Testimonials

All the quotes below are from clients and attendees of the various training and photography services offered by Houghton Photography.

Joe seemed to get as much enjoyment in us getting good photographs as we did. He advised us on the  settings to use to get the best photograph at each scene. We all had different cameras, but he was able to show us individually  how to change the settings. He  also gave us plenty of tips, which I know will help me in my future photographic endeavours.

Darina Merlehan - Convention Centre photo walk Nov 2016

I just want to say how thoroughly I enjoyed our session last night. The tips were great and no question was stupid. I was so delighted that you encouraged the questions of every description. You were so professional and I would recommend your tutorials to anyone interested in photography from the beginner to the advanced. 

Della Blake - Convention Centre photo walk Nov 2016

Joe's enthusiasm for photography is infectious but his real strength as an educator is that he really really wants the learner to succeed. Not alone is there 'no such thing as a stupid question', but with Joe there are never enough questions. His expertise is not confined to a single type of camera, nor single genre of photography, nor a single location, nor even a single level of learner experience - Joe has something to offer every photographer who wants to improve their photography, or find somewhere a little bit special to try for the 'perfect shot'

Máire Keane - Convention Centre photo walk Nov 2016

I was happily surprised at how informative and helpful the photo walk was for my 14 year old son.  He already has an eye for photography, but he was definitely well directed and helped in so many ways.  I will certainly plan on sending him again, and I will be recommending Joe to other potentially interested people.  Not only does he know his subject, Joe is very personable which makes all the difference.

Les Hill, Lucan

As a near complete beginner I was quite intimidated by my first DSLR camera. My 1:1 session with Joe helped me get to get to grips with some of the basics and gave me some key tips that have already improved the pictures I'm taking. I still have a lot to learn but the session with Joe was a great start!

Janine Scott

Joe’s passion for photography and knowledge of Lightroom comes through in his teaching. His relaxed and simple manner makes learning both easy and enjoyable. I found my lesson with Joe most beneficial and enlightening

Nerissa Naidoo

Hi Joe - please accept our sincere appreciation for imparted knowledge. Your lessons at the club and especially the private Lightroom lessons have taken our understanding of image processing to a new level. Your clear and patient manner of teaching has ensured the learning curve to be a very pleasurable experience.  

Toi & Mike Skellern

On behalf of the Hibiscus Coast Photographic Society, I would like to thank you most sincerely for the FANTASTIC stacking workshop you and Penny presented. I have been trying to work out why I feel your workshop was so worthwhile and I think it is because of your kindness and patience. Not once did I feel you were moving too fast or putting me under pressure, and at the same time I never felt that the pace was too slow. And then there was Penny hovering in the background, quietly assisting those needing help. Thank you so much – I know that every person present must have learnt a whole lot.

Kathy Kay, Chair, Hibiscus Coast Photographic Society, and Focus Stacking Workshop attendee

Hi Joe - thank you very much for the workshop presented on Saturday. I have never done “studio” type shooting before and learnt a lot. Your presentation style is great – quite detailed, but at a pace that everyone understands. Thank you very much, and I look forward  to any other workshops you present.

Akash Basday, Focus Stacking Workshop attendee

Thank you Joe Houghton for the great Focus Stacking workshop last Saturday. Your willingness to share your knowledge and your patience are very much appreciated.

Joy Mullins, Focus Stacking Workshop attendee

1 to 1 Session - 'Thanks for all your invaluable help and expertise in resolving all my queries regarding editing in Lightroom, black & white editing software and editing for print. You simplified what seemed complex and explained it in a simple manner. Since our session I re edited a selection of shots and got prints done which turned out great. Thanks again.

Shay, 1-1 repeat attendee

My first one to one session has helped me re-find my enthusiasm for my new camera and for photography. I was falling out of love with my new hobby but you helped me by dealing with some of the technical issues and begin again. I really appreciate the fact that though I am an absolute beginner - you never made me feel foolish. That's good teaching - drawing out the potential. Looking forward to putting into practice all I learnt and to learning more. A big thanks and it was more than worth the money!

Sarah MacDonald, Journalist

As an artist I need to be able to photograph a wide range of sets ups from taking macro shots to those of large scale installations.  During the session with Joe he introduced me to the key areas of my new camera, went through each type of photographic set up in detail, sharing invaluable knowledge, tips and suggestions which were really helpful to my specific needs. His direction is clear, helpful and he is a patient teacher.  I would highly recommend him. 

Olivia Hassett, Artist.  www.oliviahassett.com

Thank you for the headshot which was very nicely done by you.  I will be in touch with you in the due course to for a session/ standardised set up for before and after photos.

Dr. Shunil Roy, Medical Director, Excellencemedical.ie

I had an introductory session to Lightroom with Joe which I found to be very helpful particularly in terms of cutting down my editing time by around 80%. Joe explained everything in a very clear and methodical manner and I would highly recommend him, he has helped me make my workflow much more efficient which is good for business.

Deirdre Brennan - Professional Photographer - http://deirdrebrennan.ie

Joe Houghton recently ran a Lightroom workshop for our camera club members.  The members were unanimous in their assessment that we all had a fantastic workshop.  Joe was interesting, motivated, knowledgeable and so very, very patient with all those present.  I for one learnt so much at this workshop and my image processing has improved by leaps and bounds. Thank you Joe – you were amazing.

Kathy Kay, Chairman, Hibiscus Coast Photographic Society - http://hccc.co.za

Thank you so much for arranging this workshop, it was incredible.  Loved every second of it and feel privileged to have been part of it.  (Video of this workshop can be watched here)

Antoinette Kirton, Lightroom workshop attendee, South Africa

Thank you for the initial photo walk in Lucan Demesne, it really enlightened me to continue learning about photography...

John Nugent - Photo walk attendee - http://www.johnnugentphotography.com

Thank you again for an excellent course on Nikon DSLR photography last Saturday. It was very informative and you really kept everyone engrossed for the 3 hours.

Ray Cassidy - Nikon Free Training session attendee

Really enjoyed the walk and must say those couple of tips you give me made a huge difference to my shots!! Looking for to your next one

James M - Photo walk attendee

Thank you again the training course was very helpful, i'm getting a lot more use out of my Nikon.

Monica Sidor - Nikon Free Training session attendee

Nikon Free Training for DSLR purchasers

I have delivered Nikon's consumer training in Ireland since 2006 to thousands of attendees, and after every session participants are asked to complete an anonymous feedback form so we can gauge how well the training was received.  One question asked is "What was your impression of standard of the trainer for the session?" and to date this score averages out at 93.5% on a 1 to 10 score.  A selection of comments made as part of the feedback forms for this training are shown below:

• Joe made everything seem really simple, he took the intimidation away from it and that photography could be anything you wanted to be, with the least expensive equiptment or with the most, there is something out there for everybody! He had great examples of photos and explained how to achieve the same with the settings he had used and how to play around with it. 

• Joe was a very interesting trainer, he kept everyone engaged and the three hours flew by. This is my first SLR camera so I feel a lot more confident in using it now. The course was very down to earth and very practical and I am very pleased that I went.

• Joe was good fun as well as very informative, if anyone had a question he made sure it was answered.

• Informative and well balanced. The information on equipment and the view of how photography differs from photo taking.

• Just loved it from start to finish. Joe was very down to earth, didn't speak down to you as some tutors have been known to do but actually spoke on same level to everyone in a clear and distinct tone, taking any questions asked from the floor and giving simplified replies, didn't blind us with science. I really enjoyed it.

• I loved that everything was relevant, the trainer was really interesting and knowledgeable and the slides really helped me to understand the point in context and there were really good examples. I wish it was a full day training!