Strong Island Media and professional photographer Paul Gonella have delivered photography workshops for the last 10 years to literally thousands of people of all ages and abilities, all across the south coast.

Working with organisations such as Chichester Harbour Conservancy, University of Portsmouth, Making Space, Hampshire Cultural Trust plus many schools and youth groups we’ve developed Walkshops, where rather than sitting down in a classroom you actively learn different photography skills and techniques out and about with your camera, with support from an experience professional photographer.

We’ve delivered well over 100 walkshops from Worthing through to Bournemouth and as far north as Surrey and from the summer of 2015 we have run a very successful series of walkshops open to the public in and around Southsea & Portsmouth and along the coast.

You can view our current walkshops and classes for details and our FAQ for more information.

I started out with a camera taking photos of my friends skateboarding and then swiftly bought my own cheap compact camera that I took everywhere as a teenager through to my mid 20s. It was a trip to San Francisco in 1997 when I realised I needed more control over how I took photos and I picked up my first SLR. In 2004 I started to pick up freelance photography and video work and slowly had work published and exhibited.

Going full time as a photographer & filmmaker in 2011 I found I was able to work passionately in a role that gives me true satisfaction, be that working closely with people of different ages and needs to produce a film they love and are proud to be a part of, teaching people photography skills they then use to fulfil their creative goals and working as part of a number of different community organisations working hard to make their city better through arts and culture.

Through the last 13 years it has been a privilege to with year 2 pupils all the way through to GCSE photography students and university degree students studying creative courses. I’ve worked with hard to reach young people, LGBTQ+ groups, veterans, asylum seekers, young people experiencing mental health issues and many more groups of people able to discover the world around them (and a little more about themselves) through photography.

Along the way I’ve also been developing and growing as a photographer, filmmaker and arts practitioner too. I don’t take anything for granted, I constantly wish to grow and develop new skills & creative ideas and share my passion for creativity.

– Paul Gonella

• Public Liability Insured
• DBS Checked
• Child Protection Trained
• Arts Award Practitioner up to Gold Level