Beginners Portrait Photography Course - 1 Day
Get to grips with portraits — light, settings and people
Beginners portrait photography course in Coventry — a friendly one-day studio course covering lighting, exposure, the camera settings that matter for people, and the composition that makes a portrait work. Hands-on, with feedback on your own camera.
Maximum four people, and we provide the models — so you get real attention and proper time to practise on a live subject.
BIPP qualified · ARPS · 15+ yrs teaching · 800+ five-star reviews →
Is this course right for you?
If any of these sound familiar, you’re exactly who it’s for.
Prefer 1-2-1, or the date doesn't fit?
The portrait course runs on set dates. If the scheduled day doesn't work around your job or family, you don't have to miss out — Alan's 4 × 2-hour private 1-2-1 package (£360) covers everything in the portrait course and more, one-to-one, scheduled entirely around you.
Why a class beats “just watching more videos”
Free tutorials can explain ideas, but most beginners come to me having tried them and still feeling stuck with portraits — because videos can’t:
- Put a real subject in front of you to practise lighting and posing on
- Show you where each setting actually is on your specific camera
- Give consistent advice — every channel seems to say something different
- Look at your portraits and tell you exactly what to fix
- Answer your questions or let you engage in the moment
In a small studio class you get all of that — personal, current, and tailored to the camera in your hands, with a model to work with.
Your day, step by step
Light & the face
Reading light, shaping it, and what flattering portrait light actually looks like — on a real subject.
Settings for people
Aperture, shutter, ISO and focus dialled in for sharp, well-exposed portraits.
Compose & direct
Framing, clean backgrounds, and simple posing to put your subject at ease.
What’s included for £195
- A full day of tuition and hands-on practical guidance (9am–5pm)
- Models provided to photograph throughout the practical session
- Constructive image review and feedback throughout the day
- Notes and settings to take away and revisit
What to bring
You’ll need a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual exposure modes, ideally a zoom (50mm+) or a 50mm prime lens, a charged battery (and a spare if you have one), and space on your memory card. A basic understanding of exposure helps. Bring something to take notes — turn up ready to practise and ask plenty of questions.
Learn from a qualified professional
Alan is a BIPP-qualified professional photographer (ABIPP) and an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS), and has been teaching for over 15 years. He explains the ‘why’ behind every setting — so you know what to do when it counts, not just which button to press. His mentoring clients have a 100% RPS distinction pass rate — 20+ LRPS and 4 ARPS to date.
What students say
★ 800+ verified 5-star reviews · Google & Trustpilot →
“I have thoroughly enjoyed all courses delivered by Alan. Great content and excellent delivery.”
Nuria Alonso · Google“I am new to photography and got a lot from the course already. Explained in an easy-to-understand way, not too much jargon for beginners. Alan was very friendly and happy to answer questions.”
Helen Maddison · Google“Excellent tuition with a knowledgeable instructor. Lots of tips, interaction and practical knowledge to help begin the photography journey.”
Pauli · GoogleChoose your date and book your place
Beginners Portrait Photography Course
Location: 17A Spon Street, Coventry, CV1 3BA (Pay & Display, or Skydome Multi-Storey, 15 Croft Rd, CV1 3LD)
Duration: 1-day course, 9am–5pm (approx 1hr lunch)
Participants: Max 4
Start Dates: Portrait Photography Course
Saturday 11 Oct 2025 - Coventry
Level: Beginner
Description: A 1-day portrait photography course suitable for any amateur who wants to learn the fundamentals — lighting, exposure, camera settings and composition.
Equipment: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual exposure modes, and a good understanding of the basics of exposure, aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Ideally a zoom lens (50mm+) or a 50mm prime.
Booking terms
A non-refundable deposit secures your place. Cancellations less than four weeks before the start date are not refundable, and no-shows forfeit the fee. Changing your date, or rebooking a missed course, incurs a £50 rebooking fee. The course runs with a minimum of two and a maximum of four participants; under-18s are welcome when accompanied by a paying adult. Interest-free payment plans and gift vouchers are available. Read the full booking terms & conditions →
Beginners portrait photography course — FAQs
Do I need an expensive camera or lens?
No. Any DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual exposure modes is perfect — it doesn’t need to be new or expensive. Ideally bring a zoom (50mm+) or a 50mm prime, but the kit lens you already have is a fine place to start.
Will there be a model to photograph?
Yes. We provide the models for the practical session, so you get to photograph a real subject under studio lighting with guidance — rather than just talking theory.
I’m a complete beginner — will I be out of my depth?
Not at all. The course assumes only a basic understanding of exposure and builds from there. With a maximum of four people there’s time for questions and individual help, and there’s genuinely no such thing as a silly question here.
How long is the course?
It’s a full day, roughly 9am to 5pm, with about an hour for lunch. You’ll cover lighting, settings, composition and posing, with a hands-on practical session photographing a model.
Where is it held and is there parking?
The course runs at our studio at 17A Spon Street, Coventry, CV1 3BA. Parking is Pay & Display, or the Skydome Multi-Storey Car Park (15 Croft Road, CV1 3LD) is a short walk away.
Can a friend or partner come along to watch?
Places are limited to four participants to keep the day personal, so it’s for booked participants only rather than observers. If a friend or partner would also like to learn, they’re very welcome to book their own place.
Can under-18s attend?
Yes — younger photographers are welcome, but anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult on the course.
Do I get a certificate?
Not as standard, but one is available on request — an informal acknowledgement of completing your portrait photography training.
What if no dates are listed right now?
If you don’t see a date to book, dates for the next course haven’t been scheduled yet. The quickest option is Alan’s private 1-2-1 package, which covers the same material around your own schedule — or get in touch to be told when the next date is set.
What can I do after the portrait course?
Most people add the Lightroom photo editing course to develop their images, or continue with monthly mentoring or 1-2-1 lessons. If you’re aiming higher, there’s also RPS distinction support.
What happens if a course can’t run?
On the rare occasion a course can’t go ahead, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a credit.
Where the course happens
Good to know
Everything you need at a glance
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Location | 17A Spon Street, Coventry, CV1 3BA · studio |
| Format | 1-day studio course · 9am–5pm |
| Group size | Maximum 4 · small and personal |
| Level | Beginner · basic understanding of exposure helps |
| Price | £195 · models provided, notes to take away |
| Equipment | DSLR or mirrorless with manual modes; zoom (50mm+) or 50mm prime ideal |
| Parking | Pay & Display, or Skydome Multi-Storey (15 Croft Road, CV1 3LD) |
| Models | Provided for the practical session — you photograph a real subject |
Ready to take better portraits?
One day, a small friendly group, a model to work with, and a proper grounding in light, settings and people — that’s all it takes to start making portraits you’re proud of. Choose a date that suits you above, or if the fixed date doesn’t fit your schedule, take the same content one-to-one. Either way, you’ll come away knowing exactly what you’re doing behind the camera, and why.
Choose your date & bookDate doesn’t fit? Take it 1-2-1 in person or online over Zoom. Or develop your shots on the Lightroom editing course.
