8 Photography Classes Around DC

Photography is a natural fit for Washington DC. With its iconic architecture, world-class museums, lively street scenes, and constant flow of journalists and creatives from around the world, inspiration is everywhere you look.

The DC area offers a wide range of photography classes for both beginners and more advanced hobbyists. Whether you’re interested in digital or film photography (or want to explore specific genres like street, portrait, or architectural photography), there are plenty of learning opportunities to choose from.

Many local organizations also offer smartphone photography classes, making photography especially accessible. You don’t need to invest in new equipment to get started. With a smartphone, nearly anyone can begin learning the fundamentals of composition, light, and visual storytelling.

In this post, I’ll highlight organizations that offer photography classes in the DC area (including both group and private instruction), covering everything from foundational skills to specialized techniques. I’ll also share social photography groups where you can connect with others who share your interests and continue learning together.

DMV Photography Instructors

Beautiful cherry blossoms framing the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC during springtime.

Many of these classes are held throughout the area, depending on the course subject matter. There are a few, like Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and Glen Echo that are held primarily in a studio, but both classes offered are on location classes.

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop

Address: 545 7th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Price Range: $90+
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Website: chaw.org

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop offers serious, process-oriented photography instruction that focused on film and darkroom techniques. Classes are structured, multi-week, and best suited for students who want depth rather than casual drop-ins.

Smithsonian Associates

Address: S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC
Price Range: $205+
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Website: smithsonianassociates.org

Smithsonian Associates runs multi-session photography courses taught by professional photographers. Classes emphasize strong fundamentals, thoughtful composition, and real-world shooting experience.

Glen Echo Park

Address: 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812
Price Range: $30+
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Website: glenechopark.org

Glen Echo Park offers one of the most comprehensive photography programs in the region, covering digital, film, darkroom, alternative processes, and experimental photography. They typically do not offer smartphone photography classes, and are for people with real cameras.

Classes run seasonally and range from short electives to intensive advanced courses.

The Art League

Address: Old Town Alexandria, VA
Price Range: $70+
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Website: theartleague.org

The Art League provides accessible, reasonably priced photography classes alongside its broader arts curriculum.

While this is a studio that has a reputation for being for the more dedicated artist, a lot of their photography courses and classes are beginner-friendly, including smartphone photography classes.

For the more intermediate and advanced photographers, their offerings are more focused on darkroom skills.

Sam D’Amico Photography

Address: Washington, DC (studio & online offerings)
Price Range: $80+
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Website: samdamico.com

Sam D’Amico Photography focuses on foundational photography skills across DSLR, mirrorless, smartphone, and film photography. Classes emphasize learning how to think like a photographer rather than relying on gear.

If you are looking for one-on-one instruction, this is an affordable option. He also offers virtual classes, but in person will really help you when you’re out in the world.

Capital Photography Center (DC, Maryland, and Virginia)

Address: In the field classes largely in DC, but classes held throughout Maryland and Northern Virginia as well
Price Range: $84+
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Website: capitalphotographycenter.com

Capital Photography Center is one of the most comprehensive photography education providers in the DC metro area.

Their offerings range from introductory camera basics to advanced field workshops, post-processing, portraiture, wildlife photography, and multi-day travel workshops. Classes are available in classrooms, on location, online (Zoom), and through immersive multi-session programs.

My husband took one of their iPhone photography classes at the National Gallery of Art a few years ago. It was his Christmas gift to me, because like many stereotypical couples, I wanted him to be able to take better photos of me (like for this blog).

He came away knowing how to use the more advanced features on his iPhone camera, and with an understanding of what composition and framing are. The quality of his photos noticeably improved after this class, and he had fun doing it!

Washington Photo Safari

Address: 4545 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 418, Washington, DC 20008
Price Range: $69+
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Website: washingtonphotosafari.com

Washington Photo Safari takes you on trips throughout the city (and beyond) to capture what lies around us. They offer a ton of different guided photo tours, from monuments at night to wildlife and museum photography. They also offer smartphone-specific safaris.

Washington Photo Focus

Address: Washington, DC
Price Range: ~$99
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Website: washingtonphotofocus.com

Taught by Eliot Cohen, Washington Photo Focus offers online classes as well as in person classes at sites around DC. He also offers one-on-one instruction.

Michael Koren

Address: Baltimore–Washington DC metro area
Price Range: Varies
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Website: michaelkorenphotography.com

Michael Koren offers photography instruction through Capital Photography Center, Montgomery College’s Lifelong Learning Institute, and private lessons for individuals or small groups.

His classes include phone photography, camera photography, composition, subject-specific, and seasonal classes to help you get started and get better. Classes are mainly held in Washington DC, but include other locations throughout the area.

Photographers gather on a city street capturing dynamic shots during the day.

There are a ton of social groups where photographers (amateur and professional) get together and shoot. Some like PortraitMeet DC are focused on a particular subject (portraits of local models), while others are more general.

Tips for Getting Started

If you want to dip your toes in, consider a smartphone photography class. These will teach you the fundamentals, and help you decide if you want to invest in photo equipment.
Decide whether you want technical fundamentals, creative exploration, or field-based shooting.
Check if classes are camera-agnostic or tailored to DSLR, mirrorless, film, or smartphone photography.
Field classes are great for learning composition quickly.
Classroom and online classes in editing will help you make a finished photo you’re proud of.
Darkroom and analog classes fill fast, so register early.
You don’t need the newest camera to learn photography well.

What’s Next?

If you’re trying to figure out the next step after reading this, here’s the simplest path: pick one class and sign up.

Most people don’t get stuck because they lack talent, they get stuck because they don’t know what to practice first, or they don’t have a routine.

A beginner-friendly “getting off auto” or “intro to photography” course gives you a foundation. An on-location workshop gives you the chance to get your questions answered and real time feedback.

Here’s my advice on getting started without being overwhelmed:

Choose your lane for the next 30 days: smartphone basics, camera basics, editing workflow, or one specialty (portraits, street, architecture, wildlife). You’ll progress faster if you don’t try to learn everything at once.
Build a simple practice habit. pick one nearby spot (National Mall, a neighborhood street, a museum) and shoot there 3–4 times. Repetition is what helps you grow.
Join a social photo group after your first class. It solves the two biggest hurdles: finding time to practice, and finding people to build accountability. You’ll also start seeing the city differently once you’re exploring with others.

And zooming out (pun intended): photography is just one of many hobby pathways in DC that can turn into a real creative life. If you try it and photography isn’t for you, there are a ton of other creative outlets like ceramics, mosaics, fiber arts, drawing, and printmaking.

8 Photography Classes Around DC

Table of Contents