For Photographers

For Photographers

Learn to light editorial portraits, in person.

A private day in the studio with me and a professional model. You shoot every setup yourself.

Inquire About a Private Day

$1,800 · one photographer, one day

Emme Starkey close in low light, hair falling over one side of her face, black long-sleeved top, black and white

Looks you’ll learn to build

These are frames from my own studio sessions. On the day we build looks like these from the first light up, and you photograph each one.

The hard shadow

A hard light placed so the shadow becomes part of the picture. You’ll learn where the light goes, how far the model stands from the wall, and how a small turn changes the shape.

Greyson in a white tank facing the camera, hard shadow behind him, black and white
Ava leaning forward, intense gaze, hard light study

The close portrait

Light that shapes a face for beauty and hair. Height, angle and fill decide where the cheekbones and jaw fall. You’ll learn to read a face and place the light for that person.

Eva with slicked-back hair and pearl cluster earrings, an oversized coat at her collar, close, black and white
Emme Starkey in a white tank top and hoop earrings, hair half pulled back, looking into the camera, black and white

Low light

Most of the frame falls away to black and only what matters is lit. You’ll learn to control the spread of a light so it stays exactly where you put it.

Linzy in dramatic floor pose with arm raised, black bralette and charcoal trousers, chiaroscuro studio lighting
Greyson facing the camera in a leather jacket over a shirt and tie, dark ground, black and white

Movement

A jacket pulled off, hair thrown loose, a step caught mid-air. You see the light on the model as you work, so you can direct the move and time the frame.

Greyson pulling a leather jacket off behind him, white shirt and tie, black and white
Emme Starkey full length in a black camisole, cropped leggings and heeled sandals, hair in motion, black and white

How the day works

  1. 01

    Start with your work

    We talk through what you photograph and what you want to improve, so the day is built around you.

  2. 02

    Build and shoot

    We build at least three lighting setups together, mixing hard and soft light. You handle the camera. I explain my choices and help you make your own adjustments.

  3. 03

    Direct and review

    We work on reading faces and directing poses, and review your photographs together as we go.

The details

Included

  • A private day of one-on-one instruction with Henry
  • A professional model
  • All lighting equipment, continuous lights throughout
  • At least three hands-on lighting setups
  • Guidance on light control, reading faces and posing
  • Portfolio use of photographs you take during the session

Bring

  • Your camera and lenses
  • Charged batteries and memory cards
  • A few reference images or examples of your work, if you’d like

You don’t need to bring lighting. If you’re unsure which lenses to bring, include your camera and lens details when you inquire.

Using your photographs

You may display photographs you take during the session in your own portfolio, including your portfolio website and organic social posts showcasing your work.

Magazine or editorial submissions, third-party publication, paid advertising, client campaigns, resale and other commercial licensing are not included.

More from the studio

$1,800 for a private day.

Tell me what you photograph, what you want to improve and your preferred dates. Include a portfolio link if you have one.

Inquire About a Private Day

Opens an email to henry@henrydavidstudio.com