Animals in Focus: Photography Classes
Join us for a 90-minute walk around the Phoenix Zoo where we will learn the basics of photography including composition, lighting and capturing emotion. On our walk, we will cover how to photograph through fences, glass and foliage in addition to learning more about the Phoenix Zoo and the natural world. At the end of the walk, we will provide a short review of your photos and offer feedback. During the Fall, our walks will include stops in both the Wild Side and Savanna Galleries.
Max group size: 6
Price: $30 + Zoo admission*
*Purchase Zoo admission separately
Date | Time | Description |
Saturday, February 24 | 9:30 – 11 a.m. | Learn about the best locations for photographing the Zoo’s animals, including the newly opened Predator Passage, which is home to lions, hyenas, an amur leopard, vultures and a fennec fox. |
Saturday, March 23 | 9 – 10:30 a.m. | Join us for a walk about the Zoo focusing on the plants, flowers and colors of springtime. This class will cover tips on doing close up photography on both your phone and camera. |
Saturday, April 20 | 9 – 10:30 a.m. | Meet David Wagner, the Phoenix Zoo’s lead animal photographer. During this class, David will share some of his pro tips and tricks for animal photography. |
Saturday, May 18 | 8– 9:30 a.m. | Beat the heat and come out early for a walk around the Zoo while learning and sharing with other photographers. The route is flexible and will be decided the day of our event. As a bonus, we will visit the Savanna Gallery to see an exhibit from Kids in Focus. |
Saturday, September 14 | 8 – 9:30 a.m. | Stay tuned for more details! |
Saturday, October 19 | 8 – 9:30 a.m. | Spanish-speaking tour Conoce a Joaquin Hidalgo del equipo de Marketing del Zoológico. Durante esta clase en español, Joaquín compartirá su experiencia, y los consejos y trucos para fotografiar y grabar videos de los animales del Zoológico. |
Saturday, November 16 | 9:30 – 11 a.m. | Stay tuned for more details! |
Thursday, December 12 | 5:30 – 7 p.m. | Stay tuned for more details! |
More information:
There is quite a bit covered on the walk so it may not be the place to learn how to operate your camera due to the amount of material we need to cover in 90 minutes. However, please reach out in advance if you’re having problems and Dave can recommend a tutorial video for your specific camera. While we recommend a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens, a phone is an option for some limited, wide-angle work.
This is a walking experience; if you use a chair or other mobility device, please let us know at the time of booking so we can plan accordingly.
meet the photographers
Dave Seibert took some of his first photographs as a child at the Phoenix Zoo in 1965! He has been working in professional photojournalism for more than 40 years and is currently freelancing in photography and video storytelling with a variety of valley companies.
Dave uses Canon equipment. Though he has worked with the Phoenix Zoo both professionally and personally for many years and is a talented photographer of animals, he most enjoys capturing the emotion of those at the Zoo that walk on two legs – the people! Dave hopes to help photographers in the Photography Classes he leads to learn how to see light, frame with composition techniques and wait for the right moment to take a photo.
David Wagner got his first camera back in 1990 but was never more than a casual photographer until years later. He began visiting the Phoenix Zoo regularly, and after several years of sharing his photos with the Zoo, they took notice of his images and asked him to become a regular contributor; he is now the Phoenix Zoo’s primary animal photographer. David lives in the West Valley and when he’s not behind his camera, he’s probably behind his guitar with one of the handful of bands he plays in!
Marketing & Communications Coordinator at the Phoenix Zoo
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. I’ve always had a passion for animals but also videography/photography. When I’m not at work I often find myself working on my car or trying to learn new filming/editing techniques to help hone my craft.
Nacido y criado en Phoenix, Arizona. Siempre me han apasionado los animales pero también la videografía/fotografía. Cuando no estoy en el trabajo, a menudo me encuentro trabajando en mi auto o tratando de aprender nuevas técnicas de filmación/edición que me ayuden a perfeccionar mi oficio.