Directing Models for Photography
A course by Eduardo Gómez (Alter Imago)Photographer
A course by Eduardo Gómez (Alter Imago), Photographer
Learn the art of directing people for your fashion photographs and portraits
The work of a photographer is so much more than just taking photos. One of the key factors for getting that perfect shot is that the model should feel comfortable enough to show their character with a camera pointed at them, and therein lies the importance of knowing how to direct on set. Eduardo Gómez, better known as Alter Imago, started out photographing rock bands in his studio. It was this that set him on the path towards portraiture and artistic photography, which in turn helped him become an expert in the art of directing models.
In this course, learn strategies and techniques for directing models and planning what poses you want for your photos. Eduardo shares a full range of tips and tricks for conveying your ideas and feelings through imagery.
What will you learn in this online course?
20 lessons & 26 downloads
Management styles
7 minutes, 33 seconds
The idealized body
9 minutes, 40 seconds
Types of face
14 minutes, 56 seconds
Look, nose and mouth - Part 1
19 minutes, 21 seconds
headshot
15 minutes, 47 seconds
Abdomen, waist, hip and back
13 minutes, 55 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by getting a more in-depth look at the work of Alter Imago as well as discovering his biggest influences. He also talks about what most inspires him to keep taking photos.
Then take a look at the four main methods for directing models in photography and when to use each one.
Eduardo discusses what being photogenic really means and gives you some key points to make the direction process more simple, agile, and flow better.
Now you're more familiar with the basic concepts, study human anatomy in detail. Explore the different facial shapes and figures and analyze their components to learn to identify signs of tension and how to correct them.
Next, Eduardo gives some advice on which angles to avoid for the perfect photos before delving into the importance of clothing to balance the figure and help certain features stand out.
Wrap things up with your own photo shoot to put into practice everything you've learned, and experiment with different poses and expressions until you achieve the desired results.
What is this course's project?
Do a photo shoot with a model to express a range of different poses and emotions through expressions.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Photographers, art directors, models, and anyone who wants to learn to direct people and shoot artistic photographs or portraits with stunning results.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is necessary for this course, but some basic knowledge of photography is recommended.
For materials you need a camera, a lighting kit, and someone to be your model.
Reviews
- creartetampaPLUS23 days ago
Soy un cantautor cubano que hizo parte de su carrera en Mexico durante tres años, quizás por eso Eduardo me cautivó desde la primera charla que vi. Me recordaba a mis cuates de esta hermosa etapa de mi vida y hablaba de música y de artes plásticas. Este curso me lo quedo para regresar a él, no solo por su contenido, también porque inspira y recuerda que somos eternos aprendices. Eduardo lo resuelve desde su personalidad, que me resulta auténtica y sincera.
- 27 days ago
perfect
- 2 months ago
Para el maestro Eduardo Gomez usted ha creado un excelente curso, aprendi detalles que no habia escuchado de otros fotografos en youtube, Recomiendo este curso a cualquiera que quiera retratar.
- 2 months ago
Excelente curso
- 2 months ago
Excelente manera de enseñar, es muy claro y de mucho provecho.
Since 2015 he has regularly published on his YouTube channel 'Alter Imago fotografía', where he has 90,000 subscribers and more than 36 million minutes of viewing. He has won the silver medal at the Photography World Cup in Sydney (Australia) in 2018 in the digital illustration category, and the Nation Awards in Dublin (Ireland).
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- Management styles
- U2
Preparations before the session
- The idealized body
- Why is it so difficult to direct?
- Talk before the session
- U3
The face
- Types of face
- Look, nose and mouth - Part 1
- Look, nose and mouth - Part 2
- headshot
- U4
The torso
- Shoulders, arms and hands
- Abdomen, waist, hip and back
- The bust
- U5
Body types
- Body types
- Costume recommendations
- U6
Types of poses
- The standing pose
- The sitting pose
- The lying pose
- The formal pose
- The broken pose and the funny pose
- FP
Final project
- Address of models for photography
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
You’ll master posing direction, studio lighting, composition, model communication, and strategies to capture both artistic and professional portraits—even with people who aren’t models.
Yes, this course is designed for those with some photography experience who want to refine their portrait and posing skills.
You’ll need basic photography knowledge, a camera (professional or semi-professional), and access to editing software to get the most out of the lessons.
Yes, the course teaches how to guide and motivate people without modeling experience to achieve natural, authentic portraits.
Yes, you’ll learn advanced post-production techniques to enhance and transform your artistic and editorial portraits.
Yes, the course covers key directing styles and how to choose the right one based on the model’s personality, experience, and session goals.
Yes, it includes tips and techniques for posing correctly, avoiding common mistakes, and highlighting individual beauty on camera.