Question 1

Is my camera suitable for your courses?

Accepted Answer

Any camera with manual shooting modes (P/A/S/M) works for our courses (except for the smartphone course, of course). The age, brand, and model don't matter. Compact pocket cameras are not suitable. If you only have a compact camera or smartphone, we can lend you a proper camera for the course. Just select "I need a camera" during checkout so we can reserve one for you.

Question 2

What activities does Swiss Photo Club offer?

Accepted Answer

Here's a summary of our activities in all major cities across Switzerland and Germany. Feel free to contact us if you have suggestions. Group and private photography courses Local photography competitions and exhibitions Practice workshops Photography trips in Switzerland and abroad Workshops and conferences with renowned photographers Studio and equipment rental … and more Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.

Question 3

Where do the courses take place?

Accepted Answer

The exact location varies by course — it's either at our school, at the instructor's studio, or at a central meeting point in the city. The location is shown when you click the registration button for your course. If it matters for your decision and you don't see it, please contact us.

Question 4

What equipment should I bring?

Accepted Answer

For a photography course, bring your DSLR or mirrorless camera with fully charged batteries, memory cards, and at least one lens. You're welcome to bring more equipment if you'd like. For an editing or software course (Photoshop, Lightroom, etc.), bring your laptop with charger and some photos saved on your laptop or an external hard drive. For other specific courses, the equipment list is usually in the course description. After registering, feel free to contact us or your instructor for details.

Question 5

Are there breaks and refreshments?

Accepted Answer

We know it's hard to focus on one topic for more than about 45 minutes, so we take a short break roughly every hour to rest and digest what you've learned. Lunch is not provided, but tea, coffee, water, biscuits, and similar refreshments are available free of charge.

Question 6

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

When you register for a course, you can pay by credit card, bank transfer, post office, or TWINT. For bank or postal transfers, here are the details: Bank transfer (1 day) Account holder: Swiss Photo Club Sàrl Address: Rue Henri-Christiné 5, 1205 Geneva Bank: UBS Switzerland AG IBAN: CH57 0022 6226 2105 9401 U BIC / SWIFT: UBSWCHZH80A TWINT Use the QR code on this page: https://shop.swissphotoclub.com/twint/

Question 7

What camera equipment do you recommend for a beginner?

Accepted Answer

This is a question we get a lot, so we wrote a full guide. Check our camera and photography equipment guide for Switzerland .

Question 8

I registered for the course — what now?

Accepted Answer

If you've registered and paid, just check your email a few days before the course (and your spam folder if you don't see it). Your instructor will send specific instructions directly to your email — exact address, directions, what to bring, etc. If you've registered but not yet paid, please transfer your payment or pay at any post office as soon as possible to secure your spot.

Question 9

What if I need to reschedule or cancel my course?

Accepted Answer

You can either reschedule to another course (full credit for the same value) or request a refund, depending on how far in advance you let us know. Just email hello@swissphotoclub.com. More than 14 days before the course: Full refund (excluding credit card fees) or full credit for another course. 7 to 14 days before: Full credit for another course is always available. For a refund: if we fill your spot from the standby list, you get 100% back (excluding credit card fees); otherwise 50%. Less than 7 days before: Full credit for another course is only possible if we manage to fill your spot from the standby list. No refund. 3 days or less: No refund. Rescheduling is only possible if you provide a medical certificate. In the rare case that we have to cancel or reschedule a course (instructor illness or other circumstances), you'll get a full refund or transfer to another course of the same value. See our full terms and conditions for details.

Question 10

What happens if I'm late or miss a course?

Accepted Answer

We start classes on time and stick to the stated hours, so please try to arrive 10 minutes early to set up your camera and gear. If you're running late or can't find us, call the phone number in your confirmation email. If you realize you can't make it on the day, please let us know as soon as possible — we can try to arrange an alternative. If you'd like to cancel your attendance, give us as much notice as possible so we can offer a full or partial refund. See our refund and cancellation policy .

Question 11

I don't own a camera yet — can I still join?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. We lend cameras for free on all our courses — just select "I need a camera" at checkout so we can reserve one for you. If you're thinking about buying your own, take the course first. By the end, you'll know exactly what to look for. You can also browse our beginner gear guide .

Question 12

I'm not technical or artistic — will I feel out of place?

Accepted Answer

This is exactly who our beginner courses are for. Most of our students walk in thinking the same thing — and walk out surprised by what they can do. The technical side of photography comes down to a few clear principles. You don't need a tech background — our instructors break everything down step by step. And the "artistic eye"? That's a skill that develops with practice. We'll show you how to see like a photographer. Our instructors are used to working with absolute beginners, and you won't be the only one without prior experience.

Question 13

What if I'm the slowest in the class?

Accepted Answer

Our beginner courses are designed for true beginners, so most participants start from scratch — there isn't really a "slowest." Our classes are small (usually 3–4 students, and never more than 8), so the instructor has time to support each person at their own pace. If something doesn't click during the class, you can ask anytime — and our instructors are happy to follow up afterwards.

Question 14

Should I start with my phone or a DSLR?

Accepted Answer

Both are valid starting points — the best camera is the one you'll actually use. Start with your phone if: you mainly shoot for personal use or social media, you want to focus on composition and light before learning camera settings, or you're not yet sure how serious you'll get with photography. We offer a dedicated smartphone photography course for exactly this. Move to a DSLR or mirrorless camera if: you want full control over depth of field, low-light situations, or shutter speed; you want to print large; or you're ready to grow into more advanced work. See our beginner gear guide . If you're not sure, take a beginner course first — your answer will be much clearer afterwards.

Question 15

How long before I see real improvement?

Accepted Answer

Many students see noticeable improvement during their first course — especially in composition, exposure, and the way they look at a scene before pressing the shutter. Real, lasting improvement comes from practice. Our beginner course gives you the foundation to practice productively, instead of guessing what to fix. Students who shoot regularly typically build a portfolio they're proud of within a few months. The bottleneck isn't talent — it's having the right framework and the right feedback. That's what the course gives you.

Question 16

Is it worth paying when YouTube is free?

Accepted Answer

YouTube is great for specific tutorials. But as a learning path, it has real limits — and that's where structured courses pay off: Feedback on YOUR photos. A generic tutorial can't tell you what you're doing wrong. A live instructor can. The right order. Random videos don't build skills systematically. A structured curriculum does. Real practice. You actually shoot, with a photographer next to you spotting what you're missing in real time. Accountability. Showing up to a class is much harder to skip than queuing up another video. Community. You're surrounded by people learning the same thing — that alone is worth a lot. Most of our students tell us they progress more in a single weekend with us than in months of watching tutorials on their own.

Question 17

What if I don't enjoy the course?

Accepted Answer

If you complete the full course and aren't satisfied, we'll refund you . We mean it — we'd rather you tell us than feel stuck with a course you didn't get value from. Just email us at hello@swissphotoclub.com after the course with a quick note on what didn't work for you.

Beginner Photography Courses

What you will learn

Set up your camera with confidence

Understand aperture, shutter speed and ISO

Focus, lenses and composition

Feedback and real photo situations

No camera? No problem!

Pick your beginner course format

Reviews

Other Beginner Options

Private Course

Frequently Asked Questions

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