Portrait Photography: Theory, Process & Practice

In this hands on two day workshop you will produce a collection of photographs and develop and/or deepen an understanding of your artistic practice.

Through practical exercises and homework, we will experiment with some of the key concepts of portrait photography including performance, self-portraiture and the dynamics of the photoshoot.

Your practical work will be supported by introductions to the history and theory of portrait photography. These will be drawn on in the development of your project and you will experience taking part in group discussions about your work and ideas. There will also be the opportunity to photograph and collaborate with the performance collective at Conway Hall if desired.

To finish off the workshop, you will be invited to participate in a group exhibition at Conway Hall, gaining experience in planning and installing a group photography show. (Date TBC)

This workshop is suitable for all levels and abilities and you will need to bring your own camera equipment.

This course takes place at 10am – 5pm on 25th February and 4th March 2017 with an exhibition at Conway Hall in April 2017.

Early bird cost for the course is £110 full price and £80 concession (students, unwaged, OAPs) if booked before December 10th; after that the price increases to £140 full price and £100 concession.

Places are limited so get in touch to book by emailing gracegelder@gmail.com

Tutors

Grace Gelder is a London-based photographer and workshop facilitator. Since completing an MA in Documentary Photography, she has been photographing and facilitating workshops with a range of clients and groups, often collaborating with charities and organisations that support women’s empowerment and wellbeing. Since her Self Marriage unexpectedly went viral in 2014 she has been bringing her love of ritual, self-awareness and visual conversation into her work with a new understanding of what it means to be in front of a lens. Her photo-shoots promote acceptance of the body in all forms, and her private portrait commissions often utilise therapeutic techniques. Grace’s clients have included Tate, BBC, V&A and Wellcome Collection.

Lorna Robertson is an artist and writer, whose research focuses on the relationship between art and photography from 19th century to present day. With a BA from Central Saint Martins in Fine Art, and an MA in History of Art and Photography from Birkbeck University, Lorna is interested in how art history and theory can inform contemporary art practice. Lorna has published articles with Tate, Birkbeck and Photoworks magazine, her research areas include women photographers; the use of photography in collage; the representation of masculinity in photography; and the portrait in 21st century digital culture. Since 2011 she has worked in the curatorial department at Tate Britain on the organisation of exhibitions and displays, recent projects include the Artist Film and Video programme (2015-2016); the Jo Spence Spotlight Display (2015), and the Pablo Bronstein Tate Britain Commission (2016).