Starting a photography business isn't about just snapping great photos. It's about clearly defining what value you're delivering and who exactly benefits from that value.
Camera settings and lighting adjustments dominate many photography conversations, but obsessing over these details might actually limit your growth as a photographer. Fixating on exact camera or lighting settings from someone else's work won't replicate their results and can distract you from developing your own instincts and creative style.
Shutter priority mode helps you capture sharp, clear images instead of blurry ones by letting you prioritize shutter speed over other settings.
Photography rules like the rule of thirds, symmetry, or specific lens guidelines might feel necessary when you're learning, but they're often more limiting than helpful. Sticking rigidly to these rules can leave you with predictable images and stunt your creativity.
Converting to black and white isn't just removing color—it’s about controlling contrast, tones, and mood in ways color images often can't achieve.
Exploring intimate landscapes can push you out of your comfort zone, especially when conditions aren't ideal for sweeping vistas. Mastering this type of photography sharpens your eye for detail and opens up new creative avenues when you're faced with challenging lighting or scenery.
Wedding photography trends are evolving fast, shaping how you might approach your work in the coming season. Understanding these changes can significantly impact your success and client satisfaction.
I still remember the moment I got the email—an opportunity to shoot for a major brand. I was excited, but it was the result of years of refining my craft, building a portfolio, and putting myself out there—mostly for free work or exchanges. Breaking into travel photography is no easy feat, but if you approach it the right way, landing that first major brand gig is absolutely possible.
There's a common misunderstanding among photographers about color accuracy and consistency in photo and video lighting setups. Knowing the difference can significantly impact your final image quality, especially in professional scenarios.
Artificial intelligence has rapidly expanded what you can do in photography, and now it's stepping into Lightroom presets. Creating custom presets that match the editing style of images you admire can be tricky, but using AI could make this process simpler and faster.
Lighting setups for beauty photography often lean toward simplicity, but there are times when complexity pays off significantly. Advanced lighting allows you to create highly detailed, dramatic, and eye-catching images that simple setups might not achieve.
Landscape photography editing isn't just about making pretty pictures—it's about guiding the viewer's eye exactly where you want it. Here's how to do that in Lightroom.
Mastering color in Lightroom is about knowing the right tool for the job. Two key features, the Color Mixer and Color Grading tools, each handle color differently, and understanding their unique roles can significantly improve your editing.
Advanced masking in Lightroom gives you precise control over your edits, letting you target specific areas in your photos. Knowing how to combine different masking tools effectively helps you achieve professional results and enhances your creativity.
Working with models for the first time can feel intimidating. Here's how to make the process easier.
You’ve booked the trip, packed your gear, and mapped out every perfect shot—but what if the best photos are the ones you never planned for? The magic of a photo trip isn’t just in the locations; it’s in the unexpected moments, the wrong turns, and the stories that unfold when you stop chasing perfection. Before you overstuff your itinerary and your camera bag, here’s what you should do (and avoid) to make your next photo trip unforgettable.
Creating truly captivating landscape photos doesn't come from random luck or a quick edit. To consistently capture images with genuine visual impact, you need a solid approach built around a few essential principles.
Batch editing in Lightroom saves you significant editing time by allowing quick adjustments across multiple images. Instead of manually correcting each photo one at a time, you edit one photo, then apply those settings to many others.
Getting started with photography means making some practical choices that directly affect how often you'll pick up your camera. Selecting gear and understanding basic techniques early on makes a real difference in how quickly you grow as a photographer.
Portrait editing is about guiding the viewer's attention directly to the subject’s face, and Lightroom Classic has powerful tools specifically designed for this purpose. Learning how to subtly enhance facial features and manipulate backgrounds can significantly elevate the visual impact of your portraits.
Making precise selections quickly matters, especially if you're editing complex scenes or composites. Better selections mean less wasted time and fewer headaches during editing sessions.
Second shooting at weddings is an excellent way to learn, gain experience, and build a portfolio—but if you make certain mistakes, photographers won’t keep hiring you. Knowing exactly what pitfalls to avoid is crucial for developing a solid reputation.
Choosing between raw and JPEG when shooting directly affects how much freedom you'll have later when editing. Understanding this choice helps ensure you capture images that match your vision and reduces potential frustration during post-processing.
Adobe recently introduced an intriguing new feature in Photoshop's beta version, promising easier, more precise color adjustments. Here's a look at how it performs.
Creating presets in Lightroom can streamline your editing workflow, making it quicker to achieve consistent aesthetics across multiple images. Here's how to do it.
Knowing what shutter speed does is vital for controlling your images. That’s not just how it affects exposure, but changing the shutter speed has a knock-on effect that can dramatically alter the look of a photo. Here’s an explanation and some exercises for you to try.
Photography is often seen as an active profession—booking clients, traveling to locations, and spending hours editing images. But what if your past work could continue making money long after the shoot? That’s where licensing comes in.
Photo books provide a curated, immersive experience that allows viewers to engage with photographs at a slower and more deliberate pace. So what happens when one challenges your perspective on your own photography?
Creating an HDR image isn't just about capturing a wider range of light—it's about achieving control over detail and exposure that your camera can't manage in one shot. Whether you're working in challenging lighting situations, like interiors with bright windows or landscapes with intense contrasts, HDR blending can significantly improve your final images.
Choosing the right photography specialization is more complex than picking something enjoyable or familiar. Getting it right can be the difference between making money and losing enthusiasm quickly.
