REVIEWS FROM PAST STUDENTS:
“I really loved this class. I have taken other workshops through other platforms and they pale in comparison to the level of detail, attention and feedback you get when you take a course with illuminate. I wasn’t sure what to expect with a class focused on editing, but I was blown away by how Leah set this class up. I learned so much about the editing process, but also about curation and shooting. The layout of the curriculum was perfect and I think it made me push myself outside my comfort zone in both how I edit and how I shoot. I am walking away with so much new knowledge my head is spinning! I feel like I need more time to fully absorb all that we went over. I think I will continue to refer back to the course materials and videos as time goes by. I’d highly recommend this class to anyone looking to learn more about how to edit images true to yourself. Also, Leah is an amazing teacher, she gives so much to the class and I am so grateful to have gotten to learn from her.” - Stepheney Collins
“I have learned soooo much from Leah about how to better my workflow in Lightroom! Having an understanding of how to use LR to help me organize, file and rate my catalog is not only sensible and a great tool to have in my back pocket but it's already making me want to shoot more because the process from import to export, including the "simple edit" is going to be far less time consuming than it has been in the past! I also learned about some tools in LR that I either had no idea existed or was simply unaware of how to use them. Lastly, one of the things that I took away from my three weeks with Leah was the realization that I don't have to touch every slider to make a great edit! If I have taken a solid photograph straight out of camera, the edit should really only be tweaking a few things, and that too will save me heaps of time in post. Not to mention, it will give me more of an opportunity to take more photographs because I know that I won't working endlessly on each image and thus I'll develop my skills and eye quicker too! So very glad I jumped in on this class! I have been using LR for a few years now and there was so much I had no idea about! Thanks a million, Leah! I am on my way to making stronger images and edits, capturing more memories and saving myself headaches down the road all thanks to you!!” -Jade Stell
“The Simple Edit is one of my favorite classes and I've taken many. I believe it should be a required class for every photographer. If you are struggling with either editing in Lightroom and/or keeping your photos organized, or developing an easy workflow from shooting, to editing, to exporting your images, then you have to take this class. It's guaranteed to simplify your digital life. It is appropriate for both beginners and more advanced students wishing to learn the ins and outs of Lightroom, how to edit beautifully and simply from scratch or to brush up on editing skills. I am not a beginner, more of an intermediate to advanced photographer, and I have learned so much in the class. Leah not only teaches editing, but everything about Lightroom, including making a collage, editing a video, and designing your own book, which I am excited about printing. My reason for taking this class was to get a handle on Lightroom, to organize my photos, and to develop a system for my huge catalog of photos which was a mess. I learned all that and more. I also developed a new appreciation for an uncomplicated and beautiful style of editing. There is so much information that Leah shares in the class, that I will be going back and reviewing the lessons and videos for months to come. Leah is a fantastic instructor--she is very knowledgeable, thorough, present and responsive. She makes complicated topics easy to digest. Leah gives excellent feedback and she cares about each one and every student, and I would highly recommend that you take this class FP just to be able to ask her questions (and I had many!) which she answered in detail, often with making a video. Plus, it's fun to see her edit your own images. The class was very active, and I credit Leah with being so warm and engaged and so giving of her time and expertise. Truly, one of my favorite classes to date and highly recommended.” - Eva Satell
”I was a total rookie to Lightroom. It takes some time, but the Simple Edit class is very informative and educational. I learned the basics and then more. I am now able to import, edit and export images with success. The instructor was very easy to understand, and was prompt with answers to any questions I had. She was encouraging and offered a great deal of support and assistance. I enjoyed the class very much.” - Karen Davis
“As soon as I read the description for The Simple Edit, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for and it did not disappoint! In fact, the course gave me so much more than I was expecting. Not only do I now feel like I understand how to use Lightroom, but I now know so much more about how to take better photographs, how to use light & colour, how to manage my time more effectively and how to convey what it is I feel and see through my photographs. And that's all down to Leah - she is encouraging, warm and positive throughout; she gives so much of her time to answer questions clearly and quickly; and the feedback on my editing was so useful and illuminating. I feel motivated and energised and I can't wait to take my editing further - it always seemed like such a daunting and time-consuming part of photography, but not any more!” - Claire Westaway
“After more than one failed attempt over the years, Leah's class is the one that finally got me working in Lightroom. I am a hobbyist photographer doing only personal work and just felt overwhelmed by the software. I tried teaching myself, after work and after the kids were in bed. I watched a lot of Adobe videos. Many friends told me to save my pennies for more art focused courses. What I loved about Leah's class--and really wasn't expecting--is that it incorporates shooting, composition, and the art of the edit. I think that is what held my interest enough to keep making the time over 3 weeks to learn LR. Lynda videos are all technical. The Adobe videos were great to dip into to understood one specific tool. But I never felt grounded in the process. It was like seeing just one tree at a time, and never the forest. Leah covers the entire constellation, of which editing in LR is one star (from how to organize upon import to production of books). I still have so far to go in achieving good, fast and instinctive edits, but now I'm firmly planted and heading down that road. Leah also made a special video for me of an image I was having trouble with. Above and beyond!” - Dawn Wolfe
“I learned so much in The Simple Edit class. The content was relevant, thorough and easy to follow. Leah is a natural teacher. She encourages her students by calling out their strengths and helping them consider ways to grow. Not only is she extremely talented, she is willing to share her knowledge and tools. The assignments were helpful and Leah provides great feedback through videos. It was the most personal feeling online course I've taken.” - Michelle Shott
“These 3 weeks with Leah as a warmhearted, sensitive, experienced and enthusiastic teacher and guide have been a intense and wonderful journey on my photographic path. I was able to find a solid base In learning how to organize my images in Lightroom better, to concentrate on taking well-shot images and get to know the tools for a simple edit. The personal feedback, both written and with videos, was so helpful and motivating. I loved also the little assignments offering us space for personal insight and projects, opening up to nearly philosophical questions, giving inspiration and encouragement. I loved the concept of this online class and didn’t miss one bit of a traditional on site class could offer. Thank you Leah!” - Susanne G
“Leah is exceptional in her ability to clearly and succinctly explain the Lightroom editing process from start to finish. She uses so many examples and gives you simple tools to take your photographs from just O.K. to wow. She was able to meet everyone at their different levels of experience and skill and I offered so many tidbits to help save me time and sanity while editing and organizing.” - Andrea Seider
“I found Leah’s course, The Simple Edit, an ideal solution for a better understanding of Lightroom. I’ve been working with Lightroom for over fiver years but felt I had gaps in my knowledge and questions about my workflow. I knew enough about Lightroom to know what I needed help with and Leah was fantastic - walking me through my edits, explaining how to make changes to get the image I was looking for. I would highly recommend this class even if you’ve been working with Lightroom for years - there’s always something to learn!” - Julia Arstorp
“I really enjoyed this class. I have tried many times before to use LR without success and going through this class with Leah has inspired me to really sit down and give this program a go for good. I can't wait to transition all my work into LR so that I can get organized, I never knew how much this program offers in ways other than just editing. Watching Leah's videos and seeing how easily she can find her images from all the organization options has changed my mind on this program and now I know that I need to start using it and move away from the way I have been trying to keep my files. And I'm excited to stream line my editing with all the tools that LR has to offer.” -Anna Hurley
“I feel like this class was the perfect pairing of technical work combined with artistic mentoring from Leah to come together into creating a better, simplified photograph. The information presented regarding organization, workflow, and the use of Lightroom alone made this class well worth the investment, but then if you add to that the discussions and feedback about achieving creative voice through those tools presented---I just can't recommend it enough. Such a good class.” - Taniel Proctor
“In this class I learned so much about using Lightroom more efficiently. I loved the opportunity to peek inside Leah's artistic process and hear why she made her editing choices. Seeing her improvement from the beginning of her own photography journey until now was inspiring -- I love that she included this aspect in the class; it helped me reframe my own learning through more of a growth mindset. This class made me a better editor in Lightroom, but also -- unexpectedly -- I think it's made me a better photographer in general. Leah got me thinking about light and color, and even the technical settings on my camera, in a way that had never quite come together for me before. This is a fantastic class!” - Jaime Greenberg
"Leah was an amazing & encouraging teacher. She inspired us daily with her knowledge, thoughts & lessons. She gave me the strength to think constructively about my own work. Initially going into this class, I was hoping I would learn just a few things to help me use Lightroom more frequently. I will be using Lightroom exclusively now with the tools she has given me. I feel totally confident using Lightroom after taking the simple edit; it will be a part of my workflow. I had no idea the organization she would help me implement into my catalogue of photos. It feels wonderful to be able to locate my photos, know where I am importing my photos & how I will be able to find them later on. Learning that the way I edit a photograph would also affect the way I shoot a photograph, how it would change my craft was illuminating! ; ) Thank you Leah!" - Seana Peterson
"Leah takes the complex, the complicated & makes it simple. Photography & all related necessary tools such as Lightroom, just never going to be easy, it is an art form, it is personal. What we need for lifelong learning & growth in editing is here. I recommend this course & specifically Leah, at the highest possible level. Leah can relate to all of us regardless at which level we may be in terms of ability & experience, and then guide to the growth potential one may seek. It just doesn't get any better than that." - Sandra Reid
“I signed up because I wanted to have a better understanding of Lr and have been a longtime admirer of Leah's work. The class didn't disappoint. It was great to get a glimpse of the way Leah organizes her photos and her workflow, something I have always struggled with doing. It's a great class! Thank you Leah for sharing your knowledge and your time with us.” -Tia Benningfield
“Leah's class is the real deal! Even though I've been working in Lightroom for years I learned a lot. I found myself shooting better - making more of an effort to get it correct in the camera so that my editing is a much simpler process. My last two sessions I found I shot less - with more intent and my workflow was so much better!” -Stayce Koegler
"I felt like I was heading into the direction of trying to emulate other peoples edits and stay current with editing trends but failing. Leah has taught me to stay true to myself and not over think the edit. Sometimes little tweaks are all you need, you just need to have the tools to know which ones. You get a chance to evaluate your own work and Leah gives you so much encouragement and support in your journey. I learnt so much about Lightroom, tips, tricks and shortcuts. It was very helpful with cataloging and backing up. I loved that Leah never came across that she knew everything and she learned new things along the way with us." - Lauren McAdam
"Thank you Leah and fellow class mates for this class! I was brand new to Lightroom and despite the fact that there is still a lot to be practiced and learned, this course has definitely helped me to get an organized and simplified overview and gave me courage and inspiration to dive deeper. What also was greatly valuable to me is the inspiration and realizations about being on the photography path in general. Leah is very honest and open - her and my class mates' insights of their journey, struggles and triumphs gave me strength to further myself on mine." - Edit Kincses
"The Simple Edit was a phenomenal class. I had wanted to get more out of Lightroom, needed a better editing and workflow process, and wished I better understood the potential of the tool. This class helped me accomplish those, and improved my confidence as an artist (an unexpected benefit - thank you, Leah!). I highly recommend it." - Lynnae Day
"It was great to get a glimpse of the way she organizes her photos and her workflow, something I have always struggled with doing. It's a great class! Thank you Leah for sharing your knowledge and your time with us." - Tia Benningfield
"I think Leah's class is a perfect class for a new photographer or for someone who has used Photoshop for editing who wants to transition to Lightroom. I wish this course had existed when I was just beginning to use Lightroom. Leah's teaching would have been so helpful!" - Ingrid Damiani
"Leah's class is the real deal! Even though I've been working in Lightroom for years I learned a lot. I found myself shooting better - making more of an effort to get it correct in the camera so that my editing is a much simpler process. My last two sessions I found I shot less - with more intent and my workflow was so much better!" - Stayce Koegler
“The Simple Edit was perfect for where I am now in my photography journey. I knew hardly anything about editing images but now have a solid knowledge of all the editing elements in Lightroom - a really good foundation to build upon. Submitting images and seeing them edited by Leah, as well as many mages from the rest of the class has given me such a great idea of how the tools work and when to use them. Because of the course I have also made a 'master plan' on how to file my images, archive them, and back them up! It's going to take a while to catch up, but I know I will eventually get there with a plan. What I didn't expect to learn from this course was that by making a collection of my favourite/strongest images I would see that I do have a style emerging and I can clearly see where I want to go next with my photography. Its been a very worthwhile course. Thanks Leah!” - Tania White
"Leah's class, 'The Simple Edit', was so much more than I thought it would be. Prior to the class I only used presets and while I had a fair understanding of how to alter them I was not achieving the final image that I had envisioned. I can now edit from scratch and alter presets when I want to, I can see what I want to do and know how to do it! My understanding of Lightroom modules and workflow has also really improved. This is what I was hoping for but Leah also took the time to get to know each student individually. She guided each of us appropriately, to our differing skill levels and to our personal styles, she emphasized the importance of staying true to what we love and helped us achieve that. Leah was so caring and gave her all, this is more than just an editing class, it is so worthwhile and thoroughly enjoyable. I loved it!" - Megan O'Donnell
"Leah was really wonderful. She was very thoughtful and sincere in her feedback. I loved that she didn’t just try to put her spin on your work but encouraged you in the direction you were working toward. I’m so happy I took this class. It not only helped me in my editing but helped me slow down and enjoy the photography journey I’m on." - Cora Wallin
"Leah is an open book, she shared so much knowledge over the course of this class. Her feedback is personal and heartfelt which made the experience really lovely. I learned so much about editing, but also about Lightroom, which was an unexpected bonus and a real game changer for me. I am now culling my images with more conviction and seeing my editing process evolve into a more intentional one. I highly recommend this class and am thankful to Leah for all that she gives to her students." - Ellen Shaw
I highly recommend taking The Simple Edit with Leah Zawadzki! I wish I would've known about this class 10 years ago. Leah teaches in a way that is very easy to understand and apply to your own editing. I finally feel like I am using Lightroom how it was meant to be used and finishing my images in a way that will make them stand out. Leah is very generous with her time and knowledge and it's obvious that she really wants everyone in class to succeed. Her feedback on images is helpful, honest and easy put into action. Don't wait, take this class now! - Shalimar Beekman
"I first started learning how to edit in Lightroom about 3 years ago. I learned mostly from my brother in law and watching tutorials here and there. I ended up figuring it out and making do with a system I thought everyone had for LR - I just saw it as this beast that I only understood partially, but in the end, was what I needed to edit my photos. If I would have known about Leah's class back then, it would have saved me so much time and energy. I now can honestly say that I have the tools to do my job, and do it confidently and efficiently. There was so much about LR that I learned in this class that I didn't even think was possible. Thank you so much Leah!!" - Mindy Dunlap
"I was a silent student but learned so much by watching everyone's video critiques. Leah is so thorough with her explanations and very generous with her knowledge." - Cyndi Reader
"The Simple Edit was just what I needed to get started using Lightroom. Leah’s editing expertise was motivating and inspiring to watch, especially while she edits your work. I am excited to apply what I’ve learned and motivated to finish some long-standing projects." - Kerry Grogan
"This class really opened my eye for simple vs easy. There is nothing easy on having a good filing and organizing system and the ability to edit your pictures so that the edit looks simple. But it's so worth it to learn. And this is what Leah teaches. She has a fabulous style and I love what she taught me on my edits. This was really eye-opening." - Anna Weber
"Leah is an amazing teacher. She cares about her students and their work. I thought that this was just going to be a Lightroom class, but it was so much more. Leah pushes you as a photographer. She gets you to pick up your camera even on days when you don't feel like it. She taught us that you can make images at ANY time of the day. That was the best lesson I learned from this class. Leah is also extremely talented at what she does. It was great getting to watch her edit my images, see what she sees, and learn from that. I would highly recommend this class!" - Chrissy Lamb
"The Simple Edit goes far beyond the basics and delves deep into the Library and Develop modules to explain how to use presets and all the sliders in the Tone Curve and other editing features, as well as using the Print module. Leah has a way of connecting with you personally and critiquing your photos clearly explaining how to use Lightroom to make the most of your images and speed up the editing process and simplify your workflow. If you're looking to grow confident in all that Lightroom can do in using presets and how to further tweak them to your own simple style, then I highly recommend this class!" - Kathy James
"After taking this class with Leah I feel like I have a very strong handle on Lightroom. Leah is a great teacher!" - Lee Genung
"The Simple Edit has taught me more than I can say, from editing to organizing, to simply taking better photos. Leah has helped me shape my photos into what I have held in my mind for so long, but not quite been able to make appear on the page. In this class, I have learned to follow the heart of the image I see in the edit. I now view editing as a way to further the telling of a story instead of viewing it as a correction process. This shift has helped me tremendously in my work. Leah's feedback and warmth have helped me bat away my insecurities and move forward in becoming a better photographer." - Lila Smyth
"Yes, the content of the course was awesome and delivered in a way that was easy to understand and put into practice. But most importantly, what I gained from this course was so much more than the content. Leah was happy to answer any question, however unrelated, she put in so much time to cater for each person and encourage us. I'm walking away with more clarity of what I am doing, where I want to take my work and how I will get there. I feel more inspired in my photography than I have for a long time, thank you for that Leah. xx" - Rose Punch
"I was truly at a dead end with my editing. I had personal work going back for years just waiting to be edited, but I felt like I needed to learn LR in order to get it done cleanly and properly. Leah taught me how to do everything I've wanted to learn. I looked forward to the lessons every day, and now the "spark" is back with my shooting and my editing. I'm so grateful for all that Leah taught me in this class! It was exactly what I had been looking for." - Julie Miller
"Leah was very open en clear with sharing her way of editing and her beautiful presets. In her videos she showed us how she edits and how she organises her photos in LR, this was very informative. She wants everybody to get the best out of the class, and she does that in a very kind, respectful and encouraging way. Also as a silent student, I felt that.I was already working with LR, but she gave me a lot more insides and ways to work with it. I loved the class!" - Kitty de Jong
"I absolutely loved Leah's class! Her introduction to Lightroom, sharing of her processes, and lessons on editing were all very beneficial. I've used nothing but Lightroom for 5 years now and I learned so much about the program modules, how to customize Lightroom to my own workflow, and I was even introduced to new tools and buttons! Such a great class by a very talented and uplifting teacher!" - Sandy DeGasser
“Leah's class is not only perfect for someone getting their feet wet with Lightroom, but also for someone who has done it for a while. It's about a lot more than learning which sliders do what. (Although, that is in there as well!) The class explores editing as an extension of your artistry. The next step in finding your voice and making art that is true to your own unique vision.” - Mariah Evans
“If you are struggling with finding your own editing style, Leah will guide the way. I had never used Lightroom before this class and through Leah's videos, I learned it in 2 weeks and it has drastically changed my editing abilities as well as saved me hours of time editing. Can't recommend it enough.” - Jessica Goyda
“I got more out of The Simple Edit than I had anticipated. Not only did Leah provide excellent video reviews of how to use all the tools to edit in LR, she also taught us how to organize all our files in LR and on our hard drives/external drives. I can not tell you how essential her tips have been to me! I feel so much more organized now that I import all my photos using the workflow she has shared with us. On top of that, she walked us through how she approaches her sessions in order to sort through all the images she shot to arrive at her final favourites. It felt so personal, like you were getting taught one on one! What I loved about the class with Leah was also how responsive she was to our questions and confusion! When there seemed to be questions about the same topic, Leah would spend the extra time to make another video to teach us the concept we had questions on. Leah was encouraging and was able to critique our submissions in a constructive way, with no feelings of judgement. She was very careful to allow each person their own artistic expression, while trying to help us refine our own eye! I recommend you take this class even if you feel you are pretty good at editing already. It was more than just about using the tools in the Develop Module.” - Rachel Watters
"Leah's The Simple Edit class was fabulous! She was thorough, kind, knowledgeable and encouraging. It was wonderful to see the improvements in everyone's edits as Leah taught us all to "see"! Thank you, Leah! Thank you, Illuminate!" - Yasmeen Strang
"This was an excellent class that provided an in depth overview of the editing process - from soup to nuts. Leah is an extremely talented photographer who provides very precise advice and shares how someone with a trained eye looks at both individual images and the body of work as a whole. The videos she created are truly rich with wisdom and tips, and I have already watched the videos several times to soak it all up. The only thing I wish I did differently was schedule a few hours with a babysitter during the two week stretch to study the videos and work on homework. That said, it is definitely one of the photo best classes I have taken." - Donna Graybill
"This was such a wonderful class! I have learned a lot and I truly enjoyed the insight Leah gave us in her work and sharing her knowledge and experience. Leah's critique was given in a constructive and encouraging manner. Great workshop!" - Danielle de Lange
"Leah walked through all the steps of editing right from how Lightroom works to finding your voice through your edits. She was encouraging and extremely available throughout the entire process. I already feel more confident both in my edits and culling my client work to create a stronger session. There is quite a bit of the course dedicated to learning Lightroom basics, so if you already know Lightroom you will still get something out of the course but in my opinion someone who is a beginner in Lightroom would get the most out of the course." - Michelle Little
"Thank you so much Leah for all of your hard work and extra bits and pieces you put into this class along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed it and as someone who tends to fail big time at online workshops, I found this one great to keep up with especially during a very hectic couple of weeks. xx" - Kellie Robinson
"Leah does an amazing job! She provides a write up so you know what to expect and can be prepared to know what information to expect in the video which is great for learning! She is concise and very informative... I loved Leah's class and am so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from such a talented professional." - Heather Persun-Ake
"The Simple Edit is a great class if you are a new or advanced Lightroom user. It makes you see your work differently and how to edit efficiently and stay true to your personal style." - Bree Hester
"Up until this point I have had zero editing experience. If anything I would just hit the "enhance" button in my Photos app and call it a day. I have such a greater handle on this process now thanks to Leah's simple edit class. Instead of taking images and never really doing anything with them, I now have a workflow that's easy and makes a lot of sense to me. Leah, thanks so much for all your help, I am so much more confident and what I did not realize before taking this class, is that your insight has made me take better photos even before the editing process starts. Your work has definitely been an inspiration to me and your honest and truly caring way of speaking to us made me relax and instill a confidence in me that I know that I can really do this also. I can't wait to shoot for the next 12 months and see where I am in a year after taking your class. Thanks again, much appreciated!" - Erin Cook
“Leah was great at trying to gently push us to take a second look - not to instill her particular style on our edits but to suggest how/where we might look to make the edits better or simpler. She was very patient and I could tell she really wanted the class to be a good experience for everyone. I learned so much but ultimately felt that I should take this class again once I have taken more pictures/figured out my style/have more confidence. The level of photography in the class was a little intimidating (everyone was super nice - but I just felt that I was a little out of my league). I sometimes felt I couldn't even take it all in. I learned so much and am excited to put some of my editing skills to practice.” - Carol Horn
“I really enjoyed the class. I had a silent seat, which enabled me to log on around my hectic work/life and catch up with the lessons when I could. I particularly enjoyed and learned from the videos showcasing Leah's edits of the student's pictures - totally brings the instruction to life when you see it in practice. I learned lots of new tricks with lightroom, tools I had no idea existed. Loved the course - thanks, Leah!” - Samantha Jones
“This was an amazing class that was taught with passion, expertise and enthusiasm. Leah was more than dedicated to ensuring her students understood the material and was very thorough in her explanations of her workflow. She truly does approach her work with a "simple edit" in Lightroom and encourages her students to do the same. Before class, I was caught up in the technicalities of the "numbers" in Lightroom and Leah taught us how to use our eye and vision as our guide. Additionally, she taught us different ways to use tools in Lightroom that I had never thought of before (i.e. the radial/gradient and brush tools, wow!). The amount of information that she covered in class amazed me. I swear she did not sleep during the time we were together! Overall, it was such a great experience and I highly recommend it!” - Allison LeMay
“Leah poured her heart and soul into this class - and I felt it, even as a silent student! She wants to help everyone in class. She answered every question, and every comment. She guides the active students through learning Lightroom, improving their photography, their edits, and and has so much experience with all of it that she does it gracefully and in a way that makes you feel you can conquer the photography world. I recommend this class 100 times over!” - Christina Judd
“Leah went above beyond for not just myself but for all of her students. She was helpful, encouraging, and full of knowledge. I want to take another illuminate class now! Worth every penny! Thank you!” - Amanda Reed
“The Simple Edit was a beautiful experience for a first time workshop taker. Leah taught me how to begin the process of training my eye and trusting myself. She creates each lesson with such passion and effort to see her students' vision - which is not always easy. I am so grateful. I'm going to be a frequent Illuminate Classes student from here on.” - Melissa Flores
“I signed up for the Simple Edit because I had known Leah's work trough Lillyblue Shop, and in the previous run I couldn't grab a spot as they were sold out very quickly. I was lucky enough to get a seat in the spring session and I wasn't disappointed. I have been using Lr for a couple of years, have enrolled in some courses and followed many tutorials, but I couldn't understand Lr philosophy until now. Finally my archive is organized in a clear, logic and easy way. Just for that the course is worth it! But I am also very happy with the editing parts. I relied a lot in presets previously and now I can hand edit confident, or tweak the presets that I have with intend.” - Sol Sanchez
“Although I have used LR comfortably for a couple years, I wondered if I was perhaps too comfortable and maybe missing out on features that would save me time in my editing. Not only did TSE reveal some time-saving features of LR I had missed, but the best part was learning Leah's workflow and how she manages culling for a client or personal set, how she incorporates presets, how to minimize switching applications, creating albums, basic video editing and even backups. Leah was incredibly dedicated to the class – from her preparation weeks before on soliciting our most difficult images to edit, to her everyday presence in the class and giving detailed feedback and answers to questions. Thanks to TSE, my editing is already more efficient and I know the workflow I have is solid.” - Mary Pat Reeve
“I have been battling inconsistency and with the help of this class am realizing that consistency begins way before you click the shutter. Its also in a simple workflow and learning how to cull images- and in this you grow as an artist and grow in intent and direction. I am encouraged that a beautiful photograph that carries impact and meaning does not have to be complicated- that simple really is more. That simple tweaks can carry the most effect.. I wanted to better understand the tone curve - and wowser Leah definitely shared on this and finally it makes more sense to me. Her workflow method worked super well for me, cutting down on uncertainty and confusion. In this alone Im looking forward consistency and growing confidence in my own style. This class is exactly what I needed.” - Rebecca Rottcher
“I was so surprised and impressed and how much I learned in this class. I was just expecting to learn a few editing tips and learn my way around Lightroom, but I learned so much more. I was able to grow in my photo taking, my creativity, and my editing. I loved being able to learn through watching Leah edit her own photos and see her amazing talent in editing as well as her photography. I loved being able to see so many talented photographs from students. It offered such a varied and unique perspective from so many people. I loved the format of being able to watch videos. Leah put so much time into her feedback and her critique. This critique, while not overly harsh, was very still real enough to help us improve and grow. This class was so great at inspiring me, and giving me the tools to become a better photographer.” - Maryn Risenmay
“I loved being able to work at my own pace and mark what I had completed. The videos were very well put together and made it easy to learn the information (and re-watch if there was something I forgot). The Simple Edit was great for me, even an experienced Lightroom user, as the instructor's knowledge was more thorough. I learned a lot and my images are improving.” - Aubrey Holmgren
“I took this class as a silent student and really wish I would have taken it as an active student. Leah's understanding and awareness of each student as an individual artist was so thought out in her feedback to each student, I could have really benefited from that type of mentoring. Even though I knew my way around Lightroom before, I have taken away so much information from this class, I feel it is always helpful to see the whole picture of how someone like Leah organizes and edits her work.” - Kristi Estes
“I took Leah's class because I wanted to organize my photos using Lightroom and speed up the editing process--her class seemed the perfect solution. What I wasn't expecting was to become excited and energized about photography again and the whole creative process! We were only a few days into the class when I knew that it was going to be much more than what I had expected. Leah isn't just a teacher, but a mentor and friend. She opened herself up to us in a very honest and genuine way and also took a very personal interest in each of us as students. I was amazed at how much time she put into giving us feedback and answering our questions. I'm enjoying working in Lightroom now, but I'm also shooting with more confidence, and for that I'm very grateful.” - Debra Lamb
“Leah was so easy to follow along with and learn from, she's a great teacher! Just needed more time with her, like in person!” - Maria George
“If you are an absolute beginner or a photography veteran, this class provides the knowledge and confidence to expertly edit even the toughest of images. Believe me- I had some doozies! Leah is patient and thorough- her tips are eye opening! Thanks Leah- I'm forever in your debt.” - Jessica Murphy
“I've been using LR since it's first beta, but I still learnt so much from Leah. I feel more organised, confident and now have a far better understanding of this incredible software. Thank you!” - Jennifer Clare
“I'm so excited about everything I learned! If you are looking to cut down on the hours in front of the computer as well as refine your editing style and workflow, this is the class for you!! Lightroom is an amazing editing and organizing tool and I'm so grateful I finally understand how to use it. In addition to cutting down on my client session work-flow time, I'm thrilled I can finally keep my portfolio up to date without much effort, and make a family book with out spending weeks in front of my computer. Thanks, Leah!” - Alexia Fenton
“Leah was really a joy to have as a teacher! I thoroughly enjoyed taking the Simple Edit class, even though it was short and went by way too fast, I came out with a new perspective of workflow, editing and photography in general. I had never used LR to the extent that we have been taught through this class. With that being said, I have been super impressed by the skills that I have learned. My workflow has become much faster and my editing process has become more simple. Leah was amazing to work with and always had good constructive critiques. I would definitely recommend this to LR beginners, even though it's extremely overwhelming in the beginning, the class as a whole was totally worth it! Thank you Leah!” - Hanna Campbell
“I came into this class knowing zero about Lightroom, very intimidated. Now I have direction and feel less lost, less intimidated, which is huge. Leah is a great teacher. She truly cares about what she's doing and that shows. I encountered a fairly big issue in getting started and she took the time to sit on the phone and talk to me as well as email me to try to put me on the right path. While I'm still working out the issue, I got where I needed to be able to work through the class and assignments. There are so many videos, and I'm grateful to have them. The videos vary in length, but she obviously put a ton of time into creating them and carefully selecting the content she wanted to cover.” - Nicole Graziano
"I loved being a part of the Simple Edit! There was so, so much information that was incredibly beneficial to my learning. Leah provided a supportive environment for learning, which included thoughtful noting of strengths as well as supportively teaching new techniques to further my learning and editing." - Kelsey Siegel
“This class was beyond my expectations. I was looking elevate my editing and came out of class feeling so confident in myself, my work, and having a better understanding of a more refined edit that I was looking for. There is so much great information and tips to improve your work flow. Leah is an amazing instructor. She took the time with each one of us and addressed our individual needs because she genuinely cares about our growth as an artist but also as a person! You will not be disappointed if you take this class!” - Natasha Coleman
“ I learned so much in this class. It really opened my eyes to what was possible with editing in LR. Leah's materials were very thorough and easy to understand. The videos were great as well. Overall, I'm so happy I took this class and looking forward to using what I learned in class and apply it to my work!” -Angel Rhea
“Leah's course on "The Simple Edit" was a course that went way beyond editing and production related theories. It re-ignited my desire to be the best potential photographer that I can be. She was supportive and gentle in her approach, while staying clear with her instruction. I feel more motivated to not only edit photographs, but to shoot out of camera in a more simplified manner.” - Ann White
“I loved The Simple Edit! I've been shooting and editing for a long time, but this was my first real editing class. I got SO MUCH out of it. I learned so many new editing skills and tools to use in order to achieve my creative vision. Leah's feedback was so detailed, helpful, and specific. I learned to really look at my images with a critical eye, and to use editing to support what I wanted the viewer to see. Leah (along with the other students in class) was so supportive and encouraging of everyone, regardless of where they were in their photography and editing journey. This class felt like it was so much more than just about editing - it was about who we are as artists and letting go of the things that hold us back. I truly enjoyed every second of this class.” - Sharon Kenney
“This was one of the best classes I have ever taken! I only wish I had taken it a few years ago, it has been life changing. I have learned so many new things both about editing, and how to be more efficient in lightroom. Leah spares no time when it comes to making sure you are clear and understand the lesson. She creates in depth videos using your own images and guides you to push yourself and learn. I only wish it lasted longer, three weeks flew by in an instant. I can't recommend this class enough.” - Faigy Vidal
“One of the biggest hurdles I faced in my photography was organizing and backing up my images. As my library grew, so did my nerves. I knew I had to take care of it. Leah was so understanding and thorough answering all of my (million) questions. She made videos to walk me through what I didn't understand and one day, it seriously CLICKED. That's why I took the class and I'm so grateful I did. Now, what I didn't expect, was to get better and more efficient with my editing! That happened too! I'm grateful for Leah and all that I learned here... tools I'll probably use for the rest of my life! Thanks Leah!” - Elyse Jokinen
“The Simple Edit was anything but simple, but in the best way. I learned everything I could've hoped to get out of this class and things I didn't even know I needed to know. As a lightroom beginner, I was very intimidated by editing, but now I can achieve a good edit in just a few moments and I can look at other photographers' work and figure out how they got their edit. I was almost at my limit of photo disorganization before the class. Now I have an actual successful workflow and I am very excited to keep shooting and cataloging my work. I am excited to try a few new projects, including a yearbook full of lovely, edited photos.” - Angel Campbell
“What an amazing workshop. I learned so much! Leah is an amazing person and teacher. Her answers are prompt and she is not afraid to admit if she doesn't know the answer, but will do everything she can to help you find it. I can highly recommend this workshop to add to your editing skills.” - Maibritt Olsen
“I came into the class with self-taught knowledge of Lightroom. The class really brought Lightroom to life for me and gave me the tools I needed to refine my organization and workflow. I've spent the past year trying to do this on my own through online searching and here I learned it all in the matter of weeks. I'm more confident in my work and my ability to get my photographs off my computer. I can't thank you enough!” - Julia Mueller
“ I found The Simple Edit extremely helpful in refining my editing approach and teaching me how to take better photos that require less editing. It was a great primer in organizing and mindfullness and I'm looking forward to using the techniques I learned.” - Fred Thompson
“The Simple Edit helped me take my editing to the next level. From day one, I learned a few tips and tricks that I had not used before (and I have been a user of Lightroom for years!) I am so glad I took the class as a silent student. I might take it again as an active participant!” - Fran Dickenson
“I've learned so much from this class, and the amazing part about it is how much heart, time and effort Leah puts into making the experience so wonderful. She quickly and thoroughly responds to questions; every piece of feedback, whether through an assignments, in discussions or in the answers to questions is thorough and helpful. The best part for me was the detailed videos where she not just told us what we needed to do to improve our editing, she showed us. I was in awe of the beautiful work of my fellow students, and the bonus was getting to learn from them as we watched Leah edit, suggest and explain.” - Benita Clarke
“The Simple Edit helped me to turn my work flow into an organized and efficient system. Leah showed us simple ways to edit, and stay very organized in the process! I loved this class!” - Tiffany Holy
“ I came to this course to learn how to use Lightroom more proficiently, but I left learning SO much more! Not only diid this course take me to a totally new place in using the tools in LR to edit, Leah help me pinpoint a problem I was having getting good in-camera shots. Her authentic concern for students at all levels is just the best!” - Debi Dellicarpini
“If you're looking to dive into Lightroom Classic and really dig into the powerful tools the program has to offer, this is a great class. I had just upgraded to LR classic and was overwhelmed, but now feel that I know what I'm doing and what tools I have at my disposal to really help my edits and my workflow. There is lots in the class for a wide range of experience levels, so if you're just starting out or have been editing for a while- you'll learn lots!” - Meg Lovell
“The Simple Edit has given me a new approach to my own photography, a very different and more simple way to shoot and edit my pictures. And Leah`s way of teaching transmits this simple yet profound approach with thorough feedback and kind answers to everyone.” - Maria Perez
“The amount of content we learn in The Simple Edit class with Leah Zawadski exceeded my expectations by far. I learned so much for Leah and left so inspired by her on so many levels. The feedback Leah provided was extensive and exhaustive in all the best ways. I am amazed at the amount of responses, feedback, and engagement she gave to each of us in this class. Leah was friendly, engaging, and very thoughtful and knowledgeable. She knew how to break down technical concepts in a way my abstract mind could understand and grasp. Engaging and learning from the other online class members was lots of fun too! Thank you so much, Leah and Illuminate!” - Malia Akinaka
“I originally wanted to sign up for this class as a silent student, however the only seats left were active students...so here I am, a full time working mom of three kids paying money to add one more thing to my plate...AND I AM SO HAPPY I DID! Being an active student forced me to push myself and I was able to receive direct feedback that will forever change my editing. Even after a few short weeks, my editing has improved dramatically. Thank you, Leah! I can't wait to sign up for another illuminate class!” - Katie Janton
“ As all Illuminate classes I have taken before, the Simple Edit course is simply next level. Leah is an amazing teacher. The content is detailed and meaningful and has already changed the way I use Lightroom.” - Maylis Rolland
“This was my second time taking The Simple Edit - first time as a silent student, this time as an active participant. Hearing it all again and participating actively made a huge difference. Not only am I more confident in Lightroom, I feel like I'm seeing better when I am out taking pictures. Leah is a wealth of knowledge (in both Lightroom and photography!) and so graciously shared her experience and journey with us and all that she has learned over the years. It was extremely helpful and comforting to know that it is a process but it shouldn't be time consuming or daunting. The Simple Edit really is about making the editing process more doable and enjoyable. By the end of the class, I was better able to navigate and use Lightroom, more willing to take risks and an overall better photographer. Leah covers an incredible amount of information in a short period of time in addition to answering a myriad of questions and specifically addresses your editing concerns/questions. This made a huge difference to me. Seeing the editing videos and reading about it was effective but even more so was when she took my images and showed me how to turn what I thought was a "throw away" image into something pretty amazing through a few edits and by using the best tools for it. I am so glad that I took this class again and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve/simplify their editing process to create images they love.” - Nancy Magnus
“This was such an insightful class (even as a silent student)! Although I have been using Lightroom for a while now, there was still a lot of content that was new to me and it was interesting to see how Leah approaches her edits. You can tell she really puts a lot of effort and consideration into the content of this course.” - Karuna Satov
“Although I've used Lightroom for awhile, Leah helps you see it in a whole new way. Not only is my workflow and storage drastically improved, but she's helped shed light on why the tools within Lightroom do what they do (let's be honest, sometimes I did something just because I did it, not because I knew why) and helped me stop over-editing my photos. I recommend this class for the new and seasoned photographer equally. - Laura Ash
“ I am grateful that I had the opportunity to participate in this class, even as a silent student. I've learned a lot and now I have a better grasp on Lightroom, and also what I need to work on more to get better at it. I wasn't sure what to expect from an online photography class but this exceeded my expectations. I really enjoyed it, and the dialogue between class members and instructor was a helpful learning tool as well.” - Rebecca Miller
“I've taken a few fundamental classes. I really enjoyed that this class taught the basics or Lightroom editing with an eye to the artistic personal definition. I learned a great deal and plan to take it again!” - Christine Groff
“I have taken 3 other classes here at Illuminate, this is the first time I was an active student. I really enjoyed learning from Leah, as well as receiving her helpful feedback and critique. She was an open book. Not only did I leave with a better understanding of how to achieve a simple edit in LR and how to utilize certain tools I've avoided, but how to finally have some organization that makes sense. I can't believe how easy it is for me to access and organize my files in LR now. But one of my favorite take aways from this, is that I have learned I am not alone when it comes to certain struggles we face as creatives. If you've been on the fence about taking this class, do yourself a favor and go for it. Leah is wonderful, kind, and a great teacher.” - Kelly Gibson
“The Simple Edit is the perfect class for anyone that wants to learn and/or understand Lightroom better, while also strengthening shooting skills at the same time! I learned so much from Leah and feel so much more confident with editing (and not over-editing) and with organizing my photos in LR! Totally recommend to anyone looking to strengthen in these areas!!” Maha Libdeh
“The Simple Edit Course was thoughtfully laid out and helped me to think through both my file storage and access plan and how I approach editing photos. I feel more confident that I can move through editing phase of more easily and consistently now and also know how and where I can go to find my old photos. Previously, my photos would just get buried over time and never had a plan on how I and my family could access them easily. Finally, the course opened a number of new editing tools and methods to me that I had previously not considered or used.” Kenny Doleac
“I've been a photographer for more than 20 years, but am a big believer that no matter how much you know, you can always learn something new! I was so excited to go back to the "basics" with The Simple Edit, and learn from one of my long-time-favorite photographers. Leah is an excellent teacher - very patient and kind. Her feedback was invaluable - being an active student is absolutely worth it! I would say this class is perfect for both the new and experienced photographer. Yes, you definitely will learn your way around Lightroom and editing, but you will leave with so much more than just that!” Bianca Madsen
“Leah was very detailed and fun to listen to. I 100% got the instruction I was looking for to fill in the gaps for me with using Lightroom.” Michelle Thomas
“Leah's class was incredible and I would highly recommend it to anybody who is trying to learn more about Lightroom. The well thought out workshop is great whether you are experienced and looking to master some of the tools or have zero knowledge of the program. She makes it simple and helps you learn to process your photos in a way that enhances them quickly and effectively. I am amazed at how much I learned in just three weeks.” Rebecca Cuellar
“The Simple Edit exceeded my expectations in so many ways. Not only will the information I learned in the course change my workflow and organization but I feel that I have an understanding of editing techniques and styles. Leah helped me edit within my style and was kind and thoughtful with her suggestions. Every photographer should take this course!” Heather Patterson
“Leah's class 'The Simple Edit' is a gem! I highly recommend it. I've been using Lightroom for a while, but there's still so much to learn. For me it was small changes and tweaks that have had a huge benefit. Leah helped me to tweak my workflow and selecting images for editing and keeping everything organised is now a joy and a breeze. I was really impressed that Leah edited images of every student. She put so much time and effort into providing guidance and advice. Leah offered detailed feedback, tailored to each students needs and level of expertise. She helped me to improve not only my editing but also as photographer.” Nadja Arold
“Leah's ability to impart her in-depth knowledge of Lightroom and her very unique style of editing is amazing. I was new to LR and so my learning curve was very steep. However, after 3 weeks, not only do I feel much more comfortable using LR but I have also learnt tonnes about efficient workflow, taking photos and the whole creative process from the time we pick up our camera to the end product of an edited photo. I would highly recommend this course, not only to those who are new to LR, but also to those working in LR for many years.” Clodagh Dempsey
“I have thoroughly enjoyed Leah's class and learned so much more about Lightroom and what is possible. I learned a lot through her photography as well and got new eyes to see life, color, tones, etc. I still have catch up to do but look forward to sitting down and working through the rest of the stuff as well as going over what we learned. Even if you think you know Lightroom, you can absolutely benefit from Leah's knowledge. Super excited to get into my photos again!” Laura Pitstick
“The Simple Edit was exactly what I needed to get my feet wet using LR. The assignments were thoughtfully planned out to learn all the sections of the program, and the hands on experience was invaluable. I was surprised how 'live' the class felt even though the videos were pre recorded. I even got a sense of community as we all submitted our work together and had the opportunity to comment on each others work. I 'graduated' feeling like I have been part of a real classroom with a sense of community. And the best part is, I have successfully migrated from using Camera RAW to LR, something I have never been able to achieve before in any class. I also want to speak to the fact that this was more than just a LR class, this was a class that through Leah's critical and educated eye and thoughtful lesson plans, I became a better editor. Thank you Leah!” Satya Tisman
“Leah goes out and above for her students. She provided very helpful feedback and met every student at their level. She gelped me see my strengths and helped me with useful advise along the way.” Olga Leise
“I took the class to learn more tricks and tips about Lightroom's organization. Organization was all covered in week one. It is like two classes for the price of one! Leah did a great job quickly answering questions and helping with everyone's specific editing and organizational challenges.” Lynn Walker
“I took this class because my Lightroom was a mess! I was hoping to get it organized and learn some of the fun tools and features it offered. The course did not disappoint. I feel confident now using LR - importing, exporting, presets, etc. It was all explained in a way anyone could understand. The bonus was the detailed, personalized video feedback from Leah. Seeing her edit and thought process behind her "whys" of editing were so helpful. I was an active seat participant and it was worth every penny of it.” Shannon Anderson
“THE SIMPLE EDIT. This class is on top of all classes I have visited so far. There is so much more than learnin the process of editing. Leah teaches a complete Lr worklflow from importing to selecting your best images, a straightforward editing process, she teaches you to make collections as well as grids ( print module) and finally the start of an own photobook (book module). Besides this there are so many important details I could learn as for example her clear and straightforward use of a rating system in the library module.Right from the beginning we learn, that a good (and simple) edit is based on a perfectly exposed image. Leah is a true professional. Her eye for color is superbe and this is exactly what she tries to teach us: learn to see color, correct the white balance, use the tone curve (really use it!) and do some other adjustment in the LR develop module. It seems as SIMPLE as that which does not mean it is easy. Leah gives us many chances to learn and during the course she works 1:1 with our images on her screen, the best possible learning curve for growth.This has really been the ultimate workshop for me. At the end of the 3 weeks together I know my own weaknesses, I know where I can improve...Leah gave me such confidence to go on. What remains: I know that SIMPLE does not mean easy. From now on it will be a path from correct exposure in camera to the use of a SIMPLE Lr workflow, where I make SIMPLE edits, create collections and maybe book. Leah teaches in a very charming, warmhearted, empathetic and SIMPLE way. All her texts are straight forward accompanied by perfectly made learning videos. Thank you Leah, it was a wonderful experience!” - Corinna Hofer
“I have used Lightroom for all my editing for the past five years so I was on sure whether or not to take the class. I knew there were gaps in my knowledge but I have no idea how many! This class has been so incredibly helpful, I’ve learned so much! Now I want to go back and re-edit all of my photos! I recommend this class to anyone beginning there like them journey or even if you were deep into it like me.” - Anitra Lavanhar
“I've been working in Lightroom for a few years, but felt that my overall knowledge and comfort level with the program was limited. I had hoped this class would help fill in some of the (rather large) gaps in my understanding. Plus, I find Leah's work very inspiring, so I was excited to learn from her. The lessons from this class have not only shown me how to edit (quickly, in most cases) but they have also opened my eyes to how much Lightroom can work for me beyond just editing. This has further inspired me to take control of my organization process, edit and (finally) get some of those photos off the hard drives and printed! Leah strikes the perfect balance between technical knowledge of how the program works and accessible explanations that make sense. I took this class as a silent student and loved it. Leah's feedback seems so thoughtful and honest, and she created a welcoming environment for all of the students, regardless of skill level.” -Kristi Volkmer
“This was a great course that covered a huge amount of information on editing photos, in a clear and logical way. Leah's feedback on assignments and images was really useful and I am no longer as daunted as I was about the editing process and I think I will make better photos with better and faster editing as a result of this class!”- Mairead Heffron
“An absolute wonderful class to learn light room and to get feedback on photography work at the same time. Leah is a very kind, considered and patient teacher, definitely going the extra mile to make it the best experience possible for each student. The classroom felt like a very safe space to me as putting up work for a feedback can be daunting. I liked that always good and bad points were raised in a very thoughtful manner, always offering useful solutions to the individual problem and student. Overall, I feel taking the class has not only helped me to improve my editing skills, but also better the overall process of MAKING a picture altogether.” - Jennifer Scholle
“The course was amazing. As an experienced photographer who leans heavy on Photoshop I was desperate for some tools that would improve my work flow. This course did not disappoint. I left feeling more in command of my work than ever. Leah was thoughtful and relatable in her execution of the material and the activities were well thought out. I am eager to take more Illuminate course, as I found this to be the most effective course I have taken online to date and I was a silent student.” - Jennifer Kasper
“The Simple Edit changed my post processing workflow, making editing quicker and easier. Even if you’ve been using Lightroom for years, Leah teaches you to use all the sections and tools to your advantage.” - Carolyn Qually
“I loved this workshop so much! Leah is a wealth of knowledge on how to leverage the entire Lightroom platform. I learned so much about editing (even as a silent student), but also about organizing my photos in ways that makes sense and saves time. This was a fantastic course!” - Dania Ellingson
“Leah is a wonderful teacher who is so invested in the success of her students! I felt at ease asking questions and supported in my work and contributions to the class. I've learned so much about the editing process (technically and otherwise!) and am inspired and motivated to do more with my camera and the work I produce.” - Sarah Kuhl
“Leah’s class was so great. I was a newbie to Lightroom and she started from the very beginning for us newcomers. Her step by step process had wonderful incites, uses, ideas, and was always so informative. She really explained things so that someone with or without experience was able to improve their skills.” - Darla Harker
“The Simple Edit was a great refresher for me for Adobe Lightroom. Over the past few years Adobe has come out with a variety of Lightroom versions and it has gotten quite confusing. Leah was great at differentiating between Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, Lightroom online, etc. Leah was inspirational and made every effort to make sure the whole class understood her material. She had great tips and is a fabulous photographer as well.” - Sharon Becker
“I loved taking The Simple Edit with Leah! She takes such care to address the challenges that are unique to each editor. I especially appreciated the lessons on the other modules in Lightroom that I had been avoiding, like Print and Book. The explanations of the different types of Lightroom and how to use each of them smoothly; and the curation lesson (something I've ever really been taught) and how to create a really cohesive portfolio were all so invaluable, not to even mention all of the editing feedback! Thank you so much, Leah!” - Allison Patel
“Before this course, for me editing was a mysterious, bewildering process something for pros that seemed to take years to gain confidence in. And in just three weeks Leah has successfully unravelled all those fears and prejudices. She has demystified not only editing, but organisation, workflow, bookmaking and more. Editing has been transformed from a confusing afterthought where I try to fix my mistakes to a creative and exciting cornerstone of my artistic practice. A transformation I couldn’t have imagined possible in just three short weeks! Yes all the technical aspects of editing are covered and covered extremely well but it is Leah’s powerful sense of the big picture and her holistic approach as a true artist that have had the biggest impact on me and that I know will stay with me for years to come. This course is an exciting new beginning for me and my photography journey.” - Janet Turra
“This was an excellent class and I am so glad I took it! Leah helped me see my photographs in a different way and I have much more confidence in the editing process. I feel like I am much closer to producing the photographs the way I envision them. Leah's instruction was clear and uncomplicated, and she answered all questions the students had.” - Monica Schimanke
“I signed up to improve my editing and I learned so much. I realized I wasn't using the full capability of Lightroom and Leah was such a kind and amazing teacher.
I loved the class.” - Said Kouidri
“Leah is a talented and intuitive editor, and her feedback homed in one my challenges so I could hone my craft. Great class to simplify editing workflow in Lightroom Classic. Great class if you’re using Classic or considering making a switch to it. If not, there are still lots of valuable lessons but there are some where it will be difficult to follow along or maximize your experience.” Colleen ODonnell
“I am truly grateful to have been able to participate as an active student in Leahs class 'The Simple Edit'. I enjoyed Leahs teaching style as well as the content which was clear . I feel really excited to play with what she has taught me and that my cup has been filled with the creativity and generous spirit of both Leah and my classmates.” - Em Hacon
“It’s been years since I’ve been working with Lightroom, since before Lightroom 5. I’ve watched tutorials and edited literally thousands of photos. Until this class, I haven’t grasped how much I didn’t know. I’m a serious hobbyist, the family storyteller and not a professional. I still have the same desire to create images rather than snapshots. I have the same desire the create visions with color and light. I want to document the moments in the lives of my children and grandchildren in the most beautiful way that my abilities allow. Leah’s editing instruction opened up new ways of seeing and thinking about editing and navigating Lightroom. The less glamorous part of the creative process is organizing photos but it’s equally important. I now have a better plan to archive my daunting number of photos and backing them up. All those moments are my heart and soul that I want to share with my family and friends. Images aren’t meant to live in only a nebulous cloud or hard drives; images are meant to be seen and felt. Images are shared emotions. Leah walks us through how to make books where are memories can live and be shared. The Simple Edit class is a beautiful place to learn with other artists. I feel grateful to Leah for the experience.” - Kay Snyder
“My goal for this class was to be more efficient in my editing and gain consistency in the skin tones of my subjects. The class really exceeded my expectations. There were quite a few videos to get through which at times seemed overwhelming but they were incredibly useful. I absolutely loved Leah's way of explaining things. She really opened my eyes to editing tools and tricks in LR that I was not familiar with. I also gained a new understanding of safe storage and backup of my images. Something I plan to do right away. Leah also encouraged us to print our images. She shared her beautiful Blurb books with us and showed us how easy it is to make books right from LR. All in all I gained a new understanding of all LR is capable of and in addition tips on getting things right in camera. Leah is a fabulous instructor and our class was such a happy and encouraging space. I am sad it is over but will return to my PDF as well as the videos again. I hope to take another class with Leah some time in the future.” - Melissa McCann
“I have used Lightroom off and on for several years now, but after this class I have a better understanding of how to use all the tools. My workflow will be much more organized and I feel more comfortable correcting color/tone. I have seen improvement in myself already and feel more confident in my process.” - Paige Jacobson
“I have been editing and using Lightroom for over 7 years, but I knew I definitely didn't know it all. This class is for novices and experienced editors alike. There's a place for you here. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but I walked away having learned so much valuable info. I not only have a deeper understanding of the Lightroom software itself but also myself as an editor. I've learned what The Simple Edit means to me and my work thanks to Leah's hard work, honesty, and guidance. I've met other supportive photographers in this class and hope to continue following them on their journey. My simple hope for this class was to maybe learn some new technical skills and feel motivated and inspired to create. I can say without a doubt that I accomplished that and so much more.” - Ashley Shea
“Leah is such a knowledgeable and generous teacher. I genuinely don't know if I ever would have made the switch from Adobe Camera Raw to Lightroom if I didn't have all the guidance from Leah. The learning curve when switching can feel overwhelming, but with Leah's detailed videos and her helpful responses to our questions, I felt equipped to take on the new program, and I can already tell that switching to Lightroom is going to help make my workflow much faster both with client and personal work. On top of that, getting to see how Leah approaches editing has given me lots of new ideas for how I can simplify my editing style so I can end up with images I'm happy with without having to spend an ungodly amount of time working on them. Thank you Leah for all the work you put into this class!” - Caitlin Tyner
“wanted to take Leah's workshop because I've been intimidated by Lightroom for a long time, but I knew that learning it would benefit me, my workflow, and ultimately my images and business. And I was not wrong. Leah is a thoughtful and generous teacher and mentor and took a genuine interest in us and our work. Everything from the way the class was organized to our feedback videos to answering questions, it's clear how much heart and time Leah has put into it. Now not only do I have the knowledge and confidence to work in Lightroom, but I'm grateful to say that I'm also editing and shooting with more confidence.” -Shana Berenzweig
“After perusing Leah's work and admiring her for over a decade, I jumped at the chance to learn from her by taking The Simple Edit class. She provides a wealth of information for beginning learners or those with advance skills. Getting detailed feedback specific to one's needs throughout the entire course by one of the best is invaluable.” - Natalie Curl
“Leah is a wonderful teacher, encouraging and thoughtful, and the depth of knowledge she has about Lightroom will not only help me edit my work with a better and more thoughtful process that helps me make the kind of work I want to make. Also, I had no idea how helpful better understanding of how Lightroom can be used will simplify not only my editing but my workflow overall as well. I am excited about having better organized photos with a smaller time investment. This class is so helpful.”- Erin Blinn-Curran
“Leah is a great and thoughtful instructor! Even though I've been using Lightroom for a number of years, she was able to teach me some tricks that truly make editing easier. She has a firm understanding about the inner workings of LR, which I found invaluable, and was always happy to answer whatever questions I sent her. I'll be using her organizational, editing, and exporting tips to save me time as I work through galleries.”- Maggie Williams
“Leah is a fantastic teacher for her class The Simple Edit. Her feedback and detailed videos are invaluable and even within the first several lessons I found myself thinking differently about how I edit and seeing things in my current work that really didn't reflect the style I was trying to achieve. There is room to grow and also support for wherever you are in the editing process as a photographer. The LightRoom in depth videos were also helpful as someone who is self-taught in the program.” - Liz McEachern Hall
“his was my first Illuminated Workshop (The Simple Edit, with Leah) and it was a better experience than I could've hoped for! The platform is so user friendly, yet aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable to work on. Leah's class was refreshing, fun and gave me back my editing spark. I am already thinking differently about the way I shoot and edit, which is really exciting. My confidence is back and I feel much happier when it’s time to sit at my desk. Thankyou Leah, your video's often made me smile, challenged me to learn and encouraged me to recognise my own abilities. I loved this class, and can't wait to take another one.” Nic Brealre
“I have been using Lightroom for the last 9 years and found this course invaluable for so many reasons. I had been feeling dissatisfied with my editing and eventually I just stopped picking up my camera as it all felt too hard. In addition, I had so many photos on my hard drive that I hadn’t edited at all, multiple LR catalogues and it was all feeling a bit of a hot mess. I loved every minute / lesson of this class. Leah’s lessons were well thought out, thorough, inspiring and went beyond my expectations. The attention to detail and videos so helpful. Leah gives so much of her time and knowledge through these 3 weeks, is very responsive to questions and supportive. The assignments were helpful and feedback constructive. It was so fun to see her edit our photos! This class is more than a LR and editing class. Leah inspired me to pick up my camera again and shoot. She taught us a great edit doesn’t require spending hours on it. Also getting it right in camera helps when editing. I have found myself shooting with more intention. So many light bulb moments through this class and I am so keen to get my Library sorted out, merge all my catalogues into one, improve my workflow, start editing and making books for my family. I know I will keep coming back to refer to the course materials for a long time to come. I would highly recommend taking an active seat in this class, you will get so much out of it. Thank you Leah!” - Fiona Dorrans
“I very much recommend taking this class. My section included both professional photographers and hobbyists like myself. All of us received thorough and invaluable learning. This class is appropriate for both levels, there is a lot for everyone in this course. This course not only provides Lightroom instruction, but Leah has an extraordinary ability to meet everyone where they are at, providing thorough feedback and personalized instruction in the assignments. This feedback is not only related to editing, but to shooting if she sees in your imagery that there is something else you could benefit from learning. If you are able to spend a little more to participate as an active student, I highly recommend doing so. Silent students have access to all of the videos and content and can surely learn a ton also, but the personalization you get from being an active student is invaluable in my opinion. From organization, backup, and file handling to editing and book making, you will learn it all. Leah is incredibly generous with sharing her knowledge and her time; an incredibly present instructor. She is a true artist with a true mamma heart. It is so clear that she truly wants every student to achieve their goals and increase their confidence. She is gentle, but honest when it comes to constructive feedback. I consider myself so blessed to have had her mentorship presence available over these past three weeks. There is a lot covered over this time so you will get more out of it the more time you can dedicate to it.” - Erin Ongom
“This was a great class! My editing has gotten really confusing and Leah was able to help me simplify my edits. I also feel like I learned some valuable tools to use while shooting so that my edits are easier. I am so happy I took this class!” - Anna Wolfe
“Leah poured her heart and soul into this workshop. I've been using LR classic for years and still learned so much from this workshop. Things that I didn't really consider were presented and they were super helpful and changed the way I see my workflow.” - Sarah Pogorzelski
“Before taking this class, I could never move past the first step of importing photos into Lightroom. I got stuck there every single time! Leah helped me understand that part of the process and SO MUCH MORE. I now feel confident that, with a little practice, I can be a proficient Lightroom user by the end of the year.” - Becky Kyle
“I took this class for the second time and was able to focus on more of the technical and higher level LR actives whereas the first time I focused on getting organized. Leah is a wonderful instructor and meets each student where they are at, no matter what level. She offers constructive feedback and there's no doubt my editing and workflow have improved after this class!” - Julia Mueller
“Leah is a warm and encouraging teacher. I loved the smaller activities she offered alongside the main assignment; they were a great opportunity to dive into the work and practice immediately and were fun as well!” - Michelle GD
“Leah is the Lightroom queen. I left the class feeling more confident about my ability to edit my work quickly and to organize my images in a well thought out manner. She is so sweet and really cares about each individual student’s success. Definitely take this class if you are looking to figure out Lightroom.” - Shara Hall
“I am not a professional photographer and had no prior experience with Lightroom. I primarily take family and street photos with my iphone due to ease and always having it handy. My main personal goal was to learn how to set up a catalog system and not have to rely on Iphotos where things seem to get lost for me. I also wanted to get acquainted and comfortable with Lightroom and begin "simple" editing. Leah was extremely thorough and thoughtful in her explanations on how to set things up from scratch which was perfect for my situation. Her feedback was specific, helpful and encouraging, and communication with her and the other students was easy and fun. My only regrets were not having enough time to complete all of the tutorials and assignments due to travel constraints, but I'm already working with my own Lightroom catalog and have learned so much from this course. I'm excited to keep learning and growing as a photographer and this course was the perfect catalyst for that.” - Paul Phillips
“I was nervous to take this class at first, being newer to photography, but was hopeful that it would help me learn more of what Lightroom has to offer. And I am so glad I did it! In just the first week I learned 10 times more than I knew before about editing and the tools I have at my disposal. Now at the conclusion of the class, I can honestly say I like the editing process, something I used to dread doing, much more.” -Sarah Lamb