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Getting Started in Portraiture

Discover the artistry and technique behind powerful portrait photography in this practical, hands-on class. Learn how to shape light intentionally, frame each shot with purpose, and draw genuine emotion from your subjects. Explore the creative partnership between photographer and sitter to produce portraits that are technically sharp and emotionally resonant.

  • All levels
  • Small class sizes
  • 16 and older
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  • 8130 Porter Rd, Falls Church, VA
  • 3 hours & 30 minutes

Express Checkout – $149

Sat. Oct 24, 2026, 9am ET


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Class Description

Description

How can you effectively convey a person's distinctive character within a single frame? What strategies can help you manipulate light to evoke powerful emotional reactions from viewers? How do you draw out genuine, unguarded expressions from your subject? This hands-on portraiture workshop explores these essential questions and provides practical solutions through experiential learning.

Throughout this course, participants will study both the technical fundamentals and the artistic vision necessary for creating compelling, meaningful portraits. We will emphasize the importance of building a collaborative, respectful relationship between photographer and subject, demonstrating how this partnership produces the most striking results.

Enroll today to unlock your creative potential and master the techniques needed to produce sophisticated, engaging portraits that make a memorable impact on viewers.

  • Essential camera settings for portrait work, including ISO, aperture (f/stop), and shutter speed configuration
  • Composition strategies that enhance image appeal and viewer engagement: hand placement, camera angles, and frame-filling techniques
  • Best practices and common pitfalls in posing subjects to showcase their most flattering features
  • Methods for capturing authentic emotional expressions that convey depth and genuine feeling in your portraits
  • Advanced light control techniques to establish the intended mood, atmosphere, and visual tone
  • Professional strategies for utilizing natural window light to produce captivating, professional-quality portraits
  • Approaches for employing continuous studio lighting equipment to achieve consistent, polished results
  • Shadow manipulation techniques to create desired visual effects and emotional impact
  • White balance correction methods using gray card reference in Lightroom to ensure accurate, consistent color reproduction

Develop your skills as a portrait photographer and produce exceptional images that distinguish themselves in any portfolio or gallery setting.

*This course will be most beneficial if you already possess a fundamental understanding of exposure principles and feel comfortable working in either Aperture Priority mode or Manual mode on your camera.

School Notes: Mailing address:PO Box 855 Alexandria, VA 22313

Refund Policy

  • A refund or a credit towards another class (less a $20 processing fee) can be given if cancellation notice is given more than 6 business days from the scheduled class.
  • If there is no cancellation notice, or it is given 6 business days or less, no refund or credit will be given.

Please check the name and date of the class carefully.

  • Requests to reschedule a class will incur a $20 processing fee provided notice is given more than 6 business days prior to the class.
  • If request to reschedule is given less than 6 business days prior to the class, no refund or credit will be given.

If the school cancels or postpones a class due to weather or low enrollment, you can choose a full refund or a credit towards a future class.

In any event where a customer wants to cancel their enrollment and is eligible for a full refund, a 5% processing fee will be deducted from the refund amount.

Reviews of Classes at Capital Photography Center (25)

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Capital Photography Center

Capital Photography Center is a photography school founded by Marie Joabar, offering a wide variety of classes taught by skilled and passionate instructors. With single-session classes and small class sizes, the school provides a flexible and enjoyable learning experience for photographers of all skill levels.

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Capital Photography Center
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