It's at an elite level. It hasn't been below what I've experienced at the Academy of Fine Arts - it has been extremely satisfying, because I had some goals when I started, but I have not dared to believe that it could be done like that, all the way through.
Carsten Krogstrup
Visual artist, participant Master in Portrait Photograpy
A revitalization of my work as a photographer.
If I hadn’t taken this course, I would still be locked into many of my ideas about my work as a photographer. I think I would be frustrated by many things in my photography and wouldn’t know how to move forward. It takes sparring, teaching, and setting aside time for it—and this programme has helped on every single point.
Peter-Emil Witt
Photojournalist, participant One Year Personal Project
I'm not afraid to fuck up anymore...
I feel much safer as a photographer. I feel like I'm a photographer. I'm not afraid to fuck up like I have been in the past. I really feel like I can rest easy being a photographer!
Thorleif Ravnbak
Journalist and photographer
This is exactly what I want in my life.
The last four weeks have been a huge eye-opener for me. I’ve been seriously challenged and become much more curious about portrait photography and what it can really do. You’ve given me so much I can keep working with—and keep challenging myself with. Without a doubt, I’ve been confirmed that this is exactly what I want in my life!
Viktoria R. Larsen
Photographer
A unique and deeply inspiring course.
I was honestly blown away by Michael—an outstanding instructor who shares generously from his enormous knowledge, makes it highly pedagogical, and does it at an impressive pace.
Svend Thomsen
Photographer
It raised my photographic work by a level or two.
I can only recommend this workshop as warmly as possible - it raised my photographic work by a level or two and increased the joy of working with portraiture of people. Thank you for some exciting days.
It has been extremely outside my comfort zone—and therefore insanely educational. Definitely methods I’ll take with me in my development. A highly recommended programme. Huge praise.
Sille Breiner
Photographer
It will forever change the way I edit images.
A key reason I chose this course was Michael’s background as a photographer and therefore his photographer-driven approach to Photoshop and image editing. The course covered a broad range and will change the way I edit images from now on.
Mogens Hansen
Photographer
I can now portray anyone!
Helga as an instructor is incredibly dynamic and welcoming, but also with a sharp edge. You don’t get to rest on your laurels—you’re pushed out of your comfort zone. I’ve gained many new tools for photographing, and now I feel I can portray anyone.
Simon Skipper
Photojournalist
My images became stronger because I dare to show who I am.
My journalistic work improves when I dare to be personal. You can’t just take—you also have to give something of yourself. And I didn’t dare to do that before I came here, because I kept thinking, “Well, I have to be professional.” So my images became stronger because I dare to show who I am.
Mio Voison
Fotojournalist, participant One Year Personal Project
Intense, skilled, and inspiring.
You are intense, highly skilled, and inspiring as instructors - and I’ve truly had my eyes opened to all the details. Thank you for an amazing workshop.
Lars Sandager Ramlow
Journalist and editor at Frederiksborg Amts Newspaper
I’ve gone from 1 to 1000.
I think I went from 1 to 100 the first time I took a workshop with Helga. Now, with this Master in Portrait Photography, I’m probably closer to 1000. The teaching is exciting and incredibly educational across the board, the assignments are great, and the critique afterwards is genuinely useful. I can only recommend joining if you want to develop further, push your boundaries, and go deep.
It’s crazy what your methods can do!
I’ve experimented with Personal Direction and I’ve never had this much control of my photography before, and I’ve achieved such a wide variation of expressions—it’s crazy what your methods can do!
Diana Holm
Pressphotographer
If the personal portrait is the discipline you want to master, choose Helga Theilgaard as your instructor. She gives of herself, and when the programme ends you realise how far you’ve moved because you took part. As a portrait photographer, Helga has style, is experienced, and willing to take risks. There is no one better!
Anette Ejsing
Photographer
Challenged creatively and emotionally.
It has been an incredibly educational programme where I’ve been challenged both creatively and emotionally in how I experience, create, and think about photography. If you love and burn for photography, love being challenged, love creating images with story and meaning, and want teaching at a high and serious level, you should sign up for a workshop.
Linea Hansen Høiby
Photographer
From zero to hero in Photoshop!
I’ve learned an insane amount of Photoshop. Michael gave me a way to structure my files - before I was doing it a bit randomly and messing around. Now everything is completely under control. It’s been absolutely fantastic.
Elsebeth Spangsberg
Fotograf
The programme is SO good!
My model responded really well to the Personal Direction, and I could clearly see changes and expressions in the face. This programme is SO good and incredibly educational.
Line Kongsted Jensen
Photographer
The programme has been exciting, provocative, and boundary-pushing—and not least very, very educational. It’s a year of intensive teaching by two incredibly skilled instructors who push, move, and transform you as a photographer. If you need to develop yourself photographically, there is nothing like it.
In 4 weeks I’ve moved my photography further than in 30 years!
If you want to do something serious with your portrait photography, you can’t get around Helga Theilgaard! In the 4-week online Personal Direction programme, I’ve moved my photography further than in the previous 30 years. With a loving but firm hand in a velvet glove, I’ve been challenged, set back, and then encouraged and praised for how far I’ve moved my photography.
Huge value for my business!
It’s been exciting for me to start the programme and be on a class with a creative focus. In my everyday life as a freelancer, I’m often very alone, and it has been good to be part of a creative, gathering environment over a longer period with competent teaching. I feel better equipped for my everyday life as a freelance photographer—and it has huge value for my business.
Cæciliie Philipa Vibe Pedersen
Photojournalist
