- What's going on, guys?
So a few days ago,
I actually did a portrait photoshoot session
with my good friend Cole Rolland,
and I was hyped how the photos turned out.
Like, they looked so good,
probably my best portraits to date.
I wanna share with you a few tips
on what I applied during this photoshoot
so that you guys can get some jaw-dropping portraits.
So, without further ado, let's jump into it.
(upbeat pop music)
Okay, tip number one is their facial expression,
the actual feeling that they're trying to convey.
So once you're working with your subject,
and you've kind of figured out if it's a serious tone,
or a comedic tone or whatever the tone is for that photo,
the biggest challenge that a lot of people have
is that they like to hold a pose
and it just doesn't feel genuine, they'll be like,
like already that felt awkward.
One of the things that I like to do
is actually have somebody reset the feeling
over and over again.
So, I'll be like, alright like, relax.
So, if they're gonna do a smile, just be like,
relax first, then go into smile.
A tip would be like kinda like this.
Reset.
But make sure that it doesn't feel forced.
Try to get a natural position.
So, if you're trying to get a certain type of shot,
have them constantly, like, reset that.
So if they're doing like a movement where they're standing
have them reset it multiple times kinda like this.
If they're doing this pose,
have them step into it.
Go back, have them step into it.
So constantly in motion for the entire photo shoot.
Alright, tip number two
is be in constant communication with your talent.
A lot of the times, people aren't used to being
in front of a camera, so if that's the case,
you need to communicate what's happening.
So, if you're shooting photos you actually really like
say that this is, oh yeah, this is looking really good,
or like, this looks amazing!
Or like, whoo!
Like, make them smile 'cause they'll feel more confident
in front of the camera because of that
if you're more excited,
and don't let there be like, a bit of a lull,
because that lull creates awkwardness,
and then you can actually read that in the body.
So, be in constant communication, being like,
try this, or tilt your head up a little bit,
or just kind of tell a little bit of a story,
so that they smile.
That constant communication is extremely important
in capturing a genuine photo.
So, tip number three is body position.
Now, the whole kind of theme for this one is,
monkey see, monkey do.
So, a lot of the times people don't really know
comfortable body positions,
and things that look good on camera.
So, they'll kind of just like do the normal.
Like some sort of class photo,
and you're like, no,
don't do that class photo!
Or like the--
like that, yeah, they need to be sitting on a chair
if they're doing that photo,
definitely don't have them going like this.
(laughs)
Essentially go on Instagram,
find a bunch of different poses that you like,
screenshot them, or save them into some sort of like
Pinterest mood board or something along those lines,
and then bring them to either your male or female subject
and show them different body positions
so that they can can replicate it, monkey see, monkey do.
Here's a quick pro tip.
Everybody typically has a little bit of like, bad posture
'cause we work at computers, we like hunch over so,
here's my little pro tip for you.
This is the posture check where everybody can look
a little bit better.
So what you do is, you get everybody to
bring their shoulders back, drop them,
and then take a deep breath.
And that helps kind of put them into a natural position.
Everyone looks a little bit more confident,
a little bit better,
so that's your little pro tip on posture check.
Okay, this one seems obvious but
make sure your photos are sharp.
And the best way to make sure your photos are sharp
if you're not using a tripod, is to make sure that
your shutter speed is at least over your focal range
and what that means is, let's say you're shooting a 50-mil,
make sure your shutter is at least 1/50.
If you're using a 200-mil for your portrait shots,
make sure at least your shutter speed is 1/200.
If you really wanna take it to the next level
then make sure you use a tripod,
that way you have no jitter in your shots.
So let's say you're shooting a low-light situation
like this photo here,
I made sure I at least had a tripod in some capacity.
So make sure your photos are sharp.
Okay, tip number five is obviously lighting,
and we really like, especially for portraits,
a nice, soft light so as you can see right now,
the clouds are actually up there
which creates a huge diffusion, a nice soft light,
it wraps around the face, it looks very very pleasing
that's why a lot of portraits are shot on cloudy days
but if you don't have that,
then make sure you're using some sort of diffusion.
I can link a 5-in-1 deflector there
to take off the reflecting part to bounce light.
You can actually use the diffusion
to add a nice, even light.
It's kinda like adding a cloud over your face.
But essentially, in this photo right here,
this was like one of my favorite shots from the entire shoot
I actually assessed the situation.
So we got up really early, we got up for sunrise
and what I saw is that the light
was bouncing off a white building.
I was like hmm, I wonder if that will act
as a fill for Cole's face.
So we shot directly into the sun,
which typically isn't always like,
the best thing to do but because we had this
huge light bouncing off this white wall behind him
it filled his face and actually created
an even exposure on his face so,
assess the situation and take advantage of it,
but make sure that you guys at least shoot
in shady situations where there is a nice even light,
or cloudy days, or at least
add some diffusion over their face
or a soft box type of lighting for portraits.
That's what's gonna give you the best results.
And in addition to that whole lighting tip,
make sure you guys shoot at the best time of day,
which is typically sunrise or sunset
because the lighting is always the best quality
and it looks the best,
so push yourself to get nice and early
or at least stand by for that golden hour shot
because the light always looks the best,
so push yourself to shoot during that time.
Okay, super obvious one,
but really spend your time researching locations.
So build a list of like locations,
make sure you have like at least a top four options to go to
send them to your potential portrait clients
so they can be like, oh, this one really suits the vibe,
or this one suits the vibe.
Make sure it's appropriate for the photo shoot
so if they're doing a business shot,
well make sure it makes sense
that they're in some sort of business-like location,
they're not just in like a fun house or something like that.
Unless they're like a really fun subject or a clown.
Anyways, make sure you guys actually do some research
on the location, a quick little hot tip for that is actually
look up the tourism boards Instagram page
and typically they'll geotag a bunch of locations.
So go through the feed, find the locations that you like,
and then jot them down into a like a little notes section,
and then compile your final list of locations.
So this is a tip that you can go into a lot of detail but
it's actually picking the right lens for the right situation
so I'm gonna keep this one a little bit short.
I like using a 35-mil, this way you get a little bit of like
the background of the location,
it's not just compressed right on the subject,
but let's say they just want head shots,
something for like a Linkedin profile,
and use something for like a 70-mil or an 85-mil.
That's kind of known as like the portrait lens,
and I also like using my 7200
for those really high compression shots.
But my absolute favorite is the 35-mil for portraits.
And then my last tip is to just break all the rules.
I know that it sounds like,
oh, here's some things that you can follow,
but like trust your gut,
I think that's the most important aspect
of this entire tutorial is to trust your eye,
trust your gut because it knows what looks good,
so if that means breaking the rules
or breaking some of these tips that's okay.
So these are just some guidelines that I use
to actually make some really great photos,
but I encourage you to break the rules
'cause you might set the trend for the next portrait style
that like, blows up on Instagram,
or actually create a photo that your client is hyped on.
So yeah, those are my little tips.
Now real quick break, I wanna jump back to the exact moment
when I hit 100k on YouTube.
Oh, I just did it!
- Oh my god!
- 100,000, guys!
- Chris Hau just hit 100,000 subscribers.
(laughs)
- Guys, thanks guys.
Thanks, man.
There's so much more to come but like...
This is so dope.
I'm gonna get like emotional.
Why am I getting emotional over a number?
Thanks guys for supporting the channel.
You made my weekend, you made my day, you made,
what I like doing in this world real so,
I appreciate every single one of you for,
for giving two shits about this.
(sighs)
Thanks guys.
So yeah guys, that was the actual moment
that I hit 100,000 subscribers on YouTube
and I wanted to make sure
that I captured it in real time for you to experience.
So in honor of hitting a 100k, I want to do a giveaway
now I'll keep it nice and short.
The homies at Aputure and Brevite just hooked us up
with a few little giveaways.
So first place we're giving away a
Tri-8 Aputure Amaran bicolor light
this thing is just like, a beast.
My favorite light probably on the market
and then number two is
Brevite's giving away a travel backpack.
I love this bag, I brought it to Iceland.
I use it for like, day trips.
So those are the top two prizes.
First place is the Tri-8 light.
Second is the backpack, and then third,
I'll be giving away some lightroom presets and fonts.
If you guys like this video, please press
(snap) like!
It actually makes a difference.
Subscribe, I would love for you to join along and,
catch you in the next video.
Peace out everybody, and thank you for watching,
and thank you for your support.
(mellow instrumental music)