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Photographer Reveals Surprising Behind-the-Scenes Process of Stunning Portraits

By Emma Taggart on September 30, 2019

From models and photo assistants to the perfect lighting and props, there’s a lot that goes into capturing the perfect shot. What ends up as a stunning portrait often has a much different story if we take a step back behind the scenes. While most photographers keep the tricks of the trade to themselves, Florida-based photographer Geo Leon gives us a peek into his creative process by revealing what it really takes to achieve his stunning fashion portraits.

One of the things about a great photographer is being able to see the potential beauty in the most unlikely of places. Other than having great models, Leon’s behind-the-scenes shots reveal that you don’t have to pay a fortune or travel far to find interesting backdrops. The talented photographer reveals how he shoots his scenes in car parks, cafes, and other everyday locations. But the resulting photos are anything but ordinary—with the right lighting and composition, each image looks like it belongs in a high fashion campaign.

In one image, Leon’s photo assistant stands behind the model, holding a burning map. From an onlookers’ perspective, the scene looks a little silly, but the final image reveals a different, much more glamorous and dramatic story. For another image, Leon asks his model to lay down into the shrubs and flower beds of a street corner, but the resulting shot looks like it was taken in a gorgeous spring meadow.

Scroll down to check out Leon’s before and after images, and why not try out some of his photography tricks at your next photo shoot on a budget?