2026 Summer Photography Program

We are excited to announce that Orinda Academy is offering a photography intensive for our 2026 summer program. The course is open to all San Francisco Bay Area adults and high school students . The course satisfies Orinda Academy's college preparatory elective requirement and/or the Visual and Performing Art (VPA) requirement., and may possibly fulfill your student's VPA/college elective credit.

Space is limited, so be sure to read the course description and submit your interest near the bottom of this page! 

Photography Intensive:
History and Methods of Landscape, Nature, and Travel Photography

PRICE:
$4950 per student

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION AND DEPOSIT: MAY 18th

INSTRUCTOR:
Lisa Foote, BA, MFA; EMAIL: LISAF@ORINDAACADEMY.ORG

Lisa Foote has worked as a photographer, filmmaker, and curator for more than 2 decades.  She began her commercial career as an assistant for celebrity photographer John Russo before launching her own business.  Her work has appeared in numerous publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Washington Post, WIRED, and Dark Beauty magazine.  Her client list includes Kiehl's, Glassybaby, L'Oréal,  Kobe and Vanessa Bryant, and the Chehabi family. In 2021, she was hired by the National Park Service and Rosie the Riveter Trust to create a documentary—Living History—about many of the true "Rosie the Riveters" who worked in the Bay Area during WWII.  Her photography has been exhibited internationally and is included in many permanent collections, including The Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona, founded by Ansel Adams. Lisa is passionate about sharing her artistic and professional knowledge and business expertise with aspiring photographic students.

CREDITS: 10 UC A-G Elective Credits

DATES:
July 6 - August 7

TIME: 3.5 hours a day— 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM—5 days a week including other extended outings

Description:

This course is an in-depth exploration photographic and artistic concepts, and their applications of a photographer’s personal work in the natural environment. Participants will students will produce a portfolio of work by the end of the course.  

After a brief history of landscape, nature, and travel photographers, students will learn the fundamental what, why, when, and how in choosing controls on digital cameras. 

In completing various assignments, students will also understand the purpose of different lenses and photographic techniques, and learn basic digital image processing including black and white methods. 

The class will include several outings including a weeklong trip in July. Orinda Academy will provide the necessary equipment for this class, with students only needing their own SD cards (32 GB minimum) and external hard drive.