The Creative Portrait

In this day of iPhones, Instagram, and selfie culture, images of people are constantly part of our life in more ways than they have ever been. However, capturing a powerful portrait goes well beyond the quick press of a button.

In this workshop with portrait photographer and teacher Rania Matar, we first discuss the key elements that make a good portrait. Then we delve into the process of approaching potential subjects, establishing trust, and developing a relationship. We learn to pay attention to detail, postures, expressions, and the use of the environment, while working through the process and all the details of creating a powerful portrait. We learn to use framing, natural light, location, background, body language, the significance of the gaze or not, and pay close attention to the relationship of the photographer to the subject throughout the entire process. We focus on the collaborative aspect of portraiture and how to engage and involve the person on the other side of the camera. 

Over the course of our time together we explore many different aspects of portraiture—close-up portraits, environmental portraits, documentary portraits, collaborative portraits, self-portraits, group portraits, and conceptual portraits. Through assignments and field work in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico, students are encouraged to truly and intimately see their subject and find their own voice in this creative process of making beautiful, powerful, creative, and collaborative portraits. Rania leads group image reviews of students’ work, and also shares the work of well-known artists for ideas and inspiration.

This week-long workshop with Rania offers community, connection, and reveals important new ways of working with people and making intimate and creative portraits.