Instructor: Tony Northrup
Models: Maria Atuesta, Alexandria Pascucci
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Duration: 5 hours
Capacity: 6 students
It was a blast attending the studio portrait workshop by Tony, it was my first time in a studio and he made it all seem natural and simple to me. I feel so confident now that I can shoot something for my friends on my own.
—Arka Pathak, Student
Workshop Goals
• Master key lighting techniques used in portrait, fashion, and commercial photography
• Learn to use studio strobes, light modifiers, and triggers with confidence
• Understand how to shape, control, and color light for creative effects
• Build a portfolio with professional models in a controlled studio environment
• Get live critique and professional insight from Tony Northrup
Tony’s studio workshop was amazing! He makes learning super easy and fun, breaking everything down so it actually clicks. I left feeling way more confident about how to set up and control light in my shoots. The best part is that he gives real tips you can use right away instead of just theory. Honestly, I learned more in a few hours than I have from weeks of YouTube videos. If you’re into photography and want to step up your game, this workshop is a must.
—Kash, Student
Schedule Overview
Session 1: Introductions & Setup (30 minutes)
• Welcome & instructor introduction
• Overview of the day & safety briefing
• Studio lighting essentials: strobes, continuous lights, triggers
• Tour of modifiers: softboxes, beauty dishes, reflectors, grids, gels
• Working with professional models: etiquette & communication
Session 2: Lighting Fundamentals with Alexandria (30 minutes)
• Students rotate between shooting, assisting, and lighting
• Camera Settings: Raw, Manual Mode, base ISO, X-sync, f/8
• Connecting your camera to the strobes
• Adjust light position for shadows & catchlight
• Using the histogram to adjust output for exposure
• One-light setups: Rembrandt, loop, and butterfly lighting
Session 3: Multi-Light Setups with Alexandria (45 minutes)
• Two- and three-light setups: key, fill, hair/rim, background
• Controlling contrast and separation
• Gels and color theory: Using gels for mood and storytelling
• Lighting challenges: backlit, high-key, low-key
Session 4: Creative Shoots with Alexandria (45 minutes)
• Students lead their own shoots, working one-on-one with the model
• Apply the lessons learned so far with feedback and assistance from Tony
• Focus on refining technique, posing, and storytelling
• Capture unique portfolio-worthy images under professional conditions
Session 5: Advanced Techniques & Creative Concepts with Maria (1 hour)
• Fashion & beauty lighting: clamshell, edge lighting, beauty dish with reflector
• Commercial look: hard light, gels, dramatic shadows
• Use of props, backgrounds, and styling to enhance story
Session 6: Creative Shoots with Maria (1 hour)
• Students lead their own shoots, working one-on-one with the model
• Apply the lessons learned so far with feedback and assistance from Tony
• Focus on refining technique, posing, and storytelling
• Capture unique portfolio-worthy images under professional conditions
Wrap-Up & Q&A (30 minutes)
• Model and lighting workflow tips for your home or rented studio
• Gear recommendations (budget vs. pro)
• Marketing, client expectations, and file delivery
• Group discussion and critique of selected student images
• Certificates of completion (optional)
📦 Included:
• Use of all studio equipment (lights, stands, modifiers, triggers)
• Coffee, water and seltzer
• Model release for portfolio use
• Workshop slides or downloadable cheat sheets
Our studio has a variety of different settings, including a cyclorama, couch, vanity and fire escape.