The Portrait Photography Intensive is a bundle of three Open Education courses offering intermediate and advanced photographers a comprehensive opportunity to develop their portrait photography skills and personal style.
Gain confidence in capturing thought-provoking and compelling portraits while learning the techniques and ethical considerations essential for intentional and respectful portraiture. Through lectures, assignments, critique sessions, and class discussions, students explore the practical, cultural, and visual aspects of portraiture. They also study the approaches of leading photographers to refine their artistic voice in their chosen genre. As they build their portfolios, students can learn advanced image processing techniques, edit and sequence their work, and prepare their images for presentation to photography professionals or potential clients.
The program is flexible, allowing students to complete it entirely online, onsite, or through a mix of both formats.
Topics of study include:
- Historic and contemporary portraiture
- Creative usage of light and composition
- Studio and location lighting practices
- A wide range of portrait techniques, including editorial, documentary, self-portraiture
- Developing a photo series and/or a personal voice
- Image selection and sequencing
- Advanced image processing tools and techniques
- Portfolio preparation and presentation
Expected Outcomes:
- Acquire a cultural artistic background in the field of portraiture
- Understand and practice technical and practical aspects of photographing people
- Develop your visual vocabulary and personal portraiture style
Special Benefits:
- Official ICP digital certificate (see requirements below)
- $150 total savings after completing all courses
- Exclusive early registration period before each term
Program Structure
Framework & Courses
Important Notes
Prerequisites
The Portrait Photography Intensive is an intermediate program: You are comfortable using your camera, whether film or digital, and with your photographic practice. You have experience using Adobe software. You may want to understand how to utilize your camera in a more thoughtful and articulate way, practice creative methodologies, or learn how to utilize theoretical concepts in relation to your portfolio of work. Students must meet the prerequisites of each course they register for as part of the program.
Tuition
Enrollment to the Portrait Photography Intensive is open throughout the year. Once enrolled, students may select their preferred courses (see ‘Register for Upcoming Courses’ above). Use the ‘Enroll in Intensive’ button below to submit your online application form (no preparations are needed).
Depending on students’ course selection, the total tuition can range between $1505–$2495 and includes:
- A non-refundable registration fee of $300
- The discounted fees of 3 selected and studied courses. Courses’ fees range between $495–$1065 and enrolled students receive $150 discounts on each of their courses (total discount of $450).
As a limited promotion, ICP may approve and credit courses previously taken at ICP towards completion of the Intensive, and adjust the registration fee and remaining discounts accordingly (see Special Promotion).
Certification
Students must pass all required courses before receiving ICP certification. All courses must be completed within a period of 1-year from the date of registration (excluding approved past courses). Additionally, to receive their certificate, students need to present an edited and sequenced selection of 10-20 pictures they have photographed as part of this program. Once a student completes the requirements, a request for the certificate should be submitted using the button below.
