Commercial photography

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.

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)

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!

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.

No, but any child under 18 would need to be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

Meals are not provided for 1-2-1 courses.

On courses which include an outdoor shoot, some travel may be required. I can usually offer transport to locations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For all 1-2-1 courses, full payment is due at the time of booking and no refunds can be given. If you wish to move the date then please give as much notice as possible, and another mutually agreeable date can be found. Payment is required by BACS (bank transfer) and details will be provided on your invoice.

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.

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.

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.