About us
Matte Black Camera Rentals & Studio is a working photography and videography studio in Tempe, and this group exists for people who want to stop guessing and start knowing what they’re doing with a camera.
Whether you’re brand new or already shooting professionally, our sessions are built to replace uncertainty with clarity. We focus on real-world skills, simple systems, and repeatable techniques that help you walk into any shoot with a plan instead of a question mark.
This isn’t about memorizing settings or chasing trends. It’s about understanding light, movement, sound, and storytelling well enough to make intentional choices and trust your own eye.
You’ll learn alongside other photographers and filmmakers who care about improving their craft, sharing ideas, and building confidence through practice.
Bring your camera, your curiosity, and your willingness to try. The confidence comes from doing the work.
Upcoming events
6
- $65.00
Photography 101 - Master your Camera Settings
Matte Black Camera Rentals & Studios, 1930 E 3rd St #15, tempe, AZ, USPHOTOGRAPHY 101 – MASTER YOUR CAMERA SETTINGS
Many people buy a camera and leave it in Auto because the controls feel confusing.
ISO, shutter speed, aperture… the buttons are there, but it’s hard to know what they actually do or how they work together.
This class is designed to change that.In this beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll learn how your camera works and how to take control of it. We’ll walk through the essential photography settings step by step so you can stop guessing and start making intentional photos.
This is a welcoming, low-pressure class designed for complete beginners.WHO THIS IS FOR
- People who just bought a camera and want to learn how to use it
- Anyone who currently shoots in Auto mode
- Beginners who want to understand how their camera really works
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
- ISO and how your camera handles light
- Shutter speed and how it affects motion
- Aperture and how to control depth of field
- How these settings work together for proper exposure
- How to find and adjust these settings on your specific camera
WHAT YOU’LL BE ABLE TO DO
By the end of class you will be able to:- Confidently take your camera off Auto mode
- Adjust ISO, shutter speed, and aperture yourself
- Understand how the exposure triangle works
- Navigate the buttons and controls on your camera
- Capture properly exposed photos using manual settings
HOW THE CLASS WORKS
This is a hands-on learning experience.
Students will follow along with their own camera while we explore each setting step by step. You’ll practice adjusting your settings, complete small photography challenges, and apply what you learn in real time.
We’ll also have a model available so you can practice taking photos while adjusting your camera settings.
Questions are encouraged throughout the class.DETAILS
Cost: $65
Limited to 12 students
Official Sign Up:
https://matteblackcamerarentals.com/phoenix-photography-classes-and-events/WHAT TO BRING
- Any camera (DSLR, mirrorless, compact, or phone)
- Charged battery and memory card if using a camera
Note: Classes will be canceled if there are no paid signups by the Friday before class.
1 attendee - $65.00
Flash Without Fear – Mastering Your On-Camera Flash
Matte Black Camera Rentals & Studios, 1930 E 3rd St #15, Tempe, AZ, USFLASH WITHOUT FEAR
Mastering Your On-Camera FlashMost photographers rely on TTL and hope it works. When it doesn’t, they’re guessing. This class ends that.
If you understand aperture, shutter, and ISO but feel inconsistent with flash, this workshop will teach you how to control light instead of reacting to it. This is the next step after Photography 101, and where you start thinking like a professional.WHO THIS IS FOR
- Beginner to intermediate photographers who understand basic exposure
- Anyone frustrated with inconsistent flash results
- Photographers ready to stop shooting on auto
NOT FOR
- Absolute beginners who haven’t learned exposure yet (Please take Intro to photography 101 first)
WHAT YOU’LL BE ABLE TO DO
By the end of class, you will confidently:- Balance ambient light and flash
- Control flash power intentionally
- Bounce flash for soft, natural indoor light
- Eliminate harsh, direct flash look
- Match flash color using gels
- Create a properly exposed, professional portrait using your own gear
You won’t just hear it. You will do it.
HOW IT WORKS
- Limited to 7 photographers
- Live model on set
- Step-by-step instruction
- You shoot, you adjust, you repeat
- Real-time corrections and personal feedback
You will leave with a properly balanced flash portrait you created yourself.
WHY IT MATTERS
If you can balance flash and ambient light, you can walk into events, indoor sessions, and low-light environments with confidence.DETAILS
Cost: $65
Tickets: matteblackcamerarentals.com/phoenix-photography-classes-and-events/WHAT TO BRING
- DSLR or mirrorless camera
- Charged battery and memory card
- On-camera flash
Note: Classes will be canceled if there are no paid signups by the Friday before class.
1 attendee - $99.00
Hybrid Shooting – Videography for Photographers
Matte Black Camera Rentals & Studios, 1930 E 3rd St #15, tempe, AZ, USHybrid Shooting – Videography for Photographers
A Photographer’s Guide to Shooting Professional Video
Many photographers freeze when they switch their camera to video.
The settings feel unfamiliar. The footage looks jittery. The results rarely match what they imagined.
This class replaces that uncertainty with a clear, repeatable approach to capturing clean, professional video using the camera you already own.
This workshop is designed for photographers who already understand manual exposure and want to confidently create high-quality footage.WHO THIS IS FOR
- Photographers who already shoot manual and want to add video
- Photographers frustrated with shaky or inconsistent footage
- Anyone who wants their video to look professional instead of accidental
NOT FOR
- Absolute beginners who have not learned photography fundamentals
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
- Frame rates and when to use them
- Proper shutter speed for cinematic motion
- How to avoid jittery or unnatural footage
- Basic audio practices for clean sound
- Stabilization techniques for smooth handheld shots
- How to capture usable B-roll and video sequences
WHAT YOU’LL BE ABLE TO DO
By the end of class you will understand how to:- Configure your camera for professional video
- Capture stable handheld footage
- Record clean, usable B-roll
- Avoid common mistakes that make footage look amateur
This class focuses on capturing great footage. Editing is not covered.
HOW THE CLASS WORKS
This is a guided workshop built around a comprehensive presentation and live camera setup.
You will follow along with your own camera as we walk through every key video setting step by step.
Questions are encouraged throughout the class so we can focus on the topics most relevant to the group.
We’ll also take a short break halfway through to stretch, reset, and experiment with your cameras.DETAILS
Cost: $99
Official Sign Up:
matteblackcamerarentals.com/phoenix-photography-classes-and-eventsWHAT TO BRING
- Camera with video capability
- Lens and memory card
- Charged battery
- Camera strap
Optional but encouraged
- Your full video rig
- Microphone
- Stabilizer or tripod
- Any gear you normally use for video
Note: Classes will be canceled if there are no paid signups by the Friday before class.
1 attendee - $75.00
Strobe Lighting 101 – Off-Camera Flash for Portrait Photographers
Matte Black Camera Rentals & Studios, 1930 E 3rd St #15, Tempe, AZ, USSTROBE LIGHTING 101 – OFF-CAMERA FLASH FOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS
Many photographers want to try off-camera flash but hesitate when it’s time to actually set up the lights.
Where should the light go?
How powerful should it be?
Why does the photo look harsh or washed out?
This class replaces that uncertainty with a simple, practical approach to strobe lighting.
Designed for photographers who already shoot in manual, this workshop teaches you how to control light intentionally instead of guessing. You’ll learn how to build a lighting setup from scratch and create clean, professional portraits using off-camera strobes.
WHO THIS IS FOR- Photographers who already understand manual exposure
- Photographers ready to move beyond on-camera flash
- Anyone interested in learning studio-style lighting
NOT FOR
- Absolute beginners who have not learned basic photography fundamentals
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
- How off-camera strobes work
- How to trigger and connect lighting reliably
- How light placement affects exposure and mood
- How to use modifiers like softboxes and umbrellas
- How to control shadows and shape flattering light
- Simple one-light portrait setups (plus optional two-light setups)
WHAT YOU’LL BE ABLE TO DO
By the end of class, you will be able to:- Set up an off-camera strobe from scratch
- Position your light for flattering portraits
- Control flash power without washing out ambient light
- Create a professional-looking headshot or portrait using studio lighting
You will leave having created a professional strobe portrait yourself.
HOW THE CLASS WORKS
This is a fully hands-on lighting workshop.
Students will build the lighting setup, assemble modifiers, position lights, and photograph a live model.
Two photographers will shoot at a time while the rest of the group observes, assists with lighting adjustments, and learns how different setups affect the final image.
Each student will have the opportunity to direct and photograph the model.
DETAILS
Cost: $75
Limited to 6 photographers
Official Sign Up:
matteblackcamerarentals.com/phoenix-photography-classes-and-events
WHAT TO BRING- DSLR or mirrorless camera
- Charged battery and memory card
- Camera strap
Optional
- Flash trigger (if you own one)
All strobes, modifiers, and lighting equipment will be provided.
Note: Classes will be canceled if there are no paid signups by the Friday before class.1 attendee
Past events
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