Art 3 – New Props!

We have some new features for you to utilize in Art 3! Featuring two beautiful white chairs trimmed in gold, along with a mirror with the same styling. There is also a 10′ x 15′ wall made of roses, for a beautiful background. Take a look at the studio HERE, and book it for your next shoot! Perfect for Valentines day coming up, engagement sessions, or for a nice clean polished look on your next project. Of course, as with all of our studios, these new props are included when you rent Art 3.

Kylie Jenner at FD Photo Studio

Entertainment news group TMZ recently posted a video of Kylie Jenner leaving FD Photo Studio’s Pro Stages. Kylie posted the photo above, seen with fashion photographer Sasha Samsonova. Check out thia piece of gossip-news about Kylie and Tyga; and the short video clip here: //www.tmz.com/2016/02/02/kylie-jenner-marry-tyga-marriage/

Reminder of Rate Change

A friendly reminder that our rates will be raising by $5/hr on each studio beginning February 1, 2016. We try to keep our rates as low as possible, but for the first time in three years – to keep up with our increasing costs – we will be instituting this small increase. We hope you understand, and thanks to EVERYONE for their great support of FD Photo Studio. For any bookings made (for any date) before Feb. 1st, we will honor our current rates! Photo courtesy of Fleet Collection –> //www.fdphotostudio.com/bts-with-fleet-collection/

Natural Light Fashion Photography Workshop w/ MOISNOMOIS

In this workshop, Alex AKA @moisnomois or Sasha, will introduce his style of shooting and retouching – from the very conception and pre-planning of a shoot, to the actual shooting and techniques he utilizes, and finally the process he goes through when culling and editing his final images. We will begin with a discussion about models, locations, equipment, and other necessary preparations. Then we will watch Alex shoot with a model and hear an explanation of his methods. After this, our workshops attendees will have a chance to do some shooting of their own with them model. We will take a short break for some light refreshments, upload files to our computers, and get a chance to network with fellow photographers. Finally, from start to finish, Alex will explain his process of choosing images and take you through the process he uses to edit the photographs (as you follow and edit along with him). Instructors portfolio: //www.moisnomois.com/ Event Sign Up HERE.

Natural Light Fashion Photography Workshop w/ MOISNOMOIS -Workshop, Retouching, Photoshop, photography, Natural, FD photo studio, fashion, DTLA, Class

I. Covered before the shooting begins: 1p-2p

– Pre-production: Mood boards, locations and time of day, casting,etc.

– Equipment choice: What equipment to use and the advantages of different lens or camera choices.

– Styling: Choosing wardrobe, and why a great mood board and communication is key.

– Advantages of natural light over using strobes, and vice-versa.

– Q&A.

II. During the shoot: 2p-3p

– Camera settings.

– Working with highlights and shadows.

– Explanation of ideal exposure.

– Posing and working with models.

– Using reflectors and modifying natural light.

– Attendees will be give time to shoot their own images using these techniques: 3p-4p

– Q&A.

Break: 4p-5p – We will be serving light snacks and beverages. This will also give us time to upload our images, chat, and get prepared for the editing portion.

III. Topics for discussion during retouch: 5p-7p

– Reviewing the photos.

– Choosing the images to be retouched and why / what to pay attention to when selecting.

– Alex’s technique for color correcting, toning an image, and retouching skin.

– Cropping / straightening.

– Eyes, lips, teeth – what to pay attention to.

– Using the Liquify Tool.

– Sharpening an image and adding noise/texture. – Workshop review, feedback, and Q&A.

What you should bring:

– Notebook / iPad (Something to take notes).

– DSLR Camera / or other camera with manual function + charged batteries.

– Your favorite lenses, plus adequate memory card(s).

– Laptop w/ working version of Photoshop and your favorite retouching hardware (mouse, pen tablet) if you will retouch during the class.

– *An alert and attentive frame of mind, and some comfortable attire.

Contact mason@fdphotostudio.com with any questions.

Participation will be capped at 15 attendees. Total cost for the workshop will be: $300 Event Sign Up HERE.

Nick Sickelton for Wildflower Roots

Multitalented designer and photographer Nick Sickelton recently visited the studio to shoot for Wildflower Roots, a company that creates simple everyday jewelry to inspire the everyday woman. The team used Stage A to their advantages, coming away with a well rounded repertoire of photos to showcase the products. Behind the camera was Nick, and also M/U and creative/art direction was done by the photographer himself. As a creative director, Nick works through creative briefs by combining art forms such as photography, design, and digital, traditional lettering, and typography. Nick has a very impressive and extensive client list with some great companies, and he is also the recipient of some envy-worthy awards. Be sure to visit his website HERE, and link via INSTAGRAM to learn more about him and his work. You can see more from Wildflower Roots on their INSTAGRAM, or shop online and learn more on their WEBSITE. The model for the project was Janessa Gornichec, link with her HERE. Here at FD Photo Studio, we have 11 stages, as well as a rooftop available for rent. Each of our spaces feature specific advantages and features, as we like to cater to certain needs – be it natural light, blackout, cyclorama walls, and different aesthetics offered by each of our stages. Every space has an independent calendar with up-to-date availability, as well as rates listed for each. Visit our website to browse our options!

Nick Sickelton for Wildflower Roots -Wildflower Roots, Rental Studio, photography, Photo Studio, Nick Sickelton, Los Angeles, LA Fashion District, Jewelry, FD photo studio, DTLA

FD Photo Studio Rate Change

We try to keep our prices as low as possible for our creatives to make their vision come to actuality – and we have been happy to hear such positive feedback over the past three years. We will continue to offer our great service and spaces at a low cost, but we will be raising the rate of each studio by $5/hr beginning on February 1, 2016 to keep up with our inflating expenses. For all bookings placed in January 2016, we will honor the current rate – regardless of if the booking is after February 1st. We hope everyone understands, and we look forward to another amazing year with outstanding creatives!

Mandy Stoller x Emily Shah

Mandy Stoller and her team were in Stage A recently, working on a clean shoot with model Emily Shah. The photographer and stylist responsible for this set was Mandy Stoller, visit her WEBSITE and INSTAGRAM to find out more and see some of her sleek work. The model for the project was Emily Shah, connect HERE. She is represented by Bella Model Management. The hair and makeup artist for the shoot was Denise Bugarin, you can link via INSTAGRAM or through her WEBSITE. We get a lot of questions about how our packages work, so allow for a brief explanation: You can split the packages up however you’d like (4-hour / 8-hour / 12-hour) as long as you book in full hour increments, giving you wonderful options to do quick model tests or portrait sessions – as well as longer shoots for more involved projects. The hours never expire, and simply stay on your account until you’ve used all of the hours. Stage A is a modest sized studio, great for a nice and clean high-key look. A long time favorite of our clients, Stage A gets beautiful direct sunlight in the morning through north and east-facing windows, and beautifully soft indirect light as the day goes on. Equipped with all of the same great gear that’s included with all of our studios – strobes, light modifiers, radio trigger, and paper backdrops – it’s a wonderful place to be able to achieve different looks all in the same place. Visit Stage A on our website to learn more.

Fall 2015 Contest Winners!

We have had such a great year at FD Photo Studio – and the feedback from our loyal clients has been extraordinary and very constructive. The interest in our spaces has even given us the chance to open another location with 4 new stages – the Art Location. We are so thankful to everyone for their patronage and kind words, we’re happy to announce the winners of our Fall 2015 Year-end Yelp Contest. The rules were simple; all of our creatives were welcome to participate, including photographers, videographers, hair and makeup artists, models, talent, etc.; and all you had to do is write a review about your experience at FD Photo Studio. In total, we had 28 reviews for the fall months, and we randomized the names and selected to generate our winners! Here they are: 1st Place: 12-Hour Package – The first place prize goes to Sean Martin. You can check out his review HERE, and see some of his work on his WEBSITE. 2nd Place: 8-Hour Package – In second place, Steven Starr receives an 8-hour package! You can view his review HERE, and see some of his work via his WEBSITE. 3rd Place: 4-Hour Rooftop Pack – A four-hour package for the rooftop will be given to our third prize winner – Kameron F. You can view his review HERE. Honorary Prize: 4-Hour Package – Livia S. will receive a 4-hour package as an honorary prize! View the review HERE! Be sure to keep those reviews coming in! We’re doing another drawing in early Spring 2016! Thanks again to all of our great clients that shared their feedback with us, we will grow and continue to provide you with great spaces for your creative projects. To see the full details of our package giveaways, visit our website: //www.fdphotostudio.com/win-12pack/

Harveys Holiday Collection

Have a brand that needs a seasonal update? Want to shoot some ecomm? Film a music video? Stage C is a huge space featuring beautiful natural light streaming in through east and south-facing windows. The crew from Harveys, a SoCal based company that specializes in making handbags & lifestyle goods, recently paid us a visit to shoot some of their new creations!

Harveys Holiday Collection -Rental Studio, Photo Studio, Los Angeles, Lookbook, Holiday Collection, Harveys, Filming Location, FD photo studio, fashion, Ecommerce, DTLA

“We are Harveys, a group of happy people who love discovering, designing and making handbags & lifestyle goods in sunny Southern California. It all started in a tiny garage with husband and wife, Dana & Melanie Harvey. While restoring their classic car, Dana came up with the idea to make Melanie a matching handbag with the leftover seat belts. Everyone loved hers so much, they decided to make more – and the rest is history!” The photographer for the day was Ian Maddox. Hair and makeup was provided by Crystal Watana. The model for the session was Jonna Walsh. Art direction was handled by Dana Harvey Jr. Secondary photos provided courtesy of Jessica Rice McNew. Some kind words from the team: “We recently used the fantastic space at FD Studios to shoot our Holiday collection of handbags and accessories. We were able to have several background options with the white brick wall, concrete floors, the cyc wall and using a paper background as well! We would shoot there again in a heartbeat.” Stage C is one of our largest studios, both a favorite for photoshoots and video productions alike. We are offering more and more studio options these days, but our shooters love the dark concrete floors and high-key industrial white windows of Stage C. Equipped with standard 9′ seamless backdrop paper, Stage C also features a large cyclorama wall – a favorite option for our brands shooting e-commerce and lookbooks. Take a look at Stage C and all of it’s features on our WEBSITE.