Portrait Studio Lighting MasterClass II
For Advanced

Who Should Attend

This masterclass is for advanced photographers who want to explore lighting techniques further and truly understand how light behaves — how it shapes emotion, sets the mood of a scene, and affects the model’s look and expression.

Throughout the course, I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned in my 15 years of shooting portraits and fashion — from troubleshooting lighting setups to working with models and bringing out their best expressions. These are lessons shaped by real shoots, real challenges, and real discoveries about how light can transform an image.

This class is for you if:

  • You already have experience with studio lighting and want to take it to the next level.

  • You want to refine your control over light and mood in portrait and fashion work.

  • You’re looking to develop your own distinct lighting style that tells a story and evokes emotion.

  • You want to deepen your connection with your subjects and learn how light influences their energy and expression.

All modern studio equipment used by professional is provided during the class. All camera gears is expected from the students.

If you’re ready to go beyond just using light — and start feeling and shaping it — this masterclass is for you.

Syllabus

Week 1: Fundamentals & Camera Mastery

  • Course Syllabus Intro & Expectations

  • Exposure Triangle & Studio Camera Settings (Flash Sync Speed, ISO, Aperture)

  • Model Direction & Basic Posing Techniques

  • Assignment: Research a notable fashion/portrait photographer & analyze their lighting style.

Week 2: Studio Gear & File Management

  • Assignment Review (Photographer Analysis)

  • Intro to Studio Gear: Strobes, Continuous Lights, Modifiers, & Triggers

  • Digital Image & File Management (RAW Workflow, Culling, Color Profiles)

  • Advanced Lighting Setups Demo & Hands-On Practice

  • Assignment: Practice a basic 1-light setup with a subject.

Week 3: Beauty Lighting Setups

  • Assignment Review

  • Creative Beauty Lighting Setup & Modifier Selection Demo

  • Live Shoot: Practice with Model on Set

  • Assignment: Beauty Portrait Shoot.

Week 4: Beauty Retouching & Post-Processing

  • Review Beauty Shoot RAW Images

  • High-End Retouching Workflow (Frequency Separation, Dodge & Burn, Color Grading)

  • Export Settings for Web, Print, & Client Delivery

  • Assignment: Fully retouch 2 beauty portraits from Week 3.

Week 5: Editorial Lighting Setups

  • Review Retouched Beauty Assignments

  • Storytelling & Concept Building for Editorial Work

  • Editorial Lighting Setup Demo

  • Live Shoot: Practice with Model on Set

  • Assignment: Editorial Lighting Shoot based on a mood board.

Week 6: Advanced Strobe Lighting & Gel Techniques

  • Review Editorial Assignments

  • Modifying Strobe Light: Hard vs. Soft, Color Gels, Grids, & Snoots

  • Creative Strobe Setups Demo

  • Live Shoot: Practice with Model on Set

  • Assignment: Creative Strobe Shoot.

Week 7: Continuous Light & Mixed Light

  • Review Creative Strobe Assignments

  • Mastering Continuous Lighting & Constant Light Modifiers

  • Mixing Strobe with Continuous Light (Motion Blur + Flash Sync)

  • Live Shoot: Practice with Model on Set

  • Assignment: Creative Continuous/Mixed Light Shoot.

Week 8: Deconstructing Light & Reverse Engineering

  • Review Continuous Light Assignments

  • Reverse-Engineering Lighting Setups from Commercial Ads & Magazine Covers

  • Reading Shadows, Catchlights, and Falloff

  • Assignment: Select a complex reference image to deconstruct, plan, and execute.

Week 9: Creative Execution & Portfolio Building

  • Review Deconstruction Plans & Reference Images

  • Live Shoot: Executing the Complex Lighting Reference Setup with Model

  • Fast-Track Culling and Batch Processing

  • Assignment: Finalize top 3 portfolio pieces from the course.

Week 10: Final Portfolio Presentation & Review

  • Presentation of Student Final Creative Assignments

  • Comprehensive Course Review & Q&A

  • Business Basics: Pricing, Client Management, & Studio Marketing

  • Graduation & Certificate Presentation

Course Fee: P32,000

A woman with dark, curly hair poses in front of a mirror, wearing a sequin dress, with dramatic lighting creating horizontal shadow stripes.

Photographer: Albert Pedrosa