Washington Photo Safari
Washington Photo Safari
5
City ToursHistorical & Heritage ToursPhotography Tours
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:15 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Washington Photo Safari is one of the country's leading providers of amateur photographer instruction. Established in 1999, it was the first program of regularly scheduled local photo safaris in the nation. It teaches photography by taking clients on half-day and full-day photo shoots around key sites of the nation's capital and other cities, while an accompanying professional photographer offers participants hands-on extensive tips in camera use, image composition, exposure , and posing "models" to best effect. Recipient of Trip Advisor's Hall of Fame Award, Washington Photo Safari provides hands-on photography training field trips, instructing about 5 clients every day. Over 40,700 amateur photographers from all 50 US states and from 71 countries have been trained on 6,300+ safaris since 1999 by Washington Photo Safari, 12,600 of them returning as repeat clients. Voted among the Best Photography Services in 2019 by DC's City Paper, its motto is "See. Click. Learn."
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Washington Photo Safari
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(57 reviews)
(4 reviews)
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
283 reviews
Excellent
260
Very good
13
Average
5
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Sharon V
3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
I participated with the Photo Safari at Conowingo MD, to photograph Eagles! It was a great experience and I learned so much from our Photo mentor, Sean Quintillian. He was very knowledgeable and patient with questions! The Eagles were not as busy on the river as we might have wanted, but the 4 hours spent there with Sean was still very worthwhile. He even demonstrated the best way to use a tripod for shooting the Eagles and gave tips on equipment, etc. Great day! Thanks Sean!
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KyrstenH
Arlington, VA15 contributions
Jun 2023
I had the very good fortune to have David for a one-on-one session at the Hillwood Estate. I learned a great deal that afternoon. The tips, guidance, recommendations, etc. were constant and valuable. And he’s just a nice man. I highly recommend booking a safari!
Written 9 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thom L
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Solo
A terrific overview of photo tips and tour of major DC monuments. David Luria is a wonderful instructor and his tour was quite informative!
Written 14 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luis Granados
Washington DC, DC4 contributions
Nov 2022
I did the Conowingo Dam eagle safari last weekend. It would have been better if I had more professional equipment, especially a large telephoto lens. However, even with my 16X zoom I was able to get a few ok shots, and the straightforward instruction we were given saved me a lot of wasted effort. The dam is a lovely spot, and I will definitely go back someday.
Written 21 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stu C
Auckland Central, New Zealand2 contributions
Aug 2022
I was on the WPS “It’s The Composition, Stupid !”: A Workshop Inside National Gallery of Art Renovated East Building. It was a great experience with David Luria. David spends time going over the components of good photographic composition as well as tips, tricks and rules of thumb. We then went to various exhibits to both identify composition components as well as practice taking pictures within a museum. David knows all the great and hidden gems of where to get a great photo! This was my 3rd outing with WPS and I look forward to many more to come!
Written 8 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hawkhound
Towson, MD19 contributions
Jun 2022
The photo safari at the Library of Congress was a terrific experience. David took time to get to know the participants and get a sense of their photographic interests and skill levels. He worked with each of us throughout the safari to hone individual skills that would be most useful based upon the interests we shared. The safari was more a personalized photography workshop set in a specialized location than a tour of a building. As we moved through the LOC, David gave us specific challenges, coaching, and guidance on how to improve our shots. There were first timers in our group as well as return clients, using everything from DSLRs and high-end mirrorless cameras to cell phone cameras. David worked with all with equal attention and graciousness, showing them how to get the most out of the moment. I would happily join another safari at one of the many other venues.
Written 6 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rjhigey
Vestavia Hills, AL1 contribution
Apr 2022 • Couples
David was an excellent teacher and offered many helpful tips. He knew where to go and when to be there, I highly recommend him.
Written 23 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stanley S
Reston, VA10 contributions
Mar 2022
Washington Photo Safaris combine the uniqueness of Washington as a city with learning how to capture your experiences in a. camera - any camera from a smartphone to a DSLR. David Luria and his very enthusiastic team of photographers are excellent and very patient teachers. You will end you safari both with great memories of DC and a portfolio of great pictures.
Written 21 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt D
1 contribution
Oct 2021
We loved the Photo Safari with David. He was great to coordinate with and picked us up right on time. We loved visiting the monuments with someone who knows how to take great pictures, and we got a lot of great tips on how to improve our photos. David is so friendly and in addition to the photos we just enjoyed hearing about his incredible life!
Written 31 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark S
Olney, MD6 contributions
Oct 2021
David Luria, the leader and owner of Washington Photo Safaris, is a professional photographer and an excellent teacher. He spends time working with beginning photographers and gives tips and pointers to everyone.
These "photo safaris" are a great way for visitors to the area to see some of the sights. I highly recommend Washington Photo Safaris to everyone.
These "photo safaris" are a great way for visitors to the area to see some of the sights. I highly recommend Washington Photo Safaris to everyone.
Written 21 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
caal49
Little Rock, AR74 contributions
Has anyone done the haunted tour? We are interested in a night Photography tour of the monuments but it isn’t being offered. Does this one still provide guided photography of the monuments?
PhotoSafariDC
Washington DC, DC9 contributions
Yes, we do the monuments @ night photo safari every other friday evening you will find it on our calendar at our website
David Luria, Washington photo safari
Cathy Z
Chillicothe, OH8 contributions
I would like to take this safari this year but am concerned about the amount of walking. I have bad knees and walking long distances is difficult at best. What is your opinion of this and thanks in advance.
Ed C
Arlington, VA769 contributions
Good Evening
I would agree with the above answer - call them at 202-669-8468 - ask for David.
Their most popular safari is along the mall and yet they still go most of the places by car. The most significant walking is about 3 blocks from 22nd and Constitution Ave NW to the Korean war memorial on the national Mall, and back.
If that is a problem, they also have some more class like safaris such as their F Stops and Shutter Speeds, conducted every other Friday inside the National Building Museum, no walking involved
ed
BocaJo
Florida107 contributions
Is the restaurant open for regular evening dining? The website only mentions special occasion dining like holiday brunches, and there's no listing of restaurant hours.
BocaJo
Florida107 contributions
I have no idea how or why TripAdvisor sent you this question – I asked it several months ago about a restaurant in another state. Thanks for the reply, anyway. =)
denboa12
Melbourne, Australia134 contributions
Camera gear gets heavy and I don't want to be lugging gear around I shouldn't have packed - but doing this trip will be a one-off experience for me and I want to give myself the best opportunity I can to take great shots - and make sure I don't get to the situation that I realise I would have brought something with me if I'd known in advance.
Specifically - what's the ideal camera gear to bring on the Monuments and Memorials safari? (lenses,tripod?)
And, as I can't see answers to your sample questions, which I think are good ... Will you pick up and drop off at my hotel? and How should I dress for this tour?
PhotoSafariDC
Washington DC, DC9 contributions
Hi There
Bring just one camera body, and lenses that cover wide angle (about 18mm) to long (270 or 300), no macro or other lenses needed, no tripod. External flash comes in handy too.
If you are staying for the full day on a Wednesday you will want the tripod for the National Cathedral work
No hotel pickup, we meet near White House , in front of Renwick Gallery at 1661 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Dress in clothing you don't mind getting dirty, I will have you lying on the ground in Lafayette Park.
I look forward to meeting you.
David Luria, Director, Washington Photo Safari
PhotoSafariDC
Washington DC, DC9 contributions
what is the cost of a half day safari?
PhotoSafariDC
Washington DC, DC9 contributions
The cost of our Half Day Monuments and Memorials safari is $89/person. It takes place from 9:40 am to 1:15 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays, all year long, groups are typically 4-7 people.