Photography Classes in Elmhurst, Bensenville, Lombard, & Addison
Digital Photography Made Simple
Learn To Photograph the Things You Love Most!
Our photography classes help you photograph the things you love most.
For anyone wishing to learn photography in Elmhurst, Lombard, Addison, or Bensenville, Creative Eye Workshops™ has created a curriculum of photography courses that is powerful, inspiring, and convenient, designed for every level of photographer and people with busy lives. And, if you can’t make our classes, we offer private photography lessons that are sure to fit your schedule.
At Creative Eye Workshops™, we teach the fundamentals so that students can think on their feet, for themselves. And, we build confidence so students can stop worrying about their cameras, freeing their minds to be creative and get the shot. As the name of our business suggests, we provide you with the guidance and the tools to help you discover and express your creative eye.
Don’t Just Take Our Word For It
Internationally-published photographer and your photography teacher, Mike MacDonald.
Our students come from all walks of life and every level of technical and creative ability. We understand that people can be afraid of their cameras. That’s why we work on building confidence as much as knowledge.
Michele wrote after starting her dance photography business, “I tried two other photography courses before I found Mike; his approach to teaching is unique, but amazing. Concepts are presented in a manner that is easy to understand and helps the student learn quickly. I originally planned to just take an introductory course, but learned so much I ended up signing up for nearly every class he offered. Thanks to Mike I now have my own photography business, specializing in dance photography.”
Read what other students say about Creative Eye Workshops™.
Classes for Every Photographer & Subject Matter
Regardless of what you like to photograph, we offer a wide array of photography classes and outings to satisfy all levels of photographers, from digital camera classes and courses in photo composition and exposure to Photoshop Elements classes, nature photography workshops, and private photography lessons. What’s more, you can save money with our class combos.
A Focus on the Fundamentals
Our experience proves that teaching the fundamentals of photography prepares students for the real world. We want photographers to leave our classes being able to think on their feet, ready for whatever they want to shoot, whether that means making great shots of your cute grandkids or cuddly cat, taking up close-up or macro photography, or starting a portrait photography business. You will learn core technical and creative techniques, and many advanced techniques, too.
Our more advanced curriculum include classes in photographic exposure, Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, digital printmaking, and landscape and nature photography.
We Build Your Confidence & Knowledge!
For the student just beginning her trek, it’s equally important to build confidence as much a knowledge. To start with, beginner photographers should sign up for our inspirational class in photographic composition or the powerful digital camera class, designed to set you free from those unpredictable automatic and “point-and-shoot” modes. Find out which classes we suggest you take first.
Gain the confidence and knowledge to take perfect pictures when it really counts.
After completing our core photography curriculum, beginners should confidently be able to apply what they’ve learned to any area of photography.
Sarah wrote, “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.”
Advanced Learning Methods & Teaching Techniques
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.
Our curriculum employs insightful visual presentations and hands-on lessons. We’ve created many computer animations and intuitive graphics to assist students to visualize and understand the various topics. Comprehensive class notes are provided to allow the student to re-read the material between sessions and to refresh his memory long after the class is complete. During our classes, you’ll also supplemental emails that help summarize or solidify what you learned.
Practical & Efficient Classes Designed for Busy People
Our photography classes are thoughtfully structured to fit into people’s busy schedules. Our courses are practical and efficient, requiring a handful of short commitments, rather than classes that last for months. That’s because we break our curriculum down into manageable, bite-sized classes, offering a handful of shorter courses to better fit your busy life. See what classes we suggest.
We created our classes so that we quickly get to the bottom of things, by teaching what you need to know, when you need to know it, instead of bogging you down with loads of minutia and topics you’re not ready for.
Gifted Photographer & Inspirational Instructor
Mike MacDonald is the founder of Creative Eye Workshops™. A self-taught photographer, Mike started out taking pictures like everyone else, but just 18 months after taking on photography as a hobby, his work was nationally recognized in Outdoor Photographer Magazine with a how-to article about photographing ice. 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.
With degrees in mathematics and physics, a background in scientific programming, and a professional career as nationally-recognized comedian, Mike uses these unique talents to convey intimidating material in an organized and light-hearted manner, breaking information down into easy-to-understand ideas. Yet, if you were to choose one adjective to describe Mike’s personality, it would be “passionate,” a passion that excites and inspires his students to be their best.
Photography Classes Easily Accessible from Elmhurst, Lombard, Addison, & Bensenville
From Elmhurst and Bensenville, take Route 83 north and exit at Ogden Avenue. Turn right onto Ogden at the bottom of the ramp and continue for 4.6 miles to Belmont Road. Turn left (south) on Belmont for 2.3 miles to 6200 Belmont (on your right, in the middle of a block).
From Lombard, take Roosevelt Road east to Finley Avenue. Turn right (south) on Finley. At Ogden Avene, Finley changes its name to Belmont Road. From that point, continue another 2.3 miles to 6200 Belmont (on your right, in the middle of a block).
From Addison, take 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.
If you have questions about Creative Eye Workshops™, please email us or phone 630-852-8448.