I Shot Professional Portraits for 2 years, This Is What I Learned….
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2024
- Portrait Photography shot on FujiFilm and Sony Cameras
📸 Lightroom Presets - geni.us/ccUXB
🎥 LUT's - geni.us/nNai
🔧 Full Gear List - geni.us/qtfMjre
🐇 Narrative Select - How I effortlessly organise & cull my photos for FREE - bit.ly/3Rm0cta
📸 Follow My Instagram - / gerard_.needham
(all models are tagged on my IG photos)
🔧 Favourite 24mm and 50mm For Fujifilm and Sony
▸ My Favourite 24mm for Sony - geni.us/zUV9qx
▸ My 5Favourite 50mm for Sony - geni.us/2mdLF5
▸ My Favourite 24mm for FijiFilm - geni.us/e7Cv
▸ My 5Favourite 50mm for FujiFilm - geni.us/MA5mp
📸 Follow My Instagram - / gerard_.needham
(all models are tagged on my IG photos)
🔧 My Full Gear List is on my website - bit.ly/49OQacy
🔧 GEAR THAT I USE
▸ Professional Photography Camera - geni.us/eAA0
▸ Travel Photography Camera - geni.us/B8Az72b
▸ Video Camera - geni.us/eAA0
▸ My Vlog/BTS camera - geni.us/OHqW
⬇️ FujiFilm Setup
▸ Camera - geni.us/B8Az72b
▸ Wide Fast Prime - geni.us/7I4nM
▸ Mid Fast Prime - geni.us/qjcKTN
▸ Telephoto Prime - geni.us/6Lp5wlk
▸ Compact mid range zoom - geni.us/AAFE
▸ Telephoto zoom - geni.us/0UjQ
⬇️ SONY Full Frame
▸ My Most Used Lens - geni.us/Kgg0
▸ 24mm - geni.us/zUV9qx
▸ 35mm - geni.us/xXoA
▸ 40mm - geni.us/6SzBKl
▸ 50mm - geni.us/CkjVuXQ
▸ 85mm - geni.us/CoSuuA
▸ 135mm - geni.us/q5ljSa
▸ Favourite Telephoto Zoom - geni.us/sJhCnJ3
⬇️ SONY APSC
▸ Most Used Lens - geni.us/8v0AR
▸ Favourite Portrait lens - geni.us/evHC7
▸ Favourite 85mm (56mm APSC) - geni.us/k2azJw0
▸ Favourite Wide Angle Prime - geni.us/VbSKrf
▸ Vlogging Lens - geni.us/ejUROqC
▸ Favourite Telephoto Zoom - geni.us/sJhCnJ3
🎒 What's In My Professional Photo Camera Bag
▸ Camera Bag - geni.us/UAE6fvO
▸ Photography Camera - geni.us/eAA0
▸ Main Lens - geni.us/Kgg0
▸ 24mm Prime Lens - geni.us/zUV9qx
▸ 35mm Prime Lens - geni.us/xXoA
▸ 50mm Prime Lens - geni.us/CkjVuXQ
▸ 85mm Prime Lens - geni.us/CoSuuA
▸ 135mm Prime Lens - geni.us/q5ljSa
▸ My Flash - geni.us/YuuBt
▸ 8x SD Cards - geni.us/W1YBya
▸ 6x spare batteries - geni.us/JCjZ
🎒 My "TRAVEL" Camera sling/bag
▸ Compact Photo & Video Camera - geni.us/B8Az72b
▸ Compact Vlog/BTS camera - geni.us/OHqW
▸ Camera Bag - geni.us/UAE6fvO
▸ Camera sling - geni.us/NXgvkRd
▸ Lens No.1 - geni.us/7I4nM
▸ Lens No.2 - geni.us/MA5mp
▸ Lens No.3 - geni.us/AAFE
▸ SD Cards - geni.us/mGZjY
▸ Spare battery - geni.us/ymvOA
▸ Apple Air Tag - geni.us/3HQin
▸ Power Bank - geni.us/c7Gqk5B
▸ Tripod - geni.us/Wf9M
🎙️My talking head set up
▸ Camera - geni.us/skl5
▸ Lens - geni.us/VbSKrf
▸ Light - geni.us/qwHQoy
▸ soft box - geni.us/xhhKrW
▸ stand - geni.us/qA6AY
▸ light power (battery) - geni.us/UYlL
▸ microphone - geni.us/p5CDGL1
▸ microphone (tutorial & voice over) - geni.us/EyLIMh
▸ microphone recorder - geni.us/jpSbXn
▸ tellpropter - geni.us/SxtQ
▸ monitor - geni.us/h0kL36
▸ tripod - geni.us/Wf9M
▸ magic arm (must have) - geni.us/bqBI0
🖥️ My desk setup
▸ sit/stand desk - geni.us/pNXKC
▸ monitor - geni.us/TEbsa
▸ macbook - geni.us/4A5WEU1
▸ macbook stand - geni.us/cVHghU
▸ SSD drive (want i edit off) - geni.us/l8hAM
▸ NAS (file storage) - geni.us/k3W3F
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#portrait #portraitphotography #fujifilm 
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Let me know in the comment section what you guys have learnt while shooting portraits or if this video helped to get started!
BTW I just realised I spelt Photographers wrong in the last slide 😅, I’m slightly dyslexic and I miss miss-spelt words a lot 😂
Outside photographing for fashion, or glamour the real deal for me is outside all of the technical or even creative compositional stuff. Photography to capture what a person is really about is where the big ones like Karsh and Leibovitz found their place. I don't know if I'll ever get there, and it's been awhile lol. Leibovitz is known especially for having conversations with subjects to evoke reactions that only they would have, rather than directing them like an art director traditionally would.
Can you add some subtitles?This way I can better learn some photography skills from the video
“Portrait photography is simple… get really hot models”
Lol 😂
This is the real thing people is afraid to say... But its true.
As someone said, if you want to make beautiful photos, photograph beautiful things.
In the case of portraits, well, you know...
@@tukorNo... you can find countless photographers that just pose scantily clad models and the images look like a cheap adult mag rip-off that was done by some greasy old creep. Of course attractive models *help*, but it's way more important to have TRAINED models that know how to work their angles and poses and match the mood of a shoot.
@@SuLu_B yep, i partially agree. But as you said (" it's way more important to have TRAINED models") you also are talking about models. And models are usually beautiful people.
Of course, a great photographer with a great model will make much better photos than a bad photographer with a good model. And i agree and its true that some of those bad photographers make photos that are... creepy, yes.
But i think you get my point. If you, as a photographer, know what you are doing, having a beautiful model who also knows what she/he is doing, helps. A lot.
All of the above points are very valid and represents perhaps 10% to 20% of a photographers ability to succeed. Remember there are thousands of photographers better than you, but most of them are not good business people. Marketing, networking, understanding your customers needs, gaining trust and respect, optimizing your lead generation and onboarding process, optimizing you shooting, post processing, and final product delivery process, optimizing you pricing strategy, having a unique or recognizable style, having a clear target audience, and a clear product and value proposition .... ALL trump photography skill, as long as you meet the bare minimum standard. Just look at all the mediocre photographers in your market making top dollar. If you are not a beginner ... focus on business.
Yup 💯 that’s pretty much how I became a full time wedding photographer in 6 months
Bingo!!!
That explains why so many photographer's on RUclips are making money but their photos are just so bland and boring. But they have so much confidence that they are good.
@@jay-by1semost on RUclips are not photographers. Digital cameras and mobile phones have made many people think they are. Give them an analogue film camera and you’ll soon find out who knows their stuff.
Thank you so much for a great video! Sometimes I feel like photography advice is just teaching people about the rules, but I love that you instead talked about what to pay attention to in a photo, and how to find your own style and voice! This will definitely help me improve my portrait photos
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the nice comment
Great video! You summed up my beginners portrait style pretty quickly! Now I'm keen to level up and get more creative. Keep the great videos coming!
Awesome! Thank you!
Glad I’ve inspired you
Great, great video! This was really encouraging and inspiring. I haven't broken out my camera for a while and I'm feeling the itch to get back into it!
mate, REALLY enjoyed this video & got a lot of practical, actionable value out of it, so thank you for sharing !
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you. The advice on contrast and not shooting for the edit is particularly helpful to me.
Oh nice man, that was a big turning point for me
Subscribed because your tips and your example photos were stellar. Great content in a sea of noise.
Welcome aboard and Thankyou
Thank you for helping all of us! 🎉
Any time!
Good advices, sincerity, a nice video pleasant to watch. Thanks Gerard
Glad you enjoyed it
Excellent video and advice, many thanks.
My pleasure!
Subscribed! 😎👌
Awesome info, very well-done, plus congrats on your channel!
Awesome, thank you!
Great video! Thank you!!
You are so welcome!
Great vid man! Some awesome info in here
Oh cheers broski
just come across your channel, SOLID portfolio man love your style. instant sub ✌
Oh thanks welcome
Well-said, Gerard -- thanks!
Awesome thanks for the kind comment 😃
This honestly exactly what I needed today 🙌🏼
Oh thanks mate, been following you on IG for while so that means alot
Impressed!!
Thankyou 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Good video. 1:44 yep! Constantly chasing the latest and greatest gear will kill your creativity. Ive been shooting portraits professionally for 20 years now and I have sold off most my newer gear. Sony makes the sensors for just about everyone now and almost every modern mirrorless camera (Fuji aside) churns out the same boring, sterile, over-sharpened images with zero character. Ive gone back to DSLRs like the 5D Classic and Sony A300 as well as some great bridge cameras like the Panasonic FZ47, FZ50 and FZ200. Those older CCD sensors on the A300, FZ47 and FZ50 have a filmic look to them with tons of character, same with the 5D Classic. Really happy with the look of my portraits more recently.
5D is still an amazing camera with a great line of lenses
1:15 I would also add color palette and theme / intention of the photo
Yeah
Dude. Super love the advice to simplify a gear set. It's so wildly against the grain these days because the industry has to sell to survive. The truth is the most talented photographers I know limit themselves intentionally as a posture of creativity. They find art baked into the problem solving process and when there's 6 cameras and 12 lenses spread around the temptation to second guess every decision is too high. Thanks for the honest push here.
Yup 100% only have one or 2 lenses and focus on the image rather than the gear is the best process
Thank you for your insights some very good comments from seasoned pros.. I'm passionate about landscape photography and bought my first dslr canon 550D in 2018.. I come from a special needs back ground so learning new skills is a massive challenge.. I've found photography late in life and it has helped quite a bit with confidence.. I have a mentor who I'm so thankful for he last year through a camera club in the UK brought out a 7d mark ii and a 24-105mm prime.. I'm getting into portraits as well now as that pays a little more then landscapes.. I live in a smalleish town so getting regular work is tough.. I'm trying to learn photoshop but it's tricky as a newbie.. But all in good time 🙏
Wow that’s awesome mate, keep going ☺️ and you’ll keep learning and improving
@@gerardneedham I plan to 🙏😊 have a good weekend
I once went on a little rant to good friend. He is a wise man and has a large following on instagram and he is also here on RUclips. Anyways.. I was ranting about how many photographers I know that take such mediocre photos and got paid so well and all he said was, “It’s never the best photographer who gets the job, it’s always the best marketer”. He said nothing more about this. But man, this really hit. Not because it’s groundbreaking news or anything. It’s just how true it is. I never really thought about it much that way. The key to success in photography is really just about selling yourself. So many big RUclips photographers are so meh.. when it comes to taking photos as well. The reason they’re so popular is only because they put in the time and effort to record, edit, and upload their videos of them talking photography. They just put in the work and it pays off. I’m not a fan of many RUclipsrs photography work but I still respect them for not being lazy and putting in the effort of creating content. Congrats to them.
Yeah fully, their is a lot of RUclipsrs who have a massive following and yet hardly show their photos, or have ever worked as a professional photographer which blows my mind.
I did just make a video about how I became a full time photographer within 6 months and one of the points was to have a 50/50 split between good work (portfolio) and marketing your work!
I’ve meet some amazing photographers who struggle to get work while some who really don’t have the passion for photography get alot of work, and are doing really really well!
I started this RUclips channel when I started photography 2 years ago, and while I could go full time now, I don’t think I ever will as I want to continue doing professional photography jobs, and I don’t want to be a “RUclips creator” I want to be a “professional photographer who has a RUclips channel”
Super valuable! loved every bit of it
also, your directionless photos were very good, just need a different grade
Sad 😔 editing is very subjective and I aim for a more timeless edit
Great video and photos.
Many thanks!
Practical advice clearly presented. Fine grounding for more detailed content on each of Lighting, Environment, Subject and Composition. Also, have you had to deal with “difficult” models? Sharing your coping methods would be welcome. Cheers!
Thanks man, and no I haven’t had any problems with difficult models in term of their attitude but more lack of knowledge and direction
I definitely like having a plan, great advice, with details as to how to get a plan! Thank you! My problem is finding people who WANT to have their photo taken. Looks like you've found lots of attractive young people that know how to pose and love having their photo taken (in this video).. Probably shooting weddings would put you in touch with that target audience.
I just want to find 'interesting' people in general... and that has proven quite difficult. So, I plan to move to an area with more interesting people... and hope to find some interesting peeps.
Yeah living in an interesting area with a high population helps a lot
Great video! 👏🏻
Thank you! 😁
When you said wedding photography is a start, I find that interesting because I don't even know how to start as a second or third photographer at a wedding but I would like to know.
Hey, send me a DM on instagram and I can give you some advice via DM if you want.
Basically carry a camera bag for a photographer get a small portfolio and move from there
I sent 400 emails to get my first Opportunity
@@gerardneedham Hey thanks for responding. I don't have instagram. Wow I didn't know it could take so many emails. Thanks for the tips
Great video. I like the style of your photos and your videos. How did you get that video to look so creamy? Is it a mist filter, or your color correction?
Hey thanks heaps man, I just waited for a light cloud for some defused harsh light, the beach in the afternoon is good for that with sea spray also, and no mist filter used 😀
Nice - I See You I Appreciate you. Much Respect from Western Australia
Appreciate that
I’m surprised you didn’t say 85mm 😮
Yeah the 85mm is back up lenses I use to remove distractions, but I’m more of an environmental portrait photographer and I don’t like just taking the same compositions on the 85mm eg head shots.
Also it’s hard to have all of the limbs in the composition like arms and hands ect.
@@gerardneedham wow I like that perspective, I’m traveling for a wedding to Atlanta for a week and I’m not too sure what lenses to bring I love my primes but a zoom is versatile but also big, I usually have pancakes on my apsc camera what do you suggest? Thanks in advance! Do you find that you bring your gear but sometimes never use everything and stick with your tried and true lenses ? Or is it an opportunity to explore snd experiment
great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
Nice video brother!
Thanks for watching
How did you learn how to edit?
Too legit!
Cheers bro
Gerard can you make a video of how to edit using your preset?
Hey, I did recently make a portrait editing video where I show how I use my presets, I published it about 2 weeks ago
Awesome video, dude! Subbed :-)
Hey, thanks!
I wish there was a way in youtube I could save this video to watch again. Its so good. but you've disabled the save option to add to playlists.
Have I really, I’ll try and turn that on now
Hey Gerard! Thanks for your very intersting video! OneOff-Topic question: IN Minute 1:50, which Camera Strap is the one you are using? Thanks and greetings from Germany
Hey it’s a cheap one from Amazon
Look up rope camera strap it was about $10
0:54 Yep, that's the subject. 🤣
Ahahahha I fully didn’t even see where that arrow was pointing until now 😅
I feel stupid now lols
What font are you using?
Nice question typography is something I’ve been working on
I use Prata and josefin sans
most important rule: have a hot model
It probably helps that you’re just as beautiful as those girls you’re taking pictures of! Great work though.
Oh thanks I always feel so unglued when it’s a photo of a model then cut to a video of me ahahahah
Ironically, after I bought a few professional fast primes, I started shooting with more depth of field lol.
That’s generally what happens 🤪
That’s generally what happens 🤪
1:37 I feel like what's different about the photos you showed here is that you had a freaking horse doing the work. Of course, the photos are going to be more interesting. Anyways. As a noob, thanks for the inspiration.
Ahahahahah the horse shoot was a pain in the ass ahahahahah but the photos are nice
Things that I've learned while shooting portraits are : First: ANY location is a GOOD location if you know what to do,(second one is a bit controversial ) but if you are just starting photography try to shoot relatively beautiful people ( everyone is beautiful the way they are, but there is Margot Robbie and there is us :D ) because at that point you have freedom to think about light, composition and posing, rather than worrying about making "model" look pretty, and third GEAR MATTERS, if you want to make business out of your hobby you have to invest because the freedom of shooting in any light conditions comes from pretty expensive gear
Mmmmmm I think when starting out if I shot more on my 5D and didn’t buy expensive gear, then I would be a better photographer today, gear doesn’t matter but having the right gear does
2:45 What the heck is he saying? "Shooting for the itter?" I have no idea what this means.
My accent can be hard to understand 😅 I said “don’t shoot for the edit” “film photography is the complete opposite to shooting for the edit”
@@gerardneedham Ah yes... however, I can recall circumstances in the US Navy where we shot for the edit using ISO 25 Kodak Tech Pan (though I'm not at liberty to say where we were or what we were photographing)...
Composition ain't the best. It looks off. Too much empty space when it could be cropped or got right in camera
Yeah 😔
Only up from here bud.. good job so far 👍🏾
@@gerardneedham I thought the composition made the photos. Like you said in the video, you need to stand out in some way. With the high MP of today's cameras you have so much room to crop it in post, that every singel photo out there have this "perfect crop". Liked the ones on the baskedball court. The "empty space" added to that picture.
Dude with no brands giving advice on getting them. Is this the blind leading the blind? exam
His first attempt had 300 likes.
My first attempt had 9 likes
Ahahahha that was before reels where a thing
What’s her @? 55 seconds in
Hey man she’s not a model just a friend her account is private
Look, everything looks GREAT and you clearly know what you are doing, so this comment more refers to the genre you shoot, but DAMN do that blank stare with ... I don't know what ... "sexy"/angry/bored eyes take away soooo much from otherwhise great images. I HATE that look with a passion! Give me a smiling person, man or woman, any day!
But that is the genre, not you. GREAT photos and very good video!
Cheers man, I do some smile photos for the model but I dont post them, I prefer a portrait to ask a question like the mona Lisa painting!
Is she happy or sad, sexy or angry ect
2:15 "human eyes are trained to focus on the brighest"
bullshit...
You should google it or do a course there is a published paper on this that’s the fundamental of every theory behind this.
It’s a graph showing how our brain and eyes are drawn to different parts of an image, this is also the same principle for hunting, searching for food and apply a to most animals even deer who are colour blind!
You should really hold back on swearing here on RUclips please
@@gerardneedham bro check the time stamp, i was just joking around.
Sorry champ, but Weddings are not the best way to start. You should have more respect for the couples. A wedding is the holy Grail and deserves someone with great experience and talent. Thinking of Wedding as a starting point is an insult to the client.
I disagree, 100%
I started carrying bag of a wedding photographer, then as a second shooter before I did weddings by myself. It’s not a hard gig when you have the experience, and people like your self who think you need to be A level photographer with 10+ year experience is straight up BS.
Weddings are not the holy grail, you build up your prices as you go, when you reach the top you realise that what your charging and the amount out work you put in is a 1/10 of what recognised creative commercial photographers charge and the work that they put out!
You can be a new photographer with a little bit of experience in wedding to start changing a couple, obviously you’re charging low and that’s what the couples expect, when you charge more the couple expects more. That’s how it works
So you saying that’s an insult to the couple and I should have more respect, well you should too!
Because we all started somewhere and people like you need to remember that, and be a good photographer and support new and up coming talent!
Rant over
@@gerardneedham First off, saying that weddings aren’t as important as other types of photography is a reflection of your attitude and not wedding photography itself. Weddings are huge milestones for couples, filled with moments and emotions that they’ll remember forever. Not treating them with the respect they deserve is a disservice to the couples who trust wedding photographers to capture their big day.
Your argument seems to reflect a lack of experience in weddings and an understanding of what it truly takes to be a wedding photographer. Saying that wedding photographers have it easier suggests you’ve never had to apply yourself emotionally to bring out the best in another person. Wedding photography requires a lot of skill, dedication, and emotional intelligence.
The idea that anyone can start charging low and increase prices as they go is misleading. While it’s true that everyone has to start somewhere, wedding photography requires a high level of skill and dedication from the outset. Couples deserve a photographer who takes their day seriously. This is about capturing memories that will last a lifetime, something that seems to be underestimated here.
The notion that commercial photographers work harder than wedding photographers is simply not accurate. Wedding photography demands creativity, technical skill, and the ability to handle emotional and unique moments. It’s also highly unpredictable, which is not the case with commercial photography in most circumstances.
Every wedding is different, and capturing these special days takes more than just experience; it takes a genuine respect for the event.
Moreover, suggesting that couples expect less when paying lower prices shows a lack of respect for both clients and fellow photographers. It also reflects a misunderstanding of the expectations of couples who may not pay as much. Regardless of their budget, couples expect the best service and dedication from their wedding photographer. To assume that people expect less when they pay less is naive. Expectations remain high regardless of the investment, and photographers must be prepared to meet these expectations consistently.
In your video, you don’t address the foundational experiences necessary for becoming a successful wedding photographer, such as carrying bags or being a second shooter. You literally say that to gain experience you should start with weddings, which oversimplifies the process and overlooks the importance of learning through assisting and observing experienced photographers. Weddings can’t be the starting point for a photographer because they can’t be redone if the photographer messes up the job. At least with portrait photography, if the results are not desirable, the photographer can arrange to redo the job. Redoing a commercial shoot involves the cost of the stylist (i.e., makeup and hair), possibly a Director of Photography, and studio hire, which in no way compares to the price and emotional cost of having to redo an entire wedding because you botched the wedding photos due to a lack of experience or respect necessary to do the collection justice for the couple.
Supporting new talent is crucial, but it’s also important to instill a sense of respect and dedication to the craft. Wedding photography is a serious profession that should always be treated with the highest level of respect, for the sake of clients and the industry.
Mmm keep shooting, your portraits are technically well shot but as portraits they still suck! Study Nadav Kander, Annie Leibovitz, Yousuf Karsh, etc. Yours lack soul!
Sadddddddd
2 years in and I feel my portraits are getting pretty good
Pretty good to be making $300k + per year after learning photography 3 years ago
Dm me some of your work examples on how I can get some “soul”
Don't take the bait dude, no need to justify. Loved the video especially the 'edits' that look more straight out of camera. Getting over how most photos look HDR like they have been AI processed on a phone these days@@gerardneedham
It depends what your shooting. You don't see anything with soul opening an issue of Cosmo lol. Character portraits are a whole other thing, that takes a lot of years to learn how to coax someone's personality close enough to the surface to photograph it. You're doing great Gerard, and even killing it after only 2 years.
You're complete correct, his photos are just ok and that's fine. His photos look like the ones I shot for Brandy Melville back when I was 16. Don't DM him any photos, charge him for a consultation. I'm sure he can afford it.
Having shot portraits for one thousand years, I have learned that painting a portrait is a thousand times more difficult than pushing a button on a camera.
100% my grandma was a photographer and painter and she would try to teach me about having the creative freedom to shape light in a painting
But I wasn’t interested then but now I am