A hands-on session focused on photographing birds in a relaxed, accessible setting. Mid-October lines up with peak fall migration through Nova Scotia, so beyond Sullivan's Pond's resident waterfowl, there's a good chance of spotting transient species passing through. We'll cover settings for capturing movement, working with longer lenses, framing and timing, and getting clean backgrounds around water.

book now

Join us for a creative drawing session where we design and draw a 13 moon circular calendar. Using simple drawing techniques, we will explore this beautiful lunar structure and create a personal calendar artwork in a relaxed, supportive setting. All skill levels are welcome. Participants should bring their own materials, including pencils and paper. The instructor may have backup materials in case someone forgets.

book now

Join us for a fascinating drawing session focused on animal skulls. We will study their unique shapes and structures and sketch them step by step, with guidance and tips from the instructor throughout. All skill levels are welcome in this relaxed, supportive setting. Participants should bring their own materials, including pencils and paper. The instructor may have backup materials in case someone forgets.

book now

Learn to see in black & white. This class focuses on what makes a strong monochrome image: contrast, texture, shape, and light, using the Citadel's stone walls, ramparts, and architectural lines as our subject. We'll cover shooting tips for B&W (whether your camera does it in-camera or you plan to convert later) and the key things to look for in a scene that reads well without colour.

book now

Got a camera you only use on auto? This class is for you. We'll demystify the basics: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and how they work together, so you can finally take your camera off auto and start making intentional choices instead of guessing. No prior experience needed, just bring your camera (DSLR or mirrorless) and your lenses. By the end of the session you'll understand exposure, know how to control depth of field and motion blur, and have the confidence to start shooting in manual or semi-manual modes.

book now

Good photography is really about understanding light. In this hands-on studio session, we'll break down how light behaves — direction, quality, intensity, and colour temperature — and how to shape it to get the results you want. We'll cover natural light vs. strobes vs. continuous lighting, the basics of studio lighting setups, and how small changes in light placement can dramatically change the feel of an image.

Whether you're shooting portraits, products, or just want to understand why some photos have that professional polish and others don't, this class will give you the tools to start seeing and using light intentionally.

book now

Winter on the Waterfront

Winter is one of the best times to shoot on the harbour, as long as you know how to handle it. We'll walk the Dartmouth Harbourfront Trail from the Alderney Ferry Terminal to Dartmouth Cove, then warm up at Café Marco Polo on King's Wharf to go through what you got.

What we'll cover:
- Why your camera turns snow grey, and how to fix it
- White balance in winter light
- Ice, the harbour birds, and the Halifax skyline in low morning sun
- Keeping your gear (and your batteries) working in the cold

We'll never be outside more than 45-60 minutes at a stretch, and the café is right on the route if you need a break partway through.

What to bring: your camera and a charged spare battery, footwear with good grip, and one more layers than you think you need - it's windier by the water. If you have a CPL, bring it as well to help cut reflections on snow. Any camera is welcome, phones included.

All levels welcome.

Weather: if conditions aren't safe, we'll move to another date, same time.

book now

Reflections are everywhere once you know how to see them - puddles, glass, wet pavement, and the harbour itself. We'll walk the Halifax waterfront from Queen's Marque to Purdy's Wharf and back, starting in the last of the daylight and finishing in blue hour as the city lights come on.

What we'll cover:
- Where to stand and where to focus to get a clean reflection
- Finding reflections in puddles, glass and wet surfaces
- Using long exposures to smooth moving water
- Low-light settings for blue hour

We'll start and finish at Café Lunette at Queen's Marque, so there's somewhere warm on both ends.

book now