How to Use a Chair as a Prop for Studio Portraits | Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey

Chairs are everywhere and come in a seemingly infinite range of shapes, colors, and sizes. They can be old or new, made of wood, or covered in fabric… basically the chair next to you right now could be the perfect prop that makes your next portrait session uniquely yours.
So how do you incorporate a chair into a studio portrait session? Photographer Gavin Hoey shows three ways to make any chair a purposeful part of the portrait rather than just a random chair you just happened to use.
Gavin starts by showing how the lighting you use needs to illuminate both your model and the chair. He then moves on to a look that includes the whole chair which guides his framing and composition. Finally, Gavin shows how a chair can be both a prop and an aid to posing a model.
Finally, Gavin shares his super quick Photoshop editing to get the muted color palette he was after.
How to Use a Chair as a Prop for Studio Portraits | Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey
0:00 Intro
1:04 Overhead portrait lighting with one flash
2:57 Using a reflector to light the chair
4:10 Elevated light portrait session
4:45 Lighting a wide-framed image
6:21 Full-length seated portrait session
6:58 Lighting a shallow depth of field portrait
8:10 Posing on a chair portrait session
8:50 Post-processing the portraits in Photoshop
9:43 Conclusions and Subscribe
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Glow EZ Lock 16x48” StripBox
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Flashpoint 10’ C-Stand and Grip Arm
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Tether Tools Pro 16' USB 2.0 Active Extension Cable
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Sekonic L-308 Flash Meter
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CAMVATE 7" Articulating Magic Arm with Two Super Clamps
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#portraitphotography #studiophotography #adorama
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Model: Chloe Kerley
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[@banditalley9592]

I think we are all agreed, Gavin makes everyone's day better! I love the enthusiasm, the direct teaching without waffle, and the whole experience is one of joy. Now we just have to clone him and get him in our schools!

[@Stasiek_Zabojca]

I agree, 100%. I had a rough day and I thought it will be a good idea to watch some of tutorials from Gavin. And indeed, it cheered me up a little bit.

[@joelh1950]

And having a beautiful model such as Chloe is surely making your job easier ! Nice work Gavin !

[@AlergicToSnow]

I’ve been watching your videos since you started. I know most of what you’re teaching, although I still find something new to me once in a while. The real value to me is twofold. One, being reminded of things I’ve forgotten or take for granted, and two, you are a great creative inspiration for me.

[@250GTOAJ]

Thanks, Gavin, Chloe, Sam and Freya 😎👍🇨🇦

[@mirandavandenberk786]

I save all your turtorials ,YOU are the best teacher. Great ideas you have, such a big fan . Thank you so so much

[@tedk2814]

I'm always excited when I see a new "Take and make great photography". They are always great, my favorite is with Chloe and the autumn leaves scattered around her. I replicated that idea and my 16 year old granddaughter was my model. OK, now I have to start that long wait until another episode. Thanks Gavin, Chloe and Adorama.

[@paulbell9957]

It's always a treat when you get home from a long day at work and see Gavin Hoey has uploaded a new video. Really enjoyed this mate, great set up, brilliantly explained, with beautfiul results 👍😊

[@MrBanda77]

Chloe 🥰 Simply the best!

[@gordwilliam4384]

As per usual, another very informative video!!! I wish they had you on at least once a week if not more Gavin!!

[@hawg427]

Great video, I don't think Chloe was even born when land lines were around. LOL

[@Crazy_Dashcam_Videos]

They're still around

[@Crazy_Dashcam_Videos]

Maybe you meant rotary phones

[@brunomamede2352]

One of the most brilliant photographers I've ever seen!!! Gavin is fenomenal!!!

[@Adorama]

Absolutely agree!

[@gcase08]

He is phenomenal too! 😂

[@robfox2195]

I love that you have a fine roster of models. It's been wonderful to see them grow in confidence over time.

[@charleyl264]

Thanks, Gavin. I would not have thought of using a strip box for this shoot, but it turned out well. Something new to try.

[@vimalneha]

Excellent video! Gavin is always there to show something to learn.

[@visualsbysanga5523]

Simple set up……amazing end result!!

[@samohyesss]

Oh dear, Gavin I have to say this is probably one of my favorite episodes ever. Definitely in the top 5!

[@hebelbraga]

Gavin Hoey, the best!

[@terryleephotographer]

Enjoyed seeing you show a little of the post processing again!

[@darrenleigh201]

Excellent information - thanks for sharing. A beautiful model helps to make everything look good!

[@dunnymonster]

Your small home studio is looking a lot bigger with higher ceilings these days 😋 Another brilliant tutorial that always encourages me to emulate these techniques 👍

[@GavinHoey]

It's foot print is smaller the before but the high ceilings make up for it IMHO 😉

[@kirstyhepworth7343]

Great video Gavin

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Kirsty 👍

[@kirstyhepworth7343]

@@GavinHoey your welcome Gavin

[@barkyvonschnauzer2188]

Thanks Gavin. Appreciate the lesson. I will put this into practice. Best teacher on the internet. And, as always Chloe' is the best model around.

[@arthurhughes42]

As others mentioned, I really look forward to and enjoy all your videos. I did a shoot today with a mixture of low power led’s and flash and rewatched your video on this topic and got great results. You are a brilliant teacher.

[@jtaylor7620]

Brilliant as usual

[@alanroderick7153]

Thank you and congrats to all. Great to see Chloe and her super hair ! The phone and its cord was a great addition - I assume one of Sam's finds ( easily with £1000, I am sure )Stay safe, all

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Alan. The phone was a bootsale bargain from a few years back. I knew it would come in handy (again) one day ☎

[@csaunders584]

Great/Informative video. Beautiful model. Very practical applications. Thanks.

[@michaelschmitt5413]

Thanks !!! Always enjoy your videos. I have to say that my studio work has vastly improved due to your teaching.

[@11557bexley]

Really beautiful work, thanks again

[@rafaelkoga5762]

thank you for sharing, great tips!!

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Another super informative video, thanks for sharing.

[@martynphillips6646]

Last weekend I was doing this exact set up and hated the results, now I know what I was doing wrong! Thanks Gav, you're the best :)

[@ShadowlightPhotography]

And there was me expecting links for the chair and where to get it ;) - awesome as always, keep up the great work!

[@brad_in_yyc]

I love using props and always forget about using a chair! This is a fantastic idea. I'll have to try to remember this!

[@GavinHoey]

I know what you mean Brad. I find it's the everyday props that can the hardest to work with.

[@PeveVisuals]

Practical and useable. Thanks!

[@magrau84]

Não consigo parar de assistir seus vídeos. Obrigado!!!

[@thomastyler10air]

You have a great way about you Gavin , no beating about the bush only useful information, thank you

[@johnclay7644]

very good 10mins Gavin, great use of prop and model, Great imagery, Very engaging content.

[@Adorama]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rodeesfilm]

Beatiful photos

[@AnVoPhotography]

Very helpful indeed. Thank you 😊

[@serebrenikovvadim]

Thank you Gavin! That's really amazing! Everything great is simple and everything simple is great!

[@timrosenthal46]

Nice one Gav ...Thank you

[@oo0Spyder0oo]

Terrific, I take too many photos with people standing, will bring in some seating to spice it up from now on.

[@stupendously_creative]

Beautiful. Love how you break down these videos

[@taftphotography]

Thanks Gavin! Great information and a treat to watch!

[@szilumilu77]

Amazing. I love it!

[@mhc2b]

Your videos are always inspirational, but this one shines for me even more. On this particular video, I love the Manfrotto background system you're using here, the color grading you did via Color Look-up, the wood plank floor, and the "personality" that the chair provides. Thanks for all the motivation that you provide!

[@paulmullin3202]

Superb as usual.

[@bronekjelonek3323]

Excellent as always! Thanks for inspiring 😀

[@terrissbrown3134]

ALWAYS GREAT AND INFORMATIVE VIDEOS

[@kirkimpression]

Amazing!

[@marianodemiguel3442]

What great photos!!!!!

[@wendystumbaugh695]

Such an awesome result and tutorial, Gavin! I have to keep reminding myself that I can create beautiful images in studio with 1-2 lights and a reflector! I love seeing the difference proximity makes in the falloff. I know the science. Now to remember it in practice!!!

[@sharongarrett5945]

Beautiful images, I may watch this again. Great 👍🏼

[@josephchan4198]

Thanks for notification of next video. Will watch it. Kudos to Gavin and Adorama for great content.

[@jjkdc62]

You have given me some nice ideas for my next shoot, Gavin. Thank you!

[@truthscollector]

Thank you very much for this and your other videos , Gavin , your a real master on this , and your teaching is valuable and enjoyable at the same time . Regards

[@geraldinebryce594]

Loved this you are so good to watch 😊

[@bala1000mina]

Thank you so much Gavin and Adorama for the very informative tutorial!

[@calha2595]

Really enjoy your videos. Always good content, easy understanding. Thank you so much.

[@gladysperrier4270]

Very inspiring poses.

[@marcotonetti]

Very good teacher 👌🏻

[@alexugljesic]

Another great video & tutorial from you two. Short, simple and easy to understand form your viewers!

[@FujifilmDeano]

Great work as always Gavin & Chloe.👌🏼👌🏼

[@ghadeeral-motaeb5169]

wow i love it :)

[@andymcgarty3099]

Great video, amazing what you can do with just a chair.

[@givebackdocumentaryproduct5981]

Great tutorial Gavin. Really enjoyed it 🙂

[@pedrocubillan9344]

Great Video.

[@deekelly2578]

You should be bottled and sold Gavin Hoey. 😊 I just love your delivery and content. So easy to follow and always an absolute joy to watch. 👍

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Dee 😁

[@deenugent473]

You've always inspired me to try new things Gavin. Thank you!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Dee 👍

[@josephchan4198]

Great setup. See you next week.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Joseph. See you here kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZW1lH-hdsuKorM

[@JoeCosentino]

Love futuristic bleak best LUT adobe offers

[@jbigallery]

WOW

[@andreak4280]

❤!! 👌🏼

[@dnyanodayphotosupekar1702]

Very amazing photography sir

[@QTpie1234]

Gave me a lot of good ideas. Great video that it actually made me hit the subscribe button this time around. Thx!!

[@Adorama]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@GavinHoey]

I can't for a better review than that. Thank you 👍

[@gvasquez330]

Caught this late yesterday. Kudos to you, Sam and Chloe. Your shots on the first half were at f5.6 using native shutter for flash while towards the end it was f1.4 using HSS. Creative choice because of aperture? Love your tutorials. Look forward to another. Cheers!

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Gabriel. Very much creative choice, in this case the choice was for a shallow DOF in the closer head shots.

[@garraestudio6521]

Cool📸

[@iainblacklockphotography]

Great images as usually Gavin.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Iain 👍

[@VALERYAN581]

❤

[@copaeg]

😍

[@bjartewergedahl5824]

Thanks a bunch for yet another great video Gavin, and thanks also to Chloe and the team behind the (video) camera. I always find inspiration and motivation to try new things by watching your videos. It is not only the content, but also HOW you present it. I noticed you changed your camera settings for the last setup to f/1.4 and 1/4000s. Can I ask why you changed this?

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Bjarte. For the final closer portraits I wanted to blur the background, hence the wide aperture. Unfortunately I can't turn out the room lights (no light = no video) hence 1/4000th sec and HSS flash.

[@jcam783]

Great session Gavin ! Would love to know your Tether set up .

[@GavinHoey]

I can help you with that 👍kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGXNmYenqJaWl6s

[@andyv6127]

That was quick and informative. Thanks. Would really like to see how you work with a Gumby photographer and non model to get them positioned and directing with your guidance. One light (off camera flash) and a reflector, and no back drop. Ie slob like me trying to get a decent home photo of family.

[@leniehulse1621]

Great as usual! Did you set your camera for hss for the 1/4000th?

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Lenie. Yep 1/4000th sec really has to be HSS if flash is involved.

[@charlesstephens5974]

Gr8 stuff as usual Gavin! Your set had a definite transition between floor and background as opposed to an infinity roll. My question is where would you position the model so that transition does not grab you attention. An example being Not to place the model such that the transition appears to cut the model in half…

[@GavinHoey]

There really are no "rules" for where the join should go Charles. As a guide I'm aiming for the lower 1/3rd of the frame but honestly I'm not thinking about the join, I'm focusing of the feel. If it feels right to you it's spot on 😉

[@jbennett3578]

Doing a kinda artsy photoshoot with a model is not on my to-do list. Nevertheless, every time I watch one of Gavin's videos, it looks like a lot of fun. If I ever get a small home studio, maybe I'll give it a try.

[@donbodat]

Another outstanding tutorial. I did notice some images with larger pupils. How do you overcome this, modeling light on? What made you switch into HSS? Thanks a bunch.

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Don. No special tricks to make the models pupils dilate... maybe its the adrenalin rush of working on an Adorama TV video 😲 I wanted to blur the background, hence the wide aperture. Unfortunately I can't turn out the room lights (no light = no video) hence 1/4000th sec and HSS flash.

[@donbodat]

@@GavinHoey Thank you Gavin. I do look forward to seeing you in action again.

[@ravit4731]

i am from india ....pls teach more my hobby photography

[@user-mi2jv8ul3j]

Hi, Gavin! Amazing photos. I have a one question. What computer for tethering do you use?

[@GavinHoey]

Thats a Lenovo Miix. More info on my tether set-up in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGXNmYenqJaWl6s

[@user-mi2jv8ul3j]

@@GavinHoey Thanks a lot.

[@carloskuan]

its so long since i watched a video w haoy. I though he wasnt doing videos anymore

[@Adorama]

Glad you were able to catch his video today! Check him out every other week on Thursdays here on AdoramaTV: kzbin.info/aero/PL821B7D720DEA39FA For his live streams: kzbin.info/aero/PLwm6LvGc5xq20X00OgmF6U4bAxeLf8MfH

[@davidsundbaumphoto]

I think I've asked this question before but how wide is that backdrop?

[@GavinHoey]

Hi David. There's a bunch of gear links in the video description which should be super useful for extra info. Try this one Manfrotto EzyFrame Vintage Background Kit, 6.5' x 7.5', Sage www.adorama.com/bglb7932.html

[@corykphotography]

Gavin! I know it is off topic(and I am sorry for asking) but do you know the exact cable I need to tether my Olympus E-M5 Mk II to my laptop?

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Cory. The Olympus E-M1 Markii has a USB-C port so any USB-C to USB-(Whatever is in your computer) that is data compatible should work upto a maximum length of about 3 meters (10 feet). Personally I use TetherTools cables as they're bright orange and tougher then most.

[@GavinHoey]

BTW lots more tether tips in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGXNmYenqJaWl6s

[@sijilo]

👍🏻

[@samirnaddaf184]

Is these pictures had been developed by light room ?

[@GavinHoey]

There's a bit of a clue at 8:50 😉Photoshop all the way for me.

[@samirnaddaf184]

Which camerA did use?

[@GavinHoey]

I used the best camera (that I own) you might want to take a second look at 1:59 😉

[@vernon_4411]

After following Gavin's educational video for years, I just notice that Gavin always uses battery-powered strobes, but not AC-powered strobes in his small home studio. Any particular reason?

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Vernon. Battery powered flashes are great for several reasons, not least there's less cables for the model (but mostly me) to trip over. I don't need plug sockets, so the same lights can can on location. Back in the old days (aka about 8 years ago) most mains flashes had really slow flash durations, I'm sure they're better now but I still wouldn't go back to main cables.

[@SpotBentley]

I add a strip of baseboard where the background meets the floor. I don't like the look of a roll of background material.

[@Bradum]

NGL, I will forever be baffled as to why you'd use the OM-1 in a studio environment.

[@daletaylor406]

Eyes are fairly dark pools of light. ????

[@canalfotografoamador605]

😍👍👍