The Surprising Portrait
A Chris Buck Workshop
July 12 - 14, 2024 — Toronto, Canada
Join Chris Buck for a rare opportunity that will challenge you to take risks and find your photographic voice.
The entire workshop was an injection of fear-conquering exercises allowing me to become the photographer I want to be. If you’ve hit a roadblock, I encourage you to take a creative leap and sign up!
About The Workshop
The central theme of the Surprising Portrait Workshop is bringing your singular viewpoint to portraiture. Minor White said, "All photographs are self-portraits," and we will look to unleash that inner voice into your pictures.
Through a process akin to alchemy, we'll mix light, composition, and your personal vision to turn mundane scenarios into captivating portraits, revealing hidden depths and authentic truths along the way.
The world is filled with imagery that blends together, by honing your inner voice and turning up the volume on your style, you can rise above the cacophony.
But be prepared: portrait alchemy isn't for the faint-hearted. It requires courage to explore your vulnerabilities and uncertainties, embracing the unknown to create something truly beautiful and surprising.
It will be exciting and challenging, and you’ll be invited to impress!
You Can Expect
2 1/2 days of shooting & instruction, starting at 8:30 a.m.
To work closely with Chris through the workshop
A live portraiture demo with Chris
Insights on the business of photography
Discussion with VIP AD Katina Constantinou
Challenge your set ways on portraiture
Sebron Snyder sets up a shot, Santa Fe, NM
Testimonials
I work in a smaller market, scant of worthy mentors in the photographic industry; I took Chris’s workshop to put my ego on the line and grow in the process. Chris pushes you to go deep and really consider why we do what we do when every tiny decision counts. Take the workshop.
I am smart about how I spend my money, so I hesitated before signing up - and I have zero regrets! He made me dig deep and really challenged my creativity. And, it was so cool to be able to be in a photo studio instead of a dull conference room.
“The Surprising Portrait” challenged me to dig deep, face my fears, and use the raw material of my emotional experience as inspiration for my work. What I discovered during his workshop gave me the courage I needed to face my self-limiting beliefs about my potential as a photographer, creator, and woman. The camera is now a tool for radical self-acceptance, and Chris Buck helped me get there.
After hearing him on The Candid Frame Podcast, I got the sense that Chris had soul, and was more interested in sharing his experiences as a photographer and his human perspective than selling the idea of us becoming like the teacher. Chris's workshop was thorough and worth the investment.
Workshop Highlights Slideshow
Chris Edwards
Kirth Bobb
Courtney Potter
Matthew Coughlin
Rob Culpepper
Pete Lacker
Marie Feutrier
Saverio Truglia
Marie Feutrier
Miguel Vasconcellos
Rodrigo Cid
Jordan Naholowaa Murph
Justin Clemons
Matthew Coughlin
Jake Thomas
Shelley Horan
Shelley Horan
Chris Edwards
Jesse Rieser
Lisa Kannakko
Calli McCaw
Lisa Murzin
Who Should Take This Workshop?
This workshop is for photographers eager to elevate their skills and embrace creative challenges. We'll delve into capturing captivating portraits, from celebrities to everyday people, tackling issues like time constraints, shy subjects, and leadership development.
No need for advanced equipment or lighting expertise; it's about artistic vision and mindset. With the right attitude, this workshop can be life changing.
This is a hands-on two-and-a-half-day workshop with Chris working closely with each photographer as they develop and refine their approach. There will be at least two shooting assignments, with corresponding critiques.
Additional Workshop Details
Discussions cover the business side of portrait photography, including career building, marketing, and adapting to emerging technologies, such AI generated art.
Photo by workshop participant Allan Clark
Saturday morning features a the VIP guest art director Katina Constantinou of Sugar Design. Katina regularly works with the best photographers and directors in the commercial space for brands such as LCBO, Adidas, Toronto FC, Moosehead, University of Toronto, and many others. She will give a short presentation and then field questions from workshop participants.
Photo by Raina+Wilson
More Testimonials
Though most of the other students were professional photographers and I am a retiree simply enjoying my hobby, Chris gave me an equal amount of challenge and encouragement as he did the others.
— Karen Pape
Meeting Chris Buck is now checked off my To Do list. His workshop was an ass-kicker that had me analyze how I’ve approached my work until now. Most importantly I felt his authentic thoughtfulness toward the challenges I came to workout. Inspired by our conversations and his unreasonable requests, I took risks which to most would be reasonable to avoid.
I’m a beginner and my only experience behind a camera was doing shoots for an Instagram post. Chris really brought out my eye for aesthetic and taught me that when I’m behind the camera I’m in control.
— Emmanuel
When I returned from attending the workshop with Chris Buck, I felt like I had gone into solitary confinement with my camera and been ass-whipped on the right side of the brain. Chris challenged my ideas of my own limitations and gave support where needed. We worked from sun-up to sun-down and I didn’t feel like a moment was wasted.
About Chris Buck
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Chris has been an advertising and magazine photographer for over 35 years. His three books have built him an audience with the public, while his pictures have been awarded over 50 times in the photo annual American Photography.
He’s photographed four Presidents, Jay-Z, and Grumpy Cat. He is currently based in the New York area.
Chris Buck portrait by workshop participant Leslie McKellar
“The elements of a classic Chris Buck portrait are instantly recognizable and often unforgettable: bold colors, crisp lighting, and simple yet slightly bizarre scenarios.”
— John Lockett, GQ
Portrait demo photo by workshop participant Alexa Rocourt
For years I felt disconnected from my photographs. I wanted them to be more, to say more, about myself. Clients loved my work, but it was empty. Chris’s workshop became a safe place to make photographs. What once had made me feel broken as a photographer, became healing.
Schedule
DAY ONE
8:30 AM to 6 PM
Participant Portfolio Review
Workshop Introduction
Lunch
“Surprising Portrait” Slideshow & Demo
Shoot First Assignment
DAY TWO
9:00 AM to 6 PM
VIP Guest presentation & Q&A
Business Talk
Lunch
Critique First Assignment
Shoot Second Assignment
DAY THREE
8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Critique Second Assignment
Lesson’s Learned Talk
Marketing Talk
Lunch & discussion (at 12:30 off-site)
Logistics
Workshop Location
Studio 400, 400 Eastern Ave, Unit 201
Toronto, ON, M4M 2K9, Canada
Studio 400 is a professional photography studio space that will serve as the workshop’s homebase. It is easily reached by transit or car with plenty of parking in the neighbourhood.
About the Neighbourhood - The workshop will take place in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood. This community is sandwiched between East Chinatown and Leslieville, boasts Victorian houses, historic sites, restaurants, parkland, and public art.
Accommodations & Meals - Participants are required to find their own accommodations in Toronto. Attendees will arrange their own meals, lunch recommendations near the venue will be provided.
Refunds - A full refund is available up to two weeks before the start date. A 50% refund is available up to a week before the start date.
New York Times Magazine Jason Acuña behind the scenes, photo by Ben Travers
The greatest benefit from Chris’s workshop was seeing how a top-notch photographer approaches the craft of portraiture. The workshop was hands-on and any question was fair game. But I was affected most by seeing the amount of preparation and the level of professionalism that go into making great portraits. It was a stretching experience and it made me a better photographer.
The Surprising Portrait
July 12 - 14, 2024 — Toronto, Canada
PRIVATE WORKSHOPS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE, EMAIL FOR DETAILS
Limited to 15 participants.
Questions regarding the workshop will get a prompt reply:
chris@chrisbuck.com