If you’re searching for photography instruction that offers personal attention, hands-on learning, and flexible scheduling, you’ve come to the right place. I offer custom coaching sessions tailored to your skill level and learning style. Whether you’re just starting out, looking to refine your technique, or ready for more advanced work behind the lens, I can help.
The goal of my classes is to give the student a personal hands-on learning experience at their pace.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly Recommended!
I had a fantastic experience learning from Tom.... read more He was incredibly punctual, professional, encouraging, and passionate about photography. The lesson was tailored perfectly to my skill level, making complex concepts easy to understand. I left our session feeling inspired and much more confident in my skills. If you are looking for a patient, skilled, and truly reliable photography teacher, look no further!
Susan A.
August 31, 2026
I rarely feel compelled to write reviews but made an... read more exception in this case.
My partner and I took Tom’s beginner class, which included two one-on-one classes followed by a guided photography walk to put our new skills to practice. The classes were well-structured and included lots of examples to make it easy for beginners to understand how different camera settings in different conditions will impact your photograph. The homework exercises were helpful and getting feedback on the photos that we took was invaluable. I feel much more confident taking pictures now. Tom clearly loves teaching and was a pleasure to work with.
At the end of our first lesson, when he learned that we were taking his class to prepare for a trip we had coming up in the next few weeks, he immediately pulled out his calendar to ensure our next lesson and photography walk were scheduled before our trip. Even though our class has ended, Tom has encouraged us to keep sending him photos for quick feedback. I highly recommend his class for other beginners looking to grow their skills and confidence. Thank you Tom!
Rachel K.
July 27, 2026
Tom's Intro to Photography course was incredibly helpful. I came... read more into the course knowing little more than how to turn on my camera, and after just a few one-on-one lessons, I left feeling confident shooting in multiple camera modes. Tom has a great way of explaining both the technical side of photography and the creative aspects in a way that's easy to digest and immediately put into practice.
The homework assignments made our follow-up sessions engaging and gave me the opportunity to apply what I'd learned and ask questions along the way. Beyond being a knowledgeable photographer, Tom is a genuinely kind and patient instructor who clearly loves teaching and truly wants his students to succeed. I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to better understand their camera, whether you're a complete beginner or simply want to build your skills and gain confidence behind the lens. Thanks, Tom!
Courtney M.
July 21, 2026
Tom was a fantastic teacher. He helped me learn... read more how to use my new Canon in a clear, easy-to-understand way. I would be lost without him! The photo walk we did as our last lesson was extremely helpful to get his feedback on my photos in real time. I can't recommend him enough!
Vid V.
July 8, 2026
Tom knows his stuff and is terrific teacher. His lessons... read more will inspire you to want to get out with your camera and try new techniques. The photowalk at the end is a chance to put it all to good use…and it’s really fun, too!
Charles
June 17, 2026
I was a student of Tom Wiggins for three one-on-one,... read more 90-minute photography sessions and learned a tremendous amount. Tom is knowledgeable, patient, and an excellent teacher. He explained concepts clearly, answered all my questions, and provided practical guidance that improved my photography right away.
I highly recommend him to anyone looking to strengthen their photography skills.
Best regards,
Charles
Danielle
August 15, 2025
Excellent learning experience! I highly recommend. I had no real... read more photography experience, and Tom was great at working with my schedule, going over all the information in a relaxing manner, and really took the time and effort to teach. I would definitely go back for more classes. He also is amazing at understanding life challenges and working with schedules!
Randy L.
June 21, 2025
Tom is great! He explain things in a simple yet... read more thorough manner. He also provides great feedback on the student's pictures giving suggestions and tweaks to improve the end result. His scheduling is flexible and he goes out of his way to accommodate the student's agenda. Highly recommend.
Laura B.
August 28, 2024
Tom is incredibly knowledgeable, thorough, and kind! I learned so... read more much from my three one-on-one sessions with him. He is happy to answer any questions you may have at any time. I loved my lessons and highly recommend!
Personalized Lessons at Your Pace
The goal of my individualized coaching is to create a comfortable environment where you can ask questions, experiment and grow. Whether you’re learning basic camera controls or exploring more advanced techniques, I’ll guide you step-by-step. One-on-one sessions allow us to focus entirely on your needs.
Sitting down with Tom to really learn the ropes, and his excellent feedback on what I was doing, set me on a learning curve that is truly improving my photography.
Chris B. 3/27/2019
Introduction to Digital Photography
In the first two lessons, students learn the most basic camera controls. These include aperture, shutter speed, ISO (sensor sensitivity), metering and white balance. With this foundational knowledge, they can begin moving away from automatic mode. As a result, they will gain confidence in capturing correctly exposed photographs with their cameras.
In addition to camera settings, we also cover important auxiliary equipment. This includes flash, tripods, and post-processing software. Most importantly, students will learn to read histograms—an essential tool for achieving proper digital exposure.
The final lesson is typically a dawn or sunset photo walk. Here, students apply everything they’ve learned in a hands-on, meaningful way.
After completing the lessons, students are not left on their own. I remain available by email at any time to answer questions or provide photo critiques.
Whether you’re aiming to improve your technical skills, composition, or creative approach, I’ll work with you to build a custom plan. In-person camera lessons are available in Howard/Montgomery Counties, and Baltimore City.
I enjoyed the class and feel like it helped me understand my camera much more. This was the kind of information and instruction I was hoping to get and I feel excited to keep practicing and learning from here.
Sue H. 11/7/2015
Passionate, Experienced Instruction
I work with a limited number of students at one time. This allows me to give individual attention to the student’s needs. I’ve taught over one hundred students who now shoot with more confidence and creativity. If you’re ready to begin or deepen your photography journey, my camera lessons are here to help. Reach out today to schedule a private session or ask about upcoming availability.
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