Exploring Digital Photography & Southern California
LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO, JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
$1,095 | IN-PERSON
+ registration fees
72 Hours (equivalent to 6 credits)
Offered in collaboration with Hudson County Community College
Photography Instructors: Sara Abbassi & Craig Stokle
Class Coordinators: Vanessa Hornedo, Anna Starzec
October 2 – 5, 2025
October 30 – November 2, 2025
** Professional DSLR camera IS NOT required for this class. You may use your iPhone or Android smartphone.
Experience the best of Southern California through the lens of a camera in this 4-day photography and culture course. From vibrant city life to breathtaking desert landscapes, this hands-on class combines creative learning with cultural exploration as students journey through Los Angeles, Hollywood, San Diego, Palm Springs, and Joshua Tree National Park.
Perfect for beginners, this course covers the fundamentals of photography—including composition, lighting, and storytelling—using either smartphones or digital cameras. Along the way, participants will engage with California’s diverse culture, from iconic film landmarks to beach life, desert art, and national park history.
This course is a unique blend of cultural immersion, artistic development, and personal exploration. Students will leave with new photography skills, cultural knowledge, and a visual diary of their California adventure.
Locations Explored:
– Los Angeles – Explore the art of visual storytelling while visiting famous locations like Hollywood, Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Pier, Griffith Observatory and more
– San Diego – Practice candid and coastal photography in Balboa Park, Old Town, and along the scenic waterfront, learning to capture vibrant street scenes and natural light.
– Joshua Tree National Park – Learn nature and landscape photography techniques in one of California’s most surreal natural environments, with golden hour shoots among the rock formations and Joshua trees
THE DETAILS
DAY 1: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
DAY 2: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
DAY 3: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
DAY 4: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
– Tuition fees
– 3 x nights of shared accommodations
– 3 x continental breakfast
– Local transportation costs to and from all activities
– Bus to San Diego and Joshua Tree
– All activities including entrance fees to parks & museums
– Airfare to/from Los Angeles, CA
– Transportation to/from airports
– Meals (except for included continental breakfasts)
– Registration fees (platform and processing fees)
In addition to the in-person meetings, this class will include pre-assignments and post-assignments as part of the 72-hour class.
You will be invited to join Google Classroom about a month before class starts, which is the platform we use for the course. Check your spam folder, as invitations to join Google Classroom sometimes end up there. Please make sure you register for the course with a valid email address, since this is where you will receive the invitation and later, your certificate. Your email has to be Google compatible, so it’s best to use gmail, outlook, hotmail or yahoo. If you do not receive a notification to join Google Classroom, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact us.
Pre-assignments will be posted on Google Classroom 3 weeks before class starts. Make sure you join Google Classroom early and complete the assignments BEFORE coming to class. It will take you approximately 18 hours to complete
Follow-up assignments will be posted on Google Classroom on the weekend of class, and also consist of 18 hours. You must complete them in order to receive your course completion certificate. Course completion certificates will be emailed to you, a few days after the class has officially ended. You will have 3 weeks to complete the assignments. If you need your certificate earlier, please indicate it during the registration process and we will email it to you as soon as you successfully complete all assignments.
Attendance IS MANDATORY all days during the class in California. You are expected to be in class on time every day, including the first day and last day, so choose flights accordingly.
First Day: Class starts at 10:00 AM in Santa Monica. The latest that you should arrive at LAX is 8:30am
Last Day: Class ends at 2:00pm in Santa Monica. The earliest you should book a flight out is 5:30pm
If you miss any class hours you will risk not receiving your certificate! Please note, that this is a long weekend intensive class and the days are long. Bring comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing, water & snacks. We expect you to come to class rested and ready to participate, learn and have fun!
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Develop Technical Photography Skills
– Learn fundamental principles of composition, lighting, and camera operation.
– Apply editing techniques to enhance storytelling and message clarity
2. Capture different types of images, including landscapes, portraits, architecture, and candid street scenes.
3. Engage with Southern California’s Cultural Landscape
– Document local communities, traditions, and public spaces with sensitivity and respect.
– Identify key elements of Southern California’s history and culture.
4. Edit and organize photos for sharing, journaling, or personal storytelling.
5. Write About Photography Thoughtfully
– Produce photo essays, or blog posts that articulate the intent, context, and impact of visual work.