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Hunt’s Portrait Workshop: Urban Portraits with Natural Light (or Flash!)

May 31, 2025 @ 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm

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Class Summary

Date & Time:

May 31, 2025 @ 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Location:
Downtown Lowell, MA
Featuring:
A chance to work with portraits in Natural Light, then add in flash, if desired!
Skill Level:
All Skill Levels Welcome
Instructor:
Paul Nelson
Co/Guest Instructor:
Photographer Henry Marte
Class size:
Up to 12 attendees
What to Bring:
  • Make sure to dress accordingly with the most current weather report.
  • A standard zoom lens is a good starting point
  • Portrait lenses range from 85mm to 130mm. Those lenses are recommended
  • You may choose a wider lens, such as a 35mm or 50mm, but be aware they will include more of the background
  • Feel free to bring reflectors
  • You will likely not need a tripod
  • Feel free to bring snacks and water.
  • Bring an extra camera battery and memory cards.
  • As always, bring your enthusiasm and creative thoughts!
Recommended Prerequisites:
Basic Knowledge of your Camera; an interest in portraits
Important Notes:
If you are attending this workshop, we will send out more specific instructions to you a few days prior to the workshop. Please note: Some slight details above can be subject to change. This email will detail any of those minor changes.
Policies:
Refund / Cancellation Policy

Refund Policy – Classes / Walks / Workshops

For classes, walks, & workshops, cancellations and postponement can be made up to 48-hours prior to the scheduled time. Refunds cannot be granted for cancellations placed less than 72-hours/3-days before a class or walk, but you can receive a 75% credit toward a future class, walk, or workshop.

For all cancellations, you must contact classes@huntsphoto.com prior to the event. If you register for a class and do not show up, your payment will be forfeited..

Join Hunt’s Photo Education for another entry in our series of portrait workshops where we will be utilizing the natural, urban environment to work into our portraits. Brick buildings and cityscapes will all work into our compositions as we create a more working class feel in our portraits–a very unique look. To a certain extent, these will be environmental portraits where the environment plays a role in creating the scene. Utilizing your environment in photographs is key to creating a fun portrait shoot! We will emphasize creating these portraits using available light through subject placement and composition with the aid of diffusers and reflectors. We will then separately demonstrate reasons to add in flash.
We will begin photographing late afternoon in the sunlight (and shade) and work to sunset in the picturesque brick of downtown Lowell. We will be using Westcott (FJ80, FJ200, FJ400) strobes/flashes as well as Westcott diffusers, both of which are excellent brands for creating stunning portraits.
This workshop will be co-taught by Hunt’s Photo Educator Paul Nelson and professional photographer Henry Marte. Both have extensive portrait experience and will take you through the full process, from naturally lighting a subject, to how to properly expose while using strobes, to how to actually use the strobes themselves!
Photographers of all skill levels are encouraged to attend.

About Henry Marte
Henry is a published photographer and credited filmmaker. He specializes in various forms of photography, including portrait, events, headshots, drone, and commercial photography. Other than attending MassArt’s Documentary Film School, he is almost entirely self taught. He runs a small media production studio called Marte Media, based out of Western Avenue Studios in Lowell. Some of his clients include Spartan Race, UMass Lowell, Phillips Academy, Navigation Brewing Company, and more. Originally from NYC, he now calls Lowell, Massachusetts his home. He enjoys New York style pizza, walks with a camera, and hiking to active volcanoes.

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