I have always been interested in photography but never really pursued it until my daughter was born. Shortly after she was born I took the plunge and invested in a DSLR, as I wanted to capture as much of her childhood as possible I set about teaching myself the basics, but I was still not getting the results I longed for, so I decided to find a photography course.
Samantha Millis
Being a working Mum it seemed like an online course would be the better option, I wanted to be able to study when I could and do it at a pace that was realistic for my lifestyle, as life with a little one is often unpredictable.
I enrolled on a couple of short online courses that went over the basics, but the content provided was either lacking or confusing and without Tutor support, I found myself treading water and still not improving as I had hoped. I decided to look for something a little more in-depth but that also had a good support system in place for the students.
That was one of the main things that initially attracted me to the IOP®. The feedback, and the tutor support via email and the drop in chat sessions. The course is completely flexible in terms of when you do it. It is completely at your speed, in your time, with no pressure. Exactly what I was looking for.
I began my course last year, and I really can’t believe the improvement in my photography. Each module has taught me something new and encouraged me to learn more about my camera and how to deliver the kind of image I had always longed for. My main interest has always been portraits, I love working with people and capturing something unique about them in an image. But, since doing the IOP® course I have learnt techniques and tried genres of photography that I am now enjoying too, like landscapes or still life.
The course content is broken down and delivered in a way that makes it easy to follow and also easy to refer back to whenever you want. Each unit has taught me something new and pushed me to be a better photographer.
For me though, the best part of an IOP® course is the support you get. For each assignment you complete, you are given constructive feedback that is tailored to not only build your confidence but to help you understand how to improve.
That has been invaluable and has played a big part in my progress. The feedback allows you to understand what you are doing right and what you could do to improve your work. As well as the feedback given in the assignments, the tutor support given via email and the online chat sessions is outstanding.
You never need to struggle alone on an IOP® course, as if you are ever stuck, confused or unsure there is always someone there to help you along the way. I have personally benefited from advice given both via email and the chat sessions. I have even received advice on photography shoots that I have taken on outside of my studies.
The main thing that stands out when you take a course with the IOP® is not just how helpful the tutors are, but how much they genuinely want to see you succeed, not just on the course but as a photographer. I am confident in my choice with the IOP®. I have felt supported and encouraged throughout my studies and thanks to them I am now in a position where I am being offered paid work, which is something I never dreamed of before starting the course.
See more of Samantha’s work here: www.sammillishowe.com
