PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography classes at the Center introduce students to the basics of photography, both digital and developing in the darkroom. Multi-week classes and one or two day workshops are available for both beginner and advanced students. Offsite photography workshops at locations around the Valley are also a great way to gain outdoor/on location photography experience.
Note: Click the “Sign Up” button at the bottom of a class description to register through the Center’s Mindbody registration platform. A Mindbody account is required to register for classes at the Center. Questions about registration or financial aid? Call (602) 254-3100 or email frontdesk@phoenixcenterforthearts.org to speak to a Patron Services Associate.
Prior to arriving for in-person classes, students are required to digitally sign our Student Agreement.

Rediscovering Pinhole Photography
Date: October 25, 2025 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Kirby Soderberg
Description: A hands-on workshop that explores the early pinhole method of photography prior to the addition of a lens. During this workshop, students will turn a paint can into a camera. They will make black & white negatives and prints with darkroom printing paper and chemistry.
Materials: All materials included
Duration: 4 hours
Prerequisites: No experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $50
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.

Adobe Lightroom and a Little Photoshop for Photographers (Online)
Date: October 29, 2025 6:30 pm - November 19, 2025 8:30 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 8/12
Description: Adobe Lightroom has become the go-to program for digital photographers. It allows us to do all the enhancements and more with just a few clicks or adjustment of sliders. Photoshop remains the program of choice for complex designs and pixel level control. However both programs are made to work together for photographers to enhance and improve their images. This is what the class is all about. For the new user Bill will show how to import and start working with images right at the first class in Lightroom. If you have been using Lightroom but are finding it frustrating, Bill will show you how to setup your folders and work with collections for a more effective workflow. He will also show how to use Presets, create beautiful Black and White images from color files, and create prints from your images. If needed he will show how to send your image to Photoshop for that final touch of creativity. If you are a pro or just want to work on all of your images from your camera then this class is for you.
Materials: Computer with camera and mic
Prerequisite: Zoom on your computer. Helps if you have the Adobe Products of Lightroom and Photoshop
Duration: 4 weeks
Ages: 15+
Cost: $100.00

Master Digital Photography
Date: October 30, 2025 6:00 pm - December 11, 2025 9:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 11/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor:Kirby Soderberg (He/Him)
Description: Elevate your photography skills and specialize with your own unique vision of image making. The final class will be a group gallery showing of your work in the PCA art gallery for family and friends to attend.
Materials: Students must provide own DSLR or mirrorless digital camera with manual (M) mode selection option.
Duration: 7 weeks
Prerequisites: Digital Photography Experience required or have taken Advanced Digital Photography at PCA
Ages: 18+
Cost: $250
Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of class.

Advanced Digital Photography
Date: November 05, 2025 6:00 pm - December 10, 2025 9:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 11/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: Elevate your photography to another level! Try unique artistic approaches to image making, tell captivating stories, and produce a "body of work" that one day may hang in your very own solo gallery show.
Materials: Students must provide own DSLR or mirrorless digital camera with manual (M) mode selection option.
Duration: 6 weeks
Prerequisites: Students must understand functions of their digital camera including manual mode control or have taken the Beginning Digital Photography PCA class..
Ages: 18+
Cost: $220
Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of class.

Capturing the Human Form: Figure Photography
Date: November 08, 2025 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor:Kirby Soderberg
Description: Beginners and Advanced students are welcome to attend. This workshop focuses on the human form and how to create interesting shapes and lines utilizing the form. All will learn the basics of 3-point lighting and other light positioning to create different moods. Each student will have the opportunity to collaborate with the models and discover the poses that best fit ones style. Students walk away from this workshop with photos of the models and the knowledge and confidence to create interesting images of the human form.
Materials: Students must provide own digital or film camera gear for taking photographs.
Duration: 4 Hours
Prerequisites: No experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $50
Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of class to check in.

Street Photography
Date: November 09, 2025 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 6/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Nick Milotta (He/Him)
Description: In this hands on class we will dive into the vibrant world of street photography. Class starts with a brief lecture on the origins of street photography, pioneer photographers, techniques, skills, and discussion on how to harness creativity while in an urban environment. The class will then hit the street in the Roosevelt row art district for a photo walk for some hands practice, and a lot of fun!
Duration: 4 hours
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: $50
Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of class to check in.

Beginning Digital Photography
Date: November 10, 2025 10:00 am - December 15, 2025 1:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 7/12
Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Kirby Soderberg
Description: Turn your camera into a tool for creativity!
Materials: Students must provide own DSLR or mirrorless digital camera with manual (M) mode selection option.
Duration: 6 weeks
Days off: 1/20
Prerequisites: No experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $220
Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of class.

Beginning Digital Photography
Date: November 10, 2025 6:00 pm - December 15, 2025 9:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 6/12
Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Kirby Soderberg
Description: Turn your camera into a tool for creativity!
Materials: Students must provide own DSLR or mirrorless digital camera with manual (M) mode selection option.
Duration: 6 weeks
Days off: 1/20
Prerequisites: No experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $220
Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of class.

Intro to Black and White photography
Date: November 16, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 11/12
Description: Black, White, and every shade in between. Learn how to "see" in black and white and the skills and techniques needed to create a great black and white image. Lesson will include both camera techniques and editing techniques with adobe lightroom.
Materials: notebook or laptop with lightroom editing software (optional)
Prerequisite: No experience necessary
Duration: 3 hours
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: $50.00

Portrait Photography
Date: November 22, 2025 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 9/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Kirby Soderberg
Description: Beginners and Advanced students are welcome to join us in creating more dynamic portrait images by using light. You will learn the basics of 3-point lighting and beyond. This is a hands-on workshop that uses live models to demonstrate the fundamentals of posing. Students will leave this workshop with the knowledge to create more interesting portraits of family and friends.
Materials: Students must provide own digital or film camera and gear to capture photographs.
Duration: 4 hours
Prerequisites: None required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $50
Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of class to check in.

Street Photography
Date: November 23, 2025 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Nick Milotta (He/Him)
Description: In this hands on class we will dive into the vibrant world of street photography. Class starts with a brief lecture on the origins of street photography, pioneer photographers, techniques, skills, and discussion on how to harness creativity while in an urban environment. The class will then hit the street in the Roosevelt row art district for a photo walk for some hands practice, and a lot of fun!
Duration: 4 hours
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: $50
Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of class to check in.

Rediscovering Pinhole Photography
Date: November 29, 2025 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Kirby Soderberg
Description: A hands-on workshop that explores the early pinhole method of photography prior to the addition of a lens. During this workshop, students will turn a paint can into a camera. They will make black & white negatives and prints with darkroom printing paper and chemistry.
Materials: All materials included
Duration: 4 hours
Prerequisites: No experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $50
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.

Intro to Black and White photography
Date: November 30, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 12/12
Description: Black, White, and every shade in between. Learn how to "see" in black and white and the skills and techniques needed to create a great black and white image. Lesson will include both camera techniques and editing techniques with adobe lightroom.
Materials: notebook or laptop with lightroom editing software (optional)
Prerequisite: No experience necessary
Duration: 3 hours
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: $50.00

Street Photography
Date: December 07, 2025 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 11/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Nick Milotta (He/Him)
Description: In this hands on class we will dive into the vibrant world of street photography. Class starts with a brief lecture on the origins of street photography, pioneer photographers, techniques, skills, and discussion on how to harness creativity while in an urban environment. The class will then hit the street in the Roosevelt row art district for a photo walk for some hands practice, and a lot of fun!
Duration: 4 hours
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: $50
Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of class to check in.
One Day Camera Class for Photographers (Thunderbird)
Date: December 10, 2025 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 9/9
Description: This will be a condensed class for photographers who not only want to understand their camera and it's creative settings but also wish to improve the look of their photography.
Topics include;
Getting off the Auto Setting
Creative control of settings
Rules of Composition and when to break them
Post processing using Adobe Lightroom
Materials: None
Prerequisite: Should have a camera or Cell Phone
Duration: 1 day
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50.00

Capturing the Human Form: Figure Photography
Date: December 13, 2025 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor:Kirby Soderberg
Description: Beginners and Advanced students are welcome to attend. This workshop focuses on the human form and how to create interesting shapes and lines utilizing the form. All will learn the basics of 3-point lighting and other light positioning to create different moods. Each student will have the opportunity to collaborate with the models and discover the poses that best fit ones style. Students walk away from this workshop with photos of the models and the knowledge and confidence to create interesting images of the human form.
Materials: Students must provide own digital or film camera gear for taking photographs.
Duration: 4 Hours
Prerequisites: No experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $50
Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of class to check in.

Street Photography
Date: December 21, 2025 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Nick Milotta (He/Him)
Description: In this hands on class we will dive into the vibrant world of street photography. Class starts with a brief lecture on the origins of street photography, pioneer photographers, techniques, skills, and discussion on how to harness creativity while in an urban environment. The class will then hit the street in the Roosevelt row art district for a photo walk for some hands practice, and a lot of fun!
Duration: 4 hours
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: $50
Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of class to check in.