When I think back to my private workshop with Alex Manfredini, I still feel goosebumps. It still feels surreal how much changed in just one year. I went from being a hesitant hobbyist in Berlin, unsure about my path, to becoming one of the most booked photographers in my scene. And much of that transformation began on a sunny morning in Miami, during Alex’s one‑day workshop at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.
I still remember landing in Miami with excitement and nerves buzzing inside me. I had followed Alex’s work for years, admiring his ability to show sensuality with elegance and respect. When I saw he was hosting a workshop, I told myself: you either go all in now, or you’ll remain stuck. That decision became the turning point of my entire career.
The workshop itself felt like stepping into another world. I booked the one‑on‑one workshop because I craved personal attention. Group settings always left me feeling overlooked and too shy to ask questions. I wanted direct guidance, space to make mistakes, and the chance to shoot without an audience watching. Alex promised this workshop would give me that private environment.
And he delivered beyond anything I expected.
The location—the iconic Biltmore with its high windows and soft natural light—was a dream for any photographer. And then there was Miguel Duarte, the Spanish male model we worked with. He brought intensity, charm, and a sort of vulnerability that made the session unforgettable.
It felt surreal: me, Alex, Miguel, in one of the most iconic hotels in Miami. The entire day was built around my growth.
Alex started gently, over coffee. “Tell me where you feel stuck,” he asked. I admitted I had no confidence directing people. I knew my camera basics, but when shooting actual humans, everything froze. He nodded knowingly — as if he had heard the same story a hundred times before.
Then he said something that stuck: “Photography is 50% technical, 50% emotional. Right now, you’ve only trained the first half.”
My stomach twisted, but in the best way—it was exactly what I needed to hear. From that moment, the workshop wasn’t about f‑stops or lenses. It was about building trust, shaping light, and guiding my subject’s energy.
We started with window light.
A huge arched window spilled sunlight onto Miguel, and Alex showed me how to turn that light into magic. He moved Miguel slightly, tilted his chin, and suddenly the shot transformed.
“No flashes, no softboxes,” Alex said. “Just the window, the reflection from a wall, and your vision.” But watching him was one thing. Doing it myself was another. When I first lifted the camera, I felt my nerves return—what if I messed this up?
But Alex was right beside me, whispering pointers, reminding me to breathe. Slowly, I relaxed, then the images started flowing.
Next came posing guidance.
This used to terrify me most as a beginner. I’d think: how do I tell someone what to do without sounding bossy? Alex flipped the script completely. “Don’t give poses. Give feelings,” he said.
When Miguel stood in front of me, Alex encouraged me to say things like: “Think about a place you love.”Or: “Relax into your body like you’re listening to music.” And suddenly, Miguel flowed naturally, creating shapes and moods without looking stiff. For the first time, my subject looked alive, not “posed.” That lesson alone was worth the trip.
The final piece was creating comfort.
This one surprised me most. I thought comfort came automatically with good light and poses. But Alex explained how a photographer’s energy sets the entire tone for the session. If I stayed calm and playful, my subject would too.
We practiced little things: chatting while shooting, giving small reassurances, even laughing about mistakes. Soon Miguel seemed completely at ease, like we were three friends hanging out rather than strangers at a workshop. I could see how his comfort transformed the photos in front of me.
Softness in the eyes. Relaxed body language. Real presence. That’s when I truly understood: comfort equals authenticity.
Images Courtesy of ©Clara Vann Photography
It’s a wrap
By the end of the shoot, I was exhausted but glowing with pride. I had a card full of images that finally felt professional. The difference from my earlier work was undeniable. My confidence skyrocketed — because I no longer felt like I was “faking it.” I now had a repeatable system.
Back in Berlin, I applied these 3 lessons relentlessly. Instead of renting expensive studios, I shot in apartments, lofts, or hotels. As long as I had a good window, I knew I could create art. I directed subjects with feelings, not rigid positions, and their energy came alive. And most importantly, I always kept comfort front and center.
Within months, my work started turning heads online. I posted new sessions and suddenly I was getting messages from people I didn’t know. One booking led to another.
Soon I was shooting dancers, couples, influencers — all recommending me to their friends. For the first time, I was turning people away because I was fully booked.
Within one year, I went from hobbyist with doubt to one of Berlin’s most sought‑after photographers. Clients now trust me because I make them feel comfortable and seen. I barely use gear beyond my camera and a reflector.
Yet my income, reputation, and confidence have grown exponentially. All because of that day in Coral Gables.
To this day, I still hear Alex’s voice in my mind when I shoot. “Don’t fight the light. Let it shape the story.”And it does. Every time. That private workshop gave me not just tools, but an entirely new vision.
For that, I’ll always be grateful.
Clara
