The Narrative Portrait

While the traditional portrait is understood as a singular photograph of a person that illustrates their personality and essence, portraiture can also be interpreted as a series of images, expanded into a narrative that guides the viewer through a subject’s world. Imagery of a person’s home and environment can be just as instrumental in communicating who they are, and how they fit within their larger world.

Join acclaimed editorial and documentary photographer Joe Perri for an exciting new workshop that explores narrative portraiture and the relationship between people and place. This course introduces the art of crafting a multi-image series to tell a deeper story about your subject and asks you to visually examine the impact our environment has upon who we are. 

During our immersive week together, we begin by exploring the fundamentals of successful portraiture. Through on-location assignments in Santa Fe, you work with models and real subjects to connect, understand, and craft nuanced stories of people and place. Informed by Joe’s technical demonstrations, you are challenged to explore natural lighting techniques, composition, color theory, and other elements that influence your story.

Joe then guides you beyond the constraints of a single portrait, discussing techniques for developing a cohesive body of work that conveys a narrative across multiple frames. We focus on visual storytelling, emphasizing the use of sequencing, rhythm, and variety to build emotional and thematic connections between images. Participants explore techniques such as environmental portraiture, close-up details, and contextual images, always learning how to weave these elements into a compelling series that paints the larger portrait of their subject. 

We also take time to discuss and study approaches to observation and mindfulness, honing our ability to recognize and document the subtleties of atmosphere and character that define a place or subject. Through demonstrations and assignments, in-depth critiques, and discussions on contemporary processes, participants learn to craft a portrait series that feels intimate, authentic, and intentional. 

This workshop is ideal for photographers looking to expand their portraiture practice and create work that resonates on a deeper level. You have the opportunity to practice and build upon fundamental skills, expanding your images into lasting narratives that authentically mirror a moment, person, and place in time. Join us in Santa Fe for a week of storytelling and exploration, leaving with several completed visual narratives and an expanded definition and practice of portraiture.