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Beginning Family Portrait Photography

Shoot Like a Pro

4.4 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 198 ratings
see reviews
Valerie Goettsch

          More than 2300 students have enrolled and have left  170+ 5-star, rave reviews. 

After taking my photography course, your kids and perhaps even their friends will be begging you to take their portraits too.  

  What You'll Learn: 

Read more

          More than 2300 students have enrolled and have left  170+ 5-star, rave reviews. 

After taking my photography course, your kids and perhaps even their friends will be begging you to take their portraits too.  

  What You'll Learn: 

  • How to position your subject indoors and outdoors for the best lighting.

  • Posing ideas for women, men, teens and younger children.

  • How to choose the right camera settings for more attractive, professional-looking portraits.

  • The best types of lenses for portrait photography (for DSLR users).

  • Background ideas

  • How to edit your portraits in Adobe Lightroom

  This course will show you how to use the available light, without special lighting set-ups, to take amazing portraits of your kids. Outdoors, you'll learn where to position your subject and yourself in relation to the sun for the best lighting. You'll also get tips on taking indoor portraits without using your flash. 

  You'll learn a basic formula for your camera settings that will help you take better portraits. You'll also get a general understanding of exposure and how aperture, shutter speed and ISO work together. 

What you won't get is a lot of super technical stuff. This is a non-technical photography course designed to get you up and going quickly. It's created for parents and others who want to go beyond taking ordinary snapshots and learn how to take better portraits and family photos without a lot of equipment.

We've all taken those photos where the background looks great but your subject's face is so dark you can barely recognize them, or maybe you want to know how pros get the background to look all blurry in portraits. Many people are intimidated by using their DSLR or compact camera's manual settings and just don't know where to start. That Auto Mode is so tempting and easy. But getting out of the Auto Mode will open the door to more creative, professional-looking photos of your kids.         

          BONUS: You can go a step further and watch over my shoulder as I import and edit photos in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. Lightroom is a popular, relatively inexpensive software program designed specifically for photographers. If you enjoy taking photos, you may want to consider this software. You can get a free trial at Adobe. 

  With my course you get: 

  • Over 2300 happy students have already taken this course

  • 100+ glowing, 5-star Reviews

  • Unlimited lifetime course access at no extra cost

  • All future additional lectures and supplementary material included for free, always

  • Unconditional, no questions asked, Udemy 30-day money-back guarantee

  Your children are growing fast. You don't want another day to go by without capturing memorable photos of them, not just quick smartphone snapshots.   

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Easy to follow
  • Relaxed, non-techie teaching style
  • An understanding of the best camera lenses for portraits
  • An understanding general camera settings to use to take portraits
  • Learn how to get more/less depth of field
  • Ideas for posing your kids for a more attractive composition
  • Bonus: learn how to import images and make simple edits and enhancements to your portraits in adobe photoshop lightroom.

Syllabus

Camera and Lens Basics
Introduction

Overview DSLRs vs compact cameras and smartphones. You can get great shots with any of them.

Get an understanding of the effect different lenses can have on your portraits and learn the difference between zoom lenses and prime lenses.

Read more

Your camera’s sensor size can affect the actual focal length of your lens. Get an understanding of what this means and why it matters.

Learn what kind of lenses work best for taking portraits and why longer lenses are better.

5 true/false and multiple choice questions

Understanding how the aperture, shutter speed and ISO work together to produce the correct exposure.

Learn the difference between shallow and wide depth of field and how to use the aperture setting to control it.

What is exposure compensation and how you can use it to get better exposure when you have strongly contrasting foreground and background lighting.

Get a basic formula to follow for your settings to ensure you get great portraits every time.

How to get tack sharp focus for your portraits using the focus and recompose technique and selecting a single focal point.

Tips on getting a better background blur when using your smartphone or compact point and shoot.

4 multiple choice questions

Understand how your light source, the quality and direction of light and time of day affect your portraits.

How to position your subject and recommended camera settings when taking photos around sunrise or sunset, the so-called Golden Hours.

Where to position your subject in relation to the sun and recommended white balance settings.

What to do to avoid shadows on the face if you have to shoot when the sun is high in the sky.

How to take portraits inside without using your flash or artificial lights.

We'll look a several reasons your photos might not be sharp and what you can do about it

4 true/false and multiple choice questions

A look at some cropping and framing issues. Learn when and where to chop off someone’s arms or legs and even part of their head in a shot.

How to get everyone in focus when photographing large groups

What Lightroom is, how it works and why many photographers use it for image editing and management.

A walk-through of importing photos from your memory card as well as images you already have on your computer.

Take one image through the import and editing process and then export it as a jpeg for print

Learn techniques for setting proper white balance and tone for good skin color

How to remove blemishes using the spot removal tool. Learn the difference between the Healing and Cloning modes.

Techniques for softening wrinkles and smoothing skin

Learn how to make eyes pop using the Adjustment Brush.

Simple method to fix under-eye circles

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops core portrait photography skills for parents and others
Provides a hands-on approach to capturing better family and children's portraits
Covers essential camera and lens knowledge for portrait photography
Beginner-friendly approach with a focus on non-technical explanations
Guides learners in using available light for flattering portraits

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Reviews summary

Easy steps to professional family portraits

According to learners, this course is a highly effective and easy-to-follow guide for anyone wanting to capture professional-looking family portraits without getting bogged down in technical jargon. Students praise the instructor's ability to demystify manual camera settings, enabling them to confidently move beyond 'auto mode'. The practical focus on natural light techniques and a wealth of posing ideas for various subjects are consistently highlighted as strengths. While the Lightroom editing section is introductory, it offers valuable basic enhancements. A common observation is that the course is best suited for absolute beginners, as those with prior photography knowledge might find some content redundant. Overall, it's a transformative course for hobbyists and parents seeking significant improvement in their photos.
Introduces essential photo editing and enhancement skills.
"The Lightroom bonus section was a cherry on top, even if it's just basic editing, it's perfect for a beginner."
"The Lightroom part was useful for a quick workflow overview."
"The section on editing in Lightroom, though basic, showed me how much difference simple adjustments can make."
Offers extensive and useful guidance on posing various subjects.
"I appreciated the non-technical approach and the practical advice on posing children."
"I particularly enjoyed the hands-on demos for different lighting situations and the numerous posing ideas."
"The posing section was extensive and gave me lots of ideas."
"The posing tips are also fantastic for lively kids."
Provides practical strategies for utilizing available light effectively.
"The sections on posing and natural light were especially helpful for my family photos."
"The instructor's tips on natural lighting and composition are game-changers. No more dark faces!"
"Tips on finding good light outdoors are invaluable. I also learned a lot about getting sharp focus."
"I loved the emphasis on using available light and simple equipment."
Empowers learners to confidently use camera manual settings.
"I've been using auto mode for years, and now I feel confident enough to shoot in manual."
"I finally understand how to get that blurry background look and take sharp portraits."
"Finally get aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. The practical exercises... have transformed my pictures."
"I've tried other photography courses, but this one truly demystifies manual mode."
Simplifies complex photography concepts for easy understanding.
"The instructor explains complex concepts like aperture and ISO in such a simple, easy-to-understand way."
"The instructor has a very calm and clear teaching style."
"Breaks down complex photography terms into bite-sized, understandable chunks."
"Perfect for me as a mom who just wants better photos of my kids."
Best suited for those with little to no prior photography knowledge.
"Good basic introduction to portrait photography... great for absolute novices."
"It's okay for absolute beginners, but if you have any prior photography knowledge, much of it will be redundant."
"The camera settings section was a bit too basic for me as I already had some knowledge."
"I was hoping for more advanced techniques... It delivered on 'beginning' but perhaps not 'pro' in the way I envisioned."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Beginning Family Portrait Photography: Shoot Like a Pro with these activities:
Follow Online Tutorials on Portrait Photography Techniques
Expand your knowledge and skills by learning from experienced photographers through online tutorials.
Browse courses on Portrait Photography
Show steps
  • Search for and identify reputable online tutorials that cover portrait photography techniques.
  • Follow the tutorials carefully, practicing the techniques with your own camera.
Read and Review Book: The Photographer's Eye
Develop a stronger foundational understanding of photography and composition techniques.
Show steps
  • Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and techniques.
  • Take time to practice the techniques and exercises provided in the book.
Seek Mentorship from an Experienced Portrait Photographer
Connect with a mentor who can provide guidance, support, and valuable insights into the art of portrait photography.
Browse courses on Mentorship
Show steps
  • Identify potential mentors through professional organizations, workshops, or online platforms.
  • Reach out to potential mentors and inquire about their willingness to provide guidance.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Practice Taking Portraits in Different Lighting Conditions
Develop your skills in taking portraits in various lighting situations, allowing you to capture stunning images in different environments.
Browse courses on Portrait Photography
Show steps
  • Identify different lighting conditions, such as natural light, artificial light, and mixed light.
  • Practice taking portraits in each lighting condition, experimenting with different camera settings and compositions.
  • Experiment with different lighting equipment, such as reflectors and flashes, to enhance your portraits.
Practice Adjusting Camera Settings for Portrait Photography
Develop your understanding of camera settings and how to adjust them for optimal portrait photography.
Browse courses on Portrait Photography
Show steps
  • Understand the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in portrait photography.
  • Practice adjusting camera settings in different lighting conditions, such as natural light, artificial light, and mixed light.
  • Use the camera's histogram to ensure proper exposure and avoid overexposed or underexposed portraits.
Share Your Portrait Work with Peers for Feedback
Receive constructive criticism and feedback on your portrait work, allowing you to identify areas for growth.
Browse courses on Feedback
Show steps
  • Share your portrait images with peers or a critique group.
  • Actively listen to feedback and ask for specific suggestions for improvement.
Attend Photography Meetups or Workshops
Connect with other photographers, learn from their experiences, and gain insights into portrait photography.
Browse courses on Networking
Show steps
  • Identify local photography meetups or workshops focused on portrait photography.
  • Attend the events and actively participate in discussions and activities.
Create a Portfolio of Your Best Portraits
Organize and showcase your best portrait work, allowing you to reflect on your progress and identify areas for further improvement.
Browse courses on Portfolio
Show steps
  • Select your best portrait images that demonstrate your skills and techniques.
  • Create a platform or website to display your portfolio.
  • Share your portfolio with others for feedback and constructive criticism.

Career center

Learners who complete Beginning Family Portrait Photography: Shoot Like a Pro will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

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Course image
Rating
4.4 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
2.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Valerie Goettsch
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops core portrait photography skills for parents and others
Provides a hands-on approach to capturing better family and children's portraits
Covers essential camera and lens knowledge for portrait photography
Beginner-friendly approach with a focus on non-technical explanations
Guides learners in using available light for flattering portraits
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