Capturing the Narrative with Nigel Barker

The Power of Connection

Capturing the Narrative
  • 9 video lessons
  • 1 hour and 51 minutes of class content
  • Streaming access on desktop and mobile browsers
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee

The more you know about the subject you’re photographing, the better the image will be. Internationally renowned photographer Nigel Barker wants to show you the best methods to connect with your subject and how to bring out the story using lighting and direction. In this class, Nigel will show you in a live shoot:

  • How to connect with your subject using conversation
  • How lighting and posing can create the story
  • Different ways to connect with commercial and corporate clients
  • Ways to use the environment to create different and creative portraits that the client might not have expected

Connecting with subject establishes trust and allows you to craft a story behind an image. When you can create a story in a single frame, you'll be able to capture the imagination of the viewer and your clients.

Course Instructor

Nigel Barker

Nigel Barker

Nigel Barker is an internationally renowned photographer who opened his New York studio in 1996. He served 18 seasons as photographer and judge on the hit TV show,  America’s Next Top Model, which airs in over 150 countries, and hosted Oxygen Network’s modeling competition series,  The Face, starring alongside Naomi Campbell.  Barker’s latest hit show Top Photographer premiered to rave reviews and a second season is in the works.

Capturing the Narrative with Nigel Barker is rated 4.0 stars by 15 students

  • Robert R. Sep 2, 2023

    NEVER ever touch a model. I question some of his settings also.

  • Z. Jan 7, 2022

    Ooh er! I think touching the model is a BIG no-no! Stroking her hair back from her eyes (several times) - without even asking permission. Sorry - but that's just wrong!

  • Taras O. Nov 1, 2021

    He is a good teacher: his speech keeps you focused and the tips are great but I found his photography, in this class, to be quite mediocre: a lot of bad cropping, a lot of just tight headshots where he missed a lot of opportunities to showcase more of the environment (the video operator did a better job), a lot of spray and pray shots. And finally even though the tips and tricks to get the emotion out of the model were great they didn't really work in practice (imho). Not a bad class but didn't get much out of it.

  • Rich C. Oct 11, 2021

    The first few lessons were a little difficult for me to connect with, but as they continued, I truly enjoyed the lessons and shoots. By the end of the lessons, I was hoping that Nigel would have added a few more shoots. His method is fantastic! I will definitely watch this lesson again. Thank you!

  • Nat N. May 19, 2020

    I'm surprised at the number of negatives posted but then not. Most CL viewers are used to watching a classroom scenario. Nigel is bringing his experience as a model, photog, on-stage an on shoot personality to a set as class.you are with him and his 1st AP as if you are their 2nd. Highly recommend the course and bundle to see a photographer "working"

  • Rick L. Sep 23, 2019

    The feeling of this class is one of the Joy of the Why we do this. His excitement is perhaps the best lesson. Talking through the working with the models was VERY instructive. Not an overblown, pretentious, too techie, I am impressing you with me, type of class. Loved it!

  • Philipp . Sep 23, 2019

    A short course, that may not seem like much. But for me, it was exactly what I needed at the moment. It may well change my approach to people photography. Little but possibly life-changing lessons!

  • U. Sep 23, 2019

    Fantastic! If you're already shooting at a high level and want to take it to the next gear, this class is for you. Most photographers shoot 'technical shots' and are completely unable to capture the storytelling, emotional shot that separates people like Nigel Barker from the rest. In this class, you really get to see some of his psychological techniques employed and it's not until the last lesson that you get to see some of the technical parts explained. Really great class - might be over the head of some though because of the artistic process involved.

  • Margaret L. Oct 23, 2018

    Nigel is inspirational. I absolutely enjoy watching his photographic process, especially the post-process where he and Toby explained how they subtly edited the photos. It gave me food for thought when editing my own photos.

  • Stefan L. Jul 11, 2018

    Nigel is an excellent teacher. He always explains everything he does which in turn helps you understand why he's doing it. Short but effective course for someone looking to learn how to capture people and get comfortable with shooting them.

  • Creative Live Student . Jun 20, 2018

    Nigel brilliantly demonstrates how to connect soul to soul. He uses his finely tuned empathic gifts and transforms them into art. This class will help you relax, trust and find what is real and honest in your subject. I love his flow and intuitive approach to creating a narrative with passion and soul. I want all of his classes in my library, he's just that amazing.

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