Portrait of a Makeup Artist

Its been my experience over the years that makeup artists are undercover models! Kristiaan and I met Krysta at a wedding in 2015 and we began Instagram-stalking each other then. Fast forward a year later and I reached out as I wanted to do some simple and clean beauty shots (first two images). However we got to creative thinking and Krysta had some great outfits put together so we turned it into somewhat of a personal fashion portrait session. Creatives are always the best to work with.

If you're interested in camera settings or how lighting was achieved simply hover over the image and details will appear.

Enjoy.

Image taken with 60" Softlighter umbrella with 2 Godox V860n's + reflector.

Lens: 105mm
ISO: 100
Aperture: 5.6
hutter: 1/160
 

Image taken with 60" Softlighter umbrella with 2 Godox V860n's + reflector.

Lens: 105mm
ISO: 100
Aperture: 5.6
hutter: 1/160
 

Image taken with natural light outdoors with black foam core board background.

Lens: 85mm
ISO: 200
Aperture: 2.0
hutter: 1/1000

Image taken in shade with sun behind Krysta and lit with 36" Softlighter umbrella and single Godox V860n flash unit triggered by Yonguo YN622n HSS triggers.

Lens: 85mm
ISO: 200
Aperture: 1.8
Shutter: 1/2500

Image taken in shade with sun behind Krysta and lit with 36" Softlighter umbrella and single Godox V860n flash unit triggered by Yonguo YN622n HSS triggers.

Lens: 85mm
ISO: 200
Aperture: 1.8
Shutter: 1/2500

Natural light, cloudy sky at noon, nothing else.

Lens: 85mm
ISO: 200
Aperture:  2.5
hutter: 1/2500

Natural light, cloudy sky at noon, nothing else.

Lens: 85mm
ISO: 200
Aperture:  2.5
hutter: 1/2500

Natural light, cloudy sky at noon, nothing else.

Lens: 85mm
ISO: 200
Aperture:  2.5
hutter: 1/2500

Natural light, cloudy sky at noon, nothing else.

Lens: 85mm
ISO: 200
Aperture:  2.0
hutter: 1/1600

Natural light, cloudy sky at noon, nothing else.

Lens: 85mm
ISO: 200
Aperture:  2.0
hutter: 1/1600

Natural light, cloudy sky at noon, nothing else.

Lens: 85mm
ISO: 200
Aperture:  2.2
hutter: 1/1250

Portrait sessions: Apr - Sept

Over the last few months I've had many portraits sessions. Below is a recap of those shoots with a little description about each image or the subject [hover over image to see text]. Use the arrows on left and right of image to see the next one.

Audrey

Headshots for her Taylor & Hov profile. Image taken in shade on a partly cloudy day at National Gallery of Art.

Audrey

Fashion & personal image.  Decided to look for a different angle as we were in a very urban setting.

Audrey

Fashion & personal image. Natural light near sunset on cloudy day.

Xeniya

Fashion & personal portrait image. Taken using window light only.

Xeniya & Leo

Creative concept by Xeniya with her cat Leo. Image was taken using window light only.

Monica

A little personality is always good. Loved this shot of Monica as it showed her tattoos and those amazing eyes.

Eve

A rare bikini photo, but both Eve and I wanted to get some "water" images taken before summer was over. I like this one because its moody and unexpected for a bathing suit shot. Natural light + reflector.

Anna

Taken at Union Station at night, light with two Godox v860n's in a 36" Softlighter. Love the symmetry + Anna's confidence and body language.

Anna

Taken at Union Station at night, light with two Godox v860n's in a 36" Softlighter. Love the compostion and how the light and shadows play

Makeup

Image taken to showcase makeup for MUA (MakeUp Artist) Elena.

Up close

Image taken to showcase makeup for MUA (MakeUp Artist) Elena.

Moody portrait

Simple portrait with Madalyn. I setup my black backdrop (v-flats) on the deck late in the day and just asked her to relax. All natural light, no reflector.

Madalyn

Portrait of Madalyn on the trail. Most of this trail is covered with foliage but we found a break in it and used the light coming through.

CEO of NABA Headshot

Headshot for Jina Etienne, new CEO of NABA. [NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS, INC] Click here for press release.

Shayan

Professional headshot images for LinkedIn and company website. Shayan is a Lawyer for human rights project (UN CAT). This is my favorite from the set.

We shot at noon so I made use of all the shaded areas I could find in downtown Silver Spring.

Shayan

Professional headshot images for LinkedIn and company website. Shayan is a Lawyer for human rights project (UN CAT). This was his favorite. 

We shot at noon so I made use of all the shaded areas I could find in downtown Silver Spring.

Kourtnee

Beauty and portfolio image for Kourtnee. She was a natural in front of the camera. I used a Alien Bee 800, set about 10 feet outside of a full windowed door with a light grey shade pulled down. Creates a well lit but natural looking effect.

Kourtnee

I shot many beautiful images of Kourtnee but was constantly intrigued with her hair, so I had to do a hair shot.

An

Andrew is owner and creative genius behind Gorilla Industries. This shot was taken as he was telling me how much he doesn't like being photographed. I think it captured his personality well.

Tailored Rebels

For the last few years I've shot marketing images for Tailored Rebels, local independent clothing company. "Stuck off the realness" is this summer latest design.

Tailored Rebels

For the last few years I've shot marketing images for Tailored Rebels, local independent clothing company. "Stuck off the realness" is this summer latest design.

Genevieve

Fashion and personal images for Genevieve using my favorite window.

Genevieve

I just love the smile and posture of Genevieve here. Similar to Kourtnee's shot above I used a Alien Bee 800, set about 10 feet outside of a full windowed door with a light grey shade pulled down.