Meet Jet Black Squares

See sights like you’ve never seen them before with Jet Black Squares, where the art of expression meets the simplicity of your smartphone. 

Jet, the Creative Director, combines her teaching background in London's East End with a decade of corporate photography experience. The result? A novice-friendly nationwide string of 'Smartphone Safaris', where your creativity takes center stage and you can learn to use simply what's in your pocket as a powerful tool for artistic exploration – sign us up! 

Photography can help you slow down...

"I think it was Rankin who said, 'forget about it being a phone and start thinking of it as being a camera. And once you do that, you become a photographer.'

Instead of the usual snap-and-stash routine, take a beat to really think about the shot. It's not just about taking a picture; it's about capturing the essence of the moment. In our workshops, we often jazz things up with those handy clip-on macro lenses. Picture this: controlling your breath, getting up close, nailing that focus – it's a game-changer, making you appreciate the world around you in a whole new light. This shift isn't just about photography either; it's a ticket to slowing down completely."

I create a nurturing workshop environment by… 

“Oh, I don't know about nurturing but it's fun! We roam around London or wherever, and it's an exciting, creative adventure, even if it only leads us to a car park. There, we find inspiration in weeds poking through, the play of light, intriguing shadows... anything!

My mantra? Make the ordinary extraordinary. It's about training your brain and eyes to see things differently; being creative means walking down a street and suddenly noticing the reflection of a building in a window. People often say, "I hadn't even noticed that before," so I think it's more about helping to unleash that creativity than being nurturing."

My most heartwarming student moment ever...

"It has to be when an eight-year-old and her grandma teamed up, eagerly showing me the picture they took – a simple flower. The pride beaming from both of them was just incredible, and 
this moment perfectly captures what we're all about. It goes beyond generations, creating a shared experience and dream. So, for me, that single moment beautifully encapsulates the essence of what we do.”

Helping others tap into their creativity makes me... 

“Happy. I love it. I love my job. Witnessing the sheer delight on people's faces is priceless, especially when they walk in unsure of what to expect. Many, especially from ClassBento, just want to try something different, like a girls' day out, without a clear plan. Yet, by the end, as they edit their photos, the transformation is incredible. They're exclaiming, "I took this, look at that!" It's moments like these that reassure me that this job, this business, is making a real impact.

Sure, it's not rocket science, and it's not saving lives, but it is about encouraging people to tap into their creativity. The best part? You don't need pricey equipment to keep the creative journey going.

My top tip for photography beginners... 

“Change your perspective! Don’t just do the standard chest-height shots. Instead, try turning your phone upside down – seriously, most of my photos are taken that way. By doing this, you'll discover beauty in unexpected places, and once you find it, you can craft a unique picture that stems from that newfound perspective. It's all about seeing the world a bit differently.”

Smartphone photography is a budget friendly craft... 

“Sure, phones themselves can be pricey, but nearly everyone already has one. The beauty of it is that you don't need to invest in a fancy DSLR, lenses, and all the extras – I'm all about making photography accessible to everyone.

The most expensive item in our kit? A little clip-on macro lens we sell for around £10. What you can capture with it is absolutely incredible, and it's proof that you don't need deep pockets to dive into the world of smartphone photography.”

The biggest transformations I see are... 

"It's all about people feeling proud and excited about the photos they've captured. The joy is contagious – I often receive pictures from folks saying, "Look, I took this on holiday, isn't it amazing?" The connection doesn't end there; people stay in touch.

These transformations go beyond photography. I hear stories of stress melting away as someone captures a raindrop, and that, to me, is what it's all about. It's the little moments that make a big impact.”