1-to-1 Photography Coaching with Michael Kistler

Private coaching designed around you - your camera, your goals, your pace.

Whether you're picking up your camera for the first time or looking to develop your creative vision & distinctive personal style, Michael will build a program that meets you exactly where you are.

Michael Kistler portrait

What You’ll Work On

CAMERA CONFIDENCE:

Stop shooting in Auto. Learn to control your camera intuitively - so the technical side disappears and you can focus on the image you're trying to make.

CREATIVE VISION:

Train your eye to see light, shadow, composition, and the decisive moment. Skills you'll never stop noticing, long after our sessions end.

HONG KONG AS YOUR SUBJECT:

Explore the city with someone who has spent years reading its streets, rhythms, and hidden corners. Photography becomes a way to experience Hong Kong at a deeper level.

YOUR PERSONAL STYLE:

Clients often arrive wanting better photos; they leave with a visual identity distinctively their own.

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY:

Develop skills that travel with you - so your next trip produces images that actually match what you experienced.

PORTRAIT & PEOPLE:

Learn how to photograph people with confidence - whether strangers on the street or the people who matter most to you.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Most people who get in touch aren't sure exactly what they need - just that they want to take better photographs and enjoy the process more.

A free 15-minute discovery call is the best first step. We'll talk about where you are now, what you're hoping to achieve, and whether 1-to-1 coaching is the right fit. No pressure. No obligation.

Program Options

All coaching is structured around your specific goals, equipment, and current level. Michael will design your program after an initial conversation - no guesswork, no generic curriculum.

Five focused hours designed to give you a genuine feel for working with Michael and a real shift in how you shoot, without committing to a full program upfront. Many clients who start here come back for more.

→ HK$5,000

CRASH COURSE (5 hours):

The most popular starting point. Covers camera confidence, creative vision, and gives you the tools to continue improving independently. Clients consistently describe this as a turning point.

→ HK$8,900

FOUNDATIONS (10 hours):

For those who want to go further - developing a personal style, building a portfolio, or committing to photography as a serious long-term pursuit.

→ HK$17,800

DEVELOPMENT (20 hours):

Not sure which is right? The discovery call will help you decide.

Remote photography coaching available. Sessions are typically 2 hours and can be scheduled flexibly.

How it Works

  • 1

    Discovery Call (Free, 15 min)

    We talk about where you are now, your goals, and what a tailored program might look like. No commitment required.

  • 2

    Your Personal Program

    Michael designs a structured plan around your specific camera, schedule, and ambitions. Sessions can be intensive or spaced across weeks.

  • 3

    Shoot, Review, Develop

    Every session combines shooting on location with review and feedback. Most clients notice a shift in their photography within the first session.

  • "[MICHAEL'S] APPROACH TO TEACHING OPENS UP THE WORLD OF PHOTOGRAPHY AROUND YOU, SO FROM LESSON ONE, YOU WILL START TO SEE SUBJECT MATTER DIFFERENTLY. WHETHER YOU FEEL YOU WANT TO HANG OUT WITH A GREAT FUN AND COOL GUY IN SOME GREAT LOCATIONS IN HONG KONG TO TAKE SOME FUN PHOTOS, OR GET THE INSIDE TRACK FROM A BRILLIANT PROFESSIONAL TO TAKE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY TO THE NEXT LEVEL, YOU’LL ALMOST CERTAINLY GET SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT AND LOT BETTER THAN YOU ANTICIPATE. MICHAEL IS STILL MY TEACHER AND WILL REMAIN MY TEACHER.”

    Dan C., 1-to-1 Photography Coaching Student

  • "I’M STILL BLOWN AWAY AT TODAY HOW MUCH MY PHOTOGRAPHY HAS EVOLVED AND HOW MICHAEL TRAINED MY EYES IN SEEING DIFFERENTLY. AND ABOVE ALL, IT’S FUN, REWARDING AND WE’VE SHARED SOME PRETTY GOOD LAUGHS.”

    Cecile D., 1-to-1 Photography Coaching Student

  • "I DID THE 10 LESSON COURSE WITH MICHAEL AND IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE. VERY ENJOYABLE, DISCOVERED NEW LOCATIONS IN HONG KONG AND MY PHOTOGRAPHY IMPROVED IMMENSELY. DELIGHTED WITH THE NEW PHOTOS I NOW HAVE."

    Andy C., 1-to-1 Photography Coaching Student

FAQs

Do I need to commit to 10 hours upfront?

1

Not necessarily but it’s recommended. As an alternative, clients occasionally select the crash course package. Get in touch and we'll find a structure that works.


What level do I need to be?

2

Complete beginners are very welcome. So are experienced photographers looking to develop a distinctive style. Michael adapts entirely to where you are.


What camera do I need?

3

Any camera you already own. Michael works across all major brands and systems.


Where do sessions take place?

4

On location across Hong Kong: real streets, real light, real situations. Remote coaching is also available via video call.