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COURSES

COURSES TIMETABLE

About Paul Swan

After 17 years of teaching photography through TAFE, I finally decided to it on my own.

So now I'm doing PRIVATE COURSES only.

My courses and training are now available on an independent basis, providing more specific content to each group, along with more flexibility on course structure, subjects, dates and times.

Get ready for some courses that will ‘tell it like it is’, with no ‘pussy-footing’ around, and teach photography, and/or the business of photography, as it should be taught, with lessons and experience gained from over 22 years of working as a real photographer in the enjoyable, but sometimes harsh, real world of Photography and business. 

Let the fun begin!.

 

HISTORY - if you’re interested.

Paul Swan, Photographer/Owner/Director of Swan Photographics a division on Paul Swan Investment Services Pty Ltd.

Whilst being a highly successful Independent Licensed Investment Advisor and Regional Manager for AFT in the Hunter Valley and Central Coast regions of NSWin the early ’80’s, Paul commenced an Associate Diploma in Visual Arts majoring in Photography.

Following a move in 1986 to Tweed Heads as Regional Manager NAB Financial Services for Northern NSW (Tweed Heads to Bangalow) Paul realised the business potential of the Gold and Tweed Coasts and also appreciated the natural beauty in the area. He also continued with his now serious photography hobby and purchased a Minolta 9000 and a couple of lenses - one of which was 135mm 2.8 prime lens. He also made a quick dash back to Newcastle to collect all his black & white darkroom equipment.

It was time for a life changing decision - Financial Planner/Investment Advisor which provided security, high income, and all the other fringe benefits or Photographer which really provided nothing except a challenge.

Photography won, and Swan Photographics was first established in 1988, with the opening of a Kodak Express 1 Hour photo lab, black and white darkroom, and portrait studio at Nobby Beach Qld, near Magic Mountain.

Owning a lab provided Paul with a very solid grounding in colour theory, film, and the ‘other side’ of photography - processing and printing. He also realised how difficult it was for people to take great photos - even with expensive SLR cameras. So he put together some short photography courses and conducted them after hours in his studio.

Paul saw a need for a TAFE course to follow the highly successful ‘basics’ course conducted by Len Reynolds, and he approached TAFE with the idea of a ‘Beyond the Basics’ photography course. The rest is history, with this course being taught by Paul for 17 years. Another two course were also developed. During this time, Paul has helped over 1500 people receive the right advice on how to use their camera.

With a Cert IV in Workplace Assessment and Training, and his vast experience, Paul also became the Northern NSW and Qld Training Manager for The National Photo Training College. He was responsible for the delivery of training as far afield as Mt Isa, Cairns, Tamworth, Ballina and everywhere in between. He conducted training and assessment in the PRIT (Photographic Retail Industry Traineeship) II and III in compliance with the DET.

Some of Paul’s clients for photography and/or training include:

• Gold Coast City Council
• Elders Real Estate
• PRD Nationwide
• Harcourts Real Estate
• Ray White
• LJ Hooker
• Australian Penthouse
• Salt
• Shooters Saloon Bar
• Picture Magazine
• Billabong
• Century 21
• Location Location Real Estate
• Heritage Restaurant
• Gold Coast TAFE
• ACE Gold Coast
• ACE North Coast
• Lightbulb
• The Toy Box
• Bocoo
• Blue Sky Holiday Group
• National Photo Training College
• Computer Training Options

About Swan Photographics

ABN 87 001 919 893

A division of Paul Swan Investment Services Pty Ltd ACN 001919893

196 Tarata Rd Guanaba Qld 4210 Australia. (That's in the Gold Coast hinterland)

Ph 0414 279 377

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