Simon James Davies, 2020 (Image by Jan Edwards)

Simon is based in Hampshire, England and has practiced in Photography for over 30 Years, he is the developer of the ‘R.E.V.E.R.E’ Guided Coaching method for Creative Photographers, a concept which is integral to his updated, and highly inspirational Guided Learning Program.

Like all of us, Simon has had to adapt to the changes in 'landscape’ which have been forced upon us since the beginning of 2020. He now focuses his attention on local venues for his Courses, Tutorials and Experience Days, which take place in, and around, the beautiful County of Hampshire, England.

When Simon's not tutoring, you'll find him applying his artistic talent to producing his wonderful Nature inspired, Fine Art collections, as well as Corporate Video and Family Portraiture Commissions.

Highly experienced in the technical and creative aspects of the medium, Simon has photographed throughout the world, developing many of his skills during his days as a film photographer, whilst serving with the Navy. His career has also taken him into the Corporate world where he acquired valuable skills, including Coaching and Development, which he applies to his Courses and Tutorials. Simon is a fellow advocate of the principals of Fine Art Photography and his passion for the subject gracefully collide with his Documentary and Reportage background.

Believing that there is an Artist in all of us, and that Photography is the ideal catalyst for revealing, and nurturing our creativity, Simon provides an inspiring, dynamic and structured process of learning. He offers his high standard of coaching in a comprehensive series of Courses, Tutorials and 'Experience Days', which are the perfect solution for anyone wishing to develop their creative Photography skills in a safe, ‘One to One’ (or ‘Small Group’) environment. (Simon also offers Residential ‘Retreat’ style workshops, which will be on hold until Covid19 restrictions have been lifted).

When attending Simons courses it's evident that his approach to Photography education is holistic, encompassing several key genres which he blends to form an essential ‘umbrella of knowledge'. Whilst his courses are suitable for a wide range of interests, those wishing to Specialize in a particular genre can also take advantage of Fine Art courses in Abstract Photography, Natural light Portraiture, Nature, Life Reportage/Documentary, as well as Landscape and Woodland Photography.

Simon supports Ethical Living and Green Recovery Initiatives, donating 2.5% of all profits from his courses, Commissions and Print Sales to these causes.

It really is worth reading the extract from Simons Course Handbook (below), where he provides an amusing, thought provoking and inspiring summary of what he fondly refers to as his ‘Photography Journey’.

In the meantime, I look forward to a time when I can once again join Simon in his incredibly inspiring ‘Photography Retreats'.

J. S. Miller U.S.A.F (Retired).

My Photography Journey. By Simon James Davies

It’s been forty years since I fell in love with the black, lustrous form of my Yashica Electro 35 Rangefinder Camera. I was 17 years old and was looking forward to ‘Seeing the world' with the Royal Navy. In those days it was common to join a Camera Club, and I gladly paid my ‘subs’ to learn as much as I could, before I finally went ‘off to sea'.

Guest speakers were ‘a bit of a thing’ in the club, and whilst I listened to many over the years, there was one who I feel made more of an impact on me than any other.

I listened with intent as she explained her ‘Photography Raison D'être'. There was no talk of F/ Stops, ISO's, Hyperfocal Distances, Diffraction, 1000ths of a second, Reciprocity failure, and all the other complexities which made a 17 year old, with a short attention span ‘glaze over'. In fact, her talk had little to do with the ‘Photography’ I was becoming familiar with, it was more like a ‘Magic Carpet' ride for my ‘photographically challenged' mind.

She had a very descriptive style, which she delivered with an intense passion, I found it totally infectious. At the end of her talk she took questions and, uncharacteristically, I put my hand up; I recall feeling both flattered and embarrassed when she pointed to my Yashica (which hung proudly, if a little amateurishly, from my neck), and told me that it was a very astute choice. I instantly forgot the question I was about to ask, but the instinct not to look foolish took over, and I found myself asking about her courses. It wasn't long before I found myself saying yes to her question.. “would I like to sign up for one?”. Despite my concerns about being able to afford it, it turned out to be one of the best things I ever did.

We met a few weeks later, on a cold and blustery hill, somewhere in East Sussex. Four of us crowded around the slight, but indomitable frame of Fay Godwin, her hands trembled in the cold, as she loaded a film into her well used Hasselblad camera back. She must have sensed that we were transfixed in awe, and envy, on her 'Blad' (Hasselblad). As if to break the trance, she explained that the camera was her prized possession, but it was still ‘just a camera’. She then tapped the side of her head with her right index finger and scanned the faces of the group. Whilst covering her heart with her left hand, she spoke firmly: “Remember, it is knowledge and passion which separate the extraordinary from the ordinary, not how expensive your camera is”.

I went on to attend several of her workshops in the coming years. Throughout my journey in photography, there have been many who have influenced my ‘photography psyche’, but I'm convinced none more so, than Fay Godwin.

Fays secret was that she understood that photography is a 'Medium’ of communication, one which she chose to thoroughly 'Master’ for the sole purpose of communicating her own passion as an Art form, and as someone later said: “There is no Art without passion, only technique”.

Whether it was as a Photographer in the Royal Navy, shooting in high pressure environments, or shooting Weddings, Portraits, Landscapes or any of the genres I've turned my hand to, I've always tried to bring something ‘a little different to the table'. The ‘fire is still in my belly' for the Art of Photography, my learning is still constantly evolving, and I strive to be a better artist today than I was yesterday.

The seeds of my passion for teaching were sown when I stumbled into tutoring ‘budding photographers’, in a casual way. I thoroughly enjoyed the process, witnessing their delight as they delivered results far beyond their expectations. This experience, together with my own Photography experience, lead me to develop the learning process in my courses which I call R.E.V.E.R.E. Should you choose to allow me to join you your Learning Journey, this is an acronym which you will become very familiar with, and you will experience how it translates in the real world, assisting you to consistently create beautiful compositions.

Today, I’m privileged to earn my living by sharing my learning, and whether you are just starting out, or you're an experienced Photographer, I'm really looking forward to helping you meet your Photography goals.

I hope that you will feel comfortable in inviting me into your Photography Story, and will trust me to Guide you in this incredible Learning Journey.

Simon James Davies