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Canal photography series with Gareth Danks
We’ve all done it. Flicked through hundreds of holiday photos and realised most are… just OK. The moment was magical, but the picture didn’t quite capture it. That’s not your fault. Most of us were never taught the simple tricks that make a photo feel like the memory.
So, we’ve teamed up with YouTube photographer Gareth Danks to create a set of short, simple videos that show you how to take stunning holiday photos using just your smartphone and the backdrop of the UK’s stunning canal network.
Whether you’re 9 or 90, these free photography tutorials are designed to help you capture the beauty of your canal holiday (and beyond!) like a pro.
Learn as You Cruise
Each of the five bite-size videos covers one simple, powerful photography skill:
• The Rule of Thirds: for balanced, eye-catching shots
• Fill The Frame: to focus your viewer’s attention
• Framing & Light Control: for visual depth and drama
• Leading Lines: to guide the viewer’s eye
• Perfect Portraits: for natural, flattering shots of people
Filmed on the beautiful Birmingham & Worcester canal, the tutorials show how to use features like locks, bridges and towpaths to add depth and interest to your photos. Gareth explains each concept in plain English, demonstrates the before-and-after effect, then sets a challenge for you to try it yourself.
No jargon. No gear required. Just your phone, a few minutes, and a willingness to try.
Why We Made This
Some of the best moments on a canal holiday aren’t planned, they just happen. Playing on the towpath. A proud grin at the tiller. That golden-hour light bouncing off the water as your child waves from a lock gate.
We wanted to help families capture those moments. Not with filters or posed selfies, but with real photography skills that bring the memory to life. The canals are the perfect backdrop: ever-changing, quietly beautiful, and full of character. These tutorials help you take photos of the people you love, in places you’ll never forget.
As our operations director Leighton Jones puts it:
“Small changes can make a big difference to the photos we take. Gareth’s tips are easy to follow and worth mastering – for this holiday and for life.”
Take Photos Like a Pro Masterclass