Private Photography Lessons in Leiden
The private photography lessons are designed for beginners who want to understand their camera without getting lost in endless menus, technical jargon or complicated manuals.
You can choose a single lesson or follow a structured four-lesson programme. Each lesson lasts two hours and is adapted to your camera, your experience and the kind of photography you are interested in.
Four lessons are available:
Lesson 1 — The Basics
We look at how aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus and exposure work together, as well as depth of field, composition, white balance and available light. The aim is not to memorise every function on your camera, but to understand the settings you actually need and use them with confidence.
Lesson 2 — Take It to the Streets
After learning the basics, we head out into the streets of Leiden and put them into practice. With an instructor beside you while you photograph, you can ask questions as they arise and immediately see how camera settings affect your photographs.
Lesson 3 — Getting Creative
Once you understand your camera, the emphasis shifts from technique to learning how to see. We work with light, composition, perspective and movement, exploring how the same subject can be photographed in very different ways.
The aim is to move beyond simply making a technically correct photograph and start developing your own way of looking through the camera.
Lesson 4 — Post-Production Skills
We look at selecting and organising photographs, improving exposure, contrast and colour, cropping and alignment, resizing, compression and exporting images. What we cover depends on the software you use and what you already know.
If you already have experience with post-production, we can move on to more advanced techniques relevant to your own photography.
Price: €70 per lesson (2 hours)
Bring one friend: €100 total. Bring two friends: €120 total.
Four-Lesson Package
If you prefer learning with a clear structure, assignments and personal feedback, the Four-Lesson Package takes you from the fundamentals of photography to using them confidently in practice. By concentrating on subjects that interest you personally, the lessons remain practical and relevant to your photography.
Price: €240 for four lessons of two hours each
Bring one friend: €320 total. Bring two friends: €420 total.
The price includes assignment reviews, constructive feedback, and email and phone support during the four-week programme.
Location: Langestraat 73, 2312 SL Leiden.
For questions, availability or reservations, please visit the Contact Page.
Following four private lessons with Harry was a great experience. He gave me many practical tips, was very patient, and was flexible around my busy schedule. Despite having lived in Leiden for many years, our two outdoor sessions introduced me to places and perspectives I hadn’t seen before.
The lessons gave me a solid understanding of what my camera is capable of and showed me how much can be achieved with a relatively simple editing workflow. They also gave me the confidence to take the next step and enrol at the Fotovakschool.
After being bought this package as a birthday gift, I was not disappointed. Two of the lessons were conducted in the house. The first was an introduction to my camera and all the settings and terminology I would need for my subsequent lessons. We then had two walking tours of Leiden. It was great to get advice right as you were taking the photos and then reflect on the image and try it again if necessary. The final session was an introduction to editing and what can be achieve after the shot. I’m so pleased I took the classes and only wish I had done them when I had first bought my camera. Harry was patient and happy to go through things again with me. He was also very flexible with times and dates with helped. I not only feel I got photography lessons but also a personal history tour of Leiden. I would recommend Harry’s lessons.
Oh, let me tell you, Harry is an absolutely incredible teacher! His patience knows no bounds, and his knowledge is simply astounding. I cannot emphasize enough how much I adored the walk around Leiden with him. Not only did he effortlessly unravel the intricacies of photography, but he also painted a vivid picture of the area's remarkable history. I was completely captivated, hanging onto his every word. It was an experience that left me utterly enchanted and longing for more. Harry's passion and expertise made the whole adventure truly unforgettable, and I can't wait to learn from him again.
I took a private photography tour through Leiden with Harry. He taught me lots of little things to further improve my technical skills. Excellent way to take your photography practise to a higher level. Highly recommend thiis!
Harry is a great teacher. His no nonsense attitude makes a private class very enjoyable. I learned a lot. He learned me how to look differently to every day objects. How to get the most out of my camera and to get the best shot. I recommend both day- and night workshops if you want to grow as a photographer!