Workshop at RSPB Bempton Cliffs – A Day of Wildlife, Laughter and Learning Photography
There are some days that remind me exactly why I've spent the last 14 years teaching photography, and my latest Photography Workshop at RSPB Bempton Cliffs was definitely one of them.
As everyone arrived first thing in the morning, there was a real buzz in the room. Some had only recently bought their cameras, others had been photographing for years but wanted to understand them a little better. That's one of the things I love most about my workshops – it doesn't matter where you're starting from, everyone is there for the same reason... to enjoy photography.
We started the morning in the classroom with a coffee, introducing ourselves before getting to grips with aperture, shutter speed, ISO and autofocus. I always try to keep things relaxed. There are no silly questions and nobody is ever made to feel rushed. Watching people suddenly understand a setting they've struggled with for years is honestly one of the best parts of my job.
Once everyone was feeling more confident, we headed out onto the spectacular cliffs of RSPB Bempton Cliffs, and as always, the reserve didn't disappoint.
If you've never visited Bempton before, it really is one of the best places in the UK for wildlife photography. Thousands of seabirds fill the skies throughout the breeding season, and wherever you look there's something happening. Puffins popping out from their burrows, gannets soaring effortlessly overhead, guillemots packed shoulder to shoulder on the cliff ledges and razorbills darting through the air. It's impossible not to be inspired.
One of my favourite moments wasn't even taking photographs myself. It was standing back for a minute and watching everyone completely absorbed in what they were doing. Cameras raised, fingers on the shutter, patiently waiting for that perfect moment. A few hours earlier some of the group weren't sure which camera mode they should be using, and now they were confidently tracking birds in flight and thinking about composition instead of camera settings.
That's a brilliant feeling as a tutor.
What also makes these workshops special is the atmosphere. By lunchtime everyone was chatting like they'd known each other for years. Photography has an amazing way of bringing people together. Complete strangers at the start of the day, sharing stories, helping each other and celebrating each other's photographs by the afternoon.
I think that's something that's often overlooked. A photography workshop isn't just about learning your camera. It's about spending a day outdoors, meeting like-minded people, enjoying nature and switching off from the stresses of everyday life.
For me, photography has always been much more than pressing a shutter button. It's been an escape. It slows me down, clears my head and makes me notice things I'd otherwise walk straight past. Passing that feeling on to other people is the biggest reason I continue running these workshops.
As the afternoon drew to a close, everyone left with memory cards full of photographs, plenty of new knowledge and, hopefully, a renewed excitement to keep getting out with their cameras.
I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined me. You were an absolute pleasure to teach, and your enthusiasm made the day every bit as enjoyable for me as I hope it was for you.
I'm already looking forward to the next Photography Workshop at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.
If you've ever wanted to learn photography in a relaxed, friendly environment while surrounded by one of Britain's most spectacular wildlife locations, I'd love to welcome you along.
I promise there'll be plenty of laughs, lots of learning... and more than a few puffins.
