​Five minutes with Cassandra Keyes: The world’s sexiest photographer

Roving Rachel talks travel and Panasonic pics with one of Playboy's best

Cassandra Keyes on location

Cassandra Keyes on location

Cassandra has spent over 10 years perfecting her art of shooting models in iconic and beautiful locations around the world. She is currently a contracted photographer for Playboy. I researched her photography, for, uh, work purposes and found her photos graceful, empowering and utterly gorgeous. Discussing all things photography and getting technical, I stole five minutes of her time between shoots…

What cameras do you currently use?

I have a Canon 5D M3 and two Panasonic GH4’s in my camera kit at the moment.

What’s your go-to body and lens and what do you love about It?

GH4 with 2-35mm f/2.8 lens... I love this setup as it’s reliable, lightweight and allows me to grab shots from a variety of angles - unlike my larger, full-format cameras.

Can you show us your favourite shot you have ever taken? What camera did you use?

Shot on canon 5d mark III
Shot on canon 5d mark III

How often do you shoot video content?

I shoot heaps of video content with all my productions... tripod takes, slow-mo, handheld, slider, so I'm doing video all the time.

Where is your favourite place in the world you have shot?

I have shot in so many beautiful places so it's hard to pick a favourite... because I am doing production work though, I would have to say that desert locations are the easiest as the light is more consistent and dry heat is easier to work then a tropical monsoon.

What is your biggest photography or video achievement to date and what’s your next big aspiration?

I shot multiple Playboy Playmate Khloe Terae on top of a 10,000 foot mountain in British Columbia, Canada during the winter in sub-zero temperatures. The conditions were so extreme we had to have gas-heater blowers setup so the model and gear wouldn't freeze. Everything though worked out perfect and we even got a 30-minute break in the clouds to get some absolutely incredible content.

My next epic production is going to be shot in the red center of Australia... we are literally about to head out on the road so watch my social media for updates.

Studio or outdoors?

Outdoors always unless it's a class 5 cyclone.

Cassandra Keyes
Cassandra Keyes

People or animals?

People, unless it's a really cute puppy.

Stills or video?

At heart I'm still more of a photographer then a videographer but I think I will say video because if you are shooting in HD you can always grab some great stills from the stream.

How excited are you about the new Panasonic GH5?

Really excited about the new GH5... especially can't wait to see how the IS (image stabilization) performs as I do a lot of handheld video work.

Follow Cassandra through Instagram @cassandrakeyes

Dat camera

Cassandra will be happy to know that the Lumix GH5 plays host to Panasonic’s Dual IS 2 technology combining the 5-axis internal stabilisation with the optical image stabilistation (in selected lenses) to provide up to 5 stops of image stability. It can eliminate the need to carry a tripod or steadicam rig plus the chore of trudging extra equipment to the top of mountains or through a dusty desert!

Panasonic Lumix GH5
Panasonic Lumix GH5

The GH5 offers also a dual SD card with 10-bit video recording in 4K resolution. So while other cameras capture only 16.7 million colours, this technology allows GH5 users to experience over 1 billion colours. This gives videographers more flexibility in post-production… a welcome relief from the tough task of having to look at beautiful women and gorgeous scenery all day, I’m sure!

The Panasonic GH5 is on sale now and retails for $2,999 (body only) and $3,999 for the Pro Kit with 12-35mm f2.8 lens.

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Tags photographydigital camerasPanasonicCamerasLumixPlayboyphotographer

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Roving Rachel

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