I took the Digital Cameras I class for the second time (took it first 5 years ago but never…read morefollowed through to buy a digital camera) with Chris Sanchez. It was crazy fun, and a wonderful introduction to the basics of a digital camera. I once again rented from BPW. I went for a Fuji mirrorless, since poking around had shown glowing reviews from professional photographers. Silly me! It was heavy and control-glutted. Not the camera for somebody who's new to digital photography. Fortunately, Chris saw me getting frustrated, so he swapped the Fuji out for a Nikon Z50 mirrorless. It wasn't perfect for me (I don't like how you can easily bump the "zoom" button on the monitor with your nose or finger and wind up with a WTF moment where you have no idea why you're suddenly looking at the subject super closeup. Also, the monitor is very funky: it blinks on and off constantly when you're trying to choose a setting or look at the display to review your photos). But it was miles easier to use than the Fuji, so word to the wise if you're new to digital, get baffled by too many controls, and/or don't like a super heavy camera; see if you can rent a mirrorless Nikon instead, if they have any to rent out. If not, try Borrow Lenses in Waltham. I'm renting a Nikon Z50 from them now. Anyway, more to the point, Chris is a remarkably good teacher. He breaks things down in uber simple terms, and then repeats himself when he says something that's important to remember, so it really sinks in and is easy to comprehend. I really enjoyed the actual shooting, too. We walked around shooting texture inside the studio building, since it was a rainy day. Playing with exposure, ISO and aperature really brought the lecture materials to life in a visceral way. His emphasis on underexposing a scene is so helpful: You can really see colors get richer and more saturated when you do that. It was a wonderful experience shooting in manual and seeing why you'd want to do that: your photos can really pop. I've already taken Chris's Digital Cameras II class, which delves into lenses and focus, as well as nighttime photography with Aaron. Those two workshops were just as excellent as Digital Camera I. I will absolutely take more workshops. First, though, I need to actually commit to a camera and buy it!

I just took the Digital Cameras I class with Haley, and it was a great experience. The class…read morecovered everything you need to get you shooting in manual mode, and to learn the basics of your camera. Haley was an excellent instructor who took time to answer everyone's questions while still covering all of the material. I'd definitely recommend this class to anyone looking to get into photography, and will seriously consider some of their other classes in the future!

I took a class with Suzanne Merritt when I was visiting Boston and had a fantastic time. I learned…read morehow to take my camera off automatic and actually learn how to use my camera. Suzanne has a real gift for explaining things and was extremely patient. The workshop was so much fun. We got handouts that I now keep in my camera bag for easy reference. We were given assignments and instructions before each activity. We had time then to practice then gather back as a group. After the class we went for coffee and had an opportunity to share our photos and get feedback from Suzanne. It was the best photography class I've ever had. I can't wait to take another when I return to Boston. I highly recommend the Curious Soul Photo School!

From the owner: Hands on photography classes, photo walks, photo tours, and field trips in Greater Boston…read more Professional, dedicated, experienced instructors. We believe it should be fun and easy to learn how to create beautiful images of Boston. Perfect for visitors and locals who want to learn to use their camera to its full potential while seeing the key sights and neighborhoods. Group size less than 10. Go at your own pace. We go slow to see more and be more connected to the experience, not just get the shot. Discover the beauty of Boston as seen by local professional photographers. Chinatown, North End, South End, Beacon Hill, Boston Gardens, just to name a few of our favorite destinations.

Boston Photography Center is a group of local area photographers (both amateurs and professional.)…read more BPC sponsors events all around the greater Boston area and does a few road trips further abroad (NYC, Vermont, etc.) These are a great opportunity to get out and enjoy taking pictures in different environments and meet people with a similar interest in photography, compare notes on gear, etc. The web site and Facebook group also provide forums for offering help on technique, Photoshop and all sorts of other things. The BPC also sponsors photography classes for novices who want to learn how to get the most of our their DSLRs and trips to photography exhibits in local museums. It's a great group of people and every event I've attended has been a lot of fun. If you have an interest in photography give BPC a look.

I randomly found this place on the meetup site. http://photo.meetup.com/52…read more Basically, it's a group of local photographers (professional and the not-so-professional, like me) that meet up on a monthly basis to talk about various photo topics. Also on the meetup site, you can share your thoughts/question regarding photography on the message boards, and check out others' works! They also have various "click-and-shoot" outings. I went to the one going to Rockport a little while ago, it was fun. Check it out! http://www.bostonphotographycenter.com/

Vail was amazing to work with. She picked up on my first call and quickly explained her services…read moreand which might be the best for my use case. The shoot went great, she was super receptive to what I was looking for and immediately knew how to get the affect. On top of that she's just a great human, making the whole process enjoyable. Very happy with my shots, I wanted something a little more experimental than a simple headshot for an editorial piece and she nailed it.

From a quick response to my inquiry, to explaining the process and giving great instructions while…read morein front of the camera, Vail is an all-around professional. I had trepidation about having a headshot done but Vail calmed my nerves and the session was great! I'm SO happy with the finished photos! If you need a professional headshot, hire Vail. DO it, you'll be amazed at the result.

Attended the class on 8/27/11 in Boston in the Radisson Hotel. Being a beginner DSLR owner with a…read moreNikkon D3000, this was a great class to attend. Learned all about aperture, ISO, and shutter speed and how to manipulate each one to get the best shot. The agenda/layout of the class was also highly professional in that Okello has two large screens setup, 1 as a powerpoint presentation type slideshow that helps him explain his points, and a second which is directly linked to his cameras so we can see what exactly he is doing on his camera's real-time. You take many pictures during the actual class and can see how the different settings affect your shot. Highly recommend this course for a beginner DSLR owner.

Great class. Have a Nikon D5000 but still hadn't ventured off the preset program modes (granted I…read morecould change them between portrait, landscape, night-time, etc), and haven't had the time/patience to do a self study. Okello was very knowledgeable, very friendly, and a great teacher. He narrowed down the important need-to-know elements into step by step exercises so that it wasn't overwhelming. I will definitely be attending his next class!

Very helpful in review consultation for Portfolio building. Great classses for older teens and…read moretutoring for adults.

These are fun classes and great for learning about cool and different ways to make your own art…read more The building is also excellent with many artists and designers working there.

Susannah was the perfect photographer for our son's nine month photoshoot. This was our first baby…read moreand first photoshoot aside from our wedding and it was absolutely perfect. Susannah met us in the morning to accommodate his nap schedule, which we appreciate deeply. While he was a bit overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the park in the morning we got some fun and serious photos. Susannah brought some toys that make noise to get the baby's attention and the novelty of them caught our son's attention better than toys from home. The bubble machine was also a nice touch. Overall she offers high quality service (photoshoot and editing) at a fair cost with a ton of flexibility. We will use her again if we choose to have another photoshoot. They grow so fast, it's great to have it documented in a professional way. 10/10 worth it!

Susannah is a wonderful photographer, and we can't wait to use her again for our family photos!…read more She took the time to get to know our kids (Age 7 and 5) and in doing so was able to catch the most adorable candids and their headshots captured their essence perfectly! She really took the time to get just the right backdrop and had locations scouted ahead of time which made things so easy! We would highly recommend her and you won't regret it!

I'm a professional writer. In 1986, Linda took the cover photos for my first book, and when I…read morerecently moved to the area, I contacted her about using the images again for a new edition. She was very warm and helpful, and so when I decided to get new author photos for my publicity packet, I called her. She was an absolute joy to work with. She was relaxed, which put me at ease, and she really listened to what I wanted. Because I have epilepsy and can't be around flash, we did the shoot outdoors and tried several locations in my neighborhood. She encouraged me to be playful, and we tried many angles, moods and backgrounds. I had so many good shots to choose from that it was a struggle to pick. I ended up choosing four instead of just one. Not only do I have a pair of really good author head shots, I have a couple of great dating photos, too. I enjoyed the shoot, was impressed with the quality of the images, and plan to use her for my photo needs in the future (and hope to take her photography classes as well.)

I hired Linda to take a portrait for my website which worked out very well. I am extremely anxious…read moreabout having my picture taken and she put me at ease with her relaxed ways and sense of humor. She took the pictures in my house in a natural setting with a background that I chose. Since then I've referred her to a friend for wedding photos and another for a portrait and they've been really happy with the results. I gather she was very unobtrusive at the wedding and the pictures caught people in very natural poses, capturing the real feel of the wedding.

We truly cannot say enough wonderful things about Paul Robert Berman. From our very first phone…read morecall, we knew he would be a perfect fit for us -- and he absolutely delivered. Paul is the definition of a professional. He was organized, efficient, and clearly experienced, but what stood out most was his calming presence. Weddings can feel overwhelming at times, and he had this steady, reassuring energy that instantly soothed any anxieties we had. We felt completely at ease in his hands. He has an incredible eye for what works visually and knew exactly how to position us and our families to get the best shots. When it came time for family photos, he took charge and confidently wrangled everyone together, keeping things moving smoothly without making it feel rushed. At the same time, he was intentional about creating space for just the two of us to share special moments throughout the day. Our first look was beautiful and intimate, just what we wanted it to be. Those quiet, genuine interactions resulted in photos that truly captured who we are and the heart of our relationship. The final gallery was absolutely gorgeous -- better than we could have imagined. Every image felt natural, emotional, and beautifully composed. Throughout the editing process, Paul was communicative and transparent about timing, keeping us updated on when to expect our photos. We would recommend him to any couple, any day. Choosing Paul was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding, and I can only hope we have the opportunity to work with him again in the future!!!

My husband and I got married back in May and we have been recommending Paul to all of the engaged…read morecouples we know. We knew within the first 10 minutes of our introductory phone call that he was exactly what we wanted -- we had the same creative priorities and he was SO excited to make our vision come to life. It was so easy to talk to him and we have so much in common! We did our engagement session at a local record store and Paul really took that time to get to know us as people during that shoot, not just as clients. I cannot express how much I appreciated the effort put into building that relationship with us. When my wedding day came, everything was so stress free and natural; it was like having a close friend there taking photos and guiding us through the nerves of such a momentous occasion. Our wedding was very intimate and held at Providence City Hall -- Paul's photography approach and style perfectly matched the vibe and goal that we were excited to achieve in that setting. We couldn't be happier with the work he did and I can't wait for the next time we get to catch up with the photographer who went above and beyond for us in so many ways Thank you, Paul!

This is my grad school, so naturally this review is plenty difficult to write. I've been a student…read morehere since 2009, and I'm in the direct-entry master's of science nurse practitioner program in psych-mental health nursing. Overall, the education has been top-notch, with some unnecessary/ill-designed classes (e.g. Community Heath) along the way. The clinical placements have been exceptional. I've been on the Cardiac Surgery Step Down Unit, a Med-Surg Telemetry Unit, and General Med Unit all at MGH; the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in JP; and McLean Hospital's Eval Center for my advanced placement clinical. However, your placement depends upon your curriculum coordinator and the clinical placement coordinator. They have Adult Primary Care, Adult-Gerontology, Adult-Women, Pediatrics, Pedi Psych, Family, Acute Care, and Psych Adult Tracks. The program is intensive. 3 years full-time, summers free to work or take classes. They do NOT help you get a job, but they do teach you good networking skills. It's expensive, to the tune of 30,000K/year, in addition to books and supplies. They offer some cool, fun classes: HIV/AIDS Nursing, Mind-Body Nursing, International Health, and Refugee/Immigrant Health. My year they accepted 100 students, major overkill, especially when you are all in one room. Privacy and autonomy relinquished. You do band together, because it's like enduring bootcamp baby. Only the strong survive. Any questions, shoot me a message!

State of the art technology w/ faculty that want you to succeed…read more Clinical placements are some of the best hospitals in the nation. Located on a beautiful part of the water front in Boston. Easy walk / shuttle from North Station. Food right on campus. I don't drive to school, but fellow students say parking is a bit tough sometimes. Overall... Well worth the application for any program they offer.