Learn about the importance of lighting for portraits
A single-day, 6.5-hour hands-on studio course in London that teaches flash, metering, softboxes, and working with models—designed for beginners and intermediates who want repeatable portrait setups.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
6.5 hours
Fitness Level
No special fitness required; the course is classroom and studio-based.
Wildlife
History
London has a long history of portraiture from studio traditions to contemporary street photographers; this class connects that craft to current practice.
Conservation
Minimize waste by using LED and rechargeable batteries where possible and return gels or shared props to the studio for reuse.
Learn about the importance of lighting for portraits
Arrive early and ring the PCL doorbell
Plan to arrive 5–10 minutes before start time and ring the PCL doorbell for entry to the first-floor classroom.
Bring fully charged batteries
Studio sessions are camera- and flash-heavy—carry spare batteries and memory cards to avoid interruptions.
Label and organize gear
Mark your kit and keep a simple bag with camera, flashgun, and sync cables for faster setup between exercises.
Ask about model releases
If you plan to publish images, request guidance during the session on model releases and permissions.
Camera with hotshoe and manual mode
Manual control and flash sync let you practice the lighting setups taught in class.
Spare batteries and memory cards
Prevents downtime during hands-on shooting exercises.
Grey card or handheld white balance tool
Useful for learning incident and reflected metering and setting accurate exposure.
Small reflector (collapsible)
Helpful for modifying light in environmental portraits and studio setups.