PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Ernesto
Batista
Workshop by Ernesto Batista
May 27th and 28th, 2026
California · Photographic community
About Ernesto Batista
A practical and real
experience
Ernesto Batista was born in Cuba, and since the age of 11, his life has been pure art: music, dance, and television. By 13, he was already performing as a dancer on television and in theaters in his country. At 14, he emigrated to Chile, where, two weeks after arriving, he was selected in a casting call for national television, participating in the prestigious program Rojo Fama Contra Fama on TVN Chile. In 2005, he arrived in the United States with an offer to appear on Don Francisco's show in Miami, and in 2010, he enrolled at Full Sail University, where he discovered his true passion: photography and video. Since then, he has built DBatista Photography into one of the most renowned luxury photography studios in Florida.
Program
2 days of
intensive learning
The first day is 100% hands-on. Participants will work with camera in hand alongside Ernesto, applying real techniques in lighting, composition, and model direction in Melva’s studio. This is not a lecture — it is a real production.
The second day is equally powerful, but from a different angle: business and post-production. We’ll cover everything Ernesto applies in his studio to stay organized, efficient, and profitable — and we’ll edit live the photos taken on Day 1.
Day 1
Practical
Action and creation on real sets.
Camera and settings
Manual mode — perfect studio exposure
ISO, aperture, and shutter speed applied to artificial lighting
White balance with strobes and flash
Focusing system for portraits
Flash synchronization and remote triggering
Single light — Dramatic style
Light direction, quality, and modifiers
Hard light vs. soft light for dramatic results
Subject positioning relative to a single light source
Creation of shadows and intentional volume
Live shooting — guided practice by Ernesto
Multiple lights
Key light + fill light: relationship and balance
Background light and subject separation
Hair light for editorial portraits
2-, 3-, and 4-light setups in real practice
Posing — Model direction
Posing for women, couples, and groups
How to give clear instructions and build confidence
Movement-based posing — natural and impactful capture
Real-time correction of mistakes
Each participant directs the model
Creative ideas
Concept and visual storytelling in a studio production
Props, textures, and backgrounds to create atmospheres
Use of color and creative lighting
Editorial inspiration applied to social events
Q&A with Ernesto about his creative process
Day 2
Theoretical
Take your photography to the professional level
Business Essentials
Pricing, packages, and value proposition
How to communicate with clients and confidently close sales
Contracts, delivery, and managing expectations
Social media as a business tool
Positioning in the luxury wedding and quinceañera market
Annual planning to grow without burning out
Software and professional workflow
Aftershoot
AI-powered culling and automatic editing — save hours of selection time
Learns your style and applies adjustments automatically
Seamless integration with Lightroom
Fundy
Album and client sales product design
In-person or remote sales presentation tool
Professional templates for album presentations
Other recommended tools
CRM for client management and follow-up
Gallery delivery platforms (Pixieset, ShootProof, etc.)
Accounting and financial management tools
Live editing — photos from Day 1
Import and organization in Lightroom
Album and client product design
Culling with Aftershoot — live demonstration
Basic editing: exposure, contrast, color grading
The DBatista dramatic look: how it’s built from scratch
Photoshop retouching: fast and efficient workflow
Export and final delivery
Each participant edits their own photos with Ernesto’s guidance
Edit the material captured on Day 1
★ Place
Where
Where do we meet?
A space designed so the experience matches the quality of the content
Partner brands
Event presented
by:
Brands that help us make the event possible
