FaceTime Photoshoots

A creative activity during quarantined

Have you heard about the latest photography trend inspired by the COVID-19 lockdown? FaceTime Photo sessions are a great way to escape boredom while being confined at home. It’s a super fun activity for photographers and models alike.

I started doing these short sessions when I came across Tim Dunk, a British photographer who invented them out of boredom in lockdown. There is a minor learning curve involved, but once you know how to handle taking pictures via FaceTime it’s a great way to produce creative portraits .

Jessica, my first model, in Redondo Beach, CA

How to take pictures when you can’t control anything

A major difference to a traditional photoshoot is that you can’t adjust any settings on the camera. Paying attention to light sources is mainly the only tool you have to create dynamic pictures. To make sure that pictures look good, it’s also essential to tell your client exactly where to sit and how to get ready. I advise my models to prepare props before the shoot, but honestly most props I’ve used for these sessions were things we found while they showed me around in their place.

Brit in Dallas, TX who magically appeared with a prism

Being able to spend time with old friends and new faces from all around the world is one of my favorite things about this project. Typically, a photoshoot lasts 30-45 minutes. After a brief introduction we start playing with poses and light. From window light to lamps and flashlights, there’s a wide range of light sources you can use.

Danielle and Ed, Long Beach, CA

How to edit FaceTime photos

Of course these pictures don’t have the same quality as those that I take with my dslr. I try to avoid cropping pictures to make sure I get the most out of my digital file. After the session I import the files into Lightroom where the editing takes place like with any other picture. Be ready to embrace some grain. And most importantly: have fun and enjoy the experience!

Conny, my Austrian friend from Canada

Once your photoshoot is done, don’t forget to print the pictures. Because we all know computers can fail, phones get lost, but prints are forever. To find out more about the importance of printing your most precious moments check out this post from Jillian Faulkner a Calgary Family Photographer.