About this Event
Designed for photography students and photo assistants, this interactive experience brings emerging photographers together in a working studio at Highline Stages for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to succeed on set. Through hands-on workstations led by working professionals, guests will explore the essential skills, workflows, and production know-how that assistants encounter in the real world—while building connections that can help take their careers to the next level.
What is the next level you may be asking:
- Building your network
- Expanding your resources
- Enhancing your onset skills
- Truly understanding set etiquette
- Making you an invaluable asset on any set
- Treating assisting as the business that it is
The best way to land your next assistant job is to prove you can handle the pressure of a fast-paced set. Don't miss this opportunity to refine your technical skills under the guidance of working pros, troubleshoot real-world scenarios, and network with peers and creators who can expand your network. Invest in your freelance career and elevate your professional value.
What to expect:
You will be busy!
Move through each workstation spending 60 minutes at each.
During breaks there will be a beautiful set with models for you to capture stunning images and Nikon will have loaner gear available: If you would like to borrow gear please have a valid state issued Id, or student id and valid credit card. Both will be returned when the gear is returned. Cameras and lenses are bases on first come first serve.
Perfer to use your own camera? No problem - don't forget it! 📸
Schedule:
8:30am: Welcome, check-in, breakfast, networking
9:15am – 10:15am: Panel and Q&A
10:30am -11:30am: Round 1
11:45am -12:45pm: Round 2
12:45pm – 1:45pm: Lunch, neworking, shooting, printing
2:00pm –3:00pm: Round 3
3:15pm–4:15pm: Round 4
4:30pm-5:30pm: Round 5
5:30pm – 6:30pm: Questions, neworking, shooting, printing
6:30pm: It's a Wrap!
Workstations
WORKSTATION 01: Strobe Lighting Led by Ab Sesay
WORKSTATION 02: LED Lighting Led by Daniel Norton
WORKSTATION 03: Basic Grip Safety / Assistant Tool Kit Led by Seth Miranda
WORKSTATION 04: Digital Capture and Tethering
WORKSTATION 05: Yes, being an Assistant is a Business – Day Rates and Structures Led by Joe Sinnott
Ready to elevate your assistant game and become the most valuable person on any commercial set? Turn your technical skills into a thriving, high-demand freelance career.
Raffles throughout the day! 🎁
Share this opportunity with friends - Limited Spots Available – RVPS today!
Please Note: This is a don't miss in-person event only.
In partnership with
Meet your Instructors:
Daniel Norton, Photographer
Daniel Norton is a creator, an educator, and, most of all, a student of life and the human condition. With over 20 years in the photo industry as a photographer, designer, podcaster, and writer, Daniel draws on his real-world experience to help others be the best creators they can be.
Get Connected with Daniel!
Website: dnphoto.com
Instgram: @danielnorton
X: @danielpnorton
YouTube: @DanielNortonPhotographer
Seth Miranda, Photographer
Seth Miranda's career in photography has been as unique as his images. Having publications under his belt at age 15, he sculpted his lighting technique day and night in the fast-action world of BMX and skateboarding. With experience running the spectrum of all formats of film, experimental/older forgotten processes all the way to today's digital medium, his versatile style has been featured in DigBMX, RideBMX, Juxtapoz, MakeUp Artist magazine and Transworld media publications as well as billboard and print ads for agencies like Deustch.
Seth has brought his skill set and experience to the studio to capture every vision and concept thrown at his lens by the Special Effects MakeUp artists in attendance having worked for MUD MakeUp Designory, MakeUp For Ever, MakeUp Artist Magazine, IMATS, and many more facets of the industry. Today you can also find him educating the masses as a content producer for Adorama's platforms.
Get Connected with Seth!
Instagram: @lastxwitness
Youtube: www.youtube.com/lastxwitness
X: @lastxwitness
Twitch: @lastxwitness
Ab Sesay, Photographer
Ab currently resides in the NY area and enjoys working productions both large and small with ideas both simple and complex.
As a multidisciplinary commercial advertising photographer and creative producer/director, Ab Sesay blends the ability to analyze ideas, technology, and resources to help bring creative visions to life. He educates those interested in elevating their lighting skills, providing the knowledge and tools they need to take their work to the next level.
He is also Brand Manager For Sekonic Light Meters, Executive Producer and Creative Director for the Mac Group, independent producer/photographer, and develops lighting education for Adorama TV (LEVEL UP LIGHTING SHOW), Sekonic, and Fujifilm.
Get Connected with Ab!
Website: www.absesay.com
Instagram:@absesay_photo
Joe Sinnott, Photographer
Joe Sinnott is a long-standing faculty member at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City, teaching within the BFA Photography and Video department as well as the Division of Continuing Education. His relationship with the school spans nearly 40 years between his undergraduate studies and time on the faculty. His primary course offerings emphasize technical proficiency, business practices, event photography, and studio basics.
He enjoyed a 30 year career as the staff photographer at WNET (New York’s flagship PBS station), mostly shooting celebrity portraiture, production and publicity stills for TV programs, and events. For the last several years his freelance work has mostly emphasized live performance (mostly in culture and arts), institutional and business events, and corporate/editorial portraits.
Get Connected with Joe!
Instagram: @crucibleofjoe
Check out some of these incredible work below!
All photos are property of their respective owners.
© Wu Yi
© Ben Eaton
© Bulbul Ahmed
Experience Adorama Events In-Person
From hands-on workshops and live podcasts to creator talks and special in-store events, there’s always something happening at the Adorama Event Space. Join us to learn from industry experts, connect with fellow creators, and be part of our creative community.
Can’t make it in person? Our events are livestreamed on YouTube, so you can still be part of the experience wherever you are.
Explore upcoming events at and subscribe to the and never miss what’s next!
Dedicated to inspiring, educating, and empowering the creator community, Adorama is here to help you #CreateNoMatterWhat.
Event venue & nearby stays
Highline Stages, 440 West 15th Street, New York, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.