About Gem From Devon Photography Training

Find out about Gem from Devon Photography Training (that’s me!) where I’m from, what inspired me to found Devon Photography Training and where I am now nearly 20 years later. (Yikes! Am I old?)

Born in Exeter and currently living in Honiton. My passion is helping people move beyond their camera’s auto mode and into Manual settings to start using their cameras creatively with confidence.

My style of teaching focusses on helping you figure out what settings to use for the subject you are taking with practical demonstrations. I explain the camera settings in jargon free way that’s simple to remember. I put a lot of time into creating supporting worksheets and online course content within my membership so students can feel supported after their in person lessons.

Personally, I adore photographing the sea and abstract photos of nature. I also enjoy Portraiture, and in 2017, out of 13,000 entries, I won runner up (2nd Place) in The Guild of Photographer’s Image of the Year Award for the Avant Garde Portrait Photography Category. You can see the winning image here, it’s the first image in this blog.

Previous Education

My own photography education began in 2007 and included earning a BTEC Triple Distinction in Photography. I followed this with studying Commercial Photography at university. Although this gave me some valuable experience, learning photography this way involved considerable expense and years of piecing information together. Lecturers just weren’t present and we spent more time cutting and sticking than learning photography.

More recently I have gained a Level 3 Award in Education and Training. I wanted to to ensure my teaching is engaging and of a high standard, to give my students a better learning experience than what I had.

We work with a concise and relevant plan for learning exactly what you need to know. Allowing you to carry on with your day job or looking after your family with less expense and less time swallowed up.

I previously worked for a national portrait company photographing families and children in high street stores. This gave me ALOT of experience and their 3 month training program was excellent, much of what I learned is still valuable to me today.

Gemma Varney

Based in Honiton
Sessions by Appointment Only

In Honiton, Devon or Wellington, Somerset
Address Provided When Booking
Email: Gem@devonpt.co.uk
Phone: 07780331197

Please note:

​All sessions are by appointment only.

Gemma is based in Honiton and travels throughout Devon and the surrounding areas.