Essence Over Pose: The Emotive Portrait Workshop by Tina Leu

A one-day immersive experience for portrait photographers ready to move beyond perfect posing - and show the depth behind the face.

Washington, DC | July 2025 | SOLD OUT

Join the Waitlist

If you’ve ever wanted more depth in your portraits - but struggled to guide clients into natural expression - this workshop is for you…

I’m teaching a full-day, in-person experience designed to help you direct your clients with confidence, build emotional depth into your work, and photograph people with more soul, not just more polish.

We’ll spend the morning learning my client approach, expression prompts, emotional frameworks, and lighting strategies.
Then in the afternoon, you’ll get to put it into action and shoot with my direction and support, using the techniques we covered — and leave with a fresh sense of approach.

I'm blown away. This sold out in four hours — which tells me how many of us are craving deeper, more intentional work. I’m so grateful to everyone who signed up and can’t wait to explore deeper in expression with you!

If you missed your chance to register, join the waitlist below.
Should any spots open up, or if I decide to host another date, you’ll be the first to know.

The workshop is limited on purpose because I want each person to walk away with real tools, confidence, and clarity in their work.
It’s also my very first workshop! If that sounds like what you’re looking for, I’d love to have you in the next round.

What you’ll learn:

  • Guiding clients with clarity - from a trust-building workflow to expression

  • My PACE framework for layered emotional range and nuance

  • Simple artificial lighting for shape and mood

  • My “One Pose, Many Frames” approach to visual variety

  • How to create timeless portraits with presence

Let’s move beyond stiff poses and into something deeper.

Join the waitlist and get first access to dates, details, and early bird pricing.

Coming with the workshop…

A chance to be photographed by me — and experience what you’re learning to create for others!

As an attendee, you’ll get the first opportunity to book an exclusive 1-hour portrait session with me the day before or after our workshop. It includes complimentary professional makeup, an assortment of naturally retouched images and a behind-the-scenes look at how I create simple, emotive portraits in a simple home studio setting.

  • Only 3 sessions will be available SOLD OUT

  • Add-on

  • Waitlist gets early access to book

“If you want a mentor who’s wildly creative and grounded in systems, who truly focuses on you — Tina is your girl.”

Kelly Ferguson

“I’m now getting more variety, stronger storytelling, and higher sales — all from small, practical shifts Tina taught me.”

Andre Smith

“I needed a no-fluff, relatable mentor — Tina delivered and then some. Direct, insightful, and totally in tune with what I needed.

Lakesha Miner

“10 stars for Tina! She shares it all — no gatekeeping, just real talk, real strategy, and real accountability. She cares deeply, and it shows.”

Aniya Emtage