Photography Classes

Private Photography Workshops for Couples and Best Friends

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Learn to shoot creative photography with your partner or your best friend.

This is an incredible opportunity for you and your partner or your best mate to get together and learn how to shoot creative photography.

Upon booking you will get a free consultation to determine what kind of photography you both wish to learn. Some couples want to learn different types of photography, so I will try to incorporate both in to your session.

Watch this short film to get an idea of what it’s like to join me on a couples workshop…

Private Photography Tuition for Couples and Best Friends

For more information or to book, please make contact with me directly and or just fill in this form and I’ll get back to you asap…

The Paul Hands Junior Academy of Photography

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The Paul Hands Academy of Photography

is expanding!

I have now created The Junior version on the back of a successful three months of tutoring an 11 year old lad called Marky, who is home schooled by his mother and with the help of different tutors for the subjects he’s interested in and needs.

So on the back of that success, I’ve opened this up as a junior academy for any young person aged 11+.

In fact, I even made a video about it already, wanna see it?
Here you go…..

Short promotional video for the junior academy of photography.

Since going public about the junior academy, I’ve taken on several more new students and only have limited space for this.

If you home school your child or they just love photography and you feel it would be a good idea to give them either a one off workshop or enrol them on to an ongoing course, then please get in touch with me, where you’d be welcomed to meet me at my studio and learn more about this unique idea.

Creative Christmas Gift / Present Ideas Around Photography

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Support your local artist and invest in your loved ones creative flair.

As a local photographer I’ve been creating a huge photographic documentary of the local area in Leicestershire that spans from 2012 to now.

I offer 1:1 and Group Photography Workshops based from my studio in Burbage and venture out on to location depending on the genre of photography the client has booked for.

These are available as follows:

  • 1.5 Hour Technical Session on a 1:1 basis = £150

  • 4 Hour Mini Session on a 1:1 basis = £300

  • 7 Hour Full Days Session on a 1:1 basis = £500

  • 3 Full Day Sessions Intensive Course = £1,100

  • 5 Full Day Sessions Intensive Course = £1,500

Before booking one of these 1:1 sessions you will be invited for a consultation where I can establish where your current skill set is and then design a perfect 1:1 tailored training session to hit exactly where you need the support for your practice.

You can choose to learn in the following genres on any of the sessions:

  • Technical Camera Support - Understanding how to use your camera, how it works and shooting in manual mode

  • Landscape Photography

  • Woodlands and Nature Photography

  • Sunrise and Sunset Photography

  • Urban and Rural Landscape Photography

  • Street Photography

  • Street Portraiture

  • Astro Landscape Photography

  • Post production using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop

  • Video production, filming and editing using Final Cut Pro X.

Browse a collection of unique jigsaw puzzles created from the landscape around Leicestershire.

In 2012 I started a long term project called Hinckley, Burbage & Bosworth Photographed that is still going on to this day and has given me a collection of over 11,000 photographs featuring the local landscape of which I have designed a series of artworks and products around.

Here’s just a few of what is available in my online shop…

Group Photography Update

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Photography classes, courses and workshops based from

my studio in Burbage, Leicestershire.

Ideal for beginners to intermediate photographers.

Astro Landscape Photography

I’ve got several available courses currently bookable via my online shop.

Here’s a selection of my own photography to give you some ideas…

On my workshops I teach the following:

  • How to use your camera in manual mode (if you need it)

  • How to see, read and measure the light using your on board light meter

  • How to focus where and on what properly

  • Designing a professional composition

  • Framing your shots

  • Photographic approach

  • What makes a good photograph and what doesn’t and how to break the rules

  • I also answer any questions and work on specific difficulties that you have.

On my 121 workshops, you can book a private class where I’ll tailor a course to you and if you want, you can share the class and the costs with a friend on a 122 workshop.
Ask me for more details, paul@paulhands.co.uk

April and May Group Photography Workshops

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Current Available Group Photography Classes and Workshops in April and May 2023.

This year my group photography workshops have for some reason exploded! Every course I run is getting maxed out and it’s amazing to know I’m creating a world where people can immerse themselves in the one thing I absolutely love doing, photography.

I guess it may be because my work is becoming more popular and more people know about my workshops and photography courses now. Also I bet the word is getting around about how good they are. I’m not boasting as such and certainly not suggesting my workshops are amazing but my students do say things like that. Look, here’s my latest review:

“This was without question an amazing course, well presented, we were made to feel welcome, I just wanted to know how to set my camera up, but I got a whole lot more from it, Paul explained everything in a manner you understand, nothing is to much trouble for him, he makes time for everyone, and if you don’t get it (as I didn’t) he just explains it again, I highly recommend him if you want to get more from your camera, I definitely booking another course.
Thank you Paul”
— Mark Bennett, Bald Creations
Photography Workshop Classes Leicestershire

I’ve currently got a few workshops available with limited spaces, see below:

  • April 1st 2023 - Low Light Night Time Group Photography Workshop. This is a fantastic opportunity to be deeply creative around a beautiful fishing and boating lake at night time with expert tuition and with a group of like minded people. Only 2 places left.
    Book now ————>>>

  • Saturday 15th April - I’ve got a really cool day time / evening workshop designed to feature a variety of landscapes from an urban environment, rural fields and public woodlands during Bluebell season in Burbage Common and Woods. This is perfect for beginners and up to intermediate and includes a post production exercise back in the studio after the sun sets. Only 3 places left, book now ————>>>

  • Saturday 29th April - Beginners Group Photography Workshop, ideal for people that know almost nothing about shooting with a DSLR and especially for those DSLR owners that shoot in automatic mode. In this group photography class I will teach you how to use you your camera, how to set it up and how to understand the light, shooting in manual mode and even the basics of composition. Everyone loves this short workshop on a Saturday morning. Only 2 places available for this one though. Book here ——>>>

  • Saturday 13th May - The next group workshop available is The Urban Landscape Photographers Spring Group Workshop. This is a fantastic and very exciting workshop that gives you the opportunity to try Woodland photography, urban landscape photography and street photography all on one single course. If you’re going away on holiday this year, then I recommend this workshop to set you up ready with the knowledge of almost any environment you might come across on your jollies.
    Book here ————>>>

Above all these amazing group photography workshops I’m running and booking lots of people on to, I also take on 121 private clients that have specific needs or would prefer to have more tailored tuition. I’ve got 2 dates available for the 121 workshops as they’re more personal, I have limited availability, where you’ll need to get in touch with me directly to discuss these options, which come in half day and full day packages.

Here’s a selection of my work from an archive of well over ten thousand photographs.

“I contacted Paul regarding a photography workshop for my husbands 50th birthday and I can honestly say it’s the best present he’s ever had! With a keen interest in street photography, my husband already had a passion to take pictures but he lacked the technical knowledge and ‘tricks of the trade’, which Paul has in abundance. I booked a one to one, half-day workshop and Paul tailored the session to suit. He taught my husband so much and the difference it has made is unbelievable, his photography has come on leaps and bounds. If you want to enhance your skills or broaden your creativity then I would highly recommend Paul as an inspirational tutor.”
— Chelsea Cefai

Paul Hands Photography Workshops 2022 Film

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Group Photography Workshops Film

I’m looking for more inventive ways to promote my group photography workshops to the public and have created a short film with myself starring as if I’m being interviewed. I go on to explain what has gotten me into the position of teaching photography courses and what my influences are.

I won’t bleat on too much in writing because this is really about the film that I’ve just made. So please watch it and add any comments but most importantly, if you want to get more information about, click here for the workshops.

Just a short blog today, no waffle, watch the film and get in touch if you want more info.

Subscribe to my emails to stay up to date with my courses, news and offers.

Group Photography Workshops

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Group photography workshop and short courses available in Leicestershire for beginners and intermediate levels.

Low Light Night Photography and Long Exposure Group Workshop

I’ve been working professionally as a photographer in many different areas for 10 years this year and have shot as a hobbyist for many more years. You’ll discover a burning passion for photography within me that runs so deep as if I was put on this earth for this purpose. My ethos has always been to be playful with my photography and this amazing skill I can pass on to any student that joins me on one of my workshops.

The Wharf, Hinckley - Night Time Long Exposure Group Photography Workshop

I’ve already ran four group photography workshops this year and have 4 courses available to book in the near future. My workshops are brilliant fun and ideal for photography enthusiasts / hobbyists who want to learn how to be more playful with their photography as well as learn more of the how to do’s.

I always teach people how to simplify setting up their camera and using it with zero complications but at the same giving the knowledge to my clients to be able to understand their cameras better and handing over complete creative control to them by simply explaining an easy way to make photographs in manual mode.
I’ve developed a technique to explain manual mode use that makes life so much easier for my clients.

Then I teach them how to measure the light, use the light with designing strong compositions through form, shape, framing and how to see a photograph that’s worth making.

With my workshops, my clients can take away the knowledge and manage the process on their own outside of my courses. Although many come back to get more information and do more workshops with me. I have loads of repeat customers.

Here’s a couple of reviews from clients that have done workshops with me:

“I spent a great night out learning how to take incredible night-shoot photography. It has re-inspired me to pick up my camera and start having fun again. Loads of insight & experiences shared across the group, well worth attending for all levels.”
— Matthew Lock
“Went on one of Paul’s. Workshops.. Had an excellent time and managed to learn a lot about my camera...will definitely going on more workshops with him .. explained everything in a easy to learn terms ... come away with a bit more artistic eye for a picture...I would highly recommend one of his workshops...its also a way of meeting like minded people .... great bloke and a good instructor....”
— Shaun Poxon

Below is a list of workshops that are currently available in the near future to book on to:

If you need any help or would like to chat to me about any of these workshops, then please hit this button and fill in my contact form. I’ll get back to asap.

2020 Full Programme of Photographic Workshops

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Local Photography Workshops

2020 is going to be a fully packed year for photographic workshops.

I’m planning a large series of photography workshops locally to Hinckley and all will be based around enjoying photography, having fun and playing with making pictures, making photography accessible to almost everyone.

Black Meadows, Burbage

Photography isn’t always about making beautiful and dramatic photographs. My philosophy has always been to be playful with photography. I explore my imagination to create mini stories that use my photographs to help the viewer visualise the scenes in my head.

I create photographs with context that transport you to a place where the world doesn’t exist and only your ideas do, making the ordinary seem extraordinary!

Entrance to Black Meadows, Burbage.

I’m designing a programme of workshops that covers a variety of genres to suit your desires. So far these are the ideas I have for workshops and depending up on the level of interest will depend on how far I delve in to making these workshops happen:

  • Landscape Photography in Hollycroft Park

  • Learn how to make something from nothing - Ashby Canal

  • Landscape Photography - Croft Hill

  • Night Time Landscape Photography & Private Post Production Tuition - Croft Hill

  • Urban Landscape Photography - Hinckley

  • Street Photography Using A Mobile Phone -Birmingham (inc. train)

  • Landscape and Woodland Photography - Burbage Common

  • Night Star / Landscape Photography (Secret Location) & Private Postproduction - Exclusive Workshop

  • Bluebell Photography - Hartshill Hayes

  • Rural Ramble - Location currently unknown.

These are the ideas I have for workshops next year.

Also available is private photography tuition:

  • Half Day - £175

  • Full Day -£300

Please ask about this by contacting me directly - paul@paulhands.co.uk

Also available to buy as a gift for your loved ones.


On each workshop, I’ll work closely with your current skill level to help you get to grips easily with how to do what you want to do and if you don’t know what you want to do, I’ll help you to realise what that is.

Then I’ll elevate your skill level to be more self sufficient in terms of using your camera and managing your ideas.

If you need to learn more about using your camera, you’ll learn that. If you want to learn more about composition, I’ll teach you easily and If you need to work on developing ideas of what to photograph, that’s in the bag!

Let your imagination go wild, for anything is possible!

For me this is so simple, I live and breathe photography and filmmaking.

I can teach anybody at any skill level, unless you’re a master of photography because once the technical side of photography has been succeeded, the rest is about imagination and I’ll help you to tap in to that and begin making work that surprises even yourself.

That terrifying night, creatures from afar, from worlds we didn’t know existed, arrived on Earth. They appeared / materialised in a way that we couldn’t understand. They landed and the first began to open…

Playful Photography is where it’s at!

I’ve been honing my craft for almost a decade professionally and have been taught by the best through official tuition at NWHC (level 3 and HND) and De Montfort University, where I graduated with a High 2:1 BA Honours in Photography and Video.

I’m more than just a photographer, I consider myself as an artist that uses a camera and my intentions are always to make work that I love. I wish to pass on my love for photography and help you to develop a similar passion.

I’ve learned my profession from the masters and offer much more than just how to use a camera.

Street Photography Workshop - Birmingham

This programme of workshops is currently in the design stages and are subject to change.

So for now, please simply register your interest either with an email to me paul@paulhands.co.uk

or subscribe to my blog via email for news as they come to fruition below…

Landscape Photography Workshop - Hollycroft Park

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Autumn Photography Workshop in Hollycroft Park, Hinckley

Join a like minded group of beginner photography enthusiasts to learn how to improve your photography skills.

On this workshop you’ll learn the following:

  • How to set up your camera for landscape photography

  • How to design a frame and use professional compositional techniques

  • How to study the light and create form in your pictures

  • What to photograph and how to identify a good picture before you look through your viewfinder

  • You’ll learn how to adjust the settings on your camera to go with the flow and be more natural making photographs

  • You’ll learn this on a nice Sunday evening in September during Autumn and be with a group of like minded people.

All you will need:

Clothes, shoes, digital camera, a tripod (if you have one) and a love for nature.

You can find more information and book one of the limited places using this link.

If you can’t make this date, sign up for news to your email inbox about up coming workshops.

Woodland Bluebell Photography Workshop

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Outdoor Woodland Photography Class, Leicestershire.

For people interested in learning to make better photographs using professional techniques.

Paul Hands BA (hons) will be running this course.

First of all, I'm an experienced photographer and filmmaker that has been running workshops for the past 5 years now.  My style is very relaxed and aimed at helping you to think for yourself and to discover a higher level of creativity that you didn't realise you had.

The fun part is we'll be walking around the woodlands at Burbage Common and amongst the Bluebells and making photographs that would be worthy of printing artwork for your own home.

Originally I had the workshop open for 7 people and now I'm closing 2 places to make it a smaller workshop with just 5 spaces.  This is so that the people booking on the course get more of my time helping them with their photographs.  Two spaces have already been booked, leaving 3 spaces, so if you would like to join us on this photographic adventure on May 12th for a few hours on a Saturday morning, click on the link below.