The best training available is also the closest to you and the lowest cost.
Just connect to our studio page when you can. The middle of the night works fine. Watch a video or two. You learn as you go from action videos that don't just tell you about it, they show you.
You will be going through some actual shoots with us. Watch us change the settings. We'll tell you why. We'll show you. Then you'll do it. It's fun!
New videos are being introduced on a regular basis and all will be helpful to photographers at every level. Your membership gives you access to everything we have 24/7. No charge for viewing; it's all included as part of your membership.
A few of the videos available to our members.
Creative Digital Composites
You will watch as we go through lighting and the posing process. Then watch as we explain how to combine the images using Photoshop tools and tricks. During the program you also will learn the multiple possibilities in masking and blending.
Introduction to Professional Lighting
Explains the importance of lighting, the quality of light and how it defines subject form, shape and texture to create the desired mood of the portrait.
GreenScreen: Lighting & Photoshop
This technique allow us to put our subject in front of any of 1000s of backgrounds after the shot has been taken and without the cost of backgrounds. We walk you through the process from start to finish and show you how to put the "Wow" factor in a portrait.
Creating Glamorous Head Shots
The difference between shooting a typical head shot an creating a glamourous portrait are really obvious. The light positioning must be flattering, the skin tones soft and the make-up truly professional.
High Impact Lighting
In this video I will teach you the art of lighting for impact. In my opinion, to understand light is to understand photography. Great light is what separates great photographers from ordinary photographers and controlling the light is one of a photographers most important jobs.
Understanding White Balance
In this video, we will explain the theory of creating a white balance for your digital camera. We will explain how color temperature affects white balance. As well as how other factors influence color temperature and, therefore, the quality of your images.
Lighting with Gels
In this video we will focus on Lighting with Gels to add impact to your images. We will photograph our model in three different sets and use color gels to create the desired mood and add a bit of fantasy to the images.+ ExpressDigital Tutorials (9 Programs - over 3 hours long!)
+ Numerous Retouching & Studio Workflow Videos
+ Color Management
+ Technical Videos (like: How-To Clean Your Camera Sensor)
+ Plus Behind the Scenes Go on shoots with us as we photograph actual sessions, events, and more!
Our Forum
First let me say that StudioStyles is much more than a typical forum.
You can watch videos, read articles in trade magazines, go to seminars etc.... but you will never get the level of mentoring you will find at StudioStyles. Watch one of our training tutorials and have more questions, fire away and we will be right there to answer them with step-by-step details. Here's some of the forums waiting for you in the membership section:
Our technical support staff will answer the hardware and tech questions. We will work together and you also will be able to post your portraits at StudioStyles.net for others to view and critique. And you will be part of the on-line family that shares opinions and learns from each other.
Technical Training
Ours is truly a two-way street.
You don't just watch the program or read the article. You also have the option of emailing us your questions or conclusions. Mike Luter will be your mentor in photography and our technical support staff will answer the hardware and tech questions.
We will work together and you also will be able to post some of your shots at StudioStyles.net for others to view and critique. And you will be part of the on-line family that shares opinions and learns from each other.
Technical Support - Have a technical question about your camera, printer, white balance etc... ask here. This section is monitored by the technical support staff at Desktop Darkroom. Most studio pay a yearly tech support fee for access to the tech support staff, but at StudioStyles it's part of your membership.
Answers & Support
Have a technical question about your camera, printer, white balance etc... ask here. This section is monitored by the technical support staff at Desktop Darkroom. Most studios pay a yearly tech support fee for access to the tech support staff, but at StudioStyles it's part of your membership.
A sampling of some of the technical training now playing include...
- Express Digital training. (9 programs - over 3 hours)
- White Balance
- How to Clean your camera sensor
- Color Management
- Epson Printer Training
- Automating Your Workflow
- and More!
Seminars & Demonstrations
Videos from seminars and demonstrations by our staff and by manufacturers are added periodically.
A few of the videos available to our members.
Fuji S5
expressDigital Software Training
Epson Color Printers
X-Rite Color Management
Colorburst Software
MARKETING
We go beyond theory and show you what we are doing in the studio as far as marketing. We will post samples for you to review and ask questions. Everything from children's photography, senior photography, volume photography and more.
The best part is we are there to answer questions. For example, let's assume you have someone call, and ask you to photograph a model portfolio, dance school, or a sports league and you have no idea what to do next. Log on and ask and we will be glad to walk you through the steps and show you how we do it. How's that for a mentorship program?
MANAGEMENT
We have learned a few things over the last 20 years in business and will be guiding you through the process step-by-step. Over the years we have established procedures to streamline everything we do. We train you just as we do a new employee (or you can download our procedures and use them to train your staff). For example, we have detailed procedures for answering the phone, hiring freelance staff for volume work, daily opening and closing of your business...it's all about the details.
Pricing
Pricing for membership in StudioStyles membership section is $250 annually (in US funds).
As we continue to add more videos and content, the price will be going up (so lock in at this introductory pricing NOW!!!)
The Registration Process
- Go to http://www.studiostyles.net/forums/register.php to sign up.
- Accept the Terms of Service and Continue to the Next Page.
- Fill Out the Form (Username MUST BE YOUR REAL NAME!)
- Upon Completion of the Form, You Will Be Sent an Account Activation Email. Click the Link to Activate Your Account. to sign up.
Then, You MUST Set Up Your Subscription:
- Make sure you are logged into your account. You can log in at http://www.studiostyles.net/forums/ with your UserName and Password.
- Click on the "User CP" link located on the on the left of the top menu.
- There is a side menu on your left. Look under "Miscellaneous." Click on the "Paid Subscriptions" link.
- Choose your subscription type from the Cost: dropdown menu.
- Click "Order" and you're all ready to go!
Templates
In this section we will share with you some of our graphic templates, price sheets, etc... that we use everyday in our studio. Members can also post and share resources with each other here.
Check out more of our Templates here: StudioStyles.net Templates
Actions
Our Photoshop Actions are hugh time savers !!! Just download them, load into Photoshop and click play - taking your images to the next level. The actions alone are worth the cost of your membership. As part of your membership we have included our entire StudioStyles set of actions plus many more. The StudioStyles actions are being used by 1000’s of photographers who purchased them over the last several years.
Learn more about the StudioStyles Actions here: StudioStyles.net Software
Still Not Convinced? Don't Listen to Us... Listen to Them
"I have been doing photography for a long time, just not in a studio setting. I recently decided to open a photography studio and was having a hard time finding the right lighting equipment and then using it effectively. I purchased the video Introduction to Professional Lighting and it has helped me tremendously. In the video you will find that it explains the differences between lights and then how to use them. I would definitely recommend this video to anyone starting out in studio photography."
- Mark (Bradford AV) Dalton, GA USA
"Hi! I have to say that I found this video in the right time. Four weeks ago, I bought my first Studio lighting kit (2 Elinchrom D-Lite 400 with softboxes),. I began to setup the flashlight and shoot pictures, but the result was not too good, it looked flat.. so I began to search on the internet and I finaly found this lighting tutorial. I've learned very much about key light, fill light and the position for the flash, how to setup the light in different ways to create amazning and alive pictures. I recommend this video tutorial to all beginners of studio lighting. Thanks Mike for this great tutorials!"
- Tom Sweden
"After watching your video Impact Lighting I found myself encouraged to put it to practical use. Not only that, but I have found other practical uses for my photography using the same techniques not only in glamour but with product shots as well. The video also made great points in lighting ratio's from key lights to the edge and background lighting."
- Rick (Shots by Rick Photography) British Columbia Canada
"Before I even knew about StudioStyles.Net, I really wished in my heart that I would find a way to learn how to use different lighting accesories and how to develop different techniques to create better pictures for my customers. Even though I never went to school to be a photographer, I've managed to teach myself since I was 13 what I had in my blood since I was born. But even when you are born with gifts, there are moments in your life when you need guidance and that's where Mr. Mike Luter and StudioStyles.Net come in. After seeing an introductory video in YouTube, I did not hesitate to go to this website and check it out. After purchasing one these amazing videos and seeing that there was no fraud in them I had come back to get a couple more because the first video not only helped me to know more about lighting but to have a better and stronger grip on my confidence of being a professional Photographer. If you are looking for great video tutorials you have come to the right place! I personaly highly recommend these videos to everyone that loves the art of photography and the passion of excellent portraiture. Mr. Luter you are the man! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK."
- Nepthali Garcia (Paper Dreams Professional Portrait Studio) Forest Park, IL USA
"This video was great! It's useful for novices and pros. I believe if you can learn only one thing from any video it's worth it. I think that anyone watching it will learn more than one thing, and probably refresh old knowledge that they may have forgotten."
- Richie (Cherished Moments) Staten Island, NY USA
"Your video's contain the clearest and most concise explanations that I have come across on the process of Lighting. Some of the tips with regards to playng with warm and cold light and white balance have given me a more experimental approach. Anyone hesitating on purchasing these tutorials....dont!! All those questions you dont find answers for with regard to metering and lighting setup will be answered."
- Mark Rogoff London United Kingdom