PORTSMOUTH
PHOTOGRAPHY
GROUP

Upcoming Events

Street Photography at Southsea Food Festival

Street Photography at Southsea Food Festival

Sunday 06 July
Southsea - 10am - 2 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
People, cafes, vendors, street merchants, buskers, historic buildings, art installations and much more. The power of observation underpins the art of great street photography. Learning to "see" interesting detail is a practised skill and we introduce you to easy methods that will open your photographer's eye and expose you to a world that is alive with detail. The most rewarding part of the class is learning how to approach interesting people and have them willingly pose for you.

We will also go over settings, focusing techniques and lens choices common to street photography to help us capture those random chance encounters.
book now
£28      
Stansted Summer Festival 2025 2-Hour Meetup

Stansted Summer Festival 2025 2-Hour Meetup

Saturday 19 July
Stansted - 10am - 2 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
Step into the lively and quintessentially English atmosphere of Stansted Summer Festival 2025 with your camera in hand! This festival offers an incredible mix of historic re-enactments, vintage cars, a charming dog show, and vibrant summer stalls, a dream setting for any photographer.

Entry Fee: This meetup requires a separate ticket purchase for the festival. Tickets are NOT included in the meetup price. Please book your ticket in advance via the official festival website: https://www.stanstedpark.co.uk/stanstedsummerfestival2025

Bring a DSLR, mirrorless, or high-quality smartphone camera. A zoom lens is recommended for capturing distant details.

Wear comfortable shoes as we'll be walking around a lot.
Arrive 10 minutes early to check in with the group and discuss shooting strategies.
book now
£28      
International Kite Festival in Portsmouth

International Kite Festival in Portsmouth

Sunday 27 July
Southsea Common - 10am - 2 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
Join us for a vibrant outdoor photography session during the International Kite Festival in Portsmouth. This is a great chance to practice capturing motion, color, and scale as hundreds of kites fill the sky. Whether you're refining your composition or just enjoying the festive atmosphere, this class will help you build confidence in photographing fast-moving subjects in a dynamic environment.
book now
£28      

Beginners Photography Class

Beginners Photography Class

Sunday 03 August
Southsea, Portsmouth - 10am - 3 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Now is your chance! Join us as we break down your camera to help you learn about shutter speed, aperture, ISO and how these settings affect your exposure.We will then put your new knowledge to the test with the guidance of a professional photographer.
book now
£72       3 places left
Beyond the Ordinary: Innovative Approaches to Street Photography

Beyond the Ordinary: Innovative Approaches to Street Photography

Saturday 09 August
Guildhall Square, Portsmouth - 10am - 2 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
In this meetup we will capture compelling images that tell stories about daily life. The area has a mix of modern street art and classic architecture and this will be both a subject and backdrop for candid shooting. The session will be suitable for all levels of experience and a smartphone will serve just as well as a digital camera. Topics covered will include -

- Developing an eye for interesting subjects and scenes in urban settings.
- Master the use of light, composition, and timing in street photography.
- Exploring creative techniques to add a unique touch to your street photographs.
- Gaining confidence in shooting candidly in public spaces.
book now
£28      
Documentary and Candid Photography at the South Downs Show

Documentary and Candid Photography at the South Downs Show

Sunday 10 August
Buriton - 10am - 2 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
This fantastic Summer show presents a great range of photography opportunities from a live jousting tournament and a falconry display to a Saxon battle re-enactment and pig racing! If you're interested in photographing animals, people in their natural environment or living history this isn't to be missed. Please note you will need to purchase a ticket for the event at the website here https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hometownevents/the-south-downs-show-2025/e-zvejad

Jon will guide you through camera techniques and offer tips and tricks for capturing fast moving action and candid 'street' style photography.
book now
£28      

 Leaf & Light: Creative Forest Photography Meetup

Leaf & Light: Creative Forest Photography Meetup

Sunday 17 August
Buriton - 9am - 2 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
This meetup will cover the fundamentals of forest photography, including capturing details like leaves and fauna, composing landscape shots, and using light and shadow to add dimension. Ideal for anyone wanting to connect with nature through photography.
book now
£28      
Concrete Canvas: Photographing the Art of the Streets Meetup

Concrete Canvas: Photographing the Art of the Streets Meetup

Saturday 13 September
Guildhall Square, Portsmouth - 12pm - 2 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
In this meetup we'll walk a course around the centre of Portsmouth to watch street artists at work and capture the soul of their art as it's created. This is the weekend of 'Lookup Portsmouth', the annual street art festival that brings together the best international, national and local artists to create permanent works across the city. This meetup is ideal for anyone interested in street photography and urban art, and under Jon's guidance you're guaranteed to find hidden gems and stunning new creations.
book now
£28      

Nearby Photography Groups

Natural Light Portraits

Natural Light Portraits

Saturday 05 July
Poole - 3pm - 2 Hours
Bournemouth Photography Group
Anna Kenny
This meet-up will explore how we can take beautiful portraits using natural light and backgrounds. We will explore how to recognise flattering light and how to manipulate it whilst shooting in a less controlled environment than a studio. We will explore how we can work collaboratively with our subject to achieve a portrait that captures their personality and style. We will also look at posing and setting your subject at ease. Technical learning points will include accurate focusing and metering for skin tones.

Note: Bring a family member or a friend as your model
book now
£28      
Sunset Photography Meetup

Sunset Photography Meetup

Saturday 12 July
Godalming - 8pm - 2 Hours
Farnborough Photography Group
Nikita Piven
Learn how to use the proper settings to capture a beautiful sunset.

Beyond just being a natural phenomenon, the setting of the sun symbolizes many things to a variety or people and cultures. The setting of the sun represents the completion of a day's work, so it represents the opportunity to rest.
book now
£28      
Beginners Photography Class

Beginners Photography Class

Saturday 19 July
Palmerston Rd, Southampton - 2pm - 3 Hours
Southampton Photography Group
Nikki Wileman
Whether you are photographing people or plants, making memories or making art knowing how to use your camera is key.The class will give you the knowledge you need to expose, to compose and to create the images you have always wanted to. Learn the basics of photography including using manual camera settings for perfect exposure and tips for good composition. The session will look at ways to improve composition using light, colour and perspective.
book now
£72      

Bird photography workshop

Bird photography workshop

Saturday 19 July
Poole - 3pm - 2 Hours
Bournemouth Photography Group
Anna Kenny
Come and join us photographing birds. Photographing these beautiful creatures is both a challenge and a privilege. At Poole Park, we can get really good views of the birds. We will experiment with faster shutter speeds and various focal lengths to photograph a range of birds.
book now
£28      
Beginner's Photography Class - Nature scapes

Beginner's Photography Class - Nature scapes

Saturday 02 August
Stour Valley Nature Reserve, Bournemouth - 9am - 3 Hours
Bournemouth Photography Group
Anna Kenny
Ready to unlock your camera settings and capture the world around you? In this beginners photography class on the River Stour, we will be going through different camera settings, playing with light and experimenting with composition, helping you take beautiful nature photos. As always, it will be in a fun and relaxed, with plenty of time to practice and develop your skills. A passionate, professional photographer will be on hand to answer any questions and guide you as you learn.
book now
£67       4 places left
WWC (Walk with Camera)

WWC (Walk with Camera)

Saturday 09 August
Calshot, England - 2pm - 2 Hours
Southampton Photography Group
Nikki Wileman
Sometimes the best photography sessions are unplanned and spontaneous. This meetup will be a fun and relaxed walk with our cameras with the opportunity to photograph a variety of topics, including landscape, seascape, nature, wildlife, landscape, details and abstract .
book now
£28      

Woodland photography

Woodland photography

Saturday 16 August
Broadstone - 2:30pm - 2 Hours
Bournemouth Photography Group
Anna Kenny
In this session we will be capturing the magic of woodland through photography, playing with light, composition and creativity. Fun, social and outdoors, all are welcome.
book now
£28      
Heathland photography workshop

Heathland photography workshop

Saturday 30 August
Broadstone - 4pm - 2 Hours
Bournemouth Photography Group
Anna Kenny
Come and join us to photograph one of the rarest habitats in the world! Heathland is an incredible and unique habitat, home to many rare species. In fact, heathland is said to be rarer than rainforest. In the late Autumn, heathland flowers blossom creating a beautiful purple carpet of flowers, ideal for many unique species of invertebrates. Fun, relaxed and social, this class is about practicing composition, playing with light and capturing this beautiful habitat.
book now
£28      
New Forest Wander

New Forest Wander

Saturday 06 September
Brockenhurst - 3pm - 2 Hours
Bournemouth Photography Group
Anna Kenny
Explore and capture the beauty of the New Forest on a relaxed walk. From spectacular ancient woodland to giant sequoias, from wetlands to heathland, there is so much nature to photograph here. We may even see some grazing ponies. Beginning at Rhinefield drive, we will continue along the gravel tracks through the forest. This session is suitable for all abilities and people interested in photographing nature from macro to landscape scale.
book now
£28      

Autumn Photography Exploration

Autumn Photography Exploration

Saturday 20 September
Jermyns Ln, Romsey SO51 0QA - 2pm - 2 Hours
Southampton Photography Group
Nikki Wileman
The low sun, gorgeous colours, falling leaves and potentially moody skies of autumn all add up to some wonderful photo opportunities. This meet up is a chance to explore the colours, shapes and golden light of autumn and how to combine these elements to make great images.
book now
£28      
Autumn Photography

Autumn Photography

Saturday 20 September
Parkstone Rd, Poole, UK - 2pm - 2 Hours
Bournemouth Photography Group
Anna Kenny
Capture the colours of Autumn as the leaves fall from the trees and the air turns cold.

This session is for photographers of all skill levels. Any equipment is welcome, and warm clothes are advised.

Colours of Autumn
book now
£28      
Beginners Photography Class

Beginners Photography Class

Saturday 18 October
Palmerston Rd, Southampton - 2pm - 3 Hours
Southampton Photography Group
Nikki Wileman
Whether you are photographing people or plants, making memories or making art knowing how to use your camera is key.The class will give you the knowledge you need to expose, to compose and to create the images you have always wanted to. Learn the basics of photography including using manual camera settings for perfect exposure and tips for good composition. The session will look at ways to improve composition using light, colour and perspective.
book now
£72      

Other Nearby Groups

Flower Painting Meetup  (Acrylic)

Flower Painting Meetup (Acrylic)

Saturday 28 June
Palmerston Rd - 10am - 2 Hours
Southampton Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Exploring a delightful afternoon of creativity and camaraderie. Surrounded by fresh flowers, you'll have plenty of inspiration to create your masterpiece. Study of flowers creating details through color and brush stocks.
book now
£26      
Drawing for Beginners

Drawing for Beginners

Saturday 05 July
Boscombe - 11am - 2 Hours
Bournemouth Art Group
Uzochukwu Collins Asiegbu
In this class, we will explore the basics of drawing and equip you with the skills needed to create beautiful and expressive artwork.

Our experienced instructor will guide you through the fundamentals of drawing, including perspective, proportion, shading, and composition.

We will also be practicing various forms of Mark Making techniques and hopefully will make an empty page less daunting to fill up.

Perfect for complete beginners.
book now
£28      
Painting Landscapes with Acrylics

Painting Landscapes with Acrylics

Saturday 12 July
Willis Rd - 10am - 2 Hours
Portsmouth Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Explore the beauty of nature through acrylic painting! Join our engaging art class on Painting Landscapes with Acrylics and discover the techniques to capture scenic vistas on canvas. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned artist, this class offers step-by-step guidance to create stunning landscapes. Learn color mixing, brush techniques, and composition to bring your landscapes to life. Unleash your creativity in a supportive and inspiring environment. Enroll today and start painting your favorite landscapes with confidence!
book now
£28      

Flower Painting Meetup  Acrylic

Flower Painting Meetup Acrylic

Saturday 19 July
Palmerston Rd - 10am - 2 Hours
Southampton Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Exploring a delightful afternoon of creativity and camaraderie. Surrounded by fresh flowers, you'll have plenty of inspiration to create your masterpiece. Study of flowers creating details through color and brush stocks.
book now
£28      
Introduction to Pencil Shading for Beginners

Introduction to Pencil Shading for Beginners

Saturday 26 July
Old Portsmouth - 10am - 2 Hours
Portsmouth Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Learn the basics of pencil shading in this beginner-friendly workshop, focusing on light, shadow, and texture to bring your drawings to life. Through guided exercises, you'll develop confidence and control in creating depth and dimension with simple tools.
book now
£28      
Introduction to Oil Painting

Introduction to Oil Painting

Saturday 09 August
Southsea - 10am - 2 Hours
Portsmouth Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Step into the world of oil painting with this beginner-friendly workshop, where you'll explore essential tools, techniques, and color mixing. Perfect for newcomers, this session offers hands-on guidance to help you start creating with confidence.
book now
£28      

Watercolour Study of Flowers

Watercolour Study of Flowers

Saturday 16 August
Palmerston Rd - 10am - 2 Hours
Southampton Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Discover the delicate beauty of flowers in this calming watercolour workshop, perfect for all skill levels. Learn essential techniques while creating your own floral-inspired artwork in a relaxed, creative setting.
book now
£28      
Flower Painting Meetup  Acrylic

Flower Painting Meetup Acrylic

Saturday 06 September
Southsea - 10am - 2 Hours
Portsmouth Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Exploring a delightful afternoon of creativity and camaraderie. Surrounded by fresh flowers, you'll have plenty of inspiration to create your masterpiece. Study of flowers creating details through color and brush stocks.
book now
£28      
Painting Landscapes with Acrylics

Painting Landscapes with Acrylics

Saturday 13 September
Vincents Walk - 10am - 2 Hours
Southampton Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Explore the beauty of nature through acrylic painting! Join our engaging art class on Painting Landscapes with Acrylics and discover the techniques to capture scenic vistas on canvas. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned artist, this class offers step-by-step guidance to create stunning landscapes. Learn color mixing, brush techniques, and composition to bring your landscapes to life. Unleash your creativity in a supportive and inspiring environment. Enroll today and start painting your favorite landscapes with confidence!
book now
£28      

Realism in Oil Paints

Realism in Oil Paints

Saturday 20 September
Southsea - 10am - 2 Hours
Portsmouth Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Learn the techniques of realism in oil painting in this focused workshop, designed to help you capture lifelike detail, depth, and texture. Guided by an experienced artist, you'll explore layering, blending, and tonal control to bring your subjects to vivid life.
book now
£29      
Painting with Watercolors Meetup

Painting with Watercolors Meetup

Saturday 04 October
Willis Rd - 10am - 2 Hours
Portsmouth Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Unlock the captivating realm of artistic expression with our Painting with Watercolors class. Immerse yourself in the fluidity and transparency of watercolor paints, allowing your creativity to flow freely onto paper. This class is an invitation to explore the unique qualities of watercolors, from delicate washes to bold strokes, as you learn essential techniques and unleash your imagination. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned artist, our experienced instructor will guide you through the mesmerizing world of watercolor painting, fostering a supportive environment for growth and self-expression. Join us for a transformative journey where you can cultivate your skills, discover the joy of painting, and create stunning, evocative artworks with the timeless beauty of watercolors.
book now
£28      
Pencil Drawing and Shading for Beginners

Pencil Drawing and Shading for Beginners

Saturday 11 October
Palmerston Rd - 10am - 2 Hours
Southampton Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Discover the fundamentals of pencil drawing and shading in this beginner-friendly workshop, where you'll learn how to create depth, texture, and form using simple techniques. Guided by a skilled instructor, you'll practice observational drawing and master shading exercises to bring your sketches to life.
book now
£28      

ABOUT PORTSMOUTH
PHOTOGRAPHY
GROUP
Come along to our photo sessions to dust off your camera and get snap-happy with a professional photography instructor.

Brush up on your camera skills and learn new photography techniques whilst on a photo walk class with other local keen photographers!

We run two hour photography sessions based on a photography theme/technique/style and they take place in various locations in Portsmouth .

  • New to photography? We also run a popular 3 hour Beginners Guide to Photography Class once a month. And once in a while we will run special niche 3 hour classes, for example, Astrophotography - so do subscribe to our newsletter to know when the next on is!

  • Who can attend? Open to all skill levels, from beginners to keen amateurs. The photography instructor is there to help you with camera settings and provide any advice you need.

  • What to bring? We recommend bringing a camera that has full manual mode or semi-manual modes (Aperture or Shutter Priority). Compact cameras and smartphones also welcome!

    The meeting point and full details for the day are sent in the booking confirmation email to the email address you provide at time of booking.

    Join the Portsmouth Photography Group on Facebook to share your photos after the session.

    Got a question? Try our FAQ.
  • REVIEWS
    Had a great time at the Armed Forces meet up. Jon as ever was great and on hand for advice and tips on taking certain pictures. Overall a good time had by all.
    5/5
    Anita
    2025-06-23
    Excellent couple of hours
    5/5
    Jonathan
    2025-06-23
    Another great morning at Fort Nelson even though I?ve done this location before there?s still much to see and photograph. Jon introduced a challenge to show the story of Fort Nelson in 3 to 5 photos which made us all think of how best to capture the history. It was interesting to see how critical I became of the 120 photographs I took to get them down to just 5 to complete the challenge. Another excellent morning with Jon
    5/5
    Neil
    2025-06-16

    Another great morning at Fort Nelson even though I?ve done this location before there?s still much to see and photograph. Jon introduced a challenge to show the story of Fort Nelson in 3 to 5 photos which made us all think of how best to capture the history. It was interesting to see how critical I became of the 120 photographs I took to get them down to just 5 to complete the challenge. Another excellent morning with Jon
    5/5
    Neil
    2025-06-16
    What an excellent event to build confidence in photographing people. The event was electric and the atmosphere was so happy and relaxed Jon did an amazing choice here and will book this next year for sure
    5/5
    Neil
    2025-06-16
    A great session so much to photograph.
    5/5
    ken hawkins
    2025-06-10

    Interesting for me to seem some new aspects of Portsmouth and try new approaches for some shots
    5/5
    Jonathan
    2025-05-19
    Another fantastic meet up for Jon had chosen certain topic to test our building skill set. Everytime I go there?s something different and learn something new every time which is the added benefit of Jon?s passion for photography and teaching
    5/5
    Neil
    2025-05-10
    Excellent location, opportunities for all styles of photography
    5/5
    Jonathan
    2025-05-06

    Thoroughly enjoyed this meeting up. Learnt lots & took some good pictures. Lovely venue.
    5/5
    Sandra
    2025-05-06
    Another excellent group meeting where Jon provided the bluebells in abundance which was amazing. Another teaching session this time discussing and practicing on how to crop the sensor on mirrorless cameras. Looking forward to this weekends outing
    5/5
    Neil
    2025-04-29
    Loved the venue and the relaxed pace.
    5/5
    Alison
    2025-04-29

    PHOTOGRAPHERS
    Jon Mainwaring
    Jon discovered his passion for taking pictures over thirty years ago using a borrowed Praktica 35mm film camera. Photography has come a long way since! He studied the subject at Berkshire College of Art before starting work as assistant to a wedding photographer in Portsmouth.
    Jon continues to work as a professional photographer on a part-time basis, specialising in environmental portraits and sports. He also enjoys landscape and travel photography and makes the most of the stunning locations in and around Portsmouth.

    Jon Mainwaring is available for private bookings

    Available most Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 6pm. Based in Portsmouth and can suggest locations depending on subject of interest. My main areas of expertise are landscapes, sports & action, portraits, documentary and black & white photography.

    PHOTOS
    Portsmouth Photography Group
    2025-06-23
    Title or Location: Titchfield canal path
    After I finished work I took a walk along Titchfield canal path, managing to photograph various birds. On my way back to the carpark I saw another photographer who had his camera pointed at an Oak tree. As I approached he said there was a treecreeper in the tree near to us .It was very accomodating and was flitting from tree to tree for quite a time giving us some really clear photo oprtunities.
    Credit: Adam Ord
    Instagram: adam.ord.77

    Portsmouth Photography Group
    2025-06-23
    Title or Location: farlington marshes
    after a couple of hours walk i found the reeds. thought i would have a sit down and a rest .after 20mins these 2 were in and out of the reeds got about 40 shots and this was one of 3 that were in decent focus
    Credit: darren upfield
    Portsmouth Photography Group
    2025-06-17
    Title or Location: This was taken one morning in Hengistbury Head, Christchurch.
    I was taking a walk along Hengistbury Head when I heard the song from this bird, I had no choice but to take a quick snap.
    Credit: Mark Butland (myphotography_butters)
    Facebook: myphotography_butters
    Instagram: myphotography_butters

    Portsmouth Photography Group
    2025-04-28
    Title or Location: Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
    Took the drone up to try and get a sunrise picture but noticed it was overcast so I went moody instead.
    Credit: Billy-Jo Brison
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hampshirelens/

    Portsmouth Photography Group
    2025-04-28
    Title or Location: Stoke wood near Chichester run West Sussex
    This photo was taken taken on an early morning walk at Stoke wood Chichester . This was taken on an iPhone 13 Pro Max and then edited in Lrmobile. I initially became interested in photography as a way to manage my anxiety having retired due to this health condition . Photography has become my therapy and combining this with being in nature has changed my quality of life . I also take photos on a Nikon d 3300 which I?m currently working on and enjoying. Whatever happens with this image I am thr
    Credit: Sue Logan
    Facebook: Sue Logan
    Instagram: @sueloganphotography
    Portsmouth Photography Group
    2025-04-18
    Title or Location: Warblington
    On a walk down to the cemetery I spotted this as a possible different angle for a shot of the church, I was not disappointed
    Credit: Stuart McGowan
    Facebook: Stuart McGowan
    Instagram: stuart911

    Staffordshire Photography Group
    2025-06-23
    Title or Location: West Midlands safari park
    The meerkat was perfectly standing on top of the rock looking over everything and it was just a perfect shot
    Credit: Jordan fairbanks
    Facebook: Jwf-photography
    Instagram: jwf.photos

    New Orleans Photography Group
    2025-06-23
    Title or Location: New Orleans Audubon Aquarium
    Audubon Aquarium 6/3/2025. 1st photo captured after redeeming my 2nd place Audubon Membership award for the 2025 NORD's outdoor nature photo contest. The beautiful sea nettle jelly fish used to be the last thing I'd see before they renovated and added the Insectarium
    Credit: Stephanie Kay Porche
    Facebook: [email protected]
    Instagram: [email protected]
    Orange County Photography Group
    2025-06-23
    Title or Location: Sitka, Alaska
    I was fortunate to capture this vivid image of this Majestic Bald Eagle while I was visiting Sitka, Alaska on a cruise. I felt she was the most beautiful bird I ever saw and couldn't wait to capture her image with my older Nikon D7100 camera.
    Credit: Gary Markarian

    Charlotte Photography Club
    2025-06-21
    Title or Location: Miami, FL
    Right after a terrific storm, we went outside to see if any damage had been done to the waterfront and were amazed to see the clear lights of the city with a bright moon shining overhead. The peaceful, calm water made it look like not a drop of rain had fallen.
    Credit: How rd Stevens

    Copyright 2024 Orble - ABN 66 656 124 373 - Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions