Take & Talk Pics: Recent Episodes
Rob Krueger
Take & Talk Pics is a podcast created for you: the photography business owner. If you are looking for a new resource that doesn't require your visual attention, Rob Krueger brings you just the right tool. 3 days a week Rob interviews photographers from around the world who are real world working professionals. We go over the ups and downs of owning a photography business and you walk away with great stories to learn from and amazing resources!
David & Luke Edmonson
© Edmonson Photography David and Luke Edmonson have been called *the “Master Photographers to Master Photographers” and with good reason.*
With over 50 combined years in the industry, the indelible impact the Edmonson’s leave with clients, students and peers around the world is remarkable. No doubt, their signature style is unmistakable. But it’s their “Iron-Sharpens-Iron” philosophy that has fueled their art and professional success.
A relentless pursuit of excellence through competition. Selfless mentorship. A hands-on benevolence with their passionate charities.
Simply put, the “Edmonson Way” means that giving is a both a privilege and a path to self-improvement; for themselves and those they encounter.
With dozen of awards as Master Photographers, Diamond Awards, Photographers of the Year and numerous other designations, 2015 was the year the Edmonson’s made photography history. David was honored as recipient of the WPPI Lifetime Achievement Award. This father-son duo also became the first-ever family members inducted into the Camera Craftsman of America, one of the oldest, most prestigious groups in the world dedicated to advancing the profession of photography as an art form. Also in 2015, Luke was named one of the groundbreaking founders of the WPPI Photographer Certification program, the first of its kind in the industry.
The Edmonson’s are sought-after speakers and educators locally, nationally and abroad, teaching workshops to the up and coming aspiring photographer, to share their talent and know-how to help others hone their craft. They also serve as print judges at various international print competitions.
It’s often said that Art Imitates Life. If you’ve ever seen the work of David and Luke Edmonson, this is clearly true:
“Profound with dimensionality, ingrained with emotion and compelling in their beauty."
…This is the Edmonson Way.
w: edmonsonweddings.com
art1095.com
Happy Shooting!
David:
Luke:
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Light Painting with Harold Ross
Harold Ross (b 1956), is an American fine-art photographer who lives and works in southern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Since 1979, Harold has been creating distinctive work in the studio as well as in the night landscape. For 27 years, he has specialized in light painting, a technique involving "painting" the light over a long time exposure. Harold actually refers to his process as “sculpting with light”. He also teaches workshops in his methods and regularly gives lectures on his work.
Born into a military family in 1956, Harold grew up in New Mexico and Germany. His parents were adventurous, and took the family on outings almost every weekend... hiking in the desert, horseback riding and camping in the mountains, exploring castles and old gardens in Germany and camping in Italy. These outings, of course, left many lasting impressions.
He earned a B.F.A from Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), after which he produced fine art and taught photography at the college level for several years.
His large scale color work has been exhibited, published and collected in the U.S. and internationally. Publications include Photo China Magazine, the Italian magazine Progresso Fotografico and the Ukrainian magazine Ukraine Photographer, among others. Here at home, his work has been featured in LensWork #93 and #121, The New York Times LENS blog, and Professional Photographer Magazine, and others.
In 2011, Harold was invited to participate in an exhibition of landscape photography in Inner Mongolia, China along with 10 other American and 20 Chinese photographers. He was also chosen as one of four photographers to exhibit in the inaugural FRESH 2011, at Klompching Gallery in Brooklyn, New York.
Happy Shooting!
w: haroldrossfineart.com
Blog: hharoldrossfineart.wordpress.com
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Make Changes Photo World if you are learning and growing then you are changing. Often it can be difficult to make change and go along with them but it is a necessary practice to improve from where you are.
So here we are on the 250th episode on Take & Talk Pics! I have been so blessed to do this podcast and bring this content to you Photo World. However, I have been learning, growing, and yes, changing.
I have been finding there are so many things I have planned for my work and businesses and I need to make a few adjustments right here on the podcast and blog.
First, the show is going to be on a bit of a break. I can't bring myself to stop because I am far too passionate about what this show means to me and what I want to continue contributing to you Photo World.
So being somewhat on the back burner you can expect 2 episodes a month. Once every other week. Ideally these would be interviews with photographers from around the world, but I know there will be a few here and there where I need to share solo from time to time.
As I make changes, I would like consistency, and a space where Photo World can continue to learn from me. So I will maintain a weekly blog post right here on Take & Talk Pics.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Nikon Active D-Lighting Photo World this episode is more proof that you need to know your gear to fully understand the potential you bring to every shoot. Knowing your gear is good but knowing when, where, and how to use the tools effectively is the real test of a pro photographer versus a hobbyist. The Active D-Lighting setting for Nikon cameras is another great example of why it can be important to fully understand your camera.
Active D-Lighting is really Active Dynamic Lighting... Dynamic being richer with tonality. Like HDR isn't High Definition Resolution HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. Active D-Lighting isn't nearly the tonal range of HDR but it is a step in that direction. Active D-Lighting is also a Nikon specific option. Canon has ALO or Auto Lighting Optimizer, but ALO is only a fraction of the influence as Active D-Lighting ends up being.
There are many reasons to use Active D-Lighting but understanding more about how it works will clear up much of the confusion. Active D-Lighting offers the photographer the option to under expose to crush the highlights so they remain intact in the final image. The Active D-Lighting opens the otherwise underexposed shadows in camera and embedded into the RAW file. This allows for more details in the shadows than usual.
With selective settings from Low all the way to Extra High, Active D-Lighting is an awesome tool to be used in making better pictures. However, listen to the episode to hear why I like Canon RAW files more than my own Nikon RAW images. Hint: it has to do with Active D-Lighting.
When you take the time to investigate the inter workings of your gear you have the freedom to raise the bar on your images and continue stepping in the right direction, not only for your images, but you and your business overall.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Dust Mapping
Photo World we work so hard to have beautiful, clean, well made photographs. We did this back in the film days too, but there was a battle going on against dust and scratches. We still see issues today when it comes to dust.
They make air blowers, sensor brushes, lens cleaner fluids, micro fiber cloths, lens tissue, sensor gels, or you can send your equipment out for professional cleaning... There are a lot of options today to ensure that we don't have one spec of dust in an image where we don't want it. However, most of these tools/devices/options are horrible and cause more damage than help solve problems. Often it is user error but I say why take the risk!
Now there are many things you can do that are low risk and may clear up those dust spots but every so often there is a spot we can't seem to shake. I give a couple cleaning examples I do but my favorite and most trusted is send it out to a pro who will also assume responsibility.
Photo World, if you really can't get the job done or can't get the right person to do it for you, you may want to consider Dust Mapping. This in camera software driven process will save you hours of editing.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Time-lapse Photography Photo World I needed a break from all the business talk because at the end of the day my addiction to photography needs some attention as well as my passion for building businesses. Time-lapse Photography is a bit of its own practice. In fact it began mostly by accident and has slowly evolved into spectacular motion pictures.
Time-lapse Photography is more simplified than it used to be with the advent of digital. In short it's a series of images being complied into video, for a quick view of an extended time. Hence Time-lapse.
There are several ways to make a time-lapse video but the easiest is the automated feature found in most DSLRs and Mirrorless systems. However, the highest quality is making the final video by way of capturing each image individually and edit to your liking. Much more time consuming but the results are stunning.
Let's run some numbers:
1 picture every second for 1 minute straight would offer you 60 images to be used as 2 seconds of video at 30 frames per second.
10 minutes of time-lapse for 1 second of video when you shoot at an interval of 6 seconds between shots.
Say you want 30 seconds of video and you are shooting at an interval of 1 shot every minute… That would be a 15 hour long shoot to have a frame rate of 30 frames per second.
Time-lapse is an investment but the results can be stunning.
Check more from Edward Muybridge.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Savings Plan
Photo World when you run your own business it doesn't matter when it comes up or in what aspect the conversation takes place... most of us, when we start out, do not like to talk money. That could be one of the worst offsets to a secure savings plan for a infant business.
When I sit down with clients I have absolutely no fear to talk about how the money works. This confidence emerged after six years in business as a professional. Six years living in fear of that one five letter word. One thing we all want more of, feel we have too little, and can't seem to stretch far enough. Money.
There are literally dozens of episodes I could do in highlight money's role in a small business. I tango with several of the topics involved from taxes, to loss, paying your bills, and having a savings plan.
Regardless of your photographic genre or even your business for that matter... We must step back and look at the year as a whole before we begin understanding our fiance. This episode may just be the key.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Why Should You Blog Photo World as you can tell by the title I am going to totally sell you on the idea of why should you blog. Okay, not really but I am going to talk about the purpose and operations behind how a blog works. The true conversation is about good business practice, showcasing your talent, and hoe to obtain a free or cheap marketing funnel.
It is a lot of information to be crammed in a 10 minute episode but when it comes to blogging it's pretty simple. There are many reasons why you should blog. However, and I know this first hand, there are countless reasons to give up on a blog. It isn't as exciting because the investment of time is greater than most people are willing to give and results are not as instant as most would like.
That being said... Blogging is a long term investment but the payoff can be amazing. Listen to the example story of a friend of mine I share in today's episode. She went from doing pictures as a hobby to a six figure business in only one year.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Build Your List That's right Photo World, you need to build your list. That is your email list. Think of the countless emails you receive that are of little to no value for you, but there is one email every so often that keep you as a subscriber to that list.
Now, you don't have to bombard people with nonsensical emails day in and day out. However you may find a use for the list over time. Some will tell you to make a few lists that fit into categories like most likely to buy, least likely, and somewhere in the middle.
My view is collect all emails and compile a list of possible for sales. At the very least if you build your list you could always come back to it when the time is right. In this episode I discuss when the right time might be to use your list.
Anyone and everyone is a candidate to be considered. If you are able to acquire an email at any point then you are a step closer to a possible "yes" for your product or service. You have to consider any contact or inquiry is the halfway point to a "Yes". In other words gaining someone's email address is a "maybe" to buying your product or service.
You never know what you will do in the future so build your list in the present!
Happy Shooting!
All Work and No Play We often feel like there's too much to do. To many things on our plate and we can't catch up; so much, that it seems our business, our career, our supposed passion is all work and no play. Just like anything else in life there is a time and place for everything. It's my belief that all work and no play should be observed from time to time. However, it's draining on the mind and the body to live life this way.
What is "play"? Well that could be up for debate but the way I view it is: something of interest to you, worth the investment, and worth the time, but shifts your focus away from your work. The average person is asleep for 33% of their life time. The average person is working for nearly 56% of their time during a 45 year span, but averaging another 33% of their time thought their life time. That leaves a life time average of 34% of your life time is glued by the other 66% of occupied time. All to have not much more than 1/3 their lives at play. This doesn't account for being sick, making improvements around the house, the time spent traveling or commuting to your job, attending special events for others, and a plethora of other things. So what time do you really have at play in your life? Shouldn't we work that much harder to open up the gap between work and play? In this episode I share a story of how all work and no play can kick start a career. In short I took a $40,000 loan and went debt free in 1 day. Just like an overnight success it didn't really happen overnight, but I was able to take care of that loan with just a bit of time and a lot of hard work. Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Giving Back Photo World I offer a free coaching call. Scroll to the bottom of this page if you are interested. One thing I do for every call is get to know you and your business. Following the call I give a thank you gift for having done the call. I don't want to share everything, but highlight 1 point on the gift.
Giving back to your community. In the episode I read word for word how I view this point and what I include in this gift. In short I have found giving back to your community does many things and it is different for each of us. It can be for a feel goof feeling, maybe to help out for a cause you believe in, or just to show that you are motivated to be a part of your community.
Whatever the reason giving back is a beautiful thing. Take it one step further and incorporate your skill, talent, and passion for photography and creatively look for ways to overlap your photography work with community service. Perhaps you could do photos for a local animal shelter so they have quality images.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Cost of Doing Business
Photo World there is an old saying: It takes money to make money. That saying is so true and truer still when it comes to marketing. Marketing is one of the costs of doing business, in fact, it is the largest cost of doing business. In today's episode I break down three marketing strategies I have tried over the past few years. Admittedly, over one dozen attempts at marketing have taken place for Rob Krueger Photography and most have failed miserably. A few have been successful and have become the new standard for all future marketing.
Photo World you have everything to risk when you start marketing your business. It can be costly... at first. Hopefully, those trial and error tests of marketing will open up the opportunity your business needs. One marketing avenue I had used was Google ads. My experience wasn't typical but I confidently feel it is a valuable option for most photography businesses.
I have had my own ups and downs when it comes to marketing and today I only discuss the idea of paid marketing. a brief mention to word of mouth as well as social media marketing is worth remembering. The fact that we have a free (social media) option for marketing our businesses is brilliant. On the one hand that is part of the reason the market feels saturated at times. However, saturated markets is a myth.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Rule of Thirds Pricing Photo World, making up what you do with your pricing is hard enough. I spent years, with trial and error, figuring out an efficient way to make life easier when it comes to talking money. I have created a rule of thirds pricing...
- Have a set pricing for your customers
- Define who your customer is and how you would charge them
- Give appropriate breaks to the right people
I have broken my customer base into 3 main categories, hence the rule of thirds. One has three sub categories within it. You'll have to listen to get the who scoop.
If you have been having trouble determining your pricing for new customers, family, friends, referrals, or repeat clients maybe this episode will help you. I know when you’re starting out it seems more important to just book the work or sell the art just for the sake of doing so. Newer photographers often make the mistake of taking what they can get and breaking their own pricing rules. These simple rules I have laid out will help guide you to a more successful pricing structure and a good path to improving your own pricing model in the future.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
People Person
There is no rule in business that says you must be a people person but I like to lean on logic when I question these types of things. In a truly logical sense, in every career or job, in every industry, there are people involved. Either you are getting something done/created for other people or you are having work done for you. Your business really revolves around the idea that someone is on the other end of just about everything your do. With that, being a people person could just be the most important skill you develop for your business. I will say when I got started as a photographer people were the one subject I never wanted to deal with. However, I had a benefit most don't get; I was able to watch a pro photographer in action. Not just a pro photographer but one who was already in business for 20 years when I started working for him, one who was an excellent people person, and one who genuinely knew how to interact with others. I learned how to be a people person.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Network Time
Photo World it is time to get back to business. Admittedly, the show has been struggling these past few weeks and the content has suffered. However, you still mean a great deal to me and I want you to know there are many great things to come. That being said it is time to get back in gear... it is time to talk business.
If you recall I had a few episodes focused on the startup of a photography business and how to go about doing that. This is a continuation of that track. When I started I would say my greatest failure was never networking in my industry. I always thought networking was about talking yourself up and trying to impress those around you with your successes. I know now that is a horrible way to network. If you don't believe me, try it. Talk yourself up to everyone around you and then star to listen for everyone talking about you. Not in a good way but talking about how annoyed they are with you. Or look at it from the other side. Think of those people who always have to one up you. Not a fan right?
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Talk Yourself Up Sometimes you need to talk yourself up. Photo World, the way we handle our internal reactions will often determine our external reality. I have spoken about mindset and maintaining professionalism in the past but what about those times when it seems like nothing is going your way? What about when you are feeling a creative block? How about times when rejection clouds your mood? There are plenty of things to think about when something doesn’t go our way. However, it is difficult to maintain a positive attitude. Start with a slight hesitation and replay this thought: When and if you are ever feeling down, do not listen to yourself; but instead, talk to yourself.
This isn’t some trick to get yourself feeling better or some roundabout way to talk yourself up. This is a simple statement to remind you of a better approach to improving your thought process. Next episode I will go over a few ways to rethink rejection and how to find the positive moment.
Photo World can you think of a time when you needed to talk yourself up? Share your story in the comments section below. We all learn from our own experiences but we can learn even more when we hear it from others. It helps to know we are not alone in all of this nor are we the only ones going through a rough time. Share to help talk one another up and not just ourselves.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
What They Did
I want to wrap up my thoughts from the last episode… I talks about starting out and there have been a few dedicated episodes with that same idea in mind, but it is really leading us to today’s topic. I had heard, and I don’t know if this is his quote, businessman Dave Ramsey mention to one of h callers; “When you want to be thinner you talk to thin people, ask them what they did. When you want to be rich you talk to rich people, ask them what they did.” That ignited the exact same principal in me when concerning photography. When you want to be a more successful photographer you talk to successful photographers, ask them what they did. Directly asking someone who they became successful is not really the best strategy, but there are ways of learning the steps those, whose work you admire, did what they did to accomplish for where they are at now.
As a good start you should begin with who do you surround yourself with? What are they like? Do you wish you were in the same position they are in? If you are wanting what those around you have then you may be in the right crowd. If you would never want what those around you have, stop having those individuals around you. Remove yourself from instability and immerse yourself in opportunity. Opportunity is nothing more than being prepared and keeping a look out for it. You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. So it helps to know who they are, but more importantly, what they did. Choose your friends wisely.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Rocky Start
Photo World there are always so many things that come across my desk (screen) and I find once in a while, I see things that strike a chord with me. Recently, a story was shared withe me about another "photographer" who borrowed a few pictures to supplement their own portfolio in hopes to sell to new clients. They had said, once they were caught, that they would remove those borrowed images when they built a stronger portfolio. Photo World, if you were ever wondering how to get started in this industry there are hundreds of ways to do it. Some are better than others, but there are an oblivious few that should never be used.
On the other end of the spectrum, as a professional, I don't know if there is much I can do if and when I ever come across this situation with my images. Would I be mad, upset, or vengeful? Maybe all three, maybe none at all. This episode isn't meant to be some sort of anti-theft device and I do steer away from the topic a bit but just another one of those things where it has been brought to my attention.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Manual Mode
Photo World how could I go through each priority mode and not finally speak on Manual Mode. However, I don’t really do that much here. I should have called this episode Rob Mode because I selfishly only talk about how I shoot and how I couple Manual Mode with my Metering. Although, Manual Mode is really “insert name here” Mode every time. If you think about how we create images, and you will hear me speak to the topic of “Style” here today, we will find it all starts from our own understanding of our gear and how we use it to create our looks. Admittedly, some of the thoughts seem disconnected but I do tie up my point in the end and hopefully give you a rough outline to doing what you love for a living. Ultimately, this is a show to help the “enter your current photographic level here” photographer to gain knowledge and experience to move forward and grow toward the next level of their journey. Whatever that may be.
We will make our way back to the business stuff soon enough. I wanted to break for a few episodes to really break down some areas on the camera in hopes to offer insight or possibility in using those options. Sometimes we get so set in what is comfortable nothing great can happen anymore because the possible is so beyond the realm of comfort.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Program Mode
Photo World in my opinion Program mode is the transitional mode between auto and manual. Now if you have played with or made some understanding of how to effectively use the shutter priority and aperture priority modes then you are going to feel very comfortable with the Program Mode. Basically the camera will decide for you what the exposure will be with the exception of ISO. However, just like the other two priority modes you can enable that setting as well.
Program mode wants good safe exposure for the situation the camera is presented with. Offering you the cleanest images with everything being considered. Now this is where Program mode is actually kind of cool… you may change the shutter or the aperture depending on a sharpness, depth of filed, freezing or blurring motion, and even creative attributes. No matter what you change or how you decide to do so the camera will automatically come up with the equivalent exposure. This is the main feature to Program mode because it acts as an exposure safety net. There will be limitations because one setting will affect the other, those settings being shutter speed and aperture, but you have a lot of latitude especially when you are unsure.
A tip I had heard about but have never practiced myself, if you typically shoot in manual, put your camera in Program Mode when you pack your camera bag. This way when and if you come across something that needs to be captured at a moment’s notice you can easily open your bag, grab your camera, turn it on, and shoot with safe exposure settings to ensure capturing that photo. Then you may switch over to manual or where ever you would like and shoot like you normally would. I could see that being a good practice for many photographers who actively react when they see a picture worthy scene.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Aperture Priority Mode
Hey Photo World! I need to clear up one small detail from the last episode on Shutter Priority. I never mentioned that many of you may see is as "Tv" mode or "Time Value". This is the standard for Canon as well as a few other cameras out there. Today I go over the Aperture Priority Mode or as you Canon users will see "Av" or "Aperture Value". Let me cut to the chase because I am going to sound like a broken record if I don't just lay this out there now. These modes or any modes for that matter are useless, unless you try them out and see where they can benefit your photography and work. I still feel Manual it he best way to learn and shoot. You get to a point in your photography where complete control is necessary and extremely beneficial to your image making.
With that said, Aperture Priority Mode is as restricting as the Shutter Priority Mode. You may engage the option to select your ISO or leave it to the camera, but this is only to get "correct exposure". That is a whole other topic itself.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here
Shutter Priority Mode
Photo World I am on this “what does every little thing in my camera do and how can it be helpful to me?” kick. I know that’s not really a thing but for me blabbing on like I do it is an important enough discussion to have. Also, it gets my attention because there are so many functions I almost never use and perhaps it is because I don’t know as much as I would like about it. It isn’t 100% of the time but I would say I shoot exclusively in Manual exposure. Today, and the rest of this week, I want to walk through other Priority Modes that most DSLR’s offer and maybe why it would be something worth using or at least trying out. Photo World, that brings me to today’s topic: Shutter Priority Mode. The Shutter Priority is exactly like it sounds… You choose the shutter and the camera will do the rest. This is a great little tool for things like Sports or something where you need the speed for really freezing the image. There is more to say about it so that’s where having a podcast comes in handy – free to listen and I don’t have to write more about it. Next time on Take & Talk Pics I will be going over Aperture Priority Mode.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Nikon CLS
There are specific sensor receptors to interact with the Creative Lighting System or CLS. The number one complaint is the flash wont fire because of too much sun or there isn’t enough power from the on camera flash. There are so many “reasons” people have for why they think it won’t work and the number one actual problem is user error. Not having the sensor aiming back at the camera or master flash and incorrect or insufficient power from the commander flash are also a big problem for an effective CLS. If you know your gear and you practice how you plan on using it long before you actually put it to use on the job you have a much better chance at being successful with that gear. This has never been truer than when using CLS. It isn’t a complicated system however it can be a limiting system if you are not fully prepared.
Choose the Chanel, Choose the Group, You can shoot in TTL or Manual.
The coolest thing about the Creative Lighting System is: wireless wasn't always affordable and this function for off camera flash has been around for a number of years. TTL wireless is only just becoming affordable and I know many of my students starting out are still not able/willing to make the investment for that function, but CLS offers it. Lastly and the best one by far is High Speed Sync (HSS) with off camera lighting, especially in TTL, is still a bit pricey and the cheaper versions seem to have bad reviews across the board, but you guessed it CLS even includes that.
More info on Nikon CLS:
https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9520/~/nikon-creative-lighting-system-(cls)
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
AE-L/AF-L or AF-ON AE-L/AF-L
AE-L
AF-ON
There are also other, detailed, options for these functions. AE Lock only, AE Lock (Reset on release), AE Lock (Hold) and AF Lock only.
You may have to set a function button for this same option but not have a dedicated AE-L or AF-L button.
AE-L stands for Automatic Exposure Lock or Auto Exposure Lock. AF-L stands for Automatic Focus Lock or Auto Focus Lock. The way this button works is you may compose an image, press the shutter release half way down to catch your focus, then press and hold the AE-L/AF-L, remove your finger from the shutter release, re-compose your image, and then release the shutter to take your picture.
As far as I can tell there is very little use for the AE-L (Auto Exposure Lock). The use of this function suggests you are shooting with an automated exposure mode; Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, or Program modes. Furthermore, this would indicate you are not shooting in Manual. Now I understand the Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Program modes, but these are specialty modes that should only be used under the right conditions. If you are like me and shoot in Manual just about all of the time this AE-L/AF-L or AF-ON function serves little to no purpose. In fact, I find it to be a much slower process to use the AE-L/AF-L button.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Question Assumptions with Nick Leung
Today’s featured guest is Nick Leung!
Nick is a wedding photographer based out of Seattle Washington for 8 months and then Hong Kong China the remaining 4 months of the year. He was named one of Seattle’s top 25 wedding photographers in 2015. His wedding photography career kicked off on a remote stretch of the Great Wall of China 4 years ago and that inspiring moment keeps Nick driven to continue the double fronted wedding business he runs.
Notes from Rob: Nick and I seemed to be on the same page as far as mindset and our approach to business. I was impressed with his outlook and understanding on both progress and opportunity. I can easily say we both continue to look forward and have a drive to see "what else" when it comes to our photography and our businesses. This will not be the last you see/hear from Nick.
Bio: Nick Leung is a professional wedding photographer based out of Seattle and Hong Kong. After graduating from University of Washington with a Business degree, he worked in corporate finance for 7 years before becoming a full time wedding photographer. His journey during this drastic career change has been both challenging and rewarding. It is the lessons learned from this journey that he wanted to share most with the Photo World. He has only been in wedding photography for 4 years, but have already been voted as Seattle’s top 25 wedding photographers. He considers his love and passion for his work the most important aspect of his career. Recently, he has found a new passion for motivating and empowering other photographers out there to “take the leap” and this interview could not come at a better time for Nick to share his story. Happy Shooting!
w: nickleungphotography.com
Blog: nickleungphotography.com/blog
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Pixel Binning Hey Photo World! First, I would like to start off with the fact that I am no expert on the Pixel Binning subject bur more so I am an interested learner on all things photography. My latest endeavor has been studying up and testing out the sRAW option on my Nikon D810 and D750. For more information on my findings so far with sRAW you can listen to episode 226 here!
In my search on sRAW, there were many references to pixel binning and how it should be a much more effective down scaling of resolution to ¼ the size of a traditional full resolution RAW file. At face value, it sounded like a great solution to the speculated sRAW flaws. However, after investigating the difference between compressions with RAW files, sRAW images, and even the compression operations of JPEG images, there seemed to be little evidence that pixel binning offers substantial improvements. Then, I gathered much of my information by reading through multiple blogs and other writings on the subject and here is a list of the sites I read from.
Sites: http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/489187-understanding-binning/.
http://info.adimec.com/blogposts/bid/42336/Shot-noise-reduction-with-machine-vision-cameras-using-in-camera-processing.
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3922435.
http://www.photometrics.com/resources/learningzone/binning.php.
http://www.andor.com/learning-academy/ccd-binning-what-does-binning-mean.
http://www.olympusmicro.com/primer/digitalimaging/concepts/binning.html.
http://info.adimec.com/blogposts/bid/104547/Binning-to-increase-SNR-and-frame-rate-with-CCD-and-CMOS-industrial-cameras.
Although, the multitude of information on the subject it seems to be a very technical operation. After ingesting the information I have given thought to the entirety of the subject and feel there are little to no benefits to want to see pixel binning in a DSLR camera CMOS sensor. However, an improvement on the sRAW format or an allowance of an mRAW (medium RAW) equaling half resolution vs the quarter resolution of a sRAW image would be a more appropriate settlement on the RAW size options.
Finally, I would be pleased to see Nikon and Canon offer a sRAW and mRAW with a bit depth choice as well. That would benefit many photographers out there.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call
sRAW
I have been testing out the sRAW option in my Nikon D810 and wanted to know more about it. So like most people I turned to Google and got articles and blogs all about sRAW or small RAW. Furthermore, some bad press kept showing up on the subject. All these photographers out there complaining and ripping the idea of sRAW apart. They go on about how bad it is and how much you lose by skimping out and using sRAW to save a near useless amount of space. Well, it’s my turn to go off the deep end and rant about the sRAW options out there. Again, I did some testing on my Nikon D810 and I will do the same on my Nikon D750 to see how it compares.
Ultimately, and like a photographers work, the proof is in the pudding. What do you do with your images? What do you need your images to do for your specific customers and industry? Will you need all the resolution at a later date so why not do it all right now with the max RAW options? You will have to be the judge of all that. Like I say all the time: “know your gear”, and that also goes for know what your gear is being used for. I will admit, this is a fast paced and somewhat confusing subject with a lot of numbers and lingo being used throughout the episode. Bear with me and many even listen a couple times if you want to get all the details. The main 3 things to know are these:
14 bit uncompressed RAW – 73MB
12 bit compressed RAW – 30.5MB
sRAW – 11 bit compressed – 27MB
Finally, when talking about RAW compression options I love how Nikon states it in the user manual for the Nikon D810: “Uncompressed, images are not compressed; Lossless Compressed, no effect on image quality; Compressed, with almost no effect on image quality.” Makes compression look like a joke. Take it or leave it… everything will be fine.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Nice To Employees
This is for all you photographers who have 1 or more employees. Heck you can apply this method to those of whom are flying solo. Also, I would like to clear up the word “employees” for you. Many would think it means you have individuals on payroll with an hourly or salary wage or someone who comes to work for the company at regular intervals. Well “employee” can mean a lot of things and I look at it as anyone who does work for someone else regardless of the interval, pay rate, or consistency. You could say they are temporary or sub-contractors as well. No matter how you define them you should be nice to your employees.
| Nice/Positive | Mean/Negative | | Competitive pay | Restrictive pay | | Constructive guidance | Pushy guidance | | Offering more work opportunities | Restricting the hours | | Perks | No perks | | Somewhere to go/climb the ladder | Lateral movement |
Nice seems like an obvious choice and an easy way to go but nice isn’t always the easiest to define. What you think could be nice may easily be blah or in some cases “not nice” to others. There is an attitude in how you treat them and that directly relates to an attitude in how they treat you/your business. Photo World you already know what I am talking about because just about each of you can go back to a time when you had a job and your attitude was reflected by how you felt you were treated. If you instill positivity to your employees, no matter their capacity, than you will see positivity from them. The opposite is true when there is negativity involved. Be positive! Be nice to your employees! Why do you think I always finish every episode with:
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Chase The Light
Photo World I was thinking about one of the turning points in my career as a photographer. Really it was before my career kicked off. This was happening while I was learning and working for other photographers. I used to spend hours and hours poring over photos, surfing the net, flipping through magazines, and even perusing a newspaper here and there. (Yes I used to read actual newspapers). I would look at how all those other photographs were taken and more specifically what kind of light was used to make the picture. I wanted to know what light source was used, guess the modifiers that were helping shape the light, figure out what the exposure must have been. I will say that it didn’t come easy but I do have a skill now for determining what lens is used for many of the photographs my students make just by investigating their images. I still find myself asking what kind of light is in play or what kind of modifiers were used here? I am continually seeking the answers… not to learn them and then emulate that practice but to see if my eye is good enough. I find myself critiquing many photographs with thoughts on how it could have been better with the right light. I’m no more gifted than any
Leadership
Photo World today's episode is more about personality development than running a business. Although, one does need the right personality to run a business. Specifically with small businesses you may be the boss but you must also show leadership. You must have a leader’s mindset.
In a quick google search I found a Leader is – The person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country. Or business (business was added by me).
There is a ton of information on leadership and how to go about gaining good leadership skills or how to operate in the work place but what about when you own your own business?
According to mindtools.com A leader can:
- Create a vision
- Motivate & Inspire
- Deliver the vision
- Coach and Develop
Owning your business, means your name is on it. So…
Don’t blame others for failure or setbacks. – busted wireless story
What kind of leader do you want to be? – panic while serving or casually under control
The kind that only chases the pay check or the one who is there for their passion and in turn their clients? – informative selling vs. pressure selling
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
I Love Yes
I would have rather had the long title of "The day I met and photographed actor Colin Farrell" but that felt a bit long for a title. After all I'm not Panic At The Disco where I could get away with such lengthy titles. Even though I decided to write and record about how much I love yes the real story is the how behind my meeting a famous Hollywood actor and one of my favorite actors for that matter. Now I could go on and plot out the story of Yes Man for you Photo World and tell you why Yes can be so powerful, but I would be ruining a great movie for you (great may be a bit much but I did enjoy that one) and you wouldn't believe that is really how it works. To be honest I only Love Yes when it works out for me. You may recall I had once said I Love No. Both Yes and No can be powerful and helpful to a career it is just a matter of when and how. It usually leads to one thing in the end anyway... Any guesses where I am going with this?
Education! That's right Photo World I passionately believe in education and I don't think I will ever think otherwise. As in the words of the great John Michael Montgomery "Life's a dance you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow. Don't worry about what you don't know. Life's a dance you learn as you go."
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Even Sell
Ahh... Finally... The long awaited Even Sell. Back from when this all started I spoke of over selling then I moved to under selling and to be honest that is where most discussions stop. Is it taboo to speak of even selling or as I like to call it in this episode "niche selling"? I guess most people side step that portion of the discussion because when successful selling takes place it isn't worth talking about. The only incredibly major problem I have with that is WHY NOT? Why do so many blogs and podcasts avoid subject matter that revolves around the correct way of doing something. Niche selling is the most fun and has the least pressure involved but no one really talks about it. There is this horrible misconception that selling is a game or a trick and out have to accidentally get your clients to go along with it. Real even selling or niche selling doesn't work like that. It is all based on getting the right customer in front of you so by the time you are selling they are already 90% committed to the idea. Let your marketing "sell" for you, let your portfolio "sell" for you, have the social media "sell" for you, are we getting the idea here Photo World? Create a selling funnel that leads to you making the sale. This way most of the time when you attempt to sell to someone it is to a "someone" who is already susceptible to your specific sale.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Distraction Kills
Distraction will kill your business. Wake up every day with three goals and attack them.
Some examples of how big or small the goals can be:
- Take care of all the emails I have before 12 noon.
- Return all the calls I have between 1pm-3pm.
- Work on X number of photos for X amount of time.
- Social media posts once a day for the next seven days.
There is something about music in the background that just works. I have tried putting on Netflix with a show I know well and then minimizing the window so I can just get to work and before I know it I find myself wanting to just sit and watch. I love the internet and Google especially, but for some reason I have so many questions that must have an answer and before I know it, the only question I had was: “Where are the latest funny cat videos?”
Even our work can be a distraction! What if there was a way to consolidate the work we did in a more careful structure so we don’t have wasted time in between each task needing to be done. This goes back to having a system in place. A 30 minute timer so you can be FOCUSed in on one task and then move swiftly to the next. There are few who can maintain the endurance of just working countless hours on the same task over and over. However, society and our upbringing tell us this is exactly what we need to do to make it in our “careers”. I have a whole other episode to talk about that subject but for now just know that we can keep FOCUS and we can sidestep distraction so our business can be the living breathing machine it has to be. Get those systems in place and your mind in place. I for one enjoy focus or study music to keep my mind in the right place while I work.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
All Wrong
When everything goes wrong you have to keep strong. It’s not an easy task learning how to be professional. Time, practice, failure, education, trial, and error is what makes a professional a professional. For some it is an accelerated process and for others it is a life long journey. I know I still have trouble being professional all the time. Now I need to clear up a couple things first…
- I’m not talking about “A professional” in the industry of photography
- I’m not talking about someone who is an authority in their craft
- I’m not talking about how your income is 51% or more obtained by your business
- I’m not talking about the way you dress
- I’m not talking about the car you drive
I am talking about your attitude. What happens when you have a decision to make, such as, blow up over a mishap or keep your cool and work the problem? Sticking to your guns when it come to your pricing or caving to book the job. I guess this has been on my mind because of one day where everything went wrong… However, I had to make some decisions about how to handle all of it. This is one of those, “I can’t believe this story is real”, kind of tales. So join me on one of the worst days in my career.
The worst of it was when my head started rushing through all the old memories of those big incidents Where I had to decide quickly, act appropriately, and make things work even though they weren’t supposed to. Lessor professional would let the problem win and walk away because the going got tough. Trust me I want to that too, but there is something inside saying: “you can get through this.”
A small declaimer for today’s episode:
The day I had recorded this episode was the same day where my first story I tell had happened. I also had a breakdown and put off recording until it was very late at night (1am). I sound like the emotions were fresh because they were. I sound tired in my voice because I was. I got through the episode because I am a professional and Photo World, you deserve the best I can offer… even when I am not at my best. Thank you for keeping me going.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Ah-Ha Moment
“If you treat this business as a business you will get paid as a business. If you treat it as a hobby you will be paid as a hobby.”
I pulled this quote from a book I have been reading called Gameplan. It is a great quote and it refers to the idea that you get out of things what you put into them. I have interviewed many photographers who have suggested testing the waters and doing photography on the side without jumping in head first with the hopes that you can build a sustainable business. However, many new photographers or small businesses in general have a tough time making that transition from side-preneur to entrepreneur or part time to full time. It didn’t really hit home for me until recently when a bride told me something that changed my perspective. Not only my perspective of the day but my perspective of the wedding photography industry as a whole, and the way I will approach it moving forward. It was eye opening and gave me sight into the difference in effort from one photographer to the next and how that effort is reflected in the market they will work within. Listen to the episode to find out what she told me and how this ah-ha moment has given new life to my own wedding photography business. More importantly how it can breathe new life into your business regardless of your current focus or level.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Make Lemonade
When life gives you lemons make Lemonade… I say: When life gives you nothing make Lemonade.
We have three currencies and each one effects the others.
- Time
- Knowledge
- Money
Just a few examples on how I had to make more from an otherwise inopportune situation. More often than not I find knowledge is one of the easiest of the currencies to acquire but more often one of the easiest to miss. These examples, as explained in the episode, are proof of that very phenomenon.
- Wedding with bad weather and an unflattering location.
- Photo Studio with nowhere to grow.
- Photo classes that seemingly had little to no value for me. However, I was able to find the opportunity within. I couldn’t learn anything new with photography itself but I could learn plenty about how I would instruct if I were in that role.
Photo World do you a story or example of a time when you felt there was very little or even nothing available for you in a given situation but made it work anyway? Share it with us on Twitter with #HeyPhotoWorld or write it on the Facebook Page.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Fail Quitting
True failure exists only when we stop trying. An entrepreneur never gives up. Therefore, their “failures” are only learning moments and steps toward growth. (Fail vs Quit is very different) Did you want to be a fireman or police officer while growing up? Maybe a doctor or a lawyer… Did you not become that because you failed or because you stopped trying?
So a simple google search had yield me several results and a somewhat poor consistency of information. I searched for what percentage of small businesses fail and then I searched what percentage of businesses succeed. I figured if I could look up some information from both attitude perspectives (negative as well as positive) I would be left with a set of numbers that explained this idea from two sides. I had no idea what I would really find. From, let’s say, more trusted names I pulled information and gathered it into two groups and I am left here laughing at the results. I don’t trust much of what I read online even if the source seems credible I am a little weary.
The reality is the information out there is all based on the worst restrictions and qualifications. Unemployment is only based on the last 3 months. If someone is unemployed for more than 3 months it is viewed as a deliberate choice and no longer qualifies for the “hard numbers”. It is the same story here. These sources are all speaking about different time frames as well as different scales of businesses.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Undersell
Photo World I have been on the "How To Sell" kick for a while now and I wanted to break down yet another approach. How, Why, and When to Undersell. I know, you hear undersell and think: "Why would I do that successfully?" or "How would that be a good strategy?" First off listen to the episode, I clear up a lot in a short amount of time. Secondly, open up to the idea that there is always a possible success in every approach. That being said I will say building a business with an undersell strategy is a slow rise to a stable business model. I will also add this can be one of the best ways to learning business and building a strong foundation to build from.
On a base level, Undersell is when you sell something at a lower cost than your competitors. I dive into the idea of competitors as well. I don't like the idea that we are all to be competing against one another. I don't see the value of being hung up on what others are doing when we should just be doing what is best for our businesses.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Interesting vs Interested
Photo World, as we build our small businesses into a successful careers we come to many cross roads. Sometimes we get caught up learning and lose our focus when we should have been earning. Other times our social media falls by the way side and we seem to forget there is an audience there. It could just be difficult to maintain a positive habit like keeping up on a blog or it could be tough to stop a bad habit like staying up too late. In today’s episode I want to highlight another strategy for our selling techniques and hopefully offer you the chance to grow based on being honest with your business, as well as, yourself. There is a 100% chance you are not doing one of the following 6 things for your business and you need each of the 6 to achieve the goals of today’s topic.
movementmasterminds.com 1. Not updating your portfolio – You must update your portfolio. Every time you have an image that is worthy of your portfolio you need to set that aside for when you do make the changes to your website. At least then you do not need to search for the photographs you wish to showcase.
- Not aiming to increase your skill set – Staying the same may be easier to do for a week, a month, or maybe a year, but eventually your being the same will fall in comparison to those around you who kept current.
- Only working your niche – I am all about having a niche, a focused area within your business to give you the path to success. However, growth happens when you set yourself outside of your comfort level and approach what it is you do from a new angle.
- You are learning digitally – The web is a great resource, heck you are having one pumped into your ears as I speak. Action is the real learning… a YouTube video can only teach you so much.
- You say no – There are many gray areas in this business life… Should I try it because it is something different even though there is little or no pay? Maybe I should be assisting even when I feel confident in that skill already? Try saying yes every once in a while you never know who you could meet or what you could learn.
- Unwilling to risk – It is scary when we foresee risk within a situation and many people can’t see past that. Fear is only the negative outlook on excitement… you never know what may be worth the fear.
I am telling you these six points because I have already fallen victim to each of them time and time again. Years of failure have caught up with me and I know that the other end of the spectrum is the only reason to work as hard as I can. I have found often, both success and failure come with the same amount of work leading up to them. The ending is just a result of the work being put in. With today’s topic and keeping up on selling to your clients: “Focus on being interesting but more so focus on your potential clients being interested.” – A recent transition for me was my old web site last updated in 2013 vs my new web site updated in March of 2016. My skill set had changed and improved but my selling was based on an old ability. Hard to be paid properly when the clients think they are working with a past version of yourself.
Keep up everything, at least in small increments, to maintain increased interest over time.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Follow-Up
Photo World, it is time for one of those episodes where I break down one simple thought and blow it up to show you that this “one simple tool” can be the game changer for your photography business. It isn’t a big secret nor is it hard to find sufficient evidence backing up my shared opinion. I say “shared opinion” because there are many sales specialists who agree. Furthermore, many business experts and entrepreneurs have done studies on the subject or at the very least expressed weighted opinions in favor of the idea. So what is this big tag line I want to investigate?
Well before I get there I have a small quiz for you to take. There are no right or wrong answers but there should be a theme. Just take a minute and jot down your honest answer to these 7 questions.
- How many times a week do possible customers contact you? (Try for an average number)
- What is your first reaction to the customer reaching out? (What do you do first?)
- How fast do you respond to the potential customer?
- When do you consider them a customer? (Vs. an inquiry or possible customer)
- Do you do anything unique when first contact is made?
- Do you know where the customer found you?
- How many times do you follow up with your customer/business contacts? (Business contact could be a possible customer or a possible network colleague)
Like I said, there are no right or wrong answers here and everyone will have a slightly different response. However, I want to unveil the big secret and bring special attention to that last question… again, how many times do you follow up with your customer/business contacts? The point of highlighting question 7 was to get your head in the right frame of mind because: “The fortune is in the follow-up!” If you let a possible customer reach out to you and then you drop the ball on connecting with them, well I have news for you, their search continued and you are far behind. If you connect with them and find something meaningful to say, that could be a long list of examples, but let’s say “something” interesting; then the connection grows deeper. If you don’t think of them as a customer until money has changed hands, then you are going to have a tough time making any of it. If you can’t track where your customers are coming from, then your marketing is being done inefficiently and is a threat to your success. If you don’t follow up and follow up and follow up, then you have fallen down.
Here are few numbers I found really interesting!
www.sendoutcards.com Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Earn While You Learn
Photo World, there are many occasions throughout a career where you feel a down slump in your business. You work hard and things are going well but for some reason you see the work thin out, the funds slow down, and your "style" just isn't making the cut any more...
Many photographers out there use this as their reason to get out of the biz. Especially those new photographers who couldn't get past it the first tie it happened to them. I can recall 2, maybe even 3, times when this happened for me and my business. However, as many photographers who fall apart from this issue there are many more who push past it. Education is a great way to re-invigorate your business or your "style" and put a fresh face on what you are already skilled at.
This episode speaks to this specific dilemma and hopefully reminds us to persevere. They key is openness to the future and looking ahead to see how you and your business will fit in. Making the money while adapting to the unstoppable changes that are always on the horizon. In short - how to Earn While You Learn.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Oversell 2
The topic is sales strategies. Not in their definition sense but their practical sense.
I see three main sales strategies: (1) Oversell, (2) Undersell, and (3) Even Sell. This episode I want to speak more about Oversell…
Photo World, I walked through some basic thoughts on overselling more than you need to for your clients. In some cases I have signals that work for me that let me feel comfortable trying to up-sell in certain areas of my services. True “Oversell” is to over promise and under deliver – that is the real definition of overselling. Where you say you can do something just to make the sale and then it turns out you can’t deliver on that. I knew I had to make this a 2 part episode because of how long a topic it was with the first portion but I should clear up that part 1 of this was oversell… when and where to up-sell your business. Rather, up-sell you to your clients. After all it doesn’t matter much what it is you’re selling… They are still buying into you.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Oversell
Photo World, I see much as I continually learn about business, especially my own, and the businesses around me. So many things like: marketing strategies, sales techniques, skill techniques, social media strategies, etc. Well one area of my learning has been on my mind and I think it is more of a 3 part kind of topic so I will have two more episodes devoted to this topic. I have not planned when the other two will take place but over the next few weeks I think we will have all this info out there.
The topic is sales strategies. Not in their definition sense but their practical sense.
I see three main sales strategies: (1) Oversell, (2) Undersell, and (3) Even Sell. This episode I want to talk about Oversell… Now after recording this episode a slew of ideas and thoughts came rushing back into mind and my notepad filled up so I will tell you that Wednesday will be part two of this 1 sales strategies. Today I speak to the idea that overselling can be damaging toward your relationship with your clients and your longevity as a business. Again, Wednesday I will expand upon this episode because I went on much longer than I thought I should have and needed to split some ideas.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Romanticize Your Business F.O.C.U.S. Follow One Course Until Success. If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. When you constantly focus on one thing you are romanticizing that thing. You need to romanticize your business because what we romanticize grows. I feel we all know how to go after our passions and really push to get through to our goals but I see so many of us small business owners, photographers, and artists fearing the wrong turn or not knowing quite how to move forward in any one direction. We need to stay the course because you never know what that next door may be opening too. Like my national speaking for podcasting and photography... I had no idea how to move in that direction nor did I even know it was something I felt passionate about but once I saw an opportunity I took it and that experience blew me away. I can't help but feel driven to seek out more. Same thing with those first few weddings I photographed. It was like I found why photography was for me; even though I already had the passion and career was the direction, wedding photography was the destination. So on and so forth... I just love looking back on how I got where I am even though I didn't know where I was always headed. It's like driving at night... You can't see more than the 200 feet in front of you but somehow we can go a great distance just moving 200 feet at a time. Not to get too deep here but life works the same way. Just keep going Photo World! Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Act Your Wage
Photo World, Your income follows your personal development. That is a nice food for thought, especially if you have been overly stressed out. It's like: "thanks Rob now I have more to worry about." The great thing is we always have that small worry but we also have the power to change any time any where in life. I used to leave my part time job telling those I worked with "I'm going to go home and change my life." It would give them a chuckle but I can honestly say I no longer have a need for that part time job as my photography and teaching is what I get to do for a living. All the while many of them are still there at the same job. There is nothing wrong with that but we get stuck because many of us go Broke trying to look Rich when we should act our Wage. The real quote is: Don’t go Broke trying to look Rich act your Wage.
Take it a step further and learn through the bord game by Dave Ramsey called: Act Your Wage
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Listen Don't Speak As a man I am all too familiar with the fact that women assume I do not know how to listen... okay not just women, my assistance always tell me I never listen. My parents have said I don't listen as well. There is no time like the present to change for the better. See, I thought I was doing fine listening, but hearing and listening are very different. I have found through my listen don't speak exercises I have booked more clients, turned out more work, gained more followers, and accomplished more work than I have in recent years where I couldn't listen. There are countless ways to speak on how helpful this can be for things like sales. Sitting with a possible client and listening before trying to push a sale.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Business Overdrive This day and age our businesses really are a 24 hours a day - 7 days a week - 365 days a year job. We have little to no excuse as to why we can't get back to an email, return a phone call, or at the very least text someone. I know we all prefer different forms of communication but we are to connected for excuses. What does this have to do with our business? Well, our business is connected 24/7 to everyone and anyone who could be directly or indirectly a possible or current client. That means we have the pressure of our business weighing on our shoulders and looming over our every move. In short... We are working all the time. If you remember my Better Branded Business episode I went into how your business should be working for you and not you for your business. Especially during those times when you can't or shouldn't be working. Like while you are asleep or when you're on vacation. (Thank you "out of the office" automated email). So how do we combat this habit to be working all the time or 24/7? I go over it in this rather short episode... Short because I have too much work to do to be bothered by this other work. :)
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
NEVER SCOUT A LOCATION
To scout or not to scout a location for a photo shoot? That is a common question with 2 solid answer, one transitional option, and a few way to handle how you let your clients know your thought on the subject. You know Rob didn't hold back and he is fine telling you what he thinks as well as how he explains it to his clients.
"I find honesty is the best policy when it comes to your clients." Rob shares, "If you want clients than be a real person first with all the same positive and negative aspects. There is nothing worse than a sales pitch from someone telling you how amazing the whole experience is going to be and then you find out it was all sunshine and rainbows. There is comfort in real."
Rob Talking Here: Okay so that was fun to try with this post... act like someone important is really asking my opinion on the subject. The whole episode (like most) are my opinion. What I would like to hear is who disagrees with me. At this stage in my wedding photography career I say NEVER SCOUT A LOCATION! EVER! Just listen to find out why.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
BBB (Better Branded Business) We hear about branding your business all the time, but what about your web brand? The one that 80% of your possible clientele is seeing first. Rob talk’s first impressions when you’re not even there and how to offer a more friendly hand shake that gives your clients a comfortable feeling to want to do business with you. If you can find a way to get possible clients to see your skill and personality while you are busy sleeping than wouldn't that be a better way to go for gaining more business. Setting aside time to meet with every possible client is a tall order but those first impressions can be mad through a better branded business online.
Tradition is out the window! Business cards, posting flyers, and going door to door. What are the 3 new ways to be in front of more potential clients and gain business without the old sales techniques?
- Network posts
- Progress posts
- Target marketing within a niche in a specified target group within a small narrowed market. (How do I say Niche Down as many times as possible)
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Dixie Dixon - Nikon Ambassador
Dixie is a US Nikon Ambassador based out of Dallas Texas. To fill you in on how selective that group is… She is one of the sixteen original Nikon Ambassador for the US. She is a commercial, fashion, and editorial photographer who travels from Vancouver to Barcelona down to Miami and everywhere in between. She shoots for tv shows, commercial campaigns, editorial projects, and major brands such as: Nikon, Disney, Inside Edition, Profoto, and MAC Group just to name a few. Her works is seen in Rangefinder, PDN, Professional Photographers Magazine, Nikon World, and many more.
Full Bio:
Dixie Dixon is a Texas born and bred commercial fashion photographer. Just a few years out of college, this 20-something’s career is unfolding one adventure after another.
She was given her first Nikon Camera, the Nikon FG, at just 12 years old, which peaked her curiosity in the field and served as her sidekick in exploring the world. She would continually clock seven to ten hours in the darkroom without even realizing it. While in college she studied in London with a world-renowned fashion photographer and became deeply inspired by the beautiful illusion of fashion and commercial photography.
It has been said that her idealistic vision of the world is reflected into every single frame- full of life, beautiful energy, and most of all, Soul. Her passion has lead her to shoot internationally in places such as Cannes, Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Ibiza, and Barcelona recently for various brands, tv shows, commercial campaigns and editorial projects. She is one of the sixteen original Nikon Ambassadors of the United States.
Sensuous and polished, her images create a dream world in which romance is always alive. Her fresh vision has attracted clients such as Nikon, Disney, Virgin, Advanced Beauty, Florsheim Shoes, Ultherapy, Woodland Worldwide, Inside Edition, Gaylord Hotels, Spencer Fine Jewelry, G-Technology, Profoto, Eprouvage, MAC Group, Magpul, Billy Jealousy, Nha Khanh, Pipers Perfumery, and Macadamia Professional to name a few. Her work has been published in publications such as Rangefinder, PDN, Professional Photographers Magazine, Dapper Magazine, Living Magazine, Beverly Drive Magazine, Nikon World and many more.
Dixie's PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS:
2007 Fujifilm Award
2008 Hy Sheanin Photographic Award
2012 Graphistudio Award
2014 Addy Award for Ogle School Commercial
Dixie's SPONSORS/PARTNERS:
NIKON
G-TECHNOLOGY
BLACK RIVER IMAGING
LEXAR
MANFROTTO
TIFFEN
PROFOTO
X-RITE COLORATTI
GRAPHISTUDIO
Happy Shooting!
Recommended Resource: rggedu.com/
W: .dixiedixon.com
Blog: dixiedixonphotography.wordpress.com
Workshops: dixiedixon.com/forphotographers
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
How To Get Your Foot In The Door
There is a question as old as time when it come to getting started... "How To Get Your Foot In The Door?" I think the worst part about this is so many people have no idea what door to go through or they attempt entering it but do it in the worst possible way. Today I am continuing what I look at as the planning stage for beginning your photography business and this bit is bullet point 3 of 4 or 5 when it comes to the planning of breaking into the photography industry. I have been having a lot of fun racking my brain from my start in the industry and there are thousands of small parts that have come together to make my journey what it was. How do we take that first step though? Well, there are literally hundreds of ways to start... I share a couple ways to avoid and the mindset you should be in to succeed. Although, assiting or getting your foot in the door is one part I really look at this as Building Your 2 Bags. 1 the knowledge and 2 the gear.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Greatest Game On Earth
Photo World last weeks Monday Message was all about having a social life... Well for me it was about not having a social life. I felt using my time for work now will pay off in the end and help me to find true success. There is nothing wrong with hard work nor long hours to keep focused in hopes to make your career advance or your business grow. However, we tend to over work and not actually achieve much.
I shot this image a few years back and it is fitting today because it is the Greatest Game On Earth. The mock up as an ad was just something I played around with. Puma Golf brand Cobra did not hire me to shoot this campaign nor have they used this image. © Rob Krueger Photography 2014 For me I would not stop thinking about work, the emails I need to send, the images I must edit, the social media I need to update, or the marketing that needs to be done. That is just the short list when it comes to owning/running a small business. How do we find balance between our work and our social lives or time for the family? Well today's episode is all about how the Greatest Game On Earth saved me from myself and I still play today!
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Harry Potter Gone Wrong
WARNING! Photo World Rob is mad today, or at least he starts out mad but anger can be a powerful tool. Let's see how this one wraps up. For now I can tell you why Harry Potter makes it into the episode and what is this ad for Nebraska all about. Well It started by accident more than anything else. A friend of mine who doesn't do much in the way of photography other than ask me to take the pictures for them from time to time, asked me "what is wrong with this picture". They were seriously wondering how a shot like this makes any sense and why it would be published. Well I don't know why or how it got published but I know my mind filled with rage over this Harry Potter sorting hat peaking in near center of the image take a Halloween spin in the midst of a camping trip. I do not know what magazine this was from, I have no idea who the photographer is, I can't tell you where they found their models, and I don't think this is a successful ad for Nebraska. However, I did learn a lot in a short time just letting the emotions run wild.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
Show Me The Money
You have a business plan beginning but within that what about the money talk? What do you need for your new photography business? Are you a small operation and what would that really cost? How about buying used gear first to save a bundle? Is there a studio space needed or can this be done out of your home? What tax breaks are there for either the studio or even the home?
Knowing how much money you need for this endeavor is one thing, acquiring it is another. A recent study from the National Knowledge Commission shows that 63 percent of entrepreneurs “self-financed” (bplans.com). Not a bad deal... no loans to take out, maybe work and pay as you go, while building something bigger and better.
Start with the personal budget. How much do you need for your bills? The must haves vs the wants. Do you need all the cable channels? Will unlimited cell data be necessary in this wifi connected world? Driving a Mercedes may look good but would a Kia get you where you need to go with enough comfort? There is no shame is part time work on the side to help get things started. If a loan is right for you, what is the best way to go? Investors, a bank, credit bureau, private loan, family, friends, or will crowdfunding work? There are many of those I would steer clear of, almost all, but not all.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
I Have No Social Life
Are you surprised by this title today Photo World? That I, mister: national speaker, podcaster, college instructor, wedding photographer, blogger, swimmer, and singer has no social life… something isn’t right in there. Well, this week I turn back to clock to a time where my future led my thinking and I didn’t see the point in living in the here and now. There are so many takeaways in this episode but a couple I didn’t mention deserved some focus here in the written word. My past was filled with the abnormal. What high schooler has no social life? I get to that but let me tell you… the one who was willing to lose every meaningful relationship. The one who felt the world was out to get him so why not be selfish now while I have the option. That same one who couldn’t accept change or cope well with his own fears. I have no social life when I look back but I have a ton in my past that shaped who I am today. In short I had no social life and now I love my social life.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
All Eggs One Basket This topic came to me in the form of an email I received asking about a particular memory card and a camera compatibility question as well. I took the liberty to question the memory card size and bring to light that you should not have all eggs one basket. They say to never place all of your eggs in one basket. Whoever "they" are... I feel the same way about not capturing all of your images on one memory card. There are a few things to consider when selecting your memory cards, price, Class, read speed, write speed, capacity, card type, version, etc. for instance: a common memory card type is an SDcard or Secured Digital Card, but there are SD cards, SDHC cards, SDXC cards; then you have Class 1, 2, 3, 4, ... 10. The higher the class the better the card (typically).
from mesysco.it A short list of different memory cards:
- Secure Digital card (SD) (SDHC) (SDXC)
- MiniSD Card with an SD card adapter
- CompactFlash (CF-I) (CF-II)
- Memory Stick
- MultiMediaCard (MMC)
- SmartMedia
- xD-Picture Card
- XQD CompactFlash
Too many cards and too little time. Not really, just do your homework and research the card type and capacity your camera may support. Protecting your images should be a high priority and the cards these day are so stable you can get away with some crazy stuff but do yourself a favor and no not put all your eggs in one basket.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Business Plan
Make a clear path to the business
Summary – Business overview
Business Details – Brand, who, what, why, customer, location, key employees
Marketing & Sales Strategy – do your homework, target market and how you will sell to them
Management Team & Personnel – is it just you or are you building a team, your and their credentials
Setup – what space do you need? Store front, studio space, or can you run it out of your home. Management systems and IT
Financial Plan & Projections – translate the plan to numbers. Is this viable, will it grow and support growth?
K.I.S.S. – Keep It Super Simple. Be real and honest. Creative to set yourself apart. This happens over time however the earlier you address it the sooner you find sustainable business operations.
There is no rule on how to make a business plan and especially this falls apart for most new photographers because they just want to take pictures. However, if you can prepare yourself for a better beginning, imagine how well you will do toward your middle. A business plan is great way to get the thoughts onto paper and also bring those thoughts to others to review. If you think showing your work is a scary critique, make a business plan and show it around.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Is Hard Work Worth It
Photo World, I would like to straight forwardly ask you: Is Hard Work Worth It?
I don't know the best answer for this question but I did come across a quote I think offers an unclear and helpful answer...
"Hard work is only worth it in the right conditions." Francis Underwood - House of Cards writers would be a better credit here. Ever hear of the 80/20 rule? Now, that is a great example of the worth while portions of our work. The 80/20 rule is easy enough to understand and perhaps I will do an episode with my take on the rule, but for today I am more focused on mutual beneficial relationships and how we need to be careful with our business so our hard work is worth it and we are not taken for a ride being used because of our passion. In the early stages of business everyone is just trying to get their foot in the door and so many are taken advantage of because of this. We need to understand how free can be okay but only in the right conditions.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
How to Charge
So you see "How to Charge" and many would assume I am trying to say how much to charge. I have touched upon that subject in the past and I am sure it will come up in the future. For now I am speaking about the actual payment transaction possibilities we see in our businesses today. Have you ever had a questions and then thought... "Maybe there is an app for that." a quick search later you find many apps out there filling in the blanks of your original question. Well, I had a similar question a couple years ago about payment options for my clients. I wanted to offer as many convenient choices as possible and most of all I wanted to retain as much of the money as possible. An easy way to go would be asking for a personal check. It is no additional coast for them do write a check and I do not need to accept less than the amount due because there are no fees for depositing and/or cashing a check. Credit Cards come at a cost but may be even easier for your clients. Listen to this episode for a more in depth look into this topic.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Giles Harrison - Chase The Fun
Giles is the Founder of London Entertainment Group based in Los Angeles, California. It is a full service agency focusing on News, Events, Celebrities, and Pop Culture. You may have seen him recently featured on the latest Jimmy Dean commercial. Since then the Blogosphere has been blowing up with Giles and his work. Being featured on TV is only a drop in the bucket from his over 17 years, as a journalist and the one million plus photos he has captured during that time.
Giles has taken over a million photos and had his pictures appear in hundreds major magazine, newspapers and web sites. London Entertainment, the agency he built from the ground up, has grown into one of the biggest producers of professional image in the world, syndicating over 1000 images each month. Giles himself is today one of the biggest earning photographers in the business.
Under Giles’ direction, London covers a wide range of events including: the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, Grammys, Cannes Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, World Music Awards, Coachella Music Festival, Stage Coach Music Festival and the Democratic National Convention. Sports is another specialty Giles is proud to cover through London with regular coverage of NFL, NBA, MLB, and Major League Soccer, in addition to World Cup and the Superbowl.
Giles was trained by Fleet Street veterans after studying photo journalism and political science at California State University Northridge. Starting out as a video photographer, he provided breaking news footage to top entertainment news shows like Hard Copy, Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition, and Extra.
Giles has appeared as an expert on celebrities and pop culture on tv shows like Tyra Banks, Access Hollywood, GMTV (UK), and Today/Tonight (Australia). He has also been featured by Stuff Magazine, Radar, Venice Magazine, and in a popular series of ads for NBC News in Los Angeles called “I Am LA”.
London Entertainment is so revered amongst its peers that a rival agency head was once quoted in GQ saying of Giles “I hate his #@*% guts, but he’s the best celebrity spotter I’ve ever seen!.”
Happy Shooting!
W: londonentertainmentgroup.com
Blog: tmi.buzz
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Never Wrong - episode 192
Photo World "You are never wrong to do the right thing." - Mark Twain
I searched and searched for the photographer who captured this portrait of the great writer, but to no avail. Props to the large format camera man who shot this stunning portrait. If anyone knows or finds out I would love to know. Thanks That seems like a straight forward quote that wouldn't require much explaining. Come on Photo World what kind of podcaster would I be if I couldn't fill up at least 15 minutes over one seemingly simple quote. I can tell you it is the little things that count, therefore the most meaningful things come to us in a simple way; such as a 9 word phrase. In this episode I pull off of my experience as of today. That's right what I know and the many times I have been wrong to find and understand how to be right. Right is a hard word to understand sometimes and so many hot topics are blown out of proportion over the idea of "right". I like to say: logic will never fail me, so long as I am right. It is in my logic I try to do right by mu customers and right by my business.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Jay Dickman - The Electricity
My words would do little to introduce this man. I have seen many of his images over the years and hadn't know his name til recently. Photo World this is the episode to listen to... It will not disappoint. On a more personal note: This opportunity to speak to Jay as well as so many other great photographers I have interviewed is the reason I continue to do what I do, and bring a part of their stories to you Photo World!
Jay Dickman A Pulitzer-Prize winner and National Geographic Photographer, Jay’s career has spanned a multitude of experiences, including three months living in a stone-age village in Papua New Guinea, a week under the Arctic ice in a nuclear attack sub (both these for National Geographic), and aboard a sinking boat on the Amazon. With more than twenty-five assignments for the National Geographic Society, Jay has taught workshops for Santa Fe Workshops, the Maine Media Workshops, Photography at the Summit and American Photo Mentor Series. Jay and his wife, Becky, are founders of the FirstLight Workshop series, having hosted workshops in Italy, Spain, Scotland, France, the Chesapeake, and Wyoming. Working with National Geographic Expeditions, Jay has been on more than 40 trips as the “National Geographic Expert.” These have included several of the" Around the World by Private Jet" Expeditions, Central & South America by Private Jet, trips to Svalbard and the High Arctic, Cape of Norway, British Isles, Dalmatian Coast, the West Coast of Africa along with multiple trips to South Georgia/Falklands/Antarctica, Baja and the Galapagos Islands. Jay has led the National Geographic "Wyoming's Cowboy Country" Photography Workshop since it's inception in 2013. His input and design for the workshop was critical to its success As a working pro, Jay is an Olympus Visionary, a Lexar Elite Photographer and an HP Prestigious Photographer, using the latest technology from these companies-for backup and storage, Jay uses state of the art equipment from CRU-Dataport. Jay is co-author of the best-selling book, “Perfect Digital Photography”, published by McGraw-Hill. Jay is proudly sponsored by: Happy Shooting!
W: jaydickman.net
Blog: firstlightworkshop.com/wheres-jay
Workshops: firstlightworkshop.com
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Battery Power
I sometime talk about gear like I had with the what's in my bag series and I even got specific about the AA and AAA batteries I prefer. Well camera batteries seem like a conversation most people just don't have all that much. I was thinking back over the cameras I had and currently have and looked over my choices for batteries. Name brand Nikon or third party like a trusted Promaster, or even the no name brand that fits and powers. This episode is not in depth on the tech side because I haven't done that much research on the subject other than for my own use. So that is the episode you get today; my experience and my thoughts as I reflect on this quiet subject. Ultimately, this topic comes down to preference, reliability, price, and trial 'n' error. As I grow in my own career I find price becomes less of a deciding factor and reliability mixed with preference take the forefront of the decision making process. When I talked about the AA and AAA I mentioned there are too many options camera batteries, not so much.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Think Before You Speak
Picture by wallsneedlove.com Life's a little easier when you Think Before You Speak... Photography is much better when you Think Before You Shoot. Basically I am saying Don't "RUN & GUN"! So many photographers new and seasoned over shoot and aim carelessly. Now I know I am not always capturing an amazing work of art every time I release the shutter but I can say with some confidence that I take that split second where a picture is made very seriously. I want my frame to be meaningful and thought out, regardless of the meter's suggestion I want my exposure to really count, and I want the moment I am capturing to matter. Some days I feel my brain on overload working hard to continually care about each image. However, this is totally worth it. So many photogs out there say "I can fix it in Photoshop"; isn't that just a waste of time? Fixing it in Photoshop is not a great solution. Spend the time (you already have) in creating a great image so you don't have to waste time "fixing" a bad one just to have something okay.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Shoot Some Video
We have such advanced tools in our hands and most of the photographers out there only use about 1/3 the amount of functions their cameras have. You could double your use if you just add some video work into the mix. Okay maybe not double because you wouldn't really use this function at 50% as our skill for stills is the main priority within our businesses. However, what if you could increase your business revenue by 10% with only adding 3-5% more work to your usual gigs? You would do that in a heart beat right? I know I would and now I do. By informing your clients why they need some B-roll video capture you can up-sell your products fast. I am not a videographer and I am not really interested in becoming one but if I can do just a tad more on a wedding day and squeeze another 10% that's not a bad day. Also it is a way for he client to save a bit because they may be satisfied with just some video and not the whole days worth. Besides Videograpohers are always stepping into my frame and bumping into me. Most seem to be ill mannered and I always stay professional. I know it sounds like I am telling you to cut into the videographer business out there but you really aren't... you are offering a bit more than what you normally do and a videographer could do the same with stills. No matter what people get what they pay for so I say practice then try to sell it. Don't learn on their money.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Mileage
When you run a small business every bit counts. It could be saving a buck on a few ting here and there or spotting a great deal on a new piece of gear. It is all about making money doing what we love and not spending too much trying to get there. Well there are many business tricks to consider for not spending as much as we could or saving once in a while. One way we get financial breaks it through our taxes. You and I can have very different views about taxes or the way the government performs taxation but the truth is there are options for us to save some money through tax breaks. One major saver is our Mileage. So many small business owners do not track their miles for every bit that goes into their small business. YOU NEED TO! Those miles add up. I did something like 12,000 miles last year for my business and the number climbs each year as more and more work comes my way. Just like almost everything else there is an app for that.
Here are a few to look into:
Auto Miles
Mileage Log+
klicks
Triplog
TrackMyDrive
MileGuru
BizXpenseTracker
Easy Logbook
MileWiz
Hurdlr
MileBug
Everlance
SherpaShare Mileage/Expense Tracker
MileIQ
GPS Mileage Tracker
Fuel buddy
Stride Drive
MetroMile’s
TaxMileage
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
FAIL So the past few weeks have been focusing on acronyms such as: N.O. for Next Opportunity and E.N.D. for Effort Never Dies. This week is all about one of my favorite questions to ask in interviews and that is Fail! Now I did not come up with any of these three acronyms. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam; 11th president of India, is quoted for each of these three. In the spirit of Failing I share a big failing story where I almost ruined someones wedding in 2014. I can honestly say this was the biggest failure I have ever encountered in my professional career. If I discuss my personal live this episode would never end. That's not sad at all...
There are enough horrible things going on in our lives and throughout the world that it is helpful to a shift your perspective form negative to positive and these acronyms have been a huge help to me over the past year or so. I know that even with all the failure I have plenty left to learn and I look forward to my future mistakes.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Davin Lavikka - The Alternative Processes
Davin is a Fine Art and Commercial Photographer based in Scottsdale Arizona. You may know Davin from his YouTube channel filled with instructional videos on all things photography. From understanding gear to learning on how to be better prepared on your next shoot.
Davin Lavikka is a photographer and artist in Scottsdale Arizona. Photography is his primary tool and has been for the last fifteen years. He is known for his architectural and commercial work but has become known for his fine art photography first. He is influenced by early masters like Eugene Atget, W. Eugene Smith, Diane Arbus, Walker Evens, Ansel Adams, Albert Renger-Patzsch, Horst P. Horst, Ernst Haas, Herbert Bayer, Jacques Henri Lartigue and Edward Weston. From the very beginning Davin has been a visionary translating his ideas into a physical form through drawing, painting, illustrating and photography. Davin's ultimate goal is to fully explore the artistic side of photography through alternative processes and ideas. He is fascinated with visual composition and how we react to it. "You can look at a master painter's work like Marcus Pierson, Philip Curtis or Van Gogh, see a painting they did and automatically know it was them. It's harder to do that with photography but that's the goal, to see identify me without knowing the work."
Happy Shooting!
W: http://www.lavikkaphotography.com/
http://www.dxomark.com/
http://www.photozone.de/
http://www.method-wedding-photography.com/
Blog: http://www.lavikkaphotography.com/blog
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Mark Wallace - Change Humanity
A friend of mine introduced me to Mark's YouTube channel and his work in 2010 or so and I have been wanting to get him on the show for a long time now. after a couple quick emails he was game and I am so glad. I could not be more pleased with the conversation, the value, and the inspiration Mark has shared with me and you Photo World. Give it a listen but definitely watch his videos for Adorama TV
Mark Wallace is a photographer based in the United States. Best known for his web-based video series “Digital Photography One on One” and “Exploring Photography” sponsored by Adorama.
Millions of people have watched Mark’s videos on YouTube, and the numbers continue to grow. Mark has a strong social media following on Facebook and Twitter, where he spends time interacting with viewers and workshop attendees.
In 2014, Mark left the United States to embark on a 2 year worldwide adventure. He visited 28 countries and captured thousands of unique photographs across the globe.
In 2016 Mark decided to give up planes, trains, and automobiles and is now exploring the world on his motorcycle.
Happy Shooting!
Adorama: http://www.adorama.com/alc/tags/mark-wallace
W: http://www.markwallacephotography.com/
Blog: http://www.markonabike.com/
http://blog.snapfactory.com/
Workshops: http://classes.snapfactory.com/
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Overcoming END! Job, relationships, projects, motivation, and power... thing end. Just like the ones listed here or maybe something you are thinking about, one way or another, there is an end to it. Sometimes and ending comes about when it is unexpected or inconvenient and we can feel lost or afraid about what we may need to do to overcome that end. It is amazing how our perspective can be a solution to most any problem and when we talk about the ends of things that same mind shift can be the help we are looking for. Rather than throwing in the towel and accepting the end, we can give the future a chance to thrive with the idea that E.N.D. is really "Effort Never Dies". There is something to be said about not giving up. However, before I get deep into this topic and the idea that we should always strive to keep going. Let me be clear that an ending may be the right solution to that job, relationship, project, motivation, etc.
My real thought process here is that we can think positively and take our learning with us. When I was younger with part time jobs I would see things coming to an end. It may have been the people were not great to be around or the money wasn't enough/I found a possible new job with higher pay, whatever it was, I always had a plan. I always made the effort to continue and move on, grow, and in my mind continually succeed. I have mentioned in past episodes that I had something like 16 or more jobs before I finished college. I sound like a flake but it was just meticulous planning for what is next and how to always overcome the ends.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Whats In My Bag part 17
I'm still on this kick of photo gear and breaking down my equipment list. I have to say it is amazing what you can do even when you do not have all the gear you dream of. I have wants of an 85mm f1.5 prime as well as a 200-400mm f4. If I had an extra 9k laying around I would get those lenses. I have had a dream list of gear since the day I realized I love photography. After 7 years I am happy to say that list is almost completely checked off. However, with the advances in technology I find myself always adding and updating the list. I am sure many of you have this process of wants and building up your gear and then wanting something new. Well today's Whats In My Bag episode features the gear that puts the gear envy to rest.
LIGHTING! I'm talking about the Paul C. Buff AlienBees B1600. I have three of these studio strobes and a vagabond mini to give me power on the go. Having the right light will extend the life of any camera, automatically improve the possibility of any lens, and teach you to be a better photographer. I rave about my light because these are what make the shots.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Get It Right In Camera Photo World, this fast paced digital age we live in has really been a great advantage to beginning a photography careers. However, many newer photographers depend on the LCD screen as a way of knowing their exposure adjustments rather than understanding their camera meter and how to make creative and/or specific choices to better an image before the even begin. I am all for making adjustments because thing look off on the LCD but I am more for knowing how to meter, understanding what you want, adjust beyond the better judgement of your camera meter, and creating something that looks great rather than something that looks average. It is so much more fun raising the bar from great to awesome rather than average to better. As a wonderfully difficult test I would urge every new photographer to get a hold of a film SLR and shoot a 36 exposure roll and see what it is like to take a picture. Not practice a picture like digital but actually capture and see later if you got what you wanted to take. I understand the power of instant gratification with digital but true knowledge is within. Honing in on your skills and real world practice will help you Get It Right In Camera. So many people rely on tools like Photoshop to solve the problems of their photography mistakes but Photoshop is just that, a tool. You can't really fix bad work with a tool like Photoshop or Lightroom. I know the latitude of RAW files are very rich and informative files however that is not a solution to an originally poor capture. I find it odd how many of my students are content with mediocre work when they were so close to the more appropriate choices for their work. Practice make progress.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Your Gifts as a Gift Fist off, yesterday was Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there. Do you ever approach a holiday or birthday thinking "Oh no... I have no idea what to get for them." This happens to me all the time. I found a simple and meaningful way around this annoying problem on what kind of gift to get for Mom or Dad, any friend on their birthday, a significant other, or when your a guest at a wedding.
1: know that this gift idea will not always be the perfect solution
2: understand that if this approach is over used you will look like a thoughtless idiot
3: this is not a work around to the traditional gift ideas that would fit "this" particular occasion in question
It's you. or your abilities rather... I am talking about giving your gifts as a gift. Using your photography to create something special for someone. Maybe offering your photography service as a gift itself. I get that this is a business and we need to make money but giving the service you place value on is often more than you would have spent anyway.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Whats In My Bag part 16 Continuing, but winding down, on the Friday Whats In My Bag episodes is a phenomenal light I use at every wedding, every portrait, engagement session, and family portraits. It is the Flashpoint Streaklight 360. This light has the compact feel of a speedlight, though it is sufficiently larger, and the power of a studio strobe. Not quite the power of your average 400-600 Watts studio light but near that being a 360 Watt light. Compare that to a top of the line speedlight at about 60-90 Watts and you have a portable powerful light source to be implemented anywhere you need it as you need it. The specific version I purchased is a Manual function only. Although they do make a Nikon Compatible version, as well as, Canon and Sony versions. Those have the option for TTL (Through The Lens) metering function. I could see the benefit in TTL with this power house that is so mobile. However I am a manual kind of guy. I only shoot in full Manual (M) exposure so unsurprisingly I like the same level of control with my lights as well. Plus you save the Green stuff with this lower function version.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Exposed Photography Showcase
There are countless ways to get out there and network or show your work to others. One local event is the Exposed Photography Showcase at the College of DuPage. It was held last night (05/03/2016) with approximately 500 people in attendance. The Exposed Photography Showcase is a juried contest for both college students as well as surrounding area high school students. We had 11 high schools submit work and I was on the panel of judges for them. The COD student's work was looked at by three local professional photographers. Some of the prizes were subscriptions to the Adobe CC, subscription to ASMP, and even a Canon 70D kit was awarded. This was only the second year for the Exposed Photography Showcase and it was a huge success. Networking was fluent throughout the evening and I even heard a couple students landed internships. Other students were able to sell some work and even book a few sessions. The reality is, when you attend a networking event, any networking possible event, you never know who else may be there or what good can come of it.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
I Love NO!
No... There's a word we don't hear enough. Yeah right. Some times it feels like the only answer people know how to give. It can be upsetting hearing No over and over but maybe there is another way to look at it. In this episode I break down the word No and unfold a few ideas on how to handle hearing it. It isn't something we really ever get used to but most of us still seem to have a lot of trouble dealing with moving past No. In my personal life I have had a tough time moving past many NO's. However, I haven't really had much of an issue letting "No" go when it came to my work environments. Between the ages of 15-19 I had a dozen or so part time jobs. Two or Three at any given time to keep me overwhelmingly busy, though I had more opportunity than most learn and grow for all the No's in my life. On a personal note, I do find great value in looking back over the No's but I never spent much time indulging the idea of sadness or fear because of it. No is motivation.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Whats In My Bag part 15
The last couple weeks were all about speedlights or at least the two I have in my bag for just about every job I go to. With this portable lighting any time I want I need the best way to power them. First off I don't know if the batteries I choose to use are the best choice but I know they have worked really well for me. Secondly you may find something that works better for you and your lights. If that is the case I would love to know what you use for your setup.
For me I go to the Eneloop AA and AAA batteries. They can withstand up to 2000+ charges and the hold their charge much longer than most other batteries. When they first came out they were developed by Sanyo however they were missing from shelves for a year or so after Panasonic bought them out and redeveloped them. It was a good thing too... when I first found out about the eneloop batteries they were $70 for 4 AA's and a charger. The price has come way down since then.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
What is HDR It seems like every time we go to capture an image we have to choose between the highlights and the shadows. Traditionally with film you would expose for the shadows and then develop for the highlights. With Digital we must expose for the highlights and bring up the shadows. The problem is images are limited by the extreme ends and they don't match what we had seen at the time of capture. This is where High Dynamic Range (HDR) comes in. HDR is a technique to create an image with details from the deep shadows through the bright highlights. True HDR is a set of multiple captures of the same scene at different exposures and using software to composite elements from each image and overlaying separate elements to create one photograph containing highly detailed information from 0-255 in all shadows and all highlights as long as that information was available from any of the original images. There are many HDR-like photos being made from singular RAW files where the highlights are brought down, the shadows are pushed up, and the whites and blacks move similar directions. I find those types of "HDR" images are not true to the form of the multi photo HDR's. I have two images here one is from a single RAW file (the fake HDR-like edit) and then another made up from 11 RAW images at varying exposures. Can you tell which HDR is which?
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Perfect Picture Every Time
Henri Cartier Bresson
Hey Photo World so toady's Monday Message is about creating a Perfect Picture Every Time. Now we could argue the idea of perfect forever. 1, I don't have the time and 2, I don't like confrontation so let's skip past this part of the discussion. Today's episode is more so an introduction for a free PDF I am giving away. If you haven't subscribed then brows my site and the popup will appear and then you have the chance to get this free PDF as a thank you for joining the Take & Talk Pics community. I don't send many emails but when I do you always have the option to unsubscribe if you would like. This is more of a theoretical discussion on a very hot topic and that is how do we know if a photograph we create is good or not, let alone perfect. There are many ideas about correct exposure and even more about proper composition, but we also have that "X" Factor (for lack of a better term) where you just like or dislike something and you can't quite place why.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Whats In My Bag Part 14
On to the big guns. Well... as far as speedlights go this is a big gun. The Nikon SB-900 AF Speedlight i-TTL Shoe Mount Flash is a power house of light in a compact system. A speedlight is a large flash unit that can be attached to the hot shoe of the camera or be used wirelessly. The biggest speedlight in my bag also has one of the biggest setbacks for a speedlight. The SB-900 has a tendency to overheat when used at high power for multiple shots and/or the zoom is at its widest of 17mm. Zoom that bad boy to 200mm and dial down the power and you have no overheat problem. I have a love hate relationship with this particular flash unit because it has a lot of power and then falls short for some shots needing a bit more; then it is too powerful for other shots where I wish I could bring it down to 1/256 power rather than the still awesomely low 1/128 power option. In the end though I do like the flash a whole lot.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Side Projects Photo World how often do you bring your camera with you? On your daily commute do you leave time for each drive in case you stumble across a perfect picture waiting to be captured? How many times do you have an idea for a shot or even see a great scene and don't take the time to capture it? Annoying questions I know the answer to, because I have the same answers.
How often do I bring my camera: Sometimes - Almost Never
On my daily commute do I leave additional time: Rarely
Do I take the time to capture it: Once in a blue moon
If you are the type of person that always brings a camera with you then great! There are 171 other great episodes to listen to. If you are the type of person that wants their photography business to start or wants their current business to improve than listen up. This episode is for you; it is all about the side projects. Hopefully motivating you to never leave your camera at home again!
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Silence to Success
Photo World I almost feel stupid making an episode like this. From Silence to Success... What kind of joke is that? I suggest to you that being quiet will help you success (I stand behind that logic) and I spend 10 minutes or so talking on a podcast you regularly listen too. It seems as though I have no idea what I'm talking about here. Photo World, basically I want to ingrain this idea of quiet. You lean when you listen, you even lean by accident when you hear, and so many of us have more to say than we know what to do with. Just listen and see what I mean.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Whats In My Bag Part 13
Finally the lenses and cameras are all accounted for and there really is more to talk about in my bag. Before I dive into this I need to go off on a small tangent and say Happy Tax Day! Okay "happy" feels out of place but it is important to remember that even the smallest of photography businesses need to think about their taxes. I have two small tips: do them on time and be 100% honest about everything. People try to cut corners and it is not worth it just like that one episode talked about. So back to the bag... Flash, Speedlight, Flashgun, Strobe, whatever you call it we are talking about the same idea; artificial lighting. We can shape it, direct it, modify it, and use it in just about any capacity under any shooting condition, maybe not the light I am talking about today but lighting in general. Today's featured gear is the Nikon SB-600 AF Speedlight. It's a helpful accessory but I have a few things to say about it. Listen to today's episode for the real thoughts.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Inverse-Square Law
I don't want to get crazy technical and then lose half of my audience because this one episode feels more like a math class than a photography podcast. So I will keep this simple. However far your subject is to your light source that is your base, if you double the distance between your light source and subject you end up with one quarter the amount of light power reaching the subject. There are a couple reasons why the distance between your subject and light source would change and more often than not it is to adjust the softness (or hardness) of the light. When we talk about hard or soft light we are really talking about how sharp or blurred the shadows are. The closer your light to a subject the softer the shadows and vice versa, the farther your light to your subject the harder the shadows. Yes distance is playing a role in the softness or sharpness of the shadows but more so it is the size of the light source from the relative perspective of the subject itself. Listen to the episode I think it is more easily explained than writing it all out here.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Whats In My Bag part 12 For the dozenth episode with Whats In My Bag I want to go over my last and final lens in my bag. The AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G Nikon lens, is a beautiful prime lens with that familiar focal length to match the way we see. 50mm on a Full Frame camera is the same perspective as the human eye without the peripherals. Some of you may have a cropped sensor and a 35mm lens to closely match this effect. If you want more info on sensor sizes check out my episode on that over subject over here. I will say the f1.4 + a FX sensor you get a crazy shallow Depth of Field and really bring out the subjects from the background. I love the soft backgrounds you get with such a huge aperture like f/1.4 or even larger like f/1.2, although the price difference between those may not be worth the jump. This is one of 2 prime lenses I have and I seem to forget to use it very often. With wedding photography I find zoom lenses to be more forgiving for the job.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Monday Message - Ask The Question
Hey Photo World, what is on your mind? We all have questions but how often do you hold back from asking? There is a common fear that comes with appearing to be uninformed. It happens so often that we miss out of a step forward because we hold ourselves back. Today's episode is a camera buying experience that took a major turn because I asked a question. It kills me when my students have nothing to say in class and then one approaches me after our class meeting to ask a question. Sure it is great for them to seek out the answer but there are many times when another student makes a mistake that would have been corrected from that question being brought up during our class time. It is not the fault of either student but the fear of asking for information surrounded by others who may pass judgement. When I was in school I never asked anything. I didn't want to look stupid being the 1 who asked the question. By the time I got to ISU I could care less and I made so few mistakes because I had the guts to ask. Listen to this one no matter who you are, we all deal with this problem.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Whats In My Bag part 11
Nikon has been on a role for the past 4-5 years. It seem like they are able to out do the last camera by a 75% increase of awesomeness over the previous. I have to say the fourth and final camera in my bag is a beast and an amazing addition to my setup. The Nikon D810 is a mind blowing 36 megapixels of clean 12,800 ISO with a solid weather sealed build hosting a comfortable fit that makes you feel at home. The ISO isn't as clean as the Nikon D4, D4s, or D5 but you have more than double the resolution of the D4 and D4s sitting at 16 megapixels. I know the vertical grip was great on the D4 I had (frown face) so I made sure to make up that problem with adding the grip to this D810. As a bonus with the vertical grip you can squeeze a few more frames per second out of it. I grew a custom to the 11 frames per second on the Nikon D4 but the D810 hovers around 4.5-5fps... that grip pushes you to almost 8fps. I can live with that; especially as a wedding photographer. I tendt to under shoot most other wedding photographers anyway. What could I really do with 8fps anyway.
I LOVE THIS CAMERA!- I feel like this is the camera to help me get over the loss of my Nikon D4
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2016 © Take&TalkPics
Whats In My Bag part 10
First off know your purchase. Be sure about the gear being gray market or USA and research what that means for you. The prices will be dramatically different but that doesn’t mean one is better than the other, it is something to think about. That being said I am blown away by the Nikon D750. It is by far the best camera for the price on the market today. Yes someday soon it will be replaced and beaten but this camera has so much packed into it and a reasonable price to justify it. I am a pro photographer who wanted to have a solid second body in the bag and this one is my second for if I am ever in a bind. However the D750 makes an appearance at just about every job I do because I love this thing. I have been working my way into the video world and the D750 is an outstanding camera for video. The clarity of the image is beautiful and the colors render to what is true. I can co on about this camera and share samples all day long but I would say if you are interested in this camera listen to Take & Talk Pics episode 166 (April 9, 2016) for a full review of this camera. I have had it for only two weeks now and I am not missing my old cameras at all. If you are pro I would look at the D810 but you can easily run a pro level business with the D750. – TakeAndTalkPics.com photography blog/podcast
I LOVE THIS CAMERA! - VALUE! VALUE! VALUE!
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2016 © Take&TalkPics
Whats In My Bag part 9
For today's equipment to discuss I have to offer a small warning: I may sound braggy because I am head over heels obsessed with the camera I have to talk about. I'm talking about my baby, my pride and joy, the Nikon D4. She is a perfect balance between beautiful and ferocious. This camera could hold up clean at 12,800 ISO and not miss a beat with those 11 frames per second in full 14 bit uncompressed RAW. Yeah there is no flash to have pop up but when you hold this beast you shouldn't even consider a pop up flash anyway. The D4 is rated for 400,000 shots and I hardly made a dent so far. On the one hand I would love to retire this camera when it is time and see it on a shelf greeting me as I enter my office but there is a lot of value ($) left in her and I can use that for future gear. Okay enough nonsense... listen to the episode for a real chat about this amazing camera.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2016 © Take&TalkPic
Whats In My Bag part 8
I'm finally moving on to the next section of my bag. THE CAMERAS! I still have some glass to go over but that is for another day. This first camera is not a pro level body but it serves it's purpose well. I originally purchased the camera to sell off an old Nikon D70s and have this new one as a backup to my Nikon D300 (also gone). I am talking about my Nikon D7000. I found myself mostly using it for the video function. Although, the video quality is nothing to write home about compared to the video capabilities of today's DSLRs. The D7000 is a cropped sensor camera (DX) with 16.2 megapixels. I wasn't opposed the the camera when I purchased it and it was perfect for what I needed at the time and the price was about $1200. That may seem like a lot of money for some but as a pro this camera was more than fair for what you got. I especially like the dual memory card slots. Great for shooting RAWs on one and backup JPEGs on the other.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2016 © Take&TalkPic
Eli Temchin
Today’s featured guest is Eli Temchin
Eli, is a fine art photographer who reached out to me for a free coaching call back on the 29th of January. Since that time Eli and I have done a segment of coaching for his business. I can fill you in on the experience but it would be better from Eli himself.
Artist Statement
My name is Eli Temchin. Welcome into the way I see the world. Nowadays, it seems like people are walking around in a haze. Or, glued to a smart phone and not paying attention to what's around them. What is all around you, no matter where you are? BEAUTY. What is beauty? Technically, beauty is the quality present in a thing or person: shape, color, sound, etc that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So, behold. Here are a few images from everyday that show beauty in every way. “The more often we see things around us – even the beautiful and wonderful things – the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds – even those we love. Because we things so often, we see them less and less.” - Joseph B. Wirthlin
Beauty isn't always what you see, but sometimes it's what you don't see. It's the scene within the scene that I look for. It's the depth of an image and the inner beauty that I challenge you to see.
SHOWINGS AND AWARDS
Multiple First Friday Showings in the Crossroads Arts District. Various galleries in Kansas City, MO.
E-Review: The Permanence of Change: Eli Temchin. Written by Steve Brisendine March 12th, 2011.
Writer’s Journal Magazine: 3rd Place Photography Contest winner. May/June 2005 issue.
w: elitemchin.com
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPic
Rob Krueger
Today’s featured guest is Rob Krueger
He's a business coach, educator, speaker, blogger, photographer, and host to better understanding your business - Rob Krueger with the Take & Talk Pics photography podcast! That’s right Photo World it is time to learn more about the man behind the mic and hear a bit about his photographic journey. I’m Colleen Miniuk-Sperry and I will be interviewing your favorite entrepreneur Rob Krueger.
Rob Krueger is an award winning luxury and concierge wedding photographer who services Chicago to Orlando, New York to LA, and major cities throughout the world. His passion for photography can be heard first hand on this three day a week Podcast called Take & Talk Pics. Rob found a second calling within photography to educate others. He does this through the podcast, teaching photography at College of DuPage, and speaking nationally on the subject. He conducts workshops on many areas of photography but his favorite are his live wedding workshops.
I felt a bit out of place being on the other side of the questions this time around but I am so thankful Colleen Miniuk-Sperry suggested this. I had a blast and she was so awesome!
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPic
1 Year of Take And Talk Pics
If I attempt to put into words everything I am feeling from 1 year of hosting Take & Talk Pics I would go on for hours describing my level of gratitude toward this blessing I have been given. This show has, and continues, to change my life every day. I urge you to listen to this brief episode. Also know that I am specifically Thanking each and every one of you! Photo World without you none of this would have been possible.
Josh Rossi, Colleen Miniuk-Sperry, Gavin John, Chad Griffith, Kareem Black, Perry Hagopian, Nancy Green, Guy Tal, Jack Graham, Ibarionex Perello, Tony Sweet, Kathleen Clemons, Lewis Kemper, Paul Audia, Bryan Peterson, Levi Sim, Chris Smith, Nick Page, Kevin Kuster, Juan Pons, Mike Boening, Jamie MacDonald, Angie McMonigal, Mike Moats, Skip Cohen, Jared Polin, Jim Harmer, Abby Grace, Natalie Probst, Lee Morris, Cris Duncan, Berit Bizjak, Dan Frievalt, Liz Banfield, Carl Caylor, John-Paul (JP) Teutonico, Michael Mowbray, Kenny Pang, Sherry Hagerman, Brian Morrison, and Andreea Radutoiu.
These are just a few names from an otherwise enormous list of amazing photographers I have interviewed and have given you a glimpse into their photography story. I wish I could thank each of you Photo World 1 on 1. If you give me a chance by signing up for the free coaching call, let me 30 minutes of free advice and guidance act as a small thanks for your support of this photography podcast.
This is a short episode today but a reminder of the abundant value throughout the Take & Talk Pics blog and podcast. The evolution over the past year is nothing short of inspiring and I expect to continue this consistent free value for a long time.
Thank you all for your continued support of this show!
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPic
Cutting Corners
Thank you Simpsons for existing. You have all the answers to every question.
First of all I don't have the perfect formula to success nor is it my place to define success for you Photo World. We really all have to do the best we can with our own knowledge and resources. Those resources can be financial or not like personal relationships and calling upon our network. This podcast is designed to be a free resource to with as you please. After all I'm just one Chicago Wedding Photographer doing the best I can with my many failures to help shape my future.
This problem comes up with our 2 most valuable assets when running a small business. It leaves us to really have to think about our approach or it causes us to make quick and unhelpful decisions.
We have so much to think about in this business: Education, Gear, Branding, Web presence, Marketing, Customer relationships.
Even more detailed things like: Emails and phone calls, Balancing our time, How do we delegate the finances between what we earn and what the business has? Do we need to incorporate? How and when do we add our photography to our taxes?
We are often faced with a few possibilities when it comes to running a business or even improving our skills, and we have to decide to do what is right and more expensive or time consuming or cut a few corners and save a buck and save an hour here or there. It is hard to look ahead and see true cost in both time and money based on a shortcut “now”. It could cost more of our precious resources later. Furthermore, that difference could be greater than what we would have originally needed to invest and put in the right time or money in the first place.
Embrace failure and let those lessons propel you to a more sophisticated approach at the next fork in the road.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPic
Whats In My Bag
Today's episode is two fold: 1) it is the introduction to the first prime lens in my bag that I have discussed and 2) it is a specialty lens. If I were to give this particular lens one more main point, it would be that this was the first pro glass lens I ever purchased. I am talking about the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens. Now, this lens would be considered a prime lens due to the fact that is has one fixed focal length or 105mm. The Nikon 105mm is also a true macro lens: being that it has a 1:1 reproduction ration. That would be like removing the sensor of your camera and picking a small flower from the ground. You could lay that flower on the sensor and that is the actual appearance you can get at a 1:1 reproduction ration. In this episode I go over Depth of Field and more so the 3 way you can affect it. Using a macro lens will almost always infringe upon two of the three factors for Depth of Field.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPic
White Balance
Auto, Cloudy, Shade, Tungsten, Florescent, Daylight, Flash, Underwater, Custom, and Kalvin; these are the main White Balance options you will find in most DSLR’s today. Photography is a wonderful tool but cameras are only able to operate based on algorithms and numeric values. Unlike our eyes and brain function, a camera is an unbiased interpretation to light color and how it is reflected off a given surface. Before I go off into the depths of mathematics I don’t understand or mislead those of you reading this. Know these few things about white balance: White balance is a color corrective setting with the goal of making sure white stays white, greens look green, and blues are true blues. The human eye is advanced and couple this with the brain you have a complexly engineered ability to compensate for distorted colors within a given scene. White balance is mostly designed as a corrective tool to untangle the cameras unbiased view of color temperature on the Kalvin scale. A typical mid-level or pro DSLR can run from about 2500K to 10000K. My Olympus can go as low as 2000K and as high as 14000K. What if you want to emphasis certain colors in an image? Using cloudy can warm up a scene. Using daylight or flash white balance can cool it down. I am a big proponent of getting it right in camera but sometimes we end up with happy accidents. Say you are photographing a landscape and you were to change up the white balance to see how it looks rather than holding off until the post production… you may just be surprised at what stands out to you once the colors shift. This could inspire you to recompose and begin making a whole new image. That you can’t do when you are in post.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPic
“Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” We have heard that one before. It may have been a co-worker, a family member, a friend, or even today on this podcast, but we hear that and often do little with it. There is a lot to be said about how people perceive you vs. what they know about you. I come from an upbringing that teaches to not pass judgement. However, and sadly, we all seem to do so. That should be an indicator that we are also being judged. It isn’t a good thing most of the time but it exists, and we should prepare to succeed because of it rather than wallow in our fear that others opinions will affect us negatively. This is where we have all of the control. Our appearance is a major reflection on our personalities and act as an indicator of our knowledge and ability as well. I would love to live in a world where this didn’t matter but I know when I have students show up in a hoodie and sweat pants I am not expecting much from them today and sure enough I spot them drifting off or hiding their phone trying to text the whole class. Carelessness is a lifestyle and we tend to have a snow ball effect from that.
FIGHT this! We have the power to change and we also have the power to rise above that which we once were. If any of you follow me on twitter you will see the majority of my tweets contain #success, #perseverance, #business, and #photography. I want that reminder to be there for anyone and everyone who comes across my tweets. In the event someone decides to step up their own game as a result of it I am rising to the occasion by having tweeted that reminder.
No joke, I kind of free versed this writing here. The post hardly reflects the episode but I apparently needed to get a slew of thoughts on paper after having recorded and edited my episode today. The combination of the two makes for an interesting blogcast.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here!
2015 © Take&TalkPic
Whats In My Bag
Last week I went over my Backup/travel lens... the 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR II and this week's What"s In My Bag episode is about the final zoom lens in my bag but it is also the newest lens added to my kit. Lastly, this lens is replacing that 18-200mm. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lens. I really dive into why this lens is being added to my bag and a few reasons why it is replacing the 18-200mm. I rate this lens at 5 stars for the value. The price for what you get and the many functions it can be used for are amazing. I don't consider it a pro level lens but more so a transition lens. For those of you who are ready for the heavy glass and want the faster lenses, take a look at what you are able to invest for new gear and consider the difference in cost when you are searching. If you are on a tight budget but you are ready for a leap ahead in your lens quality something like this 24-120mm f/4 is perfect.
Check out how Vibration Reduction really works!
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPic
Metering Modes
Today’s Photo Talk is about metering modes. Specifically the light meter in your camera. I touch upon the different modes you probably have in your camera and the function of them. Listen carefully because this one is tough to grasp at first. I don’t believe I fully understood how metering worked during the first couple years of my own photography. I understood the idea and the process but not why the meter does what it does and how to outsmart the meter with an in-depth understanding of its function. In short I like to use the phrase “your camera meter is lying to you.” Basically your meter wants everything to be a perfect middle gray, or neutral gray. In film we referred to that tone as 18% gray. In digital we can see this as 128R, 128G, and 128B (128 RGB) dead center on each color channel but lacking all saturation. I speak quickly on this because it is second nature for me now but it wasn’t always that way. I also talk about the zone system developed by Ansel Adams and Fred Archer. A bit confusing stuff but very helpful to know about. I strongly suggest brushing up on your photo history and learning about the zone system. Furthermore I highlight my go to metering mode. Every photographer has one I just explain why I choose the one I do. Hint: it is based on knowing the zone system in greater detail. The mode I use most often lets me take what the camera suggests (lies), my years of practice, the previsualization to know how a scene works, as well as my gear, and capture near perfect exposure every time. Just I have said on the show before, it is about finding your systems and putting them in place to better your productivity. This is just another system for when I release the shutter. I go in detail on my specific process back in Episode 081 and you can download the free pdf on How To Meter In Ambient Light When You Don’t Know How To Meter.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Profit Margin
There are countless resources out there on the topic of profit margin. Just search Google and be instantly overwhelmed with 1 million great ideas to increase your profit margin. If I had to break it down into three parts I could easily do so. I am the kind of person that often only uses logic in many aspects of my life and when it comes to your profit margin I don’t change one bit. There are a lot of thing to think about within each of my three main points but definitely worth a quick read. At the very least worth a listen, maybe even twice.
- Look at your current profit margins
- What do you make from each job
- What do you pay out for each job
- What is it to pay yourself for each portion of every job
- Things you must have to do the job well
- Things you may be spending more than you need on
- Account for waste
- See the gross profit margin
- And prepare for change
- Cut costs
- Anywhere and everywhere you can cut cost, Do It!
- Save $5 a month on your internet service provider
- Eliminate your land line and go completely mobile
- Split a product with a fellow photographer
- Drink more water and less soda and beer – ANYTHING!!!
- Raise prices
- Be firm on your price
- If you take a cash discount that can help the sale
- Eliminate any specials/coupons
- Do not fold back to your old pricing to book a gig
Conserve your marketing budget!
Only use what you know works for you
Increase productivity!
You or an employee – make more of an effort to produce more from your time
Reevaluate often!
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Whats In My Bag part 5
First of all I need to apologize (I think) for the almost annoying excitement in my voice. I was just kicking but that day and getting way more work than usual done and I sound goofy from all the energy pumping through my veins. Part 5 of the What's In My Bag sequence was supposed to wrap up my zoom lenses until I just recently made a new purchase. We'll get there next week though. For now I wanted to go over my AF-S DX Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II, try saying that 3 times fast... Even once is hard enough. I break down the focal length range on this bad boy and address that f3.5-5.6 deal. I know many of you are seeing that same kind of f-stop listed for lenses you own or may want to own, but you must hear this episode before you make any new lens purchase. Lastly, I touch upon the DX or crop factor proprietary feature of this lens. If you want to know more about sensor size and how that works you can always listen to episode 146 Sensor Size.
nikonusa.com
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Correct Aperture
Is there really such a thing as Correct Aperture? It all depends. When I first got the inspiration to make this an episode I was browsing through my news feed on facebook and I saw a post from a wedding photographer asking why her image still seems to be out of focus even though she made sure have a faster shutter speed and as low of an ISO as she could allow. Listen as I dissect the exposure and things to think about when it comes to Aperture. I wanted to take it a few steps further and touch upon Depth of Field and well as finding the Aperture Sweet Spot. Yes, every lens has an Aperture Sweet Spot. It is the f-stop in each lens that gives the most clear sharpness within the focal plane. One lens will differ from another and I can tell you it isn't the most closed down you can go. It seems like the large f number, and therefore greater depth of field, closed down Aperture would be the most sharp but that just isn't the case. Tune in and find out why.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
The Customer is Always Wrong
Photo World how many times have you heard "The Customer is Always Right"? As a customer of many goods and services, I can tell you I have not always been right or at least I wasn't treated like I was right. My guess is half the time I was probably wrong. Often we get stuck on the thought that we are right because we are stubborn or we just don't want to admit to being wrong. With that said, think about the other side. If you are right then the business or other person you're interacting with is wrong. So as photographers and small business owners we will deal with this transaction many times throughout our careers. I know I have felt like, and said in private, that a Customer is Wrong, but that doesn't solve anything for them or me. It took me years to let go over my own personal problems and start saying:
- Where did this go wrong
- What can I do/should do to make this right
- What can I learn from this
Photo World if you get so stuck on communication being the problem and it turns into a "I said" and "they said" match then you will not only have a difficult time resolving an issue then and there but you will also struggle to grow as a person and as a business. Sticking to our word when we promise is a must; fighting the customers word when they misunderstood is something to outgrow. It is hard to do but if you can stop the bickering and cool off, so you can collect your thoughts and come up with a solution or compromise then you will see growth in all areas of your life.
Thank you for tuning in to this edition of Take & Talk Relationships. (kidding)
The truth is we could all improve and always improve.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
HeyPhotoWorld
Photo World what’s a great quote or mantra you live by for your photography and business?
Quotes:
"It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste." Henry Ford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." Henry Ford
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it." Steve Jobs
"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!" Audrey Hepburn
What sparked your interest in photography enough to pursue it as a career?
Photo World think of a time where you had learned the hard way? (a learning or failure moment)
What would you consider the most important practice to your photography? (What piece from your workflow is most important?)
Photo World, admit, even if it’s embarrassing, one bad habit you would like to break.
Photo World research one thing that will lead to growth and success in your business.
Have you had an ah-ha moment during your career? What ah-ha moment are you looking out for?
Photo World during you’re your photography career so far, what is the best advice you have ever received?
Name a couple photographers you have been inspired by at some point? If you don’t have a list of a few photographers start looking. Take & Talk Pics is a great starting point with amazing photographers.
Do you have 1 parting piece of guidance?
The best way for photo world to reach you (website, twitter, instagram, facebook) be visible Photo World.
Photo World I can’t thank you enough for your time today and every day sharing in the value here on Take & Talk Pics.
I thank you and happy shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Lightroom or Photoshop
The 2 most popular photo editing software's and so many choices to make. First of all should you choose to use Lightroom, Photoshop, or both? I know photographers who only use Photoshop Elements or they are purest"s and do minor touch-ups with Picasa or none at all. Some days I feel like photo editing had ruined photography and other days I couldn't be happier that I had that there to assist my vision. Both Lightroom and Photoshop have more features than most of us photographers will ever use. I am in my 7th year in business and I know I have about 10% of Photoshop covered. Giver or take 5%. This isn't because I am not good with the software it's just that enormous of a program. Lightroom takes a few try's to get used to. On the one hand it feels like the RAW editor from Photoshop on steroids. On the other hand it has workflow that feels foreign at first. For example the need to import rather than just open, the fact that you can close the program and open later as if you never left, or the need to export the images and deal with the time consuming process that goes along with that. In short I feel that Lightroom is for batch or large volume editing (a wedding or sporting event) and Photoshop is for those individual images that require one on one attention from start to finish. As a Thank you to you Photo World I would like to give you a few of my FREE Lightroom Presets. Download, unzip, and install in your Lightroom presets.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Keep On Keeping On
I had the honor of attending the 6th Annual March Forth awards dinner. This was my first year in attendance and it was an amazing night. Photo World I go through life day by day and I try to do my best in business, in my relationships with family and friends, and make the right decisions in Every situation I am in. Am I a model citizen for all of you? Most likely no... I'm just a normal guy. However I find myself taking so much for granted. There are so many others out there who have it worse than I do and I still find it so easy to complain about the areas of my life that make me unhappy. My guess is you could easily say the same thing or close to it. This post nor this episode are about how we should feel bad for passing by the rest of the world while we deal with all that goes on in our own lives... No this episode is a reminder that we can do something about it. The keynote speaker for this years March Forth awards dinner was, twin brother of Ashton Kutcher, Michael Kutcher. His story was inspiring to say the least and got me thinking about how I could impact the world around me for the better.
Please take a few minutes to listen to this episode. It is brief but I think it is helpful and I still find a way to tie this all back into running a small business. Happy Shooting!
teamkoko.org
handicapthis.com
dannydid.org
Book: How We Roll; 2 friends, 1 wheelchair and a lifetime of lessons in perseverance
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Whats In My Bag part 4 - episode 147
Photo World I would like to continue this week's "what's in my bag" segment with the wide end of the Nikon Holly Trinity of lenses. The AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm F2.8G ED lens is the finishing touch to the three part 14-24mm, 24-70mm, and 70-200mm f2.8 zoom lenses. There are no rules stating that every photographer must have these three lenses or even a zoom lens at all. In fact I know several photographers who are strictly prime lens (set focal length) photographers. I love Primes but for the majority of my photography it is important to have a range of focal lengths to work with and this Ultra-Wide 14-24mm is no exception to that desired range. Now the bulb of enormous glass projecting from the front of this lens is somewhat intimidating and looks as though you only get crazy fish-eye images from it. However that is not the case. This lens is a solid 114 degree angel of view at 14mm on an Full Frame (FX-Nikon) camera. I have a lot to say about this tack sharp beautiful lens but be prepared to know that it comes at a cost other than the financial.
nikonusa.com
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Sensor Size
There are so many question that come up when it comes to sensor size and I could write on the subject for 10,000 words or more. It would be informative, overwhelming, and boring for the most part. Take a listen to this 20 minute episode on Sensor Sizes from FX and EF to DX and EF-S. Nikon and Canon DSLRs are the main subjects of my talk but at the very least you will be acquainted with the difference between larger and/or smaller sensors.
| Larger Sensor | Smaller Sensor | | Higher Resolution | Lower Resolution | | Better Low Light Performance | Poorer Low Light Performance | | Better Dynamic Range | Poorer Dynamic Range | | Shallower Depth of Field | Longer Depth of Field | | Less Diffraction | More Diffraction | | Reduction in Crop Factor | Increased Crop Factor |
Diffraction: When you use a small aperture, light reaching the edges of the image sensor can only get there after passing through the small aperture and then spreading out. That spreading of light causes the light rays to hit adjacent photo sites. Essentially, this spreading causes the light to sometimes hit the wrong photo site and leads to blur.
35mm film: It is the width of the film including the sprocket holes.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Kitchen Remodeling
Why in the world would I ever need to mention Kitchen Remodeling on a photography and business podcast? Photo World if you have been listening for a while you know I find inspiration in the strangest of places; if you are new to Take & Talk Pics then you will soon see my mind doesn't operate on the same wavelengths as most people. I don't always look for a silver lining but I almost always look out for something to learn. This time around I learned by snapping a pic on my phone of a simple Kitchen Remodeling project that was needed. It was time to update the old kitchen from 1970 and bring it up to 2016. I don't have a picture of it as finished because like our businesses these things take time and hard work. The time is being spent and the work is getting done. I sound like a broken record
when I say do the work but the truth is that's all anyone really needs to know when it comes to wanting something more in their own business or even in life. Get out there Photo World and remodel your business and while you do it give this episode a listen to have some information and inspiration ringing in your ears while you get the work done.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Whats In My Bag part 3
When I ask other photographers what is their go to lens and they bring up the divine 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom lens my heart sings in compliance. I LOVE this lens. Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Sony, Pentax, Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina (f4) all make a 70-200mm f/2.8. Tokina makes an f4 version but still there are many options out there for the photographer looking for an amazing focal length to add to their arsenal. The Nikon AF-S Nikkor
70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II is my photo gear pride and joy and I almost never go to a job without it. In fact you can often find me at a job with only this lens. Sadly I do not use this lens the most, that credit goes to my trusty Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens.*
One aesthetic detail about the 70-200mm that I love is the IF or Internal Focusing system. When you zoom the lens or focus the lens groups of glass within the barrel move forward and aft while the front element stays fixed and therefore you have no risk of dust building up on the, would-be, extended portion of the lens. Great functionality, solid build, gorgeous results from this tack sharp lens.
For an in-depth review of the specs and tech of this lens check out: kenrockwell.com/nikon/70-200mm
nikonusa.com
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
JPEG vs RAW
JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) is the most common way of storing and transmitting photos.
A JPEG is 1/8 the storage space of a RAW image counterpart – This was the best I could find in much research but in my own experience I find the JPEGs are 1/3 or ½ the disk space.
Represented numbers – the average is found within an 8x8 pixel space, AVERAGE+3cos(x)-10sin(x) will give the numeric ingurgitation with the formula of only 3 values in lieu of the original 8x8 pixel average. The end points on this may shift in an alternate numeric value and is solved by variable difference and its meeting of the next grouping.
Mentions: 3 and -10 come from Greg Thatcher Fourier theory. Randell Heyman
To understand the mathematical formula it doesn’t take more than a High School level Trigonometry class. Luckily Photo World we don’t need to know why this works but more so how it works and I will break this down in a very simplified way.
RAW doesn’t stand for anything! Yay for simple photographers not needed to know things! Well RAW refers to the same term for things like meat. RAW is meaning undone or not yet produced. A RAW file is not a finished product like say… a JPEG.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” Martin Luther King Jr.
I created an entire episode based on this quote. I was (still am) inspired by the profoundness of these words and the obvious approach to taking on the unknown. I do need to correct myself though… This quote is from Dr. King; however, modified from Napoleon Hill’s quote: “If you cannot do great things, you can do small things in a great way.”
Napoleon Hill is one of my favorite writers and I do want to give credit to his words because they hold just as true in this episode. However I chose to highlight the quote of Martin Luther King Jr. “I” is all the more personal and it feels individualized and private. Running our businesses or even building a business, while we may have others involved or strong support systems, is a very personal matter. No one else would offer the care and attention we do to our own businesses.
Take a step back and look at the big picture. Now spend the next 10 minutes listening to this episode today on Great Things, and then tell me what you see. It is private and personal, but it is the first of many you will F.O.C.U.S. your attention on.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Whats In My Bag part 2
On this continuation on what's in my bag I talk about one lens that I seem to use more than the rest. It isn't my favorite lens that I own but it does see the majority of my subjects. I shoot on Full Frame or FX cameras most of the time and having the Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens with the wide 24mm to grab an entire room for an event or the 70mm to be a bit more reach than my own standard field of view so I can hang back but still catch more intimate moments during a wedding; this lens has it all... Or at least, has most of what I need/want in a lens. Prime lenses are choice for sharpness but this zoom is beautiful! I can use it at f/2.8 without fear that the image will be tac sharp and the sweet spot aperture (listen to the episode wink) is out of this world. I can tell you investing in your glass is one of the most important purchases you will make for your kit of gear and this zoom lens range is a must have for any photographer. I have other lenses I prefer to use when I have the option for them, but this 24-70mm is so perfect for most occasions it was the first pro glass I got and definitely the main one I use.
For a in depth review of the specs and tech of this lens check out: kenrockwell.com/nikon/24-70mm
nikonusa.com
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Do It With Passion
My own journey as an educator and photographer has been a wonderful experience this far and I truly can’t wait for what is to come next. I do my best to be on the lookout for opportunity and inspiration and every once in a while something shows up and it seems to be from out of nowhere. Just like any good story, it starts out like any ordinary day. I was getting lunch and this particular lunch was the horrible choice of fast food. Not that Taco Bell is a horrible choice, no sir… It is annoyingly good for a quick bite on the fly. However this time was a bit different. Without any way to plan it I was confronted with inspiration and a reminder to continuously seek out my passion. How does lunch a Taco Bell remind me to seek out my passions you ask? Well just hit play and listen up. This 5 min episode (almost 7 and ½ min because of the intro and ending) has a fun encounter with an unlikely suspect to give such profound advice.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Pursuit of Happiness
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." - Declaration of Independence
Yes, this familiar line comes from the Declaration of Independence, but those last three words are the main ones on my mind. I have battled happiness just like anyone else. Sometimes we become overwhelmed with our families, work, finances, and other things. I myself have been so overwhelmed it almost felt like I couldn’t bounce back, but I always try to remember that tomorrow is another day. Things follow us or carry over, we may have continuous reminders with something that is bothering us, but if we do the best we can with each day and really try tomorrow and the next day, then eventually there will be a turning point.
What I suggest, or rather, remind Photo World to do is remember those perfectly written three words: “Pursuit of Happiness”. Our lives are a journey, our businesses are a journey, and should constantly pursue Happiness within those journeys. It doesn’t happen overnight but if we put more effort into being happy by choosing to smile through an otherwise common or even boring situation, we will find that happiness spread into other areas of our lives. When you need to do something you don’t enjoy say… take out the trash. Do it with a smile and think, “it feels good to have this much more of my home clean”. Maybe you have a down month financially with your photography, be happy that you now have time to update your website or research the next conference you can attend.
Small doses can go a long way and over time, Photo World, you can form the habit of Happiness. This pursuit of happiness should never be undone and spread into other areas of your life and not just your business. This can help relationships, improve your health, and even extend your life.
I go over a few other points on this subject in this episode so please give it a listen and more importantly share the wealth by sharing this episode and podcast on facebook and twitter. For those of you who love history and appreciate the Pursuit of Happiness you can download the Declaration of Independence pdf!
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Whats In My Bag part 1
I see videos from photographers I respect and follow as well as others without a large following and most of them love to put up a What's In My Bag video on YouTube. Frankly those videos do very little for me. It could be that knowing that does little for me personally, I don't have the time to watch a video like that, or just that I know more information on the gear that I find the video lacks learning for me individually.
You know me Photo World I try to stay humble and almost obsessively remind my audience that I have one opinion and that doesn't mean it is the "Number 1, Best way to do it!" kind of thing. Same idea applies here today and for the next few Friday's as I go over What's In My Bag. I have my own spin on it, like I do with most things (for proof click here on my ideas on how to evolve in business).
This week is Part 1 of I don't know how many, but I'm looking forward to sharing with you what is in my bag and some information on each piece.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
New Photography Gear
As I get ready for a new semester of teaching I am preparing myself for the number one most asked question from newer photographers who want to be better image makers: “What piece of gear should I buy next?”
I love this question… more so, I love seeing the reaction after hearing my answer.
I am not sure where this idea of getting a new camera body equals being a better photographer. If that were the case I would pick up a medium format digital with 80 megapixels and be considered one of the best photographers around. Sure I would have to give up a few things, like my car and my house, but totally worth it to rise to the top… EEEHHHHH! WRONG! It doesn’t work like that and it never will. A camera is a tool and just like the latest drill or car, a camera is only as good as the person operating it. Your driving skills don’t go up because you get an Audi R8. A camera isn’t the first thing I would suggest upgrading.
There are always new gadgets to buy that will improve your photography greatly and in this episode I avoid diving deep into the technology topic, but I do share ideas about camera lenses and lighting for photography. My thoughts are my own when it comes to this topic of what gear should I get next. Really new photography gear is based on 3 things:
- What do you need to enhance the photography you do and want to do?
- What kind of budget are you really working with?
- Is this worth the investment?
Answer those 3 things and you will have a better idea about what you need to add to your bag of gear.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Practice Makes Perfect - Monday Message
Photo World in today’s episode I speak on the topic of, “practice makes perfect”. We’ve all heard this and it seems simple enough. If you repeatedly work on the same style of selling to possible clients, over time you will find when you say certain things or talk about one aspect of the job, people perk up and lean in for more. On the flip side, you may find how you word something, clients shut down or lean away with disinterest. Understanding this and “PRACTICING” it will allow for how to approach a client and the way you speak to them, and therefore over time that practice makes perfect.
One major problem with this narrow way of thinking. Perfect exists in very few places and in even fewer human interactions with anything. The thought is, if you were able to achieve perfect in something, then you are left without any potential for improvement. The fact that humans can climb Mt. Everest doesn’t mean we do not crave new heights or other adventures that could be just as thrilling or rewarding. We have this somewhat annoying desire for more. AHHH! That word “DESIRE” is a major buzz word. I don’t have time this week to unfold the many secrets of that chasm.
Practice makes perfect is an unrealistic dream and I find it to be misleading for those of us who do work hard in our businesses. I have wild fantasies of great wealth and how I would live, the cars I would buy, the people I would help, and the places I would go; however, dreaming on this does little for me than open my mind to the idea that it could be possible to see this as a real situation in my life. Dreams are a wonderful story that only our subconscious could design. Now, goals are the real process to our practice making anything that would resemble a skewed idea of perfect. Again, I don’t believe perfection is very possible due to our true desired plans. More is what we seek and more is what we can work for if we are willing to put in the practice.
Without giving it all away… listen to this episode on why practice makes perfect is a fraudulent ideal and my solution to a positive and fathomable point of view concerning this matter.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
kelly Alex Jan 28 (7 days ag0)You have a new message! kelly Alex checked out your Storefront and wants to learn more about your services.
Message from kelly:
Hello This is Kelly Alex , how are you doing ?, I will like to know your availability day in February 14, 2016 just 5 hours service, Also i will need portrait work done after the photography work is done after the event, I will like you to get back to me with your availability day in March its a family Reunion Party,.. I will like you to email back Asap. Do you accept credit card payment ?. Regards,Kelly
Rob Krueger - Jan 29 (8 days ago) to kellyalex Kelly,
Thank you for your inquiry. I would like to check the date to be sure I have availability. In the message I was sent I show January 14th 2016 as the event date and in your message you asked about February 14th 2016, and then asking about March but not a specific date. If you could please let me know what day(s) you are in need of photography coverage. Also is this for a wedding, family reunion, or portrait session?
Please let me know so I can more accurately check my availability and also help in any way I can in capturing your special event(s).
Thank you,
Rob
If needed please call me at (000) 000-0000.
Website – robkruegerphotography.com
Podcast – TakeAndTalkPics.com
#robkruegerphotography
#HeyPhotoWorld
#PhotoWorld
RE:
Hello This is Kelly Alex , how are you doing ?, I will like to know your availability day in February 14, 2016 ju…
My Text message I received: Hello Good morning how was your night this is Kelly Alex the photography what is your full name pls
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Ignore The Competition - Eric Dejuan
Eric is a commercial photographer based out of Birmingham, Alabama. He specializes in athletic and fitness photography. With 9 years in business Eric has shot for clients such as Yamaha USA, Adobe, B-Metro Magazine, and other. Eric focuses on the relationships he builds and is always motivated to create and improve.
Note from Rob: Photo World if I can tell you one great thing from the experience of meeting and getting to know Eric, it would be: You should never stop looking for opportunities. His name was briefly mentioned during a webinar but something caught my ear and I knew I needed to investigate. Eric's name was one of about 10 that came up but for some reason I looked into his photography. It didn't take long for me to see I need to get this guy on my show. There is a refined style in his work and seasoned way of thinking within his bio. Long story short... Eric is my kind of people. Motivated, passionate, emphasizes continued educations and networking, and chasing the higher level like any true entrepreneur would.
Eric Dejuan is an up and coming commercial photographer. 9 years ago after a brief dabble in photography as a hobby. Today, Eric Dejuan has worked with clients such as Yamaha USA, Adobe Inc., B-Metro Magazine, and others, specializing in Athletic & Fitness photography, Eric quickly realized he had a passion for the art and from there his skill set started to develop. Always motivated to create and improve, Eric strives to make each moment captured a more complete piece. His attitude, motivation, and his work will all help him to have successful business relationships with some of the biggest advertisers in the business, and eventually the world. His goals not only include positive results in the advertising market, he has his eyes set on charity work in his local community. Don't judge a book by its cover, or in his case, a picture.
Book Recommendations:
48 Laws of Power by: Robert Greene
Shark Tank Jump Start Your Business: How to Launch and Grow a Business from Concept to Cash
W: ericdejuan.com
Bechance: https://www.behance.net/EricDejuan Snapchat: EricDejuan
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
The Skee Ball Effect – Monday Message
I have a new approach to business and I have been working this newly coined phrase “The Skee Ball Effect” – Rob Krueger. It has resonated with me so much that I had to buy the domain name and I know it sounds ridiculous, but when you have ideas you need to go for them and test them out. This episode is not the test but it is a great show lightly breaking down The Skee Ball Effect and how we can use it to our advantage in a photography or and other small business. We have chosen a path to follow and the greatest success comes with great risk. I don’t think there are many opportunities that act as a lottery ticket in running a small business and supercharge your progress to this overarching version of success that anyone would envy. However, The Skee Ball Effect has proven to be an incredible guidance for me and more so for Take & Talk Pics and therefore in turn for you Photo World. I have been working hard and finding many ups and downs along the way but I do have to say I am coming out stronger regardless of how I approach change and progress within this podcast/blog. I just want to pass on the tools to you as well so you may find growth in the most unexpected experiences in your career. As an added bonus I am offering a free coaching call with me, to take an hour and discus your business one on one and see what kind of clarity I can help offer. Go to takeandtalkpics.com/coaching to sign up for you free coaching call today!
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Josh Rossi - Fearless for Success
Today’s featured guest is Josh Rossi
Josh is a Los Angeles based photographer. He's done work for clients such as Adobe, Mountain Dew, advanced Photoshop magazine, Lindsey Stirling, and the piano guys just to name a few. What started as an obsession with art has turned into a full time commercial and advertising photography career. And Photo World, you may know of Josh from his podcast The Full Time Photographer.
Note from Rob: I have to say that Josh is one of the most down to earth people I have ever met and as we dissect his journey through his photography career he unfolds a ton of value for you Photo World!
When I was a young boy I was obsessed with art. I was born in Florence,Italy where I lived for 7 years. When I hit high school I saw no need to pursue art and so I dropped it and got into other things. After high school I got an internship with a film production company and started getting more into film. When I was 22 I realized that I wasn't satisfied with what I was doing so I needed a change. I decided that advertising was a lot more exciting and chose to go to Miami Ad School and that's where my passion for photography came in. At school I had to rely on my own skills to produce print ads and online media. I had to convey a message and I didn't want to just snap one shot and be done. I wanted to include a lot of different elements that told a story. That's when I started getting into compositing. I realized that I could actually create the images that were inside my head. I never thought that was possible before. I became literally obsessed with ad photography. I would stay up every night until 2 or 3 studying my favorite photographers. I would study every single detail and try to recreate what I saw. It took me a year and a half before I decided to put my style out there to the public. Once I put my work out there for people to see I got a surprising response. People loved it! I dropped my 9 to 5 job and have been working full time doing what I love ever since. Whenever I create an image I try to think of a story behind it. I want my viewer to get into the picture and imagine a whole scenario. What brings me joy is when I can inspire others to do bigger and greater things. I am currently located in Los Angeles where I specialize in Commercial and Advertising photography and drive a bus that says "Escape from ordinary photography" on it.
My work can be seen on...
Lurzer's Archive 200 Best Digital Artists Worldwide 2014-2015,
Good Morning America, People Magazine, The Wall Street Journal,
The Huffington Post, The cover of Advanced Photoshop Magazine,
Ad Week, MSN NOW and Mashable
Client List...
Adobe, Acura, Champion USA, Wacom, Glenn Beck, Daymond John,
Mt Dew (Devin SuperTramp), Lindsey Stirling, SurfAir Airlines,
Advanced Photoshop Magazine, John Lee Dumas (Entrepreneur on Fire),
Twinlab, The Color Run, The Piano Guys and H&S Performance
Recommended Resource:
Full Time Photographer
Book:
Persuasion Skills Black Book
W: joshrossi.com
Blog: fulltimephotographer.com/blog
Webinars: ftpschool.com/webinar
Podcast: fulltimephotographer.com
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Work Hard and Be Nice - Matthew Salacuse
Today’s featured guest is Matthew Salacuse
Matthew is a New York commercial photographer. With over 17 years of experience he specializes in editorial portraiture and documentary photography. He has shot for clients such as Reebok, Coach, Pepsi, MTV, Adult Swim, and Vitamin Water just to name a few.
Note from Rob: had a great and down to earth talk with Matt about his photography business and the fact that nothing comes without working hard and it never hurts to be nice. Matt and I discuss personal projects, how to gain the clients you want, and advice for photographers of any level.
Matthew Salacuse, a native New Yorker, has been shooting professionally for over 14 years.
Matthew specializes in editorial portraiture and documentary photography.
He is available for editorial, corporate or advertising work all over the world.
He has had solo gallery shows at Wall Space Gallery (New York 2003),
Emporium Gallery (Montreal 2008) and K Galeria (Lisbon 2011)
Partial Client List:
Advertising:
REEBOK, COACH, NIKE FOOT LOCKER, PEPSI, MTV, NEW ERA, VITAMIN WATER, KOOL,
ADULT SWIM, G-SHOCK, ATLANTIC RECORDS, ISLAND DEF JAM, WARNER MUSIC
Editorial:
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, ESQUIRE, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, VICE, MAXIM,
XXL, ESPN THE MAGAZINE, THE LONDON OBSERVER, TIME MAGAZINE,
THE FADER, VIBE & COMPLEX
W: salacuse.com
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
The Path to Success - episode 130
Success comes in all shapes and sizes and there are literally millions of way to define it. The main three tiers of success are Health Wealth and Happiness, but no matter how you define it Photo World you do have an idea about achieving success. I don’t blame you… I have thought out every detail in how I define success and every bit that goes with it. The problem is people define success more like a dream. “I wish I had 10 million dollars.” “It would be great if I could get that Corvette.” “I want a better job.”
There is one problem with having dreams… You can always wake up from a dream and find thing more than a dark room and a sad disappointment with reality.
Success is never built on dreams. Success is built on goals. Big or small, those goals are the driving force behind any accomplishment. Goals are a great destination as you move toward success. A pat on the back, one more thing checked off your list, acting as one of the small things for the bigger picture, and taking a step in the right direction. Goals bring you places. Dreams fail you in the night. Success is built off of a momentous forward progression.
You can do it Photo World - just get your mind right!
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Wedding Reception - In today's episode I talk lighting. There are 7,273 different things to think about for lighting a wedding reception. (the number is completely made up) I break down a question and unravel ideas about lighting a wedding reception.
Kuster
Rosario, Argentina
Hi everyone. I've been recently booked for my first wedding as main photographer. Yay! (I usually work as second camera). The problem: The venue has really dark ceiling and walls are too far. I can't bounce at all. What do you recommend? We are two photographers. We have 3 speedlights, 2 studio flashes, radio triggers, umbrellas, off camera bracket... What would a good setting be? How do you deal with changing situations, like dancing, then the toast, then again dancig, etc..? Thanks!!
Fist off I want to set the record straight that any wedding reception can be lit and lit well. It may not be easy but with all images we make, the main factor is light! Kuster has 3 speedlights and 2 studio strobes... I can say with confidence there is more than enough light in that setup to light a wedding reception than most photographers would have on their first wedding gig.
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
Building A Portfolio - episode 128
Building A Portfolio is a long process. A career is often something we look back on to say what we did for a living rather than looking forward to what we want to do with the rest of our lives. Think of everything I talk about on the show as a pebble: on it's own its small and not very significant, but many pebble all together is more like a rock and build that to a bolder... the more pebbles of knowledge you have for your business the more solid the foundation and walls of this thing you've built. A business isn't something you have it is something you build and our portfolios as artists is the visual representation to our knowledge and skills in our craft. I love doing Take & Talk Pics but last Friday, today, and next Friday are more like Take & Talk Biz.
Christina
How many photos per job do you use for your portfolio?
LikeComment
Rob Krueger Some weddings you get a couple that fit the bill and others you only get 1. Everyone is different and not every wedding is portfolio worthy but never stop shooting to get a portfolio worthy shot. When I see more than 5 or 6 images from a single wedding (unless it is a specific gallery featuring a whole wedding) feel like there is more variety needed. For photographers starting out it is common to over show the few weddings they have done but that should transition over time. www.takeandtalkpics.com
Take & Talk Pics Photography Podcast | Blog | Education
Happy Shooting!
Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob!
Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics
BASH Conference 2016 - Monday Message
BASH 2016 at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa in Phoenix Arizona!
I am honored to have been a speaker at last weekends BASH Conference 2016. I spoke for the first Track this past Friday. My topic was titled "Finding Your Voice" where I spoke on how a podcast can be important for a small business and how to begin one. I am offering Photo World 5 Free Whitepages on how to begin your new podcast. Just click here!
bashconference.com
maddycakesmuse.com
instagram.com/maddycakesmuse
twitter.com/maddycakesmuse
christinamichele.com
instagram.com/christinacafe
twitter.com/chrstnamchele
facebook.com/ChrstinaMichele
prestonbailey.com
Happy Shooting!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Jim
January 3 at 1:10am · KS
Well, I've been doing this for 7 years and this was the worst. The guy was an uncle and in the 4th row from the front. He was there the entire time for the first kiss. I totally got bumpkiss.... So I caught up with him during the recessional and told him to be sure and email that to the bride and groom as he ruined my shot and that's about all they'll get. He apologized to me and I said I'm not concerned as my contract says I am not responsible for ruined images like this but I am sure the bride and groom would like a good image of the first kiss since that's what they were paying someone for. During the groups he was right behind me. I am one of those guys that uses two camera's and with different focal lengths for different looks during groups so am constantly moving back and forth. He was behind me all the time and I ran into him several times. Finally had enough and asked to him to let me do the job the Bride and Groom hired me to do. first time in 7 years and over 200 weddings I lost it. Totally. I feel bad.
So here is the image in question and Jim did such a good job making the best of a bad situation. You almost don't even see the rude uncle standing perfectly in the way.
Photo World please comment on this episode and give your feedback on if this is a good way to go for Friday's moving forward of if this needs to be an additional day in the week bumping the show to 4 days a week.
Happy Shooting!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Go For It!
Sleep When You're Dead - Colleen Miniuk-Sperry
Today’s featured guest is Colleen Miniuk-Sperry
Colleen is an outdoor photographer based in Chandler Arizona. She has authored 3 books, instructs for many workshops, and she is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA). From corporate America to becoming a full time freelance photographer I am excited to have you on the show today!
Note from Rob: Now Photo World it has been months since I have had an episode go much further than my usual 30 minutes of amazing content but today is nearly twice that. After getting to know Colleen a bit I knew that she had a lot to share with you as you grow on your own journey's. Also I can't even remember the last time I wet over all of my questions for an interview. I am glad to say that today's episode is saturated with value and as a thank you for all this wonderful free content I ask that you share this interview with your facebook and twitter networks to let more people know they are welcome to join Photo World and the Take & Talk Pics Podcast.
Hi! My name is Colleen Miniuk-Sperry (pronounced "Min-ick-Spare-ee"). I'm a Corporate-America-escapee-turned-full-time-freelance-outdoor-photographer-and-writer, supporting a wide range of assignments for editorial and commercial clients. Specializing in outdoor recreation, nature, conservation, and travel, my work has been published in National Geographic calendars, Arizona Highways magazine, books, and calendars, Outdoor Photographer, AAA Highroads, AAA VIA, Extraordinary Vision, National Parks Traveler, Smith-Southwestern calendars, and a broad variety of other publications.
In November 2011, I co-authored and published the award-winning book, Wild in Arizona: Photographing Arizona’s Wildflowers, A Guide to When, Where, and How with my good friend and fellow photographer, Paul Gill. After selling out the 1st edition, we published the 2nd edition of this title in March 2015.
In addition, I've been selected three times as an Artist-in-Residence with Acadia National Park in Maine (November 2010, October 2011, and January 2013) which enabled me to author and publish mysecond award-winning guidebook, Photographing Acadia National Park: The Essential Guide to When, Where, and How in February 2014. In July 2015, I published my first instructional photography eBook titled, Seeing the Light in Outdoor Photography.
I'm just as excited to help others learn photography as I am making my own images, so I've proudly led photography workshops for the Arizona Highways Photography Workshops (AHPW), Moab Photography Symposium, The Nature Conservancy, Arizona Wildlife Federation's "Becoming an Outdoor Woman," Through Each Others Eyes, and numerous private clients.
As an active Associate of Through Each Other Eyes (TEOE), I have proudly participated in cultural photographic exchanges and international exhibitions with Japan, Mexico, and Canada.
Being a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) has allowed me the opportunity for unrivaled personal growth and new friendships with like-minded and extremely talented outdoor communicators. I've served as a Board Member since September 2013 and have won numerous Excellence in Craft awards for my photography, book, and blog, as well as the prestigious 2010 President’s Choice Award, the 2013 People’s Choice Award, and the 2014 and 2015 Outstanding Board Member Award.
Growing up in Ohio, Arkansas, and Illinois, becoming a photographer or writer never crossed my mind. In 1997, armed with a Bachelor of Business Administration-Computer Information Systems degree from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona to begin
a 10-year project management career at Intel Corporation. Initially as an outlet to corporate life, I began making photographs of the intriguing landscapes in the West in late 2001 during my "Introduction to Photography" class at the Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Two years later, I started selling my photographs at art shows across Arizona. Then, in February 2007, I left the grey cubicle walls of Corporate America to pursue a full-time career in photography and writing. Now, I can't imagine life without wandering with a camera or a notebook in hand!
Though I spend a significant amount of time on the road across the United States, I currently reside in Chandler, Arizona with my husband, Craig and cat, Nolan.
Recommended Resource:
DOF Master.com
Photographer’s Ephemeris
W: cms-photo.com
Blog: youcansleepwhenyouredead.com
Workshops: cms-photo.com/Workshops
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Preparation and Preparedness - Monday Message
Being ready for the next stage in your business and even in your life for that matter can be a scary thing to think about and it isn’t easy to be a Boy Scout and “Always be prepared.” However, isn’t that what we should all do? It may feel like a tall order to always be prepared but maybe always think ahead is the more appropriate way to go. Photo World, what did you do today to prepare for a better future? Is the work you have valuable and important to a forward progression in life? Big questions from a simple voice on a microphone but I look back on my life and the steps I’ve taken to get here speaking to you 3 days a week and I see the preparation that was more than necessary to deliver now 124 episodes. Join me on this episode Photo World and I can share with you my Monday Message on Preparation and Preparedness.
I look back on my life and relive my becoming a photographer when there was actually a time where I thought my life would be in aquatics. I share how the impossible chance of a 27yr old guy like me would be hired to teach at a college level. Then how my almost 28yr old self would single handedly produce a 3 day a week podcast.
For those of you who don’t know I am currently 28, own a photography business, teach at College of DuPage, and run the Take & Talk Pics podcast and blog. Nothing happened over night, I don’t sleep many nights because I was, am, and will continue to be prepared.
Toward the end of this episode I have an exclusive offer that will be available on Friday January 15th and only on the 15th. You will need to keep an eye out for that offer and take full advantage because it is only open for those who are prepared...
Happy Shooting!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
Good People In Bad Places - Gavin John
Today’s featured guest is Gavin John
Gavin is a freelance photojournalist based out of Calgary a city in Alberta, Canada. His work has been featured in the Sun Media papers across Canada and Maclean’s Magazine. Gavin was deployed in the Philippines to photograph the Canadian armed forces in their recovery efforts following Typhoon Haiyan. Most recently Gavin spent a week in Pyongyang, North Korea where he documented daily life in the capital.
Message from Rob:
It's not every day you meet someone like Gavin. His work is inspiring and his stories are beyond fascinating. I learned about Gavin through a Documentary on Netflix called "The Propaganda Game". It is so new that it isn't yet offer on Netflix Canada yet so Gavin hasn't seen it. Although he did live it. I want to remind you Photo World that no matter how far fetched you think it is to meet someone, sending an email or tweeting to them can make all the difference. I don't know if I would have ever had the opportunity to interview Gavin if I didn't just try with an email following the slightest introduction through a Documentary on Netflix. You just never know what life can bring.
Gavin John is a 30 year old freelance photojournalist based out of Calgary, AB, Canada. He graduated from the Photojournalism program at SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary and has freelanced for the PostMedia paper The Calgary Sun since 2013. Gavin's passion lies in work centered around conflict and crisis and the human stories in affected regions. His work ranges from working in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan, North Korean daily life, to the war against ISIS in Iraq.
His work has been featured in Sun Media papers across Canada, Macean's Magazine, The Guardian, and FoxNews.
Recommended Resource:
nicoletung.com
w: gavinbryanjohn.com
Blog: gavinbryanjohn.com/blog
Email - gavinbryanjohn@gmail.com
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Look For The Right Jobs... Not All Jobs - Chad Griffith
Today’s featured guest is Chad Griffith
Chad is a New York City based commercial portrait photographer. His main body of work consists of celebrities and musicians. He has shot for magazines like Backstage and the village VOICE as well as major brands such as New Balance and Oakley.
We talk about looking at other photographers work. I would like to invite you Photo World to look at the photographers, starting with Chad's work. You learn a whole lot about the photographer you want to be when you seek out inspiration from others in the industry. Especially if they are in the industry you are aiming for.
The constant reminders about the proper steps to take as a newer and learning photographer are so refreshing. We see a photographer like Chad with portraits of actor John Boyega and think how do you get there to be in front of such (recently) high profiled people? You work toward it a bit at a time, a long time, and never back down from this sometimes terrifying business.
Lastly I want to pull out one part of this episode and that is to: "Have a think skin." Chad reminded Photo World. No one likes rejection but it is 60% of the business. (I made up that stat)
Happy Shooting!
Recommended Resource:
Look in magazines or newspapers and be inspired.
w: chadgriffith.com
How To Get Your Dream Job - Monday Message
Photo World if you look back to episode 67 I did a Monday Message about having a gratitude attitude. It is that same idea of a positive perspective that I want to speak to you about today.
Most common path to a successful business
- Interest
- Education/learning
- Paying your dues
- Education/learning
- Grow/stabilize
- Education/learning
- Grow/stabilize
After the pattern of learning and growing hits you know you are running a sustainable business. Many new photographers start their “business” thinking it will be easy. However most companies don’t turn a profit for 3-5 years and many people get burnt out before that ever comes. How many times has it come up on the show that this is a slow play for the long haul? Practice makes perfect… not just with your photography but a business as well. I am practicing my business every time I sit down to answer emails, each time I return a phone call, when I sit down and meet with clients, any time anywhere I am practicing my business. Just because I know how to meter my camera and set up my lights doesn’t mean I don’t check on myself every time. I have to check on myself, because I could easily miss something that I thought was routine. I always find that when I have a routine, something I could “do in my sleep”, I make a mistake because I went into that situation with far less attention to my “routine”. This episode is all about one thought process, one idea that may make all the difference in obtaining your dream job. Not to give it all away, but your next meeting, email, gig, shoot, or book keeping is the dream.
Happy Shooting!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
Stay Wild - Thayer Allyson Gowdy
Today’s featured guest is Thayer Allyson Gowdy
Thayer is a lifestyle photographer based in San Francisco California. The majority of her work is portrait based and Thayer has shot for clients such as Tommy Hillfiger, Apple, Chase, Dockers, Hugo Boss, JCPenny, Levis, Martha Stewart, Men’s Wearhouse, Pottery Barn, Sony, Target, Vanity Fair, and Verizon to name just a few from a long list of clients.
Thayer has been splitting her time between Bolinas, a hippy surf town on the cliffs over the Pacific in Norcal, and San Francisco the past few years. When not in SF at her modern home on the leafy streets of Bernal Hill with a hot pink front door, she is photographing the west coast vibe, building outdoor showers and dining with friends in her apple orchard in Bolinas. All the while with her scruffy terrier, Scout. She shoots and directs for the likes of Apple, Target, and Levis. Her work is inspired by sincerity and playfulness. Capturing fun, beauty and happiness in the everyday. A Connecticut native who moved West, she finds inspiration in the western landscape in the far reaches of Northern California. Taking Polaroids of it’s every nook. Seeking out hot springs and the pink fog at sunset. Her lifestyle work celebrates the real stories of those that find themselves in front of her lens. Her energy when shooting is always open, fun & caring. Boundless when she has a shot list as long as her arm, quiet when on a farm, filming crafters in their studios in Vancouver. Adaptable and always filled with easy going charm. With the recent poster/zine “Take Me to the Sea” in collaboration with the Lower East Side gallery, Ed Varie, her personal work is sexy, nostalgic and fresh. She is driven by color, texture and patterns in the landscape from her travels. Her bags are rarely unpacked. She is often on her way to South America, Cuba, Asia, Mexico or Big Sur; where she spends her free time. Thayer is a local to SF, LA and NY.
Recommended Resource:
Photo Shelter
w: thayergowdy.com
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Kareem Black - Shoot What You Love - episode 119
Today’s featured guest is Kareem Black
Kareem is a commercial photographer based in New York City. He has worked for companies like McDonalds, Verizon, Pepsi, Maxim, GQ, ESPN, Samsung… the list goes on and on. Kareem’s jobs often include photographing many celebrities and along with his commercial work he continues developing personal projects.
Upon his graduation from the School of Visual Arts, New York-based photographer Kareem Black went straight into shooting for Fader, GQ, Sony Music Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. He was featured as one of Photo District News’ 30 Emerging Photographers – and soon became the go-to lens-man for Reebok, Complex, and Steve Madden. Along with his commercial work, Black keeps busy with a variety of personal projects including Feels Good Let’s Go, a website that depicts the more interesting participants in N.Y.C.’s nightlife. He traveled to Haiti twice (once with Art in Motion and once with Healing Haiti) and mounted shows of his images taken there, with all money going to charity. Kareem has also been a part of Charity missions in Bosnia and Sri Lanka. Black has lectured at SVA, NYU, Pratt, the Fashion Institute of Technology, the Rochester Institute of Technology, The Professional Photographers Association and the PhotoPlus Expo. Client list: Malibu Rum, BBDO, HBO, Brooklyn Brothers, McDonalds, Fuse TV, Adidas, Verizon, Kool Aid, Burger King, Pepsi, W Hotels, Vitamin Water, Arena, Maxim, GQ, Vibe, Sourz, Flaunt, ESPN, Mens Health, Budweiser, Spin, Spike DDB, Sports Illustrated, VH1, MTV, New Era, Popular Science Magazine, People Magazine, Reebok, Atlantic Records, Samsung, Fed Ex, Inc Magazine & Steve Madden.
Branding Your Business - Monday Message
The importance of branding. Well Photo World I didn't know the first thing about branding a business when I started. I was so considered with everything from my photography studio name to the logo and colors being perfect and the right feel I thought looked good, that I didn't even consider how that fit with my photography or my personality. In life we sometimes hear "it's the little things that matter" and that is never been more true than when Branding a business. Do you have a specific style and does your business' personality mesh well with that style? Who are your ideal clients and are you designing your brand for that niche market? How does your brand feel when mixed with your the artist? Like I said it is the little things that matter. Consider your first encounter with a new potential client... does it matter how you are dressed? Sadly it does matter and it matters a lot. Branding your business starts with branding yourself. Would you rather meet in person or do things over the phone? What colors are in your logo? If there is texted involved what font and size are you considering?
In short Branding is the personality of anything. If you want to better brand your business decide on the personality of your business. Listen to today's episode for my thoughts on the subject and share your branding questions here or on the facebook page.
Happy Shooting!
Perry Hagopian - Learn and Grow then Learn - episode 117
Today’s featured guest is Perry Hagopian
Perry is a Celebrity and Fashion photographer based out of New York City, New York. He has been shaping his career since the age of 19 and Perry’s work has been published in Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Glamour U.K., Town & Country, and People Magazine just to name a few. Let’s find out more about your story and dive into your business.
Rob: I could have talked to Perry for hours! The conversation probably would have gone on but I hand to make many cuts in my usual questions to keep just under 40 minutes. (10 more than my usual interviews) I have the power to edit but there were so many little details that, if I was a newer photographer, would be the career changing words of advice. I just about lost my place when Perry talked about how we should go into each job we have. (if you listen you'll know what I'm talking about) That small bit of advice changed my very next photo job. I was feeling down and wasn't looking forward to it but in one small group of words everything changed. PS... I did awesome and felt great about the job once it was all said and done. Photo World please share with me your favorite piece from this interview with Perry Hagopian.
Photographer Perry Hagopian is best known for his fashion and celebrity pictures, and perfect technical lighting. He grew up in Las Vegas and moved to New York City at 19 to pursue a career behind the camera. He swiftly landed a job assisting Rico Puhlmann: after Puhlmann's death in 1996, Hagopian helped finish his monograph, "Rico Puhlmann: A Fashion Legacy." He later worked under director Gus Van Sant and Mark Abrahams.
W: perryhagopian.com
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
116 Jamie Mathews - Be Yourself
Today’s featured guest is Jamie Mathews
Jamie is a wife, mother, and owner of her photography business Jamie Lee Creativity based in Deland, Florida. As a portrait photographer Jamie specializes in high school seniors, families, maternity, newborns, and weddings.
-I’m an Iced Coffee Addict (The Struggle is Real & Mornings REQUIRE coffee)-I’m a Sixth Generation Delandite my family settled in Deland in 1880.-I love LOVE and capturing connections-that is what photography is about for me. I am currently experiencing the most amazing time of my life,I am a wife, a mother, and a business owner and I feel that in all these roles I am growing as an individualand finding the person that God always intended for me to be.My ultimate goal for you as my client is that you will have an amazing & FUN experience at your session
-and that I as your photographer will provide you with quality images
that capture your loved one’s true personalities & character
resulting in amazing photographs that you will cherish for a lifetime!
Recommended Resource:
Creative Live
perfectweddingguide.com
W: jamieleecreativity.com
Blog: jamieleecreativity.com/central-florida-photographer
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Monday Message - Who Moved My Cheese
It is hard enough to build a business, but when do you stop the building process? Is there a specific time in a company’s growth where one should be content with all they achieved and stay comfortably in that place?
It is a difficult thing to decide on and in today’s Monday Message I share with you my thoughts on the subject and more so on the ups and downs of change. To justify a bad situation many people will tell you change is good and everything will work out. When it seems like you are stuck in life a change is something we often consider. I talk about how much or how little one should/may want to change and the importance of turning points in a business.
If you look back to the first Take & Talk Pics interview you can hear how much I have changed as a host and interviewer. The format of the show had seen a few adjustments with adding the Monday Message, then the Fundamental Friday’s, and now I have removed the Fundamental Friday’s.
Things improve or sometimes falter and weather direct or indirect, change is almost always to blame or thank for such things. They evolve and I talk about a handful of great points on the subject. It doesn’t matter what you do after hearing this episode Photo World but I promise change is coming.
Change is hard and the best thing you can do for growth
Who Moved My Cheese - Book
Happy Shooting!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
Nancy Green - Always Do Your Best
Today’s featured guest is Nancy Green
Nancy is a family and senior portrait photographer based out of Carver Massachusetts. With the long list of accomplishments and professional certificates it is hard to know where to start. Nancy is president of both Professional Photographers of Massachusetts and Professional Photographers of New England. She has her PPA Master of Photography and PPA Craftsman Certificates.
I started way back when in a little town called Hopewell Jct. New York. Yup, really, there IS a town called that. Assisting a terrific photographer (my mentor), Ed Towsley, at his place of business “The Country Studio”.
Went to Rhode Island Photography School for a couple of years of intense training (oh and a whole lot of fun) and after graduating, went to work for Gainsboro Studio in Salem MA. I learned a lot about studio management and “life” and decided to move on and open my own place in Plymouth MA.
Green Photographers opened in Plymouth in 1979 then moved to Carver in 2004. Today the studio is known as “Nancy Green Photography” and is located at 90 A Main Street, Carver MA. The studio has a great layout for beautiful studio portraits with lots of room for large families or products. It’s located close to ponds and beautiful landscaped areas I travel to for the environmental settings. I am just minutes to some great beaches if the shoreline is your desire.
The moment I opened my studio I joined every professional photographic organization I could to learn more and stay educated with a changing profession. After many years I became a president of both Professional Photographers of Massachusetts and Professional Photographers of New England. In 1996 I received the PPA Master of Photography degree and followed in 1997 with my PPA Craftsman. I am a Certified Professional Photographer and a PPA Affiliated Judge. I think it’s clear I am dedicated to the betterment of our profession through the education of myself and others.
I received one of the highest honors given by my peers, the PPA National Award not once (From Massachusetts) but twice (From Vermont).
Image Competition is one of my favorite “sports”. I’ve been blessed to receive many honors such as Kodak Gallery, Fuji Masterpiece, PPAM Court of Honors, PPANE Court of Honors and other various awards for my images. Competition keeps you focused and on your toes in this profession. Competing in the Professional Photographers of America competitions is the best way to know where you stand amongst the crowd. It is the way to have other professionals honor your work or help you find its flaws. It keeps you growing and changing in the ever changing field of photography.
David Basher - Marketing Networking and Marketing
Here at Take & Talk Pics I (Rob) want to connect you (Photo World) to other photographer who are going through, have gone trough, or will go through the same kind of day to day business successes and struggles as you. Basically reminding us we are not alone in what we do. Sharing the journey's of these amazing photographers helps all of us become better photographers. With David we really talked about the importance of marketing and networking and David Basher hits it out of the park. There's a reason you see the word "Marketing" twice in today's title. Listen up to the importance of this subject and bring your photography business to the next level.
Today’s featured guest is David Basher
David is a wedding photographer based out of Orlando, Florida. His company “A Magic Moment” services throughout the entire state from Tampa to Miami and most major cities in between. David is approaching 20 years running his photography and videography studio and Photo World I can’t wait to hear what we can lean.
Orlando photographer, A Magic Moment, has been providing photography and video in Orlando, FL since 1996. Using the most advanced professional equipment and a strong technical excellence is a given at A Magic Moment. Our highly skilled, uniquely talented, and well-schooled photographers are masters in the art of capturing the essence of your day.
It’s said that photography and videography are the art of painting with light. Our proudest moments come when we see the effect our images have on you – when a picture takes your breath away, when you tear-up reliving a precious family event, or embrace an album that will be passed around the family for generations to come. When this happens, and it happens here every day, we know our painted canvas is complete.
Recommended Resource:
Two Bright Lights
W: amagicmoment.com
Blog: amagicmoment.com/blog
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Monday Message - Secrets and Fear
Photo World the format of today’s episode is a bit different. Listening back it almost sounds like I am complaining about something. Not what I was going for but it may have been the right feeling for the words at the time. I have been having some trouble with what I see in many new photographers; most of whom are still learning and not quite ready to be in business in this industry. I’m not saying they can’t or shouldn’t but I am bothered by the overwhelming sense of entitlement going around. It feels as though we see all of these talent shows on tv, so many young rock stars, and younger still famous actors/actresses; the consensus being that we are all destined for fame and fortune. Now Photo World I fully believe you are destined for all of those great things you want to have happen but there is a clouded idea about how to get there. In today’s episode I speak on the secrets in business and in photography, I transition to fear being a deterrent of success, and share a small non business non photography story about when I learned to get over fear and seek out all the secrets. I have never really thought of myself as someone with all the answers but I have always worked to be the one who knows where to find them. If we (newer photographers) expect to be rewarded for all the little things, then a solid photography business is probably not in the cards. However if we work hard through all the little things, learn the secrets, and face our fears then we will see reward for the stuff that matters.
Keep up the hard work and keep seeking the right people to learn from/alongside.
Happy Shooting!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter
Today’s featured guest is Laura Bellamy
Laura’s company Simple Elegance by Laura is based in Central Florida, however she travels throughout the nation capturing weddings and their once in a lifetime moments in a classic and timeless way.
I’ve always been a romantic. And a total sucker for weddings. Yes, I’m the one who blubbers at the “I Do’s” and gets giddy seeing a girl sporting a brand-new engagement ring. Even as a child, I collected wedding magazines by the dozen. When I started life as a photographer, it took me in a variety of directions, from children’s portraits to photographing national ballroom dance competitions. But weddings were still what excited me. I enjoy the unique ways each couple chooses to express and celebrate their love and their stories. Though based in Central Florida, I have photographed weddings all over the country, from the red rock of southern Utah to the green forestry of Oregon; from the hustle-and-bustle of Washington, DC to the magic and enchantment of Disneyland. I have become dedicated to capturing those special moments that only happen once, in a classic and timeless way that will last forever.
Recommended Resource:
Creative Live
Best of Wedding Photography
Ryan Carey - Photography Education and Experience
Today’s featured guest is Ryan Carey
It often happens during my interview that we fins a common theme to discuss and this interview with Ryan Carey was no different. Ryan reminds us on the important's of education. She opens it up further with experience being a big part of the education. I find with many who stay or self teach photography get to a point where they are prepared to make it a business. This is one of the hardest things to do and many new photographers fail because they were not fully prepared for the business side of things. Assisting other photographers, reaching out to your local photographers for a cup a coffee and picking their brain, attending workshops and seminars, and taking on free jobs in those early stages to lean more about the true practice of running a photography business.
Ryan is an Orlando based wedding and lifestyle photographer with her business Earth Muse however she travels around the world working with clients such as Bank of America, Avon, and Tupperware. Ryan has an extensive list of CEO’s and presidents of organizations she has worked with to fill the commercial side of her business.
Ryan studied at Daytona State College of Photography and is in her eleventh year working as a professional photographer. She has documented and photographed for national accounts such as Bank of America, Polaris, Swarovski, Jockey, Tupperware, Avon and Pampered Chef. Ryan has shot and worked closely with the CEO’s and Presidents of these organizations, Patrick Duffy of the hit Television show Dallas, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, General Michael Hayden Former Director of the CIA & NSA, Captain James Lovell of Apollo 13 and the creators of Proactive, to name a few.
Ryan travels around the world shooting weddings, corporate and lifestyle photography. She is passionate about her art and enjoys working with and getting to know each one of her clients.
The story of Kate and Bryan:
Hey Photo World! There is always an opportunity to learn from moments and yes, I believe there is even the possibility of Learning From Every Moment. Learning From Every Moment starts with will power. We usually only see what we want to see; good, bad, success, stress, and every other feeling or emotion possible. This leaves us with the power to change how we view our work, and more importantly, our lives. I am no expert on Learning From Every Moment but I do lean with great depth in the moments that stand out. Before text message, instagram, even email or the internet; before typewriters, hand written letters, and even carving into stone... there were words and language to pass knowledge from one generation to the next, stories to be told and held sacred. I feel if you want the fast track to Learning From Every Moment, then just understand how to tell the story from that particular situation. In today's episode I explore the development of my personality, at least in a small way, and how I can now look back and Learn From this Moment in time. A story of a bride and the wild weather on her wedding day to change my game for the rest of my life. The understanding I now have and ability I will always develop in Learning From Every Moment.
Happy Shooting!
David Kingham - Leave Your 9 to 5
Today’s featured guest is David Kingham
David is a landscape photographer from Fort Collins Colorado. He was burned out from the 9 to 5 cubicle life and wanted more than 3 walls and the same thing every day. David is always seeking something beyond a “pretty picture” he looks to heal the views soul and remind us how precious life is with the short time given to us, and he has mastered this with each photograph he makes.
David Kingham was born in Loveland, Colorado where he spent most of his life exploring the Rocky Mountains. David continues to return to these mountains, but now travels full time in the western US as a nomad in his van. David shares his passion of photography with others leading workshops, and on his blog. He has also published an eBook through Craft and Vision title Nightscape. To see David's work, visit DavidKingham.com and ExploringExposure.com
Recommended Resource:
Photographer’s Ephemeris
W: davidkingham.com
Blog: davidkingham.com/360-project
Workshops: exploringexposure.com/2016-workshops
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Anna Goins - Business Driven by Faith
Today’s featured guest is Anna Goins
Anna is a wedding and portrait photographer and her business Old Pine Pictorial is based in Orlando, Florida. She has done portraits for Nike, published in PN Magazine as well as Heart of the Bride. Her images have a light and honest quality which hold a moment of something real. Passion, emotion, and love drive her subjects and her subjects drive her work.
I have been studying the art of photography for over 7 years. I trained under Orlando's wedding photographer, Katie Crawford Meehan, for 3 years before I ventured out by myself. Since then I have done photos for Nike, been published in PN Magazine as well as Heart of the Bride, worked alongside Katie Crawford for Fashion Week at Millenia, and have had my art displayed in Austin's Coffee in Orlando, FL.
Since I was young I knew the significance of a photo, the type of depth it held, and the importance of capturing a candid moment of true love posed by non other than life. I was taught how to refine my passion and since then I have been blessed with incredible opportunities. My Lord, family, and friends have gotten me where I am.
W: oldpinepictorial.com
106 Monday Message - Finding Your Style
Finding your style is simple if you stay on track and refuse to Compare yourself to others. Ignore the competition; know your competition but use them for inspiration. I like to say "Don’t compare your middle to someone else’s end" and for those of you in the early stages of finding your style "Don’t compare your start to someone else’s middle". If you emulate, mimic, or copy others it is all a waste. Rather find the gaps and fill them; find something new to develop a solution. In this search you will happen upon a style and develop your look and feel along the way. I love to tell my students and you Photo World to shoot, shoot, shoot… NOW! & often; try every day to start. Same goes for editing; we need to continually practice and better our skills. Try studying light more than anything else, ANYTHING. Seeing the light can really change the game. Study the things you don’t yet have a good answer to. It is already out there and you can make it your own just by finding a good staring point.
Mistakes are not part of the art, they are part of learning. Practice doesn’t make perfect, but it will move you closer in that direction. In short - your experience will set you apart naturally over time. What makes you happy about your work? We struggle with the ideas about doing what we love for a living and the reality is we rarely do what we love, but all the owrk we do for making a living allows for us to do what we love. If you enjoy the work you produce (your style), others will as well. The one thing people seem to never consider when they are finding their style is: your style already exists. It is the part of you that is placed in each photograph you take; fine tune it, expect it to change, steer toward the changes you want, and run with it.
Happy Shooting!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter
Today’s featured guest is Brian Adams
Brian is a wedding photographer based in Orlando, Florida and for half the year you will find him doing weddings throughout the North Eastern States as well. His Studio consists of 4 photographers with a combined 50 years of experience and the team has photographed over 400 weddings. Brian has been showcased on Oprah, Dr. Oz, and Good Morning America not to mention the many publications where his work has been featured.
Brian began photographing weddings in 2002. Troy joined him in 2003, Lori joined them in 2007, and Scott joined the team in 2012. Supported by their assistants Taylor, Sky, and Kristy, and their editors Rooz and Rick, they have photographed more than 350 weddings in 22 states and 8 countries. Brian and his associate photographers photograph weddings year-round all over Florida, including: Clearwater, Jacksonville, Key West, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Vero Beach, West Palm Beach, and Winter Park.
See some of Brian, Troy, Lori, and Scott's complete wedding albums here.
Brian also photographs weddings April through October in these New England locations: Boston, Bristol, New Haven, Newport, Ogunquit, Portland, and all over Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Brian has recently been lucky enough to photograph weddings and engagement sessions Internationally in Singapore, New Zealand, Thailand, Hong Kong, The Bahamas, Tunisia, and Canada.
Brian travels more than 50,000 miles a year and constantly gleans inspiration from the people he meets, art deco and mid-century architecture, design (graphic, industrial, and interior) and cinema. He loves New York and Boston, dogs and cats, beer and wine, and he secretly wants to direct a movie.
His work has been featured in Connecticut Magazine, People Magazine, Professional Photographer, and Town & Country and has also been seen on Oprah, The Dr. Oz Show, and Good Morning America. The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts presented Brian with two awards for his photography in 2007 and in 2012.
In 2009, Brian moved his Winter Park, Florida office to a boutique-style studio in downtown Orlando. In 2010, Brian led the world's first iPhone photo and video team to shoot a complete wedding, which has since received over 175,000 hits on YouTube. In 2012, Brian Adams PhotoGraphics was thankful to celebrate 10 great years of wedding photography.
Today’s featured guest is Erik Stensland
Erik is a landscape photographer based in Estes Park Colorado. His business consists of two main parts: Morning Light Photography, his images focusing on the American Southwest Desert, the Pacific North West, and Lanscapes throughout the United Kingdom. Images of RMNP or Rocky Mountain National Park depicts aspects of the park through every light and weather condition imaginable. Some early mornings Erik devotes to a long hike for the perfect view as the sun peaks over the horizon.
Erik Stensland was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but it was after his family moved to Montana that he developed his deep love for the wilderness, often hiking alone in the mountains from an early age. Later Erik moved back to Minnesota, where he attended high school and college. After graduating, Erik followed his other passion—that of making a difference in some of the world's impoverished countries. For twelve years he lived in the Balkans, where he led nonprofit initiatives working to help those in need. It was there he met his wife, Joanna, who is from England.
After a decade working together in Bulgaria, Albania, and Kosovo, Erik and Joanna returned to the States and settled in Colorado to be close to the mountains. Their son, Luke, was born during their first year in Colorado and soon after Erik opened his first gallery in downtown Estes Park. Erik quickly became one of the premier photographers of Rocky Mountain National Park. He has an intimate knowledge of the park, having hiked every trail and visited nearly every nook and cranny.
Erik has authored several books, including: Images of Rocky Mountain National Park, Getting Started in Landscape Photography and The Landscape Photographer's Guide to: Photographing Rocky Mountain National Park. To help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Rocky Mountain National Park, he released a new hardcover book called “Wild Light: A Celebration of Rocky Mountain National Park” which is available at the bookstore upstairs. Besides his gallery in Estes Park, he also sells his work at the Grand Lake Art Gallery and the Trail Ridge Store. Erik also has a gallery outside of Abiquiu, New Mexico, where he displays his growing Desert Southwest collection.
103 Monday Message - Niche Down
I don't know about you Photo World but once I decided to start a photography business I was pumped and thought I could conquer the industry in no time. The truth is we usually start and bite off way more than we can chew. Understanding a business, the market in your area, our value, contracts, marketing, strict posting schedule on social media, and delivering the product or service successfully is overwhelming. Learning as you go will work over time, however, most throw in the towel before overcoming all the issues that may arise. I wouldn't say if you Niche Down you will be on a fast track to success but you will be on a more guided path. Click here to download this free check list from Rob to layout your Niche Down path to a better business.
Happy Shooting!
102 Guy Tal - Artist Working with Photography
Today’s featured guest is Guy Tal
Guy is a landscape photographer, artist, educator, and public speaker. He does not consider himself a photographer who makes art but rather an artists working in the medium of photography. Guy conducts several workshops throughout the western United States and educates through talks along with the 7 books he has published; furthermore his work has been featured in publications such as LensWork Magazine, Outdoor Photographer, Popular Photography, and many others.
“Photography is an adventure just as life is an adventure and if man wishes to express himself photographically he must understand, surly to a certain extent, his relationship to life.” – Harry Callahan
I am a professional artist, author, photographer, educator and public speaker. I believe that the practice of creative pursuits manifests not only in the making of art, but also has the ability to transform and enrich life, facilitate meaningful and rewarding experiences, and foster contentment and satisfaction through life-long discovery and learning.
In photography I strive to create images that speak to wildness – the quality of being attuned to, and inspired by, the wild. Many of my images also articulate my intimate connection with the natural landscape, particularly that of my home, and the friendship I found with certain places. Rather than glimpses of superficial beauty, I wish for my work to speak to a deep familiarity with my subjects, revealing something of the role they play in my life – a relationship as intricate as any I have had with another person. The things I photograph are not just attractive models to me, they are temples and sanctuaries and multi-dimensional characters in my own story, as I am in theirs.
I do not photograph for the sake of photography, and not to simply document the external appearance of things, no matter how objectively appealing. Instead, I photograph as a means of exploring and expressing things that I cannot express in any other way, and because it is important to me to share them. I do not photograph things; I photograph my love for them, and sometimes I photograph my love through them.
I do not consider myself a photographer who creates art, but rather an artist working in the medium of photography. Where some photographers take a representational approach to the landscape, I wish instead to use visual elements and natural aesthetics as evocative metaphors, creating images that are not merely of, but about places and things that have become personally meaningful to me.
101 Jack Graham - Be You
Today’s featured guest is Jack Graham
Jack is a nature and landscape photographer based Puyallup, Washington. His work has appeared in Outdoor Photography, Nature’s Best Photography, The Luminous Landscape, and countless other publications. Jack is a featured contributor for large online European magazine, Landscape photography Magazine. For the past 20 years Jack has been conducting his “Photo Classroom in the Field®” workshops throughout the US and Iceland.
Jack Graham is a professional photographer with over 23 years of experience. Jack resides near Seattle, Washington, in the heart of the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Jack leads photo workshops throughout the United States as well as Iceland, Greenland and Canada. Jack’s international Workshops can be found on the website ULTIMATE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS.COM. Along with Bill Forney, Jack conducts workshops dedicated for Fuji “X” camera users. These events can be found on the FUJI “X” PHOTOGRAPHER PHOTO WORKSHOPS Website. Jack also conducts workshops for the Pacific Northwest Art School located on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, Washington. Finally, also offers single day, workshops for extensive one on one instruction. Jack’s workshops are sponsored by Really Right Stuff, Singh-Ray Filters, Gura Gear, Magna Chrome (Metal Prints), www.outdoorphotogear.com, Digital Foci and the Photograph America Newsletter.
Jack has been successful in publication and stock photography as well. Photo and writing credits include Outdoor Photography, Landscape Photography Magazine ( www.landscapephotographymagazine.com, www.extraordinary-vision.com , Nature’s Best Photography, NANPA”S Expressions, California Wild, Current’s (NANPA) and many DNR publications, Audubon, The Luminous Landscape, CNET, Popular Photography, The Nature Conservancy, Chicago Wilderness and Sierra Club publications as well as many calendar credits. Corporate work includes prints and stock applications for internal as well as publication use.
Jack’s three successful E Books are available on his website.
Jack uses exclusively Fuji “X” series cameras and Fujinon Lenses. Jack has been named as an “X” Photographer by the Fuji Corporation. Jack’s images have been used extensively by Fuji for commercial and promotional purposes.
Jack is a member of the Board of Directors of NANPA ( North American Nature Photographers Association),; FNAWS (Federation for North American Wild Sheep, Mono Lake Committee, & SUWA (Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance).
Jack can be contacted for workshop as well as speaking engagements via E-Mail at jack@jackgrahamphotography.com Visit Jack’s Blog for photo tips and informative information
Recommended Resource:
Art and Fear – TakeTalkBook.com
PetaPixel
Luminous Landscape
W: jackgrahamphoto.com
Blog: jackgrahamphoto.blog
Workshops: fujixphotoworkshops.com
jackgrahamphoto-workshops
100! 100 Episodes here on Take & Talk Pics with Rob Krueger
Thank you Photo World for the continued support and helping me rise to new heights with each new episode. The fact that there are thousands of you throughout the world listening keeps me moving forward and I couldn’t have done any of it without your support.
Favorite quote: “Keep failing until one day you do something different.” – Andreea Radutoiu
Learning photographer’s biggest fear: We don’t want to fail. – Kenny Pang
You can’t wait for things to happen. If you want something, you need to go out and get it! Go for it, Do it, don’t wait, and make it happen. – JP Teutonico
Throw your energy into the project you are doing at that time. Our creative juices flow when we are in action and action upon an idea. – Jim Harmer
Don’t “Should” on yourself! – Skip Cohen
Jim Harmer – Improve photography
Jared Polin – Fro Knows Photo
Skip Cohen – Skip Cohen University
Lee Morris – Fstoppers
Mike Boening and Jamie MacDonald – Mirrorless Minutes
Kevin Kuster - #JJ
Levi Sim – Writer for Photofocus
Bryan Peterson - Bryan Peterson School of Photography
Ibarionex Perello – The Candid Frame
Thank you Photo World for making this possible!
Happy Shooting!
Fundamental Fridays - Wireless Flash Sync
With so many wireless triggers out there how do we choose the right one. Well simply list out the needs you have a the ideal budget and you will have about 100 answers. Even better is just about any one of those Wireless Flash Sync options will do the trick. The biggest concern people have is if the need TTL triggers or not. I have never really had a use for them however I did purchase a set to have the option. I am a manual shooter 99.9% of the time so I carry that same strategy over to my off camera flashes.
You get to a point with knowing your gear that you have an idea about the proper settings as you walk into a situation. Over time this becomes easier and easier but it does take time to become that proficient. Using Wireless Flash Sync Triggers is to get the flash off camera and use directional lighting for more denominational images.
Take this sample image here... I have a great texture in the sky, dramatic trees, colorful but muted flowers, and a perfectly lit bride. This is on location, her actual wedding day, all done in camera, and only possible because of off camera flash and those lovely Wireless Flash Sync options out there. To do this with all natural light would be impossible; at least in one shot. With the magic of RAW one could create something with this effect in photoshop but highly unlikely.
Happy Shooting!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
Rob Blair - Find Something New
Today’s featured guest is Rob Blair
In 2012 Rob ventured into photography with a more dedicated focus. It is still something he practices part time but has already been gaining traction in the medium. Rob won the Fine Art America National TV Photo Contest in 2015 which is where I learned about Rob. He specializes in landscape, wildlife, and macro photography. While he has an eye for the still media, Rob is visually trained with his professional career as a videographer.
Rob is a professional videographer having recently developed a passion for still photography. He has always enjoyed exploring the beauty of creation and finding fresh ways to share the experiences he encounters. Rob won the Fine Art America National TV Photo Contest in 2015 when one of his recent works titled "Beside Still Waters" was chosen for this highly prized award by the world renowned photographer, Anne Geddes.
Rob was born and raised in northeastern Ohio and he comes from a long line of artists on both sides of his family. Still photography emerged to become his most prominent artistic frontier by the Spring of 2012 and he has been snapping countless photos ever since. He specializes in Landscapes, Wildlife and Macro Photography, though he occasionally does events and portrait work.
Please feel free to browse his photos and experience God's beautiful Creation through his eyes. You can do this by browsing the gallery on this site, subscribing to Rob's daily posts on facebook, or by browsing his work on FineArtAmerica.com.
fineartamerica.com/rob-blair
w: robertblairphotography.com
I came across a feature story about a photographer by the name of Vincent Laforet. I didn’t recognize the name but after a few minutes I recognized the work. Hearing just a small overview of his story had me inspired and interested in what new things I could do with my own photography. We need those reminders; the things we hear or see that relaunch our passion. I think most days I feel lucky to be a full time photographer and pursue my passion while making a living, but there are days when I lose sight of why I am doing this. I don’t really know if I was feeling down about my photography career or anything but when I came across this story it got me thinking about those times when I have trouble staying motivated. Vincent Laforet said something that resonated with me: “As a photographer and visual communicators you try to find images no one has ever seen before.”
We need to remember our place as photographers. We love what we do and enjoy a lot of what comes with that, but to be reminded of our duty as “visual communicators” is so important. Think about those pictures you see every day that do little for you. You view, understand, and move on in one swift motion, as if it were a reflex. Those types of images are damaging to our purpose as image makers. We need to communicate visually. With all the social media, TV, and internet we are numb to the vast majority of images so we need to find our voice and begin making worthwhile images.
Keep up the motivation and please send your photography and business questions to me through the contact page.
http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/high-art-photography-from-the-heavens/
http://www.vincentlaforet.com/
Happy Shooting!
-Rob
Fundamental Friday's - Fill Flash
Fill flash is where I shed the light on today's episode. Understanding fill flash is simple. Get a solid ambient reading of your exposure and add a small amount of flash to enhance the shadow areas within your frame. Truly easier said than done. Listen to, or more importantly, watch this weeks Fundamental Friday's episode. Photo World I wish I could have done a video out on location so you could see the effects of fill flash in action but my injury on my hand is giving me trouble. only 8 more weeks to go with the healing process. Maybe I need to share my story as a BONUS episode soon. Photo World do you use fill flash or have thoughts about why we shouldn't use it? Toss your comments down below on the good or bad with fill flash. Some people love it while others despise flash all together and feel natural light is the only true light. I have herd debates in my classroom on this exact subject and it always seemed like the die hard natural light users were more or less afraid to use flash. Flash can be a solution but I totally get how it feels like a hindrance especially early on in your trials with a speedlight. I found it interesting when I first started with flash so I pressed on. Past the countless horrible images I took while acting like I knew what was going on, I knew there would be an overwhelming amount of benefits with understanding speedlights and especially fill flash.
Happy Shooting!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
Ibarionex Perello - The Candid Frame
Today’s featured guest is Ibarionex Perello
Ibarionex is a street and portrait photographer based out of LA California. With over 25 years of experience in the industry he has become a well-known figure among modern photographers. He has authored 5 booked on photography and has been published in several blogs and magazines. You may know Ibarionex from his podcast The Candid Frame which started in 2006 and you can tune in for a new episode each week.
Ibarionex Perello is a Los Angeles-based photographer, writer and host & producer of The Candid Frame photography podcast. He has over 25 years of experience in the photographic industry and his work has appeared in numerous publications including Outdoor Photographer, Digital Photo Pro, Rangefinder, Popular Photography and Photoshop User magazines. He has authored over 5 books including Chasing the Light: Improving Your Photography Using Available Light. For the last 9 years has been hosting and producing The Candid Frame, a popular interview podcast which has featured conversations with photographs including Elliot Erwitt, Dan Winters , Mary Ellen Mark and others. He has served as an adjunct professor at the Art Center College of Design. He currently is a production fellow for MaximumFun, which produces NPR’s Bullseye with Jesse Thorne.
Monday Message - Success
Photo World I have had a word picking at me the past few months and it seems like everywhere I go and much of what I do I have been presented with a questions. The question of Success. What is it? How do I achieve it? Am I doing everything necessary for it? Am I even ready for it? So many thoughts about this one ideas; this one simple Noun. Yeah, a Noun; Success is a Noun. At least the dictionary says that or an internet search will show that, but I have never thought of Success as a person, place, thing, or even an idea. I always felt it was something more. In today's episode I expand upon my thoughts about Success and hopefully get the gears turning for you as well. I find a simple shift in perspective is all it takes to drastically change your situation for the better.
Happy Shooting Photo World!
Fundamental Fridays - Speedlights set on TTL talking Directional vs Bounce Light.
With all the choices we need to make for exposure, composition, framing, dept of field, etc. introducing flash, and in this case speedlights, adds a huge change to the mix. I want to take the next few Fundamental Friday's and break down little by little how we can use these tools to our advantage. Today I am walking through the TTL and a bit about how it works, what the flash is made to do and a couple tricks on how to override the functions for a more pleasing image. What does on camera directional flash do or look like? What are the benefits or disadvantages to bouncing your flash? Give this episode a listen and let's see what we figure out.
Happy Shooting!
Today’s featured guest is BJ Aguado (ag-wad-o)
BJ and his wife Jen run their photography business throughout the greater Chicago land area. As a family man BJ photographs families and weddings. He captures pure emotion through his photojournalistic and candid style. His business is definitely second to his family but understanding the business side led to his podcast Shutter Sidekick.
As a husband and wife team, our goal is to see how we can help you with your needs. Whether you are looking for a wedding photographer or you need to update the family photo hanging on the wall, we want to guide you in the right direction. Our passion is photography, specifically, weddings and family. We have been shooting for many years now and we are enjoying every minute of it. While we have experience in various genre's of photography such as newborn, club, family, wedding, events. our main focus is weddings and family photography. We have been married for fifteen years. We have three children, ranging in age from 15 down to 7. We live outside of Chicago, IL.
Recommended Resources:
HootSuite - App (free)
Latergramme – App (free)
W: http://www.bjaguadophotography.com/
Blog: http://bjaguadophotographyblog.com/
Podcast: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/shutter-sidekick
Monday Message - Who is in my Network
Over the past 5 weeks I have gone over strategies on how to network. We have plenty of options on how to stay stuck behind a screen and I even mentioned ways to get in front of people. There is a problem with Networking though... Who is in my Network? Well...
In today's Monday Message I address this topic and share a brief story one small branch of my network in action. These small exchanges of information, tips, tricks, suggestions, and wisdom from real experiences all add up to being the reason for a vast Network. Think of your Network like a family tree. There are potentially endless branches all inadvertently connecting back to one root cause or starting point. That starting point for your Network is you but consider how many branches you must be on for those in your Network as they are a root to a different tree. This vast forest is the breeding ground for success. It is hardly who you know that will get you places but those who you know, know.
I'm wrapping up this 6th week of Monday Message Networking with an attempt at understanding "Who is in my Network?" Next week we will see a change of pace in the Monday Message topics.
Join the Take & Talk Pics facebook group here!
Happy Shooting!
TTL mode, Auto aperture flash, Non-TTL auto flash, Distance-priority manual flash, Manual mode, and Repeating flash. With so many options how do we know what to choose for each situation we are in? Before we even decide what mode to use we need to consider the need for speedlights at all. See this flash thing can become stressful very quickly when we aren't familiar with our gear. On a basic level, speedlights are an artificial light source and we need light for photography; it's a must! over the next few weeks I will be going over the modes on your speedlights and how to use them effectively. There are a few great take away's from today's, audio only, Fundamental Friday. I'll bring back the YouTube element next week!
Happy Shooting!
Today’s featured guest is Nat Coalson.
Nat runs his business here in the US based out of CO as well as a studio in Hinckley England. Nat starts with photography, both digital and traditional processes, but then woks with mixed media to finalize his art. Some works are embellished with paint, resin, or foil; while others are produced with a combination or a completely different material. His abstract work is sought after for private décor and commercial presentation. Beyond the mixed media photography Nat also has pictorial journeys where his location based fine art photography shines.
Nathaniel Coalson is an American visual artist living in England. Nat works primarily in fine art photography and abstract mixed media, with a business emphasis on creating custom decor for luxury hotels and private residences. He's also a well-known photography teacher and author, having written five books published by Wiley, including the series Lightroom: Streamlining your Digital Photography Process and Nature Photography Photo Workshop. To see Nat's work, visit NatCoalson.com and PictorialJourneys.com.
Meetup Groups
I have been talking about networking and several options for improving your network. Tools to building connections and strategies on forming habits to continue growth in this area.
Well Photo World this week I wrap up the how to better your network topic with Meetup Groups. I share a couple stories and the lessons I learned from Meetup Groups experiences.
Get out there Photo World and Network with Meetup.com
Happy Networking and Photo World… Happy Shooting!
Fundamental Fridays
Culling Your Photos
There are several tools for Culling Your Photos. I prefer to use Bridge and give a 1 star rating to the images I do not want to edit. More often than not they are a duplicate or variation of another image right next to it. The truth is we just don't have a need for every picture.
If you make the images smaller, not as small as the contact sheet style shown here, but smaller than even half the screen you will be able to quickly analyse the image and choose to keep or throw.
I rarely Cull my photos on the same day I shoot them. You need to give your eyes and mind a rest before reliving what you just did. We see differently every day, so why not see things one way and make great images and then view the images on a different day with fresh eyes.
Move fast each photo will be edited soon enough so move quickly through deciding one what to keep.
Happy Shooting!
Abe Robinson - Dark Glamor
Today’s featured guest is Abe Robinson.
Abe runs a photography studio called Blind 7 Photography. He is based out of Cleveland Ohio and specializes in dark glamor with a commercial fusion. Over the past 18 years Abe has been published in several magazines and these publications span across the world. With a Special effects makeup artist on staff Abe brings the depths of his imagination to life for a wide range of clientele.
Network with LinkedIn
Their slogan is “LinkedIn: World’s Largest Professional Network”
This is the one popular social media site that is mainly for networking.
- Start by completing your profile!
- So many people get it set up and never return to fill in all the blanks.
- You can be vague about your skill set or extremely detailed. – do yourself a favor and just make sure you complete everything that is valid.
- The little things matter!
- You have more experience than you might think.
- Volunteer work
- Work history
- Certificates
- Degrees
- Individual classes
- Seminars
- Publications
- Having a web site
- Running a regularly posting blog
- First sync up to your contacts you already have
- Connect with those in your email accounts
- Existing in a social space doesn’t do anything
- Having an account and setting up your page is useless until you personally connect with others.
- Find, Follow, & Lead.
- When on Linkedin are you really “In”? Join groups and follow organizations or associations that make sense for your business.
- Lend a hand and offer help and information to those around you. Remember this is on a much more personal level than the casual facebook or twitter interaction.
- Update early and update often
- Like facebook, twitter, and Instagram the things you post become lost in the shuffle seconds after you post. You must be diligent about your posts to keep at the forefront of the network you are immersing yourself in.
- Ask. Just ASK!
- We hate to look less educated than those around us but if you don’t know ask! There are endless possibilities for finding an answer to a question but if you ask someone directly there things go on:
- 1 you have a reason to connect with this individual
- 2 you are allowing them to be the authority and generous helper with your problem/question
- 3 you find out if there connection is a worthwhile resource for you in the future where you can either call upon them again or find a way to help them with your knowledge and experience.
- Elevate your connection to a higher level.
- If you can work your way to meeting the person face to face or get them on a phone call you are making yourself real and you’re offering them the chance to see if there is a mutually beneficial purpose for your connection.
- We hate to look less educated than those around us but if you don’t know ask! There are endless possibilities for finding an answer to a question but if you ask someone directly there things go on:
Get out there Photo World and Network with Linkedin.
Happy Posting, Happy Networking, and Photo World… Happy Shooting!
Fundamental Friday - Focal Length and Choosing a Lens
Zoom Lenses, Prime Lenses, Wide, Telephoto, Macro, Tilt Shift, Fish Eye, etc. With so many lens options what do we choose for our cameras and photography? Well I don't know if I have a sure fire answer to that question but I wanted to discuss focal length and a few things to think about when it comes to lens choice. In this episode I shed some light on focal lengths, zoom and prime lenses, and understanding the aperture's sweet spot. The video with the sample pictures on location are a great example on this topic and why this is definitely something to consider when choosing a lens for your photography.
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
HeyPhotoWorld
Today’s featured guest is Rebekah Nemethy - Pet and Product Photographer
Rebekah and her business Reflective Photos began as a photography career with weddings and after doing one she knew it wasn’t her calling for her photography. After some exploration in different areas of this visual art Rebekah found her stride in pet photography. Aside from her pet photography Rebekah has been with the photography department at Consumer Reports for the past 5 years.
Good take away's from this episode:
Transparency! be clear about the details with your clients. It is easy to be caught up in the big picture stuff.
"You're only as good as your last photo." - making new work will always lead to improvements and the lack of attempts for better work is only settling.
Small an manageable goal will be of great practice for the big ones but they will also be the building blocks for what you may one day call success.
My path to pet photography was definitely not on a straight, high-speed highway; I took the back roads and got lost several times along the way.
I think, in the back of my mind, I always knew I wanted to be a photographer. In my junior year of high school I learned to shoot, develop, & process black and white film. Those were the days before Photoshop became my dark room of choice.
In college, I decided to major in the visual arts with a focus in photography, which went well until I started to think about what I would focus my career on. I thought that weddings would be the most lucrative and sensible career choice… actually I figured it would be my only choice because I knew everything at 19.
It was during my second year of college that a friend who was getting married asked me to shoot her wedding. It was the first wedding I ever attended, the last wedding I ever photographed, and the straw that broke the photographer’s back.
I switched my major to journalism within the year. I wrongly assumed that if I didn’t want to do weddings, I’d never make it as a successful photographer. Like I said, I was 19 and I knew everything!
After diligently studying the New York Times, I had my first news quiz in my Journalism I class. I think I got a 30 (yes out of 100), totally embarrassed myself by disputing one of the answers and revealing my total ignorance of common geography, went to my car after class, and cried.
Journalism was not for me. Nevertheless, I toughed it out for the next two years and got my degree. I tried to write for a while after college. I even started an online literary magazine with a friend of mine. Then I tried to make some money writing online articles, but the writing went painfully slow and I was still working as a waitress and bartender to pay the bills.
I became desperate to find a career that I would love to wake up to, but I knew I had to make money too. That’s when I found my camera again. I mean, it had been there all along, and had even evolved to a digital body… but this was when I started to look at it as an opportunity once again.
I printed up 50 fliers about my soon to come portfolio building month: free photo sessions in June only. Although the flier said I would shoot babies, kids, couples, families, and dogs, (everything but weddings) I found myself handing them out at dog parks.
Before I knew it my portfolio was barking at me! So I guess I can’t really say I decided to get into this line of work… but I decided I needed a job I could love… and this is where my heart took me.
I will continue to let it lead the way!
Recommended Resources:
The Photo Forum
Eneloop Batteries
w: reflectivephotos.net
blog: reflectivephotos.net/blog
Networking with Instagram
Have some fun with your personal Instagram live and your business life!
The mix will allow for a following to see the serious posts
We hear it in blogging, podcasts, at seminars, workshops, or in a classroom; content is key. Have relevant and current content or in this case popular current hashtags.
Being an active part of your Instagram community is important. Like I discussed for facebook groups and how you need to be an active listener and pro-active with critiques, it is the same here. Follow, favorite, and create buzz about the posts that interest or inspire you. Chances are, there are others waiting to be inspired by it too.
It’s no secret with video being standard on DSLR’s and Mirrorless systems that motion picture plays a pivotal role in our world. Instagram offers the same opportunity. One, for an additional way of delivering content and two, this helps in cultivating connections. Instagram has now been competing with Twitter in this arena and it can only help you to have two spaces to cash in from.
Hashtags are still important! They become the gateway for new followers and as visual people we can quickly determine if we would like to follow back. A quick glance at what they share and we can see if we are beating to the same drum or not.
Instagram is actually an incredible editing software. Yea there are limitations but for a small, mind you FREE, platform this app can set the mood for your work you may not have contrived at the time of capture.
Mix it up a bit. This filters and edit options are a tool. So try to change up what you use and how often. Having all the same look will only attract the same small audience. If we are Networking with Instagram then we need to play to a larger audience.
Those rare occasions where you meet someone face to face try to find them on the social sites and continue the conversation or exchange.
Take this one step further and incorporate Instagram Direct. It is similar to Snapchat where you send a photo or video privately.
The most valuable direction for growth in anything we do is due to constructive feedback. Instagram is a platform where the potential for critique is sometimes overwhelming. Think of it as Paying it Forward. Followers or others in the community should be sharing and educating others, just as we all should, for Instagram, Twitter, and facebook.
Lastly connect to your facebook. That is a free additional post without doing a thing!
Happy Posting, Happy Networking, and Photo World… Happy Shooting!
Fundamental Fridays - Metering
Metering for a proper exposure seems easy enough. However, should we follow the meter in our cameras? I say yes... well... no... kind of both. Use your meter. understand that your camera meter is always lying to you and learn the strategies to over come the issues of manual metering. Camera priority modes are great for learning but the offer an out from the education process of trial and error. Listen to today's Fundamental Fridays episode to understand how to meter your camera correctly under any lighting situation.
Happy Shooting!
Click here to register for the first ever Take & Talk Pics/Rob Krueger Photography FREE workshop!
Today’s featured guest is Tony Sweet.
I had a blast interviewing Tony and getting to bring his story to you Photo World. Living through the interview, editing the interview, and now listing to it... I am still inspired. Tony reminds me that persistence and forward motion is the best path. No matter the turns you take or the learning experiences you have if you Keep an Even Keel you can look back to see your success but not get hung up on any ups or downs throughout the journey.
"When the Student is ready the Teacher Appears." - Zen Buddhists - Tony Sweet
After successful careers as a jazz musician/educator, and professional magician, Tony settled on photography as his chosen means for personal expression. Tony has become an in-demand speaker throughout the United States and Canada on creativity in the digital age.
Tony and Susan Milestone conduct Visual Artistry photography location workshops in the United States, Canada, and Iceland. Tony maintains an active speaking schedule to photography organizations, industry trade shows and PPA schools across the continental United States and Canada. He also conducts an annual Visual Artistry Creativity Seminar series.
Tony’s photography is published worldwide in every medium and is represented by Getty Images. His iPhone photography is represented by Aurora Photos. Tony’s images are also used by Nikon, MacPhun, Singh Ray, Alien Skin, Topaz, Lensbaby and others for national ad campaigns.
An interview with Tony on macro photography was published in The New York Times.
Tony is a Nikon Legend Behind the Lens and a GuraGear Pro.
Tony has authored five books on the art of photography: Fine Art Nature Photography (’02), Fine Art Flower Photography (’05) Fine Art Nature Photography: Water, Ice, Fog (’07), Fine Art Digital Photography (’09) and HDR Photography (2011). He and Masterphoto Workshops have co-produced four photography DVDs: Visual Artistry, HDR Made Easy, Visual Literacy and Flower Photography Artistry, as well as an iPhone instructional video series. His Creativity Seminar lecture series and On Location-Cape Cod will be released for digital download, April 2015.
Recommended Resources:
Snapseed - ios
Snapseed - android
w: tonysweet.com/
blog: tonysweet.com/blog/
http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/tonysweetphoto/likes
Click here to register for the first ever Take & Talk Pics/Rob Krueger Photography FREE workshop!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Hey Photo World! Like last week I'm discussing real networking options with your social media. It's no secret that success can come through the connections you make on social media mixed with the effort you put in in maintaining those relationships. Just like last week when I talked about networking through the use of Facebook; Facebook groups and making lists, I discuss the importance of Twitter in a few strategies on how to make your connections meaningful.
If you're not voicing what it is you'd like to discuss then there is no network to follow along in that discussion you have to know what you'd like to talk about so that others can see what it is you're saying.
Are you selective about who you follow? Are you selective about who follows you?
Most people would tell you it doesn't matter who's following you it's actually a benefit regardless of who they are and what it is they are doing with their network on Twitter. It's arguable that it is a good idea but I can see the reasons why it wouldn't be beneficial to have followers that you disagree with on many levels. The more important task here is who you select to follow. There are a few different strategies on that particular topic that I discuss in today's episode.
Why are you tweeting what are you saying is it important?
Who are you following are there specific people you look up to? Do you only follow anyone who follows you that more automated responses a follow back? When you follow someone do you tweet directly to them to start a conversation? When someone follows you do you engage with them as a new active follower of your account?
Few months ago I interviewed a photographer and ask them how do I get in touch with so and so? They suggested to me start retweeting what it is they have to say to show that you're interested in their topics then have something reasonable to discuss the question to ask and engage them directly.
Something that most of us forget about Twitter if we want to have a large amount of followers we want to appear to be a Rock Star. The problem with that is we become very secluded in our network thinking that it should be about us our pictures, ideas, quotes, things we find, and what we feel is worth sharing. (Retweeting) that solo act can only grow your network so far. Movie stars and music legends have no problem gaining followers but for the average user we need to put in the work for building a strong and relevant network.
Include your network tweet directly to them or tweet mentioning them. Building a strong relevant network is letting go of the idea that we are popular or above others. The reality is in business there's room for everyone and that means we're all in it together.
For a long time I thought the only thing to do with Twitter is favorite, tag, and retweet what are you have to say. Twitter is way more intense as far as the work involved to engage conversations with others. Perhaps there's an article you read or maybe a post on Facebook you related to. Tweet about that specific information and LINK BACK! The truth is information is vast and accessible. We're crazy if we think we have some sort of knowledge that others do not or could not acquire.
The purpose of Twitter is to: within 140 characters; express an idea, connect to others, or share what you have.
You can use that in building your network or build others networks. Playing middle man has always been a lucrative business. With Twitter a wealth of connections could be that income you are seeking. Use your network to be a stepping stone for others to connect with fellow business owners and photographers. I began Take & Talk Pics by cold calling for interviews. Now, because of my network, I build the chain of people I am introduced to. Same thing on Twitter. Build your network and expand by searching your network's network.
On a daily basis have invoking post that can engage others with questions, comments, or debate.
Happy Shooting & Happy Networking!
Click HERE to register for the next Take&TalkPics.com webinar!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
HeyPhotoWorld
We set our exposure, compose our frame, and release the shutter. Sounds easy enough. However, the complexities of making a great photograph are not so easy. There are dozens of things to consider in making such an image. One of those things to think about is the White Balance.
The White Balance ultimately controls the color temperature based on the lighting conditions. In reality it is correcting the difference in color temperatures to deliver correct color exposure to better match what you see with your eye.
A nice little problem photography will always have is the subject of the way you see with your eyes. Each person will interpret color a little differently from the next. What this means is when I see green you may not quite see the same green but you can look at or be a little bit more yellow or slightly cooler. Typically we don't find such severities in the difference of how we see colors however, in a minute but measurable difference there is a change from person to person.
Same story goes from camera to camera. Not just the maker but the camera models as well. As technology advances we find better specifications to automate the corrections for color temperature versus what is available due to the light situations.
In this episode I discuss white balance and how to custom white balance can make all the difference. Although many photographers would argue that auto white balance is the best choice and corrections later will make up the difference I strongly disagree. Many situations do well with auto White Balance but when you have the time I urge you to receive the gift that is "getting it right in camera" - enjoy!
Next week I will go in depth on the power of the gray card.
Starting Monday September 28th I will be offering a FREE Download on 3 exposure metering tricks to use anywhere any time!
Happy Shooting!
Click here to register for the first ever Take & Talk Pics/Rob Krueger Photography FREE workshop!
Today’s featured guest is Kathleen Clemons.
Kathleen is a photographer based out of Harpswell Maine. She is represented worldwide by Corbis and Getty Images. Lensbaby.com has named her a “Lensbaby Guru” and describe her as the “Geogia O’Keeffe of Flower Photography”. Kathleen is a photography instructor at The Bryan Peterson School of Photography where she teaches five online classes. She is also an instructor for the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops and CreativeLive.com.
Kathleen Clemons is a photographer from the coast of Maine. Primarily a nature photographer, Kathleen is known for her creative use of natural light and unique compositions. Her work is represented worldwide by Corbis and Getty Images. Lensbaby recently named her the "Georgia O' Keeffe of Flower Photography". She is an instructor at The Bryan Peterson School of Photography and also teaches for the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops. She recently filmed classes forCreativeLive.com and Craftsy.com. With a degree in education, and a passion for both photography and teaching, she loves to teach others how to improve their photography skills. Kathleen's photos may be viewed at www.kathleenclemons.com.
Recommended Resources:
Lens baby mobile
Lm20
Bryan Peterson School
Craftsy.com
w: kathleenclemonsphotography.com
blog: kathleenclemons.blogspot.com
Instruction: kathleenclemonsphotography.com/instruction
Click here to register for the first ever Take & Talk Pics/Rob Krueger Photography FREE workshop!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Today's Monday Message addresses the Networking topic. More specifically: How to Network With Facebook!
I say it on the show often enough or a guest will bring it up during an interview question and we all know a bit about Networking and the importance of doing so for our businesses and our work. I am breaking down How to Network With Facebook on today's show because with a small amount of direction we can achieve greatness. Rather than simply suggesting to "go out and Network", I am laying out a few steps to take to improve your Facebook Networking skills.
Please share how you use Facebook to network in the comments below.
Happy Shooting!
Click HERE to register for the next Take&TalkPics.com webinar!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
HeyPhotoWorld
For today's Fundamental Friday I go over Compositional Elements in Photography.
There so many I am sure I am missing a ton. However these are a few worth...
Show Notes Page
Today’s featured guest is Lewis Kemper.
Lewis Is a Fine Art nature and wild life photographer and has been for over 30 years. His travels throughout 47 states from Alaska to Florida are the scenes for his subjects. Lewis still does color work with a 4x5 camera as well as digital work and is a Canon Explorer of Light Emeritus.
Lewis Kemper has been photographing the natural beauty of North America, and its parklands for over 30 years. During his extensive travels, he has been to 47 states from Alaska to Florida. His work has been exhibited and published in magazines, books, and calendars worldwide.
Before moving west, he received a BA in Fine Art Photography from the George Washington University in 1976. The grandeur of the west beckoned and Lewis moved to Yosemite National Park, where he lived for 11 years. From 1978 until 1980, he worked at The Ansel Adams Gallery. Working at the gallery gave him the opportunity to meet, observe and learn from some of the greatest photographers of our time. “The experience of working at The Ansel Adams Gallery was very influential in my development as a photographer”, he states. Lewis photographs in color using Canon digital cameras and 4 x 5 cameras and is a Canon Explorer of Light Emeritus. Lewis is also working with digital imaging on his Apple computer to create new work. His work has been sold for editorial and commercial uses in over 16 different countries ranging from national ads to book covers. Kemper’s photographs are in many private collections as well as in the permanent collection of the Baltimore Museum of Art and Kaiser Permanente. His work has been shown nationally in galleries and museums. Some of these include: The Frederick S. Wight Gallery, The Baltimore Museum of Art, The Cornell Museum, The Princeton Gallery of Fine Art, The Popular Photography Gallery, The Ansel Adams Gallery, Photographer’s Gallery and the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. He prints his own archival inkjet prints using Canon’s 12 color ImagePROGRAF 6450 printer using the finest materials available.
Lewis teaches photography for many organizations including Palm Beach Photographic Centre, Santa Fe Workshops, Light Photographic Workshops, Aspen Workshops and Betterphoto.com. He is the author of “The Yosemite Photographer’s Handbook”, and “The Yellowstone Photographer’s Handbook.” He was the photographer for, “Ancient Ancestors of the Southwest”, published by Graphic Arts Center Publishing. His monograph, “Capturing the Light” won the People’s Choice Awards in Fine Art in the 2009 Photography.Book.Now competition. His latest publication “Photographing Yosemite Digital Field Guide” was voted in the top 20 field guides. And he produces the acclaimed training DVD’s “The Photographer’s Toolbox for Photoshop®” and "The Photographer's Toolbox for Lightroom®". His work has been published in numerous books including publications by The Sierra Club, The National Geographic Society, Little and Brown, APA Insight Guides, Prentice Hall, and Hyperion Books. His pictures have appeared in calendars published by Audubon, The Sierra Club, The Mono Lake Coalition, Self Realization Foundation, Golden Turtle Press, The Sierra Press, Day Dream Calendars, Avalanche Publishing, Browntrout, The Nature Conservancy, Tide-Mark Press and others. His work has appeared in magazines that include: Backpacker, Women’s Sports and Fitness, The Walking Magazine, Sierra, Motorland, Terre Sauvage, Environmental Protection Magazine, National Wildlife, National Geographic Traveler, American Photographer, View Camera, Digital Photo, Camera Arts, Shutterbug, and Outdoor Photographer. Currently Lewis is a contributing editor to Outdoor Photographer and NANPA Currents magazine.
Hey Photo World!
I have done over 200 weddings in my 6 years as a photographer and I get one common questions from people I end up sharing what I do with. "Oh I bet you have some stories... What was the craziest thing you've seen?"
The truth is, every wedding has some hick-up. Sometimes big but most are small. I have seen family drama where the cops have been called, The wrong DJ showing up, and even the florist never delivering the flowers at all. Thins happen and we need to adjust quickly. Every once in a while it is a situation where we as photographers need to make a choice on what to do or how to handle this situation. Those times where we are Walking a Fine Line. Those small fight or flight occurrences. In this episode I walk through a story from this past weekend and awesome wedding. Not a big deal situation but enough to feel this is worth talking about.
here is the image I was referring to. Shot at: f6.3, 1/200, ISO 100
Click HERE to register for the next Take&TalkPics.com webinar!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
HeyPhotoWorld
Today’s featured guest is Lee Holt.
Lee is a Google trusted photographer based out of Jacksonville Florida with his company Holt Media Productions. While the application to become a Google verified business is simple, being selected is extremely difficult and it becomes even harder each day. The process is based on merit as well as location availability. Being unofficially backed by Google is a great accomplishment and will boost to any business. Lee has a range of work and covers many genres of photography due to his location. The work available is a bit less than a major city and that makes it tough to niche down to one area of photography. Having been a pro photographer for only 3 years Lee has a lot to share with you Photo World.
3 key things to be open about with your clients.
Who will be the photographer?
Depending on how your studio runs it may appear that you are the only photographer and not have any others available to shoot for you. This can also raise some concerns in certain industries, with the fear that you may be sick and therefore who will cover for you? The answer to this subject has come up in more than a dozen episodes here on Take & Talk Pics. Get those systems in place! If you aren't the photographer for your business, you must have friends and network option to call upon someone else that could, in a bind, help you out and take over that job. Be prepared to pass most if not all of the money involved on that job for taking on such a task with short notice.
If your studio includes more than one photographer be upfront about how things run. With additional photographers included in your brand you are stating that they are just as capable as you, including your skill set and personality when working with the client. Regardless of what you call your studio at the end of the day if you are the owner of that business, it is your name on every job that passes through. Honesty, be upfront and deliver correct information right out of the gate. I do my best to say as much about what they may be thinking as clients and the questions they might have for me so that way when I ask them: "do you have any questions?" They come back with "I'm pretty sure you answered everything we could have thought of." This approach shows you are transparent and willing to be completely honest with your client. It also shows your level of knowledge in your industry that you know the answers to every question they may be thinking before it's brought up. Getting to the point where it's comfortable and easy to state so much in a clean concise format is no simple task. It takes a lot of research and even more practice.
What they are going to end up paying? (total)
Photo World you know what your job is worth for you. Your clients may not know all the details. It is your duty to layout the expectations for your client and honestly inform them on the pricing. No hidden fees Photo World! It makes me sick when I sit down with a couple to discuss their wedding and after we get through everything they tell me about a photographer they recently met with and question after question from them unveiled a multitude of fees they did not have an understanding about until they asked. That approach may earn you a little bit more money per job, but it will have the opportunity to scare the hell out of 90 percent of the people you meet with. As people, we fear the unknown. Think about when a bill shows up that you were not expecting. It seems like everything changes in a bad way for a little while. Don't become a reason for your client to be stressed. Many relationships are lost over the whole financial discussion, so don't add that to a client who may be setting up their relationship for the rest of their lives (a wedding).
What is included with that fee?
Now that your client knows who the photographer is exactly how much they're going to be investing in this particular job. They are going to want to know what they get. Up until about 2003/2004 it was very easy to sell your time for a large amount. The client understanding for film photography the way light works and the inability to see the product until days later was largely respected in comparison to today's photographers. Not to say that people don't appreciate what we are capable of in the digital age, but to be realistic the format of photography has changed so much that we can't always or easily cash in on our time, our prints, usage rights, and storage. Perhaps the expectation today, now that we are in 94% digital throughout the world (by the way I made up the stat), is to be a shoot and burn photographer where your images are captured and the delivery of everything that was taken as a high res file with endless usage rights is the common expectation from the unknowing client. There are many photographers who combat this in an extremely effective way and that comes with education and expectation.
Not only is our job to be photographers, to understand light, to use the correct gear, take classes, attend seminars so we can learn what current and to date, have the appropriate post production software, and be able to deliver a pleasing product... (Take deep breath in and out) pause... We are now left with the task to educate these clients on the process. You must remember just about every client you have has been photographed digitally at some point. In those situations it is typically instantaneous for them, a quick selfie and the instant gratification that there we are in the still moment. To be honest in a client's mind a professional photographer should be as fast about delivering their images in an effective way.
Education is key and a saving grace for working with new clients. Photo World go out and inform your clients, make great work, and Happy Shooting!
Click HERE to register for the next Take&TalkPics.com webinar!
Today’s featured guest is Seth Lowe.
Seth is a lifestyle and portrait photographer in Peroria, IL. His portrait work always seems to host a unique perspective of his subjects.
His quote says it all. - "Get Shit Done."
It's about time we got blunt and got real for a change. If we can't get things done then what the heck are we doing. The 9-5 or part time job is honorable and there is no shame in it. If you want to go full time photographer do it right and do it gradually. Though, remember to get things done in all areas of your life to maintain order and a better end result by the end of each day. I can preach all day on shifting gear and moving forward but I think Seth expresses some great points in this interview. Listen to Seth Lowe on Take & Talk Pics and get the motivation to start or in some ways restart and crush your business.
I am a portrait and lifestyle photographer based in Peoria, IL.
I was born in farm town, and raised around people who work with their hands. My dad owned a construction company, and started taking me out on site from an early age. From that I learned what it meant to go the extra mile for people, to never give up, and how to creatively solve problems. I thrive on being challenged, finding new ways of accomplishing things, and connecting with people. Traveling, telling stories, and connecting with people are my passions.
On a personal note; my wife is English, and I wish I was a rally car driver. My dream is to own a breakfast cafe with a studio above it that has an after school program to teach kids photography and video.
Gratitude is the direction to better life. It is a peaceful motivator to begin a day and to end a night; it is the inner strength we have but often forget and we need not be without Gratitude.
The growth of your business can come from Gratitude.
Your health both physically and mentally can be improved with a daily practice of Gratitude.
There is a wealth of information on Gratitude and it is no secret. However it is a friendly reminder.
Listen to this episode where I share a story that reminded to practice Gratitude more often.
Fundamental Friday's - Depth of Field
There are three factors for depth of field.
We discussed one of them two weeks ago... Aperture!
listen or watch the video to learn the other two factors and start making great pictures with these tools!
Today’s featured guest is Lyndsie Schlink.
Lyndsie is a portrait photographer based out of Normal IL. However she has a full time job in addition to her photography business. Today I want to speak with Lyndsie about her full time work. See… Lyndsie is the Senior University Photographer for Illinois State University. After completer her Mass Communication degree in 2004 Lyndsie continued with her photography and in 2007 started with ISU full time.
I was inspired by my mom to become a photographer. My mom always took a lot of photos of my sister and I growing up, whether it was playing in the yard, at summer camp, or family vacations. Her love of the art led to my love of the art.
My professional career began as a student photographer at ISU taking photos for the Vidette, which led to a job at The Pantagraph and later the Herald and Review.
For the past eight years I’ve worked full time as the University Photographer at ISU documenting student life, events, and activities. I love the variety of work, which gives me the freedom of a newsroom as well as the creativity of art.
When I’m not working for ISU, I enjoy photographing friend’s families, children, pets, and special events like birthdays and weddings. I love getting the chance to meet new people and capture their emotion and interactions through my lens.
You’ll likely see my smile peeking from behind the camera as I photograph children playing in a pile of leaves at the park or a couple in love staring into each others eyes during a photo session.
I also have a love of country music and enjoy photographing concerts, as well as traveling and taking photos of my vacations around the country.
Recommended Resources:
Get on social media! Instagram especially.
illinois state university - tumblr page
w: simply-lyndsie.com
The story she mentioned about a recent project. - Take a look HERE!
Hey Photo World!
Bonus episode today!
This is the second Take & Talk Pics webinar to date and it is all about failure.
I ask this question in every interview. "Tell Photo World about a time you failed." - this isn't to point out the times where a photographer messed up... No. It is meant to give insight to you Photo World on how to do things a little different that you maybe have been or to prevent you form making the same mistakes anyone of them has... or in today's case - mistakes I have made. I cannot count how many times I have failed it must be tens of thousands by now perhaps hundreds of thousands. Well, in this webinar I shared 3 failures/mistakes I made on my wedding photography contracts... 1 of them is such a big mistake it cost me thousands of dollars. Ouch! watch this webinar and tune in to future webinars for great content you don't get on the podcast right away. I have been toying with the idea of exclusive live content on the webinars only and not publishing them in any way. What do you think Photo World? Comment below!
Procrastination is a success killer! If you procrastinate your work your procrastinate your overall progress. Growth is driven by forward momentum.
Listen to today's episode and learn three tips that will help you from procrastinating in your work. This is great for those of you who are already making your business out of photography and this is especially awesome for those who are gearing up to start their photo business.
Take control of your day to day by applying these small but effective changes and watch the momentum build. You are on your way to bigger and better things Photo World keep it up!
and share this with your friends and photo family out there!
Click HERE to register for the next Take&TalkPics.com webinar!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
HeyPhotoWorld
PhotoWorld
Today’s featured guest is Jacquelynn Buck.
Jacquelynn is a full time portrait and wedding photographer based in Tucson AZ. She has been building her boutique studio over the past 9 years. Jacquelynn was a speaker at the 2015 WPPI Photography Expo for her 5 consecutive visit.
The quote Jacquelynn shared was great and so inspiring! "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?" -Robert H. Schuller. Hear how Jacquelynn lives by this quote and how it brought her to her "I Made it Moment".
Note from Jacquelynn I am a: full-time, totally enamored Pro photographer {#dreamlife}, Foodie {#sotasty}, wine-lover {#drinkme}, travel junkie {#takemethere #morethanonce} + coffee addict {#wakemeup} I am a: philosophical, introspective dreamer and an energetic, outgoing, dynamic do-er. I write {travelblog} when it moves me. I love to cook. I adore rooftop bars {#viewfromthetop} and look for one in every city I love, live and travel to. I am obsessed with quotes. Fresh flowers make me happy. But photography makes me smile. Sometimes in that shy, delighted, just meeting someone kind of way. Sometimes in that broad ear to ear grin kind of way. Still. And hopefully always. This is a world that I belong to that I embrace fearlessly, distinctively, with just a touch of sparkle and a little bit more than a little bit of sass.
I own a boutique portrait and wedding studio, and have for 9 years. Yes, I love and live to travel, and capture everything I can along the way. And yes, it is business {#hardwork}, but it’s primarily a love affair. A journey. A surprise around every corner. A connection with the unexpected. An opportunity to meet with people who share my drive. A chance to explore the sides of me that are vibrant, bold, colorful. An ever-shifting balance between what is unique and ordinary, simple and complex, real and imaginary. Photography is a challenge. And a delight. And it was a fork in my road, the path less traveled, but the one I’m glad I chose. This is my story. And the story continues because I don’t just do it. I teach it. To be inspired and to inspire, to seduce and be seduced. This is the heady thought that wakes me up every morning, that reminds me that today…today and every day… I get to do what I love. And pass that on to others.
Keynote Speech for College of DuPage.
I was asked to speak at the 1st annual College of DuPage Exposed Photography Showcase. It was an honor to speak for a little over 400 photography driven individuals. I tell a bit about my journey and segue to becoming an instructor and podcaster. Not before I play with the question “Can I make it as a photographer?”.
I pulled out 3 minutes from an otherwise long speech. I think you can hear some excitement mixed with nerves as I share with the large group. Although it was a great practice to be inform of so many people. I would love to speak on a few different topics that I have been developing. A goal would be an hour talk for WPPI. I want to burst out now with the topics but I think I’ll save them for a while or at least till WPPI invites me. :)
Enjoy today’s Monday Message and tune in to Wednesday’s episode where I interview a photographer and WPPI speaker Jacquelynn Buck.
Stay Cool and Happy Shooting!
Rob
Aperture!
Hey Photo World here we are on another Fundamental Friday’s episode and I am so excited to bring us back to the basics of Aperture. Many of you already know that aperture plays a big part in depth of field and I am only going to scratch the surface on that piece to the aperture puzzle. Today I am really dialing back and walking us through the basics of aperture. Simply put it is the opening in the lens. Furthermore it is adjustable by you the photographer. There are many cameras out there where you would have a fixed aperture however I am speaking to those of you who are DSLR, hybrid, or mirrorless shooters. Basically those who have the full manual options to make exposure changes. Your aperture is the opening in the lens and the part that allows for that to be adjustable are a set of blades coming together making a larger or smaller hole. The numeric value assigned to each step or Stop are referred to as the F number or F stops.
Example of full stops:
F1.4, f2, f2.8, f4, f5.6, f8, f11, f16, f22, f32, f45, f64
F number… Aperture… blades… the hole in a lens…
What does all this mean?
Well, what aperture is designed for is – regulating how much light passes through the lens and therefore how much or how little of the scene is being projected onto the film or digital sensor. The F number tells us a few things:
1) the smaller the F number (like: f2.8) the bigger the opening in the lens and therefore more light passing through.
2) the larger the F number (like: f22) the smaller the opening in the lens and therefore less light passing through.
3) Aperture effects the Depth of Field – small aperture (large F number) the longer the DOF/large aperture (small F number) the shorter the DOF.
Again and just like Shutter Speed this is one third of the exposure triangle. (the 3 main setting that determine our exposure for an image)
Shutter – how long the picture is taken
Aperture – how much light is passing through the lens
and
ISO - … tune in next week (episode 63) to find out how this triangle is completed!
I also discuss how Aperture effects Depth of Field however I have that topic set aside for a future Fundamental Friday’s episode.
Hey Photo World pros! Comment down below to help out the newer photographers joining the Photo World!
Stay Cool and Happy Shooting!
Rob
Today’s featured guest is Sarah Claxton.
Sarah is a Photography Agent with her company: Claxton Represents. She is based out of Philadelphia Pennsylvania and represents commercial photographers and their work. After graduating from Brooks Institute she worked in many facets of the photography industry Sarah has found a passion in working with other photographers in helping them achieve their vision.
I am currently on vacation in Wisconsin Dells.
Something I do one every year to get away from all the work day to day. To celebrate for the little victories I have. Just like you do. I feel we need to take the time and spend the money to reward our driven motivation to succeed in our businesses. It helps continue the path to the big wins where we see the most change and ultimately growth in our businesses.
We'll I need to get back to my trip so enjoy this little Monday Message and great reminder to relax from time to time.
Thanks for stopping by and Happy Shooting!
-Rob
Click HERE to register for the next Take&TalkPics.com webinar!
Today on the Take & Talk Pics Fundamental Friday's, I am really dialing back down to the basics.
I walk you through the basics of Shutter Speed.
Each week on Friday I will be adding new elements to the basics and tying everything together as we go.
Pros I would love for you top contribute to the conversation and share your knowledge with those starting out.
Follow along with the slides on the show notes page on Take & Talk Pics .com
Today’s featured guest is Andre LaCour.
Andre is a Chicago based wedding and portrait photographer. His award winning work has been published in many magazines such as: Chicago Style Weddings, Wedding Guide Chicago, Chicago Social Brides, and Range Finder. As a member of PPA Andre has certificates as a Craftsman and Master Photographer.
Andre LaCour, Master Photographer, CR, is an award-winning photographer with more than 25 years of experience capturing relationships and important moments in the lives of his clients. Andre’s sophisticated and distinctive approach is grounded in the principles of art, and combines the best of photojournalism, classic and fine art styles. One of Chicago’s most established and reputable wedding photographers, Andre will photograph his one thousandth wedding in the summer of 2010. His portfolio of work includes all aspects of wedding, portrait and fashion photography.
Andre’s passion for photography was ignited early on by an educator who eventually became an employer and mentor. He honed his skills by apprenticing at a number of top Chicago studios, and gained experience in both wedding and commercial photography. Andre strongly believes in the importance of ongoing education and development, and continually invests in opportunities that keep him on the forefront of the latest technology and post-production techniques.
Andre holds Craftsman and Masters degrees from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), and is a two-time Kodak Gallery award winner and a recipient of the Fuji Masterpiece award. Andre is a sought after speaker at professional and industry engagements, and has presented at numerous events throughout the country. He has also shared his expertise and passion for photography by training hundreds of professional photographers over the last decade. Andre LaCour Photography has been featured in wedding and photography industry publications, including ChicagoStyle Weddings, Wedding Guide Chicago, Chicago Social Brides and RangeFindermagazines. Andre’s wedding photography has taken him to destinations across the country and abroad, as well as many of Chicago’s major landmark locations, museums, hotels and other unique reception venues.
Monday Message 010 – The Snooze Button
“Just 5 more minutes” Rob thinks to himself, as he rolls over. His phone, rudely blaring, interrupts the perfect dream.
BEEP- BEEP- BEEP- BEEP-
“nooo” he utters, thinking about his dream, being keynote speaker at WPPI 2016.
Swipe. Such a simple move to earn a bit more time of rest, no work, no problems, and an overwhelming guilt trip for wasting that time.
So many of us do it though. We sneak by reality and think we just earned something because we are tired. There are enough things happening day to day to justify the 15 minute crave for rest each morning.
At what cost? I would argue one of the worst parts of my day are those brief moments in the morning; that transition from laying down snoring my brains out to sitting up rubbing my eyes.
It is one of the worst parts to my day!
If I hate waking up so much why do I hit the snooze 3-4 times? It doesn’t make sense.
I hate it… let’s do that 4 times.
Now Photo World is this Monday Message really about waking up each morning? Did I really just spend the last 4 minutes to tell you about a 12 second routine I conquer each morning? – No. I want you to understand how often we hit the Snooze Button in our business every single day. I know I do it all the time and I feel like there is a later time where I can pick up the slack. 10 weeks ago I started the Monday Message and introduced many of you to the book “Do the Work”. I would like to take a second and remind you that nothing gets done if you don’t put in the time. Nothing gets done well if you do not do the work… all the work. We find these excuses in our business- these Snooze Buttons. It is a way to blame everything else for our mishaps in our systems.
I don’t care if it is family, friends, a job, a prior commitment, or anything else we can justify reasoning for our lack of commitment to a job task… By blaming others you give up the power to change. Change and therefore grow.
Tomorrow when you wake… and I will do this too set your alarm, turn off the Snooze Button option, wake up on that first try and spring out of bed. Find a mirror and smile at you. Say out loud “by blaming others I give up the power to change.” Acknowledge that change is good and you are ready to do something today without hitting that Snooze Button.
Just one day is all I ask in this challenge. As silly as you may feel and tired as you might be; do this and as you look back on your day before you go to sleep reflect on your day and how well you felt by choosing a fresh fast start. Analyze that task where you wanted to hit the Snooze and see how you feel about it.
If you don’t feel at least 10% better about that day and all you accomplished (be honest you probably did a ton) I will give you your money back. 100% all of it.
Every cent you paid for this knowledge and new challenge goes right back in your pocket if you are not 100% satisfied with the outcome. (To be clear this refund will amount to the exact investment of $0.00)
Make the small changes in your business and life today so you can expand upon the growth tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by and Happy Shooting!
Hey Photo World!
I am so excited about the next chapter here on Take & Talk Pics and I hope you are as well.
First of all a reminder: I will be conducting the first ever webinar here on Take&TalkPics.com and I want you to be a part of it. Click HERE to register!
Friday interviews are saying good bye for now as I want to respond to the countless emails and connections asking for a different addition to the show and blog.
Introducing the Fundamental Friday’s!
Each Friday I will be bringing us back to the basics and walking through a new segment each week. I am serious. Shutter Speed, Aperture, I.S.O., White Balance, Grey Cards, Composition, Full Frame vs. Cropped Sensors, etc…
This change will help educate the introductory and hobbyists photographers out there. Heck I feel like I learn something new each time I teach a Photo 1100 class at the College of DuPage. Also I would like to invite you intermediate and professional photographers out there to join the conversation. Leave helpful tips and tricks in the comments below each show notes page to help contribute to the learning photographers out there. You never know… you may have the perfect way to say something – if it resonates with one person you have done an excellent thing.
Lastly, I want to share another grand change, rather, an addition to Take&TalkPics.com. I have invited several photographers to become contributing writers for the blog and share their take on photography within their specific fields. Yes, I am a professional photographer but I am not an expert in every aspect of the medium. I have a handful of excellent photographers who will be sharing their expertise and broadening the scope of Take&TalkPics.com.
Thank you Photo World and Happy Shooting!
-Rob Krueger
I’m really excited about all the changes that are happening here on Take & Talk Pics I believe it will all be huge growth for the podcast and contribute to the photo community at large.
Thank you for hanging out today. I will see you next week Photo World – Happy Shooting!
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter and automatically you will be entered into our weekly iTunes gift card giveaway!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
HeyPhotoWorld
PhotoWorld
Today’s featured guest is Lauren Kinsey
Lauren is a wedding photographer based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida who has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Style Me Pretty, Weddings Illustrated, The Knot, and many other luxury wedding resources for brides. Lauren is a unique wedding photographer compared to most these days as she shoots on film 100% of the time!
HI, I’M LAUREN Weddings are a living, breathing phenomenon. Every couple has a love language that is unique to them and I am privileged to be able to capture that language on film. I live for it. The organic nature of film allows me to slow down and turn a discriminating eye to detail and real moments that tell the story of you. I want my art to express beauty, life, and most importantly- love. My vision and aesthetic are so important to who I am as as artist. I want to tell your story in a way in a meaningful and pure way.
I have been honored to have my work featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Once Wed, Style Me Pretty, Weddings Illustrated, The Knot, Southern Weddings Magazine, Utterly Engaged, Belle Lumiere, and many other luxury wedding resources for brides.
The Gulf Coast of Florida is home to me; the idyllic seaside community I grew up in strongly influences my work today. I regularly photograph weddings all along the panhandle of Florida and the Southeast, but have also been fortunate to travel the world, photographing weddings in destinations across the U.S. and abroad.
052 Monday Message 009 - Grey Market
Grey Market equipment... should you buy should you pass by? Rob shares his take. Also he reminds us of the first ever Take & Talk Pics webinar.
Hey Photo World -- Big Changes in the Works - Honoring 50
So today is a bit different because I don’t have an interview for you.
I thought about making a bonus episode and releasing this information on a Thursday but I felt this was too big of an announcement and too big of a time in the Take & Talk Pics Photography Podcast that this needed to be a true episode on its own.
First of all I would like to thank each and every one of you for your dedicated support and continuing to follow along. Sending me questions, sharing things you are finding within the photo community, and getting to know the amazing photographers and business owners we have on the show. When we launched on April 6th 2015 I never gave a thought to an episode 50 existing. You can hear it on my end with the early episodes for sure… I had no idea where this was taking me. Getting to know the amazing team over at ImprovePhotography.com, being introduced to many of the instructing photographers associated with Out of Chicago conference, connect with the guys behind Mirrorless Minutes, and meeting photographers I have followed for years; such as: Jared Polin and Lee Morris.
Episode 50 is truly a milestone for the show and for me. I have stared 4 or 5 blogs over the past 6 years and have never come close to 50 posts. I can honestly say I love doing this and I am passionate about it.
However, it is time to evolve.
I have been getting a lot of feedback from you Photo World and I hope what I’m about to say doesn’t tick anyone off, but rather get you pumped about the next chapter for the show.
As of June 1st I pulled the interviews back a bit and made it 2 interviews each week. I didn’t drop the 3 episodes weekly, no… I introduced the Monday Messages. Much of the feedback has been due to that change. In short the Monday Message each week has been a hit!
Because of this, I have a few more alterations in the works. I don’t want to announce everything just yet but I will tell you: starting the first week in August I will reduce the interviews to only Wednesdays and I will have something a little different set for Fridays. No worries I will be sticking with the Monday Messages. Fridays are the new thing to look out for.
That’s one announcement. The other big announcement is… Webinars!
I will be conducting my first ever live webinar for you photo world. Head to Take & Talk Pics to register for the webinar today!
I’m really excited about all the changes that are happening here on Take & Talk Pics I believe it will all be huge growth for the podcast and contribute to the photo community at large.
Thank you for hanging out today. I will see you next week Photo World – Happy Shooting!
Today’s featured guest is Anna Jaye Goellner.- goal-ner
Anna is a wedding photographer based in Portland OR. Her photography career started with photojournalism and that is the story telling approach she uses in her wedding work. Anna stays somewhat quiet and in the background while capturing authentic love stories, at each wedding she has throughout the world. As her approach and style is constantly honest; her weddings are far from consistent. Each love story she captures is unique and keeps her on her toes from start to finish.
Anna tells us that passion is everything and we talk about how being honest and keeping a good heart combined with a positive genuine attitude truly drive passion.
Resources:
Google Drive
W: annajayephotography.com
Blog: annajayephotography.com/blog
Monday Message 008
By: Rob Krueger
I recently received an email containing 6 questions about starting in Wedding photography.
This Monday Message is just my thoughts on these questions. I am just one photographer in thousands so I do not try to act like my answer is the 100% best choice, but I am completely honest is saying what I think.
The Questions:
1) What is the most versatile lens?
2) What size should the images be that you give your clients?
3) What is the best way to fins a photographer who will let you second shoot for them?
4) Is it unreasonable to charge $1000 or so when getting started doing weddings?
5) Someone told me I should put an ad on craigslist. Is that ever okay?
6) Best way to light up a dark reception hall?
Listen up for my answers
Most Versatile Lens Ever!
Today’s featured guest is Tom Phelan.
Tom is an artist using his photography to document the changing Midwestern landscape. Although he does this in a way like I have never seen before. His subjects include dilapidated barns, rusted out cars, and a variety of objects accosted with rural life.
Shot In The Dark
I like to explore. Since just about everything in the Midwest has already been "discovered," my journeys of exploration, such as they are, tend to have as their aim the rediscovery of things either forgotten or existing in relative obscurity. Whether old cars or farm buildings, I am fascinated with objects that have essentially outlived their usefulness, but whose presence says something about the society that generated them, as well as the individuals who once used them. In this sense, my photographs comprise a record of some of the places and objects I have encountered during the course of the past several years. I find greatest satisfaction in the discovery of objects that might well be placed in a museum, but which have remained in their original context.
My preference for night photography arises primarily from the unique qualities of light that are available, particularly when the moon is present. This more subdued lighting makes it much easier to bring time in as a photographic effect. For example, the use of long exposures allows the cumulative effects of wind to be visible on objects like leaves and clouds, and creates opportunities for seeing things in a slightly different way. A lesser but still important consideration is that shooting after dark also lessens some of the tension created by a society always on the lookout for new and potential threats. That is, I am less noticeable by night, and there are fewer people around to notice me.
My photographs are by no means a random sample of what can be found in Illinois. They are dependent, above all, on the sorts of things that grab my attention. Nowhere is this more true than in the case of old vehicles, and particularly cars. To me, many of the vehicles of the 1950s have a sort of character that is simply not present in modern vehicles, given the emphasis on aerodynamics and efficiency of the latter. Abandoned farms, which occasionally include old cars, are another favorite subject. Since unusual atmospheric conditions (e.g., storms, fog) also appeal to me, many of my photographs bring these in as ancillary subjects. And of course the stars frequently make their appearance, acting as a perpetual reminder that there is a much broader context to our individual lives.
A primary goal in my photography is to bring the viewer to contemplate the redeeming qualities of objects that may not otherwise seem to possess any, and to perhaps feel a bit of the excitement that I have felt upon their discovery.
Today’s featured guest is Ben Chernivsky.
Ben is a wedding photographer and owner of ThisIsFeeling.com. Ben’s philosophy is quality over quantity. He uses this strategy in the building of his business and Ben along with his team of 3 photographers capture nearly 100 weddings per year with that same high standard.
"It's Not About You" - Ben
Ben understands all the problems that come when trying to plan a wedding and going into every email, every meeting, and every phone call knowing that it is not about him, but about the client in need of his service and this has been a game changer - not just in his business but in his life. The ability to visualize yourself in others shoes can help build stronger business relationships and personal relationships.
HELLO, I’M BEN // BOSS-MAN, PHOTOGRAPHER, CONSULTANT
I’m a man of few words until I begin talking. I feel many, many things in life. I am a blubbering blob of body and bone, full of passion and positivity.
I like cats.
The ocean both fascinates me and scares me beyond belief.
I wake up each day and look forward to watering my grass, tomatoes, and basil garden.
But I usually scamper towards the espresso machine first.
I adore my wife.
I love photographing love.
Rob Krueger here with Monday Message 007
Info.takentalkpics@gmail.com
Stay cool Photo World! And Happy Shooting!
-Rob
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter and automatically you will be entered into our weekly iTunes gift card giveaway!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
HeyPhotoWorld
PhotoWorld
Today’s featured guest is Garrett MacLean.
Garrett is an Environmental and documentary photographer based out of Detroit MI who tells the stories and happenings of the people throughout Detroit. In 2007 Garrett’s work in Haiti was shown at the San Francisco Art Gallery. His project titled No Fat Hatians, Images from Haiti's Central Plateau; featured subjects in their lives, the many struggles they face on a day to day basis, and the urgency the nation faces as a whole.
Born and raised in Massachusetts. Graduated from Middlebury College in '99. Began a self-taught photography path while living in Boston, with a Nikon 2020 as my 1st camera.
Shows in NYC, SF, Oakland, and Detroit. Shot for TIME, VICE UK, Hyphen, YES Magazine, Under the Influence, amongst others.
Currently rehabbing a 110 year old house in Poletown, Detroit.
Today’s featured guest is Jeffrey Ross.
Jeffrey is a commercial photographer based out of Naperville IL. Together with his wife Catherine they own Ross Creative Works. They combine Jeffrey’s photography and Catherine’s design work to create powerful imagery, marketing, and advertising materials for their clients throughout the country.
We are a design and commercial photography team that creates powerful imagery, marketing, & advertising. It makes sense that a graphic designer from North Dakota and a photographer from Florida would manage to set up shop in the middle ground of the Midwest. Home base is just west of Chicago in Naperville, IL. Catherine believes she really is living down south. And every winter Jeffrey is ready to run away and sell coconuts on the beach somewhere. Fortunately they work well together.
Jeffrey likes vintage records and knows every store that sells vinyl in a 50 mile radius. He has also figured out 5 different ways to sleep on an airplane and is considering writing a travel book about that hard won knowledge.
Rob Krueger here with Monday Message 006
Two rules and one tip! Rules are made to be broken and my tip today is just something for you to try out and play with a bit. Have fun and Happy Shooting!
If you have any questions about Lightroom please feel free to reach out and contact me directly.
Info.takentalkpics@gmail.com
Stay cool Photo World! And Happy Shooting!
-Rob
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter and automatically you will be entered into our weekly iTunes gift card giveaway!
2015 © Take&TalkPics #HeyPhotoWorld #PhotoWorld
Today’s featured guest is Paul Audia.
Paul Audia is a Chicago based beauty and fashion photographer who also expands his creativity beyond the still image - his video work is equally impressive. Paul has been published in countless magazines and websites. His award winning work proves his mastery with lighting both in studio and on location.
Great photographers are on a constant quest to capture that perfect shot. From locations and lighting to lenses and shot lists, they listen. They plan. They focus. But when it comes time to shoot, instinct takes over.
From art to fashion to portraits and commercial work, Audia possesses a unique vision, bringing technical mastery and genuine spontaneity to every shoot.
Whether capturing models with wild horses in Connemara, Ireland to shooting catalog work on the color-drenched cobblestone streets of Guatemala to hanging off a cliffside balcony in Portugal, he is fearless in pursuit of his vision. He harnesses light, creativity, lines and curves to evoke emotion, tell a story, reveal the truth. He has shot portraits as diverse as Barack Obama to Billy Corgan, Buddy Guy to buttoned-up business men, fashion models to Irish fishermen, and in each, he strives to uncover the essence of the person within.
He is playful, honest, real and spontaneous. He’s a consummate pro—navigating weather, unexpected circumstances, environment and time—all in pursuit of the shot.
A photographer, an artist, an in-the-moment visionary, he knows how to find the signal through the visual noise. He knows how to focus on details, nuances, and sees uses light like none other. He captures moments that aren’t just beautiful, but make you feel.
The moral of the story: photographers are artists, storytellers, magicians, technicians, and friends. When your next project needs to shine or requires that extra boost of creative attention, call or email and let Audia’s passion for the visual arts be the conduit to make your vision shine.
Today’s featured guest is Bryan Peterson.
Bryan is an award winning commercial photographer and has been for the past 30 years and educator in photography for the past 20 years. He is the founder of Bryan Peterson School of Photography and has done work for clients such as American Express, Kodak, UPS, Phillips, and Citibank just to name a few. In addition, Bryan is the author of such bestselling books as Understanding Exposure, Understanding Shutter Speed, Beyond Portraiture: Creative People Photography, and Learning to See Creatively.
040 Monday Message 005
Joby GorillaPod Focus
Promaster MG2
VKtech release plate
http://takeandtalkpics.com/affiliates/buy-same-gear/
Today’s featured guest is Levi Sim.
Levi is a photographer based out of Lake Oswego, Oregon. With his signature Steve Jobs tribute portraits Levi is a down to earth photographer driven by his passion for the medium. As a man who wears many hats, both figuratively and literally speaking, Levi has one other passion than his photography and that is his family. His family is the foundation to why his approach with images is so strong and successful.
You’re working hard to make your business stronger. You’re working hard to make your life better. The things that drive you are your passion for your family, your work and your life. We’re alike that way which is why I’m here to help you.
My passion is making photographs that help tell your story. I want to make photographs that help you share your passion with the world. I want people to see you the way I see you. I know when they see your passion for life they will support you, too.
Your business impacts a very important part of your world - your family. I feel the same way, and I’m thrilled to be able to help your business AND your family to thrive. I’m excited to have this opportunity to work with you and create images that help reveal your passion and define your goals to our community.
Today’s featured guest is Chris Smith.
Chris is a Chicago based Photographer and creator of Out of Chicago.com. His blog has been a growing resource for photographers looking to photograph the city as well as surrounding areas. The growth of the Blog has been amazing and Chris now has the Out of Chicago podcast and he is the author of The Photographer’s Guide to Chicago. To top it all off this upcoming weekend will be the second annual Out Of Chicago Photography Conference.
Chris Smith is the guy behind Out of Chicago. He is the author of The Photographer’s Guide to Chicago and host of the Out of Chicago Podcast. Chris specializes in photographing Chicago at night. By day, Chris is a high school physics teacher and lives with his wife and two kids in the Chicago Suburbs.
I hope that the Out of Chicago blog becomes a useful resource for anyone trying to get great shots of the city of Chicago and the surrounding areas. I will try to provide info on the best locations to shoot. There will be ideas for day and weekend trips in and around Chicago. There will be tips and techniques to help you get the best shots and reviews to help you find the best equipment and learning resources. Along the way, I hope to show you some of my favorite shots that I have taken over the years and introduce you to some of my favorite Chicago photographers.
Resources:
Lynda.com
KelbyOne.com
Hey PhotoWorld! - Take & Talk Pics Pricing Your Photography How do we begin with pricing our service as a photographer? Better yet how do we take it to the next level once we have started bringing in clientele?
Listen in to today’s Monday message where I share the financial story of my first wedding photography gig and why it was the right fit for me.
Remember to factor in:
What is the true value you bring to the table?
How much have you invested in your business (time, money, and education)?
What expectations do you want your clients to have?
What (if anything) sets you apart in these early stages of your photography?
I fully believe that perceived value is a big factor in this industry. However, that same idea is often abused. Being genuine has never hurt in the long run.
For those of you looking to grow take a listen to Episode 003 with Chis and Lauren Also listen between the lines of Episode 027 with Skip Cohen of Skip Cohen University. These two episodes talk business and more specifically they talk money. If you have been following the trends of the Message Monday Episodes you will find they all connect with the ideas that if you put in the time, really push the effort, get to work, and care about your business as if no one else does; you will have growth and success with your photography and your life.
A shout out to those who are pros and make their living with photography. Like me you are not starting and wondering how to price your fist job. However, do you feel your prices reflect what you are capable of in this medium?
I will bet that an overwhelming about of you are working 3X harder than you need too, getting paid 25% less than you should, and wonder why your business (while it is running steady) is not seeing much growth and just barley keeps in place.
Well just like our equipment prices go up and our taxes jump; we need to follow along to be on par. In golf par would be a great day for just about any of us but in life or business par feel stagnant.
I challenge you to take these 3 steps:
Are you ready Photo World?
- wake up 30-60 minutes earlier for the next 30 days
- This extra time gives you an opportunity most are unwilling to take. There for you have a dedicated time for concentration and high levels of productivity.
- Blog. Blog.
- Google doesn’t care about your site over someone else’s. It cares about content.
- Blogging is a difficult task to make habit but it can be the repetition of a blog that will replace your marketing completely.
- And it is cheap to do so.
- Do one thing that scares you 3 times a week.
- Make a system out of making a cold call you have been thinking about but feared the rejection from.
- Stop in to local business and introduce yourself.
- Call an old friend and just say hi.
- These simple connections can introduce you to new networks and therefore new possibilities.
Today’s featured guest is Nick Page.
Nick is a freelance photographer based out of Dayton Washington. He specializing in weddings, portraits, architecture, and fin art landscapes. He is a co-host to the weekly Portrait Session podcast, a regular guest host on the Improve Photography podcast, and contributor to the Photo Taco Podcast. All this and he still manages to conduct workshops and make amazing artwork.
Robs thoughts. -- I love the discussion on "the Walmart mentality" where Nick explains, in a unique but brilliant way, that your customers always get what they pay for. Not to be confused by the idea you can charge more to attract easier going clients, but honing in on your ability, seeing where your value stacks up, and working to niche down into the appropriate market.
Nick shared: Totally immerse yourself in your craft. -- What a perfect statement! So simple and easy to take with us #PhotoWorld.
I am a freelance photographer specializing in weddings, portraiture, architecture, and fine art Landscapes. Travel is one of my passions. I love to see new things and photograph the world around me. - Nick
Today’s featured guest is Kevin Kuster.
Kevin is not only a photographer but an educator and entrepreneur as well. Kevin thrives on the opportunities social media offers and as the CEO of #jj, the largest Instagram community with over 640k followers, he has proven his methods. He is also a contributing writer for TheAppWhisperer.com and has been featured at iPhone Photographyschool, DPconnect, Passion Passport, and Instagramers.com just to name a few.
Equal Parts: Director, Photographer, Producer and Social Media Consultant.
Currently, Kevin Kuster is the Chief Creative Director for Watts of Love, a global solar lighting non-profit dedicated to providing lights to the poorest of the poor in the darkest area of the world.
Prior to joining Watts of Love, Kevin was employed at Playboy Magazine for 18 years. Kevin served as the Senior Photography Editor for Playboy Magazine and Managing Content Director for Playboy Digital. While at Playboy, he was responsible for producing some of the largest pictorials in Playboy’s history, and was responsible for discovering some of Playboy’s most well-known celebrity models. His images graced the covers of many Playboy’s top selling issues, and his pictorials have won countless awards.
Kevin’s career has taken him all across the globe, and he has produced photographs and films under every kind of situation, environment and location. He has created award-winning images with Oscar winning and nominated Hollywood directors including Spike Lee, Kevin Smith, Neil LaBute, George Tillman Jr., Mike Figgis and Michael Bay. Kevin has also created and produced photographs for some of the biggest celebrities in Hollywood, professional sports, politics and world events.
As an photographer, educator, and entrepreneur, Kevin is passionate about empowering and inspiring others to create meaningful community and art through the creative process. In addition to his work as the CEO of #jj, the world’s largest Instagram community with over 640,000 followers, Kevin is a contributing writer for TheAppWhisper.com and has been featured at WeareJuxt, iPhone Photography School, DPconnect, Passion Passport, and Instagramers.com. Recently, Kevin photographed 40 couples too poor to be married on Ilin Island Philippines.
Kevin is consistently invited to speak on the power of social media and how to build brand social media communities. His most recent work has included speaking as one of the keynotes at MacWorld 2014 and as the featured speaker at the Apple Store in Chicago.
Today's Monday Message is about working from home and the challenges we face. We need to make changes and avoid distractions. Change leads to growth and success. Being your own boss may be a great feeling
If what you are doing isn’t working you need to take the steps to make it work!
You need to change – for the better.
A great quote by Chris Voss is “When you blame others you give up your power to change. Take responsibility for your future!”
The way I look at it is:
If you aren’t happy with where you are at… Change.
If your business is so much work the pleasure of being a photographer is slowly drifting away… Change.
If the list of things to do feels so overwhelming you’ll never catch up… Change.
There are ways around all of these feelings and misconceptions about our businesses and ourselves.
So many people I know or meet out there tell me they are unhappy these days. Forget photography for a second. I hear it from a ton of people from all walks of life. The same excuses:
“I don’t have enough money.”
“I don’t have enough time.”
“I don’t have the proper education.”
“No one will want me, so why even try.”
I have two ways of looking at change and if you understand the meaning behind what I’m about to tell you. Then you will have an easier time moving forward, not just in your business, but your life as well.
- For your personal life: “Change, when done properly, is based on looking back and the wanting to improve as you move forward.”
- For your business: “Small amounts of change will add up to dollars. The sooner you make change the sooner you make dollars. The more you make change the more you make dollars.”
How to keep going?
Well I find it is helpful and necessary to put many systems in place.
What do I mean by systems?
Well if you remember in episode 024 with Jim Harmer he suggested getting a 30 minute sand timer. So when you have a task you need to do; you start the timer allowing yourself only 30 minutes to complete as much of that task as possible. Once the time is up, you stop whatever task you were working on, flip over the timer and work hard for the next task. - I want to clear a couple things up though first. Just because you only schedule 30 minutes to get a task done doesn’t mean you do what you can and then it’s all over if you don’t make it. Nor does this method suggest rushing though a task in that block of time is a good idea… What this does is the creation of the light at the end of the tunnel for yourself and your work. An end game to help your mind wrap around the fact that in 30 minutes you are going to be done working on that particular task for today. If it’s a bigger project come back to it 2 or 3 times, but give yourself the breaks from one thing and move to the next.
A system I have in place is waking up early. Now, I am not a morning person… in fact it is the worst part of my day. However, when I get up at 5:30am, have my coffee, get ready for my day, and then get to work by 6am; that is the best feeling. It feels like I have a good 3 hours’ worth of dedicated “in the zone” work time. Before most others get to work and before my phone starts ringing.
You know… I have an email address for Rob Krueger Photography and I have one for Take&TalkPics.com and I have one for my teaching at The College of DuPage; with so many different kinds of email coming in I need to keep things organized for my own sake. So what I do is check on one set of emails just once during the day. I have specific times when I allow myself to take a look and get back to everyone I can.
The truth is if you don’t have strict policy in place then there is no reason to follow though. Holding ourselves accountable is the most difficult thing we must do as business owners. For anyone who has or has had a full time day job you can relate to this:
It always seems like your boss has nothing better to do than be checking up on you and seeing if you are keeping up with the unrealistic schedule, but that is the majority of their job. As small independent business owners we have no one to answer to; therefore, we only fear ourselves and the potential guilt we may have for not putting forth our best efforts some days.
I like to say this:
“If I can go to bed at night knowing I did the best I could with my time and my day, then I did okay; tomorrow will be a new test, a fresh start, and a new day to see how I feel before I go to bed that night.”
I’m going to leave you Photo World with a quote by Henry Ford: Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot – you are right.”
We have to change our lives or accept defeat by not trying. Even if we try and fail, we still learn and grow.
Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter and automatically you will be entered into our weekly giveaway! - currently we are giving away iTunes gift cards!
2015 © Take&TalkPics
Today’s featured guest is Juan Pons.
Juan is a nature and wildlife photographer based in Bangor, Main - who is passionate about the conservation of our wildlife habitats and is member to multiple organizations with that same focus. With over 20 years of experience you can easily see the skills in his imagery is driven by the passion to conserve his subjects and their homes. Juan donates his work to non-profit organizations with the preservation mission. Lastly, Juan has been published in countless magazines such as Sierra Magazine, American Photo, and The Independent just to name a few.
Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Juan is a nature and wildlife photographer, whose passion is photographing our worlds magnificent wildlife and natural features. Juan is a strong supporter of wildlife and natural habitat conservation and is a member of several conservation organizations. Though private individuals purchase photos directly from him, Juan donates his images to non-profit organizations with nature and wildlife preservation missions. Juan never ceases to be amazed by the natural subjects he photographs and hopes that sharing his photographs will inspire others to appreciate and respect natural life.
With more than 20 years experience in photography, Juan has also become a recognized expert on maximizing the capabilities of DSLRs when shooting video, and has published a new instructional DVD titled The Photographers Guide to Creating HD Video with the Canon 5D Mark II and 7D.
Juan travels extensively capturing nature’s beauty, and also teaches during his own workshops and multitude events throughout the world on many photography topics. Click here to learn more about his workshops to Yellowstone and beyond.
Juan’s work has been featured on numerous publications, including: Sierra Magazine, Nature Conservancy, Audubon Magazine, American Photo, Audubon North Carolina, Wildlife in North Carolina, The Independent, and many others.
Juan is the co-host, with his friend Rick Sammon, The Digital Photography Experience podcast, a leading audio podcast that covers many photographic topics.
Both Mike and Jamie are part of the Olympus Visionary Program. Aside from their photographic works Mike and Jamie run a weekly podcast and blog called Mirrorless Minutes. As you may have guessed Mirrorless Minutes is a photographers online resource specifically focused on the use of Mirrorless cameras. As the Mirrorless camera gains more attention so does the need to learn better photography with it and that is where Mike and Jamie come in providing their visitors with information and inspiration.
Jamie:
Olympus Trailblazer Jamie MacDonald is a nature and stock photographer living in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Jamie is the founder of the Mirrorless Minutes website and podcast, as well as a contributor the several popular photography blogs such as the Borrowlenses.com blog and SteveHuffPhoto.com.
Jamie’s work has been featured in several international ad campaigns for Olympus Imaging North America, and can be seen on popular websites such as Phobolographer.com and the 500px blog. When Jamie is not out shooting he can often be found camping with his wife and two sons, or leading photography workshops and photowalks throughout Michigan.
Jamie says that he is, “motivated to teach people capture what they see, and to see what others do not.”
Mike:
Mike commonly finds his inspiration on the streets of his hometown, Detroit, Michigan, specializing in street and urban photography. As the newest Olympus Trailblazer in the Olympus Visionary Program, Mike first caught the eye of Olympus through his work with Out of Chicago and his “Shoot Light, Shoot Often” philosophy.
Over the last five years, he has worked with the Detroit Metro Convention Bureau, covering events and taking headshots for a Fortune 500 company, and shooting sports photography. Mike has shared his love of street photography by teaching and leading groups on urban photography in the Detroit area as well as out of state.
When Mike isn’t behind a camera, he is in front of the camera serving as co-host of the biweekly video podcast, Mirrorless Minutes.
Mike is passionate about what can be accomplished with the Olympus Micro Four Thirds systems, using the OM-D E-M1 for his outdoor shooting exploits.
Why Schooling:
· Everything is on a manageable timeline
· Community/network
· Multiple perspectives
· Work opportunities
· Low pressure practice
· Regular critiques
· Build a portfolio
Schooling isn’t for everyone… in fact I have a blog post titled: Why Schooling is the best thing you can do for your photography/Why assisting is the best thing you can do for your photography.
We are all on our own paths as image makers and some forks in the road take different photographers different directions. None of it is right or wrong it is just about finding out what is right for you...
Today’s featured guest is Angie McMonigal.
Angie is an award winning fine art photographer based out of Chicago IL. Her work has been internationally exhibited and she has been published in Rfoto Folio, Stark-Magazine, F-stop Magazine, and National Geographic’s just to name a few.
After growing up in a small town in central Wisconsin, Angie has enjoyed calling Chicago her “hometown” for the past 15 years. She strives to combine her love of the bustling big city, its architecture and her childhood roots in nature to create meditative, contemplative imagery out of the broader urban landscape.
She frequently works one-on-one with private collectors, but also collaborates with art consultants, designers, and architectural firms to provide distinctive imagery to complement their brands and meet their needs. She is available for commissioned, one-of-a-kind projects by both private and corporate collectors. By creating images that draw out the organic interplay between design, structure, environment, and society, Angie offers a fresh and distinct viewpoint that fulfills clients’ marketing and artistic needs. An award-winning fine art photographer, Angie’s work has been internationally exhibited and published in publications such as: National Geographic, Rfoto Folio, Stark Magazine and F-stop Magazine. She has received awards from the International Photography Awards (IPA) and Prix de la Photographie Paris” (Px3) Awards, among others, and worked with global brands, such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts Inc., as well as local and national art consultants and private collectors.
Today’s featured guest is Mike Moats.
Mike is an award winning photographer who specializes in macro photography. His company, Tiny Landscapes, is based in Sterling Heights, Michigan. What started as a hobby in 2001 quickly turned to a full time business. Aside from his stunning images Mike is a writer for Tamron’s blog, has images published in countless magazines, offers workshops, and has published two books on macro photography.
Episode 28 Breaking down the #1 easiest step to take for better success in your photography business.
I would like to break down 1 thing that has come up in several interviews so far and I imagine it will come up many more interviews to come. It is a simple quote I have on my wall in my office, it is the title of a book I often recommend, and it is the one thing that will make an enormous difference between those who are successful in their business and those who are struggling.
First off we should define success. Now my definition may be wildly different from yours when it comes to success, but the basis is similar for all of us. It usually lines up with financial stability, ability to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, health and happiness for your family, and satisfaction or happiness on a personal level. Again this is open ended and will change from person to person but whatever the ideal definition of success you have those common themes tend to overlap for most.
So what is this mystery topic? What is so secret that this build up is needed?
Today’s featured guest is Skip Cohen.
Skip is the president and founder of Skip Cohen University. His approach to education in business, marketing, social media, and networking influences the ability to “thrive not just survive” in one’s own photography business. SCU is a radical difference from your typical educational options. The site alone has a rich saturation of information through their blog, videos, podcast, and the Skip Cohen University community at large.
Skip Cohen is President/Founder of Marketing Essentials International, a marketing consulting firm specializing in projects dedicated to education, primarily in photography, along with social media support across a variety of different marketing/business platforms. He’s been actively involved in the photographic industry his entire career and previously served as President of Rangefinder/WPPI and earlier, Hasselblad USA.
He founded SkipCohenUniversity.com in January, 2013. It’s considered one of the fastest growing educational sites and blogs in professional photography. The site is a resource center for aspiring and working professional photographers. The faculty includes over fifty of the industry’s finest artists.
He has been a guest editor and consultant for Photo District News, educational consultant for PhotoPlus Expo programming and has contributed editorial to PDN magazine. Other clients have included PMA and PhotoShop World. He currently writes ongoing features for both Resource Magazine and Shutter Magazine; is a co-host on SPTV.me; is the anchor on the Weekend Wisdom podcast and is co-host for “Mind Your Own Business” a monthly webcast with Photofocus.com. He has co-authored six books on photography, The Art of Wedding Photography, The Art of the Digital Wedding, The Art of People Photography, Don Blair’s Guide to Posing and Lighting Body Parts, Wedding Photography from the Heart and GoingPro, released in 2011.
Today’s featured guests are Tim Ryon & Sarah Lockhart of Ryon Lockhart Photography.
These two lovebirds found one another despite growing up a world apart. Their shared passion for photography just adds to their love story and this could be the very influence that allows for their wedding photography to be so beautiful. Tim and Sarah bounce between LA and NY but they travel everywhere between and beyond capturing newlyweds.
Sarah and Tim are an easygoing, travel-addicted, animal loving husband/wife team! With extensive backgrounds in wedding and commercial photography, we bring a sense of ease and professionalism to every wedding, keeping things natural and fun! Our goal is to tell your story through timeless images full of laughter and love.
Today’s featured guest is Jared Polin.
Jared is a Philadelphia based Photographer, YouTube guru, Blogger, Podcaster, and Marketing wiz. In 2010 Jared founded FroKnowsPhoto.com. He has had millions of views on his YouTube channel and aside from his “Fro” he has branded the ever popular “I Shoot RAW” catch phrase and merchandise. Jared’s photographs have been published in Rolling Stone, Spin Magazine, and countless other international titles. With his YouTube channel, RAW Talk Podcast, and FroKnowsPhoto.com Jared brings information and leadership from unboxing videos to photo news and all stops in between.
Resources:
livevideoinc
tubefilter
I Shoot RAW store
RAW Talk Podcast
w: froknowsphoto.com
jaredpolin.com
Today’s featured guest is Jim Harmer.
Jim is a photographer based in Caldwell, Idaho. In 2011 Jim founded Improve Photography.com. The site has grown to be one of the largest internet resources for photographers today. Jim also runs a YouTube channel, hosts the weekly Improve Photography Podcast, and holds free workshops around the world; as well as being an author of multiple books, presentations, and video courses.
Jim Harmer founded Improve Photography.com in 2011 and it has grown to one of the largest photography sites on the internet. He quit working as an attorney to follow his dream of building Improve Photography and now hosts the weekly Improve Photography Podcast, runs a YouTube channel, and holds completely free photography workshops all around the world to thank the readers of the site for their support. He has authored multiple books, presentations, and video courses. His works have been published in many of the largest traditional and online publications. He lives in Caldwell, Idaho with his wife and two boys.
Today’s featured guest is Abby Grace Springman.
Abby is a Washington DC-based wedding and anniversary photographer who specializes in old-school chic couples where she documents authentic love. The majority of Abby’s work is far from posed and those candid moments show the love her clients share in their most true form. Simply put… her images are Real!
Abby Grace is a DC-based photographer who specializes in anniversaries and weddings for the old-school-chic couple in love! Her work has brought her across the world, from California to Chianti, Italy, and she makes a point to keep travel a constant theme in her work. An educator, speaker, and lover of all things Harry Potter-related, she spends her free time with her husband, their two rescue pups, and a recently-acquired hive of honeybees!
Today’s featured guest is Miles Boone.
Miles is a Commercial photographer based out of Downers Grove IL and does work throughout the Chicago area. He has worked for clients such as: closet works, dow chemical, fermilab, James Hardie, keystone capital, and Nicor just to name a few. Miles is also a part time photography instructor.
Today’s featured guest is Natalie Probst.
Natalie is a professional wedding and editorial photographer based in Chicago. She has been published in local magazines and on multiple blogs. Natalie’s editorial style shines through her wedding work and creates a mood that is truly captivating.
“So, what do you want to be when you grow up?” As a child my answers ranged from dancer to architect to veterinarian. But, things changed in the fifth grade, when my mother gave me a Kodak Pocket Instamatic Camera to take on a school camping trip. I was fascinated to discover I could capture every present moment. Now, 15 years later, I've learned to appreciate how these moments become lifetime memories through photography. I’m driven by the excitement of exploring life through my lens, and I have to admit, I have a lot of fun doing it!
A note from Rob:
Our discussion seemed to be centered around the value of Networking. Getting out there and shaking hands with those you look up to or admire in some way. I like to shake hands with those who have the level of success I strive to achieve.
Lee Morris on Take & Talk Pics Photography Podcast
Today’s featured guest is Lee Morris.
Lee is a commercial wedding photographer from Charleston, South Carolina. Lee’s wedding photography wasn't his first pick, but he slowly fell in love with weddings after being asked by friends to capture their day and the word of mouth spread rapidly.
Along side photographer Patrick Hall, Lee is the co-founder of Fstoppers.com. An online community aimed at educating and inspiring photographers, videographers, and creative professionals.
I am not a normal wedding photographer. Although most weekends I am heading out of the state to shoot a wedding, my weekday photoshoots are everything but wedding related. When I began taking pictures 8 years ago I was all about my commercial work (editorial, advertising, fashion). I slowly fell into wedding photography as friends told friends about me and it has now become the biggest part of my business. A few years ago I never thought I could have this much fun shooting weddings; I am loving every moment.
When I am not shooting stills I am usually to shooting video for my new venture, www.Fstoppers.com. If you are interested in photography, Fstoppers is a great place to learn about all things photo and video.
Lee Morris on Take & Talk Pics Photography Podcast. He is the co founder of Fstoppers.com and offers information to photographers/videographers/creatives.
Learn Photography Free Online with the Take & Talk Pics Photography Podcast with Rob Krueger
Leigh is from Overland Park, Kansas. However, her photography keeps her jumping from KS to CA and back again. As a wedding and lifestyle photographer of 11 years, Leigh has a lightness to her work, but never sacrificing the crisp emotion and gently timed moments that shine throughout her work.
Learn Photography Free Online with the Take & Talk Pics Photography Podcast with Rob Krueger
Today’s featured guest is Cris Duncan.
Cris is based in Lubbock TX, Where he specializes in people. Families, babies, seniors (both high school and college), children, weddings, and commercial work. It may sound like he is a jack of all trades, but when you see the work Cris produces, there is continuity throughout his style and approach to capturing his subjects.
Learn photography Free online with the Take & Talk Pics Photography Podcast with Rob Krueger
Today’s featured guest is Berit Bizjak owner of Images by Berit.
Berit is an award winning wedding photographer, whose work has been featured in publications such as: Inside Weddings, The Knot Magazine, Style Me Pretty, and Brides Magazine. Her so far, 17 years, as a wedding photographer shines through in each image captured. Berit’s portfolio reflects her refined skill and ability in seeing as a true talent in the world of wedding photography.
Today’s featured guest is Emilia Jane Schobeiri.
Emilia is a wedding photographer who has captured couples in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Texas, and even Paris. Bouncing mostly between Chicago and New York, Emilia’s weddings have an honest quality and they flow with the emotion being captured.
Learn Photography Free Online with Rob Krueger and the Take & Talk Pics Photography Podcast
http://www.takeandtalkpics.com
Today’s featured guest is Dan Frievalt.
Dan is a former graphic artist where after 12 years in the industry turned his sights to pursuing photography full time. 2005 marked the beginning of a new chapter for Dan but those graphic artist roots still accent an awesome ability for seeing. Aside from the photography itself Dan also produces digital work for other photographers to bring their own images to a new level.
Learn photogrpahy free online at http://www.takeandtalkpics.com
Today’s featured guest is Danny Weiss.
Danny was a professional actor turned pro wedding and portrait photographer. Over the past 10 years Danny has been traveling worldwide capturing beautiful weddings and telling the stories of hundreds of couples.
Learn photography business free online with takeandtalkpics.com
Today’s featured guest is Liz Banfield.
Liz, is a wedding and commercial photographer, who’s artful and candid style has become her hallmark. Her work is regularly published in Martha Stewart Weddings and Town & Country Weddings. Liz travels the world photographing weddings. She has these accomplishments and countless others while keeping her focus in shooting with film.
http://www.takeandtalkpics.com
learn photogrpahy free online
Today’s featured guest is Carl Caylor.
Carl has been involved with photography for over 25 years. He is one of twenty Kodak Mentors throughout the world, an award winning photographer, and PPA Photographer of the year for the past six years.
learn photography free online
http://takeandtalkpics.com/carl-caylor/
Today’s featured guest is JP Teutonico.
JP is an award winning photographer, having been named TheKnot.com’s best of weddings for 2013, 2014, and 2015 in Manhattan, Long Island, and Connecticut.
Let me start by saying I have the best job in the world and I absolutely love what I do. Its a far cry from my previous life where I spent years working in finance at Goldman Sachs and as a Partner at SecondMarket, but I am so happy to have found my calling in life!
When I'm not shooting fabulous couples there is nothing I like more than spending time with my beautiful wife and raising our incredible son Luca. I'm hoping he'll be traveling the world with us and having a blast playing soccer, snowboarding and learning how to cook our traditional Italian family dishes. Between my wife and I he's going to have no choice but to love music and be as creative as possible!
Michael Mowbray is an award winning wedding and senior portrait photographer, educator, published author of two books, and 2011 – 2012 – 2013 medalist in the International PPA Photographer of the Year Competition.
Michael Mowbray, M. Photog, Cr.
Michael is the author of the popular speedlight photography books Shoot to Thrill and The Speedlight Studio (Amherst Media). He is in demand on the speaking circuit with his programs on Senior Portraits, Weddings, Speedlights, and Business.
Since opening Beautiful Portraits by Michael in 2001, Michael Mowbray has gone on to win many awards for his portraiture and was named a medalist in the PPA International Photographic Competition in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He has had the highest scoring wedding portrait in Wisconsin 8 out of the past 9 years, including Wisconsin Best of Show-Wedding 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. He has won the prestigious Kodak Gallery Award five times, and the Fuji Masterpiece Award for Outstanding Wedding Portraiture three times. Michael has also been named one of the Top 10 photographers in Wisconsin multiple times and “Best of Madison” by the readers of Madison Magazine.
Michael gives back to the photographic community by sharing his expertise in classes, seminars and educational videos. He is an adjunct professor for portraiture at Madison College in Madison, WI.
Today’s featured guest is Kenny Pang.
Kenny is a Documentary-trained photographer in New York City.
With 8 years as a photojournalist covering New York, New Jersey, and D.C. Kenny has found himself pursuing and growing a successful studio with a current focus in weddings, engagements, and portraiture.
Documentary-trained photographer based in and native to New York City. I studied at both the International Center of Photography and the School of Visual Arts, both in NYC. Having worked in the field as a photojournalist for 8 years, I covered news, feature, sports, and photo essays in New York, New Jersey and Washington DC. I enjoyed a position as Staff Photographer at The Courier News in Bridgewater, NJ for 6 years before pursuing a career as a wedding and portrait photographer.
Today’s featured guest is Susan Shek. Susan is a New York City wedding photographer who, over the past 9 years, has been capturing love and telling love stories.
I was born and raised in New York City. I was always interested in photography and took a lot of polaroids. When the digital cameras came around I quickly picked up my love for photography and enjoyed capturing portraits and travel photos.
Photography has always been an important part of my life, and I enjoy waking up for it everyday. I have spent the past 9 years capturing love and telling love stories though my photos. I do everything in-house, from editing to album design. I also have a second shooter, partner, Mike that I have been best friends with for the past 17 years that gets my vision. Together we see the same story and produce amazing results for our clients.
What sets me apart from other wedding photographers is that I am there for you from the minute we start communicating, I am the one that is present on your wedding day, not some big company where you are hooked up with an associate you never meet until your big day. I am there to assist you with any friend-vendor recommendations, pinning the boutonnières, and most importantly there to witness your special day. Maybe I should have been a wedding planner too. Heehee. Please check out my reviews across the web for more references.
When I’m not photographing weddings, I am spending time with my boyfriend, cooking, or volunteering and rescuing puppies for Social Tees Animal Rescue.
Michael Barton Photography
Michael Barton is an international award winning master photographer and Fellow of the American a Society of Photographers, a distinction held by only 116 photographers worldwide. Barton has been a Photographer of the Year from the Professional Photographers of America for 8 consecutive years. In 2012, Barton was the recipient of the PPA Grand Imaging Award, chosen from a pool of over 7000 entries. Being a lifelong student of the humanities, Barton received a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas in 2000 and has studied music for over 3 decades.
Michael Barton has photographed a wide range of subjects and has a prolific collection of works. Barton’s character studies, children’s portraits, still life, street photography and landscapes have been featured in collections throughout the United States and beyond. His growing collection of mixed media pieces and commissions have made an impact on how his audiences views the visual arts.
Along his journey, Barton has maintained a strong commitment to teaching and academia. Having taught a diverse range of topics including music, photographic technique, photographic software, color management, workflow and astronomy, Barton is able to approach education from many different angles. Speaking at major conventions, teaching private lessons, consulting and lecturing at the collegiate level has given Barton an edge when it comes to adapting to different learning styles and environments. Barton’s true passion is in connecting with students and mentoring in smaller, personal groups and one on one sessions. Creating a hands-on experience is a unique gift and one that is meant to be shared. Bringing people together while forming personal relationships is at the core of what drives Barton in everything aspect of his teaching.
Today’s featured guest is Sherry Hagerman. Sherry’s company, Allusion Photography, specializes in weddings, engagements, boudoir, and cinematography.
Sherry has recognized that as a bride and groom’s journey begins, the pictures are becoming their first family heirloom. Allusion Photography has mastered this important task and captures moments that will be everlasting memories.
I have always been inspired by photography – a pristine type of photography that portrays style,glamour and profound experiences.
Photographing a wedding is never about the process of the day – but rather appreciating the values and the new love that is before you. It truly is about capturing the passion, the feel and the first family memories that will set precedence for years to come.
For every couple I tell a story-with a family, with a setting, with what they wear, and the love they surround themselves with. I want to reflect a feeling of romance and passion with a twist of art and sophisticated fashion. Depicting memories of a picturesque estate, a lush green park, or a stylish urban train station to the newly married homes of the distinguished, iconic and creative.
Sherry Hagerman
Founder/CEO
As an award winning wedding photographer, Petar Madzhurov uses a commercial approach with a glamor and fashion style to display his contemporary wedding imagery.
Being a photographer is not just a job for me.It's something that I really love to do. It's always amazing to take a special part of people's most memorable days.
I have photographed many weddings and each of them is unique and special for me. I'm always excited to meet with new people and to make new friends.
The main purpose of being a wedding photographer for me is to take the best possible photos capturing the whole atmosphere of the wedding day; from the fun getting ready pictures to the emotional moment of the father giving away his daughter, and all the crazy dances at the reception.
To provide the couple with the best results of my work, I use the so called commercial, glamorous, and fashionable style of photography. It's extremely important for me to create high-quality products in order to satisfy the most demanding clients.
Amanda, named one of the top 20 photographers in the U.S., has been working with brides & book-lovers for more than fifteen years.
Her work has lined the pages of leading wedding publications including Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Town & Country, Real Simple Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings, Inside Weddings, The Knot, Style Me Pretty, Modern Bride, and more. She's been featured in industry publications including Photo District News (PDN), *Rangefinder, and Professional Photographer. Amanda was twice awarded the coveted Photo District News (PDN) Top Knots Awards and her body of work is profiled in three books including Wedding Photography Unveiled by Jacqueline Tobin / PDN, Ultimate Wedding Look Bookby The Knot and Photographer's Guide to Wedding Album Design and Sales* by Bob Coates.
Amanda shoots up to 15 weddings a year worldwide, designs and produces 100s of books for her devoted clients each year, makes art, and shares her photography & bookmaking knowledge through workshops and professional consulting. She holds a BFA in photography and art history from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Amanda calls Oak Park home where she lives with her husband, their two adorable kids, and a crazy Border Terrier, Sadie, who jumps really high.
Lauren & Chris Seibel Photography
Eight years in the making, this faith driven power couple team finally had their worlds collide in quite an unshakable pattern. One leap of faith after another has lead Lauren & Chris on both of their journeys of a lifetime! When stars collide, usually there is quite an explosion, and sticking true in their case they have contained their explosion into one mind blowing perfect image after another.
Lauren started her modeling career in 2006 at exactly the same time Chris started his videography/ photography career. In 2013 the couple started discussing life/career/family goals realizing they both had the same dream of owning their own company. As scary as that is for most family businesses these two almost laughed at the challenge knowing very well how capable the other was. They immediately fell in love not only with each other but the concept of commercial wedding photography as well. With a little faith and some hard work it wasn't long before people started catching along. People can see their chemistry behind the camera and computer and notice how quickly and contagious their spirits are. That is exactly what these two bring to the table a female and male perspective. Although their main focus is wedding photography they do family-senior-children & commercial photography.
Brian is an award winning photographer specializing in the art of wedding, portrait, Lifestyle, and event photography.
Andreea is a former fashion model, turned high fashion photographer and has shot for clients such as: Olay, Esquire, InStyle, Elle, The Wall Street Journal, and OPI just to name a few.
Romanian born Andreea Radutoiu moved to the United States in her teens in the midst of the Romanian revolution. Released from the constraints of travel prohibitions, she soon found herself in front of the lens of may of the world’s top fashion photographers, pursuing a busy modeling career for the next decade in Paris, London, New York and Tokyo. Her curiosity for the medium of photography grew steadily during that time and eventually she migrated behind the camera. Andreea has returned to the international fashion circuit, now as a photographer. Her work has appeared in publications such as French Elle, Esquire, The Wall Street Journal, GAP, Sublime, The One to name a few and for clients such as O.P.I and P&G Olay. She shoot regularly in Europe, New York and at her studio in her adopted home town of Los Angeles!
Hey Photo World! Welcome to the first ever episode of Take & Talk Pics Photography Podcast with Rob Krueger.
Take & Talk Pics is a podcast created for you the photography business owner. If you are looking for a new resource that doesn’t require your visual attention, Rob Krueger brings you just the right tool. 3 days a week Rob interviews a new photographer who is a real world working professional. We go over the ups and downs of owning a photography business and you walk away with great stories to learn from and amazing resources!