Helpful Video On Understanding Composition

Composition is so important in the photos you take. Do you think about the placement of objects or subjects in your photos when you are capturing them?

Today we want to share this great 30 minute video with you all about understanding composition. Enjoy and tell us what you think about this video or if you have any tips on composition in the comments below. 

We hope you thought this video was helpful! Here are a few other videos that you may enjoy:

• How To Boost Photography Sales and Get Published In Magazines
• Tips and Inspiration On Sports Photography By Damian Strohmeyer

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Photography Inspiration From Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer Joe Buissink

No matter what it is that you do and love in life, you need to have a passion for it. As a photographer, you have to want to take photos, continue learning and growing to be the best you can be. Today, we want to share a little photography inspiration with you in this great video where Beverly Hills wedding photographer Joe Buissink shares is view on what photography means.

If you are a photographer this will definitely change the way you look at yourself and we hope it brings you some inspiration to get out and take amazing photos! 

Joe Buissink started his photographic career in 1995 and has become one of the most sought after and praised wedding photographers in the world. His work is both revered in the photographic community and admired in the wedding industry and he has photographed the weddings of people such as Barry Bonds, Alyson Hannigan, Brendan Fraser, Brooke Burke, Christian Slater, Christina Aguilera, Christina Applegate, David Boreanus, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, Kelsey Grammer and more. 

Here are a few of his amazing photos and be sure to check out his website at www.joebuissink.com!

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Are you a wedding photographer and take many wedding photos indoors throughout the year? The Indoor Wedding & Engagement Posing Guide would be perfect for you! You may be photographing a wedding that is outdoors but need to move photos inside due to bad weather. Or, perhaps you just need some new, fresh posing ideas while taking photos inside a church or ballroom. Get this guide today for only $15.00 (a $149.99 value)!

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4 Common Photography Mistakes Amateur Photographers Make

When you are an amateur photographer, you have a passion for taking photos and it is so important that you continue to learn and perfect your craft. No matter how long you have been learning and taking photos, there are some common photography mistakes that amateur photographers can make that you want to try to avoid. If you try to avoid these common mistakes, or learn from them as you go, you will be able to take awesome photos!

Take a look at these common mistakes that amateur photographers make that we saw on Tom's Guide. 

1. Failing to remove obstructions.

Always be sure when you are taking photographs to be aware of the things around the subject you are photographing. If you are taking a photo of a building, be aware of what is in front of the building, or even in the background. If you want an amazing shot of the building but also capture cars driving in front of it, that takes away from the shot. Try to position yourself in a way that has the least amount of distractions around it, and wait a minute to be sure you capture the best photo possible. 

2. Letting auto mode determine the ISO and f-stop.

Using the auto settings on your camera is not always the best thing. Do your research and figure out if you need a higher ISO or faster shutter speed to get the best possible photo. Remember that when trying to capture shots in dim light, it's better to use a shorter exposure time because it minimizes the blurring caused by a shaking camera. 

3. Using the built-in flash.

Many times if you take portraits in low light with your camera in auto mode, the flash will turn on by default but that doesn’t always result in the best photos. You could find that it looks very dark and is not as clear as you want. This is another time when switching up your cameras settings will help rather than always using the built in flash.   

4. Fearing the abstract.

Do not be afraid to do something a little abstract. You do not always have to take a photo from straight ahead with everything lined up perfectly to make it awesome. Find something unique and try shooting it from a unique angle. Or, take for example you are photographing fruit at a farmers market, as Tom's Guide mentions. Instead of photographing the entire barrel of apples, pick one fruit to be the center of the photo so it is a bit more abstract. 

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Go From Ordinary to Extraordinary With These Tips From Ben Von Wong

"Keep experimenting and never give up... and that, my friends, is how you take your photos to the next level." Such a great and inspiring quote from professional photographer Ben Vong Wong.

Like so many things in life, this quote is perfect for taking photos; no matter what type of photos it is that you take - whether you photograph weddings, gorgeous landscapes around the world or portraits - you never want to stop experimenting and trying out new techniques, poses, and ideas. 

By continuing to learn and grow and try out new techniques, you can take your photos from ordinary to extraordinary - or "epic" as Von Wong would say. 

Underwater shipwreck in Bali. Photo credit: Ben Von Wong

Vong Wong has spent years developing his creative vision and style and is known throughout the photography world for his incredible vision and portraiture. One thing we love is that he enjoys sharing his tips and creative process with others all around the world on his YouTube channel and website. 

The quote from above was from a video of his where he explains how to take your photography to the next level of epic. You can watch his video "How To Take Your Photography To The Next Level of Epic" below. 

The techniques and tricks he shows in the video can be done by any photographer with some brainstorming, planning and consistency. He says that you must start small and work your way up to more complicated concepts that will create more advanced shots. Like Von Wong says, it takes many tries to get it perfect, but you must keep trying to have it look the way you envisioned. 

Here are a few more photos from him that we thought you would enjoy seeing. 

Superheros on a skyscraper. Photo credit: Ben Von Wong

Disney library. Photo credit: Ben Von Wong

Storm chaser. Photo credit: Ben Von Wong

We originally saw this video on Digital Trends. Here are a few other posts you may enjoy: 

• Awesome Photos Of Extreme Surfers and Northern Lights
• This Motorcycle Surfing Shoot Is Amazing!
• 5 Minute Video on the History Of Photography

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5 Ways To Better Capture Emotions In Your Photos

It can be very hard to capture emotion in photography. Not only do you have to be right in the center of the action but your timing also has to be perfect to get the shot at the right time. No matter what it is you are photographing, finding that emotion is important. Perhaps you are capturing the way the groom feels when he first sees his wife walk down the aisle in her beautiful wedding gown. Maybe you are traveling and want to capture the culture of a specific city you are visiting or the laughter of children as they play at the park. It could even be the look of a mother when she holds her newborn baby.

We love the emotion this groom is showing as he sees his bride for the first time on their wedding day! This is the perfect example of wonderful emotion captured by the photographer, Andria Lindquist. We found this photo on SnapKnot. 

Whatever type of emotion you are capturing, you want to do it the best possible way you can. Here are 5 tips we found on FStoppers where famous sport and music photographer Michael Zagaris joins Marc Silber on "Advancing Your Photography" and gives us his essential tips to come up with touching pictures. Read through the tips below and then watch the video from Marc! 

1. Connect With People

When you are photographing someone, it is easier to get those more intimate moments when the person you are photographing trusts you. Using a camera with a large lens that stands out can be intimidating to some, so it is important for you to blend in and not stick out from the crowd. If you need help with this, read on to number two below.

2. Experience The Moment

To truly experience the moment, you must be involved and blend in with the crowd. For example, if you are photographing a wedding, you want to blend in so those you are capturing in photos do not even realize you are there. 

3. Understand Your Equipment

You need to be sure you know exactly how to work your equipment because if you are going to capture true emotion, you have to be able to do it quickly. You will not have time to fumble around with the camera settings or your lens. If you have to think about what aperture to use and how to adjust it while the emotion is happening right in front of you, you are most likely going to miss it. It must become second nature for you to adjust all your camera settings quickly so you can be sure not to miss any of those special moments or emotions you are trying hard to capture. 

4. Bring Your Vision To Reality

Framing has a huge impact on conveying that emotion you are capturing. For example, using a wide-angle lens while shooting close will give a sense of proximity and include more of the surroundings, or using leading lines to frame your subject will help it stand out more. 

You can make emotions more intense or more neutralized by your composition. Make sure before you begin shooting that you analyze the scene, anticipate what and where you want to photograph and do all your planning ahead. Having a specific vision in mind before you begin taking photos of the moment will help you to capture the emotion you are looking to get. 

5. Shoot What You Love

In the video below, you will hear Zagaris say that photography is a beautiful art that gets us in places otherwise inaccessible to most of us. This is so very true. As a photographer, you have the chance to experience things that other people are not able to. Be sure to embrace that, but the only way to capture that emotion you want is when you actually LOVE what you do and photograph what it is you love. If you love weddings and seeing people in love, shoot weddings. If you have a passion for travel, capture emotion while visiting new places. Whatever it is you love, capture it! 

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7 Tips To Stay Inspired In Your Photography

Let's face it....sometimes it is hard to stay inspired in life. Even if you are so passionate about photography, with the craziness of life and how busy it can be, staying inspired can be tough. Some of you reading this may have your own photography business that you do full-time. Others may have a business but have to work another full-time job at the same time. And then there are some that simply love taking photos and do it as a hobby. Whatever category you fall into, do you ever find yourself feeling uninspired?

Here is a video we saw by Eric Kim, a photography teacher currently located in Berkley, California, where he provides some great tips to help yourself stay inspired in your photography. We thought these tips may help you find that inspiration you need to get back to capturing all the amazing photos that you love! 

You can read a little more on each tip on Eric Kim's blog. His mission is to produce as much "open source photography" as he can. You can read more about him and his work and check out his blog at www.erickimphotography.com. 

If you liked this video, here are some other videos you may want to see:

• 1 Man and 6 Different Photography Perspectives
• 5 Minute Video on the History of Photography

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7 Easy Steps To Improve Your Photography

Like we always say about anything in life, you always want to continue learning and growing. That goes for your photography as well. There are so many different things you can do if you want to keep improving your work. Read everything you can about your craft. (Here are a few books about photography that you could start with)! You could also take classes and you want to take photos all the time. 

Many people think that you can make your photos better with simply photo editing everything, but that is not all it takes. Editing is helpful when needed, but you want to shoot your photography as best as you can the first time. Here are 7 easy steps that can help you improve your photography skills that we found on Huffington Post. 

1. Read your camera's user manual.

Don't overlook your camera's user manual. It does contain a lot of information that is key to helping you make the most out of your camera and learn how to take the best possible photos you can. 

2. Apply what you read.

Once you read the user manual and hear about all the other great things your camera can do, go try it out and experiment with what you learned. 

Photo credit: StockSnap

3. Make the most out of what your camera can do! 

You do not need the most expensive camera out there to take the best photos... you just have to make the most out of the camera you have and what it can do. 

4. Use a tripod. 

Many people find that using a tripod can dramatically improve the quality of your photos. It can give you stability when shooting which in turn makes your images come out sharper and more balanced. Just be sure your tripod and camera are on a stable, flat surface because you do not want your photos to come out slanted. 

The photo to the right is a great and lightweight tripod that you may like. You can see more details on the product here. 

5. Use the edges of each element as a guide in framing your photo. 

To make your photos more balanced and visually appealing line up the edges of certain elements in the frame to create a pathway that leads to your subject. Aside from edges and lines, look for other interesting shapes, textures and patterns in the scene that you can use as a guide in framing your subject. 

6. Expose your work and photos to others. 

Attend exhibits, read about photography tips and tricks that other photographers have written or on sites such as Camera Giveaways and look at as much photography as you can. If you see a photo you like, make a note and then experiment on how you can recreate that particular style with your camera. 

7. Ask others for feedback on your work. 

Feedback from others can help you find out what you are doing wrong and what you need to improve. Whether you regularly talk with other photographers in your city, or you use photo sharing sites like Flickr where you can upload your photos for critiquing, getting that feedback will be so beneficial if you are looking to improve your work.

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Do you love taking photos are really want to start your own photography business doing exactly what you love? This guide titled "How To Start Your Photography Business" would be perfect for you! For $149.99, you will learn how to find clients, what you should be charging those clients, when to give out contracts, creating a website, advertising and so much more! 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS GUIDE NOW! 

 

 

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3 Tips To Pricing Your Wedding Photography Packages To Sell

Are you a wedding photographer that is trying hard to compete with the hundreds of photographers that are located in the same city as you? In today's world, where it is very easy to purchase a camera and begin a photography business, you want to make sure you stand out from the crowd.

Pricing your wedding photography packages is one of the most important things for your business because it is how you make your money but it also is one of the toughest things to set up. In the awesome BP4U Guide titled "The Business of Wedding Photography," photographer Brooke Bustillos discusses how to best price your photography packages and market them properly to engaged couples. The guide is so comprehensive; she also talks about and provides awesome tips on how she has created a successful business where she has photographed over 76 weddings in a year! 

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Today, we want to share with you 3 tips that Brooke has included in this guide to help you price your wedding photography packages to sell. Enjoy!

Photo credit: Brooke Bustillos

1. Get A Feel For What Other Photographers Charge In Your Area

The average client will spend roughly $2,000 for their wedding photography in Indianapolis but if you are in Chicago, the average client will spend about $3,000. This shows that it totally depends on what market you are located in for the price you should charge. You have to get a good feel for what people will pay in your area because you do not want to price yourself too low or too high. 

2. Learn To Say No

Think about this: you are meeting with a client which you have already booked to discuss the specifics of their engagement photos. While with them, they say to you, "One of your competitors is willing to throw in an extra album for the same price as your first package." You must realize now that this client is most likely going to be a problem. You may not have thought so when you first booked them, but because they are STILL discussing the pricing after they have already agreed and booked with you, they will be the ones that will nit-pick everything during the wedding and even after the images have been delivered. Just tell them NO. Give them your prices and be done with it. Just remember, that is the price you have decided will help you to make the money you need to run your business successfully. 

Keep in mind that there may be times when you will want to work around a client and their budget. If someone comes to you right off the bat and tells you exactly what their maximum budget is and that they have no room to extend it, and you feel like these people will be a great client, go for it. They have been upfront from the get-go, have not decided to book yet because they want to see if you would even agree to work with their budget. They understand and those are the clients you want. This is your business and you want to use your judgement for these types of price changes.  

Photo credit: Brooke Bustillos

3. Keep Your Packages Short and Sweet

Try not to have too many different packages. Brooke says in this guide that she tries to have no more than 3 at a time because more than that tends to confuse people. When you have your packages listed out, be short and sweet and tell them exactly what they will get for the price of that specific package. Your goal is to get them to go for the middle package. Do not include everything in the first package and make your most expensive package include everything you offer. That way, your client will want to go for the middle package that you have priced perfectly that will most benefit you and your business as well as your clients. 

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Pricing is very important to your business, but you also need to consider how you market to your prospects and actually book the client. You also need to think about how you market yourself online. What does your web presence look like and do you make yourself likable? Are you on social media and do you have a quality website that shows off your work but also gives a prospect the information they are looking for when doing their research? You should also list your business on other websites, such as SnapKnot, to make sure you are reaching as many potential customers as you possibly can. 

If you liked these 3 tips, there are SO MANY more offered in this 76-page guide, "The Business of Wedding Photography." If you purchase now, you can get it for only $49.99 (normally $149.99)!! What a great value for such valuable business tips. 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE "THE BUSINESS OF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY" NOW!

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4 Great Photography Tips For Beginners

If you are just starting out on your photography journey, or you have recently stumbled across your passion for capturing amazing photographs of whatever it is you enjoy shooting, you want to learn the best practices, tips and tricks to be the best photographer you can be. Whether you want to start your own business or just take your photos as a hobby, here are 4 photography tips for beginners that we hope help you out! 

Photo credit: TechRadar.com 

1. Get A Camera That Suits You

You need to have a camera that works for the type of photography you do and that does not always mean you need the latest, most expensive camera on the market. Research all the cameras out there and choose one that fits your specific needs. If you are starting your own business, you may want to spend a little more than you would if you are simply wanting to take photos as a hobby. But, like we always say, it is not the size of the lens, it is how you use it. 

2. Focus On A Specialty

It is important for your photography to really grow by figuring out what specialty you want to focus on. Of course you can always photograph other things, but having that focus is key to improving and learning the best ways to capture the subject you are focusing on. Do you really love the passion between a bride and groom on their wedding day? Focus on wedding photography. If you really prefer and love the work you do with still objects outdoors, focus on landscape photography. Your specialty is totally up to you and all depends on what your passion is. But with that said, as a photographer, the possibilities are truly endless and you can capture photos of anything that makes you happy. 

3. Keep Learning

Whether you have been taking photos for the past year, or you literally just purchased your first camera, always continue to learn. Read blogs or photography books, take classes, talk with other photographers and learn what they do and why they do it. Whether you want to learn about your camera itself, techniques you can use to photograph the subject or objects you enjoy, or even learn more about different programs you can use for editing your work, the industry is always changing which means continuing to learn is an essential part.    

4. Take Lots Of Photos

Take lots and lots of photos! Keep practicing and perfecting your craft. Just like with anything else, the more photos you take, the better you will become. Get out and explore new angles or try out a different lens or even scope out new locations that you have never been to and see what it looks like in photos. If you do photography as a hobby, carry your camera with you even if you are not planning on photographing something. You never know what you can find when you are not looking!  

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If learning is something that you want to be sure to do this year, we have tons of great guides you can easily buy and download about so many aspects of photography. Are you a new photographer that is not sure if you want to actually start a business or not? Wondering what all it takes to start your own photography business? How To Start Your Photography Business would be the perfect guide for you. For $149.99, read this 133 page guide that will tell you everything you need to know about how to get your business started, marketing, getting a web presence, and business planning. 

 

 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS BUSINESS GUIDE NOW! 

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8 Ways To Make Money With Your Photography

Many of you out there may have your own photography business and already make money from your work but there are probably a large number of you who just take photos as a hobby or passion. If you do photography as a hobby, have you ever wondered how you could make a little (or a lot) of money with your photography?

We found this great article on Digital Photography School that we had to share with you today. If you are looking to make some money with your photos, here are 8 great ways that you may love!

1. Shoot Microstock

If you are great at taking commercial images, you may want to look at different microstock sites such as Shutterstock and iStock Photo. Commercial images are the types of photos that sell the most with these types of sites so by uploading the images you take, you may be able to make some money. 

2. Be A Second Shooter

There are many times that a professional photographer may need help from a second shooter for a specific project. Perhaps they are photographing a large wedding or they are working a sporting event or project where having a second shooter will be helpful. The best way to find these jobs is by networking and meeting other photographers. Opportunities tend to arise through relationships. 

Photo credit: Olly Stabler; his first photo to make it print 

3. Sell Prints

Selling prints is a great way to make money with your photography and there are many different ways to do so. You can choose framed copies for larger amounts of money, you could print on canvases or even do prints on their own for those customers who want to spend less. 

When you sell prints, you should also make it a point to purchase some of your best work to display in your studio or to show when you meet with clients. Showing what type of work you do and the prints that you offer is a great way to upsell as well which in turn makes you more money if that is what you are trying to do.  

4. Write and Sell An eBook

If you are very passionate about your photography experiences and love to share your own tips and tricks for your trade, creating an eBook would be a great option for you! Of course writing an eBook will take up time in the writing and creating phase but it will help you make a name for yourself within the photography industry. 

5. Have a Portrait Party

Just like any type of party, invite friends, media, colleagues and possible clients to your studio and tell everyone to bring friends. Take portraits of people all evening and have some fun entertainment and food. During the party, you can show the photos you have taken and give them the option to buy their photographs or even book a session with you. You could even give out a few free prints to thank them for coming (which is also a great way to get the word out about the work you do). Getting more and more people to know about your business is the best way to result in more business. Word of mouth is so important! 

Photo credit: Olly Stabler, headshot taken at his studio

6. Photograph in Nightclubs

Taking photos in nightclubs will help you learn a bunch of skills that you will need if you want to do hire paid and more complex jobs later on. If you are pretty new to photography and want to earn extra money and build up your skills at the same time, this is a great job for you! This will also help you build confidence because you will be forced to interact with lots of people all at the same time which is a very important quality of a photographer. 

7. Enter Competitions

Photography competitions all offer various prizes. Try looking for competitions that offer a cash prize and enter as many of them as you an. If you take photos regularly, choose some of your best from your portfolio. Carve out an hour every day searching and submitting your work for these is a great way to begin. Just be sure to keep in mind that entering a competition does not guarantee a payout and can be an unpredictable way of making money. 

8. Start A Photo Booth Service

A photo booth is very easy to operate and is a similar price to a full frame DSLR body and lens. With a photo booth, there are an unlimited amount of events and options available including parties, weddings, corporate events and more. Keep in mind that this option may not be the best for a new photographer as you really are limited with the artistic photo opportunities with having a photo booth, but, if your main goal is to make money, it could be an option. 

Photo credit: Chris Guillebeau

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Get this eBook today for $12.99 (regularly $124.99)! 

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