PHOTOGRAPHY: Style, Story & Image Making
Age Group: Teens/Seniors (Grades 7-12)
Class Size: 10 max
Photography is more than capturing an image. It’s about perspective, storytelling and creating a feeling.
In this hands-on two-day photography intensive, students will explore product photography, lifestyle imagery and portraiture through a series of creative shoots designed to encourage experimentation, self-expression and visual storytelling. Led by photographer Sam Macdonald, students will learn how photographers use composition, lighting, styling and environment to create images that feel cinematic, intentional and emotionally engaging.
Ahead of the workshop, students will be asked to bring along three photographs that inspire them. Either images they’ve taken themselves or work from photographers and artists they admire. These references will help spark creative discussion around visual style, storytelling and artistic influence while encouraging students to think more deeply about the images they connect with and why.
Across the two days, students will take part in portrait and lifestyle shoots, creative studio setups and a guided photowalk exploring how environment, movement and natural light can shape an image. On Day 2, students will also bring their own objects or products—such as sneakers, jewellery, clothing, books or personal items—and style them into their own professional-inspired brand shoot, experimenting with backgrounds, lighting, composition and creative direction.
Designed for teens and senior students interested in photography, fashion, branding, storytelling or visual art, this workshop encourages students to explore their own creative voice while developing practical photography skills in a collaborative, industry-inspired studio environment.
Teacher: Sam Macdonald
Sam MacDonald is a Sydney-based photographer whose work is rooted in instinct, authenticity and a long-held curiosity about the people and culture around him. Working across music, portraiture and fashion, he brings a documentary sensibility to everything he shoots.
Growing up in New South Wales surfing and skating, Sam came to photography the way most things stick — through the world he was already living in. That grounding in real environments and real people has shaped his practice ever since. He spent years embedded in Sydney’s live music scene, shooting bands and crowds from the floor up, before taking on the role of photography lead at the ARIAs — coordinating a team of photographers across a live national broadcast and capturing artists including Keith Urban and Paul Kelly in images that went on to appear in Australian and international publications.
Alongside his own practice, Sam has worked extensively as a photographer’s assistant and digital technician on major fashion campaigns for Australian and international publications, developing a rigorous technical foundation in lighting and complex studio production at the top end of the industry.
His approach hasn’t shifted much since he first picked up a camera. He shoots on instinct, responds to his environment, and believes a photograph earns its keep when it returns a moment honestly — and lets the viewer bring their own feeling to it.
Dates: 9 & 10 July (2-day workshop)
Time: 10am-2pm both days
Age Group: Teens/Seniors (Grades 7-12)
Cost: $300 (incl GST)
What to bring: Please bring lunch, snacks and a water bottle. If you have your own camera, then please bring this with you. For day 2, you will also be asked to bring some products you want to shoot. If you don’t have a camera, don’t worry. We have some in the studio for students to share.