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Mike Lester Photography

206 Reviews
Outstanding
Member 16+ Years
155287
Sherburn in Elmet
Leeds
North Yorkshire
LS25 6PJ

Mobile:
07943 32****


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Mon - Sat: 08:00-18:00
Sun: Closed

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Member since : 8 Mar 2009
Manually reviewed : 9 Feb 2025
Last updated : 9 Feb 2025

About Mike Lester Photography


Specialists in family and individual portraits and training for both photographers and models, Mike Lester Photography provides a wide range of photographic services, including: commercial, product and advertising at our fully equipped Studio or on location.

Mike Lester Photography offer a range of photographic training workshops covering all skill levels and provide the perfect opportunity to photographers wishing to develop their studio, location and editing skills. Whatever your level, Mike Lester Photography has a training workshop suited to your needs as a student. Tuition is offered on a 1:1. Or Group basis.

Mike is a very experienced trainer and photographer, able to develop your skills and help you get the best from your shoots. A fully qualified trainer, Mike holds an honours degree in Professional Training and Development, backed up with 30 years experience, including work with local colleges and Leeds Met University.

Mike Lester Photography provide quality training workshops for both experienced and novice photographers. Tailored to the individual requirements of the student, our 1:1 tuition is the perfect learning solution, with each workshop designed specifically for the individual needs of the student. Training Workshops are available Monday to Saturday throughout the year. Whether you've bought a new DSLR and want to learn how to use it or are looking to build on well honed skills? Mike Lester Photography has a workshop to cover it.

Mike Lester Photography has an expanding customer base, located throughout the UK, including Leeds Building Society, SFS Intec and clients as far afield as Germany and Northern Ireland.

The business is owned by Mike Lester. Mike has been involved in the Photography industry for many years. Having started in Photographic retail in the early 1970s, Mike has many years of experience in both Photography and Training. Prior to setting up 'Mike Lester Photography', Mike worked for a variety of large institutions, including Leeds Met University, local Colleges and both the National Press Office and Training arms of a large government department.
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206 FreeIndex Reviews - Ranked 1st out of 295 UK Photographers

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Adam Beatt
Bingley
I have been taking photos for my job as an estate agent of properties for 5 years without any training whatsoever. Having spent the day with Mike I have a much better understanding of the different functions or the camera and how to get the best shots. A really worthwhile session! Mike is extremely welcoming and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!
Hannah Stott
Chesterfield
Photo uploaded by Hannah Stott
I visited Mike's Studio recently to model for one of his monthly camera club sessions and it was a fantastic session from start to finish. Mike was professional throughout the day, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I spent most of the day in the studio as I had another shoot booked prior to Mike's session. I found the studio exceptionally well equipped for the afternoon and evening. Mike had plenty of choice for sets, including quality dresses, hats, and a huge range of camera equipment. You could have easily arrived with nothing and Mike would have had you sorted to shoot in no time. The studio itself was warm and comfortable with a nice area to change. (Perfect for myself as I had alot of outfit changes that day) Mike was always ready to lend a hand in setting up backdrops/aid with lighting and nothing felt too much trouble. Mike is genuinely a friendly and warm person who clearly loves his craft. It was a privilege to work with him and I can't recommend him and the studio highly enough. Thank you Mike and see you soon!Moreexpand_more
Scott Moss
Leeds
Attended the 3hr beginners lesson with Mike and immediately felt welcomed and made at ease on arrival, it was as if we already knew one another! He was polite, humorous and explains everything you need to know in regards to basic photography and in great detail along with practical work on what you’ve learnt. The 3 hrs went so quick. Highly recommend Mike for all your photography learning needs. I hope to book other lessons with him to better my photography skills in the future. Thank you Mike once again. All the best, Scott.
Jessica Spencer
Leeds
I had a one to one photography and editing workshop with Mike which I would highly recommend. Mike is really friendly, immediately puts you at ease and explains things in an accessible way. I already knew the basics of photography but since the workshop my photos have significantly improved and I have Mike to thank for this.
Nat Marley
Sherburn in Elmet
I booked a 1-1 session to help me understand my new flash. Mike was very helpful and knowledgable, he put me at ease and adapted things to suit my learning style. I found the session really useful and it has helped to build my confidence. I would highly recommend Mike, thank you !
J Redpath
Leeds
Attended Mike Lester’s beginners course he quickly put everyone at ease and was really good at explaining to beginners and advanced levels, certainly made it easier to learn with everyone having chance to practice before moving on. Really felt like I learnt to use manual instead of auto, great and am definitely interested in another course.
Martin Price
Micklefield
Attended one of Mikes courses for beginners, helping get people off auto. A great course, Mike is great at explaining things putting the information across in an informative and helpful way. Mike instantly makes you feel welcome and relaxed. Great at what he does and a really nice bloke ? .
Jez C
Beverley
A retrospective photo shoot presentation was planned and delivered as we’d planned it. Mike worked hard to put together a very professional package - as ever - and the whole session was delivered with the usual Mike laid-back style. We’re now planning another session - can’t recommend more highly than that.
Andrew Cooke
Halifax
What an absolutely amazing days tuition! The content was comprehensive but oh so accessible and for someone like myself who has never shot on digital before, it was truly groundbreaking. I cannot recommend Mike enough for his excellent delivery and all the points he covered. If you are at all thinking about photography tuition or looking to improve your technique, look no further. Mike is your first and only port of call. And a huge, huge thanks also to Ange, the model I shot with in the afternoon! She is both professional and brilliant! Thank you both for re-igniting my photography journey. I will be back! All in all, just outstanding.
Ian Ray-White
Leeds
I can highly recommend Mike Lester Photography. I recently used Mike for some portrait shots and found him to be very professional with great results at the end of the session. I always find the prospect of having my photo taken in a studio a bit daunting, but Mike really put me at my ease and I wouldn't hesitate to use his services again.
Ben Brown
Wetherby
I booked Mike to get 3 hours of tuition before a big shoot. I was comfortable with my camera but I felt rusty. The booking process was really easy and Mike kindly booked Ang (who is an incredible model) for the shoot. Wow, what a great experience. I got everything I needed and more from it. Got my confidence, a chance to ask industry professionals some questions and some incredible photos. I highly recommend the studio, Ang as a model and Mike as a teacher and photographer.
Jack Francis
Leeds
Had a fantastic workshop with Mike around studio lighting. Went in with little knowledge and how to get the best out of lighting and position. After the workshop which was very hands on I now feel more confident in booking a studio photoshoot.
Neil Oswin
Halifax
Photo uploaded by Neil Oswin
Had a very helpful tuition in mastering studio lighting from Mike which was very interesting and useful.
Khai Ken Leoh
Leeds
Took a simple beginner photography course with Mike. Awesome, knowledgeable and friendly. I learnt lots from him in just 2 hours. Highly recommend!
Christophe...
Wakefield
I had a portrait photography workshop with Mike and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Mike was very friendly and welcoming and had a vast amount of experience that he was easily able to communicate and pass on. The learning through the day was helped by Mike creating a comfortable environment which I imagine would be the same whether he was teaching or dealing with clients. The model for the day was equally as friendly and fun to work with and more than happy to pass on her experience from in front of the camera. Both made the day feel like a group effort to improve my photography and seemed genuinely invested in me being able to learn new skills.
Sara Taylor
Leeds
I originally purchased a photoshoot with Mike as a gift to my mum and husband and was so impressed with their images and experience I got one too. Had a fantastic photoshoot with me, my partner and our dog. The studio in Pudsey was easy to find and is set up with numerous backdrops and props to work with. Mike is a really genuine great guy who had us laughing and made the experience really fun. Would not hesitate to recommend Mike to anyone, I think the photoshoot with 10 images is excellent value and we are so happy with the shots. Thank you again :).
Karen Gourlay
Leeds
A fabulous afternoon working with Mike exploring studio lighting, covering a wide range of set ups. Lots of opportunities to try things out and learn in a practical way working with a fabulous and very patient model. Can't wait to try out some new ideas now!
Dalia Madhoun
Morley
I hired the studio for couple of hours for my own family photoshoot. Mike was pa great help and he was generous with his knowledge and provided best lighting tips. Highly recommend this experience!
Lesley Andrews
Tadcaster
We (me, my husband and 2 dachshunds) had a one hour photo shoot with Mike, not really knowing what to expect - especially with two restless dogs! Mike was so good at making us feel at ease and allowing the dogs to have a sniff around the studio before we began, so they would be more relaxed when we needed them to settle. I'm always self conscious when having photographs taken, but Mike was so friendly and helpful, that I felt more natural, rather than formally posing, which helped enormously. In our package, we were able to view all of the shots at home on the pc and then choose the 10 we liked the most. That was a difficult choice as they were all so lovely! All the images were clear and natural (which is what we wanted), and Mike's patience with our dogs paid dividends. We would highly recommend anyone to use Mike for professional shots. My daughter has now booked for some family pics. Can't wait to see those too. Thank you Mike!
Charles Sandilands
York
I did a 1 to 1 Boudoir Day which included 6 hours of tuition (2 hours photoshop). I found Mike very personable, very knowledgeable and with a quirky sense of humour which was very refreshing. I learned such a lot about working in a studio, lighting, posing and lots more. He's a natural trainer and it was all really enjoyable. The model, Claire was also very pleasant and professional. All in all a first class expeerience and I would recommend it without reservation.
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