Ali Holden

Ali’s lessons are fully bespoke, tailored to meet the individual needs of each student. Whether working towards GCSE, A-level, or personal creative goals.

The tutoring journey begins with an initial consultation where Ali and the student discuss current coursework / exam project or personal portfolio. Together, they identify strengths, areas for improvement, and specific goals. From this, a personalised plan is created to meet assessment objectives and deadlines.

A key focus of the lessons is sketchbook and digital portfolio development. Ali offers guidance on developing and refining creative ideas, researching and analysing relevant artists and photographers, and providing support with thoughtful annotation that links practical work to contextual research. Students also receive advice on structuring sketchbook or digital portfolio pages for maximum impact and clarity.

Planning photo shoots is another essential element. This stage is typically conducted online, where students work with Ali to develop concepts, create detailed shoot plans, and discuss technical considerations such as camera settings, lighting techniques, and composition strategies. Practical considerations are also covered to ensure well-organised and successful shoots.

The practical photography sessions are conducted face-to-face, offering hands-on experience in capturing high-quality images. During these sessions, students receive real-time feedback and technical support, focusing on achieving strong compositions and effective lighting. Ali encourages experimentation with different photographic techniques and equipment, ensuring students gain confidence in their practical skills.

Following the shoot, Ali works with students to review and edit their images. This process involves selecting the strongest work, introducing digital editing techniques using industry-standard software, and refining images for final presentation.

Ali offers flexible learning options, including face-to-face tutoring—ideal for practical sessions and photo shoots—and online tutoring, perfect for planning, sketchbook development, and theory-based sessions. His adaptable approach guarantees that students receive the right balance of creative guidance, technical instruction, and practical support to achieve high-quality outcomes and secure top marks.