WORKSHOPS
Photography Workshops in Brighton, London and Beyond
From first camera sessions to live event shoots, run by a Brighton-based photographer with 14 years of active visual work. One-to-one mentoring, small groups up to 6, or walk-in city workshops up to 10 whichever format fits what you need.
WHY THIS IS WORTH IT
The Gap Between Watching and Doing.
You can spend two years on YouTube and still freeze when the light isn’t perfect and the moment won’t wait. Or you can spend a day with someone who has been in that situation hundreds of times and knows exactly what to do.
THE DIY ROUTE
Hours of tutorials that contradict each other
Learning the theory but not knowing what to do when it goes wrong
No one to tell you why your images aren’t quite working
Gear-buying cycles that don’t solve the actual problem
Two or three years to reach a standard you could hit in months
A camera that stays in the bag because you’re not confident enough to use it
A DAY WITH XAVIER
- Real shooting, in real locations, with real-time feedback on every frame
- 14 years of knowing exactly what to do when the light is wrong, the subject is nervous, or the moment is disappearing
- Someone who can look at your image and tell you precisely what to change — and why
- A personal action plan for the next 90 days built around your actual goals
- Progress you can measure before the end of the session
- Confidence that comes from doing it properly, not just reading about it
SPECIFICALLY — THE CITY WALK
You're Paying for the Eye, It's so Much More Than Just a Tour.
Brighton is a city full of usable light, texture, architecture, and human moments. Most people walk through it every day and don’t see a single frame worth shooting. That’s not because the images aren’t there — it’s because seeing photographically is a trained skill, not a natural one.
The city walk is where that skill gets built in real time. We stop at locations I have used in professional shoots. I show you exactly what I see and why. You shoot, review the frame on the spot, adjust, and shoot again. By the end of the session you have a set of images you made yourself — and more importantly, you know how you made them.
That knowledge doesn’t leave when the session ends. It changes how you see every street, every room, every event you photograph from that point on.
WHAT ACTUALLY CHANGES
You stop guessing.
Every decision — exposure, position, timing — becomes intentional. You know why you’re making it, which means you can repeat it.
Your camera comes out more.
The single biggest barrier is hesitation — not knowing what to do when things don’t go to plan. One session removes most of that.
You see differently.
That’s not marketing language. It’s what happens when someone shows you the frame before you’ve taken it. You start to find them yourself.
You have something to show for it immediately.
Not a certificate. Not a theory. A set of real images from a real session in a real city made by you, reviewed on the day, and yours to use.
Curated Photography Experiences
Workshops With Xavier Clarke
Not training courses. Not generic seminars. Curated photography experiences – in-person and online – designed to change the way you see and work. Every place is limited. Every session is designed around you.
WORKSHOP OPTIONS
Choose the Format That Fits
1 TO 1 MENTORING
For focused personal progress.
– Camera choice and setup
– Getting out of auto mode
– Building your own visual style
– Lighting with 1, 2, and 3 light workflows
– Personal action plan for next 90 days
SMALL GROUP WORKSHOPS
Up to 6 attendees for hands-on coaching.
– Live venue practice
– Guided shooting exercises
– Group critique and edit session
– Suitable for Brighton and London groups
– Strong fit for branded pop-up sessions
WALK-IN CITY WORKSHOPS
Up to 10 attendees depending on route and venue permissions.
Planned formats include:
– London Punk Walk collaboration
– Monopoly board route bus workshop
– Brighton music and movie history walk
– Brighton street art and hidden symbols walk
WHO THIS IS FOR
Built for Learners Who Want Practical Progress
WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO LEARN BY DOING
Where Theory Meets the Streets
Workshops are intensive, single-day immersions designed for photographers who believe the best way to learn is by doing. Focused experiences are created around specific themes, techniques, or locations, giving concentrated time to practice, experiment, and receive immediate feedback.
Each workshop combines brief instruction with extended hands-on practice, allowing application of new concepts immediately in real-world situations. Participants leave not just with new knowledge, but with a portfolio of images that demonstrate growing skills.
Join the next workshop: London Walking, 50 years of punk, through your lens. Date: Saturday 3 October. Ten paid places available, plus two gifted places for Mind. Booking by appointment only. Pricing: first two confirmed bookings GBP 845, standard advance price GBP 1250, same-day place GBP 1500 (subject to approval and availability).
Additional workshop themes are in development and will be announced throughout the year. Select workshops and posts are presented in partnership with Mind, the mental health charity, to help raise awareness and support for mental wellbeing through creative photography experiences.
Your Day, Not a Course
Every workshop is a curated, end-to-end experience. Refreshments on arrival. A curated lunch from an independent venue – no generic chains. 4-star minimum accommodation sourced at preferred rates for multi-day events.
Every participant leaves with a personalised, laminated camera settings card – your optimal settings for the shooting conditions covered that day. And every workshop includes a guided post-processing editing session to take your images from capture to completion.
London Walking - London Workshop October 2026
Album Covers Through The City
50 years of punk. Through your lens. London’s musical history is not in museums. It is written into the streets: the corners where album covers were shot, the venues where it happened, the places that shaped everything.
Some places still alive and kicking. Others gone, but not forgotten. In this anniversary year, explore the London locations, album-cover stories and music that continue to leave their mark.
A nod to The Clash’s London Calling, London Walking is about looking beyond the familiar image to the stories around it. The album’s iconic cover photograph ironically was taken in New York; this workshop day follows London’s own musical connections.
On Saturday 3 October 2026,
start at Alfies in Marylebone: time to look around and discover work by photographers behind the music, followed by an introductory talk and Q&A. Then head into the city for stories, locations and practical photography challenges that encourage you to notice more and make photographs of your own. A guest guide will be announced.
A stop for food on Heddon Street gives the day a breather before more walking and photography, followed by time to rest, review and edit your work. With a maximum of ten participants, there is room for personal guidance, questions and conversation, not just following the person in front.
From the streets where music history was made to a night you will want to say you were there for. Your workshop includes the intimate Riot on Oxford Street album-launch event for Lenny Kaye and Friends at Fiddler’s Elbow in Camden. After a day exploring and making photographs, enjoy the music in a small room with a connection to the story of Nuggets. This is how the day finishes, with event admission included in your workshop entry.
Start with a short portfolio chat about your experience, what catches your eye and what you would like to take from the day.
They show you album covers.
We show you the stories behind them.
They teach you to replicate famous shots. We teach you to create your own. 50 years of punk. Through your lens. Some places still alive and kicking. Others gone, but not forgotten. In this anniversary year, explore the London locations, album-cover stories and music that continue to leave their mark.
A nod to The Clash’s London Calling, London Walking is about looking beyond the familiar image to the stories around it.
They tell you where to go.
We teach you how to see.
The Experience
They give you an itinerary. We give you an experience. On Saturday 3 October 2026, start at Alfies in Marylebone: time to look around and discover work by photographers behind the music, followed by an introductory talk and Q&A. Then head into the city for stories, locations and practical photography challenges that encourage you to notice more and make photographs of your own. A guest guide will be announced.
A stop for food on Heddon Street gives the day a breather before more walking and photography, followed by time to rest, review and edit your work. With a maximum of ten participants, there is room for personal guidance, questions and conversation, not just following the person in front.
Access All Areas:
They talk about access. We create access.
Access & Partnership
These workshops aren’t just about the walk; they are designed to help you see the world differently, give you new tools to document your journey and experiences.
And the day doesn’t just end you get access to an exclusive one off event that isn’t to be missed.
Better Together:
They mention partnerships. We live them. As part of a commitment to mental health and creativity, two dedicated places are provided for MIND participants on every walk. This partnership ensures that the act of seeing and storytelling remains accessible to those who need it most.
The Approach
They follow a script. We follow your vision.
They start with camera settings. We start with your goals. Start with a short portfolio chat about your experience, what catches your eye and what you would like to take from the day.
They list features. We list transformations.
What is Included
They give you access. We give you agency.
• Full admission to the Riot on Oxford Street event at Fiddler’s Elbow.
• Personalised guidance and portfolio chat to align the day with your goals.
• A curated route through London’s most significant musical landmarks.
• Professional insight into the ‘No AI’ manual craft of photography.
• Intimate group size (max 12) to ensure direct conversation and mentorship.
Capacity: Maximum 10 spaces available.
Pricing: Early Bird / First Three: GBP 850 | Standard: GBP 1,095 | Late / Last Minute: GBP 1,495
Arrival time: 10:30 | By appointment only
All Hospitality
Refreshments, curated lunch from independent venues, afternoon pick-up. Multi-day events include accommodation at Hotel du Vin / Malmaison standard or above.
Post-Processing Session
Every workshop finishes with a guided editing session. Learn how to take your shots from raw capture to finished image – using your own work from the day.
Your Camera Settings Card
A personalised, laminated card with your optimal camera settings for the conditions covered that day. Yours to keep – practical, specific, and ready to use on your next shoot.
✦ Max 10 participants (some workshops capped at 4, occasionally 2) | ✦ 1:1 photography workshops & mentoring | ✦ All hospitality included | ✦ Post-processing editing session every workshop | ✦ Personalised camera settings card to keep
Reserve Your Place
How It Works
- Submit this form – choose your workshop and preferred date
- Confirmation within 24 hours – availability check and date confirmation
- Pay your deposit – your place is held for 48 hours while you arrange payment
- Your day is confirmed – joining details, preparation guide, and what to bring
Deposit Policy
In-person (full day): 50% on booking, remainder 14 days before
(London Walking: full payment at onboarding)
Online workshops: Full payment required at booking
Private/bespoke: Terms agreed individually, typically 50%
Cancellation: Non-refundable within 14 days of the event. Transfers to a future date are accommodated where possible.
Xavier Clarke · Brighton-based
Mon–Fri 10:00– 16:00
info@xcphotography.co.uk
Workshops, Tutorials, Mentoring & Retreats With XC PHOTOGRAPHY
DELIVERY FORMAT
In Person, Live Video, and Workbook Ready
Mentoring & 121 Workshops:
From Choosing Your First Camera to Getting Your Work on Walls
WHAT YOU LEARN
You will cover:
– Choosing your first camera with a clear budget path
– Getting off auto mode with confidence
– Building your look and finding your style
– Lighting foundations with one light
– Building to two light and three light setups
– Live event shooting in difficult light
– Fast culling and editing workflow
– Delivery formats for client work and social posting
RETREAT
SOUND AND VISION
Framed for your audience:
A day with Xavier
Your image is your digital handshake, learn how to create and generate scroll-stopping and engaging images that resonate with your ideal audience.
- Photography direction
- Story development
- Shooting and edit supervision
Multi-specialist retreat
- Xavier Clarke plus two guest specialists
- Special guests to change by retreat theme
- Example add-ons: styling, video, audio, branding
- Each retreat includes:
- In-person sessions
- Recorded segments for YouTube
- Workbook and follow-up task sheets
Register Your Interest
Tell me a bit about you, your goals, and your kit. I will review submissions, then send brochure details and next steps. This interest form is the first step before final place confirmation.