Concept Portrait Photography: Create A Captivating Series

Overview

This course, taught by Soraya Zaman, is about diving deeper and beyond classic portraiture. By working with your subjects with a more open, creative approach, you can create imagery that represents and articulates them and their essence in a captivating way. You will learn how to work with your subjects to create a shoot concept that is driven by who they are and what they are passionate about. This approach is about a collaboration rather than the photographer creating a vision for the subject. You will learn to work together to flesh out a creative idea and discuss what themes you are working towards. Who is this class for? The class is for those who want to explore photographing people in a more creative and conceptual manner. It will require beginner to intermediate camera knowledge and a sense of adventure, experimentation, exploration and fun! This course is useful in helping you get more artistic and creative with your photography and to experiment with ideas in the representation of an individual outside of straight/classic portraiture. This will help you become a better photographer overall as you exercise the “think outside of the box” muscle. You will need: * Smartphone or DSLR Camera * Photo Editing Software: I use Capture One and Adobe Photoshop, but any editing software you have will suffice * A subject for your photo shoot * Props, objects or equipment that will enable your creative process for the shoot So join me, grab your gear and let's get started! Instructor bio: Hello, I'm Soraya. I'm a photographer living in NYC and upstate New York. I'm of the firm belief that photography should be collaborative, thought provoking, emotional and most importantly a fun process of connection. I am the photographer of the AMERICAN BOYS book (@americanboysproject) published by Daylight Books.

Syllabus

Getting Started with Concept Portrait Photography

This module lays the foundation for your photo series by introducing the course, project goals, and key creative steps. You’ll learn how to draw inspiration from your subject and refine an idea into a powerful, well-defined concept.

Preparing for the Shoot

Before heading fully into the shoot, this module prepares you with the right tools and techniques. You’ll explore how props, natural light, and reflective surfaces can dramatically change the mood and story of your portraits.

Exploring Creative Lighting Techniques

This module focuses on mastering light in creative ways. From the golden glow of sunset to the drama of night shoots, you’ll see how light and environment can work together to shape mood and elevate your portraits.

Post-Production and Storytelling

The final module takes your shoot from raw files to a polished series. You’ll learn how to select, edit, and arrange your images so they work together as a complete narrative. By the end, you’ll have the tools to finalize and present your own concept-driven photo project.