Photography Training - Photography Lessons - Photography Workshops - Balanced Exposure

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Our Objectives

Balanced Exposure is first and foremost a photography training facility. We teach all aspects of photography from how to use your camera, how to photograph weddings, how to make studio portraits to how to use Photoshop. But we also rent our studio out to photographers to use as well. In addition, we even provide post production services for all photographers after they have taken the photo to make them look their very best.

How It All Started

"We are a multi-service studio for consumers and professional photographers."

Photography training is our main business, but we provide our clients with more than just that.

Balanced Exposure owner Russell Lowe has had a photography career that spans from forensic photography, wedding photography and commercial photography, but has always loved teaching it as well. "I wanted a studio that could offer services for all aspects of photography. The problem was, I never had enough space... until now."

"You can see in this image how tight it is to set up a basic studio lighting kit and small portable backdrop in a standard home living room. Furniture is always in the way, wires are all over the floor... it's just not an ideal situation. After 20 years of photographing in situations like this, I decided I needed more space to offer all the services I was capable of providing to my clients. Trying to do studio work without an actual studio always meant it took more time to set up and put away the equipment and move around all the furniture than it did to actually take the photo. While rental studios were always available, most required a half day or full day commitment and the rental of the studio lights were pretty expensive too. So I decided I'd open a studio to allow me to perform my own photography work as well as providing a space for all the other professional photographers and photo enthusists to use as well."

"In addition, to the studio space, I wanted space to use as a teaching facility. While my old wedding facility had space, I wanted more space so that I could teach not only the theory of photography, but also have the space to actually shoot in and show it happening too. The new studio/classroom allows me to do all that!"

For studio rentals, the rental price includes the use of all the lighting equipment and light modifiers... and it's available on an hourly basis too!

Russ Lowe

Owner - Balanced Exposure

Testimonials

Our students and clients can often tell you more about our services than we can.
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Testimonials

Click here to read our Yelp.com reviews. Be sure to read the "filtered" reviews as well. Many reviews go there simply because the writers have not posted enough reviews for other companies... but they are all still valid. These are found by clicking on the "filtered" link directly below the last visible Yelp.com review.

"I am an aspiring amateur photographer who desires to learn more photography concepts such as composition, lighting, and exposure. Before I met Russ, I took several photography lessons without much success. In general I understood how to use a camera but was uncomfortable changing from auto exposure to manual exposure as I didn’t understand ISO, shutter speed and aperture in a tangible way. That’s until I met Russ. Starting from the first lesson Russ was able to explain complex concepts and techniques in a very simplistic and thorough way. What I also love about Russ is that he challenges you to think. You’re not passively listening to him teach but actively participating in the lesson, which I really appreciate. In addition, he keeps in touch with you between lessons by sharing and discussing pictures that were taken using techniques discussed in prior lessons. I am very pleased with the 1-on-1 lessons and will continue to take them!" - Thomas N.

"I went from being an insecure amateur photographer who only stayed on auto to graduating to shooting in manual mode. Because of Russ, I have gained the confidence to discover new ways to shoot... adjusting my shutter and aperture and working with lighting. Russ has been amazing to work with, responsible, knowledgeable and professional. He has also helped by professionally Photoshopping my work which gave it that "professional look"! I have much gratitude for all that he has taught me." - Lance C.

"I started working with Russ in 2010 after I bought my first camera. After only two lessons I've learned much more than I could by any other means. Russ has been a professional photographer for a long time, but he is able to make his knowledge easy to understand for someone new to photography. The combination of his knowledge and friendliness is what will keep me going back to Russ for more lessons in the future." - Mike F.

"Russell's friendly demeanor and coaching go a long way. He is able to apply his in-depth knowledge as a professional photographer and teach students in his workshops the core foundations of photography all the way to the more advanced techniques that make him a well sought after professional event and wedding photographer." - Dan M. from Schaumburg, IL

"I participated in Russ' photography workshop and it was easily the best investment I've made in photography since buying the Nikon 17-55mm f 2.8 DX lens (suggested by Russ). I was in the middle of editing a wedding when I attended the workshop, and afterwards, I re-edited my first 400 pictures. I spent the extra time on re-editing my pictures because of a few simple tips I picked up, and the adjustments made a huge improvement in my final product. Russ is very knowledgeable and even more importantly, he takes time to answer everyone's questions no matter how simple or technical the question is. I worked with Russ as a videographer at a wedding he was shooting and he is a pro through-and-through. I highly recommend any workshop offered by Russ Lowe." - Andy S. Photographer, Videographer from Schaumburg, IL