Editorial Portraiture: Thinking Outside the Box

In today’s editorial photography landscape, standing out requires creating portraits that are original in conception and unexpected in execution. In this week-long workshop, acclaimed editorial photographer Peter Yang breaks down how to take your work to the next level, from brainstorming creative ideas to bringing them to life with thoughtful lighting and composition. Along the way, he gives you a peek behind the curtain at the business side of things and discusses best practices within the ever-changing photographic industry.

During our week together, you engage in a series of hands-on assignments to craft unique and creative editorial portraits. Guided by Peter’s real-world experience and acumen, you learn how to approach and interact with your subjects—be they a businessperson, celebrity, or your next-door neighbor—to provocatively and insightfully reveal the most about their true character. 

Through demonstrations on-location and in the studio, you learn how to create expressive yet natural lighting through a combination of strobes and ambient light. Daily explorations to a diverse range of settings throughout Santa Fe offer opportunities to problem-solve, improvise, and practice lighting your subject within different environments to create the evocative moment. 

We also walk through the decision-making process for a photoshoot and review key details including concept development during pre-production and location scouting. Peter shares his experience with the commercial aspects of the editorial business, sharing insights related to contracts, invoices, and syndicating. In addition, we cover strategies for successful marketing of your work and how to distinguish and differentiate yourself in a competitive environment.

Assignment images are edited and critiqued daily. Throughout the week, Peter also conducts one-on-one sessions with each participant, reviewing your work and offering personalized feedback to help you see your photography in a new light.

This workshop provides an immersive opportunity to elevate your editorial portraiture, combining creativity, technique, and industry insight into a comprehensive learning experience. Whether you are an aspiring photographer or an experienced shooter seeking fresh approaches, this workshop provides a deeper understanding of the editorial process from conception to final delivery. Join Peter for an exciting week in Santa Fe of storytelling and technical skill-building as you learn to craft portraits that truly stand out by thinking outside the box.