How do they make it look like that?
Dreamy. Sharp. Cinematic. Effortless.
The answer isn’t in a preset.
It’s in how YOU SEE, FEEL and SHOOT.
Let me Guess...
You’re in manual, but your images still don’t look how they feel.
You’ve tried every preset, yet they never capture the depth or emotion you imagined.
You’re craving that next level, where control meets creativity, and your art finally reflects your vision.
You understand exposure, but can’t quite read the light the way others seem to.
Your images look fine, but they don’t feel intentional and that frustrates you.
So let’s change that.
No more guessing.
No more “good enough.”
You just need someone to show you how. Clearly, simply, and artistically, how it all comes together.
"I bought Nic's course at a low point in my photography journey. I was questioning my abilities & had lost confidence in myself.
Her course was exactly what I needed to re-inspire, motivate and help me bounce back. I can honestly say my photography has improved already and I havent even finished the course yet.Very grateful for and happy with this investment 🙌
thank you!"
— Clare Curtis Photography
SO LET ME INTRODUCE:
A self-paced course that bridges technical skill with creative vision, so you can shoot in manual with confidence, read light like an artist, and create imagery that feels authentic, emotive, and unmistakably yours.
Course breakdown:
Building Technical Confidence
- You’ll learn to master aperture, shutter, and ISO. Not as random numbers, but as the creative tools that shape your art.
- Through real-life examples, image comparisons, and on-screen demos, you’ll see exactly how each choice affects light, depth, and emotion.
- No more guessing. No more hoping for the best. You’ll learn to read light instinctively and balance exposure in any condition with calm, confident precision.
- Whether it’s dreamy blur, crisp detail, or cinematic motion, you’ll know how to create it, intentionally, in camera.
- Walk away with more than just technical skill. Walk away with clarity, confidence, and complete creative control.
Harnessing Light as Your Muse
- Learn to use golden hour, blue hour, full sun, overcast skies, and natural indoor light with confidence and intention.
- Understand the emotion each light type carries and how to pair it with your subject, setting, and story for deeper impact.
- Explore directional light. Backlight, side light, top light, and catchlights, through real-life examples showing exactly how I position both myself and my clients for artistic effect.
- You’ll start seeing light not as a challenge, but as your most powerful creative tool.
- Shift from avoiding tricky light to embracing it as part of your artistic language.
The Art of Emotional Storytelling
- In the biggest module yet, you’ll learn how to turn everyday moments into artistic, emotion-filled frames.
- Discover how to frame emotion using negative space, symmetry, leading lines, and foreground elements that add depth and story.
- See how perspective and angle transform not just how an image looks, but how it feels.
- Learn to crop with intention, simplifying distractions, drawing the eye, and highlighting what matters most.
- Explore storytelling through movement, location, props, and light, turning fleeting moments into poetic, timeless art.
The Artist’s Toolkit
- Gear Walkthrough: What’s in my camera bag (and why it works for me), from bodies to lenses, filters, SD cards, and hard drives.
- Editing & Workflow Tools: The exact software I use, my client management overview and gallery delivery tools.
- My Personal Model Release Form (Downloadable): Use it for your own model calls or styled shoots, adapt it, brand it, and protect your work with confidence.
- Model Call Tips: How I began building my portfolio through model calls, and how you can do the same to grow, experiment and attract aligned clients.
- Exclusive Discount Codes: Trusted tools, platforms and services I personally use, shared with you to help you get started (or upgrade) with ease.
Stop guessing. Start creating with purpose.
Where technique meets emotion and everything clicks.
✓
Balance your settings effortlessly. No hesitation, no guessing, just flow.
Read natural light like emotion, creating depth and feeling in every frame.
Frame, crop, and compose with intention, turning simple moments into storytelling art.
Direct connection with ease, using movement, angles, and perspective to evoke feeling.
Create art that moves people. Imagery that’s both technically strong and deeply human.
Pick up your camera with clarity, confidence, and complete creative freedom.
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
More than lessons, this is your foundation for artistry, confidence, and creative freedom.
Over 8+ hours of video training, including face-to-camera lessons, on-screen demos and real-life shooting, designed to build your confidence step-by-step.
3 Core Foundations
Gear, workflows, resources, and downloads to support your craft.
1 Creative Toolkit
Simple, powerful PDFs designed for real-life use on any shoot.
Quick Guides + Cheatsheets
Grow at your pace. Revisit anytime. Build momentum that lasts.
Course Access for 12 Months
Everything changes when you stop taking photos and start creating art.
let's get started.
"I’ve been a family photographer for over six years and honestly thought I knew how to read light until this. Nic’s way of teaching completely shifted how I see it. I’d never thought to look at light through a cinematic, emotional lens before it’s changed everything about the way I shoot."
— Elise M.
GOLD! this course is awesome! I love the way Nic talks through her settings, there’s just so much more to it than I ever realised. Everything she does has intention behind it, and seeing her explain it in real-life examples has been such a game changer. I’ve never seen anyone include that kind of depth in their work before, it’s been so helpful for me.”
— holly J.
"I’ve taken other courses before, but none explained things so clearly. The way Nic teaches light and intention has completely changed how I see my work."
— Ashleigh T.
This is for you if you’re ready to…
Stop second-guessing every setting and finally take control of your camera with confidence and ease.
Break free from auto mode and start creating work that reflects your artistic vision, not your camera’s limits.
Turn what you feel into what you create. Bridging the gap between imagination and execution.
This isn’t for you if you’d rather…
Keep relying on auto and let your camera make the creative choices for you.
Capture photos just to “get it done,” not to connect or create something timeless.
Focus only on the technical, without exploring the emotion or storytelling behind an image.
Learn how to read light like an artist, not just expose for it, and use it intentionally to tell a story.
Craft images that are soft, cinematic, emotional, the kind that make people feel something.
Thrive with clarity and simplicity. You want visual, real-life teaching that actually sticks.
Stay where it feels safe, even if part of you knows there’s more waiting for you.
Rush through the process instead of slowing down, learning intentionally, and growing as an artist.
Move beyond just taking photos to creating art that carries depth, emotion, and meaning.
If you’re ready to finally understand your camera, harness light with purpose, and create work that feels as beautiful as it looks.
Artistry Foundations was built for you.
Hey,
I'm Nic!
A motherhood photographer, mentor, and creative who believes in making art out of the everyday.
I started right where you might be now, overwhelmed by settings, unsure of my style, and craving more emotion in my work.
Artistry Foundations is everything I wish I had when I was learning. A space that bridges the technical and the artistic, built to help you create with confidence, intention, and heart.
Whether you’re a mother documenting your own story or a photographer ready to elevate your craft, I’m here to walk beside you, guiding you to see light, emotion, and connection in a whole new way.
BEHIND
the COURSE
With gentle encouragement and an art director's eye, I collaborate with my couples to create effortlessly editorial images full of pure love, stunning backdrops, and natural moments (with just enough guidance!)
Light is my biggest inspiration, and I find weddings to be complex, joyous, fashion-filled, emotional, utterly beautiful celebrations that I can't get enough of.
ENNEAGRAM 8, CREATIVE TO MY CORE, ARTIST, ROMANTIC, JANE AUSTIN STAN
about
abigail
as seen in
Harpers Bazaar / Vogue
Marie Claire / Weddings Magazine
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As a globally celebrated wedding photographer with nearly two decade’s experience, Tec Petaja brings an innate knowledge of composition, mood, and light to every moment he captures.
by abigail fitzgerald
About
Author
the
as seen in
Harpers Bazaar / Vogue
Marie Claire / Weddings Magazine
You already have the vision. this is where it all clicks.
FAQ
(Frequently Asked Q's)
Who is this course for?
Do I need to already shoot in manual mode?
Not at all. You’ll learn how to shoot in manual step by step, with real-life examples that make it easy to understand. If you already use manual, you’ll discover how to take what you know and use it artistically, with control, emotion, and purpose behind every frame.
What kind of gear do I need?
Any DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings will work beautifully.
It doesn’t matter if you’re using an entry-level camera or professional gear, what matters is learning how to use it with confidence and intention.
Will this help if I want to photograph clients professionally?
Absolutely. Artistry Foundations helps you shoot with clarity, confidence, and consistency, which is the foundation of a professional portfolio. You’ll walk away ready to create intentional work that attracts aligned clients.
Do you offer refunds?
Because of the instant digital access and downloadable resources, all sales are final. Please make sure to read through the course details before enrolling and reach out if you’re unsure whether it’s the right fit.
How long will I have access to the course? How long will it take?
You'll have 12 months' access. The course is self-paced and takes around 7–10 hours to complete. Each module is broken into bite-sized videos (10–20 mins) so you can learn without overwhelm.
What if I have questions during the course?
You’re never on your own. You can reach out directly to me via email or Instagram DM for support and guidance along the way.
Your quick-start guide to mastering light and settings with ease — the first step to photographing with intention and heart.
The Next Chapter of Your Artistry Awaits
