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Workshops

I am a travel, wildlife, documentary and portrait photographer and I enjoy sharing my passion for photography with others. I offer photography training tailored towards beginners and enthusiasts in Yorkshire. 

Details of some of my workshops are below, most of which are available on request on a 1:1 basis. My 1:1 rate is £99 for 3 hours and £198 for 6 hours. I do not charge VAT.

Please take a look at some of the workshop and 1:1 testimonials I have received here>>>.

Do consider subscribing to my newsletter to receive details of new workshops, special offers and discounts for multiple bookings, plus photography tips and tricks.

 

If you fancy a fun day out at Breezy Knees gardens near York photographing flowers, statues, water features and unique viewpoints and vistas, whilst learning new skills with your camera, then this workshop is for you.

In association with Bass & Bligh cameras, this course is suitable for beginners and those who already enjoy taking photographs but wish to understand manual exposure controls and to improve their compositional skills.

If you fancy a fun day out at Yorkshire Wildlife Park photographing the only polar bears currently in England, plus a host of other animals, including meerkats, lemurs, lions, tigers, wallabies and giraffes, whilst learning new skills with your camera, then this workshop is for you.

If you fancy a fun day out at Harewood Speed Hill Climb capturing all of the motorsports action whilst learning new skills with your camera, then this workshop is for you. 

If you fancy a fun day out at York Railway Station learning how to see and photograph in black and white, documenting the light, lines and texture of this beautiful Grade II listed building and capturing the expressions of the people pouring through the station, then this workshop is for you.

If you fancy a fun day out at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden photographing unique viewpoints and vistas plus the historic ruins of the Abbey whilst learning new skills with your camera then this workshop is for you.

If you fancy learning how to make distinctive studio portraits, using models and professional studio lights then this workshop is for you.

  • Kind Words

    "I had the pleasure of having a 1:1 workshop with Val on landscape photography at Fountains Abbey. Key information was provided as a handout like the exposure triangle which could be referred to on the day but more importantly, afterwards so I could remember to apply what I had learnt independently. Val is extremely flexible and patient, catering to what grabbed my interest and giving constant feedback on the pictures I was taking on the day. I now understand aspects of digital photography that are counterintuitive, especially to those to have first learnt photography with film. I thoroughly enjoyed my day with Val and am keen to learn from her how to digitally process the photos that I have taken."

    - Monica S

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    "I have just completed a practical workshop on Black and White photography with Val in York station and around the town. Val is a very calm and careful teacher who intuitively seems to recognise what you need to know. There are many things which I thought I knew but had not fully digested or understood or learnt how to apply fully. She knows how to deepen your understanding in a practical way and gave me many useful tips and advice. After just sculling in the shallows, I now feel ready to embark on my Black and White voyage."

    - Doug Johnson

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    "Val is an amazing photography tutor and has succeeded in teaching me where others have failed. She has a flexible and adaptable approach to lessons, which suits me perfectly, and we have a giggle to boot! Her patient and thoughtful nature has really helped me progress, with her picking projects that suit my objectives as well as challenge my skills. I am very much looking forward to continuing my photography journey with her. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Val is the best photography tutor I have had the pleasure of being taught by and I would highly recommend her!

    - Mayu Amin"

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    "Does exactly what it says on the tin! Highly enjoyable and commended. I now know what it means to come off Auto!"

    - Roger Taylor attending a Level 1 Photography Workshop

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    "A very useful and informative day. Demystified moving off Auto. I feel a lot more confident in getting creative with my camera. The practical exercises and manual playing cards were really useful".

    - Alastair How

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    "Val broke down the basics into a language all could understand, and she gave plenty of chance for practical moments to cement the theory. Her workshop made me feel very confident to remove the “auto” button".

    - E Womersley

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    "A really thorough grounding on how to use my camera on manual settings, thanks. I now feel confident to practice myself. It was brilliant to have things simplified and explained in great detail. Good to have practicals to put things together". 

    - Sally How

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    "Very clear guidance to understanding the 3 elements of the exposure triangle, with lots of opportunities for practice. The quiz and manual playing cards were great".

    - G Fisher

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    "Done in a really good structure which made bringing things together easier. I enjoyed the practical exercises".

    - Rosie Hester

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    "Thoroughly enjoyed the course and can now understand the basics of using a camera not on Auto Mode."

    - A Swift

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    "I had a photo session with Valerie for some new images of myself for my website and various media publications. Valerie had a natural instinct for the style and quality of the photographs needed for my business and took time and patience to get the right setting and positions. The images captured me naturally but with a professional focus and I am delighted with them."

    - Jacquie Cole - Bakewell Travel

  • Kind Words

    "We came into contact with Val when we wanted to organise a family photograph for our 40th wedding anniversary. Val was wonderful to work with, she made sure everyone looked great, was very good with the grandkids, we had a lot of fun, and you can really see that come through in the end results"

    -Nora Thrush

  • Kind Words

    "I thoroughly enjoyed my photo shoot with Valerie . Her sense of humour and attention to detail resulted in the perfect images for my fashion blog and social media accounts . They not only captured the clothes , but also something of my personality - in my experience a rare feat. I could not be more pleased"

    - Katherine M

  • Kind Words

    "I had three sessions with Valerie which I undertook with the sole aim of being able to take photos on my new camera using the manual setting instead of on auto.

    The first session, which was on Zoom, focused on the theory and was well worthwhile and really helped when it came to the second and third sessions. Don’t be tempted to skip it!

    The second and third sessions took place at Breezy Knees Gardens ( a hidden gem) and Fountains Abbey. Valerie knew the best places to carry out the different exercises and put into practice the theory covered in the first session.

    Valerie has the ability to impart information in way that is understandable and she explains things in a way that I have been able to retain. Valerie is extremely patient but also made the whole experience pleasurable - more like spending time with a knowledgeable friend than a tutor.

    I am pleased to report that by the end of the three sessions I felt that I had achieved my objective. I have not taken a single photo on auto. I feel as though I have made real progress over the last few weeks and I am now a lot more confident using my new camera. Thank you Valerie!"

    - Katherine M