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Lydia Billings

Teaches at JP Teaches Photo

Lydia fell in love with photography as a child, wandering through the country side in upstate New York. She was totally fascinated with light and the way it interacted with objects in nature, like water and plants. In high school she experienced being in the darkroom for the first time and couldn’t have been happier! She knew at that moment that she was a photographer and needed to pursue it professionally. She even built a darkroom in her parents’ basement!
Lydia earned a BFA in Fine Art Photographic Illustration from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2013. She has been living and working in NYC as a photographer, model, anti-violence advocate, and a teacher for JP Teaches Photo ever since! Her work has been published widely online and has been exhibited at numerous venues and events. To see some of her work, please visit: lydiabillings.com.
Lydia loves teaching private classes because she loves people! She sees each lesson as an adventure and an opportunity to share and celebrate her students’ love for photography and learning. When she’s not teaching, you can find Lydia doing yoga, make photographs outside, listening to NPR, or eating sushi!

Reviews of Lydia Billings

(48 Reviews)
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by RACHEL R. on 9/8/2019
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 2 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Jessica V. on 8/8/2019
    The classes are the perfect jumpstart to using your camera. I feel I have more control with the pictures I take and how they came out.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Joseph G. on 7/22/2019
    This course is perfect if you just purchased a camera and are stumped on how to use it. You'll learn basics and the science behind the camera that helps you make informed decisions when shooting. The instructor, Lydia, really knew her stuff and made the class interactive and fun.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Stephanie K. on 7/21/2019
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Anonymous review on 6/18/2019
    The class gave me everything I needed to feel comfortable using my camera. Lydia is a great teacher!
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Asha S. on 6/17/2019
    First of all Lydia is amazing and I think that should speak for itself❤
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Srujana K. on 6/12/2019
    It had a good combo of talking and actually taking photos
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Fernando F. on 6/9/2019
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Elliot H. on 4/29/2019
    I learned so much on the first day I went. I am go back to the second class. The teacher was very informative answered every question that I ask and didn't feel rushed. Plus she made it fun as well. I would recommend this school to anyone who knows nothing about camaras.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by NANCY F. on 4/29/2019
    I've taken other rank beginning camera classes and this one was just infinitely better than the others. I feel like - for the first time - I'm really going to be able to retain and use what I learned, without all of the jargon and memorization. Loved the class. Will be taking the follow ups as well.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Suzanne N. on 4/29/2019
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Anonymous review on 4/22/2019
    Lydia was a great teacher and gave great instruction. I feel more confident about using my camera and beginning photography. 1 star off because I was under the impression this would be a small class but there were around 30 students, which was handled well, but it felt a little crowded and required some patience and maneuvering during the exercises.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Anonymous review on 4/7/2019
    Excellent class. Totally demystified some of the DSLR gizmos. I'll be back!
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Anonymous review on 4/4/2019
    superb!
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Marina V. on 3/31/2019
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Arielle W. on 3/31/2019
    Lydia was great! I learned so much about my camera, and because of this class I've started playing on different modes I hadn't tried before. I'm a novice but the class also had people who were already working photographers in it as well. I'm feeling a lot more confident, definitely worth taking!
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Nina K. on 3/11/2019
    Great beginner class. Instructor Lydia was awesome at explaining concepts. Would definitely recommend this class. They provide you with notes at the end so you can focus on learning and practicing. Going to take the next class in the series!
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Anonymous review on 3/3/2019
    I feel much more confident using my camera's settings. No more "automatic" pictures! Highly recommended.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Hong V. on 2/25/2019
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Kate B. on 2/25/2019
    It was so informative and helpful. It was not long but through, easy to understand, and we ended with a field work outside. It was great, I highly recommend this class.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Anonymous review on 2/24/2019
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Lisa M. on 2/24/2019
    Very informative
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Anonymous review on 2/24/2019
    The class was great and really informative. Lydia was able to break down camera concepts that felt foreign to me prior to taking the class. Would highly recommend for anyone learning how to use their camera for the first time.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Carl O. on 2/24/2019
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Sandra O. on 2/4/2019
    Lydia was knowledgeable about all makes of cameras. She fully answered all questions and made the class enjoyable.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Kathleen R. on 2/4/2019
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Anonymous review on 2/3/2019
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Devin T. on 1/8/2019
    I took the part 1 class this past Saturday and I’m so glad I did — I don’t know why I waited so long! The curriculum that Lydia and JP put together was thorough, well-explained and fully reflected the class description posted online. I learned so much and the part 1 class was so great I immediately signed up for part 2!
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Anonymous review on 1/6/2019
    The entire experience was excellent. The structure of the class, the presentation, the teaching style, the content, the exercises; all great. Would highly recommend. Lydia is a fantastic teacher.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Marybeth R. on 10/21/2018
  • Long Exposure Photography

    Reviewed by Devin T. on 9/16/2018
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Anonymous review on 9/16/2018
    Outstanding class! Using a terrific educational approach, the instructor (Lydia) focused on three major areas with great examples and exercises. I feel like I can truly utilize what I learned.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Fujiko F. on 8/12/2018
    Lydia was able to teach that was clear and understandable.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Anonymous review on 8/12/2018
    Loved how Lydia covered the fundamentals and helped us develop and get comfortable with our own intuition when it came to using our camera’s settings. The experiential approach was incredibly helpful, and Lydia’s a natural instructor who kept all of us engaged and entertained!
  • Lighting Walk Photography

    Reviewed by Edward M. on 1/7/2018
    Class was great. The material presented was easy to digest and very useful. The time just flew, I did not realize that we did not take a coffee break until I got home and I did not see anybody go to the bathroom during class. Two signs that everyone was paying attention. Travel plans will not have me back until the spring but I hope to attend when it gets warmer. Thanks again
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Lauren S. on 9/29/2017
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Ana E. on 8/13/2017
    If you expect an actual class- don't. The instructor was like a cheerleader in speed.the course is supposed to be a new approach to learning were they don't let you take notes and you learn from practice- which is great if you can learn that way. Some people (like me) only learn by writing things down. The result was that by the end I though I had learned a lot but when I tried to put it in practice I couldent remember how to do anything.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Ena G. on 8/12/2017
    Good course. I think you really do need to take at least a couple of notes to take full benefit. I need to start from scratch like...how do u turn it on, dies it go off by itself...really basic stuff. But this may just b me so maybe I'm asking too much. Still, it wouldn't take too long to cover basics. I did like the class and signed up for others.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Elizabeth W. on 7/17/2017
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Crandell D W. on 7/3/2017
    Lydia was the teacher for the course "How do I use my Camera 1. She had an assistant Robert. They were both great in explaining how to use my camera. They both did not have me memorize anything or take notes. I remember so much from this class. Both teachers were down to earth and easy to understand. I really enjoyed our outdoor projects of taking pictures. I recommended this class to a coworker and she is going to sign up for this class. Awesome job by both teachers.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Sebastian H. on 5/22/2017
    Some more excercises would be appreciated For introduction: speak less about how great the course is and how it is structured. All this could have been summarized in 2 mins. Spent the 15min better in exercises.
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Santina G. on 5/9/2017
    She was lively and very clear and simple
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Anonymous review on 2/18/2017
  • Long Exposure Photography

    Reviewed by karen j. on 1/30/2017
  • Lighting Walk Photography

    Reviewed by Bob B. on 1/14/2017
  • Holiday Lights Photography

    Reviewed by Abi D. on 12/19/2016
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Reviewed by Beat F. on 10/10/2016
  • How Do I Use My Camera? (Part 1 - Beginner Photography)

    Anonymous review on 8/28/2016
    Wonderful class. Perfect for beginners or those wanting a refresher course. Helped me understand why a lot of my vacation pictures turned out the way they did and how I could have fixed them.

Classes taught by Lydia Billings

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