about
What is a "cinematic portrait"?
I asked myself this question in 2013, when I was shooting a lot of studio and staged portraits and overusing retouch. But I didn't believe in my photos: they lacked something truthful. «Movies! You grew up watching movies, so use them as inspiration» - this idea came to my mind and changed my whole approach to photography.
I began to analyse movies: composition and light, montage and color correction, how actors behave, how to create story and natural scenes that look real. I was doing photoshoots every week, and people started to like my work more and more, my work received a great response - and I realized that I found my approach. People order portrait, couple, advertising and even wedding photoshoots in my "cinematic" style - natural and artistic photos will never go out of fashion, I'm sure!
I got all the knowledge I possess by myself, studying works of the great photographers, analyzing movies, reading literature about photography, art and screenwriting and absorbing backstage videos of my favorite photographers.
This is a unique course in which I have collected everything I have learned in 10 years, from the basics of composition and working with light to creating a cinematic story and complex retouching.
you should join the course, if you:
WANT YOUR PORTRAITS TO LOOK LIKE SCREENSHOT
You think that your photos are too staged and boring, you want to create natural and convincing portraits
JUST BEGIN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY JOURNEY
You want to acquire basic skills: how to build a frame, work with light and create natural posing and emotions
LOOK FOR INSPIRATION
You need a fresh look at familiar things and some push for new creativity
why you should join the course?
LOTS OF EXAMPLES
The lessons contain lots of examples and photos, and each technique is analyzed in detail. You will see the process of photoshoot and compare with finished photos as a result.
UNIQUE AUTHOR'S VIEW
You will take a fresh look at portrait photography and learn how to make portraits look like screenshots from movies.
EASY TO STUDY
The course consists of video tutorials, and you will have access to each of them for at least 1 month after finishing.
MANUALS
There is a brief summary for each lesson with photo examples, lists of movies, photographers and useful literature.
DATABASE OF PHOTOGRAPHERS
All the photos in the videos have the names of their authors, and I will share with you my database of photographers for inspiration, which I have been collecting for several years.
HOMEWORK AND FEEDBACK
Doing homework will improve your skills and feedback from me will help you to grow faster.
Maria's portfolio
lessons
POSING AND EMOTIONS
2 approaches: staged and in motion.
How to relax the model and create the trust.
Practice: staged portrait at home.
Shooting in motion on the street, in a trolleybus and a cafe.
Couple portrait: shooting on the bay, creating a story.
CINEMATIC LOOK
The difference between a photo and a screenshot from a movie.
8 ways to create cinematic vibe.
How I created my best photoshoots.
COMMERCIAL AND CREATIVE PHOTOSHOOTS
Working with the customer. Idea and concept.
How I manage the price for photoshoot.
Preparation steps before photoshoot
Inspiration, moodboard, locations, setting.
Working with a team: model, makeup artist, stylist.
Creating a story. Photo selection.
COLOR CORRECTION
Features of cinematic look.
Lightroom: interface and basic buttons.
Adjusting light and texture.
Calibration section. Saturation and tone.
Toning colors like in movies. How to copy colors
from reference photos.
Local tools.
RETOUCH
Invisible retouching. How to keep natural look and textures.
Photoshop: removing imperfections and cleansing the skin.
Frequency separation and Dodge&Burn.
Liquify: transform the face and figure.
Final touches. Accents, light spots and volumes.
PART 1
form
PART 2
content
PART 3
editing
LIGHT
Basic lighting schemes. How the light changes the face
and creates the mood.
Shooting with daylight at home
Artificial light. Shooting on the street and in the bar.
Working with RGB lights
FRAME
Basics of composition. Balance, change of frame shots,
focal length and angles.
Shooting indoors and in the city.
4 ways to make your photo look dynamic.
price
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access to lessons for 1 month
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independent study of the material
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manuals for lessons
you want to study by yourself
250$
standart
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access to lessons for 1 year
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chat with other students
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homeworks with feedback
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group calls once a week and discussion
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manuals
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database of photographers
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graduation project
you want homework and feedback
350$
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access to lessons forever
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individual calls with Maria and portfolio review
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regular contact with your mentor
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chat with other students
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homeworks with feedback
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manuals for lessons
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database of books about photography and art
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database of photographers for inspiration
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graduation project
you need mentor and personal approach
550$
basic
individual
student's reviews
examples of photos from the lessons
FAQ
HOW WE WILL STUDY?
You will have an access to the lessons online, and I will add new topic every week.
At the end of the week we will make group calls where I will analyze your work and give you feedback. At the end of the course you will shoot your graduating project.
HOW LONG WILL BE THE COURSE?
7 weeks
WHEN DO WE START?
November 26, 2023
WILL THIS COURSE BE USEFUL FOR ME IF I DO WEDDINGS/EVENTS/COMMERSIAL PHOTOSHOOTS?
Yes! Cinematic style is not only about drama and some storytelling; first of all, it is about catching moments, portraying people as they don't feel the camera, creating sincere portraits and seeing the color like an artist. These skills are useful in any genre of photography.
I'M A BEGINNER, WON'T IT BE TOO DIFFICULT?
It will not! Im giving a lot of basic information about composition, light and color correction - everything you need if you are a beginner. All the lessons will be important: it's better to set a high bar from the first steps and develop your taste - my course will help you with this!
how to join
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Message me on Instagram - or fill out the form below.
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In the message write down your name and the option of studying (basic, standart or individual)
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I will write you back and tell you about the next steps.
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You are welcome to ask any questions - I'll be happy to answer!
