Our Portrait Photography Course is designed to give you the confidence, creativity and technical know-how to capture striking portraits in both natural and studio settings. From candid and urban photography to fine art and fashion, you’ll learn how to take photos that tell a story, add mood and texture, and stand out in your portfolio. Guided by a professional portrait photographer, this hands-on course blends theory, practice, and live model shoots to help you refine your personal style.
You will work with a model throughout our photography lessons and receive hints and tips to help develop your personal style and build your confidence. Theory lessons are incorporated into the course to help broaden your understanding of Portrait Photography as you develop your skills. Some studio setups will be covered.
New to Photography? Before honing in on Portrait Photography you'll need the basic skills to use your camera - take a look at our Photography for Beginners Course.
After you have completed the Portrait Photography course check out our Studio Lighting Course where you're build on your skills with more on lighting and studio set-ups.
What You Will Learn
On this course you’ll discover how to capture striking portraits with confidence.
You'll cover the following:
- Introduction to a range of portrait photography styles: candid, urban, posed, fine art, and fashion
- How to work with natural light (hard and soft) to achieve different effects
- Techniques for storytelling and capturing emotion in portraits
- Composition principles to add drama and texture to your images
- How to capture moving subjects and candid shots
- Introduction to working with studio lighting and equipment
- Posing tips and direction when working with models
Benefits of Taking This Course
- Unlock Your Creativity: Discover how to add drama, mood and personality to every image. Learn to see beyond the surface and bring out the essence of your subject.
- Build Technical Confidence: Gain hands-on experience working with manual settings, lighting setups, and professional equipment. Walk away with practical knowledge you can apply straight away.
- Learn from the Best: Receive expert guidance and insider tips from a professional portrait photographer with years of experience in the field.
- Develop Your Own Style: Through practical exercises and model shoots, start shaping your unique approach to portrait photography.
Portrait Styles & Types
Explore candid, urban, posed and fine art approaches.
Working with Light
Harness natural, hard and soft light to create atmosphere.
Storytelling in Portraiture
Learn to compose images that capture emotion and narrative.
Model Interaction & Posing
Practice directing a model with confidence and clarity.
Candid & Movement Photography
Techniques for capturing dynamic, unposed moments.
Studio Lighting Essentials
Introduction to professional lighting equipment and setups.
CLASSES STARTING SOON
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Sep 2025 | Fri | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book Now Click the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 8 Oct 2025 | Wed | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 21 Nov 2025 | Fri | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 8 Dec 2025 | Mon | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
Useful information
Yes. A good understanding of exposure and confidence in your camera’s manual settings is strongly advised before joining this course. Take a look at our Photography for Beginners course.
You’ll need a DSLR with full manual controls. If you don’t own one, we can provide a camera for use during the class, please request in advance.
You’ll explore candid, urban, posed, fine art, and fashion portraiture, working in both natural and studio lighting conditions.
This course will help you grow as a portrait photographer, boost your technical and creative confidence, expand your portfolio, and prepare you for more specialised training such as studio lighting.
Our Approach
Our photography classes are designed to fully equip you with the technical knowledge you need to get the most out of your photography, and provide you with projects and exercises to utilise your creativity. The classes are limited to a small size, so our tutors are able to offer you the technical support you need, give you practical hands-on experience and constructive feedback to develop your photography skills.
All of our classes involve focussed, classroom based theory learning, but major on practical exercises. We are committed to offering an enjoyable experience as we guide you through comprehensive technical training and build your confidence as you explore your creative ideas and experimenting with various techniques.
HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS
Our students talk us through what they learnt over the 5 days, about their camera, and themselves!
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Sep 2025 | Fri | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 8 Oct 2025 | Wed | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 21 Nov 2025 | Fri | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 8 Dec 2025 | Mon | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 7 Jan 2026 | Wed | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | City Academy Photography Tutors | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 19 Jan 2026 | Mon | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | City Academy Photography Tutors | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 31 Jan 2026 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | City Academy Photography Tutors | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
Select your Entry Level:
PAYMENT OPTIONS
ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833.
CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS
Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 38 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4RN
We offer a full refund or full credit if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)
10% DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online, or quote the code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Sep 2025 | Fri | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 8 Oct 2025 | Wed | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 21 Nov 2025 | Fri | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 8 Dec 2025 | Mon | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | Holly Falconer | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 7 Jan 2026 | Wed | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | City Academy Photography Tutors | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 19 Jan 2026 | Mon | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | City Academy Photography Tutors | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 31 Jan 2026 | Sat | 10:00-16:00 | 1 day | City Academy Photography Tutors | Photoion Studio, Waterloo | £159.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
Select your Entry Level:
PAYMENT OPTIONS
ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833.
CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS
Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 38 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4RN
We offer a full refund or full credit if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)
10% DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online, or quote the code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.
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Photoion Studio, Waterloo
14 Lower Marsh
All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class.
Take your pictures to the next level with our five-day Photography Summer School. Gaining a further understanding of the technical and aesthetic aspects of photography.
Use state of the art filmmaking and post-production equipment to write, direct and edit a short film in the Adult Filmmaking Summer School
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