I’ve taught thousands of students worldwide to learn to use their cameras and take amazing photos! Take a look at just a few of my favorite reviews for the Essentials Program, which include… Beginners Photography Essentials, Focus & Composition Essentials & Let in the Light Essentials.

As an artist and traveler, being able to capture special moments with my camera is important. I purchased a camera and decided it was time to switch off the automatic settings and create great photos. Dena was the absolute BEST teacher. She made the process really fun, and the program was super easy to follow. I highly recommend any course she offers.
Debby S

Dena has tons of great tips and offered great support. She clearly is passionate about photography. She patiently explained what is second nature to her yet was totally foreign to me. She completely took away the frustration I have previously felt when trying to use my manual settings on my own or via youtube videos that landed me back in Auto mode. Doing this online tutorial also forced me to stick with it and spend time with my camera when before I would have given up. This was a great intro course, and I am looking forward to the next one!
Wendy H

Dena’s Beginners Photography Essentials is easy to follow, with clear explanations that have helped me improve my photos immediately! I have played around with my camera for many years, understanding bits — but this program helped me piece it together to move forward in my own creative way. The videos are short and snappy, helping to quickly reinforce the lesson. I LOVE the Top Tip cards to print and keep in my camera bag for quick use on the go! I highly recommend this program to anyone wanting to better understand the most important components of capturing that perfect shot!
Heather M

Dena’s Beginners Photography Essentials Program, are well explained & easy bite size pieces anyone can learn photography. I am not a beginner, but felt like taking her courses to improve my photography & it’s improved my photography a great deal! The videos are short & reinforce the assignments. I recommend this well organized program to anyone that would like to better understand their camera & get them great photos they want!
Kimberly

If you want to take your photography to the next level Dena’s lighting class will help you do it. I was able to use all of the tools and guidelines she taught to find the right light and create better photos. Dena’s expertise and talent will help you too! I highly recommend the lighting class!
Lisa M
OMG!!!! These classes are perfect so far. I love the way you explain everything for people with no experience. I’m really looking forward to finishing the course. Thank you for being such a good teacher and for being kind.
Brad A
Honestly Dena, I can’t thank you enough! You’ve helped me so much already and go out of your way to really help best thing I’ve done yet is sign up for your course.
Amy B


I was soooo uncertain about ManualSettings, but after The Essential Beginners course, and playing with Manual settings, I am hooked on Manual. I don’t think I will ever use AV or TV or Fv etc again. Thank you, Dena Barrie.
Elize M
I’m so happy I took Dena’s class. She made it fun and simple to learn how to use my camera in manual mode. I’m so proud of my photos now and they are better than I ever imagined they would be!
Brenda F
I seriously don’t know where me and my camera would be without this class!!!! I’ve learned so much and it’s broken down so that you can understand, figure it out on your camera and make it happen!! I don’t get to spend enough time with my camera as I would like, but I’m working on it!! Without your class, I’d never figure it out!!!! Thank you!!!
Lisa Duda Stolze
Love your courses! I am so glad I found your classes. I have just about mastered my camera and working on light! I apply your teaching skills to all of my photography. I appreciate all the materials you have offered.
Sandy S.
I think its finally sinking in! I’ve taken other classes and it never sunk in. With your classes, I’m finally understanding.…thank you!
Sheila B
Dena,You are a wonderful teacher and I can truly say that taking your classes has made it possible to learn photography. I have suddenly had the “so that’s how it is done moments”! I am really engaged in your classes and have begun to learn to take photos and not snap shots. Because of your method of learning photography I am always chasing the light ! I will now have somewhat of a legacy so that my children and grandchildren will always have my photos. Thank you for being a spectacular teacher and a beautiful and caring woman. I look forward to any classes you are offering.
Sandy S.
These classes are different from any classes I’ve ever taken… Once you have them, you can access them at any time! You get to submit the assignments to the Facebook group and you have a teacher helping you every step of the day. You have access to an actual teacher!
Angie S.
Are you wondering what is with the class that everyone is talking about? I have taken all of the classes. I used to shoot Aperture Priority. Once I started taking the classes, I never went back. They are step by step and Dena is always there. They are also yours to keep. Take your time to complete them. They are there to go over. This is as close to in-person learning as you can get. She is always there to help you out.
Christina B.
I am taking the class and posting in the student group. Wonderful place to get feedback and I love that there is an actual person behind the class. You get ALL of the materials and you go at your own pace. I am really having a lot of fun with it and I am so improved. I love that it’s now not intimidating and I love that I know what my settings are. It’s interesting and it’s fun. They are extremely affordable for what they are. You get everything and a person behind it! Thank you, Dena!
Ruth H.

Using light in your everyday photographs is not intuitive and the naked eye fools one into thinking that a particular setup will make a beautiful photograph. This had caused endless frustration for me in the past. Dena’s advice and instruction “shed the light” on using light in my photos. They included camera techniques as well as how to use natural and unnatural light to enhance your pictures. Putting all of this knowledge into practice to improve how and when I take photographs. I highly recommend this course, whether your goal is amateur or professional.
Rhonwhen M

Dena’s lighting class is absolutely amazing. I now fully understand how to take photos in natural light inside my home and have taken pictures of my children that I will treasure forever. Her instructions are easy to understand-fully recommend!
Eva W

The Let in The Light course taught me to take pictures inside without a flash. I never thought that was possible. I know that I can take photos all year long without worry.
Phillipa E

Super easy-to-follow course that helped my pictures. The best part is that you can ask questions on the coaching call.
Shannon F

I love this program and the practical and fun way it was taught. I could instantly use the techniques and see a change in my pictures. Before my photos looked bland and boring. Now they look so much better.
Olivia H


First of all I want to thank Dena for her awesome work. Not just on the course but everything. I really enjoy every part of the course. Everything is very well explained. When I first started Manual was a challenge for me now after taking Dena’s course everything makes sense and it’s easier for me now to understand how to get control of my camera. Now when I go outside to take pictures I know exactly what to do and how to do it. It’s been a lovely experience which I have enjoyed very much.
Lee R
I really enjoyed this program because there were easy to follow steps. Dena was excellent. Fun to follow and I saw real progress in a short amount of time. I can highly recommend her.
Katy J
I would just like to thank you for the amazing course I honestly didn’t know anything about photography at all, I wanted to do a course to learn the very basics so I could start using my camera to take the crisp clean shots I see all the time. I now know after your course how I am going to achieve these. Thank you so much and will never shoot in auto again.
Nicholas A
So incredibly impressed with the improvement in my photos after completing the Beginners Essentials! And honestly, mind blown that I’m using manual mode. It’s definitely been a learning curve and can be overwhelming at times. Looking forward to getting into Focus & Composition.
Kayla W
Your course is exceptional and so easy to follow. I Love how you explain how to change the settings for each brand of camera for the two. I have tried n tried to figure out the setting for my Canon t7 with no luck. I did figure some of it out but not very much of it. I appreciate what you did to explain everything n I actually feel like I just may get some where with my photos. Right now I’m just feeling undescribablely beyond excited. Thank you so much again for this course!
Terri S.
I love the BPE program! Even though I came with solid, self-taught experience, I immediately gained confidence, knowledge, and new skills. But even more important, I feel as if I have gained a mentor and a community in this hobby that I love. Thanks, Dena Barrie!
Kali D.
Dena has a way of explaining things that makes me “get it”. I love it! I’ve been able to connect the dots and seriously improve my photography with the clear direction and personal support from Dena!
Davene D
I seriously don’t know where me and my camera would be without this class!!!! I’ve learned so much and it’s broken down so that you can understand, figure it out on your camera and make it happen!! I don’t get to spend enough time with my camera as I would like, but I’m working on it!! Without your class, I’d never figure it out!!!! Thank you!!!
Love the Facebook site. The best I have seen yet. So friendly and supportive.
Sheila
Dena Barrie… awesome teacher! She takes you by the hand and teaches you all the basic essentials that you need to know. She breaks everything down into easy-to-learn lessons and she even gives you exercises at the end so that you can practice. All of the courses are great, I highly recommend them. I’ve taken all of them and my photos have gone from 0 to 100 in a matter of months. If you ever have questions, she gets back to you and gives you constructive criticism.
Toni
I always dreamed of being able to take really nice photos. I bought a camera, watched a couple of YouTube videos and quickly realized it was a lot more difficult than I thought. I found Dena’s classes and was amazed at how easy it was to learn and understand your camera. If anyone is interested in learning photography these classes are a must-have.
A+Nicole V.
If you’re considering an online photography class Dena’s class is the class to take. I have done YouTube and books and this class did it for me. I never thought I would shoot in manual mode but now I enjoy it. My photography has improved significantly through this class. The assignments are small and fun and she makes you want to pick up your camera and take pictures. I highly encourage you to take Dena’s class!
Kristi V.