These emails come with the intent of helping you be a better photographer.

But if you're tired of hearing from me, unsubscribe.

And if you want more photography stuff to read, there's a place on the interwebs where past emails I wrote are stored.

You'll find 'em in the "Newsletter Hub."

Remember, I'd like to know what you want to know about photography.

So, if you have any questions, email me at sam@samdamico.com. 

When doing their homework, a lot of photographers I work with delete the pictures that didn’t come out the way they wanted them to.
 

I understand that nobody wants anybody to see their “bad” photographs.

But deleting them is a huge mistake.

I understand that we all wanna be excellent photographers.

But the road to excellence is paved with mistakes, especially when we’re just starting to learn.

And each of those mistakes is a stepping stone to becoming the photographer we wanna be.

Can We Find a Bright Side in Our Mistakes?

Absolutely!

When we make a mistake, it usually means our picture didn't come out the way we imagined it would.

Maybe it’s a focus issue, maybe the tonality’s off, maybe it’s something with our framing and content-it could be almost anything.

But don’t get discouraged and don’t delete that picture.

Instead, hold onto it and critique in terms of the elements of composition.

Is it not as sharp as we’d like it to be?

Is it blurry?

Is there too much or too little in the frame?
 

Is the content arrangement off?

Is the tonality too bright or too dark?

The list of reasons why our picture isn’t all we want it to be goes on and on.

But once we decide where our picture fell short, we could tie that back to our camera operation and/or our understanding of light.

Keep in mind that those “shortcomings” point to the things we need to firm up in our learning process.
 

Our mistakes and successes are evidence of our misunderstanding and understanding.
 

Of course, we’re thrilled when our pictures come out the way we want, but don’t miss the opportunity to use a mistake as a springboard to learn.

Studying, Practicing, and Learning Through Our Struggles

When we’re struggling with something, let’s say camera operation, composition, or understanding light, that’s where we need to direct our studies and practice-in other words, that struggle is a big tap on our shoulder, bringing our attention to what we need to firm up when it comes to understanding photography.
 

That’s where I can help you, and I’ve got a variety of ways to do that.
 

If you’re near Washington, DC, I offer in-person classes, such as my Photography Basics (Introduction To Photography)introduction to class, and Private Lessons.
 

And if you’re not in DC, we could always work remotely.
 

And if you wanna go at your own pace, there’s always my my Online Learning Platform for Photographers.
 

However you choose to work with me, I’ll help you be a better photographer.

Remember, every photograph that doesn’t come out the way we want points the way to becoming the photographer we wanna be-the real mistake is deleting the picture instead of learning from it.
 

I'll help you be a better photographer—study and practice photography with me.

You’ll find different ways to do that below.

The Photography Basics (Introduction To Photography) classes are starting soon.
 

If you can’t make any of those schedules, Private Lessons would be the way to go.

If none of my in-person ways of learning work for you, then you can study and practice at your own pace and schedule by joinining me on my Online Learning Platform for Photographers.

It’s the next best thing to taking an in-person class with me; you could even ask me questions, and members get exclusive access to all the other member-only educational content created to help you be the best photographer you can be.  

As one member told me, their monthly membership is cheaper than their weekly coffee habit, and more useful than any YouTube videos they’ve watched, especially since they could ask me questions.

Access to this content and other content related to the photography classes I teach in person requires a membership, which costs $25 a month. (You can also join for free and get access to content that’s available to everyone.) 

Here’s the link: Online Learning Platform for Photographers 

More ways to study and practice photography with me are below.

Call me at (202) 531-2344 if you need help determining the best course for you.

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A note about group class sizes: Did you know that some places that teach photography have up to 25 students in each class? 

Bigger ain't always better.

That's why I limit my group classes to no more than five participants because smaller classes make for better, more effective, and more efficient learning experiences.

But smaller classes also mean spots fill up quicker, so sign up soon. 

I'll help you be a better photographer—study and practice photography with me. 

Currently scheduled classes are below.

And what if the timing doesn’t work for you in any of my in-person scheduled group classes? Then, in-person Private Lessons suited to your schedule are always an option.