Behind The Scenes Amazon Fitness
Behind the scenes from our photo and video shoot yesterday, Sunday in Los Angeles. Video and comments by my assistant for the day, the very talented Shauna Toerner.
The incredible athlete, actress and standout personality, Kerstin Schulze. And Estee Lauder featured Makeup Artist Blanche LeBeau. At FD Studio, downtown Los Angeles.
The actual videos shot on Fujifilm X-Series cameras. Photographs shot on a Hasselblad digital camera system. Lighting with a Broncolor Move and Para 133. So much fun! Thank You All!
Softbox Dilemma
I always have problems getting the softbox together. Lucky for me my model Amber Flowers knew exactly what to do with it. Shot on Hasselblad digital and Broncolor lighting.
Not Typical BTS
Not your typical behind the scenes setup, except maybe for me. Shooting the board of directors for the Palm Springs Air Museum in front of two aircraft, showing both fully and the sign on the hangar. Two rows of 19 people sitting and standing. And very simply it came out perfect. Will show the final photograph when it is released. Could not be happier with the results!
Lighting was the Broncolor 1200L Move, Broncolor Para 133 and a Broncolor Octabox for some fill. Had to balance it all out with the Sun in and out of some overcast, low behind me to my right. Camera was a Hasselblad H4D-40 with the Hasselblad HC 50mm lens.
Everything was all set up and ready to go before anyone got there. I shot 12 frames in succession in no more than two minutes.
BTS For Ad Campaign
I have been having great fun with short videos and especially “behind the scenes” in my photo shoots. The idea for me comes from a series I had done for Bodybuilding.com for their ad campaigns promoting “BodySpace”. Then a new social media concept for fitness people that when I came into the picture had only 7,000 members and then grew to millions. That in turn helped grow the company to perhaps pushing towards a billion dollars of sales annually.
The videos were shot with a video crew and built around my photo shoots for the print and online advertising, features and content such as online wallpaper. The ads we produced are some of my all time favorites and appeared in magazines monthly for a long time. One of the print ads became a favorite for women, affixed to their refrigerator doors as fitness and workout motivation. I dare say the same ad was torn out and taped next to many a guy’s office wall or truck dashboard. So here is a favorite and watch for the “behind the scenes”.
Alt Photo Media
I forgot how much I enjoy alternate photography media such as instant films. My buddy, model, Noel VanBrocklin in a behind the scenes photo using a Fujifilm Instax Camera. I am also really liking doing short video clips both behind the scenes and as a feature along with the photography. Great fun and I love the look!
The actual photo shoot was done with Broncolor lighting and a Hasselblad digital camera system. This photo with a Fujifilm Instax wide camera. But I also use Polaroid cameras with film from the Impossible Project. I shoot my video clips with Fujifilm X Series cameras. Thanks!
Long Skirting The Issue
More behind the scenes posing fun with Kajira. We have more videos that you will only be seeing here and not on social media. Somewhat revealing. Think chic. “Porno Chic”…
A term created by New York Times art critic Hilton Kramer in the 1970s to describe the work of fashion photographers Helmut Newton, Guy Bourdin and Chris von Wangenheim. Editorial and advertising photography that uses nudity, eroticism… sexual and sultry to be more than pornography. I also refer to it as “edgy lifestyle” and think it is great fun. That is why you see it in my photography. It is not just being naked.
Video on my Fujifilm X-Series X-T1. The strobes firing are Broncolor. The actual photo shoot on Hasselblad digital. Always the best! Thanks!
Red Posing Fun
Some fun with Kajira posing with background sounds by Broncolor strobes. Love having her in front of the camera! The actual photo shoot done with Hasselblad digital. Behind the scenes video with a Fujifilm X-T1 camera.
BTS Details
Getting lots of questions about my studio shoot last week with NYC fashion model Nora Zainglein. It was in a studio near downtown Los Angeles at the Brewery Arts District which is very cool I must say. Had not been there in many years.
Some of the really important details are the people I get to work with. Blanche LeBeau is a premier Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist working around the world with Estee Lauder. I cannot begin to tell you how lucky I am to have her enjoy shooting with me. This shoot was even more fun with her talent of body painting! Very Thankful for Blanche LeBeau!
Then there is my newer buddy Harmoni Everett. Wow is she a find! Harmoni is best friends with another best friend of mine, a most gorgeous professional model, actress and beautiful woman. Harmoni has been a professional model, a successful actress and has worked in producing photo shoots. And is a wonderful photographer herself. She not only worked with me on this photo shoot as my assistant carrying and moving heavy stuff, but also wardrobe ideas and shooting behind the scenes photos. On top of all that we photographed Harmoni too and those photos are astonishing! She is wonderfully creative! You will see those photos soon.
Then there is Nora and she is wonderful. Blanche introduced me to photos of Nora probably a year ago or more and I said then that I really was looking forward to photographing her. This is now our second photo shoot together and she is just perfection. Nora looks incredible in front of the camera, knows her stuff, easy and so very fun to work with. I adore this woman!
It is the people you work with who are so very very important! Now people always say it is the photographer and not the gear that makes great photographs. And that is certainly true. But for me I do not like to short change what I do or what I do for my clients. So I go with the best gear possible. It is just what I do.
My camera system for these types of shoots for me is Hasselblad. I have always admired Hasselblad cameras and the images they produce. And the history of Hasselblad creating the photographs, the most memorable in history including going into Outer Space and to the Moon. Only sorry I didn’t start with Hasselblad sooner in my shooting. Then there is my lighting gear, Broncolor. For any number of reasons moving up to Broncolor is like going from a great car to a Rolls Royce or Ferrari. There is just nothing else like it.
I will not say that I am a great photographer but I can say I give it all I have got all the way around. So my results are quality, consistency and sometimes really great photographs. And I always try to make sure that everyone has fun doing it! That is my behind the scenes details on this and many of my photo shoots. Thanks!
Hair Raising Behind The Scenes
Harmoni Everett managed to get the almost exact moment when Nora Zainglein had her hair at the top of the her head swing and the strobe fired as I shot the photograph. Wow! That Nora a great model to work with and absolutely beautiful! I love her in front of the camera and she is fun to have around too!
Behind the scenes with the very professional New York City fashion model Nora Zainglein. Body painting, makeup and hair styling by premier Estee Lauder artist Blanche LeBeau. Photo assistant and behind the scenes photography by Harmoni Everett. She is also great with wardrobe and a great model herself! Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting. Only the best!
Side note… my clothes are looking a little baggy, lost over thirty pounds since February. And more to go yet! I am liking this! Thanks!
Beauty And The Bald Spot
Behind the scenes photography by my assistant for the day Harmoni Everett which clearly exhibits the incredible gorgeousness of our model from NYC, Nora Zainglein but also my increasingly declining hair volume. More ‘behind the scenes’ than I expected lol.
The incredible Makeup, Hair Styling and Body Painting (you will see that soon too) for the day by the premier Estee Lauder artist Blanche LeBeau. Studio photo shoot in Downtown Los Angeles, Hasselblad digital camera equipment and Broncolor lighting. Always the best!
Body Paint BTS
Behind the scenes last week in Los Angeles, studio photo shoot with my buddy Nora Zainglein, fashion and lifestyle model from NYC. Just love this woman and she is gorgeous! Body paint, makeup and hair styling by the Estee Lauder premier artist Blanche LeBeau.
My assistant for the day, the ever surprising Harmoni Everett. She carried heavy stuff, took some turns in front of the camera and shot the behind the scene photos. Gonna see if she will wash the car next time too… ok maybe not.
Carries Heavy Stuff!
Behind the scenes studio shoot last week in Los Angeles. Harmoni Everett working as my assistant. She can carry really heavy stuff! And she has did a bunch of different wardrobe changes as a model that day too! Wow she is great. Our next model coming up shortly Dee Ross from NYC! A full day with super MUA Blanche LeBeau! So fun!
On The Green…
Behind the scenes yesterday here in Palm Springs with two amazing and beautiful and wonderful women of fitness, Kerstin Schulze and Andrea Schulze! Double duty makeup styling by the premier Estee Lauder artist Blanche LeBeau! Photos soon!
Sexy Back
Interesting how a photo by model Nora Zainglein of herself in a photo on the back of my camera could be so very sexy!
Makeup and Hair Styling by Blanche Lebeau. On a Hasselblad digital camera system. At Bombay Beach at the Salton Sea.
Skin Tones
Skin tones, white balance, color correct… part of what you look for when you are doing it right; photographs that is. Best verified and adjusted if needed with a known color source comparison like an X-Rite ColorChecker. However I must say that since shooting with my Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting, getting skin tones and colors and white balance right have become what I have always wanted it to be… Perfect! And one of my most favorite models ever, Aristodeme deserves nothing less. For comparison, the full photograph and a closeup crop. Check out the details on the closeup!
Mystery Posing Fun
Some behind the scenes posing fun during a photo shoot with Kajira. She is truly a gorgeous and fun model!
BTS
BTS, that means Behind The Scenes. I thought you might want to see what goes on in a few snapshot photos. The photo shoot with a worked out and wonderful personal trainer, Joanna Johnson. The location is World Gym in Palm Desert California. The tall blonde, also very worked out, is my long time Makeup and Hair Stylist Natalie Lyle. She is as well, a marvel with posing and wardrobe.
The camera is Hasselblad digital. My lighting is Broncolor with the Para 133 reflector with the Move 1200L pack. Even the light stand is important, it is a Matthews roller stand. Can’t have things breaking and falling over, despite carrying a multi-million dollar insurance policy. I make it an important point to use only the best gear. I want everything to work right and the best every time. Thanks!
By the way, these photos were shot by my very able assistant Clyde Sawyer. The guy who make sure that it all goes right from loading the car to setting it up to taking it down. Gets it all done!
Don’t Mess Up
If I am giving first credit to the success of any of my photographs, I owe it to the extraordinary men and women I have had in front of my cameras. There is little question I have had some of the most amazing people as models. And here the most breathtaking elegant ballet dancer Viktoria in this behind the scenes photograph from our photo shoot.
Yes I am lucky to have so much space available to realize most of what I want to do, from studio shooting to my outdoor pool and gardens. Close by I have even larger studio space available, the great outdoors, the Salton Sea and even vintage aircraft.
Next is what I and many others consider the finest equipment available. Hasselblad digital camera equipment and Broncolor lighting.
What is left for me is to stage the photographs I have in the back of my mind, and more important than anything else, each and every time, don’t mess up. Thanks!
No Explaining It
There are not many photos of me but this seems to be one of everyone’s favorites. I am not sure why. Behind the scenes in studio for a print advertising, editorial and video photo shoot for Bodybuilding.com with Maria Rogers. One of my all time best ever!
Actually Simple
Behind the scenes with a stunning model, Kajira. Much of the time my setups are pretty simple. Although I usually have an assistant on hand for at least setup and tear down, most everything else is pretty much easy for me to do by myself if needed.
My surroundings obviously are very comfortable and roomy. I can reverse this room and have even higher ceilings. I also have tilt up sets that can create entire rooms outdoors in complete privacy. A very beautiful pool and spa with stamped concrete patios and decks recently all redone just before Summer. New landscaping going in now that will allow for garden and tree scenery. Plenty of room on hand for full makeup and hair styling as well and wardrobe changing.
I do depend on the best equipment to make sure I have not only great results but also no failures or problems. From heavy duty Matthews stands to Broncolor lighting and a Hasselblad digital camera system. I make no excuses for wanting to make sure that each photo shoot works every time. Only the best!
Kajira Behind The Scenes In Our Photo Shoot
Instant BTS
Fun shooting behind the scenes photos with instant film cameras. This one with the Fujifilm Instax. Of course no one really cares because I know you are staring at the magnificent Noel VanBrocklin. Model, actress and the stunning creature in the blue lagoon of my pool. Shoot notes… lighting is a Broncolor Move 1200L and Broncolor beauty dish. The actual shoot with a Hasselblad digital camera system. Often overlooked, the stand and boom are Matthews Studio Equipment. Wonderful and sexy makeup and hair styling by Blanche LeBeau.
Posing Movement Fun
Amber Flowers was so great in front of the camera that I had to share a little of how wonderful she moves. Especially in this grunge elegant wardrobe creation. So very fun! Click on the video below. Lighting was continuous light from a Broncolor Move 1200L and Para 133. Video shot on a Fuji X-T1 camera system.
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