From Fear to Flash Seminar by Joseph “JC” Carey, Westcott Lighting

Lighting doesn’t have to be scary—or overly complicated. From Fear to Flash is a practical, approachable class for beginner to mid-level photographers who want to confidently add strobes and/or constant light to their workflow and stop guessing their way through lighting setups. This class leans heavily on process over recipe. Instead of memorizing diagrams or copying setups, you’ll learn how to think through lighting situations, make intentional choices, and adapt on the fly. Just as important, we embrace failing forward—because missed frames and imperfect results are often the fastest path to real understanding and long-term confidence. We’ll break lighting down into a simple, repeatable approach: reading available light, deciding when to add light, and adjusting placement and power with purpose for consistent, creative results. No jargon overload, no “because I said so”—just practical learning (with a few well-timed dad jokes to keep things human).

The class wraps with a hands-on shooting session, where attendees will put what they’ve learned into practice by building and shooting real lighting setups.

Learn the process. Embrace the mistakes. Leave with confidence.

This hands-on seminar with live models will be held in the Lansdale Store Class Room

$10 Cardinal Camera Gift Card to all seminar addendees

Bio:

Joseph “JC” Carey is a lifelong image maker and recovered natural-light-only photographer. Like many of us, JC used to think flash was a four-letter word worthy of pulling your his hair out. His journey into lighting started with a hilariously bad lighting class in 2007—a true “gift” in the sense that it lit a fire under him to learn everything the instructor didn't teach. That fire turned into a full-blown passion for figuring out how to control light, shape it, and use it to create images that stand out.

Fast forward 18 years and JC is now a professional photographer and the Northeast Sales & Marketing Rep for FJ Westcott and a proud lighting evangelist. He spends his days teaching people how to go “From Fear to Flash,” showing photographers that the best available light isn’t necessarily natural—it’s the one you can use consistently to stay creative, even when the sun’s being a diva.

When he’s not lighting something (or someone), he’s being a dad, making photos, or finding new ways to make lighting fun, accessible, and a little less terrifying.

Follow his journey (and see some of his lighting antics) at Instagram.com/JCPhotoMedia

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Cardinal Camera & Video Center