Class Details
Sunday, November 8th
10:00am – 5:00pm
$125
Only 20 spots available!
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
A portrait is not taken — it’s made, in the space between the photographer and the person in front of the lens. In this full-day masterclass, you’ll build real command of portrait lighting, from a single light to sculpted multi-light setups, while learning the thing gear can’t give you: how to direct, connect with, and draw presence out of your subject.
Working with professional models across rotating lighting stations, you’ll move hands-on from fundamentals — quality, direction, and ratio of light — into clamshell, rim, and separation lighting, then carry those skills into softer, mixed-light portraiture.
Throughout, we treat the session as a duet: posing, rapport, and reading a subject are taught alongside the technical craft, because the strongest portraits come from both.
Led by commercial and editorial photographer Kevin Boller of Insight Image Studio, this masterclass is built for photographers ready to stop guessing at light and start shaping it with intention. You’ll leave with a repeatable lighting toolkit, a directing framework, and a portfolio of images made during the day.
Bring your own camera; a working knowledge of manual mode is recommended.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
| Time | Segment |
| 10:00–10:30 | Welcome & framing — “making vs. taking,” why connection beats gear |
| 10:30–11:30 | Light fundamentals — one light: quality, direction, ratio, modifiers (live demo) |
| 11:30–12:30 | Hands-on rotation, Stations A & B — one-light portraits, 2 models |
| 12:30–1:15 | Lunch |
| 1:15–2:00 | Directing & connection — posing, rapport, reading a subject, “the duet” |
| 2:00–3:15 | Multi-light & shaping — clamshell, rim, background separation (demo + shoot) |
| 3:15–3:30 | Break |
| 3:30–4:30 | Mixed / environmental light — carry studio skills into softer light |
| 4:30–5:00 | Image share, live critique, wrap & next steps |
WHAT TO BRING
- Camera, mirrorless or DSLR with hotshoe
- Portrait Lens, 24-70, or 85 works awesome
- Tripod
- Fully charged batteries
- Memory card
*We will break for lunch, so pack a lunch or be prepared to purchase something to eat downtown!
For More information Please Contact:
Michael Kincaid
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
email: michael@sbdac.com
