Advertising photo in the 16th arrondissement of Paris

An advertising shoot was carried out in the 16th arrondissement of Paris at the request of a hairdresser and make-up artist who had come to France to take part in the Paris Collection. The shooting equipment was a Sony α7R III and three single focal length lenses: a Sony 85mm F1.4 GM, a Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 and a Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art.

1. Lighting controls light for sharp advertising photos.

In portrait photography, it’s possible to create beautiful and impressive images using natural light alone, as in the case of a “commercial shoot commissioned by a team of hair and makeup artists participating in the Paris Collection.” But by controlling the light using lighting techniques, it’s possible to create a clear photographic expression that further emphasizes the subject’s presence. By accentuating the chiaroscuro of the background and the subject, the contrast can be moderately enhanced, creating a commercial photograph that stands out—in a positive way.

The photo above was taken just before sunset at Place Trocadéro, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, with the Eiffel Tower in the background. By moderately adjusting the background exposure using a strobe, I was able to capture a beautiful blue sky. I asked the model to walk through the scene to convey movement, but if I had photographed a walking scene with natural light alone at such a dark time of day, the image would normally have been blurry. But by using a strobe, the light emitted for a moment stops the model’s movement and allows you to photograph, resulting in beautiful, blur-free photos.

Photographic lighting requires some experience, but it’s an important technique for expanding your expressive range.

2. Capture the light hitting the eyes to take the expression of female portraits to the next level.

When looking at portraits, the model’s gaze is subconsciously drawn to the eyes, isn’t it? Especially in female portraits, it’s important to express the liveliness and beauty of the eyes. By using lighting techniques to capture the light in a female model’s eyes, you can give them a lively and vibrant expression and take your portraits to the next level.

This photo was taken in front of the fountain at Place Trocadéro, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, as in (1), but with the sun further west, during the golden hour. When lighting a model, it’s always important to use a diffuser to soften the strobe light. Also, if you place a clip-on strobe on top of the camera, the photo will have a flat, depthless impression, which is why I shoot almost 100% off-camera.

3. Dynamic with a 35mm single focal length lens with the Eiffel Tower in the background on the banks of the Seine.

I opted for the highly regarded Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art single-focal length lens and got as close as possible to the model to create dynamic portraits. Since I was shooting at a distance of about 1 meter from the model, I needed a lens closer than a wide angle, but I personally like the 35mm angle of view because too wide an angle causes a lot of distortion. Another great advantage of being able to shoot close to the model is that it facilitates communication.

4. Dramatic portrait on the banks of the Seine with a restaurant on a boat and the new city in the background.

You might think it doesn’t look like Paris because of the skyscrapers in the background, but this photo was taken right in front of the Eiffel Tower (laughs). I chose my favorite SONY FE 85mm F1.4 GM and used the compression effect typical of medium telephoto lenses to create a dramatic portrait.

5. A decisive, sexy pose with a composition that takes into account the aspect ratio of the installation.

When you upload photos to Instagram, they’re cropped into a square and displayed on the screen, so it’s important to keep this in mind and also maintain the shot you’ve composed. Additionally, getting as close as possible to the model so they fill the entire screen can create a stunning photo, even when viewed on a small smartphone screen. We finished with a shot of the model sitting sexily on the banks of the Seine.

If you’re looking for a commercial shoot in France, Studio Lazuli can help.

For more information and rates for commercial shoots, please visit our Photography page. You can also follow us on Instagram at Studio Lazuli, where we upload our latest photos daily!

Model by @kalcheva_ya
Hair and makeup by @sachie.kishihara