Reference Photography for Artists: Online
A beginner-friendly class that demonstrates how to create and use reference photographs to support your artwork. Learn to make photographic choices specific to the needs of artists, using a camera or smartphone.
Create the reference your artwork needs.
Make artistic decisions with references that show what you need to see. Learn how to capture useful visual information and recognize when a photograph changes the way a subject appears.
What We Cover
Reference Photography: Purpose & What Makes a Good Reference
Camera & Smartphone Essentials
Exposure, Focus, Color & Capturing Detail
Light, Shadow, Value & Form
Short Break
Short Break
Perspective & Distortion
Composition, Staging & Capturing Multiple References
From Scene to Studio: Selecting, Editing & Using Reference Material
Q&A and Next Steps
Smartphone-Friendly
Many concepts in this class also apply to smartphone photography.
Pair this class with our
Mobile Photography class to get even more from your smartphone.
Class Options
Group Class
Join a scheduled class with other artists.
Private Class
Personalized instruction for your goals and interests.
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Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, United States
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Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States
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Lioness, Okavango Delta, Botswana
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First Cathedral Dive Site, Lanai, Hawaii
Group Class
Online
Live on Google Meet
Third Saturday Each Month
at 4:30 pm (Central)
2 Hours
Includes a short break
Small Groups
Maximum 10 guests
$39 / person
Select an available class at checkout.
Learn Together.
Take Control of Your Reference Photos.
Live Instruction, Shared Discovery
Ask questions and get explanations as we work through the class together. Other artists’ questions can open up useful discussions you might not have thought to ask about.
From Photograph to Working Reference
We cover how to take the photograph and how to use it. Learn to select and edit your images so they remain useful when you return to your artwork.
Experience You Can Learn From
Learn from an experienced, practicing photographer. Real photographic examples make the explanations concrete and help you apply the concepts when creating your own references.
Start with the Camera You Have
A camera or smartphone is enough to begin. Learn which choices make a reference useful, so you can put the equipment you already own to work for your art.
Private Class
Online
Live on Google Meet
Flexible Scheduling
Choose a time when booking
2+ Hours
Includes a short break
Up to 5 participants
$49 per additional person
$199
Includes up to 2 people
Choose from available appointment times.
Prefer a more personalized class experience?
It’s All About You
Work directly with your instructor on what matters most to you. Ask questions as you learn, with room to explore challenging topics in greater depth and adapt the instruction to your experience.
Flexible Scheduling
Choose from available appointment times that work for you. Book for yourself or learn alongside your partner, family, or friends in a class reserved for your group.
Experience You Can Learn From
Learn from an experienced, practicing photographer. Real photographic examples make the explanations concrete and help you apply the concepts when creating your own references.
Revisit What You Learned
With everyone’s consent, you’ll receive your private class recording, transcript, and summary. Revisit the explanations and advice specific to your session as you create and use reference photographs for your artwork.
For Reference Photography for Artists
Private instruction can be tailored more specifically to your art practice, location, subject, camera system, lens choices, experience level, and photographic goals.
Give the gift of photography.
You can give this class as a gift certificate.
Still Deciding?
Talk with one of our photographers during a free consultation.
We can clarify the class content, discuss your goals, and help you explore the class options.