The Contemporary Portrait - Full Agenda
This workshop will talk place over four days, starting on Friday, October 10th, and ending on the afternoon of Monday, October 13th. Below is the agenda for each of the four days as it currently stands. Note that the details might change some as we get closer to the actual date of the workshop. This is due to the fact I’m hoping to add more content (and maybe presenters) between now and then.
In the days before this workshop, an updated version of this agenda will be created in a mobile friendly format you can easily view on your phone. It will include the schedule as well as direct links to the various locations referred to in the schedule. There will also be contact information for me and the various assistants who will be with us during the four days of the workshop.
Registration closes on September 29th
Friday, October 10th
9:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Classroom Session + Guest Speaker #1
We’ll kick off the workshop with introductions and a conversation about your goals, both for the workshop and your personal photography journey. Then we’ll dive into the creative and technical sides of portrait photography, with a focus on how these elements come together during our upcoming shoots. Topics will include lens choices, camera settings for specific effects, and using available light effectively.
Our first guest speaker, a stylist with expertise in Street Style, will share what she looks for in a shoot and what photographers should keep in mind when working in this genre. Her insights will help shape our plan for the afternoon street session with our models.
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Lunch Break
We encourage everyone to enjoy lunch together, but you’re welcome to go off on your own if you prefer. As the workshop date approaches, we’ll send out a list of suggested spots and arrange a group reservation to keep things simple.
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Location Scouting + Lighting Demos
Before meeting the models, we’ll scout the nearby streets to get familiar with the shooting area. We’ll also demonstrate how to find and use natural light effectively without the need for reflectors or bounce cards (though we’ll have them on hand just in case). This is a great time to get hands-on before the actual session begins.
3:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Street Style Shoot
We’ll meet our two models, who will each have a few wardrobe changes. Photographers will split into two groups and rotate working one-on-one with a model while others assist. After a set period, groups will swap models, then repeat the process after a wardrobe change. We’ll aim to shoot until about 7:00 PM, just before sunset. We’ll take short breaks during each outfit change—time to sit, hydrate, and reset. The focus here is quality over quantity, no need to rush.
Water and snacks will be provided by our assistants, so you won’t need to carry extra gear or supplies.
8:30 PM | Group Dinner (Optional)
For those interested, we’ll gather for dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants. We’ll share the details and menu at least two weeks in advance so you can decide whether to join. If not, no problem—feel free to explore on your own, and we’ll be happy to recommend great spots based on your tastes.
Saturday, October 11th
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Classroom Session + Guest Speaker #2
We’ll start the day with a deep dive into studio photography. I’ll cover how to properly set your camera for studio flash, how to use a flash meter, and the benefits (and limitations) of working in a controlled studio environment. To make this session as useful as possible, I’ll be collecting your studio-related questions in advance. This way, we can tailor the content to your interests and challenges.
Next, we’ll be joined by our second guest speaker, Karina, a professional fashion model with years of experience in front of the camera. She’ll speak about building successful photographer-model relationships, covering topics like communication, setting expectations, and understanding what a model needs to do their best work. Karina will also join us in the studio later to work alongside our models.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch Break
We’ll offer nearby lunch suggestions and plan a group reservation for those who’d like to dine together. You’re also welcome to break off and explore on your own during this time.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Studio Headshots
This session draws from my long-running workshop, The Headshot: From Start to Finish. We’ll explore how to shoot tethered, allowing subjects to see their images in real-time and collaborate with you to create that standout shot. We’ll take turns photographing and being photographed. This hands-on experience helps you better understand how it feels to be in front of the camera, giving you valuable insight into guiding your subject with confidence and empathy.
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Model Portfolio Studio Session
Next, we’ll move into full-length and fashion-style portraits for a model’s portfolio. We’ll revisit the lighting setups covered earlier, using a variety of modifiers to show how each can shape the final look.
Karina will be on set to demonstrate posing techniques and provide guidance throughout the session. This is a rare opportunity to collaborate with a seasoned model who’s just as passionate about teaching as she is about modeling.
8:30 PM | Group Dinner (Optional)
We’ll wrap up the day with an optional group dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. Details and the menu will be shared at least two weeks in advance. If you’d rather explore on your own, we’ll gladly help with recommendations.
Sunday, October 12th
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Guest Speaker #3
We’ll kick off Sunday with our third guest speaker, fine-art photographer Dasha Pears. She’s going to share with you her creative process and the approaches she uses to create her amazing work. Dasha’s unique vision allows her to create stunning portraits that strongly incorporate the subject’s surroundings. Her images tell stories, conveying great depth and emotion that give her work its character. This is a perfect way to get ready for our next shooting session at Valencia’s famous City of Arts & Sciences.
Note: Wear comfortable shoes—there’s a lot of ground to cover today.
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Travel & Lunch Break
After our morning presentation, we’ll grab an early lunch together and then take the Metro to the City of Arts & Sciences. We’ll cover Metro fares both ways.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | City of Arts & Sciences – Scouting
Once we arrive, we’ll explore the area and scout for creative compositions. The dramatic architecture makes this one of the most visually striking spots in Valencia and the perfect location for us to apply what we have learned from Dasha earlier. While we scout around, I want everyone to be thinking about how they will use the structures and features as compositional elements of the portraits we’ll be creating during the shoot.
1:30 PM – 4:00 PM | City of Arts & Sciences – Shooting Session
We’ll meet our models at the entrance of the Science Museum and begin shooting. This session is all about compositional portraiture, integrating your subject into the environment in intentional, creative ways. Try experimenting with wider lenses and less conventional angles. This is a great time to move beyond the classic headshot approach and let your surroundings become a key part of the story you’re telling.
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Coffee/Water Break
We’ll take a short break for drinks, restrooms, and to recharge before the next session.
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Lifestyle Session – Picnic in the Park
Just a short walk away in Turia Park, we’ll transition into a light, editorial-style lifestyle shoot with a beautifully arranged luxury picnic setup. While the vibe is relaxed, this is also a chance to apply the creative techniques we’ve covered, incorporating emotion, narrative, and thoughtful composition into your shots.
6:000 PM | Return to the City Center
After the session, we’ll hop on the Metro and head back to the city. There’s no planned group dinner tonight, so feel free to relax or explore, unless you’re still feeling inspired…
9:00 PM | City at Night Shoot (optional)
For those still up for it, we will have an optional nighttime shoot on the streets of the city. We will gather near Serrano Tower and, with the sun down, we’ll take to the streets with one flash in a softbox. This will be a great opportunity to create some compelling images, as well as providing the opportunity to exercise your editorial photography skills. We’ll also go over how to balance our flash with the ambient light of the street illumination. Due to the nature of this session, I’m not going to split up the photographers into two groups as we have the previous days. I feel it makes more sense to have everyone together for this shoot.
Monday, October 14th
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Photo Review
Our last day of the workshop has us returning to the classroom. We’ll kick off the morning with a review of our photos from the previous days. I’ll ask everyone to pick their overall top ten images from our shooting sessions. This is a chance to showcase your work and receive thoughtful, constructive feedback from peers in a supportive environment.
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Raw Processing
Next, we’ll dive into RAW processing. I’ll walk you through my workflow and editing philosophy, and I encourage you to share your own approaches. We’ll explore what kinds of edits are best handled during the RAW stage and where tools like Photoshop may be better suited. It’s all about refining your creative vision and learning from one another.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Guest Speaker #4
Our final guest speaker will join us during this time. Topic and speaker details are coming soon.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch
Lunch will happen onsite so we can continue our conversations around RAW editing, image workflow, and personal approaches to post-processing.
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Image edits in Photoshop
Building on our RAW processing session, we’ll shift into Photoshop for advanced image editing. I’ll cover both traditional retouching techniques and the latest AI-powered tools—highlighting where AI can enhance your workflow and where manual editing still shines. It’s important to understand the balance and how to work across different tools and platforms.
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Image Delivery and Storage
clients and maintain a reliable backup system. I’ll share my own practices and invite you to do the same. This often-overlooked part of the creative process is critical for building a sustainable, professional workflow.
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM | Break
A short break to reset and recharge.
3:45 PM – 5:00 PM | Portfolio/Website Reviews
This session is open to anyone who’d like feedback on their portfolio or website. We’ll review how your work is presented and offer suggestions to strengthen your visual narrative and online presence. Participation is encouraged but optional.
5:00 PM – 6:30pm | One on Ones
To wrap up the workshop, I’ll be available for one-on-one time with anyone who’d like to ask questions, dive deeper into specific topics, or simply have a more personal conversation outside the group setting.