6 Reasons That Show You Are Ready To Start Booking Weddings

The wedding industry is HUGE! We all know it. And out of all the hundreds of weddings that take place every weekend, most of those bride and grooms need a wedding photographer to help them capture one of the most special days of their life. Are you ready for that? Are you ready to start booking weddings? 

We found this great article on FStoppers that we just had to share. If you think you are ready to break into the booming wedding photography industry, here are a few things you must be ready for. 

1. Do you have the right equipment?

Even though you do not need the most expensive Canon or Nikon camera out there to be an amazing photographer, when you are shooting weddings, having the appropriate gear is important. Having backups of everything is also important. Keep in mind that when you are photographing a wedding, you only get that one shot. It is much different than if you were out taking a photo of a beautiful landscape....that landscape will still be there tomorrow, but that wedding will be over and done with. 

Make sure you have a reliable camera. It would be horrible if your shutter fails right when the bride is about to walk down the isle and you do not have a backup. 

Many wedding ceremonies and receptions are also set in pretty low lighting, so make sure you have a combination of fast lenses and a body that can handle 6,400 ISO, paired with the use of a speedlight to make sure you are able to capture each shot beautifully.

2. Do you have enough memory?

Even though we all love technology, it can fail, or get lost, or ruin. Having the images from a wedding stored in a few places, so that you can be sure if you lose one, you know you have other copies of the amazing wedding photos you just spent the entire day taking. 

3. Do you know exactly how your tools perform?

A wedding can bring a large amount of different situations along with it, and you and your tools have to be able to perform in each of those many situations - no matter how bad they may be. Situations arise quickly and you have to be able to act right away, in that moment. Even though you do not have to get the correct exposure the first time around, you must be close and be able to adjust the settings quickly to capture the shot the way you want to do before that specific moment is over. Also, knowing how your light is going to bounce off the wall and ceiling and light your subject is so important. 

Photo credit: Full Spectrum Photography

4. Are you able to adapt quickly?

Everyone knows that a wedding is so unpredictable and being a wedding photographer, you have to be able to adapt to whatever is going on. At some points, you will have to be able to stand in the background, discreetly, capturing special moments. You also have to be able to lead the group and direct every single person in the wedding party and immediate family when you are trying to capture group photos. All of this can be very difficult with many different personalities involved, the weather, or even because of an uncooperative family member who may (or may not) have had too much to drink.  

5. Are you physically able to sustain the day?

Standing for 8 to 10 hours straight while chasing around a bride and groom with 5 pounds of equipment around your neck can be trying on the body. Even though you do not need to run marathons to be a great wedding photographer, you will have an easier time if you have a strong core to support you. Also, making sure you fuel your body with a few power foods you pack and bring with you so you can make sure you keep up your energy so you can stay focused for the entire event. 

Photo credit: Goddard Studios Photography

6. Have you worked with another photographer shooting a wedding?

Taking family portraits or doing senior or newborn sessions is nothing like the amount of time you will spend shooting a wedding. The amount of time that is spent on a wedding compared to other portrait sessions is so much different. It is important that you second shoot or assisting for a seasoned wedding photographer before you begin shooting on your own so you really know what the entire wedding day entails.  

Be sure to read the full article on FStoppers. 

10 Tips To Better Landscape Photography

There is just something about a photo of an amazing landscape. Whether it is a beautiful field of colorful flowers, an shimmering ocean that goes on as far as the eye can see or a shot of hundreds of gigantic trees in a forest, the world really is a spectacular place. If you love taking landscape photography as a hobby, or really want to start taking these brilliant photos of the world around you professionally, we found this great infographic on CustomMade that you should be sure to read. 

Below you will learn some tips that you should keep in your back pocket when you are out snapping photos of brilliant landscapes that will be sure to have you photographing just a real pro! Here are 10 great tips on how to take better landscape photography. Enjoy! 

Click to Enlarge Image



CustomMade

Be sure to check out these awesome landscapes of Bolivia that are sure to inspire you. 

Make sure you are signed up for our newsletter so you can stay up to date on our upcoming giveaways! 

Do you have any other great tips for shooting landscape photography? We would love to hear below! 

8 Amazing Landscape Photos That Are Sure To Inspire

There is so much beauty in this world. When someone is able to capture that beauty in a photograph, it can surely keep people starring in amazement. We found these great photos by Sergio Ballivian in a recent post on Photography Talk that we just had to share. 

Sergio is a photographer who was born and raised in Bolivia, and as you can see from his work below, has an amazing eye for capturing landscapes. He also spends a lot of time giving workshop tours to other photographers in Bolivia. 

We hope you enjoy these landscape photos as much as we do! 

Aren't these just stunning? If you loved these, you will be sure to love these photos of a giant wave infused with ice rolling along the Coast of Nantucket.

Are you wondering if Adobe Lightroom is for you? Here are some great tips to find out. 

March Camera Giveaway Winner Update

We are so excited to announce that Laura Paesano is the lucky winner from our March giveaway! She was lucky enough to win a Nikon D800!!

After getting interested in photography in high school, Laura worked at a retail photography studio while she was in college. There she learned how to make kids laugh and how to keep parents from tearing their hair out during photo sessions. She majored in Studio Art at Stony Brook University with minors in Digital Art and Art History and concentrations in photography and printmaking, before graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2010.

In 2014, she started her business, Laura Pea Photography, specializing in newborn photography. She said, "I know how important it is for kids to grow up seeing their photos displayed in their homes. My personal mission is to make sure my clients get their kids' photos off of their phones and onto the walls!"

We asked Laura a few other questions about her love of photography and her business that we want to share with you. Enjoy!

How did you first get into photography?

"My parents both had a love for photography. I was always surrounded by lenses as a child. It wasn't until they offered a photography course in high school that I really wanted to learn the ins and outs of the camera. My dad taught me how to shoot with my mom's 1980 Canon AV-1 and I fell in love." 

What is your favorite thing to photograph?

"I specialize in newborns and kids but my absolute favorite subjects are my dog, Basil and my cat, Duchess. They are seasoned models at this point." 

What type of style would you say fits you best?

"My style is a mix of traditional and candid portraiture. I usually start a shoot with more formal, posed shots and then toward the end of the shoot, I like to photograph my subjects doing their own thing."

What is your most favorite shoot you have ever had and why?

"My favorite shoot was when a client said to me "Just follow us around while we have fun!" We walked around a park and the kids played and I was able to get some really great candid shots. There was something really authentic about the smiles I captured that day - and I didn't even have to tell one corny joke!"

What was your first reaction when you found out you won the camera?

"Disbelief! I made my mom read the email to make sure I was reading it right. When she started jumping up and down, it sunk in!"

Are there any other fun or interesting facts about you that you would like to share?

"I was on vacation in England a few years ago and was shooting a ton of photos with my old Nikon D60. My camera's shutter blew after going through the Harry Potter studio tour in London. I had taken about 700 or more photos that day and it couldn't handle it. I guess my camera didn't believe in magic!"

What do you think of the camera now that you have received it?

"You can't imagine the smile on my face when I got my camera in the mail! Thank you so much again. I love it and I've barely put it down since I got it. Right away, I shot some frames of my dog Basil. He was in the studio with me when I got the package (because we're stuck together like glue) so he had the privilege of being my first subject! Then I waited until the golden hour to go out in my backyard to shoot. My favorite one I took out there is one of a few flies buzzing in the sunlight. I can't wait to take more. I can't thank you enough!"

You can check out more of Laura’s photography on her website at www.laurapeaphotography.com. You can also visit her on Facebook and follow her on Instagram.

Make sure you check out our Hall of Fame of past camera winners and read each of their stories. Also be sure to follow Camera Giveaways on Facebook and sign up for our email newsletter so you can stay up to date on upcoming giveaways, photography news and other amazing photography.

You could be our next winner... GOOD LUCK! 

4 Ways To Get Your Dream Camera Gear

We all love photography... its in our blood! Some people have their own photography company while others simply take photos as a hobby. Do you photograph weddings, newborns, or amazing landscapes? Or maybe you prefer to just take awesome photos for your family to capture every special moment. Either way, photography can be expensive! Between the camera, the gear and all the different lenses, it can be costly. We wanted to share with you today a few different ways that you can get your dream camera gear. 

Have you been saving up for that Canon you have always dreamed of using? Do you already have a Nikon but it is so old that you would love to upgrade to a newer version but just not able to spend the money? We get it! Check out these ways to see if any of them can help you to get the camera or gear that you have always wanted. 

1. Sign Up For Ebates

Ebates is a great site that offers cash back bonuses on so many GREAT retailers including many great photography specific retailers such as Adorama and Canon. If you are going to purchase cameras or any kind of camera equipment, why not sign up for Ebates and get cash back every time you purchase something. How can you not love that?!? 

If you are interested in signing up for Ebates, here are some quick instructions for you on how to start! 

2. Consider Financing With Amazon

Let's face it. Many people have to finance a big purchase, so why not get a great good deal with no interest. You can apply for an Amazon.com Store Card that has 0% financing options and 5% cash back on purchases if you are an Amazon Prime member. They will also give you $10 Amazon gift card added to your account as soon as your credit card application is approved. Pretty sweet deal if you do have to go the financing route! 

Click here if you are interested in applying or reading more about the Amazon.com Store Card. 

Wondering what type of benefits you can get from being an Amazon Prime member? One great benefit is unlimited photo space on Amazon Cloud Drive. Here are some details about why the Amazon Cloud is awesome for photographers. 

3. Other Financing Options

Of course Amazon is not the only place you can finance through. If you know you need to purchase a good amount of equipment or you really want to get a personal loan to help purchase equipment along with other business essentials, consider a loan through places like  Prosper who offers low fixed rates, easy online applications, no hidden fees and rates from 6.68% to 35.97% APR. 

4. Stick With Camera Giveaways!

As many of you know, we offer a new camera giveaway every other month. And you never know what type of camera will be offered next. We have already had 8 lucky winners so far... one of those even won a DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ Drone! 

So if you have not already, be sure that you follow Camera Giveaways on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest and that you also sign up for our newsletter if you have not yet done so. That way you have so many ways to stay up to date on our upcoming giveaways, other photography news and amazing photography! 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CAMERA GIVEAWAYS NEWSLETTER! 

March 2015 Camera Giveaway Winner Announcement

It's time to announce our winner! 

Thousands of entries but only one can claim a free camera! And the winner is....

Laura P.

l***sa***ho**@gmail.com

CONGRATULATIONS LAURA!!!

Stay tuned for our winner update when Laura receives her prize. And be sure not to worry if you did not win this time... we have SO MANY more opportunities with upcoming giveaways! Be sure you are subscribed to our newsletter so you get the latest news and updates on our next giveaway!

Get the Urban Bloom Bundle of actions, overlays and templates worth $2500 for just $29!

Using Pinterest To Generate Business

Social media is HUGE in business today... and everyone knows it. It is a great and free way to connect with customers and showcase your work.  Most every person, young and old, is on some form of social media on a daily basis…. which means that your potential customers are there as well. That makes social media a big marketing aspect for your business. Pinterest is one in particular that is perfect for a photography business. It is visual and that is exactly what those are looking for to pin. We found this great infographic on Quicksprout that we wanted to share all about using Pinterest to generate business.

Pinterest is so popular and if you are not leveraging it for your own business, you really, truly are missing out. With the amount of women (and even men!) who use it daily, and the fact that between 2012 and 2013, more than 20% of U.S. adults used Pinterest more than Twitter or Instagram, there is not a good enough reason not to be on the social media platform. Also, 70% of brand awareness on Pinterest comes from the users, not the actual brands themselves. Pretty cool. Check out the infographic below and see for yourself. And then if you do not already have Pinterest, go quickly and sign up!  

Courtesy of: Quick Sprout

We hope this handy infographic has been helpful. And make sure you follow Camera Giveaways on Pinterest to see great photos, photography tips, hear about our most recent giveaways, and more! 

Be sure to check out these tips for shooting at night. 

In need of a new camera or some equipment for your business? How about this great Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Black) with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Lens and Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens with built in motor + 10pc Bundle 32GB Deluxe Accessory Kit.

Photographer Takes Photos Of His Son and Orphaned Bird

We found these awesome photos on Colossal that we had to share. The son of photographer Cameron Bloom came across a baby magpie in 2013 around their home in Newport, Australia. After they took the bird to the veterinarian, they learned how to care for it and named him Penguin. Now, the photographer takes photos of his son and pets unique relationship... and the photos are so great! 

Check out these amazing photos! 

Are you looking for a good camera to capture amazing animal photos like this photographer has done? This Canon EOS 70D Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm STM Lens is a great option!

If you want to read the original article check it out on Colossal here. If you love photos, you have to check out these amazing nighttime photos of New York City that were captured out of the open door of a helicopter at 7,500 feet. They are pretty awesome! 

Animated Short Film on Taking Pictures

We found the great animated short film called "Taking Pictures" that was created by Simon Taylor and we just had to share.

Taylor is an animator and photography enthusiast. His short film is a story about two little photographers who are taking photos in the park and meet up. A lovely story about their shared love of photography. 

Enjoy! 

Taking Pictures (Animated Short Film) from Simon Taylor on Vimeo.

We are not biased or anything, but there really is something pretty wonderful about taking the most perfect photographs and capturing beauty. You may simply love taking pictures at a park as a hobby. You may be a wedding photographer photographing a bride and groom's first day of their new life together. Or, just maybe your passion is taking photos of newborn babies or a teenager's senior photos as they are excitedly getting ready to graduate from High School. Whatever your passion, there is something amazing about those moments that are frozen in time.

Like these two in the video, all of us photographers are in this together... taking pictures is a wonderful thing! 

Do you love photography but just do not have a good camera to get the job done? Here is a Canon EOS 5D Mark III that we just love!

Do you love shooting outdoors just like these 2 characters do? Be sure to check out these amazing places to shoot around the world. 

What is your favorite thing to photograph? Tell us below!