.photo proud

Learn to take scroll-stopping photos of what you make so you can attract your dream clients and never be stuck for beautiful images again

Join me Summer 2020 FOR An EIGHT-week programME

It's for product entrepreneurs and photographers who want to take images that sell

Imagine if you could capture what you make in your workshop on a daily basis? Or if you had your own beautiful images to post on your feed and to show potential clients?

You are a creative entrepreneur or wedding industry pro. You worked hard last year, but you haven’t been able to take many good photos of your work because you don’t really know what to do with your camera.

You know that having beautiful images in your portfolio is key to attracting your dream clients, and that poor images are working to the detriment of the reputation
you are longing to build.

Now we are in a new decade and you are so ready to take your business to the next level. You would love to take control of your imagery and learn to take beautiful images for yourself, but you're nervous and a little overwhelmed at the idea of learning how.

Join me this Spring as I lead a small group of creatives just like you to take images they are really proud of.

This is not just another online course you won't finish. All you need is the will and I'll be there for the rest - to teach you the skills, build your confidence and keep you moving forward to taking images you are truly proud of and which do your work justice.

Join me August 2020 for an 8 week programme with live group coaching and pre-recorded video content so you learn with all the support you need.

STUDENT RESULTS

Natalia
Natalia Menache Arquitectura
http://nataliamenache.com/

"I am an architect and interior designer from Mexico. Ria has been not only incredible as a teacher but a very kind and comprehensive one. She was very thoughtful making sure I understood everything in spite of the language. I really recommend her course to everyone no matter where they live. I knew nothing on photography or how to use a camera when I started and I wished to learn how to photograph my projects and the process of creating them. With Ria’s course, I learned so much more than I expected. All the material she has prepared for each module is very clear, complete and professional. I also thank her for the specialised attention, not only during the live sessions but also the follow up. She has genuine interest to help you learn. It has been an honour for me to learn from her as a professional but also as a person."

Rebecca
Lilac & LAce Floral Design
www.lilac-and-lace.co.uk

"Ria is so incredibly generous with both her time and her extensive knowledge - No question is ever too big or too small. I have learnt so much over the last 8 weeks and will continue to do so with the help of the videos, notes and tutorials. Ria went out of her way to help me with guidance during a tricky wedding set-up to ensure I got the best imagery of my floral designs and she even edited the photos for me, creating a little video so that I can do it again myself in future. Honestly, the improvement I have seen in my photography has blown me away, and I now feel much more confident and able to capture my work in the way I have always hoped. It is all thanks to Ria and I will be forever grateful."

Milly
Flower & Farmer
flowerandfarmer.com

"As a self-taught photographer, I was struggling with the photography for my business – put simply, my photos don’t do our flowers the justice they deserve. Ria’s course is exactly what I need. The content and structure are focused on teaching attendees what they need to know to improve their business photography. Principles are clearly explained and Ria provides a wealth of supporting materials (written and video format) which are very useful (i.e. a written crib sheet to use when shooting in low-light situations and a demo-video showing how to edit an over-exposed image). Ria is passionate to help each attendee and to ensure that everyone gets the most from the course. I could not recommend the course more."

SAFIA DAHHAN
{FLORIST & MOSAIC ARTIST}
@safia_designstudio

"My name is Safia, a florist from Melbourne currently residing in Oxford. Over the course of 8 weeks, Ria covered all you need to know about your camera from the way it functions to how to get the perfect shot. In addition to that you also learn how to edit your images and develop your personal style. Ria was absolutely fantastic at personalising the course to each participant and made sure that she provided each and every one of us with all the resources that we needed to completely benefit from the coursework. There was no question too small or insignificant to be discussed. Within 8 weeks I went from a clueless camera owner to a confident photographer. This course is worth every penny and I couldn't recommend it enough!"

What Photo Proud is all about

[expand title=”Read Transcript”]I’ve put together this course to empower creative entrepreneurs to photograph their own work.

For four years I photographed students work at Jay Archers flower school. Every year I would hear the frustrations of florists who didn’t have the images they needed to promote their work.

After wedding season they were left waiting to get images back from professional photographers and when they did their work was often not the focus of the images or the processing of the photos meant that the flowers were not an accurate colour, leading to confusing with future clients.

I thought how simple it could be for these florists to take back control and learn how to take beautiful images for themselves, making their work the focus and representing it just how they wanted to, getting the light colour and atmosphere right for their portfolio, and not just for weddings but for what they create every day.

This is a universal issue among wedding pros, calligraphers, designers of wedding clothing and accessories, and I realised the need for this course.

Over the last 18 months I have refined the content of this course through live classes and I am absolutely confident that this will transform your photography. I have designed it very specifically with creative entrepreneurs in mind and adjusted the format with feedback from my students to make is as easy as possible for you to learn.

You will find all the content is presented in short pre-recorded videos, to allow you to dip in when you have the time within your week and easily reference at a later date.

Each section is supported by written material for you to print out. You will have ‘life-time’ access to all the content so you can keep learning at your own pace and refresh your skills when ever you need to.

There are six main modules designed to be done over 8 weeks, and I will be there every week on a live online call to answer your questions. There is a dedicated private facebook group for you to ask questions and share images to get feedback from me and your peers between calls.

I will also give you personalised feedback on your images with video walk thoughs, talking about how you can approach the situation to strengthen your image or show you how to edit your image to get the most out of it.

This is your opportunity to not only learn the photography skills directly relevant to what you need to do, but to have direct access to me to help you every step of the way.

You can read about all the details of the content below. You will learn how to master your camera to get the sort of images you want consistently. I cover how to create a home studio even in the smallest space, tackling difficult lighting situations and simple editing to get really professional looking images. I even have a whole module on and shooting and editing on your phone.

I also have a range of bonus modules created in direct response to extra topics previous students have been curious to learn, from shooting in their garden, to photographing interiors and getting good self portraits.

This course has been taken by florists, calligraphers, knitters and crochet artists and interior designers and architects, and I have had students from UK, US and Mexico.

I am really excited about this course, and I know how powerful the content and format is from the wonderful feedback I have had from past students. I do hope you choose to join and I can’t wait to get to know you better and personally help you transform your photography game so that next season you have images to share of your work that you are proud of.
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I understand where you are.

When I started out I was daunted by how much there was to learn, and how little time I could find in the working week to learn new skills.

When you are a busy entrepreneur, it is easy to put off doing the extra work and ending up relying on camera phone snapshots and pictures others take of your work, leaving you frustrated with an inconsistent portfolio of your products that don’t capture your creative vision.

Students' work

Imagine being able to take incredible images yourself

Your current real life situation is that you don’t know how to take pictures of your work consistently, quickly and to a high enough standard, so you are left waiting for professional images from your last event. Or you need to hire a professional photographer, but its not practical or affordable to hire one on a regular basis for you right now.

Don’t let yourself be in the same place next year – understand how to do your own photography.

does this sound like you?

You own a nice digital camera but haven’t got off AUTO yet
You struggle to know the best light to use to take pictures of your products and find it hard to get good pictures in low light or bright light
You’re frustrated and not being able to get consistent pictures of your products or capture your creative aesthetic
You feel you don’t have enough time to develop your skills

MEET RIA MISHAAL

[expand title=”Read Transcript”]Contact with my students is key to my success and enjoyment of teaching, and so I wanted to tell you a little about me as we will be working together during the course.

My name is Ria Mishaal (my first two given names).

I started my professional career as a neuroscience research scientist studying spinal cord regeneration. After working two post docs, I went full time as a wedding photographer in 2011. Since then I have developed a well recognised photographic style and brand. I am known for my personal, intuitive service and authentic and artistic style.

I grew my wedding business to six figures, and have worked with some of the most beautiful and high-end venues in England. I have worked with incredible industry pros doing commercial work for their portfolios, so I really understand the need for accurate but atmospheric images that represent products truthfully but with that element of storytelling so potential clients can connect with what you make.

I have always loved teaching. When I was working at Cambridge and Leicester universities, I did a lot of small group tutorials in the natural sciences, and loved giving my echolocation lectures every year. When I became a photographer, I continued to teach as I learnt new powerful skills and amongst other things I’ve taught interaction skills for getting really authentic emotion in images and business for photographers for The Royal Photographic Society every year since 2014.

I gain a lot of strength from nature, and built myself a studio in our garden under my favourite cherry tree and surrounded it with ferns. I adore my family and my wish for the coming years as my daughter starts school is to spend the summer holidays travelling for a month so we can experience the world together.

In 2018 I set about a personal project to create images of children and their favourite animals – making composites of studio portraits of children and images of taken in zoos and aquariums, creating fantastical composites. The project was designed to encourage children’s connection with and respect for the natural world, and it was very much a passion project. I was absolutely over the moon when I was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal photographic society, their highest distinction, a lifetime goal for me.

In the evenings, I like to retreat to fantastical story worlds, where my scientific curiosity of all the things we do not yet know is fed. Beautifully crated cinematography or animation and comedic drama, Think Stranger things, Trollhunters, Orphan black….

So that is me, I look forward to getting to know you.
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How it works:

This is your opportunity to come and work with a photographer who has 12 years professional experience and is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, have your images personally critiqued and ask any questions.

Through this programme, you’ll not only know how to use your camera in manual mode but you’ll have a firm idea of your style and visual identity and know-how to create it. You will have my personal attention to help you up your photography game.

The course is designed in six modules to be done over 8 weeks. Note that while we have weekly sessions to go through key concepts and answer questions, the teaching classes are also pre-recorded and you get full and continued access to all materials even after the live component of the course is completed, so you can continue learn at your own pace, whether that be fast or slow
The LIVE component of the course comprises teaching and Q&A group calls with me every week for 8 weeks. You will be invited on these calls to ask any questions you have
Every module has extensive material in the form of written PDFs and videos. There are 5 bonus modules covering relevant topics to expand your growth
Each module has several short exercises so you can immediately put into practice what you are learning and ask questions if you need to
A private and dedicated Facebook group for course participants where you are invited to share your progress and images for comment and growth. You can ask any questions (no matter how big or small) within the group and I will be on there regularly, so you will have your questions answered by me as well as having input from your peers. You get continued access to this group even after the 8 weeks have passed

course content

Module 1

Exposure triangle

You will learn how to understand and use your camera settings (including manual settings) to control light and depth of field. You will get to grips with all things technical that you need to know, and not worrying about the rest.

Module 2

Light

You will learn to be able to see and manipulate different types of light and learn how to get the best out of indoor and outdoor light, low and bright light. You will learn to be able to see and manipulate different types of light and learn how to get the best out of indoor and outdoor light. We cover what you need and how to create a simple home studio space to shoot your creations on a day-to-day basis, and how to make your own backdrops.

Module 3

Architecture of the image & Flat Lay Photography

You will learn to understand and apply compositional rules to create different atmospheres and impactful images. You’ll learn how to create incredible flat lays and master colour theory.

Module 4

To hand: camera phones

You will learn the advantages and limitations of using a camera phone and how to get the very best out of using your phone for those situations when ‘the best camera is the one you have with you’!

Module 5

Editing: images with a professional-looking edge

You will learn basic editing techniques to adjust light, colour and structure, and clean up techniques on the computer and on the phone

Module 6

Developing your style

You will learn how to put together what you have learnt over the last five modules to create your own visual style, to capture your vision and help your brand stand out. You will pull together what you have learnt in a series of ‘cheat sheets’ for settings that will allow you to work fast in a set of different lighting and environmental situations.

that's not all!

BONUs ONE

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

In this bonus you get a reference guide with summary sheets of how lots of different images were created, and I walk through some of my commercial work galleries for you to see the breath of images I shoot and how I approach different situations.

BONUs TWO

GUIDE TO GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY

If you grow your own flowers and have an allotment or smallholding, it can be a really important part of your brand story to show off your fields and flowers in situ. This guide it designed to help you take beautiful images of your growing space and the flowers in it.

BONUS THREE

GUIDE TO SHOOTING BEHIND THE SCENES

If you’re sharing your work online, you’ll benefit greatly from sharing your personality and process as well. In this guide I cover how to take self portraits, how to take pictures of you working and how to take great portraits of others and capture them in action too.

BONUS FOUR

GUIDE TO INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHY

This guide is designed to help you get the very best out of photographing your interior space. You don’t need a lot of fancy kit, but we will consider what you need and what techniques will help you take the best shots, from the best viewpoint to post processing to make your images sing.

BONUS FIVE

GUIDE TO ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY

For really stunning architectural photography, quality of your image is a must. You are often dealing with situations with a wide range of light and there is specialised kit and techniques to help you do this with success. This guide is designed to help you get started with beautiful architectural photography.

the course content

Module 1

Exposure triangle

Module 2

Light

You will learn to be able to see and manipulate different types of light and learn how to get the best out of indoor and outdoor light, low and bright light. We cover what you need and how to create a simple home studio space to shoot your creations on a day-to-day basis, and how to make your own backdrops.

Module 3

Architecture of the image & Flat LAY PHOTOGRaPHY

You will learn to understand and apply compositional rules to create different atmospheres and impactful images. You’ll learn how to create incredible flat lays and master colour theory.

Module 4

To hand: camera phones

You will learn the advantages and limitations of using a camera phone and how to get the very best out of using your phone for those situations when ‘the best camera is the one you have with you’!

Module 5

Editing: images with a professional-looking edge

You will learn basic editing techniques to adjust light, colour and structure, and clean up techniques on the computer and on the phone

Module 6

Developing your style

You will learn how to put together what you have learnt over the last five modules to create your own visual style, to capture your vision and help your brand stand out. You will pull together what you have learnt in a series of ‘reference guides’ for settings that will allow you to work fast in a set of
different lighting and environmental situations.

that's not all!

BONUs ONE

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

BONUs TWO

GUIDE TO GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY

BONUS THREE

GUIDE TO SHOOTING BEHIND THE SCENES

If you’re sharing your work online, you’ll
benefit greatly from sharing your personality and process as well. In this guide I cover how to take self portraits, how to take pictures of you working and how to take great portraits of others and capture them in action too.

BONUS FOUR

GUIDE TO INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHY

BONUS FIVE

GUIDE TO ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Are you ready to dive in?

PHOTO PROUD starts THIS AUGUST

For a limited time, you can take advantage of the Early Bird saving of £100 off the course total

ENROL NOW

Are you curious about what results you can expect?

SAFIA DAHHAN

{FLORIST & MOSAIC ARTIST}

@safia_designstudio

Natalie {calligrapheR}

natalie-charlotte.com/

"This course has been invaluable in so many ways and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

I have finally learnt to use my camera on manual mode (!) and it has totally transformed my photography. But is so much more than just learning how to use settings…

The course is utterly inspiring.

It has helped me to identify what kind of imagery speaks to me, what I want my signature style to be, and how I can use the skills taught each week to achieve that and get the most out of the photos I take, both personally and for my business.

Ria is a wonderful teacher, covering so many topics and tools in a way that is easy to follow and yet interesting and exciting.

But, above all, the level of personalisation she gives that is specific to you and your business/passion - and the individual challenges you face along the way - is what makes this so special.

It propels you to a place where you are producing work to be proud of."

AMY {FLORIST}

@robinwoodflowers

"I’m Amy Harten, Art Director and Floral Designer at Robin Wood Flowers in Cincinnati,Ohio. In the digital world of flowers, and really any business with an online presence, the importance of sharing images that convey professionalism and sophistication is growing.

I have been frustrated not having the skills to shoot what I want, how I want, and to do it with confidence and speed.

I was motivated and inspired by Ria’s confidence in what she could teach me with this course.

Ria’s expertise, calm confidence and unfailing positivity is most helpful and reassuring...

and they’re especially good qualities in the moments here and there when students have struggles with technicalities!

I recommend this course for literally anyone who wants to photograph for business or personal endeavors. You will learn the gamut of foundation basics that are at once universal and timeless, and at the same time ever-changing with advancing technology. The beauty of the way Ria had developed this course is...

her ability to put that ground under your feet and give you the wherewithal to take off to any new places you choose to go with it."

Have questions? Here are the answers

Who is Photo Proud For?

It's for anyone who wants to learn how to take beautiful images of products. It's for product entrepreneurs and photographers who want to take images that sell

Are the modules released weekly?

If you sign up before the course starts, you will get immediate access to all the module content as on-demand recorded videos and supporting material. You will also get access to the Facebook group to ask questions. Your learning is supported by weekly LIVE Q&A group calls with Ria from the official course start date for 8 weeks, and the community Facebook group for all students of Photo Proud so you can ask questions at any time during and after the course.

When Does Photo Proud Start?

August 2020. More precisely, all the course videos and supporting material are available in full as soon as you sign up, and available to you after the course has ended for as long as it exists. Live group coaching Q&A group calls begin in August 2020 and are held every week by Ria for 8 weeks.

What's the Investment?

Your place on Photo Proud is £645, but RIGHT NOW its early bird and you will save £100 making this personal and transformative course only £545.

What's the refund and cancellation policy?

There is a 14-day money-back guarantee. Show me that you've done the homework exercises and tell me why you feel it's not right for you after all and I'll refund the full fee. No refunds are offered outside of the first 14 days after you purchased.

a recap of what's included

Lifetime access to all the materials and the Facebook group, for as long as the programme is up
Downloadable supporting PDF notes and cheat sheets to support your learning
8 live group coaching Q&A calls, one a week, via Zoom so you can get your questions answered live
A supportive community: A private Facebook group for members of this programme

I believe in this programme so much that I offer a money-back guarantee within 14 days of signing up.

If you sign up in the early bird period, you will get a full refund no questions asked. If you sign up after this, show me that you've done the homework exercises and tell me why you feel it's not right for you after all and I'll refund the full fee. I know this programme will transform your photography so I highly doubt this will need to happen.

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