Magical portraits for your portfolio, new knowledge of preparation and post-processing, inspiration and an experience. We'll focus on the stylised fine art portrait, set in an environment typical of the motif – in front of hand-painted backdrops, with elaborate props and the model's styling.
What awaits you
Together we'll create a scene straight out of a fairy tale. We'll dress the model in a stylised gown and fine-tune the decorations to underline the overall look and atmosphere. Under Irena's guidance you'll be part of the whole process – from styling and arranging the scene to setting up the lighting itself. To light the scene and the model we'll use flash and continuous light, colour gels and smoke effects.
Throughout the course the lecturer explains every step she takes. You'll take the knowledge into any portrait genre – and you can offer the style to your clients too.
Course topics
- Lightingcontinuous vs. flash, modifiers and grids, types of lighting, light falloff, colour gels.
- Preparing the modelchoosing the gown and accessories, matching props to the overall "look", shopping tips.
- Scene and settingtuning props, colours in the scene, smoke, a fan – so that everything feels unified.
- The model on setposing basics, what to watch out for, testing the composition, setting the lights.
- Creative workchanging the scene and angles, bringing in your own ideas.
- Post-processing demoediting in Photoshop: retouching, colour and light corrections.
Course flow
Preparing the sceneWe arrange props, fine-tune the styling, choose the gown and accessories. Room for every participant's ideas.
ShootingPortrait lighting techniques, working with light and atmosphere, communicating with the model and posing.
Post-processingA recap and editing of the resulting photos in Photoshop.
What to bring
- A camera with a portrait lens (ideally 50–100 mm)
- An empty memory card and a charged battery
- A laptop with Photoshop installed
- A light snack – we'll be shut in the studio over lunch
Can I handle it?
If you can operate your camera at a basic level and have some initial experience with Photoshop, you definitely won't be lost. On the course we shoot with one model.
Lecturer
Irena Horáková
Artistic portrait · fine art
A photographer of artistic portraits and families, originally from Zlín and living in Prague. She focuses on the delicate beauty of women and on details, on their secrets and a magical, colourful story. Her photographs are full of gentle light and quiet emotion. She mostly creates stylised photos in the studio and outdoors – from simple natural decorations as well as elaborate staged work.
Participant reviews
If I could, I'd give it 11 out of 10. The course absolutely exceeded my expectations. A perfect, amazing, great and professional approach from smiling, likeable Irča, who shows, explains and helps with everything – she helped me a lot even after the course ended. An incredible approach from the lecturer, a great model, the scene – everything TOP. For that money I'd go every week. I'd recommend it to everyone who's hesitating!!!!
Translated from Czech
On 2 March 2025 I attended the course with Irča Horáková – Fairy-tale Fine Art. Irča led the course very professionally and yet in a relaxed way. Working with the model Natálie Veselá was also smooth, in a friendly atmosphere. The studio was superbly equipped and clean. I appreciated the easy and quick booking, excellent accessibility and parking right in front of the studio. Everything was perfectly prepared, communication was very friendly, I didn't have to worry about anything. I warmly recommend the courses and workshops at this studio. I'll be glad to come back, thank you.
Translated from Czech
While browsing social media I had come across the gentle and sensitive portrait photography of Irena Horáková several times – with her distinctive expression she tells beautiful dreamy stories through her work – so the course on Fairy-tale Fine Art prepared by the professional studio Ateliér v továrně excited me and I wanted to experience it.
This very pleasantly spent day enriched me with a very open sharing of how to apply one's own imagination, through a well-chosen arrangement of part of the studio, a perfectly chosen model for portraying the story motifs and the many props needed to complete each image. Irena Horáková is a lecturer who can convey all the information important for creating an excellent photograph in a very approachable way ……… as if she were telling you that story from her imagination.
Don't miss her take on the Stylised Portrait in the Studio.
Translated from Czech
More information
You'll find the cancellation terms in our terms and conditions. A gift voucher can be redeemed for any course and is valid for one year. Have a question? Call +420 734 328 742.
