Studio Portrait Lighting - a One-Day Workshop

A full day covering everything from core principles to hands-on shooting, with an experienced model, professional Broncolor flash, and a tutor who has been teaching this for years.

This is a tried and tested course - the same material we've been teaching across multiple sessions since 2011, now structured into a single intensive day. We open with a tutorial that covers all the core principles, so that when the model arrives everyone has the grounding they need and we can spend the shooting time actually shooting.

The workshop won't make you a master of lighting - that takes time and practice - but it will show you that it's all relatively straightforward, and give you the confidence and understanding to grow from there.

How the Day Runs:

Morning - tutorial

Core principles

Exposure, metering, the inverse square law, modifiers, light placement and feathering - covered before the model arrives so you are not learning from first principles while someone stands idle.

Morning - shooting

White background setups and control

Loop, butterfly, and Rembrandt lighting on a white background. We light it to appear white, then - as a demonstration of control - make it appear essentially black.

Afternoon

Separation and dark tones

Shooting a model in dark clothes against a black background - a deliberately challenging exercise that teaches how to achieve subject/ background separation in the studio.

Late afternoon

Bringing it together

A final session combining techniques from earlier in the day, applying what has been learned with greater independence.

Requirements

Experience This is not an introductory photography class - we will be shooting in manual mode (with fixed settings). Not there yet? Our Digital Photography Intro would be a great place to start.

Gear Your camera must be capable of firing studio flash via a hotshoe trigger or PC sync socket. A lens equivalent to 24–70mm on full frame (18–55mm on crop) is the minimum. Pack light - no tripod needed.

Price £275

Format Group workshop

Duration 09:30 to 17:00

Participants Up to 6

Includes Lunch and beverages

Location Pavilion Studio, West Lothian

Dates Sunday 26th July 2026

Also available as a one-to-one session. Ask us about 1:1 tuition.

Get in touch to book

Prices include VAT. Full payment required at time of booking.

What Students Say

About This Class

"Learnt a ton of stuff, very interactive, great models and an all round relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommended."

- Chris Scott · Studio Portrait Lighting

"A perfect mix of theory and hands-on practical work, all done in an informal and relaxed way. It has provided me with a good understanding of different lighting techniques and the confidence to use them."

- Kenny Young · Studio Portrait Lighting

"For anyone considering getting into studio or portrait work this is the best way to get started. Barrie knows his stuff inside out and his studio is amazing."

- Philip Cormack · Studio Portrait Lighting

Studio Portrait Lighting - a One-Day Workshop

How the Day Runs:

About This Class

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