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Portraiture with Natural Light Photography Meetup

Portraiture with Natural Light Photography Meetup

Saturday 27 June
N. Cannon Dr., Chicago - 12:30pm - 2 Hours
Caitlin KellyThompson
This class is your time to learn and gain a proper understanding of Composition and the importance of light to help boost your photography skills.

We, as a class, will be photographing a model without any on-camera flash or strobe photography. Just the available light, we will walk through, troubleshoot, make adjustments and capture a portrait successfully.

We will also learn how to use light modifiers like a reflector to help capture appropriately exposed shots in not-so-great lighting
book now
$49      
Editing Photos Class

Editing Photos Class

Saturday 25 July
N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago - 12:30pm - 3 Hours
Caitlin KellyThompson
Learn how to edit you photos in Lightroom. I'll go step but step and show examples of how I edit.
book now
$98       5 places left
Composition in Photography

Composition in Photography

Saturday 22 August
China Town, Chicago IL - 11:30am - 2 Hours
Caitlin KellyThompson
Composition in Photography is how a photographer arranges visual elements within the frame.

In this course, we will discuss five, seven, and even ten, rules that will enhance your photography.

1) Rule of thirds
2) Shapes
3) Negative Space- Positive
4) Line
5) Symmetry and patterns
6) Points
7) Color
8) Tone
9) Distance
10) Balance

As a photographer, beginner, intermediate, or professional. Please join me so we can with together to improve your ability to see the scene you wish to photograph.
book now
$49.00      

Beginner's Photography Class

Beginner's Photography Class

Saturday 19 September
N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago - 10:30am - 3.0 Hours
Caitlin KellyThompson
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Now is your chance! Join us as we break down your camera to help you learn about shutter speed, aperture, ISO and how these settings affect your exposure.We will then put your new knowledge to the test with the guidance of a professional photographer.
book now
$98.00      
Using Light & Shadow in Photography

Using Light & Shadow in Photography

Saturday 17 October
Montrose Beach - 12pm - 2 Hours
Caitlin KellyThompson
Light and shadow photography is a type of photography that focuses on capturing the interplay between light and shadow in a particular scene. This style of photography often produces dramatic and compelling images that can evoke strong emotions in the viewer.

Harsh light and the contrast between light and shadow can provide some interesting photo
opportunities, as well as some challenges!

In this meetup, we will be looking at how you can use your camera's settings to nail the exposure.
book now
$49.00      

Nearby Photography Groups

Beginner's Photography Class

Beginner's Photography Class

Saturday 11 July
Shorewood, IL - 11am - 2.0 Hours
Joliet Photography Group
James Zorn
Join us for a fun and relaxed beginner's photography class in a scenic outdoor setting. We'll cover the basics of camera settings, composition, and capture some great shots. Suitable for anyone new to photography or wanting to build confidence with their camera.
book now
$49      

Other Nearby Groups

Step by Step Portrait Drawing

Step by Step Portrait Drawing

Sunday 28 June
Andersonville area - 12:30pm - 2 Hours
Chicago Art Group
Geanina Zaharia
Step by Step Portrait Drawing for beginners. Participants bring their own materials.
book now
$49.0      
Color Theory Class

Color Theory Class

Sunday 05 July
Andersonville area - 12:30pm - 2 Hours
Chicago Art Group
Geanina Zaharia
Color Theory Class for beginners. Participants bring their own materials.
book now
$49      
Portrait Collage

Portrait Collage

Saturday 25 July
Evanston area - 1pm - 2.0 Hours
Chicago Art Group
Geanina Zaharia
Participants will create a simple portrait and then they will apply different pieces of paper to cover the shapes and create a nice collage!
book now
$49      

Introduction to Urban Sketching

Introduction to Urban Sketching

Thursday 30 July
Deerfield, IL - 6pm - 2 Hours
Chicago Watercolor Group
Kris Van Stockum
Step into the world of Urban Sketching! In this beginner-friendly workshop, you'll learn simple sketching techniques using pen and watercolor or colored pencils to draw the world around you. We'll turn everyday scenes into lively, expressive compositions. The class will be held outdoors. Participants bring their own supplies.
book now
$49      
Watercolor Abstract Landscapes

Watercolor Abstract Landscapes

Saturday 08 August
Deerfield, IL - 10am - 2 Hours
Chicago Watercolor Group
Kris Van Stockum
Capture the beauty of a landscape in this relaxing watercolor meetup. We'll break down outdoor scenes into abstract shapes and infuse with unexpected color. Beginners welcome. Participants bring their own supplies. This class will be held outdoors.
book now
$49      
Introduction to Urban Sketching

Introduction to Urban Sketching

Saturday 15 August
Deerfield, IL - 10am - 2 Hours
Chicago Watercolor Group
Kris Van Stockum
Step into the world of Urban Sketching! In this beginner-friendly workshop, you'll learn simple sketching techniques using pen and watercolor or colored pencils to draw the world around you. We'll turn everyday scenes into lively, expressive compositions. The class will be held outdoors. Participants bring their own supplies.
book now
$49      

Beginner Drawing Workshop

Beginner Drawing Workshop

Sunday 20 September
Andersonville area - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Chicago Art Group
Geanina Zaharia
In this beginner-friendly drawing workshop, you will learn the basics of drawing. Suitable for all skill levels. Participants bring their own materials.
book now
$49      
Beginner Figure Gesture Drawing

Beginner Figure Gesture Drawing

Saturday 10 October
Edgewater area - 1pm - 2.0 Hours
Chicago Art Group
Geanina Zaharia
In this beginner-friendly workshop, you will learn the basics of figure gesture drawing. Suitable for all skill levels. Participants bring their own materials.
book now
$49      
ABOUT CHICAGO
PHOTOGRAPHY
GROUP
Come along to our photo sessions to dust off your camera and get snap-happy with a professional photography instructor.

Brush up on your camera skills and learn new photography techniques whilst on a photo walk class with other local keen photographers!

We run two hour photography sessions based on a photography theme/technique/style and they take place in various locations in Chicago .

  • New to photography? We also run a popular 3 hour Beginners Guide to Photography Class once a month. And once in a while we will run special niche 3 hour classes, for example, Astrophotography - so do subscribe to our newsletter to know when the next on is!

  • Who can attend? Open to all skill levels, from beginners to keen amateurs. The photography instructor is there to help you with camera settings and provide any advice you need.

  • What to bring? We recommend bringing a camera that has full manual mode or semi-manual modes (Aperture or Shutter Priority). Compact cameras and smartphones also welcome!

    The meeting point and full details for the day are sent in the booking confirmation email to the email address you provide at time of booking.

    Join the Chicago Photography Group on Facebook to share your photos after the session.

    Got a question? Try our FAQ.
    • REVIEWS
    It was a great event! Cait was such a great instructor and was so helpful. Small class size is a huge plus. 10/10
    5/5
    Corey
    2026-05-03
    Cait was great! I am so glad I got out to shoot on a cold day in February.
    5/5
    Eileen
    2026-02-22
    Great time wandering the city streets downtown at Christmas. Only thing lacking would have been a little more direction as far as effects of shutter speed, aperture, temperature, etc on the pictures. I know nearly everyone post processes, but I wanted to teach my granddaughter a little more about light and photography than computer work. Cait was great. Friendly, and helpful if asking questions. The group was good too. Not too large.
    4/5
    Walter
    2025-12-29

    Good intro to what the various edit tools do
    5/5
    Paul
    2025-11-03
    I enjoyed the group and our leader
    5/5
    Irving
    2025-09-24
    5
    5/5
    Dina
    2025-07-06

    it was great, thanks Cait!
    5/5
    Bilol
    2025-04-07
    Great session. Caitlin was knowledgeable, informative and fun. ,
    5/5
    Rod
    2025-04-06
    Although the skies were cloudy, there were enough opportunities to get some interesting shots.
    5/5
    John
    2025-03-18

    -
    5/5
    -
    2025-02-23
    Kate did a great job of leading us - she has a good eye for seeing things I do not. She was very helpful and a joy to be with! We were able to work our way up North Michigan Ave and take advantage of the great architecture along the way.
    4/5
    Nicholas
    2024-11-25
    I recently joined the Chicago photography group led by Cait and had the chance to participate in a night street photography event with her. The experience was amazing! Cait is not only incredibly knowledgeable but also very approachable, making it easy for everyone to learn and grow regardless of their skill level. She guided us through different techniques for capturing the essence of the city at night, from playing with shadows and lights to capturing motion. I came away with some fantastic shots and a deeper appreciation for night photography. Highly recommend joining Cait?s events if you want to elevate your photography skills
    5/5
    Rajesh
    2024-09-17

    PHOTOGRAPHERS
    Caitlin KellyThompson
    Caitlin Kelly Thompson is a portrait photographer that mixes street, documentary, and portraiture together to capture life. For her, the best thing about photographing people is the moment when the person posing relaxes and is themselves. Other than photography, Caitlin loves to travel, knit, and listen to podcasts.
    PHOTOS
    Wollongong Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Chicago Photography Group
    2026-05-20
    Title or Location: Cerro del Cimatario, Quer?taro, Mexico
    I took this photo at Cerro del Cimatario in Quer?taro, Mexico, around midday while several colorful insects were resting under the sun. What I loved most was how calm and curious they seemed. One of them stayed still long enough to pose for several photographs, and as I kept observing, I noticed there were many others nearby doing the same thing. It felt like discovering a small hidden world quietly living among the plants in the middle of the day.Olympus camera using natural light.
    Credit: Carylu Candiani
    Instagram: Carylu Candiani Fot?grafa
    Wollongong Photography Group
    2026-05-12

    Chicago Photography Group
    2026-05-15
    Title or Location: My Backyard Chicago
    I love the insects in my small urban backyard. They always make great subjects
    Credit: Bridget Zaremba
    Facebook: @Bridgetprymskazaremba
    Instagram: @bridgetzaremba
    Wollongong Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Chicago Photography Group
    2026-04-29
    Title or Location: Dante Peak Death Valley
    Facing into the morning sunrise
    Credit: Chris Massa
    Facebook: chris.massa.photo

    Wollongong Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Chicago Photography Group
    2026-04-25
    Title or Location:
    Boat Harbor in Ketchikan, Alaska. July of 2024. Taken from the top deck of cruise ship while docked.
    Credit: Jeff Silberman
    Facebook: Jeff Silberman
    Instagram: jeff.silberman
    Sacramento Photography Group
    2026-05-12

    Chicago Photography Group
    2026-04-16
    Title or Location: Diversey Harbor, Chicago, Il. 10Aug24
    This photo was taken at 1327, 10Aug2024 at the Chicago Air & Water show from Diversey Harbor. I had taken several shots of the skyline during the day. Some pictures were processed in standard color, or black & white. This particular photo, I just started playing with the settings in Lightroom Classic. After a while , it was as it appears here. I've always been a fan of Stephen King, and this just gave off a vibe as to something that would look good on the cover of a Stephen King book set in Chi
    Credit: Jeff Gordon
    Facebook: Jeffrey Gordon 1257
    Instagram: Jeff Gordon 739
    Eastbourne Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Chicago Photography Group
    2026-04-11
    Title or Location: Holiday Bean, Millennium Park, Chicago
    This was the first time I had taken my family to see the Bean for the holidays. It was December 19, 2019 and this particular night the bean was particularly clear and the reflections off of the building buildings made for a wonderful series of photos. For editing, I did this in multiple formats, such as color that would enhance the city lights. However, the black and white came out with the best feeling. Cloud gate is one of my most favorite subjects to take when I am in the city having
    Credit: Clinton Fairbanks
    Facebook: https://facebook.com/ClintonFairbanksPhotography

    Columbia Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Sacramento Photography Group
    2026-06-15
    Title or Location: Horton Iris Farm
    I enjoyed a photowalk event with Laurie Gallant and the Sacramento Photography group visiting Horton's Iris Farm. I always bring my Infrared camera with me in hopes of getting some good IR shots. When I saw the old red truck, I HAD to shoot it in IR! This is one of my favorite shots from that day and will go into my portfolio for sure!
    Credit: Jaye Haleryn
    Facebook: Jaye Haleryn Photography
    Columbia Photography Group
    2026-05-12

    Northumberland Photography Group
    2026-06-15
    Title or Location: Circular Quay Sydney Australia
    I was on holiday in Sydney and I went to Circular Quay to take some night time photos, when I saw that the opera house was lit up. I took a couple of photos ,then went to change my lens.By the time I had done this I saw the lights on the opera house had gone out. I then realised it was a rehearsal for Vivid a Sydney winter light show which takes place around the harbour.
    Credit: David Jackson
    Gold Coast Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Tampa Photography Group
    2026-06-15
    Title or Location: Myakka River State Park, Sarasota
    This was part of a video/photo assignment I did few years ago before my retirement about Florida Vultures, "nature clean-up crews". These are a very interesting and important creatures, they clean dead animals thus preventing the spread of serious diseases.
    Credit: Nino Giannotti

    Gold Coast Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Mornington Photography Group
    2026-06-15
    Title or Location: Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
    During the visit to the Moonlit Sanctuary Park I entered the reptiles hut and spotted this baby croc floating with only the eyes emerging from the water. It seemed just like the adult ones I had seen in Queensland, so I tried to recreate the situation as in the wild.Happy about the result.Shot with Canon RP and Canon RF 85mm f:2. Raw file elaborated with ON1 Raw Photo professional
    Credit: Giorgio Billi
    Instagram: giorgiobilli
    Edinburgh Photography Group
    2026-05-12

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