Mastering Portraiture & The Art of Connection
An Intimate 2-Day Workshop
With Karen Moffatt-McLeod APSNZ, BPSA – Karen McLeod Photography
12-14 March 2027, Whitianga, New Zealand
Overview
Step behind the scenes and elevate your portraiture with an exclusive, hands-on two-day intensive designed for passionate DSLR and mirrorless photographers. Capped at an intimate group size to ensure personalized mentorship, this workshop bridges the gap between technical camera settings and the art of evocative storytelling.
Whether you are looking to spark your creativity, refine your understanding of lighting, build confidence directing diverse subjects, or sharpen your post-processing workflow, this masterclass covers the complete portrait pipeline from concept to final edit.
Key Details
- Investment: $750 NZD per person (Includes GST, all subject/model fees, venue/location fees/access, and the follow-up Zoom review).
- Class Size: Intimate group of 4 participants to guarantee one-on-one guidance.
- Prerequisites: Working knowledge of your camera in manual mode (aperture, shutter speed, ISO) & editing software.
What is not included:
- Travel
- Accommodation (I can make some recommendations)
- Meals (I can make recommendations of cafes & restaurants) bring lunch on Saturday & Sunday. Coffee/tea/water available for Friday night talk & Sunday editing sessions.
TO BOOK: email karen@karennmcleodphotography.com
What You Will Learn
- Understanding Light: Seamlessly transition between indoor natural light, studio lights, and challenging outdoor lighting conditions.
- Working with Diverse Subjects: Gain real-world experience directing and shooting across different sessions featuring a female subject, a male subject and a child/youth subject session.
- Posing & Connection: Making your subject comfortable & learning how to draw natural, emotional expressions from your subjects and direct body language with confidence.
- Creative Portraiture: How to be a one-man-band & costuming on a budget, props & tools.
- End-to-End Post-Processing: Bring your RAW files into Lightroom on Sunday to develop a cohesive, professional editing and retouching workflow.
Weekend Itinerary
Friday Evening 5pm (1.5 Hours) | The Foundation
- In-Depth Presentation & Q&A: Kick off the weekend with a deep dive into Karen’s portrait journey, finding subjects & creativity, the psychology of portraiture, lighting types, equipment choices, planning & setting up your shoots for success.
Saturday | Studio, Natural Light & Multiple Talents
- Morning Session (Indoor with Natural & studio/portable Light): Explore directional lighting and shadow play using different lighting setups and indoor ambient light with our first subject.
- Afternoon Session (Outdoor & Second Subject): Move outdoors to tackle open shade, harsh sun, and contrasty light, working with a second subject to master on-location adaptability.
*Note these could swap around depending on weather & tides
Sunday | Speciality Subjects & Post-Production
- Morning Session (Creative shoot): We will have some fun with a more creative shoot.
- Late Morning – Mid Afternoon Session (Editing & Workflow): Transition to the screen. Watch a live-editing demonstration and learn different techniques, and efficient culling in Lightroom, what is suitable for colour or mono portraits.
Two – Three Weeks Later (1-Hour Zoom Session)
- Review & Accountability: Reconvene online to review participant work, troubleshoot post-workshop challenges, and receive constructive, personalized critique on images shot after the weekend.
What you need to bring
- DSLR or Mirrorless Camera, batteries/charger/memory cards & lens or Lenses that preferably stop down to at least f/4 is not lower
- Laptop with editing software – prefer Lightroom & Photoshop but if you can follow on other software that is fine (however, I am not familiar with the settings/controls of other software). Don’t forget your power cable & mouse
- Tripod if you have one – we may or may not need & I have a couple of spares
- Layers, be prepared for hot/cold/rain/sun/wind
- Comfortable shoes
- Drink bottle / snacks
- Glasses – if you need them
- Personal medications
- Sense of Humour & sense of adventure
