The Photography Tutor in Your Pocket app is now live!

A while back one of my photography tuition clients said, "I wish I could have you standing next to me all the time while I'm out with the camera, telling me what settings to use." - and that started a thought process which eventually turned into the PTiYP app.

I realised that if I could provide a similar level of support as I do in my 1-2-1 sessions, even though I wasn't actually with someone, then it could be a really useful tool. Especially for beginner photographers who are either learning how to use a camera for the first time, or who want to get 'off auto'.

Turning the idea into reality

This was made easier by the fact that my husband is a software developer - so I drew up some example screens, and he got started on the Android version, as that's an area he is more familiar with.

We then created the app together over five months - using my decade of experience of teaching beginners as a base. This helps me to understand the type of challenges that beginners face, and how best to help them get from a cold start, to a clear knowledge of aperture, shutter speed, ISO and focusing - so they can really start to enjoy the process of learning photography.

How it works

The Photography Tutor in Your Pocket app is not intended to be a complete photography course in its own right, covering every technical subject in fine detail. It's actually designed for use alongside other sources of tuition - from formal lessons to YouTube videos, and any other type of knowledge that people are able to access.

In short, it 'bridges the gap' between anything that someone reads online at home (but then forgets!) and what they actually need to do while out and about with their camera, at the point where they are ready to take a shot. Then it also includes links to more detailed information on my website, for background reading.

What's included?

• Simple access to advice on the right settings to use while out and about taking photos.

  
  

• Information on how to shoot different image types including landscapes, urban scenes, sunrises, sunsets, moving subjects, portraits, couples, groups, sports, night photography, and how to blur the background.

  
  

• Key advice on how to set up a camera 'out of the box' before starting to take photos for the first time.

  
  

• High contrast black and white text that makes it easy to read the app contents when out and about in bright light.

  
  

• Access to a clear reminder of all that photography advice which people read at home and then can't remember once they are actually 'in the field'.

  
  

• Additional content on essential photography subjects including sensor size, aperture and shutter speed, ISO, focusing and depth of field.

  
  

• Links to a private Facebook group, for help on the app itself - and for advice and support on photography related subjects.

Feedback so far

The app has been live since early May 2025 and has been extremely well received so far - this is just one example 5* review:

"It's a great introduction and a clever reminder of those details that you tend to forget when you're out in the field. It's perfect for beginners and even those that have been photographing for a while but maybe photographing something out of their usual genre. The information in the Basic settings and initial setup is easy to understand and follow and I like the links to more information so you can gain the knowledge at your own pace."

Nikki H.

Have a look Inside PTiYP now for more information on what it contains - or download it from the Google Playstore now. The iPhone version is in development, so if you'd like to be notified when that goes live, please email me.