Learn the Art & Science of UV Photography
UVnicorn Glow: The Workshop
Step into the dark and learn how to create bold, dimensional portraits using ultraviolet light.
UVnicorn Glow is an intimate, hands-on photography workshop designed to take you beyond simply placing a model under a blacklight. We’ll explore how UV light behaves, what actually fluoresces, how to expose and focus in near darkness, and how to intentionally build a UV portrait from concept to final frame.
With only 10 photographers and 2 professionally styled models, you’ll have dedicated shooting time, hands-on instruction, and room to experiment.
No fighting for an angle. No shooting over someone else's shoulder.
This is about learning the technique and then making it your own.
Sunday January 10th 2027
Casa Renteria Studios
5037 N 54th Ave #9
Glendale, AZ 85301
10am-3pm
Investment
$200
Reserve your seat for $50
During this 5-hour experience,
we'll cover:
• Understanding UV light and fluorescence
• Choosing UV-reactive wardrobe, makeup and materials
• Camera settings for UV photography
• Exposure and white balance
• Focusing in extremely low light
• UV light placement, distance and direction
• Creating dimension instead of flat "blacklight" portraits
• Full-body UV fashion photography
• UV beauty and body-art photography
• Posing and directing models under UV light
• Controlling visible-light contamination
• Troubleshooting common UV photography problems
• Developing your own creative UV concepts
Most importantly, you'll see the lighting built and adjusted in real time so you understand why an image works, not just where I happened to put a light.
Only 10 seats available
Ready to step into the glow?
THE WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE
5-HOUR WORKSHOP OUTLINE
10:00–10:15
Welcome + UV Fundamentals -We'll start by understanding UV photography before picking up our cameras.
10:15–10:30
Camera Setup, Exposure + Focusing
We'll cover practical starting settings, RAW capture, exposure, white balance, focusing in darkness and how to avoid losing detail in extremely bright fluorescent colors.
10:30–10:45
Live UV Lighting Build
Instead of arriving to a finished lighting setup and simply photographing it, you'll watch the UV lighting being built.
10:45–11:30
Model One — UV Fashion
You'll photograph our first model during dedicated photographer rotations while we work through full-body, editorial and movement-based UV portraits.
You'll have the opportunity to direct the model while receiving guidance with posing, lighting, exposure and composition.
11:30–12:30
Lunch break
12:30–12:45
UV Beauty Lighting Demonstration.
We'll change models and move into a completely different style of UV portraiture.
12:45–2:00
Model Two — UV Beauty / Body Art
After a beauty-lighting demonstration, you'll photograph our UV makeup/body-art model through another series of guided rotations.
2:00–2:30
Creative Lab — Experiment + Create
Now we break the rules.
The final portion of the workshop becomes a creative playground.
We'll experiment with different compositions, light placement, movement, fluorescent materials, reflective elements and other techniques.
2:45–3:00
Final Images + Q&A
MEET YOUR HOST & INSTRUCTOR
Hey, my name is Danielle
I’m the photographer and creative behind Desert Unicorn Photography! I’ve been photographing since 2016, and I love creating images that are bold, expressive, and a little outside the ordinary.
UV photography gives me room to play with color, light, and imagination—and I’m excited to share that with you. As your workshop host and instructor, I’ll guide you through my approach to UV lighting, working with models, and bringing a creative concept to life.
I believe every artist brings something different to the room. My goal is to create a space where you can ask questions, experiment, and build confidence in your own creative voice.
Join me at Casa Renteria Studios in Glendale. Let’s create something electric together!
Meet the Host
Hey, my name is GENESIS
Our Phoenix-area UV workshop is coming to Casa Renteria Studios, a space where creativity and collaboration are welcome!
Meet Genesis, the owner and lead photographer behind the studio. With over five years of photography experience and involvement in various photography communities, she believes that creatives thrive when we come together, share ideas, and support one another.
That spirit is at the heart of Casa Renteria Studios and I’m so excited to bring my UV workshop into her space! Get ready for bold color, creative exploration, and a chance to make something electric together.
TWO MODELS. TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES.
LOOK ONE — UV FASHION
Our first model will feature a UV-reactive fashion look designed for full-body and editorial portraiture.
We'll explore fluorescent wardrobe and materials, movement, posing, light placement and creating shape across the entire body.
You'll have guided shooting time to photograph the finished setup while learning how small changes in model position and UV placement can dramatically change the final image.
Focus:
Editorial Portraiture • Full Body • Fashion • Movement • Fluorescent Materials • Creative Lighting
LOOK TWO — UV BEAUTY
Then we'll completely change the approach.
Our second model will feature professionally designed UV-reactive makeup/body art with styling that allows the fluorescent details to become the focus of the portrait.
We'll move closer and explore faces, hands, shoulders, profiles, details and beauty compositions while learning how to maintain facial structure and skin detail under UV light.
Focus:
UV Makeup • Body Art • Beauty Portraiture • Hands • Details • Color • Texture • Close Portraiture
Ready to step into the glow?
Only 10 seats available
FAQ
WHO IS THIS FOR?
UVnicorn Glow is designed for photographers who want to experiment, create and learn something outside traditional portrait lighting.
You do not need previous UV photography experience.
You should be comfortable operating your camera in manual mode and understand basic settings such as ISO, shutter speed and aperture.
Bring your camera, your favorite portrait lens, plenty of memory and a willingness to create something weird.
WHAT TO BRING?
• Camera capable of shooting in manual mode
• Portrait lens — a 35mm, 50mm, 85mm or versatile zoom works beautifully
• Fully charged batteries
• Memory cards
• Optional extra lens
• Comfortable clothing and shoes
• Your creativity
UV lighting, models and the primary sets will be provided.
WHY ONLY TEN PHOTOGRAPHERS?
Because this isn't meant to be a photography firing line.
Each photographer deserves time to actually photograph, experiment, direct the models, ask questions and receive help.
Keeping the workshop limited to Ten photographers allows us to create an intimate environment where you can learn instead of fighting for a shooting position.
THE GOAL
I don't want you to leave knowing how to photograph my UV setup.
I want you to leave understanding UV well enough to start creating your own.
Learn the light.
Understand the glow.
Then make it yours.