Photography · Beginner
Portrait Photography Course
Learn to direct, light and edit portraits people love.
24/7 Access to Course Materials
Passionate and Experienced Tutors
Self-Paced Study
Flexible Payment Options Available
About This Course
Portraits are as much about people as they are about light. This course walks you through both — how to put a subject at ease, how to shape flattering light whether you're in a studio or outdoors, and how to retouch a portrait without over-processing it.
It's a practical, project-based course: you'll be photographing real subjects and building a portrait portfolio as you go.
This suits anyone drawn to photographing people — family portraits, headshots, engagement or event work — whether that's a hobby you want to get genuinely good at or the start of a portrait business. If you want to take the business side further afterwards, our Business Photography Course picks up exactly where this leaves off.
What You'll Learn
Module 1
Getting Set Up: Cameras & Equipment
Get comfortable with the cameras and equipment portrait work actually calls for, then master exposure — the aperture, shutter speed and ISO relationship — so you're in full manual control before a real subject is ever in front of your lens.
Module 2
Working With People
Direction and rapport-building techniques that put your subject at ease — because a technically perfect portrait still falls flat if the person in it looks uncomfortable.
Module 3
Studio & Natural Light
Shape flattering light in the studio and out in the field, understanding how the colour, direction and quality of light changes through the day and how to control it deliberately rather than just reacting to it.
Module 4
Black & White Portraiture
The colour of light, and when to leave colour out of the picture entirely — when and why to shoot in black and white, and how it changes the way you approach light, contrast and mood.
Module 5
Posing & Direction
Practical posing guidance for individuals, couples and groups, building on the rapport work from earlier so direction feels natural rather than stiff.
Module 6
Retouching Portraits
Natural-looking retouching technique in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom — skin, blemishes and colour, handled with a light touch so the result still looks like the person, not a filter.
Module 7
Portrait Specialities
A closer look at specific portrait genres — family, headshot and event portraiture — and what changes about your approach for each.
Module 8
Developing Your Portfolio
Curate a body of portrait work that shows range across styles and subjects, ready to show prospective clients.
Module 9
Building A Portrait Business
The first steps toward offering portrait sessions professionally, once the technical and creative sides are solid.
Where This Can Take You
Real paths our graduates have gone on to pursue — the exact direction is up to you.
Study Portrait Photography Course From Your Region
The course is identical everywhere — these pages cover what it's like to study it from each region, including where local students practise.
Meet the tutors who'll be giving you feedback
Real working photographers review every assignment you submit and tell you what to change.
See the Business Photography Course
Not sure this is the right course? Compare it against another popular option.
Read course FAQs
Answers to the questions students ask most before enrolling.
Success in Focus
What Our Students Say
“I found the course very informative and really enjoyed how I could do each module at my own pace. Deb was very responsive and provided valuable and encouraging feedback. I especially liked how detailed the Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom modules were and the video resources. The course has definitely given me a solid foundation to build upon and I realise I am heading in the right direction with photography.”
Kylie
“I've just completed a photography course through learning online, the help I got was amazing and the course was extremely good. I learnt so much from this course and I would highly recommend going through them if your looking for a course to study from home.”
Samantha D'Silva
“I have just completed my Professional Photography course. Deb was my tutor and she was very helpful and quick to respond. The course information was very easy to understand and 'the work at your own pace' curriculum was super helpful being a Mum of 2.”
Gabby
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