Outside the Lens is excited to announce our 2019 summer camps. We offer a variety of digital media camps throughout San Diego County, as well as travel trips. Our programs are designed to enhance photography and filmmaking skills, encourage collaboration, and promote creativity. Scholarships are available to families displaying financial need. Apply today for a need-based scholarship!
Register by Tuesday, April 30 to receive $25 off! Use code EARLYBIRDSUMMER2019 at checkout!
For any questions about our summer camps, please view our Summer Camps FAQ page.
Joshua Tree National Park
Grades: 9 - 12
Full-Day: $450 (Leaving the morning of Friday, June 21; returning the evening of Sunday, June 23)
Joshua Tree 3-day Photography Adventure
Join us for a three-day immersive photo workshop in beautiful Joshua Tree National Park. Take in the wild desert scenery, practice photographic techniques ranging from black and white photography, to digital astrophotography. Don't miss this opportunity to explore and create amongst the Joshua trees! Tuition includes transportation, hotel lodging, and meals.
OTL Media Lab
2750 Historic Decatur Rd, Barracks 15
Studio 103
San Diego, CA 92106
Grades: K - 2
Full-Day: $329 (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
Muirlands Middle School
1056 Nautilus St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
Grades: 6 - 8
Full-Day: $329 (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Music Video Makers
Bring together the art of music and movement in this fun week-long course led by a dancer, photographer, and filmmaker! Learn from concept to cut how to choreograph with the camera, match motion to music, and engage your audience. Launch your video on YouTube and watch the views come in!
Union Cowork East Village
704 J St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Grades: 9 - 12
Full-Day: $209 (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
People // Places: The Art of the Portrait
This three-day portraiture and storytelling intensive explores the relationship between people and place through the frame. Learn from visiting guest artists on how to best light & frame your subjects. Practice on-location shooting in Downtown San Diego. Experience environmental portraiture, studio lighting, photojournalism, and storytelling, and create a mini-portfolio of work.
East African Community and Cultural Center
4061 Fairmount Ave.
San Diego, CA 92105
Grades: 7 - 9
Full-Day: $189 (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
OTL Media Lab
2750 Historic Decatur Rd, Barracks 15
Studio 103
San Diego, CA 92106
Grades: 3 - 5
Full-Day: $329 (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
ABC's of Photography
You'll learn the A,B,C's as you Advance in photography techniques and discover the settings on your camera, Brainstorm how to capture the best views & framing of your subject, and Capture your own photo series to edit & share. Your friends and family will think you are a true professional by the end of the week!
La Jolla Historical Society
780 Prospect St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
Grades: 6 - 8
Full-Day: $329 (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
Union Cowork East Village
704 J St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Grades: 9 - 12
Full-Day: $329 (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
Documentary Filmmaking
Do you have passionate opinions? Are you fascinated by individuals and their personal stories? In this workshop, we'll study various forms of documentary filmmaking, from traditional methods to experimental and hybrid forms, and apply those skills toward creating your own short documentary film, going through the phases of pre-production (planning, storyboarding), production (filming, sound, lighting, interviewing, direction), and post-production (editing, sound).
OTL Media Lab
2750 Historic Decatur Rd, Barracks 15
Studio 103
San Diego, CA 92106
Grades: 3 - 5
Full-Day: $329 (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
La Jolla Historical Society
780 Prospect St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
Grades: 6 - 8
Full-Day: $329 (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
San Diego Writers, Ink
2730 Historic Decatur Rd.
Suite 202-204
San Diego, CA 92106
Grades: 9 - College
Full-Day: $329 (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
From Dream to Screen
Do you have a story that you want to tell, but aren’t quite sure how to take your vision and put it on paper? In this workshop, you will learn all the ingredients necessary for an amazing script, such as how to create a beat sheet, story treatment, and an effective logline. We will then use these tools and techniques to write a script that Hollywood producers will love!
OTL Media Lab
2750 Historic Decatur Rd, Barracks 15
Studio 103
San Diego, CA 92106
Grades: 6 - 8
Full-Day: $329 (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
The Art of Photography
Capture amazing photos, and transform them into unique pieces of artwork with the use of mixed media. We will transfer images onto wood, hand-color images, print images on transparencies and paint them with metallic paints, and make cyanotype sun images. Learn some new artistic techniques and add a new dimension to your photographic work!
Union Cowork East Village
704 J St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Grades: 7 - 12
Full-Day: $329 + $60 Supply Fee (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
Flashbacks: Film Photography & Atl. Photo Processes
Come and get retro with OTL! Discover some of photography's earliest techniques, and learn from the masters who used them best. Test out a 4x5 camera, capture & develop film, try out alternative photographic processes, and explore the past and present through the lens.
OTL Media Lab
2750 Historic Decatur Rd, Barracks 15
Studio 103
San Diego, CA 92106
Grades: 9 - 12
Full-Day: $129 (6:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
24 Hour Film Challenge
Get amped for this 24-hour challenge! You’ll have one full day to write, shoot, edit, and submit a short film. Stay overnight at our Media Lab and find yourself totally immersed in the pre-production, production, and post-production of your creation. Join us for a screening of all films when the timer is up!
OTL Media Lab
2750 Historic Decatur Rd, Barracks 15
Studio 103
San Diego, CA 92106
Grades: 3 - 5
Full-Day: $329 (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
Summer Science: A Photographic Exploration
Come join us this summer and explore the art of science through photography! We will create abstract and innovative imagery while exploring the marvels of science. Projects will include using macro photography to capture the interactions between oil, water and color, and experimenting with the relationship between light and shadow.
Muirlands Middle School
1056 Nautilus St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
Grades: 6 - 8
Full-Day: $329 (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Narrative Filmmaking
In this workshop, we'll study various forms of narrative filmmaking, from traditional methods to experimental and hybrid forms, and apply those skills toward creating your own short narrative film, going through the phases of pre-production (planning, storyboarding), production (filming, sound, lighting, interviewing, direction), and post (editing, sound).
Encinitas, Location TBA
Grades: 6 - 9
Full-Day: $329 (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
Take It to the Streets: Street Photography
Street photography is about showing people your world, through your eyes. You’ll learn tips and tricks on your DSLR, and techniques street photographers use to capture the moments, objects, and people that they see. Then you’ll put your new skills into practice as you hit the streets with your camera.
OTL Media Lab
2750 Historic Decatur Rd, Barracks 15
Studio 103
San Diego, CA 92106
Grades: 7 - 12
Full-Day: $209 (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
The Business of Photography
Are you dreaming of launching a photography business? Do you have a real passion for photography? Join us for our three-day intensive workshop and learn how to run a creative business. From money to marketing, branding to building a client base. Learn from and shoot with professional photographers, building an awesome mini portfolio as you do!
Tijuana, Mexico
Grades: 9 - 12
Full-Day: $495 (Leave the morning of July 18, Return the evening of July 21)
FOTO TJ
Join creative forces with local youth in Tijuana, as we embark on a journey exploring the sites and sounds of La Frontera. Together we will visit human rights organizations working in Tijuana, while capturing the stories of those impacted by their work. This is an incredible opportunity to learn about the Baja region through the power of film and photography! *Transportation included. Email liliana@outsidethelens.org to register for FOTO TJ.
Bosnia – Herzegovina
Grades: 9 - 12
Full-Day: $3500 (Times TBA)
MFF School Excursion
Join us for this cross-cultural filmmaking experience in Bosnia-Herzegovina and participate in MFF School, an OTL-led filmmaking workshop for high school students at the Mediterranean Film Festival. During the workshop, a short film is created that is then screened for a packed house on the opening night of the festival. You will work together with local Croatian students, collaborating on the production of an original narrative short film. Email lucy@outsidethelens.org to register for the MFF Excursion.