Circular polarizing filters are popular among landscape photographers. These glass filters reduce glare and reflection and help you capture deep colors, stunning skies, and transparent bodies of water. Here is what you need to know about how a circular polarizer filter works and how to get the best results when working with light polarization. What…
Stay Calm. Be Confident. And Learn How to Deal with Difficult Guests as a Photographer If you photograph weddings or even private portrait sessions, you’ll eventually wind up encountering one…a client or guest who wants to be the official photographer, boss you around or tell you how to do your job. It’s frustrating. It’s maddening….
Nail exposure and white balance with the inexpensive, practically primitive, gray card Do you struggle setting white balance during sessions? How about nailing exposure with or without a flash? If I told you that I could solve both your problems for less than $25, would you believe me? It’s true. With the help of the…
Hand strap, cross-body strap or harness? Here’s what you need to know before choosing a camera strap! I never really gave much thought to my camera strap. I left the default yellow and black strap on my Nikon for years. But after really getting bit by the photography bug, I decided a padded strap was…
We’ll help you build a smart product photography pricing strategy that works for YOUR business! On any given day in the Cole’s Classroom Facebook group, we see a request for help on product photography pricing. The post usually goes something like this… “A store has contacted me to take pictures of their new product line. …
Create a photo storage plan and eliminate your worst nightmare of lost images! Losing an image is hard. Disappointing clients is worse. But telling a client you’ve lost ALL their images is a freaking nightmare. It’s a worst-case scenario that scares photographers to death and keeps us up nights. Would your business survive a photo…
Use monitor calibration for better client images and prints This is how my first journey down the rabbit hole of monitor calibration began. “Were you going for a really warm portrait stylistically? Because your images lately have been really yellow.” This was a Facebook message I got from a pro photographer friend about six years…
Make money for your clients and yourself with high-quality commercial photography. What do you think of when you hear the term commercial photography? Do you picture a commercial photographer with clients like Nike, Disney or Armani? What about H&R Real Estate, Carson’s Discount Tire or Olson Orthodontics? Just about every business, from national brands to…
Recent studies show that almost 80 percent of American consumers do at least some online shopping, while 88 percent of customers research products online before purchasing through a brick-and-mortar store. Part of their online shopping and research experience is photos. And it’s not just online merchants. All kinds of businesses, including restaurants, clothing retailers and…
Do you have wedding bells in your future? No, not for yourself but for your very first wedding photography client? Before saying “I do…agree to be your wedding photographer”, send your clients your wedding photography contracts! First off, congratulations!! Taking on a wedding is no small feat! We don’t say this to scare you off…
So you’ve heard about Cole and Cole’s Classroom, and you want to make sure it’s legit. We understand you work hard for your money! So let’s get down to the details. You’ll also hear from real customers and see recent Cole’s Classroom reviews! We get it. You want to find a resource to help forward…
Aspiring wedding photographers alert! Dreaming of all the stunning weddings, you’ll shoot when your photography business is thriving? Turn that dream into reality by preparing for any potential wedding photography cost. Start charging what you’re worth to prospective clients while covering all your expenses! So you want to start a wedding photography business, but you’re…
Ready to focus on being a second shooter? Here are some simple ways to take the lead and start calling the shots. Looking to branch out into event or wedding photography? There is no easier way to learn the craft, than starting out as a second shooter. So, what exactly is a second shooter and…
Are you in the market for a new computer monitor? Whether your current monitor broke, or you’re looking for to upgrade, these are the features you should be looking for when preparing to buy the best monitor for photo editing. Finding the best monitor can cause some serious anxiety, especially when it comes to photo…
Not sure what the heck to wear to your upcoming wedding?! Here are a few tips to being comfortable, classy and professional on wedding days! Congratulations! You’ve booked a wedding and are actively practicing and preparing for your (and the bride and groom, or bride and bride, or groom and groom’s) big day! There is…
Wondering what wedding photography gear you need to shoot some upcoming nuptials? Say I do to this comprehensive guide! You’ve booked your first solo wedding and you are ridiculously excited. Like squealing, jumping up and down excited. And that’s when the panic sets in. What wedding photography gear do you need to shoot a successful…