DESCRIPTION:
“For some of us, Halloween is everyday.”
Tim Burton
Join photographer Sean Black for a truly spellbinding photographic experience in the heart of West Hollywood during one of the most iconic Halloween celebrations in America. This two-day workshop begins on All Hallows’ Eve at the Leica Store Los Angeles and offers an exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in the art of street portraiture amidst vibrant costumes, colorful characters, unforgettable moments.
Through a mix of lecture, short inspirational readings, hands-on fieldwork, and guided discussion with individual critique, participants will explore the essential principles of street portraiture including composition, lighting, and engagement with subjects.
Whether you’re looking to build confidence in approaching strangers or refine your visual style, your guides will help you create powerful portraits in one of the most electric environments imaginable. This signature WEHO event is a bubbling caldron brimming with possibilities.
WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS WORKSHOP:
Open to both passionate amateurs and professionals, Sean’s experience as a working journalist and college/university professor will help you define your personal vision, sharing with you his own experience and the principles that have guided his career.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Please be prepared to bring a sample of your best photos, ones that are indicative of your style. Street photographs or portraits are not required but we ask that students limit their choices to 12 images.
SCHEDULE:
Friday, October 31st/Halloween Eve
3:00pm - Introductions/Opening Presentation
4:00pm - Equipment/Gear Review
4:30pm-Evening - WeHo Carnaval Photowalk/Independent Student Time
Saturday, November 1st
10:00am - Workflow Tips & Instructor Guidance
Noon - Lunch Break
1:30pm - Critique
4:45pm-5:00pm - Final Thoughts/Wrap Up
DETAILS:
DATES:
October 31st (Friday) & November 1st (Saturday), 2025
MEETING LOCATION:
Leica Store Los Angeles
Address:8783 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048
INSTRUCTOR:
Sean Black is a photojournalist and university educator working in the fields of social justice and health equity. His decade-long tenure as Senior Editor with A&U: America’s AIDS Magazine allowed him the opportunity of working with numerous luminaries in the fights against HIV/AIDS; Sheryl Lee Ralph, Alicia Keys, Kylie Minogue, John Waters, Debra Messing and many more; thus, growing the publication’s mission of collecting, archiving, publishing and distributing the art, activism, and philanthropic events emanating from the AIDS pandemic. His clients include Andy Bell of Erasure, The Elton John AIDS Foundation, Walmart, the DIVA Foundation, Gilles Marini (Sex and the City), Melissa Rivers, and Daniel Franzese (Mean Girls). His work has been published internationally in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, People Magazine, Rolling Stone, GQ, Marie Claire, Essence, Ebony and others. He holds an MFA from the University of Miami, an MA in Photography from California State University San Bernardino and a Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology from Barry University (2004). His work was included in the inaugural, 2022 LGBTQ+ Biennial in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and he was recently selected as a semifinalist for the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2025, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. He has been the recipient of prestigious storytelling grants from UNAIDS (The Joint United Nations
Programme on HIV/AIDS) in partnership with UNESCO and the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health.
AT-A-GLANCE
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Dates
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