Motion and Emotion | Cinematic Portraits
© Adam Docker
SOLD OUT
Motion and Emotion:
Cinematic Portraits is a focused, half-day workshop for confident photographers who want to bring more atmosphere, movement, and emotional depth into their portrait work.
Over four hours , the workshop explores how light, framing, and timing influence the emotional impact of a portrait. Rather than following fixed lighting setups or formulas, the emphasis is on developing a cinematic way of seeing and responding to the subject in front of you.
Working with a model, the session begins with an exploration of framing, showing how subtle shifts in composition and thought can transform a portrait. Attention is given to recognising moments, reading expressions, and allowing images to evolve rather than forcing results.
Lighting is approached in a simple, practical way, starting with available light and then introducing basic flash as a subtle tool to shape mood. Participants will see how natural light and minimal artificial light can be combined to create portraits that feel authentic and unforced.
The workshop briefly touches on movement and slow shutter techniques, demonstrating how blur and imperfection can add energy and emotion when used intentionally. Editing is also discussed as an extension of the creative process, focusing on refining images without stripping them of their character.
Throughout the session there is guided shooting time, discussion, and feedback, with the aim of helping participants leave with a clearer creative direction and renewed confidence in their photography.
Motion and Emotion: Cinematic Portraits is about slowing down, trusting your eye, and making portraits that feel human rather than performative.
Prerequisite You must be a photographer that knows how the modes on your camera and how your camera works, and so some level of understanding of how a camera works because unfortunately during this workshop there won’t be time to teach this. You don’t need the very latest kit but kit that works. Over 18’s only.
Please note a further free opportunity for photographers will be announced during this session will be announced this is supported by Derbyshire Makes.
Adam Docker is a London-based cinematographer and portrait photographer whose work explores movement, atmosphere, and emotional presence. With over 25 years’ experience and projects spanning more than 90 countries, his photography is shaped by a cinematic eye and a deep curiosity for human stories, intimate moments, and unscripted encounters. Blending available light, subtle artificial lighting, and movement, his portraits aim to “catch something in the act and see how it becomes something else.” His work has been widely recognised, including being a two-time Portrait of Britain winner (2021 and 2025), selections for Portrait of Humanity (2021 and 2023), and recognition from Lens Culture and The Independent Photographer.
Derbyshire Makes is countywide Festival of creativity www.derbyshiremakes.co.uk for more information