I'm running from my name!!!

So why am I running??? Simple, after so many successful workshops it is time for a face lift. I've said it before, we have had over 400 photographers come through the workshop as well as over 200 models!!! The momentum is building, there are many attempting to copy and the work has gotten greater. What started as a one man operation out of my home office has grown to multiple people being involved to make the workshops better. I will over the month of September be changing the behrensphotoworkshop.com to something different (it's a secret). I believe the workshop has grown bigger than myself and will have new partners involved, new cities opened, new themes and greater locations and models. We can't wait to unveil our new site!!!

You can join us for an exciting time at one of our workshops and get in on what has been called "Disneyland for a photographer" by visiting us at: www.behrensphotoworkshop.com

Here's a tip, tip...

Have you ever found yourself shooting a few hundred photos and feel like nothing is really happening? Everything seems a little bland, the images look like the same photos you took during your last session... Here is a tip, well actually a reminder because we all know it. Tip your camera a little to add a little bit of drama to the photo by creating diagonal lines.

It doesn't take much to take a bland photo that we have seen a million times and spice it up a little with just a little tip...

If you must...

I stated the other day that I almost always use flash/strobes when photographing people, this is not to say I don't love natural light. Natural light can give us results that would take sometimes thousands of dollars worth of lighting gear to achieve and it's all free. When I think natural light, I think dramatic natural light.

I had the honor of running a workshop at Preston Castle in Ione, CA. Preston Castle has so many opportunities to take advantage of natural light. Why? Simple, because it provides so many areas of layered light. The above picture may have fallen flat had it not of been for the light out in the background to give depth and mystery to the photo.

As a side note, as we left that day from our workshop the "Ghost Adventures" from the Travel Channel spent the night in the castle and you can see there fun time on the travel channel this season.

One final tip for getting great natural light photos is to use a tripod, we all tend to think because we are sporting 2.8 lenses and can just bump up the ISO and that we are just fine shooting handheld.Why leave great photos up to chance? Do it right and put your camera on a tripod.

For an opportunity to shoot multiple models at some great locations join us for one of our "Disneyland for a photographer" portfolio building workshops: www.behrensphotoworkshop.com

Models and cars...

Something that I always try and get across to photographers at our workshops is the fact that you can use a car or other large props just like your studio backdrops. That is to say your model does not need to sit on or even touch the car/prop to get a great shot. Remember this is not to say don't put them on the prop just a reminder that sometimes having them stand 5 feet in front makes them the center of attention rather than having them compete for your eye.

Sometimes the photo and/or situation screams for the model to interact with the prop...

In this photo the model is resting on the car and it gives a real relaxed feel to the photo that could not be achieved if she was standing apart from it...
In this last photo there is no doubt that Natalie is the star of the show rather than the Noble M12. Remember next time you are shooting a model and a large prop, try taking the photo both ways having them stand close or on then a few feet away...

Introducing... The Behrens Photo Workshop Studio

Once in a while you feel like life is going to crush you and nothing is working out. Then, in just one phone call something great happens. Monday was one of those days. I've been looking for a larger space for my studio where I could build larger sets for better high fashion shoots without much luck. Then, out of the blue a space materialized, a space better than I could have ever dreamed of and even in a exciting location!!! I can't wait to get started...

There is plenty of office/studio space

Look at all that room to build multiple sets

I can't thank the owner of the space enough, it was nothing short of a mircle and I look forward to making the studio into a powerhouse of creativity.

More to come...

Visit: www.behrensphotoworkshop.com

So you want to be a model???

Not a day anymore goes by when I'm not asked by some young model if I could take pictures for their portfolio. Like most photographers, paying the bills always comes before a free TFP (trade for pictures) session and I just never get to it. However, it is important to always update my own portfolio with current styles and with the ideas floating around in my head. So, how do I chose who to work with? Let this be a wake up call for anyone entering the field of modeling, I first shoot with people I like. Models with personality, style, pleasant to be around, perfect looks always take a back seat to those traits. Now, the thing you don't want to know... As photographers we love what we do and take it very serious. Most of the time we have limited time for "free" work and hate to be stood up. I have a standing deal, stand me up and I will never work with you. I can say this because there are a hundred other models standing in line, this is reality in the modeling business, miss a casting call and someone else is going to get casted.

Here are a few photos of one of my favorite models; Ebonie Hunter. I love to shoot photos with Ebonie not because she's beautiful, and she is, but because she is so much fun!!! Ebonie always comes ready to bring it, she is prepared, she knows how to pose, and she is very easy to direct.

Ebonie is the type of model who I am always trying to talk my clients into hiring because of her ability and personality. My question to you is; how serious are you? Do you realize that there are loads of other models waiting for you to slip up so that they can float to the top of the list?

I spent the weekend interviewing about 30 models for some up coming commercial jobs. They all did great, why? Because they showed up!!! I could not believe how many very promising models said they would be there and just never showed up... What did that tell me? Those models are really not serious about modeling and I could never rely on them when it came to a paid assignment. This is all okay, because there was 30 other models standing in line telling me they took it serious...

Let's keep Ebonie the hero of our story. Ebonie works hard at modeling, she always is looking for new opportunities and it will probably pay off. She will be the headlining during Sacramento Fashion Week as the Grand Finale Model for Victor Louis Couture. Has had three call back's for America's Next Top Model, and numbers of other projects.

Ebonie at the Erna Shein Winery in the Napa Valley

Ebonie modeling at the Spanish Fly Hair Garage

Ebonie with Alien Bee lighting

Get your chance to work with Ebonie and others like her at one of our workshops:

http://www.behrensphotoworkshop.com/

What a year!!!

We have just finished our first year with our photography workshops. Believe it or not we have had 24 workshops with over 400 photographers and just over 200 models working with us in the past year. One of the cool things is that unlike most businesses, we didn't find new customers but new friends. The Behrens Photo Workshops have spawned a whole community of photographers in California full of creativity and knowledge. On our second workshop a photographer (Nikki B Photograpics) coined our workshops as "Disneyland for a Photographer" stating that everytime you turn around there is somewhere else you want to be, it's the time of your life and at the end of the day you collapses totally exhausted. Here are a few highlights from past workshops:

Join us for one of our workshops at:

http://www.behrensphotoworkshop.com/

Models and photographers welcome...

Kids! Kids! Everywhere!!!

How to Take Better Photos of Children

Kids can be frustrating and a real challenge but also very rewarding. Because they have such short attention spans and are so active here are a few things to keep in mind.

Let kids be kids. Parents must take a break from being parents!!! There is nothing worst than mom saying “do that funny smile thing” they don’t and the whole shoot goes down hill “do it or no ice cream, stop moving, listen to the photographer or you’re in big trouble” You'll get better pictures by photographing them at play. If you want to make life a little easier, let them play a little first and burn some energy.

Don’t shoot them from your level. Get down on the child's level; you will get a better view of them.

Try extreme angles. Turn your camera 45 degrees to add a little more impact! It helps to sit on the floor as you shoot them. Get some very close-up shots. You wind up with some really great shots.

Take lots of pictures. Kids never stop moving and their expressions change at the drop of a hat. Be ready to catch the expressions in transition.

Be patient. Many times kids hate their pictures taken because it is no fun; everyone is getting mad because they are not doing what somebody wants them to do. Try to keep things moving. You know what short attention spans you have, remember they are just kids!

Keep your equipment simple. Kids could care less about your recycle times on your lights, whether or not the light is just right or that you must hold still to get a sharp focus with that slow shutter speed. Make you are not fiddling with your camera and miss a great shot.

Join us at a workshop: www.behrensphotoworkshop.com