Marketing Essentials International » children’s portraits

How2 Series: Doing Low Key Portraits of Kids by Doug Gordon

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:59:22 +0000

We all get caught in type-casting those photographers we admire most. They seem to establish boundaries on what they’re best at and so often, just like Hollywood, we don’t think of them in other roles. I love this post from Doug Gordon, which is a solid reminder he can shoot anything! He loves working with couples and brides most, but when it comes to his skill set, he’s one of the most diverse photographers in our industry. Put together his ability to teach and you’ve got an unstoppable combination for helping us grow as artists.

I also love the fact that he’s one of the few photographers with blog posts that often take you through the complete process. Doug’s posts aren’t just about the why, but the “how to” and the “with what”. All the bases are covered in this post about low key portraits.

If you’re interested in learning more from Doug, join us at Summer School next week. And, if that’s not in your plans, keep track of where Doug is teaching and pick up one of his workshops!

I love doing low key imagery, especially of kids. This image will be a part of our new Children’s Core Deck being release in the next few weeks. What makes this image even better is that it is a person of color. One of the keys to good low key imagery is clothing. When a family and I choose to go this way, we usually have a detailed conversation about the clothing and what is required. I find the best results come from black or dark clothing. This allows me to just pinpoint the face. Once all that is in place, the rest is simple. This is lit with two torch lights.

Details: Camera: 1dMark IV

Lens 70-200mm IS II, 2.8

Exposure 1/50 sec AP 2.8

Lighting: Torch Light from above camera left and tungsten filter, approx. 3 feet from the subject and a torch light from 4 feet above subject, low power tungsten cap. Used as hair light aiming at subject’s head

Camera Height: Above Eye Level

Camera Tilt: 45 degrees to Camera left

Tripod:Flashpoint 1428 w/ jiffy grip head

Actions Used:Daily Multi Vitamin 71%, Lord of the rings Everyday 63%, HDarrgh, Digital Dark

Keys to the Art:The most important part of this is the light. I am using a torch light from camera left. I have it set roughly 1 stop above the existing ambient light. I want to overpower the ambient. This makes the torch the main light and allows the light to be my paintbrush. The dark clothing I feel creates the spot light effect on the subject. The second hair light is just a little kicker. The image has been burned down with Kevin Kubota’s digital dark action.

The Nik Summit and Skip's Summer School

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:40:15 +0000

The summer may seem like it’s a long way off, but if you look back at how fast this first quarter has gone by, it’s really just around the corner and here’s the challenge. What are you going to need to recharge your battery just before the fall rush? Even more important, what will you want to do to increase business in the back half of the year?

First, check out a new program from Nik, The Nik Summit. Put together by my good buddy Tony Corbell and the team at Nik Software, here’s an opportunity for some great programming and an excuse to spend some time in San Diego – as if anybody needed an excuse for that one! It’s an all-star cast leading off with Joe McNally and Robert Beck. Great programming, hands-on shooting and the opportunity to help build your portfolio and your network!

Then comes Skip’s Summer School - Okay, so it’s shameless self-promotion, but what a great program! Check out Skip’s Summer School, especially with the early bird special of just $199 and 15 different speakers, but it’s not just about the quality of the programs and the diversity of the topics – it’s about the learning potential.

Scott Bourne talked about it yesterday in his blog - how great is it to not have to worry about getting seat? We’ve locked in the entire third floor of MGM’s Conference Center and we will NOT over sell this program. That means, no long lines every time a speaker starts a program. And the programs are set up, one right after another – no decisions to make in terms of the balancing act between topic.

It means classroom seating, so that everybody not only has a seat, but a “desk” to work at. And virtually unheard of at any program today, the room will be set up for WiFi – I know you need to get away from the office, but how many times have you wanted to do a quick check on email just to stay in touch? Into Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon and headed home by mid-day Wednesday. Short, high-impact and very sweet!

It’s a program jam packed with information from some of the finest instructors in photography today and we’re covering weddings, children’s portraiture, social media, high school seniors, creativity, lighting, photojournalism, business, marketing and even boudoir. And the sponsor list is amazing with all of the following companies planning on being there, not just to pitch you on their products, but to meet and get to know you and your business. It’s an all star lineup with:

Albums Inc www.albumsinc.com Asukabook www.asukabook.com Azura Albums www.azuraalbums.com B&H Photo Video www.bhphotovideo.com Big Folio www.bigfolio.com DWF http://www.digitalweddingforum.com
Fujifilm www.fujifilmusa.com GhostRighters www.GhostRighters.com GoingPro www.GoingPro2010.com GraphiStudio http://www.graphistudio.com/usa/index.html H&H Color Lab www.hhcolorlab.com Jill-e Designs www.Jill-E.com Kubota Image Tools www.kubotaimagetolls.com Marathon Press www.marathonpress.com Marketing Essentials International www.mei500.com The MAC Group www.macgroupus.com Midwest Photo Exchange www.mpex.com Nik Software www.niksoftware.com OnOne Software www.OnOneSoftware.com Photodex www.photodex.com PhotoOne Software www.photoonesoftware.com PhotoFocus www.photofocus.com Pictage www.pictage.com PWDlabs www.pwdlabs.com Simply Canvas www.simplycanvas.com SmugMug www.smugmug.com Tamron www.tamron.com TripleScoop www.triplescoopmusic.com WHCC www.whcc.com

Still undecided? Check it out this week at www.mei500.com and we hope to see you in Las Vegas!

Continuity Marketing – Getting rid of the peaks and valleys!

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:25:42 +0000

There seem to be two trains of thought out there in developing your photography business. We’ve got one school that believes you should develop your core strength and stay focused (pun intented) on that application. In other words, if you’re a wedding photographer, stay focused on growing your wedding business. If you’re a commercial shooter, stay on top of your marketing efforts to commercial targets, etc.

Personally, I’m in the second school of thought and it’s about diversity, but with a logical connection to your core business. You should never stop working to build the main concentration of your business, but there are some terrific opportunities out there that are too often missed. For you non-wedding photographers, my apologies this morning, but weddings make the easiest example for “Continuity Marketing”.

Continuity Marketing is nothing more than a ten dollar word for finding new products to sell to your existing customer base. Camera manufacturers have been doing it for years. Once you’ve bought the camera body, there’s a long list of lenses and accessories you’ll need to keep building your stash of gear. Seasonal sales, special kits and rebates are just a few of the tools they use to get you thinking about adding more to your equipment list.

Well, switch applications and think of a wedding the same way. If you did a great job on the wedding then why not be there for all the other important events? If the bride and groom loved your work a few years ago, why not contact them today and remind them your second greatest love in photography is babies?

Let’s assume you’ve been a wedding photographer for the last five years. Between brides, a few bride’s maids and the families you probably have a couple hundred names and addresses in your data base. Unless you really screwed up their wedding album, these people know you, they know your work and the trust level with potential clients is already established.

There’s a great line that goes – screw up a portrait shoot and you can always re-shoot it, but mess up a wedding and you need to leave town! So, assuming all of you have lived in the same location for the last few years, then think about the winter slow season, with only a month left, and do a mailing to your past brides and their mothers.

Why is Mom in the mailing as well ? Because women make an estimated 98% of the purchase decisions when it comes to professional photography for children, family, pets and weddings. Very few people are thinking about photography right now, so you’ve got the spotlight all to yourself.

Dear _______:

I hope this letter finds you and your family doing well. I really enjoyed meeting your family and friends at the wedding and find it hard to believe it’s been ___ years since I saw all of you.

I know you’re familiar with my wedding work, but I’m not sure you realize my second love in photography is photographing families, especially children on location. There’s a wonderful look and feel to portraits of kids when they’re photographed in their own environment with their favorite toys, pets or friends. Plus, I’ve just added a whole new line of frames and albums that are perfect for displaying family portraits.

Now, add in a special offer that’s running for the next 30-45 days and close with all the warmth and gratitude you displayed when you delivered their album. And, if you don’t like my approach, that’s fine, write something else, but the key here is to take advantage of the slowness of winter and create some business opportunities that might help even out the peaks and valleys!

Slightly modifying a quote from Robert G. Allen, author of “The One Minute Millionaire”…

No matter what your product is, you are ultimately in the education business. Your customers need to be constantly educated about the many advantages of doing business with you…and taught how you can make never-ending improvements in their lives.