The Complete Photography Guide For Beginners

When you are just starting out in the photography industry, whether you just have an interest in learning more about the passion you have, or you have started a business and are learning along the way, there are so many different things to learn. Between shutter speeds, ISO, shooting modes you can use, and even the different types of camera available, it can all get confusing when you are beginning. 

We found this great infographic on Petapixel that we had to share: The Complete Guide To Photography For Beginners. We hope this helps you out and provides a guidance for you to help get going on your photography journey. Enjoy!

We hope this handy infographic was helpful for you. Be sure to refer back to it anytime you need. You should also check out a few other articles we have that you will enjoy: 

• 21 Tips for Amateur Wedding Photographers
• 6 Reasons To Show You Are Ready To Start Booking Weddings
• 9 Photography Posing Mistakes You Do Not Want To Make

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Are you just starting off and need some extra help with the lighting aspect of your photography? Look no further! The Beginners Guide to Lighting is a MUST HAVE! For only $29.99 (regularly $299.99), Sean Molin breaks down everything you need to know about lighting. Learn about different natural lighting conditions as well as ISO, aperture and shutter speed, white balance, lens flares, using shadows correctly and so much more! 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BEGINNERS GUIDE TO LIGHTING! 

 

Have You Entered Our Current CAMERA GIVEAWAY!

If not, be sure to enter here for a chance to win a Canon 5D Mark III or Nikon D800! Also, enter your info below to to stay up to date on our other giveaways and industry deals and news!

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Awesome Fall Photography

Fall is here in full swing and it is one of our favorite times of the year!  With autumn comes the beautiful red, yellow and orange hues of the changing leaves, pumpkins galore, football and a crisp chill in the air! What could be better?

Today we wanted to show some awesome fall photography that showcase just how gorgeous this season truly is and how you can take any type of photo session and incorporate the beauty of fall! Whether you are shooting fall engagement photos, a beautiful fall wedding, young children playing in the pumpkin patch during a family photo session, or simply just love to capture beautiful landscapes with vibrant colors, fall is the perfect time for snapping some photos. So, sit back, sip on that pumpkin spiced beverage of choice and enjoy these beautiful fall photos. 

Photo credit: Inspirationluv.com 

Photo credit: Nathan Fiske Photography

Do you love these leaves in this wedding photo above? Here are some awesome Leaf Overlays by Jamie Dalton Photography that are perfect for your fall portraits!

Get them here for just $29.99 (and save $220!). 

Driving through Manchester, Vermont: Photo credit: Jean-Pierre Lescourret

Photo credit: blog.uncommongrounds.com

Photo credit: Fete Photography

Blackwater Falls State Park: Photo credit: RoadTrippers.com

Photo credit: Ochoa Photography

Photo credit: Adam Beach Photography

Photo credit: Tracy Kahn via Digital Camera World

Photo credit: Forever Photography

Do you use Lightroom and are so excited about the BP4U Fall Action Pack? Look no further! You can download it here for only $49.99 (vs. $179.99) and get 27 presets you can use to edit your photos. 

Click here to order the BP4U Portrait Fall Preset Pack here! 

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Summer 2015 Camera Giveaway Winner Update

We are thrilled to announce that Josh Albanese is the lucky winner from our August camera giveaway! He was lucky enough to win a Canon EOS 5D Mark III! 

Josh and his wife began their wedding photography business, Serious Joy Photography, a little over a year ago. We want to introduce you to Josh and tell you a little bit about his passion for photography and his journey. 

How did you first get into photography? 

"Before we got married, my wife and I decided to get a degree in photography, and start our own wedding and portrait photography business. Our business is now about a year old and we are excited to see what is over the horizon."

What is your favorite thing to photograph?

"Honestly, I love to photograph anything and everything. Although, if I had to choose, it would have to be people. Faces tell significant stories. It's my passion to capture and tell those stories through the weddings and portraits my wife and I photograph."

Josh and his wife, Nicole. 

What type of style would you say fits you best?

"Clean cut, crystal clear but dream-like. Almost like a wanderlust feel."

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

"Our latest wedding we did would have to be my favorite. The wedding was a boho-vintage, outdoor style that took place at a vineyard. It was so beautiful and easy-going. The bride and groom were so humble yet fun-loving people. I just really enjoyed being around them."

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

"It felt like a dream! I was literally an emotional wreck because my wife and I were actually needing a new camera body. We had been praying that God would provide the supplies and equipment that we needed... he is most certainly a good God!" 

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

"Other than the fact that I love photography and videography, I love to play my guitar, my wife and I enjoy long boarding and I love Jesus Christ with all of my heart."

A photo from a recent wedding Josh photographed!

What do you think of the Canon EOS 5D Mark III now that you have received it?

"It is even more than I hoped for! I can take beautiful photos and videos with it and can not wait to continue using in my photography moving forward."

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Congrats again, Josh! We are so excited that you winning this camera came at time when you were in need of new equipment! Be sure to check out more from Serious Joy Photography by following them on Facebook. 

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5 Tips To Improve Your Photography

Whether you are a professional photographer who has been shooting weddings for 25 years or you are an amateur photographer who is just starting off in the business, you must always keep learning and perfecting your craft. No matter what it is you do in life, you should always want to keep learning, and with technology changing today as quickly as it does, there is really always something new to learn. Whether you need to continue improving skills, want to know more about social media to help market your business, or you want to learn tips for programs like Photoshop, the possibilities of what you can improve upon are endless!  

Even though the business side of your photography is important, you would not have a business if it was not for the amazing work that you do. So, today we want to share with you 5 tips to improve your photography.

1. Don't Be Afraid To Snap Tons of Photos

In this digital age, you can really take as many photos as you want without worry. Do not be afraid to take LOTS! Take multiple shots of the same scene or same group of people you are shooting. You never know when one of those photos will stand out among all the others or that you have a few great shots to choose from. Another great reason to take multiple photos is that when you are shooting portraits, people tend to relax a little bit more after the first shot.

2. Utilize Natural Light Whenever You Can

Natural sunlight is always so beautiful in every photo and can add so much to it. Whether you are looking to capture a sun-kissed look, or you just want to use the natural light to help brighten up your photos, natural light is always best! 

Photo credit: Julie Parker Photography

Is lighting something that you feel you need some help with when it comes to your photography? Do you have a hard time understanding aperture, shutter speed and ISO? Then The Beginner's Guide To Lighting would be perfect for you! 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO LIGHTING!

  For and extra 20% off the guide, use code CGSPECIAL100

3. Keep Conversation Going With Your Subjects

Let's face it... most people are not comfortable in front of a camera. Holding a specific pose and smiling while you are having your photo taken can be awkward. It is always a great idea to have conversation with your subjects that you are photographing to keep the atmosphere light and relaxed. Simply saying "Say Cheese!" when it is time for them to smile is typically a bit intimidating. Perhaps, try telling a funny story when it comes time for you to take the photos, or tell a good joke. The conversation is also great for you to get to know each and every client better which in turn will help you understand and photograph them better. Once you start doing this with each and every person you photograph, it will become second nature to you! 

4. Play Around With the Composition, Orientation and Angles

Even though it is easy to focus the subject of the photo right in the center of the frame, changing up the composition and angles can mix things up a bit. Try moving the subject to the side of the frame, so you can capture more of the background. Perhaps try and shoot someone from above or get on ground level and photograph them from below. You also want to change up the orientation of the photos. Take some that are vertical, others that are horizontal. Having a nice variety in your work is always wonderful. 

Photo credit: Photography By Orlando

Whether you photograph newborns, engagements, families or landscapes, there is something for you to learn in the Kimberly Reid Posing Guide Collection. 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE KIMBERLY REID POSING GUIDE COLLECTION!

Want to get an extra 20% off? Use code CGPOSE100

5. Know Everything There is To Know About Your Camera and Equipment

It is important that you always know all the various things that your camera and other equipment can do for you. Study the manual that comes with your camera, or do some research online if there is a button you are not sure of. It is also good to know why common problems happen as well as the best ways to clean your equipment. 

Enter Our Next CAMERA GIVEAWAY!

Enter your info below to know when our next giveaway starts. Coming soon, a chance to win a Canon 5D Mark III or Nikon D800! Don't miss out! 

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Animals Photographed In The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards Were Not Shy!

Animals can be mischievous little creatures and they sure showed that with many of the photographs submitted to the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards this year. 

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are in its inaugural year and has 1,502 entries from 52 different countries. The new competition was created by wildlife photographer Paul Joynson-Hicks who is based in Tanzania. 

40 Finalists have been chosen and a winner and two runner-ups will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on November 11. 

In the entries, you will see everything from ducks having a bad hair day, to a laughing seal, and even a gorilla that is giving the photographer the finger! We hope you enjoy these photos as much as we do! 

Photo credit: Julie Hunt

Photo credit: Oli Dreike

Photo credit: Julian Rad

Photo credit: Yuzuru Masuda

Photo credit: Jeff Derx

Photo credit: Gil Gofer

Photo credit: Michael Erwin

Photo credit: Marc Mol

Photo credit: Alison Buttigieg

Photo credit: Ashish Tyagi 

Check out all 40 of the finalists photos on News.com.au. Also, be sure to visit ComedyWildlifePhoto.com if you are interested in submitting a funny animal photo in the 2016 awards! 

Enter Our Next CAMERA GIVEAWAY!

Enter your info below to know when our next giveaway starts. Coming soon, a chance to win a Canon 5D Mark III or Nikon D800! Don't miss out! 

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White House Photographer Now Shooting With a Sony a7R II

Chief Official White House photographer Pete Souza is now shooting with a Sony a7R II! Pretty cool stuff! 

The official White House Flickr photostream shows that Souza used the Sony mirrorless camera to photograph President Obama talking to Cuba President Raul Castro in the Oval Office in mid-September. 

Photo credit: Pete Souza

Under the posted photo, here is what the EXIF section shows:

Prior to using the Sony camera, Souza used the Canon 5D Mark II and then upgraded to the Canon 5D Mark III. 

If you are looking to purchase your own Sony a7R II you can see more here! 

This article was originally found on PetaPixel. 

Be sure to check out a few other articles and great photography you are sure to love: 

• Nighttime Photos of NYC Captured Out Of An Open Door Of a Helicopter 
• Amazing Photos of Glowing Mushrooms

Enter Our Next CAMERA GIVEAWAY!

Enter your info below to know when our next giveaway starts. Coming soon, a chance to win a Canon 5D Mark III or Nikon D800! Don't miss out! 

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5 Essential Items You Should Carry In Your Camera Gear Bag - Part 1

As a photographer, there may be times that you need to pull out your camera and gear bag to capture some amazing shots on a whim. Maybe you are shooting a sporting event, wedding or family portraits and it is so important to be sure you have everything you need. 

So, what photography gear should you carry in your bag at all times? We have put together this list of items we think are important for you to always have on hand. You never know when you may need to stop and capture a moment, or need an extra piece of equipment during a scheduled shoot. And be sure to check back in a few weeks for 5 other items that we think are also important!

1. Your Camera

Kind of a no brainer but very important! Of course if you want to take photos, you need to have your camera with you all the time. What happens if you love to shoot landscape photos and you come across a really gorgeous sunset and realize you do not have your camera? The camera is definitely a necessity. 

Looking for a great camera? We love this Canon EOS 5D Mark III or this Nikon D810.  

2. Lenses

Having a variety of lenses based on the type of photography you do can be important to make sure you get the specific shots you are trying to get. Some photographers are perfectly fine with the lens they have with their camera, others have various lenses they use for different types of shots they need to take. Whatever your need of lens, make sure you have it handy! 

Looking for a new lens? How about this Canon EF 75-300mm. 

3. Extra Batteries

Whenever you are taking photos, whether you are working an 8-hour day for a wedding, doing a family portrait session or just taking photos while you travel, it is always important to carry an extra battery pack along with you. You never know when you will need extra, and you would hate if you ran out of battery power and did not have an extra one to use. 

Looking for a battery pack? Check out this Nikon Battery and Charger Kit that would be perfect to keep in your gear bag!  

4. Spare Memory Card

Just like a battery, an extra memory card is not something you want to be missing from your bag when you need it. You never know when you are going to run out of photo storage space and need to switch out the card. It may never happen to you, you may be great about saving your photos elsewhere and keeping space open, but having one just in case can help you rest easy... especially if there is a bride and groom on the line who are expecting wedding photos of their special day. 

It is important you at least have an extra memory card that at least have 2 GB of space, but it never hurts to have even more. Here is a good SanDisk 32 GB memory Card if you are in need of one. 

5. Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

You need to be sure to keep your camera and lens clean and a microfiber cleaning cloth is a great idea to keep in your gear bag at all times just for this. Even when you are out at a shoot or want to pull out your camera to take a photo on a whim, you never know when you may have to pull out the cloth to do a little cleaning. 

Be sure to get your hands on a pack of these microfiber cloths so you will never run out! 

Enter Our Next CAMERA GIVEAWAY!

Enter your info below to know when our next giveaway starts. Coming soon, a chance to win a Canon 5D Mark III or Nikon D800! Don't miss out! 

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What is one item you can not go without in your gear bag? Tell us below! 

August 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 of a new Canon 5D Mark III or Nikon D800 is....

Josh A.

josha**29@gmail.com

 

Even if you didn't win this time, here's what you can still do...

1)  Please help support our next big giveaway by visiting (clicking) one of our sponsors below:

 

2) follow us on Facebook (click here) and Stay subscribed to our email list so we can notify you about our next giveaway that starts in less than 2 weeks! 

You are going to LOVE this one because we are giving away winner's choice of:

Canon 5DS R

Click here to check out the Canon specs

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Nikon D810

Click here to check out the Nikon specs

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Sony a7RII  

Click here to check out the Sony specs

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Photographer Got His Girlfriend To Photograph Her Own Proposal Without Knowing It

As with any profession or hobby that you love, it is always a fun idea to incorporate your passion into your proposal. Che Birch-Hayes, a professional photographer, took his girlfriend to Nott Hill, in the Gower of South Wales, that had an incredible view of Three Cliffs Bay below. Without her even knowing it, he got her to photograph her own proposal! What amazing photos to keep forever and to share with their children one day! 

Here are the photos they captured. We hope you enjoy them!

The day of the planned proposal was beautiful. The sun was shining and Becky happily began capturing the beautiful scenery while Che was setting up several cameras. 

When Becky's hay fever began to kick in, she was having trouble focusing on taking photos, so he decided to pop the ring inside the camera viewfinder when she was not looking. She saw the object, and thinking it was something broken in their, opened it up and there was the ring! 

After the celebrated, he said to her, "you'v just been the second shooter at your own engagement!"

How special is this? Such a fun idea for a photographer to do as their proposal! 

Be sure to read Che Birch-Hayes' entire plan for his proposal in this article we found on PetaPixel. You can also see more of his photography on his website, www.chebirchhayesphotography.com. 

Do you love these photos? Be sure to check out these amazing landscape photos by Tanner Stewart. 

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Do you specialize in engagement or wedding photography and need a little extra help with posing couples? Look no further than this Posing Guide For Couple Portraits. For $299.99 (regularly $499.99) you can get this in-depth collaboration between BP4U and acclaimed photographer Beth of ENV Photography. 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE
POSING GUIDE FOR COUPLE PORTRAITS NOW!!!

Enter Our Next CAMERA GIVEAWAY!

Enter your info below to know when our next giveaway starts. Coming soon, a chance to win a Canon 5D Mark III or Nikon D800! Don't miss out! 

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13 Awesome Photography Quotes We Love

Today we wanted to share a few awesome photography quotes that we love! Hopefully these will bring you a little bit of inspiration today and every day. Enjoy! 

"A good photograph is knowing where to stand. 
- Ansel Adams

"Photography can only represent the present. Once photographed, the subject becomes part of the past." 
- Berenice Abbott

Do you love this "Photography is an Art of Observation" print? Us too! Click here to get this exclusive "Photography is an Art of Observation" wood print with a free wood desk stand. There are also 4 different designs to choose from! 

PURCHASE THIS "PHOTOGRAPHY IS AN ART OF OBSERVATION" PRINT HERE!

"Photography is a love affair with life."
- Burk Uzzle

"Photography is the story I fail to put into words."
- Destin Sparks

Do you love this "I'm A Photographer" print? So do we! Click here to get this exclusive "I'm A Photographer" wood print with a free wood desk stand.

PURCHASE THE "I'M A PHOTOGRAPHER" WOOD PRINT HERE!

"When I have a camera in my hand, I know no fear."
- Alfred Eisenstaedt

"No place is boring, if you've had a good night's sleep and have a pocket full of unexposed film."
- Robert Adams

"If a photographer cares about the people before the lens and is compassionate, much is given. It is the photographer, not the camera, that is the instrument." 
- Eve Arnold

"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever...It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything."
- Aaron Siskind

"Photography is the only language that can be understood anywhere in the world."
- Bruno Barbey

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What is your favorite photography quote? Tell us below!