Photography Lighting Workshop in Denver
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
2027 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.
Light is one of the most powerful creative tools a photographer can master. During this immersive three-day workshop, you’ll learn how to confidently shape, control, and create light for portraits, athletes, and commercial subjects using professional lighting techniques and equipment.
Working alongside acclaimed photographer Matt Hernandez, you’ll move beyond memorizing lighting setups to understanding why they work. Through hands-on demonstrations, guided shooting sessions, and personalized instruction, you’ll build the confidence to create dynamic, professional-quality images in the studio and on location. Whether you’re looking to elevate your portfolio, strengthen your client work, or simply gain complete control over your lighting, you’ll leave with practical skills you can apply to every shoot.
Learn to Create Light Instead of Chasing It
Great lighting isn’t luck.
Over three days, you’ll learn how to control every part of the scene, from a single off-camera flash to dramatic multi-light setups—so you can create images with intention instead of relying on available light. Whether you’re photographing athletes, seniors, or commercial clients, you’ll leave knowing not just where to place a light, but why.
In the Studio and the classroom
Build Lighting Setups with Confidence
Learn how to create lighting setups that are simple, repeatable, and adaptable. From a single light to more advanced multi-light arrangements, you'll gain the confidence to build professional lighting in the studio or on location.
Understand the Why Behind Every Light
Move beyond copying lighting diagrams. You'll learn how light direction, modifiers, placement, and power work together so you can make creative decisions and solve lighting challenges in any situation.
Create Images That Stand Out
Put your new skills into practice during hands-on portrait sessions with athletes and models. You'll leave with a stronger portfolio, a repeatable workflow, and lighting techniques you can use for client work long after the workshop ends.
Learn in a Small Group. Leave with a Community.
With only eight photographers, this workshop is intentionally small so you receive personalized instruction at every stage. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions, experiment with new techniques, and receive one-on-one feedback from Matt as you shoot.
Just as valuable are the photographers you’ll learn alongside. Summit Workshops brings together people who are passionate about improving their craft, sharing ideas, and encouraging one another. Whether you’re working through a lighting setup, reviewing images after a shoot, or continuing conversations over dinner, you’ll be part of a collaborative environment where everyone is invested in helping each other grow.
Many students return year after year, not just for the instruction, but for the friendships, inspiration, and supportive community they find at Summit.
Workshop Information
Please note that the final workshop schedule will be provided one month prior to the event. Keep in mind that the schedule is tentative and may be adjusted as needed during the workshop.
- 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
Getting there & Travel Details
The closest major airport is Denver International Airport (DEN), which offers direct flights from most major U.S. cities. From the airport, downtown Denver is approximately a 25–35 minute drive, depending on traffic.
We recommend arriving the day before the workshop begins so you can settle in, prepare your gear, and be ready for an early start on the first day.
What To pack
CLOTHING:
- It can be cooler in the mornings and evenings (50s-70s) and can quite hot (high 80s low 90s) so pack layers
- Waterproof outer layer (optional)
- Comfortable walking shoes
OTHER:
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Water bottle
- Energy bars or other snacks
PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR:
- 2 camera bodies
- Wide angle lens
- Medium zoom lens
- Telephoto lens (ideally 400mm–800mm range)
- Tripod or monopod (optional, depending on preference)
- Camera bag
- Extra batteries and chargers
- Laptop or tablet
- Memory cards
- Hard drive
- Off camera flash trigger (optional)
Meet Your Instructor
Matt Hernandez
Thanks to our partners at Westcott Lighting, all lighting gear will be provided for this workshop.
Images from past students
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, we will contact you with a booking link to secure your room.
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