Los Angeles Center of Photography

What Los Angeles Center of Photography does

Los Angeles Center of Photography (LACP) is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit photography education and arts organization headquartered at 252 S. Los Angeles St. in Downtown Los Angeles. Founded in October 2013 as the re-formation of the predecessor Julia Dean Photo Workshops (established 1999), LACP obtained tax-exempt status in August 2014 and is led by Executive Director and Chief Curator Dr. Rotem Rozental. The organization serves emerging and professional photographers, youth and teen students, photography collectors, and underserved Los Angeles communities, operating across Los Angeles County and globally via online programming.

LACP delivers over 150 annual programs spanning classes and workshops (12 categories including AI, Book Making, Documentary, Fine Art, Lighting, Printmaking, Professional Development, and Youth), seven certificate pathways priced $1,295-$9,995 (including a one-year professional program), private instruction, an eight-month industry-focused Horizon Mentorship ($3,600-$7,600), annual Exposure Portfolio Reviews ($390-$925) with international curators from LACMA, SFMOMA, and George Eastman House, plus a Digital Print Lab equipped with Canon Pro-4000 and Pro-2000 printers and Adobe Creative Cloud workstations. Underlying technology includes a website-based class calendar and member portal, Bloomberg Connects digital guide integration, Zoom-based online delivery, and a SurveyMonkey-powered scholarship application flow. The facility also houses a gallery for rotating exhibitions and partners with Laemmle NoHo for off-site shows.

Revenue mechanics combine annual tiered memberships ($140-$550), per-class fees, one-time certificate purchases, recurring mentorship tuition, transactional portfolio review fees, usage-based print lab rentals ($20-$30/hour plus 8¢/sq inch printing), e-commerce merchandise and print sales, private instruction, and fundraising auctions (via BetterWorld). Membership discounts serve students, educators, veterans, and out-of-state residents, with the Sugarshack Scholarship Fund covering emerging artist fees. Marketing is community-led and event-driven, spanning social media, email, Bloomberg Connects, and festival participation (LA Times Festival of Books, LA Art Show), supported by an internal awards program (Stieglitz, Spark, JEDI, Emerging Voices, Viewfinder) that reinforces brand credibility.

Name

Los Angeles Center of Photography

Legal name

Los Angeles Center of Photography

Website

https://lacphoto.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Los Angeles Center of Photography (LACP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit photography education center in Downtown Los Angeles that serves emerging and professional photographers, youth students, and collectors through 150+ annual classes, certificate programs, mentorship, portfolio reviews, exhibitions, and a Digital Print Lab.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Photography Education

NAICS

Photographic Services (54192)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Photography & Videography (EDAAAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ), Photography & Videography Arts Programs (EDAMAAAC)

Keywords

• Photography education
• Fine art workshops
• Photography exhibitions
• Portfolio reviews
• Mentorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership tiers providing discounts on classes, workshops, print lab access, and call for entry fees. Higher tiers offer additional benefits including merchandise discounts, complimentary tickets to fundraising events, and exclusive prints.
2. Classes and Workshops: Fee-based photography classes and workshops across categories including AI, Book Making, Documentary, Fine Art, Lighting, Printmaking, Professional Development, Youth programs, and Webinars. Offered in Online, In-Person, and Hybrid formats.
3. Certificate Programs: Structured educational programs ranging from $1,295 to $9,995, including One-Year Professional Certificate, General Course of Study, Fine Art, Lighting & Portraiture, Documentary, Self-Designed, and Summer Camp for Teens certificates.
4. Horizon Mentorship Program: Eight-month intensive mentorship program with three tracks (Event & Wedding, Headshot & Portraiture, Editorial & Entertainment). Tuition ranges from $3,600-$7,600 depending on track and membership status.
5. Exposure Portfolio Reviews: Annual three-day online portfolio review event where photographers receive feedback from international curators, gallery owners, and publishers. Pricing ranges from $390-$925 based on number of reviews and membership status.
6. Print Lab Services: Hourly workstation rental ($20/hour members, $30/hour non-members) plus printing at 8 cents per square inch. Includes access to Canon Pro printers and Adobe Creative Cloud software.
7. E-commerce Store: Online store selling prints, books, zines, merchandise, and gift cards. Features works by LACP-affiliated photographers.
8. Private Instruction: One-on-one services including Private Lessons, Mentorships, Portfolio Reviews, Photo Walk Tours, and College Preparation for aspiring photographers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Los Angeles Center of Photography is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers photography education, juried exhibitions, and mentorship for photographers from beginner to professional. It sells 150+ annual classes and workshops across multiple genres, seven structured certificate programs, private one-on-one instruction, a members-only Digital Print Lab, and signature events including Exposure Portfolio Reviews, AnalogCon, Sunscape retreats, and the Horizon mentorship program. Membership tiers and an e-commerce store for prints, books, and merchandise round out the offering.

Product overview

Los Angeles Center of Photography (LACP) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) photography education and arts organization offering a comprehensive ecosystem of photography-related products and services. The core offerings include Photography Classes (150+ workshops annually across 12 categories), Certificate Programs (7 distinct tracks from beginner to professional), Private Instruction services, Digital Print Lab facilities, Exhibitions program, and Membership tiers. Additional services include the LACP Store, Events (Exposure Portfolio Reviews, AnalogCon, Sunscape retreats), Scholarships (Sugarshack Fund), and specialized Mentorship (Horizon program). The organization serves photographers from beginner to professional levels through in-person, online, and hybrid delivery formats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Photography Classes Over 150 photography classes and workshops offered annually across categories including Artificial Intelligence, Book Making, Documentary, Fine Art, Lighting & Portraiture, Printmaking, Professional Development, Special Guests, The Basics, Travel Experiences, Webinars, and Youth. Available in Online, In-Person, and Hybrid formats for photographers from beginner to professional.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Laemmle NoHocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2025Partnership with Laemmle NoHo 7 theater (5240 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA) for The World's Greatest exhibition on vernacular entertainment photography. Laemmle Theatres provides exhibition space complementing LACP's Downtown LA gallery, with joint programming connecting photography to cultural consumption and production in Los Angeles.
• Bloomberg ConnectscoreTechnology or IntegrationFree digital guide available through Bloomberg Connects app, providing behind-the-scenes multimedia content, artist interviews, and curator perspectives. Enhances visitor experience during gallery visits through on-site signage linking to exclusive content.
• Artforum (Chandra Glick, Photo Director)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChandra Glick, Photo Director at Artforum magazine, serves as juror for In Community: LACP's Annual Members' Exhibition call for entries, bringing industry credibility and curatorial expertise to the competition.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Penumbra Foundation: Nonprofit photography center in NYC offering workshops, residencies, exhibitions, and community programs. Directly comparable as a photography nonprofit operating an analogous mix of education and exhibition programming.
• Filter Photo: Chicago-based nonprofit photography organization running festivals, workshops, exhibitions, and portfolio reviews. Comparable as a photography nonprofit operating portfolio reviews and education events.
• Maine Media Workshops + College: Maine-based nonprofit photography and film school offering multi-day workshops, certificate programs, and degrees. Comparable as a photography education nonprofit with cohort-based and immersive programming.
• Fotografiska: International contemporary photography museum and cultural venue operating exhibitions, education, and events across multiple cities. Comparable as a photography-focused exhibition and education nonprofit/venue.
• Photo Center NW: Seattle-based nonprofit photography center providing classes, workshops, exhibitions, and community programs. Directly comparable as a regional photography education and exhibition nonprofit.
• International Center of Photography: NYC-based nonprofit photography school and museum offering certificate programs, workshops, exhibitions, and community programs. Directly comparable as a photography-focused education nonprofit with classes, exhibitions, and a member/visitor community.
• Griffin Museum of Photography: Massachusetts-based nonprofit photography museum and education center offering workshops, exhibitions, and community programs. Closely comparable nonprofit photography education and exhibition model.
• Houston Center for Photography: Nonprofit photography organization offering classes, workshops, exhibitions, and member programming in Houston. Closely matches LACP's blend of education, exhibitions, and community events for photographers of all levels.
• Center for Creative Photography: University of Arizona-affiliated photography archive, research center, and exhibition venue. Comparable as a photography-focused nonprofit hub combining education, exhibitions, and community programming.

Regional players

• The Annenberg Space for Photography: LA-based cultural venue presenting photography exhibitions and educational programming. Comparable as a regional photography exhibition and learning destination serving the same Los Angeles community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lacenterofphoto
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/LosAngelesCenterofPhotography
• Facebookfacebook.com/losangelescenterofphotography
• Instagraminstagram.com/la_centerofphoto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Los Angeles Center of Photography