Expressive Portraiture: Capturing Personality and Emotion
Course Overview This intensive five-hour course is designed to help photographers create portraits that are both technically strong and emotionally impactful. Through hands-on practice and interactive instruction, participants will explore how to amplify emotions using studio lighting, color, and composition. By the end of the session, attendees will have the skills to connect with their subjects and produce expressive, storytelling portraits.
Format
Location: In-person studio setting
Duration: 5 hours (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Class Size: Maximum of 10 participants
Activities: Interactive demonstrations, guided practice, and optional 1:1 model sessions
Cost: $200 per person (includes light snacks and refreshments)
Target Audience Photographers interested in:
Capturing authentic expressions
Exploring advanced studio lighting techniques
Enhancing their portraits with emotional depth and visual storytelling
Course Schedule Session 1: Building a Moodboard
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM:
Understanding the importance of a moodboard
Collaborative techniques to develop ideas and themes
Creating visual guides to set the tone for your shoot
Session 2: Understanding Lights and Modifiers
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM:
Overview of key lighting setups and their effects
Exploring modifiers: softboxes, reflectors, and grids
Adjusting lighting to match mood and enhance storytelling
Session 3: Live Demonstrations and Hands-On Practice
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM:
Live demonstration of lighting techniques with models
Participants take turns working with models to create impactful portraits
Session 4: Lunch Break
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM:
Light snacks and refreshments provided
Session 5: Reviewing Images and Editing Techniques
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM:
Reviewing images captured during the session
Introduction to Adobe Lightroom for color grading and editing
Adjusting tones and highlights to enhance mood and emotion
Session 6: 1:1 Model Sessions
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM:
Optional opportunity for photographers to book private 1:1 shooting time with models
$125 per hour for personalized sessions
Learning Outcomes By the end of the course, participants will:
Develop skills to conceptualize and build a mood board
Master lighting and modifier techniques to evoke specific emotions
Enhance storytelling through creative composition and editing
Gain confidence working collaboratively with subjects and models
Required Materials
DSLR or mirrorless camera
Any lens for your camera
Access to post-production software (e.g., Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop)
A laptop or tablet
Assessment
Participation in practical exercises and discussions
Final edited portraits shared during review and critique