Photography Training Courses for Individuals
Personalized Photography Courses for Beginners and Improvers | Learn at Your Pace
Learn the Art of Photography
Whether you're just starting out in photography or looking to refine your skills, I offer a range of courses tailored to your needs. From beginner-friendly introductions to advanced masterclasses, my photography courses are designed to help you achieve your goals. We'll start with a personalized discussion to ensure the course content aligns with your specific interests and objectives.
​
If you're not local, consider combining learning with a relaxing getaway on one of my residential photography workshops. These workshops, held in the spring and autumn, cater to both beginners and improving photographers, providing a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in photography while exploring the beautiful landscapes of Devon, Dorset, and Somerset.
​
Ready to begin your photography journey? Feel free to reach out, and I'll be happy to guide you in choosing the perfect course for you.
​​
Want to give a course as a gift?
Make a thoughtful gift with my photography course vouchers, available for any course listed on this page. You can choose between printed or electronic vouchers, making it easy to give the gift of learning photography. Vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of issue, giving the recipient plenty of time to plan their course.
Course Content
In this comprehensive 3-hour 1-2-1 masterclass, discover how to unlock the full potential of your smartphone camera and capture stunning photos that rival those taken with professional equipment. You'll learn to master your camera app, understand the fundamentals of composition, lighting, and editing, and enhance the quality of your images.
​
The course includes an outdoor photography session, followed by an in-depth review of your photos. This hands-on approach provides valuable insights and feedback to help refine your skills and ensure you leave with the confidence to take exceptional photos every time.
Course Specifics
Who is it for? Beginners
​​
Course length? 3.5 Hours
​​
What's the cost? £169
​
What do you need? Any Smart Phone
Course Content
Designed specifically for beginner photographers, this course provides quick and effective strategies to boost your photography skills. You'll learn to master your camera's features and refine your composition techniques, acquiring the essential knowledge that every photographer needs. By the end of the course, you'll have a solid foundation to start capturing stunning images that reflect your creative vision.
Course Specifics
Who is it for? Beginners
​​
Course length 2 Hours
​​​
What's the cost? £129
​​
What do you need? Any Digital Camera
Course Content
Are you ready to elevate your photography beyond basic snapshots and unleash your full creative potential? This comprehensive 1-2-1 course is tailored to your needs, equipping you with the key skills needed to maximize your camera's capabilities. You'll learn to master basic camera functions, refine your focus techniques, transition from automatic settings, and harness the power of composition and light to create more captivating images. By the end of the course, you'll be well on your way to crafting stunning photographs that reflect your artistic vision.
Course Specifics
Who is it for? Beginners or Improvers
​​​
Course length? 3.5 Hours
​​​​
What's the cost? £169
​​​
What do you need? Any Digital Camera
Course Content
Take your photography skills to new heights with this comprehensive full-day masterclass. Tailored to your unique needs, this personalized 1-2-1 session covers everything from mastering full manual mode and refining composition to understanding the art of lighting. You'll also explore advanced techniques like using filters for long exposure, exposure blending, and post-processing.
​
The day includes an outdoor photo shoot, where you'll apply your new skills in real-world conditions. Afterwards, a constructive feedback session will help you refine your techniques and address any areas for improvement. By the end of the masterclass, you'll be equipped to capture breath-taking images and elevate your photography to a professional level.
Course Specifics
Who is it for? Beginners or Improvers
​​​
Course length? 7 Hours
​​​​
What's the cost? £269
​​​
What do you need? Any Digital Camera
Course Content
Whether you're looking to refine your editing skills, explore new techniques, or master specific genres, I offer a range of short courses tailored to meet your individual needs. Each course is customizable to ensure you get the most out of your learning experience.
​
Explore My Course Topics:
-
Introduction to Editing: Learn the fundamentals of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop to enhance your images.
-
Long Exposure Photography: Discover the art of capturing stunning long exposure shots.
-
Drone Photography Basics: Get started with drone photography and unlock new perspectives.
-
Sunrise & Sunset Mastery: Learn how to capture breath-taking images during the golden hour.
-
Intentional Camera Motion (ICM) Photography: Experiment with creative motion techniques to add unique effects to your photos.
Course Specifics
Who is it for? Improvers
​​
Course length 2 Hours
​​
What's the cost? £129
​
What do you need? Any Digital Camera
Why Choose Gary Holpin Photgraphy for Your Photography Training?
Why Choose Me?
If you're considering joining me for a photography course in Devon, here are a few compelling reasons to choose me as your trainer:
​
Simplifying Technical Concepts:
As a self-taught photographer, I understand how daunting technical aspects can be. I excel at breaking down complex concepts into easy-to-understand language, ensuring you grasp the fundamentals with ease.
​
Devon Expertise:
With an intimate knowledge of Devon's landscapes, I not only help you improve your photography skills but also introduce you to the region's most stunning and photogenic locations during our longer courses.
​
Teaching with Enthusiasm and Expertise:
My enthusiasm for photography is contagious! Previous students have praised how my passion not only makes the training more enjoyable but also enhances their learning experience.
​
Proven Track Record:
Consistently receiving glowing five-star reviews from my students, you can trust that you're in good hands. Feel free to check out my reviews on Google to see what others have to say about their experience.
100% of past students were 'Very satisfied' or 'Satisfied' with their training.
97% of past students ranked their training as 'Very high' or 'High' quality
94% of past students ranked Gary's knowledge and training style as 'Excellent' or 'Very Good'
92% of past students ranked their training as 'Excellent' or 'Above average' value for money
Experience the Best of Devon's Scenery
As a Devon photographer, I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to explore and capture the region's stunning landscapes. On my photography courses, I'll ensure that you experience the best of Devon's natural beauty firsthand. Not only will you learn essential photography skills, but you'll also get to visit some of the most breathtaking locations in the area. This way, you can combine learning with the joy of exploring Devon's picturesque landscapes.
What previous students say...
"Informative and tailored to each student's needs so well! Excellent!."
"Brilliant training. Your experience and enthusiasm shone through. All in all, really enjoyable"
"A big thank you Gary for sharing some of your huge knowledge with me and making the process so enjoyable. Your help, and importantly, for me as a novice, your super informative support was priceless. Thanks for keeping it fun!"
-
What camera is required?For courses involving mobile phones, all you will need is and smartphone with a camera. For camera training courses, generally any camera which has some level of manual control (usually a dial on the top which has modes such as 'A, P, M' etc is sufficient - which is almost all compact, bridge, mirrorless and DSLR cameras.
-
What prior experience is required?For all courses which state they are for beginners, no prior experience is required, just a suitable camera and the enthusiasm to learn. Courses for improvers require you to have a grasp of the basics (basic use of the camera, composition etc)
-
How do I know if I'm a beginner or an improving photographer?There's no hard and fast rule, but I would say that an improving photographer: - Knows the basics of how to operate their camera - Understands at least a little about exposure, aperture, shutter speed and perhaps has a little experience with Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or Manual - May understand a little about composition In general terms, an improving photographer should need less coaching in the basics of how to operate their camera, but may need more coaching in how to take great photos with it!
-
Where do you offer your training?I'm based in Honiton, and If you're happy to come to my home, that's great. If not then that isn't a problem as I'm happy to travel a reasonable distance to provide you with training (up to 20 minutes / 10 miles from Honiton is free; after that I charge reasonable travel costs). If you are outside of my free travel area, you're welcome to come to Honiton, or we can arrange a venue half way such as a pub or café.
-
Is there an age limit for courses?No, but any child under 18 would need to be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
-
Are refreshments included?Meals are not provided for 1-2-1 courses.
-
Is transport required?On courses which include an outdoor shoot, some travel may be required. I can usually offer transport to locations.
-
What equipment do I need?For all beginner level courses, the only essential requirement is to have a suitable camera (along with a charged battery and memory card). A waterproof bag to protect your camera is also advisable. Courses for improving photographers may need some additional equipment such as a suitable tripod and ND filters.
-
Do I need insurance?My business is covered by public liability insurance, and my equipment is insured. I would strongly encourage you to consider insurance for your equipment. In addition, for residential workshops I would also strongly encourage you to buy travel insurance, as your fee may be lost if you have to cancel. This is so that courses don't become unviable due to last minute cancellations, and whilst you are able to insure for a financial loss, we are not.
-
What if the weather is bad?We can do outdoor shooting in most weather, but not in persistent rain. For most day courses, we can just agree an alternative date. For residential workshops, I will do my best to structure the learning so that we can make the most of any dry weather during the weekend.
-
What should I wear?Most courses involve some element of outdoor work, and so you will need to have clothing suitable for the season and the likely weather. As a minimum you will need stout shoes suitable for uneven ground, and a waterproof coat.
-
What if I need to cancel?For one-to-one courses, please do let me know as soon as possible if you need to cancel, but there is no financial penalty to doing so. I cannot give refunds, but I am happy to rearrange a mutually agreeable alternative date. For residential workshops, 28 days notice is required for a refund to be possible, and so it is strongly advised that you take out travel insurance in order to minimise any financial loss. It we can fill your place, we may be able to offer you an alternative course date but this cannot be guaranteed.
-
Which locations will we go to?For courses which have an outdoor shoot included, locations will depend on where we are holding the course. Locations can be discussed and agreed ahead of training sessions.
-
What are your payment terms and conditions?For all 1-2-1 courses, full payment is due at the time of booking and no refunds can be given. However, if you wish to move the agreed date then please give as much notice as possible.
-
What travel costs do you charge?I include up to 20 minutes travel time each way and 10 miles each way for free (so a 20 minute / 10 mile radius of Honiton). Anything above this I charge 50p per mile of additional distance and £40 per hour of additional travel time. This applies from Honiton to your home, and any travel for an outdoor shoot. There is always the option for you to come to Honiton, or for us to meet at a halfway point if you would like to minimise these additional costs.
-
What if I want to share the cost of the training with a friend?You can share the cost of the course with friends (up to a maximum of six people in total) although I will need to add an additional £50 fee per person.
-
Why do you ask for full payment up-front?Unfortunately I have had a number of occasions where a date for training has been agreed with the client and they have cancelled at very short notice. In these circumstances it is too late for me to find other work for this day, and so I end up not earning anything. As a small business this is not sustainable, and so I made the decision to ask for full payment up-front. Once payment has been made, if you need to move your training date (even at short notice) then I am happy to try and accommodate your needs, but would obviously prefer as much notice as possible so that I don't end up with empty days when I don't earn. Thanks for your understanding.
-
How can I pay?Payment can be made by: - BACS (bank transfer) via the bank details provided on your invoice - Payment via Revolut or Paypal are available on request (please ask)
PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES
TRAINING
Beginner's Photography Retreats
​
Improver's Photography Retreats
​
Mastering Mobile Phone Photography
​
Photography Masterclass for Camera Users
​​​
Adobe Lightroom & Other Short Courses
​
Book a Training Course