Julie Powell is a photographer, writer and educator, offers unique photographic opportunities and inspirational ideas to help YOU become the photographer you wish to be.
Geisha | Cinematic Portrait Workshop
There are some shoots that stay with you long after the lights are packed away, and this Geisha-inspired portrait session was definitely one of them.
Recently held at Picture Perfect Studio in Dandenong South, this creative portrait workshop focused on slowing down and creating with intention. Rather than rushing through setups, the afternoon became an exploration of mood, storytelling, elegant posing, and cinematic light.
Working with the incredible Haruka Sato, every frame was built around subtle expression, graceful movement, and carefully shaped light. The Geisha-inspired styling brought a beautiful sense of atmosphere to the session, blending traditional inspiration with a more contemporary cinematic portrait approach.
One of the things I loved most about this workshop was seeing how differently each photographer interpreted the same scene. Some images leaned soft and painterly, others dark and dramatic, proving once again that creativity is never about the gear alone, but the eye behind the camera.
Lighting throughout the session combined both flash and constant light techniques, allowing attendees to explore how shadow, colour, and direction completely change the emotional feel of a portrait. We also focused heavily on posing, storytelling, and creating images with depth and intention rather than simply documenting a subject.
A huge thank you to the wonderful creative team who helped bring this concept to life:
Model: Haruka Sato
Makeup: Jolie Nguyen (jolies.make.up.artistry)
Hair Styling: Rose Thorogood (thehairposey)
Below are some of my favourite final images from the workshop.
