The Art of the Empathetic Portrait

In a time when genuine human connection can feel elusive, attention spans grow ever shorter, and distractions multiply, what does it mean to experience a truly rewarding encounter with another person?

For those drawn to portrait photography, the act of making an image and sharing in humanity can be beautifully intertwined. To be really present and fully engage with another—whether friend, family member, or stranger—can be nothing short of transformative.

Over an international career spanning more than 40 years, Andrew Southam has created portraits for hundreds of magazines, recording artists, and advertising clients, alongside his ongoing personal projects. Through this work, he has come to see photography not simply as image-making, but as a profound engagement with humanity—an invitation to be deeply present, to connect, and to create images that reach into emotion and expression.

In this five-session workshop, Andrew will guide participants through a series of discussions, presentations, thoughtfully designed assignments, and in-depth critiques. Together, we explore how to grow artistry and cultivate the ability to make portraits that resonate with empathy.

Because a great portrait is as much an engagement with ourselves as it is with another, we begin by turning inward in exercises that encourage composing ourselves, clarifying our intentions, and considering our personal ambitions for our work. From there, we move outward, exploring ways to communicate with our subjects, practicing techniques to put both photographer and subject at ease, and learning how to foster presence, whether in the intimacy of private spaces or the unpredictability of the street. Along the way, we consider how environment, respect, and mood shape the portraits we make.

Whether your goal is personal expression, preparing for an exhibition, or dreaming of a book, this course encourages aiming high because every portrait is an opportunity to learn about ourselves as much as about another.

No matter your camera of choice—iPhone, DSLR, or film camera—this is a workshop designed to deepen not just your photographic practice, but your experience as a human being attuned to the world and the people within it.