Understanding Studio Lighting for Better Portraits - A Practical Workshop

Understanding Studio Lighting for Better Portraits - A Practical Workshop

Do you feel unsure when working with studio lights?
Do you own flash gear but still find yourself guessing?

This hands-on workshop is designed to help you understand studio lighting clearly and confidently, so you can create professional-looking portraits without overcomplicating things.

What you’ll learn

During this practical, small-group session, you will learn how to:

• Understand how studio flash works (power, distance, modifiers)
• Create flattering portraits using just one light
• Progress to two-light setups for depth and separation
• Shape light for faces using softboxes, beauty dishes and reflectors
• Control contrast, highlights and shadows
• Pose and direct a subject for natural, confident portraits
• Work effectively with a professional model
• Build lighting setups you can easily recreate at home or in your own studio

This is a hands-on workshop, not a lecture. Lighting setups will be demonstrated step by step, followed by guided shooting time where you can practise what you’ve learned using real studio lights.

Who this workshop is for

This workshop is ideal if you are:

• A beginner or enthusiast photographer
• New to studio lighting or flash
• Comfortable using your camera but unsure about lighting
• Looking to improve portrait quality for personal, creative, or portfolio work

No prior studio lighting experience is required.

What’s included

• A session with a professional female portrait model
• Studio lighting equipment provided
• Small group size for personal guidance
• Practical shooting time
• Clear explanations without technical overload

You’re welcome to bring any camera that allows manual control.

About the instructor

Your instructor is a Surrey-based fine art artist, graphic designer, and photography instructor, specialising in studio lighting and portrait photography.

Their portrait work has been selected as winning photographs in the 2019 and 2021 Portraits of Britain awards, and has been exhibited internationally in London, Madrid, and Paris.

Alongside lighting and portrait techniques, the workshop also includes practical insights into finding, working with, and communicating with models, helping you feel confident and professional during portrait sessions.

With a strong background in both fine art and design, the teaching approach focuses on helping you understand how and why lighting works, not just copying setups.

What you’ll leave with

By the end of the workshop, you will:

• Feel confident using studio lights
• Understand how to build simple, effective lighting setups
• Have practical experience shooting a professional model
• Create strong, professional-quality portraits
• Know how to work with models and continue developing your portrait skills