The Wall

You’ve hit a wall.
Not because you’re not talented—but because you’ve gone as far as you can alone.


You need someone who’s been there. Someone who can help you break through.

Photography student standing on the rocks at Narragansett Bay sunrise, practicing composition behind a tripod during a Rhode Island photography workshop with Mike Dooley.”

You’ve Hit the Wall. I Have Too.

You’ve come a long way. You know your gear. You’ve taken some great shots.
But now, something’s stuck. The growth has slowed. The spark feels distant.
You’re ready for something deeper—but you don’t know what’s next.

I’ve been there too.
I hit the wall. I doubted my vision. I wondered if I’d ever make images that felt like me.
And then I found the way through—by asking better questions, shooting with intention, and learning from someone who’d walked the path.

That’s why I mentor.
To help you break through the wall, reconnect with your creative voice, and build the confidence to make images that resonate.

From here, you can flow into your safari metaphor and the rest of the page rewrite we built earlier. Want me to stitch this into the full version and adjust the tone throughout to match this emotional arc? You’re guiding people through the fog—and now the doorway is wide open.

1-on-1 Photography Mentoring & Personalized Coaching

Want the full experience? We go where you want to go. Think of me as your tour guide on a photography safari—taking you to the places you dream of exploring, literally and figuratively.

Hop in our metaphorical (or maybe actual) Jeep/Land Rover of hope, buckle up, and for safety’s sake, keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times. Whether it’s mastering Lightroom, capturing tricky light in the field, or planning your own photo project, this is your adventure, your pace, your vision—with guidance, laughter, and aha! moments along the way.

Why choose 1-on-1 mentoring:

  • Supportive, low-pressure learning environment
  • Personalized coaching designed around your vision
  • Flexible schedule, in-person or Zoom
  • No fixed agenda—focused, meaningful time

No fixed agenda. No pressure. Just meaningful, focused time with a guide to help you to get better at what you love.

Mike Dooley standing in front of a projector screen, pointing at a photograph while instructing students during a photography workshop.

Learn Where Land Meets Sea

Photography is personal. That’s why my mentorships aren’t cookie-cutter classes or stiff lectures.
They’re real conversations about you—your camera, your challenges, your goals, your style.

Over the last 10+ years, I’ve mentored photographers of all levels—from absolute beginners to hobbyists refining their voice.
Whether you want to master Lightroom, tame off-camera flash, or learn to capture the rhythm of the waves, I’ll meet you exactly where you are.

Zoom Mentorships

Learn from the comfort of home. Ideal for:

  • Lightroom workflows
  • Image management & catalog organization
  • Editing & post-processing techniques
  • Personalized critiques of your images
    Available in 1, 2, or 4-hour sessions. Book one or build a series.
    We’ll share screens, dive into your files, and break things down in plain English—no jargon, no fluff.

☕Coffee Shop Mentorships (Warwick, RI)

Sometimes, the best learning happens over coffee and conversation.
Perfect for beginners and hobbyists who want:

  • A relaxed pace
  • Fundamentals explained clearly
  • Handouts and homework with multi-session bookings
    Think of it as your photography roadmap, drawn out over a cappuccino.

Note: Coffee shop mentorships are available within 15 minutes of Warwick, RI. Think of it as your photography roadmap, drawn out over a cappuccino.

Mike Dooley sitting on the rocks at Beavertail State Park, behind his tripod with camera filters and spirit level in place, preparing to photograph the ocean at sunset."

📍 Location-Based Mentorships (Anywhere in RI)

For those who want to roll up their sleeves, grab their camera, and make pictures in the field.
We’ll shoot at iconic Rhode Island locations like:

Lightroom post-processing & image review (for half-day/full-day mentorships)review (for half-day/full-day mentorships)

Narragansett & Point Judith Lighthouse

Jamestown & Beavertail State Park

Sachuest Point Wildlife Refuge

Newport’s coastal gems

Or even a working farm, a beach at sunset, or your favorite hidden corner
Sessions run 2, 4, or 8 hours and can include:

Custom focus on your goals

On-location shooting with guidance on composition, exposure, and creativity

Why Mentorship?

Because photography isn’t one-size-fits-all.
It’s personal. It’s practice. It’s passion.
This isn’t a lecture—it’s a conversation.
I’ll meet you where you’re at, challenge you, and cheer you on.
Whether we’re talking Lightroom catalogs, shooting crashing waves at Beavertail, or working with light in a portrait, the mentorship is built for you.
Lighting? No problem.
Landscapes? No problem.
Lightroom? Again, no problem.

Mentorship Pricing

TypeDurationSessionsHandouts / HomeworkCost
Zoom Mentorship1, 2, or 4 hoursBook 1 or multipleDigital resources if needed$75/hr (discount for 4-hour block)
Coffee Shop Mentorship
(Warwick area)
1–2 hoursBook 1 or multipleHandouts included; homework with multi-session bookings$125/hr
Location-Based Mentorship
(anywhere in RI)
2, 4, or 8 hoursBook 1 or multipleOptional handouts + image review (for longer sessions)$175/hr (2 hr),
$150/hr (4 hr), $125/hr (8 hr)

Note: Discounts apply to multi-session bookings.

Mike Dooley standing on a sandy beach with the Atlantic Ocean and blue skies in the background, representing his seascape photography work.

Getting Started

Mentorships are booked in flexible sessions:

Location-Based: 2, 4, or 8 hours (anywhere in Rhode Island)
Your photography journey is unique—let’s make sure your learning experience is, too.
Reach out below to start your journey.

Zoom: 1, 2, or 4 hours

Coffee Shop: 1–2 hours (Warwick area)

Mike Dooley, seascape photographer, standing on a sandy beach with a camera bag over his shoulder and tripod in front of him, capturing coastal photography.
Get in Touch

Your Journey Awaits

I’ve wandered the shorelines, captured the light, and yes—I drink way too much coffee. Let me help you create your story.

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