Best Photography Classes in Chicago

Whether you are looking to become a professional photographer or you have recently picked up this popular hobby and you want to improve your current photography skills by learning a new trick or two, you are more than likely going to want to take a few classes. When it comes to finding photography classes in the Chicago area, you will find that there are several different options to choose from, depending on the type of setting you are looking for, as well as the types of courses offered. Each of these varies greatly from one institution to the next.If cost and time are a major factor in your decision on what types of classes would be right for you, then you should try out the Chicago Photography Center. They offer one of the most affordable and quick photography classes in the Chicago area. Founded by students and photography instructors in the summer of 2002, the Chicago Photography Center is a nonprofit organization. They offer evening courses and workshops under a hundred dollars as well as a seven week course that runs $350, or $250 for non-darkroom courses. They offer a classroom, darkroom, computer lab, studio, and gallery space in an informal setting, making it the ideal place to brush up on your skills.Looking for something a little less informal? If you are looking for photography classes in the Chicago area that are more geared toward a degree program, Harrington offers a specialized digital photography school where you can earn an associate’s degree. Led by experienced professional photographers, Harrington’s program sets you up to join in this highly competitive field as a professional photographer yourself. You’ll be required to purchase your own camera and equipment but are provided in return with state of the art labs, studios and software.Still not elite enough? Columbia College Chicago offers some of the most exhilarating photography classes in the Chicago area, and in fact the largest photography program in the country. Offering the most up to date innovations in the industry as well as a rich history behind photography, taught by over 70 professors, Columbia College will surely meet all your needs. Students at Columbia are eligible to obtain a B.F.A or a B.A. in photography or they may couple it with another major as a minor.If you still want to take some photography classes in the Chicago area, but your heart is set on a broader art program, Truman College might be best for you. They offer areas of study in liberal arts and science programs that specialize in areas of art, illustration and design, intended to be used as a transfer program to a college or university offering baccalaureate degrees. The programs may also be used to get your foot in the door of a professional career in the many aspects of art, illustration or design.This is in no way an exhaustive list of the places in Chicago offering classes in photography. No matter what type of setting it is that you are seeking, be it formal or informal, expensive and tuition based or inexpensive and nonprofit, you will no doubt find a variety of places offering photography classes in the Chicago area. You can find more information on the programs listed above by searching for the following:o Chicago Photography Center
o Harrington Digital Photography School
o Columbia College Chicago
o Truman College

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Using an Internet Business and Passive Income As a Lifestyle Design Aid

The question that I’ve been pondering lately is this: what exactly is lifestyle design? It was only a few weeks ago that I first heard the term lifestyle design. I had no idea what exactly that meant, but in very basic terms I knew that a lifestyle was how someone lives, and design is creation. But, to create your own lifestyle? I didn’t quite understand the idea.Lifestyle design is such a new term that it’s not even on Wikipedia yet, but successful Internet business gurus are using it like we use air to breathe. So, I decided to do some research.I learned that lifestyle design, actually creating your own lifestyle and living how you want to live, is something that is very real. People like Timothy Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek, has done things in his life to live exactly how he wants to live. He’s a national Chinese Kickboxing Champion, a break dancer in Taiwan, actor and a multi-millionaire. He’s able to do these things because he has created businesses and utilizes outsourcing to allow him to only have to work four hours a week, which opens up more time in his life for doing things that he wants.I want that.You probably think that his life is the way it is because of the decisions and actions he has made. Although that’s true, the way we describe him with respect to lifestyle design is the other way around:
“He took specific actions and made specific decisions based on the kind of life he wants to live.”
I think that most people, myself included, never really think about the exact lifestyle that we want to live. Yes, we do have goals and work really hard for them (retirement, millions of dollars, owning a company), but we hardly ever think about the lifestyle we want, and how we want our daily lives to be.
We make decisions and work hard for our goals, but do we do the same for our ideal lifestyle?
If someone has earned $500,000 in a year, they may have reached or surpassed their goal. But if it took them 90 hours a week to get there, they may not be living their ideal lifestyle.See the difference?It’s a fact that everybody will have different ideas of what their ideal lifestyle should be. You have to really think about it, deep down inside about how exactly you want your life to be. That being said, if you earn a passive income, you have the ability to more easily design your own lifestyle. That extra paycheck in your bank account not only gives you more money, it can also give you more time and freedom to do whatever it is you want to do.For example, I actually enjoy working in an office. At the same time, I don’t want to work 8 hours a day because I’d rather spend more time with my family. Earning a passive income allows me to do this because I just work part-time while earning the same amount of money (maybe even more) as if I was working 8 hours a day with earning no passive income.Also, my fiancee and I love to travel. Say we want to take a one month vacation in an exotic place each year. Why do I have to use the money from the income I already make? I can just create a new passive income stream (a new product, website, what have you) and use that money for traveling. That way, I don’t risk an impact on the other parts of my life. I’m designing my own lifestyle.It’s not about working X hours for X dollars. It’s about working hard now, so you can reap the benefits and live how you want to, later. Earning passive income creates freedom.It’s definitely easier said than done, obviously – but with some hard work and determination, we’ll be able to design the lifestyle we want using the benefits of earning a passive income, which we are working for today.

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Life Insurance FAQs

Buying the right type and the right amount of life insurance can be a confusing process, especially if you are just beginning to research the best life insurance policy for you and your family. There are many questions to consider and there isn’t a one-policy-fits-all answer. Although you will definitely want to discuss all of your options with a reputable insurance agent who will provide recommendations based on your specific needs, here are some life insurance FAQs to get you started:How much insurance do I need?
The amount of life insurance you need depends on your individual circumstances and may need to be modified several times during your life as your family grows and your assets increase. The general rule of thumb is that your insurance equals six to eight times your annual gross income. However, there are many important factors to take into account:
• The number of individuals who are financially dependent on you
• Income sources and amounts other than your salary earnings
• Whether you are married and, if so, your spouse’s annual gross income
• Whether you have any special insurance needs, such as mortgages, estate planning, college funding, etc.
• The amount of death benefits payable from an employer-sponsored insurance plan and social securityWhat is term insurance?
Term life insurance provides protection for a specific period of time, and it only pays a benefit if you pass away during the term. Term insurance is a popular option because it is generally inexpensive when you purchase it at an earlier age and benefits can be used to pay off outstanding debts.What is whole insurance?
As long as you pay the premiums, which will be higher than term insurance, whole life insurance remains in effect throughout your lifetime. Whole life insurance policies are especially beneficial if you want to use your insurance as collateral for loans or receive cash payments while you are still living.What is universal insurance?
Universal life insurance gives you permanent insurance protection, but it is more flexible than whole life insurance because it allows you to select the amount of protection that best fits you and your family. You can increase or decrease your universal coverage as your insurance needs change, and have more control over the amount and frequency of payments.Whom can I name as a beneficiary?
Your beneficiary is the person or persons for whom you will want to provide financial support when you pass away, and is typically a spouse, children, or other relatives. However, remember that you may need to update your insurance policy as circumstances change. For instance, if your spouse becomes unable to handle financial matters or you get divorced, you may need to review and modify the beneficiary designation on your policy.Can I name my estate as beneficiary?
The short answer is yes, but it may not be the best option for a variety of financial considerations. For example, many state laws dictate that life insurance benefits paid to an estate must go through a probate process before your beneficiaries can receive the proceeds of your policy. You will want to speak with your legal advisor to discuss the financial implications of naming your estate as your beneficiary.Do I have to take a medical exam?
Medical exam requirements vary depending on the life insurance company, but most will require some form of exam to obtain an objective evaluation of your health. As you might imagine, the results of a medical exam will influence the type and amount of insurance for which you are eligible. One of the most important health factors is whether or not you smoke cigarettes. Due to the increased mortality risk associated with smoking, smokers almost always pay higher premiums and, in some cases, may be denied life insurance coverage.These are likely just a few of the questions you have about life insurance. Get all of the answers you need to choose the best type and amount of insurance for you and your family when you meet with a trustworthy insurance agent. Learn more about insurance by visiting http://www.KellyWilliamsIns.com or calling 562.498.8661.

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