Portrait Photography Workshops in London
Hands-on studio sessions designed to push your photography forward - fast.
There's a limit to what you can learn by watching YouTube videos and reading gear reviews. At some point, the only way to develop as a photographer is to shoot - with a professional model, in a properly equipped studio, with someone experienced alongside you who can tell you in real time what's working and why.
That's what these workshops are.
I'm Tom Trevatt, a portrait and headshot photographer based in London, and a lecturer with twelve years of university teaching experience. My studio at Iliffe Yard, SE17 is set up specifically for portrait and headshot work: multiple backdrops, professional lighting and a range of props and furniture that let us explore genuinely different looks in a single session.
I run two types of workshop: intensive 1:1 sessions for photographers who want focused, personalised instruction, and small group sessions that bring a handful of photographers together to learn from each other as well as from me.
Both are practical. Both involve shooting with a professional model. Both are aimed at intermediate photographers who already know their way around a camera and want to take their studio work to the next level.
→ Email studio@tomtrevatt.com to enquire or book
1:1 Studio Workshop.
The 1:1 workshop is a four-hour session built entirely around you. No group dynamics, no waiting for your turn, no shooting the same setup as everyone else.
How the session runs
The session is split into two halves, and the structure is deliberate.
In the first two hours, you watch me work. I shoot with the model and talk you through everything I'm doing as I do it - the lighting choices, why I'm positioning the subject a particular way, how I'm directing and building rapport, what I'm looking for in each frame, and what I'm adjusting when something isn't working. This is an opportunity to watch a professional portrait session first hand, with everything explained.
In the second two hours, you take over. You work directly with the model, putting into practice what you've observed. I stay alongside you throughout - not directing, not taking over, but helping you find your own answers when you get stuck. The goal isn't for you to shoot like me. It's for you to shoot more like yourself, with more confidence, more intention, and more understanding of why you're making the decisions you're making.
What we cover
The specifics depend on where you are and what you want to develop, but workshops typically cover:
Studio lighting setups - from simple single-light arrangements to more complex multi-light configurations
Understanding and controlling light: quality, direction, ratio, and modifier choice
Using handpainted backgrounds, props, and furniture to build sets that add character without distracting
Directing and building genuine rapport with subjects - the part most photography courses don't teach
Posing: how to guide people into natural, flattering positions without making them feel posed
Finding and developing your own creative voice - what you're drawn to and why
Lens and camera choices for different portrait styles
Who it's for
Intermediate photographers who already understand the fundamentals of exposure and camera operation, and want to develop their studio portrait work — whether that's headshots, personal branding photography, creative portraiture, or a combination. This session works well as a standalone intensive day, or as part of an ongoing mentoring relationship (though it's priced separately).
Price: £1,000 (Includes professional model booking fee)
Email studio@tomtrevatt.com to book or check availability
testimonial
Sheena
"As a fellow photographer, I'd been meaning to develop my studio lighting skills for some time — and given that I love Tom's style, attending one of his workshops made sense. Tom was fantastic at simplifying the whole process of working with studio light. He took time to explain his key lighting choices, how they worked and why he chose them for that specific setting. There was plenty of time to experiment with different setups and gain a real understanding of how they worked. Tom is excellent at keeping things simple yet effective."
Group Workshop.
The group workshop brings a small number of photographers - typically four to six - together for a shared studio session. The format is similar to the 1:1 workshop, but with the added dimension of learning alongside other photographers at a similar stage: watching how someone else approaches a shot, hearing the questions they ask, and seeing how different creative decisions produce different results.
I keep group sizes deliberately small. This isn't a photography class with twenty people standing at the back trying to see what's happening. Everyone gets time behind the camera, everyone gets feedback, and the session feels focused rather than crowded.
How the session runs
As with the 1:1, we work in two halves. The first half is observational - I work with the model, explain my process in real time, and set up a range of lighting configurations we'll explore throughout the session. The second half, everyone shoots. You'll rotate time with the model, try different setups, and work on the specific things you want to develop. I move around the group, giving individual feedback and adjusting things as needed.
What we cover
Group workshops typically cover studio lighting setups and modifier choices, working with and directing a professional model, posing and composition for portrait and headshot work, and using backgrounds and props effectively. The specific focus of each workshop may vary - I'll publish details of upcoming sessions when they're confirmed.
Who it's for
Intermediate photographers looking to develop their studio and portrait skills in a collaborative, focused environment. If you've been shooting for a while and feel like you're not progressing as fast as you'd like — or if you want to get more comfortable with studio lighting specifically — this is the session for you.
How to find out about upcoming dates
Group workshops run periodically throughout the year and are announced to my mailing list first. They typically sell out quickly. The best way to make sure you hear about them is to email me and ask to be added to the notification list.
Price - £300pp
Email studio@tomtrevatt.com to register your interest (Subject line: Group Workshop)
testimonial
Sisi
"Tom is a wonderful host — very open and generous in sharing his expertise. I love learning from other photographers and always come away with new ideas, and Tom's workshop was ideal in that respect. The small group size meant it felt focused, while still allowing plenty of time to shoot for oneself. It was a wonderful opportunity to share in his process."