Jill Gum Photo University

$298 or 8 monthly payments of $39

Jill Gum Photo University

Learn how to capture your family and life as it looks and feels in this 24-module Course where you will learn about ALL of the important steps to take beautiful pictures in any situation!

Buy now

So you bought that fancy camera...and then it just sat on a shelf or you stayed in auto and couldn't take the pictures you had hoped. Say goodbye to photos that just frustrate you and hello to beautiful, bright photos that bring you RIGHT back to the moment you took them!

In this 24 module online course, I teach you how to shoot 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 module after module, 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!

Each module, we will cover a new specific topic related to your photography. Each lesson includes a 30-60+ minute instructional video mini-course, a PDF or worksheet to go along with the video, and access to past Q+A videos with student questions answered in the exclusive student Facebook group.

This membership is for the mom or photo lover who wants to learn how to take beautiful photos in any situation, or a photographer who wants to learn to shoot like a 6-figure photographer! 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 immediate access to all 24 modules! Click HERE for many more details about the Photo University Membership.

Learn More about Photo U

I'm in- Sign Me Up!

Welcome!

Mastering Manual Mini-Course

**START HERE!

Manual Mini-Course Workbook.pdf

4.73 MB

Manual Mini-Course Cheat Sheet.pdf

2.43 MB

Mastering Manual Part 1.mp4

16 mins
1.28 GB

Mastering Manual Part 2.mp4

23 mins
1.29 GB

Mastering Manual Part 3.mp4

13 mins
992 MB

Mastering Manual- Light Meter.mp4

21 mins
1.74 GB

Mastering Manual Shooting Demonstration.mp4

15 mins
1.26 GB

Lesson 1: Photographing Inside With Natural Light

This lesson 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!

Lesson 1 Part I.mp4

44 mins
3.93 GB

Lesson 1 Photo U Worksheet.pdf

94.3 KB

Lesson 1 Part II .mp4

37 mins
2.29 GB

Lesson 2: Telling the Story

This lesson is 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

Lesson 2 Photo U Worksheet.pdf

201 KB

Lesson 2 Photo U .mp4

(1h 05m 52s)
925 MB

Lesson 3: Photographing in Sunshine

This lesson 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

Lesson 3 Photo U.mp4

41 mins
1.43 GB

Lesson 3 Photo U Guide.pdf

6.99 MB

Lesson 4: Photographing At Sunset

This lesson 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

Lesson 4 Photo U.mp4

47 mins
2.27 GB

Lesson 4 Photo U Worksheet.pdf

117 KB

Lesson 5: Editing Part I

This lesson 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

Lesson 5 PDF- Glossary AfterShot Pro.pdf

158 KB

Lesson 5 Photo U.mp4

(1h 17m 10s)
1.84 GB

Lesson 6: On Location Live Photography Demonstration

This lesson 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

Lesson 6 Quick Glance Guide

74 KB

Lesson 6 Photo U.mp4

(1h 01m 50s)
4.77 GB

Lesson 7: Behind The Scenes

This lesson 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!

Lesson 7 Photo U Worksheet.pdf

130 KB

Lesson 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

Lesson 8: Composition

This lesson 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!).

Lesson 8 Photo U.mp4

(1h 09m 13s)
927 MB

Lesson 8 WKSHT.pdf

358 KB

Lesson 8 Booster.mp4

18 mins
635 MB

Lesson 9: Posing your Friends and Family

This lesson 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

Lesson 9 Slides.pdf

64.8 MB

Lesson 9 Part I.mp4

33 mins
1010 MB

Lesson 9 Part II.mp4

39 mins
3.31 GB

Lesson 10: Editing Part II

This lesson 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!

Accessing Google Drive Photos.mp4

6 mins
53.8 MB

**READ FIRST.pdf

152 KB

Lesson 10 Photo U Glossary.pdf

159 KB

Downloading Corel Aftershot Pro.mp4

4 mins
151 MB

Lesson 10 Photo U.mp4

(1h 01m 59s)
2.74 GB

Lesson 11: Focus 101

This lesson 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

Lesson 11 Photo U Part I.mp4

58 mins
3.31 GB

Lesson 11 Photo U SlidesFocus 101_ How to take Tack Sharp Photos (2).pdf

1.02 MB

Lesson 11 Photo U Part II.mp4

28 mins
1.58 GB

Lesson 12: Lens Choice

This lesson 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.

Lesson 12 Photo U WKSHT .pdf

107 KB

Lesson 12 Photo U Part I.mp4

30 mins
565 MB

Lesson 12 Photo U Part II.mp4

24 mins
609 MB

Lesson 13: Photography Gear and Accessories

In this lesson, 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!

Lesson 13 Photo U Equipment List.pdf

77.7 KB

Lesson 13 Photo U.mp4

29 mins
4.04 GB

Lesson 14: Macro Photography

In this lesson, 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!!!

Lesson 14 Macro Photos Worksheet.pdf

1.24 MB

Lesson 14 Photo U.mp4

41 mins
2.12 GB

Lesson 15: Creative Cropping

This lesson is the start of a 2-lesson series all about Advanced Composition, focusing on cropping. I admit, this lesson and the next lesson 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!

Lesson 15 Cropping Guide.pdf

35.6 MB

Lesson 15 Photo U.mp4

22 mins
310 MB

Lesson 16: The Full Frame

In this lesson, 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!

Lesson 16 Full Frame Guide.pdf

38.1 MB

Lesson 16 Photo U.mp4

24 mins
357 MB

Lesson 17: Photo Sessions

In this lesson, 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!

Lesson 17 Photo Session Checklist .pdf

48 KB

Lesson 17 Photo U.mp4

41 mins
871 MB

Pixieset Link

Lesson 18: Choosing Photo Times

In this lesson, 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!

Lesson 18 Photo Session Time Guide.pdf

93 KB

Lesson 18 Photo U.mp4

31 mins
2.62 GB

Lesson 19: Free Photo + Words Editing Resource

In this lesson, 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!

Lesson 19 Canva Guide.pdf

45.2 KB

Mpix $10 off Coupon

Lesson 19 Photo U.mp4

29 mins
464 MB

Lesson 20: Black and White Editing Part I

In this lesson, 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

Lesson 20 B+W Guide.pdf

417 KB

Lesson 20 Photo U.mp4

30 mins
495 MB

Lesson 21: Black and White Editing Part II

In this lesson, 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

Lesson 21 Corel and LR Glossary.pdf

454 KB

Lesson 21 Photo U.mp4

31 mins
911 MB

Lesson 22: Adding Light with Reflectors

Lesson 22 covers my top tips for using reflectors to add beautiful, clean light to your subject! I’m so excited to share this topic with you and to demonstrate exactly how it can transform your photos super easily with tools you might already have at home!

Lesson 22 Reflectors Guide.pdf

56.7 KB

Lesson 22 Photo U.mp4

27 mins
1.91 GB

Lesson 23: Using Flash

In this lesson we discuss everything you need to know in order to get started with flash! From flash power to bounce cards, you’ll learn how to use flash while avoiding that fake, flashy look.

Lesson 23 Flash Guide.pdf

55.5 KB

Lesson 23 Photo U.mp4

28 mins
2.33 GB

Lesson 24: White Balance 101

In this final lesson of Photo U, we discuss the basics of White Balance and how to get your photos to look how you want! You’ll learn exactly how it will transform your images when you get the WB correct in-camera and how it’ll help you cut down on editing time later!

Lesson 24 White Balance Guide.pdf

8.05 MB

Lesson 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!

Click HERE for store policies.

Facebook Instagram Website

Let's Get In Touch!

Get product updates, launch announcements!

FAQs

Q: Is this a course or a membership?

A: This is a COURSE--which means you get immediate access to ALL 24 modules of teaching...so you can binge-watch Netflix-style or you can go at whatever pace you want!

Q: Is this course for people who want to start a BUSINESS or for people who just love photographing?

A: BOTH! While it doesn't cover specific business topics (like running a business, marketing, etc), ALL of the topics covered are topics that photographers with a business would need to know. We cover topics all related to actually using your camera to take great pictures. I teach my entire shooting system in the Photo U that has allowed me to become a 6-figure photographer...so if you think you would want to learn that, this is for you!

Q: Do I have access to the content forever?

A: Yes!! Once you purchase the course you will have LIFETIME ACCESS--so you can watch, rewatch, and rewatch again any lesson, any time you want.

Q: Are there different payment options?

A: You can pay all-at-once for the Photo University (a one-time payment of $298) OR you can opt to pay in 4-installments (4 payments of $95). If you pay in 4 installments, you will be automatically billed on the same day of each month that you make your first payment.

Q: What will I get/see in each lesson?

A: Students will be a part of the course site where they will view all the content. Each module's content consists of a 30-60+ minute video (either with me photographing and talking to the camera about what I'm doing, photographing while I'm working with clients, or teaching in my office/from my computer depending on what the topic calls for), a supplemental PDF or worksheet to go along with the video, and an occasional live zoom call with Jill for questions that need further discussion for up to 6 months after purchase (with replay after, because again, I understand #reallife!) with answers to student questions about what they are learning and working on!

Q: I have never used my camera before and am a total beginner-- is this course for me, or is it for my friend who has used her camera for years on Manual?

A: This course is for you BOTH! We will start super basic-- but it will very quickly turn into content that could improve any photographer wherever they are in their journey. As for the early content, for more proficient photographers, I never mind a review of the basics or seeing what settings and preferences another photographer uses-- and the beginning would function like that for you!

Q: Where can I learn more details about the Photo University?

A: Click HERE to email Jill with any questions!