New to Sony Alpha, Start Here

Just picked up your first Sony Alpha camera?

This session walks new Sony Alpha owners through everything needed to go from unboxing to confidently shooting, covering essential first steps, core settings, autofocus fundamentals, and how to make the most of the system's deep customization.

Rather than handing you a list of settings to copy, this presentation focuses on understanding why each setting matters, so your setup knowledge travels with you no matter which Alpha body you're using. Topics include RAW vs JPEG (and when to use each), building custom buttons and a personal My Menu, a quick look at video readiness for hybrid shooters, and a rundown of some of the newest Alpha features worth exploring, including a few personal favorite tips for keeping your shoots organized in camera.

By the end, you'll have a simple, portable starting configuration and the confidence to keep customizing as you learn what works for you.

This session is presented by Andy Yee, an experienced travel photographer who shoots a wide range of genres and brings that real world variety into how the Sony Alpha system gets set up and used.

• Essential first steps: battery and card prep, in-camera formatting, firmware checks, date/time/language setup 
• Understanding Sony's menu structure and philosophy 
• RAW vs JPEG: when to use each and why 
• File numbering setup for organized, duplicate-free shoots 
• Drive mode basics and choosing a starting exposure mode 
• Autofocus fundamentals: AF area modes and subject recognition 
• Customizing buttons and dials to match your own shooting habits 
• Building a personal My Menu for quick access to key settings 
• A quick look at video readiness for hybrid shooting 
• Newest Sony Alpha features and personal favorite tips, including in-camera folder organization 
• Putting it all together into a simple, portable starting configuration

• something to take notes on
• your camera to walk through the process presented