Portrait Photography How To

Zach Smidt of Zach Alan Photography is a Houston-based shooter with a creative approach to portraiture. He recently teamed up with his girlfriend Juli to make a series of stunning outdoor images using light painting techniques.

 

A post shared by Zach (@zshtx) on Feb 22, 2017 at 10:36am PST

Smidt’s work has appeared in the Houston Chronicle and has been widely showcased in gallery events. In addition to portraiture, Smidt specializes in architecture, landscape, and event photography.

 

A post shared by Zach (@zshtx) on Dec 26, 2016 at 4:09pm PST

The beautiful images you see here were created in-camera without any post-processing gimmickry. As his backdrop, Smidt used a variety of locations throughout Texas from the hill country and the bay area to a number of state and national parks.

 

A post shared by Zach (@zshtx) on Feb 20, 2017 at 3:49pm PST

Smidt’s simple approach involves a wireless remote and either a homemade light, flashlight or fluorescent light tube. He then paints in the light effects behind his girlfriend and uses exposures no longer than two seconds.

 

A post shared by Zach (@zshtx) on Oct 24, 2016 at 4:15pm PDT

As Smidt told the Houston Chronicle’s website The Cron, the first question he usually gets is whether these images are Photoshopped. As he explains, “The light shapes you see here are all created by hand and Juli is lit only by the light I create. The only Photoshop work is to tweak the coloring and sometimes enhance the sky.”

 

A post shared by Zach (@zshtx) on Sep 12, 2016 at 9:59am PDT

You can see more of Smidt’s work on his website and Instagram page, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram at @ShutterbugPix where we’re sharing our favorite photos from our followers. If you want to give light painting a try, take a look at our recent tutorial that will get you started.

Via The Chron