Knowing when to hand over raw files and when to keep them can be a critical factor in how you’re perceived professionally. It’s not always as simple as saying “no.” In some situations, sharing your raw files can be a necessity, while in others, it could be a mistake.
Lighting can make or break your photos. It’s one of the most important elements to get right, yet it’s also one of the most common areas where mistakes happen. By understanding a few key missteps, you can improve your results quickly and avoid some of the pitfalls that hold many people back.
Figuring out how to price your services can feel overwhelming when you’re starting out. Whether you’re handling photography, videography, or broader social media content, knowing what to charge is a skill that can simplify your process and boost your confidence.
When I began photographing the landscape, the only option was using film, either black and white or color. When using black and white film, most of us used the Zone System or a derivation of it. Even those who cursed it as being too constrictive—it is not—or some kind of voodoo (again, it is not) were using this type of system in some way.
Woodland photography can be one of the more challenging environments for landscape photography. The trees and undergrowth create scenes of chaos that can be hard to organize into compelling images. Follow along as two landscape photographers wander through a rainforest, making photographs.
Shutter speed plays a huge role in how your images turn out, but it’s easy to fall into default habits like 1/125 of a second. Moving beyond those defaults opens up creative possibilities, whether you’re capturing motion blur or freezing fast action.
Photographing the landscape can be hard work, at times very hard work. It entails rising well before daylight in most cases and working in sometimes very harsh conditions. Most of the time, you will be out in the woods until well past dark, waiting for just the right moment, which may not come—even after your most valiant efforts. It makes sense, then, to do everything you can to stack the odds in your favor. Here are some thoughts on that.
Do you find yourself getting frustrated with your photography in the field? It is easy to fall into routines and practices that could hamper your photography and stifle your creativity. Are you looking for a way to break out of that as we move into 2025? This video provides a practical tip to help!
You’ve got your new upgraded camera, maybe a new lens, and Santa delivered a cool new magnetic filter kit. Now you’re all set this year to take sharper photos, faster, without reflections. But is this enough to help you become a better photographer in 2025? Spoiler: No. It may actually make you a worse photographer.
Street photography thrives on strong composition and purposeful framing. Creating images that captivate often comes down to how effectively you use the space within your frame.
With more clients seeking unique, standout images, digital backdrops could give you a creative edge and make your work more efficient.
As photographers grow more familiar with their gear and solidify their preferred approach, it’s easy to fall into comfortable, well-trodden patterns. We often return to the same focal lengths, shoot the same subjects, rely on the same post-processing techniques, and compose images according to established habits. While there’s value in refining a signature style, there is also a risk of stagnation.
If you approach the scene you are photographing thinking in 2D, you may have difficulty transforming your image from just a snapshot to something visually interesting and intentional. Learning to think in 3D will help you approach scenes more dynamically and create more compelling images.
Natural light portrait photography demands a nuanced understanding of how light interacts with the environment. By learning to read and work with available light, you can transform challenging conditions into opportunities for creating captivating portraits that stand out from the crowd.
Setting ambitious goals in photography requires more than just dreaming - it demands consistent, deliberate action to transform those aspirations into reality. Whether you're looking to start a wedding photography business or launch a creative project, understanding how to effectively bridge the gap between vision and execution can make all the difference in your success.
Feeling stuck in your photography journey can be frustrating, especially when it's easy to think new gear will solve your problems. Instead of relying on temporary fixes, it’s a good time to rethink your approach and rediscover your creative spark.
Isn't it great to have a crystal ball to tell us our future and what's around the next corner? Unfortunately, there is no such thing, and we must live life, make mistakes, and move on. I wish I had one, especially when I started my photography journey. Here are five things I had to learn the hard way.
Creativity is often tied to a photographer's success. Many approach it incorrectly and wonder why their photography fails. Here's how to approach creativity, freeing yourself from the mundane images everyone else shoots.
Even with the best gear, a stunning location, and perfect light, your photos can still fall flat. The key lies in composition. It’s a skill that evolves over time and one you’ll always have room to improve.
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.
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.
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.
Reflecting on your work and setting intentions for the future can transform the way you approach photography. With a new year comes an opportunity to refine habits, focus your energy, and work toward meaningful progress in your craft.
Correcting challenging skin tones can be one of the most frustrating parts of photo editing. Here's how to get reliable results every time.
Unseen photo shoots can offer a rare glimpse into the challenges and unpredictability of creating compelling images, shedding light on the realities of managing expectations, conditions, and results.
White balance is a tool for shaping the mood and tone of your image. Whether it’s the chill of a winter morning or the warmth of a glowing sunset, white balance offers control over how your viewers feel when they look at your work.
It’s not just about owning better gear—it’s about developing technical expertise, refining your style, and mastering the intangible qualities that set advanced photographers apart.
Sometimes the best results come from unexpected challenges. A seemingly wrong gear choice at a wedding shoot turned into a lesson in creativity, pushing boundaries and proving the value of adapting to your circumstances.
Creating depth in your images can transform a flat photograph into something visually compelling. Here's how a good Lightroom edit can do that.
Converting color photos to black and white can highlight textures and contrasts in ways color cannot. Here's how to do it in Lightroom.
