About us
Capital Photography Center offers the perfect blend of expertise, convenience, and personalized learning that will take your photography skills to the next level.
Founded in 2012 by Marie Joabar, a veteran in photography education, Capital Photography Center has a long-standing reputation in the Metro DC area for the quality and effectiveness of our classes.
With class sizes limited to 8 to 10 students, you'll receive the individual attention you need to learn at whatever level you’re at.
Theory is important but nothing beats hands-on experience. Our in-the-field classes take you to exciting locations across the DC area, from urban landscapes to nature settings.
From basic to advanced, from capture to edit, we've got you covered!
Class topics Offered:
-Photo basics to get you off auto mode
-Specialized classes in portrait, landscape, nature, street, and night photography as well as many other topics.
-Post-processing (editing) classes in Lightroom and Photoshop
-Flash and studio lighting and techniques
-Smartphone photography to tap into your creative side
-And more!
When you take a class with us, you're not just gaining knowledge - you're joining a community of passionate photographers. Share experiences, make connections, and find inspiration among like-minded individuals.
We look forward meeting you in a class or a Private Session and helping you along your photographic journey!
Upcoming events
6
Photo Class: Painting with Light In The Field
2823 King St, 2823 King St, Alexandria, VA 22302, USA, Alexandria, VA, USTHIS CLASS IS OFFERED THROUGH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER
PLEASE REGISTER WITH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER, NOT MEETUP!https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-10-3-painting-with-light-in-the-field
Painting with light is an exciting and artistic way to portray your subject in a completely unique manner. Using the darkness as the backdrop, the photographer works like a painter using a flashlight to illuminate, highlight, and emphasize their subject.
Bring your creativity to capture otherworldly light designs outdoors in the dark! Join instructor Lori Saunders to learn light painting techniques and skills in the field.
With special nighttime access to the historic Ivy Hill Cemetery in Alexandria, we’ll light paint some of the older tombstones, some dating back to the 1800s, as well as the old crypt. We'll begin around sunset to go over introductory information about light painting -- including recommended camera settings, focusing, and considerations for working with light pollution. Lori will give step-by-step demonstrations of multiple light painting approaches, including how to incorporate outdoor elements with light designs. Then, everyone will have the opportunity to practice painting with light using Lori's hand-held tools to experiment and see what works best. You are also welcome to bring your own light painting tools!
Participants should be comfortable with their cameras and know how to change basic settings (shooting mode, focus, ISO, speed, F-stop).Shooting will be in manual mode and setting guidance will be provided.
Recommended Gear: A digital camera with manual exposure controls and the bulb setting. Lenses in the range of 12-70mm. A sturdy tripod and a remote trigger that can use Bulb.
NOTE! There will be bright flashing and strobing lights. Make sure you are comfortable with this before signing up.More information about the cemetery can be found on their website, https://ivyhillcemetery.net/
Questions can be directed to Marie Joabar at info@capitalphotographycenter.com.
Class limit: 8-9***
THIS CLASS IS OFFERED THROUGH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER
https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-10-3-painting-with-light-in-the-field2 attendees
Photo Class: Photoshop For Photographers
1201 K Street Northwest, 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA, Washington, DC, USTHIS CLASS IS OFFERED THROUGH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER
PLEASE REGISTER WITH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER, NOT MEETUP!https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-10-04-Photoshop-for-photographers
Although Photoshop is powerful enough for the pros, it offers many options and opportunities for the digital enthusiast. Join Corey Hilz for a full day of hands on Photoshop training geared towards the new or limited experience Photoshop user (not for intermediate/advanced users).
This class focuses on the features of Photoshop that are useful for photographers and you'll learn skills that enable will you to use the program confidently and effectively. Corey will also share plenty of tips and tricks to save you time and make using Photoshop easier. Even if you find Photoshop complicated this class is designed to take away the mystery and make it easy to understand.The class begins with an introduction to the Photoshop workspace and then explores features including layers, masks, selections and composites. The foundation of Photoshop is using layers, yet layers can be difficult to understand.
You’ll progress from basic use of layers to more complex applications, giving you extensive repetition to solidify you familiarity and understanding of layers.
Corey also gives an overview of how images travel between Lightroom and Photoshop as part of your overall workflow.Class topics include:
• Layers and Adjustment Layers
• Using Masks for selective adjustments
• Retouching tools
• Creating and using selections
• Creating simple composites
• Brushes (effective use of size, hardness, opacity and flow)
• Non-destructive color and tone adjustment
• Blending two exposures of the same compositionNOTE: This class is taught on student's own laptops loaded with Photoshop.
Pre-requisite: Comfort with basic computer skills such as locating, opening and saving files.
Questions can be directed to Marie Joabar at info@capitalphotographycenter.com
Class Limit 8-9***
THIS CLASS IS OFFERED THROUGH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER
https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-10-04-Photoshop-for-photographers3 attendees
Past events
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