It’s a question that I get asked a lot—"What camera should I get?"
 

And while it’s an excellent question, it’s not one we should ask other people to answer.
 

When I get asked that question, instead of rattling off a list of brands or models, I ask a few questions:

What do you like to photograph?

What do you know about how cameras work?

If you’ve got a camera (and jusr about all of ua do) , what don’t you like about the camera you use now?
 

It helps to shift the conversation from gear to what really matters—understanding what we want to do as photographers.

It ain’t really about cameras or lenses or any other equipment, it’s about what we wanna do with that equipment.

It’s about knowing who we are as photographers.
 

Because when we know what we want to photograph and how we want our pictures to look, the choice of camera becomes clear—and a lot of the time, the camera we already have is enough.

So, next time we find ourselves thinking about what camera to buy, we gotta pause and ask ourselves what we wanna do with it.

The real work is in learning how to see, think, and make pictures that mean something to us.

That’s the kind of stuff we explore during the Photography Basics/Introduction to Photography class., or you could take it as a series of private lessons to suit your schedule.

However you choose to study and practice with me, I’ll help you become the best photographer you can be.

And if you’re not sure which class fits your needs, just ask—I’m always happy to help.

About Sam

Sam D'Amico, a professional photographer and photography instructor, helps anyone who wants to be a better photographer. 

He'll work with his students to increase their understanding of camera operation, composition, light, and lighting. 

Sam started working as a professional photographer in the mid-1980s.

Most notably, from 1992 to 1997, while working as a freelance photographer, he photographed over 500 assignments for the New York Times.

Additionally, Sam received awards for his work while exhibiting his photographs in shows. 

Sam began teaching photography professionally in 1998 through the Highland Park, N.J. recreation department. 

In 2002 Sam moved to Washington, D.C., and began teaching at the accredited Washington School of Photography in Bethesda, Md.

It was in 2003 that Sam developed his curriculum and started teaching classes in Washington, D.C. 

In 2018 and 2022, the Sam D'Amico Photography Classes were voted the "Best of DC" art class by the readers of the Washington City Paper. 

Many photography teachers spend a lot of time teaching about DSLRs and rules of composition that create homogenized, rigid photographs.

On the other hand, Sam teaches about camera operation, thought process, and the individual photographer's visual communication intent. 

This approach to teaching allows his students to use ANY camera (yes, even the camera on their phone) and break free of the rules of composition.

Approaching the creative process this way allows for fluid and spontaneous photographs unique to the photographer creating them.

Sam encourages his students to find their ways as photographers. 

He instills the skills in his students that result in creative, engaging, and unique compositions that reflect the photographer's intended one-of-a-kind visual expression.