Chimpsy

As a few others have mentioned on here, there was a great deal at living social for 2 classes for $ 99 and I was really looking forward to learning my new camera before a big Safari trip to Africa in July. I bought this voucher back in Oct. 2011. I figure «that’s more than enough time to get in the two classes» and I’ve literally had one problem after another trying to find an open class in the Boston area and classes being cancelled last minute. I was also told I would be emailed once there were more classes scheduled (never happened). Finally some new classes were posted in April 2012 and I scheduled a class for beginner and intermediate — or so I thought– multiple times these classes have been cancelled, rescheduled, cancelled again — I’ve had to shift and reorganize my life several times to try and get these classes in before July and now, again, a class I had scheduled in Boston for this coming Sunday, June 17^th, was just cancelled yesterday and the next available class is not until July 15^th which is right in the middle of my Africa trip. I would never, in a million years, recommend dealing with this company. The policy, clearly, is to promise and not deliver scheduled classes. They must have an entire team of people dedicated to escalated customer service issues and rescheduling of classes (I’ve dealt with many over them over email — all very nice, helpful, and professional I will say). Such an incredibley poor way to run a business — run, don’t walk, away from any tempting offers this company may have. It’s so not worth it!

I have had nothing but problems trying to take a Chimpsy class. I got a living social deal $ 100 for two photography classes in Boston and it took about 2 months for me to actually get into one. First they said they would send me an email once new classes opened up (never happened). And after scouring the internet for a phone number, since they don’t list one on their site, I finally got on their email list after I spoke with someone on the phone.
I showed up for my first class on March 3^rd at 10:00 am in the Prudential Center and no one was there. I waited 30 minutes and no one showed up. Another girl was also waiting with me. I work in the Prudential Center so I’m positive I had the right meeting spot. Not only that, but if the class was cancelled I received no notification. I paid $ 30 to park and spent an hour getting there and there was no class! I got there 10 minutes early so there is no way I would have missed a class of 10 people with cameras walking around.
For the past 2 weeks I’ve called, left messages and emailed Chimpsy but no one has responded to me. I’m writing this review because it seems like this is the only way you can get a response from someone.
At this point, I’m doubting if this company is real and I want my money back!

I got a Groupon for Chimpsy and was really excited about it but it’s been nothing but problems trying to actually get in a class. =(It took 2 weeks for anyone to reply with my Groupon code not working and to register me (oh, btw there’s no working phone #), by that time the 3 classes I tried to get into were booked so I had to wait another 6 weeks for one and then it was cancelled due to bad weather and we now have to wait another 2 months for the makeup date. Very disappointing that the business aspect is run this poorly when the actually classes seem to be great.

I received a Pentax DSLR for Christmas a few years ago and I didn’t know the half of what I could do with this camera. I have taken it on many trips (my favorite being on a Mediterranean cruise in 2009), but if I knew then what I know now, I would have taken many, many more photos that would have turned out better. Mark was a great instructor and I look forward to taking the Downtown Denver class. I know that there is more to learn (or even «perfect») from what I did on Saturday. Thank you, Chimpsy, for helping me become a better photographer and not just another picture-​taker!

This Sunday I took a beginners workshop for DSLR. I have had my Canon Rebel for a couple of years and rarely took it out of full auto mode. I have attempted to read my manual and just couldn’t quite get it. In two hours I learned everything I needed to get me started to produce quality photos on a regular basis; that I previously just got lucky with in full auto. What I learned about aperture and exposure compensation gives me just what I needed for an upcoming family trip to Hawaii. I will be back for another session for sure!

let me just star out by saying that chimpsy offers photo WORKSHOPS, not classes. that being said, the workshops that Mark leads are great!
I think some people have an incorrect expectation of being able to take ONE photography class and go from shooting in full auto to shooting in manual and being able to take pro photos. being able to take photos like a pro takes lot of practice. mark’s workshops give you a way to speed up the learning process by having direct feedback and suggestions while you practice. the workshops help cut hours off of that learning curve, but don’t expect to be a professional after just taking a workshop or two!
I have never had a problem with the chimpsy staff getting back to me. and I’ve communicated with them through email a ton — both before and after the workshops. mark even sent me feedback on my photos within a day!
I’d recommend chimpsy to anyone interested in learning how to use their camera, anyone with an interest in photography as a hobby, or anyone who just likes to take a lot of pictures! but for those who are aspiring pros, I’d say to look into photography schools.

A complete waste of time and money. I didn’t learn a thing. The «instructor «seems to be bored out of his mind during the class. We were all bored out of our minds. I’m sorry, but this guy Mark has zero pedagogy to teach… zero.

Make sure to read the «filtered» reviews for this group! There is a link at the bottom of the unfiltered reviews. Unilocal is wrongfully classifying people’s comments. I left a review that was filtered but you all should read if considering taking Mark’s classes. If you’re lucky enough to catch him, he might have something good to offer you. Otherwise, he uses email addresses that are invalid, cancels classes without enough notice, doesn’t follow-​through on his other promises once you’ve taken his classes. Such a shame! He is very talented but needs to understand that you have to respect those you want business from!

I love taking photos. I have a «picture» section of my computer with thousands and thousands of photos. My family kept telling me to take a class already. I searched and searched for a class to take in Denver. Most classes were for the DSLR camera. But what about me? I have a regular-​unleaded, point and shoot camera. Finally I come upon Chimpsy. They teach classes for both types of cameras. Then I researched reviews. Score. Everyone LOVED this company. The next day, I see Chimpsy on groupon. Double score!
So I get to class and I guess I am expecting everyone else to be a camera pro, but we are all in the same boat. The teach, Mark, was so super laid back, which made the class so much more enjoyable. Very easy going, and very informative. We all learned some basics of our camera, then hit the streets of downtown Denver. We took a ton of pictures, experimenting with all the different settings of the camera. We all had a blast and now know how to take our own pictures to the next level. Thanks, Mark!!!

Mark was a great instructor, full of knowledge and patience! I had a wonderful experience and am so grateful for the time spent on my first (of many!) photo fieldtrips! I have since purchased three more trips and one for my pops.

It was thrilling to be taught by such a talented photographer (the walls in his studio are covered with amazing canvas photos). Mark’s delivery was very accessible and personable, his instructions easy to follow, and his passion for photography very inspiring. The class was a good balance of instruction vs. hands-​on. In no time, we were shooting in manual mode. The assignments were appropriate to the skills we just learned in class. I highly recommend Chimpsy’s photo fieldtrips and can’t wait to sign up for another one!