Domestika | online course
How to Direct People in a Photoshoot: Inside Emilia Brandão’s Domestika Course
Good gear and good light don’t guarantee a good portrait. What often separates a stiff photo from a memorable one is the connection between the person behind the camera and the person in front of it. That is the idea at the heart of Directing People for Portrait Photography, an online course by Emilia Brandão on Domestika.
Who is Emilia Brandão?
Born in São Paulo and now based in Madrid, Emilia is a professional portrait photographer who studied Cinema and Photography. She has worked as a contributor for Vogue, GQ, Elle and Glamour, and has photographed names like Philippe Starck, Kaká, Yoko Ono and Antonio Banderas. In 2020, she was named an official LEICA ambassador. Her approach grew from a simple habit: using the camera to connect with people and build relationships.
What the course covers
The course has 14 lessons (1h 52m), 10 exercises, 11 downloadable resources and a final project. It is organized into four units.
1. Introduction. Emilia shares her story and influences, and explains what you will build over the course.
2. Connecting with people and preparing for a portrait session. This is where the course stands out. Before touching the camera, you learn to:
- do research, write a briefing and build a mood board;
- choose and read the space you’ll shoot in;
- plan equipment and light, including a plan B;
- create a reference board of body language, facial expressions and poses;
- understand emotions, so you can guide them instead of forcing them.
3. The photo shoot. Filmed entirely on location, this unit shows what happens before the first click, how to position people on set, and how a real session unfolds.
4. Post-production. From transferring and editing files to retouching, delivery and professional tips.
Why directing people is the skill that changes your photos
Many photography courses focus on technique. This one focuses on the human side of the job: how to make someone comfortable, how to give clear direction, and how to read what a person is feeling. These skills matter whether you photograph clients, models, friends, family or your own team.
Who is this course for?
The course is labeled beginner level, so you don’t need previous experience. It’s a good fit if you:
- are starting in portrait photography and feel awkward directing people;
- already shoot, but your subjects look tense or posed;
- are a content creator, brand or social media professional who works with people on camera;
- want a clear workflow, from briefing to final delivery.
For the editing lessons, the recommended software is Adobe Bridge, Adobe Photoshop and Camera Raw.
What students say
At the time of writing, the course has over 12,600 students and 97% positive reviews (398 ratings), and it carries Domestika’s “Top Seller” label. It’s available in several languages, with audio in English, Spanish (Latam), Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Polish and Turkish, and students get unlimited lifetime access.
Final thoughts
If you want your portraits to feel more natural and more alive, learning to direct people is a smart place to start. Emilia Brandão’s course combines preparation, communication and post-production in under two hours, and it’s easy to fit into a busy week.