Tips for Presenting Your First Photography Workshop
I’ve been fortunate present photography workshops over the past 15 years. My focus is usually on lighting for beauty, but I’ve presented on other topics as well including how to pose a subject so they look natural on camera. I’ve also attended many workshops from both well-known photographers and lesser-known names as well. From being on both sides of the lectern, I’ve developed a good understanding of what makes a good photography workshop. Here are 3 tips you might consider should you find yourself tasked with presenting a photography workshop.
Don’t Take Your Audience for Granted
Be sure to deliver everything that was promised in the workshop description. I once attended a workshop presented by a photographer who had promised to shoot a headshot for each of the participants. The photographer was a sponsored photographer who regularly presented workshops on a variety of topics. I don’t think he was even aware of which specific workshop he had promised to present at this event. Because I had presented several workshops at this particular camera store where this was being presented, I was invited to attend the workshop at no cost. Near the end of the presentation, one of the attendees asked the presenter when he would be photographing headshots for the participants as was promised in the workshop description. The presenter said he had not brought lighting and was not prepared to photograph the attendees. The participant pointed out that the description said each participant would receive a free headshot. Since I hadn’t paid for this workshop it was of no concern to me, but I was shocked that someone could be so cavalier about promising something and not delivering it.
Another situation I have encountered frequently is where the presenter runs out of time and is unable to present some aspect of the workshop that was promised to the paid attendees. I recall being at a workshop on how to use colored gels for creative looks. The presenter started with a monologue about there being 2 types of gels — creative and corrective. He explained how you might use a green gel to counter the color tone of ambient fluorescent lighting. Then he talked about CTO gels and informed everyone that the initials stood for color temperature orange. None of this was relevant to the topic that the audience wanted to learn. As might be expected, the audience had limited time to photograph the model under colored gels because so much time had been wasted talking about things that were unrelated to the topic that the audience wanted to learn.
In a shooting, posing, or lighting workshop, the audience is there to learn a solution to a problem they are having or they are there to learn a new technique. Your job as the presenter isn’t to show off how much you know about photography. Your job is to provide the specific information the audience needs to improve their photography. Running out of time is an unacceptable excuse for why you didn’t deliver something you promised. Create a schedule for what you will present and follow it. During the shooting portion of the workshop, walk around and connect with as many participants as possible. Thank them for attending and ask them if anything has been confusing so far. Guide them through the shooting process. Read More...
