The Paul Hands Junior Academy of Photography

Inspiring the Next Generation of Visual Storytellers.

Fun, hands-on photography workshops for ages 8–18 in Hinckley, Leicestershire and Warwickshire — building confidence, creativity and real camera skills.

Empower Young Minds Through Photography

Designed for young people aged 8–18, the Junior Academy of Photography provides immersive, hands-on learning that builds creativity, confidence, and real technical skill.

More Than Just a Photography Course

Photography is far more than taking pictures — it’s a powerful tool for self-expression, problem-solving, and personal growth.

With years of experience teaching young people, including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN), I’ve developed a supportive teaching style that helps students:

• Improve their photography skills from the very first session

• Build confidence and motivation

• Understand their camera and composition clearly

• Express themselves creatively

• Develop practical life skills through visual storytelling

Workshop Overview & Benefits

Our workshops give young people a clear, practical introduction to photography while building confidence and creativity. Each session is designed to:

• Teach essential photography skills using any camera (phone, compact, DSLR)

• Explore composition, light, colour, and visual storytelling

• Introduce simple post-production using Adobe Lightroom

• Strengthen confidence and technical understanding

• Provide a fun, supportive environment for self-expression

Workshops are flexible and can be delivered as 1:1 tuition, 2:1 or join a group session. Workshops can sometimes take place at my home based editing studio, at your home or outside on location at a relevant place.

Photography Session. Ages 11-18 · Private 1:1 · 2 Hours · £125

A focused, one-to-one photography experience built around your child, learning real technical and creative skills. In a 2 hour session, your child will discover a new world and learn how to see it positively.

What's Included

• On-Location Shooting: Your child learns how to control their camera, compose stronger images, and photograph with intention in a real environment that matches their personality and interests.

• Highly Personalised Teaching: Every child learns differently, so the session is adapted to their pace, abilities, and interests. Whether they're complete beginners or showing early talent, they're met exactly where they are and shown how to grow through using photography as an artistic medium.

A Great Way In
This session is a genuinely complete photography experience in its own right, perfect for a first introduction to a real camera, a confidence boost, or a creative outlet that delivers real, hands-on skills. I've taught many of these students for years and watched them grow into real artists. It's why almost everyone comes back.

*Recommended for monthly sessions.

Half Day Workshop. Ages 11-18 · Private 1:1 · 3 Hours · £195

A complete introduction to photography, one-to-one and built around your child. They learn to control their camera, shoot on location, then finish by editing their strongest photographs, so they leave with the full process from first shot to finished image.

What's Included

• On-Location Shooting
  Your child learns how to control their camera, compose stronger images, and photograph with intention in a real environment that matches their personality and interests.

• Post-Production
  To finish the session, your child learns how to edit their best photographs, from tone and colour to the final touches that bring an image together.

• Highly Personalised Teaching
  Every child learns differently, so the session is adapted to their pace, abilities, and interests. Complete beginners and young photographers with early talent are met exactly where they are and shown how to grow.

Bring a Sibling or Friend
Add a second child for £95. Two children receive individual attention for £145 each.

Ready for More?
Families who want a longer day of shooting and editing can step up to the Full Day Workshop.

Full Day Workshop. Ages 11–18 · Private 1:1 · 6 Hours · £375

A full day of one-to-one photography, built around your child. They shoot on location in the morning, break for lunch, then spend the afternoon editing their photographs, finishing the day with a set of images they are proud of.

What's Included

• On-Location Shooting
  Your child learns how to control their camera, compose stronger images, and photograph with intention in a real environment that matches their personality and interests. A full day gives them time to try an idea, refine it, and see their skills grow within a single session.

• Post-Production
  In the afternoon, your child learns how to edit their strongest photographs, from tone and colour to the finishing touches that give an image its final look.

• Highly Personalised Teaching
  Every child learns differently, so the day is adapted to their pace, abilities, and interests. Complete beginners and young photographers with early talent are met exactly where they are and shown how to grow.

Bring a Sibling or Friend
Add a second child for £175. Two children receive individual attention for £275 each.

Availability
School holidays, weekdays and selected weekends.

A Day Worth Having
Six hours gives photography room to become something real. Your child moves from learning a skill to using it, and leaves with a finished set of edited photographs and the confidence to keep creating.

Junior Photography Foundation Programme
Ages 11-18 | 6 Sessions | 18 Hours Total | 1:1 Mentorship | £925

For young people ready to go beyond a single workshop, the Foundation Programme is a structured six-session course that builds creative skill, technical confidence, and a deeper understanding of photography.

Across 18 hours of one-to-one teaching, your child learns the full photographic process: manual camera control, shooting on location, then editing, selecting, and presenting their work. Every session is shaped around their ability, pace, and learning style.

What's Included

• Six private sessions (3 hours each)

• Full camera control and manual mode

• On-location shooting in varied environments

• Editing, selection and presentation

• A professionally printed and framed photograph

• Certificate of completion

Investment
£925 paid in full, or 3 instalments of £320 (£960 total), due before sessions 1, 3, and 5. Either way, your child receives all six sessions, the framed photograph, and the certificate of completion. That is less than the cost of five Half Day Workshops (£975), with an extra 3 hours of teaching.

Who It's For
Creative young people aged 11-18, from complete beginners to those already showing talent or considering photography and creative subjects at school or college.

Why Families Choose This Programme
It is a complete, structured course, with:

• Visible progress every session

• Clear technical and creative outcomes

• Personalised support throughout

• A framed photograph that celebrates their achievement

Parents choose it for the skills, the progress they can see, and the confidence it builds.

Next Step
Students who enjoy a Half Day or Full Day Workshop and want to keep going often move naturally into the Foundation Programme.

Group Photography Workshop. Ages 8-18 · Up to 15 Children · 3 Hours · £425

A shared photography experience for larger groups, perfect for home education groups, clubs, birthday groups, or friends who want to learn together. Up to 15 children learn real camera skills side by side in one relaxed, hands-on session.

What's Included

Hands-On Group Teaching
Every child works with their own camera or phone, learning composition, light, and creative control through guided group activities and individual feedback throughout the session. I do bring a few dslr’s for the kids to play with.

One Session Price - Whole Group
£425 covers the full session for the whole group, whatever the final headcount up to 15 ish. Organisers divide the cost between families however works best for them.
Travel expenses are based on hmrc’s rate of 45 pence per mile.

Built Around Your Group
Sessions take place at a location that suits your group, home education setting, or event.

What Parents say:

"My daughter loved the workshop! Paul explains photography in a way that’s easy to understand, but still covers real skills. The combination of shooting and Lightroom editing was perfect."

— Joel S.

"Paul kept my boys engaged all day. They loved learning to use their cameras and editing their photos. Highly recommended!"

— Suneetha S.

"Marky really enjoyed the hands-on experience. The workshop taught him photography skills he can use for years to come."

— Rachael A.

The Paul Hands Junior Academy of Photography Students Gallery

All photographs below have been made by kids attending my private photography classes.

Additional Information

• Suitable for ages 11–18, including complete beginners

• Fully adaptable for SEND learners and mixed-ability students

• Available as 1:1 tuition or small-group sessions

• Optional equipment hire available

Digital learning resources for young photographers,

powered by PH-ART-ED

Photo • Art • Education

Let’s Inspire the Next Generation — Together

If you're a teacher, programme coordinator, or parent looking to give young people something genuinely empowering, let’s talk.

📩 Get in touch to check availability or discuss a tailored photography session for your child or organisation.