Master Photography with Burak Bulut Yıldırım: Personalised One-on-One Training & Mentorship

Personalised Photography Lessons Shaped by Over 20 Years of Experience

Hello, I’m Burak Bulut Yıldırım. For me, photography isn’t just a technical discipline; it’s a way of perceiving, interpreting, and expressing the world. For over 20 years, I’ve been pursuing this passion, actively producing work across a broad spectrum – from commercial projects to art exhibitions, e-commerce shoots to portrait photography. While adding value to brands with my production company, LUX Prodüksiyon, I also share the technical knowledge and vision I’ve gained as a Sony Alpha European Imaging Ambassador since 2018. Based in both Istanbul and Berlin, I offer you photography training with both local and international perspectives.

I’ve had the opportunity to work one-on-one with thousands of photography enthusiasts and witness their development. This in-depth experience has shown me how unique each individual’s learning pace, goals, and perspective are. With this understanding, instead of offering a standard curriculum, I design a personalised photography lesson program focused entirely on your needs, current level, and desired direction. My aim is not just to be an instructor transferring technical knowledge during your photography journey, but also a mentor helping you develop your vision, providing the best one-on-one photography coaching experience possible.

Why Choose a Private Photography Lesson with Burak Bulut Yıldırım?

• My extensive experience shooting for hundreds of brands, my exhibition background across Europe, and my role as a Sony European Ambassador give me a deep understanding of both the commercial and artistic dynamics of the industry, as well as the latest equipment and techniques. This background allows me to provide you with photography training filled with practical, real-world insights that go beyond theory.
• The pedagogical knowledge gained from working individually with thousands of people from different levels, with varying goals and learning styles, enables me to use methods best suited to your learning pace and objectives, helping you grasp even complex subjects easily. Thus, during your private photography lesson, you learn by understanding and applying, ensuring lasting knowledge.
• Being regularly present in both Istanbul and Berlin, along with a strong infrastructure for online photography courses, gives you the flexibility to receive training in the format that suits you best, regardless of location. We can progress with a custom program, whether face-to-face or online.
• My approach, which emphasizes rapidly putting theory into practice through hands-on application and constructive feedback, ensures you make noticeable progress in your photography skills in a short time. After each private photography lesson, you’ll have tangible results and quickly address areas for improvement.

First Step: A 15-Minute Free Online Introductory Call to Discuss Your Goals

The first step to providing you with the most accurate and efficient photography training program is getting to know you and your photography aspirations. Therefore, before starting any training process, we have a 15-minute, completely free online introductory and consultation call.

• In this call, I understand your photography goals, current knowledge level, and expectations from a private photography lesson program.
• Based on our conversation, we evaluate together which training package or what kind of one-on-one photography coaching structure would be most beneficial for you.
• It’s the perfect opportunity to ask all your questions and gain clarity about our potential collaboration.
• You can easily schedule your free introductory call with me by clicking the link below and choosing a time slot that suits you from my calendar:

Book Your 15-Minute Free Online Introductory Call

Your Development Path: One-on-One Photography Course Programs

Every photographer’s journey is different. Therefore, I offer four core photography training program structures that you can consider as starting points, but whose content and duration will be fully personalised after our initial consultation:

1) Foundational Photography Training & Developing Artistic Vision Program

Ideal For Whom? A beginner-level photography course designed for those new to their camera or who haven’t fully grasped the basic settings (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc.) and want to move beyond “auto mode” to take more conscious and aesthetic photos.

Program Promise: Upon completing this basic photography training, you will master your camera’s settings, internalise basic composition rules, and gain the ability to create compelling frames by consciously using light. The goal is to free you from technical concerns to focus on your creativity.

Focus Areas (Sample Content – Typically 6 Hours):

• Camera Operation: Manual mode secrets (Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO relationship), focusing systems, white balance.
• Lens Knowledge: Different lens types (prime, zoom) and their impact on visual aesthetics.
• Fundamentals of Visual Composition: Rule of thirds, golden ratio, leading lines, framing, etc.
• The Language of Light: Understanding and using natural light.
• Practical Applications: Shooting exercises (face-to-face in Istanbul or Berlin, or via online photography course format).

Investment Estimate: Hourly rate €60. The total investment for the recommended 6-hour program is €360. (Exact duration and cost are finalized during the free consultation.)

Key Benefit: You quickly and correctly learn the technical fundamentals, building a strong connection with your camera. You can effectively use the learn-apply-feedback cycle by splitting this private photography lesson into sessions.

2) Advanced Photography Training & Specialisation Program

Ideal For Whom? Professional photography training for those with basic knowledge who want to take their photography to the next level, deepen their skills in a specific area (e.g., portrait, fashion, studio, product), and develop a unique style.

Program Promise: Equips you with advanced lighting techniques, composition strategies, model/product direction, and post-production skills needed to shoot professionally in your chosen specialty. This advanced photography training strengthens your portfolio, providing a solid foundation for your goals.

Focus Areas (Sample Content – Typically 6–15 Hours):

• Advanced Lighting Setups: Studio strobes (flashes, monolights), continuous lights, light modifiers (softbox, octabox, beauty dish, umbrella, reflector, etc.), light metering.
• Specialty-Specific Techniques: Model communication and posing in portrait/fashion; lighting and styling for different surfaces (shiny, matte, transparent) in product photography.
• Advanced Composition & Storytelling: Creating depth, color theory, visual narrative.
• Professional Post-Production Workflow: Advanced Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop (layers, masking, frequency separation, etc.), color management, retouching techniques, AI-assisted tools.
• Hybrid Learning Model: Flexible photography course offering online theory/post-production and face-to-face practical sessions in Istanbul/Berlin.

Investment Estimate: Hourly rate €60. A program between 6 hours (€360) and 15 hours (€900) can be planned based on your needs.

Key Benefit: With a flexible one-on-one photography coaching program built upon your existing knowledge and tailored to your goals, you gain the opportunity to specialize rapidly in your area of interest.

3) Professional E-commerce & Brand Product Photography Training

Ideal For Whom? A specialized photography training for entrepreneurs, SMEs, marketing professionals, or social media managers who want to photograph their own brand’s products/services professionally and produce visual content independently.

Program Promise: This e-commerce photography training provides the competence to shoot professional-quality photos that make your products stand out and drive sales. You’ll learn to set up your own shooting space, apply correct techniques for different product types, and perform basic edits to get images ready for publication.

Focus Areas (Sample Content – Typically 12 Hours):

1. Part 1 (Fundamentals & Equipment – Approx. 6 Hours): Photography basics (ISO, aperture, shutter speed relevance for products), choosing the right camera/lens/tripod, basic lighting principles (natural light, affordable artificial lights like LED panels), simple setups.
2. Part 2 (Product Shooting Techniques & Practice – Approx. 6 Hours): Mini studio setup (light tent, etc.), background usage (white seamless, colored), shooting techniques for different materials (textiles, metal, glass), clean background vs. lifestyle shots, basic styling, efficient post-production workflow (basic retouching, color correction, cropping in Lightroom/Photoshop/apps).

Investment Estimate: Hourly rate €60. The total investment for the recommended 12-hour program is €720.

Key Benefit: Gain full control over your brand’s visual identity, producing product photos whenever needed at the desired quality. Stand out on e-commerce platforms and social media with professional visuals.

4) Comprehensive Mastery & Professional Competence Program (Master Level Private Photography Lesson)

Ideal For Whom? For those committed to investing seriously in photography, seeking comprehensive professional photography training from foundational to advanced levels, aiming to gain competence across different genres (e.g., commercial/product and portrait/fashion).

Program Promise: Provides full command of the technical, aesthetic, and practical aspects of photography. You’ll develop the ability to shoot professionally in various lighting conditions with diverse equipment (studio/location) and perfectly translate your vision into images using advanced post-production. Enables you to take a solid step into a professional career as a versatile photographer.

Focus Areas (Sample Content – Typically 15–20 Hours):

• In-depth Study and Application of All Basic & Advanced Techniques.
• Intensive Studio & Location Practice (possible in Istanbul and Berlin).
• Versatile Experience: Hands-on practice in product, e-commerce, portrait, fashion.
• Advanced Post-Production & Workflow Management: Professional retouching, detailed color management, portfolio building, efficient workflow optimization.
• An Intensive One-on-One Photography Coaching Program Shaped Entirely by Your Needs.

Investment Estimate: Hourly rate €60. A program between 15 hours (€900) and 20 hours (€1200) can be planned based on your needs.

Key Benefit: Gain a holistic view and in-depth expertise across multiple photography disciplines. This intensively tailored photography training allows you to reach a professional level efficiently and develop your unique style.

How Does the Private Photography Lesson Process Work? Step-by-Step Roadmap

1. Book Your Free Online Introductory Call: As the first step, click the link below or above to access my calendar and select a convenient 15-minute online meeting time.
   
   Book Your 15-Minute Free Online Introductory Call
2. Introduction & Needs Analysis: We meet online at the scheduled time to discuss your photography goals, current situation, expectations, and learning style in detail.
3. Program Design & Confirmation: Based on our conversation, we define the most suitable private photography lesson program for you (content, duration) and I present it for your approval.
4. Lesson Planning & Logistics: We determine the format (online photography course, face-to-face Istanbul photography course / Berlin photography course, hybrid) and schedule the lessons according to mutual availability.
5. Investment & Confirmation: You confirm your photography training program by completing the payment step based on the agreed plan.
6. Start Your Development Journey: We meet for the first scheduled lesson and begin our productive journey to enhance your vision and skills! We combine theory, practice, and feedback every step of the way.

A Photography Training Experience Beyond Standards

• Direct Access to Current Knowledge & Technology: As a Sony European Imaging Ambassador, I can always offer you training filled with the latest industry techniques and technologies.
• Flexible Learning Models Tailored to You: From intensive workshops to long-term one-on-one photography coaching, from online options to face-to-face lessons in Istanbul and Berlin, we choose the learning model that suits you best.
• Proven Methodology & Result-Oriented Approach: The teaching methodology developed through working with thousands of photographers over the years offers an effective roadmap for you to achieve your goals too.
• Focus on Your Individual Potential: I adopt a personalised photography mentorship approach that aims to uncover your unique talents and vision, rather than relying on standard templates.

Corporate Photography Training & Strategic Collaborations

In addition to individual private photography lessons, I also offer tailored solutions for the needs of companies and brands:

• Exclusive Workshops for E-commerce Companies: Custom photography training to enhance the technical skills and visual standards of in-house product shooting teams.
• Training for Advertising Agencies & Marketing Departments: Professional photography training programs to increase visual content creation capabilities aligned with brand language.
• International Projects & Consultancy: Based in Istanbul and Berlin, offering photography consultancy, production management, and specialized training services for brands and projects in different countries.

Let’s Bring Your Photography Vision to Life, Together!

I am Burak Bulut Yıldırım, ready to share my 20+ years of field, production, and training experience as your companion in achieving your photography goals. Let’s take the first step together and unlock your potential with personalised photography training.

Feel free to contact me with your questions, special requests, or for more information about private photography lessons:

• First Step: Free Online Introduction: Book Your Call
• Email: info@burakbulut.info
• Instagram: instagram.com/burakbulutyildirim

Share your goals with me, and let’s start making a difference with a custom-designed one-on-one photography coaching program!