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…
Crawl before you walk! We’re starting at the beginning of baby photography to start your growth spurt in this industry off right! Baby photography is not for the faint of heart. It requires patience, stamina, a gentle touch and a strong stomach. But if snuggling, shushing and swaddling make your heart clench in absolute joy,…
What’s so nifty about the fifty? Let’s find out! It’s inexpensive, easy to use and optically sound. So what’s not to love about a 50mm nifty fifty lens? In a word, nothing. There is a reason the 50mm lens is nicknamed the “nifty-fifty.” Learn why this lens is one just about every photographer owns and…
Family photography might just be the most universal type of photography out there, the type of photography most widely appreciated across the world. So how do you master this photography genre? By most widely appreciated, we don’t mean everyone everywhere is going to care all of your family photography. In fact, each family photo session…
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. …
What’s the best macro lens for your kit? Read this first! Macro photography can be a lot of fun to shoot. There is just something fascinating about seeing tiny details at life-size. There’s a whole teeny, tiny world out there waiting for an explorer like you! The problem? To uncover these bijou realms, you need…
Outfit your favorite shutterbug with one of these best kids cameras! Do you have a budding photographer in your ranks? It’s never too early for kids to fall in love with photography. But what are the best kids cameras available right now? Should you get something simple? Something a young photographer can grow into? Something…
Need answers to the BIG questions when it comes to organizing mini-sessions? Start here! Mini-sessions can be a great addition to just about any portrait photography business. “Minis” can add an income stream, bring in new clients and provide a place for some serious creativity. But organizing mini-sessions requires planning and forethought. Not sure where…
The workhorse 70-200mm lens should be on just about every photographer’s must-have list Are you on the fence about purchasing a 70-200 mm lens? Worried about the cost? The weight? Whether it’s a good lens? I can’t make these lenses get any cheaper or heavier, but I can alleviate your concerns about it being a…
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…
Learn why a quality wide angle lens is a must for any landscape, street or event photographer to keep in their kit. Has a scenic vista ever captivated your imagination? Maybe you’ve tried shooting family pictures in tight quarters? Or do you love that in your face view of street photography? If you’ve said yes…
Go to the head of the class with school photography jobs School photography isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s chaotic and hectic and requires a great deal of planning and organization. But if you enjoy working with kids and have the organizational skills, it can be a fun and lucrative part of your photography…
What parent can resist the stunning beauty of the images created during a newborn posing photo session? Learn the basics of newborn photography here, because we all know end result is worth the work! Those chubby cheeks, and the pure serenity of a sleeping baby is irresistible. Parents go through this tricky process days after…
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…