Skip to main content

Portrait Photography Course

Learn the camera skills and lighting techniques used by professional portrait photographers.

Shoot with both natural light and studio lighting to create striking, polished portraits.

Learn the camera skills and lighting techniques used by professional portrait photographers. Shoot with both natural light and studio lighting to create striking, polished portraits.

24 Reviews
10.0/10 Satisfaction
100% Recommend
See reviews
Portrait Photography training course

Portrait Photography Course

Take stunning portraits using natural and studio lighting on this practical one-day portrait photography course.

Led by a professional photographer, you'll learn how to use different lenses and focal lengths for portraiture, work with flash, modifiers and studio lighting setups, sculpt and control natural light using reflectors, frame and position your subjects for headshots and environmental portraits, review and critique your own images, and develop a stronger eye for what makes a great portrait.

Please bring your DSLR or mirrorless camera.

View course outline

Private & team training

Get a quote for Portrait Photography

This course isn’t on the public schedule right now. Request a quote and we’ll come back with dates, pricing, and delivery options — at our centre, live online, or at your venue.

Course outline

1

Introduction

Discussing the many different objectives of Portrait Photography

Narrative, headshot and environmental portraiture

A short discussion of the history of shooting portraits

2

Examining camera equipment and understanding settings

Using different lenses to create different portraits

Using modifiers and flash in portraits

Understanding how different focal lengths produce different images

Understanding the use of aperture in Portrait photography

How to get the best quality portrait

3

Framing shots

Framing and positioning your subject

Focusing on the eyes

Considering different angles and perspectives

Using the rule of thirds

Filling the frame

Incorporating context within your portrait

4

Using natural light in portraiture

The restrictions of working with natural light

Using the best types of natural lighting

Working in shade or in direct sunlight

Using modifiers to sculpt and control light

Capturing different types of portraits in natural light

Critiquing your captured shots

5

Introduction to studio lighting

When to use continuous lights such as LEDs, versus using Studio Flash

Taking portraits using a continuous light source

Introduction to using a studio flash light

Using a single studio light to take dramatic portraits

Critiquing your captured shots

Who is this course for?

For photographers who want to develop portrait skills using natural and studio lighting. Basic knowledge of manual camera settings required. Bring your own DSLR or mirrorless camera.

24 Reviews
10.0/10 Satisfaction
100% Recommend

Great facilities, knowledgeable and friendly tutor.

Sarah Jane – 23 January 2026

Putting lessons into practice throughout the day, knowledgeable instructor and tailored to what I needed to learn

Sarah – 23 May 2025

The training was great - really interesting course and learnt a lot that I can use practically.

Charlotte – 19 September 2024

Great instructor and balance of practical and theory

Hiten – 19 September 2024

All totally clear and easily digestible again!

Matt – 19 September 2024

The trainer was particularly good because her enthusiasm and passion for the subject of photography was infectious and added another dimens…

Paul – 10 December 2018

The course was good at providing enough opportunity to practice.

Kiran – 20 July 2018

Vicki understood our requirements and was really helpful with talking us through possible solutions to the issues we are facing. She was ha…

Catherine – 5 July 2018

Swipe for more

Read course reviews

Who attends?

Getting better at your job icon

Getting better at your job

You need a skill for the role you already have, or your employer is investing in the team.

Changing career icon

Changing career

You're moving into a new field and need the practical skills it asks for.

Just graduated icon

Just graduated

You know the theory. A practical course and a certificate of attendance show employers you can do the work.

Further reading

8 Steps for Taking Professional Photos with a Smartphone article image

8 Steps for Taking Professional Photos with a Smartphone

You don't have to own a DSLR camera to produce professional photos.

Top Video Marketing Trends article image

Top Video Marketing Trends

Video marketing will become more exciting and engaging than ever.

Pros and Cons of Using Premiere Pro article image

Pros and Cons of Using Premiere Pro

Used by professional video editors, Adobe Premiere Pro seems to be a great editing software.