“I love Photography A Level. I’m so grateful for everything you taught me and all the fun at Mango Lab – it really did spark my love for photography! Hope you’re well and mango lab is still so much fun! 🙂 x”
A Mango Teen Photographer offered a place at University to study Photojournalism, after starting their photography journey with us.
Creatives
Our 16 – 19 age group flows into a two distinct main streams. Those gazing towards a future in the creative arts and who join us to gain additional practice and direction outside of their academic institution. This move cross-pollinates their portfolios in preparation for university applications. The second group are moving away from iPhone camera practice to increase knowledge or upgrade status in the craft of photography. For some this may mean moving into analogue practice while others make their serious commitment through investing in a 35mm DSLR. Such direction could be shaped by online community forums like Reddit or subscribing to a YouTube channel. Creatives are very independent and come with more specific needs which we address on a student by student basis. In addition to being DBS certified, members of the International Visual Literacy Association, we have experience in having a helping hand in winning students a placement at a creative arts university through our years of practical knowledge in the visual arts and teaching. Our non-discriminatory teaching methods are completely focused on the individual’s learning path. Our Parent and Student Feedback page is testament to the commitment we make to your teen’s learning and growing.
2026 COURSES Saturdays term-time 2026: Feb 28 / March 7, 21, 28 / April 18 only / May 2, 16 / June 13, 20, July 4. Easter holidays: Tues 7 – Fri 10 April (avoiding Easter Bank Holiday Monday), and Mon 13 – Thurs 16 April. May Half-term holidays: Mon 25 – Thurs 28 May Summer holidays: 22 July – 20 August Autumn term-time October half-term Christmas holidays
Our London courses are held in central London, back in Covent Garden again after renovations are complete, which is 2 minutes from the tube, or we meet at locations specific to course topic/ student group interests (usually this applies to weekend courses). For Cornwall courses please see the Cornwall section below.
PHOTOGRAPHY + CAMERA BASICS (Beginners)
The fun begins at learning how to make images. Automation in mobile phones makes everyone a budding photographer – that’s the elephant in the room. Our students want more than a point and shoot experience and we deliver that. How do I photograph my dog in the dark? Why are my pictures not sharp? Do you think this is a good picture? In the Photography + Camera Skills courses we move away from automation and into thinking individually about making a photograph. Discover the science behind the camera and light in a series of engaging experiments through which the fundamentals of photography are revealed, with skills to continue experimenting on your own or grow with us.
BEGINNERS for 16-19 year olds: Photography & Camera. LONDON, in person. Max. 6 students per group. Free DSLR camera loan as part of the course, also lenses, tripods, where applicable for course subject. Let us know and we will reserve a camera for you!
SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2026 | LONDON – Beginners
Week 5: Monday 17 August – Thursday 20 August 2026 (10, 11, 12, 13 August) | LONDON Mon 17 Aug – Thurs 20 Aug, 10am-1pm, MORNINGS, 12 hours. Max. 6 students per group. £355 inc. VAT FULLY BOOKED
Contact us to book for courses or with any questions: 0203 002 4991 / info@themangolab.co.uk. All our in-person group courses, one-to-one training and online training can be used towards Extra Skills for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. We are a DofE Approved Activity Provider.
HOLIDAY COURSES in 2026
Summer holidays: July – August. See below for Intermediate and Advanced Levels October half-term 2026 Christmas holidays 2026
All our holiday courses start and finish at our meeting space in Covent Garden, London, unless otherwise advised. Our Saturday courses run from the locations we choose for that week, notified nearer the time, (nearly) always central London. For Cornwall courses please see the Cornwall section below.
SATURDAYS TERM-TIME AUTUMN 2026
Book one Saturday at a time or buy a block (get in touch for discount), PAY-AS-YOU-GO – as long as spaces are available. Bookings taken on a first come first served basis.
SEPTEMBER Saturdays, September – December 2026 dates to be announced – one session (you can add more dates to suit you) 2-5pm, AFTERNOONS, 3 hours. Max. 6 students per group. £89 inc. VAT, free camera loan, lens loan, tripods, software, if applicable for this week. 3 hours total.
BEGINNERS PLUS – INTERMEDIATE – ADVANCED VISUAL LITERACY FOR FUTURE CREATIVES
From fake news to infographics, staged Instagram selfies to viral images of lawyers with cat avatars our children are growing up in an environment where the image continues to creep into our information forming networks. Understanding how reading images can affect how we feel or interpret society around us is a necessary part of our information gathering process. Moving from a text literate to a visual literate society is the next iteration in expanding our growth as communicators. Our brand of visual literacy courses for future creatives explores the act of seeing. Unlike the photography courses this is about deep seeing into photographs already made. Through games, puzzles and reading picture practice the course guides 12 – 15 year olds observe, feedback and expand on visuals placed in front of them in order to improve on observational and image reading skills and bring to their attention the influencing factors pictures can make.
BEGINNERS-PLUS/ INTERMEDIATE levels in LONDON: Specialist Subjects including Wildlife Photography, Landscape Photography, Street Photography, Florals & Nature Photography (macro lenses provided for close-ups), Portraiture Photography, Photoshop skills and more…!
Each week we draw from elements of these subjects below, and follow your input. Join and decide together what we cover during your week! Previously we have run these as separate subject courses but find most of our students are interested in and benefit from exploring a range of different skills within a week’s course. So we gauge interests each week and customise the days’ places to visit according to our young creative students’ interests: SHOOTING STORIES – how to be a journalist/reportage photographer around the streets of London WILDLIFE and MACRO (close up) PHOTOGRAPHY – incl. visit to London Zoo. NB. Please be aware of extra cost for Zoo entrance. No extra cost to borrow our lenses – part of the course! MOVEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY – build expertise in camera skills for capturing movement: we will ride varying forms of transport to give range to skills, whilst on stable ground we access movement in some unusual and inspiring forms STREET PHOTOGRAPHY LONDON – using London as our canvas we explore how each student views and photographs a subject with a very individual approach WILDLIFE and MACRO (CLOSE-UP) PHOTOGRAPHY – borrow our lenses (no extra cost, all part of the course) FLASH & CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY – way more fun and creative than you ever imagined! NIGHT SKIES and LIGHT PAINTING: Painting with light, using nature and local subjects (ruins for our Cornwall course) as subjects and backdrops. Perseid meteor shower peak, if skies are clear to view. Free loan cameras and tripods if you need. ALTERNATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY – various techniques can be used to enhance and build on photography. We vary courses to explore different areas. PROJECTS and PORTFOLIO: Photography Projects and Presentation – Bring a current piece you need help with or get inspiration for something completely new: develop a book, online gallery, and more.
SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2026 | LONDON 13 July – 20 August 2026 SPECIALISED SUBJECTS: BEGINNERS PLUS, INTERMEDIATE PHOTOGRAPHY – Specialist subjects: join & decide subjects together (see list of possible subjects above)
With London as our backdrop, grow your visual and technical photography and creative skills in our fun and fabulous courses for Teens! Based in Covent Garden (back in Covent Garden in the summer now the renovations are complete) we use this us our base to explore the city together (max. 6 per group). Come and join us for so much more than ‘just’ photography! New students, past students and our ongoing regulars – we welcome you all!
BEGINNERS PLUS – INTERMEDIATE – ADVANCED – spaces still available
Week 6: Monday 17 August – Thursday 20 August 2026 (17, 18, 19, 20 August) | LONDON Mon 17 Aug – Thurs 20 Aug, 10am-1pm, MORNINGS, 12 hours. Max. 6 students per group. £355 inc. VAT FULLY BOOKED
Prices include VAT, free camera loan, lens loan, tripods, software, if applicable for the session/week. Contact us to book for courses or with any questions: 0203 002 4991 / info@themangolab.co.uk. All our in-person group courses, one-to-one training and online training can be used towards Extra Skills for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. We are a DofE Approved Activity Provider.
TERM-TIME: Saturdays Beginners Plus and Intermediate Photography and Media – Specialist Subject courses
TERM-TIME WEEKENDSSaturdayafternoons| LONDON: Sept -December 2026 dates to be announced
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
SEPT – Beginners Plus, Intermediate Saturdays September 2pm-5pm, AFTERNOONS, 1 afternoon, 3 hours total. Max. 6 students per group. £89 inc. VAT and free camera loan, lenses, tripods, editing software use.
Booking button and dates coming soon. Please email us to register your interest: info@themangolab.co.uk
JUNE – after May Half-term – Beginners Plus, Intermediate Sundays 8, 22, 29 June 2025 2pm-5pm, AFTERNOONS, 3 afternoons, 9 hours. Max. 6 students per group. £270 inc. VAT and free camera loan, lenses, tripods, editing software use.
ONE-TO-ONE / PRIVATE TRAINING in person / online Prefer to focus on your own, or have specific times or projects? Then we’re happy to accommodate! This can include anything in our remit, from camera training to software, photo library organisation, mentoring for projects or exams, college/university entry, professional progression, and much more. Please contact us to arrange/discuss.
ONLINE TRAINING Popular for busy students, to avoid travel time and still get expert help with lots of encouragement and guidance on school projects, college entry portfolios, etc. High success rates! Custom subject material and custom times, divided over days, weeks or more: you let us know what works for you, how frequently, etc. We suggest sessions of 1-1.5 hours for most younger students. For older students book or ring for advice on what fits and works for you. From Beginners to Advanced, whether you are starting out or already looking to interview for art college or enhance your art career, we have an excellent track record in inspiring the next generation of creatives and growing established artists!
3 hours Beginners Photography & Camera online face-to-face custom training £135 inc vat.
Contact us to book for courses or with any questions: 0203 002 4991 / info@themangolab.co.uk.
CORNWALL
2026 COURSES IN PERSON | Cornwall Various locations: e.g. Eden Project, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Tintagel Castle and beach, Lappa Valley steam train, Screech Owl Sanctuary, St Michael’s Mount, Glendurgan Garden and its maze, beautiful Cornish harbours, towns and beaches, and more. Locations vary each week/session, and we will do our best to coordinate with participants and discuss to liaise based on where you live/are staying.
PHOTOGRAPHY + CAMERA BASICS (Beginners)
HOLIDAY COURSES in 2026 | Cornwall
Course format includes: WEEKDAY photography and media courses: Mondays – Thursdays | Cornwall WEEKEND photography and media courses: Saturdays/Sundays | Cornwall Booking buttons coming soon.
VISUAL LITERACY FOR CREATIVES (Beginners Plus – Intermediate – Advanced) | CORNWALL
From fake news to infographics, staged Instagram selfies to viral images of lawyers with cat avatars our children are growing up in an environment where the image continues to creep into our information forming networks. Understanding how reading images can affect how we feel or interpret society around us is a necessary part of our information gathering process. Moving from a text literate to a visual literate society is the next iteration in expanding our growth as communicators. Our brand of visual literacy courses for future creatives explores the act of seeing. Unlike the photography courses this is about deep seeing into photographs already made. Through games, puzzles and reading picture practice the course guides our older teens (16-19 year olds) to observe, feedback and expand on visuals placed in front of them in order to improve on observational and image reading skills and bring to their attention the influencing factors pictures can make.
Beginners Plus – Intermediate – Advanced levels, in CORNWALL: Subjects including Wildlife Photography, Landscape Photography, Seascapes, Textiles & Photography, Florals & Nature Photography (macros lenses provided for close-ups), Street Photography, Night Skies and Light Painting photography (we have superb dark skies – weather permitting!), Portrait Photography and more…!
Choose from: 10am-1pm, or 2-5pm, 12 hours £355 inc. VAT. Max. 6 students per group.
Each week we draw from elements of these subjects below, and are guided by your input. Join and decide together what we cover during your week!
Our Specialist subjects include:
EXPLORE CORNWALL | for locals and visitors alike, discover visual perspectives (and some edible ones along the way!) with street photography, documentary, portraiture and travel photography rolled into this course and revealing some of West Cornwall’s best kept secrets/venues.
MOVEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY | How to capture movement: from waves, to wildlife, to travelling in bumpy boats (extra cost for coastal boat ride) or curving buses. We may ride a few forms of transport to provide a range of skills, whilst on stable ground we access movement in some fun and inspiring forms.
SHOOT and EDIT/PHOTOGRAPHY and PHOTOSHOP: morning Street Photography, afternoon Photoshop & Lightroom edit and portfolio/collection building Fridays, 10am-1pm and 2-5pm, ONE DAY (break for lunch together at a local cafe or bring packed lunch), 6 hours. Max. 6 students per group. £180 inc. VAT
ALTERNATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY: MUDLARKING and FORAGING TEXTILES PHOTOGRAPHY | With photography as your basis you build tactile visual creations: learn to print your pictures, then stick, build, sew what we have collected together.
CLOSE-UP MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY | Beachcombing with a camera: Explore with our lenses (free loan) the hidden details of rockpools to raven feathers, rare bees (few in winter but you never know) and beetles if we’re lucky, and flowers, lichen, shells, seaweed and more galore on our beautiful Cornish coastal landscape! PROJECTS and PORTFOLIO: Photography Projects and Presentation Progress your photography skills with guidance at hand to develop a photo project you can complete by course end, such as creating a book (use our Lightroom software – perfect for this!) or a digital gallery show (we all have the software). Bring a current piece you need help with or get inspiration for something completely new! Friday, 10am-1pm, then 2-5pm, ONE DAY (break for lunch together at a local cafe or bring packed lunch), 6 hours. Max. 6 students per group. £180 inc. VAT
And Surf ‘n’ Turf Photography | Seascapes, Landscapes: Macro and Wide angle (borrow our lenses) Wildlife Cornwall |animlas and plants on land and sea Textiles Tactile Photography | Build 3D visual creations using photography: collect, stick, build, sew Street Photography Cornwall | Harbours, Port towns, Boats (and ice creams / cream teas!)
Contact us to book for courses or with any questions: +44 (0)203 002 4991 / info@themangolab.co.uk. All our in-person group courses and one-to-one training can be used towards Extra Skills for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
ONE-TO-ONE TRAINING IN PERSON available. To arrange: 0203 002 4991 / info@themangolab.co.uk.
ONLINE TRAINING Custom times, divided over days, weeks or more: you let us know what works for you, how frequently, etc. We suggest sessions of 1-1.5 hours for most younger students.
3 hours Visual Literacy for Creatives online face-to-face training £135 inc vat.
