First Workshop Demo

The surprise of The Surprising Portrait workshop this weekend was that I did a shoot demonstration, something that I've never done before. 

Most demos are about lighting, or setting the scene, but my successful shoots usually involve an in-the-moment intensity and focus that would feel artificial when staged for an audience. But during the first day of the workshop I became frustrated that the attendees were joking around and had a casual attitude about the first assignment.

Although photography is, on a rudimentary level, quite easy, making distinct and meaningful portraits is difficult, and asks for a level of focus and seriousness that they were clearly missing.

My workshop assistant, Hudson Fega, had already asked if I might take his portrait that day, so I knew that he was game, and with all eyes on us, jumped into my usual process, from scouting the location to sketching out a psychological picture of my subject. 

The students watched a brief but intense session, moving camera position multiple times before locking in, and getting a front row seat while I asked the sitter to remove his shirt, and gave minute directions on body positions.

It was over in less than 20 minutes, and the primary response from the attendees was, "I had appreciated what you’d told us up until this point, but now I understand it in context." 

And Hudson was glad that he got to keep his pants on.

Top Image: Hudson Fega, Los Angeles CA 2023.

Bottom Images: BTS of the demo, photos by Alexa Rocourt.