What kind of photographer are you?
When I’m shooting a wedding, or in this case, a Quinceanera, I almost always get approached by a guest photographer. Usually, they are in one of two camps. The first being the beginner, clamoring over their shinny new digital SLR camera. Their ambitions are sky high, curious as to what equipment they should buy, or […]
Read More...
Primes & Zoom Lenses: What To Use?
Primes vs Zooms Both camps will argue their points and you’ll find kinds both primes and zoom lenses in our gear bag, but the primes stay attached to our cameras more than the zooms do. Below I’ve laid out some points for each, but for us, it revolves around two key points. Image quality and […]
Read More...
Three tips for better tilt-shift photos
When people see a titled photo (like below), they immediately think tilt/shift, but really, the effect is a result of just tilting. Most TS-E lenses have both functionality, which is why people throw the shift part into the title, but shifting a photo isn’t technically complex. The following tips are geared towards achieving a tilt […]
Read More...
A Quick Overview of Flash Photography at a Wedding
As time permits, I’m going to start putting together short educational videos pertaining to wedding photography. In the following segment, I talk about the accessories and flash modifiers we use to light a wedding reception or venue. It really is pretty simple. Get yourself some GAFF tape, black foam flash modifier, and a solid flash […]
Read More...
Buying used camera equipment
When writing this article, a 2013 Chevy Silverado LS has an MSRP of $30,500. On the used market, the 2011 Chevy Silverado LS is worth $19,000. So in roughly two years, the truck has depreciated by nearly 30 percent. Next, take a look at the 2013 Toyota Tacoma v6 Base, which has an MSRP of […]
Read More...
Three must have equipment pieces for wedding photographers
A few years back. when I was restoring my house, I frequented Lowes more than the grocery store. Most employees called me by my first name, and I could probably navigate the building blindfolded. When talking to one employee about my next project of refinishing my baseboard trim, he was adamant that I buy a […]
Read More...
Gear doesn’t dictate sales
In 2012, we met with, and presented to around 30 engaged couples in hopes of shooting their wedding. You know how many times we got asked, “What camera did you use to take that picture?” Once. Most clients don’t care, and don’t know the difference between the EF 85mm f/1.2 versus the f/1.8. What you’re […]
Read More...
Three tips for sharper photos
Before you snap the picture, either you or your camera decide three things that make your picture. Shutter speed, aperture and ISO. The tips below will help you achieve sharper photos based upon the subject or scene you’re shooting. In this article, we’ll focus on shutter speed and how it correlates to making sharp pictures. For those of […]
Read More...
Photographer Lingo
The following list should help you understand other photographers as they ramble on about their profession. Equipment Shooting Wide Open – Every lens has a maximum and minimum aperture opening. When you shoot wide open, you’re allowing the most light the lens will allow to pass through. Shooting wide open narrows your depth of field and give […]
Read More...
Get it Right the First Time
A while back when I started to really get into photography, I would often tell myself, “I can always fix that later.” The problem with this approach is I ended up sacrificing too much. I either spent too many hours post-processing, or never got to it at all, because of the time required. Photoshop is […]
Read More...
Using Gorilla Pods for mounting flash heads
When Joby first introduced the Groilla Pod lineup, my initial reaction was they were a gimmick. Who would use such a silly looking device? I now own two of their products and use them on nearly 50% of my shoots. Not necessarily to mount a camera though, but rather a flash gun. As a wedding photographer, your always […]
Read More...
The best way to make lighting diagrams
When winter hits and the wedding photography slows down, I usually pick up a few commercial jobs to keep myself occupied. Some of it being product photography, which isn’t the most creative use of my time, but it still needs done. Upon delivering professional results, companies often continue to send me additional product to be […]
Read More...
A lens that pays for itself
I get a lot of “What lens should I buy?” questions from beginner photographers, and to be honest, it’s challenging to answer with one sentence, or even a few. Each arena of photography has a few lenses that are built for the task at hand, and then a handful of compromises. If you have any ambition […]
Read More...
Black Foam Flash Modifier for when the Ceilings are too High
So you just purchased your first flash unit, and now its time to buy one of those flash modifiers you see plastered all over the internet or photography magazines. Hold off one second before you drop $30 to $40. First, take an hour or so and read about how to properly bounce your flash. However, […]
Read More...
Never pass up an opportunity
There are youngins, practiced and seasoned photographers. You’re somewhere in that mix. There comes a time when you might want move up a level. From n00b to amaeture, or amauture to professional. So what does this process consist of? It can actually be captured in one simple phrase, “Never pass up an opportunity.” What exactly […]
Read More...