Beginner to Pro in 2 years: How To Learn Photography Fast with Nick Church

Mar 20, 2025

Nick Church, a UK wedding photographer who transitioned from software, shares his fascinating journey of rapid growth in the photography world. He emphasizes a deep dive into learning, blending creativity with technique. Nick reveals how effective Facebook advertising transformed his client base and discusses the importance of workflow systems like Kanban for managing tasks. He candidly addresses the realities of going full-time in photography, the misconceptions beginners face, and offers valuable advice on gear and marketing strategies.

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ANECDOTE

From Holiday Camera To First Wedding

Nick bought a camera for travel, learned it on the flight, and started shooting Bristol afterward.
Exhibiting prints in cafes led directly to sales and the first wedding enquiry.

ADVICE

Reverse-Engineer Photos And Seek Useful Work

Learn by studying others' work, listing gaps in your images, then recreate looks in Photoshop via short tutorials.
Use volunteer shoots and local projects for exposure and portfolio credits.

INSIGHT

Full Time Is More Admin, Less Play

Going full time reduces free creative shooting time and increases admin work.
Shooting becomes a smaller portion of the job while emails, editing, and marketing expand.

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#547 Nick Church is a UK-based wedding photographer who transitioned from a full-time career in the software industry to photography within 24 months. The central theme revolves around Nick's journey from picking up a camera for the first time in 2014 to becoming a professional photographer. Key learning objectives include understanding the steps involved in transitioning to a photography career, leveraging multiple photography niches for financial stability, and effective marketing strategies for acquiring clients.

KEY TOPICS COVERED

Transition from Software Industry to Photography - Nick shares how his background in physics and art facilitated his understanding of photography fundamentals. He emphasizes the importance of a deep dive into learning photography and the role of creativity and passion in pursuing this new career.
Marketing and Business Strategy - Nick highlights his strategy of utilizing Facebook advertising as a primary marketing tool for attracting clients and replacing his previous income. His approach involves targeted ads to engage potential clients within a specific demographic, maximizing return on investment.
Workflow and Organization Techniques - Nick discusses using workflow management systems to organize client interactions and projects effectively. He introduces the concept of Kanban for prioritizing tasks, ensuring efficient use of time and resources.

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTS

Kanban: A task management system that helps prioritize and streamline workflow for increased productivity and efficiency in business operations.

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS

How does Nick’s approach to learning photography through doing rather than reading formal books resonate with different learning styles?
In what ways can Nick's marketing strategies be adapted to other forms of photography beyond weddings?
Reflect on the challenges associated with transitioning to a full-time photography career and how proper planning can mitigate these challenges.

RESOURCES:
Visit Nick Church's Website - https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/
Follow Nick Church on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nickchurchphotography/

Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets at
http://freephotographypresets.com/

Connect with Raymond!

Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!