Achieving High-End Beauty Photography in Small Spaces

Join commercial beauty photographer Nicole Cudzilo for an in-depth seminar on creating high-end beauty imagery—no large studio or extensive gear is required. Drawing from her experience partnering with brands such as Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus, Nicole provides participants with the technical knowledge needed to create stunning, campaign-worthy photographs in even the most modest spaces. She shares the power of harnessing simple, beautiful lighting and creating genuine connections with models to produce striking results. This one-day seminar is divided into two sections, each with dedicated time for Q&A. 

Lighting and On-Set Workflow 

Nicole breaks down a variety of elegant lighting setups that are easy to achieve yet visually impressive. Through clear, easy-to-follow diagrams and a behind-the-scenes look at her shooting process, she demonstrates how to work efficiently in small spaces while maintaining a polished, professional aesthetic. This session is live-streamed from Nicole’s studio and includes demonstrations with a working model.

Pre-Production, Model Selection, and Business Strategies 

After a short break, the focus shifts to the business side of beauty photography. Nicole walks you through her pre-shoot planning process, including call sheets, creative decks, and brand collaboration strategies. Nicole shares her approach to casting everyday people—not agency-signed models—to create authentic, compelling images. You also gain insights on building your creative team—makeup artists, hair stylists, and retouchers—as well as practical tips for pitching your work and securing paid projects. 

By the end of this seminar, you walk away with knowledge of reliable lighting setups, creative photography techniques, and essential industry knowledge to elevate your beauty photography and confidently pursue work with brands.