Portrait photography, done right.
At Bolanto Miredis, every course is built around one thing: the relationship between photographer and subject. Not filters, not gear lists. Understanding light as it falls on a human face, and knowing what to do in the three seconds before the shot.
We offer two formats — group workshops and private one-on-one sessions — because learning portrait photography is not one-size-fits-all. Some people think better when surrounded by peers dissecting the same image. Others need focused, uninterrupted dialogue with an instructor.
about the school
Group workshops
Weekly cohorts of 6–10 participants. Each session combines a live shoot brief, group critique, and a short technical module. You hear eight different interpretations of the same lighting problem.
6–10 participants per cohort from €65 / sessionPrivate one-on-one
Fully individual pacing. The instructor audits your existing portfolio first, identifies the specific gaps, and builds sessions around those. No pre-set syllabus.
flexible scheduling from €110 / sessionMasterclass series
Single-topic deep dives: studio strobes, outdoor window light, mobile portraiture. Standalone sessions, no enrollment required, open to all levels.
no enrollment required from €35 / class
Structure, pace, and what actually happens in each format
Group sessions follow a rhythm: a short presentation of the week's theme, a live shooting exercise on a brief you receive 10 minutes before, then a group critique where every participant's images go under discussion. The feedback is collective, which means you're absorbing eight different perspectives simultaneously.
Individual sessions are different in character. The first meeting is always diagnostic — you share recent work, we talk about what you were trying to achieve, and where the gap between intention and result sits. From session two onward, every exercise is designed around closing that specific gap.
What equipment do I need before starting?
Any camera with manual mode works — DSLR, mirrorless, or even a capable smartphone. We cover lighting setups you can build at home for under 60 USD, and the emphasis is always on understanding light rather than owning specific gear.
How are group and individual sessions structured?
Group sessions run weekly with a fixed cohort of 6 to 10 participants — same faces each week, which matters for critique quality. Individual sessions are scheduled flexibly around your timezone and current skill level with no fixed calendar.
Can I switch between formats mid-course?
Yes. Learners often start in a group session to build vocabulary and rhythm, then move to individual instruction for more targeted feedback. The formats complement each other rather than compete, and your progress carries over.
Are sessions recorded for later review?
All live sessions are recorded and accessible to enrolled participants for 90 days after each class. Individual sessions include a written summary of the techniques discussed and any assignments set during the session.
What skill level do group sessions target?
Each cohort is scoped to a level — foundation, intermediate, or advanced — and we match participants accordingly before enrollment. Mixed-level groups consistently produce worse critique quality, so we keep cohorts tight. Placement takes about five minutes via a short questionnaire.
How does the personalized learning path work?
After your diagnostic session, the instructor maps out a sequence of topics and exercises based on your actual images — not a template. The sequence gets revised after every third session based on what's shifted and what hasn't. You always know the reason behind each assignment.