Your 18-55mm is Still a Great Choice! My very first ‘serious’ camera (I say serious because it was the first camera that I owned with interchangeable focal length kit lenses) came with all the starter essentials that I could hope for when I was starting out. I remember the smile from ear to ear when I…
Want to know WHY you NEED an 85mm Lens?! It’s no big secret that many photographers initially reach for their 85mm lens! I know adding 85mm lenses to my arsenal was a BIG deal! I researched my different options for months and came to love the idea of what the 85mm lens could do for…
If you’ve ever had a “grumpy dad” at one of your photo sessions, you aren’t alone. These tips can help! Here’s how it usually goes down: You arrive at your photo session, all pumped up and ready to rock. You’ve reviewed all your poses, you’ve got everyone’s names memorized, the light is gorgeous and up…
Prime Lens: What is it? What can you do with it? Whether you just took the leap into the wonderful world of photography or you have been at it for a while, no doubt you got to a point where the ‘kit lens’ that came with your brand new camera, just wasn’t enough anymore. Maybe…
When Do You Need to Have Fisheye Lens and How to Use It for Better Image Collection? Before talking any further, let’s understand in simple terms what a fisheye lens is. It’s an ultra-wide angle lens that is used to create a wide panoramic view in a hemispherical image and brings about a lot of…
What is a Telephoto Lens? A telephoto lens is a lens with a long-focal-length. This lens magnifies object that are far away and helps you take a picture from a distance without disturbing your subject. Telephoto lenses are those that have a focal length of 100mm and above. The longer the focal length, the greater…
Your Key Steps for Growing Your Photography Business from the Ground Up Starting your photography business from the ground up can feel like an intimidating task. Whether you have just moved to a new city, or even if you haven’t moved but are looking to grow your business right where you are, it can be…
Looking for tips to grow your photography business? So you made it official: You started your photography business! At this point you’ve probably done some portfolio building, created a Facebook page, set some prices, and have had a few sessions with family and friends. You might even have a couple brand new clients! But… then…
Obtaining a model release from your clients is an important step for any photographer. This type of release can protect photographers and ensure you have the proper documentation in place for the use of the images you take. This tutorial will help you to understand what a model release is, why you need one, and…
I remember being so excited to take photos and get them back from the drugstore to put them in the album as a kid. I always enjoyed looking back at them every time we put a new set of photos in. I really wanted my children to have something to have and hold and reflect…
I see this question a lot: My client is asking for the RAW files from their session, what do I say? This can be a hot topic, and everyone comes down somewhere differently on this one. Just do a quick search on any forum, or in your favorite photography group and you’ll see: the opinions…
Winter can mean slower business for many of us, especially wedding and natural light, non-studio photographers. And even more so for those of us who live in regions with cold weather. The inquiries are slower to roll in and for a period of time, work is slower. This can often be discouraging for many photographers,…
I love 50mm lenses, mostly for their versatile and natural focal length. Whether you are shooting portraits, smaller details, lifestyle, or just looking for a good every day lens, you really can’t beat the focal length of a 50mm. I recently had the opportunity to rent a Canon 50mm f/1.2L lens from our friends over…
Some of the most challenging client situations we run into as photographers can be avoided. Most of them stem from unmet client expectations. As the photographer, it is our job to manage our client’s expectations to ensure they know exactly what they can expect when working with us. When you are hired for a job,…
I will never forget the first time I had to fire a client. It was SO uncomfortable. There were warning signs from the very beginning, but being overly-optimistic and being a people-pleaser, I ignored them. I learned a hard lesson that day: If you know a client will not be a good fit for you,…
A client questionnaire is a valuable tool to not only establish a good client relationship, but lead a great photography session. It reminds people you are not just a person with a camera, you are a business, have goals, and care about their needs/wants. Using a client questionnaire has helped me to get to know…