are exercises built in that help you understand the content, AND practical but fun assignments to complete with your camera in hand. The exercises and assignments are specifically designed to help you retain the information you have learned. Everything I have crafted for you is intentional, purposeful, and aligned with actual learning objectives. There is nothing out there like this course right now.
On top of that, you get one prompt a week for the entire year of your enrollment. These prompts are designed by me, to practice specific components of the course like exposure principles, composition techniques, focusing, and mindful moments to bring you closer to your life through your camera.
What makes Manual Mode for Moms so special?
Course Features
When you complete this course, you will feel confident behind the camera and capable of tackling gorgeous photos of your family.
1:1 Support
Direct communication lines to your instructor and peers.
Supplemental activities to accelerate your skills
Exercises and assignments designed by a formally trained educator and instructional designer.
Engaging Videos
Instructional videos that encourage learner participation for better content retention rates.
Private Learner Community
A private Facebook group just for students where support and supplemental learning activities are provided
What our Mamas Say
This course is worth every penny. Megan is not only an experienced photographer, but an art educator and instructional technologist. She knows her stuff!
Up until this point, taking 3 million photos in the hopes 1 would turn out was my methodology.
This course taught me so much more than I could have envisioned. I now understand my camera, the settings, how to expose an image and how to make on the spot adjustments.
But most importantly, as a working mom, it taught me to slow down and enjoy time with my son all while capturing quality images. That is priceless.
Up until this point, taking 3 million photos in the hopes 1 would turn out was my methodology.
This course taught me so much more than I could have envisioned. I now understand my camera, the settings, how to expose an image and how to make on the spot adjustments.
But most importantly, as a working mom, it taught me to slow down and enjoy time with my son all while capturing quality images. That is priceless.
Lauren W.
Wellness Center Director
I was so impressed with Manual Mode for Moms! The course is very well put together which made the lessons truly enjoyable!
Megan really knows her craft and is genuinely passionate about teaching!
The quality of the course content is amazing! I'm proud to be able to use my camera now for not only documenting my family but its been so beneficial for my business as well!
I would highly recommend this course to everyone, especially if you've been intimated by manual mode in the past.
It's something you can do at your own pace plus Megan is there 100% to support you!
Megan really knows her craft and is genuinely passionate about teaching!
The quality of the course content is amazing! I'm proud to be able to use my camera now for not only documenting my family but its been so beneficial for my business as well!
I would highly recommend this course to everyone, especially if you've been intimated by manual mode in the past.
It's something you can do at your own pace plus Megan is there 100% to support you!
Sid R.
AESTHETICIAN
This class is made with a wonderful attention to detail and packs a ton of knowledge into easy to process lessons.
This course and my newfound love of photography brings so much joy to my life.
I started this class with absolutely no idea how to operate my camera. Throughout the course I not only gained technical knowledge, but my artistic eye was challenged and developed as well.
It most importantly took away the fear and trepidation I had about even using my camera. Now I automatically reach for my camera (instead of my phone) to capture family moments and sewing projects.
This course and my newfound love of photography brings so much joy to my life.
I started this class with absolutely no idea how to operate my camera. Throughout the course I not only gained technical knowledge, but my artistic eye was challenged and developed as well.
It most importantly took away the fear and trepidation I had about even using my camera. Now I automatically reach for my camera (instead of my phone) to capture family moments and sewing projects.
Selina P.
Nurse
What makes this course unique?
The foundation of our course is carefully designed content aligned with our learning objectives and student’s needs. We know learning from a formally trained art educator, photographer, and instructional designer truly makes a difference.
Check out some work by our amazing students!
FAQs
How long does it take to complete?
There is a total of just under 1.5 hrs of instructional videos, not including the bonus lessons. The content is broken down into carefully curated bite-sized chunks. We think it is feasible to take your time on the course and still complete it in one month or less.
Do I have access to all of the materials all at once?
Yes. We used to do a course drip, but we have found that busy moms sometimes need to binge it all up front or take their time! You can approach the learning content at your own pace, but we recommend blocking time out.
What resources does the FB Group provide?
The Facebook group is private learning community where I can offer support to students. I answer questions straight from you in that space. It is a place for me to be your personal cheerleader as well as other students!
Can I gift this course to someone?
Yes! You can purchase the course with your own email address, and after you let your lucky mama know about her gift, we can create a new account for her! While you’re at it, let us know and we will send you a printable certificate to announce your gift.
DO I HAVE TO HAVE A DSLR CAMERA?
Most of the lessons are specifically designed to help you understand how to work with a camera that can be utilized in manual mode. This can be a DSLR or mirrorless camera, and even some point-and-shoots. For my advice on a starter DSLR click here.
Is there a payment plan available?
Yes! Contact us to let us know you would like to pay for the course in three payments of $99 instead of one $297 payment and we will get you taken care of. Email us at info@manualmodeformoms.com
How long will I have access to the course?
You will have LIFETIME access to our course materials, a private, students only Facebook Group, and any downloadable resources including workbooks and reference sheets.
How often is the course available to sign-up?
Manual Mode for moms opens for enrollment 24/7, 365 days of the year. We used to run specific enrollment periods, but we found that confused folks into thinking they then had to complete the course in a certain time frame. So we’ve opened it up year-round!
How MUCH DOES IT COST?
$297
Yep, less than one typical family photo session. 