A New Chapter
I'm Moving Zestlight Photography to Derby This August!
Change is in the air, and I have some incredibly exciting news to share with my creative community.
This August, I am officially relocating Zestlight Photography to Derby!
There is a wonderful, deeply personal story behind this big transition. I recently got engaged to my incredible partner, and with our wedding planned for 2027, setting up our life together in Derby feels like the perfect next step.
While it’s a big life shift, it also marks an exciting milestone for my business. By setting up my new home base in Derby, I am gaining the freedom to bring my passion for teaching photography to a much wider part of the country.
I will be officially moving throughout August, and my brand-new lineup of classes and workshops will kick off this September! Whether you want to master your camera settings for the very first time, level up your creative skills, or get your kids excited about visual storytelling, I am ready to inspire you.
Here is a sneak peek at what this move means for you, where you can find me, and the brand-new lineup of photography workshops I am launching.
Expanding My Horizons: Photography Classes Across the Midlands & Beyond
Derby is the perfect central hub, placing me right in the heart of the country. While Zestlight Photography will be primarily based in the East Midlands and West Midlands, my newfound freedom means I am hitting the road!
Alongside my regular local schedule, I am thrilled to announce that I will be offering:
Regular classes in Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham, and the wider Midlands.
Occasional pop-up classes in London.
Specialist workshops travelling as far north as Northumberland.
Special visits to the North East: Because family means the world to me, I will also be running occasional classes in the North East when I head back up to visit them!
No matter where you are in the heart of England or along my travel routes, a Zestlight workshop is coming your way!
The Zestlight Experience: Hands-On & Personal
I believe that the best way to learn photography is with direct, personalised support. That is why I am committed to keeping my workshops intimate and accessible:
Strictly Small Groups: To ensure you get the absolute most out of our time together, all of my group classes are limited to a maximum of 8 people. You will get plenty of 1-on-1 coaching, tailored feedback, and space to learn at your own pace.
Bringing the Family: I love encouraging the next generation of visual storytellers! For all of my standard classes, children aged 8 and over can attend for free when accompanied by a fully paying adult.
Something for Every Skill Level: My New Class Lineup
To celebrate my move, I have completely refreshed my curriculum. I want to make photography accessible, fun, and deeply rewarding for everyone.
1. Beginner Photography Classes in Derby & the Midlands
If you’ve got a camera but still feel intimidated by manual mode, my beginner photography courses are designed just for you. I focus on hands-on, practical learning in inspiring environments. My beginner workshops will cover:
Urban & Natural Landscapes: Learn how to capture the rugged beauty of the Peak District or the architectural charm of our cities.
Street Photography: Conquer your fears and capture candid, storytelling moments on the move.
Long Exposure (Night Photography): Master the night! I'll teach you how to shoot nighttime urban landscapes, capture mesmerising light trails, and try your hand at creative light painting.
Black & White Photography: Learn to see the world in monochrome, focusing on contrast, texture, and shape.
Close-Up Photography: Discover the hidden details in everyday objects right before your eyes.
2. Intermediate Photography Classes
Ready to push your creative boundaries? If you already know your way around your camera settings but want to master complex techniques, my intermediate classes will challenge and inspire you:
Challenging Lighting & Low Light Conditions: Stop fearing "bad" light. Learn to shoot confidently in harsh midday sun, tricky backlighting, and high-contrast scenes. Plus, master low-light techniques to capture creative images.
Advanced Long Exposure & Waterscapes: Learn how to use ND filters to create silky-smooth waterfalls and dramatic cloud movements.
Macro Photography: Dive deep into the miniature world with specialised close-up techniques.
Off-Camera Flash (OCF) Portraiture: Take control of your light. Master portable flash to create dramatic, professional portraits outdoors or on location.
High-Speed Motion: Capture split-second moments, from splashing water to fast-moving action, with tack-sharp precision.
3. Post-Processing & Workflow: Beginner Adobe Lessons
Taking the photo is only half the journey! To help you bring your creative vision to life, I am introducing beginner-friendly editing lessons to help you master the digital darkroom. I will show you how to navigate Adobe software without feeling overwhelmed, covering:
Lightroom Essentials: Learn how to sort, catalogue, and non-destructively adjust your photos to bring out their absolute best.
Photoshop Basics: Master clean-up tools, basic retouching, and essential adjustments to refine your favourite shots.
A Productive Workflow: Learn a step-by-step process from importing files to safely backing up, archiving, and exporting beautiful images ready for print or social media.
Exploring Historic & Tourist Hotspots
One of the things I am most excited about is collaborating with the incredible heritage and beauty of my new region. I intend to partner with both ticketed and non-ticketed tourist destinations, historic landmarks, and local attractions across the Midlands and beyond.
Imagine learning architectural photography inside a historic estate, or mastering landscape composition in a beautifully curated public garden. Keep an eye on my schedule as I announce some truly spectacular, exclusive workshop locations!
Holiday Fun: Mobile Photography Workshops for Kids
I believe you don't need expensive gear to be a great photographer—the best camera is the one you have with you!
During the school holidays, I will be hosting regular Kids’ Mobile Photography Workshops. These fun, interactive sessions require only a smartphone or simple compact camera. I will teach kids how to look at the world creatively, master composition, find great light, and edit their shots—keeping them active, creative, and outdoors during their break.
To keep these sessions exceptionally high-quality and safe, I operate them with a few clear guidelines:
Strict Group Caps: Each holiday workshop is strictly limited to a maximum of 12 children so that everyone gets the focus they need.
Excellent Supervision Ratios: Safety and support are my top priorities. To make sure safety remains a joint priority, parents and guardians attend as chaperones and remain responsible for their children's safety, allowing us to maintain an excellent supervision ratio of more than 1 adult to every 3 children.
Ticketing & Chaperone Info: Tickets are booked and paid for per child. While parents and guardians attend primarily as chaperones, you are more than welcome to get involved and join in on the creative fun!
Stay Tuned and Get Ready to Book!
I am counting down the days until August, and I cannot wait to become a part of the vibrant Derby and Midlands creative community when classes launch this September.
Want to be the first to know when my new September dates go live? Or perhaps you want to suggest a specific tourist spot in the North East, Yorkshire, or London for my next pop-up class?
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram
for behind-the-scenes updates of my big move.
Get in touch
to register your interest in my upcoming classes!
Here’s to chasing the light in my brand-new home. See you in August, Derby—and get ready to shoot with me in September!
–
Jenny, Founder of Zestlight Photography
