Frequently Asked Questions
I take pride in making learning photography practical and straightforward. My photography courses are suitable for people who want to quickly learn the basic principles of digital photography in an engaging and casual environment.
My courses are perfect for new photographers looking to accelerate their education and beginners who have pored over existing books, videos, and instruction manuals and require a hands-on approach.
There are no age restrictions. The material is suitable for most ages. However, anyone under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who will require a separate registration.
However, please exercise common sense and know your limits. For example, this material is too dense for young children, and the outdoor nature of my courses may not be suitable for persons with limited mobility.
Most of each group course is spent shooting outdoors. When it’s exceptionally cold or the precipitation is heavy, we continue in nearby covered public spaces, such as the PATH and Union Station.
The class size is limited to six people in most cases. However, I reserve the right to temporarily increase the class size to accommodate students rescheduling from cancellations.
Each course runs 3 to 3.5 hours, with a maximum of six students. With fewer than three students, we may finish early. The quality of the lesson and the time for your questions stay the same.
Monitor the weather forecast leading up to your scheduled course, and dress appropriately.
Dress warmer than you typically would when it’s cold outside. Camera batteries deplete faster in colder conditions, so bring a spare.
Bring water and sun protection when it’s warm.
Bring your battery charger if you’re attending more than one course in a day.
Generally, we meet at one of two locations, depending on the time of year. In both cases, the courses take place at publicly accessible locations with nearby transit stops and car and bike parking.
Between April 1 and October 31:
We will meet in front of The Royal Conservatory of Music (273 Bloor St W Toronto ON M5S 1W2).
This part of town and the adjacent University of Toronto campus offer a variety of exciting subjects to photograph. The location is central and easy to access.
If you’re arriving by TTC, the nearest subway stop is St. George Station (take the exit to Bedford Rd.).
The nearest municipal parking is the Green P, located just north of Bloor St. West and accessible from Bedford Rd if you arrive by car.
Between November 1 and March 31:
We will meet inside the Allen Lambert Galleria inside Brookfield Place (181 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5J 2T3), just by the steps of the old RBC Dominion Securities facade.
This location is in the heart of Toronto’s financial district and offers various subjects — architectural, sculptural, and new and old.
If you’re arriving by TTC or GO, the nearest transit is Union Station.
If you arrive by car, there are several commercial underground parking facilities around the area. However, please be mindful of traffic.
My complete cancellation and refund policy is found in the Terms of Sale. The following summary is for your convenience:
- All sales are final, and no refunds are given if you cancel.
- If unexpected issues occur, you can reschedule once, up to 24 hours before your group photography workshop is scheduled to start.
I recommend arriving at the workshop location ten minutes early. This will give you ample time to prepare for the session.
If you anticipate being late, please send me a text message as soon as possible. This helps me stay informed about your situation.
Out of respect for all participants, I do not answer my phone after the scheduled start time. Consequently, I won’t be available to provide directions if you’re lost. However, the locations are easy to find using Google or Apple Maps, so you shouldn’t have any trouble.
The group leaves the meeting location ten minutes after the scheduled start time. Unfortunately, if you arrive after the group has left the meeting point, you will be considered absent.
My outdoor photography courses take place rain or shine. Monitor the forecast and dress appropriately for the conditions. I don’t cancel classes due to extremes of heat or cold.
If I determine that severe precipitation will adversely affect the learning experience, I may change the meeting location or cancel the workshop with a notice of at least 12 hours. If I cancel a workshop due to inclement weather, I’ll offer all enrolled students the option to reschedule to a future date.
My group courses are delightful experiences designed for students’ personal growth and development. They are not academic, there are no competence tests, and I don’t offer certification. For a side-by-side look at college programs, online courses, private tutors, and more, see my honest comparison of ways to learn photography.
Sure, I won’t stop you.
However, my photography classes are designed to teach the theoretical principles and their practical application through structured exercises. By not bringing a camera, you’ll miss out on the valuable experience of my practice exercises.
I designed the courses for digital cameras that allow some degree of manual control. Please check your camera’s suitability by confirming it has the following shooting modes: Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual. If you’re unsure or don’t know where to check, please contact me, and I’ll help you figure it out.
My group photography courses always take place in person.
For remote learning, book a 1-hour private video session for Lightroom, portfolio reviews, or technique.
Yes. Private lessons and the Private Accelerator fit around your departure date, and the group Accelerator runs on set weekends. See travel photography lessons for a prep timeline and a gear checklist.
Yes. Private lessons can happen at your home, planned around naps and school, so you learn with your own kids. See photography lessons for parents for what we cover and which gear helps.
Exposure Therapy’s photography courses focus on building a strong foundation in photography that will work well with most cameras. However, to ensure a consistent and positive experience for all participants, it’s not practical to cover every feature of every camera. If you have an advanced camera and would like to learn about a function that isn’t covered in the group lessons, I’d be happy to offer private photography classes that explore those features in-depth. I look forward to seeing you in class!
Stop delaying. Start learning.
