Private Safaris

Washington Photo Safari offers customized Private session to learn the specific photography subjects that interest you. Enjoy the benefits of a private safari with E. David Luria.

These can take place at a suitable architectural site, in a museum, or even over coffee at Starbucks. Subjects covered can include:

• General Photography & Use of Camera: get acquainted with the various functions of your camera and different shooting subjects, develop your eye for composition and master exposure levels. Fully customizable for you based on your skill and interest level
• F-Stops and Shutter Speeds: achieve blurry backgrounds with sharp foregrounds, sharpen food shots or master stop-motion photography
• Candid Outdoor Photography of Kids: a child at play will elicit big smiles all around. Never miss a moment for snapping your kid or grandchild at play, achieving milestones and interacting with the world around them
• Architectural Photography: develop techniques for exterior and interior architectural photography, such as timing for best sunlight, maintaining straight verticals, shooting angels, use of filters, balance of indoor and outdoor light and picture composition
• Photographing Artwork Inside Museums and Galleries: develop skills and techniques for using mixed indoor lighting with no flash and no tripod
• Nighttime Photography: develop your nighttime photography skills for using a tripod, no flash, and long exposure to produce high-quality images
• Travel Photography: make your pictures worth a thousand words by having your camera at the ready for both posed and candid photo moments
• Event Photography: Learn to capture the essence of an event and tell its story with your photos. E. David Luria will give you personal instruction on using photography techniques in the fast-paced, ever-changing environment of a ceremony, meeting, or other events.
• Careers in Photography: thinking of making the transition over to a photography career? Take it from someone who has been there! We can coach you on ways to monetize your photography skills, marketing your business and much more.

Here is what clients had to say about private instruction from E. David Luria:

I have attended eight workshops with David over the years. The reason I continue going to these workshops is that his tours are truly unique, whether indoors or outdoors. His interests are varied and his talents are superb. Photographing inside the Library of Congress is something I would not have thought about. Walking the colorful neighborhoods in DC, the Tidal Basin with Cherry blossoms, the zoo with pandas, the monuments in the area and so many more unique places are reasons that keep me coming back for more! And I live 3 1/2 hours away. Thanks, David!!
Joan G. , Virginia Beach VA

David, your comments really made me think about my “bad habits”.  I will shoot on Manual … from here on out! 

Thank you again.  There is something about a one- on-one, that really works for me. And critiquing some of my photos was the best thing that you could have done to teach me.

In all seriousness, David, thank you for all that you have done for me to make me grow. I appreciate it more than you know.
Dave J., Centreville, VA

David taught me so much. He showed me new techniques and, most importantly, introduced me to different places in DC. Thank you, David!!
Shalini R., Chicago, IL

Are you a Soccer Mom? A Baseball Dad? Football Fan? A proud parent of a budding ballerina?

Are your sports photos too dark? Too blurry? Too far away? Uninteresting? Wrong color?

Do you want to improve your techniques in sports photography?

Taught by young professional sports photographer, Henry Rottman, this new private tutoring service offered by Washington Photo Safari is designed to serve photographers of all levels who are interested in sports photography. Our instructor will work with you at your side, one-on-one, as you photograph your son or daughter on the field or on the stage, helping you to get the very best dramatic action images at your child’s soccer field, baseball diamond, basketball court, dance stage, or other venue.

Our motto at Washington Photo Safari is “See. Click. Learn.” So, as you are taking pictures at your venue, Henry will guide you on which lens to use to help you step out of your comfort zone and get off the “AUTO” setting, using shutter priority and continuous shooting modes as you get in low, tight and close to the action. After you shoot a series of pictures, Henry will look at them, critique them, and make suggestions on how they can be improved in the next series of shots that you take.

All types of cameras are welcome, including DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, or even late-model smartphones. This session will teach you about the best positioning, angles, and settings to photograph fast-moving subjects. (For best results in sports photography, we recommend the use of a camera with adjustable shutter speeds and telephoto lenses, but phones are perfectly welcome.)

This private session will also help you fix common issues like shutter speed, ISO, aperture, and other settings that may be causing your photos to be too dark or blurry. The class extends throughout whatever game or event you are wanting to photograph  not just a quick couple of photos! Games can be either in the middle of the day in full sunlight or at a lighted arena at night (a bit more challenging, but we can work through it!). This session will allow you to take incredible photos of a friend, partner, or child that can be saved for years, and the instructor will also be able to assist you with any other questions about photography that you might have.

Date and time to be arranged at mutual convenience through [email protected].  Cost: $185 for 2 hours of instruction.