Scroll Top

Photography Workshops and Mentoring in Aberdeen

IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS…

Is your camera gathering dust in the cupboard, because you are unsure how to unleash its full potential?

Let’s change that! Get those batteries charged and start enjoying photography again!

Come along to one of my photography workshops and let me help you improve your skills, teach you new techniques and help you become a more confident photographer!

Photography is a lot of fun. It’s a great hobby to get out of the house and capture memories, but isn’t necessarily the easiest skill to learn, even basic cameras have so many buttons and different functions, where do you even start… I promise, once you understand your camera and photography basics, and you put in the work to practice what you learned, it’ll all start making sense and your images will improve. 

Photography workshop Iska Birnie Photography
Iska Birnie Photographer

The perfect Photography Training for you

What would you like to learn?

Frustrated with your camera?

Are you an enthusiastic amateur photographer, but you keep running into the same problems? Perhaps you are not 100% happy with the results you are getting from your photography and need a little guidance and inspiration. Or you’d like to learn how to start using your camera’s manual modes and unleash its full potential.

It’s time to stop neglecting your camera and start enjoying photography again!

Here’s how I can help! I offer a range of options: 

  • Come along to one of my group workshops 
  • Arrange 121 sessions if you want to work on a specific topic
  • Sign up for my monthly image feedback subscription 

Get in touch if you have any questions or if you would like to start working with me. 

Please note: My workshops/photography mentoring are not suitable for mobile phone photography. You will require to have a DSLR, mirrorless, or bridge camera to attend (I have one camera available for hire during workshops and 121 training) 

Questions about the workshops or 121 mentoring?
Ask me anything!

Iska Birnie Photographer

How can you work with me to improve your photography skills?

6-week Beginner’s Photography Course

The next course will run from Saturday (10am – 12pm)
18th January to 22nd February 2025

These workshops are perfect if you are new to photography and would like to learn photography basics and how to get your camera off auto mode. Learning in a group environment often helps, as you will be among peers in a friendly and supportive environment.

During the course we will cover the following topics: 

  • What makes a great photograph 
  • How to compose a photograph, using one of the rules of composition  
  • The Exposure Triangle: Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO 
  • Using the different camera modes 
  • Basic editing
  • Access to my supportive photography mentoring Facebook group 

Contact me to find out more.

Get Started Adobe Lightroom
Online Masterclass

Would you like to learn how to edit your images in Adobe Lightroom Classic? Join my online masterclass to learn all you need to know to get started.

The masterclass will cover everything you need to comfortably start using Lightroom to edit your photographs: 

  • File and folder structure on your computer
  • RAW files vs JEPG
  • Importing your image files and using collections
  • Viewing and comparing images in the library
  • Enhancing photos in the develop module
  • Using the retouching and masking tools
  • Combining images – panorama and HDR
  • Exporting your images 

Contact me to enquire about upcoming dates.

121 Mentoring

From £125

Perfect if you already know your way around your camera a little bit and would like 121 support on a specific topic. This could be to deepen your understanding of your camera’s setting, how to use light (natural or artificial) to your advantage, learn basic editing skills, or anything else you would like to cover. We’ll discuss the topic you’d like to cover before your session. 

  • 90-minute sessions at a location of choice (travel fee may apply for locations further away) 
  • Topic or subject of choice 
  • Practical tips and tricks on how to improve your photography in a certain area 
  • Email support between in-person sessions 
  • Access to my supportive photography mentoring Facebook group 

Contact me to book your sessions.

Monthly Image Feedback

From only £30

This is a very popular option with clients who have attended one of my workshops or 121 training sessions, it keeps you accountable and ensures that you keep practicing your photography skills – as they say: practice makes perfect!

With the monthly subscription, you get access to email support and my Facebook group, where you can ask questions, share images and connect with other photography enthusiasts. 

  • A new topic every month 
  • Submit 4 images each month 
  • Feedback is given via email 
  • Email support if you have any questions 
  • Add-on a zoom call or 121 mentoring sessions (additional cost)

Contact me to find out more, or head directly to the sign-up page.

The Photography
Business Course

Learn how to get started with your photography business

This one is for all the budding photographers who want to turn their hobby into a career.

Perhaps you have already started your photography business part-time, but are struggling to make it work. 

In my Photography Business Course, we’ll go through every important aspect of running a successful photography business.

  • Setting up your business
  • How to keep on top of your work
  • Finding your ideal clients
  • Marketing your business
  • Finding your niche
  • Software to make your life easier
  • Pricing your business for success
  • and much more…

Contact me to enquire about upcoming dates.

Ready to start improving your photography skills?

THEN DON’T WAIT ANY LONGER, GET IN TOUCH…
Iska Birnie Photographer

Why choose me to be your photography mentor?

With me as your mentor, you will get a real-life photographer helping you to achieve your photography goals and ambitions – without the jargon and tech talk.

I can honestly say, I’ve been where you are! Photography has been one of my passions for as long as I remember, but I only started to take it a little more seriously and invest in training and workshops about 10 years ago.

Since then I have won awards, and have gained various photography qualifications. But I didn’t stop there! I am passionate about life-long learning and educating myself every day.

Let me be your helping hand to better photographs! Contact me to find out how you can work with me.

Book your complimentary consultation

I’d love to hear all about your ambitions!
Iska Birnie Photographer

Testimonials

Will you be my next happy client?
Snow-photo-shoot-dogs
Kirsten Rennie
The Working Puppy Company

Iska provided a professional bespoke service from start to finish. She captured our business’ core values, the personality of our trainers and dogs, our branding and the facilities perfectly. The visual impact of Iska’s photography has made a huge impact on both my website and social media. I would very much recommend her to anyone looking to create a professional and personal impression of their business.

Tess Day - Mindblox
Tess Day
Mindblox

I hired Iska to take photos at a live event I was running. The photos were phenomenal, they completely captured the essence of the event, and we’ve been able to use them repeatedly in marking material. I continue to bring Iska into projects I’m involved with and really appreciate her professional, gentle yet assertive approach to our working relationship. She has an incredible ability to find solutions to create the best results. From big public events to animals large and small and those tricky profile shots, Iska really makes you feel at ease.

Assurance of Learning Ltd
David Christie
Assurance of Learning Ltd

We cannot fault in any way the service we received from Iska Birnie Photography. Throughout the journey Iska was transparent and communicated at every stage so we were fully aware of our responsibilities. She liaised closely with our overseas web developers. Iska was most professional demonstrating the highest level of care and attention to our needs and exceeded our expectations in delivery. All in all a wonderful experience to undergo with outstanding results and coupled with a sense of humour at every juncture, made the journey for Assurance of Learning Limited most enjoyable.

becominghappy - Birgit Itse's first published book
Birgit Itse
Word Accord

Understanding your uniqueness is vital for every business or personal brand. As a writer, I find it easy to express it in words, but images are different. Therefore, finding the photographer, who really understands me, was essential. We all have our insecurities when it comes to being in front of the camera, things you’d like to hide, not to showcase. Working with Iska was easy. It put me at ease. I liked the feeling of being prepared. I liked how she is honest and encouraging at the same time. I’ve worked with her three times now, and we always have loads of fun. And it shows. I get a lot of compliments for my photos, and I proudly announce the person behind them.

First aid trainer
Sarah Phillips
First Aid at Work Aberdeen and Mini First Aid Aberdeen

Wow…what can I say. Iska is a true professional. She made me feel comfortable, at ease, and gave guidance as to how to stand, look, pose if you like! At no point did I feel rushed, and I enjoyed every moment. Would highly recommend. Thank you Iska ?

Nutrition with a twist - meet Siobhan Jaffray
Siobhan Jaffray
SJ Nutrition

I recently had some brand photography done with Iska and I cannot recommend her enough. She completely put me at ease in front of the camera and made the whole experience fun. Iska took the time to get to know about myself and my business and as a result the photos completely reflect my message I want to send to potential clients.

Family Celebrant Isabel Addison
Isabel Addison
Legacy Celebrant

Realising that I needed more headshots and images for my website and for marketing materials, it was a no-brainer to contact Iska again. The time frame was tight and Iska went out of her way to accommodate me. It was a chilly day in Tarland but unphased by this Iska managed to capture shots of me outdoors as well as setting up my healing room as a temporary studio!
The collaboration between myself, Iska and my graphics designer worked really well, and the results speak for themselves. Once again a really enjoyable experience with Iska.

Aberdeen brand photography
Emma Mitchell
Eris Business Services

Iska is a professional from start to finish and beyond. Her photos are outstanding. Her website where you can get your digital prints is so easy to use. She really cares about her clients. If you are looking to get your business out there then Iska is the lady to choose. Update your social media profile images with a professional photo that others will take seriously, it was the best thing I have done, I am so proud of my profile photos now, thank you Iska, you made me at ease in front of the lens too.