Photography Classes in Aurora, Oswego, & Montgomery
Digital Photography Made Simple
Learn To Photograph the Things You Love Most!
Our photography classes near Aurora help you photograph the things you love most.
Those who wish to learn photography in Aurora, Oswego, and Montgomery areas can attend our photography classes at Creative Eye Workshops™.
At Creative Eye Workshops™, we teach the fundamentals of photography so you can think for yourself. Our goal is to build your confidence and knowledge so that you can take control of your camera, setting you free to photograph the things you love most. Ultimately, we give you the tools and guidance to help you discover and express your creative eye. Read what students have said.
Don’t Just Take Our Word For It
Internationally published photographer and your photography teacher, Mike MacDonald.
Amy from Aurora, Illinois writes after starting her own children’s portrait photography business, “I have been meaning to touch base with you just to say thanks! You were my kick start to doing exactly what I love. Your classes and work inspired me to take a leap of faith and I again thank you.”
Classes in Aurora Area for All Photographers & Subject Matter
We offer a wide range of photography classes, targeted for different levels of photographers. No matter what subject matter you like to photograph, both beginners and advanced photographers can benefit by improving their technical and artistic aptitude. We provide digital camera classes, courses in photo composition and exposure, Photoshop Elements courses, and landscape and nature photography workshops. We even offer private photography lessons and help you save money with class combos.
We Focus on the Fundamentals
Our photography classes focus on the fundamentals so that you can take your knowledge and apply it to any type of subject matter you’d like, whether that means photographing your children, becoming a great nature photographer, or starting a business in portrait photography. You’ll learn the technical and creative aspects of photography, including many advanced photographic techniques.
If you’re a more advanced photographer (or a just smarty pants), we have workshops designed for you, too, including courses in exposure, Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, digital printmaking, and landscape and nature photography.
Gain Confidence & Knowledge!
Gain the confidence and knowledge to take perfect pictures when it really counts.
Our goal for the beginner photographer is to help the student feel confident and unafraid of her digital camera. We say “her” because the majority of our students are women. (Mike likes to credit his “raw animal magnetism.”) Beginners can start with a course that covers the basics of photographic composition or a digital camera class to learn how to use their DSLR cameras free from the restrictions of the “AUTO” and “point-and-shoot” modes. Click here to learn which classes to take first.
Once you’ve completed our basic photography curriculum, you should have the confidence and knowledge to apply these fundamentals to whatever subject matter you wish to photograph. If you decide to pursue portrait photography or studio photography, you’ll already have the skills understanding to pick it up more easily. If you take up nature photography or landscape photography, we offer several workshops and outings designed to make you a much better nature photographer.
Sophisticated Teaching Methods
Photography is visual and so is learning. That’s why we offer hands-on classes and visual presentations that include insightful graphics and computer animations to show you how things work. Shutter, aperture, and ISO, flash, depth-of-field and field of view, polarizer and split grad filters, crop factor and focal length, everything is taught in a visual way so you learn with less effort.
Classes Keenly Focused on Your Needs
Our focus is on learning by providing you with practical training that concentrates on the most essential information. We teach you what you need to know, when you need to know it, rather than confusing you with loads of irrelevant topics. And, because each class addresses the fundamentals, you learn the information once and for all, saving you time and money in the long run, and freeing your mind to focus on being creative and having fun!
Visual Presentations & Hands-on Learning
Our hands-on photo outings help students practice what they’ve learned in class. Here are two intrepid students at our springtime outing to Starved Rock State Park.
Photography is visual and so is learning. That’s why we offer hands-on classes and visual presentations that include insightful graphics and computer animations to show you how things work. Shutter and aperture, flash sync, depth-of-field and field of view, polarizer and split grad filters, the exposure triad of shutter speed/f-stop/ISO, crop factor and focal length, everything is taught in a visual way so you learn with less effort.
Comprehensive Handouts & Supplemental Materials
With each class, we provide you with a set of comprehensive notes that comprise a virtual repeat of the class. This way, you can re-read the information between sessions or refresh your memory well after taking the course. And, during the class, you’ll often receive supplemental emails containing valuable information to help clarify or summarize the material presented during the previous session(s).
Photography Classes Near Aurora Designed for Busy People
We have thoughtfully planned our curriculum to accommodate busy people, with courses that are targeted and efficient. For example, instead of offering one long course that requires an extended commitment, we break down our curriculum into several short classes to better fit your busy life. See Suggested Classes.
Accomplished Photographer & Knowledgeable Instructor
Your instructor, coach, and the creator of Creative Eye Workshops™ is Mike MacDonald. Self-taught, Mike started out taking pictures like everyone else. But, eighteen months later, Mike became a nationally published photographer with an article called “Frozen Images” in Outdoor Photographer Magazine. (Click here to experience one of Mike’s articles from Outdoor Photographer Magazine.)
Mike has a deep and insightful grasp of the technical and creative aspects of photography, but, most importantly, he knows how to teach. The information he presents and the way he presents inspires students to take it to the next level. Enthusiam and passion are at the heart of Mike’s teaching, and the passion is contagious.
Photography Classes Conveniently Located in Aurora, Oswego, & Montgomery Area
From Aurora. Oswego, & Montgomery, consider taking I-88 east to I-355 south. Exit at 63rd Street/Hobson Road (unattended toll) and turn left (east) at the top of the ramp. In a half-mile, you’ll reach Belmont Road, where there’s a Walgreen’s, Mobil Station, on the corner. Turn left (north) and quickly get into the left lane because, in just a few seconds, you’ll see us on the left in the middle of the block. Our address is 6200 Belmont Road.
From Oswego & Montgomery, you have the toll-free option of taking Ogden Avenue east to 75th Street, where you’ll turn right (east) to Route 53. Turn left (north) on Rt. 53 and to the next light, which is Hobson Road. Turn right (east) onto Hobson and continue over I-355 for another half-mile until you reach Belmont Road (Walgreen’s, Mobil Station on the corner). Turn left (north) and quickly get into the left lane because, in just a few seconds, you’ll see us on the left in the middle of the block. Our address is 6200 Belmont Road.
If you have questions about Creative Eye Workshops™ or want to know which classes may best fit your needs, just email us or phone 630-852-8448.