Photography Classes NYC, New York

Best Photography Classes in NYC

Photos can capture a moment and let it live forever. Images can also be used to increase the sales of your product or even be sold to someone else after effectively telling a story. If you find yourself interested in photography, learning that there are numerous avenues to start in the industry is vital. From photographing stills, action shots, portraits, or florals, taking a picture is more than just taking a snapshot; it is a skill. However, this should be manageable because there are ways to learn photography if interested. 

Why You Should Learn Photography in NYC

NYC is a city that never sleeps, which can be handy for an experienced or aspiring photographer. If you are interested in still shots, portraits, floral shots, and even the occasional celebrity sighting, New York covers all these things and more. In addition to gaining access to a real-life place for inspiration, New York also has a significant number of people, which means you will likely run into other photographers. Networking or making connections is easier when you have more people to choose from. Learning photography in New York will allow you to meet people from all over the world with the same interests as you. Finally, New York is the city of dreams and opportunity. If you are thinking about stepping into photography as a full-time job or a side hustle, the culture of NYC encourages this drive and determination.

In-Person Photography Classes & Schools in NYC

Suppose you are looking to start learning photography. In that case, in-person photography classes are a great option, especially because some classes provide equipment making it easier for newcomers to the skill to test out a camera before investing in one. New York has options when it comes to schools that teach photography. For example, PhotoUno Photography School in Midtown East, New York, offers courses for all levels of photographers. Located on 46th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue, this school provides a host of classes to keep anyone engaged in the art of photography. The owner, Patrcia Brumicky, wants her school to give the hobbyist photographer the best experience. Therefore, she ensures small sizes, meaning at most nine students per class, so each student can get the necessary attention to be successful.

At PhotoUno, you can find a course like Digital Photography I: Taking Control of Your Camera, a beginner-level course designed to be fun, practical, and flexible. For $390, this class will teach you how to control your camera in Manual Mode. This course is designed to help students understand concepts such as aperture, focus control, rule of thirds, exposure, and basic use of built-in flash. For this course, you need either a DSLR camera, a Mirrorless camera, or a Compact camera. You can expect to meet six times for two hours, giving you a total of 12 hours of learning about your digital camera. 

If Digital Photography I piqued your interest, you would be interested in the Digital Photography II course offered. This course takes the skills you learned in the first section to the next level in just six sessions. Students learn how to create mood in their photographs and improve composition. Students learn advanced techniques like custom white balance, lighting patterns, and bulb mode. The course also teaches different composition techniques, like properly using lines, curves, and color theory. Like other courses at PhotoUno Photography School, the class size is small to provide individualized, hands-on training. Students will also discuss finding exciting points of view in their photos while engaging with other students. Each session is two hours, and the course is $430. 

PhotoUno Photography School also offers an iPhone Photography class if you are still getting ready or have no desire to move on to professional cameras. The iPhone class is $130 and gives 2-hours of learning how to take amazing photos with your phone. Students are required to have an iPhone 6 or higher for this course. By the end of class, you will know how to take photographs in low light, use focus, and create compelling pictures.

The Art of Intuitive Photography is another great photography school option for in-person classes. Located in Greenwich Village and the Upper West Side, this school focuses on enhancing your intuition as a photographer. Students can expect to get feedback that will help them grow as a photographer while learning how to see photos differently. They provide an array of classes for all ages. For example, Art of Intuitive Photography offers a Digital Photography II: Master Manual Mode at Night course. For just $125, you get to spend 2 hours reviewing the basics of manual mode and practice with NYC at night as your muse. To succeed in this class, you must have a basic knowledge of manual mode settings, and no tripods or flash are allowed.

There is also PhotoManhattan, which is located in Union Square in downtown Manhattan. They offer undeniably great and distinctive courses, including The Basics - Street course. While the title doesn’t give it all away, this 2.5-hour session will teach students tips and tricks on how to shoot quick and efficient street scenes right in the city. Students will take a tour while learning how to shoot the best possible lighting, framing, perspective, and exposure with a camera of their choice. You are required to bring a camera, but it can be any kind, even your phone. Select a camera that you know how to use because time is limited, and the course is for you to learn how to make your street shots the best and doesn’t focus on how to use your camera.

Another unique and exciting class offered at PhotoManhattan is Beginner Course - Travel. For $375, you can spend 2.5 hours learning how to amplify your travel photos. After taking this course, you will confidently possess the skills to capture landscape, cityscape, and street photography the next time you travel. Students will spend class time outdoors unless the weather does not permit while they learn techniques to prepare them to shoot spectacular outdoor photos on their next adventure. You can expect to leave class with feedback on the images you created that day. Come into the course knowing how to operate your camera in auto or manual mode.

Virtual Photography Classes & Schools

While in-person classes in the elements can be refreshing and motivating, online photography classes also have their benefits. You can attend an online course from anywhere and work in the comfort of your own home or studio. Additionally, virtual classes eliminate the need to commute in a large city like NYC, saving you time and money. While there are benefits, there could be challenges too. Online classes can feel isolating, especially if you started photography to make new friends. Also, if you are taking a virtual class versus an in-person one, you are limited to only the supplies and equipment you already own.

Nevertheless, online classes are still a great way to start your photography hobby. 92nd Street Y is an NYC-based school that offers a PHONE-ography 101 course. The virtual course will teach students how to use their phones to improve their photos drastically. From the basics of better composition to apps for editing, this course has you covered what you need to be a better phone camera operator. The course is split into two 2.5-hour sessions and only costs $115. If you want to stick with beginner’s classes, you can also take a Portrait Beginners’ Guide course online. In three sessions, you will learn the dos and don’ts of portraiture. With lessons covering posting, shooting angles, directing, and backgrounds, this course covers it all. You are required to bring your camera, but even a phone camera works. The course takes place over Zoom and has a live instructor who can answer questions and provide you with feedback.

Private Group Photography Classes in NYC

Perhaps you have a group of friends interested in photography, or you’re looking to book your next unique and exciting team-building event; CourseHorse offers notable options for private group photography classes in NYC. There is something for every interest that can be delivered to you and your team online. From painting workshops to cooking courses, CourseHorse has you covered. Even if they don’t have the class you wanted readily available at that time, CourseHorse can arrange it for your group. For example, let’s say you want to book a private iPhone photography class for a group of friends but aren’t finding it on the website. You can contact CourseHorse through their contact form on the site. Tell their free event planning team how many people you expect, the dates, and what you want in a virtual activity. Someone will contact you within two business hours with their available options. Once you find your perfect course match, CourseHorse makes it easy to change group size, and there are no booking fees! The guessing is taken out of the planning process, and someone is there to answer questions and provide support until the day of your successful event.