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Photography & Lighting

Program #032 · Photography ✓ Free Online Intro Included

Directing & Posing Non-Models for Natural Portraits

Guide camera-shy founders, professionals, and families with clear vocal prompts, weight shifts, and hand placement so portraits feel relaxed and authentic.

Most paying portrait clients are physicians, founders, lawyers, and families who stiffen the moment a photographer goes silent behind the viewfinder to check dials. In this hands-on course, you practice mirror-coaching body geometry, subtle jawline mechanics, and breathing cues that dissolve awkwardness without forced smiles.

✓ Free Online Introductory Session

Start with a free online intro consultation for this course: we review the syllabus together, clarify how many sessions you need based on your goals and pace, and decide whether continuing Online ($69 CAD/hr) or In-Person ($99 CAD/hr) suits you best.

First Session Free Online Intro

Session Rates $69/hr Online · $99/hr In-Person

Course Structure Tailored to Your Level & Pace

Instructor & Language Iman Adlkhah · EN & Persian

Prefer just the written framework instead of live sessions? A standalone $39 CAD PDF guide option can also be requested for this course: select the PDF option below.

Book Free Intro Session ↓ Course Syllabus

Need on-location photography for your team, brand, or listing in Toronto & GTA? Explore our Toronto Photography Services, configure a shoot on Book Online, or see recent shoots on @tehranto.plus on Instagram.

Course Learning Pillars

Core Capabilities Developed in This Course

Every learner starts from a different background. These are the core capabilities this course develops, paced to your goals across the sessions we plan together.

Back-Heel Weight & Torso Geometry

Eliminate boxy, rigid posture by shifting body weight onto the back hip and angling shoulders slightly off the lens axis.

Forward Neck Lengthening & Jawline Control

Coach a gentle forward-and-down ear glide that separates the jawline cleanly under studio or window light without looking strained.

Purposeful Placement for Hands & Arms

Give nervous hands a calm anchor such as a cuff touch, lapel rest, pocket thumb, or chair arm while keeping elbows uncompressed.

Breathing & Micro-Movement Over Frozen Smiles

Capture honest micro-expressions between breaths using look-away resets, slow weight transfers, and conversational prompts.

Course Syllabus

Core Concepts & Topics Covered

Below are the main concepts and topics covered in this course. In your Free Online Intro Session, we align the exact depth and number of sessions to your experience and goals.

Topic 01

Standing, Seated & Leaning Portrait Mechanics

Practice mirror-coaching with your own posture so subjects copy clean angles immediately without needing awkward technical jargon.

Masculine triangle base vs fluid S-curve and C-curve weight distribution
Creating subtle waist space so arms do not flatten against the torso
Angling eyeglass frames slightly downward on the ears to clear glare

Topic 02

Hands, Chin, Eyes & Wardrobe Micro-Fixes

Spot and resolve the small tension points that ruin otherwise strong portraits before clicking the shutter.

Turning the narrow pinky edge of the hand toward the camera
Relaxing clenched jaws and parted-lip breathing resets
Checking jacket collars, uneven shoulders, and necklace alignment

Topic 03

Couples, Founders & Small Team Groupings

Arrange two to eight people of varying heights into balanced triangles while keeping every eye inside your focal plane.

Combining seated, leaning, and standing levels to break flat rows
Connecting couples through natural shoulder, hand, and walking cues
Aligning nose-to-ear planes at f/4–f/5.6 so nobody drops soft

Topic 04

Session Rhythm & Building Client Confidence

Structure a calm portrait sequence that warms up nervous subjects and delivers both approachable and authoritative frames.

Setting camera exposure and light before bringing the client onto the mark
Transitioning smoothly from warm conversational smiles to composed expressions
Sharing one strong tethered or LCD frame mid-set to build instant trust

Course Reference Overview

Portrait Posing Diagnostic Reference

Core practical benchmarks and standards covered as part of this course's curriculum.

Visual Issue in Frame	Physical Cause	Director Cue to Give	Resulting Improvement
Compressed chin / neck	Pulling head backward	'Glide your ears slightly forward'	Clean, defined jawline
Square, heavy shoulders	Equal weight on both feet	'Rest your weight on your back heel'	Balanced 30–45° taper
Prominent flat hands	Palm or back flat to lens	'Show the side edge of your hand'	Slender, relaxed fingers
Wide startled eyes	Holding breath for shutter	'Look down, exhale slowly, look up'	Calm, present expression

Start With Your Free Intro Session

Book Program #032: Directing & Posing Non-Models for Natural Portraits

Choose a time for your Free Online Intro Session to map out your course path, or book an Online ($69/hr) or In-Person ($99/hr) session directly, or request the $39 CAD PDF guide option.

1. Choose Option & Preferred Time (ET)

2. Your Contact Details

Free Online Intro Session Free

Total Due $0 CAD (Free)

Full Name *

Email Address *

Phone / WhatsApp *

Your Goal or Background (Optional)

Program FAQ

Common Questions

What if I am naturally introverted behind the camera?

Calm, grounded photographers often make the strongest portrait directors. Camera-shy clients rarely want loud performance energy; they respond far better to clear, specific guidance. In your Free Online Intro Session, we review the client types you photograph most and tailor your coaching drills.

How does the Free Online Intro Session work, and how many sessions will I need?

Every course begins with a Free Online Introductory Session where we review the core syllabus together, evaluate your current background and goals, and map out how many sessions you actually need and whether continuing Online ($69 CAD/hr) or In-Person ($99 CAD/hr) suits you best. Session count is never a rigid one-size-fits-all number; it adapts to your own level and pace.

Do I have to commit to a multi-session package, or can I get just the PDF guide?

There is zero upfront package commitment: live sessions are booked flexibly session-by-session ($69 CAD/hr online or $99 CAD/hr in-person). If you prefer a self-paced written guide instead of live coaching, a standalone $39 CAD PDF option can also be requested for this topic.

Are courses taught in English, Persian (Farsi), or bilingual?

Your choice: every session with Iman Adlkhah can be conducted 100% in English, 100% in Persian (Farsi), or naturally bilingual with industry terminology.