class by carolyn fong

Naturally Lit Photography

Forget feeling dependant on golden hour or window light - learn to create beautifully lit images anywhere, anytime using off camera flash.

This hands-on workshop helps you discover the many ways you can use off camera flash to your advantage - for family sessions, portraiture, editorial work and branding projects. Naturally Lit is designed for natural light photographers ready to expand their toolkit - without compromising their style.

Create the light you love - anywhere, anytime.

I'm interested

COURSE LENGTH

3 weeks

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class start date

21 Sep 2026

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INVESTMENT

$300 / $350

Independent / Guided

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carolyn fong

This class shows you how to use off-camera flash into your workflow with confidence and purpose.

Get ready to create stunning, professional images anywhere, all while keeping your unique vibe. You will learn to confidently use off camera flash in any setting - indoors and outdoors, rain or shine and when, why, and how to add flash intentionally in any location to enhance your natural light style.

You’ll learn to light with intention, shoot with confidence, and get hands-on practice plus feedback tailored just for you.

Whether you’re working with families, businesses, or editorial clients, this class will give you the tools and confidence to expand your lighting skills and create the natural light you want - anywhere, anytime!

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carolyn fong

Join waitlist

In this three week interactive workshop you will discover:
- How to light editorial portraits, branding shots or family sessions quickly with one small flash
- How to use flash to enhance (not replace) your natural light style
- When, why, and how to add flash intentionally in any location
- How to evaluate a scene and position your flash for different lighting effects
- Techniques for editorial portraits using just one flash
- How to create light that mimics window light
- How to backlight for depth and drama
- High contrast/pop light
- How to freeze motion with flash
- The essential gear for a basic off-camera flash kit + modifiers
- How to manage battery workflow when adding lighting gear to your kit
- How to direct and work with subjects under artificial light
This three-week interactive class will include:
- Daily Interaction with Carolyn
  Ongoing Q&A and discussion to keep you supported every step of the way.
- Clear, Actionable Instruction
  Carolyn breaks down her go-to off-camera flash gear and techniques used in editorial and family work.
- Gear Recommendations + Discount Codes
  Access a curated list of budget-friendly gear that works with your style.
- Understanding the “Why” Behind Flash
  Discover why adding OCF can transform your workflow and unlock new creative freedom.
- Supportive Learning Environment
  Join a community that encourages experimentation, growth, and progress—even when it’s frustrating.
- Simplified Tech Explanations
  Learn in plain language - no fluff, no jargon.
- Written Lessons + Supplemental Videos
  Learn on your schedule with content that fits your pace and style.
- Guided Exercises + Assignments
  Step-by-step tasks designed to build your skills without overwhelm.
- Personalized Feedback for Guided Students
  Guided students get direct video feedback from Carolyn on all your submitted assignments.
- Live Zoom “Office Hours” (4 total)
  Ask questions, get clarity, share wins, and connect with other students in real time.
To get the most out of this workshop, you’ll need:
- A solid understanding of how to use your DSLR camera in manual mode
- Access to an off-camera flash (rented or owned) that’s compatible with your camera
- A wireless trigger system (transmitter + receiver) so your flash can fire without being physically attached to your camera
- A light stand to mount your flash during shoots
IMPORTANT: This course does not cover gear setup or troubleshooting your specific flash system. Please have your off-camera flash gear fully set up and working by Day 1 of the course

If you need help setting it up, refer to your flash manual, visit a local camera shop, or check online tutorials ahead of time
Interactive classes are held online and registration opens seasonally.
Guided students can participate fully in class, by asking questions, submitting assignments, and getting personalized feedback from your teacher.
Independent students have full access to class content and can participate in class discussions —they just don’t get teacher critique and feedback on images or assignments.

“This course gave me the boost in confidence I needed to take on any assignment without worry. The course does not complicate a subject matter that can be easily overwhelming to those new to artificial light. It gives easy formulas that can be taken into every photo session. I am looking forward to the new doors of creativity it will open. Thank you, Carolyn!”

mary

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MEET THE TEACHER

Carolyn

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Fong

Hi, I’m Carolyn Fong, an award-winning commercial, editorial, and family photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with over 20 years behind the camera.

I’ve worked everywhere - from tight New York apartments to sprawling suburban homes, wooded trails to bustling city streets - building a reputation for delivering beautiful images in any lighting condition.

My secret? Preparation and adaptability.

I always bring at least one off-camera flash (sometimes two), so I can create flattering, interesting light no matter the weather, time of day, or location. It’s part of my professional promise: to make everyone in front of my lens look their best.

Along with my technical skills, I’m known for my grounded, approachable style and ability to connect with people. Whether I’m photographing families or guiding creatives behind the scenes, I bring humor, warmth, and calm confidence that helps everyone feel at ease.

When I’m not shooting or mentoring, you’ll find me navigating the joyful chaos of parenting, laughing with my husband, playing with our dog and savoring moments with friends in the rare quiet corners of a busy life.

See carolyn's instagram

Visit carolyn's website

Any questions?

Email your teacher directly here and they will get back to you.

Alumni Student?

We’d love to have you back! Email your teacher here and they will send you a link.

Interactive Class Registration opens August 26th

EXPLORE

A woman with curly black hair and gold hoop earrings smiling in a natural outdoor setting with purple flowers in the foreground and a large tree with twisted branches behind her.

A man standing with arms crossed in front of a white wall decorated with colorful spools of thread arranged in a pattern, casting shadows on the wall.

A man walking through a dense forest with tall trees and lush green foliage, sunlight streaming through the branches.

Group of people taking a photo inside a vintage photo booth with signs advertising "4 different poses for 25 cents" and "take your own photo" in a retro style. The background is decorated with numerous small photographs.

Three women smiling and laughing in an elevator, holding the doors open.

An elderly woman with white hair and a bright tattooed blue shirt, smiling with her eyes closed, holding her hands together, while a younger person gently touches her face and shoulders from behind.

A woman in a black dress and heels sitting on a bench in an art gallery, with paintings and sculptures on dark green walls behind her.

A woman standing on a sidewalk next to a decorated pole in an urban street scene with Chinese decorations, storefronts, parked cars, and pedestrians.

A man sitting at a bar counter wearing a virtual reality headset in a dimly lit bar with brick and painted walls, chandeliers, and a reflection of the bar's interior in a large mirror behind him.

Four women sitting closely together outdoors, with a tree and orange fruits in the background, during daytime, enjoying a moment of companionship.

A man with glasses and a white outfit sitting on a beige couch in front of a large open window with a view of green trees.

Two men are standing in a photo booth with orange curtains, smiling at the camera. The man on the left has gray hair, a beard, and is wearing a black shirt. The man on the right has dark hair and is wearing a blue jacket with a white shirt underneath

A woman with long black hair in a beige coat stands in front of bookshelves in a bookstore or library, holding a pen and looking at the camera.

A bartender dressed as a chef is sipping a milkshake with a straw while preparing drinks in a bar or restaurant.

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Inside a cluttered workshop or studio with two men standing in the center, smiling. The background shows shelves filled with various tools, supplies, and equipment, along with signs indicating a photo booth and photography area. There's a staircase o

A man in a black wetsuit holding an orange surfboard on a sandy beach with a lifeguard tower, clouds, and people in the background.

A man with curly hair smiling as he opens a glass door to a Gap store on a city street with trees and traffic lights.

A smiling bartender with glasses and a striped shirt pours a drink behind a black bar with a colorful neon art piece on the wall behind her.

A woman standing outdoors next to a white wall and a tall palm tree, with shadows of leaves on the wall, in bright sunlight.

A man kneeling in a green field holding a large, fluffy dog with a scenic hilly landscape in the background.

A man standing in a fabric and sewing supplies workshop, with colorful rolls of fabric and sewing threads mounted on a pegboard behind him, and sewing equipment on the countertop.

A father and son playing baseball outdoors on a sunny day in a park, with trees and benches in the background.

A happy family of four outside in a wooded area, smiling at the camera. The father and two young boys are wearing matching plaid shirts, and the mother is wearing a white sweater. The family is sitting on the ground surrounded by trees and foliage.

A man and young boy outdoors, both wearing baseball gloves and holding a baseball, smiling at the camera. The man is squatting, and the boy is standing next to him, with trees and a park bench in the background.

A man smiling while holding a Coca-Cola bottle, standing inside a restaurant or fast-food place with a menu and neon sign in the background.

Two people, a man and a woman, smiling and posing in a colorful room with art supplies and designs on the wall. They are dressed stylishly with casual and trendy outfits, surrounded by ladders and decorative items.

A man wearing a chef's coat, apron, and a beanie stands among boxes of Panettone in a warehouse. He is smiling and gesturing with his hands, with a small sign reading 'Pistacchio 12 oz.' placed on a table in front of him.

A woman with light brown hair leaning over a naked baby lying on a bed, kissing the baby's forehead. The baby is winking, sticking out its tongue, and has a small belly button, wearing a diaper.

A happy multigenerational family sitting on a gray couch in a bright living room, smiling at the camera.

An older woman with blonde hair kissing a young girl with brown hair on the cheek, both standing against a plain white background.

Two women and three children sitting and playing on a bed with a black metal frame in a bedroom with a floral wallpapered wall. The women are smiling, one holding a toddler while the others are interacting with the children. There are two black night

Family of four with a dog standing on a wooded forest trail, with tall trees and sunlight filtering through the canopy.

A young girl with long curly hair wearing a white shirt and black pants is running on a dirt path in a forest, holding a blue jump rope in both hands.

A young girl with brown hair wearing a patterned dress explores a garden filled with colorful flowers on a sunny day.

A family of four, consisting of a man, woman, young girl, and young boy, standing on a street with fall foliage in the background. The woman is laughing and showing her engagement ring, and the children are playing and smiling in the street.

A woman with three young girls and a small dog in a playroom with a pink play tent, a wooden slide, and large windows with shutters.

A family of five, including two adults and three children, gathered around smiling at a newborn baby lying in their arms.

A baby with dark hair and light skin being cradled and held by multiple people, including an adult with a tattoo on their arm, on a wooden floor.

What other students had to say

Carolyn broke things down in a way that helped me understand how to implement flash into my workflow and how to have control over how it works. She is kind and engaging and has a love for the craft and teaching which came through in her classroom. I feel really lucky to have had the opportunity to learn directly from someone who so beautifully photographs naturally lit portraits. I'm excited about the new dimension this can bring to my image-making and am grateful to this class for showing me how.

ellen

Thanks Carolyn for your course: Naturally Lit. I credit you for finally allowing some flash concepts to really click for me and I've been a professional photographer for over 10 years and trying to get my head around this for a while. You were clear and practical and so wonderfully positive. I am SO glad I invested in this.

rebecca

This was an amazing class. I was able to learn new skills and to really improve my lighting. Carolyn's detailed feedback and welcoming personality really made the course enjoyable on top of the technical knowledge we learned.

jessica

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