FREE COLOUR GRADING VIDEO!

I’m often asked how I get the grade or tones and colours on my magazine covers. By adjusting tones, hues, and contrast, color grading allows you to create a mood or evoke emotions that align with your artistic vision. It helps establish a cohesive style, making your portfolio more consistent and professional a creative project to share with the world. Watch below to see how I grade my shots…

PORTRAIT SYSTEM INTERVIEW

In Episode 79 of the Portrait System Podcast, Nikki Closser chats with Dan Kennedy about his career as a photographer – both of  celebrities and for commercial enterprises – and as a mentor to photographers. Dan started his professional life as a runner for a local newspaper, taking photos of live music events in exchange for film. By trusting his intuition and taking a big chance, he positioned himself to work his way up to being a big success photographing celebrities in the US as well as in the UK.

Be sure to listen to the whole podcast to hear loads of great tips for building your success as a photographer. Dan shares all kinds of advice – from how to source and curate your inspiration and build your creative flex to how to make yourself stand out in order to get your foot in the door as a celebrity photographer. all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. LISTEN HERE

Promotional flyer for "Secrets to Success with Dan Kennedy," dated June 7, 2021, featuring a circular photo of a man speaking into a microphone. The flyer mentions "Episode 79" and describes him as a UK celebrity photographer sharing success secrets.

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH DAN

  • Be reactive & move quickly: Both on shooting day and in general. 

  • Be a people person: Enjoy working with others and have others enjoy working with you. 

  • Creativity is a muscle: Practice makes perfect, also in celebrity photography.

  • Be prepared: Create a shot list

  • Gear up: Bring extra memory cards and batteries.

  • Make it simple: Stick to one light only and focus on the subject.

  • Stay technology-updated: Know about changes in technology and the industry itself..

Podcast cover for "Exposed Negative" featuring episode #036 with photographer Dan Kennedy. Highlighting lessons in running a photo practice, including outsourcing, PR, and the importance of avoiding burnout. Includes a photo strip with a man in a suit making various expressions.

EXPOSED NEGATIVE PODCAST

Some of Dan’s lessons

– The importance of learning to say no to stuff
– Outsourcing work eg. retouching, PR etc
– The importance of not burning out
– Businesses generally need Sales, Tech, Admin – most photographers do this themselves and that is not ideal. LISTEN HERE

Two men speaking in a split-screen video chat, one wearing earbuds and a denim jacket, the other with a beard and wearing headphones, both with microphones; "THE CREATIVE LIFE" text banner above.

CREATIVE COURAGE PODCAST

Join Matt Essam interviewing Dan about being a London-based portrait and fashion photographer who’s worked with some of the biggest names in the world. He joins us in this episode to share his insight.

We speak about how, as a creative, to stay ahead of the competition. We learn about the research that goes into each job before the client has stepped through the studio door. We go into strengths and weaknesses as a creative and why it’s important to understand and communicate them. And much more. LISTEN HERE