Q: How much time do we spend taking shots on the courses?
A: That depends on the course. On the 3 Day Wedding course we spend about 3 hours per day with the model and sometimes more. The same is true of the portrait courses, the remainder of the time being taken up with theory etc. On the Glamour course most of the time is photography. We have two models all day so there is ample oportunity to take a lot of shots. In contrast, on the Photoshop course we do no photography, or very little. We do not have a model the entire day is spent doing practical computer work.

Q: What's included?
A: We provide you with professional training for three days with two tutors, four models and our own photographer/ assistant. All meals are included and a full set of colour printed notes. Also included is a disk of other material. This covers starting your business through to some forms you will find useful and can freely adapt to your own purposes; contracts, a model release form, list of shots to get etc.

Q: Where are the courses held?

A: All our courses run from our own studio in Stock. With some of the courses we take the oportunity whenever possible to go to a local church or venue to take some location work, We share cars for this since there is not enough car parking at the local churches.

Q: What kind of room does the course take place in?
A: We have three rooms at the Stock Studio, two large rooms about 20' x 15' and a third smaller room that we use as a dining room. So we have ample accomodation for 20 students although we restric the numbers to 12 so that you get more individual attention.

Q: What meals are included?
A: We aim to have our light lunch at about 1pm. This ranges from soup, baked potato or quiche with the option of cheese and biscuits and French bread. We also supply a sweet, fresh fruit salad, chocolate cake or similar. Coffee’s and teas are provided at the start of the day and also during the morning and afternoon session.

Q: Start and finish times
A: We gather in the Summer Room at 9.15 and start at 9.30. Officially we finish at 4.30pm, and a little earlier on Wednesday so that those with long journeys can get home.

Q: Is there room to park the car?
A: The studio is situated on a farm and there is a large car park which can easily accomodate our 20 cars.

Q: What is the best way to get to the Stock Studiol?
A: The trunk road the A12 goes to within 2½ mile of the Studiol. Follow the signs for Ingatestone and into the middle on the village where you will find a cross roads. Take a right turn here into Stock Land and the studio is 2 miles futher onfrom that junction.

Q: Can I come by train?
A: The Station is on the main line from Liverpool Street Station London. The line goes onto Colchester and Ipswich, and as we say it is only about 2 miles from the studio. A Taxi can be arranged or we can organise a lift if needed.

Q: What should I bring?
A: You should bring your camera and any spare lenses you have, spare memory and batteries, as well as the battery charger.
We like to group all the students together on the last to form a small ‘wedding party’ for your portfolio. So it is good to bring along something a bit special to wear as well as your normal outfit.

Q: Can I use the shots that I take for my portfolio?
A: We have no reservation about you using the shots you have taken on the course in your own portfolio. We start you off and together with the other students and models you will end up with a variety of shots that you have genuinely contributed to. So why not use them?

Q: What is the balance between business, technical, practical and general advice?
A: Almost half the course is spent taking shots of the models, almost three hours per day. That way you get used to handling people, and getting the best shots of them. The remainder of the course is split equally between technical, business and general advice for wedding photography. We also have a small section on creating your albums and a short section on software and equipment choices.