Today, we are changing the tune: we will talk about Why bother with reengineered shoots?
The setups below are four real-world portrait shoots created by Dan Hostettler. Dan is yours truly, the newsletter editor.
I have been a people photographer for over two decades and started focusing on classic and modern portrait photography a few years ago.
For portfolio building, I started shooting in my home space two years before opening my studio. This was mainly for testing various lighting recipes and developing my go-to setups. After all, once I would have clients in front of my lens, I wanted to be as proficient as possible.
It's (much) more important to interact with your customer, have a good time, laugh, and chat — and not fiddle around with lights, making your subject uncomfortable in the process. A private client portrait session is supposed to be an experience for them, not a gear exercise for you.
So, why bother with examples? Well, dissecting reengineered photoshoots might accelerate your skill development and deepen your understanding of lighting principles, equipment needed, and composition. And it helps expand your proficiency.
Having said all that, here are three setups I shot at home for getting ready.
Shot @Home — Set 1: Pavla, TV Host
Classic portrait with soft lighting, designed as the opening go-to beauty variant in my portfolio sequence.
Set ID 11042420: community.elixxier.com/…/11042420
Shot @Home — Set 2: Liba, Mother of One
Warm, soft setup with a family context in mind — well suited to project a natural, unforced presence.
Set ID 11042419: community.elixxier.com/…/11042419
Shot @Home — Set 3: Michaela, Model
Structured lighting setup with clear modulation of facial features — perfect for test shots and editorial looks.
Set ID 11042417: community.elixxier.com/…/11042417
Why Study Other Photographers' Setups?
Three reasons why paying attention to others' setups will help you.
- Creative Inspiration — Studying reengineered shoots sparks and expands creativity. Examining various lighting setups and moods inspires fresh ideas for captivating results.
- Technique Refinement — Analyzing setups might refine your techniques. Exploring lighting ratios, modifiers (= quality of light), and color scheme concepts will expand your palette of professional results.
- Efficiency + Adaptability — Getting a grasp of others' work will enhance the adaptability to quickly and purposefully tailor your approach to different scenarios based on clients' needs.
Shot @Studio — Set 4: Nikol, Therapist
And the studio variant: controlled lighting in a dedicated studio setup. The subject's personality and profession should be carried without drama.
Set ID 11042418: community.elixxier.com/…/11042418
More Insights + References
- 4× shoot insights + BTS: i12e.co/blog/4-Real-World-Portraits
- Portfolio snapshot: danhostettlerportraits.com/gallery
Have fun trying it out,
Dan from elixxier
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