From Auto to Pro: The Proven, Self-Paced Photography Training.

Stop missing the magic. Learn the simple, practical steps to master your camera, capture stunning memories, and finally take photos you're proud to share—without the technical jargon.

Unlock Manual Mode Now

Hey there, I’m

Nancy Smiley

☾ night owl

⚓︎ military wife

♡ mom of two

⚡︎ photographer-turned-educator

❃ and your new cheerleader.

My true passion is empowering you to become a confident photographer.

I skip the dry, technical jargon

and instead offer practical, comprehensive knowledge in a supportive environment.

Start with a fan-favorite FREE resource

✣

Start with a fan-favorite FREE resource ✣

Manual Mode Settings Cheat Sheet
Lightroom Workflow Checklist
Aperture Priority Mode Guide

Courses for every photographer

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Mastering Manual Mode (Signature Course!)

A full, comprehensive photography course to go from beginner, to mastering your camera in any situation.

Learn more

Don't just organize your photos; reclaim your peace of mind and your time with a step-by-step system for managing your entire digital library!

Lightroom Unlocked: Blank Canvas to Masterpiece

Digital Declutter in Lightroom Classic

Cut through the frustration of random slider adjustments and master your editing process with this course.

Learn more
Learn more
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Couple dancing in the desert during sunset, dressed in semi-formal attire, with minimal sand dunes around them.
“She is exceptionally knowledgable. So glad I did it. If you’re looking to enhance your knowledge please do it!!!”
— Kimberly 2025

8

Years photography experience.

400 +

Students in the community.

6,000 +

Email subscribers & freebie downloads.

190,000

Followers across platforms.

“An absolutely amazing photographer who is so full of life and talent! Very fun and professional for sure!”
— Jackie 2020
A Nikon camera inside a greenish-brown camera bag placed on a wooden surface.

Nancy’s Favorite Resources

Amazon Recs

I’m asked everyday about the lenses, cameras, and other photography gear I recommend. Here is a list of my favorite essentials (all nicely organized in lists!)

GO TO AMAZON
A black Canon camera lens with a lens cap placed next to it on a white surface.

Buying Used Gear

Investing in gear can be expensive, but this website offers hundreds of thousands of photography equipment that’s carefully inspected for resale (warranty included!)

VISIT MPB

These are affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my site and allows me to continue creating content and resources like this. Rest assured, I only recommend products I genuinely believe in and use myself.

Featured
Understanding Your Camera Lens Numbers (Focal Length, Aperture, and More!)
Beginner Photography Tips, Photography Gear
Understanding Your Camera Lens Numbers (Focal Length, Aperture, and More!)
Beginner Photography Tips, Photography Gear

Confused by the numbers and symbols on your lens? We break down everything from focal length and aperture range to crop factors and the crucial codes that separate DSLR lenses from Mirrorless lenses. Stop guessing and start mastering your gear today!

Beginner Photography Tips, Photography Gear
3 Ways to Use the Tone Curve in Lightroom
Beginner Photography Tips, Photography Editing
3 Ways to Use the Tone Curve in Lightroom
Beginner Photography Tips, Photography Editing

Ready to unlock the power of Lightroom's Tone Curve? Learn three simple, powerful techniques—from creating a classic S-curve for contrast to achieving a dreamy matte look—that will transform your photos and elevate your editing skills.

Beginner Photography Tips, Photography Editing
My 6 Favorite Lightroom Tricks
Beginner Photography Tips, Photography Editing
My 6 Favorite Lightroom Tricks
Beginner Photography Tips, Photography Editing

Discover the essential Lightroom tricks that will transform your editing workflow. From smart collections to white balance, these tips will help you master your photos and save time.

Beginner Photography Tips, Photography Editing

New on the Blog

New on the Blog

A woman with long brown hair and a boy with blond hair sitting on sandy beach near flowering plants, with ocean in background, during sunset.

Imagine taking photos you’re excited to share - without struggle or frustrating tutorials.

You want to capture beautiful family and lifestyle photos—from documenting everyday moments with your kids to creating stunning portraits for clients. Keep it simple and inspiring, with practical guidance that makes the technical stuff easy.

With hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, you’ll find binge-worthy content on the blog, as well as free downloadable guides and cheat sheets to help you grow your skills, spark your creativity, and feel confident every time you pick up your camera.

Better than all that? The courses. Designed to provide clear, step-by-step guidance, so you’ll see real results. Let’s cut through the technical clutter. Learn photography faster and easier than you thought possible, and feel like you have a knowledgeable friend helping you along the way—whether you’re shooting for yourself or building a business.

UNLOCK YOUR CAMERA'S POTENTIAL

Students say…

  • Mastering Manual Mode is so, so helpful. It is packed full of great info. I love the breakdown of each part. It makes things far less overwhelming! I do honestly feel more confident with my camera and I'm only on Module 2.

    Hayley

    Mastering Manual Mode

  • Your breakdown of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, and when to focus on each has made everything so much clearer for me. I truly admire the way you teach - your guidance is a gift!

    Hazel

  • The course so far has been so much better than I could have imagined, I've only finished the first module and I can already see a difference in my photos and confidence when I'm making adjustments in manual mode!

    Jasmine

    Mastering Manual Mode

  • I love your videos and the course as well I have learned a lot. Snapshots to Success has humbled me and made me realize I have a lot of work to do if I want to be successful in my new business. I loved how it's planned out to help me step by step of what to do and how to go about doing it it's really helped me understand how to organize my business as well.

    Lora

    Snapshots to Success

  • As a mom with a toddler, it's hard to find time for courses, but I love how flexible this one is -- I can go at my own pace, which is a game changer. It's easily a 10/10! I can't wait to finish so I can dive into your other courses. Even just watching a few videos, I've already learned so much. Thank you for creating something so valuable!

    Lexxy

    Photography Fast Track

  • I am liking all the material. I love the spread sheets I need to just download to my computer. But just got through the first two sections and the information really validates my thoughts and process for building this photography business.

    Sarah

    Snapshots to Success

  • I have learned so much from you! You've really helped me grow as a photographer, and back button focus has changed my life!

    Kimmie

  • You have helped me get around my camera so much. You are amazing :)

    Marzen

  • Recently got back into photography after getting a new camera, after years of inactivity. Your TikTok has been a blessing, thank you so much, teacher Nancy!

    Follower

  • I love your content. I have learned a lot and looking forward to more helpful tips and tricks!

    Photos by Jon M

  • I appreciate your teachings!

    Student

Check Out The Courses

What started as TikTok photography lessons has blossomed into a thriving hub of resources and courses, empowering photographers worldwide.

Promotional graphic for a free Lightroom Classic photo management mini-guide, featuring sample pages and a large text announcing the free download.

Hi, I’m Nancy!

As a 30-something military wife and mom of two, I understand the challenges of capturing life's precious moments amidst the chaos. After years of juggling a photography business and a demanding career while navigating frequent moves, I discovered my true passion: empowering others to become confident photographers.

My engaging online courses provide a supportive learning environment where you can develop your skills and capture the world around you with a unique perspective. Let me guide you on your photographic journey and create memories that will last a lifetime.

I skip the dry, technical jargon and focus on practical tips that make a real difference, so you can quickly learn to capture beautiful photos of your own. 

Ready to take photos your friends will rave about? Explore the online training courses and learn everything you need to know with comprehensive, step-by-step framework.

A woman with long brown hair smiling and holding a camera, standing outdoors near a wooden railing with trees and a hillside in the background.
A woman stands outdoors by a wooden fence, holding a camera, with a landscape of trees and hills in the background.