Light Up Your Images

Light Up Your Images

Author: Steve Brazill April 23, 2020 Duration: 45:34

At WPPI this year I met a lot of great photographers, and one of those was Erin Holmstead. Skip Cohen had invited both of us to a party, and I was immediately I awe of Erin’s skill. Her photography is so clean, and impactful, and I asked her on the spot to be on the show.

Let me be clear here, that is not the norm. There are so many great photographers out with fantastic work, and I get suggestions often, but a great image doesn’t on it’s own translate into a great show. Sometimes you see a photo you love, even if you don’t really have any questions about how it was made. For a good show the image we discuss needs to be one where two things are true: it’s a great image, and I have questions about it. With Erin’s work the questions were in my mind even before I could say how wonderful the shot was.

Erin loves real, vibrant colors and clean, simple lighting. She started with family photo shoots and quickly escalated to commercial work, and that is where she thrives. Erin’s beauty portraits not only delight her clients, but create a sense of wonder in any viewer. Her self portraits will blow your mind, in fact you’ll wonder how they came to be and how you can get that kind of creativity in your own life. And Erin’s background is as versatile and delectable as her work.

Photography has been a mainstay in Erin’s  life for 15 years. She shoots for national brands like Paul Mitchel, runs a local photo club with over 1,000 members, and writes educational articles for Photofocus. Erin runs her business, and a household that includes her husband, two kids, and also children in foster care. Although she lives in Utah, she maintains the Kentucky sass she was born with.

You’ll know Erin Holmstead’s work when you see it, and I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.

Join beauty photographer Erin Holmstead and me as we discuss lightening up your photos with amazing creativity, on this episode of Behind the Shot.

Connect with Erin

Website: erinholmstead.com
Instagram: @erinholmstead
Facebook: @erinholmsteadphoto

Erin on Photofocus

photofocus.com/author/erinholmstead


Steve Brazill hosts Behind the Shot-Video, a series that goes far beyond gear lists and camera settings. Each conversation is a deep exploration of the creative and technical journey behind compelling images. You’ll hear working photographers unpack the entire process-from the initial spark of an idea and the challenges of the location to the critical decisions made in post-production. This podcast sits at the unique intersection of art and practical technology, offering tangible lessons for anyone looking to improve their visual storytelling. Rather than abstract theory, these discussions provide a real-world look at problem-solving under pressure and the artistic choices that define a signature style. Tune in for honest, detailed breakdowns that reveal how memorable shots are truly built, layer by layer. It’s an essential resource for visual artists seeking both inspiration and actionable knowledge, all grounded in the lived experience of accomplished creators.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 200

Behind the Shot - Video
Podcast Episodes
Better Product Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:26
For the last year or so the word Platypod has surfaced again and again in posts I see online. I think the first time I heard the name was through Scott Kelby on Twitter, and then after that is was Photo Joseph, Gilmar Sm…
Black & Whites with Impact [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:42
Editors Note: On this episode I start a contest with Adam Elmakias’ Music Photography Workshops where I am sponsoring a chance to win one of two entries into the workshops, happening in San Diego on January 7th & 8th, 20…
Reflections of Norway [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:17
This is the first in a series of episodes focusing on the state of photography education, in conjunction with Red River Paper. Red River Paper’s EDU program helps photography students by providing high quality photo pape…
Photo Copyright Registration Workflow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:38
I have had the pleasure of having The Copyright Zone guys on Behind the Shot twice now, each time I learn something new. The first time Ed Greenberg and Jack Reznicki were on, back in June of 2017, we chatted at length a…
Band Portraits with Fun [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:41
After meeting photographer Josh Sanseri I would say that the future of photography is in good hands. Josh is not only a photographer with over 20 years of professional experience, but he is a tenured professor and depart…
Ed Sheeran: Memories We Made [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:47
I have said to many people, many times, that when it comes to Live Music photography British photographer Christie Goodwin is a personal favorite – a hero of sorts. She is a witty, fun, and amazingly talented photographe…
Copyright For Photographers – 2018 Update [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:12
Back in 2017 I was dealing with a Copyright infringement and ended up reaching out to Ed Greenberg, one of the guys behind the great website The Copyright Zone.The phone conversation with Ed turned into one of my most po…
Making, Not Just Taking, Pictures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:36
Rick Sammon is an award winning photographer, and one of the members of the elite Canon Explorer of Light program. A tireless, prolific and inspirational image-maker, Rick, called by many “The Godfather of Photography,”…
Reaching Your Photography Goals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:41
Terry Jack comes from a photographic family. I first found out about him through his brother, music photographer Dustin Jack, after recording a Behind the Shot with Dustin years ago – you can find that episode here. Terr…
Composition, Creativity, and Workflow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:44
It’s hard to know where to begin when trying to write about David Bergman. As a concert photographer myself, David is someone I have looked up to for a long time, and I am hoping to avoid sounding like a fan. That may be…