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tricks of the trade: a photography workshop for artists
instructed by porfirio solorzano
Being a working artist requires a range of skills from creating the art to deciding how to sell the finished piece - and that often can't happen if you don't have good photos to represent your work! If you're applying to festivals like The Kentuck Festival of the Arts, you'll need photos of your art and your booth for the jury process.​ Jurors have just a few minutes to look at each application, so you want your artwork to make the best possible impression - that means when you take photos, you need to know how to take your photo from "just fine" to excellent.
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So... are you ready to level up your photography skills? Join us at Kentuck for Tricks of the Trade.
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In this class, Porfirio Solorzano will talk about the difference between a great photo and a not-so-great photo. He will give tips about how to improve lighting, clarity, backgrounds, and more. This class is open to all kinds of artwork, both 2D and 3D!​​
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You are welcome to bring samples of your of your work to photograph. Porfirio will bring a painting to use as an example.
You need to bring your own camera (cell phone is fine if that's all you have), but Porfirio will provide all additional lighting equipment for you to learn from.
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Also, remember that the Kentuck Festival application is now open! You can use the information from this workshop to help you apply.
let's learn together
Age Range: 18+​
Date:
April 17-18, 2026
Times: 10 AM-11:30 AM
Location: Kentuck's Georgine Clarke Building
Tuition: $55; must supply your own camera, a cell phone camera is acceptable
Secure your spot in the class today!
You must be 18+ to attend. Space is limited to 15 attendees. The minimum for this class is 5 participants, and if the class does not meet the minimum, participants will be refunded. Tickets are non-refundable once the registration deadline ends.
Please email Molly Nelko, Art Education Manager, at mnelko@kentuck.org with any questions. Kentuck workshops are non-refundable after the registration closes. If you would like to cancel before the deadline passes, please email mbell@kentuck.org or call 205-758-1257. If the class does not meet the minimum by the registration deadline and the workshop is cancelled, all participants will be refunded their registration fees.
meet the instructor: porfirio solorzano
My passion for photography started when I was 16 years old and it has not stopped. I was fortunate enough to be mentored and taught by some of the best photographers in the business in places like Palo Alto, California, Mexico City and Atlanta, Georgia. After assisting these photographers and even working at retail camera stores and 1 Hr. photo labs, I $inally immersed myself into photojournalism for 15 years with The New York Times Company and its newspapers and magazines. During that time I also took pictures for the Air Force Reserve. I am now working for a two year college using everything I have learned in the past creating strong images and video to visually illustrate campus life for promotional and informational use by the College. I have learned to be very precise with my technique and style. The production of a photograph is what excites me most.
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See my portfolio: https://mygracephoto.com/about