Executive decisions

Chuck Howell, CEO of AQA International contacted us recently to shoot a photo of him for an upcoming book. The shot called for a full length portrait and we wanted something that would stand out.

We originally tried this in our study at the house, but the setting just wasn't quite right. After talking it over with Chuck, we agreed to reshoot at his office. This turned out to be a much better location. There is a large conference room at the office with the AQA logo on one wall.

Once I saw the logo, I knew we needed to incorporate it into the shot. I did this by lighting it separately with a single speed light with a snoot to restrict the light. I also added an orange gel to warm the light a bit.

Once that was sorted I made a few test shots with just the light on the logo to get the exposure that I wanted. Then I used a second speed light shooting into a white umbrella as the main light on the subject. A little post processing in Light Room and Photoshop and Bob’s yer uncle.

-- Steve