PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BEGINNERS
“Finally understand how your camera works.”
2 hours · Schoorl Dunes · €49
Photography Workshop for Beginners in Schoorl
Finally Understanding How Your Camera Works
You have a nice camera. Maybe you've had it for a while.
But honestly?
You still often take photos in automatic mode. Not because there’s anything wrong with that, but because terms like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO can quickly sound more complicated than they need to be.
And what about all those buttons on your camera?
You have a general idea of what some of them do. But why do you sometimes end up with a blurry photo, why does the background sometimes blur nicely and sometimes not, or why does your photo suddenly turn out way too dark?
Sometimes it's still a matter of guesswork.
That's what this photography workshop for beginners is for.
In two practical hours, you'll learn to understand and use the most important settings on your digital camera.
No complicated technical lesson.
No hours of theory.
We're going to take some photos.
2 hours · €49 per person · small group · Schoorl Dunes (minimum 4 people, maximum 8 people)
From Automatic Mode to Mindful Photography
The automatic setting isn't bad at all.
But if you want to get more out of your camera, it helps a lot to understand why your camera makes certain choices.
In this introductory photography course, you'll learn step by step how the most important settings work together.
Among other things, we treat:
aperture
shutter speed
ISO
focus
depth of field
exposure
Your camera's main settings
When to Use Which Setting
You really don't need to know every button on your camera by heart after just two hours.
That's not the goal at all.
The goal is for you to go home and think:
Ah, I see. Now I understand what my camera does.
Learn Photography by Just Doing It
You can read twenty articles about the exposure triangle.
But ultimately, you learn photography by taking pictures.
That is why this photography workshop for beginners is being held in the Schoorl Dunes in North Holland, near Alkmaar.
We use the outdoors as our classroom.
Let me explain something.
You set up your camera.
You take the photo.
We'll see what happens.
And then, for example, we'll change the aperture or the shutter speed, and you'll take the same photo again.
You can see the difference right away.
That way, ISO, shutter speed, and aperture are no longer abstract concepts, but tools you can use to determine how your photo will look.
What will you learn in this beginner's photography workshop?
Aperture
For example, what does f/2.8 or f/11 mean?
You'll discover how the aperture affects both the amount of light and the depth of field in your photo.
Why is the background beautifully out of focus in one portrait, while in a landscape it’s actually okay for a lot of the scene to be in focus?
Shutter speed
Why does motion sometimes appear blurry?
And how exactly can you consciously freeze a movement?
You'll learn what shutter speed does and when to choose a fast or slow shutter speed.
ISO
When should you increase the ISO?
What happens to your photo when you do that?
And why don't you usually just set the ISO as high as possible?
Focusing
You'll learn how to be more intentional about where your camera focuses, so that you—not your camera—decide what's important in the frame.
The Exposure Triangle
Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO are not independent of one another.
Together, they determine the exposure of your photo.
I'll explain the exposure triangle in plain language, focusing mainly on what you can see right on your own camera and in your photos.
Who is this photography workshop for?
This workshop is designed for beginner photographers with a digital camera.
For example, when you:
you've just bought an SLR or mirrorless camera;
you've had your camera for a while but mostly take photos on automatic mode;
want to finally understand aperture, shutter speed, and ISO;
want to learn how to set up your camera yourself;
want to take more beautiful and thoughtful photos;
don't feel like taking a long, technical photography course—and certainly not one from a book;
want to learn mainly by taking photos yourself.
You don't need any prior knowledge.
And you definitely don't have to switch out of automatic mode just because that's supposedly "the right thing to do."
I want you to understand the possibilities your camera offers.
After that, you decide when to use them.
Photography Course for Beginners in North Holland
BAKKM Photography is offering this hands-on photography workshop in the Schoorl Dunes, which are easily accessible from Alkmaar and other locations in North Holland.
The combination of woods, dunes, varying elevations, sandy paths, light, and a variety of subjects makes Schoorl a wonderful place to put the basics of photography into practice right away.
So you won't be sitting in a classroom for two hours watching a presentation.
Take your camera outside with you.
We go for walks, practice, compare photos, and explore together how different settings affect an image.
Small group, lots of personal attention
A Nikon camera works differently than a Canon, Sony, Fujifilm, or any other brand.
And every participant starts somewhere different.
That's why I deliberately work with a small group.
There's plenty of opportunity to ask questions and for us to take a look with you if you can't find a setting or don't understand what's happening.
It's not about who has the nicest or most expensive camera.
The point is for you to learn to understand your own camera better.
What are you bringing?
Please bring:
your digital camera;
a fully charged battery;
an empty memory card;
the lens you normally use the most;
an extra battery, if needed;
good walking or athletic shoes;
Clothing appropriate for the weather.
A tripod is not required for this beginner's workshop.
Do you have your camera's manual on your phone? That can sometimes come in handy, since menus vary by camera brand and model.
From Understanding Your Camera to Learning to See Differently
After this workshop, you'll have a better understanding of how your camera works.
But technology is, after all, just a tool.
A good photo isn't just the result of the right ISO, shutter speed, or aperture.
That's where the most interesting part of photography begins for me:
see things differently.
Why does one photo stick with you, while you walk right past the other?
What does light do?
Where do you place your subject?
What exactly are you leaving out of the picture?
And how do you tell a story with just one photo?
That’s what the BAKKM Photography Experience—Seeing the Schoorl Dunes in a New Light —is all about.
During those three hours, we'll focus much less on buttons and much more on photography—specifically , light, composition, attention to detail, and storytelling.
Especially for participants in the beginners' workshop
The Photography Experience normally costs €89 per person.
After participating in this beginners' workshop, you'll receive a €20 discount if you book your Photography Experience within 30 days.
This way, you can first learn to understand your camera and then take the next step:
From engineering to photography.
How much does the photography workshop for beginners cost?
€49 per person
In return, you'll receive:
2 hours of hands-on guidance;
an explanation of your own camera;
aperture, shutter speed, and ISO;
explanation of focusing and exposure;
practical photography assignments;
personalized instruction in a small group;
Photography in the Schoorl Dunes;
€20 credit toward the BAKKM Photography Experience when you book within 30 days.
No lengthy training program.
No technical exam.
Just two hours in which you'll finally learn to understand what happens when you press that relax button.
Who is leading the workshop?
I'm Marcel Bakker, a photographer and the founder of BAKKM Photography.
For me, photography isn't ultimately about acquiring as much technical knowledge as possible.
Technique should help you create the image you see in your mind.
That's why I explain the basics in a way that's easy to understand and practical. It's not a competition in technical jargon—it's about seeing what a setting actually does to your photo.
My photography is all about light, composition, storytelling, and seeing things differently.
And that's exactly where I want to take you in the end.
First, understand how your camera works.
Then figure out what you want to convey with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this photography workshop really suitable for beginners?
Yes. The workshop is specifically designed for beginner photographers. No prior knowledge is required. Even if you mainly shoot in automatic mode, you're welcome to participate.
What kind of camera do I need?
You'll need a digital camera that lets you adjust settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO yourself. This could be, for example, an SLR or mirrorless camera from Nikon, Canon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic, or another brand.
Do I need to be able to take photos in M mode yet?
No. Quite the opposite. During the workshop, you'll learn how the most important settings work and how they affect each other. The goal is to understand what you're doing, not to set everything up manually as quickly as possible.
Will I learn about the exposure triangle?
Yes. We'll cover aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—and, most importantly, how these three work together. You'll get to apply what you've learned right away using your own camera.
Where is the photography workshop held?
The workshop will take place in the Schoorl Dunes in North Holland, near Alkmaar. Before each workshop, you’ll receive practical information about the exact meeting point.
How long does the workshop last?
The photography workshop for beginners lasts about 2 hours.
How much does the workshop cost?
The price is €49 per person.
How big is the group?
I deliberately work with small groups so that there is plenty of time for questions and personalized guidance.
Is this the same as the BAKKM Photography Experience?
No. The beginners' workshop focuses primarily on understanding your camera and the basics of photography. During the Photography Experience, we'll delve deeper into seeing things differently, light, composition, and storytelling.
Can I continue my education after that?
Yes. The next logical step is the 3-hour BAKKM Photography Experience in the Schoorl Dunes. As a participant in the beginners’ workshop, you’ll receive a €20 discount if you book this experience within 30 days.
Ready to finally understand how your camera works?
You don't need to buy a better camera.
You don't have to watch a hundred YouTube videos first, either.
Just bring whatever camera you have.
After two hours, you'll have a better understanding of how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work, you'll know what some key settings are used for, and you'll be able to make more informed choices when taking photos.
Photography Workshop for Beginners
Schoorl Dunes · North Holland
2 hours · €49 per person · small group
