Photography Workshops and One-on-One Sessions

Photography Workshops and private one-on-one sessions will be available throughout 2024 for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced photographers. Details on dates and events will be shared soon. More exciting events in unique locations are coming, so stay tuned! I look forward to capturing moments and exploring photography with you.

One-to-One Photography Tuition

Are you looking to elevate your photography skills? Whether you're a beginner, an amateur, or an advanced enthusiast, my personalized photography classes are tailored to meet your needs. Learn in a hands-on, one-to-one environment where you’ll receive immediate feedback and practical tips to enhance your photography.

What You Can Learn:

  • Creating Great Compositions: Master the art of framing your shots to create stunning, captivating images.

  • Creative Effects with Shutter Speed: Experiment with shutter speed to add dynamic and artistic effects to your photos.

  • Using Aperture to Set the Scene: Learn how to use aperture to control depth and influence the mood of your photos.

  • Harnessing Light: Make the most of natural and artificial lighting to bring out the best in your images.

  • Maximizing Your Camera’s Potential: Get the most out of your camera, focusing on techniques that are best suited to your equipment.

  • Black-and-White Street Photography: Capture the essence of urban life with atmospheric black-and-white photography.

  • Choosing the Right Gear: Receive guidance on selecting the right lens and camera equipment for your photography goals.

  • Phone Photography and Editing: Explore how to use your phone for photography, including app-based editing techniques.

  • Lightroom & Photoshop: Enhance your photos with advanced editing techniques using these powerful tools.

For those just starting out or looking to deepen their knowledge, we can customize sessions to cover foundational or advanced topics as needed.

Location & Pricing:

  • Location: Within 10 miles of Northampton. For locations beyond this range, please contact me to discuss options.

  • Pricing:

    • £50 per hour.

    • £225 for a 3-hour on-location session, including follow-up emails and resources for independent practice.

For Businesses:

If you’re interested in hosting a photography webinar or workshop for your team, please reach out for customized arrangements.

Get in Touch: For more details and to check availability, please contact me directly. I look forward to helping you take your photography to the next level!

Camera photography training

    • Setting up the camera

    • Learning how to use auto and manual focus correctly

    • Shutter Priority mode

    • Aperture Priority mode

    • Full Manual mode and the exposure triangle

    • Neutral Density (ND) filters, polarisers

    • Long Exposure and timelapse

    • Macro

    • Sports/moving motion

    • Photography at night

    • High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography

    • Flash photography

  • Individual learner sessions: £50 per hour/ 3 hour, one-2-one session at £225 per person

    Group learner sessions: 3 hour session for a max of 4 people at Yardley Arts Centre and charge at £90 per person

Photoshop, Elements and Lightroom training

  • If an in-person 1-2-1 editing workshop is not feasible, I can offer online training through Zoom. This alternative allows for flexibility in terms of timing and location since there is no need for me to travel to conduct the workshop. Each person's needs are different, so the duration of the training depends on the topics you wish to address. There are three different time options available, and we can determine the appropriate amount of time based on your specific requirements.

    • 1 hour – £45 (perfect for learning a specific technique or two)

    • 2 hours – £80 (ideal for a more in-depth session covering several techniques and editing processes)

    • 4 hours – £145 (cover more techniques and/or learn how to improve your Lightroom image cataloguing and workflow)

  • The best place to learn editing skills is at your own computer, so for Photoshop, Elements and Lightroom training I will always travel to you. The content of the session will be directed by you. Before meeting we can discuss your requirements and I will create a plan covering a number tips and techniques that are perfect for your ability level.

    For Photoshop, Elements or Lightroom training, we will spend the session (10am-3pm) at your home so you are using your own computer in the environment where you usually edit photos. The pace will be set by you, so we will only cover as much as you’re comfortable with.

    Travel expenses are applicable if you live outside of Northamptonshire / over 10 miles away from NN3

Smartphone photography training

    • Unlock the potential of your phone’s camera settings

    • Get the most out of your environment’s natural and artificial lighting

    • Composition techniques

    • Smartphone lenses, apps and ring lights

    • Apps and editing with your smartphone

    • Upload images and edit or use images on the web/laptop

  • Course length: 2 hours

    • Who is it for? Beginner photographers with just a smartphone

    • Location: Your home or a mutually convenient location such as a café

    • Price £119

    • Pairs or group training with a max of 4 people at the cost of £60 each

Lauren Drage Photography

“I DID A TRAINING SESSION WITH SAMANTHA AND IT WAS HELPFUL! SHE HELPED ME LEARN HOW TO WORK WITH LIGHTING AND FLASH. SHE WAS VERY PATIENT AND PUSHED ME TO ASSESS EACH PHOTO FOR WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED. IT WAS VERY CONVENIENT AS WE DID THE SESSION AT MY HOUSE - WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!”

Landscape Photography

Landscape Photography

Nature Photography

Nature Photography

Fine Art Photography

Fine Art Photography

Photographers Blog

Photographers Blog

Food Photography Blog

Food Photography Blog

Elevate Your Business with Expert Photography Training

Do you have professional photography equipment but feel your team could use a little extra know-how? Our comprehensive business photography training sessions are designed to transform your in-house photography skills, whether you opt for a full or half-day format.

Why Choose Our Training?

  • Maximize Your Equipment: Learn how to make the most out of your existing photography gear.

  • Boost Team Skills: Enhance the capabilities of your internal team with expert guidance.

  • Save Money: Reduce the need for external photography services by improving your own in-house processes.

What You’ll Learn:

- Techniques for capturing high-quality images.

- Tips for maintaining up-to-date visuals for your brand.

- Best practices for engaging social media content.

Business photography training

Please Note: While our training is designed to empower your team, it does not replace the need for hiring a professional photographer for high-stakes projects and key promotional materials.

Interested in a webinar or workshop tailored to your business needs? Contact me directly for more details and availability.

Get in touch today to elevate your visual content and drive better engagement!

Choose gift vouchers priced from £50 to £225. Read the information below and complete the form to buy your gift certificate.

Get photography workshops or personal photography tutorial, gift vouchers for Birthdays, Christmas or other special occasions. Giving the gift of photography training can boost your loved ones' photography skills.

Portrait Photography Course

(2 half day workshops)

  • Next TBC

  • Time - 10.00 am - 1.00 pm

  • Yardley Arts, The Old School Hall (map)

This session aims to improve your portrait photography skills using both artificial and natural light. We'll study famous portrait photographers, try different lighting methods, work on posing individuals confidently, and capturing distant subjects. We'll focus on enhancing portraits with lighting and highlighting facial features. Some parts of the session will be outdoors, so dress accordingly and bring extra outfits or props. Students will take turns modeling. Notable photographers like Annie Leibovitz, Steve McCurry, Dorothea Lange, Cindy Sherman, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Irving Penn will be discussed for their contributions to photography.

Black & white portrait photography
Rim Lighting Photography
Beginner photography course
Beginner photography course

Photography for Beginners (6 week evening course)

  • Yardley Arts, The Old School Hall (map)

If you want to gain a better understanding of your camera and get out of automatic mode then this could be just the course you are looking for!

This six session practical course will cover the fundamentals of digital photography, enabling you to improve your photographic skills and boost your self-confidence in using your camera manually

Each week you will delve into essential concepts such as familiarizing yourself with the various buttons on your camera, understanding exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and mastering manual mode.

For inspiration we will be looking at highly respected photographers such as Ansel Adams, Steve McCurry, and Henri Cartier-Bresson. These traditional photographers have left a significant mark on the photography community and their work continues to influence aspiring photographers.

Although the course is based at the Arts Centre, there will be opportunities to explore and photograph the picturesque village of Yardley Hastings during the summer evenings - so please dress appropriately.

These are practical workshops, so access to a digital camera is essential. Please provide your own SD cards and have a memory stick available to store your images between sessions. It will be helpful to borrow a tripod for some sessions, but we do have one or two available. Pocket size notebook and pen are essential.

Please note that with a maximum of 8, the small class size ensures plenty of quality tutor time.

Sun Print Workshop

Sun Print (Cyanotype) Photography Workshop for Families

  • Yardley Arts, The Old School Hall (map)

Making sun prints is a fantastic outdoor art activity to do with children over summer. The process is fascinating and there’s lot to learn about the sun and shadows and it encourages children to be observant about shape, pattern and negative images. As an added bonus, the results are simply beautiful! This is a popular activity for children in particular, as once they get the hang of it, they are keen to experiment!

Sun prints, also called cyanotypes, have been used to make records of plants for hundreds of years. Sun print paper is coated with chemicals which react when exposed to sunlight.

Together, we will be collecting nature resources and learning the process of cyanotype printing.

Each family will be given tools for making a cyanotype print. Parents will help children place items onto paper and keep it out of the light. Warning! The process includes using a glass piece, and safety rules will be included in the process so all participants are safe.

What you will learn:

  • The process of creating a cyanotype (photographic negative).

  • Using nature to form prints

  • Learn set nature to collect and use for print design

  • The uses of ultraviolet light