TheTalkingPixel: Lara Jade Workshop – Milan 2016

So I went to Milan to meet and learn from Lara Jade – one great fashion photographer and a role model for me, simply put – it was AMAZING, but don't believe me, decide for yourself!

I had many self-dilemmas whether go on this workshop or not, because it actually was my first time outside my country and wasn’t sure that I could keep up with English and Italian without "pauses" and "subtitles" that I'm used to when hearing and speaking English, but well.. to meet Lara and to have a real break from my day to day life.. It was WORTH every single minute.

Day One! (and a tiny bit before)

It was actually my 3^rd day in Milan, so I was really glad to speak English, not just English-Pantomime language with the Italian locals (although a few of them spoke a bit English). We all arrived in one huge studio – Cross Studio, which Lara did a great job picking this place, it was really impressive and full of mood, it is an industrial studio with a wooden floor, 4 different walls that can be used to photograph, at least enough to get the imagination and inspiration start beating (not yet "kickin' " wait for it..) oh and yes did I said this place was HUGE? We all met in a "small" lobby (medium you can say) where all of the students were and got to know a bit of each other (which I really enjoyed!) while waiting to start and meet the one big deal – Lara.

Lara stood there, a strong professional lady and greet each and every one of us with a smile, and was very kind to us (which I sometimes wonder how, because of the pressure/ excitement etc..), Lara the first meeting was just great! Ok enough soft sentimental readings, right? After the meeting with Lara we started with introduction of the workshop, a bit background on Lara and the conversation flew very nicely to styling on shoots, moods, bits of the fashion world and magazines, light diagrams (and probably things that I don’t recall at the moment). While all of this time Lara and her team were very open to answer every question, even was very approachable on the breaks if you felt like talking and asking them in small talks. We had lunch break which was rich of many types of food, which I think all were great, not to mention there were hot and cold drinks available all the time. Well let the shoots begin right?

We shot two fine professional models in about 8 different clothes, and got to see about 4 different lighting setups that Lara uses in her shots. Every person had his time to take about 10 pictures then the next person shot (and in general it was a good arrangement because each of us got to shot about 3 times the same model). While all this time Lara explained every step she made, talked, answered our questions and help anyone how needed help while shooting. Technically speaking, I got a Canon 40D, 50mm 1.4 and a 17-50 2.8 lenses that I like to work with and it was good to the shots, but you should use what you're most comfort with when shooting portraits, and don’t worry – Lara explains what she's using and for which shots, and you can ask her everything! (even if you're not so bold – like me)

Day Two

Well, day 1 wrapped up with us smiling and satisfying and a good collection of fashion in our "pockets", ready to be edited. We all had a table to sit comfortably in, connect our laptops and see Lara clearly – for the retouching part. But before that – we summed Day 1 and made a group portfolio review, it was really nice to see people's "vision" and styles and very exciting for me to hear Lara reviewing my pictures - to get a professional review like that is much appreciated. We then spoke on how to present a portfolio to a client, talked about business and marketing – which all of this time Lara was like an open rich book and talked about topics of fashion shoots costs, and yes – answered every question asked. Guess what comes next.. Right! Lunch time!

Yeah yeah.. Great food all over again. After that we started the retouching seminar that Lara explained step by step everything she's doing, showed different approaches to create mood in the pictures and above all – she shared her style, which is priceless for me because I got to see how she like to shot (in real life) and how to edit it, with all the steps. So its like getting inside an artist head for 2 days.

Warping Up!

In the end of this day Lara was very patient and nice to everyone, let us take photo with her and for the ones that wished – going into a wrap dinner with her. Now imagine that – a group of great people, Italian food and Lara Jade - yes, it is a dream (but it was real). Everybody was really nice to talk to, we spoke and laugh a lot and it was very nice to talk with Lara in a more calm environment where she talked with us even more friendly (miss you all already!).

Some last words

* Was it worth it? (value vs. investment) - From my perspective (I photographed fashion, portraits and was a booker of models) Lara brings you many things in one place and it's not taken from granted – you get to see and take pictures of high level models, high level styling, make up, hair, studio location, lighting gear and get many years of experience from the inside of the fashion industry (and all you need to do is ask for more information – no hesitations) so it might be a bit of investment – the workshop, the flight to the place and the hotel for 2 days, but I think it was worth it and would recommend it to other who's interest in fashion photography.

* It was great to be in this kind of fashion workshop and the people who came were great group to be with (photographers you are!).

* For the ones who are serious about fashion photography it is very recommended, Lara shares words of gold about the fashion industry from the perspective of a working fashion photographer.

* I think the workshop fits any photographer with basic knowledge of cameras, but also recommend to the more advanced ones – that already know a bit of portraits, studio work and Photoshop, because this way things will go smother for you (it's my opinion! Lara explains very well for whom the workshop fit, and you can ask her if not sure).

* And one more thing, which is priceless for me, you get to enter Lara's workshop community – a small facebook based closed group for the people who were in her workshops = meaning you got a bit closer "line" to talk with Lara and the other attendees from previous workshops, and this kind of people are just great.