The Business of Headshots A Two-Day Masterclass with Rory Lewis

The Business of Headshots A Two-Day Masterclass with Rory Lewis · Los Angeles · 26–27 September 2026

Over two days in Rory's Downtown LA studio, you'll learn how to build a headshot business from the ground up — under the guidance of one of the world's most successful headshot and portrait photographers, whose sitters range from celebrated actors to royalty, and whose work is held in the National Portrait Gallery and syndicated through Contour by Getty Images.

This is not only about pressing the shutter. It's about the whole practice: how to light a face with intention, how to make people notice and want your work, how to put the right infrastructure and production team in place, and how to turn all of it into a business that pays.

What you'll cover

The Art of Headshots — what separates a competent headshot from a compelling one: reading a face, directing a sitter, expression, and the classical eye that gives a portrait weight.

Lighting — learn to light properly and repeatably. Hands-on time with setups you can take straight into your own studio.

Portfolio — how to create genuine interest in your work, build a body of images that attracts the right clients, and position yourself in the market.

Infrastructure & Production — how to develop the systems, the studio setup, and the production team around you, and how to capture and run projects so the business actually scales.

You'll leave with the craft, the framework, and a clear plan to build your own headshot business.

Schedule

Day One (26 Sept) — The Art of Headshots and Lighting: directing sitters, expression, and full hands-on lighting practice.

Day Two (27 Sept) — Portfolio, Infrastructure & Production: building interest in your work, your systems and team, capturing projects, and turning it into a business.

Pricing

Early Bird — $1,195 (book by 31 July 2026) Standard — $1,495

Studio Address 124 W 4th St, Unit 222, Los Angeles, CA (inside the historic Farmers & Merchants Bank Building)

Best Parking Paragon Parking — 401 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Open 24/7, a short walk to the studio.

Where to Stay For anyone travelling, the citizenM Los Angeles Downtown is directly over the road — on the corner of S Spring & W 4th, across from the studio's Spring Street entrance. 361 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 · (213) 337-8658 Modern "smart" rooms with XL king beds, fast free Wi-Fi, a 24/7 canteen and bar, and a gym. Rates from around $117/night. You can roll out of bed and be in the studio in two minutes.

One thing to confirm before this goes live: the booking/enquiry contact (the email or link you want people to use to reserve and pay the deposit). Tell me what it should be and I'll drop it in.