I am working with a young fresh from school photog and she has offered to do some pics of me for free to build her resume. She wants to shoot outside and, being new to LA, I have no clue where to go. Any suggestions on a semi secluded area that would lend itself to pictures? THANKS in advance

Find diffused light if you must shoot outdoors. Keep in mind if she has no idea how to work with light they will end up flat and unusable for professional headshots. Look around this forum, it's a major problem with amateur photographers. They all want to shoot outdoors but none of them know how to control light.

It's not easy and requires skill. Be careful you're not just wasting your time. One thing for sure, avoid direct sunlight when possible and make sure the light isn't flat, usually when you end up entirely in the shade. If she has no reflectors with her, that's a problem as reflectors when used appropriately can enhance outdoor photography tremendously. Also, avoid distracting backgrounds another huge problem with natural light headshots.

If she's working with a flash, make sure it's off camera and used as fill, via TTL or some form of balance so she's at least not blowing you out. If it's an on board flash, you'll be looking at crappy catch-lights dead center of your pupil. Never a good idea for headshots. This is all one hint of concerns with natural light. There's much, much more. Free does not equate to good. You want headshots that work, not headshots that look like snapshots. Don't waste your time if she's not addressing these concerns first.

Locations? It's a big city. Good luck

You should definitely shoot on the west side right now. It's been so hot out, if you don't shoot near the ocean you will be SWEATING.

I've been doing all my LA shoots West of the 405 lately. It's about 10-15 degrees cooler than Hollywood at least.

Dennis Kwan is a fine natural light photographer, one of my favorites. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him.

BUT HE JUST DESCRIBED ONE OF THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT REASONS I SHOOT INDOORS. Only a studio can provide a cool, air-conditioned space during the sweltering months of summer, and a warm and cozy sanctuary even during the coldest months of winter. Regardless of the conditions, regardless of the time of day or season of the year, only a studio setting can provide a totally private, comfortable and controlled lighting environment. No more traveling to distant locations, no more gawking pedestrians, no compromises with bad weather-- that's how I began my career, shooting outside under my mother's big avocado tree in the front yard. I've paid my dues.

If you enjoy traveling to unspecified locations and watching your makeup melt in sweltering heat, natural light is for you. If you enjoy hearing your own teeth chatter on a cold, windy day, outdoor photography is the ideal choice. But I compare shooting in a studio to camping in a tent when you could be staying at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Choosing your next headshot photographer is a simply a matter of preference. Choose wisely.

www.robertkim.com
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