Overpower Daylight

Overpower Daylight

Author: Steve Brazill May 20, 2022 Duration: 52:20

Rick Sammon has said that he specializes in not specializing, and I am seeing that approach to photography more often. Today’s guest is Will Cadena, and his portfolio include Weddings, Bar / Bat Mitzvahs, Corporate Events, Commercial work, and Cinematography, and the entire body of work is world class.

Will brings a sense of space to his images, with subjects that pop off the background. His lighting never leaves the subjects without their environment, while at the same time keeping the background in it’s place. I’m browsing his site while writing this, and there is just an amazing richness to his work. Needless to say, picking an image for this show was difficult.

Having started taking an interest in photography at a young age, today he is a sought after speaker. He has educated audiences at the Canon Experience Center, and the Fundy Inspiration Workshop to inspire Disney’s Fine Art photographers at Disney World. He’s spoken at PhotoPlus NY, and is a Speaker & International Judge at WPPI. From Imaging USA to the Vegas Symposium Will Cadena is helping to advance the creative community.

His client list ranges from FJ Westcott and Think Tank Photo to Synology, Wacom, Sekonic and Celebrate. From Shinzo Abe – the Prime Minister of Japan, to Johnny Depp, Derek Jeter, Michael Bloomberg or Timothy Gunn, it seems Will can work in any situation regardless of pressure.

Join photographer Will Cadena and me for a chat about everything from shooting on location to overpowering the sun, and as we dissect how he made his beautiful fashion photo, on this Behind the Shot.

Connect with Will

Portfolio: willcadena.com
Instagram: @WillCadena
Twitter: @WillCadena
Facebook: @WillCadenaPhotography
Vimeo: @WillCadena

Conferences with Will as a Speaker

VegasSymposium: vegassymposium.com
PHOTOPLUS: photoplusexpo.com
Wedding MBA: weddingmba.com
Imaging USA: imagingusa.org
WPPI: wppiexpo.com

Will’s Photographer Pick

Take a look at who he follows on Instagram: instagram.com

Model | Hair & Makeup

(At 30:46 I asked if Will remembered the model’s name. Thanks to Jennifer Denton Photography, who reached out on Instagram (@jendentonseniors) to mention the name of the model, and the hair & makeup crew.)

Model – Victoria Quartieri: @victoria_quartieri
Hair & Makeup – Jax Studio: @jaxstudio


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
Making More Creative Portraits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:46
I have always been fascinated with the education side of photography. I don’t have a formal photography education myself, and I am very aware of what skill sets I wish I had been exposed to earlier in my photo journey. I…
Concert Photography Photo Releases [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:59
This is a show I have been thinking about doing for a while, and that I believe is an important subject for both new and veteran music photographers…. BUT even if you’re not a music photographer, this subject should matt…
Capturing Warbirds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
I will never forget growing up hearing my dad talk about his days flying P-51 and P-40 planes. His walls were covered in model planes of classic war birds, as though he was trying to relive his youth. When he passed away…
3 Guys Walk Into a Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06:11
One of the things I love about the podcasting world is the instant camaraderie you sometimes feel when talking with other podcasters. It’s hard to explain the connection you get when you have something creative in common…
Photographing Spirits of Carnival [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:49
The photographers I am exposed to by doing this show never cease to amaze me. Recently, my buddy Ian Spanier told a friend of his that he should be on the show, and gave him my contact info. At that point, Jason Gardner…
Product Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:16
I never used to go to photography conferences. It’s not that they didn’t interest me, it’s just that none of them cover my genre of music photography. WPPI is all about weddings and portraits, and while Imaging USA seems…
Artistic Macros [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:22
One of my favorite parts of doing this podcast is that I get to discover and meet some amazing photographers, and L.A. based Nikon Ambassador Joey Terrill is a perfect example. We’ve all joked about a photographer we kno…
Architecture Photography Tips & Tricks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:44
I find guests for Behind the Shot in a number of ways. Sometimes it’s a referral from a friend, sometimes it’s a cold email I send after seeing an image I just need to know more about, and now and then it’s through a pho…
Portrait Composites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:53
One look at the client list at the bottom of Paul Mobley’s About page and it’s quickly apparent that he’s one of the best commercial, advertising, and editorial portrait photographers working today. It’s a list of A leve…
Elevate Your Portrait Images [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:51
Zoe Rain is one of those photographers in the rare group of artists that was born to do what she does. Some people can learn to become amazing artists, while others, people like Zoe, seem to have a natural gift for seein…