Directed - A Hands-on Lighting Workshop
Nov 1st @ 12:30 PM
Studio by House - Studio C
Level up your lighting skills in this full-day lighting workshop with Studio Nirvaani & Biljana Photographer.
See who you'll learn from...
Studio Nirvaani
I'm Nirvaani, a Creative Director and Fashion Photographer based in the GTA. I give everyday people the model shoot experience, directing each concept from idea to polished shoot. Everyone walks away with elevated, unforgettable photos.
Biljana Photographer
I’m Biljana Paradzik, a Toronto-area portrait, fashion and beauty photographer. My work celebrates women, strength and emotion, with photographs exhibited at Toronto’s Super Wonder Gallery and experience capturing New York Fashion Week.
Studio Lighting Workshop
Sunday, November 1st 12:30PM
Studio By House
Limited to 10 students
Workshop Overview
Focus: Studio Fashion & Beauty Lighting
Led by two professional photographers, this intensive afternoon is designed to demystify studio flash through live breakdowns and hands-on shooting. We set the lighting, explain the modifier physics and power ratios, and then hand you the trigger for dedicated, uninterrupted 1-on-1 shooting time with professional models.
You learn the setup, you shoot the look, and you walk away with portfolio-defining images.
What You Will Learn
You’ll walk away understanding the core principles of light shaping so you can stop guessing and confidently build setups in any studio. We’ll cover flash power ratios and camera sync, modifier selection (from softboxes to beauty dishes), and feathering techniques for flattering skin tones and crisp catchlights. You'll master both even full-length coverage and tight beauty framing, discover how to use black V-flats for dramatic subtractive contrast, and learn the secret to dialing in creative color gels without muddying natural skin tones—all while gaining practical experience directing professional models on set.
Schedule
12:30 PM — Arrival & Welcome
Check in and overview of the day.
12:40 PM — Look 1: Full-Length Floral
Live lighting demo, followed by 1-on-1 shooting.
1:45 PM — Look 2: Tight Beauty Floral
Live lighting demo, followed by 1-on-1 shooting.
2:30 PM — Break & Set Transition
Snack/water break while the next set is prepped.
2:45 PM — Look 3: Creative Colour Gels & V-Flats
Live lighting demo, followed by 1-on-1 shooting.
3:50 PM — Look 4: Clean Contrast V-Flats
1-on-1 shooting with clean, dramatic lighting.
4:45 PM — Recap & Q&A
Final questions, wrap-up, and model credit info.
5:00 PM — Workshop Concludes
Workshop Highlights
4 Signature Studio Setups
Master and shoot a diverse range of looks in a single afternoon: full-length floral, tight beauty, bold color gels, and high-contrast V-flats.
1-on-1 Model Time
No elbowing for angles or shooting over shoulders. Every photographer gets dedicated, uninterrupted turns directing professional agency models.
Learn by Doing, Not Slides
Live, in-studio breakdowns of light placement, modifiers, power ratios, and camera settings before you step up to shoot.
Instant Portfolio Upgrade
Walk away with high-end, commercial-grade beauty and editorial portraits ready for your website and social media.
Guided by Two Working Pros
Hands-on coaching throughout the entire day to help you troubleshoot settings, refine angles, and direct models with confidence.
Small Group Environment
Strictly limited spots to ensure plenty of shooting time, personalized feedback, and zero crowding.
Who This Workshop is For
This workshop is designed for photographers who want to stop guessing with artificial light and start shaping it with intention. Whether you primarily shoot natural light and feel intimidated by studio strobes, or you already own a flash but aren't sure how to build dynamic setups beyond a basic single light, this hands-on afternoon is built for you. If you know how to operate your camera in Manual mode and want dedicated 1-on-1 time shooting high-end editorial and beauty sets with professional models, you’ll feel right at home.
Requirement / Skill
This workshop is designed for photographers of all studio levels—no prior off-camera flash or studio experience is required. The only prerequisite is that you know how to operate your camera in Manual Mode (adjusting shutter speed, aperture, and ISO on your specific camera body). We will handle everything else from the ground up, teaching you flash sync, power ratios, light placement, and modifier control so you feel completely confident on set.
What to Bring
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Camera Body: Mirrorless or DSLR with a standard hot shoe.
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Portrait Lens: A 50mm, 85mm prime, or a 24–70mm zoom (a 70–200mm or 24–105mm is also great if you have one).
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Memory Cards: Formatted, empty cards with plenty of storage space.
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Fully Charged Battery: Plus a backup battery and charger just in case.
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Note-Taking Device: A phone or small notepad to jot down lighting diagrams and power settings.
Pricing
Registration is $299 for the full intensive afternoon. Your seat includes hands-on guidance from two lead photographers, as well as complete access to our on-set creative team of professional models and an experienced hair and makeup artist. Every set is professionally styled, lit, and prepped so you can skip the logistical headaches and focus entirely on mastering light, directing talent, and walking away with portfolio-defining images.