Learn Photography in San Francisco: Personalized Lessons for Every Skill Level
Whether you just bought your first camera or you've been shooting for years and want to fine-tune your skills, my San Francisco photography studio offers the perfect place to grow as a photographer. I teach customized one-on-one photography lessons tailored to your experience level, interests, and learning pace—no pressure, no large group distractions, just personalized attention to help you become the photographer you want to be.
From learning how to get off auto mode to working with lighting or developing your artistic vision, our photography classes in San Francisco are designed to be approachable, practical, and fun.
Why One-on-One Photography Lessons?
Let’s face it—YouTube tutorials and online forums can only take you so far. There’s something powerful about having a real person answer your questions in real time, troubleshoot your challenges, and help you build confidence behind the camera. My private photography classes are hands-on, in-person, and entirely customizable to what you want to learn. Instead of following a rigid curriculum, I meet you where you're at and help you grow at your own pace. Here are 4 options new students can choose from:
Photo 101: Getting Off “Auto”
Perfect for beginners or anyone who’s never touched the manual settings on their camera.
You’ve got the camera, now let’s unlock its full potential. This foundational class walks you through the basics—what all those dials mean, how to control light, and how to finally take the kind of photos you envision, not just what the camera spits out on auto mode.
What you’ll learn:
Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO (a.k.a. the exposure triangle)
Understanding depth of field and focus points
Manual vs. Program vs. Aperture Priority modes
White balance, metering, and exposure compensation
RAW vs. JPG, how to read a histogram, and more
By the end of this class, you’ll feel more comfortable shooting in manual mode and finally have control over your images.
Photo 102: Time to Get Creative
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to dive into the art of photography. In Photo 102, we’ll explore how to “see” like a photographer and build your creative muscle. That means noticing how light falls across a face, how a shape stands out against a background, or how a scene feels depending on the colors and lines in it. These sessions are all about stepping beyond the “rules” and into your unique visual voice. You’ll experiment. You’ll take risks. And you’ll start making images that feel more like you.
What you’ll learn:
Composition techniques: leading lines, rule of thirds, color, shape & texture
Using natural vs. artificial light effectively
Gear talk: lenses, camera bodies, strobes, light modifiers, and accessories
Real-world shooting scenarios like portraits, landscapes, events, and more
If you're ready to elevate your photos from "pretty good" to "eye-catching and intentional," this class is for you.
Photo 103: Post Production with Lightroom
You’ve got hundreds (or thousands) of images—now what?
Photo 103 is all about photo organization, editing, and output. We’ll use Adobe Lightroom to teach you how to get your images looking polished and professional, all while keeping them backed up and organized.
What you’ll learn:
Importing and organizing your photos
Short- and long-term backup strategies
Lightroom editing tools: Library, Develop, and Export modules
Adding watermarks, metadata, and prepping for web or print
Whether you’re prepping client images or just want your vacation photos to look better, this class helps you streamline your workflow and protect your work.
For Everyone Else: Custom Lessons Built Around Your Interests
Got something specific you want to focus on? Maybe you're struggling with blurry photos, confused by lighting and camera gear, or want to learn how to photograph your dog. That’s the beauty of one-on-one lessons—you get to focus on what you care about. I offer customized one-on-one instruction where we’ll focus entirely on your personal goals. We’ll sit down, chat through your challenges and goals, and build a session (or a few!) that gives you real, usable skills. You can even bring in your previous work for professional feedback and coaching. Think of it like having a mentor, editor, and tech support—all in one.
Who Takes These Photography Classes?
Absolute beginners who just got their first DSLR, mirrorless or film camera
Intermediate photographers looking to master lighting or editing
Hobbyists exploring a new creative outlet
Business owners who want to take better product or marketing photos
Aspiring professionals building their portfolio
Whether you’re picking up a camera for the first time or trying to push past a creative plateau, there’s a class for you.
Where Are Classes Held?
All workshops and private classes are held in my private photography studio located in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood. Aside from being centrally located and easy to access, my studio offers a quiet and relaxed space where we can shoot, review, and edit all in one place. You’ll have access to professional gear, lighting equipment, and backdrop setups that make the learning experience even more valuable. It’s a real working studio—and that hands-on environment helps make the lessons stick. And because it’s private, you don’t have to feel rushed or self-conscious. It’s just you and me—and the goal is to help you leave with more confidence, better images, and a deeper love for photography.
Ready to Learn? Let’s Book a Class
There’s something special about holding a camera in your hands for the first time—and something equally frustrating when you realize you have no idea what all those buttons do. That’s exactly why I started offering one-on-one photography lessons in my San Francisco studio—to help people feel confident and creative with their cameras, without the overwhelm of big group classes or cookie-cutter instruction.
No matter where you’re starting from—total beginner or seasoned hobbyist—these private sessions are designed to meet you exactly where you are. You don’t have to impress anyone. You don’t have to know the jargon. All you need is curiosity and a desire to learn. I’ll guide you through the rest.
If you're ready to finally figure out how your camera works, take better photos of your travels or kids, or dive into the world of post-processing with someone who can explain it clearly, I'd love to work with you. Whether you’re interested in Photo 101, Photo 102, Photo 103, or a fully customized lesson, I’ll make sure you leave with more skills, confidence, and inspiration than you came with.
👉 Book your photography class now or reach out to discuss the best starting point for you. Let’s make some beautiful images together!