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Photography Courses

Our classes

Photography 5 Day Foundation

Photography 5 Day Foundation

Take your photography to the next level with our Photography 5 Day Foundation course, an immersive week designed for those ready to refine their technical expertise and creative vision. Guided by industry professionals, you’ll explore street, portrait, food/product, and wildlife photography, developing the skills to produce impactful images and build a professional-standard portfolio.

This hands-on course will push your creativity while deepening your understanding of composition, lighting, storytelling, and workflow. By the end, you’ll have a diverse body of work and the confidence to approach different photography genres with skill and intention.

What You Will Learn

Over the course of the week you will get to experience:

  • Enhance your technical skills, including camera settings, composition, and lighting
  • Experiment with multiple genres: street, portrait, food/product, and wildlife photography
  • Use natural and studio lighting to create different moods and effects
  • Explore storytelling and the aesthetics of photographic narrative
  • Build an efficient workflow for editing and post-production
  • Develop your individual photographic voice
  • Create and refine a professional portfolio, ready for presentation or printing
  • Critique your own work to refine style and technique

What You Will Learn

Benefits of taking this course

Photography isn’t just about taking pictures, it’s about telling stories, expressing creativity, and capturing the world from your unique perspective. This course will:

  • Expand your skill set across a wide range of photography genres
  • Boost your confidence to work in different environments, from bustling streets to wildlife settings
  • Teach you professional lighting and composition techniques for stunning results
  • Provide personalised feedback from experienced photographers
  • Help you prepare a polished, portfolio-ready collection of images
  • Equip you with knowledge for managing a photography business or pursuing paid opportunities

Master Your Camera

Gain full control over manual settings for creative precision

Street to Studio

Experience diverse environments and lighting setups

Tell Visual Stories

Compose images that speak to viewers and convey meaning

Wildlife Close-Up

Learn patience, timing, and field techniques for nature photography

Portfolio Ready

Curate and present your work like a professional

Course Content

On day one you will be focusing on Street Photography. You will take to the streets of London to learn about Documentary and Street photography.

  • Learn how to capture moments in time that tell a story
  • Learn how to shoot on the move in a variety of environments

The different aspects of Portrait Photography will be the focus of day two. Working with a portrait photographer, you’ll develop your own style whilst practising a range of different techniques.

  • Experiment with aperture to capture different emotions in your portraits
  • Work with natural and artificial lighting to give your portrait a different feel
  • Play with composition and framing to create different images
  • Learn how to work with a model to give you the photo you want

For day three you will be looking at Food and Product Photography. You’ll learn how to take impactful and effective images and see how commercial product photography works.

  • Use creative set-ups and arrangements for close up product shots
  • Use aperture to create interesting backdrops to give texture
  • Learn how to light a product with natural/artificial lighting

Learn about the essential skills required for successful Wildlife Photography during day four. In a natural environment, you’ll get a hands-on experience of observing and photographing wild animals.

  • Develop your timing skills and work on your ‘decisive moment’
  • Use stalking skills for an effective photograph
  • Experiment with camera modes: manual and shutter/aperture priority

Having looked at and tried a range of photography styles throughout the week, the last day of the course will look at Portfolio Building, workflow and tips on starting/developing your own photography business.

  • Learn basic editing principles to enhance your images
  • Receive individual critique and feedback from your tutor on selected images
  • Hear insights on managing your own photography business and the necessary skills needed for success

(Please note that the schedule for this course can change due to weather conditions for the wildlife session, your course tutors will update you if any sessions have moved day).

CLASSES STARTING SOON

DATE DAY TIME (BST) DURATION TUTOR VENUE PRICE BOOKING
10 Nov 2025 - 14 Nov 2025 Mon 10:00-16:00 5 days (Monday - Friday) City Academy Photography Tutors Photoion Studio, Waterloo £595.00
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9 Mar 2026 - 13 Mar 2026 Mon 10:00-16:00 5 days (Monday - Friday) City Academy Photography Tutors Photoion Studio, Waterloo £595.00
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22 Jun 2026 - 26 Jun 2026 Mon 10:00-16:00 5 days (Monday - Friday) City Academy Photography Tutors Photoion Studio, Waterloo £595.00
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7 Sep 2026 - 11 Sep 2026 Mon 10:00-16:00 5 days (Monday - Friday) City Academy Photography Tutors Photoion Studio, Waterloo £595.00
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Useful information

Yes, this course is for photographers who already know their camera’s functions and understand shutter speed, ISO, and aperture.

A DSLR or camera with full manual controls is recommended. Bring a flash and tripod if available. You may borrow a camera for class use, but it cannot be taken outside of class time.

No, this course combines indoor studio sessions with on-location shoots across London, and an outdoor wildlife photography session (weather-dependent).

You’ll finish with a diverse portfolio, receive feedback from your tutor, and gain guidance on next steps – whether pursuing personal projects, starting a photography business, or advancing to more specialised photography courses.

HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS

Our students talk us through what they learnt over the 5 days, about their camera, and themselves!

Other students have also enjoyed

Many of our student go on to explore other creative areas to broaden their skills and keep their inspiration flowing. Whether it’s diving into a new art form, building on your current abilities, or simply trying something different for fun, these courses are a great way to continue your journey with us

DATE DAY TIME (BST) DURATION TUTOR VENUE PRICE BOOKING
10 Nov 2025 - 14 Nov 2025 Mon 10:00-16:00 5 days (Monday - Friday) City Academy Photography Tutors Photoion Studio, Waterloo £595.00
Book Now
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9 Mar 2026 - 13 Mar 2026 Mon 10:00-16:00 5 days (Monday - Friday) City Academy Photography Tutors Photoion Studio, Waterloo £595.00
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22 Jun 2026 - 26 Jun 2026 Mon 10:00-16:00 5 days (Monday - Friday) City Academy Photography Tutors Photoion Studio, Waterloo £595.00
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7 Sep 2026 - 11 Sep 2026 Mon 10:00-16:00 5 days (Monday - Friday) City Academy Photography Tutors Photoion Studio, Waterloo £595.00
Book Now
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Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
7 Dec 2026 - 11 Dec 2026 Mon 10:00-16:00 5 days (Monday - Friday) City Academy Photography Tutors Photoion Studio, Waterloo £595.00
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PAYMENT OPTIONS

ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS

Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833.

CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS

Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 38 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4RN
Cheque - You can also pay by cheque by filling out this form (click here) and posting it to the address above.

CANCELLATIONS POLICY

We offer a full refund or full credit if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend. Please note bookings are non-transferable after 72 hours.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)

10% DISCOUNT AVAILABLE

If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.

DATE DAY TIME (BST) DURATION TUTOR VENUE PRICE BOOKING
10 Nov 2025 - 14 Nov 2025 Mon 10:00-16:00 5 days (Monday - Friday) City Academy Photography Tutors Photoion Studio, Waterloo £595.00
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
9 Mar 2026 - 13 Mar 2026 Mon 10:00-16:00 5 days (Monday - Friday) City Academy Photography Tutors Photoion Studio, Waterloo £595.00
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
22 Jun 2026 - 26 Jun 2026 Mon 10:00-16:00 5 days (Monday - Friday) City Academy Photography Tutors Photoion Studio, Waterloo £595.00
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
7 Sep 2026 - 11 Sep 2026 Mon 10:00-16:00 5 days (Monday - Friday) City Academy Photography Tutors Photoion Studio, Waterloo £595.00
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
7 Dec 2026 - 11 Dec 2026 Mon 10:00-16:00 5 days (Monday - Friday) City Academy Photography Tutors Photoion Studio, Waterloo £595.00
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course

PAYMENT OPTIONS

ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS

Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833.

CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS

Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 38 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4RN
Cheque - You can also pay by cheque by filling out this form (click here) and posting it to the address above.

CANCELLATIONS POLICY

We offer a full refund or full credit if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend. Please note bookings are non-transferable after 72 hours.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)

10% DISCOUNT AVAILABLE

If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.

All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class.

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