In December, I said yes to something that felt both exciting and unfamiliar. I signed up for my very first photography workshop with Gilmar “Gil” Smith, hosted by Nikon.
I didn’t go in with expectations.
Just a smile, an open mind, and a willingness to stretch.
From the moment we walked in, we had full access to Nikon cameras and lenses. We were encouraged to swap, test, and experiment freely. No pressure. No gatekeeping. Just creative play. That freedom shifted everything. Instead of chasing perfection, I leaned into curiosity.
Gil opened the workshop by sharing her journey and not just the highlight reel, but the real story. The part that stayed with me most?
“Scarcity is creativity’s best friend.”
She spoke about starting with a simple white backdrop and building powerful, bold portraits using shapes, color, gels, and intention. She shared how self-portraits became part of her healing during darker seasons. That vulnerability hit home. I took notes. And before the year ended, I challenged myself to create my own self-portrait session. I saw myself not just as an artist, but as a woman growing through her craft.
We then stepped into the sets and met our models, Ciara and Maya, they were both warm, professional, and fully present. A photographer’s dream.
The first setup was a white cyc wall with layered lighting. Gil demonstrated how to build dimension using reflective surfaces, gels, shapes, and even smoke. Watching her create in real time felt like watching someone paint with light. I attended two sessions, which gave me the gift of observing first and then applying with intention the second time around. Slowing down helped everything click.
The second set transported us completely. A vintage-inspired Christmas living room with cozy, cinematic, and full of movement. Luggage, a wooden horse, textured couches, glowing Christmas lights. The space felt lived-in. Playful. Story-driven. The lights added depth and softness that elevated every frame.
I spent most of my time switching lenses, getting low to the ground, moving intentionally around the set and chasing connection. I love placing myself directly in front of a subject and waiting for that moment when they look straight through the lens. That’s where the magic lives.
But beyond the lighting setups and technical growth, what stayed with me most was community. Sharing images. Exchanging contact information. Planning future meet-ups. Being in a room where everyone is creating, stretching, and supporting one another was so powerful.
I left inspired. Encouraged. Reminded that growth doesn’t require perfection. it requires presence.
Sometimes the biggest shift happens when you simply show up. Open. Curious. Ready.
And that’s exactly what I plan to keep doing.
