Weekend mobile phone photography workshops in Devon
Learn to take better photos with your smartphone while exploring beautiful Devon landscapes.
If you’d like an excuse to spend a weekend in beautiful Devon locations while improving your phone photography, this workshop is for you. Over two days we’ll focus mainly on landscapes, but you’ll also learn simple features and techniques that work just as well for people, pets and everyday scenes – using the camera that’s always in your pocket. The weekend combines relaxed shooting time on the coast and Dartmoor with short indoor sessions at Mazzard Farm, where we’ll review your images and cover easy editing on your phone.
You’ll come away with stronger images, more confidence using your smartphone camera, and a clear idea of how to keep improving after the workshop.
Why choose this smartphone photography weekend?
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Learn with the camera you always have with you. Everything we do is designed around iPhones and Android phones, so you can put it into practice straight away without needing a “proper” camera.
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Devon landscapes as your classroom. We visit a mix of coastal and countryside locations in East Devon (and sometimes Dartmoor), giving you plenty of variety without you needing to plan anything.
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Small groups and friendly teaching. With a maximum of six participants there’s time for individual help at a relaxed pace, whether you’re a complete beginner or already enjoy taking phone photos.
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Practical, down‑to‑earth approach. We focus on simple camera settings, composition and light, plus easy editing apps, not technical jargon – perfect if you just want your photos to look better.
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Residential base at Mazzard Farm. Comfortable self‑catering cottages near Ottery St Mary make it an easy weekend away, with good access from across Devon and the wider South West.
Who this weekend is for?
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You mainly take photos on your phone and want them to look more polished without buying a separate camera.
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You feel a bit unsure which settings or modes to use on your iPhone or Android, and would like clear, jargon‑free guidance.
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You enjoy photographing landscapes, family, pets or everyday moments and want stronger composition and better use of light.
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You’d like a relaxed, sociable weekend in Devon where everything is organised for you, with plenty of time outdoors rather than in a classroom.
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You’re travelling from Devon or anywhere else in the UK and would like to combine a short break with learning a new skill.
Workshop dates
Next Improver's weekend 16-17 May 2026
(Friday arrival, Sunday afternoon finish.)
If you’re interested in future dates, please get in touch and I’ll let you know when new weekends are announced.
Weekend mobile phone photography workshop
Location:
Mazzard Farm, Ottery St Mary, East Devon
Level:
Suitable for beginners and improvers using iPhone or Android smartphones.
Group size:
Minimum 3, maximum 6 photographers.
Length:
Friday evening to Sunday late afternoon (plus Sunday night optional).
What you'll learn:
How to use your smartphone camera more confidently, compose stronger photos, work with different types of natural light, and apply simple editing on your phone to bring out the best in your images.
What's included:
2 (or 3) nights’ self‑catering accommodation, all tuition, guided location shoots, Friday supper and welcome hamper.
Price:
£399 residential or £219 non‑residential, with a £139 deposit to secure your place and the remaining balance due 28 days before the workshop.
Why choose Gary Holpin Photography for your smartphone photography training?
Award winning accomodation
Our weekends are based at Mazzard Farm, an award‑winning countryside retreat near Ottery St Mary. You’ll stay in comfortable self‑catering cottages set around a peaceful courtyard, with woodland and orchards on the doorstep - a relaxing base after a full day of photography.
Exceptional training
I specialise in helping beginners and improvers get more from their phone cameras in a calm, straightforward way, without unnecessary jargon. Group sizes are capped at six, so there’s plenty of time for individual help and questions, and these smartphone weekends consistently receive five‑star feedback from past participants.
Experience Devon and beyond
Over the weekend we’ll visit a wider range of coastal and countryside locations in East Devon and, weather permitting, a full day sometimes dedicated to Dartmoor or nearby West Dorset. As a Devon‑based landscape specialist I know a mix of beautiful, characterful spots that are ideal for developing your smartphone photography, giving you plenty of chances to put new skills into practice.
Course details
Group Size
Small groups of a maximum of 6 photographers, so you get plenty of individual help with your camera and one‑to‑one support when you need it, whatever make or model you use.
Refreshments
Your fee includes a welcome meal on Friday evening, plus a breakfast hamper and tea and coffee in your cottage. For other meals you’ll pay as you go, and I’m happy to suggest local options. Many guests choose to eat together, which makes for a relaxed, sociable weekend.
Accommodation
You’ll stay in a comfortable self‑contained holiday cottage at Mazzard Farm, with your own bedroom and shared lounge and kitchen. In some cases you may share the cottage with one other guest of the same sex.
Training
Training usually runs from around 9:30 am to 5:00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday, with breaks built in. Outside these hours you’re free to relax at Mazzard Farm or explore the local area at your own pace.
Transport
If you’re arriving by train, I can usually arrange collection from Honiton station by prior agreement. During the workshop we normally use car sharing to reach shoot locations, with lifts arranged between the group.
Payment
To secure your place, a £139 deposit is payable when you book. The remaining balance is due 28 days before the workshop. Weekend workshops run with a minimum number of students and are usually confirmed around six weeks before the start date. If a weekend has to be rescheduled, you can choose either to have your deposit transferred to a future date or to receive a full refund of your deposit. Please see the FAQs for full cancellation terms and consider suitable travel insurance.
Weekend itinerary – in brief
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Friday evening: Arrive at Mazzard Farm, settle into your cottage and join a relaxed welcome meal with the group in Ottery St Mary.
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Saturday: Morning session at Mazzard Farm introducing key phone camera features, simple composition ideas and how to work with light, followed by an afternoon shoot at nearby coastal or countryside locations with on‑the‑spot coaching and a relaxed review of your images back at base.
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Sunday: A full day out visiting several beautiful Devon locations (which might include woodland, rivers, moorland or coast, depending on weather and season), with time to photograph landscapes, details and everyday scenes, then a final review session and informal “photo of the weekend” share.
What you'll learn
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How to use your phone’s main camera features more confidently for landscapes, people, pets and everyday shots.
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Ways to improve your composition so your photos feel stronger and more intentional.
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How to handle exposure and focus so your subjects look clear and well balanced, even in tricky light.
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Simple editing on your phone, using a step‑by‑step approach that suits different apps.
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How to work more deliberately with location choice, viewpoint and timing to improve your results.
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A stronger overall understanding of what’s possible with your phone camera, and how to keep developing your style after the weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Payments, deposits and cancellations
What smartphone do I need?
What should I bring with me?
What level do I need to be at with my photography?
Is it all about landscape photography?
How many people will be on the workshop?
How much walking is involved?
What happens if the weather is bad?
Do I need insurance?
I have some questions about the accommodation?
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