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Photography Holiday in Dordogne

Highlights

  • Expert tutor with 18 years of experience to teach, guide & inspire you.
  • Local photography excursion to put skill into practice on location.
  • Delicious 4 course meals every night & all other meals are included.
From £1205 pp
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What you'll do

Overview

Unleash the creative within on this fantastic 7 night photography holiday set in the Dordogne and allow your photography skills to develop and flourish through small group and individual tuition during fun, organised excursions to fantastic local sites in this stunning region of France.

2024 holiday start dates:

23 March
20 April
11 May
8 June
6 July
3 & 31 August
28 September
26 October

This photography holiday beautifully combines intensive teaching sessions with plenty of free time to ensure that you get the most out of your photography holiday. The small class sizes mean that this holiday can be tailored to your individual needs and preferences and you will receive large amounts of individual advice and attention.

Your hosts believe that despite the fantastic development of the digital camera, the basics of taking a good photograph remain as fundamental today as they were a century ago. During this 7 night / 8 day photography holiday you will be given expert tuition to improve your understanding and use of light, technique and composition in order to transform your photographic abilities.

Your photography classes will have no more than 4 students to maintain a high level of one-to-one tuition and you will develop your photograph composition and technique as well as your ability to manipulate and adjust your photographs using state of the art technology in the onsite studio set up.

In addition, you will be taken on 6 planned excursions. Enjoyable visits to stunning countryside locations, a traditional French chateau and the vibrant local market will give you the opportunity to take beautiful photos and learn how to put your newly found photography skills to the test on the go.

Buried deep in the beautiful French Countryside, yet only 6 miles from Brantome in the Dordogne, is our lovely 17th century home and studio in Les Ages, your base for your week’s photographic workshop. From the moment you arrive, for a full 7 days, you can relax and soak up the unique atmosphere, whilst pursuing your passion for photography to the full.

 

All rooms have WiFi, a flat screen TV and ensuite bathroom and there are no single supplements for solo travellers. A reduced price is available for a non participating partner who would like to join you without taking part in the photography lessons.

Course introduction and welcome dinner

Everything is included during the week; all meals and drinks (including meals taken out), along with all transportation into the local areas. When you arrive at our door you need not spend an extra euro, everything is included. Your hosts offer an optional portrait lesson and the payment to the model is divided between guests, normally around 20 euro per photographer.

– On arrival after 4.00pm, you will be given a short introduction outlining the week ahead (the itinerary may change and is dependent upon weather conditions and guests preferences) and the opportunity to tell your hosts what you hope to gain from your stay.
– The rest of the afternoon is free for you to settle in and explore the hamlet of Les Ages, a very rural 17th century time capsule.
– The day will end with a delicious 4-course meal with wine where you will get to know your hosts and fellow guests.

Accommodation

Stay in charming 17th century accommodation. All rooms are en-suite and have been lovingly restored, offering rustic charm with modern day comforts.

 

Explore the local area

– After breakfast, you will be studying the fundamentals of photography and the structure of what makes a ‘good photograph’.
– You will be comparing classic photos to modern digital images to understand how today’s technology emulates the basic rules.
– Then it’s off to Brantome to put into practice your photography skills.
– If the weather permits, lunch will take the place in the garden back at Les Ages.
– Around 5.00pm, you will review your images from the day with your tutor and look into the basics of composition, exposure and editing.
– At the end of the day, another sociable 5 course meal with wine cooked by Pam.

Accommodation

Free morning

– Today is a free morning, where you will have a chance to do your own thing
– Work at your computer, explore the delights of the local area (perhaps visiting a lovely Chateau) or just relax in the garden until lunch
– One to one tuition will be on hand in the evening from 5.00pm, where you can ask advice on any aspect of your photography
– The day will finish with a delicious 5 course meal with wine

Accommodation

Off the beaten track

– Today you will take a trip to the local area, a ‘Beau Village’ (a beautiful village of France), that offers great photographic opportunities, off the tourist track!
– At 5pm, back in the studio will review the day’s photos and look into ‘Photoshop adjustment layers’ and learn how to apply and control ‘non destructive’ editing.
– Working until around 7.00pm, we you will then be served a delicious 5 course meal.

 

Market day

– Photograph a large bustling French market this morning that offers fantastic ‘street photography’.
– A visit to a French market is a delight for the eyes and you will be surrounded by colours and practice capturing the atmosphere of the bustling market goers.
– Lunch is taken at a local restaurant in the market area and is included in the price.
– After recharging back at base, review our images taken from the day and over a buffet style supper we critique your chosen images.

 

Free morning

– Enjoy the flexibility of a free morning.
– You can spend the morning in the studio, looking back through the images taken so far, or possibly explore Les Ages, where you will find an abundance of potential images. Lunch is served in the garden.
– During the afternoon you will review the photos of the day and look into portrait photography.
– Enjoy another fantastic 4 course meal with your fellow guests this evening.

 

 

 

Early morning shoot

– There is an option to do an early morning shoot to capture the dawn light. You will be taken to one of the many local Chateaux that captures the sunrise.
– Return for a hearty breakfast.
– You then head to the market of Brantome where you will capture its vibrant colour.
– Lunch is taken at a well chosen restaurant in Brantome, again included in the price.
– In the afternoon you can pick your top 4 photos from the week to printed A3.
– A buffet style supper is served with a Q/A session to round up the week.

Departure

– Check out at 10am after breakfast and take your newfound photography skills and memories home with you.

What's included

Included

  • 7 nights accommodation in twin or double ensuite room with WiFi and a flat screen television
  • 6 photography excursions into the surrounding villages and countryside
  • All transportation for photography excursions
  • One-to-one photographic tuition and advice from cameras and lenses to the fundamentals of successful composition and getting the best from state-of-the art software
  • 24/7 access to your own dedicated Apple Mac workstation with Photoshop CS6 for the duration of your stay
  • A full studio set up for you to link your camera into and use at your leisure of with tuition
  • Access to Epson R3000 A3+ printer
  • All meals are included - delicious daily breakfast, lunch and 4 course evening meal
  • We are happy to cater for vegans and vegetarians
Your local host

Paul & Pam

Your hosts, Paul and Pam, look forward to welcoming you to their fantastic photography school and warm home environment. Paul has worked as a professional photographer for the last 18 years and is qualified to ARPS level (Associate of the Royal Photographic Society). Before this he was also the chairman of his local Photography Society before moving to France to pursue his passion for photography. Paul will provide you with engaging group and one-to-one tuition to ensure that your stay is productive and valuable. Paul’s wife Pam has a background in education and is a fantastic cook. She happily takes into account the diverse dietary requirements of her guests and produces delicious 4 course dinners in the evenings. Pam loves cooking tr... Read All

Your hosts, Paul and Pam, look forward to welcoming you to their fantastic photography school and warm home environment. Paul has worked as a professional photographer for the last 18 years and is qualified to ARPS level (Associate of the Royal Photographic Society). Before this he was also the chairman of his local Photography Society before moving to France to pursue his passion for photography. Paul will provide you with engaging group and one-to-one tuition to ensure that your stay is productive and valuable. Paul’s wife Pam has a background in education and is a fantastic cook. She happily takes into account the diverse dietary requirements of her guests and produces delicious 4 course dinners in the evenings. Pam loves cooking traditional French and English food as well as specialising in vegetarian and gluten-free dishes.

Paul & Pam image

Location

This charming photography school in the Dordogne region of France provides top quality facilities, accommodation and cuisine. Set in a pretty and traditional village just 6 miles from Brantôme, the photography school provides peaceful countryside photo-shoot locations as well as exciting and equally photogenic excursions to nearby sites of interest.

Nearest airport: Bergerac (37 miles away) or you can also fly to Limoges (42 miles away)

Arrive on day 1 from 3pm and check out on day 8 at 10am

 

What our travellers are saying...

This workshop was all I'd hoped for,and so much more!! The home/studio is located in a medieval dream location.Paul, is a master photographer in all genres, and a patient, excellent instructor. Pam, is a gourmand with her meals, and charming!! If you love photography, GO! You will not regret it:)))

b mcrae

Paul and Pam are the most amazing hosts. Paul's patience is endless and Pam's cooking is fantastic and beautifully presented. I have gone from a very nervous beginner to a more confident photographer in just a week. I was made to feel welcome from the outset and with just one other person on the course, there was ample time for help and tuition, without being overbearing. Having said that, when your co-guest is a world renown wildlife photographe

J Frampton

FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

- Suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced
- Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult
- Courses have a maximum of 4 people in each group, singles are very welcome as you'll meet others with a passion for photography and there are NO single supplements

When does it run?

- Photography holidays are 7 nights / 8 days
- Check in from 3pm on day 1, and check out at 10am on day 8

What should I bring?

- You will need your camera, batteries/chargers and memory cards as well as any other equipment you may want to bring along with you
- Comfortable, weather proof clothing is essential as you will be out and about in the local area

What's the nearest train station?

The nearest station is Perigueux station, this is a direct service from Bordeaux and a 30min drive from your hosts.

The main station serving them is Angouleme - this is a TGV station from Paris or Lille. This is a 1hr drive from your hosts.

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