PCS: Flashing Lights - Creating Bold Portraits with Allan Ali (Fujifilm)
Select a Date
Join Allan Ali for a hands-on photography class designed to help photographers transform everyday city environments into dynamic portrait sets. Students will learn how to use flash intentionally to create bold, vibrant, and expressive images while balancing artificial and natural light. Through demonstrations and practical exercises, we’ll explore flash placement, exposure, color, composition, subject direction, and techniques for creating editorial-quality portraits outside of a traditional studio.
This class is about more than learning how to use a flash—it’s about developing the confidence to see the city differently and make the environment work for your creative vision. Students will put these techniques into practice during a guided photo walk, photographing subjects throughout the city while experimenting with light, movement, color, and perspective.
Whether you’re new to flash or looking to push your portrait work further, Flashing Lights will give you the tools and creative freedom to create images that feel intentional, energetic, and unmistakably your own.
Allan Ali
In 2019, I picked up a camera for the first time, and it changed my life completely. I started photographing everything that caught my interest, and through that lens, I discovered what truly matters to me. I practice street photography, social documentary, and portraiture—ranging from fashion editorials to street portraits. Recently, I partnered with Fujifilm and my favorite camera store Unique Photo to lead photowalks and create social media content. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to continuing this journey with them. My photography isn’t just about capturing moments; it’s about making a difference, one frame at a time.
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.
Join Allan Ali for a hands-on photography class designed to help photographers transform everyday city environments into dynamic portrait sets. Students will learn how to use flash intentionally to create bold, vibrant, and expressive images while balancing artificial and natural light. Through demonstrations and practical exercises, we’ll explore flash placement, exposure, color, composition, subject direction, and techniques for creating editorial-quality portraits outside of a traditional studio.
This class is about more than learning how to use a flash—it’s about developing the confidence to see the city differently and make the environment work for your creative vision. Students will put these techniques into practice during a guided photo walk, photographing subjects throughout the city while experimenting with light, movement, color, and perspective.
Whether you’re new to flash or looking to push your portrait work further, Flashing Lights will give you the tools and creative freedom to create images that feel intentional, energetic, and unmistakably your own.
Allan Ali
In 2019, I picked up a camera for the first time, and it changed my life completely. I started photographing everything that caught my interest, and through that lens, I discovered what truly matters to me. I practice street photography, social documentary, and portraiture—ranging from fashion editorials to street portraits. Recently, I partnered with Fujifilm and my favorite camera store Unique Photo to lead photowalks and create social media content. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to continuing this journey with them. My photography isn’t just about capturing moments; it’s about making a difference, one frame at a time.
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.