workshops & seminars
on-location lighting workshop (group)
individual on-location workshop | personal tutoring session![]()

photography workshops and seminars
If you need more direct instruction or help in demystifying flash photography,
I present workshops and seminars on flash photography and lighting.
The seminar presentations are usually arranged and hosted by various societies;
the workshops are events that I arrange, whether for groups or individuals.
on-location flash photography workshop
These workshops are full-day workshops, running from 9am to 8pm. Each workshop is limited to 10 people only. This way I can make sure of individual attention with each photographer attending the workshop section of the day, and allow everyone enough time to work with the models and to get personal feedback.
The intention with these workshops is to help other photographers grasp whichever aspects had been elusive up until then – whether it is a technique, or bit of theory – and then have things suddenly fall into place. My approach is to teach other photographers how to achieve what they want to. And what I am trying for, are for a few “aaaah, NOW I get it!” moments.
After attending the workshop you will have confidence in using your speedlight. During the practical shooting sessions with 2 models, we will cover a wide range of material from the basics and up. You will be able to get accurate exposures in a fast moving environment such as shooting weddings or events. We will use a variety of lighting techniques - bounce flash; as well as TTL flash and manual flash; off-camera lighting with a softbox and with a ‘light-stick’. We will also work with video lights for photography.
~ more details about the on-location flash photography workshops ~
May 21, 2013 (Tuesday) – NYC
July 16, 2013 (Tuesday) – NYC
Oct 22, 2013 (Tuesday) – NYC – coinciding with PDN Photo Plus Expo
individual photography workshops and tutoring sessions
I offer individual workshops for on-location lighting, which are either held in Manhattan or New Jersey. These are ideal if you’d rather not work in a group, or if you are in the NJ/NY vicinity for a short time only.
I also offer personal tutoring sessions.
These are either done in person at my home in New Jersey,
or via Skype for those who live further away.
contact me
Check these posts on the Tangents forum for (unsolicited) feedback about the May 16th workshop, and also for feedback about a one-on-one tutoring session. For more feedback on previous workshops, please read the comments in the report-back posts on the workshops.
Please feel free to e-mail me or phone me at 862-485-7276, for more information about the workshops. If you’d like to be updated about upcoming workshops (and other snippets of news and info), then there is the monthly newsletter that you can subscribe to.
thank you
Neil van Niekerk
photography books written by Neil vN






Best photo class I’ve attended based on:
Nice blend of hands-on work and instruction time
Great explanation of background exposure (choosing what’s important in the scene)
Final class exercise on day 1 really tied things together
Appreciated your help and comments during class
Top-notch venue
Investment in the workshop really shows (ie pocketwizards for everyone)
Very well organized
Professional models who are experienced; nice wardrobe selection
Overall a great experience – thank you.
Jeremy Miracle
Comment by Jeremy Miracle — May 31, 2010 @ 6:07 pm
You’re amazing and giving. What we learned in a day easily helped us shoot up way past our competition. You are a guy that we hope our competition never gets to know.
We always wish you the best and always tell our friends about your work.
Thank you again and I hope you have a great holiday season
- Amish & Pravin
Comment by Pravin — January 23, 2011 @ 7:47 pm
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for the workshop experience in Dana Point, California. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, expertise, and experience with us. It was truly an incredible hands-on learning experience. The workshop was a perfect blend of seminar presentation and hands-on training.
Comment by Debbie Kolasa — May 15, 2011 @ 2:35 pm
So…when are you doing a workshop in Canada? I just found your website today, and I can’t wait to dive in and learn. I just bought my first speed light. So so much to know. I like your photography style too, which is important for me when I’m trying to learn something new. I guess it shouldn’t be, but it is. It’s nice to learn and be inspired at the same time. :0)
Comment by Desiree — August 12, 2011 @ 10:48 pm
I too am interested in a Canadian workshop. Your photography is inspiring. Thank you.
Comment by Jolene — August 15, 2011 @ 7:42 am
Hey Neil
I really want to thank you for the workshop I attended in Dublin yesterday. It was an unbelievable and awesome experience to hear if from the man himself.
It really helped to blend all the theory together, you managed to answer my questions without me having to ask them! You gave a full on 100% effort and it is really appreciated. Jess is also a fantastic assistant and she moves along in perfect timing as the workshop evolves during the day and both of you displayed unbelievable commitment and professionalism to ensure that everyone on the course got those Ah Ha moments.
Cheers
Andrew
Comment by Andrew Nolan — September 18, 2011 @ 4:26 am
Neil,
Big fan of your work and your style! I was wondering if you will ever have a class or workshop in the Westcoast?Maybe in 2012? Thank you!
Martin G.
Comment by Martin — October 7, 2011 @ 2:03 pm
Neil the October 25 seminar was excellent; my only regret is that I had not taken this seminar sooner. You thoroughly covered all the topics list in the description of the seminar. As I shoot with Sony cameras I was concerned I wouldn’t get the full benefit of the photo sessions, but you accommodated me and I was able to take full advantage of the photo sessions.
The models Aleona and Anelisa were very professional and a pleasure to work with. Jessica had everything ready and kept the seminar moving.
Great job, I got a lot out of it, Thanks.
Quin
Comment by Quin Rickman — October 28, 2011 @ 5:49 pm
Another +1 for a Canadian workshop date, please! I’ve just devoured page upon page of your site — thank you for the great information! — and would definitely be interested in an IRL workshop.
Comment by DaniGirl — December 26, 2011 @ 7:44 pm
Hi Neil
Since I reside in Australia, it’s somewhat difficult for me to pop over for a workshop etc.
However, I will be in Hawaii for 6 days at the end of February 2012. That’s as close as I can get to you for now.
Out of curiosity, will you be holding any classes etc during this time.
I would sign up for a Personal individual workshop.
Regards
Angelo
Australia
Comment by Angelo — January 10, 2012 @ 5:47 pm
Here’s to another Canadian waiting for you to hold a workshop in our country. Or I can actually drive down to Seattle, WA if you already have one set up for 2012.
Comment by Rameses — January 19, 2012 @ 3:06 pm
Hi Neil,
I might have asked you this before but any plans on recording your workshops. Would be much easier for us living across the world to get one of your DVDs.
I bought your online seminar which was pretty informative. Well done.
Cheers
vaenka
Comment by vaenka — January 21, 2012 @ 6:38 am
Do you ever come to Chicago IL?
Comment by claudiaVera — February 15, 2012 @ 6:14 pm
Oh, please come “home” and do one in South Africa. Thank you so much for sharing and pouring out your passion for brilliantly creative and technical detail on light and exquisite photography. I am inspired by every visit to your site and secretly excited to learn how to take my photography to a new level. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Comment by Taryn — March 10, 2012 @ 2:42 am
I attended Neil’s May 2012 and can honestly say that I am now twice the photographer that I was before his workshop. Thanks Neil!
Comment by Photo Toronto — May 28, 2012 @ 2:18 pm
Just wanted to send a quick note to say thank you for the great workshop (May 2012)! Working with you to put all the techniques I’ve been reading about into practice was both enlightening and inspiring. I love your simple approach to lighting and the amazing results you can get with it. Every where I go I find myself trying to see the quality and direction of light :)
It may sound strange but after reading your books and following your site for so long I almost felt like I already knew both you and Anelisa, and finally getting to meet and work with the two of you was a real pleasure.
If I had one regret it’s that I didn’t think to take pull back shots of each set up we tried while other attendees were shooting. Hindsight is always 20/20 I guess. Anyhow, thanks again for a stellar experience. Travelling the long way to New York from Edmonton, Canada was well worth it, several times over.
Cheers!
Sean.
Comment by Sean Page — June 4, 2012 @ 12:14 pm
I attended the Sept 2011 Dublin Workshop and have to say that Neil is a fantastic, enthusiastic mentor who will explain everything as many times as you need until it all clicks into place!! Thank you Neil.
I would do it again as I absorbed so much info.
Come back to Ireland!!
Comment by Sarah Fyffe — June 11, 2012 @ 5:34 pm
When will the Oct 23, 2012 registration open up?
Comment by Jenn — July 5, 2012 @ 12:15 pm
Comment by Neil vN — July 6, 2012 @ 3:50 am
Dear Neil,
Your work has a captivating edge, and your instruction in the disciplines of photography is indeed a beacon for anyone who genuinely desires to advance in what has become a very highly competitive field. In my mind, there are very, very few other instructors today who possess your unique acumen.
Your photography is honest and inspiring; for me, your course was as memorable and important as the workshop I took with Ansel Adams at UC Santa Cruz in June/July of 1969.
Kudos, my friend.
Sc Rogers
Comment by sam rogers — July 26, 2012 @ 6:17 pm
I have taken a couple of private workshops with Neil… he is really patient, and willing to cover the same ground over and over until you understand what you are doing…
Since working with him my lighting skills have taken a quantum leap. He unlocked all kinds of mysteries for me and for that I am forever grateful!
Comment by david hartcorn — July 28, 2012 @ 9:11 am
Neil, I just wanted to let you know the October 2012 flash workshop was not only a ton of fun, but it has really transformed my technique, by ‘opening a few new doors’ for me. ‘Liberating’ would be more accurate.
I am in awe of the things you can do by applying a very few basic, but powerful concepts, like the direction of the light, the light fallout with distance (the square root thing for techies) and adjusting my metering.
I did an event last night, at a dark, dim lit restaurant that was followed by a party… I had all kinds of gear with me… I ended up using 4 things for about 90% of the shoot:
- My main camera (of course I had backup gear)
- A single, camera mounted flashgun
- battery pack for the flashgun
- The black foamie thing (BFT)
Yes, BFT. It just rules!!!. Unbelievable, bouncing flash off the walls and ceiling, I spent the most of the evening shooting at ISO 2000, with apertures between 6 and 9!!! Group shots, action shots, dance shots, the whole chimichanga!
So thanks again for such a GREAT and useful event. Your hands-on/theory approach is just very effective, and it shows that you enjoy what you are doing.
Sincerely,
Cesar
Comment by Cesar — December 1, 2012 @ 6:36 pm