The Complete Photographer’s Workshop Backstage Pass
Get your backstage pass for the most complete week of teaching Joe McNally has ever done! Are you ready to take an amazing journey from studio work to sports photography to telling stories out on location? Joe takes a group of students through the most thorough training of their lives as they experience his approach to a variety of subjects, locations, and lighting situations, and you get a front row seat. In this amazing class, Joe takes his 40 years of experience and pours it into five days of learning that will take your photographic skills to the next level.
Release Date: 2024-08-06
Lessons
Introducing the Workshop
Join Joe as he introduces the workshop, emphasizes the importance of pre-visualizing a shoot location and planning ahead to avoid improvisation during critical moments. He also shares highlights from his career that involved stepping into the unknown and embracing uncertainty to allow one's creativity to flourish.
Duration: 27 mins 33 seconds
On Location and Working with Clients
Joe shares his insights on the importance of staying active in the field to continually hone creativity and photographic skills, stressing that “your eye is a hunter” and must be "fed" through constant practice, seeking inspiration, and ensuring client satisfaction.
Duration: 20 mins 57 seconds
Critique Central Student Work: Part 1
Part of this workshop includes Joe’s professional critiques of student work. During the critique Joe stresses the value of storytelling through photography, where every detail—composition, lighting, and subject interaction—should contribute to the narrative being captured.
Duration: 39 mins 16 seconds
Critique Central Student Work: Part 2
Joe wraps up the student critiques by highlighting the value of creating a cohesive body of work that reflects the photographer's unique voice and vision. He also discusses the role of composition, lighting, and technique, and how mastering these elements can elevate the quality and meaning of a photograph.
Duration: 38 mins 17 seconds
Field Notes
Being able to deliver consistent results even when faced with different challenges each day is the name of the job. Joe shares his own challenging moments in the field, reminding us that even seasoned professionals make mistakes.
Duration: 30 mins 47 seconds
Studio Skills and Drills: Part 1
In this lesson, set in the KelbyOne studios, Joe McNally focuses on foundational lighting techniques and gradually introduces more complex lighting setups.
Duration: 54 mins 2 seconds
Studio Skills and Drills: Part 2
In this continuation lesson, Joe builds on previous concepts, emphasizing the importance of understanding and controlling light to create mood and dimension in portrait photography. He explores the differences between using a large umbrella and a softbox, highlighting how each affects the quality and direction of light.
Duration: 31 mins 10 seconds
Portrait Shoots
With coaching from Joe, the students get hands on time working with models in studio putting concepts from the previous lessons into practice.
Duration: 32 mins 31 seconds
Portrait Critiques
As the students now have their work examined from the previous day’s shoot, Joe highlights the significance of paying attention to small details within the frame, as they can greatly impact the success of a shot.
Duration: 75 mins 49 seconds
Martial Artist Portrait Demonstration
In this lesson, Joe McNally sets up a demonstration photographing a martial artist, emphasizing the importance of preparation and safety when working with athletes or physical performers. Joe adjusts his preconceived ideas based on the subject's strengths and movement styles, highlighting the importance of collaboration and adaptability in a photoshoot.
Duration: 19 mins 40 seconds
Athletic Portraits
Now, it's the students' turn to apply these techniques, photographing a fresh set of models, including martial artists, football players, dancers, and tennis players, allowing them to experiment with dynamic lighting in a variety of high-energy scenarios.
Duration: 32 mins 32 seconds
Athletic Portrait Critiques
Now, it's time to critique the students' images from the previous shoots, allowing everyone to reflect on these key concepts and refine their work.
Duration: 63 mins 29 seconds
Dog Groomer Portrait Demonstration
While on location photographing at Harbor Pets Grooming, Joe highlights the significance of adapting on the fly, particularly when dealing with unforeseen challenges like changing light conditions or framing adjustments.
Duration: 55 mins 29 seconds
Dog Groomer Portrait Review
After achieving some nice results, Joe McNally does a quick recap on the dog groomer shoot, explaining how small changes, like moving the strobe box or repositioning a subject, can significantly improve the quality of the light and enhance the overall composition.
Duration: 6 mins 32 seconds
Barber Shop Demonstration
Joe demonstrates his approach to capturing a beautiful, old-style barbershop. He emphasizes the importance of utilizing natural light, such as positioning the subject near a window to optimize exposure, while also understanding the direction and quality of light.
Duration: 76 mins 4 seconds
Students On Location
The students get a chance to put what they learned at the barber shop into practice at a different location. Joe emphasizes the importance of working quickly and efficiently in time-sensitive environments. Joe advises photographers to anticipate challenges, such as shadows from hats, and to solve them with tools like reflectors.
Duration: 40 mins 40 seconds
Critique of Location Shoot
Following the on location shoot at a local business, Joe provides thoughtful and thorough critiques of the student’s work to help them progress to the next level.
Duration: 38 mins 45 seconds
Firehouse Demonstration
In this lesson at a beautiful fire station, Joe shares insights from his extensive experience with such locations. He emphasizes controlling ambient light and gradually builds the setup by adding one light at a time.
Duration: 55 mins 54 seconds
Playing With Fire
A new location with new models, all within a challenging dark environment photographing performers working with fire. Throughout the shoot Joe provides suggestions and insights on how to best capture these amazing performers in action.
Duration: 11 mins 17 seconds
Performer Portraits
In this continuation lesson, Joe encourages students to delve deeper into the creative process, and to adapt their techniques based on the environment and subject.
Duration: 20 mins 45 seconds
Beach Volleyball Shoot
On Clearwater Beach, Joe tackles the challenges of bright sunlight and fast-moving subjects. He demonstrates how to use high-speed sync to manage exposure and balance natural and flash lighting.
Duration: 18 mins 12 seconds
Final Critique
In this final critique session, Joe reflects on the past five days of intensive photography, hoping the experience has been transformative for participants. He shares personal stories from his career, emphasizing the value of relationships over pictures and the importance of passion for photography. He encourages photographers to embrace the feedback and push their creative boundaries for continuous growth.
Duration: 31 mins 42 seconds
Wedding and Corporate Shoots
On the final day of the workshop participants engage in mock wedding and corporate photoshoots at Safety Harbor Resort. Joe offers practical advice on positioning subjects, managing backdrops, and utilizing reflectors, all while encouraging a hands-on, creative approach to capturing beautiful images.
Duration: 40 mins 53 seconds
Bonus Lesson: Photo Workflow with M.D. Welch
Special guest M.D. Welch shares several key learning moments. He emphasizes the importance of developing an efficient photo workflow, noting that there is no perfect system, but rather a need for one that suits individual requirements.
Duration: 54 mins 26 seconds
Bonus Lesson: Business of Photography with Lynn DelMastro
In this lesson, Lynn DelMastro, Studio Manager and Executive Producer at Joe McNally Photography, shares essential knowledge on managing the business side of photography. She highlights the importance of having the right insurance, both liability and commercial, to protect against unforeseen mishaps during shoots. Lynn also provides valuable insights into pricing strategies, explaining the importance of licensing and usage rights when negotiating with clients.
Duration: 76 mins 16 seconds