Est. 2011 · Melbourne

About DJB Photography School

What We Do

DJB Photography School is a photography education business in Melbourne, Australia, founded in 2011 by National Geographic-featured photographer Daniel Bilsborough. The school teaches complete beginners to shoot in full manual mode through hands-on, in-person courses in Melbourne CBD.

We keep things super simple around here. There's only one course and it is designed to teach you full manual mode on your digital camera. No prior experience required. The DSLR and Mirrorless Express Photography Course Melbourne runs in the CBD, requires three hours of your time, and is capped at two students per class. You can also buy a photography course gift voucher if you would like to give the experience to a dear friend.

You'll learn manual modestep by step while exploring Melbourne's laneways and CBD. By the end of the session you'll feel like shutter speed, aperture, and ISO are your new best friends.

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two photography students practicing manual mode in melbourne. they're standing against a light blue wall
A hot spot for photographing street art in melbourne, hidden on an old brick building in a CBD alleyway
the view of melbourne from the Yarra, one of our hot spots for photography in melbourne

Our Story

The school began in Melbourne and grew to operate classes in 5 cities across Australia and overseas. When COVID hit, we took a pause. A refresh of sorts, and started over with the bare essentials. The focus now is entirely on Melbourne with a single streamlined course that gives beginners the fastest path to confident manual shooting.

Over the years we have taught locals, travellers, and complete beginners who thought photography was too complicated. Today DJB Photography School runs one of the most trusted photography courses in Melbourne, teaching everyday people to shoot in full manual mode and take photos they are actually proud of.

How We Teach

Learning happens on the streets, not in a classroom. From the very first moment you will be shooting, not just listening. With guidance at every step, settings and creative choices start to feel natural. Two students per class means you receive real attention, answers to your specific questions, and feedback on the photos you are actually taking.

Each session is designed to build confidence quickly. Melbourne's laneways and riverside views give you the perfect canvas to practise. And this is why so many students note this as being the most practical photography class Melbourne offers, because it is about doing, not theory.

Couple smiling with cameras beside Yarra River during Melbourne photography course
a dog riding a bike in melbourne, photograph taken on a camera class in melbourne

About Daniel

Daniel Bilsborough, photographer and founder of DJB Photography School Melbourne

Daniel Bilsborough

@danielbilsborough

I started DJB Photography School in 2011 with a simple idea: make photography clear, hands on, and inspiring for beginners. My work has been featured by National Geographic, and over the past 14 years I have personally taught more than 1,500 students across Australia. Today I run every session of the DSLR & Mirrorless Express course myself, one-on-one in Melbourne CBD.

The course has been refined over thousands of sessions into a structured process: short demonstrations, immediate practice, and guidance that actually sticks. You bring your camera, I bring the structure, clarity, and encouragement. By the end of three hours you will leave using full manual mode with certainty.

DJB Photography School holds a 4.9 out of 5 star rating across 413+ verified reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, Airbnb Experiences, and WeTeachMe. The school previously operated in 5 cities but is now focused entirely on Melbourne.

- Daniel Bilsborough