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Isa Brito visiting artist photography photo portrait

Film Photography: Portraits

In this workshop, New York street-portrait photographer Isa Brito discusses various methods behind getting the portrait you envision, how to gain the trust of strangers quickly and wordlessly, and what to do when things take an unexpected turn. We’ll chat in discussions and offer feedback of the photographs you make for your assignments. You will also examine several techniques, including composition, lighting, and depth of field. Any camera will do, as long as you are able to process and share your images during each class session. Bring your prints if you are using a film camera, or email to programs@goggleworks.org before class.

Class will be held in the Darkroom, Studio 233, on the 2nd floor in GoggleWorks.Ā 

ABOUT ISA BRITO

Isa Brito came to New York City in 1984 from Brazil where she was born and raised, with only a Kodak Instamatic and 200 dollars. After landing a job loading boxes at the back of Tavern on The Green, she bought a canon SLR and started taking pictures. Encouraged by an older gentleman photographer, Brito quickly switched to black and white 35mm film to save money. She then taught myself how to develop film and print in her bathroom. She took a photo 1 class at ICP to get her foot in and begin assisting teachers. In the late 80s Brito free-lanced for a major Brazilian newspaper and covered events in New York and Eastern Europe.

The melting pot that is NYC proved to be the eye candy she was looking for and didn’t even know. She couldn’t get enough. Going out everyday, photographing everything, every encounter, and every love affair. Brito feels very connected to the hustlers, the children and the old people. She feels that she is them. Sometimes Brito would run out of film and still shoot with an empty camera. She remembers precise moments from over 30 years ago – the light, the stance and the poetry. Anyone can be whatever they want. New York is famous for being a blank slate for people. People come and stay, people lose and find themselves, people get old here. Life passes.

Taking pictures was never a means to an end and recognition was never a goal to achieve for Brito. She never thought about it, but only felt the urge and the delight to photograph. Brito treated every moment with care and collected them on her film and memory. Find Isa’s website here.

Tickets

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Tickets will be available on July 20, 2026

We offer scholarships!

Learn and Apply

GoggleWorks Center for the Arts
201 Washington St
Reading, PA 19601

Registration closes five business days before the start of class to allow instructors to facilitate the best experience.

Payment

Payment in full is required at the time of registration. We accept cash, checks (on-site only), and all major credit cards. Please note, a 3% processing fee applies to credit card payments. To avoid this fee, you may pay with cash or check on-site. Be sure to review course descriptions for details on dates, times, format, and required supplies. After registration, GoggleWorks will send an email confirmation.

Cancellations & Refunds

If a student needs to withdraw from a class or workshop, GoggleWorks will provide a full refund, less a $20 cancellation fee, if the cancellation is made at least seven days prior to the class start date. Refunds or pro-rated options are not available for missed classes. Cancellations made within one week (seven days) of the class start date are not eligible for a refund. GoggleWorks reserves the right to cancel any program due to insufficient enrollment. If a course is canceled, you will be notified via email at least one week prior to the start date and will be offered the option to transfer to another course, receive a class credit, or obtain a full refund. In the event of a class or workshop cancellation due to inclement weather, a makeup date will be scheduled.

*Summer Camp only: If campers choose not to continue after the first day, a 50% refund is available.

Location

Classes at GoggleWorks are held in various locations across campus, depending on the medium of the course.

If you’re unsure where your class will meet, our Community Ambassador at the front desk will be happy to assist you upon your arrival. Our facility is fully accessible. If there anything we should know to help you have a positive class experience, please include a note in your registration.

Minors

GoggleWorks requires written permission for all students under the age of 18 who are enrolled in any adult course. Please contact programs@goggleworks.org if you are enrolling a minor and a permission form will be provided via email before the start date of the course. This does not apply for Mini-Makers! or Youth & Teen classes.

Waitlists

If a class reaches full capacity, you will have the opportunity to join a waitlist during registration. Should spots become available, students on the waitlist will be contacted in the order they were added. GoggleWorks will also consider adding additional classes or workshops for those that sell out or have a significant waitlist.

Materials & Supply Lists

Most materials required for your course are included in the price of tuition. If additional supplies are needed before the beginning of class, a supply list will be included with the course description online.

Open Studios

All currently enrolled students in wood, ceramics, hot glass, warm glass, and metalsmithing have open studio hours included in tuition or available for purchase. Discounted open studios are only available to students currently enrolled in multiple week courses.

Make-up Dates

GoggleWorks does not offer make-up dates for students who are unable to attend a scheduled class.

Artwork Pickup

If your class or workshop project requires additional treatment after the course concludes, GoggleWorks will notify you via email when the work is ready for pick-up. Please note, GoggleWorks does not ship student artwork. Artwork will be held for 60 days following the course end date. After this 60-day period, the artwork will be considered property of GoggleWorks and may be sold, discarded, or otherwise disposed of.

Class Credits

Class credits can be issued upon request in place of a refund. These credits are linked to your email account and can be redeemed by logging into your account on the GoggleWorks website. Credit codes will be emailed directly to you. Please note that credits expire at the end of each term (spring, summer, fall) and are non-refundable once issued.

Video & Photographs

GoggleWorks reserves the right to use photographs and/or videos taken during classes and other programs to market and promote GoggleWorks and its programs. Any student or legal guardian who does not wish to have his or her child photographed or photographed themselves, is asked to notify programs@goggleworks.org upon registration.

Photographers and hobbyists are permitted to shoot photos in ā€œopen to the publicā€ spaces, including galleries, hallways, stairwells. No lighting or equipment may be plugged in for these occasions. Studios 411, 238, and 420 are restricted for photo shoots unless those spaces have been rented and paid for. The photo shoot must not interfere with other guests’ experiences or block any egress routes or pathways.

Discounts

Become part of our creative and dynamic community and enjoy annual benefits as our thanks for your support. GoggleWorks Maker members receive a 15% discount on eligible classes and workshops. Learn more and become a member at goggleworks.org/support/membership/. Log into your account on GoggleWorks’ website for your active Maker membership discount to reflect on your order.

Scholarships

GoggleWorks offers two types of scholarships year-round on a rolling basis; need-based (100% off tuition) and merit-based (50% off tuition). Supply fees are not included. Learn more and apply at goggleworks.org/programs/scholarships/.

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