What do you get when you combine a warm day with a couple of beautiful backdrops? The perfect settings for a professional photography fashion shoot of course!

This past June, our Professional Photography students took part in an incredible fashion photography shoot with Kevin Trowbridge, the prior head department head for our Professional Photography program here in Kelowna (our current head of department is now Victor Poirier).

Kevin organized this on location shoot which was part of our “Lighting for Stills 200” course which students are expected to take in their third quarter of the photography program.

The shoot took place at two locations: the lovely Summerhill Pyramid Winery and also at the nearby Action Metals. To set up for the shoot and ensure our department head would have more time with each individual student over the course of the day, Kevin split the photography students into two groups. 

As Kevin explains it, this hands-on shoot provides a greater experience for the students over one where they would be largely left to their own devices.

“The students can experience a full production shoot and work with professional models and stylists. This course project lets students work in teams to help each other achieve their desired goals. Out of this comes excellent experimentation and improvement in quality in each student’s work.”

During the shoot, the students were tasked to challenge the use of an alternate light source. 

Usually, professional photographers will light a portrait with a softbox, umbrella, or occasionally, hard light. That day, however, we took a look at how to light a scene with alternative light modifiers, such as a gobo modifiers, often used in the film industry) to obscure light, create a pattern, and also colour modifiers, like fabrics, to act like a gel when used with your speedlight or another light.

On location was Emily Cook, one of our 3rd quarter students who took part in the shoot at Summerhill Pyramid Winery. Since then, she has completed her final quarter of the Professional Photography program, and has produced some absolutely stunning work that makes a top-notch use of lighting. 

She was kind enough to share a link to her old portfolio which can be accessed here: Emily Cook Photography.

We’re super proud of what our students were able to accomplish, but it’s worth noting that this shoot couldn’t have gone forward and been the success it was without the help from a few friends.

The good folks over at MC College did both the hair and make-up for the models who stood in for the shoot. The models themselves came from Allan International Models, who operate right here in Kelowna too. As an added bonus,  students studying Fashion Design and Merchandising also partook in the event, featuring many of their own creations being modeled for the shoot.

Are you passionate about professional photography, fashion, and design? Students love our Professional Photography program and many of our graduates have gone on to do great things (read their words for yourself!).

If you’re curious to know more, fill out our online inquiry form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!