When you are new to photography, it can feel like professionals know exactly what they want and how to achieve it, but that is how social media can be quite misleading. The truth is that professionals make mistakes all the time; in fact, they embrace them. This excellent video tutorial will take you behind the scenes of a photographer's portrait lighting process and show you how mistakes can lead you to a great final image.

I often get together with some of my photographer friends to experiment with lighting techniques and try out new gear. Recently, my friend, John, stopped by the studio, and we decided to have a go at recreating a Dan Winters portrait. In this video, I detail my process, including the lighting I used as well as my editing process.

The beauty of artificial lighting is that you can create looks that simply would not be possible using only the sun. One of the greatest technical challenges for a photographer is lighting a group portrait so that every individual is well lit but so the overall look is still sculpted and compelling rather than flat and two-dimensional. If you would like to really take your portrait lighting to the next level, check out this awesome video tutorial that will take you behind the scenes of a cinematic magazine cover photo shoot and show you how to do it yourself.

Some of the most meaningful photographers most of us will ever take are of families and babies, both our own and those around us. But it's far from an easy niche, so here is a behind-the-scenes demonstration and tutorial.

Right now the hottest spot on the globe for photography is in New York City at Photo Plus. Our good friends at creativeLIVE have set up an unbelievable opportunity for photographers to learn from eight of the industry's leading photographers all for FREE. Catch creativeLIVE's free event Photographers Ignite live right now. If you missed any of the speakers or want to revisit these amazing workshops,

Self-portraiture can be a showcase of technical skill but also a testament to the transformative power of creativity and determination. Through her captivating narrative and breathtaking imagery, Laura BC invites viewers to join her on a quest for artistic excellence, reminding us all that the most rewarding achievements often stem from the most challenging endeavors.

Shear Chaos Salon Circus Shoot :: Technical Banter from David Jackson on Vimeo.

You might be surprised by the sort of unique images you can create just by using common objects in a creative manner and adding a bit of unusual technique. This fantastic video tutorial will show you how a photographer combined shutter dragging with a bit of creative prop usage to shoot this fascinating portrait.

Flying Papers - BTS from Fx Studios on Vimeo.

Many photographers looking to pursue more conceptual portraiture are intimidated by elaborate lighting configurations required to achieve intensely stylized effects. However, this excellent video tutorial makes the case that venturing beyond single-source illumination opens doors for bringing unique creative visions vibrantly to life.

When an exhibition of works is announced by a photographer as influential as Diane Arbus, you would be forgiven for assuming that the work was on show in a major venue in New York or London, but you would be wrong.

Shooting outdoor portraits offers a lot of creative opportunities, but it can be a bit of a pain to lug lighting to a location. Knowing how to work with natural light and a reflector can give you a lot of the versatility of an artificial light without all the inconvenience. This fantastic video tutorial will show you four different ways to use a reflector for outdoor portraits.

Planning your first photo shoot can be a daunting yet thrilling experience, especially in the realms of beauty and fashion photography. Kayleigh June, a seasoned beauty and fashion photographer, delves into this topic, offering invaluable insights and practical steps to make your first photo shoot a success. Her expertise is crucial for budding photographers looking to make a mark in the industry.

Outdoor portrait shoots can be a fantastic way to photograph couples in an organic environment that allows them to convey natural poses and emotion. However, nature does not always cooperate. Adding a smidgen of artificial light can be just what you need to really complete a photo. This fantastic video tutorial will show you how to do just that.

Every photographer knows that moment when you realize you have created a special image. Those images deserve to be printed, and there are times when paper and frames just won't do. Metal Prints take the art of printing to the next level. In this article, we discuss why you might want to invest in Metal Prints.

BTS - Entry Level Gear from Photo54 on Vimeo.

Ok, I'll be the first to admit that shooting blindfolded isn't something you will likely ever have to do, unless you have some really weird clients with very specific needs. Nonetheless, it's a fun challenge, and it's quite enjoyable (and hilarious) to watch!

They say that the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. As photographers, I'm sure many of you can relate to this sentiment as strongly as I do. I had an experience at an on-location shoot that reminded me how important it is to expect the unexpected as a photographer, which I would like to share with you.

Photographer Suzanne Heintz has spent the past fourteen years “playing house” with two mannequins-her fictitious husband “Chauncey” and their daughter "Mary Margaret". Her fantastically elaborate “Life Once Removed” series, featured previously on Fstoppers, stemmed from a frustration with the stigma she faced as a single adult woman. A continuation of Heintz’ series, “The Vows” was recently released, and features Heintz and Chauncey renewing their vows in a satirical-but very real- ceremony.

Capturing the spirit of love’s celebrations demands thoughtful artistry behind the lens. In his latest tutorial, seasoned wedding shooter Pye Jirsa demonstrates essential techniques for intentionally crafting evocative engagement portraits through deliberate light shaping. Through five versatile lighting recipes, Jirsa spotlights how to create desired moods and contexts to transform setups into narrative tools.

Maternity photography is a special genre that captures the beauty and significance of motherhood. The right lighting can transform a simple photo into an evocative image that encapsulates the beauty and strength of expectant mothers. This fantastic video tutorial will show you three such lighting setups.

Camera/video tech is becoming ever more sophisticated to the point where we now have cameras that can recognize and track faces. So, how long will it be before we start seeing cameras that can completely change a person's face in-camera? Never going to happen you say? Tell that to Arturo Castro and Kyle McDonald.

BTS - Poolside Photo Shoot from Parker Smith on Vimeo.

Retouching hair can be a challenging and time-consuming process, but with the right knowledge and carefully practiced technique, you can avoid the frustration and improve the quality of your portraits. If you would like to make your portraits better, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know about retouching hair.

Even in the most tumultuous of times, life still goes on and people are still getting engaged and planning their weddings. If you've had an inquiry for a surprise proposal, here are some things you may want to consider as you prepare for your shoot.

You can create stunning portraits with just a single light, but once you have mastered that, moving into more complex multi-light setups will open up your creative opportunities even more. If you would like to try a challenging but rewarding portrait lighting setup, check out this great video tutorial that will show you a dramatic image shot using a four separate lights.

Sometimes, the simplest ideas can create some really cool images. Here’s how I created a fun and colorful DIY photoshoot backdrop for less than $25.

In a world full of a little bit of crazy one thing remains constant – our unwavering love for our furry companions. Dogs hold a special place in our hearts, becoming cherished members of our families. They warm our hearts from being mischievous mutts to regal pedigrees, our four-legged friends bring joy, companionship, and a whole lot of slobbery kisses.

Everyone knows that having a returning client is great for your business. Family photographer Sandy Puc' has found a smart way to maintain returning clients by photographing toddlers all the way through their teenage years. In her free creativeLIVE workshop Bellies & Babies, Sandy teaches how you can gain family clients during a child's early years. On August 3rd, Sandy switches gears and focuses on The Business of Tots to Teens and how you can create a stable income as your returning clients grow.

Knowing how to confidently and efficiently pose couples is an absolutely crucial skill for any engagement or wedding photographer, and yet, posing is one of the trickiest skills that often takes photographers the longest to master. If you find yourself struggling a bit with posing, check out this helpful video tutorial that offers some great tips sure to put you on the right track.

When it comes to working with artificial lighting, there is sometimes the misconception that professional images require multiple sources, all of which are big, heavy, and expensive. That is not always the case, though. In fact, you can create professional-level shots with just a single speedlight, and this excellent video tutorial will take you through the entire process, from setting up the shot through post-processing.

I've looked at previous version of the Radiant Imaging software, which focused mostly on landscape images. This latest version, Radiant Photo 1.3, offers new portrait tools that focus on natural skin tones and Color Style tools that should simplify the editing process. It's a free update for all Radiant Photo customers.

We've seen plenty of portraits, fashion, and family shots done remotely throughout quarantine, but what about taking it up a notch? Check out these FaceTime portraits taken of Boston Red Sox baseball players!

Jordan Blake is a black artist originally from Nigeria. He has lived in Baltimore, USA for several years. After finishing college, he made the move to New York to better figure out and explore who he is and what type of images he wants to create. Of course, it doesn’t go unnoticed that New York also offers greater opportunities for collaboration and sharing of work.

Photographing male models can be a challenging but rewarding experience for a photographer. In order to create stunning and memorable images, it's essential to direct the model and guide them into confident poses that showcase their best features.

Photographers constantly seek ways to diversify their portfolio, especially in genres as specific as maternity photography. The use of lighting, gels, and innovative posing not only accentuates the subject’s beauty but also adds depth and variety to the images, which are helpful for creating a memorable gallery.

We spend a lot of time working on perfecting our retouching technique when it comes to hair, skin, and eyes, but just like those aforementioned aspects, the lips are also a crucial part of the face, and as such, they deserve equal attention in the post-processing phase. This excellent video tutorial will show you the ins and outs of retouching lips in Photoshop to ensure your portraits are in tip-top shape.

When you think of a portrait, you probably think of focal lengths mostly between 85mm and 135mm, but, of course, that does not mean you can't use wider focal lengths. A wide angle portrait outside can be a great way to add a sense of drama and adventure to the frame, but you need to ensure you are carefully balancing the light. This excellent video tutorial will show you how to read the light and ensure you get the best possible images.