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Jill Gum Classroom/Jill Gum Photo U
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Jill Gum Photo U

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Continuous education on how to capture your life as you live it.
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You can learn how to use your DSLR camera (or any camera!) to capture your family and your life as you live it!

In this monthly membership, we cover shooting in manual, and how to achieve the lighting, composition, editing, style, storytelling, and so much more to take the photos dream of with your photography.  In learning about these topics month after month, students will gain a much fuller understanding of each of these topics, and how they work together to make up each photo.  Click HERE for more details!

Every month, we will cover a new specific topic related to your photography.  The content includes a 30-60+ minute instructional video mini-course, a PDF or worksheet to go along with the video, and a Live Online Booster Q+A session with me in the exclusive student Facebook group.

This membership is for the mom, student, or hobbyist who wants the flexibility to learn all this content on their own time (including in one long marathon weekend if you have the time!).  Learn on your schedule, in your ideal timeframe, and watch again and again all while having access to me and your fellow students in the FB group for questions and feedback!

Sign up today for access to the bonus Mastering Manual Mini-Course and the first month's content! Click HERE for many more details about the Photo University Membership.
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Contents

Welcome!

    Month 1: Photographing Inside With Natural Light

    This month's content is Photographing Inside with Natural Light!  It can be so tempting to get outside right away but typically, it is a little easier to photograph inside...so we are starting there.  We are going to cover ALL the details about:
    • Finding the best rooms to photograph in your house
    • How to identify good light for your photos and find it in your rooms
    • What you can do to help your house feel brighter if it feels dark
    • Where to put your subjects within each space to get the best light on them
    • Plus a quick bonus look at what to do when there ISN'T natural light in the darkest space in my house!
    Month 1 Photo U Worksheet.pdf
    • 94.3 KB
    Month 1 Part I.mp4
    • 44 mins
    • 3.93 GB
    Month 1 Part II .mp4
    • 37 mins
    • 2.29 GB

    Month 2: Telling the Story

    This month we are learning about Telling the Story you have in your head with your photos (and how to create one in the first place!). We will learn:
    • What you can do CREATIVELY to make a story come alive
    • How you can help engage your subject in the story (and what to do when you are photographing kids-- because it's a whole different game!)
    • What you can do with your SPACE to help tell your story
    Month 2 Photo U Worksheet.pdf
    • 201 KB
    Month 2 Photo U .mp4
    • (1h 05m 52s)
    • 925 MB

    Month 3: Photographing in Sunshine

    This month's content is all about Photographing in Sunshine!  We will talk about:
    • How to deal with direct, harsh sunlight
    • Finding the best light in sun and how to deal with it
    • All about backlighting and using to your advantage 
    • Finding the best light when there is shade
    • What else MATTERS when you are searching for good light
    Month 3 Photo U Guide.pdf
    • 6.99 MB
    Month 3 Photo U.mp4
    • 41 mins
    • 1.43 GB

    Month 4: Photographing At Sunset

    This month's content is all about Photographing at Sunset!!  There are so many factors involved with making your photos glowy and beautiful, and we are covering them all!  You will learn:
    • When to start photographing to get that glowy light
    • Where to place your subjects to achieve beautiful glow without intense haze
    • How the stage of the sunset impacts your photos
    • My ideal timing and settings
    • What to do in different types of locations at sunset
    • How to photograph a silhouette photo
    Month 4 Photo U Worksheet.pdf
    • 117 KB
    Month 4 Photo U.mp4
    • 47 mins
    • 2.27 GB

    Month 5: Editing Part I

    This month's content is all about Editing your Photos!  I am SO excited to cover this because while our GOAL is always to get it right in camera, the truth is most photos do require a little bit of editing to get them just right, and we are going to cover those basics today!  
    READ FIRST!!.pdf
    • 161 KB
    *Downloading Corel Aftershot Pro.mp4
    • 4 mins
    • 151 MB
    Month 5 PDF- Glossary AfterShot Pro.pdf
    • 158 KB
    Month 5 Photo U.mp4
    • (1h 17m 10s)
    • 1.84 GB

    Month 6: On Location Live Photography Demonstration

    This month's content is an On Location Live Photography Demonstration...which means that I went to places I had not planned out and walked you through the full details of how I find the best light in multiple different types of locations!  I will admit, this is one of my favorite months yet because it will teach YOU how to do the same exact thing in YOUR locations when you are photographing!  You will learn: 
    • How to identify the best light in spaces + how it sometimes looks different than you expect
    • How to figure out where you can photograph in any location you go to during the day with harsh light
    Month 6 Quick Glance Guide
    • 74 KB
    Month 6 Photo U.mp4
    • (1h 01m 50s)
    • 4.77 GB

    Month 7: Behind The Scenes

    This month's content is Behind The Scenes of Photographing...what do you do AFTER you take the pictures!  From taking the card our of your camera ALL the way permanent storage of my photos, we cover all the details and steps in between...and I think as you work your way through this course and find yourself taking more and more photos, this will become SO important for you!
    Month 7 Photo U Worksheet.pdf
    • 130 KB
    Month 7 Photo U.mp4
    • (1h 21m 55s)
    • 1.73 GB
    Export Size Extra
    • 876 KB
    Monthly Calendar
    • 313 KB
    Monthly Calendar- Plain
    • 203 KB
    Yearly Calendar
    • 1010 KB
    Yearly Calendar- Plain
    • 475 KB

    Month 8: Composition

    This month's content is all about Composition!  This month focuses more on the creative side of photography rather than the technical, and I LOVED putting it together for you because of that!  We will learn about so many different elements that can help make the composition of your photos even more interesting, and how you can use composition as a tool in your photos to accomplish many goals (including blocking unwanted distractions, one of my favorite tricks!). 
    Month 8 WKSHT.pdf
    • 358 KB
    Composition- Month 8.mp4
    • (1h 09m 13s)
    • 927 MB

    Month 9: Posing your Friends and Family

    This month's content is all about Posing your Friends and Family!  I will be photographing live for the camera again, but this time I'm taking you on a family session with me to teach about Posing!  I know not all of you will photograph people other than your own family, but these tips will work with ANY people you choose to photograph and I'm SO excited for you to get to see this content and put it into action.  My past students have cited posing as a major issue even when working with their own kids, and I know this content will remove that roadblock for you!  We cover all the details about:
    • Posing Families
    • Posing Couples
    • Posing Kids

    Month 9 Slides.pdf
    • 64.8 MB
    Month 9 Part I.mp4
    • 33 mins
    • 1010 MB
    Month 9 Part II.mp4
    • 39 mins
    • 3.31 GB

    Month 10: Editing Part II

    This month's content is all about advanced Editing techniques! We will cover:
    •  Controlling the exposure in specific areas of your photos
    • Editing the tricky color issues you can run into when photographing inside
    • Using the rest of the editing sliders (and what they mean!)
    • So many more details!

    NOTE: If you are NOT ready to purchase Corel Aftershot Pro yet, you could get one more trial by using a different email address. I do NOT condone making fake addresses/etc for this purpose-- I recommend purchasing the program if you decide you love it (use this link to purchase: http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-9125316-11976762)...but you likely have another address (or someone in your home does!) and I do not think there is anything harmful about using it to get one more trial!

    **READ FIRST.pdf
    • 152 KB
    Accessing Google Drive Photos.mp4
    • 6 mins
    • 53.8 MB
    Month 10 Photo U Glossary.pdf
    • 159 KB
    Downloading Corel Aftershot Pro.mp4
    • 4 mins
    • 151 MB
    Month 10 Photo U.mp4
    • (1h 01m 59s)
    • 2.74 GB

    Month 11: Focus 101

    This month's content is all about Focusing with your Camera!!  We will cover:
    • All the focus settings in your camera
    • How I decide what settings to use and which I recommend for you
    • What I do while photographing and with my camera to ensure accurate focus
    • Common focus issues and how to solve them
    Month 11 Photo U SlidesFocus 101_ How to take Tack Sharp Photos (2).pdf
    • 1.02 MB
    Month 11 Photo U Part I.mp4
    • 58 mins
    • 3.31 GB
    Month 11 Photo U Part II.mp4
    • 28 mins
    • 1.58 GB

    Month 12: Lens Choice

    This month's content is all about Lens Choice! This topic has been hugely impactful for my photography and allowed me to leverage my lenses to take photos I love in a lot of situations that wouldn't have worked before knowing about it.
    Month 12 Photo U WKSHT .pdf
    • 107 KB
    Month 12 Photo U Part I.mp4
    • 30 mins
    • 565 MB
    Month 12 Photo U Part II.mp4
    • 24 mins
    • 609 MB

    Month 13: Photography Gear and Accessories

    In this new month's content, I am breaking down ALL my gear and accessories for you! I am sharing what I use, what I love, what I could do without, and what I recommend for you when you are looking for what's next or specific accessories! 
    Month 13 Photo U Equipment List.pdf
    • 77.7 KB
    Month 13 Photo U.mp4
    • 29 mins
    • 4.04 GB

    Month 14: Macro Photography

    In this month's content, we are talking all about MACRO Photography! Macro Photography is such a fun, creative way to up-level your skills and see the world a little bit differently through your lens!  I absolutely love using macro photography for my little kids (and the smaller the kid, the more sweet it is) and in nature. I TRULY think you will love this content...and my favorite part is that there is a little share challenge included in the worksheet component--I hope you share your work in the group!!! 
    Month 14 Macro Photos Worksheet.pdf
    • 1.24 MB
    Month 14 Photo U.mp4
    • 41 mins
    • 2.12 GB

    Month 15: Creative Cropping

    This month's content is the start of a 2 month series all about Advanced Composition, focusing on cropping. I admit, this month and next month are among my favorites taught because it is content that involves some aspects of your photography I am guessing you have never even considered, but will really take your photography to the next level! We are digging deep now, way beyond the basics of just your settings-- but it will make a huge difference in the quality of your photos!
    Month 15 Cropping Guide.pdf
    • 35.6 MB
    Month 15 Photo U.mp4
    • 22 mins
    • 310 MB

    Month 16: The Full Frame

    In this new month's content, we are diving deeper into composition again by talking about all the elements of your photos you have to consider beyond your subject to get the strongest composition. Fair warning: once you learn about these things, it will be so hard to unsee them in photos!!  But these are really advanced techniques that will make a huge difference in your photos, and I honestly get so excited about your content because real magic happens as a result of this content!
    Month 16 Full Frame Guide.pdf
    • 38.1 MB
    Month 16 Photo U.mp4
    • 24 mins
    • 357 MB

    Month 17: Photo Sessions

    In this month's content, I'm answering a question I know has been on a LOT of your minds: What to do if a friend, family member, or even stranger asks you to take photos for them! This lesson is jam packed with my best tips to get you organized and started when this opportunity comes your way (and it will once you are regularly sharing your photos on social media-- you just have to decide if you want to leap in or not!). Remember: saying "yes" doesn't mean you are moving towards a full fledged business if you don't want to...but trust me, it can be the start of something so very beautiful! The worksheet is a helpful checklist you can make a new copy of every time you take on a new session to help you prepare for the session, and I know you will find it so helpful!
    Month 17 Photo Session Checklist .pdf
    • 48 KB
    Month 17 Photo U.mp4
    • 41 mins
    • 871 MB
    Pixieset Link

      Month 18: Choosing Photo Times

      This month, I am tackling another highly asked question: how do you determine what time to photograph and how does location play its role?? This is a big topic and obviously every individual location has some differences...but I am so excited to address some commonly used types of locations and the huge impact they can have on your lighting! This isn't just for those of you doing sessions, but for anyone who wants to take beautiful photos outdoors in that gorgeous "golden hour" light and make the best use of the light at the right times! This month is SO great and I'm so glad to finally share about it! Make sure to download the worksheet first--it will really help you work through the content!
      Month 18 Photo Session Time Guide.pdf
      • 93 KB
      Month 18 Photo U.mp4
      • 31 mins
      • 2.62 GB

      Month 19: Free Photo + Words Editing Resource

      In this month's content, I'm doing something untraditional: sharing all about an online tool that you can use to enhance your photos in quite a few different ways! There are a thousand apps for everything these days, but it's hard to wade through the "fluff" and find the really useful and user-friendly programs...and this is definitely one of them (and, my favorite part: It's FREE!). I regularly use this program in my life (and business!) and think that you will LOVE it and find it such a fun creative option!
      Mpix $10 off Coupon
        Month 19 Canva Guide.pdf
        • 45.2 KB
        Month 19 Photo U.mp4
        • 29 mins
        • 464 MB

        Month 20: Black and White Editing Part I

        In this new month's content, we are starting a 2 part series on more specific editing techniques! This time, I'm using Lightroom to edit for those of you already using that program--but all of the content can easily be transferred to Corel Aftershot Pro! I hope you really enjoy this deeper dive into an amazing creative choice for your photo edits!

        If you decide to get a subscription for Adobe LR (I edit in LR Classic, and it comes with the Photography Yearly subscription), here's the link:
        https://www.adobe.com/?mv=affiliate&mv2=red
        Click the link, then across the top click: creativity+design>photographers>free trial
        Month 20 B+W Guide.pdf
        • 417 KB
        Month 20 Photo U.mp4
        • 30 mins
        • 495 MB

        Month 21: Black and White Editing Part II

        In this new month's content, we are working on part II of editing black and white photos--the actual editing! I am so excited for you to see this video and learn all my best tips and tricks to make beautiful black and white photos!

        If you decide to get a subscription for Adobe LR (I edit in LR Classic, and it comes with the Photography Yearly subscription), here's the link:
        https://www.adobe.com/?mv=affiliate&mv2=red
        Click the link, then across the top click: creativity+design>photographers>free trial
        Month 21 Corel and LR Glossary.pdf
        • 454 KB
        Month 21 Photo U.mp4
        • 31 mins
        • 911 MB

        Month 22 - Adding Light with Reflectors

        Month 22 Reflectors Guide.pdf
        • 56.7 KB
        Month 22 Photo U.mp4
        • 27 mins
        • 1.91 GB

        Month 23- Using Flash

        Month 23 Flash Guide.pdf
        • 55.5 KB
        Month 23 Photo U.mp4
        • 28 mins
        • 2.33 GB

        Month 24- White Balance 101

        Month 24 White Balance Guide.pdf
        • 8.05 MB
        Month 24 Photo U.mp4
        • 32 mins
        • 2.25 GB

        Hey There!

        Welcome to the Jill Gum Classroom!  I'm Jill, a photographer, educator, and encourager (and past high school teacher of 8 years!).

        I hope this classroom is an incredibly useful resource for you, wherever you are on your creative business journey!

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