If you’re just joining us, please introduce yourself and share a favorite photo you’ve taken, which type of camera you typically use or plan to start using. I’ll try to create content based on what everyone likes, and hopefully we’ll have lots of members with similar equipment. 📸. This community is meant for sharing, so don’t be shy! ☺️

I chose the name Optic Aura Academy very intentionally. Optic speaks to vision, observation, and the technical craft of photography. It’s about how we see, not just what we capture. Aura represents the part you can’t measure with a camera alone. The energy, emotion, story, and meaning that turn an image into art. And Academy reflects what this space is meant to be: a place to learn, experiment, ask questions, and grow—whether you’re brand new or building toward something bigger. This isn’t about filters or shortcuts. It’s about understanding the process, developing your own style, and creating work that feels intentional and original.

One of the reasons I started this group is simple: for a lot of us, anything beyond point and shoot feels… intimidating. Especially if it involves a “real” camera 📷 😬 Maybe you have one sitting in a box somewhere. Maybe it’s collecting dust on a shelf. Maybe you keep telling yourself, Someday I’ll have time for a hobby. 🤔 And somehow, that someday keeps slipping by. This space is here to change that. You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need fancy gear or endless free time. You just need curiosity and a willingness to try. Here, you can give shooting a real shot, learn at your own pace, and connect with others who are starting right where you are. And because community matters, we’ll also have a live call once a week. No agenda. No pressure. Think of it like a Monday brunch 🥐☕️ Show up with your coffee, your questions, your wins, or just your face. We’ll chat, connect, and grow together. Once we have a few members, we’ll settle on a day and time and introduce ourselves :) I can’t wait to meet you!

Photographers are observant people. We notice light, movement, mood. Even online, it doesn’t take long to know if a community feels like a place you belong. Have you ever walked into a space full of people you didn’t know and instantly felt out of place? Maybe you lingered at the edges. Watched conversations form. Waited for the right moment to jump in… or didn’t. This space is different. By being here early, you’re already one of the first in the room. You don’t have to figure out where you fit. You help set the tone. You get to welcome others in, instead of feeling overwhelmed by a room that’s already buzzing. This group is for photographers who: - Prefer meaningful connection over noise - Learn by doing, collaborating, and sharing - Are curious, creative, and ready to grow at their own pace I’m so glad you’re here. Take a look around, introduce yourself when you’re ready, and know that this is a space designed to feel supportive, inspiring, and very human. Welcome. You belong here. 💫