Using Shadows and Contrast for Dramatic Portraits

Join some of the most respected voices in photography for a full day dedicated to mastering the art of light. The Lighting Summit explores how to use light with purpose and creativity, from choosing the right shapers and maintaining color consistency to working confidently with both LED and flash. Discover how lighting can elevate any scene, turning challenging conditions into beautiful, portfolio-worthy images. Whether you want to sharpen your technical skills or find new inspiration, this summit will give you the tools and confidence to make light your strongest storytelling tool.

Dive into hands-on experiences in the Lighting Summit’s studio bays and dynamic lighting setups!

Additional information on The Lighting Summit can be found here.

Sponsored by Profoto

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Michael Anthony, The Power of Three: Light Shapers That Transform Your Portraits
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM: Meg Loeks, Balancing Light and Color: Creating Consistent, Cinematic Imagery
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Roberto Valenzuela, Less Gear. Better Light. Studio Lighting Masterpieces made Simple
11:30 AM - 12:45 PM: Lunch (on own)  
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Seth Miranda, Precision Lighting: Controlling Highlights, Shadows, and Visual Impact
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM: Chloe Ramirez, Lighting Saves the Day: Mastering Light When Natural Light Won’t Cooperate
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Joe McNally,  One Light, Two Light, Three Light for Portraits on Location

You don’t need a studio full of gear to create dynamic portraits—just one light and the ability to shape it. In this live demo, John Gress shows how a single light can produce dramatically different results by changing its position, distance, and modifiers. From clean and simple to bold and dramatic, you’ll learn versatile one-light techniques you can use in both studio and on-location sessions to maximize creativity with minimal equipment. What You’ll Learn: How to create multiple portrait styles with just one light The impact of angle, distance, and modifiers on mood and texture Techniques for adapting one-light setups in studio and on location How to maximize efficiency and creativity with limited gear

 Join Pratik Naik for a hands-on Photo Walk where you’ll discover just how much can change with a simple shift of light. Instead of relying on rigid setups, Pratik will guide you through playful experimentation—showing how small adjustments can completely transform a portrait. You’ll see cause and effect in real time and learn to trust both your eye and intuition when shaping light. This session is all about exploration and discovery, giving you practical techniques and creative freedom to apply in your own work. Plus, you’ll leave with striking images you’ve created along the way.