Introduction: What is a Portrait?
In this lesson, learners will explore the concept of portraiture and how it tells a story about a person’s identity. Through discussion, observation, and hands-on photography, children will develop their understanding of self-expression, emotions, and visual storytelling.
(10 minutes)
Show a variety of portraits (paintings, photographs, drawings) on a large screen or printed out.
Questions:
What do you see in this picture?
Who do you think this person is?
How do they feel?
How can you tell?
What do their clothes and background tell us about them?
Discuss how portraits can tell a story about a person’s identity e.g. their emotions, culture, or job.
Photography Lesson Plan
Photography Lesson Plan
Photography Lesson Plan
Exploring Identity in Portraits
(15 minutes)
1. Show Welsh portraiture (linking to cynefin)
2. Discuss how people express their identity in these images through:
- Clothing
- Facial expressions
- Background or location
- Objects they hold
3. Link this to their own identity - how do we show who we are in pictures?
Photography Activity: Taking Portraits
(20 minutes)
Give children easy to use cameras/tablets.
Explain basic portrait photography tips in line with progression steps:
Key Vocabulary:
Grip: Holding the camera steadily.
Find and Open: Navigating to the camera/tablet app.
Composition: Positioning the subject in the frame.
Files and Storage: Saving and reviewing images (e.g. SDcard, hard drive).
Zoom: Adjusting focus to highlight details.
Pair children up and let them take turns photographing each other. Encourage them to think about their identity - how do they want to be seen? How are they feeling and how can they show their emotion?
Examples from the collection
Reflection and Discussion (15 minutes)
Display the children’s portraits on a screen or print them out.
Ask them to describe their pictures:
What did you want your portrait to show?
How do you feel about your picture?
What did you learn about yourself and others?
Discuss how photography is a way of telling stories about who we are.
Further Learning Opportunity: Expressive Arts
What Matters Statement: I can give and accept feedback as both artist and audience.
Use writing frames to reflect on others’ work. For example:
The ... was good
They need to improve on...
My picture portrays...
These reflections can be orally recorded or written, depending on the child.
Age range
This resource is aimed at Primary School but can be adapted for older students
Curriculum Area
Expressive Arts (Photography), Humanities (Identity)
Expressive Arts
What matters statement: I can explore and describe how artists and creative work communicate mood, feelings and ideas; I can explore and experiment with and then select appropriate creative techniques, practices, materials, processes, resources, tools and technologies.
Humanities
What matters statement: I can explore my identity and compare it with those of others, recognising that society is made up of diverse groups, beliefs and viewpoints.
Languages, Literacy and Communication (LLC)
What matters statement: I can communicate using an increasingly varied and precise vocabulary.
Outcomes
- 1. Understand what a portrait is and what it can tell us about a person.
- 2. Explore different types of portraits (paintings, photographs, drawings).
- 3. Identify emotions and background details to understand identity.
- 4. Experiment with taking their own portraits using basic photography skills.
- 5. Reflect on how they would like to represent themselves in a portrait.
Anticipated Lesson Length
60 minutes
Resources Needed
- 1. Printed images of portraits.
- 2. Cameras, tablets, or teacher-led photography setup.
- 3. Screen or printer to display images.
- 4. A well-lit space for taking portraits.
- 5. Printed vocabulary sheets for children to refer to.
