From AVERAGE to EPIC (Family Photography Behind the Scenes)

[@autumnbailey5503]

I have no clue why, but I always find myself emotional watching all access or these videos. KJ is just so kind and compassionate with whomever she's with. She's amazing!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@o.aldenproductions.9858]

Thanks for sharing. I love " the yelling in the background" because it demonstrates the energy you put into your clients to get them to love this experience and therefore most beautiful ❤️

[@KatelynJames]

Yes! Thank you!

[@ItsMyLifeDaralynn]

The 85 mm is the first lens I chose for my cam at the time of purchase. I love it for portraits as long as I have enough room to pull back. The first shot bothered me with the legs and arms crossing over one another . However, thank you for pointing out a few things I didn't think of. The line down the driveway that leads to them. I naturally ( like most) would've centered them smack in the middle and thats not as appealing , but most people do it. Great video .

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@pegshealth]

I agree - these are epic. Thank you for the BTS!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@Alicia-K]

This was fun to watch. :) I'm primarily a family photographer and have been for almost 12 years. I have to think on my feet FAST....especially with two year olds. ;) These are great pics, Katelyn! Good job! :)!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks so much Alicia!

[@vaughnbarkhurst8979]

11:25 “The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone” 😂😂😂 Great video though! Really appreciated the insight regarding sight lines leading to the subject and then back off the “page”.

[@brookemurray]

The video I’ve been waiting for!!Absolutely loved this. Please share more family portrait and posing content 🤍👏🏻 I loved getting to see your thought process throughout the video

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks so much Brooke!

[@jessicaturner1665]

agree!!!

[@thats_mr_b_]

I’m a PTA and I’ve never had the opportunity to work PEDs. I love that device the little one has on so she can use matching shoes, too cute

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@queerfoto]

Just so you know, I didn’t notice Josie’s cut off foot. And also, your mind is GENIUS.

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks so much Jennifer that means a lot!

[@kenziebaker4417]

Amazing video and amazing work!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks a lot!

[@freelynat]

Absolutely love this! This makes me want to try using my 85mm; it's the least used in my kit.

[@KatelynJames]

Great to hear!

[@lindakincaid4530]

I absolutely love my 85mm lens

[@KatelynJames]

Me too!

[@brendallsterling4117]

I'm doing an photoshoot with a family of 8 so far. I''m using a 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 F2.8. Wish me luck

[@michaelrhodes9614]

how come the images are so sharp at 1.8 still? every time I shoot at this there is softness in the images on someone's face or is there always going to be some sort of softness/ out of focus

[@devacollins4637]

Love it!!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@cristirenault]

Very good idea with this video. As always, a big thank you! Who said, youtuber? :))

[@KatelynJames]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kenyamenza5035]

For group family shots like this would you ever shoot wide open like f1.2-f1.8? Or stay around f2.8?

[@KatelynJames]

I stay around 2.0 and 2.2

[@SouthernSister82105]

So I'm in south Carolina. I get tons of requests to do woodland family portraits. What's your ideal settings for them with so many trees and darkness around due to the tree bark?

[@jenniferwilliamskluemper8574]

You should definitely invest in her lighting & locations course! *Quick answer - don't shoot underneath the trees, if you can help it. Have your clients face the open sky. Use your hand stretched out in front of you to gauge where the best lighting is. This works for any scenario.

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@runsusierun80]

@@jenniferwilliamskluemper8574 I end up doing a lot of family sessions in woodland areas here in Kentucky, and I have definitely learned this the hard way, but was able to save the shoot! Shooting underneath the trees was good occasionally, but I kept finding shadows in the edits that I didn’t see necessarily when I was shooting. It made it really hard to edit!

[@kcidd12]

how many photos do clients expect to get from family portraits?

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching! I normally say 80-100 per hour. So 160-200 for a 2 hour session.

[@Amerras118]

This is brilliant video & analysis. 👍

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@MyStrawberryFox]

"Thanks for watching" is a really weird response on some of these comments. May want to rethink your bot situation. 😅

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

So what aperture and focal length was the 'keeper' photo shot?

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@PhillyPimpStick]

This is where “only natural light” photographers lose me, overblown images. Excellent breakdown of your process, but I’d kill that background in post to create more separation

[@queerfoto]

I really like this set!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks Jennifer!

[@oxxxeee]

Explore Photoshop Neural Filters > Depth Blur. I am shooting families around f/8 and adding all the Bokeh I want in post. Game changer. subjects in focus and using sweet spot of lens.

[@ladyethyme]

The video is so grey/dark and the pics are so pink/light/ hooow??

[@davecrissinger8967]

Trees coming out of the head.

[@KatelynJames]

haha gotta watch for that!

[@jeremygarretson5482]

"Technically Epic"

[@taylorhickman84]

such an inappropriately used term these days

[@lindsaywinckoski4975]

The quality of this video blows me away ! And those portraits did too! Loved watching this whole episode in all access ☺️

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks so much Lindsay!! That means a lot!

[@bobortiz]

Never shoot into the crotch.no no Master Photographer 101

[@joewagnerphoto]

Showing the small refinement details is great. Can’t tell you how many times I couldn’t use a photo because of a problem with a dress. Thank you!

[@KatelynJames]

Glad I could help!

[@clarisawanlass9381]

Katelyn! I love learning from you. Would love to see more family portrait videos! This was so helpful. 🙌

[@KatelynJames]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BlaineShillington]

I love how the little girl had a hurt foot but they found a way for her to still wear her little boot. Very special memory

[@thomasayers5968]

Nice video! You could have also made that first image and the trees less busy by moving your family a little further down the driveway, towards you, putting more distance between your subjects and the background, while still using your 28-70.

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@allstarflavad.m5731]

we need to hear you screaming cmonnn

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@Jess-bd6pp]

Hi😊 I just love love your content!!!! Thank you so much for all your education and information and insight. I have a quick question do you ever use hoods for your cameras ? Or when your doing outdoor sessions?

[@vivianngphoto]

Hi Katelyn! The first few photos you showed the settings says 85mm, but your voiceover says 70mm :) Just want to point out the discrepancy and see which focal length you were actually using for those photos? Thank you!

[@rosaclark6854]

I was wondering the same

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@MyStrawberryFox]

​@@KatelynJameshuh?

[@oxxxeee]

two things i just cannot get into for family sessions: the crazy shouting directions and light & airy editing. i find a calm direction session works better for me and my clients with less stress and the L&A trend just feels washed out and too girly to me.

[@taylorhickman84]

where's the contrast!?!!

[@chloeeeee.s]

Thank you for including your camera settings!!!!!

[@MyStrawberryFox]

Thank you so much for sharing! Beautiful photos! Wonderful advice. Wondering if anyone could help - but I thought it was a rule to not photograph multiple people on a photo under F4 or 3.5? I noticed that this uses 1.8.. Is that doable? Obviously it is! But, under what circumstances? Is it because it is an 85 mm lens? Or, is it because the photographer is so far back? Just trying to figure out how to get that bokeh background with multiple people. Thank you!!

[@wmbrennan]

Katelyn, simple question. I just got the Canon EOS 6D mark iI, how do you get the hot shoe cap off, it seems so right, I tried pushing down but the cap won't come off. Can you help please, thank you.

[@candissdelcastillo7863]

Wondering why you did not clone out the trees that have merged with the two children and the mother’s head? Looks like they’re growing right out of them. Would’ve been easier to do, as well as taking that horizontal log out that’s over on the right side. Definitely a distraction to an otherwise good image.

[@Amorefamiliare07]

I shoot predominately with my 85mm and I feel like I'm the only one. LOL. The fact that you shot that great shot with a 85mm! I dont feel so alone!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@rondashelton8361]

LOVE my 85...shoot with it 90% of the time

[@hbrookes]

Add flash and you wont have to blow out hi lites in LR or PS.

[@runsusierun80]

I love shooting in beautiful outdoor sunlight, and I love a good rainbow flare in my image… But I was so upset when I shot some beautiful lakeside scenes, and ended up with flares that looked like a rainbow fart cloud behind the client…😂😂😂 I had to crop the best image because of it!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@mrskelseydw]

Are there any family sessions in all access on the beach?! This is really all I need to see, it’s such a different scenario and I’d love to see how YOU would approach it.

[@KatelynJames]

Great idea!! We will try to schedule one over the summer!

[@hartfordjames]

Hi Katelynn, Love your channel and a member, the best! Question so I purchased the "Big Cahoon" Lens (28-70mm f2 L) but this picture is with 85mm Lens. So what is the big difference in the 2 lens? Did I purchase the wrong lens for photos? Thank you!!!!!!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@emilyoneill9357]

I recently moved to michigans beautiful upper Peninsula to Munising along lake superiors pictured rocks national lakeshore. I've been trying to get booked In this area. I just left from my first shoot. And I felt like my inner katlyn was coming out while I was there. And perfect timing for all the fall colors up here. Thank you so much for just being you. You're so much fun to watch and learn from. I've gained so much knowledge and insight over the last year and a half by watching your KZbin channel and taking your online classes. You are such a blessing. Thank you again so much!!! 💓

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@jimroberts1280]

This is the best instructional family photography video I have seen anywhere on KZbin. Very instructional. Very helpful. Thank you!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks so much Jim that means a lot!

[@suanpingguo]

Thanks for sharing these sweet moments. I agree, the drive way location is not attractive at all, but the final photos are amazing.

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks so much!

[@9k8k]

احبك😍😍

[@donnawilks3726]

Are you going to offer a Family Portrait training with your other educational material? Pretty Please?

[@KatelynJames]

Maybe one day

[@rebekah3380]

What camera is used here?

[@thehappyphotog7643]

Thank you for also including where you put your focal point! Very helpful! :)

[@KatelynJames]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pinoybenicio]

What focus mode you’re using for family session please?

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@Martin-h1x3g]

remarkable information, thank you!!!

[@KatelynJames]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@9k8k]

ههه٨

[@daphodilphoto]

Great behind the scenes! Love seeing you work.

[@KatelynJames]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rondashelton8361]

I am curious how wide open you shot?

[@KatelynJames]

Typically around 2.0

[@Cecile2906]

Thank you for being vulnerable. I could relate to so many things you went over, including having a plan and being technical, but then, things change when trying to keep a younger child’s attention

[@amateurphotographerassocia5965]

Epic video! ;)

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks!!

[@sadiesofia7605]

Did you ever use the non-L series 85mm? I want a high compression lens but an L series is not in my price range right now so I was going to just get the RF 85mm. You may not know and that's alright. Just thought I'd ask :)

[@stephanietodd3]

Check out the Samyang 85 mm 1.4. I've been using that with my R6 and loving it (the RF 85 mm was out of my price range as well).

[@kellepickell9318]

Sadie, before I got my RF 85mm 1.2 (L series), I had an EF 85mm 1.8 and I LOVED it!! Got me better images than my RF 24-70mm L, honestly! Most clients would not be able to tell the difference between an L series or an EF. I think that lens is around $400-$600 and it worked great on my R5 with the adapter.

[@jeffreyhill4705]

Both the EF 85 f1.8 and the RF f2 are fantastic lenses. She was shooting just above f2 for this family group. I do not have the RF 85L, but I strongly suspect the biggest difference with RF L and older glass is the ability to shot into the light without loss of contrast. A little flash can solve this, it also looks artistic as well. Rent one of the 85s and shoot into the sun a test portrait.

[@jeffreyhill4705]

Ok she shot a single line group photo with kids at 85mm and less than f2, impressive. That is the type of photo that looks good on camera, and disappointing on the computer, for me.

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@jessicamclean7213]

♥️

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@katemaxwell6061]

Great video with loads of brilliant tips, thank you 🙏

[@OliBaitsMedia]

Good work

[@williamc4353]

So I follow allot of photographers and so many would use softbox with fill light. Why no fill light so you could darken the background some or just why don't you use fill lights?

[@KatelynJames]

I've always been a natural light shooter. Flash has never been something I love and my clients love the brighter look instead of intentionally darkening the background. It's a very different look to add an artificial light source on your clients, even low powered and soft. It's not wrong! It's just not my style

[@KimberlyAn73]

Such great nuggets Katelyn thank you!!

[@KatelynJames]

You are so welcome!

[@sherrymullins820]

Awww...I know this sweet family. 🥰

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@jessicamclean7213]

♥️

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@aA-mw4jb]

Family photos are so much more challenging than weddings. I think family photos should be valued more and most photographers don't charge enough for family photos.

[@KatelynJames]

I totally agree!

[@edugiselle1]

You are incredible, you have a great mood and a lot of knowledge, I love how you explain everything in a simple and easy to understand way, I hope one day to be able to have the experience and knowledge that you have.

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks so much 😊

[@modernfotographic]

You're very good. 13 year wedding photographer here and your content is great. Cheers

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks so much 😊