Why every professional photographer needs an email list
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Why every professional photographer needs an email list

Use an email list to add value, gain clients and expand your reach Do you have an email list for your photography business? Why not? Is it because you think email is outdated? Or are you like me and felt intimidated by the idea of starting one? Or maybe you just don’t want to add…

6 Reasons Auto White Balance is not your BFF

6 Reasons Auto White Balance is not your BFF

Sometimes auto white balance is just a frenemy posing as a time-saving setting.  We’ll tell you why. Photographers are a picky bunch. We will tweak settings, move here and there and wait for the light to be juuuuusssst right before we take an image. We want to shoot in manual and choose focus points so…

Stop Pixel Peeping (And Other Things That Are Stressing You Out)

Stop Pixel Peeping (And Other Things That Are Stressing You Out)

Running a business is hard enough without pixel peeping and stressing yourself out over things that don’t always matter. So stop it already! Are you guilty of pixel peeping? How about wasting HOURS tweaking your logo time and again? Do you constantly waffle between two edits for an image and cripple yourself with indecision? Yeah,…

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lens review – Is it worth the hype?
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Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lens review – Is it worth the hype?

Photographers everywhere rave about their Sigma Art lenses.  But is the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lens worth the hype? When I needed a fast 35mm lens for my kit, I settled on the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lens. It wasn’t without reservations. I’d read reviews but my experience with Sigma lenses was less than satisfactory. After…

5 Tips for Flying with your Camera and other gear
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5 Tips for Flying with your Camera and other gear

Are you leaving on a jet plane soon? Flying with your camera can seem intimidating. But it’s really not. Be prepared with these five simple tips. I don’t do much air travel anymore. And until recently, I’d never traveled with my “big camera.” But I was flying from Denver to Indianapolis for a seminar on…

What is a mirrorless camera, exactly? And why would you want one?
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What is a mirrorless camera, exactly? And why would you want one?

Before you make the switch, find out exactly what is a mirrorless camera and decide if it’s the right camera for you! Have you heard other photographers rave about their mirrorless cameras? Ever see another photographer shooting a tiny camera and wonder what the heck it was? Today, we’re going to tackle this new technology…

20 Photography Goals for 2020 (plus 4 more!)

20 Photography Goals for 2020 (plus 4 more!)

Get ready to crush it next year with these 20 (+4 more) Photography Goals for 2020! As the decade draws to a close, our thoughts turn to reflection and planning. Was your decade meaningful? Was your year everything you wanted to to be? Why or why not? If you need a little inspiration to start…

Best Newborn Photography Props – Our Top 10 List
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Best Newborn Photography Props – Our Top 10 List

From blankets and buckets to ribbons and bows…here are some items to stash on your list of best newborn photography props! Having a gorgeous newborn in your studio is a treat. Their sleepy smiles and tiny little noses are pure perfection in and of themselves. But experienced newborn photographers know that having some additional props…

Improve your photo sessions: 6 tips (without changing a single setting!)

Improve your photo sessions: 6 tips (without changing a single setting!)

Forget the settings…we have 6 OTHER ways to improve your photo sessions! One of the questions I get asked the most about my images is “What were your settings?” I totally understand why. It can be hard to conquer aperture, ISO and shutter speed, and the give and take between those elements. We naturally stress…

Capturing Motion In Your Photos: An Introduction

Capturing Motion In Your Photos: An Introduction

Amp up the impact by capturing motion in your photos We spend a lot of time talking about how to avoid blur in our photos. But sometimes blur is exactly what you want! Why? Because inducing blur is one way to convey motion in an otherwise static image. This tutorial will cover five different methods…

Gifts for Photographers in 2019
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Gifts for Photographers in 2019

What are the best and hottest gifts for photographers this year?  We’ve got a list! Do you have a photographer in your life?  Do you know what’s on her holiday wish list?  You better believe she has one!  If you need ideas, we have you covered! From stocking stuffers to new gear, we have a…

Do I need photography insurance?
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Do I need photography insurance?

Do you need photography insurance?  Short answer…yes. Are you prepared for the worse case business scenario?  I’m not talking some blurry shots or forgetting your ideas for posing.  I’m talking ruin your business and your personal finances kind of stuff.  That’s what photography insurance is all about – protecting you against business and personal financial…

Understanding Lens Filters
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Understanding Lens Filters

What lens filters do you need and why?  We’ll give you the basics! Have you ever heard a photographer talk about using a lens filter but didn’t really understand what that meant?  You’re not alone!  Lens filters are simple in design but can have many different functions.  They are also incredibly useful for getting your…

The Best Planners for Photographers in 2020
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The Best Planners for Photographers in 2020

Get ready for the coming decade with these ideas on planners for photographers! I scheduled two clients for the same mini-session spot.  They both showed up, families in tow, ready to go.  But I’d messed up big time.  That mortifying moment (and a few near misses) is why I’m such a nerd when it comes…

What is the Zone System in Photography?  Do I need to learn it?

What is the Zone System in Photography?  Do I need to learn it?

Understanding the zone system in photography makes you a better, more consistent photographer. Have you ever photographed a session and felt like you rocked it, only to pull those images up in post-production have your exposure completely out of whack?  Have you ever photographed a white dress only to see it looks gray in your…