Workshop. London

FIRST DAY

Theoretical Part (~5 hours)

• Features of artistic portraiture.

• Types of requests for portrait shoots.

• Working on oneself as an artist. Presenting your work. Creating a portfolio. Methods for building a portfolio. Forming your style and self-image. Creativity and commerce.

• Photography equipment and its role. Lenses. Lighting equipment. Specifics of portrait photography with digital and film cameras. Examples of equipment setups for portrait shoots.

• Light and its role in portraiture. Continuous light vs. flash.

• Studio approach to shooting in any location with any light source.

• Lighting setup as a construction kit. Working with modifiers (reflectors, diffusers). Shooting on dark and light backgrounds. Working with textured backgrounds.

• Specifics of working with people. Breathing techniques. Directing movements.

Lunch Break (45 minutes)

• Portrait composition. The rule of thirds, central and off-center compositions. Static and dynamic. The role of perspective in photography. Portrait angle and plastic angles. Multi-layering. Perspective.

• Planning a shoot. Choosing and preparing a location. Working with style and image. Selecting accessories, clothing, hairstyle, makeup, and styling for different appearances and different tasks.

• Shooting projects and series. Developing ideas. Unifying factors and elements. Types of portrait projects and their specific features.

• Post-processing. Color correction in Lightroom (LR). Spot and area-based adjustments. Using AI tools. Proper handling of contrast and sharpness. Redrawing and enhancing the lighting composition.

• Portfolio review for participants.

SECOND DAY

Practical part (~7 hours)
Studio lighting. Working with two models, light and diffusers.
Work on location. Natural light. Working with two models and modifiers.

The workshop is open to different experience levels — from beginners to practicing photographers.

Both areas are covered. Technical lighting and post-production are included, but the central focus is portrait work with people, character, and emotional presence.

No. This is a two-day workshop format. Mentorship is a separate long-term one-to-one program.

Yes. The program includes practical shooting sessions in the studio and on location.

Yes. Models are provided for the practical sessions.

It is recommended that participants bring a camera along with one or more of the lenses listed below.
Serhii recommends the following lenses (bringing all of them is not required):
• 50mm or 85mm (f/1.8 or faster)
• 24–70mm f/2.8
• 100mm (f/2.0 or faster)

If you have a different lens, please contact the workshop curator for guidance on the most suitable option.

Yes. The workshop program includes a portfolio review session for participants. You are kindly requested to submit up to 10 photographs to the workshop curator in advance, showcasing your style and creative achievements to date as clearly as possible. This will help ensure you receive the most constructive feedback and valuable guidance for the further development of your portfolio.

No, participation is optional. If you are a beginner photographer or prefer not to take part, you are not required to submit your work.

We plan all workshops well in advance and do our best to hold them on the scheduled dates. However, unforeseen circumstances beyond the organizers’ control may require rescheduling.

In case of a date change, each participant has the right to either receive a full refund or transfer their participation to the new date, at their own discretion.

Please note that the organizers are not responsible for any additional costs incurred by participants, including purchased plane or train tickets, hotel bookings, or other related expenses. We strongly recommend avoiding non-refundable bookings until the workshop is fully confirmed.

In case of force majeure events — such as illness of the instructor, flight cancellations or rescheduling, natural disasters, unforeseen restrictions in the host country, or other situations beyond the organizers’ control — we reserve the right to reschedule the event.

If a participant cannot attend for personal reasons, they may request a full refund no later than 14 days before the workshop start date. For cancellations made less than 14 days before the event, the following options apply:
— The participant may find a replacement and transfer their spot to another person (with the organizers’ consent);
— If there is a valid reason and prior notification less than 14 days before the event, participation can be postponed to another workshop without refund.

Thank you for your understanding and trust.