Photography Training for Photographers

With the advent of digital capture, the wedding photography industry has become vastly over saturated and is at breaking point. The huge growth in numbers becoming wedding photographers as a sideline has created a situation where there are so many folks competing for the same number of weddings, that inevitably a price war has seen rates nosedive. This means that it is very hard to make a viable income from wedding photography alone. Most enter the business with no real wedding photography training which just adds to the problem. As with most things in life you tend to get what you pay for. There are “photography trainers” and PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY TRAINERS who can walk the walk as well as talk the talk.

Unlike so many others offering photography training, I still generate 100% of my family income from my business and still shoot weddings and other commissions all year round. Now in the 25th year of my professional photography career, I have been privileged to photograph in excess of 1000 weddings, of all sizes and types all over the UK and beyond as well as hundreds of location portraits and headshots.

Its been very hard work, a lot of fun and an amazing experience to have been a part of so many couple’s special day.

However, the vast influx of digital SLR carrying newbies has become a huge source of frustration to me as I have seen acceptable standards drop lower and lower. The main reason behind this drop in photographic standards is a lack of basic knowledge. This includes how to to use the tool in the photographer’s hands, the camera, as well as an understanding of how weddings work, and a lack of experience on how to cope in a pressure cooker situation: the wedding day itself!

Worse still, there are a lot of newcomers to the industry who are offering photography training even after just a few months and a handful of weddings into their own careers! They don’t really have the experience or know how to run photography training. It’s like the blind leading the blind!

As with most things in life, there is no substitute for experience. A passion and of course talent are important, but all the love for photography in the world won’t make any difference if you don’t have a sound knowledge of the basics of shooting and building a business!

I started out slowly, working with someone of the top guys in the industry at the time. I was a sponge, absorbing as much information as these guys could give me. Passionately studying, learning and practicing before I was let loose on a couple’s wedding. These days far too many folks pick up a DSLR and become wedding photographers, with very little idea about what to do next. Not only is it very unfair to practice on someone’s wedding day, where there are no second chances, its just plain crazy.

With no training, no experience and no real idea as a professional photographer you are being unfair to yourself, the profession and our clients. This is just another nail in the coffin of your business aspirations before you get going.

one to one training

I am very happy to offer Bespoke photography training on a 1-2-1 basis as well as for small groups. This photography training is designed around your individual needs as you seek to grow and improve your photography business and photographic techniques.

Photography training generally takes place here at my South Devon base but I can be available occasionally to visit your studio if required. For all courses taking place here, there is a limit of no more than 3 attendees due to space and practicality. I like to ensure quality throughout my training rather than compromise things to squeeze an extra body in! 

My business is located in the stunning village of Kingskerswell, just north of the beautiful seaside town of Torquay in Torbay. and is only 10 minutes drive from Newton Abbot Station, so we are easy to reach!

price guide:

Portfolio reviews

I am happy to accept a limited number of portfolios for me to review and offer a full and constructive critique. The portfolio should be submitted to me online before our schedule “meeting” so that I can review the images etc in depth. I will then supply a written critique and then be happy to go over this via Zoom or face to face (if appropriate).
£100.00 for two hours

Business and shooting weddings

Learn how I can have the day’s wedding fully edited and album ordered in under 6 hours.
Learn how I shoot plus my lighting, exposure and composition techniques that really work.

1-2-1 £500.00 2-2-1 £350.00 per person 3-2-1 £300.00 per person

Portfolio shoot days

1-2-1 £995.00 2-2-1 £750.00 per person 3-2-1 £650.00 per person. (includes bride and groom model as required). A model release is used to enable attendees to use the images for marketing.

I will shoot and walk through each image in slow motion and then allow you to take your own images under instruction. An amazing insight and way to learn as well as produce some very special images that you will know you will be able to produce on a real wedding whatever the circumstances.

Storytelling and album design

Using the album design software that designed all my albums.
1-2-1 £500 2-2-1 £350.00 per person 3-2-1 £300.00 per person

Photography Training Mentoring

I am very happy to offer Bespoke Mentoring as part of my photography training on a 1-2-1 basis as well as for small groups. This photography training is designed around your individual needs as you seek to grow and improve your photography business and photographic techniques.

Photography training generally takes place here at my South Devon base or via a series of Zoom calls at your convenience, but I can be available occasionally to visit your studio if required. For the most part, courses taking place here at the home studio. I like to ensure quality throughout my training. I only mentor a handful of photographers per year to ensure quality and my availability as required. The aim is for you to receive the very best attention and support at all times.

price guide:

Mentoring

1-2-1 £300.00 for the first day and then £150.00 per month thereafter for a minimum of 4 months
12-month mentoring scheme £1200.00

Extras that can be arranged
These are reduced rates compared to our usual training days for those under my mentoring scheme

Portfolio shoot day

1-2-1 £1000.00 per day (includes bride and groom model as required). A model release is used to enable attendees to use the images for marketing.
I will shoot and walk through each image in slow motion and then allow you to take your own images under instruction. an amazing insight and way to learn as well as produce some very special images that you will know you will be able to produce on a real wedding whatever the circumstances.

SEMINARS

I am available as a Speaker for Seminars for Professional organisations, Camera Clubs, Individuals and Private Bookings. Please get in touch for details

notes

All of these courses take place here in Kingskerswell, include lunch and run 10am-4pm.

I am also happy to run these training days on a consultancy basis at your studio, Rates plus 50%. Mileage is 45p per mile and overnight accommodation may be required.

For further information and to discuss your requirements, please feel free to give me a call 07590 983418 or email me on info@peterprior.com