Workshop FAQs

• Will we visit all the locations used to advertise a particular workshop?

  The images we use to advertise each workshop may well be visited, but we cannot guarantee it. This is because we react to the weather conditions at the time to make sure we're in the best possible place for those conditions, rather than sticking to a rigid itinerary or list of locations. If you are particularly keen to visit a specific location please let us know in advance and we will do our best to get you there, if suitable conditions present themselves.

• What type of accommodation do we stay in?

  This varies depending upon workshop location. Many of our longer UK-based workshops use luxury self-catering accommodation, as this tends to allow us a much more flexible itinerary. In this case we try to book properties large enough for each participant to have their own bedroom and bathroom whenever possible. Shorter UK-based workshops tend to use hotel accommodation, where again everyone has their own bedroom and bathroom. Overseas workshops are all hotel-based. Some are priced on sharing a twin-ensuite room, whilst others are based on everyone having a single ensuite room. The workshop information we send out clarifies this for each particular workshop.

• Are you able to cater for specialised diets?

  On most of our workshops it is easy enough for us to cater for those with a vegetarian diet. However, anyone with a more specialised diet (including vegan) should speak to us before booking. In some of the more remote locations we visit there can be a very limited choice of food options. During some of our UK-based workshops we use luxury self-catering accommodation. On these trips Guy will be volunteering to do the cooking in order to be much more flexible with mealtimes. This is another occasion where specialised diets can be difficult to cater for, unless you're happy to lend a hand!

• Will we cover any Photoshop techniques?

  ​During most of the 3-day+ workshops I will try to include some basic image processing guidance. I try to leave this for any periods of poor weather or light, but I will at the very least explain some of the processes required to make the most of the images you have taken during the workshop. Please don't expect me to teach you Photoshop or Lightroom from scratch, as there are dedicated courses available for that! If you have a particular image that you're struggling to process feel free to bring it along and, if we have time, I will see if I can help. It is also worthwhile bringing a small selection of your previous work for me to critique during the workshop, if time allows.

• What level of photographic equipment is required?

  ​This varies depending upon the specific workshop in question. Most landscape workshops require only a modest set of equipment. If you’re unsure what to bring please seek my advice. If you intend to invest in any new equipment for a workshop I’m always happy to offer advice. I hate to see people spend a lot of money on equipment that isn’t ideal for their needs. I have made plenty of equipment mistakes myself over the past 25 years, so please feel free to benefit from my experience!

• Your workshops are all full…how do I book on one?

  ​My workshops have become very popular and I now have a waiting list for all of them. Details of new workshops are sent out to those on my waiting lists first, but with 70% repeat business most places are usually booked before I get a chance to advertise any openings on my website. If you're interested in a particular workshop the best thing to do is contact me by email to register your interest. Your name will then be placed on the waiting list for that workshop and as soon as I'm able to offer you a place I will get in touch. If you would like to find out your position on the waiting list just let me know. When my waiting lists get too long I normally try to fit in two or more workshops to that location in the same year, so you may not have to wait too long for a place.

• Do you have a set itinerary for each workshop?

  ​No, I prefer to remain as flexible as possible and let the weather conditions on each day dictate location choice. That way I can try to make sure we are always in the best spots for whatever conditions we face. I only run workshops in locations that I know well, so I always have a long list of good locations to head for, whatever the weather!

• Is there a single room supplement?

  ​In some cases no, the accommodation tends to be based on single occupancy of a bedroom, usually with your own bathroom. However, I recommend that you check the individual details for each workshop, as some parts of the trip might require you to share. Longer overseas trips tend to be based on sharing a room, although a single supplement is usually an option. We keep the cost of any single supplement charges as low as possible.

• What can I do if I don’t own the necessary telephoto lenses for the wildlife workshops?

  ​I usually recommend hiring a lens (and possibly a more suitable tripod to go with it) from www.lensesforhire.co.uk, for which I can offer a discount code. This also provides an opportunity to try out a fast telephoto lens at a reasonable cost. Just ask for my advice before booking anything.

• How do I get to the workshop location?

  For UK-based workshops I usually try to collect people en-route if practical, or from an airport or train station closer to our destination. For overseas workshops we normally meet at the airport, either in the UK or at our destination. We do not get involved in the booking of flights, but we will suggest the most appropriate flights for you to take from the UK. Please ask our advice if you have any travel related questions.

• Should I restrict the amount of equipment I bring with me?

  ​I always suggest carrying as much equipment as you’re able to. If you leave something at home you can bet that’s the one thing you’ll miss during the workshop! There’s always plenty of room in the vehicles we use. Both Easyjet and British Airways have reasonable cabin baggage policies if you select the right fare.

• Will we be making use of early and late light?

  ​Absolutely! The period around sunrise and sunset offers the best conditions for photography, so I’ll always try to ensure that we’re in a good location at this time of the day. The photography always takes priority over mealtimes on our workshops!

• Are these workshops suitable for those looking for a relaxing holiday taking photographs?

  ​Maybe not! The emphasis is very much on learning and obtaining a varied selection of impressive photographs during each trip. We usually have quite a hectic schedule and I’ll always try to fit in as much as possible during a workshop. Weather permitting we’ll always be up well before dawn and we’ll often stay out until after sunset (during long summer days we tend to have a break during the middle of the day). Please don't expect a relaxing holiday, as that is not what my workshops are about! You may feel rather tired afterwards, but you’ll have received good value for money and you'll have enough images to keep you busy with editing for a while!

• Why are food costs not included?

  ​As we tend to eat when and where we can it’s impossible for me to calculate the expected food costs for a whole workshop. Therefore it works in everyone’s favour (especially vegetarians and those with smaller appetites) if we simply pay our own food costs as we go along. This way you don’t end up paying any more for food than you actually need to.

• Will we eat at regular times?

  ​We try to, but these are photography workshops (not holidays!) so the photography always takes priority. Sometimes we’ll eat at odd hours and on occasions we’ll need to buy sandwiches to eat on the go.

• How many participants will there be on each workshop?

  ​On all of my UK based landscape photography workshops I only ever take three participants. Although this increases the cost of the trip for each person I feel there is no other way to run a successful landscape photography workshop, especially in coastal locations. You will be free to explore each location as much as you wish but there is often only one ideal shooting position. Therefore, with only two fellow photographers, you will all be assured a chance to make the most of each location. I will also be able to offer advice on a more individual basis as required by each participant. On overseas landscape workshops there will normally be six participants, but I run most of these with the help of a local photographer or guide, leaving me free to offer you more help.

• Are the workshops suitable for beginners?

  In most cases yes, and I often have beginners on my workshops. As I work mainly with very small groups I’m able to provide help on a more individual basis to those who need it most. Some workshops are more suitable for beginners than others, so it's best to ask this question when you send your initial enquiry.

• Will Guy be taking photographs himself during the workshop?

  ​Yes. Although I realise that this can be a bone of contention on some workshops, personally I feel that there is a great deal that can be learnt from watching how a professional photographer works in the field – lens choice, shooting position, filter choice etc. In many locations I find it easier to select the ideal shooting position when composing the image myself and I can then show you why I chose that particular composition. However, I never let my own photography get in the way and I’m always there for you to ask questions at any time. You’ll be free to look through my viewfinder at any point to see the sort of composition I’m choosing myself. The fact that I tend to work only with very small groups makes it easier for me to teach in this way.