Classes

The pose is the key to creating art, not portraits and seems to be the first major challenge we face (in any genre) once we get past all the technical stuff of lighting, camera settings, etc. The SECRET to creating dynamic posing is to know the STORY of what you are trying to capture, in any given session. In this hybrid class we are going to generate three poses that are the go-to/typical looks for a high-school senior, a boudoir and a fine-art subject. We’ll look at their clothing, their props, the shapes they can make and then connect them to each other. Can the go to pose of a female boudoir client, be tweaked and put upon a high-school senior male client? Can the flowing dress of a fine-art client inspire a similar STORY put upon the other subjects in this class? Yes – yes it can. In this class you’ll learn about:

1.) Posing that isn’t static and flat
2.) Lighting patterns applicable to all genres of photography
3.) Composition of your images that work with the lighting, the posing to create story – to create art

Then a handful of students will be selected (at random) to step into each of the three photography bays and capture frames while I work with them to fine-tune their vision.

Now it’s time to complete the journey of art-making by taking three images into Photoshop. This will be a strict focus on a full portrait editing process (no composite artwork this time.) Our workflow will start with processing the raw files, skin retouching, background clean up, color grading and adding special effects. We’ll also take one image and go through the process for a FIVE MINUTE EDIT, so you can REDUCE YOUR EDITING TIME. In this class you’ll learn:
1. Fixing problems from the photography lighting, through Adobe Camera Raw
2.) Advanced Frequency Separation techniques to clean up skin and repair clothing
3.) Adding textures and special effects that bring IMPACT to the art
4.) Color grading techniques that are applicable to all genres of photography and are EASY to create

Are you a natural light photographer? let me tech you off-camera flash and you will be amazed to see the difference between the ordinary to the extraordinary, be ready to take your photography to the next level.

Don’t get me wrong, shooting weddings is amazing (I still love shooting them)…but do you know what is more amazing?  Shooting corporate work!

Why is it amazing?  I get my weekends back.  I get repeat business.  I get bigger and better budgets.  It’s less stress.  Did I mention that I actually get to spend time with my family on weekends now?!?

What is corporate work?  It can range from headshots, to corporate event coverage, and branding video work.  You’re basically providing any photo/video content for your client’s website.

If you want your weekends back, and you want to get started in corporate work, this is the class for you.  I’ll talk about how I transitioned to corporate work, why I prefer it over weddings, how to actually find clients in your area, and more!

In this class, you’ll learn:
-Transitioning from weddings to corporate clients
-How to find corporate clients
-Writing quotes and proposals
-Going from a signed proposal all the way to a corporate shoot
-Client expectations and why it’s different than wedding client expectations
-Final product and delivery
-Retaining corporate clients

Bring a pen and paper to write notes, any questions you may have, and let me show you how to start booking corporate clients!

You can be the best photographer in the world, but if you don’t have enough clients, you could end up with an expensive hobby!

With 30 years’ experience in portraiture and generating over $300M in sales for photographers in the UK, there are few educators as qualified as Charlie to learn from. During this 120 minute whirlwind of a class, Charlie will literally hurl a myriad of ideas at you to fill your diary and to maximise your sales when they are in the studio. From identifying your target audience, exploring additional genres to some inspirational In Person Sales tips, this course could change the way you market your business.

Learn how to get more inquiries and turn them into bookings so you can fill your calendar. 10 easy ways to book more clients and the number 1 mistake that is sabotaging your marketing efforts, and how to fix it NOW!

With 15 years of experience in bereavement photography, I’ve heard “I’d love to do this for families, but I just don’t think I can handle it” a thousand times over. The reality is, however, just like many other things, fear of the unknown prevents us from doing things we really want to do. In this lecture, I will discuss the ins and outs of child loss photography, what photographers can expect from a session, and how to cope through the process of photographing and editing those photos. It’s my hope that this course will give photographers the opportunity to open their hearts to a priceless way of giving back their times and talents to their communities.

We will show students how using wide angle lenses and OCF lighting can make them stand out in their markets. the foundation of our #2bEpic system : com+pose+lighting = EPIC

We often hear it: the wedding is the bride’s special day. It’s that moment she’s been dreaming of since she was a little girl. But our grooms are often left as afterthoughts on what is supposed to be their happiest day. However, that all changes with this class!

The groom’s day gets serious once he puts his attire on, and that’s where we’ll focus our attention. While brides typically have many details for lay flats photographs, we’ll show you how to do that same for him as his details. Attention should also be paid to the relationships between the groom and his father, father-in-law, grandparents, and the groomsmen (and, more frequently, grooms women), including photographing frames that help showcase those genuine feelings. Telling the narrative of the groom getting dressed should be tastefully done, and often this sequence can be photographed outside of the small, darkly lit rooms guys are commonly sequestered. Finally, once the groom is looking his best, take this opportunity to snap a few photos of just him right before he sees his significant other.

We’ll be working with a few Rent-A-Human™ models directly and having you work in small groups practicing our techniques. Breakout groups will also have you thinking about lens choices, narrative opportunities, and variety in meaningful ways.

We’ve all been there. Midday portraits with the sun out in full swing. Reception halls with yellow walls and black carpet that eats up all the light. In this class, we’re covering how to take that ugly ass light and shape it exactly how you want it to create GORGEOUS images no matter the time of day.

Does the word audio scare the heck out of you when it comes to filmmaking? Let Josh and Jen show you how to capture crisp clear. They will take you through the gear that they use to capture audio, preferred methods when it comes time to edit the audio, and how to make your audio sound the best you can so you will no longer lose sleep at night!

Using a “life-like” doll, this course will demonstrate posing techniques for infant bereavement photography that will help those interested in providing this service to produce images that convey a family’s love for their child loss through beautiful and heartfelt posing, rather than harsh realities. It is, of course, advised that photographers receive assistance from nursing staff in these situations, but this course will give you the skills and techniques to guide them in helping to position babies and families in a loving way.

Since the very beginning of portraiture photographers have been saddled with the task of making their subjects smile naturally. This has proven to be a challenging undertaking and a crucial part of a photographer’s skill set when working with human subjects. Work on testing out some of Peter’s tried and true techniques in this dept and add some new comedic elements to your directors toolbox.

Learn how to effectively brainstorm to come up with a theme for any styled shoot. You can’t just slap up whatever in the shot and expect it to look like a cohesive image, you’ll need to plan. But so many options can be overwhelming. How can you pare things down to fit in a theme, or even a budget?
-you’ll participate in planning a themed session
-learn brainstorming techniques you can repeat for any theme or session type
-learn how to translate all of your ideas to an actual shiot

I’ll discuss how to construct a brand that stands out from the pack by creating imagery that pushes your clients experience beyond just traditional boudoir. Attendees will learn how the addition of maternity boudoir as well as more epic editorial boudoir styled sessions incorporating elaborate wardrobe and locations will separate their brands from the competition. I will dive into how to market these types of sessions so that they develop an exclusive, luxury, must have feel to attendees clients.

You don’t need a ton of fancy equipment to create gorgeous boudoir photos. One light & different modifies is all you need!
Learn 5 different one-light setups to create images that will blow your clients away.

The very words “Stress Free” and “Newborn Session” never go together do they?
How are you supposed to create a masterpiece in this chaos? In this class, you’ll learn pre-session planning and how to cater to these situations before they arise, ensuring a smoother session. This is your how-to on going from possible disaster to a smooth, successful, stress-free, session that leads to Fine Art…Mind Blowing Sales! I will teach you how to nail your session by being prepared, confident, in control, and the authority in your studio!

Here’s what we’ll cover:
• What Clients are looking for in a Newborn Session before they book you.
• My Game Plan on how to Expect the Unexpected.
• How To Change the Perception of being a Photographer
• Address the top 5 challenges we face in our genre
• What makes your session Smooth and in control.
• Mapping out your Shoot
• Prop Pre-Selection (Tips on how to shoot to sell more from the very start)
• Preparing your Client and Setting Expectations (Session & Sale).
• Learn the top mistakes that cripple your studio and how to avoid them.
• Getting Organized with our props
• Secrets to Soothing – when the pressure is on.
• Keeping Mom excited, prepared and relaxed.
• What TOP element is needed for your clients to be comfortable paying you thousands a session?

Often we think about what we can do to make a session go smoothly, but we don’t spend a ton of time helping the client be ready for us. In this class you will learn to master BOTH. A game plan is everything. Let me help you make stressful sessions a thing of the past.

Participants in this workshop will learn different lighting techniques to conquer wedding receptions and the various events that occur, including the first dances, garter/bouquet toss, speeches, as well as how to get those crazy awesome dance floor shots regardless of the type of venue. I will show how to get story telling images using a combination of off camera and on camera flash. For the dance floor demo, we will crank up the music and all dance the night away (or afternoon, lol) as we take turns dancing and shooting and creating memorable images the bride and groom will love and their friends will be totally jealous of. Bring your camera and your dancing shoes.

Being a quality photographer means that you can provide consistent imagery, every time. Learn alongside Vanessa as she photographs while focusing on style, posing, expression and lighting – all that match her brand and her client expectations. Then get back in the classroom to see how she edits, keeping her promised style in mind, to deliver photos that her clients love.

*Bring camera gear + laptop to edit (or phone if you can Wifi your photos from your camera and edit from there)

Participants will learn how to get started with personal brand photography. Participants will learn what important questions to ask during a consultation, how to market branding services, guidance on how to price services, tips on ways to increase average order value (AOV), camera gear, client management systems, client journey, and so much more. Towards the end of class website and social media audits will be performed for those who are looking for feedback and guidance.

Did that photograph make you hungry? If it doesn’t, it should! Your main goal in a food photograph is to make the viewer want it. This class will improve your food photography with basic techniques in the art of food photography. Learn composition essentials that will make every photo wanting you to run to the grocery store. This is a beginning food photography class. You will learn how to select foods, linens, colors, shapes, props, and anything you can to make people say: I want to eat THAT.

Learn HOW to make people want to EAT it, food that is. This hands on class will teach YOU how to make the juiciest foodie photograph. From dramatic lighting for an old fashion, to pasta that would make even the nicest Italian grandmother run to the kitchen. This class will focus on the how’s, the why’s, and the just get in there and do its. Use the art of composition and the drama of storytelling to bring emotion out through your food photograph.

Our world is ever-changing, growing, and becoming more inclusive of all lifestyles. For far to long boudoir has been only about empowering women. Today, that is not enough. We are going to show you some easy ways to become a more inclusive studio and how to photograph all people.

We will dedicate this time to shooting boudoir for all people. We set up models and have assistants to make sure that students rotate to get a chance to work with several dynamics including (this list will be adjusted day-of based on available models)
* female identifying
* male identifying
* non-binary
* CIS couple
* same-sex couples
* lifestyle partners (more than two people in a relationship)

Let’s talk about pricing and presentation, then you’ll sit in on an actual REAL sales appointment and listen to what I say and how I present images.
-overcome your fear of IPS
-build a price sheet that works
-understand how to limit choices any why it works
-learn how to shut up and why talking more can lower your sales

In this class you will learn how to prepare your clients since the first meeting to the big day ( the IPS meeting ) one of the most exiting meetings in my opinion, you will learn how to present your images, how to present your products and the most important part, how to finalize your meeting with an amazing sale that can double or triple the original price of your contract.
Do you think that you are not ready to sale products? in this clase you will learn to introduce products to your business and what is the best way to sale them with no experience as a sales man.
be ready to increase your income with every contract, the inicial contract price is just the beginning of a great sale.
Quinceaneras, the art of making money

We are going to be learning how to pose young ladies (seniors – models) . I’m not gonna teach you generic poses, We will be breaking it down into faces, arms, hands, legs, feet and bodies. We will be twisting and turning, extending and pointing to make the most out of every body type. We will learn how to build poses that match a situation and the unique features of each person. There will be lots of good and bad examples so that you can see how not to do something too!
Communication is key to quickly getting the results you and your client want and we will focus on how and what to say too!

Learn amazing poses and the art of using angles that are most flattering to your subjects and the camera. This hands-on course will help you understand the need for angles when photographing, learn the poses, and then apply them in this class. When shooting, your class with be broken down into smaller groups for an intimate hands-on experience.

– Why we use angles
– Lighting techniques
– Posing

Marketing is all about potential clients remembering who you are. When they are looking for a photographer, you want them to think of you. Its really that simple, but how do we get there?

This class will dive into marketing for photographers. We live in a world of photographers. We can throw a rock down the street and probably hit a few photographers before it hits the ground. There are literally photographers everywhere in our markets, so how do we stand out? How do we rise above? How do we get people to see us and not get lost in the sea of other options?

We will dive into marketing techniques to create a brand that stands out. We will discuss ways to use images in our marketing that gets attention. We will discuss some ways to do free marketing in addition to paid options like Facebook ads. You will learn to create a marketing plan that allows you to be noticed. This is a dive into the marketing world that will help you build and maintain your business.

LED Lighting has become so versatile and necessary. We will use multiple setups to create killer dynamic images for your senior and fashion photography. We will use one-Two-three light setups for portrait and stop action motion photography (Yes Really!). We will be using Studio Heads, Wands and Panels to create different looks and feels. Never tape a gel to a 7″ cone again because these lights come with 256 colors to conquer any lighting look. Even though this is Live Demo class you will be able to shoot as we go because no triggers are required.