Fun not frustrating!


No man-splaining. No confusing videos. No Manual Mode. Just Fun Easy Tips to create amazing photos with YOUR CAMERA!

It's WAY easier and faster to use our news photographer secret shortcuts.

Just say NO to Manual Mode


Don’t believe ANYONE that says you MUST use MANUAL MODE.

It doesn’t need to be hard!

I’ll show you a better, easier, faster way – without intimidation, frustration… No more doing things the hard way!

It’s time to understand your camera in a way you never thought possible! It’s time to create amazing photos – ITS SO EASY!

Malinda is fully vaccinated and providing 2 hour private lessons both in person or virtually.

Give Camera Lessons – the gift that lasts a lifetime Gift Certificates

Private Photography & Tech Lessons – any age, any level!


Learn Photography!

Smart Phone, Mirrorless, SLR, Edit, Organize, Share, Print

Just say NO to confusing videos or workshops that talk about all the technical mumbo jumbo and NEVER show you which button to actually press when! You don’t need Manual Mode to get amazing photographs! Seriously!

You’ll learn how to EASILY set your camera to FOCUS where YOU want – no matter what you’re shooting!

You’ll learn how to capture amazing SHARP ACTION photos – regardless of time of day or light!

You’ll learn easy tricks for gorgeous family photos – with beautiful BLURRED BACKGROUNDS.

You’ll learn how to adjust EXPOSURE and flash to get GORGEOUS photos and see faces when all you got before was dark shadows! With your phone as well as your ‘real’ camera.

All without Manual Mode! Geez those guys! Do they TRY to make it hard? It doesn’t have to be! I Promise!

Perfect for Beginners & New Camera Owners! Hands-on lessons are tailored to each person and their gear.
Intermediate & advanced photographers take their skills to the next level! We take you from where you are and build with each lesson. Photography is a craft you never stop learning.

Virtual via Zoom. Or Great Locations in Cincinnati filled with inspiration: Winton WoodsGlenwood Gardens, Village of Glendale as well as Our Studio near Winton Woods (inside or on our front porch – a client favorite!).

Learn Editing too – from smart phone to Lightroom to Pro Photoshop Tricks that will save you TONS of time with editing, sorting, printing, sharing, organizing, finding & storing your images! We have TONS of tips to share!

Lessons are timed to learn in-depth tips without getting overwhelmed! Book a package for yourself or split with friends – choose 2, 3, 6, even 12 – Imagine a whole year of photography!

GIFT CERTIFICATES are perfect for everyone, every occasion! Especially new camera owners.

E-Book Handouts are tailored for your gear and/or software- included  FREE – perfect for saving on your phone and taking with you everywhere!

Questions? Text with the button below which goes straight to Malinda’s phone or Click to call +1 (513) 245-4100  we never share your personal info.

Book Now

New Blog Post – A year in – Mirrorless (Nikon Z6) vs DSLR!


I am a beginner at photography but I will tell you on my very first 1 on 1 lesson with Malinda I learned so much.

She taught me more on the first lesson then I could have imagined! She was so nice and helpful. I feel confident that I will be able to take the photos I want when I am done with my lessons! I would highly recommend!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Michele

  • One Lesson
  • $125
  • • 2 hour lesson
  • • location options: our studio, Winton Woods, Glenwood Gardens, Glendale
  • • great for refresher, new camera/flash skill, or smart phone lesson
  • Book Now
  • Two Lessons
  • $199
  • • 2 - 2 Hour Lessons
  • • Mix/Match Locations: studio, Winton Woods, Glenwood Gardens, Glendale
  • • Great for new camera basics or smart phone photography/editing
  • • Any age/level - fun, easy tricks take you to the next step 🙂
  • • Pro Tip - ask about our Friends special!
  • Book 2 Lessons
  • Malinda's classes offer an in depth explanation of all those camera buttons. She offers quick camera tricks and handouts for reference. GREAT teacher, awesome class!
    Jenny B.
  • Hi Malinda, We loved your tips and ideas! So fun to discover an easier way to shoot better photos. The orange diffuser on the flash blew us away....You are awesome. 🙂
    Linda G
  • We had such a great time with Malinda on Saturday for our 1 one 1 class with a friend. We learned so much from her in the 2 hours that we spent with her. I have been taking pictures for years and have always used AUTO. I will never go back to AUTO, I never dreamed I could take such great pictures. I would recommend her to anyone who wants to expanded there camera knowledge she is very friendly and most definitely patience.
    Cathy
  • I had a private one-on-one + friend photography lesson with Malinda at the park last week. I really love how I can just sit and ask her many questions over the period of 2 hours and get them all answered plus take pictures to get more experience with the camera. I am still new to this and I'm sure I have many more questions but with each lesson and year, I get better. Thanks Malinda!
    Jennifer R.
  • We had a great time! I was really impressed with how prepared you were, with print outs simplifying the camera functions and examples of photos on your iPad. I think anyone who purchases a DSLR owes it to themselves to invest in an instructor lead class, to be able to utilize all of the wonderful functions of an SLR. Otherwise, you might as well buy a point and shoot. Looking forward to our next session!
    Emily
  • After working with Malinda in my 1:1 class I feel more able to take "photographer" quality pictures. After sharing some recent shots with her she easily identified several things for me to correct to help enhance the way my pictures turn out. Her advice on how to use my camera was very informative and really enhanced my latest round of photos taken.  Malinda also gave me pointers using Photoshop. One pointer in particular will save me hours of wasted time. The class was worth every penny.
    Stephanie
  • Thanks for much for such a great lesson on Friday! I was worried about only having two hours to spend with you, but we managed to cover so much in such a short amount of time and I walked away feeling so much more confident about using my "fancy" camera! It's so helpful to actually know what all of the buttons and settings do 😉 It was really helpful as well to have live examples to look at and to be able to practice in different settings. I look forward to more sessions in the future!
    Stephanie
  • I was truly impressed... I came to her stuck on "Auto" & walked away with the confidence to finally use my camera to create wonderful professional looking photographs! Malinda's photography knowledge and expertise is so vast that she was able to tailor the lesson to my specific camera and photographic interests, making my 1-1 lesson a very personal & productive experience. I know I have just scratched the tip of the photography surface, but I plan on diving in and will continue to use Malinda as a resource to help expand my skills.
    Cathy
  • I recently took my first lesson with Malinda and I have to say I am so glad I chose her!  She brought me out of my comfort zone of "Auto Mode." I tried to get out of that mode on my own but felt so overwhelmed by all of the different settings that I just stayed in auto.  Well that all changed.  I am no longer in auto mode and probably won't go back that is how well her lesson was. She is a great instructor and never makes you feel stupid. She speaks and teaches on a level that is understandable. I am really looking forward to my next 2 lesson and will probably sign up for others once those are complete! Give it a try, you won't regret it!!!!! Barbara
    Barbara
  • I recently completed two 1-1 lessons with Malinda, and they were great! After the first lesson, I already felt much more confident with my camera and took better pictures. After the 2nd, I felt like I knew even more and knew how to put a few finishing touches through editing. It was great meeting on-location and taking photos with her, using the skills as we were talking about them. I'd recommend her!
    Megan
  • Just wanted to give a quick shoutout to someone that has recently helped me on the photography front...maybe she can help you, too! Thanks, Malinda Hartong for taking some time to help me out with some Lightroom and Photoshop editing shortcuts. I've been using you're tips and tricks from our session for the last several weeks. You've helped my workflow and I feel I've become more efficient with my editing time. Now, I just need more time to shoot

    🙂 For the rest of you...are you new to photography? Getting a new camera for Christmas? Maybe you want to polish up your phone photography...check out Hartong Digital Media. Malinda is a great teacher and can help you with all things photography. Thanks, again Malinda Hartong...I'll be back for more!

    Dwayne S
  • I am a beginner at photography but I will tell you on my very first one on one lesson with Melinda I learned so much. She taught me more on the first lesson then I could have imagined! She was so nice and helpful. I feel confident at I will be able to take the photos I want when I am done with my lessons! I would highly recommend ! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    Michele
  • Working with Hartong Digital for some photography lessons was amazing. Within the first few minutes, I had already started taking better pictures. Malinda has this down to a science and after a few tweaks here and there, your pictures are professional grade. I enjoyed the time with her, she's funny, easy going, and extremely knowledgeable. I highly recommend investing with Hartong, you will get the best.
    Dawn
    Dawn
  • Malinda is an extremely fun, informative and engaging instructor who will elevate your skills and passion for your photography journey. Whether you are a beginner, pro or hobbiest, you will be ecstatic that you made the choice of attending any of her classes or workshops. She is truly amazing!
    Lynn
    Lynn
  • Malinda is awesome! She's knowledgable, fun, accommodating, and will teach you more in a two hour session than you can believe. I would highly recommend her to anyone wanting to take better photos. I wish we would have found her when we first bought our camera.
    Linda G.
    Linda G.
  • Jessica and I attended Malinda Hartong's Photography class!!! MIND. BLOWN!!!!! If you think you know how to use your phone camera or your SLR, THINK AGAIN!!!
    Ria
    Ria

Photography Lessons Gift Certificates

Capture gorgeous colorful sunsets that will knock your socks off. Learn the hidden tricks!

Is your Phone your Camera?

EVERY SINGLE TIME I help someone take a shot with his or her phone, they whip their head around with eyes as big as dinner plates exclaiming, “I didn’t know it could THAT!?!”

Even 11 year old kids have NO idea what they can do with their phones! One 11 year old photo camper said, “You just CHANGED MY LIFE!”

So grab your phone family and lets make your smart phone photos WAY smarter! Book 1 to 1 or the whole crew! Message me to get started!

Sunsets, family photos, pictures for work – I promise your photos will NEVER be the same!

Outsmart your phone! It’s so easy with just a few pro tricks! Sign up for a lesson & be mind-blown!

Book Now or Click to Call Malinda with questions +1 (513) 245-4100

Malinda is a wonderful teacher!! Any interaction with her causes one to start taking better photos immediately!! Her dedication to her craft and willingness to share tips and tricks make any class with her a truly wonderful experience!
Amy Roell, Outdoor Education Director, Great Parks of Hamilton County

Malinda Hartong, Photojournalist


Photojournalists cover everything: fires, floods, funerals, community events, youth sports, and so much more. Malinda has over 20 years professional photography experience. Malinda also loves being capturing people – whether on location or in the studio!

Malinda’s images have been published all around town and around the globe, including The Times of London, The Guardian, and Marketplace.org.

Together with Emmy-award winning husband Glenn Hartong, photojournalist/video producer/cameraman at ChiliDog Pictures HD Video Productions, Malinda and Glenn have worked with everyone from Heimlich Heroes to Cincinnati Childrens Hospital, University of Cincinnati Foundation, The Dragonfly Foundation and more.

Glenn & Malinda both LOVE to share the techniques we’ve learned over our careers for capturing amazing images in any situation as news photographers!

Malinda has been teaching for over 10 years – simplifying news photographer tricks & techniques for everyone from absolute beginners to aspiring pros, helping folks of all ages & skill levels learn how to create amazing images – THE EASY WAY.

And here’s the best kept secret – You DONT have to learn Manual Mode, or shoot in RAW! Seriously! Grab your camera or phone and Let’s GO!
Questions? Text with the button below which goes straight to Malinda’s phone or Click to call +1 (513) 245-4100  we never share your personal info.

Book Now






Learn Lightroom Shortcuts! Edit 100s of Images in Minutes
Stunning Color in seconds
Brilliant Black & White in Seconds

Photoshop & Lightroom Lessons – Get your Photos Organized & Edited

Imagine organizing, storing, and maintaining a photo library where you can actually find your images. Plus editing them to create amazing results – it all takes TONS of time, right? NOT with our  simple tricks! Whether you have a Mac or a PC, or just your phone. Whether you’re a novice or pro. We have TONS of timesavers plus editing & organizing tricks for you!

  • Mobile – you won’t believe what you can do on the go! From photo editing to general use, photography, and tons of shortcuts and quick tricks. Plus there’s even an app that can rival photoshop in a fraction of the time! On your PHONE or tablet!
  • Lightroom Classic & CC – killer tips to organize, sort, and even edit! From downloading a 1000-shot event to finishing 60 best shots edited and uploaded to the event organizer, how much time do you think that takes us? How about just 2 hours? Learn our secrets for Speed Editing!
  • Photoshop CC & Photoshop Elements – don’t let it scare you. Layers, Masking, portrait retouching, landscapes, replacing skies, and more. Learn shortcuts and time-saving tricks!
  • Apple Photos app – there is WAY more power here than you realize!
  • Virtual or In Person – you’ll be amazed at what you can learn! Available anywhere nationwide!
Sign up for Lessons

Malinda’s Favorite Photos

Shooting news, freelancing, and teaching for over a decade, there have been so many incredible moments. Feel free to ask me for details, captured from iPhone to Z6 to SLR. Nature, portraits, sports, news, my favorites are all over the place. Light, moment, connection…

Looking forward to helping you capture your next favorite photos!