You invested in a great camera… and it’s still making the decisions for you. Dark photos against the light, blurry faces, sunsets that look like nothing at all: it isn’t a gear problem, it’s a method problem. The good news? A method is quick to learn when you’re one-on-one with a professional photographer who corrects every shot as you take it.
Here’s everything you need to know about my on-land photography courses in Païta, 30 minutes from Nouméa: who they’re for, what you’ll do, what they cost, and how to choose the right level.
At a glance
- 3 levels, taken in order: Get to Know Your Camera, Take Full Control, Portraits and Editing Like a Pro.
- 100% one-to-one: one student at a time, using your own camera.
- Full days from 8 am to 5 pm, on weekdays, breakfast and lunch included (adapted to your allergies and dietary needs).
- An exceptional setting: the private Tiaré estate in Païta, with a studio, beach, gardens and private sea access.
- From 40,000 XPF (about €335) per day, online booking, nothing to pay until I confirm.
Why a one-to-one course changes everything
In a group class, you listen a lot and practise very little. Here it’s the other way round: minimal theory, plenty of practice, corrected on the spot. You work on your camera, with your menus, on your mistakes. Every setting is tested straight away, on a real subject, in real light. The result: what you learn in the morning, you’ve mastered by the afternoon.
And because nothing should distract you from the image, everything is taken care of: a warm welcome, meals included, and the studio, beach and gardens all within walking distance. You only have one job: to get better.
Which level is right for you? The 10-second test
| Where you are today | Your level |
|---|---|
| You shoot almost always in auto, and the letters A, S, M and ISO don’t mean much to you. | Level 1 · Get to Know Your Camera |
| You know the settings, but you don’t dare go manual and your photos are all over the place. | Level 2 · Take Full Control |
| You already shoot in manual and you want professional-level portraits and editing. | Level 3 · Portraits and Editing Like a Pro |
Not sure? Drop me a line: I’ll point you to the right course, free of charge.
Level 1 · Get to Know Your Camera (1 day, 40,000 XPF / about €335)
Who it’s for: anyone with a good camera who leaves it on auto. Goal: never go back to auto mode again. What to bring: one camera and one lens, that’s all.
- 8 am – 12:30 pm · In the studio. Understand before you press the shutter: the three settings that make a photo (how much light comes in, for how long, and how sensitive the camera is), sharp focus in the right place, photos that are too dark or too bright, choosing a lens. You leave with a handbook to keep.
- 1:30 pm – 5 pm · Outdoors, in Païta. We try everything: freezing a running subject or blurring motion, blurring the background behind a face, getting it right in full sun and in the shade, placing your subject well.
What you’ll be able to do that same evening: choose for yourself between a blurred background and a sharp landscape, freeze motion, fix a photo that’s too dark before you take it. To get a head start, read my article on the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, ISO).
Level 2 · Take Full Control (2 days, 60,000 XPF / about €505)
Who it’s for: those who know the basics but don’t dare shoot in manual. Goal: confident manual shooting, and photos that are finally well organised. What to bring: one camera, one lens, a tripod (recommended), and your laptop (ideally with Lightroom and Photoshop installed).
- Day 1, morning · In the studio. Settings in depth: metering light, correcting colours (white balance), the RAW format and why it changes everything.
- Day 1, afternoon · Outdoors, in the middle of the day. Everything in manual: taming harsh light, shadows and contrast (the big challenge under the New Caledonian sun).
- Day 2, morning · In the studio. From memory card to finished photo: sorting, backing up without losing anything, organising, editing and exporting your best images from the day before.
- Day 2, afternoon · At the beach, late in the day. Beautiful light: golden hour, backlight, sunset, long exposures on a tripod (silky-smooth sea, headlight trails).
To go further with light, see also how to make the most of golden hour in Nouméa.
Level 3 · Portraits and Editing Like a Pro (2 days, 80,000 XPF / about €670)
Who it’s for: those who are comfortable in manual (Level 2 completed or equivalent) and want polished, finished images. What to bring: one camera, one lens and, if you have one, a flash, plus your laptop.
- Day 1, morning · In the studio, with a model. Sculpting a face with light: one flash, one reflector, the classic portrait lighting setups, putting a person at ease.
- Day 1, afternoon · Outdoors, with a model. Flash outdoors: moving it off camera, blending it with daylight, shooting into the light without a black silhouette.
- Day 2, morning · Lightroom. Local adjustments, your own ready-to-use presets, a consistent series: your signature style.
- Day 2, afternoon · Photoshop and your showcase. Skin retouching, clean-up, simple compositing, and building your online gallery.
By the end of Level 3, you have a professional workflow, from pressing the shutter to publishing. It’s also the prerequisite for my “Colours Restored” underwater editing workshop.
A typical day, in practice
- 8 am: welcome and breakfast; we go over your camera and what you want to achieve.
- 8 am – 12:30 pm: studio, understanding and trying things out.
- 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: lunch, included.
- 1:30 pm – 5 pm: in the field, gardens, beach or studio depending on the level, with live feedback.
- 5 pm: wrap-up, your best images, and what to practise next.
The venue: everything on site
The courses take place on a private estate in an exceptional setting, at Tiaré (Païta). The studio, gardens, hills, a calm beach sheltered from the wind and private sea access are all in one place: you spend the day taking photos, not travelling. Parking on site or, as an option, pick-up and drop-off at your home (10,000 XPF / about €85 for 1 day, 15,000 XPF / about €125 for 2 days).
What does it really cost?
| Course | Length | Price | Deposit on confirmation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 · Get to Know Your Camera | 1 day · 8 hours | 40,000 XPF (about €335) | 30% |
| Level 2 · Take Full Control | 2 days · 16 hours | 60,000 XPF (about €505) | 30% |
| Level 3 · Portraits and Editing Like a Pro | 2 days · 16 hours | 80,000 XPF (about €670) | 50% |
Do the maths: at Level 1, that works out to 5,000 XPF (about €40) an hour, for private tuition, meals included, in a private setting. And unlike a new lens, what you learn never goes out of date: the best camera body can’t replace a trained eye, and yours will stay with you for life.
Want to come as a pair? Ask me for a price. Want a program built around you? A tailor-made course is available on quote.
Book in 3 steps
- Book online on the Courses page (booking page in French — you can also write to me in English): choose a course and a weekday date, at least 5 days ahead. Nothing to pay right away.
- I confirm within 24 hours and you pay the deposit by card via PayPal.
- You practise. Rain or strong wind? We move it to another weekday, free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a professional camera?
No. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with one lens is enough for Levels 1 and 2.
Are the courses really one-to-one?
Yes, every course is one-to-one: one student, one photographer, one full day.
When do the courses run?
Weekdays only, Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm. Book at least 5 days in advance.
What if it rains?
All sessions depend on the weather. In case of rain or strong wind, the session is rescheduled.
Can I give a course as a gift?
Write to me via the contact page and mention that it’s a gift: we’ll arrange the booking in the recipient’s name together.
What’s next? Head for the lagoon
Once you’ve completed Level 2, a whole new world opens up: underwater photography, in one of the most beautiful lagoons on the planet, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the underwater photography courses and see what my images look like in the underwater portfolio.
Ready to take back control of your camera? One day is all it takes to never go back to auto mode. Choose your level and book online →
