ABOUT
DONAL
If you want to take better photos or grow a photography business, I’m here to guide you.
As a child I was given my first camera for my 7th birthday and spent the summer snapping away. At 11 years old I was gifted a pinhole camera by my godmother and my poor mum had to be worked with when she realised that I turned our hot press into a makeshift dark-room. The chemicals peeled the paint off and destroyed most of the contents of the room.
I studied business and marketing at University in Edinburgh and in Sweden. While at university I used my grant to buy a digital camera and proceeded to take as many photos as I could, now I wasn’t restricted to having to buy film.
My career saw me working on marketing and PR for some of the world’s best known brands, and took me to London where I worked on the 28th floor of the Gherkin. I took a City & Guilds night class in photography for the year, having just acquired a Canon 350D and fell in love, snapping everything from a squirrel on the way to work to my semi-obliging friends.
I went on to study for a master’s in Communication, Advertising and Public Relations while setting up my own multi-award-winning agency. I loved the work, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wanted to follow my real passion, photography.
Then a friend asked me to shoot their wedding in Australia, and my first thought was, “GULP, I’d better not mess this up!”
I spent months learning everything I could before Tom and Lorelie’s wedding. Standing in a vineyard south of Melbourne, with the sun splitting the sky, getting to be creative and capture a couple so clearly in love, I knew I wanted to be a photographer.
Over the last 16 years I’ve been lucky enough to photograph weddings all over the world, along with portraits, landscapes and commercial work, winning a number of awards along the way.
In 2014 I launched a training company to teach photographers how to market their businesses. It was named the best training company in its field, and I went on to teach thousands of photographers online. During the pandemic I also completed an MSc in Professional Software Development at Ulster University.
Teaching has always been a big part of what I do, through in-person workshops, international conferences, magazine features and online. I’ve taught my beginners course for over ten years, and so many students asked me to turn it into an online course that I did. Start Learning Photography is the result. I still run an in-person Beginner Workshop each year, and I offer one-to-one mentoring for anyone who wants more personal guidance.
I’ve been named one of the top wedding photographers in the UK by Photo Professional Magazine, and my work has been featured in Vogue, Brides, Getting Married in Northern Ireland, Wedding Journal and more.
Maybe you’ve always loved photography, maybe you’ve just picked up a camera for the first time, or maybe you have a business and want to show off your products. Whatever brought you here, welcome!
I can’t wait to help you unlock your creativity and start taking photos you’ll love.
I live in Derry with my daughter, Sophie.
WHAT I DO
I am here to help you to get images you’ll love. Through my experience I have created a step-by-step system which can enable you to make a quantum leap forward with your photography. Through my online course which is launching soon you’ll not only learn the skills you need, but you will join a friendly community of other photographers.
How I can help!
You’ll unlock your creativity
Learn to see light, composition and moments differently, so your photos start to feel like yours.
You’ll learn new skills, step by step
From the exposure triangle to manual mode and editing, everything is explained simply and in the right order.
I’ll guide you every step of the way
Whether it’s in person at the workshop, through the online course or one-to-one mentoring, you’re never left guessing.
You’ll get support when you need it
Have a question? Drop me a line, or add mentoring for personal feedback on your photos and your progress.
You’ll take pictures you love
The goal is simple: to get you off auto and confidently taking photos you’re proud of.