What This Class Is All About

Shaping Perception is your guide to understanding how portraits can influence the way people are seen and remembered. Across three lessons, you will uncover how light shapes perception, draw inspiration from the masters of photography, and learn to direct a photoshoot with quiet confidence, even if you are an introvert.

Led by Lucrezia Bastoni, a visual storyteller with a Master’s degree in Photography and Videography from the Fine Arts Academy of Rome, this class blends technical insight with artistic depth. Known for capturing raw, authentic expressions, Lucrezia brings her experience as both a filmmaker and portrait photographer to show you how to move beyond technique and into connection.

Expect an engaging and practical journey filled with real-world guidance, thoughtful reflection, and personal strategies from Lucrezia’s own career. By the end, you will have the tools to shape perception with your portraits, creating images that feel authentic, timeless, and unmistakably yours.

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By the end of this class, you'll confidently use light, inspiration, and direction to shape how your portraits are perceived, capturing images that feel authentic, timeless, and uniquely your own.

This Class is Perfect for...

Portrait Enthusiasts

If you are passionate about capturing people but struggle to make your photos feel alive, this class will give you the tools to transform your portraits.

Introverted Photographers

If the thought of directing feels intimidating, Lucrezia shows you how to lead with quiet confidence while creating a comfortable space for your subjects.

Creative Seekers

If you are inspired by art history and want to apply timeless lessons from the masters to your own work, this class bridges inspiration with practical steps.

What You'll Learn in This Class

Course Overview

How Light Influences the Way We Perceive People in Portraits

Why light is the foundation of perception

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Split lighting

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Rembrandt

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Loop

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Butterfly

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Frontal

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Cross

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Light from below

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Light from above

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Practical lighting setups for portraits

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Inside the Minds of the Greatest Photography Masters

What we can learn from Rembrandt, Avedon, and others

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Breaking down signature styles

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Translating historical inspiration into modern portraits

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Why studying masters sharpens your creative voice

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Applying timeless lessons to your own work

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Directing a Photoshoot with Confidence as an Introvert Photographer

Reframing direction as connection

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Building trust with your subject

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Step-by-step guidance for introverts

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Non-verbal cues and subtle direction

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Creating a safe, authentic space on set

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Price
$99/year
(this course comes together with our main membership)

Frequently Asked Questions

Still not sure? Find answers to your questions here...

You don't need a studio full of equipment to benefit from this class. A camera you are comfortable with and a beginner-friendly setup are enough. Lucrezia focuses on techniques and principles you can apply anywhere, whether you are using natural light at home or a simple portrait setup.

Lucrezia brings a rare blend of academic training and lived experience. With a Master's degree in Photography and Videography from the Fine Arts Academy of Rome, she's deeply rooted in the craft. But what makes her truly special is her ability to capture authentic human expression and guide others to do the same. As an introverted photographer herself, she knows how to turn quiet observation into a powerful connection, making her the perfect mentor for photographers seeking both technical growth and creative confidence.

This portrait photography class is a special offer for the Great Big Photography World community. To access it, log in to your account and go to the Prime Classes tab on the left menu. You can watch the class online at your own pace on any device. If you need help, our support team is ready to assist you.

Easy! Go to our join page at https://greatbigphotographyworld.com/join/ and follow the prompts to sign up. Once you're a member, you'll get access to exclusive content, courses, classes, and community features to connect with other photography lovers.

Prime Classes are standalone lessons, usually up to one hour long, designed to give you focused insight into a specific topic or technique. In contrast, our challenges and full courses are curriculum-based and made up of multiple lessons that guide you through a broader subject step by step.