Understanding Light with Westcott Top Pro Ian Spanier (Philly)
Select a Date
Join celebrity portrait photographer and Westcott Top Pro Ian Spanier at Unique Photo Philly as he breaks down the essentials of both natural and artificial lighting – showing how to see it, shape it, and use it to elevate your images.
Through an open-book approach and a live model demo with Westcott Lighting, Ian will share the stories behind his work and simplify complex lighting concepts for photographers at every level. Walk away with practical tools to train your eye, capture light with intention, and immediately improve your photography.
Ian Spanier
Ian Spanier is an award-winning portrait photographer who began taking photographs at six years old when his parents gave him his first point and shoot camera. After majoring in photography in college, Spanier worked in publishing as an editor, but making pictures never left him. Having only known 35mm, he taught himself medium and large format as well as lighting. Spanier considers himself primarily self-taught in lighting. Absorbing lighting styles from his time as a photo editor, studying photography books and portfolios then he really began his "10,000 hours" …and then some.
The original "Masters of Photography" have always inspired Spanier as they shot what they saw. For him, there is no “one” subject that he photographs; he also chooses to shoot what he sees.
Although he works anywhere and everywhere, Spanier left NY for the sunny coast, and now lives in Los Angeles, Ca.
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.
Getting Started
How to Submit
Who Can Enter
Must be 18 years or older at time of entry.
Employees & affiliates of Unique Photo are not eligible.
Photos must be original work submitted by the photographer.
Content must be free of offensive or inappropriate material.
Judging Criteria
Entries are judged on creativity, originality, and adherence to the contest theme. The panel's decision is final.
Entry Requirements
Contest Rules
All photographers retain full copyright to their images. By entering, you grant Unique Photo permission to use your photos on social media for promotional purposes.
Please upload a JPEG image. Resize photographs to under 8MB per photo before submitting.
DO NOT include watermarks on photographs — images with watermarks will be disqualified from entry.
Winners will be announced one week after the deadline on Instagram @UniquePhoto.
Terms & Conditions
Submission Guidelines: Photos must be original and submitted by the photographer. Submissions must not contain offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content. Number of photos and submission deadline will be determined by the specific Creators Challenge contest.
Copyright & Usage Rights: All photographers retain full copyrights to their submitted photos. By entering, participants grant Unique Photo a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and publish their submitted photos on social media and other digital channels for promotional purposes. No modifications will be made without prior consent, except for minor cropping or resizing.
Judging: Entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, and adherence to the contest theme. The decision of the judging panel is final and binding.
Liability: By entering, participants agree to release Unique Photo and its affiliates from any liability, injury, loss, or damage arising from this contest or any prize won.
Privacy: Personal information collected will only be used to administer the contest and will not be shared with third parties.
Modifications: Unique Photo reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the contest due to technical issues or unforeseen circumstances. For questions, contact [email protected].
Select a Date
Get a FREE $10 Token Back
Good towards in-store purchases.
Join celebrity portrait photographer and Westcott Top Pro Ian Spanier at Unique Photo Philly as he breaks down the essentials of both natural and artificial lighting – showing how to see it, shape it, and use it to elevate your images.
Through an open-book approach and a live model demo with Westcott Lighting, Ian will share the stories behind his work and simplify complex lighting concepts for photographers at every level. Walk away with practical tools to train your eye, capture light with intention, and immediately improve your photography.
Ian Spanier
Ian Spanier is an award-winning portrait photographer who began taking photographs at six years old when his parents gave him his first point and shoot camera. After majoring in photography in college, Spanier worked in publishing as an editor, but making pictures never left him. Having only known 35mm, he taught himself medium and large format as well as lighting. Spanier considers himself primarily self-taught in lighting. Absorbing lighting styles from his time as a photo editor, studying photography books and portfolios then he really began his "10,000 hours" …and then some.
The original "Masters of Photography" have always inspired Spanier as they shot what they saw. For him, there is no “one” subject that he photographs; he also chooses to shoot what he sees.
Although he works anywhere and everywhere, Spanier left NY for the sunny coast, and now lives in Los Angeles, Ca.
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.
Getting Started
How to Submit
Who Can Enter
Must be 18 years or older at time of entry.
Employees & affiliates of Unique Photo are not eligible.
Photos must be original work submitted by the photographer.
Content must be free of offensive or inappropriate material.
Judging Criteria
Entries are judged on creativity, originality, and adherence to the contest theme. The panel's decision is final.
Entry Requirements
Contest Rules
All photographers retain full copyright to their images. By entering, you grant Unique Photo permission to use your photos on social media for promotional purposes.
Please upload a JPEG image. Resize photographs to under 8MB per photo before submitting.
DO NOT include watermarks on photographs — images with watermarks will be disqualified from entry.
Winners will be announced one week after the deadline on Instagram @UniquePhoto.
Terms & Conditions
Submission Guidelines: Photos must be original and submitted by the photographer. Submissions must not contain offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content. Number of photos and submission deadline will be determined by the specific Creators Challenge contest.
Copyright & Usage Rights: All photographers retain full copyrights to their submitted photos. By entering, participants grant Unique Photo a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and publish their submitted photos on social media and other digital channels for promotional purposes. No modifications will be made without prior consent, except for minor cropping or resizing.
Judging: Entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, and adherence to the contest theme. The decision of the judging panel is final and binding.
Liability: By entering, participants agree to release Unique Photo and its affiliates from any liability, injury, loss, or damage arising from this contest or any prize won.
Privacy: Personal information collected will only be used to administer the contest and will not be shared with third parties.
Modifications: Unique Photo reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the contest due to technical issues or unforeseen circumstances. For questions, contact [email protected].