Working with Hard Light in the Studio with Mark Wallace

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Think hard light is only for edgy, unflattering portraits? Think again.

In this in-depth studio lighting class, photographer and educator Mark Wallace breaks down everything you need to know about working with hard light — and shows you why it’s one of the most powerful, creative tools in your portrait photography arsenal.

Mark has spent years teaching photographers around the world through his Digital Photography One on One and Exploring Photography series on YouTube, and now he’s bringing that same clear, practical approach to one of the most misunderstood topics in studio lighting.

You’ll see exactly how images like these come to life — from clean, sculpted beauty portraits to high-contrast fashion and editorial work. No soft boxes required.

Whether you’re a beginner who’s always stuck to soft light or an experienced shooter ready to level up your studio game, this class will change the way you think about light.

What You'll Learn

• How hard light modifiers — including grids, snoots, and bare bulb setups — shape and control light
• How to use gobos to flag, block, and sculpt light for dramatic effect
• How to eliminate your fear of hard shadows and use them intentionally
• Creative techniques to produce bold, editorial, and high-impact portraits

Who It's For

• Beginners who have mostly worked with soft light and want to better understand hard light
• Portrait photographers who want to create bolder, more sculpted images
• Studio photographers interested in editorial, fashion, and high-contrast lighting styles
• Anyone ready to use hard light more intentionally and creatively

How to Join

• This class is free to stream on YouTube here.
• You can access the class directly through your web browser or the YouTube app.

About the Instructor

Mark Wallace is a photographer based in the United States. Best known for his web-based video series Digital Photography One on One and Exploring Photography sponsored by Adorama.

Millions of people have watched Mark’s videos on YouTube, and the numbers continue to grow. Mark has a strong social media following on Facebook and Twitter, where he spends time interacting with viewers and workshop attendees.

In 2014, Mark left the United States to embark on a 2-year worldwide adventure. He visited 28 countries and captured thousands of unique photographs across the globe.

In 2016, Mark decided to give up planes, trains, and automobiles and is now exploring the world on his motorcycle.

Throughout the session, Ana walks you through her posing techniques, lighting setup, and wrapping methods while explaining the decisions behind each step. Seeing the full workflow live offers valuable insight into how a newborn session comes together, from creating a calm environment to making thoughtful adjustments throughout the shoot.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore newborn photography or have been photographing babies for years, this class offers a practical look at Ana’s approach and the techniques she uses during an actual session.

This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A directly with Ana Brandt.

What You’ll Learn

• How Ana approaches a complete newborn photoshoot from start to finish
• Posing techniques used during a live newborn session
• How lighting is set up and adjusted throughout the shoot
• Wrapping methods used to keep the baby secure and photo-ready
• How small decisions during the session shape the overall workflow

Who It's For

• Photographers who want to see a complete newborn workflow demonstrated live
• Beginners interested in learning the foundations of newborn photography
• Newborn photographers who want insight into Ana’s posing, lighting, and wrapping techniques
• Anyone looking to better understand how a newborn session comes together in real time

How to Join

• This class is available exclusively to CreativeLive subscribers. Not a subscriber? Join here.
• The class will be delivered via Zoom Webinars. You’ll need access to Zoom through a web browser or the Zoom app in order to participate.
• To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited.
• A unique Zoom join link will be sent to registered subscribers, up to the maximum number of participants per class. You’ll receive this link one hour before the class start time.

About the Instructor

Ana Brandt is an internationally acclaimed newborn and family photographer with over 27 years of professional experience. Based in California and New York, she has photographed thousands of newborns and families while educating photographers in 47 countries across six continents. She also serves a loyal celebrity clientele from coast to coast, photographing families from the East Coast to the West Coast.

Ana is known for blending classic newborn portraiture with modern techniques and innovative creative workflows, and she is also a recognized leader in AI-driven photography education. Having worked in AI technologies for over four years, she leads one of the largest educational platforms dedicated to AI tools and workflows for newborn and portrait photographers, helping creatives integrate emerging technology into their businesses and artistic vision.

She is the founder of multiple education platforms and mentoring programs that help photographers build profitable, sustainable businesses. Today, Ana continues to photograph clients while mentoring photographers worldwide and helping shape the future of baby photography through education, innovation, and creative storytelling.