From Empty Room to Iconic Portrait
: How to Recreate Iconic Portraits, Explained Step by Step.
We are very pleased to welcome Jordan Berg to the IPFO Campus in Olten for his first workshop in Europe.
Anyone familiar with Jordan’s videos on Instagram or TikTok knows how clearly, directly, and inspiringly he analyzes iconic portraits and explains their lighting setups step by step. He doesn’t just show the finished image—he reveals how a portrait is created: where the light is positioned, why it’s positioned there, and how a simple space can be transformed into a powerful portrait.
That's exactly what this workshop is all about.
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From an Empty Room to an Iconic Portrait
Recreating iconic portraits, explained step by step.We are very happy to welcome Jordan Berg to the IPFO Campus in Olten for his first workshop in Europe.
Anyone familiar with Jordan’s videos on Instagram or TikTok knows how clearly, directly, and inspiringly he analyzes iconic portraits and explains their lighting setups step by step. He doesn’t just show the final image; he reveals how a portrait is created: where the light is placed, why it’s placed there, and how a simple room can become the starting point for a powerful portrait.
That is exactly what this workshop is all about.
From an Empty Room to an Iconic Portrait
Recreate Famous Portrait Lighting Setups Step by Step
Understanding where to place light—and why—is often the very thing that separates the portraits you take from the ones you actually want to take. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to build iconic portrait lighting setups from the ground up, step by step, using simple tools and in a space that needn’t be much larger than the one you likely already have available.
You'll experience the entire process: how each setup is put together, why each light is placed exactly where it is, and how problems are solved in real time. Afterward, you'll try it out for yourself—both as a photographer and as the subject in front of the camera—so that the ideas become something you've created yourself, rather than just something you've seen.
This workshop is based on the portrait lighting analyses that Jordan shares on Instagram and TikTok, which have been viewed more than 10 million times over the past six months. Some of you may already be familiar with this work.
Workshop Content
Recreate Iconic Portrait Lighting Setups Step by Step
Understand why each light is placed exactly there
Building a portrait from an empty space to the finished image
Implementing Simple Setups with Minimal Equipment
Recognizing what's possible in a small space
Solve lighting problems live and in real time
Try out the setups yourself, both as a photographer and as the person in front of the camera
Time for Questions
What You'll Take Away from the Workshop
A new way of looking at light: You can see the composition behind a portrait, not just the finished image.
A clear understanding of what you should work on next, depending on where you are in your photography journey.
For some participants: a noticeable improvement in their portraits by the end of the day.
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Understanding where light goes—and why—is often the one thing missing between the portraits you take and the portraits you want to take. This workshop shows you how to build iconic portrait lighting setups from scratch, one simple step at a time, in a space no larger than what you likely already have.
You'll see the exact process: how each setup is built, why each light is placed where it is, and how problems are solved in real time. Then you'll try it yourself—taking photos and being photographed—so that these ideas become something you've actually done, not just something you've watched.
This workshop is based on the portrait lighting breakdowns I share on Instagram and TikTok, which have been viewed more than 10 million times. Some of you may already be familiar with this work.
Recreating Iconic Portrait Lighting Setups, Step by Step
Why Each Light Is Placed Where It Is
Creating a portrait, from an empty room to a finished image
Simple setups, built with minimal equipment
What Can Be Achieved in a Small Space
Solving lighting problems live, in real time
Trying out the setups yourself — taking photos and being photographed
Time for questions
What you'll take away from this:
A new way of looking at light — seeing the setup behind any portrait, not just the finished result
A clear understanding of what to practice next, based on your current level
For some of you, a noticeable improvement in your portraits by the end of the day
BIO
Jordan Berg is a portrait photographer based in Washington, D.C., and a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) with the Professional Photographers of America. He is a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography and has collaborated with lighting and equipment manufacturers such as Godox, Westcott, amaran, and Nanlite. Jordan works with both Sony and Hasselblad systems.
Jordan became known for his approach to recreating the lighting in iconic portraits and explaining the technique behind them step by step. His content has garnered more than 10 million views in the last six months. Jordan has taught photography workshops in the U.S., including for the Maryland Chapter of the Professional Photographers of America.
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BIO:
Jordan Berg is a portrait photographer based in Washington, D.C., and a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) with the Professional Photographers of America. A graduate of the New York Institute of Photography, he has collaborated with lighting manufacturers including Godox, Westcott, amaran, and Nanlite, and works with both Sony and Hasselblad systems. Jordan is known for recreating the lighting setups behind iconic portraits and breaking down the techniques step by step—content that has garnered more than 10 million views in the past six months. Jordan has taught photography workshops locally in the U.S., including for the Maryland chapter of the Professional Photographers of America.
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is designed for photographers and ambitious amateur photographers, as well as anyone who wants to explore the world of portrait photography and improve their flash and lighting techniques.
Here's what you need to bring
Camera
How to Use Your Camera Safely
COURSE INSTRUCTOR Jordan Berg
LANGUAGE E
WHEN: Saturday, October 3, 26 | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
PRICE CHF 620.00
Welcome coffee and croissants
Mineral Water
Studio & Materials
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: MIN. 8 - MAX. 12
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Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is designed for photographers, ambitious amateur photographers, and anyone who would like to delve deeper into the world of portrait photography and improve their flash and lighting skills.
What you need to bring:
Camera
: A good working knowledge of your own cameraINSTRUCTOR
Jordan BergLANGUAGE
EnglishPRICE
: CHF 620.00Included
, welcome coffee and croissants
, mineral water
, studio and equipmentNUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
: Min. 8, max. 12