I took the DSLR Jumpstart Deluxe course in October and learned SO much. My camera can do things I didn't know were possible. Tom and Nicole were incredibly patient and so helpful. The class size was very small (only 7 students, with 2 instructors) which allowed for lots of discussion and open Q&A. The booklet they provide you with is organized very well, and really easy to navigate. I felt like this class was tailored to me, my photography style, and my camera. Now, it's up to me to practice! One note -- I love the photos on the Yelp page, but think it would be really useful to show the classroom itself, and add some photos of students in that environment. It would give people a really good idea of what to expect. read more

To be honest Tom helped me in so many ways. He made me think my photos before shooting, using Manual and RAW mode all the time. I'm in the process to become a pro and learning from Tom who has a huge and great experience is a chance for me. He likes so much to communicate his passion for photography and it's a great tool when you want to learn. I feel lucky to have him around. read more

So to be fair - I took this class to learn more about my Nikon DSLR to take pictures of my newborn son. I have had the Camera for a few years and it is better in Auto mode than my old point and shoot, but I figured I should learn how to use all the features that I paid extra money for. So far I can definitely say the results are showing in the quality of my pictures. I took a Jumpstart class on Saturday and loved the format. It was me and two other ladies. I was the only one that had a Nikon, but this wasn't an issue. Tom provided me with instructions for my Nikon after he found out my version so I knew where in the manual to find things. This was the only thing that was 'different' about having a Nikon or Canon. He was very hands on, showing each of us individually how to do things and to understand how the things work when you change the settings. Overall this was a great class. I appreciated the fact that it was a SMALL class. I don't learn well in an auditorium type setting with 20,30,40+ people. I am a very hands on learner. I know some people will complain about the cost of this, but I know I walked away with an understanding of my camera and I am constantly using it to tweak my pictures. Once I get the hang of my camera more, I do plan to take the next class in the future. Tom was great! read more

Great class and Tom was super helpful and gave attention to each person in the class. Highly recommend.

I took the DSLR Jumpstart Deluxe class a few weeks ago with a friend after having read a bunch of great reviews on yelp and I found that, in fact, Tom's class was both fun and helpful! I have had a DSLR camera for quite a while now and had never used it for more than just a point and shoot. I'll be traveling abroad the next couple of months to several European countries, so I knew I had to learn how to use it quickly before my big trip! After taking the class, these last few weeks I have practiced and I know for a fact that my photographs are looking better and better every time! This class has lasted with me and luckily it is still continuing to help me improve. I'm so glad I took the class with Tom and I can't wait for my trips in the next couple of months to take amazing photos! read more

This class opened up a new world of photography for me. Before taking the class, I understood the basics of aperture and shutter speed and had shot film with a Nikon SLR for decades. I'd been using my D70 for about a year mostly as an automatic snapshot camera. Reading the manual put me right to sleep so I never took advantage of all the bells and whistles the D70 offers. I felt that maybe I'd bought more camera than I could justify Tom's clear and methodical approach to the manual made it easily accessible. I now have a reference that I use. Tom was also able to give me pointers about shortcuts to the camera's features that saved me from having to go into the menu to get the control I wanted. Since taking this class, I have learned how to access the D70's controls by the touch of a button or dial, how to make the most of the automatic program settings, how to read and use the feedback that the camera can give me and ways to enhance the pictures after I've downloaded them. Tom also covered pointers about depth of field and composition that have helped me set up better pictures. This is an extremely helpful class. read more

I took the DSLR jumpstart class this April, it was great. i finally know my camera. There was 2 instructors in addition to Tom so everyone could get their questions answered. I loved that we got to learn some about filling in with Flash too. read more

I took individual classes with Tom, and I have never had so much fun while still learning so much. Even when I was not in class with hi, I was still able to get help from him 24/7 because he was so great at responding to my emails. I am now able to confidently use manual mode on my DSLR and can take much better pictures than before! Highly recommended for everyone! Thanks Tom! read more

I've always found camera manuals baffling, fine to look up a specific button, or great reads for sleepless nights, but useless when it comes to translating what your camera can do in real life. I wanted a course that would familiarize me with my camera's multiple functions, not in a linear way like my manual, but by using real life situations. I found PhotoTrainer actually thanks to a Yelp review, and took Tom's 4 hour DSLR class yesterday. Herb, thank you! Tom uses what he considers as the 4 fundamentals elements of a great picture to structure his class. You get a booklet to avoid note taking and be able to focus on the course fully. The 4 elements are color coded, and as the course progresses your own camera manuals gets tabbed with these colors, so suddently it becomes a practical tool that you can refer to rather then a list of functions. There was only another student with me, so it was a highly personal class, but as Herb mentions, i don't think there are ever more then 6 people, making it incredibly easy to get ones questions anwered. If you ever feel you are not using your camera's potential (DSLR or point & shoot), or simply want a great overview of what makes a good picture, definitely check Tom's classes. Highly recommended:-) NB: it could also be interesting if you own a camera and you're considering getting a new one. I was able to test the other student's camera (Nikon), and be fully aware of how hers and mine (Canon) handle functions differently. Plus Tom gave me some sound advise:-) read more

I have known Tom for about 30 years. I was his number one photography assistant back when film was still available. We were hard working photographers in the Bay Area. Trying to underbid SF photographers. Then digital came about, put many of us under! I now am going for my Masters in Traditional Photography! I want to teach at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California. Tom is a master at what he does! I call him Master T. He is a great and patient instructor! I would recommend him to everyone who wants to learn the basics and further into digital media. He is the Master! Love you Tom! read more

I am a new DSLR owner and I took the DSLR Jumpstart Deluxe. The class is a review of your camera's functions and how to use them to get the desired results in your pictures. The class went at the right speed and was casual enough to be a fun way to spend your Saturday and still learn. It is defintely worth it especially after you spend so much money on a camera. read more

Take a class from Tom, you won't regret it. He has an amazing depth of knowledge but knows how to communicate it in a way that is accessible. I was afraid that I would be overwhelmed, but I came out of the class feeling that I'm on my way to great pictures. There was plenty to keep me practicing for months, but I'm sure I'll be back to hone my skills. read more

I always thought M on my camera stood for Moron....or at least that is how I felt when I'd accidentally put my DSLR on that mode before this class. Taking Tom's class made my one with my camera and helped me on my way to unlock its power. I came to the class on a great Saturday afternoon. Small group of other amateur photogs - the small class size definitely helped stimulate conversation and dialog. Tom knows Cannon's and Nichole was a Nikon connoisseur. This is a definite must take if you want to get comfortable with your DSLR and you dont understand the jibberish in the manuals!!! read more

I am a hopeless do-it-yourselfer which is how I found Tom Upton in my search for the basics of commercial photography. I would love to learn how to shoot (at least semi-) professional photographs and don't have the patience to read one of those boring too-technical books. I need live instruction in small focused classes that keep my attention and address my exact interest and focus. Tom's teaching style was very approachable and he made the technical concepts of lighting and camera functions as understandable as they could be. I came out of the class with a much better idea of the direction I need to go in and what I need to do from setup to lighting to post-processing. As a professional photographer Tom Upton creates beautiful images - in the end I will probably defer my commercial projects to him to shoot anyway... Regardless though, me and my camera are finally friends after Tom's explanation of how to get the most out of all the bells and whistles. I definitely recommend trying one of Tom's private or group classes to get a better understanding of exactly what your camera can do so you can make your memories more beautiful. read more

Tom and Nicole are fantastic! I took the Deluxe Jumpstart class, which was very well organized and through. I then took an explore class that was a lot of fun on top of being a great learning experience. I then did a special small class to work on some specific skills, and once again, Tom was excellent. He is very good at conveying complex information in an easily understandable and fun way. I shoot with a Nikon, which Nicole has down cold. At my class, Tom had gotten a NIkon and was very up-to-speed with it. I had a great time at each class and look forward to taking more! read more

I had a 2.5 hr private training session with Tom. I'm relatively new to digital photography, so my Canon 40D had mostly been used in auto mode for the last 9 months that I've owned it. The private training session with Tom was truly eye-opening. The booklet that he provides is very well organized and has a lot of great info. Tom's teaching style is very casual and well thought out. I was able to ask a lot of questions without feeling judged. I walked away from the session with 10x more knowledge than I was able to gather on my own. read more

I took Tom's DSLR Jumpstart Delux class. I highly recommend it. They are available for follow up questions which is really nice.

Took the Jumpstart class yesterday and absolutely loved it. It was customized to my specific camera. Tom does a great job of giving you the info you need to get the most out of your camera (including this very cool system of color-coded stickies you put on your manual for an easy reference) and then goes into the decisions we need to make as photographers, controlling the focus, shutter speed, etc. You start to realize how much the camera can enable you to do. I'm going to sign up for the Explorer class next. The $150 for the Jumpstart is well worth it. I highly recommend! read more

I've taken two classes from Tom - the introduction to DSLR photography, and the Lightroom workshop. I was brand new to the DSLR camera, and Tom emphasized that his goal was to get us comfortable with the basic camera and then get us shooting in manual mode and RAW. Mission accomplished! Since taking the class I have shot only manual and RAW and am really pleased with the progress. Tom was quite patient with the small class (only 4 students) and everyone seemed to their questions answered. The Lightroom class was also an introduction, but the subject is complex and it will require a lot of practice and, I'm certain, additional consultation with Tom. Here again, he impressed me with his ability to simplify a complex subject and make it less intimidating to a newby. He was free with time and allowed many questions skirting the bounds of the course. I expect to continue consulting with him as my experience (and problems) expand. read more

I took the Saturday's DSLR Jumpstart class, and I highly recommend it for total DSLR beginners. Tom has all materials nicely organized for you and you could see he took the time (a lot of time) to put together materials that will really help you learn about using your camera and take technically great pictures. The class was very small (6 people - so there was plenty of room for questions - and everyone got help with their own cameras. The atmosphere was very informal and I appreciated that Tom didn't rush into finishing class - as if each class takes its own pace. There was time for a couple of hands on exercises, which help you figure the new concepts much quicker. The place is nice enough and it feels like a great start for you to learn the basics. I find the price pretty decent for 4 hours of training with complimentary materials, tea/coffee and chocolates (even though I got this as a gift). read more

I gave Tom a big challenge: after using a point and shoot for 20 years, with a big international trip coming up in a few months, I boldly purchased a D-SLR, came to Tom, and said, "Teach me everything. Fast, please." He was the man for the job. His organization of principles and materials is superb, with a unique customization for each particular camera. He covered a great deal with me, from the grittiest detail to the big concepts. We worked in the classroom, he set up photo experiments for me, and we went out in the field to learn various aspects of macro, portrait, landscape, etc. I would shoot at home and bring photos in for technical and artistic critique. Besides effectively teaching me an enormous amount in a short time, Tom also made me feel great about my work and willing to try things. One thing I particularly appreciate about Tom's teaching is his emphasis on intelligent, skillful use of the basic tool rather than on gimmicky tricks. And although he himself LOVES equipment, he was always very practical in advising me about what gear I needed and didn't need. And to top it all off, this guy has a wickedly delightful sense of humor. My international trip yielded fantastic photos that I'm enormously proud of, and I truly could not have accomplished this without Tom's teaching. I continue to work with him, and learn a lot every time. read more

Took this class recently and it was fabulous. It's the easiest way to understand your camera. I have read websites, taken college classes and nothing ever made sense. There's nothing like being in a small class where you can ask questions when your not "getting it". The lightbulb went on and it's made so much sense now. Loved the class. Money well spent. read more

Tom's professional expertise is apparent in every aspect of his classes. He is prepared and enthusiastic, encouraging and a uber helpful. I took a third class today. I've taken his Jumpstart DSLR, Macro Tide Pool and Gamble Garden classes. Each one was better and better! So much to learn! Try it I know you'll come away with more complete knowledge of the art of photography, plus your gear, lenses, a you'll be a better photographer! read more

I am so glad I took this 1:1 session with Tom; he is knowledgeable and easy to work with. He made sure we focused on my areas of concerns and provided instructive feedback and a clear roadmap for how I can improve my pictures. I am so excited to have found him and will be reaching out to him for further training. read more