Q: I registered for the course — what now?

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 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.

Question 18

What happens after I buy a gift voucher?

Accepted Answer

You'll receive the voucher as a PDF by email within a few minutes. You can print it or forward it to the recipient.

The recipient can then use the code on the voucher to register for any of our upcoming courses.

Question 19

How do I use my gift voucher code?

Accepted Answer

Enter the code from your voucher on the final payment screen of the registration process. It will count as payment.

Question 20

Can I use my voucher towards a more expensive course?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Choose your course as usual and enter your code at checkout. The value of your voucher will be deducted from the price, and you can pay the difference with any payment method.

Question 21

What if the price of the course increases?

Accepted Answer

If the price of the course corresponding to your voucher changes, the value of your voucher adjusts accordingly. Your gift voucher remains valid regardless of any price change between purchase and registration.

Question 22

Are vouchers refundable?

Accepted Answer

Gift vouchers and course bundles are not refundable, in whole or in part (as stated in our terms and conditions). They are not transferable to anyone other than the named recipient.

The recipient can use the voucher value as a discount towards a more expensive course.

If you used your voucher for a class that was postponed, you get your credit back and can use it for the new date or a different course.

Question 23

What language are the workshops in?

Accepted Answer

The language of each course or trip (EN, DE, FR) is shown next to the date and in the description. Please book in a language you're comfortable with.

Our coaches are all at least bilingual and can help in your own language if needed. If you're unsure about English, please check before registering.

Question 24

What is the cancellation policy for trips?

Accepted Answer

If you can no longer join the trip, please email us as soon as possible at hello@swissphotoclub.com. The following cancellation fees apply:

More than 90 days before: 20% of the price is retained
89–31 days before: 50% of the price is retained
30–0 days before: 100% of the price is retained

Some trips have stricter rules due to our agency partners; in those cases, the policy in the trip description applies.

Tickets are not for resale.

Question 25

Are there any requirements to join?

Accepted Answer

No. Our trips are open to anyone passionate about photography, from beginners to advanced photographers — we all have different talents and learn from each other. That said, basic photography knowledge is highly recommended.

Question 26

What happens after my application?

Accepted Answer

Once we receive your payment, we'll get in touch with a short survey or a call to learn about your language and accommodation preferences. Closer to the trip, we'll confirm everything, introduce the instructors, and share the full program.

Question 27

Shared room: can I choose who I share with?

Accepted Answer

We strongly recommend booking a shared room with someone you already know and feel comfortable rooming with.

If you book a shared room alone, you accept sharing with another participant regardless of gender or age. Your booking will only be confirmed if another solo shared-room booking is made. Otherwise, depending on timing and availability, you can upgrade to a private room.

Question 28

Can I upgrade from a shared to a private room later?

Accepted Answer

If you decide to upgrade to a private room, the conditions depend on the timing (and on availability).

Before the trip: You pay the price difference at the time of your decision. For example, if you bought an early-bird ticket but upgrade once normal prices apply, you pay the difference based on the normal price.

After the trip has started: If you decide to upgrade at check-in and a room is available, you pay the price difference plus 20% of your original payment as a penalty.

Question 29

Will other groups travel with us?

Accepted Answer

No. This trip is organized exclusively by and for Swiss Photo Club participants.

Question 30

Other frequently asked questions

Accepted Answer

Children: Participants must be at least 16 years old.

Pets: To offer the best experience to all participants, pets are unfortunately not allowed.

Allergies and food intolerances: We take allergies and intolerances seriously — please let us know about them when we get in touch.

Photography equipment: We partner with great photography brands. If you'd like to buy new gear for your trip, contact us at hello@swissphotoclub.com and we'll send you a quote.

Question 31

Is travel insurance included?

Accepted Answer

No, travel insurance is not included in the trip. Please make sure you have health, travel, and accident insurance coverage.

Question 32

What happens in case of an emergency?

Accepted Answer

Before the trip, we'll ask you for the contact details of a person of your choice in case of emergency. You and your loved ones can reach us during the trip, as well as our team in Geneva and Zurich.

If you have specific allergies or are on medical treatment, we strongly recommend consulting your doctor before registering.

Swiss Photo Club does not provide insurance.

Question 33

How can I pay?

Accepted Answer

You can pay by:

Credit card (fastest and preferred)
Bank transfer (purpose: your full name + trip name)
Invoice (email us your full name and billing address)
Cash at any post office

For bank transfers or post office payments, please use the details below:

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

Payment at the post office (2 days)
Use the red payment slip with the details above.
Account number: 80-500-4

Question 34

What should I bring?

Accepted Answer

For the trip, please bring:

Photography equipment for landscape and night photography (body, lenses, tripod, filters, strap, batteries, SD cards, flash, etc.)
Laptop with Lightroom or Photoshop for the editing session (optional)
Warm clothes appropriate for the weather

You'll receive a recommended packing list with your welcome email.

Question 35

Is there a specific theme for each event?

Accepted Answer

Unless explicitly stated, we do not have a specific theme per event. You can submit any photo, as long as you are the owner.

When preparing the exhibition, we group the large prints by theme to create a harmonious experience for visitors.

Question 36

Can I submit photos taken with a phone?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can submit photos taken with any camera. We don't care which camera or lens you use — we care about the emotions your photo creates.

Question 37

Why do I have to pay to enter the competition?

Accepted Answer

For this event, we physically print your photos and exhibit them in a prestigious gallery. It's not an online competition.

Your payment covers printing, gallery rental, staff, organization, and prizes.

Question 38

How many photos can I submit?

Accepted Answer

There's no limit to the number of photos you can submit, though most participants submit between 3 and 5.

Question 39

How should I prepare my photos for submission?

Accepted Answer

Your photos should be in JPG format, in one of the standard aspect ratios (3:2, 4:3, 1:1, 4:5, 2:1, 3:1), at the highest resolution from your camera, with a file size under 50 MB.

You can use any image editor (e.g. Lightroom, Photos, Capture One, Luminar, GIMP, etc.) to crop and export your photos. We recommend Lightroom Classic.

To reduce file size, we also recommend a tool like JPEGmini.

For more, see our article on recommended photography software.

If you don't have an image editor, you can also use an online resizer:

Question 40

I get an error when submitting photos. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Sorry you're having trouble. Please try the following first:

Check your browser: older versions of Safari can cause issues. If that's your case, try Google Chrome or Firefox.
Make sure files are in JPG format, each under 50 MB.
Try a different payment method.

If that doesn't work, send your photos by email to hello@swissphotoclub.com using a service like swisstransfer.com, with the photo titles. We'll upload them for you and send you an invoice by email.

Question 41

Is it free to visit the exhibition?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our exhibitions are open to the public and anyone can visit and vote for their favorite photos in person.

Question 42

How does public voting work?

Accepted Answer

During gallery opening hours, every visitor receives a voting card with a security code to cast their votes for their favorite photos.

We ask for your top 3 photos: 1st choice gets 3 points, 2nd choice gets 2 points, and 3rd choice gets 1 point. On the closing day, we add up the points, complete our checks, and announce the winners.

Only actual gallery visitors are allowed to vote.

Online voting, code sharing, multiple votes for the same photo, and excessive "friends and family" voting are not allowed.

If we detect any irregularities in the votes for a specific photo, all votes for that photo will be considered invalid and the photographer will be disqualified from the event.

We want to ensure a fair competition for all participants — let us know if you notice anything irregular.

Question 43

I can't visit the exhibition — can I vote online?

Accepted Answer

No, online voting isn't allowed. Only actual visitors of the gallery can vote for their favorite photos.

Question 44

How does the jury selection work?

Accepted Answer

The jury is made up of our photography instructors, who volunteer to vote on the submissions. Each instructor reviews every photo and rates it from 1 to 10.

We give the jury the following instructions:

Prioritize artistic ability over technical skill. Focus first on the concept (the idea), then on the execution (technical aspects, composition, etc.).

1–3 points: weak concept, weak execution
4–5 points: boring or unoriginal concept but good execution
5–7 points: good concept, good execution
8–10 points: excellent concept and excellent execution

After the jury voting deadline, we add up the votes from each member to determine which photos will be printed in large format.

Question 45

When will I know if my photo is selected for a large print?

Accepted Answer

After submissions close, our jury needs about two weeks to review the photos and cast their votes.

Once jury voting is complete, we announce the results in our newsletter. You can also check the awards event page from time to time.

Question 46

How can I pick up my photos after the exhibition?

Accepted Answer

You can collect your photos on the last day of the exhibition (finissage), right after the winners are announced. You can also send someone to collect them for you.

If you can't come at that time, you'll receive a newsletter with alternative dates and times to pick up your photos in person after the exhibition.

If you can't pick up your photos at all, you can order a postal delivery here.

Question 47

How can I get the 50% discount on photo submissions?

Accepted Answer

The 50% discount on Photo Awards submissions is reserved for previous students who have joined a paid class or one of our trips.

It doesn't apply to those who only joined a free class or participated in a previous contest.

Question 48

I live outside Switzerland or Germany. Can I participate?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We welcome international participants in all of our offerings, including the photo competition, trips, and courses. There are no restrictions based on where you live.

Question 49

Can I change a photo after submitting it?

Accepted Answer

You can only replace a submitted photo with a higher-resolution or improved version if there was an error during submission. Changing the photo entirely is not allowed.

Question 50

Can I come to the exhibition even if I didn't participate?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The exhibition is free and open to everyone. We recommend coming to the vernissage evening for a festive atmosphere and to meet your local photography community. While you're there, take time to view all the photos — get inspired and don't forget to vote for your favorites.

Question 51

Do I keep the copyright to my photos?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You keep all your intellectual property. We may share your photo on Instagram if you include your account name with your submission, and we'll publish winning photos on our website. Featured photographers are always credited, which boosts your recognition and visibility. Photos of the exhibition may also be used for advertising. If you have any concerns about how your photo is used, send us a message.

Question 52

Can I submit images created with AI?

Accepted Answer

No. Editing with Photoshop, Lightroom, and similar programs is allowed — as is digital art created from photographs — but we don't accept images using generative AI, whether in whole or in part. Thank you in advance for your honesty.

Question 53

Can I participate with my own prints?

Accepted Answer

For the SPC Photo Awards competition, we print all photos ourselves in the same way to ensure a consistent look and fair conditions.

If you already have prints, we recommend booking an Artists Corner. That way your prints get maximum exposure to visitors. Learn more here.

Question 54

Are my photos good enough for the competition?

Accepted Answer

First of all, you never know :) The SPC Photo Awards aren't only about winning — they're about sharing your artistic vision, connecting with a community of fellow photographers, and experiencing the joy of seeing your work in a gallery. Every participant adds to the creative energy of the event, and we'd love to see your perspective included.

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