Hello, I’m Steve Husted the proprietor of Knot Simply Any Day (KJAD), a inventive wedding ceremony providers firm. Once I began KJAD I solely provided images, however now with my crew of fifteen, we provide images, videography, wedding ceremony planning, and custom-designed stationery. We concentrate on weddings and provide household portrait classes in addition to company providers.
If I have been to label myself, I’d say that weddings are my factor.
In 2002 I acquired a BFA in Images from Kutztown College. Since then, I’ve discovered methods to make wedding ceremony images my most important squeeze. I continuously discuss it, love creating, and educating what I’ve realized to others each as an adjunct teacher at Wilkes College and thru workshops and one-on-one teaching on the KJAD studio.
I’m conscious about how folks really feel after I’m photographing them. It’s vital that I lead my {couples} by means of a photograph session or their wedding ceremony day whereas permitting them to be themselves. I usually take into consideration what it should be wish to be on the opposite facet of the lens.
An artist is an issue solver, and a photographer needs to be a folks particular person. So, placing these two concepts collectively appears to be my focus, each the artist and photographer, each time I choose up my digicam. I believe to unravel mild, posing, composition, and so forth whereas, most significantly, making my {couples}, and anybody I’m photographing, really feel snug and relaxed.
It’s not my present it’s theirs. It’s knot simply any day it’s their day. Get it? Witty, proper?
So far as my gear is anxious, I want to not be in the way in which. Nevertheless, being nicely over six ft tall doesn’t permit me to cover too simply, so I principally select to make use of zooms throughout a marriage. This manner, I can hunker down in a single spot throughout any particular second and get a wide range of compositions and pictures, after which all stealth-like, transfer to a brand new spot and seize extra photos to put in writing dwelling about.
I spend chunk of a session discovering inventive spots to compose from, and in consequence, I’m a really energetic photographer. Even after I get “the shot”, there’s at all times extra exploring that may be performed to seek out one other nice picture.
So for that cause, I’m desirous to outdo myself every time. Each shutter actuation is one other time for me to push myself additional. “Okay, final shot” interprets to a few dozen fast new selections with promising and thrilling outcomes.
Lastly, it’s vital my images be archival photos freed from over-processed edits and firming seems. My goal is for a photograph to be timeless within the execution to really signify what was within the body. Variety of composition is equally vital to my photographic storytelling. A comfortably positioned body feels nice and is definitely accessible, whereas a tougher and unbalanced crop does every part to allow the viewer to really feel just a bit extra from the shot.
Like I stated earlier than, the session isn’t about me, however the artistry of the captured expertise is mine to inform in a method that’s acquainted, welcomed, and emotionally scary.
Sufficient about me now it’s time for gear discuss.
Cameras
Canon R6 – I made the swap to mirrorless cameras from the Canon 5D Mark IV and haven’t appeared again. That is by far the BEST piece of apparatus that I personal. The AF is much superior to something I’ve used beforehand and it has enabled me to concentrate on something and every part quite than wrestling my earlier cameras into submission.
Earlier than, there was at all times a restrict to how briskly, dependable, and expertly correct the main target level was. With this digicam, I’m now in a position to push my pictures, compositions, lighting ideas, and velocity to a brand new stage. I want to behave quick and intentionally, and this digicam retains up each time.
I’ve additionally taken benefit of the {custom} controls and altered my buttons and dials to swimsuit my wants. Oh, and the articulated display is a game-changer after I discover myself in precarious positions.
Canon Battery Grip BG-R10 – A MUST-HAVE merchandise. Positive it provides weight, nevertheless it additionally provides a second battery, which is critical for lengthy days at weddings. I shoot with two our bodies, every with two batteries and this simply will get me by means of a ten-hour day with none further charging required. Additionally, when you have greater palms, you actually do want it because the R6 physique isn’t that enormous, my hand actually spills off of it. These grips additionally embody portrait orientation controls.
Lenses
Canon Lens RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM – my go-to-works-in-most-every-situation lens. Vibrant sufficient for many conditions, and with this size, I’m in a position to get the the place and who taken care of in a single shot. You too can squeeze out a pleasant tight portrait with this lens as nicely.
Canon Lens RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM – my most most well-liked lens. It’s nice because it permits me to work from a distance as I’m fairly tall. Being compelled to be additional away takes out the obscure angles and the necessity to bend over to come back all the way down to everybody else’s peak. I’m usually mendacity on the bottom, so once more it helps preserve me additional away and supplies extra interesting angles for my brides and grooms. It’s lighter than its EF predecessor, and it’s a blast to shoot with.
Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm f/1:2.8 L IS USM – this lens is without doubt one of the few that made the reduce after I left the EF world. It’s essential for weddings because it captures all of the close-up element that’s required for some wedding ceremony photos. It’s tack sharp and very light-weight. I take advantage of it fairly a bit in handbook focus, as I’ve observed once you miss AF it takes fairly a while to refocus. I like to recommend limiting the focusing distances on the lens when taking pictures AF macro.
Canon Management Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R – required to make use of the EF lenses on my R6 digicam. I selected the conversion tube with the management ring and have the {custom} dial set to white steadiness.
Canon Lens EF 85mm f/1:1.4 L IS USM – a beautiful portrait lens that’s the finest out of the fleet of 85mm choices. I’ve tried others however completely fell in love with this one inside seconds of working with it. It actually doesn’t take a foul photograph. The one draw back is that it’s tremendous heavy, and with the addition of the conversion ring, it pulls the digicam physique ahead in my palms.
Canon Lens RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM – the most recent addition to my arsenal. I’m aiming to make use of this with my company fashion headshots and after I’m fascinated by slowing down my supply at weddings. I’m keen to make use of this lens extra as it’s a stunning lens for portraits. I as soon as had its EF counterpart and located it typically missed focus with transferring targets like kiddies. This one is far quicker as a result of R6 AF system.
Canon Lens RF 14-35 mm f/4 L IS USM – I purchased this for a selected cause however as soon as I began utilizing it the lens grew to become much less of a specialty so now it’s one I depend on for a mess of conditions. Positive it’s nice for the excessively giant wedding ceremony get together, however even at f/4, it’s nice for tighter areas at weddings. The distortion is generally corrected routinely when you get it into Lightroom, and now and again, it wants a bit extra adjusting to repair the middle and edge distortion.
Professional Tip – though it’s a 14-35mm, solely use it from about 16ish-32ish because the ends of the focal size aren’t as sharp on both facet of this.
Canon Lens TS-E 24mm f/1:3.5 L II – my first tilt-shift lens. Top-of-the-line to study on, in my view. The shift on that is very impactful, particularly with structure, and the results from the lean function of this lens create tremendous dreamy but hyper-focused photos. The shallow f/3.5 permits for these blown-out sections, and the L collection glass assist make what’s actually in focus, actually in focus. When paired with the precision of the R6, it’s fairly a delight. I take advantage of the zooming function on my digicam to lock in EXACTLY what must be in focus after which simply let the lens do all the good dreamy stuff it does so nicely.
Canon Lens TS-E 90mm f/1:2.8 – my favourite portrait lens. Actually clear glass, and with the comparatively locked tilt-shift angles, it’s very simple to get the hold of it. An extended lens creates a extra drastic TS look, and this one is at a size I want to shoot with. It additionally makes for an awesome straight handbook prime 90mm. Similar to the TS-E 24mm, it’s handbook so forces you to decelerate somewhat to create your required look.
Lighting
Godox V860 II C – I like this flash. It was an excellent reasonably priced improve from the Canon EXII-RT collection. The controls and capability are similar to the Canon flash. The one downside with the Godox is the screw-on fashion hotshot mount as it’s cumbersome to tackle and off.
Godox V860 III C – I solely bought this little bit of equipment as a result of I needed the up to date fast launch just like the Canon EXII-RT has. Nevertheless, it doesn’t match as snugly because it ought to, so over time, it wore out the new sneakers on each of my R6s, which means they each wanted to get serviced. So this flash has now painfully been relegated to an OCF possibility. I’d advocate model two and study to dwell with the archaic screw fastener.
Godox AD200 Professional – an unbelievable devoted off-camera flash with thrice the ability of a Speedlite. These have change into my most important mild supply when OCF is required at weddings and occasions. They’re a lot stronger than the Speedlite and I can preserve their energy down and use all of them day lengthy. Really easy to work with they usually can actually take a beating!
Godox X Professional C – easy-ish to make use of and really reasonably priced. They sync and communicate properly to all of my flash {hardware}.
MagMod System – I take advantage of their lighting instruments the entire time, regardless of the place I’m. The benefit of use, the velocity at which lighting setups will be swapped, and sturdiness put them in a league of their very own. I are likely to scream from the highest of any small hill about how wonderful these merchandise are to anybody who will pay attention.
I now have and continuously use their three MagBox softboxes. The standard of sunshine I can create within the period of time it takes is mind-blowing!
My MagMod Merchandise:
MagMod MagBox Professional 42 Octa w/Grid
MagMod MagBox Professional 36 Strip w/Grid
MagMod MagBox 24 Octa
MagGrip / MagGrid / MagSnoot / MagSphere / MagShoe / MagRing / MagMod Gels / MagBox Gels
Yongnuo Digital YN 360 II Professional LED Video Gentle – these are improbable mild wands with full RGB and tungsten to sunlight variations. They screw into a light-weight stand with a quarter-inch thread, so I can set them up wherever and get inventive within the discipline.
CheetahStand C10 – these are my Linus blanket. I take them with me all over the place. With their auto open and shutting function, I can take them out and get them into any place wanted with out bumping into every part or having to unscrew and reset the tripod legs. I’ll by no means get one other sort of stand for weddings and occasions ever once more.
Assist Gear
Holdfast Gear Cash Maker Water Buffalo Leather-based Burgundy, Giant – I’ve had this for about seven years, it suits like a glove, it’s an extension of me and connects me to the instruments of my commerce. So handy and dependable.
Vello Hand Grip Strap for Vertical Battery Grip (Black) – sadly these at the moment are discontinued as I like to make use of them. They take the burden off my fingertips and permit me to loosen up my palms when taking pictures. Maybe I’ll replace this put up as soon as I choose a brand new model.
Lowepro Transit Backpack 350 AW – my longest-used digicam bag. I downsized to this digicam bag from a bigger Lowepro bag, and though I carry a spill-over duffle bag now for something that doesn’t slot in my most important bag, it’s actually the right dimension. Something bigger is a trouble to hold, and something smaller wouldn’t match my must-have equipment.
It additionally helps me weed out pointless tools as I at all times goal to solely take what I want for a job. This bag has seen some terrible climate, flown everywhere with me, and been full of all types of apparatus for fairly a while, and it’s nonetheless ticking all of the containers.
Computer systems
Apple M1 iMac (not pictured) – it’s quick and dependable for modifying.
Apple iPad Professional 12.9″ w/ Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil – one thing I take advantage of daily for enterprise planning, sketching shot concepts, or working with purchasers, it’s by my facet always.
Private objects
Fingerless gloves – if you find yourself from Pennsylvania spending time outdoors will be chilly so these let me management my digicam and nonetheless preserve my palms from utterly freezing through the colder months. I’ve to have the ability to climate any storm, and these preserve me heat sufficient to not complain about chilly palms.
Braddock Face Masks with KJAD brand display printed on the entrance – at the start of the pandemic, I spent a substantial sum of money looking for essentially the most snug and protected material masks. I lastly settled on Braddock’s face masks. With a moisture-wicking materials inside, I can put on these for longer durations with none discomfort. Thanks, Braddock, for protecting the KJAD crew protected.
Common Frills Preliminary Bracelet – my spouse makes {custom} bracelets at her firm, Common Frills, and I put on this one daily. The three initials are TPH, SPH, and HPH, representing my late father, me, and my kiddo. Household is every part, and weddings are the start of simply that, so that is my reminder to deal with each wedding ceremony with that in thoughts.
Be happy to achieve out and ask any questions. Thanks a lot!
