Photography Courses in Surrey for Complete Beginners
Because You Didn't Buy a Great Camera Just to Use it on Auto!
Get Your Camera off Auto in Just One Morning - Guaranteed
Tailor-Made 1-1 & 1-2 Photography Lessons in Guildford With Local Professional Photographer, Anna Saverimuttu
Learn to Take Photos Like a Pro
"Just had a 3.5 hour 1:1 with Anna and I cannot believe the amount I learnt. I believe I have learnt more in this 3.5 hours than I have over the last 20+ years with my camera. Great pace, combination of some theory and some practice and covered both technical aspects (made easy to understand) and creative aspects around composition and use of light. I would recommend this workshop for anyone interested in increasing their knowledge of the camera and it has given me the confidence to take the camera off of Auto and Scene and switch it to manual!" Tom Bird
Any of This Sound Familiar?
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Disappointing Photos Do you own a fancy camera but feel that your photos could be SO MUCH BETTER? Are they sometimes a bit blurry, too dark, too bright? Or maybe they're just not very exciting? |
Complete Camera Confusion Do you want to understand the important controls without having to wade through the whole of the manual? Has all that technical jargon scrambled your brain so you've left the camera on Auto? |
Information Overload Have you spent ages disappearing down a million YouTube rabbit holes trying to find out which button does what and why, but are still none the wiser? |
If You Answered "Yes", You're Not Alone!
If This is How You See Your Camera, Let's Fix That Now!
Or Call Me - 01483 571119/07768 975053
Owning a fancy camera is SO exciting! At last you'll be able to capture:
Professional-looking portraits of your family and friends, gorgeous landscapes in your favourite places, stunning nature and wildlife images, dramatic action shots, beautiful details and impressive product shots.
Except, that's not what usually happens!
Somehow, when you press the shutter, the results just don't live up to your expectations at all. The camera doesn't behave as you expected it to and does weird things! You don't know what this button's for or that dial. Your photos look so ORDINARY or they come out blurry, really dark or out of focus - and you've absolutely no idea why!
In short, the results are nothing like what you were hoping for - your phone does a much better job!
It's tempting at this stage to:
Give up in despair, just leave the camera on Auto and trust it to do a good job, stick it in the back of a cupboard, search desperately online for the answers and feel overwhelmed by all the information out there, or go back to using your phone!
But it Doesn't Have to Be This Way!
Can you imagine knowing PRECISELY how to set up your camera in ANY SITUATION and for ANY SUBJECT? Just like a professional?
How would that transform the quality of your photography and the pleasure you got from using your camera?
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WELCOME TO CAMERA MASTERY IN A MORNING
1-1 and 1-2 Photography Training in Surrey.
For Complete Beginners Who Want to Get Their Cameras off Auto Forever!
Whether you've just bought a new camera or have had one for some time, if you're struggling to understand how to use it properly, then I can help!
Because if you've just stuck that camera on Auto, you're wasting 99% of its capabilities and a lot of money too!
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Hello!
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I'm Anna Saverimuttu, a Guildford-based pro photographer. As well as photography and teaching, I love (in no particular order) second-hand bookshops, long walks, the sea, old buildings, cake, Earl Grey tea and cats! I'm also a firm believer in saying "no" to anything that doesn't bring me joy - life is too short. For over 8 years I've helped hundreds of confused camera owners just like you to finally understand how to use their cameras properly so they can start to really enjoy their photography. I know the problems that keep people stuck on Auto and exactly how to unstick them! So if you'd like to learn to use your camera in hours rather than days or weeks, then I'd love to help you! My aim is for you to be up and running and taking pictures off Auto in as short a time as possible. |
So, What do You Get?
- A 3.5 hour session with me in Guildford where we'll spend time going through the key controls on your camera and exactly how to use them. It doesn't matter whether you have a DSLR, bridge or mirrorless camera - any of them will be fine for this course
- The key settings for gaining full control of your camera off Auto
- How to nail your focus and avoid blurry/out of focus shots
- Managing and controlling exposure so your photos don't turn out too dark or too bright
- How to achieve beautiful dreamy backgrounds for details, portraits etc
- Ways to capture landscapes, people, wildlife, plants, action & more
- Using natural light effectively
- The secret to taking photos in low light
- How to create powerful images by using different compositional techniques
- Lens choice and how it affects your photos
PLUS
- Each session features slides showing photos taken at the different settings which we'll be discussing
- A PDF of everything that's been covered
- A week's email support. Send me your photos for feedback and critique
How Much Does it Cost?
1-1 sessions/gift vouchers - £225 (Monday - Friday)
1-2 sessions/gift vouchers - £185 per person (Monday - Friday)
Or Call Me - 01483 571119/07768 975053
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Testimonials From Past Students
"I was even able to explain everything to my husband and he understood! Just had my first solo foray into the butterfly house at Wisley and shocked my children with the results (only used manual mode as well!)"
"Dear Anna, thank you so much for today's session. I have learnt a great deal - the fog has lifted! You have made everything so very much clearer than it had been before 10am this morning! I had a spring in my step as I walked to the car park. Thank you again."
"Dear Anna, Just a little note to say a huge thank you for my lesson in manual photography last week. I have been experimenting with my camera and have had some amazing results! To see the immediate change in image quality has given me such a confidence boost. Your notes are clear, precise and a great source of reference so I'm looking forward to my next project and will be sharing my new knowledge with my girls. Thank you again Anna, I'm very grateful for your patience and the time you spent with me."
NB - All my photography courses are aimed at owners of digital SLR, bridge or mirrorless cameras. All popular camera brands are suitable e.g. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic etc. If you're not sure your camera's suitable, just email me at anna@annasaverimuttu.co.uk or call 01483 571119.
Ready to Say Goodbye to Camera Confusion?
Read More Testimonials from Previous Students:
"I cannot say THANK YOU enough!!! This has revolutionised what I feel I can do with my camera. I finally feel like it's mine!! Eureka! Brilliant. So clear and easy to understand. Great examples."
"Dear Anna, Just a little note to say a huge thank you for my lesson in manual photography last week. I have been experimenting with my camera and have had some amazing results! To see the immediate change in image quality has given me such a confidence boost. Your notes are clear, precise and a great source of reference so I'm looking forward to my next project and will be sharing my new knowledge with my girls. Thank you again Anna, I'm very grateful for your patience and the time you spent with me."
"I cannot praise Anna enough for providing a very well presented training session that has left me feeling confident and inspired to continue taking images with my new Canon SLR. Highly recommend to anyone who needs some training on how to get around their SLR. Anna is warm and welcoming! I can't wait to find out about other courses."
"I feel I have learnt so much (I'm unable to even quantify it). Anna has been such a wonderful teacher, supportive of learning and very responsive. I have really loved my day. Fantastic material and practical session. Very informative, personal and just a wonderful session."
"I feel as if I have gone from knowing absolutely nothing about how my camera works to knowing a huge amount. Really enjoyed it."
"I just wanted to thank you again for your terrific course on Saturday. I enjoyed it so much and got exactly what I came for: the confidence that comes from understanding how good photos are taken. You demystified the core concepts that had been holding me back for so long. Early days but I know photography will free me up as a writer and be a great creative outlet. Thanks again and keep me on the newsletter."
"Brilliant intro to manual settings and the basics of how the camera actually works and deals with light etc. Nice speed, lots of examples which help illustrate the different effects. Useful to be able to practice outside as well."
"Hi Anna, I want to thank you again for my introduction to photography today, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I started as I mean to go on, and took some shots when I got home. You've completely revolutionised my whole approach. This doesn't mean I've got that Countryfile picture yet, but you've totally helped me understand how to approach a subject. Thank you once again."
"I have moved from zero to having a clear understanding of cause and effect. Very comfortable venue and easy access to places to photograph"
"Dear Anna, thank you so much for today's session. I have learnt a great deal - the fog has lifted! You have made everything so very much clearer than it had been before 10am this morning! I had a spring in my step as I walked to the car park. Thank you again."
"An amazing workshop. Thank you so much. Clear, precise and excellent. A fantastic and inspiring teacher. I would love to attend another workshop. You are an amazing teacher."
"A very belated thank you for a fantastic morning last week. I was even able to explain everything to my husband and he understood! Just had my first solo foray into the butterfly house at Wisley and shocked my children with the results (only used manual mode as well!).
"I just wanted to say a big thank you for the workshop. I really enjoyed it. It wasn't too overwhelming and I can't wait to get out there to practise what we learnt. I like the idea that you can be more creative using the manual setting... so no more automatic setting for me! Very professional presentation. It was exactly what I needed. Thank you!"
"I feel I now know the key areas to actually invest in my photos by finally having control - it's inspired me to invest further in my photography. Really easy to absorb, good pace and great quality. A really helpful mix of practice and theory - the technical side of the camera as well as composition."
" Excellent. A lovely setting, very relaxed teaching. Very patient! A thoroughly enjoyable morning! 10/10. I feel I have learned an enormous amount today in terms of understanding how cameras work and what we are looking to achieve when taking a photo. Thank you! Feeling excited about practising."
"I feel that I have learned much quicker today than using books/YouTube videos and tutorials because I could ask questions directly. I feel confident that I can move forward and improve. Excellent examples provided in the presentation slides. The small group allowed for all of us to have the opportunity to ask questions."
"Really enjoyed it. A good introduction into photography. Very good, useful notes, nice mixture of teaching and practice. Lovely to walk around the town."
"I have learned so much! I feel I now have an understanding of the basics - practical and theoretical - to begin to really use my camera. A superb mixture of theory and practical. Great pace and variety."
"I feel I can now go away and start to take better pics! Very easy to take in, not rushed. I shall be telling my friends about your workshop. Thank you!"
"Have learned loads. Just looked at yesterday's iPhone photos compared to today's! Very interesting thinking about the light."
"I have a good understanding of the basics now and can move forward with photography for taking "moving" shots and interesting stills of flowers etc. The material given was of a good standard and clear in the way it was taught. The venue was easy to get to, the car park was nearby and the room was cosy and comfortable."
"I have learned a great deal more than I could have imagined!"
"I have learned a lot. Manual mode has been a revelation. Plenty of material to illustrate what was being taught."
"I thought the way you taught was efficient and informative, and you explained very well. You were patient, understanding and made the whole time enjoyable."
"I have learned an enormous amount! I feel more confident to use different settings on my camera and look forward to experimenting. The material was excellent. Easy to understand and I felt comfortable asking questions."
"Just a quick email to say thanks again for today. I really enjoyed the course and great to get back to the basics of photography. The practical session was very good, to put theory into practice. I shall shoot with more confidence and understanding now!"
"I have learnt lots! Everything I've learnt has been new, so thank you!"
"I have learned so much!! Total lightbulb moment. Thank you."
"I have learned far more than I thought I would and more importantly learned how to practice. Very professional. Delivered in focused blocks, Pitched perfectly."
"I thought the quality was very high and it was taught in an engaging way. I feel I've learned the basics to be able to experiment with the camera and take some better quality photographs, and can build on the techniques I've learned through practise."
"Excellent. Very well taught with combination of theory and hands-on practise. A very helpful and instructive course. It has filled in some of the gaps which has given me the confidence to try more things. Thank you very much." "I came to learn the basics and that is what you taught, so I feel now I understand my camera a lot more, and I have seen an instant improvement in the quality of my pictures."
"Very good step by step instruction. I learnt an enormous amount. It will change the way I take photos - no automatic settings from now on! Thank you!"
"Excellent! Taught brilliantly! And I now understand - just need to practise now. Thank you Anna."
"Excellent. Using manual is so mind blowing. I did not know my camera."
"Just to say thank you, and what an enjoyable and useful course you deliver. I came away feeling delighted that it wasn't at all complicated to start getting creative with my camera. I now have it in the boot of my car, just in case I am inspired when I am out. I am really looking forward to decent weather and decent photos! Thanks again."
"A very informative class with an excellent teacher."
"Excellent quality of material taught in a way which was easy to grasp and understand. Anna made sure I was showing signs of understanding before moving on. I feel I have really understood the basics and more that will definitely help me create higher quality, more interesting pictures."
"I've learned so much, I'm now really excited about getting out there and taking some pictures! Initially I just wanted to take nicer snaps of my kids, and now I can't wait to get creative and make beautiful images. Anna has a lovely teaching style; it's thorough without being overwhelming, technical without using jargon. I will definitely use the materials for reference in the future too. Really friendly staff, lovely coffee and pastries."
"Thanks so much for today. Thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to practising! I have learnt all the basics and feel far more confident. Good quality material and taught in a practical way - easily understood."
"I have learned absolutely everything about how to use my camera that I think I will need. Av, Tv, M previously meant nothing to me. Excellent, friendly, reassuring way of teaching; lots of opportunities to ask questions. Great location."
"I can already feel the quality of my shots will improve. I have gained a much better understanding of how using the camera in manual will help me achieve the results I want. All pitched perfectly for my own learning speed and the material used met all requirements."
"So much easier to understand than other courses I have been on in the past. I had many lightbulb moments."
"I have learnt a lot! As a beginner to DSLR photography it was exactly what I needed. Now will go out to practise. Excellent quality!"
"I have learnt masses and now have a much better understanding of my camera and how to use it. Perfect level of teaching - not too technical but enough to understand why and how to use the different functions."
"Very comprehensive and put over in a way that made it easy to understand. Feel confident to get out of Automatic. An enjoyable morning."
"Everything was explained clearly and in a way I could understand. I felt very comfortable and not at all worried to ask questions. I feel I have learnt a lot and now feel confident in taking my camera off automatic mode!"
"It has opened my eyes to the possibilities of using my camera to its full potential. The lesson was well scheduled, interactive and I found Anna to be extremely helpful with great people skills, and able to listen and explain the detail of all subjects. A good location with helpful staff."
"Thank you so so much. It was such a fabulous session & I learnt some absolutely vital things that will make a ten fold difference with my photos. Thank you for a really lovely day."
"I have learnt SO much. Excellent. I came with no knowledge and came away with lots of knowledge."
"We have covered such a lot - can't believe how much I have learnt in only 3 1/2 hours. Feel so much more confident to go out and experiment. Really well thought out and presented. Anna was really hands-on and gave really helpful tips, both to the group and individuals."
"Great! The slideshow was really good and the notes useful. I have learned a lot! No more auto settings! I'm sure I will be able to take some nice pictures of my family and landscapes."
"Spot on. Easy to understand, the right amount of theory and good balance of practical, theory and examples. Simple but effective. Really well run and professional though informal - perfect for what I'm looking for. I'm not so intimidated now or scared of using the settings. Great facilities, good tea/coffee, lovely pastries."
"I knew nothing about my camera before this course and always used Auto. Now I feel a lot more confident using it and can now alter the exposure and the focus. I think my photos will look more advanced now. Anna made sure we all knew everything before we moved on, and taught in a way that was easy to follow. The material helped us understand and I liked the picture examples. The refreshments were delicious and the venue was comfortable. I thought the room was well set out."
"I now have a much clearer understanding of the basics. You simplified it very well which is exactly what I was looking for! I no longer fear going manual! Very good to have the examples with the ISO/aperture/exposure settings - it gives you something to relate the theory back to! Good location - love the teabags!"
"I have learnt a huge amount of info that I can take forwards and practise, and achieve what I set out to achieve. Excellent, and well tailored to the individual."
"I have learnt an amazing amount and I now feel more confident to play around with my camera. Excellent - very well organised."
"I have gained a huge amount of knowledge on the settings and technical side of photography. The quality was very good and having the 1-1 session really helped with the understanding of the process."
"I have learned so much. The course has inspired me to practise and really use my camera. Patient and concise tuition."
"Excellent! I feel confident now to experiment!"
"Very happy with the material and was very happy with the practical session at Guildford Castle to practice what we were just taught. I have learnt a lot about ISO, aperture and shutter speed that helps take better professional photos. The lessons learnt will make taking photos more creative."
"I have learned a massive amount! Brilliant - a good mix of indoor and outdoor practice."
"Well delivered and easy to understand. Learning the various different functions of the camera and what they do was very helpful."
"I have learned a great deal that hopefully will improve the quality of my photographs. Good variety of material and clear instruction."
"Massive improvement. Have learned a great deal. Very high quality material, to the extent that I am able to easily comprehend and remember. Excellent venue, great service and refreshments."
"I have learnt an incredible amount - feeling inspired never to use Auto again. Wonderful, all of it. I have really enjoyed the morning."
"I have learnt all the basics that I need to know to get me excited about taking photos. The material was taught in a simple and easy to understand way so that even a complete novice like myself could understand. I even learnt things from other people attending. Lovely venue, friendly staff, good refreshments."
"Very good. Need plenty of practice to put it into effect. Looking forward to the printed notes."
"I have learnt so much! I will understand so many more of the symbols and what they actually mean and how they affect the finished piece. It was all very understandable and put across in a language that I could understand."
"I now have a much better idea about how to use the manual settings on my camera. I need to practise, but everything was explained in a clear and practical way. Good materials, and helpful to have the course notes to refer to afterwards."
"5 star. Easy to understand. The right pace. Good balance of presenting/answering questions. Excellent pastries and coffee too!"
"Knowing things that seem simple, like how to let more light in an indoor situation, helped enormously. Having a go and being able to ask about the shots I'd taken really helped too. Excellent. You're really calm and don't use the dreaded "no stupid questions" phrase, which allowed an ease to the class. It was a fabulous morning - thank you."
"Very good. Very relevant to complete beginners, who were handled with patience! Clearly explained."
"Well, what can I say? You've (almost) restored my faith in digital cameras. Your workshop was very valuable to me and I learned a great deal which will be very helpful in the future. You've got such a natural and friendly way of getting information across; I'd certainly be interested in attending more of your workshops, or on a one-to-one basis."
"It has been really rewarding. Can't thank you enough. Excellent, really good step-by-step approach and not too fast."
"I know so much more about my camera! Not scared of it anymore. Very clear and concise, and no jargon."
"I have learned a lot. From knowing nothing about my camera, I feel much more confident to start using the different functions. The course was simple and easy to follow, and very informative at the same time."
"Brilliant. I learned a great deal today and will now be able to use the manual setting."
"I now feel more confident in using my camera rather than my phone for taking photos."
"Within 3 hours I have moved from automatic, through semi-automatic and am now able to take pictures in manual. What more can be said!"
"Camera terminology and jargon a lot clearer now. Understanding these things means I now know what to adjust and edit to take/make great pictures."
"Thanks for my 1-1, I really enjoyed our morning. Very good quality of material, taught in a way I could understand - excellent. Very comfortable venue and excellent refreshments."
"Very clear and all questions welcomed and answered."
"Perfect. Very relaxed and enough detail to clearly understand."
"I have learned lots today - it all makes sense now!"
"I learned a huge amount today and now feel more confident to move to manual. The materials were great and easy to follow."
"I have learned a lot more than I expected and cannot wait to try out what I have learned. Very good and professional, helpful, fun and interesting."
" A good steady pace and well reinforced when we asked questions. Very helpful to have notes to take away. Venue in accessible and practical location. Inspiring to view and talk about composition - just want to spend my days doing this!"
"I feel that I have learned a lot today. It has definitely made me feel much more confident about using a camera on manual, not Auto. It was taught very clearly and at the right pace for me to fully understand everything. Very accessible and comfortable venue."
"I have gained an understanding of both the camera and how to use it and what to do to capture my subject. So interesting and I had no idea before today. Very clear explanation and instructions, and a patient teacher too."
Covid precautions to keep myself and my clients safe:
The venue complies with all Covid safety measures. I will wear a mask throughout our session to keep us both safe and will also complete a lateral flow test on the day of your session. I've also had all three vaccines. Windows will be opened to allow fresh air to circulate and, weather permitting, part of our session will be held outdoors.
Sessions can be booked for any time of the year, even if you have a gift voucher
Terms & Conditions. If you're unable to attend and notify Anna Saverimuttu Photography no less than 72 hours before the date of the workshop, 1-1/1-2, you can reschedule your session or send someone along in your place. No-shows or cancellations less than 72 hours before the date of your session will incur the full fee.
In the event that Anna Saverimuttu Photography has to cancel a photography course, you may transfer to a future date or receive a full refund. No liability is accepted for travel or other costs which may have been incurred. No liability is accepted for any loss of personal property or injury, infection or death whilst you are attending a photography course, 1-1 or 1-2 session with Anna Saverimuttu Photography.
Places will only be reserved upon receipt of payment.