Two Day Photography Workshop FAQ’s

Do I need to have a good camera to participate in this workshop?

A decent DSLR or mirrorless camera is definitely going to be most beneficial as it will give you the best technical and creative options as you take photos throughout the workshop. However, if you currently have a more basic camera and aren’t yet ready for an upgrade, as long as you are able to shoot it on manual settings, you can learn on this and upgrade later if you like. If you need help in choosing a new camera, please email me. I would love to help! 

Can I do the workshop with a smart phone?

You are most welcome to do the course on a smart phone, just know that your shooting range and options may be limited. There are apps you can download to use manual settings on your phone if you can’t already access manual settings. I’d recommend downloading and familiarising yourself with one of these apps before you arrive at the workshop to get the most out of the content we cover. 

I feel intimidated - I’m a total beginner, will this course be too advanced for me?

I totally understand feeling intimidated. In my opinion, that and imposter syndrome can be the worst when it comes to squashing creativity. I make sure I do everything possible to ensure that when you arrive at the workshop these feelings quickly dissipate. I send out a questionnaire before the workshop begins to gauge your learning level and interests - it’s important to me that our workshop learning environment is welcoming, approachable, patient, encouraging, challenging, supportive, inspiring and loads of fun. There’s no question too silly and no learning level too low. I love teaching beginners! I have students all the time who literally learn to turn their camera on the day before the workshop. I’ve got you. Our first two hours together will make sure that everyone is on the same page with all the technical basics. By the end of the first day, you will be so surprised at the photography doors that will open to you and the images you’ll be taking. It is my mission to make sure that everyone in the group gets a ridiculous amount of value from this workshop - from beginners right through to the professionals. 

I’m already a professional photographer, confident with using manual settings - will I get much out of this workshop?

Absolutely. It is most important to me that everyone gets a huge amount of value from these workshops, no matter your learning level. I will specifically check in with you before the workshop to understand and be prepared for where you are at in your photography journey. I design each workshop with loads of layered learning elements throughout to challenge every stage of learning and professional development. As a professional photographer, a huge motivator for creating these workshops was to open the professional floor so that all elements of photography are on the table - to provide a place where even professional photographers can have direct access to industry practices and perspectives, ask questions that they feel they should ‘already know’ or just have a good poke around to see how other fellow professionals do the job. We also have a juicy talk about money, licensing, pitching, business design, creative inspiration, which I always find educational and hugely helpful. There’s nothing like the feeling of reassurance and nodding along in agreement to boost your own confidence. Along with my own 12 years of industry knowledge, I also always hand pick other industry professionals to share their insights, learn from and to network with. Not to mention the inspiration and motivation you get from being in a room learning and creating with like minded people. The zing and buzz is palpable. 

I would love to pick your brain about the industry and what it’s like to be a working photographer. Are you happy to answer cheeky business questions?!

Absolutely. No gatekeeping. This is the place for it! Every question is welcome, everything is on the table. 

Does this workshop focus on specific genres of photography (eg travel and interiors), or will we learn about a range of genres?

Each workshop varies slightly depending on the location and guest teachers, however in each workshop we will explore and guide you through the genres that are most often included in lifestyle and editorial photography. This includes travel, food, portraiture, interiors and landscapes. 

How many participants will be in the workshop with me?

I like to keep things as intimate as possible and prefer smaller groups, usually between 8 to 16 participants depending on the venue size. 

Will there be opportunities for you to review and assist me with my photos, one on one?

Yes. I will make sure that during our practical sessions everyone gets one on one time. This will be shared as equally as possible with everyone in the group. I also always offer to review images and answer any further questions after the workshop via email. 

Will you be teaching us how to edit photos?

I will step you through my editing flow, both on Lightroom and phone. We will cover basics, explore your style, exporting tricks, and develop your own preset.

What do I need to bring with me?

Please bring your camera and lenses (you’ll be sent a welcome email two weeks before the workshop, where I’ll ask you to share your camera model and photography experience so that I am familiar and prepped for you before you arrive! If you need help in buying a camera, please sing out, I’ve got you!). Your laptop or phone for editing is optional, as is a tripod. Also bring all your questions. And your appetite.

What’s included in the workshop:

Your two days at the workshop include all workshop lessons, lux catering (morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea/apero) and excursions. You’ll also receive a notebook, pencil, personalised pen and a printed Lean Timms Photography Handbook, as well as your our own special workshop gift bag with beautiful artisan goodies valued at over $300.

What happens if it rains?

We carry on! As they say in Sweden, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes. :)

What happens if I need to cancel at the last minute?

Unfortunately, due to the nature and preparation of these workshops, we are unable to provide a refund. You are welcome to find a replacement, or attend another workshop in the future. 

Can you organise accommodation for me?

We are very happy to provide you with accommodation suggestions, but will leave the organisation of your accommodation booking up to you. 

I know someone who would love this course, am I able to purchase a gift voucher?

Absolutely, hit us up! 

What’s with the price tag?!

The question I’m sure many of you are dying to ask! I appreciate that my workshops are an investment, but I believe it’s a genuine reflection of the value you’ll receive from the experience. We’ll cover lots of content, spending time on theory and practice as well as industry insights and so much more. I will guide you through the very efficient and conveniently condensed version of the most important things I’ve learned from 12 years in the professional international photography space. I also warmly welcome any and all of your pressing photography questions to explore. Together we will problem solve, learn, inspire and create. I also don’t believe in competitiveness: I believe in community. So all the juicy stuff that is often kept secret and hard to find in the industry will be laid out to share in the hopes that it helps you propel and excel in your own photography journey. But, my workshops are more than just the content: I love curating unique experiences that nourish and inspire you, literally and creatively! I source and style incredible locations for us, to enjoy as well as photograph. We’ll eat delicious morning tea, lunch and apero on both days, with incredible wine to match. You’ll receive a printed Lean Timms Photography Handbook to take home with you, as a handy reference guide to everything we discuss - you’ll also receive a notebook and beautiful personalised Bespoke Letterpress pen for all your notetaking needs. Everyone also receives a special workshop gift bag with local artisan goodies valued at over $300. If that’s not enough to convince you, here are some testimonials from past participants who mention the value of the experience.

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

I did Leans photography workshop earlier this year and it has been one of my favourite investments ever into my photography. I was already a working photographer. And I got so much out of this course. The way Lean uses an image to tell a story. The way the workshop is crafted so everyone, beginners and established photographers and anyone in between get value out of it is a unique skill. Leans words will stick with you for months to come and she pours herself into the two day course. You also get the incredible friendships of likeminded people you meet over the two days. Most of which I still talk to on a weekly basis. If you’re on the fence about this I promise it’s worth it. Every dime. It will change the way you approach photography and help you show the way you see the world. - Tess Lehman @tessdoes

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

Any more questions? Please email me, I’d love to hear from you.