Think Inside the Box Workshop in Jersey City

A Two-Day Intensive on Conceptual Photography & Set Design

It’s a hands-on, two-day creative experience where you’ll design and photograph two unique sets alongside a small group of fellow artists. You’ll direct. You’ll shoot. You’ll make images that mean something—work that’s driven by ideas, not just aesthetics.

Whether you're feeling creatively stuck or ready to push your work to a deeper, more intentional place, this workshop will reshape how you think, shoot, and tell visual stories.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll walk away with the tools to bring your ideas to life through thoughtful set design, direction, and execution. We’ll cover how to design sets with your lens and story in mind, how to direct with clarity, and how to use color, light, and space to support your concept.

What You’ll Learn:

• The 5 pillars of Conceptual images: Color, Light, Narrative, Posing, Set Design
  

• Fundamentals of set design—no tools needed, just vision
  

• Directing your subject with purpose
  

• Framing, lens choice, and lighting that support your idea
  

• Creative exercises to unlock new concepts
  

• Full experience from concept to shoot on two collaborative sets

Why This Workshop Is Different

You won’t just walk in and shoot someone else’s vision.

You’ll work in small teams to design two sets from the ground up, guided by real-world creative parameters. Then, you’ll photograph on both sets, with dedicated time to direct, create, and explore your ideas.

You’ll also learn how to think like a creative director: planning your concept with the final lens, framing, and storytelling goal in mind from the very beginning.

You’ll Leave With:

• Two portfolio-worthy conceptual shoots
  

• Real-world experience in set design + creative direction
  

• A clearer creative voice and stronger visual storytelling skills

📍Workshop Details:

• Dates: August 23 - 24, 2025
  

• Location: Firehouse Studios | 38 Mercer St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
  

• Limited to 12 participants
  

• Live instruction by Jada + David

Curriculum at a Glance

DAY 1 – Imagine + Design

• Welcome + live shoot demo
• What is conceptual photography?
• Creative journaling + unlocking your vision
• Deep dive into color, narrative, light, and posing
• Group brainstorm + concept planning + set design
• Two set concepts + set designs are chosen and will be built overnight by Jada + David for you to shoot on

DAY 2 – Shoot + Direct

• Walk-through of your custom-built sets
• Directing your subject with intention
• Planning lens choice and framing to serve your concept
• Lighting techniques that support the story
• Shoot on both sets, collaborate and create
• Group debrief + reflection