My blog, although I don’t see myself as a blogger but as a Photographer I will try to blog some interesting material during the weeks.
Expect at least 2 updates a week.

FotoFair 2026 day 2

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FotoFair 2026 day 2

Today on the blog the results from the second day of the FotoFair 2026.
During the first day our model was Felisa.
And for the second day we asked Claudia to accompany us during the workshops.

During the FotoFair I teach 2 workshops daily
The workshops are taking 2.5 hours and are taught in small groups so there is a really nice 1:1 experience.
I love teaching smaller groups because you can really dive into the techniques and tips/tricks that are custom made for the group.

The first day I was not 100% (headache and nausea) but luckily the second day it was a lot better.

In a period where more and more larger trade show struggle it’s very nice to see that FotoFair is still going on.
And I really hope they will continue for the coming years.
Because let’s be honest, there are not a lot of outside events where you can learn, shoot awesome sets with cosplayers, old cars, RC boats, agility with dogs, horses, fire breathers and what not more.

For me it was all about “no more boring model shoots”.
So today the results from day 2.

And indeed, sometimes you want reflection in the glasses, and sometimes not 😀
In this case I loved the effect so we actually tried to get them in.

Also want to visit one of the workshops?
Check www.fotografie-workshops.nl for more information and of course the agenda.
if you want to learn about lighting, retouching etc. instead of just shooting a model…. visit the website and see you soon in Emmeloord or on another location.

The Photographing people conference

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One of the most exciting events

If you’re into modelphotography, portraiture or any other event where you are confronted with photographing people, this is the conference for you.
KelbyOne is of course a name that guarantees the best instructors in the world and I’m excited to be part of their team.

For this conference I have a super creative class planned with motion and loads of special techniques.
And I’m 100% sure the other classes will keep you motivated and inspired for a very long time.
I can’t wait for the conference, and I hope to see you guys there (online).

Register via : The Photographing people conference
And you also support our work.

Fotofair results day 1

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Not a lot of shows left

Today, the results of the Fotofair day 1.

You probably heard this a lot since COVID.
And it’s true, well at least in the Netherlands.
A lot of the especially larger trade shows and events never came back after COVID, which I think is a huge loss, but we have to deal with it.

In the Netherlands, we have a few smaller events trying to fill the spaces, and some are indeed very nice, but we still have one large event left, and one I especially love.

Fotofair

The Fotofair is a very special and unique event.

The Fotofair (also known as the Foto & Video Fair) is the largest photography and video event in the Benelux. Held annually at the E3 Strand in Eersel, it brings together creators, industry experts, and top brands.
The festival is packed with hands-on workshops, professional masterclasses, equipment demonstrations, and various exhibitors. It’s designed for both hobbyists and professionals looking to improve their skills and test the latest gear

No trade show floor, no big building with a dedicated room.
No… FotoFair is organized in a large recreation area with a beautiful lake.
All the workshops and lectures are held inside tents. There is a big tent from the vendor (Fotogroep), and all major photobrands are there to demo or show the latest products. A few tents are reserved for other brands.
During the show there is a lot of stuff to do if you don’t want to visit the workshops.

Agility with dogs, horses, cosplay, radio-controlled boats, and a boatload more.

For us, it’s a great show because we can just drive the RV next to the tent to build up and park it a few meters away from the show area. (In the past, we could even park behind the tent :D)

Check out this video of Annewiek loading the RV  in a previous year 

The Fotofair workshops

This year, the theme for my workshops was “no more boring model shoots”.
During the workshops (which last 2.5 hours), I show several lighting techniques to get more “oomph” in your shots.
But we also talk about the technique, theory, how to work with the model, using light shapers, color management, and a lot more.

Today, some of the results from the first day with our model, Felisa

Fotofair results day 1:

Fotofair results day 1 Fotofair results day 1
Fotofair results day 1 Fotofair results day 1

Check out the website of Foto & Video fair 

Annewiek is still working on the video, but check out the video of last year. Also with Felisa and Claudia

 

Felisa is a very versatile model. She wrote her own comic. And therefore she needed pictures. See the blogpost on that here 

A room divider

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A room divider is loads of fun

We all know that you can mount light shapers in front of your strobes to manipulate the light.
However, you can also use materials or objects placed between your subject and the light to create unique effects on the set or on your subject.

The key thing to remember is that the “sharpness” of the shadows is determined by the distance.
In this case, we use a room divider in our set to create some cool shadow effects on both our model and the background.

The key to a setup like this is, as mentioned, all in the distances. Begin by placing your light source as far away as possible and use a snoot with a grid or a reflector with a very tight and thick grid.

We want to ensure that the light is not spilling over but is focused on the room divider.

The “sharpness” of the shadows can be controlled by moving the room divider closer or further away from your subject. When you move the room divider closer to the light, the shadows will become softer and disappear a bit earlier on the background, moving the room divider closer to the model will result in sharper shadows that move further over the wall. As you can see, for this setup, I’m using the divider very close to the model.

Don’t stop me now….

“I’m having such a good time”…
This should always be your motto during a photoshoot.
Whenever you believe you’ve captured the perfect shot, don’t hesitate to experiment a bit further. In most cases, this can involve simply changing the angle or, as in the case of using a prop like our room divider, you can always find a different way to incorporate it into the composition. In this instance, the solution is to… well, let’s just say, choose a different angle.

See the whole class

Hopefully, you’re interested in learning how we shot, edited, and prepared this video. This is just one of the setups you’ll find in my brand-new class on KelbyOne. You can find the class here:

https://members.kelbyone.com/course/frank-doorhof-special-effects-simple-materials/

If you enjoyed this class, be sure to explore my other classes as well. Lighting setups are just one aspect of a photoshoot; it’s also about storytelling and creativity in lighting and color.