Description
The authors, Julia Kuzmenko McKim (Los Angeles, CA) and Aleksey Dovgulya (Moscow, Russia), are internationally published commercial photographers with extensive teaching experience around the world.
Our training consists of video segments (3 hours) and a digital book (104 pages). The digital book will guide you through the course. Please begin by reading the book and then watch the videos in the order of their appearance in it.
Though we do go over many important beginner subjects such as lens selection and understanding how strobes work, the majority of the material covers Intermediate to Advanced-level workflow and technique.
We didn’t include 15+ hours of footage in our course, because we actually did the job of extracting only what’s important and packaging it into 3 hours of video, so you don’t have to waste your time trying to fish out the golden nuggets from dozens of hours of footage.
WHAT THIS COURSE IS:
Artistic and technical guide for photographers interested in professional Beauty Photography. We always aim to shoot right in camera, so we teach how to produce images that will require as little post-production labor as possible through correct lighting and avoiding common mistakes.
WHAT THIS COURSE IS NOT:
This course does not include the business or retouching side of Beauty Photography, but we do intend to create other courses that will cover those areas.
Our goal is to teach you to confidently set up beautiful studio lighting and produce amazing images, as well as to lead your creative team and manage the creative process from inception to completion including selecting the right talent, working with models, make up artists and stylists for both commercial assignments and personal projects.
Studio lighting doesn’t have to be difficult or confusing, if you introduce structure and a good starting point into your studio routine, and that’s what Aleksey and Julia start their studio lighting training with.
CHECK OUT THE REVIEWS BY THE LEADING VOICES OF THE INDUSTRY:
By Resource Magazine: Julia Kuzmenko’s New Tutorial Will Elevate Your Beauty Photography to New Heights
By Fstoppers: Fstoppers Reviews Go Pro: Studio Beauty Video Training
By SLR Lounge: REVIEW | JULIA KUZMENKO’S GO PRO: STUDIO BEAUTY
CHAPTER I: Intro & Preparation
- About the Authors & This Training
- Your Career & Ultimate Artistic Goals
Your Knowledge & Vision
- The Basics Every Photographer Must Know
- Developing Your Vision, Taste and Aesthetics
- How to “Read” Lighting
Cameras, Lenses & Lighting equipment
- Choosing the Right Cameras & Lenses For Your Work
- Choosing the Right For Specific Projects
- Camera Sensors: Full Frame & Crop Factor
- Crop Factor & Focal Length Multiplier
- Studio & Backdrop Choice
- Lighting Equipment
- Common Monolight Controls & Triggers
- Light Modifiers
- Accessories
Preparation is King
- Idea, Concept of a Shoot & Choosing the “Right” Team
- Helpful Documents For Your Work
CHAPTER II: Flawless Execution
- Shooting Tethered
- Standard Camera Settings
- Common Mistakes to Avoid While Shooting
- Day-of Briefing & Backup
- Working With Your Model
CHAPTER III: Lighting Setups
- Establishing Our Starting Point: Why & How
- Classic Portrait Setup: Various Types of Lights, Light Modifiers, etc.
- Celebrity Portrait: And More Ways to Fill in the Shadows
- Movie Style Setup: Cinematic Lighting: Adding Drama; Working with Smoke
- Hazy Colors Setup: Colorful Theme; Working with Color Gels and Smoke
- Jewelry Ad Setup: Another Colorful Setup; More on Working With Color Gels
- Clean Beauty: Other Ways of Creating Rim and Fill Light; White Background
- Full-Body: A Few Notes on Proper Full-Body Lighting
- Doubled Colored Shadows: Even More Ways to Use Color Gels
- Creative Mixed Lighting:
- Mixed Lighting: Fundamentals
- Mixed Lighting: Reflective Fabrics
- Mixed Lighting for Beauty
YOUR ASSIGNMENT LIST
Practice not until you can get it right, but until you can’t get it wrong.
BONUS MATERIALS
- Call Sheet / Template
- Estimate for a commercial project / Template
- Model Release / Template
- Agency Test Package Request / Sample Letter to a Modeling Agency
- Client Project Questionnaire / Template
Some lighting setup examples that we teach in this training:
The Go Pro Studio Beauty video training is a new amazing photography training for everyone that needs information, direction or even inspiration. Julia Kuzmenko McKim, Aleksey Dovgulya and, of course, the rest of the team, have done a fantastic job of providing detailed intelligence around beauty photography, creating a unique guide full of useful and inspirational content.
~ Train To Create,
London, UK
The first two chapters helped me understand why my past photo shoots weren’t as smooth as I wanted them to be. They also clarified how I could fix many of my past mistakes.
~ Brianna Townsend,
Washington DC
…I am so annoyed that I was not able to find this INCREDIBLE course earlier. I had to spend so much time to find the same path that this amazing course gives. I spent years placing together all of the factors and in the end, this team was able to connect the dots and make a very easy to read book and an amazing video course. This course will truly give any beginner or aspiring individual a true direction into the beauty photography world. The world of the studio photography does open up and you are finally able to see the pieces of the dynamic and incredible world. If you get the course take your time and know that the tech might change but the core of how to deal with social interactions is priceless.
~ Todd Davalos,
Pacific Grove, CA
The “Camera, Lenses & Lighting equipment” section was, in my opinion, the most important section of the book. Two years ago, I spent close to $4,000 on equipment I thought I needed because of various blogs. I was buying equipment because I thought it would make me better, but I didn’t understand the practical uses of the products I was buying. Now I can make an educated decision on what equipment and accessories to buy.
~ Brianna Townsend,
Washington DC
..I found the lightning tutorials very broadening my sense of what I know and have to learn. But I must say, that I really love the order in which the content is put together. Starting with easy basics and evolve to manage a whole shoot.
~ Patrick Redlich,
Florence, Italy
Table of Contents of the Digital Book
Our training consists of video segments (3 hours) and a digital book (103 pages).
The digital book is the core of the course. Please begin by reading the book and watch the videos in the order of their appearance in it.
Some SOOC (Straight Out Of Camera) Examples:
Page samples from the digital book:
This is a digital product available for immediate download.
No physical product will be shipped to you
Non-refundable due to the digital nature of the product.
By purchasing this product you agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Hugh Frost –
This looks wonderful, can’t wait for it.
Julia McKim –
Thank you Hugh! We were just meeting with Aleksey, my co-author, in Moscow today, to discuss the remaining chapters of the digital book that comes with this training 🙂
Hugh Frost –
Julia, do you have a date when you will be releasing the videos? You’re work is amazing. Inspiring stuff 🙂
Julia McKim –
Thank you Hugh! I have just returned home and we’re working to get it finalized and out in October 🙂
giuseppe –
Hello julia out gopro end of October?
Julia McKim –
Yes, trying to get it finished by then 🙂
Marie –
9/12/15 Your work is truly beautiful ! I would love to feature you in our magazine http://www.creative-mapping.com (based in London) where we feature uber talented, international and established creatives working in art, architecture, design, fashion, film/tv and music.If that is of interest, could you mail us ? Otherwise, when will this little gem of yours be available to purchase? many thanks, Marie 🙂
Julia McKim –
Thank you Marie, sure! Please feel free to message me via the contact page.
And the course is almost ready, just a final stretch!
Abhinavg –
Please Julia, now is the time for it to come out. This has been my most awaited course EVER! please, please, Aleksey buddy, please bring it out for us. This would give you a position in heaven, I swear! Do this for us, one more push. Please!
Julia McKim –
Working on it every day as much as my busy schedule allows it 🙂 Should be done soon!
Koeal Braxton –
This is going to be beyond unmatched. Photography on a new level. Highly anticipated and EVERYONE knows that heart and soul is put into this product. The work is absolutely amazing. Julia will set a new bar with this tutorial.
Julia McKim –
Koeal, I really hope so, We created it with my small team, so I hope you’re not expecting a Hollywood quality video 🙂
SJ –
Hi Julia, is the Go Pro! video coming out this year? If it’s already out, is there a new link to purchase?
Julia McKim –
Almost done! Thank you 🙂
Kapil –
Can’t wait to get this…Please send confirmation when it is available. You are the best Julia
vinny –
hey julia i wanted to ask whats a rough price it would be selling at ?
Julia McKim –
Hi Vinny,
We will release all of the details on Thursday, sign up to get the previews and a large launch discount, if you find that the course may be helpful for you after you watch the preview: http://masterbeautyphotography.com/signup/
Antwon Maxwell –
Hello. Just checking in to see when this will be available.
Julia McKim –
Hi Antwon!
We have just begun the release process with a few educational videos before the release itself,
jump on to catch the videos: http://masterbeautyphotography.com/signup/
Aline –
I’m so excited, can’t wait ! Thank you for your amazing job 🙂
Julia McKim –
Thank you so much! I am so happy it is finally complete after 2 years of work 🙂
Igor –
I just bought:) See you in few days with the impressions:)
Julia McKim –
Thank you! Looking forward to hearing from you Igor 🙂
Arn –
Hi, i purchased a lot Tutorials from Pro´s working in the Industry. This course here is a really good investment in your future skillset. Some stuff i already knew but i could take away a lot of new ideas and concepts. Highly Recommended.
Julia McKim –
Thank you so much, Arn!
Igor –
I’ve read the book in one breath and watched video without pause. It is very high quality training material and all recommendations for this book from me, it is truly exceptional.
Julia McKim –
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your testimonial, Igor!
I truly appreciate it!
Elina Ishchenko –
This is top quality material about very first skills that every photographer should master prior Photoshop retouching: how to produce best possible SOOC images which would require minimum post-production efforts.
Sincerely love the way authors developed and structured information.. Concentrated, strait to the point and still covers all important topics. There is no 20 hours “behind the scene” video, just useful extraction..
I also appreciated valuable advices on professional development: not only technical part, but aesthetics, eye development, process organising..
I wish I have obtained it earlier) and looking forward to post-production training!
Julia Kuzmenko McKim –
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Elina!
You made our day! Thank you 🙂
Arayna Eison –
I read the book and followed along with the tutorials when instructed in the guide. The first time I practiced the clean beauty setup I got 4 portfolio worthy images…just off of practicing. The material discusses preparing like it was a commercial project and that is exactly what I did. My work ethic towards collaboration, my attention to detail and my ability to read light on images has dramatically improved. The program gives you all the info you need to dissect and customize setups based on your personal preferences. Many tutorials will give you lighting setups and you can follow or duplicate the effort in recreating images. This program goes a step further…it teaches you lighting setups and explains the “why” you build each component of the process, explains the effect but more importantly teaches you to understand when “YOU” want to add or subtract light for your taste or client needs. This program will assist in developing your technical skills but with encouragement for use in your personal creative outlet.
Julia Kuzmenko McKim –
Thank you so much for your wonderful testimonial, Arayna! On behalf of our entire team: You made our day!!!!
Thank you! And good luck with your further growth as a professional photographer!
Malgorzata Wesolowska –
I am an experienced photographer – but I admire Julia’s approach to beauty photography and decided to purchase the course. It is a wonderful piece of knowledge for everyone. I can judge it both as a photographer as well as photography teacher. First of all, the book has brilliant schedule and methodology – from simple to the advanced techniques and parts. Even for experienced photographer all the basic are very good revision as well as the fact that often we forget that basics are responsible for 80% of successful photography. Moreover, step-by-step approach makes sure that there is no knowledge gaps that might impact the understanding on more advanced techniques. All materials are very consise…love it for absolutely lack of “bla-bla” parts 🙂 Great quality, interesting, full of useful information. I appreciate section about most common mistakes! Generally – for me it was wonderful inspiration and for every beginner – a training “must-have”. If I could have had it years ago, when I had been learning, I would have shorten my struggling-phase to minimum. Recommend to everyone!
Julia Kuzmenko McKim –
Thank you so much Malgorzata! I am so happy to hear this, you made my day 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to share your testimonial!
Jean-Joseph Napoleon –
Your very first video I’ve watched on YouTube was about Contrast Of Light. I was amazed by the simplicity and also the methodology you use to explain the concepts.
I struggle with finding the right talents for my team and the actual planning of a photoshoot. It’s hard for me to get people on board and the main reason is the lack of preparation. I have nothing to show, no storyboard. For me, the chapter on Preparation is golden. I have just created my storyboard on Pinterest and will surely take advantage of all the docs in the bonus materials folder.
Thank you for this course and for all the free amazing content you have created.