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.
Wrapped in Light
Private Creative Portrait Class with Lisa
Model - Emily @ emrainhard93
Sometimes the best ideas start with the simplest materials.
This private creative class with Lisa and model Emily Reinhard was built around one unexpected concept, paper. Packing paper, textured wraps, folds, layers, and shape became the starting point for a series of portraits that felt part fashion, part experiment, and completely creative. It was a reminder that you do not need elaborate wardrobe or expensive props to create something striking, you just need a strong idea and the willingness to explore it.
For this session, Lisa came in with a vision and together we worked through how to shape that idea into a finished shoot. Using paper as both styling and texture, we created a range of looks that shifted from soft and sculptural to bold and editorial. Every fold caught the light differently, every movement changed the mood, and every setup gave us something new to play with.
Lighting became a huge part of the story. We experimented with a mix of constant LED lighting and colour to transform these portraits from simple to atmospheric. Some images leaned into clean black and white tones, letting shape and expression do the heavy lifting. Others embraced vivid magenta and blue lighting for a more cinematic, modern feel. That contrast gave the shoot depth and showed just how much lighting can completely change the mood of the same subject and setup.
Emily Reinhard was the perfect model for this concept, bringing calm presence, strength, and subtle expression to each frame. Her ability to hold stillness as well as intensity helped bring the paper styling to life in a way that felt elegant rather than gimmicky. The result is a gallery full of portraits that feel both experimental and refined.
What I love most about private classes like this is the freedom to build around an idea. Lisa did not come in wanting to copy someone else’s shoot. She came in with a spark of inspiration, and together we worked through posing, lighting, styling, and creative choices to shape that into a set of finished images. That is where the magic really happens.
If you have a concept in your head but are not quite sure how to bring it to life, a private one-on-one class might be exactly what you need. Whether it is portraits, still life, lighting, macro, editing, or something a little left of centre, these sessions are designed to help you turn ideas into images.
Message me to set up your dream session.