Monday 24 February 2014

Hannah - Five Versatile Looks - Modelling Portfolio Photographed in the Studio.

It may seem a little odd, but it's not unusual for me to not see the person or a picture of the person I have been booked to photograph until they walk into the studio for their portfolio or portrait shoot. And that's quite fine with me. Sometimes however, as in the case of Hannah's portfolio shoot there were quite a few pictures for to me to see as Hannah has already been modelling for some years. It was Hannah's mum who booked the shoot and sent me through some of her shots, along with the information that they were about a year or so old and she needed some new ones, ones with more edge to them. So what I knew from seeing those pictures was that I would be photographing a lovely, fair skinned and blue eyed young woman in those fast-changing and oh so important mid to late teen years.

And as I do before most of my portfolio shoots, Hannah and I spoke a few days before about what she was bringing, and what looks and styles she was thinking of for the shoot. As we style from the models own wardrobe it is important to make sure we have covered all the bases with shirts, dresses, shoes accessories etc. and better too much than too little.

Colour Headshot on modelling Comp Card for Hannah. Photography by Kent Johnson

On the day of the shoot, after laying out the clothing, creating the first looks and establishing a creative direction for the pictures and the Hair and Make-Up. I then take a simple 'Digital' or 'Polaroid', a completely natural picture of the model like the one below which was also as it happens taken in natural light. its then time to start on the hair and make-up for our first look which typically takes about an hour. We always start with the simpler, more natural looks and then build on those with ever more elaborate H&MU changes. For this shoot we started with sporty look, moved into a natural sophisticated look, the comp card headshot;  went a bit biker/rock chick with the black jeans and white tee, then onto a high fashion swimwear look finishing with a sleek contemporary look in the orange long sleeve knit top, black skirt.

Digital Polaroid - a modelling agency style image of model without make-up. Photography by Kent Johnson
All in all our fashion and modelling journey took us about four hours and created just under 400 files to choose from; with a lot of  good shots or 'keepers' as we say. Of course what we are after is not just the good shots but the best of the best! Here is my selection from this shoot and there could easily have been many more. Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we enjoyed creating them.


Contemporary fashion look for modelling portfolio, Mid shot with orange knit top, black skirt, Photography by Kent Johnson

High Fashion Swimwear shot photographed in the studio for a modelling portfolio - mid shot, blue bikini, floppy sun hat and crocheted wrap on black background.  Photography by Kent Johnson

Casual look in black jeans and White tee shirt. Photography by Kent Johnson

Sophisticated sporty look, mid shot for fashion portion.  Photography by Kent Johnson

Black and white photo; Casual look in black jeans and White tee shirt. Photography by Kent Johnson

Full length High Fashion Swimwear and Body shot photographed in the studio for a modelling portfolio - mid shot, blue bikini, floppy sun hat and crocheted wrap on black background.  Photography by Kent Johnson

Moody black and white photo, mid shot; Casual look in black jeans and White tee shirt. Photography by Kent Johnson

Headshot with wild hair, Photography by Kent Johnson

Modelling portfolio, back of comp card with 4 pictures - Photography by Kent Johnson

Black and white photograph, romantic horizontal headshot. Photography by Kent Johnson


Hannah - www.spectrumagency.com.au/
Hair & Make-Up - Nikita Lauren

Photography - Kent Johnson
(61) 0433 796 863
kent@artcommunication.com.au

Monday 17 February 2014

Fashion Modesty - Baraka Women - Commercial Studio Fashion Photographs.

Sometimes when I am cruising the internet and looking at fashion pictures; I wonder where the fashion has gone. This can certainly be the case with some overtly-emotive 'high fashion' where it seems the saying "less is more" really does mean less and good taste has perhaps gone out the window. Well I suppose everything has its time and place.

But something I keep coming back to about my work, my fashion pictures, is that I do think it is always about the fashion; the fashion the garments, the clothing that the woman or the man wears. I would certainly like to think that it's my dedication to the garment that drew Baraka to my photography and an ongoing client/designer to photographer relationship that has continued for several ranges now. The Baraka philosophy goes like this "Responding to our changing world, Baraka doesn't follow trends nor design collections for the masses. Instead; designing items of fashion for modesty lovers ♥" and you can read more here.

My philosophy when shooting a range for an online catalogue and promotional images is to keep to a simple clean background, light the model and garments well to bring out the fashion, its textures and feeling and highlight all of that through a connection with the model that the viewers can feel too. Its not as simple as many suppose but it is something that I have become quite skilled at achieving shoot after shoot. I hope you enjoy these pictures.

Woman in Red Turban for Baraka Women Fashion - Branding image, White Background Studio Photography by Kent Johnson.

Denim smock dress worn with floral leggings - Women's Fashion, White Background Studio Photography by Kent Johnson.

Silk drape blouse - Women's Fashion, White Background Studio Photography by Kent Johnson.

Comodo Wool Buttoned Tunic - Women's Fashion, White Background Studio Photography by Kent Johnson.

Long white cotton shirt with woven spot pattern - Women's Fashion, White Background Studio Photography by Kent Johnson.

Gumboots with Comodo Wool Buttoned Tunic - Women's Fashion, White Background Studio Photography by Kent Johnson.

Woven shift top with black skirt - Women's Fashion, White Background Studio Photography by Kent Johnson.

Cotton Boho dress - Women's Fashion, White Background Studio Photography by Kent Johnson.

Action shot, Gumboots with Comodo Wool Buttoned Tunic - Women's Fashion, White Background Studio Photography by Kent Johnson.

Red Turban, woven cream dress - Women's Fashion, White Background Studio Photography by Kent Johnson.

Multi patterned dress worn with white turban - Women's Fashion, White Background Studio Photography by Kent Johnson.

www.barakawomen.com/
Model, Anastazia at Chic
H&MU, Kaori
Photography, Kent Johnson.

Kent Johnson
(61) 0433 796 863
kent@artcommunication.com.au


Tuesday 4 February 2014

Looking Stunning - Nikki - That's the way to do it!

I love shooting modelling portfolios. I love creating beautiful pictures and I am always grateful for the opportunity to make them. It is after all, a huge responsibility to be trusted to make these pictures and its certainly a responsibility I take very seriously. Mind you that's not to say we, the team, the subject/model and I don't have a lot of fun when we are making these shots; having fun is also an important part of the experience, it helps everyone to relax and make the most of our picture making time.

Of course you don't have to be a model to do a modelling portfolio shoot; you might just be looking to create some fabulous shots of yourself at this special time of life, which is an absolutely great idea! After all in a world of instant selfies, isn't it nice to have some pictures of yourself that really are special.

Here are some shots from Nikki Spehar's modelling portfolio shoot, and yes I think she has it, that mysterious something extra, and all these shots are from her package one portfolio shoot which provided us with a very large amount of great shots to choose from, which is what I like to refer to as the good problem; better too many good shots than too few; it's what I like to have at the end of every shoot; and that is definitely how I like it.

Nikki Spehar headshot in black and white, Studio Modelling Portfolio - swimwear, fashion, beauty photography by Kent Johnson.

Nikki Spehar, Casual mid shot in black and white, Studio Modelling Portfolio - swimwear, fashion, beauty photography by Kent Johnson.

Stunning headshot, Nikki Spehar, Studio Modelling Portfolio - swimwear, fashion, beauty photography by Kent Johnson.

Nikki Spehar, casual full length shot - Studio Modelling Portfolio - swimwear, fashion, beauty photography by Kent Johnson.

Candid studio shot Nikki Spehar,  - Studio Modelling Portfolio - swimwear, fashion, beauty photography by Kent Johnson.

Nikki Spehar,  Seated swimwear shot, full length - Studio Modelling Portfolio - swimwear, fashion, beauty photography by Kent Johnson.

Nikki Spehar, Model Portrait - Studio Modelling Portfolio - swimwear, fashion, beauty photography by Kent Johnson.

Nikki Spehar, hair blowing in breeze, Studio Modelling Portfolio - swimwear, fashion, beauty photography by Kent Johnson.

 Nikki Spehar, contemporary look with panama hat, mid shot - Studio Modelling Portfolio - swimwear, fashion, beauty photography by Kent Johnson.

Zebra print Bikini, mid shot portrait -  Nikki Spehar, Blue eyes blond hair - Studio Modelling Portfolio - swimwear, fashion, beauty photography by Kent Johnson.

Model Nikki Spehar
Photography by Kent Johnson
Hair and Make-Up by Nikita Lauren
Photographed at Elephant Studios, Sydney.
www.kentjohnsonphotography.com.au/Modelling/ModellingPortfolios.htm

Kent Johnson,
Sydney, Australia.

0433 796 863