Master Your Camera and Editing
Friendly, hands-on, private and small-group tuition designed to help you unlock your creative potential, step off automatic mode, and shoot with absolute confidence.
Welcome to Derby’s New Creative Hub
Welcome to Zestlight Photography in Derby. Whether you are completely overwhelmed by the manual settings on your DSLR or looking to elevate your post-processing workflow, our private photography and editing workshops are designed to meet you exactly where you are. Based in Derby and serving Derbyshire and the surrounding East Midlands, my goal is to provide hands-on, practical, and highly personalised learning that builds your creative confidence and transforms your approach to image-making.
By focusing entirely on the core pillars of great photography—mastering the camera and perfecting the art of the digital darkroom—these sessions are tailored around your unique goals, interests, and skill level. There is no confusing jargon here, just relaxed, supportive, and practical coaching designed to make learning both fun and incredibly rewarding.
Group Photography Workshops (Available to Book)
Our scheduled group photography workshops are the perfect opportunity to learn alongside fellow enthusiasts in a friendly, collaborative environment. Available to book throughout the year, these structured sessions are strictly limited to a maximum of eight participants to ensure everyone receives plenty of individual guidance and hands-on support. Each workshop focuses on a specific creative or technical theme, from mastering your camera's manual settings and understanding exposure, to capturing stunning outdoor landscapes in the Derbyshire countryside or experimenting with creative light painting techniques. These group sessions are designed to be highly social, interactive, and inspiring, giving you the chance to share ideas, practice new techniques in real-time, and build your confidence among like-minded people.
Private Bookings for 1-to-1 & Small Groups
For those who prefer a highly personalised learning experience, our private bookings offer the ultimate flexibility and personalised attention. You can choose a dedicated one-to-one session, where the entire day is customised around your specific camera model, current skill level, and personal creative goals. Alternatively, you can book a private session for a small group of up to eight people—perfect for a custom outing with friends, a unique family activity, or a tailored lesson for a local camera club. With private bookings, we can focus entirely on what matters most to you, setting our own pace and selecting the perfect locations in Derby and the surrounding Peak District on a date that fits your schedule.
Kids' Photography Workshops
Nurturing the next generation of visual storytellers is incredibly close to my heart, which is why I offer dedicated photography workshops designed specifically for children and teenagers. These sessions are crafted to be fun, highly engaging, and entirely hands-on, giving younger enthusiasts a safe and supportive space to explore their creativity behind the lens. We transform technical camera concepts into playful, practical activities, helping them understand how to compose a striking shot, play with light, and see the world from entirely new perspectives.
Whether it is a tailored private session to support a school art project or a lively group activity during the school holidays, these workshops focus on building confidence, independence, and artistic self-expression. We keep the learning light, interactive, and completely focused on the joy of capturing a moment, ensuring that every young photographer leaves inspired, energised, and proud of the images they have created.
Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop Tuition
Taking a great photograph is only half the journey; the magic truly comes together in the digital darkroom. My specialised Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop sessions are designed to demystify the editing process, whether you are trying to organise a cluttered library or learn advanced retouching techniques. We will work side-by-side to establish a clean, non-destructive editing workflow that saves you time and enhances your creative voice.
I will guide you through raw image processing, precise colour correction, exposure adjustments, and creative grading, showing you how to bring out the absolute best in every frame. These sessions are perfect for beginner and intermediate editors alike, giving you the practical tools you need to make your photographs truly stand out.
Ready to Take Your Photography to the Next Level?
Let’s start your learning journey right here in Derby. Whether you want to book a custom camera workshop, schedule a Lightroom editing session, organise a small group class, or ask a few questions, I would love to hear from you. Get in touch today to discuss your goals, and let's craft the perfect personalised learning experience for you.
