“This shot started as an idea we workshopped together. Richie went and made it happen — and that’s the power of shooting with purpose.”
– Tom Woods

How Richie Turned a Skatepark Concept Into a Killer Shot — Student Spotlight

From Concept to Creation

During one of our 1-on-1 mentoring sessions, Richie shared an idea: an aerial-style skateboard photo captured from above a basketball court. I loved the intention behind it — and I encouraged him to lean into the concept and bring it to life.

A few weeks later, Richie sent through the finished shot… and it was spot on.

This wasn’t just a cool image — it was the result of clear vision, follow-through, and intentional shooting. That’s exactly what we aim to develop inside all of our courses and coaching.

BTW.... not taken with a drone... Richie nailed this with his DSLR

A Glimpse Into Richie’s Work

Here are a few images Richie has created recently as part of his photography journey inside our programs:

Creative use of exposure here by Richie to get a striking result

Using unique composition and generating some epic negative space in this image

Combination of intentional exposure and post editing is discussed in our 1on1 sessions

Richie’s Full Testimonial

“Tom’s experience and passion for photography — especially surf photography — is without doubt the reason I chose him as a mentor.
He lives what he teaches, and that passion flows through to his clients.
He’s always available to answer questions, and you can tell he’s genuinely stoked when one of his students nails a shot.
His honest feedback is exactly what I needed to grow.
I’d highly recommend anything he offers — and I can’t wait to keep working with him.”
– Richie Gordon | @gordorichie

Want to Level Up Your Photography?

Whether you're chasing better outdoor photos, more intentional compositions, or just more joy from your photography… we’ve got the tools and support to help you grow.

Inside the Water Photographer Course and Confident Photographer Course, you’ll get:

• Step-by-step tutorials built for real-world shooting

• Behind-the-scenes gear and setup breakdowns

• Access to our private community

• Monthly live Q&A calls

• 1-on-1 mentorship options (limited spots)

👉 Explore the full range of courses at WaterPhotographyCourses.com, or email me if you’d like to chat about your goals.

Final Word:

If you’re someone who’s ready to go beyond camera settings and start creating with intention, this community is for you. Richie’s journey is just one example of what’s possible when you combine education, mentorship, and motivation.

Stay tuned for more Student Spotlights in the weeks ahead —

Ready to Find the Right Course for You?

Whether you’re just starting out in the ocean or you’ve been shooting for years and want to refine your style, there's a course here to match your goals.

👉 Explore your options here: www.waterphotographycourses.com
You’ll find clear breakdowns of both the Water Photographer and Confident Photographer programs — so you can choose the one that’s best for your journey.

If you’re unsure where to start, feel free to reach out directly — I’m always happy to point you in the right direction.