Introduction to Portrait Photography

Build the foundation for lighting mastery and creative control.

This portrait photography class is the ideal starting point for anyone wanting to understand the core principles of lighting – without relying on guesswork or diagrams. Whether you’re working with just one light or three lights, this class gives you the skills to confidently create professional, studio-quality portraits using instinct and knowledge, not just presets or setups.

Through a series of practical demonstrations, you’ll see how to go from basic lighting diagrams to instinctive, adaptable lighting that enhances your subject and transforms your results. You’ll learn how to shoot in both large and small studio spaces, use light creatively with simple materials, and understand how to control contrast, background tone, and softness for different looks.

In this class:

• Understanding light vs. memorizing lighting diagrams
• Three-point lighting vs. instinctive lighting setups
• How to work with just one light – no modifiers needed
• Creative DIY tools to shape light and shadows
• Making the most of small studio spaces
• How to modify contrast and wrap light around your subject
• Using background light for clean, professional finishes

By the end of this course, you’ll understand how light behaves – and more importantly, how to make it work for you. This is the starting point for mastering portrait photography and building the confidence to light any subject, anywhere.