Essence Over Pose: The Emotive Portrait Workshop
by Tina Leu
A one-day workshop for portrait photographers who want to create with clarity, presence, and emotion.
SOLD OUT
I'm blown away. This sold out in 17 minutes!!! 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.
Location: Downtown Houston, TX
Date: October 21, 2026
Only 6 seats
Early Bird: $1090 - ALL SOLD OUT
Full Price: $1290
Booking includes full-day workshop and lunch
The pose is the framework.
The movement is the feeling.
What you’ll learn:
Guiding clients with clarity - from trust-building to expression
My ARC 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
What’s Included
Full-day, in-person workshop led by Tina
Morning educational modules (movement direction, lighting, direction)
An overview of client journey workflow
Live lighting demo + setup walk-through
Exclusively taught for Black and White imagery
Apply the techniques in groups with yourselves as each other’s models
Intimate setting - only 6 attendees for focused learning
Lunch provided
Want to be photographed too?
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 45-minute portrait session with me the day after our workshop.
5 naturally retouched portraits
A BTS look at how I create simple, emotive portraits with you as the muse
Only 2 sessions available
Add-on rate: $1290
Waitlist get first access to book
Ready to book your seat?
Let’s move beyond stiff poses and into something deeper.
Register at the Early Bird Rate of $1090
Only 6 spots available. After August 3, registration opens to the public at full price of $1290 if spots remain.
FAQs
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This workshop is best suited for photographers who have some experience with portrait work — ideally 2–5 years in, or already working with clients. You don’t need to be full-time, but a foundational comfort with your camera and photographing people is helpful. This workshop ADDS to your existing way of photographing people.
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In downtown Houston, TX - the exact location will be shared after booking.
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Your camera, a 50mm lens and/or 24-70mm (or 35mm), and an open mind to be photographed and have fun. You’ll also want a notebook to jot down all the nuggets.
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Not at this time - full payment is required at booking to reserve your seat (and photoshoot spot).
More Than Better Photos. A Different Way of Seeing.
Photographers came expecting new techniques. They left with renewed confidence, fresh creative energy, and a completely different way of directing and connecting with the people in front of their camera.
"I learned exactly what I came for, and the best part was knowing I could return to my studio and implement it immediately. The day felt easy, energizing, and honestly like major bang for my buck. Tina absolutely knocked it out of the park."
Katie Campbell
"I came to Germany hoping to learn how to bring more movement and genuine emotion into my portraits, but I left with so much more. Somewhere throughout the day, Tina reignited something in me and reminded me why I fell in love with photographing women in the first place. I came home with renewed excitement, fresh creative energy, and a desire to create that I hadn't felt in a long time."
Masha Ray
"I've attended multiple photography workshops, but this one was different. It helped me step away from rigid posing rules and focus on connection, creativity, and the person in front of my camera. There was something incredibly freeing about that shift."
Tanya Maycock
"This isn't a posing workshop—it's a movement direction workshop that teaches you how to create intimate, raw, and emotive images. It completely shifted how I think about directing clients, and I left excited to bring more movement and life into my own work."
Shirley Sheung
"It was everything I was hoping for—and honestly, even more. Tina is incredibly generous with what she teaches, but what impacted me most was who she is as a person: genuine, down to earth, and willing to share both the highs and the hard parts of building a business. I left Germany feeling inspired, creatively refilled, and so grateful I said yes to this workshop."
Ruth Plumb
Still unsure and have questions? Shoot me an email at hello@tinaleu.com