COMING SOON

COMING SOON

Each enrollee in the Fundamentals community will be immersed in our Signature From Auto to Artist Beginner’s course; because everyone is new to something, and every photographer starts at the beginning.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the buttons, dials, settings, and advice that come with modern photography, you’re not alone. From Auto to Artist is a supportive 12-week learning experience designed specifically for beginning photographers who want to understand their cameras, gain confidence, and start creating images with intention.

Each week, you’ll receive a new lesson covering the essential foundations of photography, including cameras and lenses, exposure, focusing, composition, and shooting in Manual mode. More importantly, you’ll learn alongside a community of fellow photographers who are on the same journey. Questions are encouraged, mistakes are part of the process, and growth happens through shared learning in a welcoming, judgment-free environment.

By the end of the program, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to continue your photography journey on your own, move on to the BlueHour Virtual Classroom, or stay involved by encouraging and mentoring future Jumpstart participants.

Photography is a lifelong journey. This is where it begins!

Join BlueHour’s Photo Fundamentals,
for Beginners only!

Meet Your Instructor

David DeMarco

Instructor & Mentor

Dave is a Rhode Island-based fine art photographer. He has had a love affair with making photographs for 40 years.

For Dave, sunrise and sunset represent powerful forces of peace, tranquility, and rejuvenation. These forces are the common theme in Dave’s photography.

Dave’s work is published in several local calendars and publications, including the cover of South County Life Magazine. Dave also works on commissioned projects where the subject, mood and feel of a photograph are specially crafted for the buyer and their space.

Dave is a natural teacher and mentor. He is currently the President of the Photographic Society of Rhode Island. In addition to creating and teaching our 12-week Beginner’s Only online course, Dave also offers individualized photography coaching sessions where he teaches you how to move from taking photos to intentionally making photographs. Sessions are held both virtually and in person.

Check Out Dave's Website

By the end, you’ll have gone from overwhelmed to confident.
From auto to artist.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Absolutely. BlueHour’s Photo Fundamentals was designed specifically for beginning photographers. You don't need to understand camera settings or photography terminology before you start. We'll build your skills one lesson at a time, from understanding your camera to creating photographs with intention.

  • Any modern interchangeable-lens digital camera will work. Throughout the course we'll explain concepts rather than teach one brand. These concepts apply to all camera brands. Most of the examples will be based on modern mirrorless cameras.

  • You'll first learn what Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO actually do. Once those concepts make sense, you'll learn an easy decision-making process that helps you confidently shoot in Manual mode whenever you choose.

  • No problem.

    Photography is a journey, not a race. Lessons build on one another, but you'll always be able to watch the video recording and study previous material, ask questions, and continue learning at your own pace. After a couple of weeks, you will earn discount coupons for a private lesson or two with the community leader where you can iron out any problems you might encounter.

  • Yes. Each lesson includes simple exercises designed to help you practice one new concept at a time. The goal isn't perfection—it's building confidence by using your camera. The next lesson will begin with a debrief of the previous lesson and open Q&A so that everyone learns together.


  • Almost everything. The skills you'll learn apply to landscapes, wildlife, portraits, travel, family photography, sports, macro, and everyday photography. The principles stay the same—the subjects, locations and stories you want to tell change.

  • Definitely. Many photographers have used Auto mode for years but never fully understood why the camera made certain decisions. This course explains those decisions so you can begin making creative choices yourself. Our goal is to take you on a journey so you will move from “Auto-to-Artist”! At the end you will be confident with your camera and making images with intention.

  • Yes. While you'll learn how your camera works, you'll also learn how photographers think. You'll discover composition, storytelling, intentional decision-making, the OSCAR process, and how to plan successful photo outings before you even leave home.

  • YouTube teaches individual topics. Photo Fundamentals teaches photography as a complete learning journey.

    Every lesson builds naturally on the previous one, so you're never left wondering what to learn next. You'll also be part of a supportive community where you can ask questions, complete assignments, and grow alongside other beginners. You will learn weekly from an award-winning instructor who loves to teach.

  • By the end of the course, you'll understand:

    • How your camera works 

    • How to confidently adjust camera settings 

    • When to use different autofocus and drive modes 

    • How to compose stronger photographs 

    • How to use aperture, shutter speed, and ISO creatively 

    • How to create consistently sharp images 

    • How to choose the right lens 

    • How to plan successful photo shoots 

    • Most importantly, you'll know why you're making each photographic decision—not just which button to press.