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Joe McNally’s The Complete Photographer Workshop | BACKSTAGE PASS | Save $100

Save $100 Today!

Unlock Access

Save $100 Today!

Experience 16+ Hours of Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes Training!

Unlock Access

Save $100 Today!

Experience 16+ Hours of Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes Training!

Unlock Access

This Isn't Your Typical Photography Course. This is...

a unique, immersive learning experience, designed for serious photographers who want to invest in their skills

Captured from a $7,000+, six-day workshop with Joe McNally, this digital recording offers an incredible opportunity at a fraction of the cost. We understand it’s a significant investment, but this backstage pass is for those who’ve always dreamed of attending a high-end workshop but couldn’t take the financial leap. Now, you can experience the same immersive training for a much smaller price, without the need for travel or lodging expenses. Register Now 

A life-time of experience packed into 25 Lessons!

Benefit From Joe's Decades of Experience

Unlock on-demand access to one of the most comprehensive photography workshops ever created with Joe McNally’s The Complete Photographer’s Workshop Backstage Pass. This exclusive recording gives you an insider's view, capturing every technique, tip, and trick Joe shared during his intensive, six-day workshop experience.

Master Every Aspect of Photography

In this series of lessons, Joe McNally takes you on a deep dive into the world of photography, covering everything from the basics of light to advanced techniques. You'll learn how to use lighting to elevate your shots, refine your portfolio, and build the confidence to create a standout collection of work.

Learn in an effective & Enjoyable way

Joe’s hands-on training is the fastest way to enhance your photography skills, regardless of your starting point. Learn directly from a master whose work has graced the covers of National Geographic and LIFE. With practical lessons on lighting, composition, and portfolio building, this workshop recording will revolutionize how you shoot and create.

Receive A Tangible Asset

Receive a physical copy of Joe’s Backstage Pass workshop recordings, allowing you to revisit the content anytime. Keep lifelong access to Joe's expert teachings to review and reinforce your learning whenever you need to sharpen your skills or get inspired.

Explore the Full 16-Hour Lesson Lineup

Lesson 1

Introducing the Workshop

The workshop kicks off with an emphasis on pre-visualizing shoots, planning ahead, and embracing uncertainty to unlock creativity in any shooting location.

Lesson 2

Behind the Scenes of a Stanford Magazine Shoot

Get an inside look at the creative process behind a Stanford Magazine shoot, where an author’s home becomes the backdrop for a captivating photo story.

Lesson 3

Critique Central Student Work: Part 1

Student work is critiqued with a focus on storytelling through photography, examining how composition, lighting, and detail contribute to a compelling narrative.

Lesson 4

Critique Central Student Work: Part 2

Critiques continue, stressing the importance of cohesive portfolios that reflect personal vision, along with mastering composition, lighting, and technical precision.

Lesson 5

Field Notes

Real-world challenges from the field are shared, illustrating how even seasoned photographers encounter obstacles, mistakes, and growth opportunities on the job.

Lesson 6

Studio Skills & Drills: Part 1

Feedback on the students’ portraits highlights the significance of small details—such as framing and composition—in shaping the overall success of an image.

Lesson 7

Studio Skills & Drills: Part 2

Explore the differences between umbrellas and softboxes, as the lesson showcases how each lighting tool impacts mood, dimension, and control in portrait work.

Lesson 8

Portrait Shoots

Students put their skills to the test in hands-on model shoots, applying studio portrait techniques under expert guidance from earlier lessons.

Lesson 9

Portrait Critiques

Feedback on the students’ portraits highlights the significance of small details—such as framing and composition—in shaping the overall success of an image.

Lesson 10

Martial Artist Portrait Demonstration

Photographing a martial artist, this session focuses on preparation, safety, and adapting ideas to suit the subject’s movements and strengths for dynamic results.

Lesson 11

Athletic Portraits

Athletes take the stage as students experiment with dynamic lighting to capture the energy of football players, dancers, martial artists, and tennis players.

Lesson 12

Athletic Portrait Critiques

Athletic portraits are critiqued, offering reflection on lighting and composition while reinforcing essential storytelling concepts through visual narrative.

Lesson 13

Dog Groomer Portrait Demonstration

Adaptability is key when shooting at Harbor Pets Grooming. Joe navigates light changes and framing adjustments to achieve the best possible shots.

Lesson 14

Dog Groomer Portrait Review

Small adjustments, like repositioning lights or subjects, can greatly enhance the final image. This recap explains how these tweaks improved the shoot’s outcome.

Lesson 15

Barber Shop Demonstration

Capturing a barbershop’s charm requires skillful use of natural light. Learn how to position subjects near windows and master lighting direction for perfect exposure.

Lesson 16

Students On Location

Students apply lessons from the barbershop shoot at a new location, working efficiently and solving challenges like shadows using creative tools.

Lesson 17

Critique of Location Shoot

After the location shoot, insightful critiques offer valuable tips on refining composition and lighting to elevate the students’ work.

Lesson 18

Firehouse Demonstration

Shooting in a firehouse environment, learn how to control ambient light while gradually building a setup that balances multiple lighting elements.

Lesson 19

Playing with Fire

Capturing fire performers in low-light settings presents unique challenges. Explore tips for working with fast-moving subjects in this dynamic environment.

Lesson 20

Performer Portraits

Students push their creative boundaries as they adapt techniques based on the diverse subjects and environments they encounter during this session.

Lesson 21

Beach Volleyball Shoot

Bright sun and action-packed subjects demand specific techniques. Discover how to use high-speed sync to blend natural light and flash on Clearwater Beach.

Lesson 22

Final Critique

A reflective critique session encourages students to push their creative limits and highlights the importance of building relationships in the photography world.

Lesson 23

Wedding & Corporate Shoots

Participants dive into wedding and corporate shoots, learning how to manage subjects, backdrops, and reflectors to capture beautiful, professional images.

Lesson 24 | Bonus Lesson

Photo Workflow with M.D Welch

Developing an efficient workflow is essential. M.D. Welch shares personalized strategies for creating a system that fits your photography style.

BLesson 25 | Bonus Lesson

Business of Photography with Lynn DelMastro

Gain insights into photography business essentials, from insurance to pricing and licensing, as Lynn DelMastro outlines strategies for success.

Join Joe as he introduces the workshop, emphasizes the importance of pre-visualizing a shoot location and planning ahead to avoid improvisation during critical moments. He also shares highlights from his career that involved stepping into the unknown and embracing uncertainty to allow one’s creativity to flourish.

Joes shares his behind the scenes thoughts and process of the photos he created for a magazine shoot in an author’s home for a magazine.
 
 

Part of this workshop includes Joe’s professional critiques of student work. During the critique Joe stresses the value of storytelling through photography, where every detail—composition, lighting, and subject interaction—should contribute to the narrative being captured.

Joe wraps up the student critiques by highlighting the value of creating a cohesive body of work that reflects the photographer’s unique voice and vision. He also discusses the role of composition, lighting, and technique, and how mastering these elements can elevate the quality and meaning of a photograph.

Being able to deliver consistent results even when faced with different challenges each day is the name of the job. Joe shares his own challenging moments in the field, reminding us that even seasoned professionals make mistakes

In this lesson, set in the KelbyOne studios, Joe McNally focuses on foundational lighting techniques and gradually introduces more complex lighting setups.

In this continuation lesson, Joe builds on previous concepts, emphasizing the importance of understanding and controlling light to create mood and dimension in portrait photography. He explores the differences between using a large umbrella and a softbox, highlighting how each affects the quality and direction of light.

With coaching from Joe, the students get hands on time working with models in studio putting concepts from the previous lessons into practice.
 
 

As the students now have their work examined from the previous day’s shoot, Joe highlights the significance of paying attention to small details within the frame, as they can greatly impact the success of a shot.

In this lesson, Joe McNally sets up a demonstration photographing a martial artist, emphasizing the importance of preparation and safety when working with athletes or physical performers. Joe adjusts his preconceived ideas based on the subject’s strengths and movement styles, highlighting the importance of collaboration and adaptability in a photoshoot.

Now, it’s the students’ turn to apply these techniques, photographing a fresh set of models, including martial artists, football players, dancers, and tennis players, allowing them to experiment with dynamic lighting in a variety of high-energy scenarios.
 
 
Now, it’s time to critique the students’ images from the previous shoots, allowing everyone to reflect on these key concepts and refine their work.
 
 

While on location photographing at Harbor Pets Grooming, Joe highlights the significance of adapting on the fly, particularly when dealing with unforeseen challenges like changing light conditions or framing adjustments.

After achieving some nice results, Joe McNally does a quick recap on the dog groomer shoot, explaining how small changes, like moving the strobe box or repositioning a subject, can significantly improve the quality of the light and enhance the overall composition.

Joe demonstrates his approach to capturing a beautiful, old-style barbershop. He emphasizes the importance of utilizing natural light, such as positioning the subject near a window to optimize exposure, while also understanding the direction and quality of light.

The students get a chance to put what they learned at the barber shop into practice at a different location. Joe emphasizes the importance of working quickly and efficiently in time-sensitive environments. Joe advises photographers to anticipate challenges, such as shadows from hats, and to solve them with tools like reflectors.
 
 
Following the on location shoot at a local business, Joe provides thoughtful and thorough critiques of the student’s work to help them progress to the next level.
 
 
In this lesson at a beautiful fire station, Joe shares insights from his extensive experience with such locations. He emphasizes controlling ambient light and gradually builds the setup by adding one light at a time.
 
 
A new location with new models, all within a challenging dark environment photographing performers working with fire. Throughout the shoot Joe provides suggestions and insights on how to best capture these amazing performers in action.
 
 
In this continuation lesson, Joe encourages students to delve deeper into the creative process, and to adapt their techniques based on the environment and subject.
 
 
On Clearwater Beach, Joe tackles the challenges of bright sunlight and fast-moving subjects. He demonstrates how to use high-speed sync to manage exposure and balance natural and flash lighting.
 
 
 
 
In this final critique session, Joe reflects on the past five days of intensive photography, hoping the experience has been transformative for participants. He shares personal stories from his career, emphasizing the value of relationships over pictures and the importance of passion for photography. He encourages photographers to embrace the feedback and push their creative boundaries for continuous growth.
 
 
 
 
 
 
On the final day of the workshop participants engage in mock wedding and corporate photoshoots at Safety Harbor Resort. Joe offers practical advice on positioning subjects, managing backdrops, and utilizing reflectors, all while encouraging a hands-on, creative approach to capturing beautiful images.
 
 
 
 
Special guest M.D. Welch shares several key learning moments. He emphasizes the importance of developing an efficient photo workflow, noting that there is no perfect system, but rather a need for one that suits individual requirements.
 
 
 
 
In this lesson, Lynn DelMastro, Studio Manager and Executive Producer at Joe McNally Photography, shares essential knowledge on managing the business side of photography. She highlights the importance of having the right insurance, both liability and commercial, to protect against unforeseen mishaps during shoots. Lynn also provides valuable insights into pricing strategies, explaining the importance of licensing and usage rights when negotiating with clients.

Joe is the quintessential "Pro's Pro"

There are photographers. There are teachers. Then there is Joe McNally. Just a guy with a camera—Who Has...

  • photographed in over 70 countries
  • been described as authentic, empathetic & articulate
  • climbed the empire state building FOUR times
  • TWICE climbed the world's tallest building (the Burj Khalifa in Dubai)
  • photographed FIVE cover stories for national geographic
  • photographed SEVEN covers of LIFE Magazine.
  • Covered FOUR Olympics (#5 looming in 2024)
  • successfully bridged the commercial and editorial world

Joe is The Most versatile Photographer Alive

He may be the best teacher in the world as his lessons are actionable and his views are practical. It's not about buying the latest, greatest gear. It's about putting in the time and the work. I have read all of Joe's books, attended one of his seminars, and I cannot say enough good things about him.

Joe B. 

Quite Simply the best of the best

Attend a workshop with Joe McNally and you are guaranteed to sharpen your skills and greatly improve your ability to understand and create more complex lighting for your clients. I've been following McNally for over 10 years and the impact on the way I approach problem solving in the field has been forever changed.

Rick B. 

A Great Storyteller & Very Funny Man

Until yesterday, I had only learned from Joe via studying his books and watching videos. But, in person, he really shines as an educator. He's very humble for all his accolades, a great storyteller and very funny man.

Rich K.

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll receive a thumb drive in the mail with all 25 lessons, so you can keep it forever and watch anytime you want. Plus, you’ll also have access  through the KelbyOne member site.

No, this is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime masterclass that’s available only as an individual purchase. It’s a special opportunity that isn’t included in our membership.

 
 

Once you purchase the course, you’ll have lifetime access to the online version through the KelbyOne member site, so you can revisit and review the lessons whenever you like.

While Joe covers a range of photography techniques, you can follow along with whatever gear you have. This workshop recording is designed to help you make the most of your current equipment and guide you in expanding your toolkit as you grow.

The course includes 25 in-depth lessons that capture the entire 6-day workshop experience with Joe McNally. You’ll get to learn directly from Joe through real-world demonstrations, portfolio critiques, and hands-on photography challenges.

Yes! You can view all of the lesson within the backstage pass on any device that supports USB drives using the provided thumb drive, or you can access it online through the KelbyOne member site, which is accessible from any internet-connected device.

Absolutely! Joe’s teaching style is approachable and clear, making it valuable for photographers of all skill levels, whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine advanced techniques.

If you have questions about this product or the purchasing process, feel free to reach out to our support team at support@kelbyone.com. For discussions about the lessons, you can join our discussion forum, where you can connect with fellow students and even engage with Joe McNally to dive deeper into the course material.

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