How to Transform Your Photos by Cropping
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How to Transform Your Photos by Cropping

I typically try to get my photos “right” in camera. I try to really think about what I want the end result to be, and shoot with that in mind. But occasionally, I will shoot an image, and as I begin the editing process, I will begin to see something completely different than I had…

How to Install Photoshop Actions & Tips for Using Actions
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How to Install Photoshop Actions & Tips for Using Actions

Congrats on purchasing our brand new Photoshop Actions – The Uptown Collection!  If you’ve never used Photoshop much you might be a little intimated but as you will see in this quick tutorial, you have nothing to worry about, installing & using these Photoshop actions are actually quite easy! How to Install Your Photoshop Actions…

How to Add Snow Flakes to a Photo in Photoshop!
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How to Add Snow Flakes to a Photo in Photoshop!

Cole here for one minute before I turn it over… this tutorial was created by one of our “classmates” our wildly popular Facebook photography community, if you aren’t already a member, you can join us for free right here. Christian was nice enough to share his final photo in the group and the response to…

How to Install Lightroom Presets in a Quick and Easy Way!
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How to Install Lightroom Presets in a Quick and Easy Way!

Lightroom is an easy-to-use photo editing application. It incorporates a number of the same features you would normally find in Adobe Photoshop, but with an eye to keeping things simpler and geared towards photo editing. How to Install Lightroom Presets (March 2020 Update) Open Lightroom, Lightroom CC, Lightroom 4, 5, 6. Once you open Lightroom,…

How to Easily Create a Lightroom Export Preset!
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How to Easily Create a Lightroom Export Preset!

Need help exporting your photos from Lightroom?  This will help! Presets are designed to accomplish one primary objective – save you time.  The best kinds of presets are the ones that simply help automate any standard or routine tasks that you ALWAYS do the same thing (or settings) over and over.  Today I am going…

How to Use Lightroom Presets & Customize for Your Style!
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How to Use Lightroom Presets & Customize for Your Style!

You may have heard the term, you might have seen Lightroom presets in action, and heck you might even have some presets you’ve downloaded or purchased – but do you know how to best use Lightroom presets or how to easily update and customize presets for your own style? Lets quickly recap with what the…

Nikon 85 1.8G Lens Review – Your Best Bang for Buck?
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Nikon 85 1.8G Lens Review – Your Best Bang for Buck?

While it’s no secret I love prime lenses and favor them over zooms I wanted to write a mini review of one of the Nikon prime lenses that Nicole and I use a ton… It’s the Nikon 85 1.8G lens.  If you’ve done any research at all on this lens you’ll notice right away it…

How to Add a Logo or Watermark into Lightroom in 3 Steps!
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How to Add a Logo or Watermark into Lightroom in 3 Steps!

We already know Lightroom is an amazing tool for organizing and editing your photos but at some point you might get a little tired of seeing the “Adobe Lightroom” image banner in the upper left hand corner of your screen.  The good news is, you can easily change it and add your logo into Lightroom…

Nikon 16-35 f/4 Lens Review!
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Nikon 16-35 f/4 Lens Review!

When you need to go wide, you need to go wide! While I managed to photograph over 47 weddings with only 3 prime lenses (the 28, 50 and 85) I decided that I want to add a couple lenses to our collection that would add versatility to our clients’ wedding photos. In addition to adding…

Why the New Nikon 35 1.8G FX Lens is a Game Changer!
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Why the New Nikon 35 1.8G FX Lens is a Game Changer!

Why the New Nikon 35 1.8G FX Lens is a Game Changer! (Above Photo Tech details: D800 + 50mm at f/1.8, edited with “Soft Creamy Color – Warmer” preset) For the vast majority of today’s photographers who’s first DSLRs are entry level “crop sensor” cameras (like the Nikon D3200 or a Canon Rebel), the decision…

Should I Upgrade or Keep The Kit Lens?
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Should I Upgrade or Keep The Kit Lens?

Should I Upgrade or Keep The Kit Lens? Here are my top 3 reasons why you should upgrade your kit lens… The beauty of having a DSLR camera is the versatility you have available by using a variety of lenses.  Despite this freedom of being able pick and choose the right lens for the job,…

Nikon Lenses for Weddings – Get Started Without Going into Debt!
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Nikon Lenses for Weddings – Get Started Without Going into Debt!

Are you hoping to get started in the wonderful world of wedding photography but feel you are unable to at the moment because of the expense of equipment?  Don’t be.  I am here to show you 3 of my favorite Nikon lenses for weddings that we just about exclusively use for every single engagement and…

5 Top Reasons Why You Need a 50mm Lens! [Updated for 2021]
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5 Top Reasons Why You Need a 50mm Lens! [Updated for 2021]

What is a 50 mm lens good for?  Here are our top five reasons every photographer should consider adding this to their camera bag! It doesn’t matter if you shoot Canon, Nikon, Sony or any other camera brand, the fact is, every photographer should own a 50mm lens! The amazing thing about a 50mm prime…

Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR Macro Lens Review – Should You Buy One?
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Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR Macro Lens Review – Should You Buy One?

In need of a macro lens? You’re in the right place! Here’s a practical lens review of the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR macro. It’s no secret that I absolutely love shooting prime lenses.  In fact, when I first started Cole’s Classroom, the first video that I recorded was our “Must Have Wedding Equipment.” In that…