The Portrait

One Year Course

Following the success of our one-year Photography Masterclass, we now launch a brand new, one-year course specifically for photographers who want to improve their portraiture skills.

This course is known simply as "The Portrait" and it explores a wide range of portrait genres, giving students a broader experience than just headshots or candid street portraits.

What to expect:
Whether in the studio, in the street; whether photographing a professional model or a young child, you'll discover that capturing someone on camera requires not just technical skill with the camera or lighting skill with flash.  In addition, we will look at the people skills you'll also need to get the very best out of your shots.

 

About this Workshop

Portrait photography is a genre that requires lots and lots of practice. As a result, the monthly photo assignments on this course will be immensely challenging and you will be required to produce a comprehensive portfolio by the end of the year.

This is a ten-module photography course with photo assignments between each session.  Students will be required to work by teaming up with others in the class, thus doubling-up on the shooting experience.

Each classroom session lasts three and a half hours and will include time to examine assignment images and take part in practicals (where appropriate).

Although it runs over the course of a year, the class closes during August and December.

The Portrait runs on weekends from 10:30 am - 2:00 pm at our training centre in Fleet.  Check below for dates.

Who is this workshop for?

This one-year course is for photographers who want to develop their people-taking skills and who already have a good grasp of the technical basics.  This includes understanding the exposure triangle (AKA the Law of Reciprocity) and some knowledge of working with flash.  Some flash instruction will be given in the course.

If you are lacking in some of the basics, we suggest you attend our Introduction To Photography one-day workshop first.

Capturing portraits of kids, adults and professional models

Which best describes you?

Enjoy working with people?

You love people and you want to explore the broad range of people-capturing styles and techniques

Want to Improve your portrait skills?

You love portrait photography, but don't feel your images do justice to the people you're photographing

Looking to build a portfolio?

You are looking for a creative environment in which to build a diverse and wide-ranging portfolio

Looking to buy as a gift?

You want to buy a unique and very special gift for someone you love

"It's one thing to make a picture of what someone looks like, it's another thing to make a portrait of who they are"


Paul Caponigro

The Portrait Photographer

The skill of photographing people is an art that captures the essence of human emotions, expressions, and connections.

A skilled photographer knows how to create a comfortable environment, enabling individuals to reveal their true selves.

They have an eye for composition, capturing moments that tell captivating stories. They understand the importance of lighting, using it to accentuate features and evoke moods.

A skilled photographer can bring out the unique qualities of each person, highlighting their beauty, vulnerability, and strength. They possess empathy and patience, allowing them to connect with their subjects and capture genuine moments of joy, love, or introspection.

Through their lens, they create timeless portraits that resonate with the viewer.

Portfolio Development

During the course of the year, your portfolio will slowly come together as you complete each of your monthly photo assignments.

Your portfolio should demonstrate your understanding of lighting, composition and post-processing.  It should include portraits of different subjects: young, old, male, female, different ethnicities, etc.  It should also show your ability to work with a wide range of people and adapt to different personalities and situations. 

Throughout, you need to show that you can create strong images in various settings (outdoor, indoor, studio) and styles (close-ups, full-body, candid, posed).

Your constant exposure to different portrait genres will help you become a better, well-rounded photographer, capable of creative composition, free of repetition and open to new, creative ideas.

 

What kind of Camera do you need?

Any digital camera with interchangeable lenses like DSLR cameras or the new ‘Mirrorless’ technology cameras is suitable.  Full frame or cropped.

Suitable for owners of Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Leica, Sony and Pentax cameras.

In addition

A range of lenses from wide angle through to telephoto will be essential.  

Portrait lens focal lengths can typically range from 85-200, but in reality, it is possible to shoot portraits with any focal length.  

Zooms are ok, but a wide maximum aperture might be to your advantage, allowing you to shoot in lower light and have greater control over your depth of field (this will all be explained in session one).

Exterior photoshoots might require you to use portable flash.  Advice will be given, so that you know what to purchase (if you need to).

Post-processing will be with Adobe Lightroom Classic and Adobe Photoshop.  They are industry-standard tools used by most photographers.  If you are using alternative editing tools, we won't be able to give tuition on them.

Course Dates & Modules


Course dates


The exact sequence of modules may vary


2023

  • Sep 10 -introduction, Portfolios and familiarisation with the studio
  • Oct 8 - Working with models (Studio)
  • Nov 12 - Creative Lighting Techniques (Studio)

2024

  • Jan 14 - Post Processing Portraiture (Classroom)
  • Feb 11 - Business Portraits & Headshots (poss on location)
  • Mar 3 - Environmental Portraits (Classroom)
  • Apr 14 - Candid Portraiture (Classroom)
  • May 12 - Natural Light, Family, Groups & Children (Location)
  • Jun 9 - Black & White Portraits. (Classroom)
  • Jul 14 - Portfolio presentations (Classroom)

Course fee

The total fee for the whole year is £1800.

This includes access to the studio for any of your assignments and professional models during tuition sessions.

Spreading the cost
If you prefer, you can spread the cost of this course over the year, completely interest-free.  

A £500 deposit followed by ten monthly payments of £130.  total cost: £1800

If you would prefer to pay a larger deposit with smaller monthly instalments, please get in touch.  We can often tailor a package to suit your pocket.

Once your deposit is received, we will send you a link to set up a direct Debit with GoCardless (who administer all our DDIs).

If you prefer to pay all in one go, we still have that option too.

 

 

Course Instructor

Kevin Ahronson - HSP Founder

You will be learning from industry professional Kevin Ahronson and you can expect instruction at the very highest level.

Kevin, who founded the HSP, is one of the best photography teachers in the UK and has personally taught hundreds of students from beginners through to those who want to go professional.

With over 50 years of experience behind the camera and having been teaching photography since 2009, Kevin’s passion these days is to share that knowledge with the next generation of photographers.

All photos on this page were taken by Kevin

Opening Hours

Thursday-Saturday 11:00am-17:30pm

The Photography Teacher

Visit The Photography Teacher, Kevin's blog, with more teaching and photography insights

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ADDRESSES

Registered company address and Training Centre:

Hampshire School of Photography Ltd
10a, White Hart Parade, London Rd, Blackwater, Camberley GU17 9AD

Company Reg No. 11905308

Email: info@hampshirephotoschool.com

Tel: 07954 400554

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