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.
Queen of Hearts
A Cinematic Portrait Workshop
Model: Jesi Faun
Makeup: Jolie Makeup Artistry
Intro
Step into a world of power, drama, and unapologetic presence.
The Queen of Hearts workshop was designed as more than a themed shoot. It was a study in character, light, and controlled intensity. With Jesi Faun embodying our modern Queen and Jolie Makeup Artistry crafting bold, sculpted beauty, this session became a masterclass in cinematic portraiture.
This gallery showcases the final imagery created during the workshop, images built with intentional lighting, rich colour, and strong storytelling. Every frame was about commanding the scene, not just photographing it.
The Queen of Hearts Workshop Experience
The concept was clear from the beginning:
Strength. Structure. Story.
This was not about red dresses and playing cards. It was about presence. About building a character who owns the frame and dares the viewer to look away.
Jesi Faun brought the perfect balance of elegance and edge. She understands body language, subtle shifts in expression, and how to hold tension in a pose. That allowed photographers to focus on refining light, composition, and narrative rather than simply “getting the shot.”
Jolie Makeup Artistry elevated the entire concept. Strong contouring, bold lip work, and deliberate detail gave the character depth and authority. The makeup was not decoration, it was storytelling.
What We Explored
During this creative portrait workshop, photographers worked through:
Sculpting light for dramatic, cinematic portraits
Using controlled shadow to build mood and depth
Directing a model to embody character, not just pose
Balancing colour for richness without overpowering skin tones
Shooting with intention rather than overshooting
Lighting setups ranged from controlled directional key light to layered fill and accent lighting to shape the face and costume. The focus was always on dimension. Flat light was not invited.
We leaned into contrast. We embraced shadow. We allowed space for stillness.
Why This Workshop Matters
Many photographers are drawn to dramatic portraiture but struggle with how to create it consistently. They rely on editing to “add mood” later, instead of building it in camera.
The Queen of Hearts workshop was about flipping that mindset.
Light direction changes everything.
Shadow builds authority.
Colour either supports the story or fights it.
This session showed photographers how to create cinematic portraits intentionally, so that editing enhances the work rather than rescues it.
The Creative Team
Model: Jesi Faun
Jesi brought power, precision, and an instinctive understanding of character-driven portraiture.
Makeup: Jolie Makeup Artistry
Bold, sculptural, and beautifully executed makeup that anchored the entire concept.
This collaboration allowed photographers to step into a fully realised scene and focus purely on refining their craft.
View the Gallery
Below you will find a curated selection of final images from the Queen of Hearts workshop. Each photograph reflects a different interpretation of the same character, proving that even within a shared concept, your voice still matters.
If you are drawn to strong, cinematic portraiture and want to build confidence directing light and story, keep an eye on upcoming workshop dates. This Queen may return.
