1. "WHY IS IT SO INEXPENSIVE"?
Please feel free to "Tip" your instructor with large denominational bills. Seriously, I want to make it the best workshop EVER, and I need to have word of mouth to do that. I have no budget or large sponsors to market for me, so the more people who take the workshop, the more it gets known. It will not remain at this price for next year.

2. "WILL YOU TEACH US REAL WORLD STUFF WE CAN DO AFTER WE LEAVE THE WORKSHOP?
Absolutely. I don't bring $30K worth of lights to impress you, or show you how to do stuff you won't be able to do without a huge investment. We use the tools you use. If you have only one speedlight, you will be able to use that speedlight to make better photographs repeatedly. If you use larger lights, you will know how to use them better as well.

3. "CAN WE USE THE IMAGES WE TAKE IN OUR PORTFOLIOS"?
Yes you can. The models will be able to use the images in their portfolios as well.

4. "DO I ALREADY HAVE TO KNOW ABOUT LIGHT BEFORE TAKING THE WORKSHOP?"
Not really. As long as you understand how to use your camera. I have a pre-workshop document that may help in that respect. Aperture, shutter-speed, lenses, sync and a great attitude.

5. "DO I NEED A PROFESSIONAL CAMERA TO TAKE THE WORKSHOP?"
I don't know what that means, but if you can change the lenses, fire your flash off the camera, change aperture and shutterspeed, then that is all you need.

6. "CAN WE RECORD OR VIDEO ANY PARTS OF THE WORKSHOP?"
Yes, but if I find any of the stuff on YouTube or those places, I will send my cousin "Vinny da Hurt" over to youse guys houses... what, you think I'm kiddin round heah...

7. "WILL WE GET INTO ANY PHOTOSHOP DURING THE WEEKEND?"
We usually do, and I have no problem with hanging around late on Saturday or Sunday to do some Photoshop work with anyone interested. We sometimes have time for more, and other times we don't. So much depends on the workshop variables of location and light.

8. "DO YOU HAVE SPONSORS THAT WILL ASSAULT US WITH ADS AND WILL YOU PUSH US TO BUY STUFF?"
Nope. I have sponsors, but they are happy to offer discounts and premiums. I will never stand there and deliver hour long ads for any product. Ever. I am the guy who considers the Ikea shower curtain the best lighting tool for the bucks on the planet.

9. "ARE YOU AS COOL AS ALL THOSE OTHER GUYS WHO DO WORKSHOPS?"
No. No I am not. Sorry. But I teach a helluva workshop, that you can depend on.

Special thanks to my buddy Keith Taylor for these great Atlanta Workshop shots.

Rocky Point photography "Teaser" from Jesse Hoekstra on Vimeo.

This is a workshop unlike any you have ever experienced... Seriously.

And we learn all about light. We aren't about certain types of flashes, or big strobes, or 'natural light only'... we are about lighting and photography. All kinds of light and all kinds of photography.

The workbook we have now will be your guide through the day. We will be using it to reinforce the lecture / demonstration and it will also have tutorials, graphs, charting materials and a wealth of information that will be reinforced as you go through the workshop.

Advanced One on One training with Don Giannatti

We shoot, chart, and review. We apply the elements of lighting in an easy to understand method that makes taking it on to your work easier. We don't say "put it here and shoot"... we know why it is there, how it works within the framework of the rest of the image and how to visualize the effects before starting the shoot.

We do a lot of talking about photography as well. From shooting for a client to shooting for yourself, there are so many things to think about that it can become overwhelming. We want to simplify it so that the mystery is de-mystified, and the work can be focused on what you want to achieve.

I work through natural light, small strobes, studio strobes and blended light, and we shoot under every available setup we can. With a purpose behind every image. Your purpose, your image. Light brings it to life.

Will this workshop turn you into a world class shooter in a few weeks? Nope, but it will teach you to use light to create the images you see in your head.

The rest of that world class shooter thing you will have to provide. With hard work and a creative level that exceeds most. But you will have a good basic understanding of how to light people to your advantage.

Day Two: A Lighting / Shooting Workshop. Limited to 8 participants.

We take models and apply the techniques we learned on day one. Shooting in teams with models in tow, we hit the streets to make images. From naturally lit headshots to 5 light extravaganza's we do it all. It is an intense day... and limited to only 8 photographers.

This is a lighting workshop, not a model shoot.
We are here to learn how to light people, not to simply take pictures of models. I have to reign in the shooting now and then. We always try to have enough models to work with the teams, but sometimes we may have to limit the photographer to 30 or so images so everyone gets a chance to shoot. In most cases, you will have ample opportunity to shoot the models, but there is a hell of a lot of material to get though and waiting while someone takes a hundred shots is not on the agenda folks.

At the same time, if you cannot promise to deliver images to the models who show up, please do not attend. I cannot stress how important it is for the models to get images from these workshops. It is imperative. I am taking some precautions to make sure we get them images, but it is so important for all to be in agreement that the models getting images has to be a very important priority for all attending.

Who should attend? Who should not attend?

Beginners to Pro-am's will get a very strong boost up the lighting ladder, so to speak, as what I cover will increase the proficiency of the average shooter many fold. You will be well schooled in one light, two light and multiple light setups as well as how to use natural light with strobe for 'can't miss' lighting. A pro-shooter may find some of this material basic to their needs.

If you are proficient in the lighting, posing and directing of models, then you may be better off in a more advanced workshop. Take a look at the images that are displayed by some of the students and make that call yourself. I think that everyone can learn some great techniques, but if you already can produce the imagery you like, then it may not be the right workshop for you.