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Beginners Guide to Studio Portrait Photography (Udemy.com)

Start your own studio portrait business and learn learn how to light people in a complimentary way.

Created by: Charlie Borland

Last updated September 2023

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What you will learn

  • Understand the lighting equipment
  • Understand lighting and how best to apply it to people
  • Photograph individuals, families, and groups
  • How to photograph business portraits
  • How to setup your studio in your home or studio location

How it compares

Against the other 418 rated Udemy courses in Lifestyle on CourseDuck:

  • Rating4.7 out of 5higher than 65% of them
  • Reviews183#278 of 419 by number of reviews
  • Length7.5 hourslonger than 90% of them
  • Last updatedSeptember 2023earlier than 54% of them

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Course Description

UPDATE: 08/2023 Exploring Generative AI Fill for POrtrait Photography
UPDATE: 05/2023 Introduction to Digital Backgrounds and an Easter Portrait
UPDATE: 06/2022 New Video Updates Photoshop Techniques
UPDATE: 08/2021 New videos on creative processing of studio portraits.
UPDATE: 1/2021 How to darken an existing background
UPDATE: 11/2020 New video on the Porcelain Skin Look


Introduction to Studio Portraiture, is rated in the TOP 10% of all courses on Udemy? Great job! -Udemy 2016

I truly enjoyed your course. Your course was packed with great material which should be helpful as I attempt to break into the world of Portrait Photography. So much information, some of which is currently way over my head, but really put the field of Portrait Photography into perspective for me.  Your presentation was wonderful, logically laid out, and easy to follow. Thank you.

-Robert M.

Are you a people person and LOVE photography as well?  Would you like to make money with your camera? Would you like to start a home-based business? If so, let me show you how to create beautiful portraits to start your path to your own photography business.

Portrait photography is popular, fun, and in demand! If you are looking for a course to photograph people for fun or jump-start your photography career and get paid, this course shows you how to create beautiful portraits.

If you dream of owning a portrait photography business this course will show you how to create beautiful portraits from headshots to full-length, groups, families, and more. 

In this course you will learn:

  • How to photograph people in various poses and lighting techniques

  • How to master strobe lighting

  • How to photograph white backgrounds

  • How to create special effect portraits

  • How to be a creative and in-demand photographer

In no time you will have all the tools you need to get started creating fine portraits either in the studio or in your own home-based business. And this course is designed specifically for the photographer with no lighting experience.

This course shows you how to:

  • Learn how to sculpt people with light

  • Understand how your lighting equipment works

  • How to understand the difference between key and fill lights

  • Understand lighting ratios

  • How to add accent lights

  • How to light backgrounds

  • How to simple photo retouching (everybody needs some)

By the time you finish this course, you will be able to shoot great portraits of family, friends, and even clients without a million dollars in photo gear. 

Who’s the Instructor?   

There are many courses on how to be an amazing photographer, but how many are taught by true professionals who have a career and worked as a photographer?    

I was formally trained at Brooks Institute in the 1980s and have worked every day since. I have photographed for Fortune 500 companies, been published in countless magazines (you’ve probably heard of), and photographed Hollywood actors, pro athletes, politicians, hotels, well-known products, real estate, and more people, places, and things than I can recall.    

I have taught photo workshops across the USA and the Middle East. Founded two stock photo agencies, and sold thousands of stock photos. I love to teach and want to ensure you succeed and love photography as I do. You can trust me to teach you photography!

  Enroll now to learn exclusive portrait lighting techniques and make good money enjoying your passion. 

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What they are saying: 

        "Charlie, I have learned so much from your class, and feel as I try new lighting arrangements and combinations I do have a lot to learn. My confidence is growing in photographing portraits, and I have to admit I just love it and plan to keep on, having already added 2 lights to my set up." Gratefully, Sarah 

        "Truly a wonderful class! You have taken the "Mystery," and fear, out of portrait photography. You have a wonderful gift for teaching, and you express yourself very well through the written word - another wonderful gift. Thank you so much! Hoping to take another of your classes in the near future". Blessings, Jennifer 

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And don't forget Udemy has a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked, and that is MY guarantee as well!


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Instructor Details

Charlie Borland

      Charlie Borland has been a professional photographer for over 30 years. He has traveled extensively for a wide range of clients including: Xerox, NW Airlines, Fujitsu, Nike, Blue Cross, Nationsbank, Mentor Graphics, Texas Instruments, Cellular One, Early Winters, Camelbak, Columbia Sportswear, and many more. 

      His imagery has been used thousands of times worldwide, including: National Geographic Adventure and Traveler, Outside, Women's Sport and Fitness, Newsweek, TV Guide, Sports Illustrated for Women, Time, Backpacker, Sunset, American Photo, Outdoor Photographer, Eco Traveler, Southern Bell, to name a few.
 
      Charlie has taught photography throughout his career and teaches internet courses and location workshops. He has lectured on photography in the US and Middle East . He is co-author of Understanding Flash with Bryan Peterson and author of the eBook: Outdoor Flash Photography available on his website: borlandphoto(dot)com. 

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Reviews

4.7

183 ratings on Udemy

Select a bar to show only those reviews.Select the bar again to show every rating.

By Ryan Frisby on 12/11/2022

I have several courses from Charlie Borland and have enjoyed them all. He goes very in depth and explains things very well. I have been shooting for years as an amateur photographer and although I have no intention of going professional I find there are still some great tips and things in his courses for me to use.

By Kathleen Dolan on 11/22/2021

The portrait section was extremely and visually informative. I will watch it again. Exactly the information I was looking for. Some of the lighting equipment section was a little complicated as my lights are still simple and basic. All and all I am happy so far.

By David J Davies on 4/24/2020

The principals are clearly explained. The graphics make the lesson clear. It's a bit of a pity that the photos look so dated as this detracts from the dynamic interest.

By Blair Toblan on 2/12/2020

This is the second course I've taken from Mr. Borland. His expertise and experience shine through his lessons. They are understandable and very clear, and the course is extremely comprehensive, with many examples created by the instructor to illustrate key points. Definitely some of the best courses I've ever taken on Udemy. Outstanding.

By Fadi Mchantaf on 3/16/2019

I really enjoyed this course, I have small experience in studio lighting, I read a lot about it but this course has a lot of hands-on examples which i enjoyed the most. The course is well structured and covered all what a beginner needs to know about studio lighting. The instructor has a smooth way of delivering the material. I would recommend this course to beginners.

By Lynn Dennett on 11/5/2018

This course was exactly what I needed to get taking studio portraits. I was able to figure out what I want in my own lighting, and purchase a nice moderate setup. Of course, it's up to me for practical application but I'm way further along than I would have been without this course. I'm glad for the chance to come back and review again, too.

By Howard Sanford on 8/24/2018

This video is put together really well. The lessons are well though out and the instructor does an excellent job at explaining each technique and his reason for using them. I feel as though I can easily follow his lead and duplicate what he has taught on my own...which was my reason for selecting this online course.

By Bob MacKinnon on 6/8/2017

Brilliant demonstrations of the concepts in this course. Students are presented with a clear overview of a concept which is followed by demonstrations of how the concept applies in the real world. The content could not be made clearer. Very well organized and implemented.

By Robyn Camaer on 12/17/2016

I really enjoyed the technical explanations. I have taken other portrait photography classes and the technical (Lighting: how to operate to how to figure them into the portrait) always seems to get glossed over. I'll be watching this one a few times as I grow my skills.

By Wei OConnell on 6/9/2013

This is a great course for people who are just starting Portrait Photography. The course material is very well presented and informative. The gear list is a very helpful guideline. Charlie does a great job explaining how different gears perform different functions, how to use gears, and how to light a subject/group. This is the second course I took with Charlie. I thoroughly enjoyed both courses and my photography skills have improved dramatically.

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Overall Score : 94 / 100