The Learning Journey: Starting Point
Where good pet photography begins.
You don’t need more gear. You don’t need a perfect location or a dog that sits still. You need to understand what you’re actually looking at when you take a photo… and what to do about it. That’s what Starting Point is for.
Where good pet photography begins.
You don’t need more gear. You don’t need a perfect location or a dog that sits still. You need to understand what you’re actually looking at when you take a photo… and what to do about it. That’s what Starting Point is for.
Doors close in...
What Starting Point actually is
Most people think they need to learn “magical edits”. In reality, most people need better foundation skills.
Starting Point is the entry tier of The Learning Journey, my membership for pet photographers who want to take photos that actually feel how they imagined them.
It’s not a quick fix or a beginner’s sampler. It’s a curated library of foundation lessons covering the things that make the biggest difference to your photos… in the order that makes sense to learn them.
50 lessons. Around 30 to 40 hours of video content. All the things I wish someone had told me at the beginning.
What Starting Point actually is
Most people think they need to learn “magical edits”. In reality, most people need better foundation skills.
Starting Point is the entry tier of The Learning Journey, my membership for pet photographers who want to take photos that actually feel how they imagined them.
It’s not a quick fix or a beginner’s sampler. It’s a curated library of foundation lessons covering the things that make the biggest difference to your photos… in the order that makes sense to learn them.
50 lessons. Around 30 to 40 hours of video content. All the things I wish someone had told me at the beginning.
What's Included in Starting Point?
📸 Capture the Moment
- The Beginning Stage lesson library including the 4 core courses with around 50 lessons and 30 to 40 hours of content:
- Mastering the Foundations
- Light
- Camera Settings
- Beginning Editing.
- Starting Strong: A 5-week guided beginning for new members, so you know exactly where to start and what to focus on first. Recordings included and available!
- Selected event replays: Access to replays of events where the content is relevant and useful for where you are.
💡 Learn, Grow & Connect
- The Inspawration community: The same community as Complete Access members. One space, no hierarchy, genuine peer feedback and connection.
- Monthly challenges: Structured prompts to get you shooting with intention, not just waiting for the perfect moment.
- Edit and Chill sessions: Watch me edit in real time. No performing, no perfection. Just the actual process.
- Critique video access: Watch monthly critique sessions and learn from the feedback given to other members’ work.
What You'll Actually Learn:
Course 1: Focus on Foundations
✅ Live recording: Starting Strong - Composition Exploration. 1.5 hours discussing composition and why it really matters
✅ 2 Hour guest talk recording on composition from Meir Gur
Course 2: Master Your Camera
✅ Ideal camera settings to get the eyes consistently in focus
✅ My go-to camera settings, as well as in-depth lessons so you can learn what settings to change and WHY
✅ Camera Settings Masterclass recording included! (2 hours)
✅ Get off Auto Mode Workshop recording included (2 hours)
✅ Focus workshop recording included (1 hour)
Course 3: Light Fundamentals
✅ 360 Behind the Scenes location video exploring dappled light.
✅ Starting Strong: Seeing the Light live recording. 1.5 hours going deeply into light direction, challenging light situations, and what I mean by "get enough light".
Course 4: Beginning Editing
✅ Starting Strong: Editing for the Dog, live recording. Diving into our goals when editing (beyond "making the dog pop") and how to achieve those goals.
✅ Workshop recordings on "Distractions", why they matter in your photos, and how to deal with them
✅ One FULL comprehensive Lightroom-only editing tutorial, start to finish (1hr)
What Our Members Say
Meet your teacher...
Hi, I’m Emily. With me are Journey and Loki (aka Professor Snoot).
I’m a former primary school teacher turned pet photography educator, and I’ve been teaching people to photograph their dogs for over a decade.
My approach is anti-formula. I don’t teach rigid rules because photography isn’t about following them… it’s about understanding what you’re trying to say and figuring out how to say it. That takes longer to learn than a formula, but it sticks. And it works in every location, with every dog, in every light.
I built Starting Point because I kept seeing people try to learn photography backwards. They’d spend hours on editing something that was never going to work because the composition was off, or the light was fighting them, or their camera was set up in a way that made everything harder than it needed to be.
Starting Point fixes that. In the right order, with the right reasoning. And I’m in the community with you the whole time.
Starting Point is for you if...
- You want better photos of your dog but don’t know where to start
- You feel like something is off in your photos but can’t name what
- You’ve watched YouTube tutorials and still feel lost
- You edit and edit and the photo still doesn’t look how you imagined it
- You want to learn properly, not just collect tips
- You want a community of people who actually care about this stuff
It’s probably not for you if…
- You’re looking for live critique of your own work (that’s Complete Access)
- You already have solid foundations and want to go deeper into advanced topics
- You want a one-and-done course with a certificate at the end
- You’re looking for business coaching or professional development
Get Instant Access to the Learning Journey!
If you’re ready to take your pet photography to the next level by enrolling in the Learning Journey, simply choose your payment option below and click the button to join us…
Ready to start the right way?
Join Starting Point today and get immediate access to the full Beginning Stage library, the community, and everything listed above. No waiting, no cohort, no complicated onboarding.
€14 a month
Cancel any time. No minimum commitment
Learning Journey: Starting Point
€14 EUR
per month
Change to USD, GBP or AUD at checkout.
Prices include Mw.St
📸 Core Skills Lessons (access to 4 “Beginning Stage” courses)
→ Learn the essential shooting and editing skills that have the biggest impact on your photos.
🧭 Guided Starting Path
→ Know exactly where to begin and what to focus on, instead of jumping between random tutorials.
📷 Monthly Photography Challenges
→ Build momentum and small wins prompts, inspiration and accountability that encourages you to pick up your camera and step outside your comfort zone. Without competition and comparison.
👥 Supportive Community Access
→ Learn alongside other pet photographers in a safe, encouraging space.
💬 Monthly Critique Replays
→ Learn by watching critiques and feedback on real photos, and understand what’s working and why.
🎥 Selected Live Event Replays
→ Watch recordings of the monthly Q&A sessions, and any live events that fit into the “Beginning Stage” courses.
💪🏻 NEW! Starting Strong: 5 week Challenge.
→ All new members are invited to live weekly sessions in the first month, to get you settled in and making real, tangible progress FAST
Learning Journey: Complete Access
€45 EUR
per month
Change to USD, GBP or AUD at checkout.
Prices include Mw.St
Everything in Starting Point, PLUS…
🎓 Live Event Access & Real-Time Participation
→ Join monthly Q&As, Guest Speakers, Live Edits and other community events live, ask questions, and be part of the conversation.
🔎 Monthly Critique Submission
→ Receive direct, individual feedback on your photos so you know exactly what to improve and how to move forward.
📚 Full Lesson Library (Hundreds of Lessons)
→ Go deeper with comprehensive training on shooting, location, editing, storytelling, running a business, and working with dogs.
🖥 20+ Full, Step-by-Step Editing Tutorials
→ Watch complete edits from start to finish and refine your style with confidence.
🚀 Ongoing Accountability & New Content
→ Stay inspired with fresh lessons, events, and prompts added regularly.
🔄 Bi-Yearly One-to-One Check-Ins (Annual Members)
→ Get personalised guidance to refine your direction and accelerate progress.
Learning Journey: Complete Access
€450 EUR
per year – 2 months free!
Change to USD, GBP or AUD at checkout.
Prices include Mw.St
🎓 Live Event Access & Real-Time Participation
→ Join monthly Q&As, Guest Speakers, Live Edits and other community events live, ask questions, and be part of the conversation.
🔎 Monthly Critique Submission
→ Receive direct, individual feedback on your photos so you know exactly what to improve and how to move forward.
📚 Full Lesson Library (Hundreds of Lessons)
→ Go deeper with comprehensive training on shooting, location, editing, storytelling, running a business, and working with dogs.
🖥 20+ Full, Step-by-Step Editing Tutorials
→ Watch complete edits from start to finish and refine your style with confidence.
🚀 Ongoing Accountability & New Content
→ Stay inspired with fresh lessons, events, and prompts added regularly.
📷 Monthly Photography Challenges
→ Build momentum and small wins prompts, inspiration and accountability that encourages you to pick up your camera and step outside your comfort zone. Without competition and comparison.
👥 Supportive Community Access
→ Learn alongside other pet photographers in a safe, encouraging space.
🔄 Bi-Yearly One-to-One Check-Ins
→ Get personalised guidance to refine your direction and accelerate progress.
Learning Journey: Complete Access - Lifetime
€997 EUR
one-off
Change to USD, GBP, CAD or AUD at checkout.
Prices include Mw.St
📸 Roadmaps & Lessons → Structured step-by-step learning to improve shooting & editing.
🖥 Editing Toolbox & Tutorials → Full-length tutorials & quick editing techniques. (Bonus tutorials coming soon JUST for Lifetimers!)
🔎 Personalized Critiques → Expert feedback on your photos every month.
🎓 Guest Experts & Live Events → Monthly talks from pros, plus interactive community events.
📷 Photography Challenges → Push your creativity with guided exercises & assignments
👥 Supportive Community → Connect with fellow pet photographers in a safe, positive space.
🚀 Ongoing Accountability → Stay inspired with fresh new content every month.
🔄 One-to-One Bi-Yearly Check-In with Emily → Get personalized guidance and support to keep your progress on track twice a year with 20 minute check-in calls.
🚀 No Subscriptions, No Expiry → Learn at your own pace, stress-free. One payment, lifetime access.
📚 All Current & Future Content → Every roadmap, lesson & tutorial—forever.
🎓 Guest Speakers & Live Events → Monthly expert sessions, critiques & challenges.
👥 Supportive Community → Stay connected, grow your skills & get feedback anytime.
🔐 Lock In the Best Price → Lifetime members never pay more, even as the membership expands.
⚠️ BONUS! The Pet Photography Masterclass included (worth €299)→ 6 hours of pet photography in one Masterclass – from composition to light, location to pose, and of course editing – the Masterclass recording is included with Lifetime – for no additional cost.
Attention coaches/teachers/educators!
We welcome photographers from all stages of their journey – whether complete beginners, through to seasoned professionals. We want you to learn to take beautiful photos of your own pets and client pets, and to bring the joy of photography to your clients.
That is who this membership is built for, not those looking to be coaches, trainers, teachers, or who are wanting to make their own tutorials and lessons.
We recognise that information doesn’t exist in a bubble, and acknowledge those who have taught US, in some of the earliest lessons. However, to keep our creative process, resources and ideas safe, we know it’s almost impossible to be actively learning from and involved in a membership while teaching – without re-teaching the techniques, processes and ideas that are being learned!
Therefore, it is in our terms and conditions that members cannot be teaching, making tutorials/lessons, holding workshops etc, while in the Learning Journey.
If you are wanting to teach, and have interesting, innovative or unique skills, techniques, ideas or knowledge – contact us! We LOVE having guests on-board! But, this isn’t the place for you to learn.
We hope you understand ❤️
The Learning Journey doors close in...
Start Where You Are
What’s the Difference?
If you’re looking for a more focused entry point with core shooting, editing, and community learning (and a lower monthly commitment), check out Starting Point: the beginning phase of The Learning Journey, designed to help you build confidence and skills before diving fully into Complete Access.
🌱 Starting Point
For photographers who want to get started on their journey without all the “bells and whistles”
You might be:
- Wanting to better understand your camera, light and editing
- Focused on improving your own dog photography
- Looking for a smaller library of structured lessons you can work through at your own pace
- Not needing dozens of editing tutorials or live events right now
Starting Point gives you the core skills and access to the same supportive community, so you can grow steadily and confidently.
Complete Access
For photographers ready to go further, who want to dive into the artistic, creative side of photography – beyond the basics.
You might be:
- Wanting deeper exploration of editing and creative techniques
- Excited by live events, guest sessions and critiques
- Looking for regular accountability and feedback
- Wanting to learn about locations, posing, expression, or even business and marketing!
- Ready to immerse yourself more fully in your growth
Complete Access includes everything in Starting Point, plus the full lesson library, live sessions, and structured support like the monthly critiques.
I've been a member for a little over a year now (yay!). There's so much information in the learning journey. I feel like everything a photographer wants to learn about is there, and yet Emily still keeps expanding with useful and interesting things every month. From beginner to more advanced photographers, there's plenty of information for everyone. Some things I particularly love are the challenges and lives. Both Emily and Sabrina are the kindest people, and getting to connect and learn through the lives is a wonderful thing. They're always so interesting and with that super motivating! The challenges get me out of my comfort zone, doing things I might've never done if it wasn't for the challenge.
The community is simply amazing. There's so many kind, supportive people who give great feedback and genuinely want all the best for you. The community is my favourite social place to be on the internet. Seeing everyone's progress, getting help and helping others with struggles, cheering for personal wins, learning from one another and hyping each other up. The community is there for everything, not just feedback on photo's but also questions about gear, social media, websites, sharing the results of your challenges and holding you accountable.
I cannot even begin telling all the things I've learned, because it's so much. I started at the beginning and now I know so much more about my camera and composition and I'm just learning how to edit everything. I feel like I've so many more things to learn and I cannot wait to see where I'll be in another half year.
There is also an amazing community behind the LJ. Everyone there is so kind and supportive. Because of that it's easy to share your work and ask for feedback to get your work to a whole new level. Basically you get extra tips and tricks from other members or people help you find the lessons in the LJ were everything is explained.
I can only say: come and join us and start learning amazing things!💕
It can be overwhelming to try and juggle camera settings, light, location, not to mention getting your dog to stay still for five seconds!
More of What Our Students are Saying...
Yes to all of the above! It was easily one of the best decisions I made in 2023 because while I also learned tons and tons about composition and editing, the biggest learning opportunity the LJ, both the lessons and the community, offered me is making photo sessions fun for Jordan, my dog who has much better things to do than to pose and be still. But while Emily and the LJ content enabled ME to be a better photographer, I also learned how to be a better dog handler that also happens to take photos at the same time.
I know all of this sounds kind of romanticised and marketing-y but that's just what it comes down to: Taking photos of Jordan has become a really fun activity for the both of us and I think the results from me and other members speak for themselves 🧡 (Side note: I still mainly take photos of her on a leash for safety reasons. But knowing how to edit it out seamlessly is also a skill I learned!)