Three Impactful Lessons for Photography Students

1. The Power of Daily Practice

• Approach: Heather emphasizes the importance of a daily photography practice, advocating for capturing at least one image every day. This habit keeps photographers engaged with their surroundings, encourages curiosity, and builds a deeper connection with their craft.

• Technique: Students can start with a “photo-a-day” project, focusing on themes like light, texture, or movement. By dedicating time each day to photography, even for a few minutes, students develop their technical skills and creative intuition over time.

• Philosophy: Consistency in practice helps foster a mindset of exploration and discovery, enabling students to notice and appreciate the nuances of the world around them. This practice reinforces the idea that creativity is a muscle that grows stronger with regular use.

2. Photographing with Intention

• Approach: Heather encourages students to think critically about their images, from composition to editing decisions. She guides them to articulate their process, including why they chose specific settings, angles, or post-processing adjustments.

• Technique: Students can adopt this approach by journaling their creative decisions, noting what drew them to a subject and the technical steps they used to achieve their vision. This reflective process can help identify strengths and areas for improvement.

• Philosophy: Photography is more than pressing a button—it’s about intentionality. By focusing on the “why” behind their choices, students can develop a unique artistic voice and better connect with their audience.

3. Balancing Technical Skills with Creativity

• Approach: Heather blends technical proficiency with artistic expression, teaching students to master foundational skills like exposure, composition, and geometry corrections while encouraging experimentation and personal storytelling.

• Technique: Beginners should practice with foundational techniques such as using guided geometry to align lines or experimenting with creative tools like the slow shutter app for movement. By mastering these basics, students can expand their creative toolkit to experiment confidently.

• Philosophy: Technical mastery provides a solid foundation that frees photographers to focus on creativity. Heather’s teaching philosophy highlights the balance between disciplined learning and playful exploration, inspiring students to grow in both skill and vision.