Michael Cartwright Photography
Photography Foundations: 4-Week Practical Course
A relaxed, practical 4-week course designed to help beginners finally feel confident with their camera.
If you’ve taken my one-day beginner workshop, this is the perfect next step. And if you haven’t — don’t worry. We'll recap the basics in week one (what aperture, shutter speed and ISO are), so that you’ll settle in comfortably.
Each week we meet in a different, local location and spend the session shooting real scenes, solving real problems, and learning how to make thoughtful, deliberate choices with your camera. It’s for anyone who wants to build momentum, stay motivated, and actually use their camera instead of leaving it on a shelf.
Book Now
09th - 30th Apr, 2026
£165.00 / £165.00 Deposit
Photography Foundations: 4-Week Practical Course
Build confidence • Shoot regularly • Learn by doing
This 4-week course is designed for people who want more than a single day workshop. It’s friendly, supportive and steady-paced — ideal for beginners who want to practise consistently and develop real control over their camera.
I’ve timed this course to coincide with the spring evenings, when we often get that lovely soft light just before sunset and we can hopefully make fantastic images.
If you’ve already done my One-Day Beginner Course, this picks up right where you left off.
If you haven’t, that’s totally fine — a light recap in Week 1 will bring everyone onto the same page and you will have three additional weeks to hone your skills.
Who This Course Is For
This course is perfect for:
-
Beginners who want more hands-on practice
-
Anyone who’s tired of guessing their settings
-
People looking for a hobby they can grow into
-
Retirees who enjoy learning in a friendly group
-
Anyone who wants structured, weekly guidance
-
Gift buyers looking for something creative and experience-based
What You’ll Learn
Rather than diving into menus and jargon, this course focuses on practical, real-world shooting.
By the end of the month you’ll feel comfortable making choices, understanding light and improving your compositions.
Each week takes place in a different location:
WEEK 1 — Yarm
A gentle re-start to get everyone comfortable with their cameras again. We’ll keep things straightforward, shoot around the riverside, and ease back into the basics at a relaxed pace.
WEEK 2 — Infinity Bridge / Tees Barrage
A great spot for trying different ideas with lines, reflections and movement. Plenty of chances to make interesting images with guidance from me. We may even spot a seal or an otter!
WEEK 3 — Paddy’s Hole / South Gare
A change of atmosphere. Boats, colour, textures, wide views — loads to play with. I’ll help you slow down, look properly, and build more confidence in what you’re shooting.
WEEK 4 — Saltburn
A brilliant finale location. Beach, pier, cliffs and lots of variety. A really nice place to bring everything together and enjoy an evening photographing somewhere a bit special. Fish and chips optional!
Course Details
-
Runs over 4 consecutive weeks
-
Small, friendly group
-
Each session approx. 2 hours
-
All locations within 20 minutes of Yarm
-
Camera, lens, memory card and charged battery needed
-
Suitable for beginners who know the basics
-
Ideal follow-on from the One-Day Beginners Course
Price
£165
Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers are available — just email contact@michaelcartwrightphotography.co.uk and I’ll sort everything for you.
What Happens After This?
This course leads naturally into:
-
Editing & Workflow Essentials
-
Location-based workshops
-
Trips and photo days in the UK & abroad
You’ll finish with a stronger foundation — skills you can keep building on.
Testimonials
I have just returned from a trip to the Arctic Circle arranged by Michael. The best I can say is that this was a trip of a life time! The tour was friendly with lots of laughs. Michael, Scott & Joe passed on their knowledge freely. Nobody was left out, there was something for everyone to do and along with the photo opportunities we had great fun on snowmobiles at midnight on a frozen river going from Finland to Sweden, a dog sled ride through a frozen forest , reindeer sled ride and so much more.
Would I recommend Michael Cartwright Photography?? Hell yes!! A trip I will never forget & many new friends made.
Mike Cook
Over the last 18 months I have been on a number of courses, workshops and photography holidays with Michael Cartwright and his team Scott Bonner and Joe Fletcher. Over that time my photography skills have really improved with their generous and friendly help and support. I have learned so much and met some great people along the way. The latest holiday in Arctic Finland / Sweden has been the icing on the cake. Well organised from start to finish with a range of activities and challenges. It was the most wonderful experience and I have some photographs that I really like. Huge thank you to the team and I can wholly recommend Michael Cartwright Photography!
Gill Davidson
Michael has a unique ability to take complicated subject matter and deliver it in a simple, passionate and infectious manner. He has taken me on a journey with his workshops from ‘extreme novice’ that was absolutely clueless to a confident enthusiast. I will be eternally grateful for all of Michael’s efforts in going the extra mile throughout my learning journey. He is a credit to his profession and he sets the standards for the rest of his industry to follow. Oh, and he is a thoroughly likeable chap too!
Stephen Smith
Great weekend away and I’m really pleased with my photographs! Thanks for a fantastic workshop, everything was first class, including the hotel, the food and the weather! I really enjoyed learning about different ways to compose my photos for a more professional feel. The workshop was well planned and was extremely informative and interesting. The fact that Michael kept a close eye on everybody's progress was an extra bonus. Thanks Michael
Uma Mannan
Both myself and my husband have been friends of Michael's for many years now during which time we have been on numerous photography trips with him!
We have thoroughly enjoyed every single trip from the Lake District, Paris, Budapest but my absolute favourite was the trip to Finland, we may not have been lucky enough to see the Northern Lights but what a fantastic adventure it turned out to be!! Each trip has been made extra special with the fabulous group of people that we have had the pleasure of making friends with, aside from that there is of course the excellent opportunity to take some amazing photographs of simply stunning scenery and architecture. The trips are always well organised and thoroughly thought through from beginning to end, as well as coming away with some truly amazing photos you will for sure meet some lovely people and make fantastic memories......
Jayne Stephenson
I attended my first camera course as a complete beginner, I didn’t even know how to turn the camera on! The initial course was perfect for me, very well explained throughout and left me wanting to know more. Michael and the team are brilliant teachers, they are all very patient and we have a lot of laughs along the way. Since learning how to use my camera I have progressed on to landscape workshops and now class myself as being very confident with my kit. I’ve joined Michael on many occassions and would definitely recommend these workshops!
John Conlin