• Annual run-through starts 13 May 2024

    Take the course any time and work at your own pace or join our next hosted annual run-through in May 2024.

  • Private community

    Join our genuinely private community; no ads, no tracking (we're not on Facebook anymore). Caroline Morten, who wrote the course, will join during the annual run-through.

  • Grow your confidence

    The course uses a step-by-step method to bolster your confidence, helping you get in front of the camera gradually.

What's included?

8 weeks of lessons with lifetime access. Work at your own pace or join the annual run-through (or both). 

One hosted run-through of the course each year (starts May 2023) with the course’s author, documentary photographer Caroline Morten.

Access to the Emma Davies Photo School online community.

Curriculum

Week 1: Things

Easing in gently and exploring this quote:

“Everything is a self portrait. Your handwriting. The way you walk. Which china pattern you choose. It’s all giving you away. Everything you do shows your hand. Everything is a self-portrait.” - Chuck Palahniuk


Week 2: Shadows & silhouettes

For this topic you are easing a bit more of yourself into the frame, although we still won't be able to see your face.

Week 3: Reflections

A gentle way of getting your face into the frame is to photograph your reflection.


Week 4: Details

This week you look at the storytelling aspect to self portraiture.

Week 5: Documentary

This project helps you catch yourself going about your day-to-day life in a documentary style.

Week 6: Copy a portrait

You will choose a portrait to copy. This takes the pressure of posing and lighting choices out of the process and leaves you free to concentrate on getting comfortable.


Week 7: Head and shoulders

There is no hiding in this week's photograph. You will be surprised to find you are ready to face the camera and create a head-and-shoulders self portrait that you are proud of, in a style you enjoy.

Week 8: Your favourite

A reflective week with the opportunity to revisit an earlier lesson in the light of your new-found confidence. 

FAQ

  • Who runs the course?

    The course was written by documentary photographer Caroline Morten.

  • Is feedback given on images?

    Individual feedback on every image is not included. During the annual run-through Caroline will be on hand to answer any questions you have and provide support and encouragement.

  • What camera do I need?

    You can do the entire course with a phone camera but if you want to utilise depth of field creative options you will need a camera with manual controls.

  • Do I need to shoot off auto mode?

    No. You can do the whole course on auto mode, on a phone camera or on a point-and-shoot. The later lessons introduce concepts of focus control and creative aperture; for these sections of these lessons you will need a camera with manual controls. Technical support for individual cameras is not included.