The model for today’s studio class was Kate from Superior Model Management in Glasgow.

Working with a brunette adds an extra challenge when working with a dark background, but that was the plan. Learning how to maintain separation of dark hair on a dark background is a key skill.

The brown background in these shots was achieved using a gel to light the seamless charcoal paper. The shot with the grey background was actually taken using the white paper background from a high key white setup we were using, but with the lights turned off.

Portraits aren’t always about smiles (especially not forced smiles), but Kate has a lovely natural smile.

Stuart McKenzie has blogged his shots, so you can see them too.

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