Programme
Schedule
Each month has a clear theme, but portrait work in the real world doesn’t always fit into neat boxes. So, where it helps your progress, we may blend themes, revisit key skills, or pull in techniques from another month — always with the goal of strengthening your results and your portfolios. From time to time, we may also add ad hoc learning opportunities by joining Danie and selected experts on shoots and during editing sessions. Also, plug into related DPC classes, alongside the mentorship.
Below is the confirmed schedule for the Portrait Photography Mentorship Programme. These are the fixed dates for the monthly Zoom sessions, practical shoots, and Roundtable Debriefs.
1-on-1 review sessions are scheduled separately (90 minutes every 6–7 weeks) and focus on your progress, portfolio direction, and hands-on editing support aligned to the style you’re building. All online sessions are recorded, and we’ll also share behind-the-scenes footage and lighting setup references from each shoot, so you can catch up properly and recreate setups with confidence throughout the programme.
March
Induction
Monday, 2 March
19:00 – 21:00 Zoom
Setting goals and initial 1-on-1 meeting dates
Individual and Character Portraits
Monday, 9 March
Thursday, 5 March
Saturday, 21 March
Wednesday, 25 March
Monday, 30 March
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
18:00 – 21:00 Location
18:30 – 20:30 Studio
09:00 – 14:00 Zoom
Introduction to Portrait Photography
Portrait Workflow
Outdoor Portrait Shoot *Option 1
Studio Portrait Shoot *Option 2
Roundtable Debrief
*Assignments: Self Portrait + Window Light Portrait
April
Business, Corporate, and Personal Branding Portraits
Monday, 13 April
Wednesday, 15 April
Saturday, 18 April
Wednesday, 22 April
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
18:30 – 21:00 Studio
13:00 – 17:00 Location
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
The Art of the Business Portraits
Studio Business Shoot *Option 1
Location Business Shoot *Option 2
Roundtable Debrief
*Assignments: Shoot each other / Branding Shots
May
Lifestyle Portraits
Monday, 11 May
Wednesday, 20 May
Saturday, 30 May
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
18:00 – 21:00 Studio
13:00 – 17:00 Location
The Art of the Lifestyle Portraits
Studio Lifestyle Shoot *Option 1
Location Lifestyle Shoot *Option 2
*Assignments: Shoot your family or friends / High Key Contemporary Lifestyle Shots
June
Lifestyle Portraits
Monday, 8 June
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
Roundtable Debrief
Beauty Portraits
Monday, 15 June
Sunday, 21 June
Monday, 29 June
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
09:00 – 14:00 Studio
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
The Art of the Beauty Portraits
Studio Beauty Shoot *2x 4-Hour Slots
Roundtable Debrief
*Assignments: Beauty Portraits
July
Open Studio
Sunday, 12 July
Wednesday, 15 July
Monday, 27 July
09:00 – 21:00 Studio
13:00 – 21:00 Studio
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
Open Studio Day *3x 4-Hour Slots
Open Studio Day *2x 4-Hour Slots
Roundtable Debrief
*Assignments: Peer Group Project
*Unsupervised practical class; self-directed shooting with free studio access
August
Fashion and Editorial Portraiture
Monday, 3 August
Wednesday, 19 August
Saturday, 22 August
Monday, 31 August
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
18:00 – 21:00 Studio
13:00 – 17:00 Location
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
Art of Fashion & Editorial
Studio Fashion Shoot *Opt 1
Location Fashion Shoot *Opt 2
Roundtable Debrief
*Assignments: Editorial theme from concept to output
September
Couples, Family and Groups
Monday, 7 September
Wednesday, 16 September
Saturday, 19 September
Monday, 28 September
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
18:00 – 21:00 Studio
13:00 – 17:00 Location
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
The Art of Couple & Group Portraits
Studio Couple & Family Shoot *Opt 1
Couple & Family Shoot *Opt 2
Roundtable Debrief
*Assignment: Couple Shoot
October
Fine Art Portraiture
Monday, 5 October
Wednesday, 14 October
Saturday, 24 October
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
18:00 – 21:00 Studio
13:00 – 17:00 Location
The Art of Fine Art Portraiture
Studio Fine Art Shoot*Opt 1
Location Fine Art Shoot *Opt 2
*Assignment: Triptych Fine Art Portraits
November
Fine Art Portraiture
Monday, 2 November
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
Roundtable Debrief
Open Studio Christmas Shoot
Wednesday, 18 November
Saturday, 28 November
Monday, 30 November
13:00 – 21:00 Studio
13:00 – 21:00 Studio
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
Open Studio Day *2x 4-Hour Slots
Open Studio Day *2x 4-Hour Slots
Roundtable Debrief
*Assignments: Festive or Christmas-themed portraits to wrap up creatively
*Unsupervised practical class; self-directed shooting with free studio access
December
Portfolio Finalisation
Thursday, 17 December
18:30 – 20:30 Zoom
Roundtable Portfolio Session