Discover the Best Photography Classes in Washington, D.C.
Learning photography has many levels to it. You can go from being a casual photographer to owning your own photography business. You can even consider the different types of photos you could take. For example, are you interested in still-life, portraits, or flowers? Having a lot of options is what makes deciding to learn photography so exciting.
Why You Should Learn Photography in
Once you've decided to learn photography, you might be wondering what the benefits are. Well, there are quite a few, especially living in a place like If you want to create a community of others interested in photography, has some notable groups. There is The Photography Group meetup. This meetup group has 3,00+ members focused on taking pictures at various locations and events. With over 432 past events, there is undoubtedly something for you to learn something new and meet some great new people.
Another great group is the D.C. Street Photography Collective or DC SPC. This non-profit comprises dedicated street photographers from the D.C., MD, and V.A. areas. DC SPC has been around since 2018 and connects photographers through meaningful conversation on and offline, photo walks, and artists' talks.
Suppose you are not necessarily looking to join a larger community of other photographers. In that case, there are still advantages to learning this new skill. For example, learning photography can be a great way to expand on employable skills or pick up a part-time job. In addition, Washington. D.C. is home to historical landmarks that are great to photograph.
Additionally, there is a large professional base in D.C. that would increase the need for professional photos. If you are looking to break into a career in photography, there are many places an up-and-coming photographer can start to build their portfolio. Finally, you could take pictures just as a hobby. No need to feel added pressure to monetize photos or meet others; you can use your camera to be productive during your free time, relieve stress, or tap into your creativity.
In-Person Photography Classes in
In , it is fitting to have a photography center called Capital Photography Center. Created by Marie Joabar, Capital Photography Center offers amateurs and professionals a chance to learn and grow as photographers. They offer various classes designed to fit everyone’s schedules by offering weekend and weekday courses. Capital Photography provides a variety of classes for all levels of photographer. For example, an Exploring Street Photography course is provided for all levels. The course is hands-on and explores the unique aspects of street photography. Various topics are covered, including pro tips and techniques for capturing compelling images, hands-on image capture, proper procedures and settings for street photography, and image review and feedback. Students will create photographs demonstrating their personal vision while using their gear optimized for street photography. Students can expect to photograph from the White House to Lafayette Park.
How To Be A Photography Business Owner is a great course to consider if you want to establish a legitimate business in photography. Instructor Laura Hatcher will teach students how to lay a foundation and build an actionable plan toward becoming a business owner. She will cover tools to run the business, understanding your value, growing a client base, avoiding common mistakes, and more. Finally, consider The FUNdamentals of Food Photography seminar if you want learning and fun. This class is all about building your food photography portfolio. It covers topics such as exposure setting, depth of field and focus choice, composition and camera angles, basic food styling types, and recommended gear. Students will break into small groups and practice photographing food in different lighting conditions. Students will receive feedback on up to four images at the end of class.
Another D.C. photography school is the Washington Photo Safari in Forest Hills. Their motto is “See.Click.Learn”, showing students where the images are in the D.C. area and how to take them. Washington Photo Safari teaches their students photography techniques by taking them around critical sites of the nation’s capital and other cities to shoot while introducing image composition and design, popper exposure, lighting, and posing “models” for the best effect. The DC At Night By Smartphone course is true to the Washington Photo Safari motto. The course is designed for smartphone users to learn how to take great photos after dark while touring famous D.C. monuments. Students must bring their camera (smartphone is fine), extra memory card, and extra battery, and be sure to wear weather-appropriate clothing.
The at-night seminar is set up like a safari taking you on the Metro past the Ulysses Grant Statue to photograph the West Front of the U.S. Capitol building at night. Next, students will travel up Pennsylvania Avenue to appreciate the beautiful architecture on the North Portico of the White House. Some fantastic locations will be visited after finally ending at the Albert Einstein Memorial for a group picture with your fellow students. This course is like a beautiful journey with photographs to document the experience. F-Stops and Shutter Speeds is an excellent course if you want to focus more on learning new skills or techniques. Students will learn how they can control their photos. The instructor will review White Balance and ISO settings and teach how to use the “M” setting. Students will leave this course feeling in control of their camera, helping them decide when to choose “Shutter Priority” or “Aperture Priority.”
Virtual Photography Classes
Virtual photography classes are a great way to learn and offer much flexibility. For example, when taking an online class option, you can log into your course anywhere. This flexibility adds convenience because that also means you have access to more classes. Gone are the days of being limited to only local classes, a short drive away. With access to virtual options, students can pick classes from all over the country and not miss a beat. While convenience is a huge factor in why you should consider an online option, it is important to consider some disadvantages as well. For example, suppose you are a student that needs instant feedback or extra support. In that case, it might be hard to get in an online class due to the limited access to the instructor. Most online classes account for this and include time for instructor feedback, but it could be a bit delayed. Once you have considered if a virtual option is best for you, the next step is finding the best course.
Numerous schools offer online photography classes with many options; it all depends on what you are looking for at the time. For example, are you an iPhone user looking to improve your photo-taking skills or gain more knowledge on the different photo apps offered? iPhone Photography provided through the Chicago Botanic Garden might be what you want in an online class. This course is taught online via Zoom and, with an instructor's support, allows students to explore the better-known apps used for taking nature photos. The instructor will also go over the basics of iPhone photography. Students will then examine the photos taken during class and learn how to enhance, manipulate, or alter them. The course runs over three sessions and costs $124.
If you are a beginner photographer and want to gain knowledge, there is a Virtual Beginner's Photography Class offered through Isla Studio Photography. This is a beginners level course that focuses on using an iPhone or a DSLR camera, but you are not required to have one for class. The seminar is a two-and-a-half-hour crash course on digital photography. Students will learn optimal settings to use in any lighting condition, what kind of camera to buy if they don't already own one, and concepts like exposure aperture and shutter speed. Again, no prior experience is required to attend. Students simply need a desire to learn or improve their photography skills.
Private Group Photography Classes in
CourseHorse should be your go-to when planning your next team event or birthday party. They offer live online group classes based on whatever you are looking for at the time. For example, they have you covered if you want a private group photography class for your business. If you don’t see what you are looking for right away, CourseHorse can still be helpful. You can contact their free event planning team on their website; they will handle the rest. When completing the contact form, you must include the anticipated date of the event, group size, and a description of what you are looking for in your fun class. CourseHorse handles everything else for you. You will hear from your virtual party planner within two business hours of submitting the form, and the planning begins.
Once the event is booked, you will receive confirmation within 24 hours. CourseHorse has no booking fees, and if you need to change your group size after booking, they make it easy for you. On the event day, you and your team will use the link provided for one of their supported virtual platforms and enjoy the event. At this point, the virtual planning team will have already ensured your group received the course materials, and everyone can enjoy the fun event you helped plan.
