Photography found me, I didn't find it
Forty years ago I fell into photography by accident, no training, no interest in photography previously or even at the time I 'accidentally' fell into it
It was 1982, I was working in retail and it just happened to be in a photo shop, not the software editing program Photoshop, no, a real shop where you could hold a camera in your hands
If you're as old as me, you'll remember the photo shop.
In Australia, it was usually, but not always, inside a chemist.
You would leave your rolls of film (for week!) and hope you got something photo worthy
I fell into photography by accident
My boss at the time was just getting in to wedding photography.
Bookings started to come in very quickly he needed another 'wedding photographer' and guess who he had in mind?
(cue eye rolling emoji)
I didn't own a camera, I wasn't interested in owning a camera, let alone understanding how to use one or wanting to take wedding photos.... but I did it... not because I loved photography because I didn't, it was too confusing and way too much pressure taking someone's wedding photos with film and having no idea how to use a camera
I did it because it paid well and because even though I said 'no' (several times), it was the 80's, I was 23 with persistence and reassurance that I could actually take photos, I relented, and I will forever be thankful for that sliding door moment
Fast forward to now and when I look back and think about my own photography journey 40+yrs ago,
My journey to teaching myself about cameras and photography and light, landed me right here, right now....so I can teach you
For a long time, that was exactly how it stayed, learning light and composition, not because I loved it, because it took the pressure off making sure I could get a good photo for the couple .....
I soon learned that the combination of simply understanding 'light and composition' without knowing anything technical at all, can and will change your photography it will take your photography to another level
without ever knowing anything technical if you don't want to
'photography was the constant in a life that asked a great deal from me'
As a single mum raising three children, working two, sometimes three jobs for decades, photography was always there - quietly doing what I needed it to do; pay school fees, buy school uniforms, put petrol in the car, pay for groceries.
Photography never let me down.
Never asked for anything back.
Just showed up, every time
The Leap
In 2024 at 62yrs, I left my full time role as a careers advisor at school where I'd worked for 23yrs
I decided, now, for the first time, I had to give photography a chance.........What could it do?
'Always the bridesmaid,
never the bride'
It was time to take a leap of faith'
At the start of 2024 in my sabbatical year, I gave myself a job, post a reel to instagram every day during 2024.
In that year two of my instagram reels went 'viral'
I didn't even understand what that meant.
I didn't even know that on Instagram videos were called 'reels'
In March 2024 one of my reels went viral, then another, those two reels alone have been viewed nearly 10mil timesv-unbelievable
By June 2024 my instagram followers went from 984 to 500,000 and today we have over 1.4mil followers across the three socials.
What I realised was, that people wanted to learn how to photograph
They wanted to learn how to use their camera.
They needed to do it in a way that made sense to them.
In a way that kind and gentle and slow and with no judgement, no gatekeeping
It's not just me, it's us
Behind every great photographer is someone keeping everything else running
For me, that person is Caro.
My life partner and the quiet engine behind Learn How To Photograph the business
Caro handles the admin, organisation of photography tours, the bookkeeping and all the things that keep the business running
She's not a photographer.
She is for me, something more valuable
Fast Facts
40
years in photography
17
years of teaching
1.4M +
followers on socials
10M+
views on two single reels
Time to invest in YOU
Are you ready to learn?
Are you ready to take your photography not just to the next level, but to the one after that, and the one after that?
It's your time
It's time for you to give something to yourself
Nicky on one of our
Women Only NZ Photography Tours
Derry is the inspiration and face behind Learn How to Photograph, which as the name suggests, takes keen photographers by the hand, from beginners to advanced, guiding them on the journey. Derry is kind, patient and incredibly generous with her time. She never makes anyone feels stupid for asking what might sound like a very basic question. Above all, she clearly understands how it feels to "learn how to photograph" and she loves teaching it
Amanda S
"I did Derry's learn how to photograph course, a few years ago now . It was fabulous , so informative and easy to follow"
Vikki B
Take the next step in your learning
'Thank you for your kind, generous help'
'I'm learning a lot from you. Love from Istanbul'
'I just love you and your inspiring words and the knowledge you are sharing. Thank you'
'You're truly inspirational'
'Derry! You're an inspiration to th younger generation of female photograpers'
'Thank you for sharing your knowledge in an accessible way'