You’re not alone. Most of us carry a powerful camera in our pocket, but we rarely use it to its full potential.
If you’ve collected years of vacation pics and everyday snapshots that don’t quite capture the magic of the moment—your teen probably has, too.
But photography can be so much more.
It’s a life skill—one that builds confidence, creativity, and a deeper sense of gratitude. Instead of snapping aimlessly and hoping for the best, your teen can learn to take intentional, beautiful photos and pair them with thoughtful journaling that helps them reflect and grow.
That’s exactly what the Photo + Journaling Course was designed to do.
Take Alex, one of our students. He already loved capturing everyday moments with his phone—but he didn’t know how to move beyond random snapshots. After going through the course, Alex shared:
“I really noticed this class making a difference when I was taking an everyday snapshot of something one of my friends was doing. I took the initial photo, but then a few seconds later I realized with a couple of subtle shifts I could make it into a great picture! So I did just that and now my life is filled with more pictures that mean something, and tell a story, rather than just being a funny photo.”
And it didn’t stop at the camera. After completing his final printed photo journal, Alex reflected:
“My life, I would say, is better after this class because I can document it in new and interesting ways. My completed photo journal made me realize how much I have to be grateful for in my life, big and small, funny or somber. I have felt way more gratitude than ever before!”
Whether your teen is already snapping photos or just getting started, this course offers the structure, feedback, and inspiration they need to grow.
By the end, they won’t just have a better eye for photography—they’ll have a finished photo journal full of their voice, creativity, and memories. You’ll both have a lasting keepsake from this season of homeschooling.
Melissa Lee
“Marcie has an easy, engaging flow to her explanations and it feels like your best friend is there, excitedly teaching you professional concepts in a way that makes you confident in creating gorgeous photographs. Having my daughter’s photo book with her journal entries is such a gift, it gave me a window into her thoughts and heart. It is so precious and we will treasure it forever.”
This course is beautifully designed, self-paced, and flexible enough to fit your homeschool rhythm.
Don’t let another year go by filled with forgotten photos and missed opportunities.
Help your teen grow in creativity, confidence, and gratitude—with a printed book that tells their story.
✨ Join the Photo + Journaling Course today!
No. Any camera or smartphone works! While many of the examples in my course were taken on my dSLR I do make sure to point out the cell phone examples as well so students can see that they CAN take incredible photos on a cell phone as well.
About 1–2 hours, depending on your pace.
This course is for ONE student. Because I give personalized feedback on each photo assignment this course cannot be shared between siblings.
Yes, with step-by-step book creation and print guidance the entire way!
The cost of printing the book is not included, I would budget for around $30 for the printed book.
Access to a computer that will allow you to download the free Bookwright software from Blurb.com, a free account with Canva.com and access to a digital camera.
“I see the world differently! This class gave me permission to be a visual artist by making the principles of good photography so simple and straightforward. I see opportunities for capturing beauty everywhere now. I notice interesting and beautiful things so much more because I’m constantly and consciously thinking of how I could present the world as I see it.”
This course is an introduction to photography and not to any specific camera or model. I will include helpful hints for SLR and cell phone users in many of my lessons and introduce them to what basic modes they will find on their camera but with so many different types and brands of gear it would be impossible to teach your specific camera.
A significant portion of this course will cover taking pictures of people and posing people. While we also cover still-life, nature, food, products etc there will be many assignments that will involve you taking photos of other people.
This class is geared as an introductory course. If you have taken several photography courses this may not be the class for you.
This is a course in natural lighting so we won’t be covering using external flash, continuous lights or strobes during this course.
“I found this class, and it was a game changer. I use these tips in almost all the photos I take. They take almost no extra effort now, and they make my photos so much better. When I have nothing to do I will sometimes just look back on the photos I’ve taken and just admire them.”
Cael A.
When you enroll your teen in my course they will receive an email giving them their log-in information that will be active on the first day class opens up August 15th.
Your teen can watch the photography lesson in the classroom portal, completing the photography assignment with the lesson. They will write their journal entry in the book-making software and include their photo. Each week they will be actively building the book towards the finished product!
Your teen will email the best photos from the assignment to me when they have finished and every week I will respond with a friendly critique and personalized feedback.
Your one-time payment gives you instant access to my Photo + Journaling Course for 1 Full Year!
14-Day Money Back Guarantee
When you enroll your teen in my course they will receive an email giving them their log-in information that will be active on the first day class opens up, August 18th 2025.
I believe photography is more than a skill—it’s a way to notice beauty, share joy, and tell the stories that matter most. As a portrait photographer since 2009, I’ve helped families and high school seniors capture meaningful moments while also teaching one-on-one and group photography classes in my community.
My journey began as a young mom with a point-and-shoot camera and a passion for preserving everyday magic. Now, as a mom of teenagers, I’m on a mission to help teens and homeschool families see photography not just as a hobby, but as a powerful creative tool—one that builds confidence, sharpens their eye for beauty, and gives them a way to serve others.
