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.

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 ❤️.

It's time for the Weekend Photo Project! 📷 This week's theme: Reflections.Your challenge this weekend is to find the wor...
14/08/2026

It's time for the Weekend Photo Project! 📷 This week's theme: Reflections.

Your challenge this weekend is to find the world upside down.

Puddles after rain. A still lake or river. A shop window. A mirror. A pair of sunglasses. Reflections are everywhere and they have a way of turning even the most ordinary scene into something quietly magical.

The same street. The same sky. The same buildings. But flipped, distorted, broken up by ripples, suddenly completely different.

Here's my tip: get low. Really low. The closer your camera is to the surface of a puddle or a still body of water, the more of the reflection you'll capture and the less of the ground around it. It feels a bit silly crouching down on the pavement but the results are worth it.

Get out there this weekend and find your reflection. Share your shots in the comments below, I'd love to see the world through your puddle.

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

If you’re heading outside to watch the solar eclipse this evening, enjoy it but please stay safe! ☀️Never look directly ...
12/08/2026

If you’re heading outside to watch the solar eclipse this evening, enjoy it but please stay safe! ☀️

Never look directly at the Sun without proper certified solar viewing glasses or perhaps a diy pinhole box. Normal sunglasses or regular camera filters are not safe. Be sure to protect your eyes and your very expensive camera sensor.

And if you’re planning to photograph it, make sure your camera, telescope or phone has a proper solar filter fitted before you point it at the Sun.

Take care, enjoy the spectacle and if you manage to capture any photos, I’d love to see them in the comments!

12/08/2026

Ever wondered how photographers get that lovely blurry background? 👀

Spoiler: it’s not editing. It’s your aperture.

As you open up the aperture, you get more light and a shallower depth of field, which means more background blur.

Here's a simple example with some quick shots of the lovely hollyhocks in my garden. Same subject. Same camera. Same spot.

Just a different aperture.

And suddenly… hello dreamy background.

Save this one for the next time you’re wondering why your photos don’t have that lovely blurry background.

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