Perfect Portraiture

The Advanced Module Perfect Portraiture is designed to deepen your understanding of what makes a compelling portrait and refine your ability to photograph people with intention and confidence. It explores portraiture as a considered practice rather than a casual snapshot, encouraging you to think critically about purpose, presentation, and visual impact while developing a consistent and professional approach to photographing individuals and groups.

Throughout this module, you will strengthen both your creative and technical control, learning how to shape light, manage equipment, and make deliberate compositional decisions that enhance expression and connection. With a strong emphasis on precision, observation, and workflow, Perfect Portraiture equips you to create polished, expressive portraits across a range of professional contexts.

Perfect Portraiture Advanced Module

Produce inspiring portraits with technique and creativity!

In this module, you will develop a deeper understanding of what defines a portrait, improve your framing and composition skills, and learn to create images that effectively communicate intent and identity. The module also builds technical confidence in using cameras, lenses, lighting, and exposure across natural and studio settings, while introducing a structured approach to photographing individuals and groups and refining images through a consistent post-production workflow.

Portraits by #pistudent Stephen Elliott Image Source: #PIstudent Stephen Elliott

Module Topics

In this module, we will cover the following topics and beyond:

Introduction to Perfect Portraiture
Portrait Photography Principles
What is a Portrait?
Portrait or Snap?
Portrait Lengths
Head & Shoulders
Half-Length
Three-Quarter Length
Full Length
Why Take Portraits?
Social Portraits
Editorial Portraiture
The Environmental Portrait
Corporate & Industrial Portraits
Publicity Portraits
Portrait Composition Principles
Make a Recognisable Image
Keep Eyes Sharp
Put Eyes at Eye Level
Keep Limbs Intact
Avoid Intrusive Objects
People Go Up – Not Across
Fill the Frame
The Rule of Thirds
Space to Look Into
Natural Frames
The Necessary Portrait Equipment
Cameras, Lenses, Lighting & Accessories
Choosing the Camera
Camera Features
Precise Focusing
Spot Metering
Auto Bracketing
Tough Shell
Lenses
85mm Prime Lens
Medium to Long Telephoto Zoom Lens
Wide Angle to Medium Telephoto Zoom Lens
50mm Prime Lens
Camera Accessories
Battery Pack
Tripod & Monopod
Lighting Sources

Natural Light
Studio Flash Units
Continuous Lighting
On-Camera Flash Units
Lighting Accessories
Softboxes & Brollies
Snoots & Barn Doors
Panel Reflectors
Ambient Light & Flash Light Meters
Essential Skills on Camera
Take Control of Your Equipment
Exposure for Portraits
Exposure Compensation
Exposing for Daylight
Exposing for Continuous Light
Exposing for Studio light
Focusing for Portraits
How to use Light
Daylight – Outdoors
Augmented Daylight – Outdoors
Daylight – Indoors
Simple Studio Lighting With Diagrams
Low Key Lighting
High Key Lighting
Specialist Portraiture
Photographing Newborn Babies
Keep It Soft & Simple
The Contrasting View
Show Some Support
Photographing Children
One Eye Line Only
Get Down & Work Fast
Avoid Scary Things
Comfort Blankets & Toys
Keep Photographing
Photographing Families
Break It Down For Extra Sales
A Perfectly Composed Family
The Family Connection
Post Production
Image File Types & Software
Basic Development Processes

Module Outcomes

By completing the Perfect Portraiture Advanced Module, you will:

Understand the principles of portraiture and the difference between casual snaps and intentional portraits.
Compose subjects effectively across head & shoulders, half-length, three-quarter, and full-length portraits.
Gain technical control over cameras, lenses, lighting, and accessories for natural and studio environments.
Develop skills for photographing individuals, families, and specialised subjects with clarity and purpose.
Apply post-production techniques to refine images and present professional, polished final portraits.

Ready to photograph polished portraits on a range of genres and styles?

The Perfect Portraiture Advanced Module is available exclusively to students enroled in our online Photography Course. You’ll also receive a free six-month course extension and the support of a dedicated tutor who will guide you through the module and help you apply the acquired knowledge to your own portraiture journey.

The Perfect Portraiture Advanced Module is your next step toward creating portraits with clarity, intention, and professional impact. Build your skills in composition, lighting, and technical control while learning to photograph individuals, families, and specialised subjects with confidence.