Encourage your kids to see the world through a new lens these holidays with a half-day Creative Kids photography workshop at Tortuga Studios! Hosted by acclaimed portrait photographer Nikki McLennan, they will get hands-on with a professional camera, learn how to compose a great shot, discover the power of natural light, and build confidence in their creativity, both in the studio and outside.
A small-group photography workshop for creative students who want to build confidence with their camera, strengthen their visual storytelling skills, and explore photography in a calm, inspiring studio environment.
Led by Nikki McLennan, a qualified NESA-accredited Visual Arts and Photomedia secondary teacher, these workshops combine technical learning with creative exploration. With a background in teaching painting, ceramics, photography, and printmaking, Nikki brings both professional expertise and a thoughtful, supportive teaching style to every session.
Held at Tortuga Studios in St Peters, each workshop is intentionally limited to just four students, allowing for personalised guidance and a relaxed pace of learning. Nikki is experienced in differentiating lessons for diverse learners and has a special interest in supporting neurodiverse students’ learning styles. She also holds a valid Working with Children Check and First Aid certification.
Across two half-day sessions, students are guided through the foundations of photography in a way that feels engaging, accessible, and creatively rewarding. The workshop is designed not only to teach students how to use their camera more intentionally, but also to help them see light, composition, and storytelling with a more artistic eye.
The first session begins with an introduction to the digital camera and a gentle transition from automatic to manual settings. Students learn the fundamentals of aperture and ISO, and begin to understand how exposure choices shape the look and feel of an image. These ideas are then applied in a guided portrait session, where students photograph a parent, sibling, or friend in the studio.
The second session focuses on composition and creative observation. Students are introduced to key visual principles including rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, and negative space, before heading on a guided photo walk through Sydney Park to apply these ideas in a real-world setting.
Students are also introduced to the basics of Adobe Photoshop, learning how to import, organise, and edit their images using simple adjustments such as cropping, straightening, and refining exposure, contrast, and colour. The workshop concludes with a group showcase, feedback, and Q&A, giving students the opportunity to reflect on their work and celebrate what they have created.
By the end of the workshop, students will leave with:
A collection of images created during the workshop
Why Parents Feel Comfortable
These workshops are designed to feel calm, well-prepared, and highly supportive. With a small group size and thoughtful teaching approach, students are given space to learn at their own pace, ask questions, and develop confidence in both the technical and creative aspects of photography.
Who it’s for
Creative students with an interest in photography, art, or visual storytelling
Group size
Maximum of 4 students
Format
Two half-day sessions in the second week of the school holidays
Time
10.00am–2.00pm
Location
Tortuga Studios
31 Princes Highway, St Peters NSW 2044
Parents are welcome to drop off their child for the workshop. There is also space in the studio to stay nearby and work on a laptop during the portrait component if preferred.
Not at all. The workshop is beginner-friendly and designed to support students who are new to photography, while still offering depth for those who already enjoy using a camera.
Yes, students should bring their own digital camera if possible so they can learn on the equipment they are most likely to continue using at home. Nikki does have spare DSLR’s to use if you do not have a camera yet.
Yes. Parents are welcome to drop off, stay nearby, or work quietly in the studio during the portrait part of the session if preferred.
Workshops are kept intentionally small, with a maximum of four students, so each child receives personalised support.
The option to use the NSW Creative Kids Voucher is coming soon — watch this space.
Give your child the chance to develop creative confidence, practical photography skills, and a stronger artistic eye in a warm, small-group studio setting.
Register your interest by filling out the contact form and selecting from the dropdown menu.
Or schedule a call here to find out more.
