15 Beginner Photography Classes in NYC

If you want to become a master behind the lens, this list of 15 beginner photography classes in NYC is just what you’ve been looking for.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to use a DSLR camera? Do you want to get the best photos out of your smartphone? Is being able to beautifully capture and record memories on film a dream for you? Luckily, there are plenty of great photography classes available to beginners in New York City. Most require little to no experience at all to get started, and once you begin, you’ll feel confident that you are no longer a beginner in no time.

I learned to take better photos when I moved to New York City. I had never really previously cared much to record the mundane surroundings I often found myself in, and when it came time to take photos for a special event (like graduation or a family trip to Disneyland) I was very out of practice, and they never seemed to turn out as well as I would have liked. New York changed the photography game for me. There is always so much going on around you, no matter where you look. Every neighborhood is different. There is an amazing amount of diversity represented through culture, architecture, urban decay, vastly-changing seasons, and so much more. This city has a heartbeat, and each borough is so unique and dynamic. What better place to learn basic photography skills than in this amazing city that we call home?

Many of the courses on our list do not require any materials other than your personal camera, or even camera phone, in some cases. Bring your creativity, your work ethic, and your curiosity, and you’ll be set to start shooting.

In order to create our list of beginner photography classes in NYC, we used ClassCurious‘ database as our source to see what beginner photography classes are available in NYC. After we found out the best classes from our source, we sorted the list by the price, from the lowest to the highest price tag. There is no shortage of good options, representing a variety of budgets, locations, and special topics.

If you are less interested in taking your own photos, and more interested in a place to find great photos, you should also check out our list of best stock photo sites for bloggers.

You’re sure to find something perfect for your unique goals within our list of 15 beginner photography classes in NYC.

15. Brooklyn Brainery

Price: $46

Average class size: 10

This course is taught by David Samuel Stern, and will teach you that that buying a DSLR camera doesn’t make you a photographer. It takes time to learn the basics and how a DLSR really works. Here you will learn all of the basic controls and different models. You will get the chance to experiment with your camera and to see how changing settings can change the whole resulting photo. The class includes lecture and experiments, but remember to bring your own DSLR camera.

14. Princeton Photo Workshop

Price: $59

Average class size: 16

The teacher in the Getting to Know Your Digital Camera class is Frank Veronsky. In order to join this photography class, you will need to bring your own digital camera to learn with. You will learn the camera settings, the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, how and when to use them, in-camera cropping, lenses, composition and lighting.

13. BKC Brooklyn Central

Price: $75

Average class size: 10

In the Crash Course: Camera Basics, you will get efficient instruction to digital photography and the chance to explore the fundamentals of your camera. You will learn quickly all about the buttons and dials, different available modes, and even how to read the lighting meter. You will become more familiar with your own camera, and it doesn’t require any previous experience or knowledge. All ages are welcome, but you do need to bring your own camera.

12. Brooklyn Brainery

Price: $85

Average class size: 12

In the Photography 101 class, you will get the chance to learn from David Samuel Stern. Gain knowledge behind serious picture taking in a three-session course. You will expand your knowledge of the fundamentals of photography through shooting exercises, lectures, and homework assignments. You will become familiar with exposure controls, metering modes, lighting scenarios, and all kinds of different tools.

11. Art Of Intuitive Photography

Price: $85

Average class size: 6

The teacher in the Intro To Smartphone Photography is Sepia. This class is for people who want to learn how to create better photographs with their smartphones. This class has exercises which will help you create better-composed images and explore shooting with a camera phone. You don’t need a digital camera for this class, all you need is a smartphone which works on iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows, or other operating system.

10. JP Teaches Photo

Price: $97

Average class size: 8

This class, number 10 on our list of beginner photography classes in NYC will offer you three hours of guidance on how to use your camera. You will learn how to focus on the world around you and stop staring at your camera, wondering how to use it properly. JP and Lydia will teach you not only the photography basics, but exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and other tools and techniques. You will need to have a digital camera that allows you to set the aperture and the shutter speed.

9. PhotoManhattan

Price: $110

Average class size: 8

We are continuing our list of beginner photography classes in NYC in the Seminar: Digital Camera class you will maximize the potential of your camera, and match it with your creative skills. Each setting on your camera has a different impact on your image, and this course will help unlock each and every one. The details you will learn in this class include megapixels, lenses, noise, white balance, ISO, SD cards, and so much more. If you miss a class, there is one free make-up class per student. Also, you will get a certificate of completion.

8. 92Y Cultural Institution and Community Center

Price: $115

Average class size: 12

The PHONE-ography 101 class is taught by Stephen Sherman, and it is one of the best on our list of 15 beginner photography classes in NYC. In a world where smartphones play a huge role, it is good to know how to push the camera on your phone to its highest potential. You will be guided through applications for shooting, editing, and sharing photos, and some of the accessories that help you get the most of your phone. There are two sessions. In session one, you will learn how to shoot images with your phone HDR, Panorama, camera settings, and image quality. In the second session, you will manage to edit the phone images including editing and transferring them.

7. PhotoUno Photography School

Price: $190

Average class size: 6

In the Photography Crash Course 1, the next one on our list of beginner photography classes in NYC you will learn how to use the camera you have in order to shoot beautiful pictures. This is a one-day crash course where you will learn the basics of photography, and the techniques that will help you shoot the perfect image. You will gain a strong knowledge of aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and fundamentals of photography. There are no make-ups allowed, and you will get a certificate.

6. The Photo Academy

Price: $320

Average class size: 7

In the Introductory Class For Beginners (4 Workshops), the duration of the class is 14 hours and all camera brands are accepted. In this class, you will be guided through photographic techniques, and then you will get the chance to apply them in your practical exercises. You will discuss the decisions you will make while you are shooting, how to control your camera and how to shoot the perfect picture.

5. The Photo Workshops

Price: $349

Average class size: 4

The Basic Camera Course has two parts. In part one, you will learn as much as possible about your camera and lighting. Part two is where you will analyze your results and understand the previous lesson better. After both parts, there will be a basic situational test where you will make a few educated choices to be able to confirm your knowledge.

4. Photo Uno

Price: $350

Average class size: Unknown

The Digital Photography 1 – Taking Control of Your Camera class is designed to be fun, effective, and flexible. This means you will have indoor and outdoor exercises, you will learn very much in six classes, and there is even a make-up class if you cannot make it to one session. It is a 12-hour class divided into six two-hour days. For this class, you will have to bring a DSLR camera, Mirrorless camera, or Compact camera. And now, let’s see the top three on our list of beginner photography classes in NYC.

3. BKC Brooklyn Central

Price: $350

Average class size: 10

Digital Photography I: The Basics is taught by Sally Bozzuto. In this class, you will get the opportunity to explore the foundations and potential of digital photography. In a few weeks, you will be guided through different aspects of exposure, aperture, ISO, shutter speeds, lenses, and motion blur. You will learn how to use your skills in order to make your photography the best it can be. All ages are welcome. No make-up classes are available, but there is a video you can watch to make up for the material you missed.

2. Pratt Institute

Price: $500

Average class size: 7

The Analog (Non-Digital) Photography Tools and Techniques class is taught by Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman. In this class, that’s up next on our list of beginner photography classes in NYC you will learn how to create beautiful photographs with classic, chemical-based technology. You can even design and build your gear to combine old and new technologies. You will gain knowledge about film photography gear and the methods used. You will be working with light-sensitive materials, and you will gain studio practice from making photos with home-made pinhole optics, and manipulating the controls of your camera.

1.  Pratt Institute

Price: $895

Average class size: 7

In the Darkroom: Analog Photography class, the teacher is Dominica Giglio, and she will teach you black-and-white photography fundamentals, and how to gain control of your camera with all of its features and options. You will be exposing and developing film, making contact sheets, and finishing black-and-white photographs. There aren’t make-up classes, but you will have time to catch up with your teacher individually if you need to miss a course. After finishing the class you will get a certificate.

This was our list of 15 beginner photography classes in NYC. Get started with the class that fits you the best, and enjoy learning how to beautifully capture the world around you.