The Photo Coach

The Photo Coach Photography, Made Simple. Clear, beginner-friendly lessons that help you shoot with confidence and take photos you’ll love.

Sarah creates emotive and authentic family photography with just a little hint of magic. Based in Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan, Sarah works throughout Wales and the rest of the UK. Sarah has been a premier, specialist child and family photographer since 2007. Sarah also hosts regular camera training events and has taught hundreds of beginners how to get started in photography. With private a

nd commercial clients throughout the UK, Sarah has worked with a number of high profile and celebrity clients and has also been published in a variety of national magazines.

This is an important window. Hear me out.If it wasn’t for this window, the world might look a little different.Well… the...
31/08/2026

This is an important window. Hear me out.

If it wasn’t for this window, the world might look a little different.

Well… the way you saw the world might look a little different.

You see, lots of people can lay claim to being the “father of photography”. But this window has a pretty good claim to fame.

It was the focal point (excuse the pun) of William Henry Fox Talbot’s experiments that produced what became one of the earliest photographic negatives.

And that was a game changer.

Because it meant you could make a photograph… and then make another one.

And another.

Photography as we know it was born.

So there you have it. A window. A bit of chemistry. And the beginning of photography.

Ever been out taking photos when your brain suddenly freezes?You forget what aperture does. You can't remember which way...
31/08/2026

Ever been out taking photos when your brain suddenly freezes?

You forget what aperture does. You can't remember which way to turn the dial. Before you know it, you're randomly pressing buttons and hoping for the best.

Yep... we've all been there.

That's exactly why I created my On The Go! cards.

They're the prompt cards I wish I'd had when I was learning all those years ago.

Aperture. Shutter speed. ISO. Manual Mode. Exposure. Focusing. Composition. All the reminders you need, in one place.

Print them and pop them in your camera bag, or keep them on your phone so they're always with you.

It's a bit like having me in your pocket. 📷

They're not a full photography course. They're simply there to give you a little nudge in the right direction when your mind goes blank halfway through a shoot.

So, be honest...

Do you really know your camera's settings, or are you still hoping for the best? 😉

If you'd like a little extra confidence next time you head out with your camera, you'll find the On The Go! cards via the link in the comments.

It's time for the Weekend Photo Project! 🎉This week's theme: Pairs and Patterns.Your challenge this weekend is to find t...
28/08/2026

It's time for the Weekend Photo Project! 🎉

This week's theme: Pairs and Patterns.

Your challenge this weekend is to find the repeating world around you.

Patterns are everywhere once you start looking. Roof tiles. Cobblestones. A row of plant pots. The brickwork on an old wall. A line of beach huts. A shelf full of tins in a supermarket. And pairs — two boots by the door, two cups on a table, two dogs on a lead — have a natural harmony that the eye finds deeply satisfying.

The world is full of order and repetition. Your job this weekend is to find it and make it the whole point of the photograph.

Here's my tip: fill the frame. Don't include a little bit of a pattern, include as much of it as you can. Edge to edge. That's what makes a pattern photograph really work.

Get out there this weekend and find your repeats. Share your shots in the comments below, I'd love to see the patterns you discover.

Same time next week, new theme. Who's in?

Student Image Showcase 📷A multi-storey car park.Not usually the first place you’d think of when you’re looking for beaut...
26/08/2026

Student Image Showcase 📷

A multi-storey car park.

Not usually the first place you’d think of when you’re looking for beautiful photography opportunities… but honestly, some of my favourite light can be found in places like this. 😂

One of my long-time students, Neil, shared this image in The Friendly Camera Club, and I had to share it with you too.

What I love about this photograph is not just the light, shadows and leading lines (although they are fantastic!) — it’s the thought and patience behind getting the shot.

Neil spotted the potential for this image one morning while rushing to catch a bus. Instead of forgetting about it, he came back… and then came back again.

The timing wasn’t right. Too many cars. The moment wasn’t quite there.

So he waited.

A few days later, at 6:30am, everything came together.

Neil has always had a wonderful eye for photography. He takes the time to really study light, shapes and composition, and I love seeing the images that come from that.

This is one of my favourite things about photography, learning to see. It’s not always about finding the most beautiful location. Sometimes it’s about noticing the beauty hiding in the everyday places we walk past without a second glance.

Well done Neil. A brilliant example of looking at the world differently. 📷

24/08/2026

Let's talk about shutter speed.

Shutter speed is one of the three settings that controls how bright or dark your photo is.

When you press the shutter button, you hear a click...

That click is actually two sounds happening so quickly that they seem like one. It's the shutter opening... and then closing again.

The longer the shutter stays open, the more light gets into your camera, making your photo brighter.

The shorter the shutter stays open, the less light gets in, making your photo darker.

That's it!

Stay tuned and I'll show you why shutter speed isn't just about light – it's also the secret to freezing movement or creating beautiful motion blur.

Follow for simple, jargon-free photography tips that help you understand your camera and take better photos.

It's time for the Weekend Photo Project! This week's theme: Black and White.Your challenge this weekend is to see withou...
22/08/2026

It's time for the Weekend Photo Project! This week's theme: Black and White.

Your challenge this weekend is to see without colour.

Switch your camera or phone to black and white mode and suddenly everything looks different. The colours you usually rely on disappear and what's left is light, shadow, texture and shape.

That peeling paint on an old door. The lines on someone's hands. A stormy sky. A cobbled street glistening after rain. Things you'd walk past every day suddenly become worth stopping for.

Black and white photography strips everything back to the essentials. And once you start seeing that way, you can't unsee it.

Here's my tip: look for strong contrast — bright highlights next to deep shadows — and interesting textures. Those are the things that make a black and white image really sing.

Get out there this weekend and take the colour away. Share your shots in the comments below, I'd love to see what you find.

Same time next week, new theme. Who's in?

Student Image Showcase 📷I first met Sara last year, and I was instantly struck by her natural talent.She was already tak...
21/08/2026

Student Image Showcase 📷

I first met Sara last year, and I was instantly struck by her natural talent.

She was already taking beautiful photos almost by accident! She booked some one-to-one coaching because she wanted someone to go over the basics and make sure she wasn't missing anything.

The good news?

She wasn't. 😊

Sometimes we don't need someone to completely change the way we photograph.

Sometimes we simply need a friendly face to say, "Yep, you've got this."

That little boost of confidence can be all it takes to stop second-guessing yourself, trust your instincts and keep growing.

These beautiful puffin photos, taken on Skomer Island, are a perfect example of what happens when talent meets confidence.

Well done, Sara. I can't wait to see what you photograph next. ❤️

You can check out more of Sara's work on Instagram at

It's World Photography Day! 📷 🎉We take photos every day, so let's take this moment to pause and understand why this mean...
19/08/2026

It's World Photography Day! 📷 🎉

We take photos every day, so let's take this moment to pause and understand why this means so much to so many people.

For many of my students, photography is about paying attention. Your kid's face mid-laugh. The light in your kitchen at 4pm. The dog doing something ridiculous.

It's a wonderful hobby that gives you a reason to actually look.

So today, if you've got five minutes, pick it up. Doesn't matter what camera you use, it could be your phone. Point it at something you'd otherwise walk past and take time to notice.

What are you going to photograph today?

Fun fact: I’m a BIG hiker. HUGE, actually. I love it. 🥾But there’s one problem with taking a big camera on a hike… it’s ...
16/08/2026

Fun fact: I’m a BIG hiker. HUGE, actually. I love it. 🥾

But there’s one problem with taking a big camera on a hike… it’s heavy, it takes up space, and honestly, it can be a bit of a pain.

So for a while, I just used my phone.

And it did the job. But I realised I was missing something.

I missed changing the settings. That little bit of puzzle-solving that happens before you press the shutter.

For me, it’s actually a really mindful part of photography.

So I treated myself to a little camera. 📷

It’s small enough to slip into my pocket, has a fixed lens (so no zooming!), and I absolutely love the simplicity of it.

It reminds me of shooting film back at uni. You slow down. You look. You think. You shoot.

These are a few shots from our first adventure together in the mountains of North Wales.

I think we’re going to get along just fine. ❤️

Ping!An email landed in my inbox, and before I’d even finished reading this lovely review, I was already composing my re...
16/08/2026

Ping!

An email landed in my inbox, and before I’d even finished reading this lovely review, I was already composing my reply.

Because Mercella had a wedding to photograph that very afternoon… and she’d only finished my Get Camera Confident online course the day before!

Now, was she nervous? Of course she was.

But the difference was that she wasn’t walking in completely guessing anymore. She had some understanding, some confidence, and a few simple things to fall back on.

So my advice? Stay out of harsh midday sun if you can, keep things simple, don’t put too much pressure on yourself and most importantly — enjoy the moment!

Oh, and I may have added...

"Send me pictures!" 😂

This is why I love what I do.

Helping people go from "I have no idea what I'm doing" to "I can actually do this" never gets old.

Mercella, you are a legend. I hope you did your friends proud ❤️.

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