When photographer, Sony Ambassador and storyteller Isabell Janssen prepares a workshop, she always begins with the same question: why do we create images? For her, the answer revolves around authenticity. “Authenticity, to me, is about what you feel in an image. Whether something is planned or spontaneous, you can see it when there’s trust and ease between me and the person in front of the lens.”
That vision formed the heart of the workshop she organised together with Sony in The Playground. Participants not only learned about light and composition, but were mainly encouraged to search for their own voice as creators – and for what truly gives their photography meaning.
Sony x Isabell Janssen: a workshop about vision, trust and light
The collaboration with Sony came about almost naturally. “The Benelux team and I clicked immediately,” explains Isabell. “Since then, I’ve been able to host workshops with them and join inspiring trips.” Being a Sony Ambassador means more to her than working with professional tools. “Thanks to Sony’s reach, I can introduce young talent and give their work visibility. That’s important to me: sharing knowledge and building community.”
During the workshop she therefore didn’t place the technique at the centre, but rather the ‘why’ behind it. At the start of the day, the conversation wasn’t about settings, but about motivation: who are you as a creator, what do you want to tell, and why? This reflection created an open atmosphere in which participants not only learned, but also felt encouraged to share.
During the workshop she therefore didn’t place the technique at the centre, but rather the ‘why’ behind it. At the start of the day, the conversation wasn’t about settings, but about motivation: who are you as a creator, what do you want to tell, and why? This reflection created an open atmosphere in which participants not only learned, but also felt encouraged to share.
Authenticity in portrait photography
During the workshop, Isabell demonstrated how authenticity emerges through connection. “Photography is a powerful yet intimate medium for me. That’s why I find it important that the person I’m photographing is part of the process and that we create the image together.” She explained how she invites her models to think along, to claim space and to show themselves.
Remarkably, despite the spontaneous feel of her images, Isabell actually prepares. “I’m a huge planner: I always write and sketch beforehand. But precisely because I’m well prepared, I can let go on set. Letting go creates space for the unexpected, and that’s often where the authenticity lies,”
During the workshop, Isabell demonstrated how authenticity emerges through connection. “Photography is a powerful yet intimate medium for me. That’s why I find it important that the person I’m photographing is part of the process and that we create the image together.” She explained how she invites her models to think along, to claim space and to show themselves.
Remarkably, despite the spontaneous feel of her images, Isabell actually prepares. “I’m a huge planner: I always write and sketch beforehand. But precisely because I’m well prepared, I can let go on set. Letting go creates space for the unexpected, and that’s often where the authenticity lies,”
Why The Playground proved to be the perfect location
For this workshop, Isabell deliberately chose The Playground, our largest daylight studio. She says: “The Playground is spacious, yet still feels intimate. There’s a warm atmosphere, which helps people feel at ease quickly.” That aspect is crucial for her approach, in which trust and vulnerability play an important role.
The daylight also offered endless opportunities to experiment. “What I like about working with daylight is that it strikes a good balance between control and surprise. Sometimes the light shifts throughout the day and something appears that you never could have planned.” Participants worked with both daylight and artificial light, but it was the natural light that created the greatest variety. By experimenting with curtains, distance from the window and reflections, they learned how subtly light can guide an image without overpowering it.
The studio turned out to be ideal for group dynamics: different corners, multiple lighting situations and enough room to shoot simultaneously without disturbing one another. This created an energetic, exploratory atmosphere in which everyone could follow their own rhythm.
For this workshop, Isabell deliberately chose The Playground, our largest daylight studio. She says: “The Playground is spacious, yet still feels intimate. There’s a warm atmosphere, which helps people feel at ease quickly.” That aspect is crucial for her approach, in which trust and vulnerability play an important role.
The daylight also offered endless opportunities to experiment. “What I like about working with daylight is that it strikes a good balance between control and surprise. Sometimes the light shifts throughout the day and something appears that you never could have planned.” Participants worked with both daylight and artificial light, but it was the natural light that created the greatest variety. By experimenting with curtains, distance from the window and reflections, they learned how subtly light can guide an image without overpowering it.
The studio turned out to be ideal for group dynamics: different corners, multiple lighting situations and enough room to shoot simultaneously without disturbing one another. This created an energetic, exploratory atmosphere in which everyone could follow their own rhythm.
How Isabell structured the workshop
“When setting up a workshop, I always begin with the content: what do I want to do, why do I want to do it and for whom?” Isabell explains. Once that was clear, she worked with Sony to see how their expertise could strengthen one another. After that, she developed the practical side: planning, location, production. But ultimately, it was all about meaning.
The combination of conversations, live shoots, feedback and free experimentation made the day feel like a shared experience; more like creative research than a traditional course. To beginning photographers, Isabell always gives the same advice: experiment and stay curious. “Emotion doesn’t arise from technique, but from connection,” she says. To her, it’s all about attention: truly seeing someone, taking time, being open to what unfolds.
She encourages photographers to seek inspiration outside social media. “Being outdoors, experiencing new things or having conversations helps you to observe better.” She herself started by photographing her friends, simply by observing and listening. She still cherishes that curiosity because it keeps her close to her own voice.
The combination of conversations, live shoots, feedback and free experimentation made the day feel like a shared experience; more like creative research than a traditional course. To beginning photographers, Isabell always gives the same advice: experiment and stay curious. “Emotion doesn’t arise from technique, but from connection,” she says. To her, it’s all about attention: truly seeing someone, taking time, being open to what unfolds.
She encourages photographers to seek inspiration outside social media. “Being outdoors, experiencing new things or having conversations helps you to observe better.” She herself started by photographing her friends, simply by observing and listening. She still cherishes that curiosity because it keeps her close to her own voice.
Dreams for the future
Looking ahead, Isabell envisions a future in which she creates even more space for other creatives. “I want to build a place where young makers can come together to learn, experiment and grow.” She wants not only to share photographic knowledge, but also to discuss the entrepreneurial side of a creative life: direction, identity and balance.
She also wants to continue working on projects about community and connection – themes that have inspired her since the beginning of her career. And it is precisely these themes that formed the heart of her workshop in The Playground.
Looking ahead, Isabell envisions a future in which she creates even more space for other creatives. “I want to build a place where young makers can come together to learn, experiment and grow.” She wants not only to share photographic knowledge, but also to discuss the entrepreneurial side of a creative life: direction, identity and balance.
She also wants to continue working on projects about community and connection – themes that have inspired her since the beginning of her career. And it is precisely these themes that formed the heart of her workshop in The Playground.
