A lot of you have asked about my editing.  I really don’t do much and it’s funny most of the actions that I use were free that I found in different places.

Here’s a rundown on this image that I processed today.  It’s the same way I processed the fashion shoot from the other day.

I usually open my photo and I shoot in RAW.  I don’t do too much in ACR but I do bump the Clarity a bit.

Then, I run portraiture on everyone.  I downloaded actions from portraiture a few years ago and that’s how I’ve always used Portraiture.  I run the medium action and then erase the eyes, mouth, hair and background.  I’m sure there are easier ways to do this but that’s just what I do.  Then I lower my opacity to usually around 70 to 80 percent.

Then like 98% of the time I run a free action I got off ILP years ago.  It’s Andrew’s Free Optimizer.  It basically just brightens up the levels a bit.

Sometimes, when I’m shooting OCF outside, this is the only thing I run on my photos.  Then I end up doing some dodging and burning but that’s it.

I felt like when I did Andrew’s action it was just a little to bright on her so I turned it down a bit.  Maybe at about 80%

Then I ran another free action that I picked up probably on ILP but I’m not totally sure where I got it.  It’s called Silver Luminosity by Marmalade a great photographer in Chicago.

I just brought the opacity to about 45% on this photo.

Then, I went back to portraiture and did the Enhance Glamour action.  I run this at a very small percentage because you can see in this screen shot it’s crazy.

And here’s the final image:

Here is the Beauty Dish that I use. As I look closer at the actualy beauty dish and alien bees site, I don’t see the one I use on there.  I use a matte beauty dish. I have the silver one too and only used it in New Orleans so I haven’t had enough time outside with it to see if I really like it or not.

The beauty dish is really an ‘edgier’ modifyer.  Your customer must have very good skin to pull this off.  If you have an acne prone kid it won’t do them any good.  A softbox is better on older people if you want to soften the wrinkles or minimize acne etc.  The beauty dish is not for everyone but for me I prefer it now.  I love it.  This is why I don’t shoot outside with my speedlites anymore when I’m shooting for my sessions.  I prefer my beauty dish over my softboxes b/c of how edgy everything looks.  It’s just my style I suppose.

How do I get power to my lights outside?

I use a Vagabond from Alien Bees.  It’s 300 bucks and well worth my money.  I honestly get very tired of my speedlites because they run on 4 Double A batteries and I’m always changing batteries etc.

Some people ask me at my workshops if I have an assistant.  I don’t.  I carry everything.  Yes, it’s heavy but seriously, I personally love it so much that I’m willing to work a little more while shooting.  I spend a lot less time editing than I would shooting natural light too.

Some gals were daring me back in Salt Lake to show them how I carried everything.  haha!  I did it too.  Just to be a show off!  j/k

Anyway, keep the questions coming. I’m always here to help.

OHHH!  I almost forgot!  My friend Courtney DeLaura is coming out with something super awesome. On the 20th she’s rolling out Get Schooled A School Portraiture Guide!

I know many photographers like myself are thinking I’m a Custom Photographer and I won’t do that but seriously let’s think about this!  This is an incredible way to make more revenue for your family!  Step out of the box!  Buy Courtney’s Guide on how to get started in doing School Portraiture.

This is a complete guide to developing a School Portraiture Division of your Photography business. High End School Portraiture not only creates a good source of revenue but it opens the door to many more clients. Once they have you shoot their child’s school portrait they will then find out you do more then just school portraits and hire you for family sessions, weddings, etc. School Portraiture is a marketing tool that you get paid for! The guide will take you step by step. from booking the schools, to creative ideas to stay in contact with the families long after you have photographed their school!

And guess what?  I have a code for you to buy Courtney’s Guide at a nice discount.  To get the discount you need to purchase between January 20th thru January 25th.

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You save 15% on the guide!!  So use that code and save some money!

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