Testimonials
"I attended my first Empowered Beauty workshop with Tony Ryan, going in with open mind and open eyes….to hear Tony talk prior to the first photo, about what its all about..the connection with the model, getting them in the moment, hearing his unwavering passion not only for photography but capturing people in all the natural beauty that they have. I was so inspired by this I could have walked away then and learnt more in 20 mins than I had in the previous 15 years clicking the shutter on my camera.
Tony’s assistance in positioning the model(s), getting them to be at ease with you, …waiting for that "moment" when you are into the shot and when you capture it.you will feel it both from a photography point of view but as a person, you have created something magical, a moment in time where two people connected on the one idea. An understanding of light, the look of the model, but more importantly learning how to connect with the model
The workshop is more about photography, more about artistic nude photography.its about learning to connect with people, learning to direct someone, letting that person feel totally comfortable with you, it was the most amazing experience and truly one I will never forget.
It had me totally "empowered" into photography again, it was like I had taken my first photo, it truly was a experience, one that should be had, a big thank you Tony, for showing me what true passion in photography as all about and I am looking forward to the next workshop that I attend. It was without question a "life" lesson more than just a photography workshop"
Gavin Male
"After working with Tony, Claire and Josh and really sharing a wonderful experience it is so easy to find much deeper meanings than this just being a photograph from a studio shoot. Hopefully my images have portrayed this depth – only the viewer will know if I have achieved this."
Jim Filmer
"This is a fantastic workshop to attend, Tony Speaks of his experience & ideas on photography. This reaches into so many aspects of life. It was great to hear someone pull so many things into clarity. Tony’s professionalism & ethics shine through, and he teaches many aspects of connecting with & posing the models. Thank you
Wayne/Biggzie
"Being mainly a family portrait photographer I found this workshop to be an absolutely wonderful experience as it is the first time I have had a chance to do this kind of work! Would definitely do the workshop again and recommend it to anyone"
Sarah Ross
"OK…so this is a slight departure from my regular genre!!! Last weekend (16/5/09) I attended one of Tony Ryan’s EMPOWERED BEAUTY Workshops. I went with a very ‘academic’ approach: I was expecting to learn. However, what I wasn’t expecting was to hear truths about human connection perfectly articulated by an astonishingly kind & humble man and the opportunity to explore those truths with such a beautiful, giving and sensitive soul as Claire
It was an enriching photographic and life experience that I highly recommend."
Angie
I have done a number of these workshops and can not recommend them more highly. These sessions are done with the up most respect to the models and give you a great insight into lighting, line, shape and form.
You gain a good understanding of lighting and everyone gets an opportunity to direct the model and put forward their own ideas.
The whole workshop is done in a very relaxed atmosphere and Tony is always there to help out in anyway he can.
One of my favorite parts of the workshop is before and after the photo session when you sit down with the model and discuss the session and what she was feeling and what worked well for her and at what stages (if any) she felt like the moment wasn't quite there.
Tony's sessions are a lot more about capturing the spirit of a person rather than the outer shell, and he is very good at making the models true self bubble to the surface.
Michael Sept 2010
Tony, I wanted to say a huge thank you because doing your workshop was such an inspiration for me. I was quite flustered and nervous at the beginning of the workshop because I hadn't shot for 2 years and I wasn't feeling very confident but you really guided me through and made me feel comfortable. I couldn't believe the shots I got on the day. I thought, Wow I took those? I was so happy with them. I particularly enjoyed your advice and philosophies on photography, direction, working with people and the atmosphere of the shoot which I was never taught much about in University. The model on the day was very friendly and she came out so beautifully. I am now shooting regularly and feeling more inspired than ever. I'll be back again for some more workshops."Kate Beckwith. 4/5/2011
A fantastic afternoon of shooting and learning. We started with some
> theory on the energy projected by models which was very educational
> (and something that is not really taught by any classes) which
> basically separates a good image from a great image. Actually, it goes
> even further than that. It can turn a pretty ordinary image into a
> brilliant image just by the attitude of the model changing (which can even happen frame to frame).
>
> From there we put this into practice shooting each other, and came out
> with some good results. After that it was on to shooting fashion with
> the lovely Leah.
>
> Starting in the alleyway behind Tony's studio/apartment and moving on
> to the laneways. We came across a very interesting box that looked
> like it could have come from the circus, a great prop.
>
> After that we played around with the nearby walls and grassy areas,
> always keeping in mind that energy. I think the results we got were quite good.
>
> After finishing up shooting Leah, we moved on to shooting some nudes
> with Abby (which aren't on this site, but should be able to be found
> within the next couple of days on some of the popular photography sites).
>
> This was a totally new genre for me. Most of the sessions was spent
> playing around with lights and body shapes with the majority of photos
> being lit from behind just to highlight edges.
>
> The final part of the session was spent against a graffiti wall with a
> moody "rock star" down of luck style look.
>
> All in all, it was fantastic working with Tony, I highly recommend
> checking his site out and if you're in Melbourne going to one of his
> workshops (they run every couple of weeks and are very reasonably priced).
> Thanks
> Sam Dickinson Feb 2011
Hi Tony, hope your doing well, it has been a while since we spoke. I wanted to point out that I have been involved in in few photography workshops in Melbourne, some driven by money, and others driven by ego. Your workshops and very different. You provide an open workspace where photographers can create their own artworks. The relaxed atmosphere is a big part of this, it allows photographers of all levels to be involved. Keep up the great work, I’m sure your approach will see the your format continue and grow. Regards, Larry Varley 14.6.2011
"I attended Tony's photography workshops to learn about lighting, composition and how to direct models. Whilst I did progress in all of these areas, the biggest take away for me was something much different and much more. What I learnt is the value and power of positive energy between the photographer and the model.
You can get the model in right environment, lighting and perfectly composed, but the picture will not work if the energy isn't right. I'm now very conscious of this in all my shots and I see it in many photos that look at.
Tony is a natural with people and also has an innate understanding of body and face positions. I recommend photographers of all levels to attend his workshops.
Frank" 2.3.2012
HiYa Tony,
First off I just want to thank you for the Workshop on Saturday – It was absolutely mind-blowing!I LOVED the way you ran the workshop with the build up from fully clothed outside, to complete nude inside the studio. It was a very comfortable feeling that just started at the start, and rolled smoothly the entire way. There was absolutely NOTHING sexual in any of the poses, photos, etc.
So, once again, thanks SO much for the workshop. I intend to to do everything I can to attend more, as I think I learnt more on Saturday than I have in the last 2 years.
Cheers, stay well, and stay safe,
Andrew April 2012
Hi Tony,
Thanks for a fantastic portrait workshop today and you really opened my eyes to directing the model, choosing the best shooting perspective, lighting and knowing when you got the energy in the photo. Truly inspiring!
Can you please confirm availability, dates and times for your next couple of weekend courses.
Much appreciated.
Cheers,
Simon
1/7/2012
Thanks Tony for the great day, despite the rain. I learnt a lot and gained confidence in photographing people. Even from looking at the shot you took of me, the sutler changes in composition, lighting and most of all connecting with the subject, make a big difference in the outcome of the photo.
Barry June 30 2012
This was the first of this type of workshop I have attended and I was a little apprehensive about the way it would all come together. Once we got into it and with Tony running the session it was all very comforable and yet highly informative. Thankyou again Tony for organising such a wonderful workshop. Your relaxed style but clear direction is a great credit to you. Hard to believe our lovely model was second time out - but she was a long way better then any I'd shot before - past have been portrait only but the comparison in responding extremely well to direction is still valid. First time I've used tungsten lighting to any extent and the differences with the strobist approach have now become more apparent. A fascinating insight into the the genre - it will be hard to top this but I'll be back in the future for more. Very highly recommended to anyone interested in lighing the female nude!
Bill Kitchen 7/7/2012