IDT PHOTO PHOTOGRAPHY ACADEMY · AURORA, IL
Photography is more than learning how to operate a camera. It's about understanding light, recognizing moments, and discovering how to turn your creative vision into compelling images.
Join professional photographer David Mercer for small-group, hands-on photography classes in downtown Aurora, Illinois. Whether you're picking up your first camera or developing your skills toward professional photography, our courses combine technical instruction, practical experience, and creative exploration.
At IDT Photo Photography Academy, we believe that learning photography should be engaging, rewarding, and practical.
Our small-group workshops provide personal guidance, real-world shooting opportunities, and the freedom to experiment with techniques while developing your own photographic style.
You won't spend the entire class listening to lectures. You'll work with your camera, explore different lighting techniques, photograph real subjects, and receive constructive feedback from an experienced professional photographer.
Our approach is based on three principles:
Understand the technique.
Apply what you've learned.
Develop photographs that reflect your own vision.
From understanding your first camera to mastering professional studio lighting and creative photographic techniques, discover a course that matches your experience and interests.
FOUNDATION COURSETake control of your camera and discover how aperture, shutter speed, ISO, composition, and lighting work together. Learn how to move beyond automatic settings and make intentional creative decisions.
MASTERCLASSDiscover how professional photographers control light to create beautiful, dramatic, and expressive portraits.
MASTERCLASSDiscover how to create portraits that communicate personality, connection, and authentic emotion.
MASTERCLASSLearn how to use light as a creative tool to produce dramatic nighttime photographs, including vehicle light painting, multiple exposures, and Photoshop compositing.
MASTERCLASSLearn how to produce professional portraits and branding images that communicate confidence, personality, and credibility.
MASTERCLASSLearn how to transform camera files into beautifully finished photographs using professional editing techniques.
MASTERCLASSJoin Jane Mercer for an intimate, hands-on workshop in newborn portrait photography: safety, lighting, styling, posing, and editing, in a calm and supportive studio setting.
Tuition shown is subject to final confirmation.
Open any course to see the lesson-by-lesson outline.
Understanding Your Camera — Camera controls, lenses, shooting modes, aperture, and depth of field.
Mastering Exposure — Shutter speed, ISO, metering, motion, and exposure control.
Composition & Visual Storytelling — Leading lines, framing, perspective, balance, and telling stories through photographs.
Understanding Light — Natural light, direction, contrast, color, basic editing, and final photography assignment.
Students complete hands-on exercises and finish with a five-image portfolio.
FULL COURSE PAGE →Understanding Light — Direction, intensity, softness, contrast, distance, and color.
One-Light Portraits — Rembrandt, loop, butterfly, and split lighting.
Multiple-Light Photography — Key lights, fill lights, rim lights, and background lighting.
Light Modifiers — Softboxes, reflectors, grids, flags, and gels.
Creative Lighting Challenge — Independently design and photograph three different lighting styles.
Students photograph actual subjects using professional studio lighting equipment and independently design and photograph three different lighting styles.
FULL COURSE PAGE →Understanding Your Subject — Preparation, communication, and building confidence.
Posing & Composition — Body language, hands, positioning, perspective, and lens selection.
Creating Genuine Expressions — Directing people, encouraging interactions, and helping subjects feel comfortable.
Environmental Portraiture — Using locations, backgrounds, natural light, and supplementary lighting.
Guided Portrait Session — Photographing individuals and couples with creative direction.
A guided portrait session photographing individuals and couples with creative direction.
FULL COURSE PAGE →Long-Exposure Photography — Camera settings, tripods, ambient exposure, and night photography.
Light Painting Tools — LED wands, light patterns, reflections, and directional lighting.
Planning a Creative Image — Composition, shooting angles, exposure sequences, and artistic vision.
Photographing a Vehicle — Creating multiple carefully controlled lighting passes.
Photoshop Compositing — Combining exposures, using layer masks, and refining the image.
Final Image Review — Evaluating the composition and finishing techniques.
Students work toward creating a complete light-painted photograph.
FULL COURSE PAGE →Understanding Business Photography — Client goals, image usage, professional presentation, and branding.
Headshot Lighting & Posing — Flattering light, camera angles, backgrounds, and expressions.
Consistent Team Photography — Repeatable setups, lighting consistency, and efficient workflow.
Environmental Branding — Creating portraits and storytelling images in professional environments.
Business Photography Assignment — Photographing a small series of images for a simulated client.
Students photograph a small series of images for a simulated client.
FULL COURSE PAGE →Digital Workflow — Organizing files, backups, RAW formats, and selecting images.
RAW Editing — Exposure, contrast, color, white balance, and tonal adjustments.
Selective Corrections — Masks, local adjustments, retouching, and creative color.
Photoshop Fundamentals — Layers, selections, masks, and simple composite techniques.
Finishing Your Photographs — Exporting, preparing for print, digital delivery, and final review.
Students work through guided editing exercises from RAW file to finished photograph.
FULL COURSE PAGE →Module 1 — Understanding Newborn Photography — How newborn sessions work and how to set them up for success.
Module 2 — Newborn Safety and Comfort — Safety comes before every photograph.
Module 3 — Lighting for Newborn Portraits — Soft, flattering light for delicate subjects.
Module 4 — Styling, Colors, and Props — Thoughtful styling that never overwhelms the baby.
Module 5 — Posing and Composition — Safe, baby-led posing approaches.
Module 6 — Parents, Siblings, and Family Portraits — Bringing the whole family into the frame.
Module 7 — Editing and Final Presentation — Finishing the gallery with a natural look.
This masterclass emphasizes demonstration, guided practice, and individual feedback. Students observe Jane's approach to lighting, styling, posing preparation, and session workflow. Practical exercises include lighting setup, camera positioning, wrap and prop preparation, and supervised posing practice with training dolls. Any live-newborn photography component will be subject to appropriate safety arrangements and advance confirmation.
FULL COURSE PAGE →Most classes limited to 4–6 students.
Students photograph real subjects and work with actual equipment.
Learn techniques developed through decades of photography experience.
Understand the settings and learn when and why to use them.
Receive practical guidance and learn how to improve your images.
Learn in a working photography studio in downtown Aurora.
A Lifetime Behind the Camera. A Passion for Sharing the Experience.
My journey into photography began in 1985, when I was 15 years old.
My introduction to a school darkroom sparked a fascination with photography that would become a lifelong passion.
During my 22 years serving in the United States Air Force, I continued developing my photographic skills.
While stationed in Germany, I had the opportunity to teach studio photography techniques to military photographers.
Later, while living in Moscow, Russia, I taught photography at a major library with the assistance of an interpreter.
In 2011, I began my professional photography career.
Over the years, I've photographed families, children, corporate professionals, businesses, special events, and vehicles.
Today, my wife Jane and I operate IDT Photo in downtown Aurora, Illinois.
One of the things I've enjoyed most throughout my career has been sharing what I've learned with others.
I believe photography becomes truly rewarding when you move beyond simply operating a camera and begin understanding how light, composition, and human connection can create meaningful images.
I don't just want to teach students how to use their cameras.
I want to help them discover what they are capable of creating.
For people who have purchased their first camera, feel overwhelmed by camera settings, or want to move beyond automatic mode.
For hobbyists who want to improve their portraits, lighting, composition, and creative photography.
For photographers interested in developing stronger technical skills, building portfolios, and exploring professional photography specialties.
You don't need professional career goals to benefit from these courses. Many of our students simply love photography and want to get better at it.
The academy focuses on personal instruction rather than large lecture-style classes. Most classes have a maximum of 4–6 students, and the light-painting workshop may be limited to 3–4 students.
The certificate is an IDT Photo Photography Academy certificate of completion, not an accredited professional qualification.
No. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with adjustable exposure settings is recommended for most courses.
Whether you're learning photography for personal enjoyment or developing skills toward a professional career, we'd love to help you take the next step.
IDT Photo Photography Academy
Downtown Aurora, Illinois
Learn the techniques. Develop your vision. Discover what's possible.