It’s never been easier, especially if your smartphone has a decent camera. Rather than simply snap whatever has caught your eye, begin looking at the composition of your pictures. Would that scenic shot have had greater depth with an object in the foreground. Look at the portraits you’ve taken. Would they have worked better if you were closer or if you had moved so the light was coming from a different angle? Take one of our beginner photography courses and you will quickly learn the secrets of taking pictures you will be proud to frame or share.

Yes you can. Talent, knowledge, experience and a great portfolio will take you where you need to go. You’ll find courses in Alison’s Photography Hub that will take you from beginner to advanced level in everything from composition to photo-editing. Our courses are free so you can put the money you’ve saved towards a good camera and editing software that will help you get the best results and make a start on your dream career.

There are dozens of types and styles but the most popular are portraiture, where you try to capture the essence of your subject, landscape, sports, wildlife and nature, wedding and still life photography which may involve commercial product images. Other genres include fashion photography, photojournalism, in which a story is told through photographs, and editorial photography where the picture complements a news or feature article.