BILLINGS MONTANA PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER – FASHION PORTFOLIO SITTING WITH LESLIE!

Meet new model Leslie! She’s recently returned from a trip to LA for an international modeling competition that she pretty much cleaned up at, with a number of first place finishes and lots of call backs. She’ll be signed with a major agency soon if she keeps up the good work! I always like working with inspired young people like Leslie. I wish her the very best of luck in her endeavors!

Yes we do fashion photography at Paul Bellinger Photography! Models and actors, book a portfolio building sitting with us today to get your career off the ground! Please visit www.portraits.paulbellinger.com for more information.

Tips for photographers: Both of these images were made with window light. You can do a lot with a window! In the first image Leslie is facing towards the window that I am sitting in and she is only about 4 feet from the window so the falloff is pretty quick, highlighting her high cheekbones with darker falloff around the edges. She’s surrounded by black on both sides, a black wall on one side and two 4x8 foot black reflectors on the other. The black eats up the light, ensuring that no light is bouncing around to fill the shadows. In the second image the window is camera right and the curtains are closed down so that only a narrow strip of light is coming through. By shrinking the size of the window light I’ve made the light harder and the shadow cast by her nose is creating a defined Rembrandt pattern. Again I used the black 4x8 foot reflectors out of frame camera left to prevent the window light from bouncing off of anything else in the studio and filling in the shadows. By doing this I ensure the shadows are as dark as possible. I love the drama of dark shadows and I think it’s especially fantastic in black and white and with a model with such dramatic features as Leslie.

BILLINGS MONTANA FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER – BEAUTY HEADSHOT

I promised on Instagram that I would show the color version of this photo on the blog so everyone can see Arley’s stunning blue eyes. She is really a Montana treasure, and such a joy to be around and work with. I can’t wait to work with her again soon on a fashion shoot that we are planning now. Thank you to Sydney Ross for hair, makeup and styling, as always, you are the best. We’re definitely trying to raise the bar for fashion photography in Montana. It’s not just flannel and cowboy boots in a field of grass. We’re inspired by the amazing fashion photography that is happening around the world right now, and we want to show that we can make high quality work in Billings Montana, or anywhere else in the world. Check back to for updates in early 2016! www.portraits.paulbellinger.com

Tips for photographers: This is one of my favorite window light setups. It’s a go to lighting technique to start the day with because it’s easy, starting with natural light always get’s your model relaxed, and this soft lighting is great for beauty shots, which you want to get out of the way right when the model comes out of hair and makeup. Arley is standing just in front of a large window, with a piece of white diffusion cloth over it. I am standing a few feet in front of her, and Sydney is holding a white styrofoam reflector in between Arley and I that you can clearly see in the catchlight in the bottom of her eye. Behind me is a pair of 4x8 foot white reflectors creating a beautiful soft fill light that is flattering for all skin types. I made this picture with the Sony A7 and Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 at f/2.8.

BILLINGS MONTANA PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER – CONGRATS ARLEY, FIRST PLACE IN SWIMWEAR!

I just found out that Arley won FIRST PLACE in swimwear at the Rocky Mountain Entertainment Agency's Northwest Model Competition in Kalispell yesterday!  Congrats Arley!  I am so happy to see your handwork pay off and all of your photographer friends in Billings Montana are proud of you!!!  Keep up the good work!

I always love it when Arley stops by the portrait studio!  She’s a new model with Rocky Mountain Entertainment Agency, and still developing her portfolio.  It’s inspiring to be around someone as motivated and hard working as Arley.  We had a quick test session and worked on some fashion and lingerie portraits and Arley just killed it!  I can’t wait to see where her modeling career takes her!

Lighting tips for photographers: These photos are lit with one light, a large silver bounce umbrella directly to Arley’s right and about a foot above her head height.  But just telling you where I placed my light doesn’t help much if you can’t see the light for yourself, so I will describe what it looks like.  You can determine the angle of the umbrella by looking at the angle of the shadow created by her nose.  You can also see that this angle creates nice definition on her abs.  There is also an 8 foot white reflector to her left that is filling in a little bit of the shadow details.  This reflected fill light is most noticeable on the shadow side of her hair where details are still clearly visible and on her left jaw line which is just barely visible thanks to this reflected light.  You have to look close if you want to learn to see the light.

Paul Bellinger, Billings Montana portrait photographer specializes in modern, stylish fashion portraits.  Paul is available for any type of portrait session, from corporate headshots to intimate portraits.  To book Paul Bellinger for a portrait session in Billings Montana or anywhere in the world, please visit www.portraits.paulbellinger.com

BILLINGS MONTANA SENIOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER – KATIE’S MARCASA SHOOT

Katie and I were back in the studio recently shooting some spring fashion for Marcasa Clothing and working on the senior fashion experience at Paul Bellinger Photography.  The senior fashion experience is a new type of senior portrait session for a limited number of Montana seniors.  The fashion experience will make any senior woman feel like a fashion model for a day, complete with a one-hour style consultation with a professional stylist that will help select the perfect fashion model wardrobe for each senior fashionista.  The experience also includes professional hair and makeup from one of Billings’ best hair and makeup artists.  Senior fashionistas will spend two hours with me in the portrait studio shooting a magazine style fashion spread, and on location at any place in the Billings area.  Finally, each photo selected for print will receive my personal artist signature edit, fit for publication in a fashion magazine.  Only a very limited number of these sessions will be offered so that our senior fashionistas will stand out from the crowd of typical senior photos.  Hurry to book your senior fashion experience now so you can get the look that no one else will have!

Model: Katie Schroeder
Wardrobe: Marcasa Clothing
Hair and Makeup: Sydney Ross

Billings Montana senior portrait photographer Paul Bellinger specializes in crafting modern, stylish senior portraits that are as unique as each senior.  The result is a Montana senior portrait experience unlike anything you’ve seen before.  Seniors from all over Montana contact Paul Bellinger Photography for a unique fashion look that is not available anywhere else.  Book today before this exclusive experience is gone for the year!  www.paulbellinger.com

MONTANA PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER - BOTTEGA LEATHER HOODIE SERIES!

Katie sporting a leather hoodie from Bottega Clothing, with wardrobe styling by Janine Mix of Wildflower Gardens.  This wardrobe is available at Bottega Clothing in downtown Billings Montana.  Thank you ladies for making my job so awesome!

MONTANA PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER - BOTTEGA PINK BLOUSE SERIES!

Katie rocking a pink blouse from Bottega Clothing, with wardrobe styling by Janine Mix of Wildflower Gardens.  This wardrobe is available at Bottega Clothing in downtown Billings Montana.  Thank you ladies for making my job so awesome!

BILLINGS MONTANA PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER - FASHION PORTRAIT

Elegant meets edgy.  Katie modeled all day for us yesterday at the Billings Open Studio event, and rocked several awesome Bottega outfits thanks to Janine Mix.  Everyone did a fantastic job, thank you so much!

Model: Katie Schroeder
Wardrobe: Bottega Clothing, Janine Mix

The Billings Open Studio, is a very exciting new creative space in downtown Billings that I am involved with.  We hosted an open house at the studio this weekend and it was a big success, with lots of photographers coming to check out the space and to learn from some of my favorite photographers and friends in Billings.  The BOS will provide creative studio space and photography equipment on an hourly, daily and monthly basis.  Features include a luxurious dressing room for models and private shooting areas, as well as office, conference room and display space.  The BOS will host workshops, gallery exhibitions, film screenings, exclusive parties, and much more.  Our hope is that it becomes a pillar for the creative community in Billings conveniently located in the heart of downtown.

Lighting Technique:
This photo is lit with two lights.  The main light is a large octabox directly to Katie’s left on a few feet away, creating the Rembrandt lighting on her face and body.  The light has to be close to the model so that the soft light will have a nice fall off, creating shadows even with soft light.  Using a large modifier in close like this also creates nice big catchlights in the eyes.  The second light is a beauty dish behind Katie camera left about three feet higher than her head for a hair and rim light that separates her from the background.

How do you dream of being photographed?  Billings Montana portrait photographer Paul Bellinger specializes in dramatic fine art portrait photography that is as unique as you are.  Paul has cultivated an artistic vision for portrait photography that is both modern and timeless, ensuring your precious memories will be preserved for generations to come.  Contact Paul Bellinger for all of your Billings Montana portrait photography needs, senior portraits, corporate headshots, and glamorous beauty portraits that will make any woman feel as special as she is.  www.paulbellinger.com

BILLINGS MONTANA PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER - DELICATE BEAUTY PORTRAIT

Well Sarah looks like a delicate beauty, with her grace, thoughtful pose and porcelain skin, but she’s not really very delicate.  Actually, she’s a world-class skier!  She’s also an awesome model that is very professional and a pleasure to work with.  She has a very bright future!

BILLINGS MONTANA PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER - FASHION PORTRAIT

Haley brightened up this frigid morning landscape in Laurel Montana.  She makes the cold look good!  We had a blast shooting model portraits along the side of this gravel road.  Farmers and ranchers were up early too, and were quite amused with our roadside studio set up!  Thanks for the exciting shoot Haley!

How do you dream of being photographed?  Billings Montana portrait photographer Paul Bellinger specializes in dramatic fine art portrait photography that is as unique as you are.  Paul has cultivated an artistic vision for portrait photography that is both modern and timeless, ensuring your precious memories will be preserved for generations to come.  Contact Paul Bellinger for all of your Billings Montana portrait photography needs, senior portraits, corporate headshots, and glamorous beauty portraits that will make any woman feel as special as she is.  www.paulbellinger.com

MONTANA FASHION PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER - BEAUTY PORTRAIT

A beauty portrait for a fashion model!  You can see Sarah’s inner beauty just pouring out of those baby blue eyes.  It’s an honor to work with such talented models like Sarah.  We had a lot of fun in the studio for our first shoot together, but I think our next shoot will have to be on the ski slopes.  That is, if I can hang with her Olympic level speed!  Oh, and when she’s not crushing powder, she’s crushing math books.  Yeah, so much for stereotypes, she crushes those too.  Thank you Sarah!

How do you dream of being photographed?  Billings Montana portrait photographer Paul Bellinger specializes in dramatic fine art portrait photography that is as unique as you are.  Paul has cultivated an artistic vision for portrait photography that is both modern and timeless, ensuring your precious memories will be preserved for generations to come.  Contact Paul Bellinger for all of your Billings Montana portrait photography needs, senior portraits, corporate headshots, and glamorous beauty portraits that will make any woman feel as special as she is.  www.paulbellinger.com

MONTANA FASHION PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER - HOT AND COLD!

She was freezing, but she made it look good!  Haley is a young model/actress developing her portfolio.  She’s a hard worker!  We could only squeeze in an hour of shooting at 8AM in frigid temps, but we made the most of it.  Thanks Haley!

How do you dream of being photographed?  Billings Montana portrait photographer Paul Bellinger specializes in dramatic fine artportrait photography that is as unique as you are.  Paul has cultivated an artistic vision for portrait photography that is both modern and timeless, ensuring your precious memories will be preserved for generations to come.  Contact Paul Bellinger for all of your Billings Montana portrait photography needs, senior portraits, corporate headshots, and glamorous beauty portraits that will make any woman feel as special as she is.  www.paulbellinger.com

MONTANA PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER - FASHION BEAUTY PORTRAIT

A beauty portrait for a fitness model and trainer.  Jessica is rock hard but I wanted her to have a soft beauty portrait for her portfolio to go along with her fitness photos.  And her eyes are just mesmerizing!  Thanks Jessica!

MONTANA PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER - RED ON RED!

Well I am a Montana wedding and portrait photographer, but I'm originally from Nebraska.  And in Nebraska there is no such thing as too much red!