So I have had my camera on auto-mode for way too long. However, I have done significant youtube video viewing of how to get out of that plus have friends that are photographers and have always wanted to be at least an OK picture taker. I decided to look up a Groupon and then was directed to this group. Upon arriving there was a small room with chairs facing the front of the class and our class teacher Stephen. The location was actually pretty easy to find after receiving an email from someone letting us know the day before the location had changed. The class I will say was informative and definitely what someone with no experience should look into. For me personally this was very basic of stuff I am already aware of but found it helpful either way being I had an instructor right in front to ask questions. Plus, it was great to get a reminder of and different point of view from other people. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone that wants to "up" their camera game! read more

Wow I learned a lot about my own camera from this class! Adam was very patient with such a large class. He was able to answer individual questions. I found him to be very helpful and had a very clear lesson plan. I was so excited to get out there and use my camera. read more

I just got back into photography and wanted to take a class to re-familiarize myself with my DSLR camera. I found Isla Studio on Groupon. The Groupon included entries for both the class and photo walk. The class is about 3 hours long with a break in the middle. Make sure you bring your camera (duh) and a laptop or pen + paper to take notes. Lindsey is great instructor and really easy to follow. She uses easy to understand concepts and example photos in her slide deck to illustrate the intended effect of a setting. Some of the topics covered were: Shutter Speed Aperture Camera Modes Lenses ISO The photo walk took place on and around the Santa Monica Pier. The photo walk is where you put the things that you learned from the class into action. There weren't too many people on the walk which is great cause that means more 1-on-1 time with Lindsey. read more

Isla Studio - Photo walk in Santa Monica - Photography Classes Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I am updating my review to encompass the second part of the course - the photo walk on the pier. Even though I said I wouldn't be partaking in Part II of the course due to the cost, Lindsay reached out to me after my original review which I really appreciated. The photo walk was an excellent opportunity to put into practice what was learned in Part I, while still under the suggestive eye of a seasoned photographer. Practice gives you the confidence that what you're doing is "right." Taking the photos and evaluating the variations according to adjusted settings made me way more excited about photography than any kind of motivation a lecture in a classroom can give. It's the real fruit of your labor in front of your eyes. Lucky for our class of 11, we got the added bonus of also having Steven, who was training to be an instructor but was also there to assist so Lindsey could be more available. The 3-5pm time slot for the photo walk course is perfect for this time of the year when it gets daek early. You get ample practice with natural light the first hour and also great sunset shots after 4. I think my favorite part was playing with exposure and creating silhouettes of people fishing on the pier with the backdrop of boats, birds and the gorgeous sunset. I really learned a lot and could have been out all night practicing if I wasn't parked at a darn meter. Thanks Lindsay, Lindsey and Steven! Cheers. read more

See all

In 2.5 hrs this course gave me more confidence, knowledge and information than other (quite renowned) photography schools and courses in LA couldn't in much longer time frames. I purchased a deal for a beginner class though, honestly, I feel like I cheated these guys because this class at its full price would have been totally worth it. They teach you how to understand your camera and be comfortable using all the settings. I couldn't recommend them enough. Very friendly, non intimidating, unpretentious and 100% useful. read more

I just took the Beginner's Photography class with my friend. Lindsey Baumsteiger was the instructor (www.lbaumsteiger.com). She was knowledgeable and had a real passion for both photography and passing her love of photography along to her students. The manual setting have always been intimidating for me. Lindsey broke it down in a way that helped me to really understand. Her class has opened me to a whole world of possibilities. This class has ignited a new passion for a hobby that I have always loved. I could not wait to rush out and try the new techniques. The class was 3 hours with a break. Lindsey covered a lot. It was basic and informative. It was exactly what I was looking for. She gave great tips and tools to get us started. It has made a noticeable difference for me. I have already started carrying my camera everyday looking for shooting opportunities. She also has been happy to look at my photography and give feedback. It was such a positive experience. I would recommend this class to anyone who wants to take their camera off auto mode and stop relying on app filters to create the perfect photos. I did not sign up for the photo walk, but based on the class I will sign-up soon for sure. Lindsey also offers a Full Moon and Nightscape (@ Joshua Tree) Workshop. I am looking forward to taking them this year as well. read more

See all

I have to admit I was a little doubtful as to how much information we could really learn in 3 hours. But Mel did it! He covers the necessary basics to understand basic photography lingo and strategy for getting that great picture. This was great money spent for a beginners photography class. Highly recommend! read more

My boyfriend and I took the beginner class with Lindsay and it was great! I know nothing about cameras but it was so interesting to learn about how shutter speed and aperture can help with getting an amazing photo. She really broke it down to the basics for those of us that were learning about it for the first time. Lindsay also took the time after class to help answer questions on what kind of a SLR camera to buy for what we were looking for. Overall, would definitely recommend to others! read more

Worth every penny!!! Such a relaxed and fun environment and very easy to follow class. Even with 20+ students Robert took individual time with each student. Highly recommend. read more

I purchased a groupon and had a great time at today's photography class with Lindsey. She is a very patient, knowledgeable instructor, and I came home with a much better understanding of basic aspects of my camera and photography. She taught us cool things like what settings we can use to achieve effects like the blur of freeway lights, light writing, and blurring out backgrounds with the focus on a foreground subject. I highly recommend this class to anyone who owns a DSLR and is looking to develop their hobby! read more

I was tired of using my camera on auto mode and taking blurry photos so thought I would take this class as a crash course in how to use my camera in manual mode. The instructor was Stephen and he was very friendly and knowledgeable about photography, and encouraged a lot of questions which was helpful. The course was presented in powerpoint format, with topics covering basics like shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. I feel I probably could have found all this information online for much cheaper, but it was nice to have it all presented to me in a 2.5 hour presentation so that it forced me to sit and learn it. After the class, I felt really excited about practicing what I learned - and it's definitely not easy to get a great photo while trying to adjust shutter speed and aperture on my own! So I think the beach walk is probably necessary in order to put into practice all the information with an instructor there to help. Although it is another $100 or so to do that, so will have to think about it! read more

Great Informational class. Adam was very thorough and his presentation had lots of useful information . This class is definitely a great class for Beginner photographers. Thank you Isla Studio. read more

I was not sure what to expect with the 3 hour beginner class. It turned out to be excellent. The material was presented in a clear and understandable way and the visual presentation was also very useful. The teacher (Lindsey Baumsteiger) did an excellent job of making sure everyone was understanding the concepts before moving on, but the class still moved at a good pace. She also had the knowledge needed to teach this class and was pleasant and pretty. The learning environment was comfortable too. I would highly recommend this class for anyone that wants to get off the Automatic setting on their camera. Just one point of clarification - The email confirmation says you don't have to bring a camera, but actually in class you need your camera to try out the settings that are discussed. So do bring your camera. Try it. You'll like it. read more

I just finished a 3-hour photography refresher/beginner class with Adam. It was compact and to the point with all the basic info to get me started again! I'll be looking for other classes here as I progress. Thanks! read more

This class was a great help. I brought my daughter and her friend. Stephen was so helpful and informative. He encouraged questions and dialogue, and it broke down so much of the information I often get because someone is trying to sell me something. There is no upsell here. My daughter said "he beats out anything you can learn on YouTube!!!!" read more

I had some trouble finding the location, but when I did it was a nice classroom setting. Adam was a very good and patient teacher and I liked his passion for photography that comes through. I could not recommend this class any more if you are refreshing your knowledge or just getting into photography. read more

Just took the class and beach walk on Sunday, 11/23, and can't recommend it enough. Lindsay from Isla was very good about communication, and teacher Lindsey Baumsteiger (yes, a Lindsay and a Lindsey) was a superb teacher. I don't think I'm alone as someone who never took his point-and-shoot off Automatic mode (and even then, couldn't really shoot well in low light). Frankly, all the numbers and dials on my little digital camera were a bit daunting. I recently got a Canon Rebel T3 DSLR, and a Living Social discount pushed me to get off my ass and take Isla's class. And I'm so glad I did, especially through Lindsey (the teacher). Quick breakdown: HOW MUCH DID I LEARN? * I am now on very solid ground in taking photos in the Manual and semi-automatic modes (Aperture and Shutter Speed modes). * By the end of the class, I was taking pictures that actually looked close to what I had in my head. Pretty good for 3 hours with a new camera. * By the end of the beach photo walk, I had some incredible sunset photos, plus some great action/panning shots that I always thought were special effects when other people did them. PROS: * Lindsey was a great teacher. You could tell she loved both photography and helping other people love it as well. She was smart, experienced, organized, and light-hearted (I don't think there was one question that she couldn't answer). She taught things in progression, plus gave us her own little phrases ("The more numbers = the more things in focus"). She also gave out her email so we could send her photos we'd taken that we had questions about, which I thought was pretty great. When's the last time a teacher did that for you? * Class combined lecture (slides were also sent to us afterward in a PDF), note-taking (with specific settings for different types of shots), and hands-on review of each setting on your camera (see NOTES). I took 10 pages of notes. * Class was more than the basics, but also included information on how different types of shots were created, and how you could do it. * Beach photo shoot was guided. Not just shooting things, Lindsey taught a number of new shots, from panning and refocusing to shooting in low light and the few times to use the flash (we shot under the Santa Monica Pier at sunset/magic hour). * Given that with coupons (Living Social plus 50% off the beach shoot for people who took the class) the entire five hours of learning was $175 for near-individual instruction and training and photo review, I felt pretty damn good about the money and time spent. * Class had 20 people, but Lindsey made it feel very cohesive and small. Beach walk only had six, so it was almost one-on-one instruction. * Hell, Isla even tells you where to park to get the cheapest rate ($1 for the 3 hours of class). That was much appreciated in Santa Monica. CONS: * Either Lindsey or Lindsay needs to get a nickname ;) NOTES: * I've read several reviews that felt the class should have had more hands-on time, but I don't see how you could cover all the information that Lindsey BS did with any more hands-on. As it was, after going over a concept she would go around the room (again: 20 people, all with cameras) and make sure we could find the item (shutter speed, ISO, whatever -- she seemed to know where each was on every camera type), and answer individual questions as well. Several of us also used that time to shoot photos, so when she came around we could ask what we did/didn't do right. The class covered everything we needed to start shooting on Manual mode -- a full three hours, minus one 10-minute break. I think that's pretty great, personally. * Be aware that class starts on time -- none of this LA "start 15 minutes late" stuff. Sorry to gush, but it's wonderful to feel that in one day I have a great understanding of something that had mystified me before. The only thing better would be if Lindsey had taught me calculus back in high school; my GPA would have been through the roof! read more

The 2.5 hour beginner course was excellent. I learned about functions on my phone that I never new existed. I learned how to take shots in dim lighting without using the flash. One of the best Groupons I ever purchased. read more

This class was by far underpriced! the information was so valuable and I cant wait to apply them to my gig tonight! The instructor clearly knew his stuff and was so helpful and went above and beyond the ending time for the sake of making sure we were all understanding what he just taught. I would recommend this class to everyone, and only hope they offer more so I can take another one! Very Satisfied! read more

Lindsay was great and the class was very useful. Exactly what I wanted to learn! My camera is less intimidating and taking pictures is a lot more fun by knowing how to approach taking a cool shot. I do wish that the photo walk was a little cheaper... read more

Just took the 3 Hour Beginner's Photography Class on 8/24/13 (purchased through Living Social) and I am so very glad I did! The class is great for all ages, was very informative, the material was easy to understand and the instructor, Lindsey Baumsteiger, was terrific! She was a fountain of knowledge and even gave us some tips that she's used herself. I am really happy that the presentation was sent to each of us after class as it allowed me to really focus on what Lindsey was teaching us during class. Having it available will also provide me with a "backup refresher" for when I forget something....and I will! I have to admit, I felt like a fish out of water when I walked in as most of my "classmates" were Canon toters, but the presentation included slides showing Canon, Nikon (my favorite) and a couple of other SLRs. I would highly recommend this class to anyone who wants to do something more creative than setting the camera on Auto every time they want to take a photo and/or would like to understand what the letters M A S P stand for on their camera dial once and for all! I am really looking forward to setting out on a photographic adventure soon; I just have to remember, "Big Hole, Little Number, Little Hole, Big Number." Take the class (you won't regret it) and you'll find out what it all means....LOL read more

Did the beginner class with Lindsay and it was awesome. I just bought my first DSLR and have been taking all my pictures on Auto because I just had no idea how to use all the different settings to make a picture actually turn out how I think it should in my mind. After a 3 hour class, I feel totally empowered. I understand exactly how my camera works and how to manipulate it to take great photos. Such a great class! read more

Absolutely five stars! What a great beginners class! My husband and I both felt like we learned a ton about how to use our new digital SLR. Lindsay was great!! We learned about shutter speed, aperture, flash, lenses, and other bits as well. We then did the photo walk as well, which was so fun and a great opportunity to practice what we learned while learning some additional information as well. It was like taking a whole second class. What a wonderful time. I would highly recommend!!! I am so glad we tried it! read more

Took a beginners photography class & just loved it!

I'm a moderately experienced photographer and used the class to brush up on technicals for my Nikon settings. The instructor was a delight and the class was near perfect. I highly recommend the class whether you are a beginner or inexperienced photographer..there is something in there for everybody and they don't make you feel like a dummy. read more

Great class with Lindsey. Very easy to understand, took time to answer questions. Good for beginners. Parking was easy in the City Lot. Just what I needed. read more

The beginner class was a great refresher! Knowing the basic principles and features beforehand, it was nice to have them broken down with examples about how one impacts the other and the possible "compromises" one might have to make while trying to capture an image. Adam is very knowledgeable and it was great for him to be able to locate each function on the different types of cameras in the classroom. He ensured everyone was able to find and change these functions before moving on to the next topic. The presentation will eventually be provided to those taking the class, which is an added bonus, especially the charts for exposure. Looking forward to taking the photo walk class to further refine my DSLR abilities! read more

Great Class! Mel demystified the many functions of DSLR cameras. The material was informative and easy to understand. He was funny and engaging. The space was cool. Highly recommend this class if you own or are planning to purchase a DSLR camera. Thanks! read more

I took this class last week. My mother, a huge photo bug, gave me a camera about 5 years ago for my birthday. I have been using it on auto (or just my I phone, because the pictures are the same) ever since. This three hour class taught me just enough to be able to take the kind of pictures I have always wanted to take. Taught me what the buttons and knobs on my camera do and what to use when, or to get what effect. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn how to use that fancy camera they bough! read more

I took the basic photography class this Sunday. The instructor was a nice guy. Sorry I don't recall his name. He made the complicated functions of my dslr seem so basic. He was patient, complimentary and bright. He made learning enjoyable. I am now confident and look forward to growing my talents. read more

This class was very informative and straight forward. Lindsey Baumsteiger is a wonderful teacher and was very hands-on. I would take more classes from her and in fact have already signed up for the Griffith Observatory photo walk. read more

This class was amazing. I've had a Canon DSLR for 3 years and I am kicking myself for not actually learning how to take it out of the auto settings for so long. In 3 hours, going in with VERY little photography knowledge, I feel like I actually have a strong handle on the functions of my camera. The teacher Lindsey Baumsteiger is just such a joy and so helpful and sweet and VERY smart and knowledgeable. I recommend this class highly to anyone who really wants to learn to use their DSLR. read more

Ditto! Ditto! Ditto! To all the positive comments from the other reviewers. Lindsey's approach made it easy to understand not only the basics of photography, but also gave excellent advice as to what we should/should not purchase as for camera options. I purchased the class with a discounted coupon from Groupon, and wasn't sure of the value of what I would get out of it. I came in with a Nikon D300s camera, and only knew just how to turn it on. I had concerns that Lindsey would not be able to give me detailed instructions as the class is more intended as Photography class and not a "How To" for a Nikon D300s camera. What a pleasant surprise. Lindsey was able to not only give a detailed and thorough instruction for photography, but was able to give me enough detail on my camera so that it no longer intimidates me. She also has convinced me that it is not in my best interests to keep the camera on "auto" mode. Even if you don't see a discounted coupon online, it is definitely worth paying the full price. read more

My wife and I took the beginner's class taught by Lindsey Baumsteiger and absolutely loved it. It went through all of the major topics, and Lindsey explained everything clearly and patiently answered all of our questions. Highly recommended for anyone looking to get into photography. (We purchased it with a half-off discount on Groupon, which I think they offer pretty frequently.) read more

My husband and I took this class from Lindsey Baumsteiger last Saturday with our 10 year old camera and were amazed. We have taken so many photos in our travels, and have been pleased with them - and now see so clearly what we could have done better. Lindsey is a very organized presenter, and makes everything make sense. We came away with an entire world of knowledge that we wished we had had for the past 10 years. We can't wait to go out and practice! Thank you Lindsey!! read more

This course was extremely beneficial for me. I'm a learner who is much more successful in a classroom environment, rather than trying to seep through random and confusing information online on my own. I was able to retain a solid overview of information as a beginner photographer in this course. Stephen was knowledgeable, easy-going, and extremely open and receptive to every question asked. I feel a newfound sense of excitement and confidence in experimenting with my camera now. I'll be staying off auto-mode from here on out! Thanks Isla Studio. read more

Thanks Mel, it was a great session. I got to know a lot about my DSLR and finally understood why some of my photos came our too 'white' or too 'dark'. i can boast of a lot of technical terms and am actually able to understand when i get equally 'techie' replies. Most of all, i finally realized that buying this DSLR was way better than getting the cheaper point and shoot. Looking forward to experimenting soon... read more

A great experience for beginners. Lindsey, the coach ensured individual attention to everyone and made sure we understood all the concepts which are all the essential concepts one would need to know. read more

Really found Lindsey's class enjoyable -- and valuable! She walked us through the basics we need to know to improve our photography (and make it less of just a lucky shot). Can't wait to get out and implement the new knowledge. read more

I just took the class in Santa Monica with Lindsey B. and thoroughly enjoyed it. I left feeling like I really learned quite a bit and excited to put everything into practice. The presentation was concise, professional and not at all intimidating. Lindsey is knowledgable and comfortable with her material and delivers in a clear and patient manner. For a three-hour beginner class, It surpassed my expectations and I am not sure how it could be improved upon, so I give you 5 stars. read more