Dynamic Lighting
Master the art of lighting in a hands-on, immersive workshop with expert Matt Hernandez. Experiment with professional setups, work with athletes and models, and leave with the skills to create bold, dramatic, and portfolio-ready images.
Learn to Light Anything, Anywhere
2026 DATES TBD | Denver, CO
Tuition: $2,295 | Deposit: $600
Deposit due upon registration, full tuition due 120 days before the workshop. Workshop limited to 8 participants.
Step into a weekend designed for photographers ready to elevate their craft. In this immersive Dynamic Lighting Workshop, you’ll learn to control light like a pro, experiment with advanced lighting setups, and bring your creative vision to life. From dramatic sports action to striking senior and model portraits, you’ll gain hands-on experience in a professional studio setting, guided by lighting expert Matt Hernandez. With access to diverse models, athletes, and top-tier lighting equipment, this workshop offers the perfect environment to experiment, take risks, and refine your style. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to master advanced techniques, you’ll leave with the confidence, skills, and inspiration to create bold, professional-quality images every time.
Elevate Your Portraits and Your Photography Business
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.
Workshop Itinerary
- 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
- 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
- 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
Thanks to our partners at Westcott Lighting, all lighting gear will be provided for this workshop.
Past Student Work
Student Testimonials
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
Tuition includes activity fees, location fees, all instruction, planning and logistics. It does not cover hotels, travel, and most meals.
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.
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.
A car is not required for this workshop. We will be staying at the Marriott and our photo shoots will take place in or around the hotel. There are plenty of dining options within walking distance of the hotel as well.
Main photo gear:
- Minimum 1 camera body, 2 ideal
- Wide angle lens
- Medium zoom lens
- Telephoto lens
- Tripod
- Camera bag
- Camera bodies
- Camera batteries and chargers
- Laptop or tablet
- Memory card
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
We have secured rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn Denver/Cherry Creek for the workshop. This is where the workshop classroom is located and where the faculty and staff will be staying!
After signing up, please contact Chris at chris@summitworkshops.com to get your booking secured.
