Photography Classes in Schaumburg, Palatine, & Arlington Heights
by Creative Eye WorkshopsTM

(Conveniently located in Downers Grove)

Digital Photography Made Simple

Learn To Photograph the Things You Love Most!

Featuring photography classes & camera classes in Schaumburg, Palatine, and Arlington Heights area to help you photograph the things you love most.

Our photography classes help you photograph the things you love most.

For those who want to learn photography in Schaumburg, Palatine, and Arlington Heights area, Creative Eye Workshops™ offers a convenient and exciting photography curriculum that benefits photographers of all levels. We put a keen focus on both the fundamentals and building student confidence. Our goal is to prepare our students so they can take pictures without hesitation, to think on their feet in the real world, and to have fun! After students learn the basics, we take it a step further. As our name suggests, we help you discover and express your creative eye. Our classroom is within a 30-minute drive of Palatine, Schaumburg, and Arlington Heights.

Don’t Just Take Our Word For It

Photo of your digital photography instructor, Mike MacDonald.

Your teacher and world class photographer, Mike MacDonald.

Paul wrote, “I looked online and found Creative Eye Workshops. This was the best investment I think I ever could have made. Mike brings a whole new understanding of what cameras could do. Mike explains everything to his students in a simplistic way that they ‘get it’.”

Amy wrote us after starting her own baby 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.”

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Courses Specially Designed for Every Photographer & All Subject Matter

Our photography courses are specially designed to prepare any photographer, no matter what level, to photograph any kind of subject matter, whether that be family or flowers, animals or architecture, sightseeing or sports, travel or nature. Amateur and experienced photographers, alike, can improve both their technical and creative skills with courses in photo composition, Photoshop Elements, exposure, and landscape photography. We even provide private photography lessons and class combos that save you money when you choose multiple classes.

We Believe in Mastering the Fundamentals

Our philosophy is that mastering the fundamentals of photography best prepares and empowers our students to confidently take pictures under real world conditions. Students find that our classes give them a strong foundation and prepares them to photograph anything they desire. This may mean taking great shots of their kids or their pets, making sublime photographs of their overseas travels, or starting up their own baby photography businesses.

Peter from Palatine wrote us after taking our five-class core curriculum, “I took several courses with Mike and he provided me with a good basic foundation of understanding that I can use to develop my own technique and style. This is so much better than simple technical training which leads to just memorizing and mimicking someone else. When you truly comprehend what you are doing, you end up always prepared for dealing with the situation you face which leads to more satisfying results.”

We have workshops designed for more advanced photographers, too, consisting of courses in exposure, Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, digital printmaking, and landscape and nature photography.

Advanced Teaching Methods Gets You Shooting with Confidence

We offer photography classes near Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, and Palatine, including nature photography workshops and hands-on DSLR camera courses that will give you the confidence and the training to get the picture when you need it most.

Gain the confidence and knowledge to take the perfect picture when it really counts.

When we teach beginners, confidence is as important as knowledge.
That’s why we train our students to fearlessly take control of their intimidating digital cameras and to photograph the world with confidence.
Often, this starts with our beginning DSLR class called Get to Know Your Camera. However, beginners can also start with our insightful photo composition class called Make Great Pictures, Now!. After just five short classes, you’ll no longer be a newbie and be able to confidently apply what you’ve learned to any type of photography.
Find out which classes we suggest.

“For someone like me, who previously used my digital camera on all automatic settings and was fearful of the ‘unknowns’ my camera had to offer (always afraid I might touch some mysterious button by mistake), I find myself now in this wonderful place…feeling totally at ease with my camera and having the time of my life exploring and finding my own personal style.”—Sarah G.

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Modern & Effective Teaching Methods

We offer hands-on photo outings to help students put what they learned into practice.

We offer hands-on photo outings to help students practice what they’ve learned in class. Here are two intrepid students at our springtime outing to Starved Rock State Park.

Our classes use hands-on learning and compelling visual presentations and computer graphics to help students better imagine and comprehend the material. We also provide detailed classes notes combined with supplementary emails between sessions that summarize and solidify the information previously presented.

Powerful Classes Designed for Busy People

Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed for the convenience of busy people. For one, we make scheduling easier, by creating several short manageable courses that take the place of a long entended class. Learn which course are right for you.

Brian wrote, “Thank you for the ‘Get to Know Your Camera’ course. I learned so much in two nights that it has made me really want to dive in. Your way of teaching and encouragement has me feeling confident about making something that has always been a passing interest into a full-fledged hobby.”

Our courses also save you time and money because they’re efficient and straightforward. We focus on teaching you what you need to know, when you need to know it, not driving you crazy presenting too much information and topics you’re not ready for.

World Class Photographer & Passionate Instructor

Your instructor, and founder of Creative Eye Workshops™, is Mike MacDonald. Like most people do, Mike took up photography as a hobby. However, just eighteen months into his avocation, Mike was suddenly a nationally published photographer when his article about ice photography appeared in Outdoor Photographer Magazine. His photographs of Chicago nature have also been featured in the world-famous Sierra Club Wilderness Wall Calendar. Watch an interview with Mike on WTTW Chicago Tonight.

“Mike was personable and easy-going, and made everyone feel good about their level of knowledge and ability to learn the techniques. Great and energetic instructor.” —Nicole D.

With degrees in mathematics and physics, and careers in scientific computer programmer and professional comedy, Mike applies his unusual talents to his teaching, enabling him to communicate complex material in a way that’s organized, light-hearted, and easy-to-comprehend. Yet, what makes Mike stand out from the rest is an energy and a passion that inspires his students to be their best. Mike’s advice, “Make mistakes and fail miserably! It’s been true for me and I see it all the time with my students: the more mistakes you make and the more confused you are, the better you’ll become.”

Charlie says, “Mike has identified many of the photographic elements and techniques which have contributed to his own personal success, and has integrated these into the Creative Eye Workshops. This professional insight, coupled which his unbridled enthusiasm and passion, make these workshops both a rewarding and exhilarating experience.”

Photography Classes Easily Accessible from Schaumburg, Palatine, & Arlington Hts.

Driving directions to our nature photography classes from La Grange, Brookfield, and Western Springs.

 

From Schaumburg (Arlington Heights, Palatine etc.), take I-53 south to I-355 Tollway 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.

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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.