The Academy with John Gress
Lighting Guide Giveaway
Learn the Lighting Basics That Improve Every Portrait
Good portraits start with understanding how light actually works. This free guide gives you the core principles behind shaping faces, controlling contrast, and creating depth — all with a single light source.
Whether you’re shooting in a small home setup or a full studio, these fundamentals will help you make intentional, repeatable lighting decisions on every session.
Explore More Lighting Guides & Digital Resources
Keep building your skills with books, handbooks, and presets designed to help you grow as a photographer.
Note: Digital Downloads are sold separately and are not included with Academy Access, our monthly subscription service.
The Photographer’s Journey
Nearly 60,000 words • Over 250 pages
Take your photography further with my most comprehensive guide ever. This digital book distills over 20 years of professional experience into one complete journey — from mastering exposure and lighting, to advanced multi-light setups, color theory, posing, and workflow.
Unlike a quick handbook, this is a full roadmap. You’ll gain the creative insight, technical mastery, and proven techniques I’ve used on commercial shoots, ad campaigns, and editorial projects worldwide. Whether you’re refining your craft or building your business, this book is designed to inspire and transform your work.
$99
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Welcome to our Lighting Handbook series
Unlock the full potential of your lighting with our exclusive series of Lighting Handbooks. Whether you’re a beginner looking to grasp the basics or an experienced photographer aiming to refine your lighting techniques, our handbooks provide comprehensive guidance on a variety of setups. Each volume is designed to enhance your skills and transform your work!
VOL. 1
MULTIPLE LIGHTS
Dive into 1–4 light setups with detailed coverage of modifiers, exposure, and light positioning. Packed with finals, diagrams, and behind-the-scenes images for reliable results.
$50
VOL. 2
ONE-LIGHT
Master one-light portraits with both soft and hard lighting. This book features a range of modifiers and clear breakdowns with finals, diagrams, EXIF data, and behind-the-scenes images.
$50
VOL. 3
BLACK & WHITE
Learn how to shape dramatic black-and-white portraits with both hard and soft light. Covers modifiers like softboxes, optical snoots, Fresnels, and V-flats. Includes finals, diagrams, EXIF data.
$50
VOL. 4
MULTIPLE LIGHTS
Explore dynamic colored lighting techniques with softboxes, scrims, flags, Fresnels, and RGB LEDs. Includes finals, diagrams, EXIF data, and behind-the-scenes images to spark creativity.
$50
Lightroom Presets
ELEVATE YOUR IMAGES WITH TIMELESS FILM MAGIC
Over the past five years, I’ve fine-tuned a distinctive film emulation look that’s become a signature of my photography. Inspired by the timeless appeal of analog, these presets bring that classic film style into your digital workflow. Whether you’re shooting portraits, fashion, or everyday moments, my color and black & white packs offer something for every photographer.
COLOR FILM EMULATION PRESETS
Recreate the timeless look of analog with my custom color film presets. Designed to add depth, warmth, and subtle tonal shifts for that classic film finish.
$30
B & W FILM EMULATION PRESETS
Give your images bold contrast and cinematic character with my black & white presets. Perfect for portraits or any project where mood and texture matter.
$30
John Gress Bundle
Elevate Your Photography with The Photographer’s Journey Bundle
When it comes to photography, it’s easy to believe that better pictures come from better gear. I’ve been there myself. But the truth is, it’s not the camera that makes the shot—it’s the photographer behind it.
This bundle isn’t just another purchase; it’s a complete system for building your skills. Instead of sinking more money into lenses and bodies, you’ll invest in resources that show you how to use what you already own to create professional-quality images.
The Photographer’s Journey eBook gives you the big picture—a step-by-step roadmap through exposure, lighting, posing, workflow, and more. The Lighting Handbooks (Vols. 1–4) put you in real-world scenarios with diagrams, finals, and behind-the-scenes images so you can replicate proven setups. And the Lightroom Presets deliver instant, professional film-inspired looks to elevate your work with a single click.
Together, these tools give you knowledge, practice, and results—everything you need to grow as a photographer. And the best part? It’s all yours for less than the price of a single lens.
What’s Included
In this bundle, you’ll get The Photographer’s Journey eBook, all four Lighting Handbook PDFs, and both preset packs.
$269
Includes $359 worth of downloads