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MCALLEN
PHOTOGRAPHY
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Beginner's Photography Class

Beginner's Photography Class

Saturday 06 June
Jordan Rd W, McAllen - 10am - 3 Hours
Ana Arellano
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? In this relaxed beginner friendly class, we will break down the key camera settings so you can start shooting with confidence. You will learn how shutter speed, aperture and ISO work together to control exposure, then put your new knowledge into practice with guidance. Plenty of time for questions, hands-on exercises and individual help. Bring your own camera.
book now
$98       1 places left
Portraits with Natural Light

Portraits with Natural Light

Saturday 20 June
City Center - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Ana Arellano
This meetup explores capturing beautiful portraits using natural light and backgrounds. Learn techniques for directing subjects, utilizing light effectively, and hands-on practice with personalized feedback.
book now
$49      
Visual Storytelling

Visual Storytelling

Saturday 18 July
Jordan Rd W, McAllen - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Ana Arellano
This meetup focuses on visual storytelling and documentary approach in photography. Learn how to capture authentic moments, create narratives, and arrange visual elements for compelling stories. Hands-on practice with feedback.
book now
$49      

Understanding Light

Understanding Light

Saturday 15 August
City Center - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Ana Arellano
This meetup delves into understanding light in photography, focusing on light and shadow interplay. Learn metering, direction, quality of light, and techniques for dramatic effects with hands-on practice and feedback.
book now
$49      

Other Nearby Groups

Tonal Drawing

Tonal Drawing

Saturday 06 June
Harvey and Bicentennial - 10am - 2.0 Hours
McAllen Art Group
Javier Tovias
Develop your understanding of light and form through tonal drawing. Practice creating smooth gradations, value contrasts, and realistic shading to bring subjects to life. Perfect for all skill levels.
book now
$49      
Still Life Drawing: Everyday Objects

Still Life Drawing: Everyday Objects

Saturday 20 June
Harvey and Bicentennial - 10am - 2.0 Hours
McAllen Art Group
Javier Tovias
Set up and draw compositions of everyday objects, exploring form, texture, and lighting. Practice arrangement, proportion, and rendering details. Suitable for all skill levels.
book now
$49      
Charcoal Sketching: Light & Shadow

Charcoal Sketching: Light & Shadow

Saturday 04 July
Bill Schupp Park, McAllen - 10am - 2.0 Hours
McAllen Art Group
Javier Tovias
Explore value, contrast, and edges using charcoal. You'll practise blocking in shapes, building midtones, and creating depth through light and shadow. Suitable for all skill levels.
book now
$49      

Drawing Plants and Flowers

Drawing Plants and Flowers

Saturday 18 July
Bill Schupp Park, McAllen - 10am - 2.0 Hours
McAllen Art Group
Javier Tovias
Explore the art of drawing plants and flowers in this outdoor workshop. Learn observation and composition techniques to capture natural forms. Suitable for all skill levels.
book now
$49      
Perspective Drawing

Perspective Drawing

Saturday 01 August
Bill Schupp Park, McAllen - 10am - 2.0 Hours
McAllen Art Group
Javier Tovias
Learn the art of perspective drawing in this outdoor workshop. You will practice one-point, two-point, and three-point perspective techniques to create depth and dimension. Suitable for all skill levels.
book now
$49      
Beginner's Drawing Class

Beginner's Drawing Class

Saturday 15 August
Bill Schupp Park, McAllen - 10am - 2.0 Hours
McAllen Art Group
Javier Tovias
In this class, we will explore the basics of drawing and equip you with the skills needed to create beautiful artwork. Suitable for absolute beginners or those looking to refresh their skills.
book now
$49      

Figure Gesture Drawing

Figure Gesture Drawing

Saturday 12 September
Bill Schupp Park, McAllen - 10am - 2.0 Hours
McAllen Art Group
Javier Tovias
Explore the art of capturing the essence and movement of the human figure through quick gesture drawing techniques. Suitable for all skill levels.
book now
$49      
Mixed Media Collage Workshop

Mixed Media Collage Workshop

Saturday 26 September
Bill Schupp Park, McAllen - 10am - 2.0 Hours
McAllen Art Group
Javier Tovias
Combine papers, textures, and paint to build expressive collages. Learn composition, layering, and mixed-media techniques to create unique artwork. Suitable for all skill levels.
book now
$49      
Ink and Wash Illustration

Ink and Wash Illustration

Saturday 10 October
Bill Schupp Park, McAllen - 10am - 2.0 Hours
McAllen Art Group
Javier Tovias
Combine pen and ink with watercolour washes to create beautiful illustrations. Learn line work, shading, and wash techniques to build depth and texture. Suitable for all skill levels.
book now
$49      

ABOUT MCALLEN
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 McAllen .

  • 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 McAllen Photography Group on Facebook to share your photos after the session.

    Got a question? Try our FAQ.
    • REVIEWS
    Anna is a very good teacher and instructor of photography. I learned more about the art and skill of what it takes to take better pictures. Anna is very patient and helpful. It was good to learn the theory of the elements of a good picture and then take time to practice and have a critique of what we did.
    5/5
    Stephen
    2026-03-15
    La clase muy dinamica, facil de entender y dinamica
    5/5
    Aydee
    2026-01-19
    Ana was really great at making everyone feel welcome and working with our different skill levels. Despite my nine years of experience, I still learned a lot of new things thanks to her.
    5/5
    Christopher
    2026-01-18

    The beginner photography is a great class. Ana is very knowledgeable and patient. She takes the time to go over the basic concepts of the camera and teaching you what all the settings and numbers mean. She is great with questions and takes the time to make sure each student understand their own camera. The final part of the course includes going outside and applying your newly learned techniques. I would recommend her course. For the best results, bring questions in mind and photos you are looking to take and she will take the time to explain it to you thoroughly.
    5/5
    Danny
    2026-01-18
    I really enjoyed taking the class. The instructor was very knowledgeable, provided guidance, and encouraged us to ask questions. The material was informative and the excercies we had gave us a good understanding of how to take great shots.
    5/5
    Vicky
    2026-01-18
    I loved it!! I really recommended! I learn a lot
    5/5
    Claudia
    2025-11-23

    Great class. Instructional and application aspect of the class was very informative! Overall course and instructor were awesome. Thx
    5/5
    John
    2023-08-14
    Since I was the only one that signed up, I had a one on one with the instructor, and it was very informative session. She explained everything in detail and gave some good examples of different portrait styles. She has a lot of patience and class was good.
    5/5
    Ernesto
    2023-07-30
    I was able to learn what I needed to understand about my camera. The only thing was the class ended an hour earlier. I signed up for 3 hours and I just felt that even if the information was all taught . I felt that one hour is still one hour of being taught was cut short. Whether it was just two people in the class or 10. We sign up for a three hours of lessons. I guess my expectations were high.
    5/5
    Godelva
    2023-07-16

    So glad I took this class! I had a new camera that I really had no idea how to use. I learned the basics and now I love experimenting with the different settings.
    5/5
    Alice
    2023-01-16
    I love how it was a small class so I was able to get help and answers to questions.
    5/5
    Melissa
    2023-01-16
    PHOTOGRAPHERS
    Ana Arellano
    I'm Ana Arellano, photographer and storyteller based on the border of Texas and Tamaulipas, Mexico. I specialize in portraits and social photography, creating images that feel honest, elegant, and emotionally alive.

    Ana Arellano is available for private bookings

    Available mornings (Monday to Friday until 3pm) and weekends with prior booking.
    Offering photography classes in different themes, portraits, weddings, XVs, family events, creative sessions, and Lumina experiences.

    create a private booking
    PHOTOS
    Wollongong Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    McAllen Photography Group
    2025-09-09
    Title or Location: Mission San Jose, San Antonio, Texas
    Mission San Jos? in San Antonio?often called the "Queen of the Missions"?is one of five historic missions in the city and arguably the most iconic after the Alamo, thanks to its striking architectural arches. This photograph captures the southeast entrance early on an April morning, just as the National Park opened for the day. My wife and I were the first to enter, offering a rare moment of quiet before the arrival of student groups by bus.Despite an overcast sky from a passing front, the dra
    Credit: Victor Sanchez
    Wollongong Photography Group
    2026-05-12

    McAllen Photography Group
    2025-05-26
    Title or Location: Iceland
    This was my very first trip to Iceland last year. I got to see some glaciars and this incredible Icebergs on top of beautiful blue water. I could just sit and watch for hours.
    Credit: Ernesto Reyes
    Facebook: Ernesto Reyes
    Instagram: ernestoreyes_naturephotography
    Wollongong Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    McAllen Photography Group
    2024-12-15
    Title or Location: Edinburg TX
    I had noticed this beautiful bird visiting my backyard daily in the spring . I noticed it was drawn to one of the flowering trees I have in the backyard so I setup my camera on one of the days and was able to get several shots.
    Credit: Hector Gonzalez

    Wollongong Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    McAllen Photography Group
    2024-09-19
    Title or Location: Iceland
    This photo was taken in July in Iceland where this species of purple flower is called lupin related to the Texas blue bonet. It was planted for soil erosion, but got invasive and widespread. The purple flower enhances the landscape photography like this one.
    Credit: Ernesto Reyes
    Facebook: Ernesto Reyes
    Instagram: ernestoreyes_naturephotography
    Sacramento Photography Group
    2026-05-12

    McAllen Photography Group
    2024-09-15
    Title or Location: Iceland
    These are very colorful geothermal hot springs found walking over to see the Stokker geyser in Iceland. Beautiful colors from the sulfur found around the area.
    Credit: Ernesto Reyes
    Facebook: Ernesto Reyes
    Instagram: ernestoreyes_naturephotography
    Eastbourne Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    McAllen Photography Group
    2024-09-01
    Title or Location: Budir Iceland
    This Black Church of Budir is one of the most photographed churches located in Budir, Iceland on the southern side of Snaefellsness Pininsula. It goes back to the 18th century. The black church contrast with the blue sky, mountains, or the ocean depending which side you are looking from.
    Credit: Ernesto Reyes
    Facebook: Ernesto Reyes
    Instagram: Ernestoreyes_naturephotography

    Columbia Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Miami Photography Group
    2026-06-03
    Title or Location: Taken from 1000 Venetian Causeway.
    Fourth of July over The Magic City!
    Credit: Rick Bravo
    Instagram: rick_bravo1
    Columbia Photography Group
    2026-05-12

    Central Coast Photography Group
    2026-06-03
    Title or Location: Avoca Beach
    A dramatic sunrise over Avoca Beach's rocky shoreline on 24 May 2026, with powerful surf breaking beneath stormy golden skies.
    Credit: Kylee Wilton
    Facebook: Kylee Wilton Photography
    Instagram: kyleewiltonphotography
    Gold Coast Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Bellevue Photography Group
    2026-06-03
    Title or Location: In Lynnwood by the parking lot of my apartment
    I was soaking in the sun on a beautiful day with my camera and zoom lens when i spotted the dragon fly on the antenna of a car parked car close to my apartment. The vivid colors and the beauty of the moment was no lost on me and i immediately zoomed in with my Tamron 70-300mm lens. I was glad the dragonfly was in no hurry to fly away. I was all smiles when i looked at the end result. The bokeh effect and beauty of the dragonfly. My camera settings were SON
    Credit: Jimmy Washiko

    Gold Coast Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Brighton Photography Group
    2026-06-03
    Title or Location: Pencils
    This picture was taken by a large window, three pencils (RGB coloured) were laid on white card which was curved up in the distance, but the curve cannot be discerned due to the very shallow depth of field and even light, giving the impression of infinity into the distance ...
    Credit: Arthur Li
    Facebook: Arthur Li
    Instagram: art_k_li
    Edinburgh Photography Group
    2026-05-12

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