A two day, in-person, intensive photography workshop with headshot industry leader Peter Hurley
This isn't a course in camera settings, but a mind-blowing master class in handling any human that steps in front of your lens with a recipe
Peter’s goal for each student is that they leave the workshop a more confident photographer equipped with the tools they need to produce top-of-the-line headshots for their clientele.
🎬 What You’ll Master in the Headshot Intensive
Get ready to pack your director’s toolbox with the exact techniques Peter uses to create world-class headshots — every time. Here’s a taste of what’s inside:
The Squinch™
Master the expression that changed the face of modern headshot photography.Micro-Expression Mastery
Learn how to spot, guide, and refine subtle expressions for maximum impact.Residual Laughter Magic
Discover how to generate natural, authentic energy with a trick Peter uses in every session.Direction Through Mis-Direction
Tap into a system of verbal cues and creative pivots that unlock genuine expressions.Hurleyisms in Action
Use Peter’s tried-and-true phrases and frameworks to elevate your direction and flow.The Hurley Headshot System
Peter’s complete shooting workflow — from first frame to final shot.The Ricochet Effect
How confidence behind the camera leads to confidence in front of it — and vice versa.The Hurley Triangle & Signature Lighting Setups
Dial in Peter’s go-to lighting approach with key, fill, kick, and parallel setups that sculpt the face beautifully.
…and much more.
🔥 What You Get in Peter Hurley’s Headshot Intensive
If you want to take your headshot game to the highest level, this is the experience that will get you there.
In this immersive workshop, you’ll learn Peter Hurley’s signature Headshot Recipe—the gold standard in the industry and the system used by photographers around the globe to create headshots that actually make people look and feel amazing.
Here’s what you’ll walk away with:
💡 The Hurley Method — Unlocked
You’ll master Peter’s exact formula for producing consistently stunning headshots, built from decades of experience and trusted by celebrities, CEOs, and everyday people alike. This includes:
The Hurley Triangle Lighting Setup: Learn how to sculpt the face using Peter’s go-to configuration for clean, modern, flattering light that works every time.
Expression Coaching Techniques: Discover how to direct real expressions (no fake smiles here) and capture authentic, confident moments in your subject.
Trustability Framework: Learn how to build instant rapport and put anyone at ease in front of your lens—so their true personality shines through.
🎯 It’s More Than Just a Headshot…
This is about creating images that make people say, “Wow, that’s me?”
Peter teaches you not just how to make someone look good—but how to bring out the best version of them, right there in-camera. His techniques help photographers go from being button-pushers to artists, coaches, and collaborators.
✅ By the End of the Intensive, You’ll Know How To:
Create beautifully lit, editorial-quality headshots with confidence
Break down a subject’s walls and direct natural, powerful expression
Charge more and deliver next-level value with every shoot
Build a reputation for headshots that stand out in a sea of sameness
Whether you’re new to headshots or looking to refine your process at the top level, The Headshot Intensive is your fast track to mastery. You’ll leave with the knowledge, the practice, and the inspiration to take your work—and your business—to new heights.
💰 Investment & Schedule
The Headshot Intensive is a 2-day, in-person workshop priced at $2,497, limited to just 12 new photographers per workshop, plus 1 returning alum. Space is intentionally capped to ensure every attendee gets personalized attention and hands-on feedback from Peter.
📅 Daily Schedule:
Each day kicks off at 10:00 AM.
Day 1 wraps around 7:00 PM, and Day 2 ends sometime after 6:00 PM.
Once you register, you’ll receive:
Pre-workshop prep: Homework + exclusive video content to get you fully dialed in before day one.
Post-workshop strategy: A game plan to help you implement what you've learned and hit the ground running.
Approximately a week before the workshop, you’ll receive a logistics email with all final details. Please confirm you're good to go once you receive it. And if you ever have questions, Peter is just an email or text away.
🚀 Go Deeper with The Headshot INTENSIFIED
Want to take it up a notch? Add the INTENSIFIED for a third day of advanced training with Peter for $1,497 — or $1,297 when bundled with the Intensive (save $200).
This bonus day is your chance to:
Photograph Peter one-on-one and apply everything you've learned
Get direct feedback as Peter analyzes your shooting style and areas to level up
Sharpen your skills with more practice, guidance, and coaching
Only 6 spots are available for the INTENSIFIED, and it’s open to anyone who’s completed the Headshot Intensive — whether you take all three days in a row or return for it later down the line.
🔒 Payment & Cancellation Policy
Payment is due in full upon registration to secure your spot. Due to the limited number of seats, all sales are final and non-refundable.
🎁 Bonus Perks & Epic Extras
We love to go big, so here’s the bonus loot you’ll walk away with (or have a shot at winning) when you join the Headshot Intensive experience:
💳 B&H Gift Cards
Two lucky photographers will score a $50 B&H Photo gift card —
• One given away during the Headshot Intensive
• Another during the Headshot INTENSIFIED
🧰 Tether Tools Starter Kit Giveaway
One participant will take home a Tether Tools starter kit — the perfect way to dial in your tethered workflow like a pro.
📸 Your Own SHABANG’in Hurley Headshot
Every attendee gets in front of Peter’s camera for a headshot session unlike any other.
He’ll coach, direct, and shoot you the same way he works with top CEOs, actors, and celebrities.
Not only will you walk away with killer images of yourself — you’ll also gain a whole new understanding of what your subjects experience during a session.
This part of the workshop often turns out to be a total game-changer for attendees.
🎓 The Legendary BFAS Degree
Complete the workshop and earn your BFAS: Bachelor in the Fine Art of SHABANG’ing —
your badge of honor as a graduate of the Headshot Intensive.
We’ll add the BFAS designation to your Headshot Crew profile to show the world you’re officially Hurley-trained and Shabang-certified.
🗓️ Workshop Daily Schedule
You’ll receive a detailed logistics email about a week before the workshop with all the location-specific info. In the meantime, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the studio anytime — we're here to help.
Day 1: Foundations + The Hurley Method in Action
⏰ 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
We hit the ground running — no warmups, no fluff. Be fully geared up and ready to shoot from the jump.
Peter will be rolling out his signature headshot concepts throughout the day in an immersive, hands-on environment.
🕐 1:00 PM – Lunch Break
Take a break with the group or explore on your own. Meals aren’t included, so you're free to choose what works for you.
Got a travel companion? They're welcome to join us — and if they’re down to model, even better!
🍽️ 7:30 PM – Optional Group Dinner
We’ll head to a local spot for a casual group dinner (completely optional). A great chance to decompress, swap stories, and get to know your fellow headshot slingers.
Day 2: Expression Mastery + Signature Direction Techniques
⏰ 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
We kick off the day by digging into Peter’s most powerful direction tools — the ones that have made his work world-famous.
You’ll learn how to guide your subjects using techniques like the trademarked Squinch™, the Smile Generation System™, Residual Laughter, and other expression-hacking moves that create authentic, captivating images. This is where photographers learn to pull the gold out of people.
We’ll also review your shots from Day 1 and walk through Peter’s personal finishing approach — from color correction to final polish — so your work has that unmistakable Hurley finish.
🕐 1:00 PM – Lunch Break
🎯 2:00 PM – Live Shooting Intensive
The afternoon is all about application. You’ll get behind the camera and implement everything you’ve learned — from lighting setups to expressive direction — with a variety of live subjects.
Peter will be guiding you throughout, pushing you to refine your timing, direction, and connection-building. You’ll even be working toward creating specific image types Peter challenges you to achieve.
📸 Bonus Moment: Get in Front of Peter’s Camera
At some point during the afternoon, Peter will personally photograph each attendee. This isn't just a killer headshot for you — it’s an immersive experience that puts you on the receiving end of The Hurley Method™.
You’ll gain invaluable insight into how it feels to be directed by a master — a game-changer for your own sessions.
Welcome to SHABANG territory.
🎒 What to Bring to the Intensive
📸 Your Camera:
Bring a mirrorless, DSLR, or medium format digital camera — and make sure you know how to use it. (Get your grid on!) You’ll be shooting from the moment we dive in, so come ready to go.
🎯 The Right Lens:
For headshot work, focal length matters. Here’s the breakdown:
Full-frame DSLR/Mirrorless: 85mm–105mm is the sweet spot. Peter personally rocks the Canon RF 70-200mm, locked in at 92mm for that signature look.
Medium Format: Aim for 100mm or longer.
Crop Sensor: Around 70mm will do the trick.
Prime lenses offer consistency and make things easier during the learning process, but if you’re unsure, bring any lens you think might work. We’ll sort it out together in the workshop to find your best fit.
💻 Laptop (a must!):
You’ll use it to shoot tethered, review your images, apply post-processing, and take notes. Make sure your software is ready to roll. A flash drive, SD card, or external hard drive is a good idea too — Peter will be delivering your images digitally.
📐 Tripod (Highly Recommended):
A tripod that reaches at least 6 feet, with a center column and a ball head, is ideal. While you can shoot handheld, Peter strongly recommends tripod shooting for precision and repeatability.
His personal go-to is the Feisol tripod, paired with an Arca-Swiss P0 or P1 ball head — both trusted tools in his setup. Interested? Ask us about exclusive HSC discounts on both brands before the workshop.
🛏️ Where Should I Stay?
We recommend booking your accommodations as early as possible to lock in the best rates and availability. Since many of Peter’s workshops are held in new cities, we may not always have a go-to hotel recommendation—especially if it’s our first time hosting there.
Our advice: Book a hotel where you have rewards perks, points, or membership benefits, and choose a location that’s close to the venue.
📍If you’re attending one of our NYC workshops, here are a couple of solid options within walking distance of the studio (on 26th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues):
Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel - newest and nicest probably
All are within a short stroll of the action and put you in the heart of Chelsea, with tons of great food, shopping, and transit nearby.
🔄 Can I Reschedule?
All payments are made in U.S. dollars and are non-refundable, so please make sure you're fully committed before locking in your spot.
That said, we get that life happens, and we do our best to accommodate changes. If you need to reschedule, just let us know at least two weeks before your scheduled Intensive. We’ll happily credit your payment toward a future workshop date.
If the workshop you’re unable to attend sells out, we’ll offer your spot to someone on our waitlist. If it’s successfully filled, you’ll have the option of a refund minus a 6% administrative fee, or we can help facilitate a transfer directly between you and the interested student. Tickets are also fully transferrable, so feel free to send someone in your place if needed.
🧠 What Else Should I Know?
This is called the Intensive for a reason—it’s full throttle from the jump! We dive in each morning and keep the energy high through to dinner. There are short breaks throughout the day and a midday lunch break, but be sure to get a solid night’s sleep beforehand so you’re ready to rock.
Meals are not included, so you’re welcome to explore local spots solo or join the group for lunch and dinner outings. Bring a travel companion if you'd like—they're welcome to tag along for meals and even model for you during practice sessions!
These workshops fill fast, so secure your spot early. If you're a returning student taking the Intensive again, don’t forget to ask Peter for your 50% off alumni discount code (applicable only to the 2-day Intensive, not the smaller Headshot Intensified session).
❓Still Have Questions?
We’re here for you! Email us anytime at info@headshotcrew.com or give the studio a ring at 212.627.2210. We want you feeling confident and fully informed before you step into the room.
We can't wait to see you at the next Headshot Intensive!
