I'm Mike James, and I help amateur mobile photographers like you intuitively create your next favourite photo using a systematic process!
My story and my why
After 25 years of working in photography, I disliked it. The big camera was a tool of the trade and only came out on special occasions because it felt like I was working.
It was in 2015 that I realised how many precious memories I had missed and that were never captured. That year, my mother passed away. My eldest of 3 was 9 at the time. If you have experienced the loss of a loved one and had to prepare a funeral, you know how photos help you grieve and preserve their memory. I could only find 6 photos of my mum in those 9 years. And, no video!
It started with mobile photography workshops
No one was exclusively running smartphone photography workshops or training. I had to share this passion and help other photo enthusiasts enjoy their smartphones more.
In 2015, I began running local weekend workshops and started to present and judge at camera clubs. If you have been involved in teaching and running workshops, you will know that the process of answering questions and articulating concepts is a great learning experience in itself.
Mum was unwell for quite some time and like many of us over 40, she hated having her photo taken. I didn't like taking out my work camera either. I never used my smartphone, because why would I, it was inferior to my 'big' camera.
After this regretful realisation, I started using my smartphone more to capture my family and reluctantly myself. Photos of you are not for you or about you. They are a gift for your loved ones. Mums passing actually hit me quite hard. Photography was and is my escape. It forces me to slow down and study the intricate details and beauty of our immediate world around us.
My photo subjects started to include flowers and nature before I explored other genres. This new passion for taking photos was due to the simplicity and limitations of the smartphone.
My obsessive personality had me researching everything smartphone photography related. I did every course, downloaded every book. I attended numerous 'big' camera workshops. Even though I often knew far more about the camera than the instructors, I wanted to get inside their head about the art of photography.
After running DSLR workshops for a number of years in my day job, I found working with photo enthusiasts using their smartphones so much more enjoyable. Attendees were not there learning to use the tool of their trade. Mobile photographers were passionate about learning and loving photography on their smartphones.
Then came Smartphone Photography Training
The workshops became more popular leading to becoming an event speaker presenting on storytelling and visual communication at social media events and working with industry groups to deliver mobile photography in a workplace training setting as a continual professional development session.
In 2018 I started presenting online to corporate clients and camera clubs internationally. Over time this has led to the development of the website and all the free tutorials you see today on the topics of capturing photos, composition, mobile photo editing and genre-specific tutorials.
Quick Bio
Mike James is one of Australia's most dynamic and sought-after speakers and trainers in the field of mobile photography. Mike has combined 25 years of experience in photography and mentoring to be able to deliver extraordinary value, in an engaged and intelligent way.
His passion comes from being on a mission to help you become more photography literate, priding himself on avoiding technical jargon – leaving you and your staff educated, inspired and ready to create stunning images.