Exposed DC

for the love of DC photography

  • Newsletter
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Contact Us
    • Press
  • Learn
    • Resource Guides
    • Free Classes
    • Get Involved
  • Show
    • Exposed DC Collection at The People’s Archive
    • Annual Contest Winners
    • Publications
    • National Landing Fotowalk Exhibitions
  • Donate

Photography Classes in the D.C. Area

January 14, 2014 By Meaghan Gay

Photo by Joe Flood
Photo by Joe Flood

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.

Filed Under: Gear Talk Tagged With: Capital Photography Center, Capitol Hill Arts Worshop, Corcoran College of Art and Design, DC Area Photo Classes, Glen Echo Photoworks, Local Resource Guide, Montgomery College, Northern Virginia Community College, Photography Classes, Photography Classes in the D.C. Area, Smithsonian Associates, The Art League of Alexandria, Washington School of Photography

How to Get Involved

Latest Posts

  • The Exposed DC Photography Collection Is Live!
  • A Celebration and a Finale for Exposed DC 
  • Friday Links: May 16, 2025
  • Our Launch Celebration is Soon—Check Out Special Activities All Day!

Newsletter

  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Contribute Your Photos

Copyright © 2025 Exposed DC and Ten Miles Square · All images are property and copyright of their respective owners and are used with permisson