Lighting

From seniors to athletes, from a simple setup to creative lighting techniques, improve your photography lighting with Westcott Top Pro Matt Hernandez!

learn from and work with Matt Hernandez

March 27-29, 2026 | Paducah, KY

Tuition: $1,995 | Deposit: $600

Deposit due upon registration, full tuition due 120 days before the workshop. Workshop limited to 8 participants.

This three day intensive workshop will improve your grasp of photography lighting fundamentals and advanced techniques. Summit will teach you more than just replicating lighting, you will learn to understand light to make your own vision a reality. Ultimately, lighting is creative problem solving, this workshop will teach you the fundamentals to help you control lighting in every scenario, allowing you to deliver on a high level. With these skills you can develop your own style and also understand how to light anything!

Master the Art of Lighting, Posing, and Storytelling

Our workshop covers everything you need to excel at photographing seniors and athletes with perfect lighting every time. You’ll master posing techniques, lighting setups, and maximizing your gear for stunning results. We’ll also dive into marketing strategies to help grow your business. With hands-on practice, you’ll learn how to capture dramatic, well-lit action shots, all with expert guidance from a top industry professional. Whether you’re looking to refine your skills or build a standout portfolio, this workshop will give you the tools to succeed.

In the Studio and the classroom

Hands-On Lighting Demonstrations

Learn directly from Matt in a studio setting as he demonstrates how to set up lighting and gear to create perfectly lit photos in real-world scenarios.

In-Depth Equipment Insights

Get a comprehensive breakdown of the equipment used to achieve specific lighting and stylistic effects, with detailed instruction on how to master it.

Marketing and Client Pitches

Gain valuable insights into Matt’s marketing techniques and learn how to effectively pitch your work to potential clients.

Creative freedom in the studio

One of the best parts of this workshop? You’ll be learning inside Matt Hernandez’s personal studio which he has made to be his own creative space built specifically for portrait and sports photography.

Because it’s Matt’s home base, we have unlimited freedom to experiment. From advanced lighting setups to bold creative concepts, you’ll get hands-on time with a wide range of professional equipment and learn how to adapt lighting to any environment or subject.

Matt also brings in a variety of local athletes and models, giving you the chance to build a diverse portfolio of portraits, from intense, dramatic sports images to clean, stylized looks.

This is your opportunity to get creative, take risks, and refine your personal style in a professional studio setting designed to help you grow.

Workshop Itinerary

Day 1

9:00am: Check in / Introductions
9:30am - 11:30: Using Light to Your Advantage - Matt will go through a series of photos and in a hands on demonstration, show how and what he uses to get the desired look.
Noon: Lunch
1:30pm - 5:00pm: On location shooting

Day 2

9:00-10:30am: Retouching and Editing
10:30am - 11:30: The Business of Photography and pitching clients - Matt will go through his process for marketing and pitching clients
Noon: Lunch
1:30pm - 5:00pm: On location shooting

Day 3

10:00am: Understanding Lighting Angles
11:30am - 1:30pm: Lunch
1:30pm - 5:00pm: The Gear. An in-depth dive into all the gear used and how to achieve desired looks
5:30pm: Closing Reception

The final workshop schedule will be provided one month prior to the event. Please keep in mind that the schedule is tentative and may be adjusted as needed during the workshop.

Meet Your Instructor

Matt Hernandez

Lead Instructor

Matt is a portrait photographer based out of Kentucky who specializes in on location creative lighting focusing on seniors and athletes. He began his career as an award-winning graphic artist, and has since used those skills to help launch a very successful photography career. He has won multiple awards including the “People’s Choice Award” at the 2012 Google+ Photographer’s Conference, and The “Most Creative Award” at the 2013 Las Vegas Photoshop World Westcott Shootout. In 2013 he was chosen to represent F.J. Westcott as one of their “Top Endorsed Pros.”

Thanks to our partners at Westcott Lighting, all lighting gear will be provided for this workshop.

Past Student Work

Student Testimonials

This was my first workshop of its kind. I have been a photographer for years but have never gained courage to try off-camera lighting. This workshop was just what I needed to give me that little push! The instructor, Matt Hernandez, was phenomenal. He was very hands on but in a "no pressure" kind of way. I felt very comfortable although I was a beginner in off-camera lighting. The workshop was well organized, from detailed communications, class times, shooting times, etc. It was great to meet such friendly photographers from all over the country. Everyone was willing to share his/her knowledge and assisted where needed. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend this or any other Summit workshop to all of my photographer friends.

Laurie Carpenter

Great experience with the Dynamic Lighting Workshop. Hands-on experience is so important for myself to learn. Matt has so much knowledge to share and I appreciate his very direct approach to delivering the information. I would recommend a Summit workshop to anyone who was looking for a photography course.

Trisha Fennern

Matt and Jake were simply amazing, helpful and knowledgeable! Matt really teaches the entire thought process behind lighting and setting a "scene." I am fairly advanced but still learned a ton of great information! I would love to help out anytime as well as I enjoy teaching others and helping those around me too.

David Erickson

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to use a specific camera brand?

No! Summit Workshops is available to any photographer, regardless of what brand of camera you use. We often have camera gear available to borrow, free of charge, but you are not required to use that gear or any specific brand.

Do I need to bring my own lighting gear?

No, you do not need to bring your own lighting gear. Our partner, Westcott Lighting and Matt Hernandez, will provide all the gear needed for the workshop.

What does my tuition cover?

Tuition includes activity fees, location fees, all instruction, planning and logistics. It does not cover hotels, travel, and most meals.

How much experience should I have?

Our workshop is for shooters of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to seasoned veterans. We all learn from and help one another, that is what makes the Summit Community so special.

What are image critiques?

Our image critiques are constantly mentioned as being the most important/valuable component of our workshops. It's not only a chance to get your work reviewed, but also to see your peers' images. It is not structured as a competition, but a growth experience. So do not feel it has the be your best of the best or how it might stack up to others. You get to hear the opinions of the faculty and everything you will hear from them is 100% meant to help you. They are also anonymous and meant to be constructive and useful to your professional growth.

We ask each student to submit 3-5 images taken while at the workshop. We typically send the link out the afternoon before the image critique, which gives you the evening to get your images in.

Do I need a car for this workshop?

A car is not required for this workshop. We will be staying at the Marriott and then will carpool to Matt's studio for the shooting sessions.

What do I need to bring?

Main photo gear:

Highly recommended:

Adobe Lightroom or PhotoMechanic installed on laptop
15 - 20 of your best images downloaded on your laptop for portfolio reviews
A water bottle

Lodging & Classroom

Our workshop hotel for the Kentucky workshop is the Courtyard by Marriott. This is where the faculty and staff will be staying and we have secured a room rate of $119 a night. We will send you the booking link upon registration. Our classroom will be located a few miles away at Matt’s studio which allows for a great space and also the opportunity to see Matt’s gear and approach.

After signing up, please contact Chris at chris@summitworkshops.com to get your booking secured.