Testimonials | Shoot Smart Photography Training

Shoot Smart Testimonials We aim to provide the best learning experience possible for everyone. Below you will find recent testimonials from students who have attended one of our many courses.

Lisa G (Feb 2012) "The most inspiring week imaginable. I don't really know where to begin. Over five amazing days I learned so much more than I ever thought possible and found myself on many occasions in complete awe of Gary and Paula, two people with more passion and dedication to what they do than I, up until attending the course, only ever dreamt of having. But thanks to both Gary and Paula I have come away so much more knowledgeable than when I first arrived and with a much greater understanding of the skills, effort and most importantly the desire, necessary for embarking on a journey as a successful full time photographer. Whether this is your long term ambition or be it you simply wish to build on a hobby or even just learn a new skill, you will get everything you want and more on a Shootsmart Photography Training course. From an in depth look at the basic camera functions right through to the outstanding practical sessions providing invaluable hands on experience, including a run-through of a... Click

Mark (Feb 2012) "I would like to say a big thank you to Gary and Paula for a fantastic week. Gary is the most passionate photographer I have ever met he has such an enthusiastic way of teaching you the right way of doing things. If you what to learn in a relaxed environment this is the course for you. I really enjoyed the wedding shoot and on site at the brickworks. I learnt so much, how to shoot in manual correctly, how to use a light meter and most of all how to start your own business. Thank you once again. Regards Mark" Click

Marvin (Feb 2012) "I am glad I chose this course! You are probably reading this reviews in the hope that it gives you a sound piece of mind to opt for this course. I can honestly say that all the reviews listed below including mine is a true reflection of what you will get when walking through the studio door of Gary and Paula,so go on and book this course you won't regret it! I spent a wonderful week at their studio and have come away feeling extremely confident and this is all down to the teaching of both Gary and Paula. The course is packed with loads of information some of which you will only receive from a tried and tested and vastly knowledgeable and experienced photographer such as Gary. He is not only a passionate photographer but also a passionate teacher and strives to go that extra mile in order for .. Click

Mikey W (Feb 2012) "What an amazing week i had at Shoot Smart, Gary and Paula are both very professional and very passionate about what they do, from day one i was made to feel very welcome in there studio, they are both lovely people. Oh and i cant forget Scooby, you will get to meet Scoody if you go on the course :-) The group is kept to a maxiumum of 5 people so that you all get plenty of chances to use your cameras. This course is very hands on and plenty of paper is required to take lots of notes. Gary and Paula squeeze years and years worth of knowledge of the industry and condense it down in to 1 full week. Gary is an excellent teacher of photography, I can honestly say that he doesnt miss anything out. I thought i had a bit of knowledge of photography, looking back to last week, I hardly knew anything compared to what i know now. Gary takes whatever time it takes for you to understand, he loves to have a laugh and he was always cracking jokes. You start to learn so much from the 1st minute of being in the studio... AMAZING!! Gary ..." Click

Ian (Feb 2012) "a full on week of learning, whatever your standard you will learn something, most will learn lots. wether you want to become a pro, or like me want to move your photography up to a much higher level,gary and paula will take you there.advise and help all the way through,with time taken to explain anything your unsure about.if you want nine to five these are the wrong people,they are gen pasionate about what they do.tyou'll learn from simple but stunning lights to full studioset up,learn to give your model/bride that bit extra to make you and your work stand out" Click

Doug (Jan 2012) "If you are contemplating signing up for a training course with Gary and Paula at Shoot Smart don't hesitate book now with confidence and I promise you will not be disappointed. I attended the 5 day wedding and portrait training in December 2011 and right from the off was made to feel welcome and at ease by Gary and Paula. The course content was excellent and we had five full and very informative days. Gary has a friendly and easygoing style of training and was more than happy to go over the basics where required. Every day new pearls of wisdom were uncovered in areas covering equipment, technique, image processing, human interactions and business acumen. We shot a mock wedding using two fantastic models from the bridal preparation, in church, an outdoor off camera flash session, and in the well-equipped studio setting. The following day we covered a studio shoot with a couple of kids, which was great fun. During both studio sessions Gary lead us through lighting set ups and simple ..." Click

Aarron (Dec 2011) "Had 1 to 1 training. Excellent day, Gary & Paula made me feel relaxed from the start, we discussed what I wanted to learn then got straight into it at a pace that I was comfortable with. Gary makes sure that you understand everything as you go along and happily recaps if your unsure. In the 1 day I asked to cover studio lighting, off camera flash and some basic photoshop techniques, Gary more than delivered giving me advise on how to pose a model and to get different lighting effects using readily available materials that don't cost a fortune. At the end of the day I was happily exhausted and very much more educated about lighting and photoshop, and now feel that I have the knowledge and confidence to start building a career out of my hobby. Thanks also go to Paula for the lunch, endless cups of coffee and helping the day run smoothly. They really are a professional team and I would recommend their teaching services to any ..." Click

Peter Baldwin

"Attended the wedding and portrait training and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Gary is a true professional and really shows a caring, patient attitude. I had a knowledge of photography before the course, but soon realised how limited that knowledge was. A big thank you to Gary for his excellent, clear delivery and explanation. I now feel much more confident to "go it alone" and hopefully acheive professional results myself. Thanks too to his wife Paula who clearly is just as passionate about her role and supportive with sound advice and knowledge of the business. For anyone debating if a full weeks course with Gary is for them or not, as I was, my advice is go for it, you won't be disappointed, whatever level you are at. Oh and one last thing, Scooby is adorable. If you want to know why, you'll have to go on the course!!!"
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This is just a small sample of Peter’s images taken during his time at Shoot Smart. These photographs are excellent and would easily adorn any bride’s wall.

Well done Peter and good luck - Gary Gough

Jo

"Initially was really nervous that I was in over my head doing this, but I shouldn't have been worried at all. Gary and Paula are so welcoming and really know their stuff. The structure of the course was really well thought out, a great variety; combining theory and practical work each day. We did photo shoots with a mock wedding, where a church had been hired out so we could really capture the lighting. Our models for this day were super stars and nothing was too much trouble - mid November standing on a hill freezing and no complaints from either of them. We also did another photo shoot with 2 sisters, who were also great fun. This allowed us to create the vibe of a studio shoot - setting up the lights ourselves and various poses. Obviously without the tutoring from Gary I wouldn't have been able to get to this point and achieve the results I did. I feel so confident now - I've done 4 photo shoots for friends and family who have been astounded with the results. I have my first wedding already booked, and this is purely from showing them the work I've done on this course. I could tell you loads more about this course as everyday is really jam packed full (value for money), but I think if your serious, just do it! Big thank you to Gary and Paula - very happy customer xxxx"
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Jo very quickly settled into the course and her enthusiasm and work-rate really was first class. She is totally committed to making a career as a photographer; in fact she was ordering new equipment whilst she was still with us learning.
Like I always say, there are thinkers and doers, Jo is clearly the latter!
She was an excellent student and will clearly do well as a Pro!
Well done Jo and good luck - Gary Gough

Andrew Rudge

"I attended a 2 day training course with Gary, whichwas very relaxed and informal. The course was tailored to my specific needswhich was a great help.
Gary is clearly passionate about his work and his enthusiasm certainly rubs offon you. Off camera flash is a must!!"

KL

A big thank you to Red 5 studios My training course was excellent in so many ways. I absolutely loved it! I started this course with a lot of enthusiasm but very little knowledge in the world of Digital SLR photography, I've found the course very useful and I feel it has helped enormously.
It has helped me understand that there is a lot more to photography than just taking photographs. I feel much more confident to experiment with my camera rather than rely on the automatic setting and I'm increasing in ability with Photoshop too.
Gary was available constantly to answer any questions or queries, which was very reassuring. He was very professional, friendly and encouraging which was great. The assignments were very good, interesting and varied. I loved the assignments most, putting into practice what I had learnt in the studio and being creative.
It's been an amazing course that I'd recommend to anyone...

Alex Abbott

"I booked a day's trainig with Gary looking at using off camera flash and its practial application in wedding and portrait photography. I found the style of teaching well paced and informative, while making the most of the time that we had. Gary is keen for you get the most from the time spent with him and his investment in my time was evident from the start. The day represented good value for money in terms of the amount of things that we covered and the tips and industry secrets that where shared!"

Alex attended a 1 day course (£149) specific to off camera flash and his first attempts are so impressive I thought I should let others see what is possible with just one days training. Excellent work Alex - Gary

Here are some of Alex' photos after the Shootsmart course

Malcolm (Halifax)

"I would just like to say I had 2 really enjoyable days training, Gary is a first class teacher who made the time I was with him a worthwhile learning experience & was worth every penny, I will not hesitate to come back if I feel I can benefit from further education, my photos look better too!"

Darren C (Huddersfield)

"Outstanding teaching skills. Couldn't have asked for better tuition."

Darren attended a 2 day course, one in the studio and the second by the sea at Robbin Hood's Bay. Unfortunately the weather was awful and after burger and chips and several coffees later, we decided to postpone the day. A week later, Darren's second days training resumed in York. Darren sent me images taken post training and I have to commend his efforts, Superb. Gary