Wardrobe. Bekka Gunther. D3/50mm. 1/200th, f/2.8, ISO320.


Orange. Erica. Location. D3/24-70mm.

L U C I M A WORKING WITH MODELING AGENCIES WORKSHOP: STUDIO/OUTDOOR LIGHTING

This workshop is part of the Master Class I teach for MFA photography students at the New York Film Academy.

I have tested for every major modeling agency here in Los Angeles. Without a doubt, modeling agencies are a gateway to a consistent source of better models. Your ability to open this door and maintain a good working relationship with the modeling agencies can make or break your career as a photographer. After all, the better your portfolio looks, the more likely you'll be able to book paid work.

-If you're still building your portfolio and trying to get your foot in the door with agencies (particularly in the competitive LA environment), this workshop is for you.
-If you're trying to improve your existing body of work, this workshop is for you.
-If want to know how to potentially develop a paid-relationship with the agencies, this workshop is also for you.
-If you don't care about improving your port or working with modeling agencies, then this workshop is not for you. 

Without further adieu here are the topics we'll cover:

-What agencies expect out of photographers and model portfolios.
-How to approach agencies 
-Creating the "agency look" in capture (natural light and strobes)
-Creating the "agency look" in post
-Photographer/agency/model interaction
-Shooting without a studio

This will be a two-day event that will feature insight from agency models and will highlight many of the lighting setups and post-processing techniques that I employ for my own work.

How does this workshop differ from your first one in January 2011?
When I first started shooting with modeling agencies, I didn't have a studio. In fact, most photographers don't own a studio and can't afford to blow money on unpaid tests. Day 2 will really focus on shooting outdoors, without a studio, without strobes, without reflectors even... and still execute the "agencies" look.

POST-PROCESSING

Shooting is only half the battle. Without good post-processing it's all moot. You can't submit images straight out-of-the-box to agencies (or to anyone these days) without processing. So we will really focus on  processing on Day 1. That way, on Day 2 you'll know what you're looking for, how to generate the right lighting for the right effect, and actually practice shooting for those looks.

Day 1:
-Present agency criteria  (What do they want? How do they want it? What do you have to offer?)
-Communication and maintaining the relationship
-Basic studio setups (0,1 and 2 light setups)
-Photographer/model interaction
-Shoot and review in studio (we go over the images together on computer immediately after you shoot them)

Day 2:
-How to get in with the Modeling Agencies?
-Post-processing techniques for the Modeling Agencies.
-Shooting on location
-Controlling the background
-Controlling location lighting without strobes/reflectors

General notes:

-Who is L U C I M A? I'm a fashion-editorial photographer based in Los Angeles (see www.lucima.com). I also teach at the New York Film Academy (Universal Studios campus) to 1-year and 2-year MFA photography students.

-Since good models are paramount to getting "the shot" we'll provide experienced agency-represented models for the workshop. I'll be updating this page shortly with who we're shooting.

-Photographers will be learning/shooting on-the-fly. I'm not a fan of lectures but rather a constant dialogue and sharing of knowledge. That also means, you're not paying to watch me shoot... you'll be doing most of the shooting!

-Attendance for this workshop is capped at 12.

-One-on-one time with models is critical to the learning process. At the workshop you'll have plenty of time to work with models. There will be 2-3 photographers per model.

Photographers should bring:
-Camera/assorted lenses
-Computer to follow along for post work
-Lightmeter
-Media cards. LOTS of them. And fast ones. Preferably 60mb/sec+.
-Something to take notes with
-(optional) Pocket Wizards

Fee:
2 spots left. Registration is OPEN.
$929.


Cancellation policy:
100% refund if cancellation is 2 weeks or more prior to workshop.
50% refund if cancellation is less than 2 weeks but more than 1 week prior to workshop.
0% refund if cancellation is 1 weeks or less prior to workshop.

Location
LUCIMA STUDIO
212 Kruse Ave.
Monrovia, CA 91016
626-674-2858

Date/Time
Saturday and Sunday, March 10-11th, 2012, 9AM-5PM

Click here to see my previous workshops!

Here's a promo video from the L U C I M A | Modeling Agencies Workshop


Q/A:
Will update more as inquiries come in!

Q: Where can I see more of the previous workshop results?[/b]
A: Please see our L U C I M A Workshop Facebook Group!

Q: Do you also teach workshops from Calumet? What's the difference?
A: Yes, I have a non-exclusive partnership with Calumet Photographic that affords me the opportunity to teach my own workshops. So far all my classes at Calumet have been 1-day events at the Hollywood store with no location shooting.

Q: I'll be flying in from [fill in the blank]. Where should I stay that's not too far from your studio?
A: There are several 2-3 miles away from the studio. I'm not affiliated with any of the following suggestions:

a) Doubletree Hotel
924 West Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA

b) Oak Tree Inn
788 West Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA

c) Courtyard
700 W. Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA

Q: Which models are we shooting?
A: Will update shortly! But chances are that they'll be the ones that you see most recently in my portfolio. See my tumblr blog for recent work!

Q: Are we shooting outdoors?
A: We will be shooting outdoors on Day 2.

Q: Are we shooting both days?
A: Yes, we're shooting in the afternoon on each day.

Q: Will we be shooting nudes?
A: Nope. For that I suggest you go to Drew and Karl's workshops. I hear they're great

Q: At what point will you know whether you will register enough students to confirm the workshop?
A: I never cancel my workshops. If there is even 1 photographer, then the show goes on! Yes, I will teach to 1 photographer if only 1 registers! 

Q: Do I really need a light meter?
A: Yes and no. But basically I'll be showing you how to light with AND without light meters. But for a long-winded version of this answer please see my official stance on light meters.

Against the Wall. Holly. D3/50mm. 1/200th, f/2.8, ISO3200.
Shot and retouched live at the Magic Fashion-Editorial Master Class.

I'll be demonstrating some live shooting and retouching as well for the Modeling Agencies workshop.

Great productive work and great fun all around.

Ben, just spoke with the caretakers of "le parque", apparently they weren't happy we stomped on their daisies

Let's do this!!!!

The one I went to in November was rad

Charles, Ren and the incomparable models made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience !!!

I wish I lived closer, I would be at every one of these workshops

Thanks for the kind words Ranjit! Hope you can make it to the next one!

By the way, here's the link for the Facebook group page. Results from the last workshop are coming in fast http://www.facebook.com/groups/185656974814125/

I'm in! Really looking forward to this.

Cheers MuMu! Looking forward to working with you at the workshop

i would be soo down for this if i wasnt a college student and broke as hell. haha.

Well, we'd love to have you if you can make it Martin! cheers!

Charles! That last one on one we did helped me imensely. If tuition didn't kill me, I'd be there!

If I hadn't done this workshop before, I'd be doing it in a flash. Great models, great info from Charles and great portfolio building. That's my two cents.

Come to think of it, my new avatar was shot at Lucima.

I am trying to work this out.

Nice and interesting workshop.

Cheers everyone! Hope to see you all there!

(I always loved these photos of Holly!)

Thanks Stephanie!

Also, just updated the FAQ: http://lucima.com/faq

Since some of you are asking about Jordan, yeah she'll be at the workshop

Yay! Can't wait

Just signed up. Very much looking forward to it and to meeting you, sir...and to shooting Jordan again

For those of you curious, lemme see if I can get Bekka for the workshop

Lighting Rounds Shot in a 1 minute demonstration of a private workshop.

Wish I could come down and join you for this workshop Charles.  Had a blast with your B/W Fashion Workshop last year and it definitely motivated me to shooting more B/W (and with the tips and tricks you showed us on post-production).  Heck I even bought an Arri 1k for my continuous light!

Don't miss out on this workshop - always worth the time and money with Charles' workshops.  I'll catch another one this year, Charles - until then...

keep on' shooting!

Regards to the crew.

martin

Cheers Martin! Hope to see you soon man

We'll be shooting this setup, talking about direction, and going over the post-processing for this.

I'll be on One Hour Photo: http://www.armadafm.com/photo.htm talking about the workshop and photography in general this Wednesday 1PM Eastern time.

Podcast should be here: http://www.armadafm.com/photo.htm

Cheers!

If you miss the show, the podcast is actually here: http://1hourphoto.podomatic.com/player/ … 7_51-08_00

But listen live here Wednesday 2/22 1PM EST: http://www.ARMADAFM.com/main.htm

Bekka confirmed

Just signed up.  Really looking forward to this.  I will have to search for my light meter, hope it still works!

Ugh, I'd love to make it. I'm in town but busy shooting a documentary during this. How do I get alerts for upcoming events?

I wish!

I'm stoked to be a part of the workshop!  I'm so looking forward to meeting and working with everyone!

Check out the podcast I did with Rodney Alan about models and working with modeling agencies above!

will be attending da workshop...  looking forward to meeting everyone

would b interested in coming out if u like what u see ...  let me know i been trying for awhile lol!