Our Facilitator Biographies…
Creative Director:
Emmy Elle
Expert makeup artist, multi-faceted artist, wardrobe stylist, model mentor, posing coach, and studio portrait photographer.
About…
Emmy has worn many hats over her 15 years in the industry. Becoming a full-time professional freelance model at 19, she gleaned knowledge from working with hundreds of talented photographers, models, and makeup artists in the industry all over the US. Her love of makeup, hair, and styling came into play when she began doing makeup and hair for herself and other models in the industry, as well as helping to style the looks when there wasn’t a stylist on set.
Eventually, she found her way into photography, and she has now spent as much time behind the camera as in front. She has owned her own photography, makeup, and art studio, working with models, clients, and photographers to produce impactful images, with a unique process for fully-styled, creative, colorful, and cohesive photoshoots.
Emmy knows how to take an idea and execute it well, bringing it to life at a level rarely reached in the Midwest.
“I don’t want people that don’t live in a major market like LA or NY to feel like they are doomed to only shoot newborn photography and weddings forever! I think actually learning how to shoot creatively is a huge part of how far you will go with photography and honestly who wants to work with you.”
She is also a very talented multimedia artist, producing portrait paintings and lending her artistic talents to wardrobe styling and costume design, as well as sculpting and painting amazing sets for these workshops with unique props and backdrops.
Having been a model and model photographer, she scouts, trains, and poses the models and makes sure they have the skills needed to produce amazing images with minimal direction as well as making sure they look and feel their absolute best. As a creative, she loves seeing others step into their creative power and finally realize what they can achieve. She believes that location only limits what you can achieve if you let it, and loves fostering community and uplifting fellow creatives.
Technical Director:
Tim Neumann
Workshop instructor, master lighting technician, photography guru, Adobe products expert, videographer, and studio owner.
About…
Tim Neumann has been immersed in photography for over four decades. From the days of developing film in the darkroom to mastering today’s digital workflows, he’s seen the industry evolve — and evolved right along with it. A self-proclaimed tech enthusiast, Tim has fully embraced modern tools and loves making them approachable for anyone ready to take their photography to the next level.
For the last 20 years, Tim has guided photographers of all experience levels toward creating images they once thought were out of reach. Tim is known for breaking down complex lighting setups into simple, repeatable concepts, teaching not just how to use professional equipment — but why it works. His approach combines technical mastery, artistic vision, and real-world experience — all delivered in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere.
“A strong image is a blend of light, composition, design, direction, and timing. In our workshops, we take care of the environment, model, and styling so you can focus on creating something you’re truly proud of.”
Beyond the technical side, Tim emphasizes communication and direction between models and photographers. Learning how to guide models, create natural movement, and build confidence on set is a major part of his teaching philosophy. When photographers feel in control of the shoot, their images instantly level up.
“It doesn’t matter how advanced your camera is. If you don’t understand light or how to connect with the person in front of your lens, you’re leaving so much potential on the table.”