CEPA’s photography classes and workshops cover a variety of subjects for students of all ages and skill levels, including film photography, digital photography, darkroom, photoshop, studio lighting, and more.
Photography Classes & Workshops
Due to COVID-19, Big Orbit Project Space is temporarily closed to the public.
As of August 8, 2020, CEPA Gallery (including the FLUX Gallery, the darkroom, and the digital photo lab) has reopened with restrictions.
In order to continue to serve our members and the public while adhering to social distancing and other safety guidelines during these unprecedented times, all other activities are currently online only.
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Architectural Photo Tour at the Martin House
$65.00 – $80.00A 2-Day Class
Friday, May 23rd and May 3oth
6:00 – 8:00pm
Ages 16+A Photography Tour and Workshop for Ages 16+
Join CEPA and the Frank Lloyd Wright Martin House for a unique two day collaborative workshop and photography tour!
The class will first meet at the Martin House for a brief conversation about design and composition, taking cues from Wright’s design principles illustrated at the Martin House, followed by a guided tour and the unique opportunity to photograph the interior of the House.
The second session will be a critique and review of participants photographs from the tour, taking place in CEPA’s Education Center, followed by the opportunity to take additional architectural photos inside the 1892 Market Arcade building.
Class size is very limited, book now to reserve your spot.
Check out our other architectural tour this Spring at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Graycliff Estate
Please call or email info@cepagallery.org if you have questions.
Workshop Location
The Frank Lloyd Wright Martin House and CEPA Learning Center
Limited Availability
This class is limited to 10 participants.
Dates & Times
Friday, May 23rd and May 3oth
6:00 – 8:00pmJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership » -
Darkroom Playground
$85.00 – $100.00A 2-Day Workshop
Thursday, May 29th and June 5th, 2025
6:00 – 8:30 PM
16+A 2-Day Photography Class for Ages 16+
This advanced darkroom class is for the truly enthusiastic darkroom lover who finds passion in the dark and hates to see the lights go on. Designed for those who know black and white darkroom printing basics but want to take their knowledge further. This class will include tools and techniques for making good prints better using contrast control and dodging and burning as well as playful techniques such as selective development, solarizing, paper negatives, and much more.
Supplies Included. Students only need to bring a set of negatives to each class.
Workshop Location
CEPA Gallery Learning Center
Limited Availability
This workshop is limited to 8 participants.
Date & Time
Thursday, May 29th and June 5th, 2025
6:00 – 8:30 PMJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership » -
Architectural Photo Tour at Graycliff Estate
$65.00 – $80.00A 2-Day Class
Thursday, June 5th and June 12th
6:00 – 9:00pm
Ages 16+A Photography Tour and Workshop for Ages 16+
Join CEPA and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Graycliff Estate for a unique two-day collaborative workshop and photography tour!
Participants will begin with a brief conversation about design and composition while sitting in the living room of Graycliff’s main house, taking cues from Wright’s design principles illustrated at this historic lakeside property.
Participants will then have the freedom to explore both floors of the main house at their own pace, with ample time to photograph its architectural features and interior spaces. As a special highlight, you’ll also have the chance to capture the sublime paradox of historic architecture alongside the ongoing construction of the new Visitor Center—a rare juxtaposition of Wright’s timeless design with contemporary development.
The second session will be a critique and review of participants’ photographs from the tour, taking place in CEPA’s Education Center, followed by the opportunity to take additional architectural photos inside the 1892 Market Arcade building.
Participants will be invited to donate the rights to print one of their photographs to be auctioned at a June 21 fundraising event at Graycliff.
Class size is very limited, book now to reserve your spot.
Check out our other architectural tour this Spring at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House
Please call or email info@cepagallery.org if you have questions.
Class Image taken by Matthew Digati
Workshop Location
The Frank Lloyd Wright Martin House and CEPA Learning Center
Limited Availability
This class is limited to 10 participants.
Dates & Times
Thursday, June 5th and June 12th
6:00 – 9:00pmJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership » -
Intro to Digital Photography and Camera RAW
$120.00 – $150.00A 2-Day Class
Saturday, June 7th and 14th10:30am – 1:30pm
Ages 16+A Photography Class for Ages 16+
This course serves as an introduction to the basics of digital photography. Over the two day workshop, students will learn how to set up and use their digital cameras, the basic methods for properly exposing photographs, and tips for creating compelling images with your camera. This class will also cover the workflow for uploading and editing images in Adobe Camera Raw. It is required that you have a digital camera to participate in this course.
Participants must have a digital camera with the capability to shoot in RAW. CEPA has limited cameras available to rent. Please call or email info@cepagallery.org to arrange a camera rental.
Workshop Location
CEPA Learning Center
Limited Availability
This class is limited to 8 participants.
Dates & Times
Saturday, June 7th and 14th
10:30am – 1:30pm
Join CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership » -
Experimental Photography: Chemigram
$75.00 – $95.00A 1-Day Class
Friday, June 20th
6:00 – 8:30pm
Ages 13+A Photography Class for Ages 13+
Discover the fascinating intersection of art and science in this hands-on Chemigram Workshop! Participants will explore the unique photographic process of creating chemigrams—stunning, abstract images produced by combining photographic paper, light, and chemical reactions.
Several techniques for camera-less photography will be explored, allowing for a wide range of different effects. Unlike a lot of traditional photography processes, there is no right or wrong way, it’s all about trying out different things and letting the process unfold naturally.
No prior photography or chemistry experience is necessary—this workshop is perfect for beginners and seasoned artists alike. Leave with your own one-of-a-kind prints and a deeper appreciation for experimental photography.
Join us to unleash your creativity and experiment with the unpredictable beauty of chemigrams!
Supplies are included.
Please call or email info@cepagallery.org if you have questions.
Workshop Location
CEPA Learning Center
Limited Availability
This class is limited to 8 participants.
Dates & Times
Friday, June 20th
6:00 – 8:30pmJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership »
Basic Tutorials
CEPA is now offering one hour tutorials covering basic and commonly requested topics. These are brief introductions, designed to get you started on your journey with photography quickly or to help refresh those looking to get back into it.
For more in depth instruction, see our workshops above or arrange a one on one lesson.
Tutorials are by Appointment Only. To book a tutorial, purchase a tutorial product and then email nate@cepagallery.org or call 716-856-2717 to arrange an appointment.
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Intro to Photography and Image Control – Tutorial
$100.00Basic Exposure and Image Control
Learn about the basics of Photography! This one hour tutorial covers the fundamentals of exposure and image control through Aperture, ISO and Shutter Speed, as well as basic camera control for either digital or film.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
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Basic B/W Film Development – Tutorial
$100.00Basic B/W Film Development
New to the darkroom? This tutorial covers the basic process for loading, exposing, developing and processing your film by hand. Learn about film exposure, chemistry, how to load a daylight tank, as well as some tips and tricks to avoid common beginner mistakes. Includes a roll of 35mm film to practice.
Recommended to take prior to Basic Darkroom Printing. Receive a 15% discount when ordering both.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
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Basic Darkroom Printing – Tutorial
$100.00Basic Darkroom Printing
New to the darkroom? This tutorial covers the basic process for enlarging film in the darkroom, including how to use an enlarger, control contrast and exposure, archivally process and wash prints, dodging and burning, plus other techniques to get you up and running in the darkroom quickly. Students need a developed roll of B/W film, other materials provided. Includes 1 hour of instruction and 3 hours of lab time to get you started.
This tutorial is recommended to follow B/W Film Development. Receive a 15% discount if purchasing both.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
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Basic Digital Workflow in Lightroom – Tutorial
$100.00Basic Digital Workflow in Lightroom
This tutorial covers a basic workflow in Lightroom. Learn about the RAW file format, as well as how to import, organize, edit and export your digital images.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
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Basic Digital Printing – Tutorial
$100.00Basic Digital Printing
Learn how to print your digital images! This tutorial covers resolution, cropping/resizing for print, as well as color profiles and proofing.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
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Intro to Alt Process – Tutorial
$100.00Intro to Alternative Process
New to alternative process photography? Alternative or non-silver photography offers both digital and analog photographers the ability to make unique, hand made prints using traditional methods without the need for a darkroom.
Cyanotype is simple, affordable and non-toxic, serving as a cheap gateway to more advanced non-silver processes such as Platinum Palladium, Calotype, Van Dyke, and many other variations that use a contact print and UV light.
Learn how to correctly set up and print a digital negative in photoshop, practice the technique for coating water color paper with light sensitive emulsion, and print an image using UV light.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
Youth Summer Classes
CEPA summer art programs are a blast! Students learn the art and science behind photography, experimenting in both the darkroom and computer lab.There are classes for 8-12 year olds as well as teenagers and they run for a full week, half day. There is something for everyone, beginners as well as advanced.
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Out of stock
All Things Photography – Summer 2025
$225.00A Week-long Summer Class
July 7–11 @ 9:00am–12:30pm
Ages 8 to 12This class is jam-packed with all sorts of fun photo activities, including darkroom, digital, and experimental photography. There’s something for everyone, with many opportunities for students to get hands-on with photography.
Cameras are available for use, or students are welcome to use their own.
For ages 8-12
Workshop Location
CEPA Gallery Learning Center
Limited Availability
This workshop is limited to 8 participants.
Dates & Times
July 7-11, 9:00am-12:30pm
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Zines for Teens – Summer 2025
$225.00A Week-long Summer Class
July 14-18, 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Ages 13 to 17In this class, loosely inspired by the experimental New Vision photography movement, students will practice a number of different hands-on techniques. Students will experiment with a range of different photographic techniques each day, collaging the results into a Zine (a short, homemade magazine), to share and exchange with other students in the class.
Students will have the opportunity to work with 35mm Photography, Photograms, Polaroid Transfers, Gel Plate Printing, Collage and more!
All materials included. Students are welcome to bring their own film cameras if they have one or will be provided with CEPA film cameras to borrow. Each student will leave class with a handful of photo prints, negatives, and a completed Zine.
For ages 13-17
Workshop Location
CEPA Gallery Education Center
Limited Availability
This workshop is limited to 8 participants.
Dates & Times
July 14-18, 9:00am-12:30pm
Don’t see what you’re looking for?
We can create a custom class for four or more people, and we also offer one-to-one tutoring. To discuss, contact Nate Ely, our Education Director:
- By e-mail at nate@cepagallery.org
- By phone at (716) 856-2717
Darron Whitsett
Featured CEPA Graduate
A former student of one of CEPA’s many art programs in schools, Darron Whitsett participated in a photojournalism program where students created a newspaper from the ground up. He later joined ArtWorks!, one of CEPA’s after school programs. During the year-long advanced photography course, students worked with all of CEPA’s artists in residence—learning and working in their style, exhibiting their work throughout Buffalo, and producing a personal catalogue at the end of the program.
“CEPA’s art programs helped shape my life in so many positive ways. The things I learned then are the foundation of what I do today. They have afforded me the chance to travel and be creative, a dream I have had since I was a child . . . a dream that CEPA’s program gave me a framework for. For that I will be forever grateful.”
Darron is a professional photographer, designer, and artist. Learn more about him at darronlw.daportfolio.com.