Photography Portfolio Deep Dive: A 1-on-1 Intensive Workshop

For a 1-on-1 online workshop program that includes a portfolio review and a 4-hour interactive discussion, here’s a structure with key topics you could cover:

1. Pre-Workshop Portfolio Assessment

• Review the participant's existing portfolio (before the session)

• Identify strengths and areas for improvement

• Tailor the upcoming session based on the participant's goals (e.g., product photography, portraits, food photography, etc.)

2. Workshop Breakdown (4 Hours)

Hour 1: Portfolio Review and Goal Setting

• Detailed portfolio discussion:

  • What’s working well (composition, lighting, editing)

  • Areas for improvement (subject focus, framing, consistency)

• Goal setting:

  • Define what the participant wants to achieve through the session

  • Discuss their niche or area of interest (e.g., commercial, food, or portrait photography)

  • Set clear learning outcomes for the workshop

Hour 2: Technical Skills & Equipment Mastery

• Understanding essential photography techniques:

  • Aperture, shutter speed, ISO

  • Composition and framing techniques

• Gear recommendations based on their style:

  • Discuss how to optimize their current setup or suggest improvements

  • Lens choices for their specific photography goals

  • Tips on working with minimal equipment in different scenarios (for those on a budget)

Hour 3: Lighting Techniques and Creative Execution

• Lighting setups:

  • Understanding natural light vs. artificial lighting

  • Simple lighting setups they can use (even at home)

  • Using reflectors, diffusers, and softboxes

• Creative guidance:

  • How to make their images stand out (storytelling through photography)

  • Posing (for portraits) or arranging (for product and food shots)

Hour 4: Post-Processing and Workflow Tips

• Image editing fundamentals:

  • Basic and advanced editing techniques in Lightroom/Photoshop

  • Consistency in color grading and style

  • Retouching tips for specific genres (portrait, product, food)

• Creating an efficient workflow:

  • Organizing files and maintaining backups

  • Speeding up the editing process without losing quality

Post-Workshop Follow-Up

• Provide feedback on post-workshop improvements

• Offer guidance on next steps for growing their portfolio

• Optional: Assign a mini-project to be reviewed in a follow-up session

Discussion Topics:

• Niche Exploration: Help them find their niche within commercial photography.

• Marketing and Presentation: How to present their work professionally and reach their ideal clients.

• Industry Insights: Share your experiences and how to handle real-world challenges like client interactions, preparing for shoots, or maintaining a consistent style.

This structure ensures that you cover essential technical and creative aspects while tailoring the session to the participant's needs.