Mpls Photo Center

I recently took a class here on Beginning Digital SLR Photography. While the class was very pricey, I definitely feel I got my money’s worth.
The instructor, Steve Bye, was excellent. He was very knowledgeable, patient and good natured. He took the time to explain things thoroughly and answer all questions without being redundant or getting too into details. The venue was also very nice, an old Warehouse that has been restored beautifully and had large areas with scenes, objects to be photographed.
The class was well run and organized, started on time, and even included some «extras» I wasn’t expecting. For example, they bring in a live model for students to practice portraits in different lighting. Also, the lunch (the class was on a Sunday from 10 – 2) was very tasty (make your own sandwich, sides, and dessert) and the two owners came in to help serve, clean up, and answer additional questions. The class also started with coffee and breakfast!
At the end of the session I felt much more comfortable with my photography skills and was excited to build on what I had learned. I hope to go back for another class soon!

It’s too bad the other person had such a bad experience, because this place is such an asset to the midwest. They have two darkrooms (one for b&w and one for alternative photo processes), a C-​41 processer, the latest Macs and printers, great classes, fantastic exhibitions, and really cool people hanging around. They also have artist talks, information about new camera equipment, and really reasonable member options. They’re doing a great job of filling the space the Minnesota Center for Photography left. If you’re into anything photo, check this place out!

I worked with the owner of the Mpls Photo Center in the Spring to coordinate my wedding. He was a bit flakey at first, but things seemed pretty great. The space is really awesome looking out over the river and the Minneapolis skyline. I wanted to rent their Photo Center space for my wedding reception, I was looking for something very unconventional.
About eight weeks before our wedding I called Orin to discuss everything and verify the information we should provide in our wedding invitations. Orin made sure I had certain specifics nailed down, including only printing Mpls, not Minneapolis and such. Well about six weeks before our wedding when we were just getting ready to mail our invitations Orin EMAILED me to CANCEL our booking! CANCEL a wedding reception venue six weeks prior to the wedding!!! I called to talk with him and he doublebooked the space causing us to have to find a new venue.
We had to reprint our invitations, resend out information and redo our wedding website; costing us an arm and a leg ON TOP of finding a new venue that cost more money than planned. Orin basically said he was sorry, but wouldn’t help us with the amount of money he ending up costing my fiancé and I. I wouldn’t suggest going in to any sort of business negotiations or situation with him, as he is not very organized and doesn’t understand how much things cost. As a wedding planner myself, I suggested he never make a committment without triple, quadruple checking any date long ahead of time!