Imaging USA helps photographers improve their photography, grow their business, and expand their professional network.

As the largest annual conference for photographers, Imaging USA offers 3 immersive days filled with education, inspiration, and celebrations, plus an extensive expo showcasing essential brands for running a profitable photography business.

Storytelling with Creative Light

Session Time: Feb 3rd 8:00 am - 9:30 am CT
Location: Grapevine Ballroom C, Convention Center, Level 3
Sponsored By: Fujifilm

Are you ready to take your inspiration with portraits to the next level? We’ll explore how to transform a simple portrait into a narrative—one that captures attention, reveals character, and leaves a lasting impact on your clients. This approach opens new doors for you as a photographer and as an artist, allowing you to offer clients a unique experience they’ll never forget.

Topics covered include:
Finding and developing inspiration for concepts.
Planning, preparing, and pitching to clients.
Artistic elements of storytelling in photography.
Tools and techniques for storytelling with light. 

As storytellers, we understand the transformative power of light. It has the ability to shape emotions, evoke memories, and breathe life into the mundane. 

This workshop is about breaking through barriers to creativity and exploring them by  developing your own voice.

With hands-on guidance and personalized instruction, you will have the freedom to explore, experiment, and sculpt your own visual masterpieces.

Mastering skills and learning how to use both equipment and artistic concepts are both necessary to communicating your ideas more effectively. This class enables you to work with models in real time on storytelling sets as we explore and put those principles into practice. The best way to learn is from experiencing the creative process for yourself.

Models, props, sets, lighting equipment, and a universal lighting controller will all be available for you to use. Coupled with personalized guidance, these tools empower you to take your photography to the next level. While you're welcome to bring your own cameras and lenses, we're excited to provide Fujifilm's medium format cameras for your exploration. These cameras offer unparalleled levels of detail, dynamic range, and vibrant colors, elevating the way we perceive and craft light.

 Topics covered will include:

• Equipment choice

• Introduction to tethering and collaboration with frame.io

• Exploring the world of the Fujifilm GFX medium format system

• Lighting patterns and when to use them

• Contrast/ratio control in studio

• Color correction and management

• Concept development

• Usage and choice of advanced lighting tools (grids, flags, snoots, gels)

• Advanced editing tips in Photoshop

• Feedback on images, your shooting style and a “portfolio review” of your images from the weekend. 

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY // DAY 1 - 9am-5pm
Introduction, presentation
Practice sets
LUNCH
Presentation
Studio Creative Sets

SATURDAY // DAY 2 - 9am-5pm
Image review from Day 1
Presentation
Studio Creative Sets
LUNCH
Studio Creative Sets
Editing Presentation

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JOIN US!

DATE: October 11-12, 2024

LOCATION: Modern Light Studio, Little Rock, Arkansas

INCLUDED: Two days of instruction. Continental style breakfast and lunch included.

LODGING: Each attendee will book their own accommodations. Studio location will be provided after ticket purchase.

COST: $1,750 per person
Payment plans are available.

**Class size is limited to 15 photographers, to allow maximum shooting time for each photographer.**

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What do I need to bring?
You will need a camera, studio lens (50mm, 85mm or 24-70mm lenses are ideal choices), portrait lenses for outdoors (wide angle or 70-200 may also be useful) batteries, and accessories. Cameras will also be available on site for you to use. ALL the other equipment will be provided. You may want a notepad or your phone to take notes. You may also want a laptop for following along with the photoshop portion.

How much shooting time is there?
There will be classroom teaching portions each day, with hands-on shooting to practice the concepts. The remainder of the class time is structured to provide attendees with the ability to create and take pictures on set with models as much as possible. There is a total of 10 hours of shooting time planned for 6 sets over the weekend–not counting time practicing techniques in some of the teaching portions. We know HANDS ON instruction is the best way to learn.

Will I be able to use the images in my portfolio?
Yes! The models have all signed a release for images to use in your portfolio. We ask that you credit the models when posting and sharing.

Is there a prerequisite to this class?
This is an advanced photography workshop, and students should be comfortable using manual exposure, and at least one light off camera. Attending a fundamentals class before this one would be helpful. If you have questions about whether this would be a good fit for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We want you to get the most out of the education experience and will be sure you are set up for success in the right class!

Will food be provided?
A continental style breakfast and lunch will be provided both days of the workshop. Please let us know when registering if there are any dietary restrictions (Julie is dairy free, so she understands!), and we will do our best to accommodate.

What is your cancellation policy?
Due to the nature of this event, to cover models, wardrobe, and expenses, no refunds will be available. In certain circumstances, if needs arrive prior to 14 days of the event, you may be able transfer to an alternate date if one is announced and spaces are available.

Images from previous Stories with Light workshops…