Authentic Portraits - A Workshop

April 11, 2026

10am - 6pm
Provo, UT

 
 

make pictures that feel like real people, not poses

Stop taking ho-hum pictures and start taking pictures with soul.

Lots of photographers are terrified of the silence between shots. They’re fiddling with their f-stops because they don't know what to say to the person in front of them. They’re stuck in the ‘Assembly Line’ using memorized, robotic posing scripts that make every client look like a mannequin. And when someone asked, what should I do with my hands, they might think, I was about to ask you the same thing. They end up with images that are technically sound, but just look like everyone else’s photos. I’m going to show you how to kill the awkwardness and the assembly line setup forever.

I’ve seen on Instagram, ads where photographers teach you how each person should be posed. It’s easy, but souless. This workshop is a whole other thing. It’s the opposite of learning a series of poses you use on everyone you photograph. I’m not going to teach you how to pose people. Posing is a lie we tell ourselves when we are too scared to connect.

Instead, I’m going to teach you the art of searching and seeing. We’re going to find that split second of revelation where the subject forgets the camera and shows who they actually are. You’ll leave with the confidence to lead any session without a single ‘pose’ in your pocket.

THIS IS NOT FOR YOU IF:

  • You hope we talk about megapixels and which camera is best

  • You are a total beginner and still learning about fstops and shutter speeds

  • You prefer a traditional ‘everyone smile at the camera’ kind of portrait

  • You aren’t willing to put to the test what you learn (this takes work)

If you find any of the above bullet points resonate with you, that’s just fine. Doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It just means this workshop most likely won’t be a good fit.

Who should come, then?

THIS IS FOR YOU IF:

  • You already know the technical stuff, and can make a decent portrait but you know there’s something missing and that it could be better

  • You want to create meaningful, iconic portraits, that are filled with real emotional zing

  • You care about art, and story more than buying a new lens

  • You want actionable steps to help people relax and get out of their head about being photographed

With in-class instruction and hands-on demos, I’ll teach you how to improve your portrait game through simple exercises and mindset shifts. I’ll share what I’ve learned and practiced in my own business for the last 25 years to make meaningful and memorable portraits and teach foundational principles to help you discover and hone your own creative vision.

Whether you’re taking pictures of your family just for fun or making portraits for clients, this content-rich workshop is designed to help you build your portrait photography toolkit and your creative identity so your images are memorable, meaningful, and engaging.

Click here to sign up right now!

And read on below for all the nitty-gritty.

What Our Intensive Workshop Will Cover

  • You’ll have the tools to put people at ease, eliminating stressful portrait sessions and instead, making them fun.

  • You’ll learn what to say to elicit authentic responses so the subject’s apprehension melts away to reveal the very best in each subject

  • The language of photography, and how understanding the visual language will make or break your photographs

  • The two elements that give a portrait soul

  • Most flattering lighting scenarios

  • The construction of a great portrait

  • How following posing guides can ruin your photography and what to do instead

  • Why what you leave out is often more important than what you include

  • Gear and lens selection

Instruction, Demos, and Practice

In addition to in-depth class instruction and demos, you’ll put this content into practice yourself by photographing models in a supported environment with real-time feedback during the workshop. You’ll leave with increased confidence in your ability as a photographer and a crystal clear understanding of how to make compelling, interesting portraits.

A small workshop size ensures all your questions can be answered all dang day.

What you’ll get from attending

  • You’ll leave with confidence when photographing people and a clear understanding of what gives portraits meaning and power.

  • While I’m going to show you my own approach, it’s adaptable to be your own. Heaven knows the world doesn’t need another Justin Hackworth, but we need another you. After this workshop you’ll have an approach that works for you and fits your photographic style.

  • You’ll have the tools to put people at ease eliminating stressful portrait sessions and instead, making portrait sessions fun. Many people are apprehensive about being photographed and you’ll learn ways you can help their apprehension melt away.

This Workshop Delivers! Accolades from Previous Attendees

“I came to learn from Justin and while he shared his own personal techniques that he developed he also encouraged us all to develop our own practices. And he gave us the tools and inspiration to encourage them. He instilled the idea in us that we are meeting and connecting with our subjects, making them feel seen, heard and ultimately accurately showcased in their portrait. Justin led meaningful discussions on "what makes a good portrait" and didn't just talk at us, he fostered a community where we all could openly talk, have input, ask questions and feel safe. I traveled from out of state for this workshop and it was highly worth it. I'd do it again. This workshop left me with new ideas, creative insight and a fire to practice what I've learned. Justin is a gem of a human being, friend and artist.”

“This was a wonderful opportunity and worth what it took to get there. Justin is amazing and has such a unique personality and view on photography and getting the chance to be in person to learn from him was a dream! I know that I left having grown as a photographer and with a renewed inspiration to learn more and try new things in this field!”

“If you admire Justin's work, you notice that he's developed an incredible skill for capturing the true essence of people. Perhaps you're someone who thinks that all of that is left up to your subject and the circumstances. Au contraire. Justin will walk you through all the ins and outs of how to develop the skills, perspective, artistic, eye, and deliberate approach to help foster a situation that allows you to capture people as they really are. It's a day filled with delight, learning, opportunities to learn from all sorts of talented photographers, great snacks, and hands on practice. It's worth every penny, and will change the way you approach your work”

“This workshop was a pivotal moment in my career as a photographer. Justin provided each attendee actionable steps to achieve the kind of authentic portraits we all admire from his portfolio. I learned so much and I'm so excited to implement the things I learned at this workshop. Thanks Justin!”

“Thanks, Justin! There was so much that I loved about this workshop. It's no surprise to me that you thought of all the little details. Phenomenal snacks, beverage options galore, spiral bound notebooks of all the slides so I could take notes and not worry about having to capture everything you were sharing, great time with other people. Thanks for your thoughtfulness, preparation, and incredible teaching. I thoroughly enjoyed every second.”

“Justin knows his craft, is a genuine artist, and caring teacher. You can trust him to challenge you in meaningful ways that will help you grow as a photographer of people. You will get your money's worth, regardless of your experience level or innate artistic skill. And you will enjoy being around him.”

“Wonderful, Justin. Just absolutely so good. Thank you for this special time of learning, a peek into your world, how you treat people and for the support and encouragement. You gave us your all.”

“The workshop was amazing. I feel like I learned a ton about different ways to improve. I’m particularly excited about the strategies for helping subjects feel comfortable and at ease.”

“Justin’s class was a ton of fun. He’s funny and engaging and really loves his craft. He’s a great teacher and I left inspired.”

“The Authentic Portrait workshop was awesome. It had a perfect mix of helpful technical information, creative ideas, practice, and feedback. Justin is really open about his approach and was very helpful.”

“Justin is very talented, very easy to talk to, and extremely knowledgeable. I loved his workshop and would recommend it to photographers of all levels. He was so helpful and encouraging.”

“Thanks for the amazing workshop. This helped me understand a better way to shoot and gave me a lot of guidance on how to be a better photographer.”

Who Should Attend

The workshop is designed to improve photographers’ skills at both the professional and amateur level. The instruction will meet you where you are and give you the tools to grow. If you always do what you’ve always done, then you’ll always get what you’ve always got. It’s time to try something new.

Professionals. This class is perfect for working photographers who have experience with portrait photography and are seeking a new approach to make more meaningful portraits and break out of any ruts .

Amateurs. Amateurs are welcome. It is not necessary to be a working photographer to attend. The only requirement is that you already know how to use a camera and are familiar with f-stops and shutter speeds.

Can’t I Just Watch YouTube?

There’s lots of information online about how to take better portraits. YouTube can be helpful, but it can only get you so far. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to find the volume of information this workshop delivers in a cohesive, step-by-step format anywhere online. While you’ll sometimes find a single gem or two online, I’m astounded at how often photography instruction is irrelevant, wildly misguided, or straight up inaccurate. The Authentic Portrait Workshop, with expert instruction, actionable steps, and hands-on practice, is a format I’ve never seen taught anywhere else. You’ll ask questions in real time and get feedback on work you create that same day. Can’t do that on YouTube. If this resonates with you, sign up here.

Some Questions … and Answers!

How much does it cost?

$550

How do I sign up?

I’m so glad you asked. Click on this link to sign up for the revelation. This is the fifth time I’ve hosted this and every other time the workshop sold out, so don’t delay. Last year, it sold it before I even sent it to newsletter subscribers.

How can I contact Justin with additional questions?

By email: hello@justinhackworth.com

What's the refund policy?

The workshop is non-refundable. However, should your plans change, you're welcome to sell or gift your seat to someone else.

Is this workshop for professionals?

Sure, the workshop is suited for working professional photographers who are interested in creating more authentic portraits. Also…

Can amateur photographers attend?

Abso-freaking-lutely. The only requirement is that you already know how to use a camera and are familiar with f-stops and shutter speeds.

What are the hours of the workshop?

We start at 10 am sharp, and the workshop officially ends at 6 pm, but I’ll stick around as long as necessary to answer all your questions.

Where will this take place?

At my studio in the historic Knight Block building. Here’s the address:

1 East Center Street, Suite 205, Provo, Utah.

If you are coming in from out of town, the Hyatt Place Provo and the Provo Marriott are within walking distance of the studio and there are lots of great restaurants and night clubs nearby. Just kidding about the night clubs—it’s Provo.

Will we break for lunch?

You bet we will. The one hour lunch is on your own and there are a number of fantastic lunch options within walking distance of the studio. A hefty range of delicious snacks and drinks will be provided all dang day.

What should I bring?

Bring your camera (with fully charged battery), your favorite lenses, a memory card, and an open mind. I will give you a book that mirrors the slides that will be shown so that you can focus on what’s being said, rather than writing everything down.

How do I sign up?

Um….I already covered that, but I’m happy to mention it again. It’s actually my favorite question regarding this. You can sign up at this link right here.

ABOUT JUSTIN

Hi. I’m Justin. Photography has taken me all over the world and has given me access to all kinds of people, both well known and unknown. I’ve been photographing people professionally since 1999 and have refined over the years a process for getting something more in a picture than just simply what someone looks like, but rather, a picture that reveals the person’s personality and who they really are. I’d love to share with you what I’ve learned in the Authentic Portrait Workshop. I’ve learned that pictures are not made in the camera, they are made in the heart and they are made in the head, and that everyone has a story worth telling. I would love the opportunity to share with you a process that allows you to still be your own unique artist and not just a copy of the kinds of pictures I would make. Anyone that photographs people can use this process to make their own pictures better, more powerful, and more meaningful.