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BACKSTAGE: Zooey Magazine Holiday 2010 Beauty Editorial
Here’s a behind the scenes look at a beauty editorial I produced for Zooey Magazine with my good friend and makeup artist Sharon Tabb.
read moreRECAP: Double Take for Bello Magazine #33
Often times fashion shoots will take on a life of its own, evolving from the original idea into something completely unexpected. In this RECAP of a fashion editorial I did for Bello Magazine, I talk about just that. As with most editorial jobs that come across my table, the initial concept comes from the magazine’s art director. Sometimes they have a very specific art direction while other times they may just have a very general idea of what they want to do. For this particular shoot, Jamie Breuer wanted to use a typical Hollywood...
read moreRECAP: Elizabeth An for Newport Beach Magazine
Early this year I was assigned by Newport Beach Magazine to photograph an editorial feature on Elizabeth An, owner of AnQi Gourmet Bistro and Noodle Bar in South Coast Plaza. I was to take an environmental portrait of her as well as some interior shots of the restaurant. The purpose of this RECAP is to walk you through the process I go through when dealing with a fairly simple editorial assignment. The first thing I do is some research on the subject, in this case, Elizabeth An. By doing a simple Google search, I can get some background...
read moreFive Photography Tips for Better Studio Lighting
I was invited by Sekonic to write an article for their Five Photography Tips section of their blog. I decided to do it on studio lighting. In the article I talk about studio safety, keeping it simple, and the importance of using a light meter. Check out the entire article...
read moreQ&A: Softbox vs. Beauty Dish
i’ve moved to using artificial rather than natural light. i’m beginning with a 50×50 softbox rather than a beauty dish tho i so love what you do with the latter. hoping that’s not a wasted investment. An investment is only wasted if you don’t use it. With that said, I am assuming you are referring to a 50″ x 50″ softbox? That is a pretty big light, which is a nice thing to use if you want to replicate window light. Your approach to photography and lighting is very much...
read moreQ&A: Camera Support
When shooting beauty images. Are you using a tripod or another type of equipment? I definitely try to use some sort of camera support when shooting beauty especially when using the 180mm macro which is a pretty hefty lens. We have a Cambo studio stand at the studio which is really meant for medium and large format rigs but I do love using it. I also have a Bogen tripod that I use when on location.
read moreQ&A: One Light Beauty Setup
In the One Light Beauty Setup, what Beauty Dish and stand did you use? I used a Speedotron 22″Beauty Dish and a C-stand.
read moreQ&A: Speedotron Zoom Spot
I read that you use an Altman theatrical ellipsoidal spotlight. Do you know of any other alternative manufacturers that make a similar product? I use profoto and their options seem expensive. Do you know of something cheaper that gives a similar effect? I don’t think anything in photography is ever inexpensive. There’s a running joke that you have to be rich before you can become a photographer. Anyway, if you are mechanically inclined, you can take an existing theatrical spotlight, gut it out and...
read moreQ&A: V-Flats
Hi Sean, i really liked your Beauty retouch tutorials on Youtube and the posts you do here in your blog. I just have a quick question regarding- what do you use for flags, where did you get it? I mean those large black or white panels. The large black and white panels are called flats, or V-flats. They are basically just 4′x8′ sheets of foam core which you can get from art supply stores, theatrical supply outlets and some professional photography stores. You can also find them online if you google...
read moreRECAP: Hollywood Icons
Earlier this year, Bello Magazine beauty editor Mathias Alan approached me with a concept for a beauty editorial. He was inspired by Kevyn Aucoin’s book of makeup transformations and thought of pushing that concept a little further. He wanted to use one model and perform 4 complete makeovers of iconic Hollywood actresses. He wanted to use Jade as his canvas with the challenge of transforming her into Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Liza Minelli all in one day. We discussed how we would accomplish this over phone...
read moreQ&A: Lenses
Awesome photos Sean. Is it true you are using film lenses on your canon 5D? How do you like that? The 50 1.4, 85, etc? Better than the modern day glass? Yes, I have started using my Mamiya M645 lenses on a Canon body. It’s not better, or worse, it’s just different. It has its drawbacks, being only manual focus, but the color, contrast, and clarity are different from modern glass, and the fact that you are using a larger format lens on a smaller film/sensor plane. People really need to stop thinking of...
read moreQ&A: One Light Beauty Setup
Hi Sean, First of all, Thank you so much for all your tutorials and tips. I’m wondering what exactly is one arm length distance between you BD and your subject that you mention on your "one light source with the reflector and a piece of glass" video tutorial It means the length of your arm from shoulder to fingertip. It’s just a guideline and you should light according to your personal preference and what looks good to you. In this age of digital photography, it doesn’t cost...
read moreQ&A: Flash Brands
What brand of strobe lights do you use? I use several brands from Alien Bees to Speedotrons to Profotos to Broncolor. Basically whatever is on hand and what suits the job best. Ask me anything
read moreQ&A: Dodge & Burn
you have amazing work love the dodge and burn technique. Best way to learn thanks! you’re very welcome. glad the tutorial was helpful to you. Ask me...
read moreQ&A: Giving Back
This more of a thank you than a question… I have taken an interest in Beauty work and had no clue where to start or what was needed before watching your videos.. you have turned my days of confusion and desperation into hope. I thank you for giving back you are most welcome. I’m glad I was able to be of some help! Ask me...
read moreDowntown LA Artwalk features Beautiful People
Very excited to announce my work will be featured by the Hatakeyama Gallery during the March DTLA Artwalk! The grand opening for the exhibit will be on March 8th starting at 7PM. The exhibit is entitled, Beautiful People, and is a general collection of my fashion and beauty work from the past 3 years. In addition, I will be doing a live beauty shoot with the PREP TO POST team to give people a glimpse at the work involved in producing beauty images. You will be able to see everything from the prepping of the model, to the actual...
read moreFashionably Weight
My Facebook and Twitter timelines have recently been inundated with posts and updates about weight concerns within the Fashion Industry, as well as negative attitudes towards fashion and beauty advertising. The news over the past 20-30 years has been more about sensationalism than actual journalism, and it just keeps getting worse. I have struggled with these topics as well, working full time in this industry as an image maker. I can relate with the arguments from both sides, and I wanted to give my two cents for whatever it’s...
read moreRECAP: 2011 The End.
2011. What a year. It had its great moments and not so great moments. Fortunately the memories of the great moments are what tend to stay with me, and I am thankful for the many good things that happened last year. I am grateful to be able to work with such an amazing group of talented artists who allow me to continue to produce my work. I have learned so much, not only about my art but who I am as a person as well. Looking back at 2011, I realize how fortunate I am to be able to work as a professional photographer. Celebrities,...
read moreRECAP: Shimmering Lights
I have been working with Beverly Hills Lifestyle Magazine for the past few months and one of my favorite things about shooting content for them is working with art director Jamie Breuer. It was actually Jamie that got me connected to shooting for BHL magazine, and to date he is one of my favorite art directors to work with. Not only do we get along aesthetically, but our personalities vibe well with each other which makes for a very stress free creative environment. This particular editorial was for BHL’s...
read moreQ&A: Capture One
Wonderful photographer, wonderful blog! Hi Sean, in Capture One, which ICC profile do you use : default Canon EOS-5D Generic ? Standard or High Constrast film ? Which profile do you use in the conversion tab : Adobe RGB or SRGB, 16 bits? 300 px/in ? Thank Thank you so much. Yes, usually I use the C1 generic profile for the canon bodies, but I do remember liking a 3rd party ICC created for the 1st gen 5D for use in C1. I can’t quite remember at the moment where on the internet I found them, but...
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