Product Photography for Beginners

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5.0 | 14 reviews

43 Have Dabbled

Carousel screen shot 2013 05 07 at 10.31.08 am
ABOUT THIS EVENT
Event Category

Business & Technology

Event Overview

Photographs are one of the most important aspects of your online presence. Join photographer Erika Dufour of SnipSnapGo to learn the basics of product photography & get hands on experience by photographing your very own pieces.

Students will learn all the basics of photography lighting, including equipment basics, studio lighting, & flash vs. continuous lighting. Tips & techniques when shooting with studio lighting & with daylight will be discussed, as well as a practical shooting with iPhone. Each student may bring 3-5 items to get hands on experience shooting in the studio, and will leave class with beautiful product photos ready for web upload.

Come and learn about the ins & outs to basic photography lighting, and how to create beautiful product photographs for your website. This is a beginner class, and perfect for Etsy sellers, graphic designers, new start-ups, or anyone looking to enhance their online website.

Minimum age

All ages welcome

Cancellation Policy
Location

There are currently no upcoming dates scheduled for this Dabble. Log in to an account message the host or add to your bucket list to be automatically notified when new dates are posted.

MORE ABOUT YOUR HOST

Erika Dufour

Top rated icon TOP RATED

Erika Dufours belief is that everyone has the ability to take great photos if they are given the basic knowledge to be successful, as long as the concepts are communicated clearly and simply without unnecessary technical jargon.

Erika Dufour has been sharpening her photography skills since she picked up the camera in high school. Her talents have been recognized in Photo District News for an extraordinary affinity for lighting and movement in a feature about emerging photographers. Dufours client list includes top international brands like McDonalds,Vosges Haut Chocolat, Olay, Tide, and H20+ to name a few.

Erika has taught advanced studio lighting at Columbia College in Chicago, and has over 30 years of experience in the field. In 2012, seeing the local need for a DIY solution for product photography, Erika opened SnipSnapGo. Through SnipSnapGo, Dufour provides clients with the studio, lighting, and all the equipment necessary to take professional & affordable product photographs themselves.

EXPERIENCE REVIEWS

  • Default user photo
    Christa S.
    Reviewed on 02/03/14

    Erika is a very informative instructor. This class was great for how to use light in your photos. I photograph my work for etsy and I found this class very helpful.

    Erika is a very informative instructor. This class was great for how to use light in your photos. I photograph my work for etsy and I found this class very helpful.

  • Default user photo
    Donna S.
    Reviewed on 09/14/13

    AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING. You will learn so much and the teacher breaks everything down into real terms you will understand. I left feeling very equipped to take my own product photographs without feeling the need to go buy a DSLR camera. TAKE THIS CLASS!

    From Teacher:

    Donna, Reading your review and private feedback made my day, made my eyes well up. Thanks so much for taking the time to write and send such a positive note. It was my pleasure teaching you and I appreciated the vibrant and excited energy you had to learn, it made it easier for me to teach and care about teaching.

    AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING. You will learn so much and the teacher breaks everything down into real terms you will understand. I left feeling very equipped to take my own product photographs without feeling the need to go buy a DSLR camera. TAKE THIS CLASS!

    From Teacher:

    Donna, Reading your review and private feedback made my day, made my eyes well up. Thanks so much for taking the time to write and send such a positive note. It was my pleasure teaching you and I appreciated the vibrant and excited energy you had to learn, it made it easier for me to teach and care about teaching.

  • Default user photo
    Merrideth K.
    Reviewed on 09/12/13

    Erika came highly recommended from two separate acquaintances and the class definitely lived up to the hype. I've taken several basic photo classes in the past (yes, I'm a slow learner) but Erika was able to explain things in a way that made it all "click" for the first time. And I will definitely be taking advantage of SnipSnapGo for my larger projects. Or maybe just so I can hang out in her studio again!

    From Teacher:

    Thanks for your review Meredith! I am so glad that things started to make sense for you and that I was able to convey the concepts to you simpley. I look forward to helping you in any capacity to help you achieve your visual needs! Thanks again for taking the class.

    Erika came highly recommended from two separate acquaintances and the class definitely lived up to the hype. I've taken several basic photo classes in the past (yes, I'm a slow learner) but Erika was able to explain things in a way that made it all "click" for the first time. And I will definitely be taking advantage of SnipSnapGo for my larger projects. Or maybe just so I can hang out in her studio again!

    From Teacher:

    Thanks for your review Meredith! I am so glad that things started to make sense for you and that I was able to convey the concepts to you simpley. I look forward to helping you in any capacity to help you achieve your visual needs! Thanks again for taking the class.

  • Thumb photo 4
    Veva S.
    Reviewed on 09/09/13

    Erika is a great teacher! She managed to explain the fundamentals of light and light manipulation for photography in a clear and understandable way. I came away feeling more confident that i will be able to photograph my work for classes and shows now.

    From Teacher:

    Hello Viva, Thank you for the positive review, it was wonderful having you in my class and I hope that you have better knowledge to photograph your beautiful work for the world to see.Thanks again!

    Erika is a great teacher! She managed to explain the fundamentals of light and light manipulation for photography in a clear and understandable way. I came away feeling more confident that i will be able to photograph my work for classes and shows now.

    From Teacher:

    Hello Viva, Thank you for the positive review, it was wonderful having you in my class and I hope that you have better knowledge to photograph your beautiful work for the world to see.Thanks again!

  • Default user photo
    Sue W.
    Reviewed on 09/08/13

    I really enjoyed this class. Erika had great information and I really came away with a better understanding of how to light my products. I would recommend this class to anyone.

    From Teacher:

    Sue, Thanks for the review, you were such a great student and asked alot of questions which I very much appreciated. I enjoyed having you in my class and I am happy that things made sense! Good luck with your photography, feel free to send images of your works!

    I really enjoyed this class. Erika had great information and I really came away with a better understanding of how to light my products. I would recommend this class to anyone.

    From Teacher:

    Sue, Thanks for the review, you were such a great student and asked alot of questions which I very much appreciated. I enjoyed having you in my class and I am happy that things made sense! Good luck with your photography, feel free to send images of your works!

  • Default user photo
    Renee K.
    Reviewed on 07/07/13

    This class was great! I learned a lot about how to take better product photographs without high end professional equipment. Lots of great tips and tricks. Great to see a studio set up and have a professional help you take photos and answer questions!

    This class was great! I learned a lot about how to take better product photographs without high end professional equipment. Lots of great tips and tricks. Great to see a studio set up and have a professional help you take photos and answer questions!

  • Default user photo
    Sandra D.
    Reviewed on 06/29/13

    Erika was wonderful, class was informative, If someone asks a question, she addresses it immediately. Class was a real mix but it worked well.

    Erika was wonderful, class was informative, If someone asks a question, she addresses it immediately. Class was a real mix but it worked well.

  • Default user photo
    Laura N.
    Reviewed on 06/24/13

    Erika was a great teacher and very hands-on. I left with a much better understanding of how to manipulate and experiment with different forms of lighting/diffusion to achieve the effect that I wanted. She also explained some basic camera details (aperature, F-Stop, ISO) in easily understandable terms. I had a tricky product to photograph, but Erika really worked with me to find an approach would showcase my products.

    Erika was a great teacher and very hands-on. I left with a much better understanding of how to manipulate and experiment with different forms of lighting/diffusion to achieve the effect that I wanted. She also explained some basic camera details (aperature, F-Stop, ISO) in easily understandable terms. I had a tricky product to photograph, but Erika really worked with me to find an approach would showcase my products.

  • Default user photo
    Erika S.
    Reviewed on 04/15/13

    This was a great class that taught me some basics about photographing my craft pieces for etsy. Erika was great and gave us a nice balance between theory, demonstration and hands-on experience. I highly recommend this class!

    This was a great class that taught me some basics about photographing my craft pieces for etsy. Erika was great and gave us a nice balance between theory, demonstration and hands-on experience. I highly recommend this class!

  • Thumb pola john
    John M.
    Reviewed on 04/14/13

    This class was great. I am already an experienced photographer but it really got me thinking about some things in new ways.

    This class was great. I am already an experienced photographer but it really got me thinking about some things in new ways.

  • Default user photo
    Melissa H.
    Reviewed on 04/14/13

    I wanted to learn more about photographing jewelry. I have a nicer camera, and was helped figure out the settings. However, Erika designed this class to appeal to those with all types of cameras. Whether you have a DSLR or are just using your iphone, you will walk away feeling you definitely learned something and got your money's worth. (I never *truly* understood what F-stop and exposure meant until yesterday when Erika explained it relative to vision.)

    We learned how to photograph a variety of items, large and small, in a variety of scenarios. The best part is Erika teaches you how to recreate these setups at home without any expensive equipment! If you see a setup or lighting scheme you like in one of the photos she shows you, she tells you how to do it with your own objects. It felt like there was time for everyone to ask as many questions as we wanted, and the class never felt rushed.

    I'd definitely recommend this class to anyone. There are only about 10 people so everyone gets to try every setup. I'd go back to the class just to hang out with Erika and Katy, they were great, along with all the wonderful people I met there. It's a great way to connect with other creative people and learn from peers who are explorers at heart. Loved it. <3

    I wanted to learn more about photographing jewelry. I have a nicer camera, and was helped figure out the settings. However, Erika designed this class to appeal to those with all types of cameras. Whether you have a DSLR or are just using your iphone, you will walk away feeling you definitely learned something and got your money's worth. (I never *truly* understood what F-stop and exposure meant until yesterday when Erika explained it relative to vision.)

    We learned how to photograph a variety of items, large and small, in a variety of scenarios. The best part is Erika teaches you how to recreate these setups at home without any expensive equipment! If you see a setup or lighting scheme you like in one of the photos she shows you, she tells you how to do it with your own objects. It felt like there was time for everyone to ask as many questions as we wanted, and the class never felt rushed.

    I'd definitely recommend this class to anyone. There are only about 10 people so everyone gets to try every setup. I'd go back to the class just to hang out with Erika and Katy, they were great, along with all the wonderful people I met there. It's a great way to connect with other creative people and learn from peers who are explorers at heart. Loved it. <3

  • Default user photo
    Erin N.
    Reviewed on 02/25/13

    The course was informative and hands on. We quickly developed a nice group dynamic, with all attendees helping each other out. Everyone left having accomplished what they came for: better knowledge of photography basics & some sample photos for immediate use!

    The course was informative and hands on. We quickly developed a nice group dynamic, with all attendees helping each other out. Everyone left having accomplished what they came for: better knowledge of photography basics & some sample photos for immediate use!

  • Default user photo
    Dianne B.
    Reviewed on 02/25/13

    Awesome Class!!! I left with a clear understanding of how to take better pictures for my Etsy shop.

    Awesome Class!!! I left with a clear understanding of how to take better pictures for my Etsy shop.

  • Default user photo
    Phyllis D.
    Reviewed on 02/25/13

    I need to improve my photography skills. I took this class to that end. Erika ran it very well with a perfect balance of lecture, explanation and letting us take pictures using her equipment. We also learned the basics of iPhone photography.

    I need to improve my photography skills. I took this class to that end. Erika ran it very well with a perfect balance of lecture, explanation and letting us take pictures using her equipment. We also learned the basics of iPhone photography.

  • Show more
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