For years, I’ve taught lighting and retouching workshops across the U.S., and while that’s always been rewarding, I’ve felt the pull to expand my reach again — this time with a different focus. A lot of international photography workshops, especially those run by U.S. photographers, tend to follow a specific formula: luxury locations, stunning models, and an experience that doubles as a retreat for attendees. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, my goal is something else entirely.
I want to bring lighting education directly to the local photographers in these places — the ones who live and work there, who are building their careers in those cities, and who don’t always get access to the same level of in-person education as photographers in major U.S. hubs. My aim isn’t to create an exclusive travel-based workshop where photographers fly in for a curated getaway. Instead, I want to connect with the actual creative communities in these regions, to teach and share in a way that’s relevant to their everyday realities.
I’m starting with predominantly Spanish-speaking regions first. It makes sense — I know enough Spanish to teach effectively, to communicate beyond just the technical, and to have real conversations with local photographers. But this is just the beginning. I want to bring this kind of hands-on, no-frills education to island nations, to regions where workshops aren’t as common, to places where photographers are hungry to learn but may not always have the opportunity.
This isn’t about avoiding the U.S. or American photographers — it’s about offering something different, something valuable to photographers in their own communities, on their own turf. Not everyone can hop on a plane to L.A. or New York for an expensive seminar, and they shouldn’t have to. So I’m taking it to them, if that makes sense?
The way I see it, lighting is universal. The language of photography transcends borders. And as much as I love the creative bubble I’ve built over the years, I know that stepping into new environments, teaching in different cultural contexts, and sharing knowledge outside of my usual spaces will only make me a better educator, artist, and collaborator.
This is just the start, and I can’t wait to see where it leads.
Everything effectively starts on May 18 in San Juan Puerto Rico.