mASTERING PORTRAITS

A Workshop by Shafic Hijazi

Great portraits are not accidents.
They are directed. They are intentional.
They are built with light, structure, and confidence.

Mastering Portraits is an in-depth, practical workshop designed for photographers who want to refine their craft and create portraits that feel elevated, clean, and timeless.

This is not about presets.
It’s about vision, control, and execution.

UPCOMING: MASTERING PORTRAITS: ACCRA - APRIL 2026

DIGITAL COURSE: MASTERING PORTRAITS VOL 1 - LAGOS

Simple Setups. Exceptional Portraits.

At Mastering Portraits, lighting is taught in a clear, practical way so it truly clicks. You’ll learn how to create beautiful, professional portraits using simple setups and minimal equipment, techniques you can apply anywhere.

Strong lighting is what makes your work stand out, elevates your brand, and helps you serve clients better.

No complex theory. No confusing jargon. Just real, proven methods used in professional portrait photography.

Designed for photographers at all levels, and valuable for creatives across all genres, not just portraits.

Images by: Shodunke Adio Qudus

Mastering Portraits Day 2-6846_Original.jpg

Images from previous workshops

These images were created during the practical sessions using lighting techniques I’ve refined over the past 10 years.

During the workshop, I share these concepts openly with participants, including my signature lighting techniques for portraits and commercials, my shutter drag technique, and approaches to working with continuous light, hard light, and single-light setups.

A woman wearing a red knit top and jewelry, with a beaded red headpiece, poses against a red background with motion blur effects.

A woman with closed eyes wears a red knitted sweater with matching accessories, including large cuffs, and wraps around her waist. She has matching red headgear and jewelry, set against a red background with light streaks.

A woman dressed in a red outfit with matching red accessories, including beaded headpiece, jewelry, and long gloves, poses against a red background with a subtle texture. She has a confident expression and is looking at the camera.

A woman dressed in a vibrant red, off-shoulder knit sweater and matching pants with pompom details at the cuffs and ankles, standing against a red abstract background. She is accessorized with jewelry including rings, a necklace, earrings, and metall

A woman in an elegant gold and light blue patterned dress with ruffled beige decoration, sitting on a dark velvet-covered stool, with her legs crossed, against a dark, dramatic background.

A woman with braided hair wearing earrings, a crop top, and a crochet skirt, standing in front of a bright light with smoke or fog around her.

A black and white photograph of a woman with elaborate hair styled in large, sculptural twists, wearing traditional patterned clothing and jewelry, standing in front of a cloudy sky background.

A woman with long braided hair, wearing red jewelry and a red off-shoulder sweater, standing in front of a red gradient background with motion blur effects.

A woman with elaborate, sculptural hair styled in large, coiled twists, wearing a gold and silver brocade jacket with blue accents, statement earrings, rings, and a beige accessory on her chest, against a dark background.

A woman with dark skin and intricate, voluminous braided hair styled in large coiled sections, sitting against a dark background. She is dressed in a richly patterned jacket with floral details, accessorized with large earrings and rings, and has a n

A woman wearing a white lace long-sleeve top and wide-leg pants, posing against a light beige background.

A woman wearing a white jumpsuit with lace sleeves and high heels, standing against a neutral background.

A woman in a white dress with lace sleeves and high neckline, posing against a neutral background. She has dark hair styled in a bun and is wearing large wooden earrings.

A woman wearing a white lace top and white jumpsuit, with large gold hoop earrings, standing with hands behind her back against a beige background.

A woman wearing an elegant white outfit with lace sleeves and wide-legged pants, standing against a light pink background.

A woman in a red knit dress poses against a red background, wearing gold jewelry, including rings, bracelets, and a necklace, with a beaded red hairstyle and a matching red headpiece.

A woman in a striking, fully red outfit including a off-shoulder top and high-waisted pants, accessorized with jewelry and a beaded headscarf. The background and lighting create a dramatic effect with a red hue and motion blur.

Woman wearing red high heels, a long red knit skirt, and a matching off-shoulder red top. She has braided red hair with beads, jewelry including necklaces and bangles, and is posed against a red-toned background with a painted tree on the left.

Black and white photo of a woman wearing a large hat, sunglasses, and a chunky necklace, with shadows cast over her face. The image has a signature that reads 'Shafie Hyazi.'

Black and white portrait of a woman with styled hair, wearing large earrings, jewelry, and a sweater, touching her face with her hand, looking at the camera with one eye closed.

A black and white portrait of a woman wearing a large, patterned hat with a wide brim, a chunky necklace, and an earring. She has full lips and partially covered eyes, with a textured top visible on one shoulder.

A woman with dreadlocks styled in an intricate updo, wearing a crochet top and long crochet skirt with a high slit, standing against a textured background.

A woman dressed in gold crochet clothing with jewelry, standing in front of a fiery background with the sun shining behind her, creating a glowing effect.

What Photographers Are Saying About Mastering Portraits

Photographers from across Africa have attended the Mastering Portraits workshop, with the digital course now reaching creatives around the world.

“I thought it would be a regular masterclass… but I was completely mind-blown.”

- Ebubechi Nsude
I attended the Mastering Portraits workshop by Shafic and it was such a beautiful experience. I expected it to be like the usual masterclasses I’ve attended before, but it turned out to be something completely different.
Shafic teaches in a way that builds your understanding step by step, layer by layer. He takes you through his journey, explains his process, and makes everything very practical and easy to grasp. The class was also very hands-on, and he took time to answer questions and make sure everyone understood.
One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of having a clear vision for every shoot. From the mood board to the backdrop, poses, and lighting, everything needs to be intentional.
If you’re looking to truly learn portrait photography, Shafic is that guy.
“I wanted to see the magic behind the portraits... and I did.”

- Shodunke Qudus
Coming into the Mastering Portraits class, I wanted to learn from someone with many years of experience in portrait photography. I’ve seen Shafic’s work on Instagram for a long time, and I wanted to understand the process and the thinking behind those images.
What I experienced today exceeded my expectations. It wasn’t just about the technical side of photography. We also learned how to approach clients, how to read the room, and how to think like a creative professional. Being able to tap into over a decade of Shafic’s experience in the industry was incredibly valuable.
One of my biggest takeaways was something simple but powerful: just keep creating. Shafic spoke about doing a lot of collaborative work and personal projects to build the kind of brand that attracts the clients you want. That really changed how I think about my work. Instead of waiting for jobs, I’m inspired to create more personal and collaborative projects and share those.
I’m really glad I made the decision to attend this class.
“Their attention to detail and commitment to quality truly stood out.”

- Moses Ibukunoluwa
I came into the Mastering Portraits class with an open mind and a strong desire to learn. I’ve been following Shafic’s work for about five years, watching how his photography has evolved, so I was excited to learn directly from him.
What stood out to me the most was how open he was with his knowledge. Nothing was held back. From the keynote discussion about mediocrity to the practical sessions on lighting and creative process, the class constantly challenged us to push beyond doing what everyone else is doing.
One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of refining your craft and striving for excellence. Instead of simply repeating what’s common, the goal is to master your approach and create work that truly stands out.
The experience was enlightening, and I’m looking forward to continuing to refine my portrait work with everything I learned.
“I realized there were so many more ways to use my lighting than I ever imagined.”

- Oyikan Ige Adebiyi
I came to the Mastering Portraits workshop hoping to improve my lighting techniques and editing process. During the class, I quickly realized there were several things I had been doing wrong with my lighting setups.
What stood out the most was learning how one light can be used in multiple ways to achieve different results. The hands-on sessions with live models helped me understand how to apply these techniques in real time.
Another major lesson was that when your lighting is right, you don’t need to do heavy editing. That completely changed the way I think about my workflow.

“Shafic simplified photography in a way that finally made everything make sense.”

Seeing the lighting setups in person helped me understand how much can be achieved with simplicity. The biggest lesson for me was focusing on getting the image right in camera instead of relying on heavy editing.
- Zellion Dandison
“This workshop gave me a clear sense of direction in my creativity.”

For years I felt something was missing in my work. The class helped me understand the process behind creating stronger images and gave me a framework to approach my photography with more intention.
- Micah Dauda Irimiya
“What inspired me most was the spirit of collaboration instead of competition.”

Seeing photographers learn and grow together reminded me that with the right mindset and consistent practice, great work is possible even without a lot of gear.
- Samson Isaac
“My expectations were met beyond what I imagined.”

Shafic took the time to walk us through his full process and made sure we truly understood how to approach portrait photography with confidence.
- Isaac Okorie

mASTERING PORTRAITS

A Workshop by Shafic Hijazi

Simple Setups. Exceptional Portraits.

Images from previous workshops

“I thought it would be a regular masterclass… but I was completely mind-blown.”

“I wanted to see the magic behind the portraits... and I did.”

“Their attention to detail and commitment to quality truly stood out.”

“I realized there were so many more ways to use my lighting than I ever imagined.”

“Shafic simplified photography in a way that finally made everything make sense.”

“This workshop gave me a clear sense of direction in my creativity.”

“What inspired me most was the spirit of collaboration instead of competition.”

“My expectations were met beyond what I imagined.”