Hello again! This feels like a super fresh start. For those of you that don't know, I have always loved writing and started a blog on blogspot when I was 15... but I haven't touched that in about a year. So here I am, with this new website and blog. I hope you'll find this read a helpful and happy one. I've teamed up with a bunch of photographers and friends from all over to curate a list of tips and advice, from photographers for photographers! It's time to learn from each other and support each other! I always love meeting and connecting with new creatives, and working on this post allowed me to do a lot of that! You'll see a bunch of different styles, and hear from a bunch of different creatives, which is what makes this post so unique. I hope this brings you some new friends, and also some new inspiration.
#1
I'll start the blog off with some advice of my own. Let's talk about investment...don’t invest money where it’s not needed. This might sound crazy, but I’ve had my one and only camera for 4 years now and it does everything I need it to for me to be happy with my work and for my clients to be happy with the results! It’s all about knowing your skill set and knowing your camera and equipment, even if that means you have 1 camera or 8 cameras. I do recommend investing with time and trying new styles so you’re not too limited, but never feel pressured to make that investment if you’re not ready. Whether it's a camera, equipment, editing software, etc., be patient with yourself, and only invest when you feel like you can and should.
-Nichola Rae
@nicholaraephotography
See Nichola's work below!
#2
First thing to keep in mind about photography is.. it is ART! Always stay true to what makes you happy and push yourself and stay creative!
When you are first starting out in this field, it’s sometimes overwhelming. You will see some advice tell you to go buy the most expensive camera and your photos will be perfect. That is probably the biggest misconception of photography. Most people think you get a good camera, push a button, then magic..That brings me to my most useful tip I think I can give..
Take time to learn which ever camera you buy inside and out! It will help tremendously! You will always learn new things the more you go out and shoot! Whenever you have free time, go outside and shoot, play around with settings and keep note of how each setting you change effects your photos! I know once I learned how my equipment worked, I felt so much more confident in myself!
Last bit of advice I have is to have FUN! I know I’m most creative when you have fun with your clients! Plus it makes it an awesome experience!
Stay creative!
-Samantha Stout
@sweetsunnivaphotography
See Samantha's work below!
#3
I think people who are serious about getting into photography need to understand... your gear really doesn't matter too much, it's you the photographer who makes a good photo. So focus on that. Get to know your subjects. Look at something from many different angles before taking the photo. Try underexposing or overexposing a photo just to see if it looks cool. Get weird, get experimental. If you become more serious about photography, start researching which lenses are best for your style. Save up and buy a good lens, that often makes a bigger difference in photo quality than the camera does.
-Nick Aron
@nickaronsnaps
See the photo below to see some of Nick's work, which is also the beautiful cover photo for this blog post! Thank you!
#4
1.) Do not listen to unasked for/mean spirited criticism.. so many people give their input on art when art is supposed to be unique and something only you can create! Finding your style means doing things other people won’t do!
2.) Make sure you’re shooting what you enjoy! Take photos of whatever brings you joy and makes you feel accomplished and proud! Don’t just shoot the trendy/popular stuff .. unless of course that’s what you’re into!
3.) Make sure you do your research and use your camera properly. But don’t rush yourself into learning everything at once if that’s not your style of learning.. take your time but also make sure that you’re not staying stagnant in your growth or expression.
-Michael Betzner
@michael_betznerphotography
Check out the photo below to see Michael's work! Model is @maddyfryar
#5
Advice for beginners: The industry is competitive and it can be hard to get your work noticed. Once you have a solid foundation, don’t be afraid to experiment and perfect your craft. Find a way to make your work miles above the rest. It can be an editing style or the way you tell stories through your images. Anyone can buy a camera and take photos. You have to truly dig deep and decide how your will be different.
-Alycee Byrd
@alyceebyrd
See the photo below for Alycee's work!
#6
Do not limit yourself to anything when doing photography. Go out of your way to reach people and make connections! Those connections can turn into wonderful friendships! I used to have such a hard time putting myself out there because I liked being in my comfort zone. Now I look back on that and I’m glad I made myself maybe a little uncomfortable at times. If I hadn’t I wouldn’t have met all the sweet souls I have. Photography is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done and I really encourage people to try it out!
-Rebekah Adele
@Rebekahadelephoto
Here is some of Rebekah's self portrait work below!
#7
While the camera body is important depending on the subject, your lenses are what really make your composition. When I first started shooting I stuck to one lens to challenge myself: a Tamron zoom telephoto. This lens has a narrower angle of view, as well as 300mm of magnification. It’s great for landscapes, architecture, candid portraits, and even some tinier subjects like butterflies. It forces you to really be intentional on your framing, as well as your placement as the photographer. Sticking to a lens or a setting (aperture priority, manual, etc.) can help you feel out the different ways you can frame a subject, since the only variable to change is your technique.
-Joanna Guy
@perpetualpresentphotos
Check out the photo below to see some of Joanna's work!
#8
As a beginner photographer myself I’ve realized that you don’t have to have a set in stone location to produce the best pictures possible. My favorite photoshoots have been with clients willing to go on adventures and find unique and perfect locations. Don’t stress if you don’t have the money to rent out a warehouse or to go to a national park. Just hiking in the forest and exploring the city have helped me produce the coolest pictures.
-Kyndal Myers
@kyndalmyersphotography
Check out the photo below to see some of Kyndal's work!
#9
Always pay attention to the fine details. Whether this be within the camera mid shoot, or in post during editing. It’s more of an obvious tip, but one that can really help separate yourself from other photographers. It’s all too easy to skip over something minuscule, but it does make a difference. Even if it is only subconsciously, those are the real details that matter that the typical viewer may not even initially realize after you have ‘fixed’ something within an image. Although they may not realize what you have done for the better; if you don’t make those type of detailed changes, that is when the typical viewer will be able to see the lack of ‘professionalism’ in an artist’s work. Even if they don’t know exactly what is wrong, they know it’s something.
-Justin Irick
@irickimages
Check out Justin's work in the picture below!
#10
You can take steps towards growing your business with free or using low cost tools and strategies at first, which will allow you to invest more as you grow. Here are a few free and/or low cost options for business backend growth (which I believe to be the foundation of a truly successful photography business - there's only so far your photos can take you if your client experience is lacking):
- For invoicing: Wave Apps (https://www.waveapps.com/)
- For contracts: JotForm (https://www.jotform.com/)
- For websites: Both Wix and Squarespace offer free options for website hosting; I'm sure there are others!
- For everything else: Referral links are your friend. If you know of someone who uses a client management system, newsletter list, blog publisher software, etc, that you want to invest in, first ask if someone in your circle has a referral link for you. It will likely save BOTH of you money!
-Erica
@sweetalicephotography
See Erica's wedding work below!
#11
The best advice that I could offer a photographer is to practice, practice, practice! Like any job, becoming good at it takes patience, practice, and time. Also, don't doubt your skills! When I was first starting to take portraits, I was hard on myself and doubted that people would like my work. Fortunately, I pushed through and kept researching and practicing how to do it, leading me to where I am to! A nature AND portrait photographer! My favorite thing to photograph is still Mother Nature, but I love working with people too now!
-Lexi Smith
@lexismith_photography
Check out this beautiful photo of Lexi's work below!
#12
Never give up and to never stop trying to improve yourself! Stand outside of your comfort zone! Starting out, it’s easy to constantly doubt your worth and your talent, but continue believing in your style and continue growing and learning! I’ve been on my own full-time for about a year now and there has MOST DEFINITELY been some bumps in the road, but keeping a constant positive mindset and learning from your mistakes is KEY!
-Cameron Hayes
@cameronhayesphotography
Check out Cameron's work below!
Thanks For Reading!
Thanks so much for checking out my blog! I hope you enjoyed this post and got some insight to what I'll be sharing on here every now and again! Until next time, be sure to checkout my website and social media, as well as the other creatives who contributed to this post!
-Nichola Rae