Do Your Portraits Ever Feel Flat — Even When You Know the Settings?
You can follow every lighting tutorial, get the right lens, and still feel like something’s missing.
Your portraits look average — but not alive. Not painterly.Discover How to Turn Technical Shots into Painterly Masterpieces — in One Weekend in Vienna
Vienna is the city of Gustav Klimt — the master of painterly portraiture.Klimt believed portraits should go beyond likeness.
They should feel rich, dimensional, and full of presence.That belief is at the heart of this workshop.You’ll be learning in a historic Viennese studio, just minutes from where Klimt lived and worked — a place where artists have shaped light, colour, and human expression for more than a century.The perfect setting to explore painterly portraiture yourself.
Over the 23rd/24th January 2026, you’ll learn the exact skills I use to create painterly, emotive portraits:
Painterly lighting — soft, dimensional portraits with depth and richness
How to talk to people so they relax naturally
Simple posing that feels confident, not stiff
How to direct expression so portraits feel alive
Colour and tonal shaping to add mood and atmosphere
How to create portraits with presence — not just good exposure
I’m Alex Kilbee — MPA/Olympus Portrait Photographer of the Year, and I want to help you take your portraits to the next level.For years I struggled with my portraits - not just the lighting, but also how to talk to the people sitting for me.… until I discovered two simple ideas that took my portraits from bland to brilliant
This is what happens when your portraits move from technical to painterly.
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“A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.”
- Edward Steichen
Painterly portraits aren’t just about light or settings —
they’re about presence.Even Gustav Klimt understood that connection mattered as much as technique. When the person in front of you feels seen, everything changes.If your portraits feel a bit tense or polite, you’re not alone.
For years, that was my biggest struggle — not the lighting, but knowing how to talk to people so they relax and reveal something real.Here’s the shift that changed everything for me:
Great portraits come from simple, beautiful light, and connection.When you can talk to your subject with confidence, the whole picture changes:shoulders dropexpressions softenreal personality appearsAnd that’s what makes a portrait feel painterly and alive.
In Vienna, I’ll show you:
How to set up your light so you're not constantly adjusting it
What to say before you lift the camera (even if you’re shy or introverted)
How to pose people naturally without stiffness
How to direct expression so portraits feel honest, not forced
How to get authentic connection — the core of emotionally rich portraiture
When you learn these skills, your portraits don’t just improve.
They come alive.
“Every workshop promises better photos. This one gave me something deeper — confidence, clarity, and a way to create portraits that move people.” - Emma Collins
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Learn the Painterly Approach — Then Make It Your Own
Vienna is the perfect place to step into painterly portraiture.
Over two days, you’ll work in a fully equipped professional studio in the heart of the city — learning the principles to bring depth, emotion, and presence into your work.This workshop blends learning, practice, and refinement so you not only understand the painterly approach…
You'll leave with portraits you’re genuinely proud of.
| Day One (23/01/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sculpting with Light and Colour | ||
| Learn it - Master painterly lighting — direction, tone, softness, and shape — the foundations of portraits that feel rich and three-dimensional. | Do it -Put everything into practice with professional models as I guide you through simple, repeatable setups. | Polish - A practical colour-grading session where you’ll learn to build depth, skin tone, and subtle painterly atmosphere in post. |
| Day Two (24/01/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
| The Art of Black & White | ||
| Learn it - Take yesterday’s skills and push them into bold black & white portraits that rely on form, emotion, and expressive lighting. | Do it - Create striking monochrome images with live direction and model work — focusing on mood, sculpting, and confident shooting. | Polish - A group review where I give clear, honest feedback to help you refine your style and leave with work you’re proud of. |
“I usually shoot landscapes, but this opened my eyes to photographing people — light, emotion, connection. It completely changed how I see.”
- John Reilly“I wanted my photos to feel more emotional and authentic. This workshop showed me how to see and feel more deeply when I photograph.” - Marijke Dittmann“A brilliant, eye-opening experience. I learned to look differently and connect with the people and moments around me.” - Al Stuart
There are only Six Spots Left - the next workshop won't be until fall 2026
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What’s Included
This workshop gives you something photographers rarely get:
personal attention, real practice, and honest guidance that actually changes how you shoot.“I realised my photos were missing emotion. This experience helped me connect with what I truly want to express through my camera.” - Peter LieberzeitOver two days in Vienna, you’ll learn painterly lighting, confident direction, and how to create natural, expressive portraits — and you’ll put everything into practice with real models, not just watch me shoot.Your place includes:
✔ 12 Hours of Hands-On Instruction with Alex Kilbee
Step-by-step teaching, demonstrations, and personal guidance.✔ Professional Models for Dedicated Shooting Sessions
No sharing, no rushing — each person gets meaningful shoot time.✔ Full Studio Access
Lighting, modifiers, flags, reflectors, and painterly backdrops ready to use.✔ Lunch & Refreshments on Both Days
Simple, relaxed breaks so you can focus fully on creating.✔ 8×10 Fine Art Print of Your Favourite Portrait
Printed on premium paper — a painterly keepsake from your Vienna weekend.✔ Individual Follow-Up Zoom Call
A private review session to help you continue refining your portrait style after the workshop.If you tried to book equivalent time, models, and mentoring yourself, you’d pay well over €1,700.Your Price: €695Payment & GuaranteePay in full or split into 3 monthly paymentsCancel up to 30 days before the workshop for a full refund — no awkward conversations, no questions asked.All payments go through Stripe’s secure checkout.
It protects your card details, encrypts your information, and gives you peace of mind while booking your spot.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring?Just your camera and a portrait lens (50mm, 85mm, or similar).
The studio, lighting, modifiers, and backdrops are all provided.Is this suitable for beginners?If you’re comfortable shooting in manual mode and want to master lighting, expression, and painterly portraiture, you’ll be a perfect fit.
No advanced experience required.Do I get time with models?Yes — every attendee gets dedicated shoot time with professional models, plus one-on-one guidance while you work.Is lunch provided?Yes. Lunch and refreshments are included on both days so you can stay focused and relaxed.Can I use the images I create?Yes — all images you take during the workshop are yours to use for your portfolio or social media.
(Commercial use requires permission from the models.)Where exactly is the studio?In the heart of Vienna.
You’ll receive the full address and access details after booking.What if I’m shy or not confident directing people?That’s exactly what we’ll work on.
You’ll learn simple, calm ways to talk to people so they feel at ease — even if this is something you usually struggle with.Terms & ConditionsCancellation by YouAll cancellations must be submitted in writing to [email protected]
.More than 30 days before the workshop:
You’ll receive a full refund of any payment made.Within 30 days of the workshop:
Payments are non-refundable.
However, if you can find someone to take your place, you’ll receive a refund once their payment is received.We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect against unexpected cancellations due to illness, personal emergencies, or travel disruptions.Force Majeure
If the workshop must be postponed or cancelled due to circumstances outside the organizer’s control (including illness, travel disruption, extreme weather, or events affecting the venue), the organizer will offer either a full refund or transfer to a future workshop. The organizer is not responsible for additional costs such as travel or accommodation.Code of Conduct
All attendees are expected to behave respectfully toward others. The organizer reserves the right to remove anyone whose behaviour is unsafe, disruptive, or disrespectful, without refund.Model Release Clarity
No commerical model releases are provided.
Images created during the workshop are intended for portfolio and personal use only.LiabilityThe workshop organizer is not responsible for any personal injury, loss, or damage to personal property during the workshop.
Attendees are responsible for their own equipment and personal well-being.Image RightsYou will own the rights to all images you take during the workshop.
You may use these images for your portfolio, website, and social media.You may not sell these images for commercial use without the models’ explicit consent.The organizer, Alex Kilbee, reserves the right to use images taken during the workshop (of the workshop itself) for promotional purposes.