A Course in Seeing, Reflecting, and Meaning-Making

This course uses mindful photography as a starting point for expressive writing and self-reflection. Through guided prompts and gentle structure, photographs become doorways into thoughts, emotions, and insights that are often difficult to access directly.

No writing or photography experience is required. The focus is not on technique, but on awareness, honesty, and giving language to what you notice.

Ideal for anyone seeking clarity, creative renewal, or a deeper way of understanding their inner landscape.

Max of 10 people

Start time: To be arranged

Duration: Module 1 (2 hr Theory, 1 hr Practical)

                   Module 2-7  ( 2hr sessions in field) 

Ages: 18 and up

Price: R700 pp (Introduction Session - Module 1) R400 pp (Each remaining session - Modules 2-6)

 

Requirements: Any type of camera, mobile phones perfect.

Course Content

Module 1 – Introduction

1.1 Mindful Photography & Expressive Writing

1.2 Visualizing & Verbalizing

Module 2 – Mindful Techniques

2.1 Perspective

2.2 Creativity

2.3 Minimalism

2.4 Beauty

2.5 Patience

2.6 Gratitude

 

A Mindful Photography & Wine Tasting Experience

Slow Down & Look is a gentle introduction to mindful photography — an invitation to pause, notice, and see differently.

Using only a cell phone, you’ll be guided through the introductory session of the Perspectra approach, where photography becomes a way of slowing the mind and deepening awareness, rather than creating perfect images. Simple prompts encourage presence, curiosity, and a quieter way of looking.

The experience includes a relaxed, guided walk and time in nature, followed by an unhurried wine tasting, allowing space to reflect and enjoy the moment.

No photography experience is required — just a willingness to slow down and look.

Max of 10 people

Location: Various Wine farms in Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy

Start time: Times and Dates to be determined (see FB page under "Events")

Duration: 3hrs 

Ages: 18 and up

Price: R600 pp (includes wine tasting)

 

Requirements: Any type of camera, mobile phones perfect.

Course Content

Mindful Photography

Practical Workshop

Wine Tasting

 

 

 

Understanding Your Camera with Confidence

If you own a DSLR or a Mirrorless camera but avoid the manual setting, this course is designed for you.

This focused experience begins with a 2-hour practical theory session covering the essential elements of shooting in Manual Mode — including exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and how they work together. Concepts are explained clearly and reinforced through guided exercises and mini workshops.

The course concludes with a 90-minute beach session, where you’ll apply what you’ve learned in real conditions, building confidence through hands-on practice.

Ideal for photographers who want to move beyond automatic settings and take full creative control of their camera.

Max of 10 people

Start time: Mornings 13h30 or  Afternoon 14h00

Location: Blessings & Creative (Melkbosstrand)

Beach visit: 18:00-sunset

Ages: 13 and up

Price: R1100 pp (bring a friend and both get 10% discount)

 

Requirements: DSLR or Mirrorless Camera (Manual Settings important)

Learning to See, Create, and Understand Images

This course introduces children to photography using a tool they already know well — the camera on their cell phone. Instead of aimless screen time, the camera becomes a creative and educational outlet.

Children are guided through the basics of photography, learning how cameras work, key terminology, and simple principles of composition and light. Each session introduces a clear concept, followed by practical, hands-on practice that encourages curiosity, focus, and creativity.

The course is structured, engaging, and age-appropriate — with clear learning objectives and plenty of doing rather than sitting. Children are encouraged to take photographs with intention and to begin understanding what makes an image work.

Classes take place at a safe location in Melkbosstrand (Blessings & Creative), with one or two supervised outings to the local beach. All sessions are conducted under adult supervision and with full parental consent

Max of 5 learners

Start time: 4h30 on Thursdays. ) 

Duration: 1 hr/session, 16 session in total. (Do Photography 101 and decide if you want to continue with the next more advanced course.)

Ages: Grades 5-7

Price: R250 pp/session or R2000 pp for full course (10 lessons) paid upfront. (Note that lessons follow up on each other and children are encouraged not to miss lessons.)

 

Requirements: Any type of camera, mobile phones included.

 

Course Content

Module 1 

1.1 Camera and Light

1.2 Light

1.3 Perspective

1.4 and 1.5  Composition

1.6 Elements -  Lines

1.7 Elements - Shapes

1.8 Elements - Texture

1.9 Elements - Colour

1.10 Elements - Size

1.11 Elements - Form

1.12 Elements - Depth

1.13 Landscape Photography

1.14 Action Photography

1.15 Portrait Photography

1.16 Light Painting

A two hour course focusing on the Develop Module in Lightroom. Learn how to enhance your images with software.

Location: This is done as a one-on-one training session.

Price: R500

Requirements:  Lightroom installed on your home PC/laptop

Advanced Courses cover photography genres that need not only specialized equipment, locations and techniques, but also a fair amount of planning.  These courses are usually weather dependent and is only organized once a quarter and on special requests.

Ages:  18 and up

Min 10 persons per group

Requirements:  Specialized equipment according to course details

 

Underwater photography can vary from taking a picture through a glass wall to deep sea photography. This course however covers basic water photography but need special equipment like underwater cameras and water housings.  The main objective is to understand the challenges in underwater photography, how light effects the photography and this is performed under controlled conditions in an indoor pool. The subject is a model.

Ages: 13 and up

Location: Indoor Swimming pool, Bloubergrandt

Requirements: Any camera that is waterproof, cameras in waterproof housing, swimming goggles, swimming gear, the ability to hold breath for a couple of seconds at least.

Price: R1200

 

Successful astrophotography is only possible on cloudless nights and on dark locations.  These places do not exist close to Cape Town and requires driving and sleeping over.  Courses are tailor-made to satisfied all customers, from camping to sleeping over in guesthouses.  The main aim is to get out, get away from the city and lights and to enjoy a night beneath the stars.

Ages: 18 and up

Requirements: Time mostly, adventurous spirit, patience and a tripod

Price: Location dependent

Night Time photography includes street photography and light painting. Shooting at night is a challenge because of the lack of adequate light, but allows for some awesome creativity.

Ages: 18 and up

Requirements: Tripod, DSLR

Price: R900

Adventure Photography ranges from shooting adventure sports to camping alone in the mountains hoping to spot leopards or other wild life.  These courses are also tailor made with adventure as main focus and photography second. Prices will range according to type of adventure.

Ages: 21 and up

Requirement:  Adventurous spirit, all gear required to survive and a zest for adventure.

Price: Location and adventure dependent

Kids want to play but nowadays they prefer to do it indoors.  With this course I take them outside to get some dirt on their knees and stimulate some creativity in the process. They don't only learn, but they explore.

Ages:  9-15

Min 10 persons per group

Requirements:  Any device that can take pictures.  Preferably easy to use cameras like mobile phones or point-and shoot.

Price: R250

 

If your child has an action camera and want to do a little adventurous shooting, this is the course for him or her.  Kids will be taken to island between Small and Big Bay where they will get the opportunity to shoot friends jumping into the rock pool and take underwater shots. They will also get an opportunity to take pictures of waves or shooting friends on bodyboards.

Ages:  8-15

Max 5 persons per group

Requirements:

• Any brand of action camera that is waterproof or has waterproof casing
• Wetsuit
• Diving mask or goggles (optional)
• Flippers or fins (optional)
• Bodyboard (optional)

Price: R750

 

There are many beautiful places to photograph in Cape Town. Some are hard to reach, some are easier. Some are safe, some are risky.  Justasurferdude will accompany you to some of these sites.  He will meet you there and take you around, showing your where the best spots are and keep you away from dodgy areas.

Need a good picture of Table Mountain, or the colourful houses in Bo-Kaap?

Bloubergstrand and surrounds:

Price: R800 (1 person), R700 pp (2 or more)

Bo-Kaap:

Price: R900 (1 person), R800 pp (2 or more)

Woodstock:

Price: R900 (1 person), R800 pp (2 or more)

Sandy Bay, Llandudno:

Price: R1000 (1 person), R900 pp (2 or more)