About CameraDates.com
Camera Dates is a photography playground for the curious hearted, the light chasers, the quiet observers, and anyone who enjoys slowing down long enough to really see the world. Where every outing becomes an adventure and every frame becomes a chance to learn something new about the world and yourself.
My name is Jonathan Charles, and I started this project in January 2026 to document my journey as a learner, a guide, and an explorer with camera in hand.
I am still learning right alongside you and that is exactly the point. Camera Dates is where I test ideas in real places, share what works, admit what does not, and celebrate the joy of simply showing up with a camera and paying attention.
If you like to wander, to notice, to practice, to experiment, and to shoot what matters, you are in the right place. Grab your camera and let us explore together.
Camera Dates is also the public home of my upcoming multi-book project called Photography Composition Mastery, a series designed to help everyday photographers gain confidence, control, and a deeper understanding of what makes a picture strong. SHOOT WHAT MATTERS!
📚 What You Will Find Here
📷 Field Friendly Lessons
Each article or camera date is built to teach something small but meaningful.
You will not be overwhelmed with technical language or sent down endless gear rabbit trails. Instead you will find simple and practical ideas that you can take into the field the same day you read them.
I promise to be fair and honest with you here. I will share the full idea and the full process, not just the polished end result. If something confuses me, I will say so.
If a technique takes time to master, I will show you the real progress, including the mistakes. I want you to feel like you are learning alongside someone who is genuinely trying, not being sold a secret formula.
Many of the lessons you find here are being shaped for my upcoming books, so you are getting a true first look at the material as it is created. And soon you will find videos as well, where I take you into the field and show the process in real time, so nothing is hidden between the lines. I'm currently not a video editor so Be Warned! lol
You get the real material, not a teaser or a sales pitch. If it helps you grow, that is a win. If you decide to subscribe or support the project, it simply helps me keep writing, filming, and building the next chapter as it unfolds.
🗺️ Camera Dates
A camera date is an intentional outing with your camera and your curiosity.
These outings often become the spark and testing ground for the ideas in my books.
If you follow along, you will see the growth and discovery in real time.
SHOOT WHAT MATTERS!
🌟 Why Subscribe
💌 No Algorithms
Each new post arrives directly by email.
You will never need to check a feed or wonder what you missed.
🔑 Full Access
Subscribers can explore every article in the archive and everything I am still creating.
You will also be among the first to know when the next book releases and where to get it.
🤝 A Community of Learners
This is a growing space for photographers who care about intention, observation, and heart.
Whether you are brand new or already experienced, I hope these ideas help you grow.
And when the composition series rolls out, this community will be the first to see it take shape.
Finally, Thank you for being here.
I hope Camera Dates encourages you to step outside with your camera, learn something new, and shoot what matters. And if you enjoy this journey, stay tuned for the release of Photography Composition Mastery, one book at a time.