What is a CPL Filter? (And When To Use One)
|

What is a CPL Filter? (And When To Use One)

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…

Why a Headshot Background is Really Important!
|

Why a Headshot Background is Really Important!

Many headshot backgrounds are either black or white, but there is a range of textures, natural elements, and other features that you can use to make a professional headshot stand out. Our tips for choosing the right background for your headshot will help you select a better setting, and impress your clients with a headshot…

How to Price Headshots: A Beginner’s Guide
|

How to Price Headshots: A Beginner’s Guide

Learn how to price headshot sessions with confidence One of the most frequently asked questions in the Cole’s Classroom Facebook group is about how to price headshots. Pricing headshots feels more difficult than other sessions. But it doesn’t have to be. We have a few tips on how to price headshot sessions and set yourself…

What’s a gray card and why should you get one?
|

What’s a gray card and why should you get one?

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…

Everything you needed to know about choosing a camera strap
|

Everything you needed to know about choosing a camera strap

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…

Photo Storage Solutions to Prevent Catastrophe
|

Photo Storage Solutions to Prevent Catastrophe

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…

Monitor calibration: What is it and why do I need it?
|

Monitor calibration: What is it and why do I need it?

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…

How to Organize Pictures: 4 Workflow Methods for Photographers
|

How to Organize Pictures: 4 Workflow Methods for Photographers

Get your act together to organize pictures now using one of these four methods and save time and frustration down the road. A local business calls and asks if you have some images they could use in an advertisement.  They’ve seen your work and are interested in a beautiful sunset shot on the river from…

Photography Pricing: Charging Your Worth
|

Photography Pricing: Charging Your Worth

Have you ever discounted your photography work for someone, only to kick yourself later? You’re not alone! Read on for tips about regaining your confidence to charge. Oh yes, friends, I’m going to talk about MONEY. I honestly don’t get why it’s such a taboo subject. In fact, I think we should ALL be talking…

Best Photography Apps for Android and iPhone: Personal Assistant Edition
|

Best Photography Apps for Android and iPhone: Personal Assistant Edition

How do professional photographers keep everything organized? Between the appointments, advertising, social media sharing, and accounting there is so much to keep track of. Luckily we’ve compiled a list of the best photography apps out there to keep you organized AND provide you with helpful information when planning your shoots. What apps do professional photographers…

Best Photo Apps for Android and iPhone: Photo Editing Edition
|

Best Photo Apps for Android and iPhone: Photo Editing Edition

Do you have some free time away from home and wish you could edit some photos on your computer? We’ve got great news! There are a plethora of mobile apps available to edit on the go. We’ve compiled a list of the best photo apps available to photographers on Android and iPhone. No computers needed….

Pricing for Success: Setting Freelance Photography Rates
|

Pricing for Success: Setting Freelance Photography Rates

Not Sure How to set freelance photography rates?  Start with knowing your costs and profit goals! You’ve taken the leap and hung out your shingle as a freelance photographer.  You are your own boss, set your own hours and name your own prices.  But the problem is, you have no idea what to charge for…

Adding to Your Arsenal: The Neutral Density Filter
|

Adding to Your Arsenal: The Neutral Density Filter

What the heck is a neutral density filter? Read below for our simple explanation! With so many tools and accessories available to photographers, it can be difficult to determine which ones to add to your photography bag. Neutral density filters are a great addition for photographers that shoot in harsh light or want more creative…