Specialty Workshops

Learn how to create beautiful, flattering maternity portraits through professional lighting, posing, and post-production techniques.

October 18, 2026

Designed as Workshop 1 of our 4-part Maternity Photography Master Class Series, this hands-on course takes you through the complete maternity photography process—from planning and working with expectant mothers to photographing, retouching, and delivering polished final images.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this class, you’ll learn how to plan and execute a maternity session with confidence. Explore flattering posing techniques, soft and professional lighting setups, wardrobe and client considerations, and how to safely work with expectant mothers. Students will also photograph a live maternity model while receiving hands-on guidance.

The afternoon session focuses on the complete post-production workflow, including Lightroom organization and color correction, portrait retouching, Photoshop techniques, and preparing images for social media, print, albums, and client galleries.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Plan and prepare for a professional maternity photography session

• Create soft, flattering lighting using natural and studio light

• Pose expectant mothers, partners, and siblings

• Direct expressions, movement, and posing flow

• Photograph a live maternity model with instructor guidance

• Organize, cull, and color-correct images in Lightroom

• Apply professional portrait retouching techniques

• Use Photoshop to clean up and enhance final images

• Prepare images for client delivery, print, albums, and social media

MATERIALS NEEDED

• Digital camera with manual exposure modes

• Extra battery and memory card

• Laptop with Lightroom Classic and Photoshop installed

• Camera manual (optional)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ages 16+

• Basic knowledge of digital photography and manual camera settings recommended

INSTRUCTOR

David LaNeve, CPP & Sarah Rogers, Certified Adobe Expert

Are you interested in raising your skills to an intermediate or advanced level? This certification program includes the prep course and final exam to become a Certified Professional Photographer with the Professional Photographers of America.

The official test from PPA will be administered on the last day of the course.

Classes that fit your schedule -

6 zoom classes held over 3 weeks.

Monday and Wednesday evenings.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

PART 1: CAMERA, LENSES, AND ATTACHMENTS

• Camera controls, settings, and methods used to set the white balance

• Impact on file size and format of the final image

PART 2: EXPOSURE AND METERS

• How to interpret light meter readings.

• Relations between shutter speed, f-strop, and ISO.

• Dragging the shutter.

• Equivalent exposures.

• Exposure compensation relative to lighting situations.

• How to read and interpret a histogram.

• Exposure compensation while using a filter.

PART 3: LIGHTING

• Light sources and specialized light equipments to create desired effects.

• Establishing desired lighting rations (main light and fill light)

• Light modifiers (light blockers, reflectors, gels, etc)

• Type of lighting design (Rembrandt, split, broad, short, etc)

• Controlling / utilizing light (natural light, window, studio, mixed lighting, etc)

• Theory of light.

• Selection of the appropriate filter color for the light source.

PART 4: COMPOSITION, DESIGN, AND POSING

• Frame or crop the picture within the camera’s viewfinder.

• The angle of the view produces the desired effect.

• How to compose the elements within a scene.

• Posing individuals and multiple subjects.

PART 5: DIGITAL POST PRODUCTION

• Color spaces and which to work in

• RGB, CMYK, LAB color, additive color, subtractive color.

• File formats

• Creating / employing a color managements system.

• Cause and effect in the manipulation of digital images.

PART 6: IMAGE CAPTURE AND OUTPUT

• Selecting the appropriate capture media for the subject matter.

• Format requirements.

• Identifying and correcting problem images.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE?

Below are the steps required to become a Certified Professional Photographer. They are designed to help you polish your technical and artistic skills.

• Enroll in the Certified Professional Photographers Preparation class.

• Pass a comprehensive written exam measuring your technical expertise.

• Successfully submit your work to a panel of judges for review and approval.

• Renewing credentials every three years with continuing education units or retaking the CP test.

MATERIALS NEEDED

• Computer and access to ZOOM

• ADDITIONAL COSTS =

  • If you are not already a PPA member you will need to join and pay the membership dues to PPA (approx. $28/month)

  • There will be a $200 exam fee payable to PPA.

  • These additional fees with be reviewed on the first day of class.

  • Included in this course is 1-hour of studio time to help you complete the practical portion.

• Included in your PPA membership:

  • Insurance and protection

  • Perks and Member discounts

  • Professional development

  • And much more!

QUALIFICATIONS

Required to be at an intermediate or advanced level.