ICM Photo Academy

Introducing ICM Photo Academy and the teachers

ICM Photo Academy is the place to learn creative photography. We have self-study courses, mentoring and portfolio reviews. Whether you are a complete beginner, a serious amateur or a pro looking for inspiration to take your work to the next level you've come to the right place. You can complete the courses in your own time, to fit your schedule.

Everyone who learns with us gets access to a private Facebook group where you can share your progress and ideas. Kaisa and Morag will share inspirational ideas, creative photography tips, and opportunities for more creative development, and getting your creative photography 'out there'.

Morag Paterson

Morag Paterson has been exploring ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) photography for twenty years. Her work explores the natural world, and she loves nothing more than working with abstract and impressionist imagery in her own backyard. Morag has mentored many people over the years with practical aspects of photography, and also with developing creative vision and working collaboratively. You can check out more of her work on the links below:

Morag's Instagram
Morag's homepage

Kaisa Sirén

Kaisa Sirén is a photographic artist who brings her soul landscape visible with ICM photography, using northern sceneries of Finland as her backdrop. She focuses on themes related to the seasons of Lapland, and the sensitivity of nature. Kaisa is a co-founder of ICMPhotomag Network Community and has, since 2017, owned a gallery and art event house in Rovaniemi. You can find more of her work on the links below:

Kaisa's Instagram
Kaisa's homepage

Laura Haapamäki

Laura Haapamäki is a graphic designer and illustrator who also lives in Rovaniemi. She specialices in digital painting and Photoshop. Here in ICM Photo Academy she is also the teacher of the Creative Photoediting course, makes many of the videos, and does technical behind the scenes work. You can find more of her work on the links below:

Laura's homepage
Laura's Youtube channel

Testimonials

"ICM photo Academy has both inspired and freed the way that mind, body and spirit can meld within the artistic realm of ICM photography. And, anything goes. An abundant supply of self help videos and invaluable courses offered by the Academy - have all been extremely helpful to take my images to a place where my artistic mind is able to better express what I want to say with my images."

— Carol How, Canada

"When I was first experimenting with new photographic techniques like intentional camera movement and long exposure, I was delighted to find ICMPhotoAcademy.com. One of my early purchases was their “Longer Exposures” class during which Kaisa and Morag demonstrated various techniques that I had never tried. I went on to set up longer term mentoring and portfolio reviews with Morag Paterson. Over the course of several Zoom sessions, she helped me refine a book draft, guiding me with image selection and sequencing – and even copy refinement. I highly recommend working with Morag and Kaisa."

— Ellen Zimmerman, USA

"My first meeting with ICM photo Academy was via the Internet. I signed up for a course, and later the program "Telling Stories". I was a beginner, but I felt warmly welcomed into the group. I cannot thank you enough for the help I received, from Kaisa, Morag and other students. Live meeting, which we had every week, where we could ask questions in advance and get answers, was also very educational for me.

I am happy to be a member of ICM Photo Academy, and I will continue to take more courses and develop my photography skills. "

— Hilde Johannessen, Norway

More Than Images: A Commitment to Nature

We at ICM Photo Academy care deeply about the living world that inspires everything we do. Beyond teaching photography, we are committed to protecting and restoring the landscapes, ecosystems and communities that sustain us all. Morag’s 11-hectare habitat restoration site is at the heart of this commitment; It a long-term project focused on regenerating biodiversity, improving soil health, and creating space for native species to return and thrive. We have also established our Trees for Life grove, where we are actively sponsoring the planting trees as part of wider reforestation efforts. These actions are small but meaningful steps toward repairing what has been lost. If you’d like to be part of that journey, you’re warmly invited to join us. You can find all the details about supporting and donating on the Trees for Life webpage.

Collaboration Partners

All our customers get 20% off Fotospeed products and 10% off Photography gloves by Vallerret when you purchase a course.