LED Lighting for Portraits with Ian Rotherham

WHEN: Tuesday 4th August 2026 TIME: 3pm – 4.30pm WHERE: Space 25, Wilmer St, just down the road a little from The Majestic on Durham, Christchurch Central City LED lighting has transformed portrait photography, making it easier than ever to see and shape light in real time. Whether you’re photographing family, portraits, pets, or creative projects, understanding how to work with continuous LED lighting can help you create consistent, professional results. Join Ian Rotherham for this practical hands-on session as he demonstrates how to use LED lights to create beautiful portrait lighting setups. Through live demonstrations with a model, Ian will show how small changes in light position, direction, and modifiers can dramatically change the mood and impact of a portrait. Topics will include: Understanding the advantages of LED lighting Building simple and effective portrait lighting setups Creating flattering light for different subjects Using light direction and shadow to add depth and dimension Working with reflectors to control contrast and fill shadows Understanding lighting ratios and portrait mood Practical tips for studio and location portraiture Live tethered demonstrations and real-time image review Ian will share examples from his own work and provide attendees with a take-home handout to help reinforce the concepts covered during the session. This session is ideal for photographers who want to gain confidence using continuous lighting and learn practical techniques they can immediately apply to their own portrait photography. Whether you’re new to artificial lighting or looking to expand your skills beyond natural light, this session will provide a solid foundation in creating professional-looking portraits with LED lighting. Photo Connect sessions are free to attend, however bookings are essential as spaces are limited.