Secrets of Great Portrait Photography

Thirty Years in the Business and Finally I’m a Vegas Headliner

by Brian Smith on January 6, 2011

in Talks

I’m extremely happy to announce that I’ll be speaking at WPPI 2011 about the ‘Secrets of Great Portrait Photography’ at the MGM Las Vegas on Tuesday, February 22. I’m looking forward to taking the show to Vegas. We had a full house when I gave this talk at PDN PhotoPlus Expo and I’ve added a lot of new images to the talk that will be shown for the first time in Vegas. WPPI is always a great show for the portrait and wedding photography industry and I get to talk about my favorite subject – capturing great portraits. I hope to see you there.

Secrets of Great Portrait Photography
Tuesday, February 22, 2011 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
MGM Conference Center Room 313 – 316
sponsored by Sony
Pre-register: CLICK HERE!

Celebrity portrait photographer Brian Smith will share the lessons he’s learned over the past 30 years capturing the faces of the famous, infamous and unknown as a top magazine portrait photographer. Brian will discuss his approach to editorial and commercial assignments from concept to final images, and detailing his approach to lighting and problem solving on productions both small and large. He will also share secrets about how to quickly capture the personality of the people in your photographs. He will also discuss how personal projects can be used to generate editorial and commercial assignments, and allow your personal style to evolve and grow while generating assignments you love to shoot.

Brian Smith photographs Anne Hathaway for 'Art & Soul' with The Creative Coalition

Brian Smith photographs actress Anne Hathaway for The Creative Coalition's 'Art & Soul' project

Tagged as: Brian Smith, Great portraits, Portrait Photography, Secrets of Great Portrait Photography, WPPI

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Sony World Photography Festival – San Francisco Nov 18-21

by Brian Smith on November 3, 2010

in Talks

I’ll be speaking on ‘Secrets of Great Portrait Photography’ and ‘Marketing & Commercializing Your Photography’ plus doing portfolio reviews at the Sony World Photography Festival in San Francisco on November 20th and 21st. The Festival also offers an great opportunity to hear from and meet legendary Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt along with my fellow Sony Artisans David McLain and Andy Katz.

The World Photography Festival runs from November 18th-21st at Left Space Studios, 2055 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA Tel: (415) 285-5338 Open from: 10:15 AM – 7:30 PM daily.

Saturday, November 20, 2010 – 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Portfolio Review Sessions [SOLD OUT]
A photographer’s most important marketing tool. Come and show your portfolio to experts in the photo industry, from curators, gallery owners, book publishers, established photographers magazine and newspaper editors who will offer constructive critique and advice.

Sunday, November 21, 2010 – 10:30 PM to 12:00 PM
Marketing & Commercializing Your Photography
Speaker: Brian Smith
Identify how to succeed as a photographer within your local and international markets. A panel of industry experts review a photographer’s instrumental assets such as a website, awards a portfolio and the range of styles needed to commercialize your photography.

Sunday, November 21, 2010 – 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Secrets of Great Portrait Photography
The Sony Artisans Series: Brian Smith
Celebrity portrait photographer Brian Smith will share the lessons he’s learned over the past 30 years capturing the faces of the famous infamous and un-famous as a top magazine portrait photographer. He will discuss his approach to editorial and commercial assignments from concept to final images, detailing his approach to lighting and problem-solving on productions small and large and share his secrets of working quickly to capture the personality of the people he photographs. Smith will also discuss how personal projects can be used to generate editorial and commercial assignments and allow your personal style to evolve and grow while generating assignments you love to shoot.

Burlesque Dancers Evil Hate Monkey and Violet Eva photographed in Las Vegas

Burlesque Dancers Evil Hate Monkey and Violet Eva

Be sure to check out my fellow Sony Artisan’s of Imagery while you are there:

Friday, November 19, 2010 5:30 – 7:30 PM
The Sony Artisans Series: Andy Katz presents ‘Sonoma’
Worldly travel photographer, Andy Katz presents his newest book Sonoma and shares his journey through photography. Following the presentation, enjoy a wine tasting with Rodney Strong Wineries.

Saturday, November 20, 2010 2:30 – 5:00 PM
The Sony Artisans Series: David McLain
Acclaimed editorial, commercial and National Geographic Photographer, David McLain leads a workshop on combining still photography with video and illustrates how a photographer’s work can reach new audiences.

The Festival also features conversations and book signings by Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt and Ken Light.

Saturday, November 20, 5:00 – 5:45 PM
Book Signing at SF Camerawork: Elliott Erwitt & Ken Light
Location: This event is at SF Camerawork Gallery on 657 Mission Street.
Be one of the first to pick up these renowned photographers brand new books. Celebrated Magnum photographer, Elliott Erwitt new book ‘PARIS’ is sure to transport to this magical city. With a keen eye for the real city, Erwitt sees beyond the tourist clichés. Whether the mightiest of monuments or the charm of la vie quotidienne, this master photographer chronicles it all. Alternating intimate details with grand vistas, Erwitt captures the true flavor of la metropole.

Social documentary photographer Ken Light’s newest books are ‘Coal Hollow!’ and ‘Witness in Our Time’ which gives readers a rare glimpse into the minds of some of the most talented contemporary documentary photographers and provides personal accounts by photographers such as Sebastião Salgado, Mary Ellen Mark and Eugene Richards.

Followed by:
Saturday, November 20, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
In the Photographer’s Studio Ken Light in conversation with world-renowned photographer Elliott Erwitt.
Location: This event is at SF Camerawork Gallery on 657 Mission Street.

Tagged as: Brian Smith, Celebrity Portrait Photographer, magazine portrait photographer, Marketing Photography, San Francisco, Secrets of Great Portrait Photography, Sony, Sony Artisans of Imagery, World Photography Festival

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PhotoPlus Expo 2010

by Brian Smith on October 28, 2010

in Talks

SHOUTOUT of thanks to all the photographers who showed up to a full house for my talk on ‘Secrets of Great Portrait Photography’ at  at Photoplus Expo 2010!

Brian Smith talks about 'Secrets of Great Portrait Photography' lecture at PDN PhotoPlus Expo 2010

Full house for my 'Secrets of Great Portrait Photography' lecture at PDN PhotoPlus Expo 2010

THURSDAY OCT 28:
10:30-11:00 AM Action Shooting Demo – Sony [Booth 517]
12:30-1:00 PM “Athletes, Action and a55″ – Sony [Booth 517]
3:45-5:45 PM “Secrets of Great Portrait Photography” [TC3]

FRIDAY OCT 29:
11:00-11:30 AM “Athletes, Action and a55″ – Sony [Booth 517]
2:00-2:30 PM Action Shooting Demo – Sony [Booth 517]
4:00-4:30 PM “Athletes, Action and a55″ – Sony [Booth 517]

PhotoPlus Expo 2010
Jacob K. Javitz Convention Center
655 West 34th Street, New York City

Tagged as: PhotoPlus Expo, Secrets of Great Portrait Photography

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‘Secrets of Great Portrait Photography’ at PhotoPlus Expo

by Brian Smith on October 12, 2010

in Talks

PDN’s PhotoPlus Expo is the U.S. version of Photokina – it’s a trade show and learning experience. I’m very excited for the chance to do a whole new presentation the ‘Secrets of Great Portrait Photography’ at this year’s PhotoPlus Expo on October 28th in NYC.  I’ll pass along all my tips about photographing people and shooting great portraits. Register before 10/15 for discounts to seminars and free admission to the tradeshow. There will be a Lowepro giveaway to one lucky seminar attendee.

Thursday, Oct 28, 2010 – 3:45 PM to 5:45 PM
Secrets of Great Portrait Photography
Speaker: Brian Smith
sponsored by SONY

Seminar Description: Celebrity portrait photographer Brian Smith will share the lessons he’s learned over the past 30 years capturing the faces of the famous infamous and un-famous as a top magazine portrait photographer. He will discuss his approach to editorial and commercial assignments from concept to final images, detailing his approach to lighting and problem-solving on productions small and large and share his secrets of working quickly to capture the personality of the people he photographs. Smith will also discuss how personal projects can be used to generate editorial and commercial assignments and allow your personal style to evolve and grow while generating assignments you love to shoot.

Read all my seminar picks for PhotoPlus Expo.

In addition to this seminars, you can get a chance to see presentations from all of the Sony Artisans at the Sony booth 517 on the trade show floor.

Sepia photograph of Actor/Rapper Mos Def photographed in the Florida Everglades for The Source magazine

Tagged as: Brian Smith, PhotoPlus Expo, Secrets of Great Portrait Photography

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New Seminars at PhotoPlus Expo 2010

by Brian Smith on August 30, 2010

in Talks

PDN’s PhotoPlus Expo is always the can’t-miss-event in the Photo Industry and this year is no exception. There are a bunch of cool new seminars at this year’s PhotoPlus Expo this October 28th-30th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in NYC. Here are a few I got circled… including my first solo appearance on their big stage. Registration is open now.

 

Thursday, Oct 28, 2010 – 8:45 AM to 11:45 AM
Extreme Web site Makeover: Putting Your Website to Work for You
Speaker: Grover Sanschagrin, Vice President & Founder, Photoshelter Inc.
There’s not  another company that freely provides as much good information to photographers as Photoshelter. Grover really knows his stuff!

Thursday, Oct 28, 2010 – 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM KEYNOTE
Chase Jarvis Live: Creativity and The New Social Art of Photography
Speaker: Chase Jarvis
Chase is the only guy with more energy than the X-treme sport athletes he photographs and always a great and motivating speaker.

Thursday, Oct 28, 2010 – 1:15 PM to 3:15 PM
Publishing Your Photobook
Speakers: Darius D. Himes, Consultant, Publisher, Author, Radius Books
Mary Virginia Swanson, Consultant and Educator, M. V. Swanson & Associate
Swanee is THE Authority on the Fine Art Photography marketplace and she knows everyone in the photo industry. She and Darius ‘Sir Books-a-Lot’ of photobooks will be rolling out their new book. Can’t wait…

Thursday, Oct 28, 2010 – 3:45 PM to 5:45 PM
Secrets of Great Portrait Photography
Speaker: Brian Smith
Shameless Plug…I know, but I’m very excited for the chance to do a whole new presentation and spill all the secrets I can about shooting great portraits…

Thursday, Oct 28, 2010 – 6:15 PM to 7:45 PM SPECIAL EVENT
Legacy: Portraits of the Environment
Speaker: Colin Finlay
I love Colin’s work and he’s quite worthy of Special Event Status.

Friday, Oct 29, 2010 – 8:45 AM to 10:45 AM
Merge, From Photography to Cinematography: Case Studies on the Convergence of Still and Motion Images
Speakers: David McLain and Jerome Thelia
If you are a still photographer who is getting into video you’re going to want to come check this out

Friday, Oct 29, 2010 – 8:45 AM to 11:45 AM
The Big Picture: Editorial Photography Behind the Scenes
Speaker: Art Strieber
OK, OK…This is actually a repeat performance..What can I say…Art Rocks!

Friday, Oct 29, 2010 – 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM KEYNOTE
Strip Search: Albert Watson in Conversation with Laurie Kratochvil
Speakers: Albert Watson and Laurie Kratochvil
I got this one double-triple circled! A can’t miss event!!! Albert is one of my favorite portrait photographers and Laurie is an icon of the industry who gave me one of my first big breaks when she was at Rolling Stone.

Friday, Oct 29, 2010 – 3:45 PM to 5:45 PM
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for Portrait Photographers
Speaker: Katrin Eismann, Chair, SVA
Katrin is the Pixel Diva. I learn stuff from Katrin just walking past her…

Friday, Oct 29, 2010 – 3:45 PM to 5:45 PM
New Media Marketing for Next Generation Photographers
Speakers: Jack Hollingsworth, Jason Moriber, Lindsay Adler and Rosh Sillars
Rosh and Lindsay really now this stuff. Jason does EP’s Social marketing and @photojack has more people followers than anyone in the photo industry…except for Polaroids’ Creative Director Lady Gaga...

Friday, Oct 29, 2010 – 3:45 PM to 5:45 PM
Institute Presents: New Directions in Storytelling
Speakers:  Elisabeth Biondi, Visuals Editor, The New Yorker,  Gillian Laub, James Longley and Lauren Greenfield, Photographer & Filmmaker
 Photojournalism isn’t dead – it’s just moving in different directions. See where they’re taking it.

Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 – 8:45 AM to 11:45 AM
Mark Seliger: Icons & Images
Speaker: Mark Seliger
 I’m not sure who is more of an icon – Mark or the people he shoots, but this is bound to be good.

Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 – 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM KEYNOTE
Avatar: The Struggles of Indigenous People in a Modern World
Speaker: Cristina Mittermeier, Photographer & President, International League of Conservation Photographers
 My Sony Artisan sister is the Mother Theresa of the photo industry – Saving the World One Pixel at a Time…

Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 – 1:15 PM to 3:15 PM
Platform Building: Using Online Video Sharing to Attract an Audience, Establish Creativity and Network
Speakers: Blake Whiteman, Director of Community and Product, Vimeo,  Philip Bloom,  Ryan Koo and Vincent Laforet
 I don’t really need to hype this one, you know you want to see these guys.

Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 – 1:15 PM to 3:15 PM
Demystifying DSLR: Beyond the Green Box!
Speaker: Me Ra Koh
Me Ra is loaded with energy. If you shoot kids, families or weddings stop by and hopefully some of that will rub off on you.

BIG THANKS to Kayla Lindquist and everyone at Sony for sponsoring my talk and Lauren Wendle and Moneer Masih-Tehrani of PDN for giving me the stage to talk on. Hope to see you all there!

Tagged as: 2010, Brian Smith, PhotoPlus Expo, Portrait Photography, Secrets of Great Portrait Photography

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Secrets of Great Portrait Photography
Adorama Special Event: July 29th NYC

by Brian Smith on July 25, 2010

in Talks

My lecture this Thursday July 29th about the ‘Secrets of Great Portrait Photography’ at Adorama in New York City is nearly sold out, but I’m holding half a dozen seats for any of my blog or twitter followers. So if you’re can’t get in, let me know and I’ll try to get you in.

This is a new lecture with focus on all aspects of what it takes to create a great portrait, from concept to execution to post. Ways to give your portraits extra polish with production value that looks more expensive than it is. Emphasis will be placed on the ‘concepts of lighting’ that you can apply to your own work.

Hope to see you there…

Secrets of Great Portrait Photography

An Evening with Brian Smith
Thursday, July 29, 2010   5:30PM – 7:30PM
Price: $25.00
Registration deadline for this Special Event July 28, 2010

Each attendee will receive a $25.00 coupon at the Seminar in exchange for a copy of their registration receipt. The coupon will be valid for 30 days towards the purchase of any merchandise when presented at either Adorama’s retail store at 42 West 18th Street, New York, or for an online purchase at www.adorama.com

Event Description:

Great portraits capture the soul and spirit of your subject. This Special Event with celebrity portrait photographer Brian Smith will focus on ways of breaking down barriers and secrets of working quickly to capture the great portraits, whether you have minutes, hours, or days to get the shot. Brian will share the lessons he’s learned over the past 30 years as a top magazine portrait photographer capturing the faces of the famous, infamous and even the un-famous. He’ll break down the approach he uses on editorial, commercial and personal projects from concept to execution to post, on productions large and small. Simple choices in lighting can affect the mood of an image, so during this evening’s presentation, he will detail his problem-solving approach to lighting and how he customizes his lighting to a particular situation, using light to create bold iconic portraits on location. Brian will show you ways to remain fresh and passionate about your photography, and the evolutionary steps you can take to allow your personal style to evolve as you move your photography to the next level.

Special Event Sponsored by Adorama and Sony

Tagged as: Adorama, Brian Smith, Celebrity Portrait Photographer, Great portraits, magazine portrait photographer, New York, Secrets of Great Portrait Photography, Sony

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