Powerful Portraits using Body Language and Lighting with Stacy Pearsall

First, I would definitely recommend this class for the beginner photographer interested in taking portraits. Although there are many types of portraiture and you yourself may have creative ideas... it really all comes back to the subject/model/person on the other side of the camera. And if you take that approach, I think it'll be that much easier to end up with something special. I did however want to mention something that probably wasn't intentional, but really helpful. It was the usage of continuous lighting. Having read so many books and seen so many videos on lighting techniques, it absolutely baffles my mind that many instructors don't see the benefit of using something as visual as those types of lights. Instead, most use expensive strobe lights that don't allow you to see where the light falls, angles or disperses. This particular class has helped me with light setups more than anything else... and for that... I thank you. Stacy is thoughtful, engaging and excellent at communicating her ideas and concepts. It's everything you need when learning something new.

Wonderful !! It has provided a new way of seen photography in my case and how to get the essence of people while getting their photos. The instructor is really smart! Thanks for this class!

I loved this course! Stacey is a wonderful teacher and you'll definitely come away with so many concepts that you can incorporate into your everyday photo sessions!

This is by far the most informative and substantive lecture / lesson on posing I've ever come across. I've listened to a variety of photographers who kind of touch on posing – and they're great – but Stacy is exceptional. She really dives into detail, describing the subtlest of variations of body language, providing photographers the knowledge to understand why and how specific poses convey the messages and feelings that they do. Wonderful class!

Wonderful instructor. I learned so much about body language, how to interact with my subjects, and using the language of light to portray human character. She makes me feel like I could do portrait photography seriously. It's reaffirming for me to hear her motivation for capturing the essence of the individual, because that's the motivation I have as well.

This is one of the most powerful CL courses I’ve ever purchased. Stacy helps you to figure out how to read your subject’s body language and then light them in a way that matches their personality. Everything clicked with me. She is an awesome instructor!

This class has quite literally changed my life. I use the skills and information learned here on a daily basis. It was a true pleasure to be there live and meet Stacy (along with Charlie) and see it all first hand. The way that Stacy does so much in only 10 minutes is amazing. I've put the mirroring to use time and time again over the past few weeks. Amazing, huge thank you to Stacy and CL for all that you do!

Incredible class, incredible lady. If you photograph people this is a must see!

This class is amazing! Stacy is an awesome person and listening to her teach and review the class concepts was so easy and fun and entertaining! It is jam packed with information on how to connect with talent and clients. Plus you get to see Stacy in action with subjects in the Demo and Shoot videos. I highly recommend this class! I learned so much and feel so much more comfortable and confident working with a variety of people now.

An extraordinary amazing course!!! Stacey is just a super friendly, approachable, expert body language reader, knowledgeable photographer and incredible human being! I was so lucky to be part of the in-studio class and get to know her in person. We learned A LOT, not only about body language but for lighting techniques to really get powerful portraits! Absolutely a recommended class! A must-have!

This is an outstanding class taught by an outstanding and unique person. Reading body language and knowing how to utilize it is a huge step up. I can not stress enough how this course is a must for the photographer. The whole process is laid out from start to finish. The meaningful connection, the right lighting to set the tone, and taking THE shot.

The unspoken language of body language is intriguing and she breaks it down in such an easy way to understand. This class was amazing and forever will change the way I read a person when I first meet them.

I had the chance to sit in the audience and absolutely loved this class! First of all, Stacy is very funny and is really good at explaining and showing examples of the body language. I loved learning about how to read people faces and body to know more about them. And recommended the class to my husband who is a therapist for this reason. The other part of the class was so awakening, I never really thought about how having the wrong lighting for someone's personality would bring something off on the picture. Once again, Stacy was amazing at explaining why this lighting would work with one person and not another by showing us examples. If you want to bring your subject personality into life on photos, I highly recommend this class!

Loved this class. Portrait photography is 80% connecting with your subject but few instructors teach about this crucial aspect. Stacy Pearsall not only covers the technical aspects of studio photography, but extensively goes over how to read and communicate with your subjects.

Stacy is an amazing teacher who has the ability to breakdown both body language and light into understandable steps. She then takes those steps to show how to create incredibly personal portraits. This course is filled with examples of how she goes about this process. Her ability to access an individual, get them talking at an incredibly personal level and then add lighting to enhance their individual personality is truly amazing. I look forward to rewatching this over and over until it is a part of me and my portrait business.

Wow! This class really packs a powerful punch - Life lessons, people skills and lighting all taught with heart and mindfulness. Stacy’s teaching style is both articulate and down to earth and as much in the moment as it is carefully crafted. Her intuitive method of creating images that beautifully capture the intrinsic nature of her subjects by matching the mood of lighting to each individual personality is mind blowing. Her demonstrations are some of the best I’ve seen on Creative Live. I can’t wait to implement her methodology in my next portrait session.

The contents from this class are a great way to jump from just pretty and superfluous portraits to truthful and meaningful portraiture... I learned so much from Stacy! can’t wait to apply this knowledge to my photography and create a deeper connection with people!

Stacy is one in a million. I'm amazed at her ability to capture the essence of a person within a few short minutes. Her interviewing and technical lighting skills are so impressive. The techniques I leaned in this class will serve me well for the rest of my photography career

I thought I was intuitive and observant until I took this class! Stacy Pearsall is a people whisper and an expert at shaping light to accentuate the mood and personality of her subjects. Bonus that she's got a great sense of humor and is gifted educator!

This class was amazing! It reminds us that everyone is unique and deserves to have their story told. Stacy was a master at removing the barrier between photographer and subject. Her techniques for relationship building are extremely helpful! Fully recommend!

Amazing class on how to read your client and extract a portrait that is truly him/her. The demonstrations she did in class were astonishing. She really got the essence of the people she photographed in the studio. And, no matter how shy or expansive they were, or what emotion stamped the photo, they looked beautiful. Thank you, Stacy, for this incredible class on sensitivity and respect.

This class was absolutely inspiring. Stacy's teachings were heartfelt, real and down to earth. This is a MUST HAVE class that every photographer who photographs people.

wow, what an amazing class to learn from. you covered all from body language to storytelling and to reveal almost the true souls of the subjects through portraits. Amazing work and thank you so much, Stacy and creative live team. Stay blessed

Stacy Pearsall is every bit as cool and genuine in person. Her talent knows no bounds. Buy her class you won't regret it. You might also find out a thing or two about life - not just photography. PS Good boy Charlie!

Stacy has the greatest way of teaching that keeps you engaged and wanting to learn. I have been doing landscape photo's and getting ready to try portrait photography, I have learned how to engage with the client from this class.