The Portrait

1 Year Course

Introducing our new one-year course, "The Portrait," designed exclusively for photographers seeking to enhance their portraiture skills. Building upon the success of our Photography Masterclass, this comprehensive program delves into various portrait genres, offering a diverse and enriching experience beyond traditional headshots or street photography.

What sets "The Portrait" apart is its holistic approach to capturing compelling portraits. Whether you're in the controlled environment of a studio or on the dynamic streets, whether your subject is a professional model or an innocent child, you'll discover that creating captivating portraits requires more than technical camera proficiency or adeptness in lighting techniques. We recognise the importance of honing your interpersonal skills to truly bring out the best in your subjects and elevate your shots to new heights.

Throughout this course, you can expect to:

Explore a wide range of portrait genres, expanding your creative repertoire and broadening your understanding of the art form.
Learn essential technical skills in camera operation, lighting, and composition specifically tailored for portraiture.
Develop your ability to connect with subjects, creating a comfortable and collaborative environment to capture their essence.
Master the art of directing and posing individuals, eliciting authentic expressions and conveying their unique stories through your lens.
Gain insights into post-processing techniques and refining your final images to achieve the desired visual impact.

"The Portrait" is meticulously designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to excel in the world of portraiture. With our experienced instructors and a supportive learning environment, you'll embark on a transformative journey, unlocking your creative potential and capturing powerful portraits that resonate with viewers.

About this Course

Mastering the art of portrait photography requires dedicated practice and hands-on experience. In "The Portrait," you can expect a series of monthly photo assignments that will push your creative boundaries and propel your skills to new heights. Throughout the course, you will be challenged to produce a comprehensive portfolio, showcasing your growth and accomplishments by the end of the year.

This ten-module photography course integrates photo assignments between sessions, providing ample opportunities for you to refine your techniques and develop your artistic vision. Collaboration is encouraged as you team up with fellow classmates, doubling the shooting experience and fostering a supportive learning community.

Each classroom session spans three and a half hours, allowing ample time to review and analyse the assignment images while also engaging in practical exercises when applicable. It's important to note that the course will be on a break in August and December, providing time for reflection and rejuvenation.

"The Portrait" sessions are scheduled on weekends from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm at a venue to be confirmed. Please refer to the dates below for the upcoming sessions.

Join us in this immersive journey where you'll refine your portrait photography skills, develop a compelling portfolio, and forge lasting connections with fellow photographers.

Who is this workshop for?

"The Portrait" is a comprehensive one-year course designed specifically for photographers seeking to enhance their skills in capturing compelling images of people. This course is tailored for individuals who already possess a solid foundation in the technical aspects of photography.

To make the most of this course, it is essential that you have a good grasp of the technical basics, including understanding the exposure triangle. Additionally, having some prior knowledge of working with flash will be beneficial, although further instruction on flash techniques will be provided throughout the course.

By joining "The Portrait," you will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the art of photographing people and refine your abilities to create stunning portraits. Through a combination of theoretical lessons, hands-on practice, and constructive feedback, you will develop a heightened understanding of composition, lighting, posing, and interpersonal skills necessary to capture impactful portraits.

Join us on this transformative journey, where you will expand your creative horizons and unlock your full potential as a portrait photographer.

Capturing portraits of kids, adults and professional models

So, you want to be a Portrait Photographer?

Photographing people is a true art form that goes beyond technical skills. It requires the ability to capture the essence of human emotions, expressions, and connections in a visually compelling way.

A skilled photographer understands the importance of creating a comfortable and relaxed environment for their subjects. By establishing trust and rapport, they enable individuals to reveal their true selves, resulting in authentic and meaningful portraits.

Composition plays a vital role in portraying the story within a photograph. A skilled photographer has a keen eye for capturing moments that convey narratives, whether it's a fleeting glance, a heartfelt smile, or a tender embrace. They possess the ability to frame their subjects in a way that is visually pleasing and emotionally engaging.

Lighting is another crucial element in portrait photography. A skilled photographer understands how to utilise different lighting techniques to enhance features, create depth, and evoke specific moods. They harness light as a powerful tool to accentuate the beauty and character of their subjects.

Beyond technical proficiency, a skilled photographer possesses empathy, patience, and the ability to connect with people on a deeper level. They understand the importance of building a genuine rapport with their subjects, allowing them to capture moments of vulnerability, strength, and authenticity. They have the sensitivity to recognise and highlight the unique qualities of each individual, creating portraits that truly reflect their inner essence.

The work of a skilled photographer goes beyond capturing mere images; they create timeless portraits that evoke emotions, provoke thought, and resonate with the viewer. Through their artistry, they have the power to capture the beauty and complexity of the human spirit.

Developing your Portfolio!

Over the course of the year, your portfolio will gradually take shape as you complete each monthly photo assignment, showcasing your growth and development as a portrait photographer.

Within your portfolio, it is important to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of lighting techniques, composition principles, and post-processing skills. Showcasing your ability to manipulate light to create mood, highlight features, and shape the overall aesthetic of your portraits will be essential.

Diversity is key in building a strong portfolio. Include portraits of individuals from various age groups, genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds. This diversity reflects your ability to connect with and capture the essence of different individuals, showcasing your versatility as a portrait photographer.

Your portfolio should showcase your adaptability in working with a wide range of people and situations. Capture the unique personalities and emotions of your subjects, whether in candid moments or posed compositions. Demonstrate your ability to create compelling images in various settings, such as outdoor environments, indoor spaces, and studio setups.

Strive for creative composition throughout your portfolio. Avoid repetitive or formulaic approaches and embrace fresh and innovative ideas. Experiment with different angles, perspectives, and styles to showcase your artistic vision and ability to think outside the box.

By immersing yourself in different portrait genres, you will expand your creative repertoire and develop a well-rounded skill set. Embrace the opportunity to explore diverse approaches to portraiture, pushing the boundaries of your creativity and capturing unique moments that tell captivating stories.

Ultimately, your portfolio should serve as a testament to your growth, technical competence, and artistic flair as a portrait photographer. It should inspire and engage viewers, leaving a lasting impression of your talent and potential in this expressive art form.

What kit would be ideal for the course?

Virtually any digital camera can be used, although models with interchangeable lenses such as DSLR cameras or the latest "Mirrorless" technology cameras are particularly advantageous.

The course accommodates owners of Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, and Pentax cameras.

Additionally, having a range of lenses is crucial for capturing captivating portraits. While the typical focal lengths for portrait lenses range from 85-200mm, it's important to note that portraits can be shot with various focal lengths, allowing for creative flexibility.

While zoom lenses can be used, having a wide maximum aperture can be advantageous. A wider aperture enables shooting in lower light conditions and offers greater control over depth of field, allowing you to isolate your subject and create beautiful bokeh effects.

The significance of aperture and its impact on your images will be thoroughly explained during the first session of the course.

For outdoor photoshoots, portable flash may be necessary to enhance lighting conditions. Guidance will be provided to help you determine the suitable flash equipment to purchase, if needed, ensuring you have the necessary tools to achieve optimal results.

When it comes to post-processing, Adobe Lightroom Classic and Adobe Photoshop are industry-standard tools widely used by photographers. Throughout the course, instruction and guidance will be given specifically on these software applications. While alternative editing tools exist, please note that tuition will be focused on Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, and therefore, specific guidance on alternative software may not be available.

Course dates

The exact sequence of modules may vary

2023

Sep 10 - Introduction, Portfolios and familiarisation with the studio equipment
Oct 8 - Working with models (pos on location)
Nov 12 - Creative Lighting Techniques (Studio)

2024

Jan 14 - Post Processing Portraiture (Classroom)
Feb 11 - Business Portraits & Headshots (poss on location)
Mar 10 - Environmental Portraits (Classroom)
Apr 14 - Candid Portraiture (Classroom)
May 12 - Natural Light, Family, Groups & Children (Location)
Jun 23 - Black & White Portraits. (Classroom)
Jul 14 - Portfolio presentations (Classroom)

Course Fee

The total cost of this course is £1500

Spread the Cost

To provide flexibility in payment, you have the option to spread the cost of this course over the year without any additional interest. The payment plan consists of a £500 deposit followed by ten monthly payments of £100, making the total cost £1500.

However, if you would like to customize the payment plan according to your preferences, such as making a larger deposit with smaller monthly instalments, please reach out to us. We understand that everyone's financial situation is unique, and we are often able to tailor a payment package that suits your budget.

Alternatively, if you prefer to make a one-time payment for the entire course, that option is still available as well.

PORTRAIT

COURSE INSTRUCTOR

Andy Hornby - Founder

Under the guidance of industry professional Andy Hornby, you will receive instruction at the utmost pinnacle of excellence.

As the founder of the program, Andy Hornby stands among the finest photography educators in the United Kingdom. Over the years, he has personally mentored and taught numerous students, ranging from complete beginners to those aspiring to pursue professional careers in photography.

With a wealth of experience spanning over 25 years behind the camera and a teaching career that commenced in 2018, Andy's current devotion lies in imparting his vast knowledge to the next generation of photographers. His passion for the craft fuels his commitment to sharing invaluable insights and expertise with aspiring photographers like yourself.