Headshots 101: Essential Skills for Beginner Photographers
Class - Photography | Available
Perfect for aspiring photographers, Headshots 101 introduces the essential techniques and creative approaches behind professional headshot photography. Over three weeks, students will gain confidence in lighting, posing, and working with subjects to create flattering and expressive portraits suitable for business, creative, and social media use.
Week 1: Understanding Light, Gear, and Composition
Students begin by exploring the fundamentals of headshot photography—camera settings, lens choices, lighting setups, and background considerations. Through demonstrations and guided practice, participants will learn how to use both natural and artificial light to shape faces, emphasize features, and create clean, professional results.
Week 2: Working with Subjects and Posing Techniques
This week focuses on building rapport and guiding subjects for authentic, confident expressions. Students will practice directing individuals in studio and outdoor environments, learning to adjust poses and angles for different face shapes, personalities, and client needs. The emphasis will be on developing communication skills that bring out the best in every subject.
Week 3: Editing, Retouching, and Final Presentation
The final week covers digital postproduction and finishing techniques specific to headshots. Students will learn how to refine skin tones, enhance eyes, and achieve natural retouching while maintaining realism. The course concludes with a review and critique session, where participants share their best images for feedback and discussion.
- Digital or Film Camera with a working hot shoe.
C. Stephen Hurst
C. Stephen Hurst recently moved to Winston-Salem from New York City where he spent many years as a professional photographer and instructor at the International School of Photography. Hurst is a self-taught photographer who emphasizes connection, anticipation, and communication through his process; some of Hurst’s photography clients have included the Disney Family Foundation, Nike, and Columbia Business School. Hurst holds a B.F.A. in Cinema Studies from New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Learn more about his work at amancalledhurst.com.