Directing People for Portrait Photography

Start your course by getting to know Emilia and learn about her journey into photography. Get to know her influences and how she looks to them to inspire her work.

See how Emilia prepares for a photoshoot. Learn how to visually organize your ideas using a moodboard so you can take stock of the equipment, lighting, wardrobe, location, and props you’ll be needing.

Then, to help guide your sitter throughout the shoot, create a moodboard that’s strictly focused on poses, facial expressions, and body language. Most importantly, discover the importance of creating a relaxing environment and gaining trust with your subject so you can achieve portraits that are both authentic and unique.

Learn how to direct your sitter using the reference material prepared in the previous unit. Understand the importance of connecting with your subject by changing roles, showing vulnerability, and giving encouragement. See how you can achieve better results by physically illustrating your ideas and making your subject part of the creative process.

To wrap things up, take things into post-production using Adobe Bridge. Learn how Emilia uses ratings to make her final selection before retouching individual images with Photoshop and Camera Raw. Get some final tips on adjusting light, contrast, and color. Then prepare your high-resolution portraits to be sent to your client.