Portrait Lighting:
Shape Light and Mood
What cameras can be used for this class?
Digital DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras
What you'll practice:
• Recognize the nose shadows and cheek triangle that distinguish common lighting patterns.
• Adjust light height and angle for the person in front of your camera.
• Control contrast with fill light, reflectors or black boards.
• Understand the role of rim and background lights.
• Check skin highlights and preserve detail in intentional shadows.
Guided shooting and discussion will help connect each adjustment to the resulting image. Leave with a clearer way to choose and refine lighting for your next portrait.
Make lighting choices that support the portrait you want to create. Discover how light direction, shadow depth and background brightness change a face and the mood of a photograph. Join Jay Batchler at Atlanta School of Photography in Old Fourth Ward to compare lighting looks and practice two selected setups.
Explore loop, Rembrandt and split lighting through demonstrations and visual comparisons. See how rim lighting separates a subject from the background, and how high-key and low-key portraits create different moods. Learn to read the result before adding more equipment.
Meet Your Instructor
///
Meet Your Instructor ///
Jay Batchler
Jay’s creative path started behind the camera, where he developed a keen eye for everything from intimate portraits to sprawling commercial real estate and product photography. That same passion and attention to detail led him to the world of film.
Now based in Atlanta, Jay has carved out a successful film career in post-production. His dedication and skill were recognized in June 2025 when he became the V.P. of Post-Production at Swirl Films, where he also plays a key role in Creative Operations (CCO) and Distribution.
A true innovator, Jay's influence extends to the very tools of his trade; he helped train Adobe Firefly and Photoshop's "Generative Fill" feature in 2020-2021. His unique artistic vision was also celebrated by Adobe in 2025, which named him an "Emerging Artist" for his work under the name Jaybatchofcookies.
Location
Old Fourth Ward
East Side Beltline near Krog St Market
Free, Dedicated Parking Lot
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Camera, portrait lens, charged battery and memory card.
Pocket Wizards will be provided during the class. Please bring your own transmitter and receiver, if your camera is not compatible with a pocket wizard. -
Yes! For both locations!
Our Old Fourth Ward has a dedicated parking lot. We will send out a validation code just prior to the workshop start time.Our Sandy Springs location has a parking deck dedicated to Northside Tower.
-
We absolutely welcome note taking! But, we also send out a link to the slide deck presentation from every workshop, so you can focus on learning.
-
You can send us an email at staff@atlschoolofphoto.com or call or text us at 404-996-6978
-
The majority of our workshops are beginner friendly! However, if you want to be sure, email us at staff@atlschoolofphoto.com
Be sure to check out our Photo 1 class to learn more