Home - Light Syndicate Academy

Create with purpose, embrace every challenge, and inspire through connection

Join a global community of photographers and visual artists transforming their creative journeys

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Learn, Create, and Thrive

Light Syndicate Academy offers tailored learning experiences for photographers at all levels, combining foundational techniques with advanced practices to inspire creativity and professional growth.

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Photography as a Journey

Discover photography as a powerful medium for expression, connection, and storytelling. Our approach not only enhances your skills but also inspires personal and artistic growth.

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Tailored Courses and Exclusive Workshops

Explore a curated selection of courses and workshops led by João Carlos, covering lighting techniques, creative processes, and the business of photography.

Join a thriving community of photographers and visual artists. Engage in creative challenges, portfolio reviews, and live sessions while building meaningful connections that inspire and support your journey

Building a Creative Community Togheter

At Light Syndicate Academy, we believe that community is at the heart of creativity. Founded by João Carlos, an award-winning photographer, global keynote speaker, and educator, the academy is a place where photographers and visual artists come together to learn, share, and grow. João’s decades of experience form the foundation of our educational philosophy, fostering a culture of collaboration and support. While his leadership shapes the academy’s vision, we also embrace the contributions of other exceptional educators and industry professionals, who bring diverse perspectives and expertise to our community. Together, we create a dynamic environment where ideas flow freely, hands-on experiences inspire growth, and connections build lasting opportunities. Through interactive sessions, live workshops, and creative challenges, Light Syndicate Academy empowers its members to excel in both their artistic and professional journeys. Our mission is to nurture a community that thrives on shared knowledge, mutual support, and the pursuit of creative excellence.

Join the Community.

Turn Rejection into Your Greatest Strength

Rejection isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of growth.

Every creative faces rejection, but only those who embrace it truly thrive. From Rejection to Resilience is your guide to transforming setbacks into success, shifting your mindset, and building unshakable confidence.

Start your transformation today with a FREE chapter!

What You'll Learn in Chapter 1: The Mindset of Embracing Rejection

Understand the psychology behind rejection and why it stings.
Shift your perspective to turn rejection into motivation.
Apply practical exercises to strengthen your resilience and confidence.

Take the first step toward creative resilience!

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Meet João Carlos The Vision Behind Light Syndicate Academy

From overcoming rejection to becoming a globally recognized creative force, João Carlos has spent over 25 years shaping the world of photography and visual storytelling. His journey is one of resilience, artistry, and innovation—proving that setbacks are simply stepping stones to success. As a Hasselblad Masters recipient and Photographer of the Year at the APPImagem Awards, João has worked with industry leaders like Fujifilm, SanDisk, and Westcott, blending commercial impact with bold artistic vision. His work is celebrated for its sophisticated lighting, striking compositions, and emotional depth—capturing not just images, but stories that resonate.

The Light Syndicate Academy Mission

João founded Light Syndicate Academy to share his expertise and empower photographers through immersive learning experiences, mentorship, and real-world insights. His philosophy is simple:
🚀 Master your craft – Develop technical skills with hands-on training.
💡 Embrace resilience – Turn challenges into creative breakthroughs.
🌍 Join a thriving community – Connect with photographers worldwide.

João has mentored countless students at IPCI and ETIC, guiding them to refine their craft, build careers, and embrace the Rejection to Resilience mindset.

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Master Lighting with the Light Deck

Master Your Light. Define Your Style.

At Light Syndicate Academy, we believe mastering light is the key to mastering photography. That’s why we created the Light Deck—a comprehensive lighting reference system designed to help photographers at all levels unlock the full potential of light. The Light Deck is more than just a guide; it’s a hands-on toolkit that combines visual references, easy-to-follow techniques, and real-world applications to simplify the complexities of lighting. Whether you're working in a studio, shooting on location, or experimenting with creative light setups, the Light Deck gives you instant access to lighting patterns, setups, and troubleshooting tips—all at your fingertips. With the Light Deck, you’ll learn how to: ✔ Master essential lighting techniques for portraits, products, and creative shoots ✔ Understand light shaping tools like soft boxes, reflectors, and modifiers ✔ Control shadows and highlights to create depth, drama, and impact ✔ Quickly adapt to different lighting conditions with step-by-step guidance Designed for both beginners and professionals, the Light Deck is your go-to resource for lighting mastery. Join Light Syndicate Academy and take your lighting skills to the next level with this innovative, easy-to-use system.

CHOOSE YOUR PLAN

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Upcoming Events

Join us on our journey into the world of photography with upcoming events in Lisbon. Whether you're a professional photographer or a passionate enthusiast, our diverse lineup offers something for everyone. Dive into the vibrant Lisbon photo community with our weekly photo walks, or enrich your skills at our specialized workshops.

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WHY CHOOSE US

STUDENT'S TESTIMONIALS

Chelsey Goldewijk

Student

I had the opportunity to receive a portfolio review session with João Carlos via Zoom. The session was incredibly valuable, providing me with insightful feedback on both my website and an album I had previously created. João shared a wealth of tips and tricks, offering fresh perspectives that helped me see my work in a new light. His approach is thorough, thoughtful, and engaging—he truly takes the time to understand your work and provide actionable advice. The conversation was not only educational but also enjoyable. It felt like a collaborative brainstorming session, where I gained clarity and confidence in my creative direction. I’m incredibly grateful for João’s guidance and expertise, and I can immediately put his advice into action!

Primoz Lukezic

Student

I had a chance to have one on one coaching with Joao and it blowed my mind. I am a professional commercial photographer and for some time now I thought I hit some sort of wall. It is really hard to receive an honest opinion this days and I think we need this if we want to grow. Talking with Joao was eye opening. After our conversation I finished my webpage which was under my TO DO list for around two years in just a week. I look at my work a little different now. Can’t wait to talk to him again.

Danny Santa Ana

Student

My first workshop with Joao was back in 2011 when he visited Toronto, Canada. It was an intensive three day workshop on Fashion photography. And to this date, it is the best workshop I have attended. During that time, I noticed on many occasions Joao would spend some focused time with each and every attendee to make sure they understood the assignment and give suggestions on how to approach it. I remember on one assignment, I was having difficultly finding an angle that suited the model and the wardrobe. Joao came over and looked at the back of my camera to scroll through the images I had taken already. He turned to me and said that I was allowed to take only one more shot. This forced me to really look at the way I approached taking a photo and discover the difference of taking a snap shot and creating an image. Through the years we have kept in touch through social media and most recently on an online one-on-one consult. I value Joao’s generous sharing of his knowledge and experience. I not only consider him an exceptional instructor but also a mentor.

Teresa Nunes

Student

João is an outstanding mentor; my discussions with him proved to be incredibly valuable, particularly in refining my thoughts to enhance a portfolio website. Furthermore, his support was a beacon of positivity through the uncertain times of lockdown. I wholeheartedly endorse him to those eager to expand their knowledge and skills. Engaging with him is a learning experience I recommend earnestly. For his invaluable guidance, I am profoundly thankful.

André Afonso

Student

"I had the opportunity to have a one-on-one session with João Carlos, which was something I really needed. I felt stagnant, and João's reviews and insights were very effective in identifying many of my faults and served as motivation to improve. João is very assertive and direct in everything related to photography but is also a natural communicator, which makes the whole conversation very fluid. It's also much easier to accept criticism when it is indeed constructive and from someone with a lot of knowledge and experience."