I offer 1:1 photography courses, presentations, online training and books for people looking to improve their portrait photography.
1:1 training
Ideal if you’ve just received a new camera and want to understand how to get the most from it, or if you’ve had your camera for a while but never gone beyond automatic mode.
I’ll work with you one-to-one to answer your questions and show you how to create better images using whatever kit you have. All my training sessions are designed around your interests and current skill levels, and take place at my professional Bicester photography studio.
Topics include:
- Move into Manual | Camera Training
- Perfect Portraits | Photography Training
- First Edits in Photoshop | Computer Training
One-to-one training is also a great gift idea for camera lovers and photography enthusiasts, with personalised Gift Certificates available to purchase for Christmas and Birthday gifts.
Email [email protected] to ask any questions or to book.
“My wife booked me a photography tutorial with Sarah as a Christmas gift. During the tutorial I learned so much about my camera and its potential uses. Sarah takes her time to explain the subject in a straightforward, enthusiastic and knowledgeable manner that is not overly technical. I would highly recommend Sarah to others… she is an exceptionally good photographer with great people skills to match.”
Kevin, 1:1 camera and photography training client from Wantage, Oxfordshire
“I recently had some photography training with Sarah at her gorgeous studio. Sarah was patient, welcoming and explained things in a way that was understandable. I felt that I really turned a corner with my photography and understanding of the technical side of my camera and that is because of Sarah’s guidance and support… I’m already booked onto my second session with her as I enjoyed it so much!”
Steph, camera and photography training client from Bicester, Oxfordshire
“Asked Sarah for a lesson to improve my use of a Canon DLR (77D) in manual mode. Sarah put me at my ease straightaway, chatted through what I knew and where I wanted to be. She was clear in her explanations of the principles of photography and the more specific things I needed. Her studio was ideal to take pictures of the objects I took along and review after each shot. Sarah showed great patience with me and gave great feedback on the photos. I really enjoyed the session and have learnt a lot to takeaway and practice on. Anyone who wants to venture away from the camera driven settings and explore Manual Mode I highly recommend a lesson with Sarah. Thank you so much.”
Dave, 1:1 camera and photography training client from Bicester, Oxfordshire
“I attended Sarah’s studio for some beginner’s training in Studio Photography and I was so happy with the training I received. Sarah is so friendly and welcoming. She catered the training to my specific needs (I’m a total beginner!) and explained everything clearly to me and at my pace. I would definitely recommend Sarah to anyone who is looking for some training in photography.”
Laura, 1:1 camera and photography training client from Bicester, Oxfordshire
Talks & Presentations on Portrait Photography
In contrast to all other types of photography (architectural, food, landscape, wildlife etc), in portrait photography you have to deal with another person’s psychology.
My clients want beautiful portraits of themselves, but thanks to years of unflattering images they often feel awkward in front of the lens, and are terrified that they’ll look and feel stupid. In addition, when someone looks an image of themselves, they remember how they felt when it was taken. Therefore, it’s essential that they enjoy the experience, despite all the bad feelings they have about being photographed!
“Sarah gave a wonderful talk to a large number of Camera Club members last night to talk about her portrait photography business. She clearly understands how people tick and that most people are camera shy to some extent. Sarah generously shared some of the techniques she uses to ensure that her clients forget about the camera and have a relaxing happy & rewarding experience at her studio. Her professionalism & enthusiasm for her work really came through as she explained how she prepares her clients long before the studio day so that they can be rewarded with wonderful memories of the day & stunning photographs. Our group of photographers were extremely impressed with Sarah and we all learned a great deal. I personally would have no hesitation in recommending her and would love her to photograph my family.”
Lynette, Planning Secretary, Wantage Camera Club
Book me as your speaker and I’ll share interpersonal techniques to help photographers relax their subjects, posing tips to flatter all shapes and sizes and some of my top ways to generate big, authentic laughs from subjects – when dealing with a toddler, a couple, a family or a whole generation group.
“When a speaker who had been arranged for some months cancelled at very short notice, I contacted Sarah to ask if she would be able to step in to deliver a talk to our group on the theme of Portrait Photography. Thankfully, she agreed. Instead of the more typical approach of focal lengths, shutter speeds and control of depth of field, she expounded on the concepts of putting your subjects at ease, interacting with them and lighting to flatter your subject. The evening was a tremendous success with many positive comments from the members including one that simply said that it was “quite possibly the evening of the season so far”, and “warm, friendly and approachable”. We would be happy to welcome Sarah back for future presentations and would commend her to anyone wanting a fresh look at the skills of the portrait photographer.”
Stephen Warner, Speaker Programme, Secretary Witney Photo Group
Online Education
Instead of spending ten years learning and improving your skills, what if you could accelerate the process by picking the brains of someone at the very top of the industry?
MasteringPortraitPhotography.com is your personal teacher, virtual mentor and digital support group, all rolled into one, to help you create and capture your best-ever portraits.
Start with our structured course, so you can catch up or refresh on the fundamentals of photography. Then, browse through the hundreds of videos, podcasts, diagrams and articles to improve your skills and get inspired. Our content breaks down how each image was created, so you can replicate the results yourself. Ask questions about any of the content, anytime. Then put your new skills into practice and submit your images for critique by international, multi-award-winning portrait photographer and competition judge Paul Wilkinson.
If you are an intermediate or advanced portrait photographer who sometimes feels frustrated with your progress, are disappointed with your images or lack confidence in how to handle different portrait situations, this site is for you.
Books
I have co-authored two books on portrait photography, both published by Ammonite Press. The most recent, Mastering Portrait Photography is for more advanced photographers, while Foundation Portrait Photography is aimed at beginners.
Mastering Portrait Photography
Mastering Portrait Photography is an advanced portrait photography reference book which I co-authored with one of the UK’s top portrait photographers, Paul Wilkinson.
The book has been featured in a number of publications and online lists including: Photography News, Black+White Photography Magazine, F2 Freelance Photographer Magazine, Master Photography Magazine and MagaScene.
Mastering Portrait Photography is available in the UK and internationally. It has been translated into Italian under the National Geographic brand and German, too.
“Occasionally you come across a book that you can’t put down. This is one of those books. Concise, delightful photographs and excellent text that allows even a novice to improve their way of capturing first class portraits.
We can all learn something about topics we have an interest in. Photography is a ‘learned’ skill though there has to be a willingness to practice. From this book you can read about the photograph and what the photographer did to capture it; not just the camera settings, but also how to get subjects to relax and help them ‘want’ to have their picture taken. Most of us are a bit scared when a camera is pointed at us, unless you’re so handsome or beautiful, and most subjects aren’t that good looking! (Don’t I know it!)
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Yes, it’s that good. Anyone who reads this book and doesn’t fall in love with taking portraits afterwards has to be not really in love with photography. Buy it, devour it and use its content is all I can say. I repeat; yes, it’s that good!”
Amazon review by A. Darbyshire
Foundation Portrait Photography
Foundation Portrait Photography, co-authored with professional photographer Hannah MacGregor, teaches you how to take full, manual control of your DSLR. You’ll gradually build your knowledge through a series of practical projects based around photographing subjects of different ages. It is concise, empowering and accessible.
“This is a really great book if you want to start taking great portrait photographs or if you want to develop your existing skills. It’s packed full of great photos with plenty of commentary on why the pictures ‘work’ and how that was achieved. The layout is really great, with a section on basics (camera/lenses), one on light and location then most of the book is dedicated to teaching portrait techniques and ideas to develop them. Even this is carefully broken down into age groups and situations, so the advice can be tailored to your requirements. All in all this is a great value book. There is so much is crammed in, while still being accessible and easy to read/digest. I strongly recommend this if you want to start or get better at taking pictures of people!”
Amazon review by D.E
Want to know more about my camera and photography training in and around Bicester, Oxfordshire? I’d love to hear from you!
Call me on 07832 196657, email me via [email protected], or pop your details in the enquiry form below.
Sarah Plater AMPA is a multi-award-winning qualified, certified professional portrait photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire.
She is the Master Photographers Association Newborn Photographer of the Year 2019 and Young Families Photographer of the Year 2022 for the Central Region (covering Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire).
