Workshops, Photo Expeditions, Private Courses & Mentoring
How to Choose the Right Path — and Why the System Matters
Photographers often ask which option is “best”: a workshop, a photo expedition, a private course, or mentoring. At first glance, all of them promise learning, better photos, and progress. In reality, the difference isn’t in the words — it’s in howand where the learning actually happens.
Over more than 15 years of teaching photography, I’ve learned one crucial thing: real progress doesn’t come from isolated lessons or theory-heavy courses. It comes from a system that connects field work, decision-making, feedback, and editing into one continuous process.
This article explains how my educational system works — and how to choose the right entry point for you.
🌍 Workshops vs Photo Expeditions — Where Learning Becomes Real
Classic photography workshops are usually short, structured, and technically safe. They focus on fundamentals: camera settings, exposure, filters, basic composition. They are useful — but limited.
Many so-called “photo expeditions,” on the other hand, focus on scenery instead of teaching. You are brought to a location, shoot what’s in front of you, and move on. There’s little structure, little feedback, and very little real growth.
That’s why my photo expeditions are built as a hybrid.
They combine workshop-level teaching with expedition-level intensity — all directly in the field. Light changes, weather shifts, mistakes happen, and we solve them immediately. Exposure, composition, panoramas, night photography, workflow and editing are not taught in theory, but in real conditions, where photography actually happens.
👉 Explore all photo expeditions here: https://www.smidphotography.com/expeditions
🎯 Private Courses — The Highest Level of Individual Learning
Private courses are not a step before expeditions, and not a simplified alternative.
They are the highest level of individual photography education for photographers who want maximum focus, flexibility, and a completely personal approach.
All private courses are 100 % one-to-one and take place on a single page, offering three different formats:
private photo tours, private editing courses, and one-day individual workshops. The structure is flexible, but the principle is always the same — everything is built around your level, your images, and your learning style.
No groups.
No generic theory.
No presets.
Only real decisions, based on real field work.
👉 Explore all Private Courses: https://www.smidphotography.com/private-courses
🧠 Mentoring — Fast Feedback, Clear Direction
Mentoring exists for photographers who want honest feedback and clarity, not another full course.
Some photographers use mentoring once — for image critique, editing feedback, or workflow review. Others return occasionally when they feel stuck or want to validate their direction. Mentoring is flexible by design and works for beginners and advanced photographers alike.
Its purpose is simple: to help you understand why your images work — or don’t — and what to do next.
👉 Mentoring & photo reviews: https://www.smidphotography.com/mentoring
🎓 Individual Photography School (IPS) — The Deepest Possible Education
For photographers who want the most complete and structured path, there is the Individual Photography School (IPS).
IPS is the most advanced form of private, one-to-one photography education I offer. It’s a long-term, fully personalized program that builds a complete foundation — from field technique and decision-making to advanced post-processing and personal style development.
IPS is not an alternative to Private Courses.
It’s their deepest extension.
👉 Learn more about the Individual Photography School (IPS): https://www.smidphotography.com/individual-photography-school
🔗 One System, Not Isolated Products
Nothing here exists in isolation.
Photo expeditions test skills under real pressure.
Private courses deliver maximum individual focus.
Mentoring provides fast correction and direction.
Photo School (IPS) offers long-term structure and depth.
You can enter the system at any point — and move naturally between formats as your needs evolve.
✨ How to Choose the Right Option for You
If you want to learn photography where it truly happens — join a photo expedition.
If you want maximum individual attention — choose a private course.
If you want fast feedback or clarity — use mentoring.
If you want a complete education from A to Z — enroll in private school.
The goal is not to choose “the best product”.
The goal is to choose the right step.
🎥 See the Reality Before You Decide
If you want to see how this system works in real conditions — panoramas, exposure bracketing, night photography, mistakes and corrections — start on YouTube:
👉 Jan Šmíd Photography – Official YouTube Channel
No theory. No shortcuts. Real photography.
❓ FAQ: Workshops, Photo Expeditions, Private Courses & Mentoring
-
A workshop usually focuses on controlled learning and basic technique, often in predictable conditions. A photo expedition takes place in real, changing environments where light, weather and timing matter. In my expeditions, workshop-level teaching happens directly in the field, under real pressure — not in theory or classrooms.
-
Yes. Our expeditions are designed to work for both beginners and advanced photographers at the same time. Beginners build solid foundations directly in the field, while advanced photographers refine workflow, precision and decision-making. The key is small groups and hands-on guidance.
-
Yes. Editing is an essential part of the system. During expeditions, we review images, discuss workflow decisions and work on post-processing — not as isolated theory, but as a continuation of field decisions made during shooting.
-
Mentoring is focused on feedback and direction. It’s ideal if you want image critique, editing feedback, or clarity about your workflow or style — even as a one-time session.
Private courses offer full one-to-one teaching in the field or in editing. They are designed for photographers who want maximum individual attention, flexibility and depth, without group dynamics.
-
No. You can join an expedition directly. However, mentoring or private courses can significantly increase how much you gain from an expedition — especially if you want to arrive better prepared or solve specific technical or workflow issues in advance.
-
The Individual Photography School (IPS) is the most advanced form of private, one-to-one photography education I offer. It’s a long-term, fully personalized program for photographers who want a complete, structured education — from fundamentals to advanced landscape and night photography, including post-processing and personal style development.
-
No. Mentoring provides feedback and guidance when you need it. IPS is a structured, long-term educational program designed to build a complete photographic foundation from A to Z.
-
Private courses are the best choice. They offer 100 % individual attention, flexible scheduling and a fully customized approach — whether in the field, during editing, or as a private photo tour.