The Academy with John Gress

Welcome

Real Mentorship. Real Progress. No Guesswork.

Structured lighting education for photographers who want clarity, confidence, and direct support.

I started learning photography in high school and was fortunate to have a few early mentors. But when it came to studio lighting and more advanced techniques, I had to figure things out through trial and error. There wasn’t a clear path. It was just me, my gear, and a lot of problem-solving.

Now, after more than 25 years working as a photojournalist, then a commercial photographer, I’ve created the platform I wish I had back then. The Academy combines structured learning, direct mentorship, and a supportive community to help photographers build stronger lighting skills with confidence.

The Academy isn’t just a library of tutorials. It’s a mentorship-driven learning environment designed to help photographers understand how and why light works through structured lessons, critique, experimentation, and ongoing guidance.

What Sets This Platform Apart:

Twice-Monthly Zoom Mentorship Sessions: Join live group Q&As and critique sessions. Ask questions, submit work (anonymously if you prefer), and receive direct feedback in a small group setting.

Mastering Flash Photography: An 8-part structured learning path covering everything from foundational concepts to complex multi-light techniques through both video and written instruction.

100+ Video Tutorials: Access a growing library of lighting demonstrations, watch-me-shoot sessions, retouching breakdowns, and real-world problem-solving examples.

Early Access to YouTube Videos: Watch upcoming tutorials before they go public—without YouTube ads.

Organized by Topic & Skill Level: Follow a guided learning path or explore specific lighting topics based on your interests and experience level.

Private Facebook Group: Stay connected between mentorship sessions, ask questions, share your work, and receive feedback from both the community and me directly.

Start your free 30-day trial today

Structured learning, direct feedback, and ongoing mentorship for photographers who want to build stronger lighting skills.

Build stronger lighting skills through structured learning, mentorship, and real feedback. Free 30-day trial.

Academy Access

$ 19 Monthly
  • Access to full Flash Photography Course
  • 100+ exclusive videos
  • Live Q&A and critique sessions (2x/month)
  • Private Facebook community
  • Early, ad-free access to YouTube videos
  • New content added monthly
  • 1:1 Monthly Mentoring
Popular

Academy Access

$ 190 Annually
  • Everything in monthly plan
  • Two months free — save $38/year
  • 1:1 Monthly Mentoring

Pro access

$ 99 Monthly
  • Everything in Academy Access
  • One 30-minute 1:1 Mentoring Session per month

Pro Access

$ 999 Annually
  • Everything in monthly plan
  • Two months free — save $189/year

You don’t have to figure lighting out alone. Join a community of photographers building stronger skills through structured learning, mentorship, and feedback.