Brand Storytelling for Photographers

In today’s world rich with content, businesses and entrepreneurs more than ever need strong imagery to market their products, tell their stories, and set themselves apart. For photographers, partnering with such businesses can be an important creative and career opportunity.

This in-person workshop provides a deep dive into brand storytelling for aspiring commercial photographers. Over the course of 3 days (Friday through Sunday) in Los Angeles, participants advance the business and creative skills needed to secure higher-paying commercial jobs and create collaborative partnerships with brands. This program is produced in collaboration with the Santa Monica College and utilizes their studio facilities.

Led by commercial and editorial photographer Benjo Arwas, this workshop guides participants through the steps of creating impactful product imagery that reflects the deeper story of a brand.

Through a series of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on assignments, Benjo shares the importance of preparation, technique, and developing strong business practices to support your creative vision.

Day one begins with a discussion of establishing a relationship with your client and learning how to identify the story and motivations behind a brand. Benjo discusses preparation and pre-production and provides students with the opportunity to draft a budget and understand direct costs of a photoshoot. We also explore the importance of art direction, researching artistic influences, identifying key visual elements, and building a mood board. Benjo then instructs participants how to develop a treatment, the essential tool for commercial photographers that outlines production logistics, shot lists, color palette, model casting, and more. Participants are assigned to complete their own treatment for a mock brand they will be asked to photograph the following day.

On Saturday, participants bring their treatments to life through hands-on assignments in the studio and on location. Through technical demonstrations in the studio, Benjo guides participants through the essentials of lighting and creating content for e-commerce. In the afternoon, Benjo leads an on-location shoot where participants are challenged to build a creative photographic story for their mock product using models, props, and available light. By the end of the day, participants will have executed their treatment and created the content necessary to tell the brand’s story.

On Sunday, participants present their completed story and images to the group and Benjo, who provides his feedback from the perspective of a creative director. Benjo discusses best practices for sharing and presenting deliverables with a client, sharing direct insights into industry communication. Participants share final takeaways and end the workshop with a strengthened skill set for collaborating with brands and a clearer understanding of the commercial process from start to finish.

This workshop is designed for photographers seeking to level-up their business practice and advance their brand storytelling techniques. Join us for this intensive program in LA and walk away with an enhanced understanding of how to create successful deliverables by balancing client expectations with your own creative voice and vision.

Note: Santa Fe Workshops is closely monitoring the fires in the Los Angeles region. We are aiming to proceed with this workshop as planned and will update participants accordingly.