Kelby Training Instructors

James Schmelzer

James Schmelzer is an award winning photographer, lecturer, and has been the technical representative for F.J. Westcott Company for over 25 years. James has been actively involved in designing new light modifier products as well as creating instructional videos demonstrating control of light. He conducts workshops, speaks at seminars, and demonstrates lighting at tradeshows. He's also the author and creator of the Quality of Light video series.

James has been a member of the Professional Photographers of America, where he holds the Master Craftsman Photographer Degree. He also holds a Master's Degree with the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International. James is owner of Elite Photographic Studio in Shelby Township, Michigan where he specializes in High School Senior portraits and Weddings.

Online Classes by James Schmelzer

  • PhotographyOutdoor Lighting for Senior Portraits

  • Professional photographer James Schmelzer has made a career shooting of high school senior portraits. In this course, James demonstrates some of the techniques he has learned for controlling and shaping light while shooting outdoors and using natural light.

    Lesson 01 Direct Sunlight into Shade Using a Reflector (6:45)
    Lesson 02 Blocking Light with Natural Gobos (2:21)
    Lesson 03 Subtractive Light Control (1:14)
    Lesson 04 Softening Raw Light Using a Diffuser (2:00)
    Lesson 05 Lighting and Posing on Railroad Tracks (6:12)
    Lesson 06 Choosing the Correct Side of a Building (2:05)
    Lesson 07 Evening Portraits (2:19)
    Lesson 08 Matching the Background and the Outfit (3:15)
    Lesson 09 Natural Light with Reflector Fill (2:21)
    Lesson 10 Lighting for Urban Scenes (2:59)
    Lesson 11 Portraits at the Park (8:04)
    Lesson 12 Creating an Outdoor Studio (2:16)
    Lesson 13 Beach Portraits (4:13)

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  • PhotographySenior Portraits: Background, Props, and Shooting Ideas

  • Join portrait photographer James Schmelzer as he shares his cutting-edge ideas and concepts for creating and lighting unique backgrounds for studio portraits.

    Lesson 01 Introduction (1:55)
    Lesson 02 Zebra Print (8:24)
    Lesson 03 CD Wall (2:35)
    Lesson 04 Shag Rug (1:43)
    Lesson 05 Beads and Hand-Painted Foam Core (4:34)
    Lesson 06 Old Boards and Chipped Paint (3:12)
    Lesson 07 Pillows and a White Background (7:38)
    Lesson 08 Rose Petals (5:01)
    Lesson 09 Frosted Tungsten Bulb (4:01)
    Lesson 10 Black Couch, Tiled Floor (1:56)
    Lesson 11 Painted SubFloor as Background (1:59)
    Lesson 12 3D Wall Paper (2:52)
    Lesson 13 Antique Couch (2:54)
    Lesson 14 Glitter Board (3:58)
    Lesson 15 Ring Flash (2:19)
    Lesson 16 Conclusion (1:04)

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  • PhotographySenior Portraits: Lighting Techniques

  • James has been photographing high school portraits for over 30 years. In this course, James shares his best techniques and hottest tricks that have made his style of photography an incredible success!

    Lesson 01 Introduction (1:47)
    Lesson 02 Diffusion versus Softness (3:00)
    Lesson 03 Working with an Umbrella (4:29)
    Lesson 04 The Soft Box (5:46)
    Lesson 05 Positioning the Soft Box (6:13)
    Lesson 06 Reflectors (2:46)
    Lesson 07 Light Positions (19:25)
    Lesson 08 Conclusion (1:04)

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