Customized Tours & Instruction

 You’ve invested in the fancy camera.

NOW WHAT?

With the advent of the digital camera, photography is more accessible today than it has ever been.  Nearly gone are the days of that thing called “film”, and vanished is the mystery of not knowing whether or not you took a decent shot, not to mention the aniticipation of getting prints back from the local lab.  Millions and millions of consumers now have the latest high-megapixel point-and-shoot cameras, with millions more investing in digital SLR (DSLR) cameras.  This has been a fantastic boost for the art form, except…

These wonderful pieces of technology can be intimidating, frustrating and overwhelming and, of course, the instruction manuals that come with the box are rarely of much help when it comes to practical advice on how to use the gear to improve your creative skills.

The result?

After investing in such an admirable hobby, your photos may look only marginally better than they did before you switched over to digital or before you upgraded your old digital camera to the latest and greatest DSLR model.  Furthermore, your frustration with all of the buttons, dials and menu options has left you perplexed, and you find yourself shooting in the “automatic” mode of a camera that you know, for sure, can do so much more if you only knew how to master the manual functions.

THE SOLUTION:  Why not invest in yourself, and learn how to use your equipment and how to compose your images with the help of a professional photography instructor?

David Simchock, the founder of Vagabond Vistas, is available for one-on-one and customized small group instruction in the comfort of your home or at his beautiful workshop studio in Asheville, North Carolina. 

Though Vagabond Vistas offers a long line-up of “public” studio-based workshops and group-based photo tours, these options may not be the best fit for some photography enthusiasts.  Private instruction certainly offers a personal touch that is difficult to achieve with larger groups.

Not local to Western North Carolina?  If you are interested in private lessons, but you do not live in the Asheville, NC area, please contact us about “distance learning” through telephone and/or web consultations.

Vagabond Vistas “holistic” range of personal services include:

• Detailed guidance in the manual operation of your camera and accessories.
• Expert instruction on photographic composition.
• Step-by-step lessons using Adobe Photoshop CS & Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.
• Professional critique of your work.
• Practical hands-on exercises.
• Private customized photo tours.
• Assistance with camera and gear purchases.
• Marketing and business management advice for the aspiring professional.

Are you thinking of turning your passion for photography into a career?  We can help you with:

• Exploring your options for business activities and income streams
• Establishing a business plan
• Defining your target market
• Establishing a marketing plan
• Establishing a publicity strategy
• Optimizing your use of social media
• Designing an effective website
• Setting up your studio and office
• Applying your inherent creativity to running your photography business!

We can tailor a program to fit your specific needs.  In Asheville, David is available weekdays, evenings and weekends and he can travel anywhere in the WNC area or, even, outside of this region.  For the serious enthusiast, we are open to arranging multi-day programs both locally and further afield (e.g., weekend or longer-term “photo tour get-aways”).  We are knowledgeable of both Nikon and Canon camera models, as well as other manufacturers.

Please contact us via e-mail or call (828) 216 – 6457 for details and for a quotation.