Introduction to Studio Photography - A Beginner-Friendly Two-Day Workshop

Location: Leica Akademie UK, Soho, 15 Greek Street, London

Time: Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th November 2026 | 11:00am – 5:00pm
 

Workshop Overview
 

Designed specifically for those who are new to studio photography, this immersive two-day workshop provides a practical introduction to professional studio techniques using Leica cameras.

Participants will learn how to confidently work in a studio environment, understand the fundamentals of lighting, photograph both fashion and portrait subjects, and develop a simple but effective post-production workflow using Capture One and Adobe Lightroom.

No previous studio experience is required. The workshop is structured to build confidence step-by-step, combining demonstrations, guided practical exercises, and hands-on shooting sessions with professional talent.

DAY ONE

Studio Photography Fundamentals & Fashion Shoot
 

11:00 – 11:30

Welcome & Introduction

• Welcome and refreshments
• Meet your instructors and fellow participants
• Overview of the weekend
• Understanding what makes studio photography different from natural light photography

11:30 – 12:15

Getting Started with Leica Cameras

• Introduction to choosing the right camera (all camera brands are welcome. You don’t need a Leica camera to attend)
• Understanding camera settings for studio photography
• Aperture, shutter speed and ISO explained
• Choosing the right lens for different subjects
• Setting up your camera for studio shooting

12:15 – 13:00

Studio Basics

• Introduction to studio equipment
• Understanding backgrounds and backdrops
• Understanding the use of light stands, modifiers and reflectors
• Studio safety and workflow
• Building a simple studio setup

13:00 – 14:00

Lunch Break

14:00 – 14:30

Understanding Light

• What is good light?
• Hard light versus soft light
• How light direction affects a photograph
• Demonstration of one-light setups
• Creating flattering light for people

14:30 – 15:00

Working with Models

• Choosing talent for a shoot
• Building confidence when directing people
• Simple posing techniques
• Communication and creating a relaxed atmosphere
• Understanding styling and wardrobe considerations

15:00 – 16:15

Practical Shoot 01 – Fashion Photography

Participants work with a professional model alongside the instructor in a guided fashion shoot. Each participant will get the chance to work 1-2-1 with the model.

Topics covered:

• Camera settings in practice
• Basic model direction
• Composition and framing
• Using a simple lighting setup
• Building confidence behind the camera

16:15 – 17:00

Introduction to Tethered Shooting

• What is tethering and why professionals use it
• Connecting Leica cameras to Capture One & Lightroom
• Live image review and selection
• Introduction to Capture One / Lightroom workflow
• Organising files efficiently

End of Day One

DAY TWO

Portrait Photography & Editing Workflow

11:00 – 11:30

Day One Review

• Discussion and questions
• Review of selected participant images
• Recap of key concepts
• Preparing for the portrait session

11:30 – 12:15

Portrait Lighting Made Simple

• Understanding flattering portrait lighting
• Working with one and two lights
• Demonstration of classic portrait setups
• Controlling mood and atmosphere
• Light placement exercises

12:15 – 12:45

Planning a Portrait Session

• Preparing a simple shoot concept
• Choosing backgrounds
• Lens selection for portraits
• Creating natural expressions
• Building confidence with subjects

12:45 – 13:45

Lunch Break

13:45 – 15:00

Practical Shoot 02 – Portrait Photography

A fully guided portrait session with a professional subject.

Participants will learn:

• Portrait composition
• Subject direction
• Working with facial expressions
• Refining lighting setups
• Creating a series of finished images

15:00 – 15:30

Selecting Your Best Images

• Importing photographs
• Understanding image ratings
• Choosing strong photographs
• Developing an editing workflow

15:30 – 16:30

Editing in Capture One & Lightroom

A beginner-friendly introduction to post-production:

• Exposure adjustments
• White balance correction
• Colour enhancement
• Basic retouching techniques
• Cropping and composition refinement
• Preparing images for print and social media

16:30 – 17:00

Group Review & Workshop Close

• Participant image presentation
• Constructive feedback and discussion
• Key lessons and next steps
• Certificate presentation
• Questions and further learning recommendations

Included in the Workshop Fee

• Two days of expert Leica Akademie tuition
• Hands-on access to Leica cameras and lenses (subject to availability)
• Professional fashion model and portrait subject
• Fully equipped studio environment
• Capture One and Lightroom workflow demonstrations
• Refreshments throughout the weekend
• Leica Akademie Certificate of Completion
• Strictly limited to 8 participants

Who Is This Workshop For?

This workshop is ideal for:

• Enthusiastic photographers looking to try studio photography for the first time
• Leica users wanting to expand their skills
• Photographers moving from natural light to studio lighting
• Content creators seeking a more professional workflow
• Anyone wanting a structured introduction to portrait and fashion photography

No prior studio photography experience is required. You do not need a Leica Camera to attend.

Participant requirements: Please bring a camera, lens, spare batteries and SD card.

Image Editing

Please bring a laptop or iPad Pro with suitable editing software. We recommend Adobe Lightroom Classic. Capture One can also be supported.

Free trials of both Adobe Lightroom Classic and Capture One are available to download for those not currently using post-production software. Please see the following links:

• Adobe Lightroom: Adobe LR Free Trial
• Capture One: Capture One Free Trial

Please make sure to download all software before attending the workshop.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop participants will be able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of studio photography
• Set up and use basic studio lighting confidently
• Operate Leica cameras effectively in a studio environment
• Direct and photograph portrait and fashion subjects
• Shoot tethered using Capture One & Adobe Lightroom Classic
• Organise and edit images in Capture One and Lightroom Classic
• Create a portfolio of professionally lit studio photographs