Catch the Moment: TIME Magazine Photographer to Lead Masterclass at Algarve Arts Academy

On July 23rd, the Algarve Arts Academy welcomes a photographer whose work has appeared on the cover of TIME magazine and who once served as personal photographer to a British Prime Minister. Jacob Sutton will lead a two-hour Photography Masterclass, "Catch the Moment," from 13:30 to 15:30, offering a rare opportunity for local photography enthusiasts to learn directly from someone who has spent a career capturing history as it happened.

Sutton's portfolio reads like a survey of the last several decades of public life. His TIME magazine cover captured firefighters at work, a striking piece of documentary photography that made the front of one of the world's most recognised publications. He has also documented world leaders in moments of unguarded authenticity, and spent years as the personal photographer to Prime Minister Tony Blair — a role that placed him inside rooms most photographers never access, tasked with finding the honest, human frame within the choreography of political life.

What sets Sutton apart, according to those familiar with his work, is not just proximity to power but an eye for authenticity wherever he points his camera — whether the subject is a head of state or someone going about an ordinary day. That instinct, the ability to recognise and capture a genuine moment before it passes, is exactly what he'll be teaching at this masterclass.

Participants can expect a hands-on session focused on composition, timing, and the practical decisions that separate a forgettable photograph from a timeless one. Sutton is expected to draw on real examples from his own career — including the split-second choices behind some of his most recognised images — to illustrate how great photography is as much about instinct and patience as it is about technical skill.

The workshop is designed to be accessible to photographers at various levels, from hobbyists with a smartphone to more advanced amateurs with dedicated equipment. The emphasis throughout will be on seeing rather than simply shooting: learning to anticipate a moment, read light and expression, and compose a frame that tells a story on its own.

Black and white photography is expected to feature prominently in the session. Stripped of colour, an image relies entirely on contrast, shadow, texture and expression to hold a viewer's attention — which makes it one of the most demanding, and most instructive, disciplines a photographer can practise. Many of the era-defining portraits and news images that shaped the twentieth century, including much of the political and documentary work Sutton has produced over his career, were made in black and white for exactly this reason: it distills a moment down to its emotional core. Participants can expect guidance on reading a scene in monochrome terms — training the eye to notice tonal contrast and form rather than colour — as well as practical tips on shooting and editing for black and white, whether on film or digitally.

Algarve Arts Academy has built its reputation on bringing high-calibre instruction to the region across a range of disciplines, from painting and ceramics to experiential art events. This masterclass continues that tradition, pairing the Academy's community of creative learners with a photographer whose work has shaped how the public has seen major moments in recent history.

Spaces for the two-hour session are limited, given the intimate, hands-on format Sutton favours for teaching. Those interested in composition, portraiture, or simply learning to see the world a little differently through a lens are encouraged to book early.

Photography Masterclass with Jacob Sutton Thursday, July 23rd | 13:30–15:30 Algarve Arts Academy

For more information or to reserve a place, visit algarvearts.academy/publicevents