SONY A7 III Review

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The Sony A7 III is a new camera on the market that’s in high demand for photographers and videographers. After two months on the waitlist, we were lucky to get our hands on this hybrid camera. If you’re looking to order the camera now it’s currently backordered 1-2 months on Amazon. I was so excited to get my hands on this camera that I had to test the features ASAP and let you know my initial thoughts. We wanted to see if the Sony A7 III lives up to the hype. Seeing if it's a good camera for photographers, videographers, and filmmakers.

SETTINGS

Sony cameras have a history of not being the best when it comes to menu settings and ease of use. But if you’re like me, you’re used to the Sony camera menus. After working with a variety of cameras over the years. I’ve come to the conclusion that we as photographers/videographers are getting pretty spoiled. We expect cameras to fit our exact expectations. We should pick up a camera and shoot work like Kold, Peter McKinnon or Jessica Koblessi. That’s not how it works. What I like about the Sony cameras is they’re customizable. After a good time investing in manual, you learn how to work with the Sony Cameras pain points. Because it’s a great camera at an affordable cost.

With customization, the Sony works magic. Here are some custom button settings that I love:

• C1 to APSC Super 35 Mode to punch into subjects.

• C2 to Zerba’s for exposure and to make sure I don’t blow out highlights

• C3 I keep as the Focus modes so I can switch between manual and autofocus settings.

• C4 I like to set to zoom for clear image zoom, to add another zoom function for added reach with my lenses.

AUTOFOCUS

The Sony cameras autofocus isn’t as good as the dual pixel autofocus from Canon. But Canon has yet to come out with a camera that has the video and photo functions with a 24mp sensor. The Canon 1DX is a great camera yet their video codec sucks. Plus the cost is absurd, ain’t nobody got time for that.

The autofocus on the Sony A7 III when tracking the subject is amazing. The 693-Point AF System is second when it comes to the Canon cameras. But, it’s light years ahead of Canon cameras with the extra pro settings.

The Autofocus was my favorite part of the Sony cameras. It’s what made me look at them apart from the Panasonic cameras, GH5, or GH5S.

Tracking subjects are not always reliable, but about 80% of the time it seems to do an awesome job.

SLOW MOTION

One of the reasons people tend to gravitate to the GH5 or the Canon 1DX is the slow-motion videos they can create. The GH5 can do 4K 60p which the Sony cannot do. Yet the Sony A7III is a beast when it comes to slow motion. It's up there with the Canon 1DX which is a $5k camera.

The Sony A7 III is a killer camera, with a bunch of features, and professional settings. Before I say it’s the best camera of 2018 I have to put it through more tests. I want to know how well it does fashion, documentaries and commercial work.

Watch our Full Video on the Sony A7 III including test footage:

Listen to the Podcast "Initial Thoughts on Sony A7 III & DOES GEAR MATTER?"

We finally got our hands on the Sony A7III. A lot of people are on the waiting list for this camera. We let you know if it's worth the hype. We also discuss the importance of photography gear and if it makes or breaks you as a professional.

What are some tips or questions you have regarding the Sony A7 III? Let us know below!

Thanks for reading!

LIVE ART LOVE TEAM

How to Shoot Bohemian

Bohemian photo shoots are a lot of fun. They’re a great addition to your portfolio. If you want to shoot for brands like Free People, Urban Outfitters, and Anthropologie. What is Bohemian or boho chic? Think a hippy style with flowing fashion, neutral colors, and a laid-back feel. At first glance, you would think this style is easy to capture. It can be but it takes more planning than street fashion or an impromptu photo shoot.

Wikipedia gives a definition I can get behind: 

“Bohemianism is the practice of an unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people and with few permanent ties. It involves musical, artistic, literary or spiritual pursuits. In this context, Bohemians may or may not be wanderers, adventurers, or vagabonds.”

Here are our tips for pulling off a bohemian photoshoot.

Location

The fun part of a bohemian shoot is finding the right location. If you’re doing this on the cheap, you can stay outdoors. If your budget allows, find a cool location that can provide many settings. With indoor and outdoor options. With locations find ones that have character and adds flair to your photos. In a bohemian case, this means old furniture, plants, and curated places. For our location, we found a place where the owner was a world traveler and an amazing decorator. This meant that every corner of his home was a photographer’s dream. Including the outside which was an oasis with rich greenery blooming. Giving us the perfect backdrop for our model. In fact, we plan on visiting again because we didn’t have enough time to use each nook. 

If you’d like to book this location for your shoot visit his page on peerspace: https://www.peerspace.com/pages/listings/59ebeb43d834760c013dc29b#

Styling

For a bohemian shoot to pop off right. The styling needs to be perfect. With this style, it’s good to find a model that already embodies this style. Since they’ll be able to provide their own wardrobe. If not, you can visit stores and get inspiration online. When it comes to a bohemian style you want to include accessories - rings necklaces and headwear. Also, it’s good to find clothes that drape off the model's body. Find some inspiration online and make a mood board. That way you can share it with your makeup artist and model. Here are some things that work well for bohemian shoots:

• Beach Waves

• Curly Hair

• Body Jewelry

• Long Skirts

• Earthy colors

• Sandals

• Bare Feet

• Tattoos

• Henna

• Flowing Dresses

• Hats

• Maxi Dresses

Those are some ideas to get your creativity flowing.

Lighting

Time to get technical. When shooting like this you’ll want to capture the photos with natural light. This means shooting outside and scheduling your time to include some golden hour. This can be in the morning or at night. But, in Los Angeles we find the golden hour lasts longer in the evening. We always plan our shoots more midday to evening to take advantage of this. The golden hour will give your shoot a more earthy feel. Which is perfect for the free spirit vibe that you’re capturing. For the camera settings, I like to shoot at a high shutter speed. That way we can freeze the movements of the model. Which is important in this style of shooting. This allows the model to move without feeling rigid with poses.

Watch our full video on How To Shoot Bohemian below:

Listen to Podcast:

We go over how to capture models in Bohemian style. What's bohemian? Think maxi dresses and hippy chic. If you're looking to expand and attract clients like Lulus, Anthropologie, Free People or Urban Outfitters this tutorial is for you.

What are some tips or questions you have regarding bohemian shoots? Let us know!

Thanks for reading!

LIVE ART LOVE TEAM

Top 5 Tips For IGTV

Video is taking over. Instagram has created IGTV. Which is their platform dedicated to everything video. It connects through your Instagram page and you can post videos up to one hour on the platform. The coolest aspect is the default for videos, is vertical instead of horizontal. Recognizing most people watch videos on their smartphones.

With IGTV being brand new, the time is perfect for content creators to dive in and make magic happen. Now before you start repurposing old videos remember that IGTV wants you to be native. This means they want people to stay within their app. So to get preference it’s best to not cut your video in half and direct people to watch the rest on YouTube. You should use IGTV as a separate audience. Yes, both platforms can live in the world of social media. But with the rumors that IGTV will be making monetization easy soon. YouTube should question what’s next in for innovation.

Now here are our Top 5 Tips for tackling IGTV like a Boss

1. BEST USES FOR IGTV

Since the IGTV favors vertical video. You need to think vertical when creating content. This means that your long vlogs in cool locations may not work the same. You have to realize most of the video will be on your face unless you pan away. As long as you know that, you can make vlogging happen. You have to make sure that you have a story to tell. Here are some creative ideas for IGTV: Behind the Scenes, Travel Films, Fashion, Music Videos, Recipe videos, How To’s and Fitness. That should get you started!

DO NOT FILM LANDSCAPE/HORIZONTAL. This is a big no-no. I’ve started looking through the app and I've seen quite a few people posting old videos that are landscape. If your video causes me to turn my phone horizontal. I’m never coming to your page again to watch videos. In a world where first impressions matter. Make sure yours is in the right format!

If you’re hoping to use the same footage for YouTube as you do for IGTV. Make sure you are always centered in the frame to make cropping easy later. Keep reading for tips on cropping and settings!

2. USE YOUR SMARTPHONE

Though you can use a fancy DSLR camera, don’t let your lack of high tech gear stop you. You can jump in and start making cool content with the iPhone. A quick and easy way is using Instagram Stories to film. Instagram stories allow you to film small chunks that you can add words or fun effects to. The best way to use it, is to save individual videos from your story. Save each small clip right after you film. It’s easy to use later and piece together a story. The reason I don’t think you should post an entire IG Story into IGTV is that they’re different. No one wants to see a video if you have a selfie photo in the middle. If you’re boomerang crazy like us! Downloading individual clips eliminates the unnecessary selfies and boomerangs. Once the clips download we like to use an iPhone app like inShot to piece them together.

3. REPURPOSE OLD CONTENT

If you have existing content that is horizontal, it might be able to fit in the new IGTV aspect ratio. Use professional editing software such as Final Cut Pro X, Premiere Pro, or Avid. We use Final Cut Pro X for its ease of use and quick turnaround. Especially for YouTube and IGTV videos. Using Final Cut Pro X here are the steps we like to use:

• Duplicate the project

• Go into the info tab on the right of your duplicated project

• Click on modify settings

• Create a custom video resolution of 1080 x 1920

• Apple ProRes 422 HQ

• Make sure it says Standard Rec - 709

• Click Surround Sound make sure it’s set to 44.1 kHz for the audio.

Once in your new project, you have two options for resizing your horizontal video using Final Cut. The first option is using spatial confirm (in the side panel) setting that to “Fill”. The problem with that is you can’t change the composition. Use the transform tool to resize the video and move it around until it fits your needs.

4. BEST PROFESSIONAL GEAR

If you feel you’ll be making content for IGTV long term. It’s a good idea to invest in some professional equipment to stand out from the crowd. The best suggestion is to get a lightweight DSLR or mirrorless camera. For most YouTube content we use the Sony Alpha Series cameras. They have awesome autofocus, shoot 4k video and have a lightweight body and design. To shoot vertical video, get an external monitor, camera cage that has mounting points and a flexible ball head. By using the camera cage you can turn the camera on its side and mount to a tripod. With a flexible ball head, you can flip the monitor so you can check your framing. This lightweight camera rig setup is great for quick videos and (possibly) light enough for vlogging.

Bonus Tip: The most affordable IGTV microphone is the Rode Micro.

5. IDEAL EXPORT SETTINGS FOR IGTV

For IGTV, the length of your video has to be between fifteen seconds and ten minutes for smaller accounts. For larger verified accounts they get between 15 minutes and an hour.  The sweet spot for your videos should be between one to three minutes.

Audio and playback issues came up when we uploaded our first IGTV video. If you’re wondering how to fix audio issues with uploading to IGTV? Here are some export settings that fix the upload using Final Cut Pro X:

• Make sure your video codec is h.64

• Audio format Quicktime AAC

• Make sure that the audio below says 44.1 kHz

• The size must be lower than 650 MB for videos less than 10 minutes

IGTV has a lot of potential to be huge for audience interaction and content creation. We plan on using IGTV for behind the scenes, native content and fun travel videos.

Watch our full video on How To Use IGTV below:

Listen to podcast here:

Our initial thoughts on IGTV. The future of vertical video and a few tricks. We also talk about some quick troubleshooting solutions if you're having audio issues when uploading. Thanks for watching!

What are some tips or questions you have regarding IGTV? Let us know!

Thanks for reading!

LIVE ART LOVE TEAM

How To Shoot Lingerie (Sony A7R III)

It's good to add some lingerie shots to your portfolio if you decide to pitch to lingerie brands. We'll tackle some tips on how to make sure that shoot goes smooth.

Understand Camera Settings

When shooting lingerie I tend to like to shoot wide open. Wide open means shooting at a lower F stop. Somewhere between 2.0 and 2.8. To avoid blowing out the highlights. I like to increase my shutter speed. By increasing the shutter speed. It tends to give the shots a more moody look. Increasing shadows to the shot that I’m taking. With lingerie, I like to keep shadows to hide some of the body. That way it makes it more artistic. Creating a more classy and dramatic look.

Communication

This is an intimate shoot. You must make sure that the communication between you and the talent is clear and concise. This should be from the very first email or phone call. Let them know what you’re looking to shoot. Send them references that prepare them for the shoot. Don’t let there be any surprises. Also, throughout the shoot make sure that she feels confident in what she’s wearing. You won’t find any problems if you let the model know what kind of lingerie or brand she’ll be shooting in ahead of time. There’s nothing worse than a model in lingerie that they don’t feel great in.

Comfortable Environment

Making sure the model feels comfortable will help the shoot move smoothly. Since this is a lingerie shoot. It’s best to have few people on set as possible. That way it’s less intimidating for the model. When working with female models we find that it’s best to always have a female presence on set. Also allowing models to bring a friend, manager etc might make her feel more at ease. Unless shooting for specific brand, it’s a good idea to have a selection of lingerie. And to have the model bring pieces that she already owns. Also, make sure that you have a private place for the model to change and a cover-up for between shots.

Here is our latest video that goes in depth on the top three tips on shooting lingerie.

Listen to Podcast Here:

We give you 3 tips when it comes to shooting lingerie models.

What are some tips or questions you have regarding lingerie shoots? Let us know!

Thanks for reading!

LIVE ART LOVE TEAM

LA Love Creative YouTube Launch Giveaway!

Create the work you want to receive.

The last few years, we’ve seen a shift in the industry. There’s more access to become a content creator. Meaning more people with a camera and a lot more talented and untalented (but cheap) videographers and creators for businesses to choose from. The bulk of our work came from brands and start-ups in the tech industry. Which means a lot of our portfolio showcases that. This is great, but as creatives, we don’t want to limit ourselves to one type of work. We want to make videos and photography campaigns for any industry - fashion, food, product etc.

With that being said, we’ve decided to begin creating the work we want to do professionally. The fun part is, we’re going to take you behind the scenes of how we do it. Through our YouTube channel LA Love Creative. We’re going to teach you how to create amazing work that hooks in clients. We’ll cover:

• Commercial Videos

• Fashion Films

• Food Photography and Styling

• Product Photography

• Fashion & Editorial Photography

• Instagram Style and Tone

• Engagement Photography

• Bikini and Lingerie Photography

This will be a journey of growth for us as creatives. However, it will also give you a hands-on look at how to tackle portfolios in all of these genres. As part of the celebration of our YouTube launch, LA Love Creative, we’re holding a giveaway! Enter for a chance to win a $75 Amazon gift card and one of our exclusive Live Art Love mugs. US only! Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are there any other topics you would like us to cover? Let us know in the comments!

THANKS FOR READING!

LIVE ART LOVE TEAM

HOW TO SHOOT A LOOKBOOK

Whether you’re an aspiring fashion photographer or brand. You should know how to shoot an eye-catching lookbook. There are many styles of lookbooks as it’s sometimes interchangeable with a portfolio. We’ll be teaching you how to create a fashion lookbook.

So, what is a lookbook? A lookbook is a collection of images that capture a fashion designer’s collections. This gives potential buyers the ability to see how the clothes create looks. Hence the name “lookbook.” It’s a must-have for brands and designers to shop their collection to boutiques and stores to carry.

Regardless of budget, there is no excuse to not have a lookbook for your company. We'll go over 5 tips to create a great lookbook no matter the cost. This will help if you shoot it yourself or hire professional photographers.

BUDGET

How much do you have allocated to a lookbook? You can budget high or low but make sure that your expectations match your budget. You’re not going to get Kendall Jenner on a $1,000 budget. Remember that this is an investment that will help you bring more revenue to your company. The more you can allocate to budget the better it will be. We understand that if you’re starting out you can’t afford to drop a lot for a lookbook. Think about the most important aspects of your collection. Example if it’s a high fashion collection you want a makeup artist and stylist. If it’s a t-shirt line, you might be able to get away with the models doing their own makeup. If you’ve never budgeted for a shoot before here are some things to consider that can cost money.

Studio vs Run & Gun: Studios will cost money, usually hourly. Run & Gun doesn’t cost money but makes sure you have the model and team ready to get a few shots at every location.

Location vs Your own House: Shooting at a location usually starts at $1,000 a day (that’s being very modest). Your home could work, but be honest with yourself. If your house is a small janky mess than opt for run and gun.

Models: Lower budgets stick to one model. Yes, you can use your friend… if they look like a model and fit your clothes well. It’s your brand and tone. Sometimes brands call for “real people” modeling. Sometimes a high fashion look is the way to go. Regardless more models, with more experience = more money.

Photographer: In this case, we’re the photographers. But if you’re looking for a great photographer you’re going to have to pay. If you’re shooting yourself, yay you save! Study your inspiration so you know what to capture.

IDEA AND MOODBOARD

When you have your budget down. You can get realistic about what you can pull off. Think about your collection and the feelings you want it to convey. Is it tropical? Minimalist? Glamour? You get it. Study your collection, why you created it and work from there. Find photos that inspire you and create Pinterest boards. Once you have pinpointed the theme and style for the shoot. Make a shot list of images that you want to capture. This with a mood board can help everyone on the team to stay on point.

MODELS & CREW

Touched on it before but your budget will determine your team. Don’t be afraid to wear many hats if you’re starting out with your company. When finding models and team, make sure you’re aware, you get what you pay for. With that, the most important elements of the shoot are the models and makeup/hair. Assuming this is your own company, you will need to double as the fashion stylist for the shoot. To find Models and Makeup Artists use social media, referrals, and casting sites. Some of our favorites include:

Model Mayhem

Film & TV Pro

LACasting

Instagram

STUDIO VS. NATURAL LIGHT

We love shooting in natural light. But in some cases, the clothing shines in a studio environment. Studio environments can remain minimalist making the clothing the main focus. Shooting outside in natural light can give a warm glow or a nitty-gritty aesthetic of streetwear. Figure out what fits you, by researching beforehand. Look at clothing companies with a similar tone and see what worked for them.

CAPTURE THE CLOTHES

Sometimes you can get caught up in shooting and forget the clothing is most important. Make sure that the textures, colors, and fabrics of your clothing are shining through. Get a few angles, including the back. When people view this lookbook they want to see how the clothing falls on the model.

Creating a lookbook is a fun collaboration. If you have an idea and you’re focused you’ll get images to take your company to the next level of greatness. Here is our video that goes in depth on how to create a lookbook:

What are some tips or questions you have regarding Lookbooks? Let us know!

Thanks for reading!

LIVE ART LOVE TEAM

5 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL BIKINI SHOOT

When you mention Bikini Shoot to someone. They think of Victoria’s Secret or Sports Illustrated. That’s not always the case, you don’t need an elaborate beach set up to get killer swimwear shots.

For this shoot, we used the Sony A7RIII. This camera is new and we loved having a chance to check it out and see if it’s something we want to add to our own equipment. We will do a video on our thoughts using the camera soon. Here our our 5 tips to a successful bikini shoot.

LOCATION

When it comes to location sometimes Beach is ideal but it’s not always necessary. Depending on the client, you might not have the time to get a beach set up like you want. Also, it’s good to consider that Beach shots can be unpredictable and hectic to get going. Sometimes it’s best to get a little creative to give clients a fresh approach to their swimwear line. For our shoot, we used a backyard location with a pool. By moving around furniture we were able to get a green tropical feel behind the model. Always keep at eye on shadows, backgrounds, and spaces that can offer great coverage if shot.

MODELS WITH CONFIDENCE

Choosing a model for swimwear, you want to make sure they are confident in their skin. This doesn’t mean that they have to be a certain size. It means that they know that they’ll be modeling bikinis and bathing suits and they’re cool with it. Always let your model know ahead of time what to expect. Also, it’s good to have a warm and inviting set or experience for them to come into. I find for swimwear shoots it’s good to have some sort of female presence on set. This makes the model feel more comfortable posing. Which helps their confidence shine through.

CHOOSE FLATTERING ANGLES

Getting the right angles means doing a few test shots to see what you want. A makeup artist that is familiar with bikini shoots can help give your models have a sunkissed glow. If you can’t afford a makeup artist don’t worry! To get great shots direct your model into poses that feel natural. Give them scenarios and how to react to them. If something is not working, play around with background and unconventional poses. It’s good to stay within the rules of photography but it’s also okay to break them. We say always break the rules a little!

SHOOT NATURAL LIGHT

We love shooting in natural light. We’ll always choose it over studio especially when shooting swimwear lines. When working in natural light, golden hours work best. But let’s be real, they don’t always fit into everyone’s schedule. If that’s the case always find spots of shade that give a soft light. Also, shadows are good and can create a moody and more professional editorial look to your shots. So don’t be afraid to use them.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO IMPROVISE

Again, as we mentioned. Don’t let your lack of beach stop you from working with swimwear clients! If you have a style or look you're going to figure out how you can achieve it within your means. For our shoot we wanted the model to have a slight “hair blowing in the wind,” feel. We didn’t have a wind machine. BUT we did have a blow dryer and an extension cord. That’s what it means to improvise. No one looking at the photo will know the janky improvisation that took place behind the scenes!

Those are our 5 tips on creating great Bikini Shoots. For a more in depth look check out our video that includes behind the scenes of the process:

What are some tips you have for shooting Bikini Shoots? Let us know!

Thanks for reading!

LIVE ART LOVE TEAM

Diversity in Front and Behind The Camera

Live Art Love is a diverse company. It’s important when you start a company to set out to create an environment that caters to all. This will help shape the work you do and give you the confidence to speak for those that don’t have voices. The media shapes a lot of how you view yourself.

When creating a fashion campaign, we'll have an idea on a specific look. That's considered, “high fashion, beautiful or editorial.” Close your eyes and think of it right now. I’m sure a lot of fashion models, billboards and campaigns came to mind. Use those as ideas but don’t see them as the only way to shoot. You must think outside of the box to create change.

At Live Art Love, we do every casting to include all ethnicities. We don’t have a set race or look when it comes to shooting. We only know, we need a model to fit the role. It’s more fun to go into a shoot without thinking, “this model must be (insert race) with this color hair and this weight.”

When it comes to diversity in all entertainment fields, we have a long way to go. We know we're not the only ones looking to create change. Here are some tips on making diversity in front and behind the camera a priority.

CASTING

Throw away that carbon copy image in your head. The same commercial campaign that we’ve seen. If you have some creative control, which depends on the client. Put that casting up to include all ethnicities. Lower your strictness on height and weight. See what faces pop up and who you can work with to still create the vision you want. By seeing other faces in the casting process you’ll become more open to fresh ideas.

INSPIRATION

Always have your inspiration - mood boards, Pinterest, magazine clippings. Whatever you need to get fun ideas. Yet, see if you can do those ideas more diverse. If you can add people of all races somehow. I’m not saying to include one token race person to fill a quota. But to look at the photo from another set of eyes. You’re going to have to use your imagination. Since the industry has been one way for so long that it is hard to find examples that tick all the diverse boxes.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Even noticing that there is something off about your campaign or it’s noninclusive is a start. It’s time to look at your team. Is it diverse? Could you do better at have a team that represents the work you’re doing? Everywhere that you can show representation. Matters. You won’t notice the impact it has on your work. But it’ll be there. It will make your work shine and provide inspiration for those younger growing up.

Those are our tips for creating diversity in front and behind the camera. Representation matters, every little step helps to make a bigger impact later down the line. Try to do your part to include a wider demographic when you shoot your next campaign, film or commercial. 

What are some tips you have for making sure you represent everyone?

Thanks for reading!

LIVE ART LOVE TEAM