Photography Holiday Courses and Workshops in France
Photo HERO Course - FAQ
The Photo HERO course is for photo-enthusiasts.
Photo HERO Frequently Asked Questions - Menu
Who is the Photo HERO Course for?
How long is the Photo HERO Course?
What does the Photo HERO Course cover?
What does a Photo HERO Course cost and what does the price include?
When are the Photo HERO Courses for 2023?
How do I get to Studio Lavalette?
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Who is the Photo HERO Course for?
Have you got a digital camera and not sure how to get the best out of it? Are you stuck in Automatic Mode and want to learn more about your camera’s other features and functions? If you love photography, you need to spend some dedicated time, in a relaxed environment and really understand how to improve your techniques.
Whatever your choice of camera or photographic ability, the Photo HERO Course will make you into a photo hero in six days or less! In fact we guarantee that by the end of day one you’ll be taking better photos!
In a group of no more than six people and with an expert at your side, we’ll teach you using our STEP Method®*, and show you all the fun, tips and tricks that digital photography has to offer!
* STEP Method ® = Seeing, Taking, Editing and Printing
If the Photo HERO Course is not for you, click on the links below and have a look at the other Courses and Workshops on offer:
To make a Booking please follow this link.
How long is the Photo HERO Course?
A Photo HERO Course lasts 6 days and starts with our Welcome Dinner on a Saturday at 19:15, when we run through the Course Program. The Photo HERO Course ends after dinner on the following Friday - you leave the next day, a Saturday.
A teaching day consists of two Sessions, each lasting around 3-4 hours – that’s over 35 hours of expert tuition, but there's plenty of time to relax, read, go for a stroll, or take a dip in the pool. Teaching takes place on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - Tuesday is your day off!
Our times are flexible, as we may go for a dawn or sunset shoot, or take a picnic lunch somewhere, but on a typical day a continental breakfast is served at 9:00 with the first Session starting at 10:00. We break for lunch at 13:00, and with the exception of the last day, the afternoon Session starts at 14:00 and ends at 17:00. Dinner is served at 19:15.
What does the Photo HERO Course cover?
The Photo HERO Course covers all the fundamental aspects of digital photography including:
- how to take stunning photographs - the rules of good composition and how to get the best camera position;
- the features and functions of your camera and lenses – how and when to use them;
- lots of on location visits – we'll shoot Villebois-Lavalette; some of the most picturesque towns in SW France; rolling countryside and vineyards; châteaux; rivers; and rustic, pastoral French villages - (see the galleries on the French Factor page);
- managing the basic editing of your photos – how Lightroom works and why it’s an essential tool for the photographer;
- manipulation – how to use Photoshop to make your images "pop";
- printing and image storage – how to print photos properly as well as safeguard their future;
- personalised notes relating to the Course, with how-to's and Don's recipes;
- free online post-course support; and…
- ….lots, lots more!
What does a Photo HERO Course cost and what does the price include?
The price for the Photo HERO Course is £1,399.00. We are pleased to welcome your non-photographer partner/friend to accompany you at a cost of £699.00. Prices include:
- dinner (with wine), bed, breakfast and lunch for 7 nights and 7 days;
- free collection from, and return to, Angoulême railway station*
- transportation to and from on-location photo-shoots;
- occasional use/trial of our stock of digital cameras, lenses and lighting equipment;
- 4 A4 prints of your best work;
- printed/PDF notes of all Course presentations and tutorials;
- on-site Wi-Fi;
- all local taxes;
- use of the Studio, grounds and swimming pool; and
- a 15% discount off any future Studio Lavalette Courses or Workshops you attend – we want to see you again!
The cost of the Photo HERO Course does NOT include:
- your own health, travel, holiday and photo equipment/clothes insurance;
- *if you are arriving into/departing from either Bergerac, Bordeaux or Limoges airports there is a charge of 120 Euros per trip in each direction; and
- your transportation costs from your home to either Angoulême railway station or Bergerac, Bordeaux or Limoges airports and vice versa.
All Terms and Conditions are on the Booking webpage, which you will find here.
When are the Photo HERO Courses for 2023?
All Photo HERO Courses for 2023 start at 19:00 on a Saturday, with our Welcome Dinner, and end after dinner on the following Friday, with you leaving the next day, a Saturday.
| Arrival Date | Departure Date | Places |
| Sat 13-May | Sat 20-May | FULL |
| Sat 24-Jun | Sat 1-Jul | FULL |
| Sat 2-Sep | Sat 10-Sep | Open |
| Sat 30-Sep | Sat 7-Oct | Open |
Special Note: If the airline timetable doesn’t fit with our dates, do let us know and, (for discounted price), we’ll do our best to accommodate you in the Studio either before or after the Course.
To checkout the Availability of Places, please follow this link, which opens a new webpage.
You can quickly and easily book a Photo HERO Course by following this link.
How do I get to Studio Lavalette?
We have comprehensive notes on how to get to Studio Lavalette that you will find on this page.
For those coming on the Photo HERO Course, we recommend you bring the following essentials:
- your camera, lenses, camera bag, memory cards, battery charger and any other equipment you might have/need;
- a laptop, if you have one;
- comfortable clothes and walking shoes – there’s no serious hiking involved, but we will get out and about quite a bit;
- a hat/cap or sun cream – the sun can get quite strong here; and
- an anorak – sometimes it rains !
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