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CEDAR
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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Composition in Photography

Composition in Photography

Saturday 13 June
Oakhill Jackson - 10am - 2.0 Hours
April Leigh
Join us for a 2-hour photography meetup focused on composition techniques. We'll explore how to arrange visual elements in your frame to create more compelling images. This event is suitable for photographers of all levels. Participants should bring their own camera and equipment.
book now
$49      
Angles and Views

Angles and Views

Saturday 27 June
Oakhill Jackson - 10am - 2.0 Hours
April Leigh
Join us for a 2-hour photography meetup exploring different angles and viewpoints. We'll challenge ourselves to find new perspectives and creative ways of seeing familiar scenes. Suitable for photographers of all levels. Participants should bring their own camera and equipment.
book now
$49      
Black and White Photography

Black and White Photography

Saturday 11 July
Oakhill Jackson - 10am - 2.0 Hours
April Leigh
Join us for a 2-hour photography meetup exploring the art of black and white photography. We'll learn about composition, contrast, and lighting to create striking monochrome images. Suitable for photographers of all levels. Participants should bring their own camera and equipment.
book now
$49      

Shallow Depth of Field

Shallow Depth of Field

Saturday 25 July
Oakhill Jackson - 10am - 2.0 Hours
April Leigh
Explore the art of creating stunning images with a shallow depth of field. This 2-hour meetup will cover techniques for achieving beautiful background blur and isolating your subject. Suitable for photographers of all levels. Participants should bring their own camera and equipment.
book now
$49      
Beginner's Photography Class

Beginner's Photography Class

Saturday 08 August
Oakhill Jackson - 10am - 3.0 Hours
April Leigh
A 3-hour beginner's photography class covering exposure, composition, and camera controls. Suitable for those looking to get out of auto mode. Participants should bring their own camera and equipment.
book now
$98       5 places left
Street Photography Meetup

Street Photography Meetup

Saturday 22 August
Oakhill Jackson - 10am - 2.0 Hours
April Leigh
Join us for a 2-hour street photography walk exploring the urban environment. We'll practice capturing candid moments, interesting architecture, and everyday life. Suitable for photographers of all levels. Participants should bring their own camera and equipment.
book now
$49      

Portrait Photography Meetup

Portrait Photography Meetup

Saturday 05 September
Oakhill Jackson - 10am - 2.0 Hours
April Leigh
Whether you wish to up your selfie game or begin developing a portfolio, this workshop will help you capture beautiful portraits using natural light and urban backdrops. Suitable for photographers of all levels. Participants should bring their own camera and equipment.
book now
$49      
Creative Composition Photography

Creative Composition Photography

Saturday 19 September
Oakhill Jackson - 10am - 2.0 Hours
April Leigh
Join us for a 2-hour photography meetup exploring creative composition techniques. We'll experiment with interesting perspectives and arrangements to create unique images. Suitable for photographers of all levels. Participants should bring their own camera and equipment.
book now
$49      
ABOUT CEDAR
RAPIDS
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 Cedar Rapids.

  • 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 Cedar Rapids Photography Group on Facebook to share your photos after the session.

    Got a question? Try our FAQ.
    • REVIEWS
    Had a great time! Learned a lot and met some great people.
    5/5
    Denise
    2026-04-19
    It was amazing I learned alot
    5/5
    Candace
    2026-03-15
    I feel like the course gave me more direction and hit on key concepts that will help me in the future.
    4/5
    Ryan
    2026-01-25

    I learned a lot.
    5/5
    Scott
    2026-01-25
    Engaging and fun
    5/5
    Kathie (Kat) Pham
    2026-01-11
    Great. Best part may be sharing ideas with and getting hints from the instructor and the participants
    5/5
    Scott
    2026-01-11

    I thought the event was great. I had a lot of good opportunities to take some fantastic photos.
    5/5
    Zach Donohue
    2025-09-08
    I enjoyed it. She pushed me to use and become comfortable with the Manual settings
    5/5
    Scott
    2025-05-26
    Prior to the class, I had been reluctant to take my new camera out of the travel bag. The class forced me to learn the location of the most important controls on my new mirrorless camera and it has pulled me away from the auto settings that I used to rely on. After the class I am now experimenting with other settings and actually using my new, and mostly manual, camera. It was a great way to get me started.
    5/5
    Bill
    2025-03-23

    Mykael is very knowledgeable and made the class fun and well worth the time. I appreciated that she was willing to tailor the class to the needs of the students.
    5/5
    Michael
    2025-02-10
    The instructor was very knowledgeable and supportive. She adapted well to changing conditions. She provided great resources to work on after the course.
    5/5
    Sean
    2024-07-14
    It was a delight to meet Mykael and I found renewed excitement for photography.
    5/5
    Pat
    2024-04-24

    PHOTOGRAPHERS
    April Leigh
    Mykael Leigh is a published photographer based in Eastern Iowa. She received her B.F.A in digital photography in 2013 from the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. She has worked and exhibited in Chicago and neighboring cities. Her specializations are portraiture, boudoir, and senior portraits. She loves the arts and enjoys creating projects that speak to the client's interest.

    As a fine artist, she creates sharp images that reflect the individual. She uses fine art and documentary elements with portraiture throughout many of her works. In many situations, she connects with the client by making them feel comfortable.

    April Leigh is available for private bookings

    Saturdays from 12pm until 6pm for portraits.

    create a private booking
    PHOTOS
    Wollongong Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Cedar Rapids Photography Group
    2026-05-16
    Title or Location: Taken in my little basement studio.
    After taking a couple years off from doing portraits, I am ready to dive back in. My dog, Baron had just been to the groomers so I thought I would see if I could get him to sit still long enough to grab a few shots. I used a 50 grey background and one light. Light was a Flashpoint strobe with a 32? soft box positioned to Baron?s left and feathered. I also had a 36?x36? piece of white foam board just out of the frame to his right for fill. Sony A7rii with a Sony 24-105mm, 1/250 @ f11
    Credit: Scott David Burk
    Facebook: Scott David Photography
    Instagram: @thescottburkphoto
    Wollongong Photography Group
    2026-05-12

    Cedar Rapids Photography Group
    2024-11-27
    Title or Location: Big Horn Moutains of Wyoming
    I was backpacking up here in June with my dog Juno. This was our second night camp area. Little over 10,000 feet. Taken with Nikon 7200 and 50 mm lens on a tripod.
    Credit: Scott Shrader
    Facebook: Scott Shrader Photography
    Instagram: Iowaoutdoorsphoto
    Wollongong Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Cedar Rapids Photography Group
    2024-11-20
    Title or Location: South of Black River Falls, Wisconsin
    A stand of pine trees south of Black River Falls, Wisconsin.
    Credit: Kevin E. Schmidt

    Wollongong Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Cedar Rapids Photography Group
    2024-10-16
    Title or Location: McGregor, Iowa
    Sunlight breaking through the clouds causes the colors of the changing season to explodes off the bluffs surrounding Pike Peak State Park near McGregor, Iowa October 13th, 2024.
    Credit: Kevin E. Schmidt
    Sacramento Photography Group
    2026-05-12

    Cedar Rapids Photography Group
    2024-10-02
    Title or Location: Kingston Stadium, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA
    Taken during week 4 of the Iowa high school football season during the cross-town rivalry of John F Kennedy Cougars vs the George Washington Warriors, the class of 2027 and 4-star ranked kicker Logan Barton Left the locker room early during half time to practice some field goals, he often lines himself up 40, 50, and even 60 yards away from the field goal despite a lighter build. I asked him to put his helmet on for some shots, I got up close in front of him (Hoping he wouldn't drill me in
    Credit: Isaac White Photography
    Instagram: Isaacwhitephotography
    Eastbourne Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Cedar Rapids Photography Group
    2024-09-25
    Title or Location: Maquoketa, Iowa
    Even the most common thing like a branch of an evergreen bush (Hinoki cypress) can suddenly take center stage as it's illuminated by the perfect sulight for a few moments.
    Credit: Kevin E. Schmidt

    Columbia Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Miami Photography Group
    2026-06-03
    Title or Location: Taken from 1000 Venetian Causeway.
    Fourth of July over The Magic City!
    Credit: Rick Bravo
    Instagram: rick_bravo1
    Columbia Photography Group
    2026-05-12

    Central Coast Photography Group
    2026-06-03
    Title or Location: Avoca Beach
    A dramatic sunrise over Avoca Beach's rocky shoreline on 24 May 2026, with powerful surf breaking beneath stormy golden skies.
    Credit: Kylee Wilton
    Facebook: Kylee Wilton Photography
    Instagram: kyleewiltonphotography
    Gold Coast Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Bellevue Photography Group
    2026-06-03
    Title or Location: In Lynnwood by the parking lot of my apartment
    I was soaking in the sun on a beautiful day with my camera and zoom lens when i spotted the dragon fly on the antenna of a car parked car close to my apartment. The vivid colors and the beauty of the moment was no lost on me and i immediately zoomed in with my Tamron 70-300mm lens. I was glad the dragonfly was in no hurry to fly away. I was all smiles when i looked at the end result. The bokeh effect and beauty of the dragonfly. My camera settings were SON
    Credit: Jimmy Washiko

    Gold Coast Photography Group
    2026-05-12
    Brighton Photography Group
    2026-06-03
    Title or Location: Pencils
    This picture was taken by a large window, three pencils (RGB coloured) were laid on white card which was curved up in the distance, but the curve cannot be discerned due to the very shallow depth of field and even light, giving the impression of infinity into the distance ...
    Credit: Arthur Li
    Facebook: Arthur Li
    Instagram: art_k_li
    Edinburgh Photography Group
    2026-05-12

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