tips & tutorials

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!

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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How To Communicate Best With A Possible Wedding Client

When you are having your first conversations with a possible wedding client, you may be tempting to follow up with them numerous times until you finally hear back. But sometimes that is not always the best way to move forward. No photographer works exactly the same way but the way you correspond with clients from the beginning is very important to whether or not they respond to you at all and can also make a difference if they actually book you to shoot their wedding. 

Are you in need of some different ideas and ways to reach out to clients and to communicate with them throughout the wedding timeline? Photography Basics - Wedding Day Workflow, a BP4U guide written by Ann Louise Photography, is the perfect guide to sit down with when you are a photographer looking to break into the wedding industry or if you feel you need a refresher or new ideas to add to your own wedding photography business. 

GET PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS - WEDDING DAY WORKFLOW NOW! 

ON SALE TODAY FOR ONLY $29 (A $299.99 VALUE)! 

Photo credit: Ann Louise Photography 

Photo credit: Ann Louise Photography 

Should You Follow Up Multiple Times After Their First Inquiry?

Many photographers may feel like they should follow up with an inquiry numerous times. Ann Louise Photography feels differently. As they talk about in this guide, when they first get an inquiry from a possible wedding client, they will follow up with an email or call within 48 hours and then will not follow up again if they do not hear back. 

They say in the guide, "Once we send the initial stock email, we don't send another one. We find that if the client is serious and in love with our work, they will reply back. This helps us target our clients and really get in with niche clients who appreciates our artwork."

Photo credit: Ann Louise Photography

Photo credit: Ann Louise Photography

What Should You Say In Your Initial Outreach?

Your first email to a potential client is important. It is the first time that the bride or groom is going to hear from you so you want to be professional and provide just enough details to make them want to meet with you in person or chat over the phone. So what are some of the details you should include in that email?

  • Tell them a little about your company. Have you won any awards or been published in a really great publication where they can check out your work?
  • Give them a base for your pricing. Do not go into tons of detail on all your prices yet, but perhaps a quick overview of your basic and most popular wedding package and it's starting price. This gives them enough information to know if you are over their budget or not. Even though you want to book as many great clients as you can, you do not want to waste time with someone who does not fit into your budget. 
  • Ask them to come in and meet with you in person. It is always best to get that in-person meeting scheduled early. Then you can see the couple, find out what it is they are looking for and then show off the work that you do. Tell them to send you days that they are available so you can get that meeting set. 
  • Let them know if their date is available if they provided that information to you. If their wedding date is still TBD, let them know how far out you are booking at that time. 

Even though many of these items are known by many, it can be very easy when you are busy to send a quick email that leaves out some of this important information. Perhaps, you can create a template for this introduction email that you can keep handy and then just customize here and there as needed. That will help to save you time... and we all know that your time is precious. 

This Wedding Day Workflow has tons of great information and ideas for communicating with your clients from the first inquiry to the final email after the wedding has happened. It is so important in the wedding industry to communicate effectively with your clients to keep them happy and in the know. Communication is the key to success and your clients now will be your references for future work that you do and you want them to be impressed with every part of your work.

To get even more great tips and templates, get Photography Basics: Wedding Day Workflow today. Ann Louise Photography will walk you through one of their weddings from the first inquiry through the wedding. They will also walk you through taking photos the day of the wedding and SO much more. 

GET PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS - WEDDING DAY WORKFLOW NOW! 

ON SALE TODAY FOR ONLY $29 (A $299.99 VALUE)! 

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Shooting At Night: Tips From Jeff Cable, A Three Time Olympic Photographer

Whether you prefer to take nighttime photos in the countryside with beautiful lands as far as the eye can see or in a city that comes alive with the lights of buildings and traffic illuminating the sky, night photography is an exciting aspect of picture taking to explore. Taking photos at night does require a bit more preparation and thought than other shots.

Check out this video with tips from Jeff Cable, a three time Olympic Photographer who also has a passion for shooting at night. Watch his class from B&H Photo for an overview of the basics of night photography and specific tips for different locations. Enjoy! 

Did you love the tips Jeff Cable offers in this video? Here are a few other videos you may enjoy: 

Do you need a way to help you attract more clients? Perhaps you could use a fresh, new look for your company? The BP4U Marketing Bundle Pack is just what you need. This new collection of marketing templates for photographer is awesome and combines all of the BP4U marketing sets into one large product at one great price. Put these marketing pieces on your website, print them off, use on social media or so much more! Check out this amazing marketing bundle for only $600! 

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3 Tips To Taking Great Wedding Photos In A Church

Weddings are such amazing events to photograph. You are documenting one of the most special days of the couples' life and you want to be sure you take the absolute best photos you can. But, the wedding goes by fast and you only get one shot to take those photos while the ceremony and reception are taking place so you have to do it correctly the first time. 

If the couple you are photographing are saying 'I do' in a church, you will find that the lighting can be tricky and many times it is darker than normal. This makes getting sharp and colorful images much more difficult. Using a flash during a wedding ceremony in a church is usually frowned upon and even if the couple doesn't seem to mind you using a flash, it can be very distracting and bad form. Remember, you are trying to stay in the background so you are not noticed while still capturing amazing photos. 

So, what can you do to make sure the ceremony photos turn out amazing even if there is low-light? Read below for 3 tips to taking great wedding photos in a church. 

Photo credit: Cole Joseph Photography

Photo credit: Cole Joseph Photography

1. Use A Full Frame Camera

A full frame camera will give you a better low-light performance and more quality images at higher ISOs. A larger camera sensor is able to capture more light in your photos than a crop-sensor camera. 

2. Use Settings For Low Light

Make sure that you manually change your camera settings to shoot in lower light. The ISO tells the sensor in your camera to be more sensitive to light so keep in mind the higher the number, the more sensitive to light it is. You want to try and keep your ISO as low as you can to make sure your photos look as clear as they can. You want to also remember to keep your shutter speed around 60 and your aperture at 2.8 or lower - these settings allow the most light in. 

3. Keep Your Camera Steady

You want to be sure during a low light wedding ceremony that you keep your camera as still as possible. One great way to do this is with a monopod which makes it easy to use and move around and not be noticed. 

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)!

GET THE INDOOR WEDDING & ENGAGEMENT POSING GUIDE TODAY!  

 

 

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A Simple Tip To Making Your Food Photography Look Awesome

Do you photograph food? Whether you love capturing decadent desserts, succulent seafood dishes or amazing steaks, you always want your food photography to look amazing and make your mouth water simply by looking at the photo. 

As we can see from this photo below... a photo can make your mouth water. This pizza is gorgeous and showcases the the colorful and delicious veggies that are on it. It definitely makes our mouth water! There are so many tips that you need to remember when photographing food but read below for one very important but simple tip to help make your photos great every time. 

Photo credit: Lauren Volo 

Photo credit: Lauren Volo 

We found a great tip on The Phoblographer that we wanted to share with you today that will hopefully help you make sure your food photos come out great each and every time. The idea with this tip you are about to watch is to make sure that your food looks like it is lit with window lighting because natural light always looks best and is "homey and familiar to everyone" according to The Phoblographer. 

Check out this video below to help you create a natural light look to every food dish that you photograph. 

Are you a food photographer? We would love to see some of your work! Consider submitting your food photos to our "Photo of the Week" posts. You can read more about how to submit here. 

Do you need some help promoting new products or services you are offering? Perhaps you want to promote your new mini-sessions or you have moved to a new location and need to let others know about your photography business. Whatever it is you need to market, the Marketing Made Easy! Templates would be perfect for you! For only $124.99 you will get 26 different graphics! 

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4 Cute Background Ideas For Valentine's Mini Sessions

Valentine's Day is almost here and you may have been trying to come up with some fun ideas for Valentine's Day mini sessions. A unique background is what make the session fun and brings out the love theme that you are looking to get. Today, we are going to share with you 4 cute background ideas for Valentine's mini sessions that we just adore. 

Set up your very own kissing booth background! Perfect for a family session, couples or even children! 

Photo credit: Christina Z Photography

Photo credit: Christina Z Photography

If you have a studio, you most likely already have a white background... dress it up with a few cut-out hearts to spice the photo up a bit! 

Photo credit: Anna Bartell Photography

Photo credit: Anna Bartell Photography

Use a chalkboard to write a fun message is a fun idea! 

Photo credit: Simply Treasured Photos

Photo credit: Simply Treasured Photos

You can't have Valentine's Day without some fun candies! This is such an easy background to put together and does not cost much money. 

Photo credit: hulahoopphotography.com 

Photo credit: hulahoopphotography.com 

Be sure to also read our post on 2 tips for planning the perfect mini session. Do you have any fun background ideas that you have used for your own Valentine's or love themed mini sessions? We would love to hear all of your ideas in the comments below! 

 

Do you want to get even more great tips for planning, pricing and marketing your mini sessions? Purchase "The Ultimate Mini Session Guide" today.  Don't miss out on this 108-page guide today!   

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2 Ways To Make Couples Feel Comfortable While Taking Portraits

Photographing couples is such a great market. There is just something about capturing the love that two people share for each other. Whether you are taking engagement photos or capturing a milestone anniversary, the couple will look back on these photos for the rest of their lives.

You want to make sure that you capture the couple exactly how they hope to be photographed so they come back to you anytime they need other photos taken. You want to take the time to understand and get to know the couple together... what they enjoy doing together, their hobbies, and even unique places around the city that mean something special to them. All of these things will help you plan a perfect portrait session that will be personalized for that specific couple.

When you are actually at the portrait session taking their photos, you have to keep the couple comfortable to be sure they are relaxed. If they seem nervous or stiff, it will come across in the photos.  The Posing Guide For Couple Portraits, a BP4U guide written by Beth with ENV Photography, gives some great tips to help make the couple feel comfortable with icebreakers and awkward posing fixes and more. Today, we are going to share 2 of those tips with you below! 

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

Photo credit: ENV Photography

Photo credit: ENV Photography

1. Have some ice breakers ready. 

You want to have some fun jokes or goofy faces ready to break the nervousness and make the couple laugh. Tell jokes, trip over things... do whatever it takes to get your couple laughing and relaxed. Another fun ice breaker that Beth talks about doing herself in this guide is having the couple nose-wrestle. After rubbing noses together, the couple is sure to be laughing and much more ready to smile big and take some great photos! 

Photo credit: ENV Photography

Photo credit: ENV Photography

2. Work with awkward poses.

Sometimes a pose that you love from a previous couple portrait session just does not look right with the couple you are currently photographing. That is okay! Be confident in what you are doing and just try and adjust the couple to make it more natural - or even watch how they normally move and interact with one another and go with something new.

The one thing you do not want to do is make the couple feel discouraged. Once they realize that something is not working or looking right, they may get tense or agitated which does not help the rest of the shoot and will make them feel uncomfortable. Even if the pose is not working, take a few photos and just go with it without saying it looks funny so they stay comfortable. 

If you love these 2 great tips on making a couple feel comfortable during portraits and want to see even more, you must get the Posing Guide For Couple Portraits today! In this 209 page guide, you will get tons of pose ideas as well as tips on finding the perfect location, pricing and even post processing.  For only $9.99 you can get this awesome guide today! 

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

 

 

 

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Cleaning Your Camera: How to Properly Clean Your DSLR Sensor and Mirror

We all love our cameras. As photographers, we cherish our camera and all the awesome features it offers us. But we need to make sure we take care of our equipment to keep it running perfectly while we are out taking great shots.

Think about this... you come home after a photo shoot where you have captured so many stunning photographs only to see spots on your photos. When those pesky dust spots get magnified it can ruin a photograph. Cleaning your sensor and mirror can help with this. 

How often do you clean your camera? It really depends on you. If you are out taking photos every single day and you switch the lens regularly, you may want to do it once a month. You also want to consider where you shoot your photographs... if you are a landscape photographer who is outdoors, your camera will be picking up more dust and dirt than someone who only takes photos in a studio.

Here is a quick video we found that shows you how to clean your DSLR sensor and mirror. 

Check out more similar videos on PhotographersOnUTube. Here are a few other videos on Camera Giveaways you will enjoy: 

Do you need a way to help you attract more clients? Perhaps you could use a fresh, new look for your company? The BP4U Marketing Bundle Pack is just what you need. This new collection of marketing templates for photographer is awesome and combines all of the BP4U marketing sets into one large product at one great price. Put these marketing pieces on your website, print them off, use on social media or so much more! Check out this amazing marketing bundle for only $600! 

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BP4U MARKETING BUNDLE PACK NOW! 

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3 Ways To Spice Up A Dull Location

There is nothing fun about trying to take an amazing photo with a dull location showing up in the background. It has probably happened to most of you where you find yourself taking portraits, at a wedding or even while taking landscape photos, and the location is just not as artistic as you would like. No matter what it is that you are shooting, there are plenty of ways you can spice up a dull location and we want to share 3 ways with you today.

1. Add In Some Extra Lighting

Adding in a little bit of light can really make a difference in spicing up your location and making the photos look great. Take some time when you arrive at the location and scope out unique details of the background that would be great to draw a little extra attention to with the lighting. 

2. Think About The Time Of Day

You may find that a specific location may be boring at one time of day, but may look totally different at another time. It is always important to scope out your location, so perhaps visit the spot at different times prior to your shoot to see what time of day is best. See what it looks like either early in the morning or late in the evening. Or, think about how the scene would look at night. Each time can bring a totally different look to the photos even though you take them from the exact same spot. 

Photo credit: wildpianist via Flickr

Photo credit: wildpianist via Flickr

3. Snap Photos From Different Angles

Just snapping a photo while you are standing straight in front of your subject is wonderful but if you move to a higher or lower angle to take the same photo can make it stand out that much more. While preparing for your shot, try and  visualize different angles you can try out. Perhaps you are photographing a family at a park and you can get up on top of a table or playground to shoot them from above. Or maybe you can try lying in front of the subject you are photographing so you photograph them from below catching a great background of the blue sky in the distance.

These are just a few ways to spice up a dull location when you are taking photos. If you are out taking photos and find yourself in a location with a less than stellar look to it, be sure to consider all of these options to take the best photos you possibly can. 

If you liked these tips, here are a few more you may enjoy: 

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