I took the Digital Cameras I class for the second time (took it first 5 years ago but never followed through to buy a digital camera) with Chris Sanchez. It was crazy fun, and a wonderful introduction to the basics of a digital camera. I once again rented from BPW. I went for a Fuji mirrorless, since poking around had shown glowing reviews from professional photographers. Silly me! It was heavy and control-glutted. Not the camera for somebody who's new to digital photography. Fortunately, Chris saw me getting frustrated, so he swapped the Fuji out for a Nikon Z50 mirrorless. It wasn't perfect for me (I don't like how you can easily bump the "zoom" button on the monitor with your nose or finger and wind up with a WTF moment where you have no idea why you're suddenly looking at the subject super closeup. Also, the monitor is very funky: it blinks on and off constantly when you're trying to choose a setting or look at the display to review your photos). But it was miles easier to use than the Fuji, so word to the wise if you're new to digital, get baffled by too many controls, and/or don't like a super heavy camera; see if you can rent a mirrorless Nikon instead, if they have any to rent out. If not, try Borrow Lenses in Waltham. I'm renting a Nikon Z50 from them now. Anyway, more to the point, Chris is a remarkably good teacher. He breaks things down in uber simple terms, and then repeats himself when he says something that's important to remember, so it really sinks in and is easy to comprehend. I really enjoyed the actual shooting, too. We walked around shooting texture inside the studio building, since it was a rainy day. Playing with exposure, ISO and aperature really brought the lecture materials to life in a visceral way. His emphasis on underexposing a scene is so helpful: You can really see colors get richer and more saturated when you do that. It was a wonderful experience shooting in manual and seeing why you'd want to do that: your photos can really pop. I've already taken Chris's Digital Cameras II class, which delves into lenses and focus, as well as nighttime photography with Aaron. Those two workshops were just as excellent as Digital Camera I. I will absolutely take more workshops. First, though, I need to actually commit to a camera and buy it! read more

I just took the Digital Cameras I class with Haley, and it was a great experience. The class covered everything you need to get you shooting in manual mode, and to learn the basics of your camera. Haley was an excellent instructor who took time to answer everyone's questions while still covering all of the material. I'd definitely recommend this class to anyone looking to get into photography, and will seriously consider some of their other classes in the future! read more

​My beautiful Canon DSLR sat neglected for a couple of years - and then when I took it out of the camera bag I quickly realized that I needed a complete refresher. That actually happened a few times before I discovered Boston Photography Workshops.​ I had even tried getting back up to speed with an online Creative Live course specifically on my camera - but it wasn't enough. So I took a chance and set up a private session with Maria and I am so glad I did! The time we spent together exceeded my expectations and the trepidation I felt about "all those buttons" is gone. Maria was extremely well prepared, knowledgable and very responsive to my specific questions and needs. She had great visuals to describe all concepts and of course I had lots of hands on actually working with my camera. Long story short - if you've been searching for a jump-start for your photography or if need a refresher you'll find it here! Thank you to Boston Photography Workshops and Maria - I'm looking forward to future workshops together! read more

I finally came back for another class - wish I hadn't waited so long! I took the Better Composition: Photo Walk class - we walked around the North End. Maria and Gabriella were fabulous! In the 2.5 hour class, you can really see improvement in my photos, and I gained so much confidence in using manual mode. I feel like I'm ready for next trip - whether it be somewhere far or just another day to play tourist in my own city. Having two instructors and only a handful of students made for lots of personal instruction. I cannot recommend this class enough for anyone who wants to learn how to take better photos. read more

I cannot say enough about Digital Cameras 1 taught by Chris Sanchez. I bought my first "grown-up" camera on a whim and literally was nervous to even turn it on. Needless to say I was in need of a crash course. Digital Cameras 1 is a four hour class that flies by in the blink of an eye. I had an absolute blast and can't wait to go back for more. We covered the basics about how a camera is constructed, where all the most important buttons are located and what they control, and the fundamentals about shooting in manual mode. While we were learning the concepts, Chris moved around the classroom demonstrating what each one looked like on each student's camera. This "classroom" portion of the class was incredibly engaging, interesting, and packed with information. Chris's ability to teach in a clear, understandable way by using examples and anecdotes to make "camera lingo" more relatable for the average student was what made the concepts click for me. By the time we got through the overarching concepts I was itching to practice what I had learned, so the live practice portion of the class was my favorite. We went outside the studio and practiced what we learned as Chris and his staff circulated around to lend a helping hand. This class not only taught me how to use my camera, but it made me more comfortable physically operating and handling it as well. I walked out of the studio feeling confident and inspired by my newfound knowledge and ability to take a quality photo. I would recommend this class to anyone who owns a DSLR or mirrorless camera and has not learned how to properly use it. You will get so much out of it, I promise! The knowledge you walk away with is totally worth the time and money. The class I took had 8 people in it, all with different levels of experience. An added benefit of taking a class with Boston Photography Workshops is the private Facebook group you'll be invited to join through which you can ask any and all questions you might have, as well as receive invitations to events where you can practice your new skills. Side note-I have a Sony a6000, so those of you with mirrorless cameras will get just as much out of the class as those with DSLRs. read more

I rarely write reviews, but am feeling inspired. I took the Digital Cameras 1 class and I absolutely loved it. Chris and Anthony were awesome instructors and they really helped everyone be comfortable in the class and internalize the lessons. Already my skills are lightyears ahead of where they were just a couple days ago. I will definitely be back to take more classes after some practice applying what I've learned. read more

Did you ever go to a class, expecting to take a class, and find out that you joined a family? We can't say enough great about Chris, Boston Photography Workshops, and the entire BPW family. The class was fantastic, well paced, and extremely informational. Chris, owner and instructor of our class, took care to learn what everyone wanted to get out of the class and made sure to address all of those as well as additional questions along the way. Did I mention we liked it? Classmates were enjoyable and we benefited by their participation as well; class size was small (8?) , setting was cool, knowledge was dispensed ;-) read more

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Boston Photography Workshops!!! As a new photographer I knew there was A LOT to learn... and was a bit overwhelmed and fearful on where to start! But all of that fear went out the window when I came across Boston Photography Workshops! The staff is AMAZING! I've taken 4 classes with Chris, Maria, Gabby & Anthony so far, and each class gets better and better, making me feel more and more confident in my work and abilities to produce amazing photographs! They have beginning, intermediate, and advanced classes... from Digital Cameras I (where you learn to come off of the "auto" button (aaaahhhh) , to Adobe Lightroom, to Food Photography, to Night Photography, to classes out in the real world (Better Composition in the Field). I've already committed myself to hopefully taking every class they offer by the end of this year. And even after you take a class with them, they offer ways to keep in contact where you can feel free to ask photography questions, recommendations, share your progression after taking a class, etc... I without a doubt recommend Boston Photography Workshops for anyone with a love of learning photography while having a genuinely good experience, an open mind to learning in the best manners, and a fun and inviting atmosphere! read more

I took 101 photography , night photography and photo Shop -light room workshops and highly recommend them all for beginners Chris is a great has personality with passion in teaching photography for to others I'm so glad I took these workshops and meeting in person the great photographer mr Chris Waleed Jassim read more

Boston Photography Workshops - Night photography work shop with mr Chris - Photography Classes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Fabulous class. I took the beginners class Digital Cameras I and in 4 hours I know more about my camera than I've learned in 2 years. I am so happy to have learned how to use it in manual mode, which I have been wanting to do for a while. Anthony and Gabriella were super helpful and great. The class sizes are small so they can help everyone individually - I think we had 10-12 people. Easy to get to, easy parking. Overall just a great experience. read more

I attended Chris' Digital 101 photography workshops and it was great - a very fun and warm environment to learn a new skill. I mainly take pictures with my iPhone and upgrade to my basic (4-year-old) point-and-shoot when I'm traveling, so it was fun to get a better understanding of what I could do with a more sophisticated camera. Getting a basic understanding of how a camera works and all of the different features before we even started taking pictures was super helpful. Chris adapts his teaching style to cater to all of the different levels in the class (some were more advanced and others, like me, were complete beginners), and the mix of environments - classroom and outdoors - resonated with the whole group. The space where the classes take place is also great. I highly recommend Chris' classes! read more

I took Matt Thoman's beginner Photoshop class at Boston Photography Workshops. Matt's style is focused, clear, and friendly. Photoshop can be both daunting and confusing. Matt was able to demonstrate the features of photoshop on images so that the effects could be seen in real time in context. I am an experienced photographer; I'm fluent in Lightroom, but have never used Photoshop. This class was perfect for my needs. The space is great and I recommend the class highly. read more

I took the Better Composition class and it was really good! Chris and Maria are so nice and helpful even though I'm shy about my photography, they were understanding and made me feel comfortable. I have just joined the closed Facebook group but it definitely sounds like it will be a good resource. I live in California, which is too bad because I want to take more of their classes! read more

Terrific place! You learn so much in their initial class and the photo walks are a lot of fun. Because of them I feel super confident in using my camera now! read more

Awesome course and instructors. Attended Digital Photography 1 to get myself out of auto mode (despite being an active amateur photographer). After being intimidated by web searches, Chris and Anthony made me feel empowered and excited to get the most out of my camera. Chris set a great tone for the session, and the other students were engaged and inspirational. He helped us all feel comfortable, regardless of experience, and made sure we were all taking away, and applying, key fundamental concepts to position us for success. Thanks for a great class, and I'm looking forward to my next course at BPW! read more

I took a class here this morning and can't rate this place high enough. Chris is an excellent teacher and explained the basics in such a simple way that not only did I fully understand them, I know I will also remember them. I wasn't sure what to expect and had no real photography training or knowledge prior to this class and left feeling I had a good grasp of the basics and excited to go put them into practice. I definitely plan to take the Photo Walk class here soon. read more

Had a great class. They are super professional, clear, organized, helpful, nice and are great teachers! You get a lot of bang for your buck in these classes. I took Food Photography for beginners and loved it. read more

I recently took a nighttime photography course after taking Digital Photography 101 a year ago. Chris Sachez is a fun, easy to understand instructor who , along with his interns, helped us learn in no time. We started at a coffee shop where we talked a bit and then walked around the city finding locations with interesting light. They made sure we each got attention and were successful. He follows up with emails and a private Facebook group. Love it! read more

I surprised my fiance with a private lesson with Maria for his birthday. He has this amazing camera that he doesn't know how to use so well :) We were super late, but Maria was very accommodating and even went over our time window a little bit for us because we were late. We learned so much and were able to put what we learned to use while there. She even tested us a little bit and asked us questions which was fantastic. We were able to ask any and all questions we had and she shared with us info about a FB group, events, and that she was available to help us even after. Well worth it! read more

I honestly cannot say enough about the awesomeness of BPW. Chris is a fantastic teacher...his thoroughness, his patience, his personality. Everyone assisting is always very present and helps you to understand not just HOW to do something but WHY as well. My photography understanding and skills have drastically improved after just two classes. I also love the class size and the hands-on attention. read more

Tonight I took the Night Photography workshop with Maria and Gabriela. It was a great experience. On top of learning a lot of what I need to know to take great night photos, both Maria and Gabriela were attentive, knowledgeable, supportive, and fun. The class size was small, which made it easier for us to have 1:1 time with the instructors and get great tips. This is the second class I have taken with BPW and I look forward to taking more! read more

I was a student in one of Chris Sanchez's beginner classes and I have nothing but amazing things to say. I am truly a beginner who had a fancy camera but didn't know how to use it. After the 4 hour class i am confident that I can now shoot in manual mode in any setting I'm in. I tried unsuccessfully for months to teach myself how to use my camera by watching YouTube videos and reading articles and all it took was 1 of Chris's class to teach me everything a beginner needs to know to use a DSLR camera. I would highly recommend this class to anyone & hope to take another class from Chris soon! read more

Digital Camera 101 (taught by Chris & assistant Anthony) - intimate class of about 10 people - very informative while easy to understand - learn basics of Shutter, Aperture (F stop), and ISO - hands on practice with camera I am no longer intimidated using my Sony A6000 that has been collecting dust for a year. Will definitely be signing up for other classes! read more

Just took the food photography workshop. What a great experience! The team did an incredible job of personalizing education to each and every one of us. Two instructors and four students for four hours of hands on, practical experience was phenomenal. I would highly recommend this to any level of photographer, self taught or otherwise. The food was beautiful too, which doesn't hurt read more

I took a Better Composition class with BPW as a novice photographer, and I really enjoyed it. Maria and Gabby guided the class on the walk, and their tips and advice were extremely helpful and constructive. They did a good job of helping me gain a quick understanding of how to use manual settings on my camera and provided a great introduction to the basic rules of composition. I really enjoyed the "in the field" nature of this particular class because it allows you to hear about the techniques and settings and immediately put what they're teaching you into practice. I expect to take more classes with BPW in the future. read more

I had a great time today at my first photography class: Digital Cameras 1! The instructor patiently explained our small group of students all about how to use manual settings on a camera in great detail. She made everything very clear by explaining how everything works, so it all makes sense. This was a great experience! I gave this 4 out of 5 stars because I had hoped to get into photography composition a little bit more, and because most of the time was sitting at a table listening to the instructor, over actually shooting pictures ourselves. I guess actually shooting pictures comes in later classes, so I do understand that it takes some more "technical" classes before that. All in all, the Digital Cameras 1 class is certainly worth it if you are very new to photography and looking to explore all of the options on your camera! read more

Boston Photography Workshops (BPW) is truly an amazing experience that offers interesting and knowledgeable classes at every level. I signed up for Digital Cameras I just to review the basic functions of a camera, and Chris and his crew did a fantastic job at going through it step by step. Chris uses many analogies and metaphors to help us understand the camera in an easy manner, and after half a week, I can still remember what he has said! The classes go by quickly and the environment of the room is welcoming and friendly. People joke around with each other and learn with (and from) each other. I have already signed up for 2 more classes and will definitely sign up for more in the future! Highly, highly reccommend! read more

Such a great experience!!! I was so nervous at first but you walk into the studio and you immediately feel comfortable. Using a camera can be intimidating and is a sweet science. But they broke things down to me in such easy terms I felt confident leaving. The staff, ambiance, teaching technique and hand on training was perfect. I would recommend this to ALL levels. And will definitely be back. Thank you!!! #fujilife read more

I recently took the Digital Cameras 1 class with Chris and it was wonderful! He has a great teaching style that makes it easy for beginners to understand the functions of an SLR camera and was able to clearly explain how and when to use the basic manual settings. He and his assistant were both very knowledgeable and encouraging. It was also a hands on class as we got to go outside and experiment with what we had learned while Chris and his assistant came around to give tips. Overall, it was a great experience and I highly recommend taking his class! read more

If you have searched for a photography class in Boston and surrounding areas don't hesitate. Go right now and book yourself in with Chris and Boston Photography Workshops. I took 101 and it was very good. Spent an appropriate amount of time "in the field" vs classroom and was a very hands on experience. The notes I took that day are helpful, but the big benefit is joining the alumni FB page. It's a great spot to ask for feedback and insight on lenses and technical questions. Chris is responsive but so are the other members, which adds great perspective. read more

After researching photography classes in the Boston area for a gift for a friend and reading the fabulous reviews, I purchased a workshop class for her from Boston Photography Workshops. Wanting the best quality experience is always at the forefront when buying someone who you love a gift. It can be nerve racking when you are providing an experience versus a tangible object for a gift, because you leave the quality of the gift in someone else's hands. Well, feel rest assured! ... The class was beyond exceptional and Chris is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and charismatic. Thank you BPW (Chris) for your time, sharing of your knowledge, and creating a comfortable learning culture in the group. :) read more

Boston Photography Workshops - Photography Classes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Just took a workshop on Photoshop last night. As a long term Lightroom user, I have been wary of Photoshop and avoided it altogether. Chris did a great job explaining the basics and gave us hands on experience using the tools we'd use most often. I now understand what layers are and, with practice, how to use them effectively. My eyes have been opened to the possibilities! I still have a lot to learn but Chris has given me a good start. I dinged one star because the class could have been longer! read more

We hired Chris to teach a private class for five of us who have to write about Photography. Chris modified the training to meet our specific needs and we learned quite a bit. In addition to being an outstanding teacher, Chris is a dream to work with. It was incredibly easy to communicate and schedule the class. We have plans for a follow up training soon. read more

This is a great way to learn and practice photography skills. The staff is super knowledgeable and helpful. I learned a few new things and was able to practice them on our walk. It's learning by doing and getting immediate feedback, which for me is the most effective way to learn. I am excited to take other classes through Boston Photography Workshops! read more

Chris and team are absolutely fantastic! I can't rave about these classes enough. I started with Digital Cameras I in July and have since taken 4 more classes. Chris is skilled at breaking photography down into terms that everyone can understand and he doesn't make it intimidating. Highly recommend the BPW!!! read more

Digital Cameras I was incredible. The class flew by and was so helpful. I'm excited to use my camera now that I actually understand it. Chris and Gabriella are great instructors. I couldn't recommend their studio more! read more

I have had an SLR camera on auto mode for close to 20 years I have attempted a class and on line instruction over the years but did not understand until I took the class led by Chris this afternoon. It was recommended by a friend who is now so good after taking several of his classes that it may become more than a hobby for her. He makes it easy and fun and I have been practicing what he taught me. Simple easy to remember instructions. I am looking forward to taking more classes and increasing my knowledge and artistry. The best part is the class continues as does his help. Highly recommend. read more

If you're looking for a photography instructor in Boston, I have one piece of advice: visit their website and look at their work. I wanted to take classes from a pro, and Chris' site shows he's just that. (In my search, I was actually surprised to see other photography instructors who posted work that was mediocre at best.) In addition to his skill, Chris is a great instructor and his classes are enjoyable. I actually took three classes from Chris when he was an instructor at Camera Eye Workshops. If you read the reviews for Camera Eye closely, it's clear that Chris had the best reviews of any instructor there, so it's understandable that he has now opened his own studio. Of the three classes I took, the class on food photography was the best. It was interesting to learn how to shoot in a dark room with a strobe to get the desired look. I was a little bored in the intro classes, but I had previously (a decade ago) taken a year of photography in school, so that was expected. If you know the concepts of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture well enough to explain them to someone else and you can already manually adjust your camera, then you may want to skip the intro course. Chris spends a lot of time to make sure students understand the concept of how a camera collects light, and that's critical to understand. Overall, I would highly recommend taking a class from Chris. read more

Chris is awesome! I took a night photography class last week and had a fantastic time, and learnt a lot. I recommend them unhesitatingly!

This is the third course I've taken with Chris Sanchez over a period of 3 years -- I've taken other courses as well. Chris is excellent for a beginner or early intermediate photographer. He is careful, thoughtful and helpful. In both classroom and on-site classes he gives lots of personal attention and quickly learns what each student does and doesn't need to help move along to the next step. Also, a very nice guy. read more