Reid Warner

January 15, 2016

5 Reasons To Start Photographing Wildlife

Reid Warner

January 15, 2016

What is not to love about photographing wildlife? There are so many different animals to capture and they all have different personalities, characteristics and habitats which can make for some really interesting photographs if you capture them correctly. We found this fun article on PetaPixel that gives some great reasons why you should start photographing wildlife. We totally agree and wanted to share 5 of those reasons with you today along with some really great animal photos!

So why should you start photographing wildlife? This is why:

1. We Are Still Cavemen

The cavemen from hundreds of thousands of years ago has the same wiring in their brains as we do today. Nature is where we belong which is why most of us love to go to the beach, enjoy a nice walk in the woods and love watching an amazing sunset. We used to hunt for wildlife as a way to survive (and some people today still do) and now-a-days, wildlife photography is the best way to "hunt" for animals.

2. The Power Of Nature Is In Your Hands

When you do wildlife photography, you are trying to capture a split second. That moment when the animal's behavior and the light work perfectly to create that amazing photo. The hard part is that you can not change nature. You can not change the lighting or what the animals are doing at that moment. You can not get too close where you would scare them, make them run away or perhaps cause danger to yourself, but you also have to be close enough to where you can capture a decent photo.

As a wildlife photographer, instead of trying to control the animals, let them be. Make the best of the conditions that you have, learn the behaviors of the animal you are trying to photograph and try to put yourself into their habitat.

3. Living In The Moment

No matter what you are doing in life, people always say it is good to live in the moment and enjoy what you are doing right then. There is no need to worry about the future, just enjoy the present.

You must live in the moment when you are photographing wildlife. You never know what they are going to do, and you have to be ready to react whether it is with taking a quick photo, or even changing to a new location because that animal decided they wanted to move around a lot that day!

4. Witnessing Amazing Creatures

Unfortunately, many animal species go extinct and many times it is because of humans. Global warming, oil drilling and so many other factors cause habitats of wild animals to disappear and there are so many species out there that many of us have never seen or even know about.

Being a wildlife photographer will allow you to meet wild animals - some that you did not even know existed or that may be gone before you know it or even get to witness them again. It can be truly amazing to experiance, while capturing an awesome photo at the same time.

5. You Can Find Beauty In Everything

While everyone loves a beautiful sunrise or a rainbow that comes after an afternoon rain, those are not just what is beautiful in nature. Even if it is a dark and dreary day, you can find beauty somewhere and that is what is so great about being a wildlife photographer.

Be sure to check out the entire article on PetaPixel.

Do you love doing animal photography? Here are 7 tips for doing great animal photography that you should read!

Do you take animal photographs or other shots outdoors and sometimes need to fix the sky? If you ever want to add clouds or sunsets to your photos then this Pretty Sky Overlays is for you! For $299.99, you will get 110 overlays that will allow you to fix a blown out sky or edit in a specific mood.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PRETTY SKY OVERLAYS NOW!

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Reid Warner

January 13, 2016

tips & tutorials

5 Tips For Fashion Photography

Reid Warner

January 13, 2016

tips & tutorials

Are you a fashion photographer that works with models and fashion designers to capture amazing styles of the time? You may be working with veteran models who have done many photo shoots and know exactly what they are doing but there is always a chance you could come across a model who is a little more timid that is harder to work with. You will be working with many different personalities and no matter what you want to be sure you capture the model and the fashion that is being featured in the best possible way you can.

Today we want to share with you 5 tips that are so important for fashion photography!

1. Be Confident

When you are working with models, you can not be timid. Make sure you show confidence in your work and when you are telling them how to pose and move around. If you are confident, they will be confident and it will make everything work together nicely.

2. Make Sure The Look Reflects The Style of Fashion

If the specific shoot you are doing is showing off a clothing line, make sure that is the focus. Also, it is important to pull together the model and elements of the scene to reflect the style that is being captured. Are you photographing a line for working professionals? If so, make sure that the makeup and accessories are more conservative and not as showy. If the line is more flashy then the other elements can be the same. It is good to keep in mind the audience that will be interested in this type of style and put yourself in their shoes so you can be sure to showcase the style perfectly.

3. Use Poses That Flatter

You want to make sure you are using poses that are flattering to the model. Stay on top of the latest men's and women's fashion magazines to get an idea of poses that are popular and what looks the best.

4. Make Sure Your Lighting Is Perfect

Whether you are shooting in a studio or doing an outdoor shoot, you want to make sure your lighting is spot on. Using a studio is helpful because it is much easier to control the amount of lighting you need or do not need for the specific type of photos you are trying to take.

If you are shooting outdoors, plan to be flexible depending on the whether as well as the time of day so you have the best light possible. Also remember that if you are shooting outdoors or in low light, you may require an extra light source so plan accordingly when you are packing your equipment.

5. Choose Your Location Wisely

The location of your fashion shoot is so important and makes a huge difference. If the clothing line you are shooting is more edgy or provocative, finding a location that has an urban feel would be best. If the line of clothing you are photographing are for spring, it could be perfect to find an open field, beach or garden to capture the beauty of the outdoors.

Do you love taking amazing photos but find that you need a little help with the editing part of the process? The Beginner's Guide To Using Photoshop CS would be perfect for you! You can get it today for $104.99 (normally $199.99)!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS GUIDE NOW!

Do you prefer to use Lightroom? Here is The Beginner's Guide To Using Lightroom.

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Reid Warner

January 6, 2016

tips & tutorials

6 Ways To Improve Your Photography This Year

Reid Warner

January 6, 2016

tips & tutorials

A new year is here and with that comes new goals for yourself, your business and everything else in your life! We wanted to help you get your photography off to the best start that you can this year so today we are telling you about 5 ways to improve your photography this year.

Whether you just love taking photos as a hobby or it is your profession, we hope these 5 tips help you get your photography off on the right foot in 2016!

1. Review past work.

Did you have some really amazing family photo sessions last year? Maybe you have photos from one wedding that were better than all the others. Did you scope out some really cool new landscapes in some new areas you have never been? Think about what made those photos as wonderful as they were and try to do more of that this year.

At the same time, what photos did not turn out the way you had hoped? What skills or techniques did you need to use when taking those specific photographs? Perhaps you can use that and study those skills and techniques to better yourself in the coming year.

2. Focus on a specialty.

Are you a new photographer and find yourself taking photos of whatever your Clients need? It is important for your business to really try and nail down a specialty you want to focus on. Of course you can always photograph other things, but having that focus is key to improving and marketing yourself to others. 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.

3. Plan out goals.

What goals do you want to accomplish in the coming year? Do you want to book a certain amount of weddings or portrait sessions or maybe you want to work to have your work published nationally? Whatever your goals are should be within reason but hard enough that you have work to meet those goals.

4. Get yourself organized now.

Start getting organized now. For many, that is just a continuance from your business last year, but being organized is essential for any photographer. Make sure you have a great place to keep track of any photo sessions you have and meetings with potential clients. It is even important for you to be sure to schedule time to check emails daily, keep up with social media for your business and edit photos.

Being organized may take time and a bit of work to do. Having a great day-by-day planner you carry around, or even by using the calendar on your phone is a great way to have reminders written down so you always know what you should be doing. You will find that the more organized you are, the more work you will get done if you stay consistent.

5. Take photos... lots of photos!

Take photos all the time. Keep practicing and perfecting your craft. Just like with anything else, the more photos you take, the better you will become. Even if you are a wedding photographer, get out and explore new ways to take photos or scope out a new engagement session location 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!

6. Continue to learn.

No matter if you are a professional photographer who has been in business for 25 years or you are just starting out and just learning how to use your camera, always continue to learn. Read blogs or photography books, take classes, talk with other photographers and learn what they do. Whether you want to learn about your camera itself, techniques you use, or even learn more about different programs you can use for editing your work, he industry is always changing and growing and learning is essential.

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. The Beginners Guide To Lighting is just one of the many guides you can choose from.

In The Beginner's Guide To Lighting, you will learn everything you need to know about lighting including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. The guide is $29.99 (regularly $299.99).

PURCHASE THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO LIGHTING NOW!

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Reid Warner

December 28, 2015

tips & tutorials

7 Tips To Taking Better Sports Photos

Reid Warner

December 28, 2015

tips & tutorials

Sporting events are such a wonderful opportunity to capture heart-pounding action photos, vivid colors and different angles that are unique to other forms of photography. If you are a sports photographer, you have to be on point every second of the event to make sure you capture each and every amazing shot you can. Because it is so fast-paced, It is so easy to miss an awesome photo and not even realize it!

Perhaps, you are photographing a high school football game, a track meet that is an Olympic qualifier or you may even be lucky enough to be a photographer for the SuperBowl. No matter what type of sport and for what age group you are shooting, it can be exciting and very intense!

Here are 7 tips to be sure you take all of your sports photography like a pro!

Photo credit: Kathy Williens via Associated Press

1. Use High ISO

At many sporting events, whether you are outside while the sun is setting or inside an arena, you may not always have the best lighting. You also need to be sure that you can capture an exact moment in time. There is only one second for you to capture the moment when the bat hits the ball at a little league game so a higher shutter speed will help. Raising the ISO on your camera will allow you to shoot at that higher shutter speed, which gives you a much better chance of getting that perfect shot!

Professional sports photographers use a shutter speed around 1/1000 of a second to stop motion. At night, you need a faster F Stop than your lens is suited for so you should increase your ISO which allows your camera to see more light.

Depending on what type of camera you use, you may also consider using Auto ISO to allow your camera to automatically choose the best ISO setting for you and the scene you are trying to capture.

2. Be Unique

Try something different when you are shooting your sports photography because you do not want every sports photo to look the same. Try shooting at different levels rather than at eye level. Get shots from above or get on the ground and shoot the players from above. At every new event you cover, be sure to look at your surroundings, the field, the players and scope out the new backgrounds, angles and shooting locations that will be unique.

Photo credit: Zach Ancell via cruzine.com

3. Remember Your Surroundings

It is not just the players that create awesome photos. To get the full experience of the sporting event, make sure you capture the cheering crowd, the fans tailgating and even the entire stadium cheering loudly. Going to a sporting event is all about the experience and capturing those surroundings are really what makes the entire event so amazing and it will show in your photos!

4. Be Prepared

When you are shooting in the middle of a sports event, you do not really have the time to stop what you are doing and run to your gear bag if you realize you forgot an important piece of equipment. It is a great idea to use a belt or bag you can carry with you that has extra items in it in case you need anything... whether it be new batteries, a new memory card or anything else you may or may not need.

Looking for your own photography belt to help keep you organized while working and have all your equipment on you when you need it? Here is one we love!

5. Don't Take Your Eyes Off The Action

For one, you can miss something awesome or really important if you take your eyes off the action. Depending on what the sport is you are photographing, there is also a chance you could get injured if you are not paying attention. Just think, you are shooting on the sidelines of a football game and take your eyes off the field and players for just one second... you could easily get run over by the players or hit on the sidelines and we just do not want this to happen.

Another time that photographers tend to take their eyes off the action is to double check the photos you have just taken and there is really no reason to do this. Some call this "chimping." You want to make sure that you just keep on shooting and remember that there is a time and place to review all your photos later on.

6. Use A Slow Shutter Speed

Even though we mention earlier to use a faster shutter speed, it is great sometimes to try to use a slower one. For example, if you are shooting at a NASCAR race, capture the main subject of the photo clearly while at the same time having that awesome blurry background...it can make for a unique and really awesome shot!

7. Avoid Using A Flash

Using a flash at any type of sporting event can be dangerous to the players and anyone else who is working. If you are shooting at a college or professional sporting event, using a flash is typically prohibited already.

If you are at a high-school or lower level event, using a flash is typically up to the coaches or the school's athletic director to make sure it is allowed.

When you are shooting outdoors, for example if shooting at a NASCAR race, a baseball or football game, you should really never use an on-camera flash, which is why your ISO settings are so important.

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Reid Warner

December 16, 2015

tips & tutorials

How To Take Awesome Photos Of Christmas Lights

Reid Warner

December 16, 2015

tips & tutorials

The holidays are such a beautiful time of year! We just love the gorgeous decorations and the twinkling white and colored lights and everything else that makes Christmas so magical. Capturing beautiful photos of all the lights can be a challenge so today we wanted to share with you a few tips for taking awesome photos of Christmas lights.

Whether you are in your town photographing beautiful holiday scenes around the city or simply capturing photos of your very own Christmas tree or house, we hope these tips help you capture beautiful ones! We hope each of you have a very happy holiday and be sure to share with us all your wonderful photos you take of beautiful Christmas lights.

Timing

If you are photographing Christmas lights outside, be sure you do not wait until it is too dark. You want to make sure you find that perfect balance where the ambient light and and the Christmas lights balance themselves nicely. If you take your photos when it is completely dark outside, you will still be able to see the lights but the rest of the scene will be too dark to see clearly.

If you are photographing lights indoors, try to dim the lights a bit so that the holiday lights stand out a bit more.

Shutter Speed

Since it will be pretty dark when you are taking the photos, a slower shutter speed at around 1/4 second to 2 seconds or more will be needed.

Be Steady

Because your shutter speed will be at a slower setting, your photos will more easily become blurred. It is important to use a tripod, or you must have a very still hand, to make sure that your photos come out clear.

Use Lower ISO Settings

It is most preferable to use lower ISO settings that are around ISO 100 or 200 for better picture quality. You will find that most cameras will begin to show digital "noise" and a decrease in color brightness if the ISO setting gets around 400 or above.

Turn Off The Flash

Be sure to turn off your flash when you are taking photos of outdoor lights. If you are very close to the lights that you are photographing, it will most likely wash them out.

Still in need of a great gift for the holiday season whether it is for yourself or someone special in your life? How about this "Life is like photography" wood print? It is perfect to use as decor in your office, studio or even for someone who loves quotes! Cost is $35.95 for the 8x8 size. Other sizes are available.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS WOOD PRINT NOW!

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Reid Warner

December 11, 2015

tips & tutorials

4 Easy Tips To Avoid Blurry Photos

Reid Warner

December 11, 2015

tips & tutorials

No matter what type of photography you do, you do not want to have blurry photos. Today, we wanted to provide you with 4 ways you can be sure to avoid and eliminate camera shake and capture clear photos.

1. Watch The Shutter Speed

Shutter speed dictates how long the camera's imaging sensor is exposed to light in order to record a picture. So, if there is not much light available, the exposure will take longer and increases your risk for a blurry photo. Times this could be an issue is when you are shooting a sunset or taking photos indoors.

With that said, it is hard to keep your hand totally still for the amount of time needed for the exposure. To minimize the risk of the blurred photos, make sure you think about the focal length of the lens when working out what your safe speed is when holding your camera on your own. Shorter lenses are most of the time easier to hold steady than a longer lens. Make sure the shutter speed does not drop below the effective focal length of the lens.

2. Aperture and ISO

A larger aperture will provide a faster shutter speed than a smaller aperture. Keep in mind that larger apertures offer less depth of field, but it is typically worth the sacrifice to remove the risk of camera shake.

If you can not go for a larger aperture, increase the ISO so that you get a faster shutter speed. Set the ISO to Auto and the camera will automatically adjust the ISO for sharp results.

3. Increase The Number Of Frames You Take

If you shoot a number of frames in a quick succession, you will increase your chances of taking a sharp picture. Just be sure that the camera is set in continuous drive mode when shooting handheld, even if the subject you are shooting is not moving.

4. Practice Sharper Handholding

Of course making sure the way you hold and set your camera is also very important for making sure you get clear photos. First, make sure you set the lens correctly if you have it on the tripod. Also, a great way to increase your stability with the camera is to loop the camera strap around your right or left arm and pull it taut. Also, be sure to stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your elbows in towards your body, which will help keep you more stable.

Depending on where and what you are shooting, you may also be able to find an object to lean up against to brace yourself.

Do you love these tips? Here are a few more you should check out!

When there is not much light available, you could increase your chance of having blurry photos. Need some help with lighting? Then this Beginners Guide To Lighting is perfect for you and could be yours for only $29.99 (a $299.99 value)!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BEGINNERS GUIDE TO LIGHTING NOW!

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Reid Warner

December 9, 2015

tips & tutorials

5 More Items To Carry In Your Camera Bag - Part 2

Reid Warner

December 9, 2015

tips & tutorials

You may have seen our recent post all about 5 essential items that you should always be sure to carry in your camera gear bag. If you did not, be sure to check it out here. Today, we wanted to share with you a few more items we think are important to keep on hand anytime you may need to pull your camera out and snap a few photographs. A few of these suggestions were also ones that came from our readers!

1. Portable Light Source

This is important to be sure you always have enough light when you are taking whatever photos you are trying to take. Whether you find yourself at a dark wedding ceremony and need more light to capture the bride and groom saying "I do," or you are simply out photographing a beautiful view you saw while driving, you never want to not have enough light!

If you always find yourself in need of extra light, check out this Hikeren Portable Light Source perfect for various camera brands!

2. Waterproof Case

If you are shooting outdoors, and will still need to continue shooting even if it is raining, a waterproof case is important. You spend good money on your camera and equipment and do not want to ruin it with a little rain and you not being prepared!

Here is a waterproof camera case that would be perfect for you to use.

3. Polarizer

A polarizer is perfect for cutting out glare in photos. Whether you are needing to cut the glare on the leaves on the trees or even cutting out the reflection in a window, this is the perfect item to have on hand.

Looking for a polarizer for your Canon camera? Be sure to check this one out. Need one for a Nikon camera? You may love this one.

4. A Tripod

Having a good tripod is a great idea when you want to make sure your camera is steady and still when taking specific photos. This is especially great for landscape photos and other still objects that you may be photographing.

Are you in need of a sturdy tripod? Here is a tripod that is compatible with many different camera brands.

5. A Great Camera Strap

A high quality, comfortable camera strap is very important. You do not want to be fumbling or struggling with a cheap strap that you are afraid will not hold your expensive piece of equipment as best and as safely as it should. Getting one that is padded, to help with your comfort level may or may not matter as much to you, but you want to make sure whatever strap you have, works best and makes your job easier!

This Rapid Fire Quick Release Sling Shoulder Neck Strap may be the perfect addition to your camera.

Between these 5 items above and the other 5 we mentioned in our previous post, this are some very important items that you do not want to find yourself without. If you always keep these items handy and in your gear bag, you will never find yourself stuck without an important piece of photography equipment when the time comes that you need something specific.

Is there another piece of gear that you simply can not live without? Tell us below!

Before you head out with your gear bag, you will probably need a cup of warm cup of coffee to keep you going! Here is a great coffee mug with one of our favorite photography quotes to keep you motivated!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
THIS PHOTOGRAPHY IS ART COFFEE MUG!

Have You Entered Our Current CAMERA GIVEAWAY!

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Reid Warner

December 4, 2015

tips & tutorials

5 Things To Remember For A Successful Mini Session

Reid Warner

December 4, 2015

tips & tutorials

If you are a new photographer just starting out or been photographing for 25 years, you have most likely heard of mini sessions. All throughout the year photographers offer theses for various occasions, holidays or just because!

Have you offered a few mini sessions but just not sure if you like them or not? Or, perhaps you have never offered your clients anything like that before because you would rather book a full session and wondering if it would pay off? Here are 5 things to remember if you are planning your own mini sessions to make sure they turn out a success for your business!

1. Plan Ahead And Market Early

Make sure you set the days and specific times you will be offering your mini sessions way ahead of time. You want to give clients enough time to plan ahead - especially if you are doing holiday sessions. Once you set the date, start marketing your mini sessions to be sure and book each and every slot you have available. You want to make sure you are maximizing your time and getting totally booked since mini-sessions are less expensive.

Also, keep in mind that if you are doing holiday mini sessions, each client may want to use their photos for their Christmas cards so you want to plan them with enough time to get them completed so they have time to get them out and printed.

2. Be Yourself

Just because you are doing a mini-session and not a complete engagement shoot or family portrait session, does not mean you can not be yourself. You may only have 30 minutes with the family or children, but do things just like you would for a typical photo shoot. Is there anything you like to find out about the family or children ahead of time, make sure you ask!

3. Think About The Location and Props

Depending on what time of year you are having your mini sessions, make sure you have a great location picked and fun props and items to include in the photos. If it is going to be an Easter session, perhaps have a basket of colorful Easter eggs, a bunny rabbit stuffed animal or a pretty Easter hat. Use pastel colors and keep it bright and light! If you are doing a holiday mini session, do the photos in a room with a gorgeously decorated Christmas tree or even think about having Santa make an appearance.

Photo credit: Xochitl Alcantar Photography

4. Don't Count On Getting Tons of Print Orders

Many times with mini sessions, the client will most likely want to purchase just the images so they can print them all on their own time and cost. Do not get let down by this.... it is the norm. You may have someone who does want to pay you to print them for them, but it is not typical.

Be sure you price your sessions as if no one else will buy any prints or custom orders for you. Then, be happy with that price. Perhaps you want to price your sessions out just for the 20 or 30 minute session and the digital files. Or maybe you want to only do 20 minutes, the digital files and 1 8X10 of their choice. It really is up to you, but just make sure you clear and upfront with your cost ahead of time.

5. Remember That Mini Sessions Can Lead To More Work

Just because these are new clients and the sessions are very short, do the great work you know and love to do. You never know when a client from a mini session will pass along the word to a family member who is looking for a wedding photographer. That person may come back later and want to book a full session when they want their family portraits taken.

Getting ready to shoot your mini session and want to get the word out? This Mini Session Marketing Pack would be perfect for you! These templates are super easy and will make all your marketing materials look professional! For $69.95 (a $249.99 value) you can get this great tool for your business!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
THE MINI SESSION MARKETING PACK NOW!

Have You Entered Our Current CAMERA GIVEAWAY!

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Reid Warner

December 2, 2015

tips & tutorials

10 Tips For Better Holiday Photos

Reid Warner

December 2, 2015

tips & tutorials

The holidays are such a wonderful time of year! The beautiful twinkling lights, festive Christmas trees, garland and candy canes galore also make wonderful backgrounds for holiday photos. There are also so many people who are getting engaged or saying "I do" during this time, which means most people are looking for a photographer to capture their special moments. Here are 10 tips for better holiday photos on BetterPhoto.com that we just had to share!

1. Compose Creatively and Move In Close

Getting creative with your photos can never be bad! Pay special attention to how you organize all the various elements you have visible in each photo. Here are 2 concepts that you may love:

Off-center your main subject. Instead of having your main focus in the center of the photo, move the subject off to the side. This looks great if you can balance that subject with another object in the background (think Christmas trees???) A great example that they gave is if you are taking a photo of a candle. Place it on the right with the Christmas tree blurred softly into the background (or anything else that you prefer to use).

Move in close. It is good to move in close when your subject is in the center but also when you off-center it, moving in closely will be one thing that makes a huge difference in your picture taking success! The fact is that the audience is always more impressed with a subject in a photo that is impossible to miss. So make your subject fill up your frame.

2. For Better Family and Group Portraits

For family and group portraits, you must take a lot of photos. Photographers will find that many people in the group who are taking the photo tend to hate being photographed, so as a photographer, you need to try and make it fun and friendly. Taking as many photos as you can is important because with a big group, there is always someone who is blinking or looking the other way, so having many photos to choose from is the best way to catch each and every person at their best!

Photo credit:  Rebekah Westover Photography — Photo credit: Rebekah Westover Photography

3. Shoot First, Ask Questions Later

You have to be prepared when you trying to capture a wonderful moment. Maybe you are watching a child open a present… if you take time to ask questions, you will not be focused on the subject, and you could miss an amazing shot. You must be ready to take a photo at moments notice!

4. Do Not Use Flash Indoors

The flash can be a lifesaver, but the light from a flash tends to produce harsh, flat and cold light which is rarely complimentary to the subject you are photographing. Try having your subjects in the photo stand by a window to have a lot of natural light (but do not include the window in your photos as this will throw off your exposure meter). If you are shooting indoors at night time, try and find a room with as much light as possible. Use extra lamps if necessary.

5. Use Flash Outdoors

Flash can be a big help when it comes to shooting outdoors during the day. Even in bright sunlight, forcing your flash to fire can often mean the difference between an okay photo and an amazing masterpiece because having a flash outdoors during the day can help to even out harsh contrasts.

Photo credit: Alissa Saylor Photography — *Photo credit:* Alissa Saylor Photography

6. Look for Reflections

Focus on capturing reflections rather than the object itself is a great way to add that artistic touch to your holiday photos! Interesting splashes of color, like those that reflect from colorful Christmas lights or holiday decorations may be perfect. If it is a rainy day, a puddle in the street could be great to use.

7. Blur, Swirl and Zoom the Christmas Lights

Most Christmas trees look the same, so why not try something new in your photos to give it that extra magic? Set your camera to a slower shutter speed (anywhere from 1/2 second to 2 or 4 full seconds) and then purposefully move the camera while taking the photo. The intention is to blur the colorful lights… but in order to blur a stationary subject, you must have a slow shutter speed and controlled camera movement.

Photo credit: Kevinandamanda.com — *Photo credit:* Kevinandamanda.com

8. Give the Gift of a Photo

A family photo is a wonderful and perfect gift idea. Parents and grandparents LOVE family photos and what better time to give them than at Christmastime?

9. Plan Ahead

Just like any other time of year, always make sure your batteries are charged, you have enough film or space on your flash memory card. You would hate to begin shooting that huge family photo and realize you are not totally prepared!

10. Blue Snow Is No Fun!

If you photograph snowy outdoor scenes, most camera meters will be fooled into underexposing the photo. That will leave you with a bluish cast to your snow scene, rather than the beautiful white, bright snow you want.

To overcome this, use your camera’s exposure compensation feature or a manual exposure mode to force an addition 1 to 2 stops of light to reach your film or CCD. If you have a point and shoot camera or a compact digicam, your camera may not feature manual exposure but it will likely have the exposure compensation option.

Photo credit: Jennifer Eileen Photography — *Photo credit:* Jennifer Eileen Photography

We hope these tips for better holiday photos has been helpful to you! We hope you each have a very, merry Christmas! Happy photographing!

Use these great Holiday Text Overlays on a family portrait and make them perfect for your clients to order as their holiday cards! No need for card templates with this great tool! Purchase Holiday Text Overlays for $75 (a $99.99 value).

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Reid Warner

November 16, 2015

tips & tutorials

Is the Nikon D810 Right For You?

Reid Warner

November 16, 2015

tips & tutorials

We have talked about the Canon 5DS R and the Sony a7R, so today we want to tell you all about the Nikon D810. Since we are offering one of these 3 cameras as our prize for our current camera giveaway, we want to tell you about each one so you can make the best decision possible as to which one would be best for the type of photography you do.

The Nikon D810, with its level of detail and sharpness, the wide dynamic range and rich tonality, has outstanding image quality. This camera is very versatile and perfect for those multifaceted shooters and will ignite your creativity and help you capture amazing photographs. Read below to hear all about the camera's great features.

36.3 MP FX-Format Frame

This all new format full-frame image sensor design with 36.3 megapixels with no optical low-pass filter,

New EXPEED 4 Image Processing

Nikon's new EXPEED 4 design is 30% faster than its predecessor, 25% faster frame rates (5 fps), a wider ISO range of 64-12,800 with low noise throughout, smooth gradations, a wide dynamic range, optimizations for 1080 60 p video and more.

Electronic Front Curtain Shutter System

Internal vibration has been nearly eliminated with a newly designed sequencer mechanism and the Electric Front Curtain Shutter system.

Take Production To The Next Level

Bring the camera's remarkable image quality and dynamic range to 1080p videos recorded at 60/50/30/25/24p uncompressed to an external device, compressed to an internal CF/SD card or both simultaneously. You can move between light and dark scenes without any iris or frame-rate adjustments thanks to ISO Auto Adjust. It also offers broadcast-caliber audio control right in the camera.

Exposure Smoothing and Highlight-Weighted Metering

You will be able to create smooth, even time-lapse sequences thanks to this new feature! And then, with the Highlight-weighted Metering, you can preserve details in both the shadowy and bright areas of stage performances and other spot-lit situations.

Easier Handling

This Nikon offers a deeper grip that ensures stable handling, even if you happen to have smaller hands. There is a brighter viewfinder that provides 100% frame coverage for easier visibility and the scratch and shock resistant TFT LCD display has wide viewing angles and enhanced visibility in sunlight. And, the new split-screen feature lets you monitor two different points of a scene side-by-side to ensure proper leveling or focus.

Can't wait and want to buy your own Nikon D810 right now?

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE ONE NOW!

Does this Nikon camera sound amazing to you? Be sure to enter our current giveaway so you have a chance to win this camera yourself! And be sure to check out this information on the Canon 5DS R and Sony a7R.