Climbing Photography Courses

3 Days – Saint Leger Du Vontoux 2025

A comprehensive course on climbing photography, in the picturesque Saint Leger Du Vontoux region of France.

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November 8, 2025 – November 11, 2025

£720.00

Out of stock

What's included?

Our Climbing Photography Course in Saint-Léger-du-Ventoux is an action packed 5 day experience which includes the following:
  • Personalised Coaching
    A low ratio of 1:3 for instructors to clients means intimate and individual advice to help take your photography to the next level.
  • Food & Accomodation
    We'll be staying at the stunning Gîte Bergerie des Salamandres for 6 nights. A balanced vegetarian breakfast and dinner will be provided each day to fuel our adventures.
  • Pro Athletes
    We'll be joined by photogenic and strong climbers who can climb some of Saint-Léger's hardest routes! Previous examples include Daila Ojeda and Thomas Balet.
  • Goodies!
    Some presents from my sponsors to help you kickstart your climbing photography journey.

Evening Presentation and Social

Unpack the secrets to a successful climbing photography photoshoot in a relaxed group setting. Topics covered will include:
  • The Do’s and Don’ts of climbing photography;
  • Capturing the “feel” of a route - the movement, the context, and the destination;
  • Tips on image composition, lighting, and planning for the best results;
  • A safety briefing for the practical session the following day;
  • Time for asking questions and getting to know one another before we hit the crag!

Day 1 & 2 - Rope Skills

After sleeping on all of the knowledge from the night before, we’ll walk to the crag. The first 2 days will focus on the technical ropework skills to complement the creative foundation from the night before, and will include:
  • Safety principles, equipment and risks overview
  • Securely anchoring a fixed line - principles and practical demonstration
  • Practising ascending and descending fixed ropes
  • Using a Bosuns Chair to sit on the rope. 
  • How to redirect and position yourself on the rock for the best shots.
  • Safely removing all of your rigging and return to the ground.

Day 3 - Camera Skills

This day is all about getting you familiarised with your own camera gear so you don't need to worry about settings while on the rope!
  • A deep dive on your camera to get the best settings for climbing photography.
  • Maximise your climbing photography from the ground.
  • Setups for carrying and using your gear at height safely.
  • Take your first shots from the rope to get familiar with your setup.
  • Full sorting and editing workflow in Adobe Lightroom. 

Day 4&5 - Bring It All Together

The final days combine everything you've learned into a series of legit climbing photoshoots.
  • Fix your own ropes. 
  • Ascend with your camera and position yourself for the best shots. 
  • Put everything you've learned into practice to capture epic photos. 
  • Review all the images as a group, and edit some highlights!
  • Party!

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read these thoroughly before placing your order.

There will be many opportunities throughout the day to ask questions and chat about all other aspects of climbing photography. It’s difficult to fit everything I've learned into three and a half days, but if you have specific questions not covered in the main content I will gladly chat on walks to the crag, over lunch, or other points where it’s safe and appropriate to do so.

You don’t need any prior photography experience or expensive camera gear. The content will be just as applicable to shooting on an iPhone as an expensive DSLR. The course is focused primarily on the underlying principles of climbing photography, the practical techniques for ascending ropes, and how to get the most out of the gear you already have. 

We ask that all participants are comfortable climbing in an outdoor environment, ideally with lead climbing experience. This is to ensure you have a competent understanding of basic climbing safety and equipment such as ropes, harnesses, screwgate carabiners, etc. 

Please bring the following with you:

  • Helmet
  • Comfortable harness
  • Personal Anchor - Recommended: Petzl Connect Adjust. 
  • Petzl GriGri
  • Ascender - Recommended: Petzl Ascend L or equivalent. 
  • Suitable Pulley - Recommended: Petzl Partner or Rollclip
  • Foot Loop - Recommended: Petzl Footape
  • 3x Locking Carabiners 

Static ropes and anchor equipment will be provided, but you should bring all other essential gear with you. This’ll allow you to continue practicing after the course, and you will familiarise yourself with your own equipment from day 1. 

You can bring any camera with you, from a phone to an expensive mirrorless SLR. I'll work with you to help you maximise the gear you have. If you want specific recommendations for camera gear, please contact me with your budget. 

All participants must bring a suitable neck strap & tether for their cameras.

You may also wish to bring a small pouch for spare lenses, batteries, etc. 

Like all outdoor climbing activities, the courses carry a potential risk. However, I take the safety of clients (and myself!) very seriously and have a robust series of safety procedures in place. The risks involved are similar to a regular day at the crag, and I work alongside fully qualified and insured guides who will be on hand to keep an eye on everybody and assist where required. A full safety briefing will be given before doing any practical techniques. We do ask that all participants have travel insurance which covers sport climbing.

Maximum 3 clients per instructor. There will be two instructors, Kieran and a certified climbing guide. The maximum number of clients in one session is 6 this keeps things small and ensures all of you will get the time to participate at a comfortable pace.

25% of the fee is a non refundable deposit, the remainder will be refunded to you if you cancel more than 30 days before the start of the course. I'll try to move your purchase to another course where possible free of charge, if that's preferable. 

Please don't hesitate to contact me on the website, or via WhatsApp with any other questions you might have. If you're still on the fence and would like more specifics, I'm happy to chat.

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