Special Announcement

I’ve added a Photography Basics/Introduction To Photography class starting on Saturdays for the April series of classes.

Special Announcement

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Thursday, March 19, 2026.

Whatever I teach in Photography Basics/Introduction To Photography, private lessons, or any of the other photography instruction I offer can be applied by photographers to do the work they wanna do.
 

One type of work photographers are interested in is portraiture.

Every effective portrait starts with a choice—do we create the scene, or do we let the scene drive our creation of the photograph?

My approach to making portraits has always been to create a picture that shows what someone is like, not what someone looks like.

We could do that in a studio or at an environmental location chosen by the subject.

Personally, I prefer the environmental portrait approach, but I’d like to talk about both approaches.

Environmental and studio portraits aren’t just ways to make a portrait; they’re opportunities to understand photography.

When we make pictures in real environments, we learn to work with what’s there—natural light, changing conditions, and spontaneous composition.

It trains us to see things as they are and adapt to the circumstances.
 

In the studio, the process works differently.

We control the lighting, give the subject direction, and place them in a contrived, unchanging setting.

Both approaches involve our intention as well as our understanding of photography and the application of techniques.
 

Additionally, both approaches hone the same fundamental skills: how our camera works, how we compose a picture, and how we use light to communicate something about who we are photographing.

The more we understand what we’re doing in terms of camera operation, composition, and light, the more confident we become because we become better photographers who make better images—no matter where or who we’re photographing.
 

In our classes and private sessions, we break this down in a hands-on, practical way so we can actually apply what we learn right away.
 

Ready to be a better photographer?

Register for an upcoming Photography Basics/Introduction To Photography class, book a series of private lessons, or explore the full lineup of classes designed and taught by me that’ll help you be a more confident, capable, and better photographer.

No matter how you study and practice with me, I’ll help you be a better photographer.
 

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.