Dates: July 15 - August 13, 2026
Meetings: Wednesdays, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM CST (5 sessions)
Location: Online Zoom Classroom
Cost: $465 (HCP members can receive a 10% discount, Advanced Photography Practices students receive a 15% discount)
Instructor: Anthony Francis
Skill Level: Intermediate
This course offers portrait photographers the opportunity to develop their personal work through a deep inquiry of their interests and ideas while identifying the relationship between aesthetic choices and political performances in their images. Through lectures, demonstrations, and home assignments, students will examine the confluence of the conceptual and political and become more aware of ways personal perspectives and ethics are translated into visual narratives. Students will engage in production, photo critiques, and discussions in the pursuit of creating new work informed by thoughtful conceptual development. Works of leading contemporary artists will be presented and analyzed in class.
Objectives:
Deeply understand your motivations for creating portraits
Understand and apply vital politics between the photographer, sitter, and viewer
Realize the broad definition of portraiture and potential creative options
Develop your artistic concepts with the support of your instructor and peers
Create a cohesive set of portraits while revising your work
Expand your artistic background with works of leading portrait photographers
Prerequisites:
Introduction to Portrait Photography or experience photographing portraits is preferred. You should be comfortable using your DSLR or mirrorless camera in Manual mode. You should be proficient or have a working knowledge in photographic editing software, specifically, Lightroom or Capture One.
Course Prep:
For the first class, be prepared to talk about portraits you have made and/or familiarity with portrait photographers you admire. Please make sure to be ready to present your work in class in a PDF.
Dates: July 15 - August 13, 2026
Meetings: Wednesdays, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM CST (5 sessions)
Location: Online Zoom Classroom
Cost: $465 (HCP members can receive a 10% discount, Advanced Photography Practices students receive a 15% discount)
Instructor: Anthony Francis
Skill Level: Intermediate
This course offers portrait photographers the opportunity to develop their personal work through a deep inquiry of their interests and ideas while identifying the relationship between aesthetic choices and political performances in their images. Through lectures, demonstrations, and home assignments, students will examine the confluence of the conceptual and political and become more aware of ways personal perspectives and ethics are translated into visual narratives. Students will engage in production, photo critiques, and discussions in the pursuit of creating new work informed by thoughtful conceptual development. Works of leading contemporary artists will be presented and analyzed in class.
Objectives:
Deeply understand your motivations for creating portraits
Understand and apply vital politics between the photographer, sitter, and viewer
Realize the broad definition of portraiture and potential creative options
Develop your artistic concepts with the support of your instructor and peers
Create a cohesive set of portraits while revising your work
Expand your artistic background with works of leading portrait photographers
Prerequisites:
Introduction to Portrait Photography or experience photographing portraits is preferred. You should be comfortable using your DSLR or mirrorless camera in Manual mode. You should be proficient or have a working knowledge in photographic editing software, specifically, Lightroom or Capture One.
Course Prep:
For the first class, be prepared to talk about portraits you have made and/or familiarity with portrait photographers you admire. Please make sure to be ready to present your work in class in a PDF.
Images: Anthony Francis
