A number of people have approached us with specific requests in relation to shorter one to one sessions. We have been reluctant to offer shorter special training, as each event would need its own programme, and until we got to meet the client or member, we have difficulty in being able to see if they can benefit or not from this.

We would be as unhappy as they would, if after travelling to us and spending a couple of hours with us cramming too much into a short time, they were to leave confused, or feeling that they had not benefited from the experience. With a days hands on event we have the time to cover the area of their interest and they get hands on practice to reinforce what we have covered.

In part in some cases, the problem is the different expectations, perhaps they just want to see a few things or to ask a few questions, and are not expecting to do very much at all.  Before a person has a 1 to 1 days training, we have some information about them and their requirements from the booking form and some will also call us to clarify specific items. We also try where we can, to have the right equipment here and set up items and are prepared before they arrive, so that they get the very most from the time with us.

Several have pointed out that they can hire a garage mechanic to work on their car or a solicitor by the hour so why not have help the same way.

Our solution

We cannot undertake training to the level we can with the 1 to 1 days, on the basis of an hourly commission, but we can offer the next best thing, consultancy.

This service is therefore 'Help by the Hour'. This means that you can, if you wish, now book a help or consultancy session, and cover whatever interests you within that time. We can show you cameras, explain techniques, set up and practice what you like, but we cannot commit before that it will work out to be the ideal solution or that, having the information in this way will be suitable for your needs.

You can tell us, when you book or after, the areas of interest that you have, so that we can at least have in mind the areas we are likely to cover. We also ask you to let us know what equipment, if any, you are bringing with you.

So who is likely to benefit from this

There are some people with very good reasons for wanting help by the hour, including those considering a move to digital from film but just at this stage wanting to get a brief look and talk it over with a knowledgeable and experienced photographer rather than someone selling them something. Perhaps another reason is that they have a specific problem to overcome, or have been unable to master some aspect that they feel they really want to cover specifically.

Still have questions about this

If you already have a training course booked and need just a few minutes help on the phone, such as advice on selecting equipment, then we can help with this without requiring the use of this service. Also consider using a new 'Short' this costs only half as much as consultancy, where it can apply.

Any questions please call us, you can also check availability and book if you wish by phone.

Book consultancy time, and talk to an experienced photographer.

See a limited range of equipment, we don't keep the full range of equipment here all the time, and some may be out being used. Normally we will have several Nikon digital bodies, lenses, various graduated filters, a flash and more.

Undertake a limited amount of practical work here.

What is not covered by this compared
with a 1 to 1 day

We have not pre contacted you and worked out in advance what is to be covered, and we may not have done any preparation ahead of your arrival.

We don't necessarily have all the equipment of interest available here.

We are not promoting this as a solution, therefore you may or may not, after attending, feel that you have achieved your aims. All we can do is to answer your questions and share with you whatever we can within the time available.

Meals are not included as with a days training event.

Our normal 1 to 1 works out under £60 an hour, while the garage charges me over £95 an hour to work on my car. The 1 to 1 day will work out cheaper and a far better buy if you want to spend more time.

Extending time

We will try and tell you 15 minutes before the end of your booked time so that you can ask any remaining questions and finish up within the time. Our objective is not to overrun.

Clearly on occasions, having got to see a little you may be interested in staying on longer and undertaking more, or have understood something but want to put it into practice with us. In order for you to extend your visit a little we will never book another activity for the tutor within an hour and a half of the end of the sessions booked, this means that you can always extend by an hour if you wish. Sometimes more time may be available, if you want it, but this is not guaranteed before.

Booking

Book as you would a 1 to 1  day, but suggest the date from those shown as available and the hour from and to requested. You need to pre pay for the hours booked at the time of booking online or within a few days by post.  Any questions please call us.

Cost

If you already have a training course booked and need just a few minutes help on the phone, such as advice on selecting equipment, then we can help with this without requiring the use of this service. Also consider using a new 'Short' this costs only half as much as consultancy, where it can apply.

Attending our centre in the Cotswolds. Two training vouchers per hour, or part of an hour. To use this service you must have at least 5 training vouchers more than you use to book the session, when you book the consultancy session.

Consultancy away from our centre, but within the UK. For example help with your project, or a personally developed course for your staff £2,000 a day.

If you are going to need a lot of support, for example when starting a  business, and have had more than 10 days training with us, we can also arrange this based on training vouchers at an enhanced rate of 2 per hour, timed from leaving to returning to our base. 10 days is included within the EPS Plus course, covered on the bottom of the EPS page.