lean timms

p h o t o g r a p h y w o r k s h o p

m a r g a r e t r i v e r w a

w e d 2 7 t h / t h u r s 2 8 t h

n o v e m b e r 2 0 2 4

Two Day Photography Workshop | Margaret River WA

You are warmly invited to join me in Western Australia for a fully immersive course, over two full days of learning, as I openly share with you all I know in the art of photography.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Workshop Dates: Wednesday 27th November and Thursday 28th November 2024

Two Day Workshop Tickets: $2800 AUD + GST

Workshop Location: Brass Moon, a studio and gallery space by Pop and Scott - located in Forest Grove, just 15 minutes south of Wooditjup (Margaret River)

Workshop Time: 9:30am - 6:00pm both days

Guest Speaker: Jo Bainbridge, Visual Director for Qantas Magazine

Excursion Location: Glenarty Road, Boranup Forest and Boranup Beach

Suitable For: This workshop is formatted for all photography lovers and levels - including absolute beginners ready to dive in and learn a new art form, small business owners keen to up skill and create their own content, photography lovers wanting to progress and improve on their skills, those wanting to step up and into photography as a profession, and fellow photography professionals already in the field who are interested in furthering their industry insight, networking opportunities and creative nourishment. As a teacher it is my priority and joy to provide boundless value and approachable content for everyone at all photography levels! There will be plenty of room for everyone to learn and take photos together. I used to be a high school teacher - I promise that everyone will get equal amounts of love!

The Goal?: No matter what skill level, the goal is for you to leave the workshop feeling creatively nourished and inspired, full of skills and industry knowhow, to confidently continue your love and personal direction in photography. Come for the learning, come for the inspiration, come for the community, come for the experience.

Food and Drinks: We’ll be taking very good care of you! Delicious morning tea, lunch, and apero is provided on both days. This includes a three course lunch at Glenarty Road on our second day.

Accommodation: For those wanting to stay nearby for the two days, we have three, two bedroom cottages on hold at The Row, next door to Brass Moon. Please let Lean know via email when you book your workshop ticket, if you are interested in booking one of these cottages (the earlier the better so as not to miss out!). If you’re open to sharing the cottage, we can then put you in touch with fellow workshop attendees who are also hoping to share. Alternatively there are plenty of other lovely accommodation options in the area. Please note that accommodation costs are not included in the ticket price.

Please Kindly Note: Airfares, accommodation and transportation to and from the workshop are not included in the ticket price.

above: photos of Margaret River region by Bianca Kate Photography, photos of Glenarty Rd supplied by Glenarty Rd, photo of Lean by Belinda Monck and Jane McCormack and photos of Brass Moon by Poppy Lane of Pop and Scott

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:

My signature two day photography workshop is absolutely packed to the brim with educational, creative, inspiring and insightful content. It's the perfect opportunity to launch into the world of photography, or to give your love for photography some delicious nourishment. As a small group, we will focus on storytelling as well as interior and travel photography, while exploring and workshopping our camera’s manual settings, the art of light, composition, your photography style, post processing, industry insight and so much more. The course is part theory and part practical, to cover all learning styles, and with plenty of time to play and photograph our time together.

The Margaret River region has everything a photographer could dream of: from dense forests, extensive vineyards, delicious restaurants, and the crystal-clear blues of the Indian Ocean. We will be lifting our lenses to all of these dreamy scenarios, fitting in as much visual beauty and exploration as possible over two days in this extra speccy part of the world.

We have an extra special treat welcoming our guest speaker, Jo Bainbridge, from Qantas Magazine, to be part of our workshop. As our guest speaker for the workshop, Jo will be sharing her industry knowledge in the editorial and media world, via an inspiring and insightful one hour group chat. We will have the very rare opportunity to ask a highly accomplished media industry professional questions that relate to the pitching, publishing and producing of imagery, direct from Jo’s unique insider perspective and experience. HOW LUCKY ARE WE!?

After two days together, you will go home with an abundance of photography knowledge, the ability to shoot your camera on manual settings, the confidence to approach and capture a scene using natural light, inspiration to photograph, curate and share your own stories through imagery and a collection of new creative friends. Wowie! That’s a lot. But I am all about it. Two full days means so much to cover, and I can’t wait to share everything I know and love about photography with you!

TOPICS WE WILL BE COVERING:

Natural light digital photography 101
We’ll dig into photography and camera basics, and why it’s important that you understand them. You’ll walk away with a thorough understanding of the (magical!) exposure triangle and be able to use your camera’s manual settings to help you confidently capture a number of different subjects and styles. For the professionals, I will share an abundance of my own tips and personal go to settings and challenge you on shooting scenes and subjects from alternative perspectives.

Light
Nothing gets me more excited than reading and embracing natural light. I’m particularly looking forward to embracing the harsh, late spring light in WA. We’ll explore light direction first, it’ll blow your mind. We’ll find light and shadow and all the ways they can both make a photograph sing. We’ll work with both harsh light and soft light and learn how to manipulate the outcome of both. We’ll follow the light around and go hunting for ways to make it sing both indoors and outdoors. I’ll share with you all my tips on both light and bright photography as well as the contrasting dark and moody chiaroscuro style.

Composition
The way a photograph is framed can completely shift the way a subject is viewed. It’s a really fun game. We will play with lots of different perspectives, angles, following rules and breaking those rules, as well as challenging literal shooting by encouraging the more unpredictable and curious ways of taking a photograph.

Storytelling
No matter the subject, a story is always worth being told. We could spend the whole two days on storytelling alone. I have a special formula, you’ll love it. I can’t wait to dig into this with you and see the visual stories you will create in WA - and beyond!

Interior Photography
Photographing interiors is a really fun process, and the unique and thoughtful interiors of Brass Moon will be the absolute perfect place for us to learn. Poppy has an incredible eye, not to mention all the gorgeous Pop and Scott furniture and art that we will be surrounded by! I’ll share all the tips I have for taking a photograph that helps to make an interior space look delicious and inviting. From full room shots, to styled vignettes and of course, the details.

Travel/Location Photography
This one makes my heart sing. It’s really all about sharing a genuine sense of place. We will be in a stunning location to take photos together that will inspire and transport - the ultimate goal of travel and location photography. We will use our three main locations over the two days (Brass Moon and the surrounding forest, Glenarty Road Farm and the beaches beyond) as the perfect practice assignment for travel and editorial photography. Let’s create a Margaret River travel story together!

Post Production/Editing
I will step you through my editing flow, both on Lightroom and phone. We will cover the basics, explore your style, learn some exporting tricks, and develop your own preset to take home with you.

Industry Chat
Let’s chat openly. The best type of industry chat. Marketing, pricing (actual numbers!), pitching and getting published, image licensing, editorial insights, creative inspiration etc, etc. This part is always juicy, insightful, and fun.

Q&As
I want to answer any and all of your questions. We will have plenty of time for questions throughout the workshop, and special allocated time, too. I am an open book and want you to go home with loads of information and value no matter your level in photography - so please bring your questions and I will give you all my answers!

above: behind the scenes highlights from past photography workshops
photos by Sabine Bannard, Jacinda Hochman, Jane McCormack, Belinda Monck and Jemima Phelps

ABOUT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY TEACHER: Lean Timms

Lean Timms is an Australian travel and lifestyle photographer continuously working across major and well known brands in the editorial, commercial and publishing fields.

Forever exploring and full of curiosity for this world, Lean’s greatest love is to discover and document inspiring places and stories. Lean’s approach to photography is driven by natural light, in situ spontaneity, storytelling and capturing a genuine sense of place. 

A once upon a time creative arts high school teacher, Lean loves to teach and share, and has been lucky enough to teach photography at workshops and retreats all around the world.

Lean is currently based on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, Canberra Australia.

Select clients and publications Lean has worked with include:
Australian Traveller | ADOBE | Airbnb | Audi Australia | Condé Nast Traveller | Country Style | Food and Wine Magazine | Galah Magazine | Gestalten | Hardie Grant Publishing | Hamilton Island | Inkaterra Hotels | Lonely Planet | Lulu Lemon | Luxury Lodges of Australia | Murdoch Books | QANTAS Travel Insider | qualia | Saveur Magazine | Schwartz media | Tierra Hotels | Tourism Australia | Vogue Living | Visit Faroe Islands | YOLO Journal

above: photo 2 & 3 of Lean by Zoe Helene

ABOUT OUR WORKSHOP LOCATION: Brass Moon by Pop and Scott

We will be spending our two days surrounded by an enchanting Marri forest, at the incredible Brass Moon - a workshop, studio and gallery space lovingly designed and styled by Poppy and Scott, the creatives behind the Australian lighting, furniture and textiles label Pop and Scott. Their exquisite taste, including their divine handcrafted furniture and lighting fixtures, will surround and inspire us as we learn. Their cat, dog and chickens might even join us for some portraits, if we’re lucky!

above: photos of Brass Moon by Poppy Lane of Pop and Scott

ABOUT OUR GUEST SPEAKER: Jo Bainbridge

Jo Bainbridge is an accomplished and multi-award-winning digital media professional with over 25 years of industry experience. With expertise as a picture editor, content creator, and producer, she is recognised for her innovative approach to storytelling, content strategy and identifying new opportunities for brand storytelling across top Australian brands.

Jo leads creative projects as Visual Director for Qantas Magazine at Medium Rare Content Agency. Her previous roles include Picture Editor at The Australian Financial Review, Escape (Sunday Telegraph), and Are Media (former Australian Consolidated Press), where she worked on renowned titles such as Cleo, Cosmopolitan, Men's Style, and Women's Fitness. As the former owner of a successful picture syndication company, Jo's work has taken her around the globe, producing photo shoots with celebrities, politicians, and business leaders.

above: photo of Jo by Hugh Stewart

ABOUT OUR WORKSHOP EXCURSION: Lunch at Glenarty Road and Boranup Forest and Beach

Over the two days, we will be spoiled with incredible Margaret River scenery and hospitality. From our workshop nest at Brass Moon we will head out to a delicious three course lunch at the regenerative farm, restaurant and cellar door, Glenarty Road. This is promised to be an honest and wholesome food and wine experience, with ingredients and produce grown or made from scratch on their fifth generation farm. We will then continue on to a special photography excursion on a photo drive through the towering stands of Karri in the Boranup Forest and over to the white sand and turquoise water of stunning Boranup Beach.

Photos of Margaret River region by Bianca Kate Photography, of Glenarty Road supplied by Glenarty Road and by Amy Dyson

For you to bring to the workshop:

- Your camera and lens/es (you’ll be sent a welcome email two weeks before the workshop, where I’ll ask you to share your camera model so that I am familiar before you arrive! If you need help in buying a camera, please sing out, I’ve got you!).
- Laptop or phone for editing (optional)
- As the Swedes say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. So bring a raincoat and your sense of adventure, just in case!

PAST WORKSHOP PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS:

- What can I say other than wow! I didn't really know what to expect before embarking in this course, but Leans x2 day photography workshop absolutely blew my socks off. Lean is such an incredible teacher, no stone was left unturned, and the beautiful work book we got to keep has been a really lovely reference to return too. Lean was able to teach a broad range of students with different backgrounds and photography knowledge and keep everyone highly engaged. I honestly couldn't recommend this course more highly. I have walked away far more confident behind my lens and it was simply the best weekend with like minded creatives. If you get the opportunity to do this course, just book the ticket. you won't be disappointed. - Sarah Miles @sarahmiles.studio

- Lean's workshop truly exceeded my expectations. Lean is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, providing personalized feedback and guidance throughout the course. Set in a stunning location, the workshop offered a perfect blend of theory and hands-on practice, covering everything from shooting in manual mode to composition, storytelling and editing techniques. The small group size fostered a supportive atmosphere and each day was well-structured. Stepping into this experience as a beginner, I left with a newfound confidence. I highly recommend this workshop to photographers of all levels. It's an investment but it’s worth it and is an experience not to be missed. Thank you Lean for sharing your knowledge, creativity and patience. - Chelsy Furtado @__smell.the.roses__

- Lean’s approach to teaching photography is a breath of fresh air. She has a knack for breaking down the scary bits into something you can actually get excited about. Camera settings, composition, lighting – she broke it down to the basics and put it into everyday context, which really helped me translate these skills to my own work. Aside from everything that we learnt, Lean as a person is incredibly kind, patient, and genuinely invested in seeing everyone grow. She was so open about the industry and really encouraged everyone to try new things. It felt more like hanging out with a super knowledgeable friend for a weekend rather than sitting in a workshop. - Bella Chambers @social.laundry

-Taking two whole days out of my schedule to breathe, absorb, and have a lot of fun whilst being surrounded by other creatives was the absolute best gift I could give to myself. It has shaped the way I see photography and birthed a newfound level of confidence that I will always be grateful to Lean for pulling out of me. Lean is an incredibly gifted teacher and master storyteller, and will have you hooked on every word she says. - Beka Gibbs @rebekahfrancesgibbs

- This course was an indulgent luxury for me, and a significant investment in my current chapter of life. Lean was cognisant of this, creating an experience that felt generous, whilst still understanding her own worth. Perhaps that is just a complicated way of saying I felt like it was good value for money! Lean seamlessly navigated a class of beginners and seasoned professionals - not an easy task by any stretch. Lean’s teaching is gentle and encouraging and she managed to guide without prescribing. The content was comprehensive and informative - I thought the breadth of content was great. But most of all Lean presented in a way that was vibrant and full of humour, which is obviously just a reflection on Lean as an individual - it is invigorating to be around passion, so thank you Lean for sharing this - Hannah Lewis @penguinpantry

- Lean is magic. Her workshops are packed with detail and yet somehow easily digestible. She makes difficult concepts accessible and so. damn. beautiful. But Lean’s workshops are so much more than just the content: the locations, the food, the styling, her guest teachers - every detail is so considered and beautiful and specially created to inspire. Lean’s genuine, natural and joyful energy is contagious, and she is unfailingly generous with her time, her knowledge, her experience, and her encouragement. The workshop was a significant investment for me at the time, but turned out to be worth every cent - the weekend I spent with Lean, her fabulous co-conspirators and my equally brilliant fellow attendees was an absolute highlight of my year. I think we're all still buzzing, six months later! You're in for a treat! - Jane McCormack @_jane_mccormack

Are you keen but not quite sure yet? Do you have some questions for me? Please feel very free to reach out by sending me an email. I would love to help and chat more with you!

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Unfortunately this is a non-refundable workshop. However, we do understand that things change and life happens. We would like to be as flexible as possible, so should you need to rearrange, we are more than happy to rebook you to another workshop at another time. Valid travel insurance is also encouraged for your trip. Thank you for understanding.

I’m so excited for this workshop and hope you are, too! I can’t wait for a very full and inspiring two days, creating and learning together this November in Margaret River, WA.

Hope so much to see you there.

Lean. X

above: photo of Margaret River region by Bianca Kate Photography