PCS: The Compelling Studio Portrait Live Shoot with Jonny Edward
Select a Date
Step into the studio and discover what becomes possible when technical knowledge, creative curiosity, and human connection come together. In this immersive, hands-on experience, Jonny Edward invites photographers into his creative process as he builds compelling portraits from the ground up—exploring the interplay of light, color, composition, atmosphere, and authentic subject connection.
Rather than simply recreating a predetermined lighting diagram, we’ll work through the creative decisions that shape an image, discovering how subtle changes in lighting, perspective, expression, and visual relationships can dramatically transform its emotional impact.
Through live demonstrations, collaborative exploration, and opportunities to photograph, participants will gain firsthand insight into the fluid, intuitive nature of creative studio portraiture.
We’ll experiment, adapt, embrace unexpected discoveries, and explore how even the simplest tools and environments can become the foundation for remarkable imagery.
The emphasis is not on replicating someone else’s aesthetic, but on building the awareness, confidence, and creative fluency necessary to develop your own.
What We'll Explore:
· Building and evolving creative lighting arrangements in real time
· Using light and color as expressive rather than purely technical tools
· Working collaboratively with a subject to create presence and connection
· Exploring composition, perspective, expression, and atmosphere
· Making intuitive creative decisions while photographing
· Discovering possibilities through experimentation and adaptation
Attendees are also welcome to register for Jonny's The Compelling Studio Portrait lecture for a more in-depth presentation on his unique approach to portraiture.
*Bring your cameras!
Jonny Edward
"For me, portraiture is a sincere conversation, a wonderfully surreal collaboration between light, shadow, trust, and truth. It is a way for me to make others feel seen, heard, safe, loved, accepted, and celebrated; to tell their singularly unique stories and, in the process, tell a bit of my own. Ultimately, it's the alchemy of humanity and reciprocity.
To that end, over the last 11 years, I've photographed tens of thousands of people — artists, rebels, entrepreneurs, rock stars, leaders, dreamers, the everyday folks, and uncannily uncommon individuals, those at the very top of their game and those navigating the lowest points in their lives, the shy and the bold alike. I've created and taught around the country and across the globe, exploring how contrast and narrative intertwine, and at times, combine to reveal who we truly are. My camera has been a passport to new worlds, a powerful conduit for heartfelt connection with fellow humans, and a mirror through which I've come to know and love myself."
Unique Photo Philly
28 South 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Unique University® is the highly acclaimed education component of Unique Photo®, NJ’s only camera and video superstore. There is over 2000 sq. ft. of learning space, including our state-of-the art, 1000 sq. ft. main presentation hall. Unique University’s mission is to help our visitors “Create Better Pictures” by providing photography education for beginners to pros. With events daily, it is the place where photography groups such as local camera clubs, ASMP, PPA and others meet. We have a full curriculum of classes and seminars from world famous speakers such as Art Wolfe, Rick Sammon, Michael Yamashita, Tyler Stableford, Lindsay Adler, and Will Crockett. We offer photography experiences to such places as the Lakota Wolf Preserve, Wolf Conservation Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rutgers Football, Longwood Gardens, Festival of Ballooning, and much more. Our technical classes include such topics as basic digital photography, lighting techniques, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, macro photography, composition, editing and printing, wedding photography, HDR photography, working with speedlights, how to use social media, digital organization, one-on-one instruction, and much, much more.
Where are classes held?
Unless stated otherwise, most classes are held in the Unique University classroom within the Unique Photo Superstore (123 US Highway 46 West, Fairfield, NJ 07004). We also hold classes at our Philadelphia, PA location (28 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106).
What should I bring to class?
You're encouraged to bring your camera and a notebook and pen to most classes. Some classes will require additional equipment, so please check the class descriptions.
Will lunch or refreshments be included?
Lunch and refreshments are not provided for any classes under 6 hours unless noted.
How do I register for a class?
You can register online, in-store at the concierge, or by phone at either 973-377-6454 or 973-377-2007. Please note that you will need to provide payment information.
Can I register at the door?
For most classes, you're free to register at the concierge desk prior to the start of the class. Please note that there are some classes that offer "Early Bird Special" rates and others that have limited seating, so it would be in your best interest to register early for such classes.
I wanted to register for ______ class, but it is now sold out. Is there a waiting list?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with the following information: your name, phone number, email address, and the class name and date.
My question has not been addressed here. Is there someone I can contact?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with any additional inquiries.
Unique University Class Cancellation Policy
- Classes costing less than $99 may be canceled up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund. For classes costing $100 or more, advanced notice of seven days before the class is necessary for a full refund.
- Requests for cancellation made after these deadlines will be awarded store credit in the amount paid for registration towards a future Unique University seminar or workshop.
- Cancellations made within 24 hours of the beginning of a class will not be honored and no refund or credit will be given.
- Cancellations of any class utilizing models will be subject to a cancellation fee of 50% of the purchased price (up to $100).
- Cancellations of any class that includes an admission ticket (including, but not limited to: museums, gardens, shows, exhibits, and special events or locations) may be subject to forfeiture of the admission ticket fee.
** Attention American Express cardholders: If you cancel a registration for a class costing $100 or more, there will be a 3% cancellation fee deducted from your refund or store credit.
Select a Date
Get a FREE $10 Token Back
Good towards in-store purchases.
*NO REFUNDS or rescheduling for any Camera Show classes.
Bring your cameras! This is part of our Creators Challenge where attendees can submit their best shots from this class (and any other marked PCS Creators Challenge listings) for a chance to win a $1000 Unique Photo Gift Card! Click here for details!
Step into the studio and discover what becomes possible when technical knowledge, creative curiosity, and human connection come together. In this immersive, hands-on experience, Jonny Edward invites photographers into his creative process as he builds compelling portraits from the ground up—exploring the interplay of light, color, composition, atmosphere, and authentic subject connection.
Rather than simply recreating a predetermined lighting diagram, we’ll work through the creative decisions that shape an image, discovering how subtle changes in lighting, perspective, expression, and visual relationships can dramatically transform its emotional impact.
Through live demonstrations, collaborative exploration, and opportunities to photograph, participants will gain firsthand insight into the fluid, intuitive nature of creative studio portraiture.
We’ll experiment, adapt, embrace unexpected discoveries, and explore how even the simplest tools and environments can become the foundation for remarkable imagery.
The emphasis is not on replicating someone else’s aesthetic, but on building the awareness, confidence, and creative fluency necessary to develop your own.
What We'll Explore:
· Building and evolving creative lighting arrangements in real time
· Using light and color as expressive rather than purely technical tools
· Working collaboratively with a subject to create presence and connection
· Exploring composition, perspective, expression, and atmosphere
· Making intuitive creative decisions while photographing
· Discovering possibilities through experimentation and adaptation
Attendees are also welcome to register for Jonny's The Compelling Studio Portrait lecture for a more in-depth presentation on his unique approach to portraiture.
*Bring your cameras!
Jonny Edward
"For me, portraiture is a sincere conversation, a wonderfully surreal collaboration between light, shadow, trust, and truth. It is a way for me to make others feel seen, heard, safe, loved, accepted, and celebrated; to tell their singularly unique stories and, in the process, tell a bit of my own. Ultimately, it's the alchemy of humanity and reciprocity.
To that end, over the last 11 years, I've photographed tens of thousands of people — artists, rebels, entrepreneurs, rock stars, leaders, dreamers, the everyday folks, and uncannily uncommon individuals, those at the very top of their game and those navigating the lowest points in their lives, the shy and the bold alike. I've created and taught around the country and across the globe, exploring how contrast and narrative intertwine, and at times, combine to reveal who we truly are. My camera has been a passport to new worlds, a powerful conduit for heartfelt connection with fellow humans, and a mirror through which I've come to know and love myself."
Unique Photo Philly
28 South 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Unique University® is the highly acclaimed education component of Unique Photo®, NJ’s only camera and video superstore. There is over 2000 sq. ft. of learning space, including our state-of-the art, 1000 sq. ft. main presentation hall. Unique University’s mission is to help our visitors “Create Better Pictures” by providing photography education for beginners to pros. With events daily, it is the place where photography groups such as local camera clubs, ASMP, PPA and others meet. We have a full curriculum of classes and seminars from world famous speakers such as Art Wolfe, Rick Sammon, Michael Yamashita, Tyler Stableford, Lindsay Adler, and Will Crockett. We offer photography experiences to such places as the Lakota Wolf Preserve, Wolf Conservation Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rutgers Football, Longwood Gardens, Festival of Ballooning, and much more. Our technical classes include such topics as basic digital photography, lighting techniques, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, macro photography, composition, editing and printing, wedding photography, HDR photography, working with speedlights, how to use social media, digital organization, one-on-one instruction, and much, much more.
Where are classes held?
Unless stated otherwise, most classes are held in the Unique University classroom within the Unique Photo Superstore (123 US Highway 46 West, Fairfield, NJ 07004). We also hold classes at our Philadelphia, PA location (28 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106).
What should I bring to class?
You're encouraged to bring your camera and a notebook and pen to most classes. Some classes will require additional equipment, so please check the class descriptions.
Will lunch or refreshments be included?
Lunch and refreshments are not provided for any classes under 6 hours unless noted.
How do I register for a class?
You can register online, in-store at the concierge, or by phone at either 973-377-6454 or 973-377-2007. Please note that you will need to provide payment information.
Can I register at the door?
For most classes, you're free to register at the concierge desk prior to the start of the class. Please note that there are some classes that offer "Early Bird Special" rates and others that have limited seating, so it would be in your best interest to register early for such classes.
I wanted to register for ______ class, but it is now sold out. Is there a waiting list?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with the following information: your name, phone number, email address, and the class name and date.
My question has not been addressed here. Is there someone I can contact?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with any additional inquiries.
Unique University Class Cancellation Policy
- Classes costing less than $99 may be canceled up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund. For classes costing $100 or more, advanced notice of seven days before the class is necessary for a full refund.
- Requests for cancellation made after these deadlines will be awarded store credit in the amount paid for registration towards a future Unique University seminar or workshop.
- Cancellations made within 24 hours of the beginning of a class will not be honored and no refund or credit will be given.
- Cancellations of any class utilizing models will be subject to a cancellation fee of 50% of the purchased price (up to $100).
- Cancellations of any class that includes an admission ticket (including, but not limited to: museums, gardens, shows, exhibits, and special events or locations) may be subject to forfeiture of the admission ticket fee.
** Attention American Express cardholders: If you cancel a registration for a class costing $100 or more, there will be a 3% cancellation fee deducted from your refund or store credit.