SAN
FRANCISCO
PHOTOGRAPHY
GROUP

Upcoming Events

Street Photography: Learning The Decisive Moment

Street Photography: Learning The Decisive Moment

Saturday 14 June
Financial District - 3:30pm - 2 Hours
Michael Forks
People, cafes, vendors, street merchants, buskers, historic buildings, art installations and much more. The power of observation underpins the art of great street photography. Learning to "see" interesting detail is a practised skill and we introduce you to easy methods that will open your photographer's eye and expose you to a world that is alive with detail. We will also go over settings, focusing techniques and lens choices common to street photography to help us capture those random chance encounters.
book now
$47       5 places left
Shooting in Manual Mode Class

Shooting in Manual Mode Class

Saturday 28 June
Financial District - 3:30pm - 3 Hours
Michael Forks
This class is for anyone looking to switch their camera mode from Auto to Manual and learn how to shoot using the Manual Mode. The goal is to help everyone become more confident when using their camera settings. We will touch on essential camera functions and the exposure triangle: Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO.
book now
$92       5 places left
Shooting in Manual Mode Class

Shooting in Manual Mode Class

Saturday 26 July
Financial District - 3:30pm - 3 Hours
Michael Forks
This class is for anyone looking to switch their camera mode from Auto to Manual and learn how to shoot using the Manual Mode. The goal is to help everyone become more confident when using their camera settings. We will touch on essential camera functions and the exposure triangle Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO.
book now
$98       4 places left

50mm Lens Meetup

50mm Lens Meetup

Sunday 27 July
China Basin Park - 3:30pm - 2 Hours
Michael Forks
The 50mm lens is one of the flexible and useful lenses in any photographers gear bag. It is neither a wide-angle or telephoto lens, but allows the camera to see on the same scale as your eye. As such, it can be used for a variety of styles, from landscape and street photography to portrait and product photography. In this meetup, well review the basic camera settings. Well then cover some of the advantages of shooting with a prime lens, and some basic techniques to using the 50mm lens. As always, there will be ample opportunities for you to put your new knowledge into practice.
book now
$49      
Beginner's Photography Class

Beginner's Photography Class

Saturday 02 August
Financial District - 3pm - 3 Hours
Michael Forks
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Now is your chance!

Join us as we break down your camera to help you learn about shutter speed, aperture, ISO and how these settings affect your exposure.

We will then put your new knowledge to the test with the guidance of a professional photographer.
book now
$98      
Mindfulness of Our Surroundings Through Photography.

Mindfulness of Our Surroundings Through Photography.

Saturday 09 August
North Beach - 3pm - 2 Hours
Michael Forks
This photography group class and photo walk will focus on cultivating mindfulness by deepening our awareness of the world around us. Through intentional observation and creative composition, we'll use photography as a tool to slow down, engage our senses, and appreciate the beauty in everyday moments. this experience will help students see the world with fresh eyes and capture meaningful images with presence and purpose.
book now
$49      

Photograph San Francisco!

Photograph San Francisco!

Saturday 06 September
Financial District - 3pm - 2 Hours
Michael Forks
Join us on a photo walk, covering some of the most iconic San Francisco locations. We will start at the Ferry Building with views of the Bay Bridge. Then walk through the stunning financial district, and end in bustling Chinatown. Practice your street and architecture photography while exploring one of the World's most beautiful and dynamic cities!
book now
$49      

Nearby Photography Groups

Composition in the Park

Composition in the Park

Saturday 21 June
909 Kiely Blvd - 10am - 2 Hours
Santa Clara Photography Group
Fin Liu
Come and join us as we explore composition in photography.

Composition is one of the most critical element in photography. Composition is how a photographer arranges the visual elements within their image, frame. I promise you that if you search for information on composition you will find plenty You will find formal rules, opinion, some of which you can trace back to historical art movements and painters.

Even in the digital world, composition remains the key to creating strong images. Composition is what guides our eye through an image and gives importance to the subject. It creates the story for the viewer and how we as photographers convey that message.

This meetup will explore composition using our frame and tools available to us as the photographer.
book now
$49      
Landscape Photography

Landscape Photography

Sunday 22 June
Joaquin Miller Park - 10am - 2 Hours
Oakland Photography Group
Rocky Laber
Landscape photography is possibly one of the most popular genres, so we'll be looking at how you can improve your shots and help your photos stand out from the crowd. We will be focusing on composition, panoramas, equipment tips and settings to use.

All skill levels welcome! The professional photography instructor will be there to provide advice, feedback and tips on how to improve your photos and camera skills.
book now
$47      
Natural Light Portraits

Natural Light Portraits

Saturday 28 June
El Camino Real - 10am - 2 Hours
Santa Clara Photography Group
Fin Liu
This meet-up will explore how we can take beautiful portraits using natural light and backgrounds. We will explore how to recognise flattering light and how to manipulate it whilst shooting in a less controlled environment than a studio. We will explore how we can work collaboratively with our subject to achieve a portrait that captures their personality and style. We will also look at posing and setting your subject at ease. Technical learning points will include accurate focusing and metering for skin tones.

Note: Please bring a friend or a family member as a model.
book now
$49      

Beginner's Photography Class

Beginner's Photography Class

Saturday 28 June
Grand Lake District - 10am - 3 Hours
Oakland Photography Group
Mel Chircop
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Now is your chance!

Join us as we break down your camera to help you learn about shutter speed, aperture, ISO and how these settings affect your exposure.

We will then put your new knowledge to the test with the guidance of a professional photographer.
book now
$92      
Street Photography Meetup

Street Photography Meetup

Saturday 05 July
Downtown Mountain View - 10am - 2 Hours
Santa Clara Photography Group
Nithin Kumar
People, cafes, vendors, street merchants, buskers, historic buildings, art installations and much more. The power of observation underpins the art of great street photography. Learning to "see" interesting detail is a practised skill and we introduce you to easy methods that will open your photographer's eye and expose you to a world that is alive with detail. The most rewarding part of the class is learning how to approach interesting people and have them willingly pose for you.

We will also go over settings, focusing techniques and lens choices common to street photography to help us capture those random chance encounters.
book now
$49      

Other Nearby Groups

Beginner's Crochet Class

Beginner's Crochet Class

Sunday 29 June
Sunnyvale - 2pm - 3 Hours
San Jose Crochet Club
charanya chinnasamy
If you are brand new to crochet, haven't picked up a hook in years, or simply want a little more guidance on those all important basic stitches this is the class for you. We will start with techniques for holding the yarn before moving onto forming the stitches that make up a traditional granny square.

Crochet materials are included as well as a free tea or coffee.
book now
$78      
Summer Painting Watercolor Class

Summer Painting Watercolor Class

Sunday 06 July
Municipal Rose Garden - 10am - 2 Hours
San Jose Watercolor Group
Joy Hallare
Join us for a relaxing watercolor class focused on capturing the beauty of summer scenes. This beginner-friendly session is perfect for those looking to enjoy painting outdoors and explore their creativity.
book now
$49      
Beginner's Crochet Class

Beginner's Crochet Class

Sunday 06 July
Sunnyvale - 2pm - 3 Hours
San Jose Crochet Club
charanya chinnasamy
If you are brand new to crochet, haven't picked up a hook in years, or simply want a little more guidance on those all important basic stitches this is the class for you. We will start with techniques for holding the yarn before moving onto forming the stitches that make up a traditional granny square.

Crochet materials are included as well as a free tea or coffee.
book now
$78      

Beginner's Crochet Class

Beginner's Crochet Class

Saturday 19 July
Downtown San Jose - 10am - 3 Hours
San Jose Crochet Club
Tyah-Amoy Roberts
If you are brand new to crochet, haven't picked up a hook in years, or simply want a little more guidance on those all important basic stitches this is the class for you. We will start with techniques for holding the yarn before moving onto forming the stitches that make up a traditional granny square.

Crochet materials are included as well as a free tea or coffee.
book now
$78      
Summer Painting Watercolor Class

Summer Painting Watercolor Class

Saturday 20 September
Municipal Rose Garden - 10am - 2 Hours
San Jose Watercolor Group
Joy Hallare
Join us for a relaxing watercolor class focused on capturing the beauty of summer scenes. This beginner-friendly session is perfect for those looking to enjoy painting outdoors and explore their creativity.
book now
$49      
ABOUT SAN
FRANCISCO
PHOTOGRAPHY
GROUP
Come along to our photo sessions to dust off your camera and get snap-happy with a professional photography instructor.

Brush up on your camera skills and learn new photography techniques whilst on a photo walk class with other local keen photographers!

We run two hour photography sessions based on a photography theme/technique/style and they take place in various locations in San Francisco .

  • New to photography? We also run a popular 3 hour Beginners Guide to Photography Class once a month. And once in a while we will run special niche 3 hour classes, for example, Astrophotography - so do subscribe to our newsletter to know when the next on is!

  • Who can attend? Open to all skill levels, from beginners to keen amateurs. The photography instructor is there to help you with camera settings and provide any advice you need.

  • What to bring? We recommend bringing a camera that has full manual mode or semi-manual modes (Aperture or Shutter Priority). Compact cameras and smartphones also welcome!

    The meeting point and full details for the day are sent in the booking confirmation email to the email address you provide at time of booking.

    Join the San Francisco Photography Group on Facebook to share your photos after the session.

    Got a question? Try our FAQ.
  • REVIEWS
    Fantastic event!
    5/5
    Alexandra
    2025-05-04
    Great class with a great instructor. I?m really glad I took the class.
    5/5
    Steve
    2025-05-04
    I enjoyed being outside in a new location and continuing to learn about my camera and becoming more aware of the surroundings.
    5/5
    Lolli
    2025-03-13

    The even was perfectly organized by Aliah Husein. She is an excellent instructor and guide As many times as I?ve been to the Palace for Fine Arts, I never worried about the lighting challenges of this place. Aliah guided us through those challenges and showed the tricks how to combat the harsh lighting and yet get the best photos possible. I enjoyed every moment working with Aliah and the beautiful model Seema she invited to pose for us. Looking forward to more photo meetups with her!
    5/5
    Irina
    2024-05-19
    Really enjoyed working with Aliah and the model Seema. Aliah is a great instructor, showed a lot of tricks and critiqued my photos, a learned a lot from her. I liked her choice of a venue for fashion photography, very well suited for it, and very minimal human traffic. I look forward to more photo events like that.
    5/5
    Irina
    2024-04-22
    Really enjoyed working with Aliah and the model Seema. Aliah is a great instructor, showed a lot of tricks and critiqued my photos, a learned a lot from her. I liked her choice of a venue for fashion photography, very well suited for it, and very minimal human traffic. I look forward to more photo events like that.
    5/5
    Irina
    2024-04-21

    It was great to have only two of us in the class so we could get more time to ask specific questions and guidance. Aliah provided very thoughtful feedback and encouraged us to try photographing from different perspectives and angles. I also appreciated Aliah's advice for what would make a photograph stronger and what we should look out for.
    5/5
    Brooke
    2024-04-09
    Excellent Instructor for someone that is begining on digital photography. Had the knowledge and expertise to help with cameras different than hers. Her patience was infinite and her ability to communicate the fundamentals of photography will be truly invaluable going forward in my learning. Above all the class gave me the introduction I needed to get started and remain motivated to learn. I will definitely be looking for more classes with her. Thank You
    5/5
    Ed
    2024-04-07
    I've always loved travel blogger photos, but I've never been able to capture the same cool shots. That's why I decided to visit this group and I'm so happy that I did. Nice to meet Allan. Allan explained the concept of HDR photography and during this group meeting, I realized how all these Instagram photos were taken. He also explained to me how to take beautiful photos by taking photos from the same place but with different focus areas. Also thanks to this group I understand how to take panoramic photos. I recommend visiting the SF photography group to anyone who wants to improve their photography skills.
    5/5
    Pavel
    2023-03-28

    PHOTOGRAPHERS
    Michael Forks
    Hi, I'm Michole! As a passionate perfectionist, I create lasting memories through my photography. My work embodies crafted timelessness, freezing moments in time to capture raw emotion and tell timeless stories.

    I blend traditional and modern elements to create classic and contemporary images. Natural light, creative composition, and expert post-processing techniques make my images truly timeless.

    My work has been featured in publications and exhibitions, and I've been recognized for my contributions to photography. When I'm not behind the lens, I explore San Francisco's culture, spend time with my loved ones, and continue learning through education and training.

    Michael Forks is available for private bookings

    Available Sat & Sun 3pm-6pm
    Private tutoring, portraits,

    Aaron Jones
    I 2019m Aaron Jones, a professional photographer with over 15 years of experience specializing in wildlife, travel, product photography, and portraiture. With a background in graphic design and a strong foundation in lighting, composition, and visual storytelling, I 2019ve worked across a range of industries 2014from consumer packaging and real estate to high-end portrait sessions and corporate branding. While I 2019ve spent years perfecting studio and commercial photography, my true passion lies in capturing the natural world, from remote forests to underwater reefs.

    As an experienced outdoor photographer and amateur mycologist, I now lead guided photography hikes to help others refine their skills. I teach participants how to master camera settings, frame compelling shots, and use natural light to their advantage 2014whether capturing elusive wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, or intricate macro details. My hands-on approach ensures that photographers of all levels gain practical skills while deepening their connection to nature and improving their overall craft.

    Learn more at aaronjonesdesign.com/photography

    Aaron Jones is available for private bookings

    Private Photography Services
    I also offer private bookings with flexible daytime availability, including:
    -Photography Tutoring 2013 One-on-one lessons tailored to your skill level
    -Portrait Sessions 2013 Individual, family, and professional headshots
    -Event Photography 2013 Weddings, celebrations, and corporate events
    -Custom Projects 2013 Product photography, branding, and special requests

    Specific Offerings:
    -Event Photography 2013 Per hour
    -Mini Family or Pet Sessions 2013 15-minute session
    -Full Family or Pet Sessions 2013 1-hour session
    -Engagement Sessions 2013 1-hour session
    -Business Headshots (Individual) 2013 1-hour session
    -Business Headshots (Groups up to 10) 2013 1-hour session
    -Product Lifestyle Photography 2013 2-hour session for groups up to 10
    -Small Wedding Photography 2013 For weddings of 50 people or less
    -Fashion Photography 2013 30-minute session + 3 outfits

    PHOTOS
    San Francisco Photography Group
    2025-06-10
    Title or Location: Monterey Bay California
    Whale watching trip in Monterey Bay. Humpbacks were lunge feeding.
    Credit: Hot Pixel Project
    Instagram: @HotPixelProject

    San Francisco Photography Group
    2025-05-19
    Title or Location: mendocino county
    Taking an early walk along the Beachcomber Motels trail with the lovely flowers in full bloom..
    Credit: LaraCraft
    Facebook: Odick Lara
    Instagram: odiklara
    San Francisco Photography Group
    2025-05-11
    Title or Location: San Francisco City Hall
    One of the first shots from my new iPhone 16e, which renders a 48MP image when using the wide camera. The 16e replaces my Pixel-4, and I never thought I would be a phone-camera "convert," but it happened, and my DSLR has been feeling mighty lonely these past 2-1/2 years.
    Credit: Donald Kinney
    Facebook: donaldkinney1

    San Francisco Photography Group
    2025-04-29
    Title or Location: Kampala, Uganda
    This is a portrait of Ugandan fashion designer, Leticia Nagginda from Leonessa Fashion Designs in Kampala, Uganda. To view more fashion photography, visit ChrisAustria.com/Leonessa.
    Credit: Chris Austria
    Facebook: Facebook.com/ChrisAustria
    Instagram: Instagram.com/ChristopherAustria

    San Francisco Photography Group
    2025-04-21
    Title or Location: San Francisco, CA
    Portrait of Juliea Bacon of 3Model Management by Nader Chehade. This photo was a collaborative effort between both parties to highlight the beauty of her natural hair and took place in San Francisco during mid-day. Image was taken on a Fujifilm X-Pro3 with Fujifilm 56mm f1.2 and shot at 1/500sec, F1.2, ISO 640. Nader Chehade is a portrait specialist in San Francisco and runs a creative studio by the name of Ennvision Studios.
    Credit: Nader Chehade
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ennphotos
    Instagram: @ennphotos
    San Francisco Photography Group
    2025-04-07
    Title or Location: Santorini Greece
    This was a famous photo spot of the one of the iconic blue dome white churches in Santorini, not easy to find but once I did, I had to wait in line to take photos. Well worth the wait.
    Credit: Irina Knopova
    Instagram: @iknopova

    Washington DC Photography Group
    2025-06-13
    Title or Location: dudhwa national park india
    We were in Dudhwa national park safari ride. And suddenly tiger came out of the bushes chasing peahen. Seeing our safari jeep, tiger stopped and got luck to take this shot.
    Credit: siddhartha gupta

    Peterborough Photography Group
    2025-06-12
    Title or Location: Masai Mara Kenya (Mara triangle)
    This is Osidai.He is a leopard I encountered during a safari trip to the Masai Mara in Kenya last year. He was a beautiful animal and it was an absolute privilege to spend some time watching him.
    Credit: Lyndsey Williamson
    Dundee Photography Group
    2025-06-12
    Title or Location: Sunset at Achuvoldrach
    "After a stunningly beautiful day in the remote north of Scotland, the sky offered one final gift?a pastel-hued sunset that painted the horizon and left a warm glow in our hearts."
    Credit: John Cuthbert LRPS ARPS
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.cuthbert.963

    Orange County Photography Group
    2025-06-11
    Title or Location: Sabi Sands Greater Kruger South Africa
    Early morning safari Leopard approaching the vehicle. Light came from the headlights of the jeep. Under expose to get the background dark.
    Credit: Tai Hoang
    Instagram: Lb_sleepy

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