TAKE BETTER PHOTOS AND EDIT THEM LIKE A TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY PRO
Learn absolutely everything you need to up your travel photography game to ultimately get bigger paying clients, license your photos to world-class brands or grow your Instagram page like crazy with yours truly, Jord Hammond.
Ever since I spontaneously moved to China in 2015, I have been obsessed with photography. I travelled to so many diverse and beautiful places in the year that I lived there - places that I never knew existed...
Like the rice terraces of Yunnan Province, which we stumbled across online whilst making plans for Chinese New Year. Before we knew it, we set off, and after a flight, a taxi, two buses, a minibus, another taxi, and a whole day of travel, we arrived in Yuanyang.
Waking up the next morning to photograph the sunrise and walking out of our guesthouse onto the water filled terraces, with fog rolling over from the nearby hills, was to this day my favourite memory from China.
After this trip, all I wanted to do was share these landscapes with the world in the hope that people just like you would be inspired to take a leap of faith and travel to somewhere unknown.
My weeks and months thereafter were planned around the cheapest domestic flight, train or bus so that I could explore and photograph as much of the unknown, rural parts of China as possible, and pretty soon I realised I couldn’t see myself doing anything other than taking photos.
After this trip, all I wanted to do was share these landscapes with the world in the hope that people just like you would be inspired to take a leap of faith and travel to somewhere unknown.
My weeks and months thereafter were planned around the cheapest domestic flight, train or bus so that I could explore and photograph as much of the unknown, rural parts of China as possible, and pretty soon I realised I couldn’t see myself doing anything other than taking photos.
IT WAS THE PATH I WANTED TO TAKE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, AND I WAS GOING TO FIND ANY WAY I COULD TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
REMEMBER, WE ALL HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE...
REMEMBER, WE ALL HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE...
I remember sitting in my flat in China playing around with my camera about 6 months after moving there when I realised that you could actually turn the focus ring on the lens and things came into and out of focus.
I laugh at it now, but I couldn’t believe that I had just discovered manual focus, and at the time I was so proud of myself for a solid week.
And let’s not forget when I walked in on someone’s private shoot in a temple in Bagan, Myanmar in 2016. The photographer was kind enough to let me shoot the scene of the monks with him.
Little did I know at the time, but as soon as I pressed 'post' on Instagram, that photo was about to change my life for many reasons:
It was the first shot of mine that went “viral” on Instagram.
I got contacted by newspapers, magazines and media outlets who all wanted to feature the photo.
And it was only then I realised that photography could potentially, just maybe, be a viable option for me if I worked really, really hard.
BY OBSESSIVELY LEARNING AND FALLING IN LOVE WITH PHOTOGRAPHY, MY PASSION TURNED INTO WHAT YOU SEE TODAY.
Since then, I’ve photographed eagle hunters in the remote mountains in West Mongolia, watched the sun set alone on the Great Wall of China, road tripped through the USA with my dad and witnessed the sun rise over Mount Fuji in Japan.
On top of all the mind-blowing places I’ve been lucky enough to explore, I have also worked with brands I had once only dreamed of, such as Adobe, Canon, Discover Hong Kong, Visit Dubai, Beautiful Destinations, Japanese National Tourism Office, Royal Caribbean and many more!
And while it might seem hard to imagine, I’m just a very normal guy who picked up a camera and started learning along the way - what I want to do now is to teach you everything I’ve learned so far so you can save time and become the best photographer possible.
LOOK, I KNOW THAT IT FEELS PRETTY OVERWHELMING THINKING ABOUT SECURING TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY JOBS IN THE CURRENT WORLD CLIMATE.
You've got into a bit of a rut being stuck at home watching Netflix, and it shows in your Instagram page. Your growth is perhaps slower than you’d like, and you’re reaching fewer people than you had hoped, which can of course be disheartening when photography is something you love and something you may want to turn into a career one day.
So, you blame it on the algorithm, when the fact is that great content will always do well. Now's the time to look inwards rather than outwards and focus on how you can improve your craft. If you're stuck at home, now is a great time to prepare for when the travel industry opens up and booms again (and it's only a matter of time - some countries have already started opening their borders). You'll be kicking yourself when you see that the people who did use this time to double down on their craft are soaring when the coronavirus era passes. Don't get left behind!
And yes I know, there are some of you reading this that don’t care about social media and don’t want a career in photography at all. You just enjoy taking photos to share with your family and friends. Either way, you still want to be proud of the content you create, because everyone wants to do the best they possibly can, right?
You want to give it your all and make sure the photos you hang up on your wall or post to your feed are the best photos you could have possibly taken and edited.
SO YOU TRIED TO DO WHAT EVERYONE ELSE WAS DOING TO IMPROVE THEIR PHOTOGRAPHY - SEARCHING YOUTUBE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY HACKS & HOW-TO’S…
I know, because I was just like you when I first started out. You try to soak up hours of tutorials from different YouTubers on different topics but nothing seems to be making a difference.
But no matter how many hours of content you consume, you just don't feel like you get the same results as they do in your final shots.
When I first opened Lightroom on my computer, I was completely lost. I had only ever used Instagram to edit my photos before then, and the hundreds of different buttons available on Lightroom totally confused me. It took me years to finally understand all you can do in Lightroom, and then Photoshop was introduced to me which blew my mind once more.
Slowly but surely my photos and editing style evolved into what they are today.
Before
After
Now I know these tools like the back of my hand, inside and out. And I can’t wait to share my strategies and workflows with you - you’re going to love it.
HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU?
You’ve finally gotten the hang of Lightroom and Photoshop, spending what felt like days editing your shots and you still end up not liking them... Yep, I’ve been there too.
I am one of the biggest perfectionists you’ll ever meet, and this comes out particularly when editing my photos. I always want to produce the best quality work possible, and it’s so important to do so to stay ahead of the game. When I was just starting out, in my photography journey, I just could not get my photos to look exactly how I wanted them to - BUT with what I’m going to teach you, you’ll never be caught in that rut.
LEARN EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO DEVELOP YOUR OWN, UNIQUE STYLE.
There are a lot of photographers out there, but not a lot of great photographers, and the secret behind most great photographers is their distinct individual style and consistency.
But, trying to find your individual style and niche to stand out from the crowd can feel like an impossible task. Every time you scroll, it’s like every style and niche has already been taken.
I’m a firm believer in keeping your photos and Instagram feed consistent and individualised. You want someone to look at a photo and recognise it’s yours without needing to see who took it. When you start to get client work, they will want the photos you submit to have “your look”, and that’s why they’ll hire you - so it’s no good if they all look different.
That’s why I’m going to teach you how to find your flavour, create your signature look and develop your own style.
"ALL THAT SOUNDS GREAT, BUT CAN YOU REALLY HELP ME JORD?"
Ok, let me ask you this… Imagine how much easier it would be if you had all the secret hacks, time-saving techniques and professional industry-quality information all in one place.
Imagine being able to walk into a location with your dream shot in mind, pull out your camera & know exactly how to frame & capture the shot. No mucking around with settings, no guessing what to do with the lighting. You just “know” instinctively what to do in the moment.
I’d love to see that happen, I really would. I’d be cheering you on all the way.
IN FACT, I’VE CREATED A COMMUNITY OF PHOTOGRAPHERS JUST LIKE YOU, WHERE WE DO JUST THAT.
We cheer each other on, share our wins & struggles. Not to mention, and you can reach out to me personally in the group any time you get a little stuck or feel free to just come and show everyone the incredible shots you’re taking with all the new skills you’re learning. Either way, it’s our private tribe and there’s a spot waiting for you to join us.
JUST PICTURE YOURSELF GOING OUT TO SHOOT (ONCE THE QUARANTINE HAS BEEN LIFTED, OF COURSE) AND BEING TRULY PROUD OF THE CONTENT YOU PRODUCED ONCE YOU'VE EDITED IT ALL.
You’ll start improving your photography and editing skills so much that pretty quickly, the dream of being able to work as a photographer and travel for a living becomes more and more feasible - so much so, it becomes a reality.
And believe me, it’s doable!
JUST PICTURE YOURSELF GOING OUT TO SHOOT AND BEING TRULY PROUD OF THE CONTENT YOU PRODUCE ONCE YOU'VE EDITED IT ALL.
You’ll start improving your photography and editing skills so much that pretty quickly, the dream of being able to work as a photographer and travel for a living becomes more and more feasible - so much so, it becomes a reality.
And believe me, it’s doable!
And thanks to all of your questions and DMs, I’ve been able to uncover the most common problems a lot of you are facing and I realised right away... they’re all things that I have knowledge about and that I can help with.
So, I decided to put absolutely everything I have learnt about travel photography and editing over the past four years into one, easy to follow online course to help you take your photography from 0 to 100.
When I say, “everything”, I mean literally everything.
And thanks to all of your questions and DMs, I’ve been able to uncover the most common problems a lot of you are facing and I realised right away... they’re all things that I have knowledge about and that I can help with.
So, I decided to put absolutely everything I have learnt about travel photography and editing over the past four years into one, easy to follow online course to help you take your photography from 0 to 100.
When I say, “everything”, I mean literally everything.
SAY HELLO TO
The Travel Photography Accelerator
In my very first, self-paced video course, you’ll learn how to shoot and edit like a professional.
I’ll give you all the tips and tricks you need to perfect your craft and kick start something special. Whether you take photos for a hobby, a job, or want to make it a job, you first need to be able to take and edit amazing photos.
Perfect the art first, and the rest will follow.
OVER THE YEARS, I’VE HAD A LOT OF MESSAGES FROM YOU GUYS ALONG THE LINES OF ‘I WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH AT PHOTOGRAPHY’ AND I WANT TO TELL YOU, THAT SIMPLY ISN’T TRUE!
We have all experienced self-doubt at some point in our lives. And one of the best ways to overcome that self-doubt is to perfect your skills - that’s what I’m here to help you do. Because we all have to start somewhere.
This course won’t leave anyone behind and it won’t hold anyone back. There’s a path for you no matter how much you think you don’t know.
NOW, I KNOW THE CORONAVIRUS HAS AFFECTED A LOT OF US FINANCIALLY.
THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY IS TAKING A BREAK FOR NOW, BUT NOT FOREVER. YOU HAVE THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO GET AHEAD OF THE GAME.
Other photographers out there have already seen the opportunity and began to enhance their skill and offerings, so that when the time comes and the travel industry opens back up again, they will be perfectly positioned to offer companies exactly what they are looking for to promote travel again. And there's nothing stopping you from joining them. My course will teach you everything you need to know about photography so your work really stands out from the crowd.
YOU WANT TO DO IT, BUT YOU DON’T HAVE A GOOD ENOUGH CAMERA.
If you’re worried you haven’t got a good enough camera or the right gear to get the most out of the course, I’m telling you now, you don’t need a professional camera to start learning - it’s best to start with what you have.
This photo below was taken with an iPhone 8 with a broken screen and remains one of my most successful photos on Instagram.
I’ll teach you how to get the absolute most out of whatever tools you’ve got. The skills and knowledge I’ll pass onto you are transferable from camera to camera, regardless of how “fancy” they are.
CAPTURING THE SHOT IS HALF THE BATTLE, EDITING IT PROPERLY IS WHERE THE REAL MAGIC HAPPENS.
And this is honestly the part of the course I am most excited about.
Some of you might already feel like you're a seasoned pro at Photoshop and Lightroom but I promise, there’s always room to learn more. Get the most out of these tools to take your photography to the next level.
You may have never even opened either of those tools or you might use them every single day… either way, you’ll have the step-by-step workflow I personally use when I’m editing my shots.
So, here is an overview of everything you’ll learn in the Travel Photography Accelerator to accelerate your photography and editing in 2021.
LESSON PLAN
Module 1: Welcome!
A brief introduction of what to expect in the Travel Photography Accelerator, as well as an insight into how this photography journey started and progressed for Jord.
- Welcome to the Travel Photography Accelerator course
- My story
- Course overview
Module 2: The Gear
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Does your gear really matter?
- What’s in my camera bag?
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Accessories
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Understanding camera sensors
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My gear suggestions for every budget
Module 3: The Preparation
Grasping this module can determine whether a photoshoot is successful or not. Jord takes you through how he scouts for and plans shooting at locations beforehand, as well as the apps he uses for planning and how to maximise whilst on location.
- Location scouting
- Apps and sources of inspiration
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Executing the plan
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Maximising on location
Module 5: The Shooting Techniques
Arguably the most important aspect of photography, and something that will definitely help you to stand out from the crowd. Jord is known for his crisp compositions, so he will cover this, as well as exposing your image correctly, compressed photos, drone panoramas, how to tell a story through your photos and how to develop a unique style.
- Things I wish I knew when I started
- Perfecting your exposure
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Composition, done right!
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Shooting styles
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Storytelling
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Developing a style
Module 6: The Editing Techniques
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Understanding Lightroom
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Understanding Photoshop
- Exporting images
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My Top 10 Lightroom tips
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Storing and organizing files
Module 7: Kelingking Beach
Here is where the fun starts! Hop on the boat to the island of Nusa Penida off the coast of Bali and learn how Jord shot one of his most famous photos, the waves of Kelingking beach.
- Shooting in the field. Here we are focusing on using light and shadows, scale and textures, compression & maximising on location to get an array of different photos in one shoot. We will also look at motion freeze here.
- Editing in the studio. Here we are focusing on complementary colours to create a dynamic edge, using Photoshop to clean up the images we take and masking.
Module 8: Hua Lamphong Train Station
Module 9: Kawah Ijen
It wouldn’t be right to only show you Bali, as Indonesia has thousands of beautiful islands, so come with me to neighbouring Java where we will hike the enormous volcano of Kawah Ijen and have our lesson at sunrise on the crater.
- Shooting in the field. Here we are focusing on using a subject to create a sense of scale, panoramas and shooting morning light to your advantage.
- Editing in the studio. Here we are focusing on merging photos selective editing and sky replacements.
Module 10: Chinatown Bangkok
Module 11: Sanur Beach
Follow Jord for an early morning Bali sunrise shoot at Sanur Beach, where we will be putting many of the skills we have learned to the test.
- Shooting in the field. Here we are focusing on composition and maximising on location, as well as using a polariser when shooting reflections.
- Editing in the studio. Here we are focusing on softening the photos to create a dreamy effect, masking subjects and giving images a sense of scale in post-processing.
Module 12: Ratchada Train Market
Jord is known for his colourful images, and so he will take you to the Ratchada Night Market to show you how to master the art of colourful photography without overdoing it.
- Shooting in the field. Here we are focusing on balancing a contrasting scene and shooting very colourful places, as well as composition and patterns.
- Editing in the studio. Here we are focusing on editing overly colourful images without them looking too saturated and cleaning images up on Photoshop.
You’ll join Jord in his favourite place in Bali - the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, for a drone photography lesson. You’ll then follow him back to the classroom where you’ll learn how to edit drone photos - and they’re gooduns!
- Shooting in the field. Here we are focusing on different drone settings, shooting patterns, different drone compositions, drone panoramas and using light to your advantage.
- Editing in the studio. Here we are focusing on the differences between editing a drone photo compared with that of a camera, including stitching panoramas together and perfecting editing your greens.
Module 14: Social Media Success
So, now you’ve got all of these incredible images, what’s the next step? Social media, of course! In this module, Jord will take you through the steps for social curation, consistency and the importance of an aesthetically pleasing feed, followed by a bonus Q&A on all things social media and business with the OG’s themselves - @mariefeandjakesnow.
- Introduction to Social Media and why it’s important in travel photography
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Social curation: how to organise your feed to keep it consistent
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BONUS Social Media Q&A with @mariefeandjakesnow
Module 15: Overview
An overview of everything we have learnt in this course and the next steps in order for you to put these skills into practice yourself!
PAY IN FULL
$349
- 15 modules and countless hours of video
- Private Facebook group with direct access to me and other course members
- Guidance on what gear to buy, how to use your camera, shooting in the field with me and editing in the studio
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Bonus FAQ with the Instagram moguls @mariefeandjakesnow
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Exclusive, never before released presets and guidance on how to make your own presets too.
DON'T JUST TAKE MY WORD FOR IT
Check out what my current students have to say about the Travel Photography Accelerator...
"Jord’s course simplified the whole process into easy, understandable bite sized portions.
After completing The Travel Photography Accelerator I found my editing and photography skills had improved a lot.
The time it takes me now to edit my images has halved, making the process that much more enjoyable.
I absolutely recommend this course!”
- Anton (@anton.wilk)
"An interesting course spacing from some theory about photography, to going onto the field with Jord, to editing his pictures together with him, all spiced up with some of Jordan's humour. Great price for content! Theoretical and practical videos that you can watch whenever and how many times you like/need, plus Jord's raw pictures for you to edit together with him! (Highly recommended to do so to learn!)"
- Federica (@aroundtheworldwithfederica)
“Jord Hammond’s Photography Accelerator course is the best way to really enhance your photography skills from shooting in the field to creative editing techniques and social media presence. His style of teaching gives a real insight to the hustle and work ethic needed to have your content really stand out from the rest. The best part is that he truly cares about the success of his students and gives all of his knowledge and secrets to help them bypass the struggle he endured during his photography journey.”
- Derek (@wyaderek)
FAQs
I’m a complete beginner in photography. Is this the right course for me?
Yes! This course is for all skill levels, from beginner to more advanced photographers.
I want to join the course but I don’t have a camera. Is that a problem?
Not at all! Cameras on smartphones can be better than cameras these days, and it’s better to start learning with what you have.
It doesn’t. I truly believe that it’s easy to jump the gun and try to get paid for photography without actually taking amazing photos, so this course is to learn photography and editing only.
I’m pretty busy now with other commitments. Do I have a time limit to complete the course in?
Nope! Once you purchase the course, you’ll have lifetime access so you can watch the course whenever you want, however many times you want.
What happens if I don’t understand something in the course? Do you have a support chat?
When you join the course, you’ll be added to a private course Facebook group with me and all the other course members, so any questions you have you can use the group to ask me/other members
I only shoot photos with my phone. Will this course cover mobile photography?
Unfortunately not! I rarely take photos on my phone, so I don’t want to teach something that I’m not particularly familiar with. HOWEVER, a lot of the techniques and editing lessons I teach in this course can absolutely be applied to mobile photography.
NO RISK REFUND POLICY
As this course is self-paced, you’ll receive the entire course straight away. If, however, you have watched less than 20% and decide it’s not the course for you, you will receive a full refund.
The world of travel photography has opened its doors just a little amid these crazy times worldwide, and so the time to improve and hone in on your craft is now. Join me inside The Travel Photography Accelerator and learn how to become more visual, stand out from the crowd and perfect your photography and editing skills NOW.
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