Recent Education Articles

What Happens When You Lose Your Photographic Confidence?

Photography, like any creative pursuit, requires a degree of confidence in your abilities in order to find success. It is totally normal to go through periods in which you lose that confidence, however. So, what do you do then? This great video essay discusses what you can do to rebuild your confidence.

Breaking Free from Creative Ruts

When you're stuck in one place, it's easy to fall into a routine, revisiting the same spots and capturing similar scenes. This can lead to complacency, and before you know it, the familiar becomes dull. Yet, there's always more to discover, even in places you think you know inside out.

10 Crucial Tips for Photographing Your First Wedding

Wedding photography is one of the most demanding and difficult genres, requiring strong technical and creative capabilities, the ability to quickly and effectively solve problems, and strong interpersonal skills. If you are getting ready to photograph your first wedding and feeling a bit nervous, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced wedding photographer sharing 10 important tips that will help you to better prepare and ease your nerves.

8 Helpful Tips for Creating Better Vertical Videos

Whether you like it or not, vertical video is quickly becoming a more popular format. With more and more people using their mobile devices as their main means of entertainment and information consumption, vertical video is becoming a natural means of delivering content, though it takes a different way of thinking, particularly since most professional devices are designed for horizontal creation. This great video will give you eight tips to improve your vertical videos.

4 Ways Photo Outings Can Fail

It happens to all of us at one point or another: our camera breaks, the weather does not cooperate, etc. We have all had a failed photoshoot before. This great video features a photographer discussing four different failed photoshoots of his own.

Strobe or Natural Light? Let the War Begin.

I love watching other photographers at work. In this video, you will see one of my favorite fashion photographs, Lindsay Adler, who is known for studio lighting and Dani Diamond, who prefers natural light. They go head to head on the streets of New York with the same model.
Booked Your First Wedding? Here's What You Need to Know

Few photographic events put more pressure and stress on the photographer than their first wedding, but we all have to start sometime. If you just booked your first wedding and you want to make sure the big day goes as well as possible (and with as little stress for you as possible), check out this excellent video tutorial that will guide you through what you need to know.

Unleash the Fun: Must-Have Tools for Pawsome Pet Portrait Sessions

Attention, all pet-loving shutterbugs! If you're a studio portrait photographer with a passion for pup photography, then you've come to the right place. We're about to let you in on a little secret that will have those furry friends wagging their tails with joy during your next pet portrait session. That secret? It's all about the right tools. So, grab your camera and let's dive into the world of pet-tastic props!

The Photo Creators: A Boutique Conference for Hands-On Learning

Not all conferences are created equal. While I am a big fan of the large conferences, sharing a room with hundreds of people isn't always the best way to learn. So, if you still want to learn from big names such as Lindsey Adler and Joe McNally, but in a small hands-on environment, then The Photo Creators may be what you are looking for.

How Do You Work With Difficult Cast and Crew?

Photo and video work is just like any industry: they come with plenty of difficult people who can make your life a pain in the neck. Unfortunately, you do not always get the choice of who you work with. This excellent video discusses what you can do when you are stuck with difficult cast or crew.

Visual Storytelling Lessons from 10 Iconic Films

Movies often offer a unique perspective on visual storytelling, making them a valuable resource for honing your creative eye. This list of 10 films explores techniques that are especially useful when applied to photography.

You Don’t Need Talent to Become Great

Hard work can often outpace natural talent in photography. The learning curve may seem steep, but dedication to developing skills and creativity can open doors that talent alone won’t.

What Does Being Creative Even Mean?

We're all watching the latest videos where the YouTube creators have been given the gear to review and for us to learn from. But are they really creators? To create is to make something that wasn't there before. But let's go in a bit deeper.

Black vs. White Grids: Do They Really Make a Difference?

Light control is one of the most important aspects of photography. Whether you’re lighting a subject or creating mood through shadows, tools like grids can shape how your final image looks. But not all grids are the same, and subtle differences can affect the results in ways you might not expect.

Could You Save This Messed-up Footage?

No doubt, modern cameras and editing software have allowed us to push edits to extremes we would never have dreamed of previously, but still, to ensure the best image and video quality and significantly reduce our work at the computer, getting things right in camera is best. That being said, there will be times when things need some work in post. This neat video challenges four colorists to correct severely askew footage and will teach you some great methods in the process.

Don't Be Afraid of Failure

Failure is something every creative has to deal with, no matter how talented they are or how far along they are in their careers. Whether it is rejection or a personal project that did not work out as expected, failure is something we will always deal with and something that we should learn to embrace.

Using Lightroom Masks to Create Custom Vignettes

Custom vignetting can subtly improve your images, drawing attention to your subject in a way that looks natural and intentional. Instead of relying on preset sliders, creating custom vignettes in Lightroom lets you control exactly how light and shadow interact with your composition.

Preparing For My First Art Gallery

As a wedding photographer, having a gallery of my work has never been something that has crossed my mind. So when I was approached by The Apollo on Emma about putting some of my work on display, I had to dive down the rabbit hole of possibilities.

Helpful Landscape Photography Advice and Tips

Landscape photography can be tricky, complex, and frustrating, but it can also be tremendously rewarding. If you'd like to improve your own work, check out this excellent video interview that offers a lot of insightful advice sure to help you on your way.

Essential Tips to Look Professional on Set

Looking professional in your work is crucial, especially when clients are making snap judgments based on your equipment and setup. Whether it’s fair or not, the way you present yourself and your gear affects how seriously you’ll be taken.

The Power of Simple Lighting Techniques

Creating dramatic sports imagery requires more than just a camera and a subject; it demands a thoughtful approach to lighting and composition that elevates the final image to match the intensity of the event.

Great Fall Waterfall Photo Ideas

Fall is here in many places, and with it comes tremendous photography opportunities of all sorts. One interesting way to take advantage of those gorgeous colors is to integrate waterfalls and moving water in the shot. This great video tutorial will show you some awesome ideas for autumn photography with rivers and waterfalls.

Can Camera Gear Inspire You?

The recurring mantra is that gear is nothing more than a tool, and it is true that even the most expensive camera and lens will not do a thing without a competent creative operating them. However, that does not mean a piece of gear cannot be fun to use or even inspire you. This excellent video essay features an experienced photographer who has used a huge range of equipment discussing how gear can inspire you and how that should factor into your purchasing decisions.

10 Essentials Every Wedding Photographer Needs

If you're thinking of becoming a wedding photographer, or you've already started, you'll know it's a demanding role. So, in this video, Benj Haisch takes you through 10 essentials you'll need.
How to Photograph the Bridal Party at a Wedding

The group shots at a wedding are some of the most important, but they can also present some of the most difficult challenges for the photographer. If that is something you struggle with, check out this excellent video tutorial that features an experienced wedding photographer sharing a wealth of practical advice on how to get the best shots.

Why a Single Workflow Doesn’t Fit All Photography

Choosing a photography workflow isn’t about following a set formula. Each step you take—from picking up the camera to final editing—is part of a sequence that can shift depending on your style, subject, and even personal preferences. There’s no “correct” way to approach it, so flexibility is key.

How to Stand Out as a Second Shooter at Weddings

The role of a second shooter at a wedding is crucial. This great video tutorial highlights key responsibilities for a second photographer on a wedding day, helping you elevate your performance and fill your calendar.

Lessons from Revisiting Iconic Locations

Photographing a place with a rich history or unique features forces you to approach it with fresh eyes. The struggle to avoid clichés and create something original is what makes these moments so rewarding.

Subtle Lighting Tweaks That Make a Big Difference

Balancing ambient and artificial light is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. Understanding how to control light gives you more flexibility and precision in your work.