Learn Photography Online
Master the skills you need to succeedFrom natural light to studio flash.
Create extraordinary portraits at home, in the studio, or on location.
From family snaps to fashion shoots.
Learn how to tell stories with your camera.
From planning and prep to post-production.
Get comfortable, get confident, get creative – get inspired.
World-class training, incredible value.
Everything you need is here, at a price you can afford.
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Portrait Photography Classes
Natural Light Portrait Photography
- 19 Classes
- 4 Hours content
- Level: Basic
Learn how to shoot stunning natural light portraits in this series of classes.
You’ll see numerous natural light photography examples for shooting single subjects, couples, families, and children and develop an understanding of how to identify the best light for portrait shoots (both indoors and on location), what equipment to use, and how to pose your subject.
What you’ll learn:
- How to photograph portraits with natural light
- Camera settings for natural light photography
- Useful equipment to have for shooting with natural light
- Photographing children indoors and on location
- Posing and photograph family groups
- Creative ideas & posing for photographing couples
- How to use reflectors & diffusers to control natural light
Introduction: Keeping the Focus on Your Model
Location Scouting
Balancing the Exposure of the Natural Backlighting and Model
The Train Carriage
Portrait Photography with Natural Light: Autumnal Orchard
Opportunity Photography
Indoor Portrait Photography
The Dark Forest
Photographing Kids Using Natural Light
Identifying and Photographing Indoor Locations for Portraits
Utilising Available Space and Natural Light Indoors for Portraits
Photographing Portraits in the Warm Evening Sun
Emerald Forest
How to Photograph Portraits in the Midday Sun
Family and Group Portraiture
Couples and Engagement Photography
Posing Your Subjects: Single, Couple or Group Shots
Suggested Gear
Image Review and Lightroom Adjustments
One Light Portrait Lighting Setups
- 10 Classes
- 3 Hours content
- Level: Basic
Don’t have a lot of studio lights? No problem!
Explore these 10 creative examples of how to capture quality portraits with just one light and some basic modifiers.
Starting with the simplest of setups, Karl applies the principles he explains in our Lighting Theory course to achieve creative lighting techniques and get stunning results with minimal equipment
What you’ll learn:
- 10 Easy studio setups with one light
- Techniques for controlling light in a small studio
- How to control light and shadow
- Working with and posing your subject
- Beautiful rim lighting with one light
- How to create soft lighting
- Techniques for simulate sunlight with studio flash
- Lighting setups for close-up and full-length portraits
Simulating Sunlight With a Studio Light
Simulating Sun and Shadow With a Studio Light
One-Light Surround Lighting for Portraiture
Bold Single Soft Light for a Three Quarter-Length Portrait
Portrait Beauty Lighting With One Light
Soft Single-Light Portrait
Rim Lighting Photography for Stunning Portraits
Dramatic Single-Light Portrait With Harsh Shadows
Very Soft Single-Light Portrait With White Background
Contoured Single Soft-Light Portrait
Two Light Portrait Lighting Setups
- 10 Classes
- 2 Hours content
- Level: Basic - Intermediate
With the right expertise and a little creativity, you only need two to tango.
Check out these 10 creative examples of two-light setups for portraiture. Discover how to balance two light sources to achieve the result you want, including dramatic portrait lighting, soft side lighting, beautiful contoured lighting and more.
What you’ll learn:
- 10 Easy studio setups with two lights
- Techniques for controlling light in a small studio
- Balancing multiple lights to create different effects
- How to create hard, dramatic lighting for portraiture
- How to create soft, contoured lighting for portraiture
- Shooting creative portrait photography with a moving subject
- Lighting setups for close-up and full-length portraits
Three Light Portrait Lighting Setups
- 10 Classes
- 3+ Hours content
- Level: Intermediate
Test your skills and learn how to get creative with these 10 examples of three light setups for portrait photography.
Now that you understand how to use just one studio light or two studio lights, these classes cover exciting new techniques such as high-key lighting, rim lighting, and beauty-style lighting for creative portraiture.
You’ll also learn how to combine natural light with studio flash - a powerful technique that’s often used for shooting on location, business portraits, or environmental portraits.
What you’ll learn:
- 10 Easy studio setups with three lights
- Techniques for controlling light in a small studio
- Lighting setups for close-up and full-length portraits
- Incorporating flare for creative effect
- Lighting techniques for high-key portraits
- Using v-flats for portrait lighting
- Combining natural light & studio flash
Four Light Portrait Lighting Setups
- 10 Classes
- 2+ Hours content
- Level: Intermediate - Advanced
With four studio lights at your disposal, the possibilities are endless. Discover what you can do with these 10 classes.
You’ll learn how to apply lighting theory via techniques such as gels, hair lights, and precision lighting to create a range of different looks and styles.
You’ll also cover how to photograph moving subjects as Karl details the equipment and techniques you need to capture perfectly frozen motion.
What you’ll learn:
- 10 Easy studio setups with three lights
- Techniques for controlling light in a small studio
- Lighting setups for close-up and full-length portraits
- Incorporating flare for creative effect
- Lighting techniques for high-key portraits
- Using v-flats for portrait lighting
- Combining natural light & studio flash
Creative Portrait Photography
Learn how to shoot more creative portraits. This series covers everything from Hollywood-style lighting to gelled lighting with bold, eye-catching colours or black and white portraiture.
These stand-alone classes provide inspiration for all levels as they cover fundamentals such as what backgrounds to use, how to build a set using basic props, and how to make simple DIY lighting modifiers.
You’ll also learn about important lighting concepts and how to use creative techniques like long exposures.
What you’ll learn:
- Creative portrait lighting ideas
- Creating mood and emotion in a photo
- How to shoot black and white portraits
- Using specialist lighting modifiers for portrait photography
- Gelled lighting for creative portrait photography
- How to create a simple set for portrait shoots
- Long exposure for portraiture
The Power of the Matt-Black Studio Box
Splash Portrait Photography for 3D Animation
Creative Portrait Lighting 2.0
Creative Portrait Lighting 3.0
Creative Portrait Lighting 1.0
Creative Moving Bodies Photoshoot
Creative Portrait Lighting Techniques (Part 2)
Creative Portrait Lighting Techniques
Painterly Portraits and Lighting Lessons with Urs Recher
Shooting Black and White Portraits
Business Portrait Lighting Setups
Whether you’re working in the studio or on location, these effective lighting setups and techniques will help you create business portrait photos and headshots your clients will love.
This course includes a class dedicated to business portrait theory, including important pre-shoot considerations. It also offers seven lighting-setup examples you can add to your arsenal.
With setups ranging from one light to four, you’ll learn how to create a range of lighting effects, including soft, flattering light for older subjects.
What you’ll learn:
- How to photograph business portraits & corporate headshots
- Business portrait lighting setups for studio & location shoots
- How to photograph subjects with glasses
- Pre-shoot considerations for business portraiture
- How to balance mixed lighting
- Flattering lighting for older subjects
Portraits of People Wearing Glasses
Studio Business Portrait
Small Office Space Portrait
Instant Business Portrait
Business Portraiture and Headshots
Business Portrait Theory
Soft Lighting for Older Male Portraits
How to Clean Paper Backgrounds in Photoshop
Clamshell Lighting for White Background Business Portraits
Broad Lighting Setup for Older Male Business Portrait
Umbrella Lighting for Mature Business Portraits
Environmental Portraits
Environmental portraiture is a genre of photography that’s often in high demand, used for anything from annual reports to websites.
Learn how to create high-quality images of people at work with this series of classes. Filmed in a variety of locations, this course introduces the concept of environmental portraiture, exploring some of the common challenges and how to overcome them.
Through five detailed shoots, you’ll see how to put these solutions into practice as you learn about the planning, lighting, and styling required to guarantee a successful shoot.
What you’ll learn:
- Learn how to photograph environmental portraits
- Effective planning for photographing people at work
- Equipment & lighting modifiers for shooting on location
- Balancing natural light & studio flash
- Techniques for communicating with your subject
- Setting the scene & composition techniques for location shoots
Portrait Extras
For portrait photographers looking for a little extra, we’ve collected a series of additional classes to help you further develop your skills.
These include a selection of lighting walkthroughs to help you understand light as well as informative guest interviews with professional photographers, including top wedding photographers and celebrity portrait photographers.
What you’ll learn:
- Portrait photography tips
- Understanding light
- How to identify light in a photo
-
Tips from professional photographers
Photo Critique: Corporate and Business Headshots
Conversations With David Stanbury: Creating an Experience (Wedding Photography)
Photo Critique: Portraits 2 (Part 2)
Photo Critique: Portraits 2 (Part 1)
Photo Critique: Portraits 1
Interview With Portrait Photographer Tom Oldham
Interview With Wedding Photographer David Stanbury
Hair Sweep Lighting Walk-Through
Angry Man Lighting Walk-Through
The Emotion of Light
Fashion Photography Classes
Getting Started In Fashion Photography
- 1 Class
- 2 Hours content
- Level: Basic
Successful fashion shoots are all about planning and teamwork.
But how do you put together the right team? How do you develop your concept and communicate your ideas? And where do you find the best props and outfits without blowing your budget?
This introductory class answers all of these questions and more. It will give you the confidence and vision to to tackle any fashion shoot and bring your creative ideas to life.
What you’ll learn:
- How to build your fashion photography portfolio
- How to find and work with models
- How to find and work with stylists and makeup artists
- How to source props and outfits on a budget
Introduction to Fashion Photography
Developing Concepts and Establishing Your Style
Growing Your Network and Building Your Fashion Photography Portfolio
Sourcing Clothing and Styling for Fashion Shoots on a Budget
Sets, Props and Locations for Fashion Photography
Cameras and Lenses for Fashion Photography
Lighting Modifiers for Fashion Photography
Building Studio Blocks and Frames
Studio Fashion Photography
- 19 Classes
- 8+ Hours content
- Level: All Levels
Learn how to bring your creative ideas to life with these in-depth studio fashion photography classes.
From developing a creative concept right through to building a set and making DIY props, these classes take you right into the studio with Karl. You’ll learn about the equipment, styling, and lighting used to create a range of stunning fashion images in a variety of photographic styles.
What you’ll learn:
- Developing and executing concepts for studio fashion shoots
- How to build a set for fashion photography
- How to setup and light fashion shoots
- How to capture models in motion
Solar Flair Fashion Shoot
Solar Flair Fashion | Post-Production
White Blocks Fashion Shoot
White Blocks Fashion | Post-Production
Sixties Fashion Shoot
Sixties Fashion | Post-Production
Rebel Colours Fashion Shoot
Rebel Colours Fashion | Post-Production
Legs Up Fashion Shoot
Legs Up Fashion | Post-Production
Fast-Flash Jelly Headshots
Dual Lighting Fashion Shoot
Dual Lighting Fashion Shoot | Post-Production
A Monochromatic Moment in Time Fashion Shoot
A Monochromatic Moment in Time | Post-Production
Coloured Gels Fashion Shoot
Photographing a Model In Motion
How to Photograph Legs
Theatrical Light Fashion Shoot
Retro Sci-Fi Fashion Shoot
Pop Fashion Shoot
Matching Hues Fashion Shoot
Innocence Fashion Shoot
Clean Cut Fashion Shoot
Fantasy Fatale
Liquid Fashion
Liquid Fashion Retouching
Model Paint Blast
Model Throws Paint
Fashion Photography Using Laser Lighting and Flash Photography
Futuristic Fashion Photography
Falling Girl: Photographing a Model in Motion
Knockout Creative Techniques
Lighting and Making a Small Set
On Location Fashion Photography
- 18 Classes
- 3+ Hours content
- Level: All Levels
Photographing fashion outdoors offers a host of creative opportunities. But it also presents many challenges.
How do you identify interesting locations? What equipment do you use? How do you balance natural and artificial light? These classes answer all of these questions, and more.
Through step-by-step guidance, you’ll learn how to create your own stunning fashion images using natural and/or studio lighting, as Karl explains his creative thought process, his equipment, and lighting techniques for shooting fashion on location.
What you’ll learn:
- How to scout locations for fashion shoots
- How to style on-location fashion photography
- Developing and executing concepts for on-location fashion shoots
- Combining natural light and studio flash
- How to work with models in challenging conditions
- How to work with a team on location
Conceptual Fashion Photography: Hazards of the Perfection Paradigm
Photographing Fashion on the Coast With Flash Lighting
Fashion Photography on Location
Seascape Fashion Photography
Flash and Natural Light
High-Speed Sync Location Lighting
Backlighting Sun and Flash
Streetwear Fashion Photography – Skater Girl
Stunning Location Lighting
Simple Fashion on Location
Location Soft Lighting
Lingerie Shoot on Location
Softening Harsh Sunlight for Natural Light Fashion Photography
Fashion Photography on Location Using Speedlights
Simple Sunset Fashion Shoot
Combining Natural Backlighting With Flash on Location
Flash on location
Beauty Photography & Retouching
- 19 Classes
- 8+ Hours content
- Level: All Levels
These in-depth beauty photography classes cover everything you need to know.
Beauty photography requires distinct lighting techniques, which can be difficult to master without the right guidance. In these classes, you’ll discover how to create hard and soft light, and what modifiers to use and when – plus how to use common modifiers in more creative ways.
You’ll learn about makeup, styling and posing for beauty photography, as well as how you can use simple props and accessories to add your own unique style to your images.
Karl also explains how to retouch and refine your images with his tried and tested post-production techniques.
What you’ll learn:
- How to setup and light beauty shoots
- How to use modifiers for beauty photography
- Styling and posing beauty models
- Retouching tips for beauty photography
Hard-Light Beauty Shoot
Hard-Light Beauty | Post-Production (Part 1)
Hard-Light Beauty | Post-Production (Part 2)
Hard-Light Beauty | Post-Production (Part 3)
Parabolic Reflector Beauty Shoot
Parabolic Reflector Beauty | Post-Production (Part 1)
Parabolic Reflector Beauty | Post-Production (Part 2)
Parabolic Reflector Beauty | Post-Production (Part 3)
Projection Spotlight Beauty Shoot
Projection Spotlight Beauty | Post-Production (Part 1)
Projection Spotlight Beauty | Post-Production (Part 2)
Bright and Gritty Beauty Photography
Dark and Edgy Beauty Photography
Beauty Photography
Introduction and Beauty Lighting
Forming Graduated Beauty Lighting
Master Beauty Dish Lighting
Beauty-Style Advertising Photography
Lips and Nails Close-up
Beauty-Style Photography Retouch: Getting Started
Beauty-Style Photography Retouch: Colour Adjustments
Beauty-Style Photography Retouch: Liquifying, Burning and Dodging
Beauty Retouch 2: Initial Clean-up
Beauty Retouch 2: Adding and Removing Hair and Liquifying
Beauty Retouch 2: Shine Removal and Lip Definition
Beauty Retouch 2: Remove Fine Hairs, Blemishes and Liquify
Beauty Retouch 2: Eye enhancements
Beauty Lighting Techniques
Modern Fashion Fantasy Shoot
'Fashionscape'
- 19 Classes
- 5+ Hours content
- Level: All Levels
In these documentary-style fashion photography tutorials, Karl and the team reveal the extensive planning and preparation behind on-location fashion shoots as they head to Iceland for one of their biggest projects yet.
From logistics meetings and model castings to fashion photography lighting setups and final shoots, you’ll discover a host of tips for working on location and get a number of creative ideas. Featuring some truly breathtaking backdrops, this series also includes a few bonus landscape photography tutorials.
What you’ll learn:
- How to plan a fashion shoot on location overseas
- How to select a model for your shoot
- Working with models in challenging conditions
- Post-production for on-location fashion photography
- How to produce large prints
Pretrip Planning
Model Castings
Logistics Meeting and Test Shoot
The Challenges of Shooting Fashion on Location
Ice Lagoon Shoot
Light on the Horizon
Storm on the Horizon
Skogafoss Waterfall Shoot
Fashion Shoot at the Site of the DC3 Plane Crash
Dramatic Fashion Shoot in a Surreal Landscape
Surreal Fashion Photography: Alien Worlds
Dramatic Backdrop
Highland Roads
Photographing a Model in Action: Ascension Shoot
Soft Moss Fantasy
Fashionscape: Funny Outtakes!
Fashionscape: Overview and Post-Production – Part 1
Fashionscape: Overview and Post-Production – Part 2
Producing Large Prints
Fashion Extras
- 19 Classes
- 9+ Hours content
- Level: All Levels
This collection of stand-alone classes will help you take your understanding of fashion photography even further.
You’ll find a selection of fashion-focused image critiques in which Karl reviews members’ portrait and fashion images. We’ve also handpicked some fashion-focused interviews from our Special Guests Archive. In these replays of their live conversations with Karl, professional fashion photographers share their valuable industry insights.
What you’ll learn:
- Tips and techniques from professional fashion photographers
- How to improve your fashion photography
Karl Taylor
Karl Taylor has been a professional photographer for more than 25 years. Commissioned by leading global brands for his precise attention to detail and exquisite control of light, Karl is also known as an instructor who explains complex subjects clearly and effectively. Karl’s unique expertise and commitment to education has led him to work for Hasselblad Camera Company, Broncolor Lighting and Adobe, as well as to appearances on the BBC and elsewhere.