Creative Fine Art Portraiture with Josh Beaton
Meet Josh
I’m an international award-winning photographer with 15 years of experience behind the lens. I photograph in a very dramatic, moody style that could live on the pages of any current fashion magazine. I love watching someone really feel beautiful, sometimes for the first time in their lives.
The Artist and the Space
My studio is 185 square feet and located in an old feather factory in Chicago that houses 50 artist studios. I shoot luxury portrait photography.
Right now I have a Canon 5D Mark IlI and a 24-105L lens. That’s pretty much what I use for everything. I plan to upgrade to mirrorless at some point mainly for the eye focus. For now, I have all I need.
Josh’s Inspiration
The defining moment in my creative life is when I saw the cover of Bjork’s album “Debut.” I don’t know what it was, but when I saw that image, I knew I wanted to be a portrait photographer.
Today, I’m inspired by everything. I know that is a corny answer, but it is absolutely true. It could be a movie I saw, a book I read, something my wife said, or another image I saw. Inspiration can strike at any time. When I get ideas, I try to make mood boards (mainly on Pinterest) so I don’t forget when a day later a new idea pops into my head.
Advice for New Photographers
Try everything. That has been the most fun for me. When I wanted big, dramatic skirts for my studio, but I couldn’t afford to buy them… I tried making them. It was the same thing with headpieces. Just get some glue and give it a try. Go into the studio for two hours and move the lights after every 5 shots. Put them in places that make no sense. You never know what can happen. Go outside at all times of day and no matter the weather. Shoot, shoot, shoot. I have discovered a lot of my “style” but just playing around. We are lucky right now. Digital film is free.
