Photography Holiday in Dordogne

What You'll Do

Unleash the creative within on this fantastic 7 night photography holiday set in the Dordogne and allow your photography skills to develop and flourish through small group and individual tuition during fun, organised excursions to fantastic local sites in this stunning region of France.

2023 - Last available dates: April 15th and 29th / May 6th and July 29th

This photography holiday beautifully combines intensive teaching sessions with plenty of free time to ensure that you get the most out of your photography holiday. The small class sizes mean that this holiday can be tailored to your individual needs and preferences and you will receive large amounts of individual advice and attention.

Your hosts believe that despite the fantastic development of the digital camera, the basics of taking a good photograph remain as fundamental today as they were a century ago. During this 7 night / 8 day photography holiday you will be given expert tuition to improve your understanding and use of light, technique and composition in order to transform your photographic abilities.

Your photography classes will have no more than 4 students to maintain a high level of one-to-one tuition and you will develop your photograph composition and technique as well as your ability to manipulate and adjust your photographs using state of the art technology in the onsite studio set up.

In addition, you will be taken on 6 planned excursions. Enjoyable visits to stunning countryside locations, a traditional French chateau and the vibrant local market will give you the opportunity to take beautiful photos and learn how to put your newly found photography skills to the test on the go.

You can to stay in your lovely accommodation with WiFi, a flat screen TV and ensuite bathroom and there are no single supplements for solo travellers. A reduced price is available for a non participating partner who would like to join you without taking part in the photography lessons.

Experience
Highlights

Expert tutor with 18 years of experience to teach, guide & inspire you.

Local photography excursion to put skill into practice on location.

Delicious 4 course meals every night & all other meals are included.

Experience Itinerary

Course introduction and welcome dinner

Everything is included during the week; all meals and drinks (including meals taken out), along with all transportation into the local areas. When you arrive at our door you need not spend an extra euro, everything is included. Your hosts offer an optional portrait lesson and the payment to the model is divided between guests, normally around 20 euro per photographer.

– On arrival after 4.00pm, you will be given a short introduction outlining the week ahead (the itinerary may change and is dependent upon weather conditions and guests preferences) and the opportunity to tell your hosts what you hope to gain from your stay.
– The rest of the afternoon is free for you to settle in and explore the hamlet of Les Ages, a very rural 17th century time capsule.
– The day will end with a delicious 4-course meal with wine where you will get to know your hosts and fellow guests.

Accommodation

Stay in charming 17th century accommodation. All rooms are en-suite and have been lovingly restored, offering rustic charm with modern day comforts.

Features
– All rooms have WiFi, a flat screen TV, tea & coffee.
– Reduced rate for a non-participating partner available.
– No single supplements for solo travellers.
– Access to your own dedicated Apple Mac Workstation with Adobe CS for the duration of your stay.
– Delicious homemade 5-course evening meals with wine.
– Accommodating hostess Pam ensures vegan/vegetarian/gluten free and low calorie meal options always available (please inform us of dietary requirements at time of booking).
– Less than 50 miles from Bergerac and Limoges airports.

Explore the local area

– After breakfast, you will be studying the fundamentals of photography and the structure of what makes a ‘good photograph’.
– You will be comparing classic photos to modern digital images to understand how today’s technology emulates the basic rules.
– Then it’s off to Brantome to put into practice your photography skills.
– If the weather permits, lunch will take the place in the garden back at Les Ages.
– Around 5.00pm, you will review your images from the day with your tutor and look into the basics of composition, exposure and editing.
– At the end of the day, another sociable 5 course meal with wine cooked by Pam.

Accommodation

Free morning

– Today is a free morning, where you will have a chance to do your own thing
– Work at your computer, explore the delights of the local area (perhaps visiting a lovely Chateau) or just relax in the garden until lunch
– One to one tuition will be on hand in the evening from 5.00pm, where you can ask advice on any aspect of your photography
– The day will finish with a delicious 5 course meal with wine

Accommodation

Off the beaten track

– Today you will take a trip to the local area, a ‘Beau Village’ (a beautiful village of France), that offers great photographic opportunities, off the tourist track!
– At 5pm, back in the studio will review the day’s photos and look into ‘Photoshop adjustment layers’ and learn how to apply and control ‘non destructive’ editing.
– Working until around 7.00pm, we you will then be served a delicious 5 course meal.

Market day

– Photograph a large bustling French market this morning that offers fantastic ‘street photography’.
– A visit to a French market is a delight for the eyes and you will be surrounded by colours and practice capturing the atmosphere of the bustling market goers.
– Lunch is taken at a local restaurant in the market area and is included in the price.
– After recharging back at base, review our images taken from the day and over a buffet style supper we critique your chosen images.

Free morning

– Enjoy the flexibility of a free morning.
– You can spend the morning in the studio, looking back through the images taken so far, or possibly explore Les Ages, where you will find an abundance of potential images. Lunch is served in the garden.
– During the afternoon you will review the photos of the day and look into portrait photography.
– Enjoy another fantastic 4 course meal with your fellow guests this evening.

Accommodation

Early morning shoot

– There is an option to do an early morning shoot to capture the dawn light. You will be taken to one of the many local Chateaux that captures the sunrise.
– Return for a hearty breakfast.
– You then head to the market of Brantome where you will capture its vibrant colour.
– Lunch is taken at a well chosen restaurant in Brantome, again included in the price.
– In the afternoon you can pick your top 4 photos from the week to printed A3.
– A buffet style supper is served with a Q/A session to round up the week.

Departure

– Check out at 10am after breakfast and take your newfound photography skills and memories home with you.

Location Information

This charming photography school in the Dordogne region of France provides top quality facilities, accommodation and cuisine. Set in a pretty and traditional village just 6 miles from Brantôme, the photography school provides peaceful countryside photo-shoot locations as well as exciting and equally photogenic excursions to nearby sites of interest.

Nearest airport: Bergerac (37 miles away) or you can also fly to Limoges (42 miles away)

FAQs

- Suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced
- Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult
- Courses have a maximum of 4 people in each group, singles are very welcome as you'll meet others with a passion for photography and there are NO single supplements

- Photography holidays are 7 nights / 8 days
- Check in from 3pm on day 1, and check out at 10am on day 8

- You will need your camera, batteries/chargers and memory cards as well as any other equipment you may want to bring along with you
- Comfortable, weather proof clothing is essential as you will be out and about in the local area

The nearest station is Perigueux station, this is a direct service from Bordeaux and a 30min drive from your hosts.

The main station serving them is Angouleme - this is a TGV station from Paris or Lille. This is a 1hr drive from your hosts.

From £1227 pp