Posts Tagged ‘model’

Kyle McKay Headshots

Conceptual fashion headshots photography shoot ©TimeLine Media
Conceptual fashion headshots photography shoot ©TimeLine Media

Studio Shoot

Since I have an upcoming group fashion shoot, I wanted to revisit a solo session from last year. The first time I met Kyle McKay, he was a model at a fashion show in Springfield, Virginia. At this time, I was very new to photographing fashion shows. While there may be a lot of events in the area, I ran into Kyle at a couple of them as he worked hard at gaining experience. In getting to know him, he was very ambitious in pursuing more fashion projects, though he was collaborative with everyone involved. So when I wanted to expand by studio portfolio, I reached out to him.

Kyle McKay professional headshots ©TimeLine Media
Kyle McKay professional headshots ©TimeLine Media
Kyle McKay professional headshots ©TimeLine Media

In the time since we last saw each other, Kyle and his friend, Mehr started a styling and makeup company, M&K Productions. When we planned to do a portfolio shoot, both of them came to the studio. Mehr worked her makeup talents to create a professional look for his headshots. Initially, these were a great example of their professional styling. For executives that need updated professional portraits, this look is nicely even.

Conceptual fashion headshots photography shoot ©TimeLine Media

After making some ‘standard’ headshots, I had what I needed for my portfolio. Since we had time, I asked Mehr if she wanted to do something crazy. Because they also have a theatrical painting service in their company, she asked if she could really do something crazy. Of course, I said, ‘Yes!’ So she created this blackbird-inspired look on Kyle’s face. This is a markedly different look from his professional headshot!

Conceptual fashion headshots with Kyle McKay photography shoot ©TimeLine Media

Lastly, I changed up the background with lighting. The black background was working, but sometimes his hair would get lost. When I asked the room for suggestions, red was the consensus! So I put a red gel on a flash, and put it on the background. It was a really enjoyable shoot with these two, and I look forward to future shoots together! If you have any ideas that you would like to work on, please contact me. I am looking for more collaborations in the studio!

Conceptual fashion headshots photography shoot ©TimeLine Media
Conceptual fashion headshots photography shoot ©TimeLine Media
Conceptual fashion headshots photography shoot ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

District Fete – Pentagon City Fashion Show

Brooke Ryan hosting the Pentagon City Fashion Show - ©TimeLine Media

Arlington, Virginia

The photos from today’s post were from a fashion show produced by District Fete at the Pentagon City Mall as part of the “Indulge” event for mothers as a celebration of Mother’s Day. I have worked with them before on other shows, and they always have a professional setup with stylists, makeup artists, and models. On this occasion there were many professionals working hard to put on a good show. Consequently, I tried my best to make good representative photos of the looks on display.

Pentagon City Fashion Show - ©TimeLine Media
Pentagon City Fashion Show – ©TimeLine Media

Since I had lots of space at the front of the stage, I setup two flashes pointed towards the runway. Many of these shows are photographed with available light. This works when there is a lot of bright constant light setup. For this show, there was no additional light from the ambient light of the mall interior. The addition of the flashes helps to make the colors really stay true to the clothing, and makes for a much cleaner image.

Runway Fashion Show

Pentagon City Fashion Show - ©TimeLine Media
Pentagon City Fashion Show – ©TimeLine Media

The show was hosted by Brooke Ryan from Mix 107.3. She kept the show flowing with description of all the looks as the models walked the runway. The models for this show did a great job showing the fashions, giving me lots of opportunities and different poses with each outfit. I had to adjust my shooting position between shows since I was a bit close to get a good composition without having distracting backgrounds to take away from the models.

Brooke Ryan hosting the Pentagon City Fashion Show - ©TimeLine Media
Brooke Ryan hosting the Pentagon City Fashion Show – ©TimeLine Media

For the second show, I did have a good shooting position. I was able to keep the models in front of the mostly black mall banner. This really helped to pop them out from the background, and it made it easier for me to keep them in frame. It was also easier for them to see me, and look right into the lens as they walked.

Pentagon City Fashion Show - ©TimeLine Media
Pentagon City Fashion Show – ©TimeLine Media

Thanks again to District Fete for producing such a professional showcase! I hope to work with them again on future projects. Pentagon City Mall is a great venue to host fashion shows with their beautiful open spaces and many stores available to pick up the fashions on display. I would enjoy the opportunity to make more photos there again.

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Headshots – Northern Virginia DC Photographer

Headshot photography - ©TimeLine Media

Spring is coming soon – hopefully! We had another bout with the snow yesterday, so I had plenty of time to edit photos inside. Every so often, it is good to update your headshots. I have plenty of different images that I use for avatars and profile photos. These are from many test shoots before my clients arrive. I use myself to test lights. Thus, I end up with lots of images to choose from in the collection. This day was no different – T. and I have been coordinating a shoot. Before she arrived, I setup the lights and the background. With the small space that I was working with, I decided to use the beauty dish for the main light on the subject. This modifies produces a very nice quality of light for faces, and there is a huge drop off from the subject keeping the light from illuminating the background cloth.

Home Studio Setup

Portrait lighting testing - ©TimeLine Media - headshots of blog author
Portrait lighting testing – ©TimeLine Media

Keeping the light off the background is important to separate your subject from the background. It works really well for portraits as it gives your subject some space in the photo. This is a piece of feedback I give to a lot of photographers when viewing their portfolios. When you are taking the time to pose a subject, and you are trying to find the best angle to place them for a photo, do not place them too close to a background element. This could include walls, plants, statues, or anything that is behind them. When you place your subjects there, you can get some strong shadows behind your subjects from a flash, and your background will be in sharp focus. I try to minimize both when making portraits – I want the subject to not have any competition from distractions in the background. If you need an updated headshot, contact me at 703-864-8208 or Rassi at timelinedc.com and we can discuss what I can produce for you!

Headshot photography - ©TimeLine Media - headshots example
Headshots photography – ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

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