Directing People for Portrait Photography
A course by Emilia Brandão, Portrait Photographer
Capture unforgettable images and experiences by understanding how to engage with individuals and their emotions
Captivating portraits are made by understanding human emotions. By being aware of a person’s vulnerabilities and inhibitions, photographer Emilia Brandão is able to connect with her subjects on a deeper level, creating a relaxed atmosphere and gaining the trust of some of the world’s most accomplished athletes, celebrities, and business leaders.
In this course, Emilia shows you how to connect with your subject in order to create authentic portraits that also fulfill your artistic vision. Learn how to direct your subject effectively by using empathy, encouragement, and constructive feedback to create better, more genuine images.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 11 downloads
What's included in this course?
Start your course by getting to know Emilia and learn about her journey into photography. Get to know her influences and how she looks to them to inspire her work.
See how Emilia prepares for a photoshoot. Learn how to visually organize your ideas using a moodboard so you can take stock of the equipment, lighting, wardrobe, location, and props you’ll be needing.
Then, to help guide your sitter throughout the shoot, create a moodboard that’s strictly focused on poses, facial expressions, and body language. Most importantly, discover the importance of creating a relaxing environment and gaining trust with your subject so you can achieve portraits that are both authentic and unique.
Learn how to direct your sitter using the reference material prepared in the previous unit. Understand the importance of connecting with your subject by changing roles, showing vulnerability, and giving encouragement. See how you can achieve better results by physically illustrating your ideas and making your subject part of the creative process.
To wrap things up, take things into post-production using Adobe Bridge. Learn how Emilia uses ratings to make her final selection before retouching individual images with Photoshop and Camera Raw. Get some final tips on adjusting light, contrast, and color. Then prepare your high-resolution portraits to be sent to your client.
- 97% positive reviews (399)
- 12,570 students
- 14 lessons (1h 52m)
- 11 additional resources (4 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, German, Spanish (Latam), French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Turkish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
Recommended software & tools for this course
Adobe Bridge
Adobe Photoshop
Camera RawWhat is this course's project?
Plan, shoot, and edit three unique portraits of a challenging subject using the same mood, scene, and lighting. Final images must be selected together with your subject to ensure they feel represented authentically.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Photographers who are looking to genuinely connect with their subjects and improve their communication skills to create better, more authentic portraits.
Requirements and materials
You need a digital camera with a lens ranging from 55mm to 85mm. You also need a computer with Adobe Bridge, Photoshop, and Camera Raw.
Reviews
Emilia Brandão
A course by Emilia Brandão
Emilia Brandão is a professional portrait photographer based in Madrid. From a young age, Emilia has relied on her camera to connect with people, build relationships, and travel the world.
Originally from São Paulo, Emilia studied Cinema and Photography before becoming a freelance contributor for publications like Vogue, GQ, Elle, and Glamour. She has photographed some of the world’s top business leaders, athletes, and celebrities, including Philippe Starck, Kaká, Yoko Ono, Antonio Banderas, and more. In 2020, she was named an official LEICA ambassador.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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What We Will Do in the Course?
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U2
Connecting with People and Preparing for a Portrait Photoshoot
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Research, Briefing and Mood Board
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Location
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Equipment, Light, and Your Plan B
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Making a Body Language, Facial Expressions and Poses Board
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Understanding Emotions
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U3
Photoshoot (All Shot in Location)
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Before the Shoot
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Placing the Sitter on the Set
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Shooting
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U4
Post Production
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Transferring and Editing
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Image Retouch
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Delivery and Professional Tips
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FP
Final project
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Directing People for Portrait Photography
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate photographers who have basic camera skills and want to deepen their expertise in portraiture, film photography, and professional workflows.
You should have a foundational understanding of camera operation and basic photographic concepts. Some familiarity with portraiture or manual camera controls is helpful but not required.
You’ll learn black and white film development, studio and natural lighting techniques, posing and directing subjects, building a photography portfolio, creating mood boards, and professional post-production workflows.
Yes, the course covers both digital and film approaches to portraiture, including black and white film development and digital post-production techniques.
Yes, you’ll learn strategies for curating and building a professional photography portfolio suitable for editorial, fashion, and documentary work.
You’ll learn empathy-driven techniques, effective communication, and strategies to make sitters feel comfortable, resulting in authentic and expressive portraits.
A camera (digital or film), a 50mm lens, basic lighting tools like reflectors or strobes, and access to Photoshop or similar editing software are recommended. Optional: film developing supplies.
Adobe Bridge
Adobe Photoshop
Camera Raw
Amei demais!
Muy completo, sobre todo la parte de conectar con tu modelo. Es psicologia pura.
Un curso muy interesante, da muy buenos tips y la professora tiene una manera muy dulce de explicar. Da gusto escucharla.
Easy to understand yet insightful. :)
Clear and to the insightful !