FAQ
Personal Booking Questions:
Q. Who can book?
A. Our courses are designed for complete beginners to semi pros and pro photographers. You can have 1 months experience or 10 years. The course will suit you whether you just want to develop a hobby or want to change your career.
Q. How to book?
A. Booking a course is a simple process. Simply click on the Buy Now button at the bottom of the course page. Alternatively we can take payment over the phone by calling 020 7241 2816.
Q. What knowledge of photography do I need?
A. For Camera courses you don’t need any prior knowledge, we’ll teach you all you need to get started.
For lighting courses we expect students to have a basic understanding of exposure, aperture, shutter and ISO/ASA.
Q. Can I buy a course place as a gift for someone else?
A. Yes of course you can, many of our customers have bought a gift voucher for their partner or friend. Our online payment system makes buying gift vouchers an easy process.
Q. How to Redeem a PayPal Gift Voucher?
A. Please read this link: How to redeem a paypal photo gift voucher.
Q. Do I receive a certificate for the course?
A. Yes upon request we can send you a certificate of course completion. Certificates usually take about 5 working days in the post.
Q. Will I be able to shoot like a pro after the course?
A. Practice makes perfect as we all know, many of our students come back to hire the studio and practice their lighting techniques. Very few people are successful first time round, most of us learn from our mistakes and with a strong will and perseverance will get there.
Equipment questions:
Q. What kind of camera is best for the courses?
A. An SLR (single lens reflex) camera is best for the studio courses. An SLR camera is identifiable from its ability to detach and change lenses. If you are still unsure about your camera please contact us with camera make and model and we can tell you what type of camera you own. If you do not own a SLR we can arrange for hire for you. You can however attend the ‘Getting Past Auto Course’ if you own a Compact, Hybrid or Bridge Camera all is explained in the ‘Getting Past Auto’ page on this site.
Q. Do I need a film or digital camera?
A. You can use film or digital. The obvious advantage of digital is you get to see your results instantly.
Q. I don’t have a camera
A. We can arrange hire of a camera and lens for you. Please contact us in advance of you coming on the course.
Q. What lenses are best for studio courses?
A. For photographing people we recommend that you use a telephoto lens. A telephoto lens is anything longer than 70mm. The ideal lens range for people attending a studio course is 24mm-70mm and 70mm-200mm. For camera courses you can bring any an all of your lenses.
If you don’t own these lenses we can arrange hire for you.
Q. What other equipment do I bring to the studio courses?
A. Well first please don’t forget your camera and suitable lens. Also bring enough memory cards, and a spare battery or battery charger. The last thing you want is to run out of charge.
Bring your camera manual, In case you have a camera we are unfamiliar with or if an error message pops up in camera.
Q. Can I use the photos I take on the studio courses?
A. You are permitted to use the photos you take of the studio model for personal portfolio use only. You can not sell the photos to a third party or stock library unless payment and written permission in the form of a model release has been agreed and signed by the model.
Booking and payment questions
Q. How do I secure my place on a course
A. To secure your place on a studio course you must pay the full amount. The payment can be made online or by calling the studio on 020 7241 2816.
Q. How long does a gift voucher last?
A. Please redeem your gift voucher within 12 months of purchase. After 12 months they will no longer be valid for a course or refund.
Q. Changing my appointment date
A. To change your appointment, please contact us within three working days (72 hours) of your appointment.
Q. Cancelling my appointment.
A. To cancel your appointment please call 020 7241 2816. Please note we will retain a cancellation fee (your deposit) for administration costs.
Q. Paying for my course place
A. Payment can be made online using our secure website and PayPal system. Alternatively you can pay over the telephone by calling the studio on 020 7241 2816.
For studio courses, deposits can be paid online or over the telephone, the remainder must be paid on the course day by cash or card.
Q. Paying online using paypal
A. We use ‘Paypal’ for all online transactions, ‘Paypal’ is one of the worlds largest and safest online payment systems. Your financial details are kept completely private and is not shared with StudioTime. Once you have paid via ‘Paypal’ you will receive an e-mail confirming your payment, from Paypal. Paypal will inform StudioTime of your payment and we (StudioTime) will then contact you to arrange a booking date/time. All online transaction are taken using Paypal.
Your question isn’t here
A: Just ask us your question in the response box below and we’ll anwser it as soon as possible. If it is a personal question please use the contact us page.
