Dressing the Narrative Workshop
with Chad Jamil Hudson

April 25-26 and May 2, 2026
Limited to 14 participants
Registration closes when filled

Non-Members: $300
Aurora Members, Students, and Educators: $275 (email for code)

* Registration is first come/first served
* Payment of workshop fee guarantees enrollment
* Must be 18 to enroll
* Participants are responsible for all travel, lodging, and meals

International: Email info@auroraphoto.org for invoice and payment instructions

Compelling imagery doesn’t happen by chance — it’s designed. This three-part workshop series explores how to turn style, storytelling, and visual identity into strategic narratives that support creative growth, brand alignment, and real-world opportunities.

Led by Creative Director and Stylist Chad Jamil Hudson, Dressing the Narrative is designed for emerging stylists, aspiring creative directors, photographers, content creators, and brand visionaries who want to elevate their work from simply stylish to truly story-driven.

Across three immersive sessions, you’ll explore how to:

* Harness history and trend research to inspire fresh, authentic concepts
* Curate looks that embody a brand’s essence and captivate its audience
* Complete pitch decks that will attract aligned business opportunities
* Lead creative direction with clarity, collaboration, and confidence

Through hands-on projects — from building moodboards to styling editorial-ready looks to directing your own mini-campaign — you’ll not only learn the process, you’ll live it. By the end, you’ll walk away with the tools, mindset, and portfolio-ready work to showcase your creative vision to the world.

If you’re ready to tell stories that can be seen, felt, and remembered, this workshop will show you how.

Workshop lead Chad Jamil Hudson is a fashion storyteller whose work resides at the intersection of style, history, and narrative. Drawing on archival research and cultural references, he transforms ideas into visually compelling campaigns defined by precision and purpose. As Creative Director of HAPPY TRIES, he leads projects from concept to execution, ensuring each image is anchored in intention. During his tenure in Los Angeles, he built a freelance portfolio that includes collaborations with Nike, Essence Magazine, and Hyundai, where his styling merges artistic vision with strategic impact to elevate brand presence. At JD Finish Line, he curates e-commerce looks that extend beyond commerce, connecting brands and audiences through imagery that resonates with them.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

You will receive a more detailed schedule after registering. This workshop schedule is subject to change at any time.

Session #1: Determining Your Why
Saturday, April 25, 10am-6pm
Location: Aurora PhotoCenter, 1125 Brookside Avenue, Suite C9, Indianapolis

In this session we will focus on how to:

* Interpret brand identity into narrative-driven visual concepts
* Conduct trend and historical style research for depth and authenticity
* Understand the relationship between clothing, composition, and cultural reference
* Formulate color palettes, style inspiration, and tone into a moodboard.

Hands-On Exercise: Brand Storyboard Challenge (create a moodboard for a campaign concept)
Participants Bring: Laptop
Included on Site: Clothes + accessories

Session #2: Crafting Visual Stories that Sell
Sunday, April 26, 10am-6pm
Location: Aurora PhotoCenter, 1125 Brookside Avenue, Suite C9, Indianapolis

In this session we will focus on how to:

* Utilize moodboard and trend research to develop a creative deck
* Curate wardrobe selections for concept, brand strategy, and audience appeal
* Convey concepts to creative teams (photographers, models, etc.) for a unified vision

Hands-On Exercise: Look & Layout Lab (style editorial looks, capture imagery for deck, add visual references, write literary cues, create a run of show)
Participants Bring: Laptop, Canva account (or graphic design platform), camera phone
Included on Site: Clothes + accessories

Session #3: Bringing It to Life & Selling the Vision
Saturday, May 2, 10am-6pm
Location: Pattern, 1060 N Capitol Ave Suite 4-102, Indianapolis

In this session we will focus on how to:

* Direct on-set styling and creative workflows
* Apply composition, color theory, and visual hierarchy for captivating and effective imagery
* Adapt styling and creative direction for editorial, social media, and e-commerce formats.

Hands-On Exercise: Mini-Campaign Shoot (style and direct a short photo session, edit images, compile into portfolio-ready campaign presentation)
Included on Site: 2 models, 1 photographer, edited images for portfolio, photography studio ($50/hr), photography equipment, styling kit (needles, safety pins, lint roller, clips)

Who Should Take this Workshop?

The workshop is designed for a diverse group of creatives and professionals:

* Emerging fashion stylists: For strengthening conceptual thinking and brand alignment
* Aspiring creative directors: For leading campaigns, photoshoots, and visual branding projects
* Photographers & visual storytellers: For expanding skills in styling direction and conceptual development
* Fashion & design students: For practical, hands-on experience with industry workflows
* Brand & marketing professionals: For better briefing, guiding, and collaborating with creative teams
* Content creators & influencers: For elevating personal brand visuals and crafting intentional imagery
* Wardrobe & costume professionals: For applying fashion storytelling to commercial and editorial spaces