Here are my top tips for shooting senior guys using this senior session I did a few weeks back. One challenge I think with guys (some not all), is that getting their photo taken can feel weird unless they are really into themselves, so my goal with any shoot is to create memorable images, but also images they enjoy taking. If the session is painful for them to do because they feel awkward the whole time, they will inevitably not love the photos no matter how good. This session with a 17 year old country boy of TN turned out great, and we had a great time, and here is how: 1- Flash makes them look COOL. I love flash because it makes the images look super cool and helps put them at ease right off the bat that the photos will look great. 2- Find out what their "thing" is. This kid is a country boy. So in my intake form I asked what things he LOVES and he loves farms, trucks, cowboy hats and horses. So they had a friend with 400 acres and horses, another friend with a killer old 70's Ford truck, and he brought his cowboy hat. This gives him something to DO on the shoot, Adjust the hat, sit on the fence, pet the horse, sit in the truck. Now that he has something to DO he feels comfortable and shots just come out that much better. 3- Slow it down. I never rush on a portrait session. Take 5. Give them a break. Stop and think. Connect with the client and chat. GO a bit slower and the images and pace will feel better for the client. 4- Take a RISK. We were driving the truck out into the open field for the final shots. The rest of the images were easy work for my style. But as we drove, I saw some great background light and scenery as we crested the hill, and told him to stop. I jumped out, and went for the sitting in the truck shots and the through the windshield one (I only snapped 2-3 of those). Those can be hard because of posing, framing and trying to nail the lighting, but what the heck! Take a risk and those ended up being their FAVORITE shots of the shoot!

Hey all! Merry Christmas! I am creating new content, sharing new behind the scenes videos, and will be dropping info a few times a week over the next few months! The Flash Course MasterClass had a missing video (the most important one on the SYSTEM to use to get insane flash images in 30 seconds), and I just updated it, made it super simple, and have added other links and resources to the course! I have also consolidated the extra shorter, ClassRoom videos into ONE place called "Mastering Light: Core Lessons" (and started it off with a bang with 3 SpeedLite on-location video shoots). I also have ONE place in the Community (topical channels) for anyone interested in Advanced Training Options. Who is this for? For the few of you that are OPERATORS...... Meaning, you are not just here to learn some cool lighting tips, but you want to grow, build your business, master lighting and go to the next level and even start your business, double your income or make photography your full-time gig! If that is you, head to that channel and see what I offer which is: 1. Lighting and Business Workshops (live and in-person). I have hosted 1,500 photographers at my live workshops in the past, and am stoked to offer the in-camera series again! In a weekend of shooting and business conversation, I have transformed photographers into lighting masters, and business gurus some making as much as $450,000 a year! 2. My Operator Mastermind. This is for those that want to get coached over the next 6 months to a year, problem solve, and grow their photography and business one step at a time. It could be with up to 12 others, and a great way to up your game in a TIGHT small group with me at the helm. 3. One on One coaching. This is my 90-120 day program where I work with you individually and help you get major traction. I have done this type of coaching with Luke and Cat (built a 450k brand), Katelyn James, Vanessa Joy and Amy and Jordan Demos to name a few. But all my courses, the community, ongoing content and resources are ALL free, all open to you and your friends (PLEASE invite people) and will ALWAYS be free! I will ONLY have something that might cost extra in that ONE place of (Advanced Training) and promise not to spam you, try and pitch you, or annoy you with that because EVERY SINGLE TEACHER AND COACH does that all day every day. If you get value and want more help, I am here for it.

In this Core Lesson Video (core lessons can be found easily in the Classroom under "Core Lessons") I break down how to get exceptional light quality out of a speedlite for a couple in less than ideal ambient lighting. Speedlites have limited power, so if you like soft light (like I do) and want to soften your speedlite with a modifier like the Westcott Rapid Box, you will need an area with relatively low ambient light (not too bright) if you want to overpower that light. If you are just using the light for Fill, then much less power is needed! Check this out, watch it, head out and TRY it, then come back and share your results here!

This channel exists for photographers who want more than free content can provide. Light Skool is free—and it stays that way. Everything here is optional. Inside this channel you’ll see a few different paths:– Live, in-person workshops– Small group mastermind– Limited 1:1 coaching Each post explains who it’s for and who it’s not for. If something stands out, there’s a Next-Level Training Inquiry link in the post. That call is simply to see if it’s a fit. If it’s not, I’ll tell you. If nothing here fits, you’re still exactly where you should be. — Zach (Ready now for the next level of your photography or business? Click HERE to set up a call with me).

We are having our very first Light Skool Live now that we are back schedule for the first week after the holiday! You will see the "add to calendar" right on the Community Page so add it asap and be there! LIGHT QUALITY is what we will cover in this live (plus any questions you comment on this post, and any live questions that come in)! Light quality is the type of light we use in our images. One of the reasons photographers (and clients) notice my imagery is because of the consistent light quality. Great quality light is easy to edit, makes your clients skin look AMAZING and is easy to work with. Putting the time into FINDING it or CREATING it is key, and we will cover that in this live community class. The attached image is a great example of HIGH quality flash used indoors for a branding shoot for a real estate agent. The light is even, clean, correct temperature (color of light) and perfectly exposed. If you can learn how to spot this type of light, your images will hit the next level. You can see my light source in the behind the scenes image. For commercial or brand shoots I go big, and then I use high quality flash modifiers that are much smaller for wedding and standard portrait sessions. More info to come! Send me ANY questions you have below and I will answer them, and remember that if you need tactics, feedback, coaching and growth at the next level, head to the "Advanced Training Options" channel to see options there!