DES
MOINES
PHOTOGRAPHY
GROUP

Upcoming Events

Let's Shoot Film

Let's Shoot Film

Sunday 28 June
Central Des Moines library - 12pm - 2 Hours
Von Wolf
Film photography is having a resurgence in popularity. Many people have film cameras that haven't been used in a while, so we'll take a look at yours and see what needs to be done to get it running. This meetup will cover the basics of film photography, from loading film to camera operation to composition, then head outdoors to shoot. Several options for getting your film processed (including digitizing) will be discussed. Bring any film camera. I will have a few extra rolls of film and a couple of loaner cameras.

We will meet at the central Lobby. That's where we will load up our cameras if we haven't already done so. I will have a few extra rolls of film and a couple of loner cameras.
book now
$49.00      

Other Nearby Groups

Nature Drawing & Character Design Meetup

Nature Drawing & Character Design Meetup

Saturday 13 June
Ankeny, IA - 10:30am - 2.0 Hours
Des Moines Art Group
Daniel Wathen
In this 2-hour meetup, you'll learn to draw animals from nature using reference illustrations and then convert them into character designs. We'll cover shape building, contour lines, and finishing techniques. All materials are your own; bring your favourite drawing supplies.
book now
$49      
ABOUT DES
MOINES
PHOTOGRAPHY
GROUP
Come along to our photo sessions to dust off your camera and get snap-happy with a professional photography instructor.

Brush up on your camera skills and learn new photography techniques whilst on a photo walk class with other local keen photographers!

We run two hour photography sessions based on a photography theme/technique/style and they take place in various locations in Des Moines .

  • New to photography? We also run a popular 3 hour Beginners Guide to Photography Class once a month. And once in a while we will run special niche 3 hour classes, for example, Astrophotography - so do subscribe to our newsletter to know when the next on is!

  • Who can attend? Open to all skill levels, from beginners to keen amateurs. The photography instructor is there to help you with camera settings and provide any advice you need.

  • What to bring? We recommend bringing a camera that has full manual mode or semi-manual modes (Aperture or Shutter Priority). Compact cameras and smartphones also welcome!

    The meeting point and full details for the day are sent in the booking confirmation email to the email address you provide at time of booking.

    Join the Des Moines Photography Group on Facebook to share your photos after the session.

    Got a question? Try our FAQ.
  • REVIEWS
    Great to have one on one tutelage
    5/5
    Cindy
    2026-04-20
    The class was informative, inspirational, fun and exciting. I enjoyed the class very much.
    5/5
    Kenneth
    2026-02-08
    It was a great experience, the area was perfect for street photography, and Caden was very good to work with. He had good ideas and shared his experience with street photography.
    5/5
    Mary Good
    2025-11-02

    Very good information and instructor. The models that came helped put information into action Good class for beginners looking to get into portrait photography
    5/5
    Bruce
    2025-10-19
    Peter?s teaching style made complex concepts accessible, and I feel so much more confident with my camera now. The way he explained technical aspects while encouraging creative exploration really resonated with me. I?m excited to continue practicing an
    5/5
    Jeff
    2025-08-25
    Great to have this opportunity in the area . You get tips and instruction from experienced people who are there to work with you and get you familiar with the subject at hand . Highly recommended!
    5/5
    Michael
    2025-04-20

    Had a great time and learned a lot. It has me motivated to go out and shoot some more. I did figure out how to get my display screen to black and white. Thanks for answering all my questions that were on topic and off topic!
    5/5
    Chris
    2025-04-20
    Our instructor, Emily Eaves, was great! Very knowledgeable, prepared, and easy to talk with.
    5/5
    Andrea
    2024-04-08
    PHOTOGRAPHERS
    Von Wolf
    Longtime photographer, enjoying all kinds from film to digital. I began with a high school photo class in the 1970s and I have been taking pictures ever since.
    Malkijah Rashad
    Malkijah E Rashad is a photographer, educator, and creative entrepreneur specializing in portrait photography, sports photography, beginner photography education, and photography business development. With a strong background in business management, leadership, and customer service, he teaches photographers how to grow both creatively and professionally.

    His educational approach combines practical photography instruction with real world business insight, helping students understand not only how to create strong images, but how to build confidence and sustainable creative careers. From mastering exposure, composition, autofocus, lighting, and flash techniques to capturing action in sports or creating impactful portraits, Malkijah focuses on clear, approachable teaching for photographers at every level.

    He is especially passionate about helping beginners feel confident with their cameras while also guiding developing photographers toward stronger technical skills and smarter business practices. His philosophy is simple: great photography and good business should work together.

    Whether teaching portrait techniques, sports photography fundamentals, or the business side of running a creative brand, Malkijah E Rashad is committed to helping photographers develop practical skills, creative confidence, and a professional mindset that leads to long-term success.

    Malkijah Rashad is available for private bookings

    Portraits
    Photography business

    PHOTOS
    Des Moines Photography Group
    2026-05-08
    Title or Location: Backyard flower garden - my home - Ankeny, Iowa
    Spring 2025 - I found a packet of a wildflower seed mix we had long ago stuffed into a "junk" drawer. I thought, "What the heck?" and sowed them in a corner of our yard where volunteer wildflowers have grown for nearly 40 years. To my surprise, this and many more new flowers appeared in the fall. I found the texture of these petals appearing unusually "soft", as if made of fabric. Photo taken late in the season - October 29, 2025. Canon EOS Rebel T7i, Tamron 18-400 mm lens - Ape
    Credit: Charlie Brinkmeyer

    Des Moines Photography Group
    2026-02-20
    Title or Location: Cattleman's Crossing Area of Grand Teton National Park
    This photo was taken Nov. 12, 2025 in an area of GTNP referred to as Cattleman's Crossing. This area is a good place to wait in the early morning for wildlife to cross the Snake River (Elk, Moose, Grizzlies, etc.) As the sun was starting to warm the mountainside, I heard a Kingfisher calling frantically. I started walking to see what was causing the commotion and rounded the corner to see the Alpenglow on the mountain. If you look carefully, you can see the Kingfisher on a branch on the right s
    Credit: Steve Givens
    Des Moines Photography Group
    2026-01-19
    Title or Location: Des Moines, Iowa
    I've been living in Des Moines for 3 years now and I love to shoot film in the downtown. This shot is a bit of a nostalgia trip for me, because I was using a camera that was my first ever 35 mm. Not the same original camera, but the same model. It was fun and challenging to use! Always good stuff to shoot in DM!
    Credit: Vonder Wolf
    Facebook: Vonder Wolf
    Instagram: VonderWolf

    Des Moines Photography Group
    2025-11-14
    Title or Location: Two Harbors Minnesota
    This photo was taken on Feb. 21, 2025 at Two Harbors, Minnesota in the City Park. The year 2025 was marked by the owl irruption where a large number of owls migrated from Canada to northern Minnesota in search of food and this owl was one of those. The picture was taken as the sun began to set on the horizon. This GGO seemed accustomed to humans and was not bothered by the number of people that stopped to take its picture.
    Credit: Steve Givens
    Facebook: Steve Givens
    Instagram: stevegivens5591

    Des Moines Photography Group
    2025-04-11
    Title or Location: Downtown St. Louis
    My husband and I were taking a day trip to St. Louis. When we were walking around I wanted to capture the sunset and I got this amazing shot.
    Credit: Cara Kunz
    Facebook: Cara Kunz
    Des Moines Photography Group
    2024-05-22
    Title or Location: MacRae Park, Des Moines IA
    I took this at the dead of night. Initially I wanted to go to the overlook at MacRae Park to get a good shot of the Des Moines skyline, but ended up becoming much more interested with this triangular structure right by it. It looked like a spaceship, and the cover of night really added to the mood. I had my Minolta SRT 101 with some Cinestill 800T film stock. I had my tripod with me too so I was able to bring a lot of light into my camera. Didn't do much editing, just brought in more shadows and
    Credit: Connor Broderick
    Instagram: @connorbroderick01

    Orange County Photography Group
    2026-06-01
    Title or Location: This Still Life Photograph of "Grapes, Strawberry's and Wine" was taken in my bedroom in Orange County California.
    This image is a Still Life Composition of "Berries, Wine and Grapes" that I created on a rainy day in my bedroom. I used no fancy Studio Lighting at all. My only light source was a hand-held flashlight that I kept moving rapidly. It was an experiment in Light Painting when I couldn't go outside to shoot.
    Credit: Gary Markarian

    Hertfordshire Photography Group
    2026-06-01
    Title or Location: Stanborough Lake
    The bird, location, background and the light complimented each other creating a scene that could not be neglected.
    Credit: Leszek Walczak
    Facebook: Lesswall photography
    Syracuse Photography Group
    2026-06-01
    Title or Location: Dewitt, NY
    Blue Moon, DeWitt, NY 5/29/26 (OM System OM1 mkii w/ M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-600mm)
    Credit: AT McLean

    Fremont Photography Group
    2026-05-31
    Title or Location: Hanksville, Utah
    Early morning drive to moonscape was worth it when I was able to capture first morning rays on the canyon walls.
    Credit: Niral Patel
    Instagram: Npatel.photos

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