How to Say ‘No’ to a Client

Running a photography business and gaining new clients is exciting, but sometimes clients have unreasonable requests. Here’s how to respond to a client when you have to tell them “no.”

“Trend Spotting” - A Journey Through Fashion Photography’s Past, Present And Future With Melissa Rodwell

Melissa Rodwell has been there, done it and got the t-shirt. A thirty year veteran of the world of fashion photography, she has paid her dues and then some. She has seen the trends come and go, and now has the knowledge and experience to help those just starting out. Anyone interested in fashion photography, or simply how to survive as a professional photographer will benefit from this frank and exclusive interview.

Profoto's C1 Line: Who Are They Targeting?

As you can likely tell from my recent posts, I’m a user and big fan of Profoto. I realize their products are expensive, but they work. In real life, they never let me down.

How to Report an Instagram Copyright Violation in Under Two Minutes

Every day sees tens of thousands of copyright infringements on Instagram, and despite this vast number, reporting violations is very confusing — perhaps deliberately so. While my first attempt took almost 20 minutes, I can now complete a report in under 90 seconds. This quick guide walks you through the process and helps to make it as painless as possible.

Fstoppers Reviews: The Affordable Huion HS64 Drawing Tablet

Drawing tablets have always been a necessary tool for photo retouchers but just about everyone can benefit from incorporating one into their workflow. Now the new Huion HS64 is a great affordable entry-level option.

When Things Go Wrong In Mexico: Mike Kelley's Behind The Scenes Episode 5

With the launch of Mike Kelley's 3rd Architectural tutorial, we released eight new episodes of behind the scenes madness. In this episode, Mike continues shooting one of the most extravagant homes on the Mayan Rivera, Lee's nightmare trip becomes worse when he comes down with food poisoning, and I make the most of the situation and explore everything the coast of Mexico has to offer.

The Wednesday Rundown 7.11.12

Howdy everyone and welcome to the Wednesday Rundown. This week we get the chance to see Dave Kai Piper's post edit work. Dave posts a ton of photos on the facebook page that are amazing. You should look up his work if you have not seen it before. It is great to see his post edits as well. If you have a great and informative video you want to see in the Wednesday Rundown please shoot me an email jerrit@fstoppers.com .

SmallRig Introduces New Carbon Fiber Tripod

Today, we’ll have a quick look at SmallRig’s latest solution for camera stability, the AS-100 FreeBlazer Heavy-Duty Carbon Fiber Tripod System.

Looking for a New Sling? Don't Miss Think Tank's TurnStyle

With the growth of powerful and reliable small cameras, it’s only natural that photographers look for bag options that fit the new compact lifestyle. That said, if you’re like me, even if you plan on “downsizing,” you don’t want to give up too much, you just want a more compact version of what you already have. I took the Think Tank TurnStyle with me overseas and used it as my primary bag to see if it could act as my go-to travel satchel.

Fstoppers Answers - What Is Your Cancellation Policy?

Each week, we ask our writers to answer a question submitted to us in the comments from the previous weeks. These questions can cover anything, and hope to provide some insight on what its like to be a working professional photographer in the industry. Last week, we asked "Ten Headshots for a Corporate Client, What Do You Charge?" and got a lot of feedback, which spawned this weeks question -- "What is Your Cancellation Policy?"

Wishlist: Canon’s Next Cinema Camera

Canon’s cinema line of cameras ushered forward the post-DSLR years for video users, and now, they could be set to do the same with mirrorless designs.

The First USB Follow Focus Controller For DSLRs

Every now and then someone comes out with a product that really makes me say, "why didn't I think of that?" If you've ever been on the set of a serious movie production, you know that the camera operator or steadicam operator hardly ever focuses the lens himself. Instead he relies on a well paid focus puller who can perfectly eyeball every focus distance and follow focus any lens set on any aperture. It's really amazing to watch. Well now a company called Okii has developed a USB focus puller for Canon cameras that can not only pull focus but also record and save a specific movement. I have no idea why they did not include audio on this video but if you watch if you can see two different points of focus being saved and then automated. Click the full post to see a second demonstration that shows off the actual recorded footage.
[Pics] March's Best Facebook Group Photos

A great photo makes us feel. It makes us stare. It takes us places we have never been, or even places we long to remember. Great photos show us a side of the world we wish was real, or perhaps what is all too real. We are all capable of truly great photos, and our Fstoppers Facebook Group proves that every single day. To honor these great Fstoppers of the world, we award the best of the best from each month with a badge of honor: the Fstoppers Featured Photo. Here are the best from March 2012.

Critique the Community Episode 9: Family Portraits

Last week we asked the Fstoppers Community to submit some of their family portrait work for the next episode of Critique the Community. We accepted anything family related, groups, kids, or babies and chose 20 of them to give feedback on. Check out the submissions below and listen as Lee and Patrick give their thoughts.

The Only Question You Need to Ask to Sell More Prints

Selling prints is a tricky business with seemingly infinite reasons for someone to decide they don't want to purchase your image. But one simple question can dramatically increase your odds of convincing a potential customer to pull the trigger on investing in your art.

Fstoppers Reviews the Lowepro Rover Pro AW Series Bags

This past week we have seen a lot of gear come out, including a brand new outdoorsman-style bag in the Lowepro Rover Pro series. We got our hands on both versions of the bag, the 35L and the larger 45L and sent Mike Kelley and Mike Wilkinson off on separate excursions to put the bag to the test. Mike Kelley reviewed the 45L, while Mike Wilkinson reviewed the 35L.

Irina Werning:  The Creator of The Back To The Future Photo Trend

A few years ago, photographer Ze Frank started an online photo concept called Young Me, Now Me where he took current versions of old photographs. The trend was huge on websites like Myspace and Facebook and was sure to put a smile on your face. Well Argentinian photographer Irina Werning has taken this concept even further by creating images that replicate the scene exactly from the location to the wardrobe and even down to the lighting. Irina's series called Back To The Future is a awesome example of pushing your work into the mainstream by thinking outside the box and creating something everyone will remember (and can partake in themselves). Click on the full post for a few examples of her work.
HDR Stop Motion Adventure Piece Through Georgia (The Country)

I’ve been waiting for someone to do an HDR stop motion flick and here it is described as an "HDR hyperlapse postcard that will take you to a journey through Georgia - probably the most friendly country in the world." This motion piece shows us a side of Georgia that differs from what most mainstream media portrays the country as, all with the hate it or love it HDR effect.

Lights, Cameras, And Pirates: Behind The Scenes On A Malibu Rum Ad

In this behind the scenes video for Malibu Island Spiced Rum, various members of the video crew share nuggets of useful information about the work that went into the commercial. Multiple locations, a huge pirate ship, and fake food are just the start of what it took. The final, edited ad is at the end of the video.

Duo Boards Might Be the Perfect Photography Surface for Food and Product Shoots

If you are like me, you probably have a closet full of random tiles, boards, and construction scraps just in the event you need an interesting surface to shoot on. These new photography surfaces by Duo Boards set out to change my messy studio, and this photography tutorial shows you how useful these backdrops can be!

The Wednesday Rundown 12.19.12

Howdy everyone and welcome to the Wednesday Rundown. This week we have a behind the scenes video from a German band shoot in an aircraft hanger. Also check out the Bollywood shoot for a magazine cover and acticle. If you have a great and informative video you want to see in the Wednesday Rundown please shoot me an email jerrit@fstoppers.com .

Filmmaker Thomas Tepstad Berge's Timelapse Will Mesmerize You with the Beauty of the Norwegian West Coast

Civil Engineer, Thomas Berge, is a hobbyist filmmaker from just outside of Stavanger, Norway. He has carefully edited together a ridiculously gorgeous combination of timelapses and hyperlapses of the west coast over the last three years that will have you calling your travel agent to book a flight out his way. It’s a five minute feast for your eyes that you don’t want to miss.