Features & Functions

Camera to Cloud for Studio Photographers Portrait photographer Yolanda Hoskey tests Fujifilm’s integration with Frame.io Camera to Cloud while on a tight deadline in the studio

Bringing the Flowers Project to Life

Yolanda’s individual contribution to the exhibition was a project called Flowers, which involved a broad team of creatives, from makeup artists and stylists to set designers and lighting technicians.

“The theme behind the exhibition was for different photographers to share stories around what they view their own femininity as. Through that theme, I created the concept of the Flower project – to reimagine femininity through the guise of flowers,” she explains.

To make her vision a reality, Yolanda’s team constructed a set adorned with real flowers and flowing silk backdrops, in which the model – herself a costume designer – could perfectly project the image of femininity.

While the results were awesome, such intricate set design, costume, and makeup inevitably added to an already tight production schedule.

Photo 2023 © Fujifilm
Photo 2023 © Fujifilm

Real-Time Collaboration with Frame.io Camera to Cloud

In a session with so many moving parts, staying focused is essential, and Fujifilm’s new integration with Frame.io Camera to Cloud (C2C) helped Yolanda do just that.

Using FUJIFILM X-H2 and an active internet connection, Yolanda’s images were uploading directly to Frame.io as they were being made. This meant they were automatically shared with her camera tech, Nicolas Johnson, and the wider team for review in real time, without the need for cables or monitors.

“That was my first time using C2C, and I realized almost immediately how efficient it was,” recalls Yolanda. “Nicolas was sorting and marking the photos for review in real time, while at the same time my gaffer, Vicki, was viewing the images on her smartphone and making adjustments to the lighting.”

Photo 2023 © Fujifilm
Photo 2023 © Fujifilm

And it didn’t stop there. Every member of the team was able to view the images on their own devices whenever they liked, giving Yolanda the peace of mind she needed to concentrate on creating great images.

“Our hairstylist, makeup artists, and set designer were all logged into Frame.io on their phones,” continues Yolanda. “So, if there were things I didn’t notice initially – maybe a hair out of place or wardrobe looking a little funky – I had three other sets of eyes in the creative department reviewing the images as I’m making them, able to make those adjustments in real time.”

Woman with braided hair poses against a vibrant blue and orange backdrop, adorned with blue gloves and black leaves.

Photo 2023 © Yolanda Hoskey | FUJIFILM X-H2 and FUJINON XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR, 1/100 sec at F4, ISO 320

A Revolutionary Workflow

As a photographer, Yolanda enjoys making pictures more than editing them, so the ability C2C gave her to review the images as they were being created perfectly complemented her process.

“Some people love editing, and that’s no bad thing, but I am just not one of those people,” she laughs. “When I make pictures, I try extra hard to create exactly what I want to see in-camera.

“With C2C, I’m able to catch errors and minor details in real time and adjust while on set, versus seeing something later in post and crying because I have to figure out how to remove clips from the back of somebody’s dress, or light fixtures from the ceiling!

“It’s going to revolutionize people’s workflow and reduce the margin of error that naturally occurs when you’re on set making photos,” she adds.

For this project, Yolanda used a photo editor based off-site, so being able to share her selects via C2C as she worked was another huge advantage – especially on such a time-sensitive project.

Photo 2023 © Yolanda Hoskey | FUJIFILM X-H2 and FUJINON XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR, 1/100 sec at F4, ISO 320
Photo 2023 © Yolanda Hoskey | FUJIFILM X-H2 and FUJINON XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR, 1/100 sec at F4, ISO 320

The Future of Remote Collaboration

“Our editor was based upstate and could download and edit the photos instantly. By the time the studio session was complete, I had my photos retouched and sent back to me,” says Yolanda.

“The big challenge when working on set is time. Time is always a consideration – even post-production time. Being able to run through the post-production process while you’re in the studio creating the images is so efficient.

“Thanks to C2C, I had already picked my two finals before I even left set – and they were edited within hours. So I wound up sending them off to the gallery the same day!” she beams.

On this occasion, Yolanda was working on a personal project, but she feels C2C could bring huge benefits to her commercial work. The freedom to collaborate instantly with anyone who has access to an internet connection and the Frame.io folder facilitates much clearer communication with clients.

“If I have a client who can’t be on set, the ability for them to tune in to the photo session in real time and make their own notes will make the whole process more efficient,” she says.

“It’s helpful for people who run and manage creative departments, for lighting, makeup, hair, and wardrobe designers, for photo assistants and techs – the entire creative team.

“With C2C, you have access to these photos, in real time, from the convenience of the cell phone in your pocket, the tablet in your bag, or your laptop. While I’m in New York, out on set, you could be in California and have the same amount of access I do.

“That is going to revolutionize the production and post-production process for image making.”

Native digital camera integration for Frame.io Camera to Cloud is now available for FUJIFILM X-H2, X-H2S, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, X-T50, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI and X-M5.

You can watch the video about this project here.