The Family Photography

 Bootcamp

The Family Photography Bootcamp

Posing | Lighting | Marketing

In-Person Learning Experience with Christina

A One-Weekend, In-Person Bootcamp for Budding Family Photographers



If you are a fresh beginner who hasn't learned photography yet, please sign up for the Beginners & Intermediate Workshops and then come back to this program.


"A Photo Without Posing and Good Lighting Is A Total Nightmare."

Are you...

  • Trying to endlessly screenshot and memorize the poses on Pinterest but still feel your poses don't look right?


  • Feeling anxious during a session because you aren't sure how to direct strangers in order to capture the photos that convey authentic emotions?


  • Freaking out when the kids aren't cooperating nor listening, and the session time is running out?


  • Running out of posing ideas and feeling mental fatigue when you still have to generate new poses?


  • Struggling to get that "Light & Airy" look in your images? Not sure when and how to use a flash?


  • Panic when the lighting doesn't work, but you don't want the clients to see your anxiety?


  • Regretting not fixing a pose that could have been done right during the session?


  • Spending enormous amount of time in post-processing trying to fix an issue that could have been done instantly and correctly during the session?


  • Attempting to capture candid shots but ending up with a chaotic scene instead?


  • Always working with clients who don't pay you for what you deserve but have lots of requests?


This Bootcamp is a Transformational Experience

  • You will have an overwhelming sense of fulfillment in running a successful photography business, where you can also bless countless families,


  • You will experience of joy of attracting affluent clients who appreciate your expertise and pay you at a higher rate,


  • You will feel the relief of anxiety-free sessions, where you confidently direct your clients, knowing every pose will shine. 


  • You will finally say goodbye to endless editing demands and post-processing woes.


  • You will have more time for yourself and your loved ones.


Did you know that

mastering Posing, Lighting & Marketing is the fastest way of attracting high-paying clients?

Meet Christina

Hey there! I'm Christina, and I'm so excited to meet you!


With over a decade of experience capturing beautiful moments as a kids and family photographer, I've discovered my true passion: photography & teaching. I thrive on breaking down complex photography concepts into easy-to-understand steps, making learning a breeze for my students.


I'm known for my cheerful attitude and knack for empowering others. As the founder of Photosprouts in San Francisco, the city's top-rated photography education company, I'm dedicated to helping photographers unlock their creative potential.


When I'm not behind the camera or in the classroom, you can find me cuddling up with my furry friends (I'm a dog lover!), exploring new culinary delights, or sipping coffee in a cozy café while soaking up the sun.


Wanna see my work, click here!


Step into a transformative learning experience with Christina in this in-person Family Photography Bootcamp, designed to help you grow both creatively and professionally.


You’ll learn how to pose families in ways that feel natural and connected, master the use of natural light, and discover how to work confidently with flash when the light isn't perfect.


Beyond the technical skills, this workshop also focuses on creating a warm, memorable experience for your clients—one that keeps them coming back and referring others.  You will also learn how to use your smartphone (yes, no fancy equipment needed) to film a short marketing video for promoting your family photography service.


Best of all, the beautiful images you create during the Bootcamp can be proudly used to build or enhance your portfolio, giving you the tools and confidence to attract the clients you’ve always dreamed of working with.

The Bootcamp

September 2025 (Exact date will be available soon)


  • Fully in-person

  • 10am-6:30pm (Day 1); 10am-7pm (Day 2)

  • Saturday and Sunday


  • Classroom session: 535 Mission Street, San Francisco

  • Outdoor photoshoots: The Golden Gate Park and Cavallo Point Lodge (Golden Gate Bridge view)


Day 1: 


10:00am: Greeting


10:15am-12:00pm: Posing


12:00pm-1:00pm: Lunch (included)


1:00pm-2:30pm: Lighting


2:30pm-3:00pm: Videography essentials


3:30pm-6:30pm: Family Photoshoots with models in the Golden Gate park; Filming your marketing video




Day 2: 


10:00am-12:00pm: Editing in Lightroom Classic and Photoshop Beta; Editing videos in Capcut


12:00pm-1:00pm Lunch (included)


1:00-4:30pm Marketing and Client Experience Management


4:30pm-5:00pm Portfolio showcase


5:30pm-7:00pm Family Photoshoots with models in Cavallo Point Lodge; Filming your marketing video



Day 3 (Optional attendance):


12:30pm-2:00pm Editing, Q&A



Understanding the basics of photography:



  • Or, the ability to control the exposure manually,

  • A good understanding focal lengths and their 3 effects

  • A good understanding on focusing

  • Ability to control the depth of field, field of field

  • Have your own DSLR/ Mirrorless camera & lenses

Equipment needed:


  • A DSLR or mirrorless camera
  • Any lens that covers that standard (50mm-70mm equivalent) and telephoto (70mm-300mm equivalent) focal lengths

Recommended lenses:

  • 85mm F1.2
  • 85mm F1.4
  • 85mm F1.8
  • 70-200mm F2.8
  • 70-200mm F4
  • 24-70mm F2.8
  • 24-70mm F4

Get Notified When the Class Date is Available

Students' Transformation

What will you learn (quick scan)?

The Posing System

Lighting: Natural Light and when to use a flash

Learn both styles:

Light & Airy, Classical

Client Experience Management

Develop the Mindset of a Professional Photography


Editing

Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop Beta

Lunch included

Fares included

Classroom session

535 Mission Street, San Francisco

Outdoor Photoshoots

The Golden Gate Park & Cavallo Point Lodge

Learn to shoot a marketing video on your smartphones

Work with Models and enhance your portfolios

What will you learn (the details)?

POSING

  • 1. The Posing System for Works for Every Body

    The poses have to make sense. 


    The 5 principles guide you to:

    • make everyone sharp and in-focus

    • make sure everyone has good and natural posture

    • convey the sense of togetherness in the family

  • 2. The Basic Posing Goals for Men and Women

    Learn the fundamentals of posing:


    • Female standing up and sitting down poses

    • Male standing up and sitting down poses

  • 3. The 4 Parents' Base Poses

    Learn  the 4 Parents' Base Poses and start with them:


    • Never run out of posing ideas when using this system.

    • Knowing exactly what pose to use when working with families with kids of different height levels and age differences.

    • Knowing what the problem is and how to fix it.

    • Teach daddy how to hold the toddler/ baby properly to enhance the overall posing of the family and flatter mom's body.

  • 4. Posing Kids and Siblings

    There are many ways to pose kids of different age and heights based on the 4 Base Poses you learned in the previous chapter.

    • Learn how I work with kids to build the trust and capture their authentic emotions in front of the camera.

    • Motivating your young clients

    • Posing siblings 

    • Individual portraits of kids


  • 5. Capturing Candid Shots

    • Candid shots do not happen naturally, the photographer needs to direct and guide the clients.

    • Use the 5 Seconds Rule to come up with many different variations and groupings and upsell your work.

  • 6. The Groupings

    Why do you need to have different groupings and how do they increase your sales?


    • The must-have shots and the optional ones. 

    • Manage your time wisely and maximize clients experience.

    • Poses for mom & kid(s)

    • Poses for dad & kid(s)

    • Couples

  • 7. The Workflow

    Have a Session Plan Sheet (and also takinga mental note of the flow) is extremely important not only because you don't want to miss out any shots, but also guide you through the session in case some unexpected incidents happened that took away the time.


    • My workflow: learn how I maximized my clients' experience in a 30-minutes Mini Family Session.

     

    • The Common Mistakes and how to avoid them


  • 8. The Behind The Scenes of Family Photo Sessions


LIGHTING

  • 1. Four Types of Image Styles

    Lighting determines the look and vibe of the photos.


    While there are 4 main portrait styles, the first two are more suitable for Kids & Family Photography.


    In this course, you'll learn all the 4 styles but put more weight on #1 and #2.


    You should also choose either Style #1 and #2 and be consistent in your portfolio.



    1) Classical 

    -Dark background + Bright Subjects



    2) Light & Airy

    -Bright overall image + little shadows


    3) Dramatic


    4) Harsh Light


  • 2. How to Capture Classical Portraits?

    How to capture classical portraits?



    • When to shoot classical portraits?

    • How does the time of the day affect this style?

    • The location goals 

    • What time of the day to shoot?

    • Using natural light

    • Using natural + a flash

  • 3. How to Capture Light & Airy Portraits?

    • How to capture light & airy (L&A) portraits?


    • When to shoot L&A portraits?

    • How does the time of the day affect this style?

    • The location goals 

    • What time of the day to shoot?

    • Using natural light

    • Is a flash needed?

  • 4. Define Your Styles

    It is important to nail ONE STYLE and be consistent with it.


    • How do you find out which style is suitable for your photography?

    • What type clients will be attracted to me? 

    • What is the investment in the gears if I go for a certain style?

    • What other house-keeping stuff and pratical concerns for both type of styles?

  • 5. Maintaining consistency

    It is important to nail ONE STYLE and be consistent with it.


    • Why does consistency have to do with your brand image and revenue?

    • How to achieve consistency in your portfolio?


  • 6. How To Use An Off Camera Flash?

    Using an off-camera flash is easier than you think! In this chapter I'm going to walk you through all the techniques in using an off-camera flash.

  • 7. Knowing what is good, what is bad

    The problem for a lot of portrait photographers is, they can't tell what photo is bad vs good. For example, some tend to overexpose the sky, thinking that the image is "light and airy".


    This chapter will fully help the student develop artistic sense and avoid running into bad lighting situations.



  • 8. Location Scouting Examples


  • 9. Editing

    Editing workflow:


    • How not to spend too much time on editing?

    • Lightroom editing steps necessary to enhance your photography style

    • Face swapping in Photoshop

CLIENT EXPERIENCE MANAGEMENT

  • 1. Learn how to easily create a marketing video for your photography service on your smartphone

    • You do not need fancy equipment to film the video. Learn to use your smartphone to create a video that works.

    • No assistance is needed, you can it on your own easily by filming the essential scenes.

  • 2. Why do you need to send your clients a Style Guide?

    • Why do you need to send your clients a Style Guide?

    • Images of client who didn't wear what you wanted can't go to your portfolio. 

    • You are wasting your time doing numeous free or cheap photoshoots that won't elevate your portfolio with clients who have no idea how to dress up.


  • 2. How to create a Style Guide in just 30 minutes?

    The secret is to use my template!

  • 4. Build or refine your website

    Build a website that


    • will increase your SEO

    • is easy for your clients to contact and book you

    • is well organized

    • allows you to make changes easily

    • Session reminder email

    • Sending the gallery 

    • Upselling additional photos without a sales pitch


  • 5. Getting reviews

    • Don't do Yelp

    • Get your reviews on Google

  • 6. Portfolio Building

    We are going to decide together which image(s) should go to your website portfolio and which don't.



    If you haven't got a website or a domain, I'll walk you through how to purchase one on Godaddy and manage your website on Duda or Wix.




  • 7. Crafting your emails

    This chapter includes:


    • How to respond to inquiries

    • Following up on an inquiry

    • Sending a contrast and invoice

    • Session info email (detailed)

    • Session reminder email

    • Sending the gallery 

    • Upselling additional photos without a sales pitch



Ready to Become The Most In-Demand Family Photography In Your Area?

Christina's Work

Check out Christina's work at christina-photo.com


If you love her style, don't miss this in-person learning experience!

Get Notified When the Class Date is Available

If you prefer a fully online experience, sign up for the Online Course:

The Online Course

Recommended for international photographers.



Sign up for The Online Course

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