Introduction to Self Portrait Photography

You’re always conveniently available to be your own model, so join me to explore the art of self portrait photography, and learn the process of creating self portraits which tell a story.

We’ll dive into examples and possibilities, talk about useful kit, gather inspiration and catch ideas in the classroom, then head out for a practical, hands-on shooting session so you can put your ideas and concepts into practice.

With a focus on stories, and always considering the final image or series before we start shooting, we’ll cover the following things:
Mood & emotions: every shoot starts with knowing what it is you want to convey in your final image, and getting clarity on this informs every other step of the process.
Setting the scene: thinking about location, environment & surroundings, light & shadow, framing & composition in the context of your subject (you!) and each story you want to tell.
Storytelling elements: wardrobe, props & styling, and how they contribute to the story you’re telling.
Practical techniques: while I’m not teaching actual photography basics, you’ll learn tricks for getting focus & depth of field right when photographing yourself, and have a chance to try out my self portrait kit essentials.
Posing, expressions & movement: whether your intended final image is super wide or intensely close up, you’ll want to think about poses and expressions to convey the mood, story or emotion that’s at the heart of your photo. We’ll explore playing with shutter speed and intentional blur or movement, too.

We’ll talk through editing (as I always shoot for my edit!) though we won’t edit on the day – this workshop is focused on the stories & taking the photos.
By the end of the day, you’ll have some shots ready to start editing, and the notes and knowledge to continue your self portrait adventures!

Carla Watkins is a fine art photographic artist with a love of the ethereal, nostalgia and magic. She’s also a professional mermaid – yes, really!
A former librarian with a vivid imagination and a lifelong love of reading, she weaves stories into photographs which could have walked off the pages of a book – and which invite you to find your own stories within them.
She lives and works on the north Essex coast (which suits her mermaid heart), is often her own model, and her work pulls together memory, magic and wonder.

We have four buildings that are used for visitor accommodation. Whilst most rooms are either en-suite or have a dedicated bathroom, there are somerooms in The Mill that share showers and toilets at the end of the hall. If this isun-suitable for you please make the office staff aware upon booking or as soon as possible.

Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable.

• 
  Expert Tuition
• 
  Free Wi-Fi
• 
  Hot and Cold Drinks

Refreshments are included for all, but please bring lunch with you.

What to bring

Digital camera (ideally interchangeable lens DSLR/mirrorless, but as long as it’s not a phone, it’ll be fine)
Batteries
Memory card(s)
Lenses, if you have them
Notebook & pen
Any items of clothing you may want to include in a self-portrait

Refreshments are included, but please bring lunch with you.

If you have one, but these are all optional: 
Flashgun
Tripod
Remote for the camera
Battery-operated LED continuous lights
If you’re likely to want to wear makeup/face paint/anything of that kind, please bring your own with you.
If you have anything which you think might help you tell a story, or which you’d like to perhaps incorporate into a self-portrait, please bring it with you – nothing valuable, breakable or likely to get lost though, please, as we will be moving around. Previous examples have been books, something from a collection, a favourite mug, hats… anything goes!