Whether you want to take up photography for the first time, or you have a degree in photography but are looking to hone a new camera skill, there are classes in the D.C. area that can help you. We have compiled a list of institutions that offer workshops, semester long courses, and degree programs in photography as part of our Local Resource Guide.
- Arlington Independent Media – staff@arlingtonmedia.org
2701 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 22201
Classes Offered: Workshops in Digital Still Photography, Location Lighting, Photoshop, and Advanced Camera Technique.
- The Art League of Alexandria – school@theartleague.org
105 North Union Street Alexandria, VA 22314
Classes Offered: Introductory to intermediate level photography classes and workshops. Classes meet once a week for nine weeks, and workshops run from one session to four sessions. Sessions run seasonally throughout the year. They also offer Creative Retreats.
- Capitol Hill Arts Workshop – 202-547-6839
545 7th Street, S.E. Washington DC, 20003
Classes Offered: Introductory to intermediate level photography classes that run from four to eight sessions throughout the year.
- Capital Photography Center – info@capitalphotographycenter.com
Classes are hosting in various locations
Classes Offered: Introductory to advanced photography workshops, and on location shooting classes that meet for one session. The advanced classes deal with software, business and advanced lighting.
- GWU – Corcoran College of Art + Design – registrar@corcoran.edu
500 Seventeenth Street NW Washington, DC 20006
Classes Offered: Minor in Fine Arts and Photography, BFA in Fine Arts, BFA in Photojournalism, MFA in Fine Arts, MA in New Media Photojournalism, and continuing education classes.
- Glen Echo Photoworks – 301-634-2274
7300 MacArthur Boulevard Glen Echo, MD 20812
Classes Offered: Introductory to advanced weekly classes from four to 10 sessions, weekend workshops, open darkrooms, digital labs, monthly critique sessions, and lectures.
- Montgomery College – 240-567-5000
Various Locations in Montgomery County, Maryland
Classes Offered: Associate Degree in Photography, various certificate programs, and continuing education courses (introductory to advanced) in photography.
- Northern Virginia Community College – information@nvcc.edu, 703-323-3000
Various Locations in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Loudon County, and Price William County
Classes Offered: Associate Degree in Photography
- Sam D’Amico Photography Classes
Classes held at WeWork Chinatown, the Kogod Courtyard, and online
Classes Offered: Introductory camera, lighting, and business courses.
- Smithsonian Associates – customerservice@smithsonainassociates.org, 202-633-3030
PO Box 23293 Washington, DC 20026
Classes Offered: Introductory to intermediate level classes that run from four to eight sessions. They also offer open darkroom sessions and on location classes.
- University of the District of Columbia – ibagus@udc.edu
4200 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20008
Classes offered: BA in Art with photography option.
- Washington Photo Safari – info@washingtonphotosafari.com
Workshops are taught on location
Classes Offered: Introductory to intermediate level workshops that focus on touring and photographing D.C. area sights. Private tutoring and group safaris are also available.
- If you’re just getting started in photography and still trying to figure out what you’d like to focus on, especially if you want to turn it into a career, here’s a list of genres and professions you might consider pursuing.
The alternative to taking a classes is learning one on one with a professional. Many professionals will offer classes, set on an individual schedule. If you are serious about becoming a professional photographer, you can become an assistant for hands on learning. If you have never assisted before, your first few gigs may be volunteering to carry gear. Once you have earned the photographer’s trust, you can get paid to set up lights and backdrops, while still carrying gear.
As always, please let us know if we missed any organizations offering classes and we will gladly include them. Last updated in February 2024.