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
7
Photo Class: Photo Basics – Getting Off Auto
Falls Church, Falls Church, VA, USA, VA, USThis class is offered thru Capital Photography Center. PLEASE REGISTER WITH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER, NOT MEETUP!
https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-11-15-photo-basics-getting-off-autoThis class is also offered on 12/3 and 12/12.
Whether you want to capture cherished moments with loved ones, document game-winning action, or preserve the beauty of your travels, this beginner photography basics class provides the tools you need with hands-on practice.Learn how YOU, not the camera, can control the ‘look’ of an image by choosing the appropriate settings. Understand which tools you can use to freeze or blur motion, and how to beautifully blur backgrounds to make your subject stand out.
This class is designed for those who want to learn more about photo basics to comfortably get off the Auto mode.
Topics Include:- Camera Controls – Learn the most important settings that affect exposure
- ISO Settings
- Shutter Speeds – Control motion to add emphasis
- Aperture Settings – To affect the ‘Depth of Field’ (the amount of blurring in the background)
- Manual Shooting Modes
- Focus Settings – Learn how to get tack-sharp focus in your photos.
- Resolution & Compression – Set your camera to capture the best quality images
- White Balance – Capture accurate and vibrant colors
- Fill Flash
- Lenses – Understand your lens options
- Composition – Learn tips for captivating photographs
Students are encouraged to bring their cameras. As we discuss camera features and menu settings, you can follow along and learn how to adjust them. An extra battery, memory card, and your instruction manual are also very helpful to have on hand at the class.
People who like this class might also enjoy the In-the-Field-Photography classes, especially the FIELDWORK classes, as a way to reinforce the material covered in the classroom.
Appropriate for DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras with manual exposure controls.
Questions about this class can be directed to Marie Joabar at info@capitalphotographycenter.com
This class is offered thru Capital Photography Center. PLEASE REGISTER WITH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER, NOT MEETUP!
https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-11-15-photo-basics-getting-off-auto2 attendees
Photo Class: Bald Eagles at Conowingo Dam
Conowingo Dam, Conowingo Dam, Darlington, MD 21034, USA, Darlington, MD, USThis class is offered thru Capital Photography Center. PLEASE REGISTER WITH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER, NOT MEETUP!
https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-11-17-bald-eagles-at-conowingo-damThe majesty of the American Bald Eagle captivates everyone’s spirit. A representative of freedom with their six foot wingspans and sharp talons, these birds of prey inspire us all.
During the wintering months between November and January, a large number of Bald Eagles are known to gather on the Susquehanna River at Conowingo Dam. Located on the border of Pennsylvania and Maryland, this is one of the best places to photograph them on the east coast. A large hydroelectric dam, the water action of Conowingo attract a wide variety of bird life including great blue herons, gulls, and cormorants along with the eagles. With the turbines running, shad fish are stunned making easy fishing for all.
There are many wonderful spots along the dam to view and photograph the eagles and provide a variety of captures including birds in flight, fishing and fighting, perched eagles dining on a freshly caught fish.
Suitable for photographers of all levels, this class will offer plenty of opportunity to work on capturing birds in flight, creating a story with your images, setting proper exposure for changing conditions, learning about bird behavior.
Recommended equipment:
- DLSR with telephoto lens of at least 200mm, the longer the better.
- A sturdy tripod and head. A gimbal type head is ideal (but is not required).
Questions can be directed to Marie Joabar at info@capitalphotographycenter.com.
This class is offered thru Capital Photography Center. PLEASE REGISTER WITH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER, NOT MEETUP!
https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-11-17-bald-eagles-at-conowingo-dam2 attendees
Photo Class: Holiday Field Shoot at the Library of Congress
Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 1st St SE, Washington, DC 20003, USA, Washington, DC, USThis class is offered thru Capital Photography Center. PLEASE REGISTER WITH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER, NOT MEETUP!
https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-12-03-holiday-field-shoot-library-congressOur location at the Library of Congress gives us plenty of photo opportunities. From exciting holiday themed photos, to architectural shots, to creatively using intentional camera movement.
We begin photographing in the Great Hall and capture the beautiful architecture and sculptures as well as the gorgeous Holiday tree. We'll then explore some of the hidden gems in the building interior covering tips on exposure, composition and framing.
If the weather is good, we may do a few outdoor shots of the exterior and also the Capitol building lit up against the twilight sky.
Recommended Gear
- A DLSR or a mirrorless camera is ideal but smartphone cameras are welcome too.
- Lenses: We’ll be emphasizing architecture so bring a wide-angle lens. Ideally a 16mm on a full frame camera or a 12mm on a crop sensor camera. If you don’t have that range, don’t despair, just bring your widest focal length.- It will also be good to have a normal zoom range of 18-105mm.
- No tripods allowed. Indoors we’ll be adjusting the ISO according to the light.
Timed entry tickets have been reserved for the group, you will not need to get your own.
Questions can be directed to Marie Joabar at info@capitalphotographycenter.com.
2 attendees- It will also be good to have a normal zoom range of 18-105mm.
Photo Class: Fieldwork - Photo Basics at U.S. Botanic Gardens
U.S. Botanic Garden Amphitheater, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20002, USA, Washington, DC, USThis class is offered thru Capital Photography Center. PLEASE REGISTER WITH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER, NOT MEETUP!
https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-12-5-fieldwork-photo-basics-botanic-gardenThis class is designed for those who have taken any of the Photo Basics classes and want the opportunity to work in the field to reinforce the material covered in the classroom. We’ve encouraged you to leave the Auto settings behind and to shoot in the Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or Manual modes so now it’s time for some hands-on.
We'll find the U.S. Botanical Gardens Conservatory beautifully decorated with holiday trim so we'll have plenty of photo opportunities to practice exposure settings and creative captures.
After a review of the exposure settings, we'll then photograph around our location and practice using various settings to achieve the look you want in the image.
We'll be working with you to reinforce:
- Camera Controls
- ISO Settings
- Controlling motion with Shutter Speeds
- Depth of Field and setting the aperture for the 'look' you want
- Focus settings and controling the focus area
- Playback tools such as the histogram to eveluate your exposures
- White Balance
- Composition - Framing an interesting photograph
Join us and come away with stronger skills for setting exposure and capturing exciting images that you’re proud to show off.
Any camera with the Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or Manual modes is appropriate. Bring your camera and any or all of your lenses. We’ll work with what you have in your bag.Please note: It is assumed you have already taken a Basics class or are somewhat familiar with the manual exposure modes. We will not be able to introduce you to this material at this class.
This class is offered thru Capital Photography Center. PLEASE REGISTER WITH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER, NOT MEETUP!
https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-12-5-fieldwork-photo-basics-botanic-gardenQuestions can be directed to Marie Joabar at info@capitalphotographycenter.com.
2 attendees
Past events
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