931 Design courses in Sevenoaks

Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. ... it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything. - Aaron Sisking For the kind of photos that are worthy of the memories  Because we just don't get do-overs with kids. There is no such thing as second-first steps. Because all their little quirks, all the big and little moments that shape their lives and their childhoods are something that only YOU as parents see and appreciate fully. And they are the thing that make them who they are. There is simply no outside photographer who can come in and capture those unique things because nobody knows your children like you do. Photography For Parents Fundamentals Our flagship 6 week Photography course designed to help you learn all the key photography skills that you will need to drastically improve your children's photos.  KEY COURSE INFO: Course type: Instructor-led or self paced Course duration: 6 weeks Course format: Online course with Interactive weekly live classes, personal photo feedback and support group WHAT YOU LEARN: Our hands-on online instructor-led approach helps guarantee that you will quickly learn the key camera and photographic storytelling skills while keeping the focus on photographing children.  From camera know-how, light and composition, specific recipes to help you capture typical situations and getting it all right on the fly - yeah, our kids don't sit still either LEARN WHAT'S INCLUDED IN EACH MODULE Key Camera skills Working with natural light Capturing kids on the move Photo composition Portraits and details Photo storytelling HERE IS HOW YOU LEARN WITH US:  If you have bought an online course before, then gave up half way through because ... life.. - well, we are a bit different. This is A LOT more than a bunch of random tutorials. This is a proper, well designed, supported and paced course that genuinely delivers. HERE ARE THE INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE OUR COURSE DELIVER The one with all the materials: 5 core course modules, introduced on a weekly basis, plus a bonus wraparound module ( more on that below) - courses accessible online and in pdf version The one with all the people: You're not going through the course on your own - as part of the course you join an online peer support group, moderated daily by the instructor, where you connect, get help and go through this journey together with other parents like you. The one with all the answers: Every week we run an live online class which is where your instructor goes through the key parts of your course, answers live questions and demonstrates techniques and additional illustration photos. The Live classes are run in the evening ( after the kids are in bed) and are always recorded in case you couldn't join in live The one that's all about you: Every week comes with homework to help you practice the elements we introduce in the modules. You submit those images to your instructor on a weekly basis and receive thorough, photo-by-photo, video feedback from your instructor - so it's all about you and your progress, nobody else's The one with the bonuses: A PDF workbook to help you go through the materials and practice the skills, handy cheat sheets formatted for your phone so you can whip them out on the go plus a Bonus wrap-up module with swipe files of photo ideas for children at different ages, handy checklists and more!  The one after it's over: We don't just leave you on your lonesome after the course is over - you get access to a=our Alumni group - a Photography for Parents Clique if you will - which is where we continue supporting you, answering your questions, encouraging you to take photos through weekly and monthly challenges and peer support Next Fundamentals course starts on 15th January 2024 5 core course modules Support Facebook group Weekly online Live class Personal Feedback on your images BONUS: extra module with ideas bank for photographing children of all ages BONUS: PDF course workbook BONUS: Printable and mobile friendly Pocket Guides HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL LEARN WITH US:  How to finally, actually, properly use your camera - no more cryptic buttons and the 'oh no! what have I pressed now?!' panic. Life's too short to be intimidated by your camerant The precise steps and 'recipes' to help you capture all sorts of different situations - whether your kids are indoors on a dark and dreary day or tearing through the park in the sun How to see the world and your children through a photographers eyes and learn to compose your photographs on the fly so they truly reflect the beauty you see How to get great photos CONSISTENTLY - I mean the spray and pray method is fine, but wouldn't it be nice to have confidence your images will turn out the way you want them? How to learn to notice and capture the little details, the big picture, the whole story of your children growing up. BEAUTIFULLY. "Absolutely, without a doubt, the best money I have ever spent on anything kid related. I so wish i had done these courses 6 years ago, just before my 1st was born. My photography has improved significantly and I'm just sad the course are over, I have loved everything about them!" Hannah Slater "The most enjoyable online course I ever done" I cannot recommend this course highly enough, and I am so grateful for Ania for creating this amazing course and community, teaching busy parents how to document their family storied beautifully! DALIA SEABORNE "I'm amazed at how much my photography has improved " I have learned so much and am amazed at how much my photography has improved - they are brilliant value for money considering the level of personal attention you receive! I've come away with a whole lot more technical knowledge as well as a heap of inspiration and ideas. LUCY GRIFFITH "The most wonderful entry into the incredible photography world" I am seeing things that I have never noticed before, I am using the DSLR to capture precious moments with my family and am signed up to two further courses because the instructors, modules and supportive community are amazing and I think I might be addicted KIRSTY FINNIE Photography for Parents FUNDAMENTALS Next course starts on 15th Jan 2024 All the learning resources, all the community, all the support, all the personal help. Virtually failproof 5 core course modules Bonus Idea Bank module PDF course workbook Pocket reference guide Support group Weekly online live class Personal Feedback on your images Access to Photography For Parents Alumni community But will it work for me? - our guarantee: GUARANTEE We know our course works. We have seen a few thousands of students go through our courses and really improve. BUT, if you find that after the first couple of modules that it just doesn't work for you, you haven't learnt anything new, it's the wrong level for you, you haven't improved, or you simply don't get on or engage with it - we will simply refund you in full. Simple as that! INSIDE THE MODULES - aka WHAT DO YOU LEARN? Module 1: See what your camera sees Our first module is dedicated to breaking you our of the snapping habit and giving you a fresh perspective. We show you how your camera sees the world differently than what you might expect in three major ways - the optics. the focus and the light. Major Takeaways: At the end of the module you will have gained full control of your focus - no more guessing game and kids turning out all blurry, you will also gain an insight of how to use your lens ( there is a skill to it) and how to let the light help make your subjects stand out. What's included: The importance of focus and what it does to our brain Taking control of your focus - the Where and HOW your camera focuses Mastering focus formula - a process to help you determine what settings to use for each occasion To zoom or not to zoom and how it changes what and how your camera sees Learning how your camera sees the light and how to make it better, especially with tricky light Learning how to shoot against the light - like a bright window and NOT end up with the person looking all dark Module 2: On exposure and all things sharp and blurry In our second module we take you off the auto setting and dive deep into learning about exposure - i.e. making sure that your images are not too dark or bright or blurry. But not only that, we pay special attention to how to make some of the things in your image sharp and others blurry through the use of specific combinations of settings  Major Takeaways: How to work your camera in priority ( semi-manual) modes, how to capture detail or portraits with a great separation of sharp and blurry to make these elements stand out.  What's included: Understanding the mechanics of your camera - how does a photo actually happen inside Taking your camera firmly OFF the Auto settings - learning the key factors ( aperture, shutter speed and ISO) and how they interact with one another How to capture portraits and those precious detail shots beautifully Switching to Aperture priority and controlling your aperture - the how and the why Taking control of what in your image will be sharp and what will be blurry - hello full control over blurry backgrounds, blurry foregrounds and pin sharp subjects in between. Module 3: Capturing movement  One of my favourite modules, dedicated to helping you capture your kids in motion - whether they're wriggling babies, speedy crawlers, wobbly toddlers or perpetual-motion-machines that most children are. We learn how to match your focus settings, your shutter settings and your composition to capture great movement photos.  Major Takeaways: Learn how to capture your children on the move, SHARP but also how to use blur and speed to really showcase and highlight movement. Big AH-HA moments here!  What's included: Switching your camera to shutter priority and mastering MOVEMENT Learning how to capture moving things SHARP - yes, that includes those fast movingbaby arms and legs Learning how to capture moving things BLURRY - and why would you want to do it? Learning how to highlight action and energy and speed in your images and how to help yourself with composition Creative techniques like night time light trails or panning or creative blur How to use your focus settings on top of your shutter settings to help capture things sharp Module 4: See what your camera sees Although we introduce elements of photographic composition throughout the course, this is the module entirely dedicated to it. We look at composition not just as a set of arbitrary rules, but more as something that helps you express what you really see and feel. We look at photographic storytelling and helping your images get look more impactful and stronger Major Takeaways: Good photographic composition principles to help you really show the magic you are seeing. At the end of this module you will say goodbye to boring flat photos and will instead start taking rich images with lots of depth and eye catching composition.  What's included: understanding how we 'read' photographs and how to compose so that the magic YOU see translates into what the others see when they pick up that photo fundamental rules of photo composition - we started you off with the rule of thirds but there is MORE Good crops, bad crops, crazy crops and everything in between storytelling through your photographs - how to make your images mean something and show something real, beyond 'my child looks cute here' getting creative and expressing yourself through photographs learning to go beyond your usual compositions and discovering different styles Module 5: Photographic composition and storytelling Although we introduce elements of photographic composition throughout the course, this is the module entirely dedicated to it. We look at composition not just as a set of arbitrary rules, but more as something that helps you express what you really see and feel. We look at photographic storytelling and helping your images get look more impactful and stronger Major Takeaways: Good photographic composition principles to help you really show the magic you are seeing. At the end of this module you will say goodbye to boring flat photos and will instead start taking rich images with lots of depth and eye catching composition.  What's included: Understanding how we 'read' photographs and how to compose so that the magic YOU see translates into what the others see when they pick up that photo Fundamental rules of photo composition - we started you off with the rule of thirds but there is MORE Good crops, bad crops, crazy crops and everything in between Storytelling through your photographs - how to make your images mean something and show something real, beyond 'my child looks cute here' Getting creative and expressing yourself through photographs Learning to go beyond your usual compositions and discovering different styles BONUS Module 6: Idea Bank : Photographing children at different ages This last module is a bit different. We us it to give you lots of ideas for photos with children of different ages - from photographing milestones to capturing what's unique about them at a particular stage and really getting into their world to capture where they're at. The module is packed with ready to take ideas and will let you take all that you have learned in the first 5 modules and apply it in real life sitautions. We also help you think ahead to the next steps in your photography education - should you want to continue. 

This half day course is designed for those people working or volunteering in groups or working on projects who would like some practical tips on making their marketing and publicity more effective.

This half day course is designed for new treasurers, general trustees and management committee members or staff who work in smaller organisations to understand the basics of how to manage the finances within a voluntary or community organisation. It covers all the essential issues ranging from drawing up a budget to ensuring that the organisation has sound financial procedures.

This course, which can be run as a half day (3.5 hours) or a whole day course, is designed to help those who chair or participate in meetings to understand how to run effective meetings that are constructive, concise and actually achieve something! The course can be adapted to cover meetings in general or focus on specific types of meetings such as trustee, director or committee meetings, staff or project meetings.

This half day course is designed for voluntary and community organisations and those involved in community development who need to write funding applications and want to ensure that their bids are clear, focussed and meet the funders’ criteria.

This half day course is designed to help participants plan and promote events, whether for fundraising, social or educational purposes. It provides practical tips on a wide range of subject areas from choosing events to determining budgets and publicity methods. The course can be adapted to take in any type of events or can concentrate on particular areas such as organising fundraising events, conferences or cultural events.

The aim of this programme is to help attendees create better quality technical documents in an organised and efficient manner. It will give those new to the topic an appreciation of how to approach the task professionally whilst those with more experience will be able to refresh and refine their skills. The programme comprises three complementary one-day modules: The programme presents a structured methodology for creating technical documents and provides a range of practical techniques that help delegates put principles into practice. Although not essential, it is strongly advised that delegates for modules 2 and 3 have already attended module 1, or another equivalent course. Note: the content of each module as shown here is purely indicative and can be adapted to suit your particular requirements. This course will: Explain the qualities and benefits of well written technical documents Present a structured approach for producing technical documents Review the essential skills of effective technical writing Demonstrate practical methods to help create better documents Provide tools and techniques for specification and report writing Review how technical documents should be issued and controlled Note: the content of each module as shown here is purely indicative and can be adapted to suit your particular requirements. Module 1: Essential skills for technical writers 1 Introduction to the programme Aims and objectives of the module Introductions and interests of participants 2 Creating effective technical documents What is technical writing? how does it differ from other writing? Key qualities of an effective technical document Communication essentials and the challenges faced by technical writers The lessons of experience: how the best writers write The five key steps : prepare - organise - write - edit - release (POWER) 3 Preparing to write Defining the document aims and objectives; choosing the title Understanding technical readers and their needs Getting organised; planning and managing the process Integrating technical and commercial elements The role of intellectual property rights (IPR), eg, copyright 4 Organising the content The vital role of structure in technical documents Deciding what to include and how to organise the information Categorising information: introductory, key and supporting Tools and techniques for scoping and structuring the document Creating and using document templates - pro's and con's 5 Writing the document Avoiding 'blinding them with science': the qualities of clear writing Problem words and words that confuse; building and using a glossary Using sentence structure and punctuation to best effect Understanding the impact of style, format and appearance Avoiding common causes of ambiguity; being concise and ensuring clarity Using diagrams and other graphics; avoiding potential pitfalls 6 Editing and releasing the document Why editing is difficult; developing a personal editing strategy Some useful editing tools and techniques Key requirements for document issue and control Module 2: Creating better specifications 1 Introduction Aims and objectives of the day Introductions and interests of participants The 'POWER' writing process for specifications 2 Creating better specifications The role and characteristics of an effective specification Specifications and contracts; the legal role of specifications Deciding how to specify; understanding functional and design requirements Developing the specification design; applying the principles of BS 7373 Getting organised: the key stages in compiling an effective specification 3 Preparing to write a specification Defining the scope of the specification; deciding what to include and what not Scoping techniques: scope maps, check lists, structured brainstorming The why/what/how pyramid; establishing and understanding requirements Clarifying priorities; separating needs and desires: the MoSCoW method Useful quantitative techniques: cost benefit analysis, QFD, Pareto analysis Dealing with requirements that are difficult to quantify 4 Organising the content The role of structure in specifications Typical contents and layout for a specification What goes where: introductory, key and supporting sections Creating and using model forms: the sections and sub sections Detailed contents of each sub-section Exercise: applying the tools and techniques 5 Writing the specification Identifying and understanding the specification reader Key words: will, shall, must; building and using a glossary Writing performance targets that are clear and unambiguous Choosing and using graphics Exercise: writing a specification 6 Editing and releasing the document Key editing issues for specifications Issue and control of specifications Module 3: Writing better reports 1 Introduction Aims and objectives of the day Introductions and interests of participants The 'POWER' technical writing process for technical reports 2 Creating better reports What is a technical report? types and formats of report The role and characteristics of an effective technical report Understanding technical report readers and their needs The commercial role and impact of technical reports Getting organised: the key stages in compiling a technical report 3 Preparing to write reports Agreeing the terms of reference; defining aims and objectives Being clear about constraints; defining what is not to be included Legal aspects and intellectual property rights (IPR) for reports Preparing the ground; gathering information and reference documents Keeping track of information: note making, cataloguing and cross referencing Tools and techniques for developing a valid and convincing argument 4 Organising the content The role of structure reviewed; some typical report structures Who needs what: identifying the varied needs of the readership What goes where: introductory, key and supporting sections Creating and using model forms: the sections and sub sections Detailed contents of each sub-section Exercise: applying the tools and techniques 5 Writing the report Planning the storyline: the report as a journey in understanding Recognising assumptions about the reader; what they do and don't know Converting complex concepts into understandable statements Presenting technical data and its analysis; the role of graphics Presenting the case simply whilst maintaining technical integrity Exercise: writing a technical report 6 Editing and releasing the report Key editing issues for technical reports Issue and control of technical reports

This half day course is designed to help participants in the voluntary and community sector to monitor and evaluate the work of their organisation effectively and ensure that their working practices are robust and fit for purpose. It can also be relevant to those staff in statutory agencies who work on community projects.

This half day course is designed for new treasurers, general trustees and management committee members or staff who work in smaller organisations to understand the basics of how to manage the finances within a voluntary or community organisation. It covers all the essential issues ranging from drawing up a budget to ensuring that the organisation has sound financial procedures.

Summary This half day course is designed to help managers and supervisors understand the causes of poor behaviour and look at different strategies for dealing with this. The course can be run as a one-off session or can be incorporated into a series of sessions on managing staff. Alternatively it could be increased to a day-long course with participant’s role playing different scenarios in the afternoon. For voluntary and community organisation participants the course could include dealing with difficult volunteers as well as paid staff.