Hey everyone! Today, I’m thrilled to share a glimpse into a fun-filled photo shoot day, capturing stunning images with my Sony A7C. I paired it with two of my favorite lenses: the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 and the Samyang 85mm f/1.4, which are absolute powerhouses in my photography gear.

Gear and Settings: The Technical Side

A lot of you are curious about the gear and settings I use. While it’s exciting to delve into the technical details, what’s even more crucial is the connection with the model and the magic of capturing breathtaking shots. Whether you’re using a Sony, Canon, or any other camera, the essence of photography remains the same.

For this shoot, I used the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 with an adapter to fit on my Sony body, ensuring I can capture wide, sharp images with beautiful background blur. My settings typically involve a wide-open aperture at f/1.4 to achieve that dreamy look, with shutter speed and ISO adjusted based on the lighting conditions. Keeping the ISO as low as possible ensures the cleanest images, but I’m not shy about bumping it up when needed to get the right exposure.

Connecting with Your Model: Tips for Comfort

One of the ways to great model photography is making your subject feel comfortable. Here are my top tips:

1. Power of Music: Music sets the mood. I love playing the ‘Kitchen Swagger’ playlist on Spotify or YouTube Music during shoots. It helps break the ice and creates a perfect vibe.
2. Show, Don’t Just Tell: When directing poses, showing what you want can be more effective than telling. Don’t be afraid to demonstrate; it can add a fun element and help your model relax.

Why I Love These Lenses

The Sigma 35mm Art and the Samyang 85mm are my go-to lenses not only for their optical quality but also for their ability to capture the essence of the scene and the subject. The Sigma is fantastic for its sharpness and ability to handle different lighting scenarios without missing a beat. The Samyang, being budget-friendly, doesn’t lag behind in performance, especially in low light, thanks to its f/1.4 aperture, creating stunning portraits with softly blurred backgrounds.

So, what’s your favorite lens? Catch you in the next post!

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Questions for the Audience

1. Can you use an 85mm lens for full-body portraits? Absolutely! While you might need to step back to fit your model into the frame, the compression and background blur you get with an 85mm lens are totally worth it.
2. What are some effective ways to make a model feel comfortable during a photo shoot? Creating a relaxed atmosphere is key. Playing music, showing poses yourself, and keeping the mood light.