Testimonials
We let the work speak — and the people too.
A selection of unedited feedback from named alumni, course delegates, training attendees and partners. Some long, some short — all real.
Photographers who built careers with us.
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Wow, where do I begin? Mark Young kickstarted my career in photography. His exceptional technical knowledge combined with a clear way of getting it across to his students makes Mark worth his weight in gold. He has a pleasant manner combined with extreme patience and is always encouraging and motivating you to discover your underlying talents. I count my blessings everyday that I had Mark as my tutor and mentor and now, a very good friend. I definitely give Mark's academy two thumbs up for any budding photographer.
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Please thank Mark for being there for me from day one and the support and learning. Had it never been for him I wouldn't have started this beautiful journey.
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Mark Young and the KZN Photo Academy helped me unravel both the secrets of my camera, and the process of starting photography as a career. I owe a lot to them and their continual support in all my endeavours.
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Thank you for all the support — especially for sending a tutor out to each of my initial client interviews with schools and for the loan of equipment for the important first shoots. Having a tutor there to assist and double-check my set-up and results was very reassuring. Your introduction to suppliers during our training has been a life-saver. Top marks to the academy for all the help and encouragement.
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Mark Young through the KZN Photo Academy has played an integral part in me understanding my camera and teaching me the basics of photography. As a teacher he uses witty repartee and is patient. His knowledge of the craft is impeccable and he isn't afraid to share his tricks of the trade. Thank you Mark for being one of the guides that has led to the growth of my business.
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I am back in the States and am doing a shoot for a client tomorrow using the new plexiglass technique I learnt from you. Thank you for all your help and for showing me things I never knew about my camera and studio gear.
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Just to let you know my studio and wedding work is looking awesome! I had a few hiccups when I got back but the help at the end of the line let me pretty much perfect it all now. Thanks again for all the knowledge!
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Thank you Mark for the thorough initial training you provided, the ongoing support and words of encouragement. You are a pool of knowledge and it is my honour to be splashed with a bit of it.
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Her creative eye, customer focus and innovative style has earned her bookings in many countries.
Email feedback after courses.
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Once again I would like to thank you so much for mentoring me on Saturday at my first wedding – I really appreciate the experience. I learnt a huge amount. The way you manage the situation in order to get the right shots and at the same time manage the technical aspects – which I find the challenge – I can get stuck in the moment without checking the camera settings or the flash – and if things go wrong – like the focus point and flash – I panic!!! Having you mentoring me every step of the way made all the difference. Thank you for being with me.
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I would just like to say how thankful and grateful I am that you were with me at the wedding. Thank you for teaching me and guiding me through the whole process. I would not have been able to do this without you and I am so happy you did. Thank you for also keeping up with and tolerating my neurotic behaviour. This wedding was very important to me and I will forever remember that I captured this special day. I just can't thank you enough!
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What an awesome session. You are a real professional. I learned more in 4 hours than I have in four years. Thank you so much. I will save up for more lessons.
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Wow! What an awesome experience. For a budding enthusiast I had the honour of being in the presence of a leading authority on photography. Thank you Mark for the presentation. I can now put a real perspective to the camera manual and tons of photography material I read. I have always been on the lookout for a school and mentor and thankfully I have now found one almost on my doorstep.
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Just back from first lesson of the Basic Photography course. So excited! I really enjoyed the session. The explanations are easy. I did not feel doff at any time. Your sense of humour made us all relax. I had a blast and have just taken the absolute BEST photograph ever with my camera on that night portrait thingy you demonstrated. Can't wait for next week to do more!
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I just wanted to drop you a quick line and say THANK YOU for the photography classes! I just did a workshop in Joburg with two professionals and 23 other photographers. I was worried that since I haven't done a wedding yet and most of these people are pros that I'd be in over my head — but that wasn't the case at all. I discovered I was head and shoulders above the rest, technically. Thanks to your classes I understand the actual light value of each white balance setting and I never have to waste time playing around because I know in my head what colour cast each one will do. I didn't realise how comprehensive your class was until I saw how few people know what they're talking about. Thanks a million!
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I just had a call from my client I sent to you for training on his Nikon D5000. He is a director of a large corporate and he was absolutely blown away with the course you gave him. He just couldn't stop complimenting your academy — he says the day was superb. Well done!
Short notes after course days.
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Very helpful. Thanx.
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Very interesting and enjoyable. Definitely want to learn more!
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Lecturer has great knowledge and academy is a good environment.
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Enthusiasm and passion for photography is infectious. I can't wait to go and have fun, fun, fun!
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I really needed someone to make things easy to understand and break it all down to basic concepts. The lecturer did this wonderfully and provided a learning experience I will definitely recommend to others. This guy should write appliance manuals.
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I am so glad that I bought the camera I did. I had no idea it could do all these amazing things I learnt about on the course. The sense of humour and explanation techniques of the lecturer was brilliant.
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Anyone buying a camera simply must attend the training. Having attended training with a relative at another facility I can only say that I think I made the wiser choice — this lecturer knows so much more and has a passion for cameras and photography which I found lacking elsewhere.
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Lecturer is obviously well experienced and shared many professional tips and tricks that added greatly to the material in the presentation. His enthusiasm for the photography is infectious — I want to give up my job now and just have fun with my camera!
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Thoroughly enjoyed the course!
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Inspiring course. You answered a lot of my questions without me having to ask them.
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Well presented and both enjoyable and informative.
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Did a one-on-one contact course at home with you guys. My brother did his elsewhere. He paid twice your fee and was in a group of 10+. I got 10× the value he did and now have to help him with his camera. Score!
Feedback-form one-liners.
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Beyond excellent.
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Impressive! Obviously knows what it's about and can pass the information on well.
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I've been doing photography for 40 years but learnt so much from this course it's surprising.
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I wish I enjoyed what I do as much as the lecturer obviously does.
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I attended a manufacturer's course but your staff seemed to know more about my new camera than they did.
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The content is superb, covers a lot and is easy to follow.
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I loved being able to try out each new setting immediately. It makes it so much easier to understand.
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I have learnt more in one month than I did in a year on a correspondence course. Thanks!
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Superb value! Less cost, less fuss, more sense and fun than another course nearby.
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I really enjoyed doing the assignments. It made a change from my mom duties and challenged my brain. Only sorry it's over.
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The best R1250 I have spent in years.
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If cameras had the same value, my Canon 50D would only have cost me R5000. Brilliant!
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I would say one of your courses is a "must-have" part of any camera buying budget, otherwise you are buying a Ferrari and only ever driving it in first gear.
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I forgot about the money after the first lesson. That alone was worth the price.
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I am annoyed! How dare you guys start on time, on the day you arranged, and do more than I expected? You cannot do that sort of thing in South Africa! I simply must tell my friends about this shockingly good service.