Workshops
Due to popular demand I have been running workshops on How to Photograph your Dog in the Outdoors since March 2012. The workshops last between 3-4 hours and cover essential and basic tips to help you take a better photograph of your beloved pet.
You don’t need to have an expensive camera to improve your photography and these workshops will give you easy-to-use techniques that you can use straight away with any camera, including on your phone.
For current dates please scroll to the bottom of the page.
What will the workshop cover?
There will be two different workshops, basic and advanced; you are welcome to attend one or both. Both workshops will cover five essential tips to help you improve your dog photography.
The BASIC workshop will cover:
• Lighting – making the best of various lighting conditions
• How to engage your dog and keep them interested
• Angles – up, down, get on the ground!
• Background – thinking about everything in the scene
• Rule of thirds and the ‘grid’
The ADVANCED workshop will cover (only available to those who have attended the BASIC workshop):
• Aperture Priority – creating beautiful portraits
• Shutter Priority – capturing dogs at speed
• Using Flash – photograph towards the light
• More than one dog at a time
• Pictures of dogs with people
In each workshop I will also discuss general tips and techniques to help you improve your photography that we will not be able to practice during the workshop.
Also, each attendee will receive an 8-page booklet full of extra information, examples and tips that will help you to practice and understand the techniques you will learn during the workshop.
Where do the workshops take place?
I will use a variety of locations depending on the preferred choice of the first person to book on to a workshop. We will go to either Brighton beach, Devil’s Dyke, Ditchling Beacon, Stanmer Park or Sheepcote Valley. Times of workshops will generally be afternoon/evenings depending on the time of sunset.
How many people attend each workshop?
There will be a maximum of four people per workshop. You are most welcome to bring your dog with you. If you don’t have a dog, don’t worry I have a Pug model who is very willing to pose.
Can I bring my dog?
Absolutely. Just bear in mind, there may be other dogs on the workshop and if your dog does not get along with all dogs it might not be the best idea to bring them along. Obviously, the more dogs on the workshop the more hectic and difficult to get them to calm down it might be. So if you have a big pack of dogs, perhaps it would be best to bring just the one or two with you. I cannot take any responsibility for any accidents of incidents that may occur as a result of dogs not getting along with each other.
How much does it cost?
• Each workshop costs £75 per person.
• If you are booking with a friend the cost is £65 each.
• If you book as a group of four you get a further 10% discount off the price, in total it will then be £234.
• If you are coming on your own and want to attend both workshops, book both together and receive a 10% discount off the total price (i.e. £135 instead of £150).
Costs are payable in advance at the time of booking.
How do I pay?
When you contact me to make a booking, I will send you an invoice to pay. You can pay online, via Paypal or by cheque.
What are the dates?
As the workshops take place outside and I do not need to book a venue, dates are very flexible. Dates are set upon the first person booking on a workshop, with a date that is suitable for that person. When a booking is made, dates will be shown at the bottom of this page. Upon booking a workshop if you are the first person to book we will find a date together that suits us both. In short, if there is no date that is good for you below, contact me and we will arrange a new date together.
What about poor weather?
Yes this will always be a factor when doing outdoor photography. If in the event the weather is poor on the day (by this I mean rain – cloud is ok), then I will postpone the workshop. I will always try and give 24 hours notice, but given the changeable climate we live in it might sometimes be less.
Do I need an expensive camera?
For the basic workshop – no not atall. This workshop is designed to help people who have ANY camera to take better photographs. Even if you just come with a camera phone that will be fine.
For the advanced workshop you would need a camera where you can adjust the manual settings, such as Aperture and Shutter speed.
Do I need much photographic knowledge?
No not atall. I will cover the very basics and will be showing you very easy to use techniques that you can quickly pick up and start to use straight away.
What happens afterwards?
I would love for you to post your images to my facebook page so everyone can see your pictures. And then keep snapping!
What now?
To book on to a workshop, please contact me.
Current dates
Saturday 12th May – BASIC – 3/4 places available. Location Lancing beach.
Saturday 19th May - BASIC - 2/4 places available. Location Sheepcote Valley.
Sunday 20th May - BASIC - 3/4 places available. Location Sheepcote Valley.
Saturday 26th May - ADVANCED – 4/4 places available. Location tbc
Thursday 24th May - BASIC - 4/4 places available. Location tbc
Saturday 2nd June - BASIC - 4/4 places available. Location tbc
Sunday 3rd June - BASIC - 4/4 places available. Location tbc
Thursday 7th June - ADVANCED - 2/4 places available. Location Sheepcote Valley
Thursday 14th June - BASIC – 4/4 places available. Location tbc
Thursday 28th June - ADVANCED - 4/4 places available. Location tbc
Saturday 30th June - BASIC – 4/4 places available. Location tbc
If none of these dates suit you, please contact me and we can arrange another day.
