Jessica Kobeissi's Easy Outdoor Portrait Photography Tips

Great portrait photography requires great lighting-and during golden hour, you'll find it just by stepping outside. In this video, photographer Jessica Kobeissi shares how to make the most of that late-afternoon natural light, whether you're angling a reflector or crafting a backlit photo. You'll also learn how to scout locations, pose striking shots, and make on-the-fly camera adjustments. Find more outdoor photoshoot techniques in 'Portrait Photography: Shoot & Edit Instagram-Worthy Shots,' Jessica’s full class on Skillshare: skl.sh/2O13XHj
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OUTDOOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY QUICK JUMP MENU
00:00 Introduction
00:25 Lighting and Location: The Best Time and Place to Shoot
01:02 Shot List: Head Shot, Full Body, and Waist-Up
02:22 Movement Shots
04:28 Seated Portraits
05:05 Refining and Making Adjustments
07:15 Lighting: Using a Reflector
08:47 Setting Up A Portrait
09:33 Portrait Shots
11:10 Using Test Shots to Gauge Your Lighting
11:50 Backlit Shots
13:06 Expanding on Your Best Poses or Shots
14:02 Conclusion
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ABOUT THE CLASS
Millions of aspiring portrait and fashion photographers have joined Jessica Kobeissi on her popular KZbin channel, where she shares how the world of photography works. Now, she’s giving an exclusive look into her creative process with a hands-on class that takes students from the first idea to the final photo. You’ll start with the planning process: scouting locations, choosing your equipment, and preparing to style your subject. Then, you’ll head outside to capture two different looks and locations as Kobeissi offers practical advice on making your subject feel comfortable and confident, whether they’re a professional model or a friend. You’ll also learn how to master every aspect of capturing beautiful photos, including:
• Choosing colors, clothes, and props to create unique, expressive looks
• Posing your subject to get the most flattering and interesting angles
• Harnessing the power of natural light, from harsh sun to the “magic hour”
• Selecting, editing, and retouching your favorite shots in Photoshop
Plus, Jessica opens up about her journey as a self-taught photographer, sharing tips and tricks to help you make the most out of the equipment and locations you have access to. Her fun, easygoing approach will instantly make you feel like you’re hanging out with an old friend. In just 90 minutes, you’re sure to be less intimidated by the photoshoot process, more confident in your abilities, and ready to develop your own unique style. Plus, you’ll have a stunning portrait ready to post, print, or publish.
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ABOUT SKILLSHARE
Skillshare is an online education platform with thousands of classes taught by the world’s best practitioners. Come take a class on illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, crafts, and more. To get started, sign up for a free trial here: skl.sh/39RQuud
Subscribe to Skillshare on KZbin: skl.sh/yt-subscribe
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Skillshare on Twitter: / skillshare
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ABOUT JESSICA KOBEISSI
Jessica Kobeissi is a Lebanese-American photographer from Detroit, Michigan. She works as a portrait and fashion photographer in addition to creating digital content on her KZbin channel, where she’s been behind such popular viral photography series as “Four Photographers Shoot The Same Model” and “Taking Pictures of Strangers.” With more than 120 million views, she is the top female photographer on KZbin, and her photography has appeared in publications such as NBC News, BBC, CNN, Cosmopolitan, The Sun, Buzzfeed, DailyMail, and more.
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MORE PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY RESOURCES:
Join Aundre Larrow for tips on turning any location-from a neighborhood restaurant to a local gym-into a personality-driven portrait shoot in his Skillshare Original 'Powerful Portrait Photography: Capturing Your Subject in Their Environment': skl.sh/3klWn6i
In 'Storytelling through Portrait Photography: Shooting Better Portraits,' learn the essential elements of both in-studio and on-location shoots with director and photographer Brian Kelly: skl.sh/3dRXxW9
Photographer Benjamin Heath tells stories through his work by capturing his subjects at home-and you can, too, with the advice he shares in 'Portraits and Places: Photographing People in Their Spaces,' his Skillshare Original: skl.sh/3kmdnt4

[@wanjanjama]

So happy to see Jessica teach a class! I've learned so much from her over the years when it regarding portrait photography and the business of photography. Thank you Jessica! We love and appreciate you!

[@chilezp]

I love Jessica! She has inspired me so much over the years

[@86penfold]

Your channel is the dog bollocks . It's the best channel I've found to get tips and advice on how to shoot. Love ❤️ it

[@MobileCinematics]

👏 Great portraits. Love the narrow depth of field.

[@mecual_massage6625]

You are amazing. Mi learning so much through This. Thx

[@pc-yv3wb]

love jessica, great tips 💗

[@retrobass3693]

A dynamic duo

[@Sara-tp6zd]

Jess looking stunning

[@wiamelabbassi3712]

Jessssiiiii yaaaaaay ♥️ ♥️

[@adden2242]

ooh nice its Jessica! im a fan! nice!!

[@mr.bearus6908]

very cool

[@NitishKumar-xp8yc]

Nice pose 👌👌👍👍👍

[@jadac7695]

I’m a simple woman, I see strawberry dress I click play

[@ronaldomonteiro8460]

GOSTEI MINHA ESPOSA VAI ADORAR ,NÃO DESISTA DE SEU TRABALHO PARA TRAZER COISA BOA PARA CANAL TMOS JUNTOS..

[@khuyentran437]

What’s the golden hour for photography may I ask??

[@Emily-vw9cc]

The golden hour is right before the sun sets. It’s when the light is the softest and it hits the top the trees and buildings and adds a very soft glow. Not every night has a golden hour if it’s cloudy or raining!

[@sreejithdivakaran.9174]

I'm here after advise by Lucy Bella

[@paulgray3444]

Skillshare doesn't have an option to sort by date. Software changes, so tutorials need this option. Please fix. Now that it is a new year it is even more important (as they have a done this year... but this year has less than a month).

[@AbhishekKumar-dm7mc]

jessica looks like robert pattinson in twilight

[@mohammadnoor427]

cz of her skintone

[@StevenRobles50]

Why was her shutter speed so fast for no reason

[@Kmd333]

Possibly because she moves a lot or her model moves. Slower shutter results in blurry images if you’re not steady handed

[@everkikomoo]

@@Kmd333 anyone knows what lens is she using?

[@Ashleyunfiltered]

She needs it to be higher to control the sharpness even though the photo is dark

[@michelleramos3788]

I consider myself a beginner and not even a photographer. I shoot for my own business website and still not being a pro or doing this for a living I strongly believe that Jessica was just doing some things that me as a beginner wont even do. Please get someone to hold your reflector, besides balancing on a foot you are limiting yourself to get light reflection only from the angle you are shooting. Something I have done and I'm really good at is teaching (not photography), I felt that most of the tutorial was improvised and no real goal to achieve, just a narration of the shooting and lets see what happens. Sorry but that is my honest opinion, then again from a beginner.

[@thetradinginvestor6950]

Yes this video doesnt show her talent nor makes her justice. I think this video is made for those photo sessions that are quick, with friends or unpaid. I love her other work

[@davismotomiya6864]

the photoshoot was dope but.. the model seemed .. really dry :/ almost like a bot

[@fujiapple70]

? I feel like people are being mislead by KZbin and skillshare. People, instead of shooting a bunch of shots hoping for a good one, take a few after setting your exposure. Lightroom and photos hop won't save a bad shot.

[@tabeabussmann]

Shes doing everything right?

[@fujiapple70]

@@tabeabussmann No!

[@photomakerman]

all her photos are poorly exposed.

[@unjiegays8722]

It’s better to underexpose and then fix it in post rather than to over expose and bring the exposure down in post.

[@Digitalavender]

She does that on purpose. She also explains this in some of her KZbin videos. Those aren't edited yet either. You can lighten shadows and brighten image in post easily, and get great results and depth. But bringing back detail out of over exposed images/blown out highlights doesn't work. Hope that helped explain why they are under exposed! :)

[@PhillyPimpStick]

Waaaaay under exposed, she’s a poor example of a “pro” photographer

[@Digitalavender]

@@PhillyPimpStick I'd love to see your portfolio, Phil.

[@aly5744]

@@PhillyPimpStick don't be bitter

[@nourhanbalian3294]

step one find a pro model, step two buy a pro camera, step three go shoot

[@katinkaenglish2435]

Step 4 actually know what you are doing because not everyone can pick up a camera and take a good photo.

[@user-wk8vo4ju7o]

Sounds easy but when you actually go out and shoot, things may go good but there would be lots of challenges...And experience is necessary than model, camera,etc

[@PhillyPimpStick]

Uhhhhh don’t you need a skill first before you share it???

[@aly5744]

What do you mean? That jessica has no skill?

[@in2rythem]

I'm not sure why you are giving classes, there is nothing great about these images... the are very mediocre

[@e.d.r1546]

They put how pictures came out of the camera, they are not edited, that's the thing bro...

[@othales6325]

This episode is shooting skill, not even editing skill bro

[@in2rythem]

@@e.d.r1546 yes exactly. Relying on photoshop doesn't make you a skillfull photographer. They should be great in camera and slightly adjusted for corrections in ps...

[@ambersharps6910]

And the award for the unnecessary negative comment goes to you @papa riaan

[@in2rythem]

@@ambersharps6910 id like to thank everyone who made this award possible!! It has been a long dream of mine