Portrait Photography: Story + Mood + Light - Fall 2026

Join photographer and educator Kate Hailey for an immersive one-day workshop exploring the art and craft of portrait photography. Designed for photographers ready to deepen their understanding of portraiture, this hands-on session will guide attendees through how light shapes mood, emotion, and visual narrative; from timeless classical approaches to contemporary and experimental techniques.

Working in the studio at PCNW, Kate will demonstrate how to confidently create and control light using available light, small off-camera flash, and continuous LED lighting. Through live demonstrations and interactive shooting opportunities with a model, attendees will learn how to observe light, shape it intentionally, and adapt it to different creative situations.

The workshop will cover foundational and advanced lighting styles including Rembrandt, clamshell and beauty, high and low key, as well as the expressive use of color.

Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of:

• How to see and evaluate light
• How to create mood through lighting
• Techniques for modifying and shaping light
• Working confidently with flash and continuous lighting
• Directing and photographing a model in a studio environment

This workshop is ideal for photographers looking to expand both their technical skills and creative voice in portrait photography.

Attendees should have a working understanding of their camera’s essential settings, including aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and basic flash operation.

What to Bring:

• Digital or Film camera with a hot shoe
• A portrait lens in the 35–85mm range (approximately 23–56mm on crop sensor cameras); Kate’s favorite portrait focal lengths are 50mm and 85mm.
• Fully charged batteries
• Memory cards / Film (ISO 400 suggested)
• Notebook for notes and sketches

Images © Kate Hailey