The Artful Headshot:
Natural, Expressive, and Flattering Portraits for Professionals and Creatives
with Leslie Crane
EXCLUSIVE Q&A EVENT
NOW CONCLUDED
Read through Leslie Crane answers to questions asked during the launch event (now concluded) and watch her Q&A video!
Learn everything you need to know about shooting headshots!
Watch along on video to see how Leslie’s methods, prompts & poses produce amazing results with subjects during actual sessions.
YOU'LL COME AWAY WITH
- Posing techniques
- Lighting (both natural and studio)
- Compositional techniques for headshots
- Step-by-step tips for editing
This course is for you if...
- You want to connect with your subject to draw forth real expressions
- You want to produce dynamic portraits your clients will love
- You want to learn how to achieve beautiful skin tones to light retouching for natural results
- You want to learn a variety of ways to price and structure headshot sessions for both portrait clients and commercial clients alike
START YOUR LEARNING PATH
Learn on any device! All class content is organized into simple steps as part of a clear, self-guided pathway inside your private online classroom.
SUBMIT QUESTIONS
Read through Leslie's answers to questions asked during the launch event (now concluded) and watch her Q&A video!
COMPLETE THE STEPS
You'll check off each interactive step as you go, from watching the videos to engaging in discussions with your instructor and fellow students.
DOWNLOAD MATERIALS
All class materials are yours to download and keep.
WHAT'S INSIDE YOUR ONLINE CLASSROOM?
Exclusive eBook
- A 78-page e-book containing everything you need to know about shooting successful headshot sessions!
16 Videos
- 8 shooting and behind-the scenes videos
- A video tour of Leslie’s studio
- 7 editing videos (and an exclusive retouching Photoshop action set for enhancing eyes, smoothing skin, and whitening and brightening teeth!)
BY THE END OF THIS COURSE,
you'll be able to create dynamic portraits for professionals and creatives—from posing to editing to client sales!
about your presenter
Leslie Crane is an on-location and studio portrait photographer in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota area. She specializes in portraiture of children, families, high school seniors, musicians, and creative professionals. Her style, which is inspired by her subjects, has been described as fresh, sweet, simple, clean, classic, uncluttered, natural, and heartfelt. A former opera singer and music teacher, Leslie also produces classical music programs for public radio stations, and homeschools her two sons.
What a fabulous course~! Headshots and personal branding are in such high demand these days and a great avenue for anyone looking to diversify or expand their market, and this course gives you everything you need! Leslie is such a thoughtful and knowledgeable instructor. I especially loved her behind the scenes videos and location ideas. This course is worth the price, for her editing skin tone tips alone!
Leslie is the absolute master of skintones! Her style is clean and timeless and has such a great way of explaining her process.
I’m not a professional photographer (not do I intent to be), but there is a lot great information which I’ll use while photographing my grandchildren. Leslie’s videos are well done.
Leslie is not just a talented photographer but also a very talented educator! I have always loved her posing and skin tutorials on the CM forum and she is so knowledgeable! I have not done corporate headshots before and had no idea on how to approach them. Today with the help of her breakout, I feel more empowered. Leslie’s pdf is easy to navigate through and put together with such beautiful photos! The editing videos are so amazing and I love how Leslie explains things for both Lightroom and Photoshop for everyone. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with Leslie! Even if you don’t shoot headshots as much, you will still learn so much from this breakout!
This breakout is an absolute steal for this price! I have paid hundreds of dollars for tutorials that don’t even come close to being nearly as comprehensive. This is a MUST HAVE resource for anyone who wants to get good skin tones. This breakout is also fantastic for anyone who wants to try lighting and anyone who wants to learn good posing techniques for headshots and portraits. Run, do not walk, to this one!
I’m primarily a Headshot/Portrait photographer, and have been following Leslie’s tutorials and tips ever since I’ve became a CM member, so I’ve been hoping she’d provide a headshot breakout.
It was amazing and I’m so incredibly grateful to Leslie for the time, effort she put into it and the years of experience that she shared. She’s as calm and sweet coaching us as she is her clients. I happened to be in Week 3 of Photoshop for Beginners when this class started so I was super busy with THAT but Leslie answered my questions even after her breakout was over; she went above and beyond.
The succinct videos showed exactly how she ran different sessions for all different clients…men, women, musicians, businessmen, lifestyle, actors. She covered outside and inside shots, natural light, strobes and combination of lights. Yup, Leslie thought of everything. And as I said, she’s incredibly generous and prompt with her replies both directly and in the CM forum.
Highly recommend.
Wow, Nina, thank you so much for this! I am completely thrilled that you got so much out of the breakout!
Loving what I have learned in this breakout so far! I’m not a professional photographer, but I’m finding I can use these tips for everyday use as well. Leslie does a great job thoroughly explaining her process. I feel like if I ever have a headshot client, Leslie’s tips will help both my client and myself love our session!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I am really happy to know you found the breakout helpful and applicable to different situations.
I have been shooting headshots for a few years now and I find them challenging because of how posed they are (which is not the style I employ in my family work). Leslie shared so many wonderful tips and tricks for making people look their best in what is typically a fairly unnatural scenario! Leslie’s relaxed and friendly nature is clearly infectious and there’s so much to be learned from the way she talks to and relaxes her clients. Her “saying hi” technique is my new favourite! Leslie has poured her heart into creating comprehensive materials packed with gems. I love that Leslie covers varied lighting set ups (including natural light only) and editing in both PS and LR – making this a truly accessible course for everyone.
Aimee, I am absolutely thrilled to know that this breakout was helpful and enjoyable to you! Thank you so much for your enthusiastic endorsement!
This breakout is AMAZING!!! So much valuable information and insights and many, many aha moments! You will not regret downloading this breakout. It’s full of shooting AND editing videos with many tips and tricks for getting just the right headshot. I’m eager to go back through it all, and I just finished it. Seriously, get it.
Wow, thank you, Tanya! I so appreciate your kind words, and it’s wonderful knowing that you got so much out of the breakout!
I just finished this breakout and WOW…so much wonderful information and very helpful. I loved how Leslie demonstrated and explained what she was doing and her methods to relax the client. Once I got going on this breakout, I couldn’t stop…I wanted to soak up all that could!! And, the editing was so good…I am always open to learning new ways or techniques and there was wonderful information that I’ll be adding to my post processing routine!! I highly recommend this breakout…even if you are a “headshot” you will learn a lot that will be helpful in your photography journey!
Terri, this means so much to me, thank you! I’m thrilled to know you got so much out of it.
Leslie!! I can’t say enough about the videos…informative, helpful, encouraging, etc..If I didn’t already love photography,you would inspire me to love it…thank you!!me to love it…thank you..Kathryn Jean.
WOW – This warms my heart so much!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart – I am incredibly honored to have inspired you, Kathryn Jean!!
Leslie’s breakout was fantastic! I have learned so much and will be referring back to her detailed material. I can’t wait to incorporate Leslie’s techniques into my headshots. This breakout was well worth it!
Thank you, Kim! I am so excited that you found the tips helpful!
This breakout is absolutely packed with clear to understand information. Leslie is so generous with her knowledge. This class is worth much more than the price tag. Thank you, Leslie!
Thank you so much, Tasha! It makes me so happy to know you gained something valuable from the breakout!
Wow! There is so much information jam packed into this breakout; I will be absorbing it for weeks! Leslie walks you through everything you need to be successful with headshots, from set up to posing to making your client comfortable to editing. I can’t wait to use this with clients!
Thank you, Megan! I am so happy you found it helpful for your clients!
This was so fabulous. So many practical tips to put into use right away. It was great to see her actually shooting and to see how she interacted with clients. Great posing tips as well, which I’m excited to use on a shoot tomorrow evening! So much value for such a great price. Thank you, Leslie!
Yay, thank you, Valerie! I am so happy to hear this, and I hope your shoot went well!
As someone who has been a big fan of Leslie’s for a long time, I was so excited to see she had a headshot breakout!! This is so well done and she covers everything you need to get you started. The shooting videos are invaluable! Watching Leslie at ease with her clients is so inspiring. I just loved this so much!
Thank you, Sue! I am honored you took the breakout and thrilled that you enjoyed it.
Leslie has covered everything you need to know to create beautiful headshots!!!
You will want to reference back to the material over and over!! From gear, to lighting (natural & artificial), posing, expressions, editing & retouching, prepping the client, and pricing!!!! After going through the pdf and videos, I am excited to shoot headshots!! Leslie is an excellent teacher!
Thanks so much, Linsey! It makes me so happy that you’re excited to shoot headshots! I really appreciate your kind words.
Leslies portraits are always gorgeous so I knew I wanted to get this break out when it was available. I am really impressed with all of the information and videos! The PDF is well written and packed with easy to follow tips. She shares a list of standard poses with images for examples and step by step explanations. That alone is an awesome source of information! I had a session yesterday and already put to use some of your tips, thank you!
Thank you, Kristin! I am so pleased to know you gained something useful for your session!
Wow! The amount of information that is included with this breakout is incredible! I love how Leslie breaks everything done from gear, posing, lighting, to editing! This is an absolute steal for the price!
Thank you, Mickie!! I’m so glad you liked it.
This breakout has it ALL! No joke, I got an inquiry for headshots literally two days before this went live and I am SO thankful that Leslie put this together! From shooting to editing, skin tones and posing, it is all right here. The ebook is beautifully done and has so much information, and the shooting videos are invaluable to those who don’t do this kind of shooting all the time. The knowledge I have gained has given me added confidence that I will be taking into my shoot later this month Thank you for such a comprehensive and super relevant/applicable breakout Leslie and Click Photo School!
Amy, thank you! I am so, so happy you found what you needed for your headshot work, and grateful for your kind words.
Leslie did such an amazing job with this breakout! It is super informative and helpful -I would highly recommend it!
Thanks, Rachel! I appreciate your kind words!
This Breakout is AWESOME! I have never considered myself a very technical photographer when it comes to light or skin retouching, and this Breakout gave me exactly the knowledge I needed to learn more in both of those categories. Leslie’s E Book is easy to navigate and put together with beautiful photos. The editing videos are priceless and I love how Leslie explains things for both Lightroom and Photoshop. I am so happy to have this breakout to reference even though I do not shoot a lot of headshots. I feel any photographer can benefit from Leslie’s knowledge!
Thank you so much, Aly! I am so thrilled you found the breakout useful, and honored that you took it.
Leslie, this breakout is SO full of tips and tricks and great information for headshots and portraits in general. You are an expert at making people look their very best. From the poses, to the right light, right lens, and even which side of the face is typically preferred…you are a master. Just the photoshop actions alone are worth the price of this breakout! Thank you for all the work you put into this and your willingness to share what you know so well!
Michelle, thank you so much for your kind words! It makes me incredibly happy to know you got so much out of the breakout!
Wow! Such a great breakout!! Leslie provides so much information and tips. She doesn’t leave anything out. Even if you are not only focused on headshots, the information and videos provided will still be very helpful! Leslie has a fun way of interacting with her clients! Thank you Leslie for sharing all your secrets!!
Kristi, thank you so much! I am SO happy to know you enjoyed it and it was wonderful having you join me!
Hello….Do you give your camera settings when doing a portrait shoot as a reference?
Hi, Irene! Most of the time I do, yes.
This has been such a wonderful breakout – incredibly thorough and educational. Leslie is very kind and answered questions so quickly! I always gain so much from watching other photographers. I love to watch other photographers work – see how they work with clients as well as learn different lighting techniques used in their photo shoots. Thanks for sharing and letting us see you in action!
Christine
It was my pleasure, Christine! I am so happy you enjoyed the breakout, and thanks so much!
Just finished reading and watching all the material for this breakout. You covered so much great information on your process – from planning to shooting to editing. Thanks so much for creating this breakout. I’m already working pieces of what I’ve learned into my own process.
Thank you, Jenny! I am thrilled to know you enjoyed and found things to help and inspire you in your own work!
Will the editing be heavily or exclusively photoshop? I haven’t made the leap yet and am still using LR so I wonder if applying your editing techniques will be tricky?
Hi, Shannon,
All the editing videos show the first part – color balancing and adding depth – in LR, and then retouching and finishing up in Photoshop. I do show how to smooth skin in LR, though! However, I feel that Photoshop is just a more powerful tool for retouching portraits, so that’s why I do it there. I do go through the steps pretty clearly and try to be as specific as possible – nobody’s said that they couldn’t follow along! I don’t think there’s any reason to worry. I hope that helps.
So very excited for this breakout. I can wait to get started. I adore your work, and I am thankful that you are teaching us to create beautiful head-shots.
Thank you so much, Iris, you made my day! I am so happy you’ll be there – be sure to say hi!
Will you cover Artificial lighting at all?
Yes, indeed! I have a full “crash course” in studio (strobe) lighting in the pdf, and several of the shooting videos show me using it in the studio. In the very first shooting video I explain my lighting setup and settings. I also show how I use off-camera light to supplement my natural lighting. So, while it’s not strictly a lighting course, I do address it fairly thoroughly for those who want to know.
Hello, how much of this workshop is based on studio and how much environmental/lifestyle?
Thank You!
Hi Iana, maybe 2/3 of it was done in-studio – some with studio light, some with only natural light, and some with mixed light (both). There are three sessions shown outdoors.
AND, with all that said… it’s not really a studio course, honestly, any of the light setups I use can be done with a window, and in those videos I am mostly demonstrating posing and interaction, not light. 3 shooting videos are outdoors. I always do a mix of indoor and outdoor in each headshot session. I hope that helps!
This breakout was so helpful! I was nervous to do headshots for a friend but this taught me what I needed to know to feel confident! Thank you!
Wow! I had just started following your work and reading some of your tutorials…those on skin and posing seniors. I was so thrilled with your instruction and then this preorder came in my inbox and I was beyond thrilled!! I will be definitely ordering…this sounds wonderful!!
Thanks!
Hooray! Thank you so much for your kind words, and I’m so happy to know you’ll be there! I am also glad to know you’ve found my tutorials helpful, that means so much to me.