Testimonials from Current and Former Students

I am a professional artist who makes public art for a living. I needed to up my game on Photoshop to stay competitive in the proposal process. I was happy to find Bryan for private lessons. Bryan has a vast knowledge of Photoshop but what I really appreciated was his ability to stay focused on the specific elements of the program that I needed to understand better. He was also able to offer an overview of the structure of the program which I desperately needed.  Photoshop is a ginormous application and the key for me was to be able to focus on the relatively few skills I needed to master for the work that I do. Bryan was able to guide me to achieve my goals.

Lisa Adler - DKLA Design, LLC

I had the privilege of taking Professor Bryan Steiff's Color Photography course when I was just eighteen years old. I began to explore photography as a means to understand and express my life experiences, particularly my struggles with depression and anxiety and Bryan was an inspiring and supportive guide for me during this period of exploration. 

His engaging and humorous teaching style made even the complexities of photo math seem effortless.

Bryan introduced me to photographers whose work I had never encountered before, including the cinematic portraits of Philip-Lorca diCorcia and the tableau photographs of Gregory Crewdson. These inspirations had a profound impact on my work in his class. With his encouragement, I challenged myself to create color photographs in mixed lighting situations with both color slide and 35mm film—often a difficult task to meter for good exposure and even more challenging to print well in the color darkroom.

Bryan recognized my dedication to becoming a technically proficient photographer and often praised my ability to handle these technical challenges during class critiques. As a person who often doubts their capacity and skill, especially, as a younger person, those class critique call outs helped to build my confidence in my skill and in myself. His acknowledgment and support were invaluable to me. 

His Color Photography class, along with my introduction to the view camera through another professor, laid the foundation for my art practice, which has continued to evolve over the past decade and a half.

What truly sets Bryan apart is his genuine investment in his students as individuals. He was always available for a friendly chat or to help me navigate a technical challenges. Years after completing my BA, our paths crossed again at a Chicago street music festival, leading to a friendship that has grown as I transitioned from editorial photography to a fine art career.

Teachers like Bryan Steiff are rare. His passion for photography, dedication to his students, and warm, approachable demeanor make him an exceptional educator and human being. I am immensely grateful for the impact he has had on my life and career. 

Everyone should have the opportunity to learn from such a remarkable teacher.

Oriana Koren - Professional Photographer

At the end of over 20 years in sports photography, I found myself disconnected with my craft, feeling less like an artist and more like an image machine. I needed out of this rut, and a path back to the passion and inspiration that came so naturally in my youth. 

Bryan is the one who helped me realize that I didn’t have to go back to the beginning to reignite my creative journey. He has shown me ways to break free of old routines, and into new territory– by exploring different disciplines and developing a process. Possibility is no longer so elusive, as new paths emerge. Bryan’s guidance and expertise have played such an important role in moving me forward and finding a fresh joy!

Josh Clark