Photographs are a great way of telling a story and allowing you to capture moments, emotions and stories in a single frame. The workshop provides an invaluable framework for storytelling that you can use in any situation from a walk in the park to a holiday, or a special event.

Visual storytelling is the art of using your photography to capture the essence of a situation and communicate a unique narrative from a personal point of view.

We explore visual frameworks and techniques to tell a story, where each photograph has a distinct and discrete role. Presented together these images create a compelling story with a clear narrative structure that provides inspiration, coherence and variety. I provide camera settings and prompts for multiple scenarios, so that you can develop your skills in setting up and photographing in a wide variety of situations.

This workshop develops the skills to identify key threads in a story; removing duplication and selecting only the pivotal images. We look at how to plan effectively and to choose themes that inspire you and develop your personal voice.

Visual storytelling is ideal for all levels of photography. The day is a mixture of classroom learning and outdoor hands-on practice, with plenty of time for 1-2-1 tuition.

Please bring your camera with fully charged batteries and formatted memory cards. A standard mid-range zoom lens is perfect and bring a longer lens if you have one.

From 10 am to 4 pm at the Barnes Wetland Centre. Booking Essential.

As a result of popular demand, we are running a course on everything that happens after you take your photographs! We cover best practice photography processes you can use to distil your photographs down to the strongest images for you to process and bring out the very best results.

Photo-Management

We look at the optimal workflow for photography, including:

•  A systematic process for managing and developing your images

•  Storage and back up – what, where and how

•  Downloading images, rating, ranking and filtering out the very best.

Processing & Developing

Retouching should be subtle but effective and impactful, and this is our focus when we process and develop the photographs to bring out the essence and impact in each image. In this workshop we use Adobe products, but we will talk about alternatives and teach universal principles that can be applied to the software of your choice.

Feedback Session

There is also an opportunity for students to share 5-10 images in order to receive positive and constructive feedback, highlighting what is working and where there are opportunities to elevate your photography further. Please bring your computer and a number of photographs you would like to work on in the workshop.

From 10 am to 4 pm at the Barnes Wetland Centre. Booking Essential.

Composition is the placement and arrangement of elements within the frame. A striking image simplifies the cluttered world and creates visual order – communicating a powerful message and guiding the viewer along a clear and intentional path.

In this course we explore compositional guidelines and look at examples to help translate what we saw in our mind’s eye into a striking photographic image.

We examine the role of focus and sharpness in photography, and how to use our camera settings to enhance the overall impact of the image.

We also look at camera lenses and how to capture both sweeping impressions and finer details using focal length to reveal inspiring new perspectives.

Capturing the natural world at this time of year, with avian courtship and the arrival of chicks and young, can be challenging but also hugely rewarding! The course takes advantage of the beautiful setting, using the wildlife and nature around us as our subjects, including a variety of birds and wildlife.

From 10 am to 4 pm at the Barnes Wetland Centre. Booking Essential.

"The best camera is the one with you" – Chase Jarvis

Due to popular demand I am running beginners and more advanced workshops on smartphone photography. All smartphones are welcome and these workshops are online so you can attend from wherever you are.

Week 1 focuses on all the fundamental techniques for taking great photographs, including camera settings, filters and functions, as well as focus and sharpness.

Week 2 builds on these skills and looks at shooting modes, editing and enhancing photographs, as well as composition and how to manage challenging light.

From 10 am to 12 pm. £50 for one workshop or £80 for two.

"A great workshop and the end results from the group were stunning – we all signed up immediately for more. I’d recommend Jackie whatever your level of skill or knowledge" – David Hartley

"I’m buzzing from the most amazing workshop with Jackie on how to take great photos with your phone! I can’t recommend the session highly enough, whether you take photos for work or pleasure. Time flew by and I can’t wait to implement what I’ve learned." – Isobel Penny

"Brilliant, I highly recommend it! Loved the structure and the artistic angle with the technical information." – Tina Southgate

Capturing a decisive moment is the perfect blend of form and timing!

In photography we are looking to capture the essence of a subject in a way which resonates and brings it to life. When a perfect moment is captured, the viewer is immediately drawn into the image and pauses to gaze more closely.

Capturing the decisive moment is relevant to all genres of photography, but none more so than wildlife photography where one fraction of a second can be fundamentally different to the next. Micro adjustments and alterations make all the difference between taking an unremarkable image and capturing a truly perfect moment.

In this workshop we examine the specific details, from anticipation and timing, to composition and how to frame your subject, to managing the technical details and settings on your camera in order to capture the perfect moment.

From 10 am to 4 pm at the Barnes Wetland Centre. Booking Essential.