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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. 

Recently, I worked with a photographer during a private lesson, and their main concern?

They wanted to “be more creative.”

It’s interesting that a lot of people who’d be considered “creatives” don’t feel that they’re creative enough.

But they are.

We all are.
 

We all have abundant creativity.

What we’re lacking is either the willingness or the skills and techniques to express it, or perhaps both.
 

But here’s the thing: trying to be more creative for creativity’s sake works against us.

It’s never about being more creative—it’s about getting better at expressing the creativity we already have.

What Really Matters

• Understanding: We’ve gotta understand the interrelationship between camera operation, composition, and light. These are the foundational building blocks that allow us to be visually creative with a camera.
• Creativity isn’t something we add—it’s something we’ve already got. Our work involves learning to express it (our innate creativity) through our photography. We can’t force creativity, but we can hone our expression of it with technique. Remember, technique serves creativity.
• It’s not about what we see, but how we think about what we see. That’s where our unique vision comes from.

How To Get Better at Being Creative

• Learn how to observe and describe the characteristics of light and their relationship with camera operation and composition.
• Practice composition—not as a set of rules, but as a way to visually organize the elements of composition into a two-dimensional design (a photograph) that expresses our intent of communication.
• Take at least one photograph a day, and strive to make it the best possible picture we can.
• If we don’t understand photography, we’ve gotta find a way to learn it and understand it.

If you want to explore and understand how light, camera operation, and composition all tie together, my Introduction To Photography class will do that while also helping photographers develop their visual awareness, vocabulary, and voice.

If the scheduling doesn’t work for you, then Private Lessons are the way to go.

If you'd rather learn at your own pace, check out Sam's Online Learning Platform for more ways to study and practice with me.

Keep this in mind: it’s not about being more creative, but about getting better at expressing the creativity we already have.

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

There’s more ways to learn with me 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.