On Sunday 1 November, I’m teaching a two-hour live masterclass on Zoom: Cinematic Portraiture in the Old Master Tradition.
Four centuries ago, Caravaggio made a discovery that still governs every great portrait. Darkness is not the absence of a picture. It is the frame that gives light its meaning. A single source, falling hard across a face and leaving the rest to shadow, can carry more drama than any amount of fill.
That principle sits at the centre of my work. I’ve used it to photograph actors, generals, prime ministers and members of the Royal Family, in studios in Los Angeles, London and New York. In this session, I’ll show you how to use it in yours.
What you’ll learn
Lighting for headshots and portraiture. How to shape a face with one light, place shadow deliberately, and borrow the chiaroscuro of the Old Masters without losing a modern finish.
Directing your sitter. The words, pauses and small adjustments that turn a stiff pose into a natural, compelling expression.
Building a stronger portfolio. How to choose, sequence and present your work so it reads as a body of work rather than a collection of frames.
I’ll work through each live, explaining the decisions behind the setups so you can repeat them in your own studio, whatever kit you own.
Who it’s for, and when
The masterclass is open to photographers of every level. Beginners will leave with a clear method for lighting a face. Working professionals will find new ways to add depth and drama to commissions they already shoot.
Date: Sunday 1 November 2026 Los Angeles: 10:00 AM New York: 1:00 PM London: 6:00 PM Length: 2 hours, live on Zoom Recording: Included
Can’t make the live time? Register anyway. The recording is yours to keep.
Two ways to join
Live Seat: $99. The full two-hour masterclass, plus lifetime access to the recording.
Live + Critique: $150. Everything in the Live Seat, plus personalised written feedback from me on your own portrait work. If you want to know exactly what’s holding your images back, and what to change, this is the one to choose. Critique places are where I can give each person real attention.
About Rory Lewis
Rory Lewis is a British portrait photographer working across Los Angeles, London and New York, known for cinematic, Caravaggio-inspired portraiture. His sitters include Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen and HRH The Duke of Kent. His work is held in the National Portrait Gallery, London, and the Royal Collection. He is the founder of Heroes in Focus, a non-profit dedicated to military portraiture.
Reserve your place
Seats are limited, and Critique places more so. Register now for Sunday 1 November, and bring your questions. I’ll see you in the shadows.
