by Guest Contributor Steven McConnell

1. Why Are You Here?

It’s tempting to begin this article with some sound business advice, like social marketing tips and SEO revelations. Those are important, but there’s no shortage of that kind of advice on the Internet.

What I find not many people in photography community talk about is the need for the right headspace from which to build your business.

I need to make a quick side note – when I mention “building your photography business”, I include every photographer who works as a freelancer, who is represented by an agency or who actually has a physical business/studio. The methods through which we get clients may differ, but at the core we are all business owners first and photographers second.

Back to my original point – business skills are completely useless to you if you don’t ensure that your head is in the right place to start your photography business.

To see what I mean, watch this short TED video, where Simon Sinek shares gives an insight into the minds of powerful business leaders:

The point he is making is that until you know for sure Why you’re in business of photography, you don’t stand much chance of making it against your competition.

2. What’s Your Dirty Secret?

And I think Simon is on the right track, but he stops a little short.

It seems he is hinting at the need to artificially create an answer to “Why am I starting a photography business?”, and then to communicate it through your marketing in order to have a positive impact on your customers.

I’ll assert that it’s not enough.

Most people struggle with, or completely avoid, answering “Why?” because of a dirty little secret: they actually know the real reason very well, but it’s not something they want to share with their potential customers (or agents they’re showing their portfolio to).

And the real reason is something like this: they’re starting a business because they hope to get rich (and they think then they’ll be happy). Or, they finally won’t have a boss telling them what to do. Or, something else along those lines.

I invite you to consider this: in order to succeed as a photographer, you need to find a deeper, greater, more inspiring reason for you to take this plunge.

3. What Do You Care About Most?

Here’s the best way I know to find this reason. Ask yourself this question:

“If I won $100,000,000 (yes, a hundred million dollars), what would I spend the rest of my life doing?

Sure, you’d spend some time having a good time and spending your fortune, but after a while you’d have to stop and think – what are you going to do with the rest of your life? What’s your life going to be about?

Your basic needs are very much taken care of. You can live like a king just off the interest your money makes. And you can buy – and have probably already bought – just about everything you’ve ever wanted.

Now what?

I challenge you to deeply examine that question. Do not continue reading this article until you at least take a decent shot at answering it. Go sit in an empty room and meditate on it if you have to. Look within you for an answer, because that answer is the most important thing you’ll discover in your entire life.

Do not continue reading until you do it.

4. What Did You Discover?

So, who are you at heart? Deep down, what do you dream about? What was your answer? Would you:

– Travel? If so, where would you go? And why?
– Paint? If so, what would you paint? And why?
– Take photos? That’s a likely one since you’re here, right? If so, what would you photograph the most? Why?
– Build something? What would you build? Where would you build it? And why?
– Start a website? What would it be called? For whom? Why would people go there?
– Invest into something? What kind of company or organization? How much? Why?
– Donate to a cause? Same as above!
– Learn about something? What would you love to study? Why that?
– Start a family? What would it look like? Why now?
– Go meditate and eat grasshoppers somewhere on a mountain in Tibet? What are you hoping to discover? Why?

Now, take away the hundred million bucks and start looking for ways to include that, which matters most to you, in your photography business. Keep reading to find out how.

5. The Secret Sauce.

Ask yourself this: how would you connect your answer to the above question to the day-to-day operations of your photography business? To put another way, what will you do as a photographer which will, to some degree, reflect what you care about most?

If travel is important to you, how can you combine that with photography? And if you’re a techno-geek, how can you use photography to make a difference in that field?

Your photography business has to, at the very least, be somehow related to the answer you gave. But ideally (for full points!) you must create the kind of photography business which will make a real, meaningful difference in the field that you care about the most.

Don’t choose to become a fashion photographer just because it’s “cool”. It’s not. And don’t become an advertising photographer because you think you’ll get stinking rich shooting photos for Telstra billboards. Those are surface-level motivations which will not help you on your journey.

Do this exercise to find an authentic, powerful answer to “Why?” that Sinek is talking about.

It will give you an edge in positioning yourself in the sea of other photographers and help you communicate about your business in a way which makes people sit up and listen.

About the Author:  Steven McConnell is a family portrait photographer based in Sydney. You can catch up with him on Google+ and Twitter.

 

You may sometimes find yourself in a low-light situation in which you are not able to use your flash for one reason or another. For example, some couples may not want you to use a flash during their wedding ceremony. Here are a few tips that will help you make the most of the situation, and avoid blurry photos.

1. Fast Lenses

The lower the f-stop, the “faster” a lens is considered to be. Using a lens with an f-stop of f/2.8 or lower will maximize the amount of light entering your camera, thus allowing you to use a faster shutter speed, and avoid camera shake. Typically, fast lenses tend to be more expensive, but there are several affordable fast lenses on the market. For Canon, the 50mm, f/1.8 is around $100 and for Nikon, the 35mm, f/1.8 is around $200.

Having just a few extra f-stops can make a big difference in low light situations.

2. Raising Your ISO

Your ISO determines how much light makes its way to your camera’s sensor. The higher the ISO, the more exposure you will have in your image. Now, the downside of raising your ISO is that you will often experience a certain amount of digital “noise” in your photos. If you have a full-frame sensor in your DSLR, as in the Canon 5D Mark iii, for example, you will be able to increase your ISO a great deal without experiencing too much noise. With a crop-sensor, however, you will see more noise, because the sensor is smaller than a full-frame sensor. Experiment with higher ISO settings on your camera in order to see how the different ISO numbers will affect the noise in your image.

3. Use a Tripod

If at all possible, using a tripod will help you keep your camera steady, allowing you to use a slower shutter speed. If you need to move around while you are shooting and a tripod is too cumbersome, you may want to try using a monopod, which will allow you to move about more freely.

4. Post-Processing

Using Photoshop or Lightroom’s noise reduction settings is also very helpful if you find that your photos have a lot of noise from using a high ISO. Try shooting in RAW, rather than JPEG, when you are in low-light situations, as this will give you more control in your post-processing. Be careful not to reduce the noise too much, though, as doing so will blur your subject, and make your image look over-processed.

Anna Gay is a portrait photographer based in Athens, GA and the author of the dPS ebook The Art of Self-Portraiture. She also designs actions and textures for Photoshop. When she is not shooting or writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband, and their two cats, Elphie and Fat Cat.

 

by Guest Contributor Valerie Jardin

I love the outdoors and I live in the state of Minnesota, at state which is well known for its long snowy winters and extreme cold temperatures. We are photographers, we get excited by the first snow storms and cannot wait to get out and shoot ‘winter wonderland’. Then, after a few weeks of the white stuff, we start craving colors. Does that sound familiar?

Many of my photographer friends get discouraged very early and set their camera aside for hibernation. So, how does one stay motivated to shoot in a black and white landscape for several months?

Winter landscapes are perfect for minimalist photography

Here are a few tips that will help you survive another winter with your camera:

First and foremost, let’s be practical: Dress appropriately for the cold temperatures and wind chills before heading out. Hand and feet warmers, as well as layers of clothing are common sense. Thin gloves under your heavy mittens will prevent frostbites when you need to make camera adjustments. If you are out in a snowstorm, protect your gear from moisture with one of the many weather protection sleeves available on the market. Keep your extra batteries inside your jacket and close to your body heat. Bring a large plastic bag to place your camera and seal it shut before you go back inside, this will prevent moisture from building up on the camera. The condensation will form on the bag itself and not your gear. Give it a few minutes to return to room temperature before opening the bag.

Photographing white is tricky and your camera will automatically expose it to show it as 18% gray. Now is the time to starting using that exposure compensation! Dial in +1 or +2 stops to give it the pure white look your eyes see. Set your ISO at 100 or 200 and shoot in your favorite mode. Mine is aperture priority.

Ready to head outside? Here are a few things to look for:

• Winter is a great time for some minimalist photography. Simple compositions, leading lines, etc.
• Experiment with black and white for even more dramatic snow landscapes.
• Find color. Any splash of color in a white landscape will make any composition really pop.
• Use a shallow depth of field to isolate a detail.
• Look for patterns in the snow. Take advantage of shadows and contrast.
• Wildlife stands out much more in a snowy landscape, animals such as deer and foxes are more easily spotted. Animal tracks in the snow can make interesting subjects too.
• Snowy cityscapes offer some photographic opportunities too. Streets are usually beautifully lit up around the holiday season. Time to get the tripod out and shoot some long exposures at night time.
• Street photographers have fewer subjects to work with during the cold winter months, the streets are generally deserted. Fewer subjects can also be a good thing, pay attention to gesture and capture story telling moments.
• Why not start a 90 day project to get you through winter? You can make it a photojournalistic assignment, documenting your life in a cold snowy climate for example.

Look for a splash of color in a white landscape

Wildlife is easier to spot in the winter

Document everyday life in a cold and snowy climate (Ice fishing village)

If you really need color, buy some flowers and practice close up photography indoors!

There are hundreds of ways to stay inspired this winter, embrace the season and share your ideas and experiences with the readers of Rock The Shot in the comment section below.

Stay warm and have fun!

About the author: Bonjour! I’m Valérie Jardin and photography is my passion. It’s what I do to earn a living and for pleasure on my days off. I live and breathe in pixels. I love to share the passion and teach this beautiful craft.  I lead and teach photo workshops  in France and the US, and I will also be adding a photo adventure in Australia in 2014!

Visit Valerie at her WEBSITE |FACEBOOK pages today!

 

by Guest Contributor Rachel Brenke

What is copyright exactly?
Copyright is a legal device that provides creators of literary, musical, artistic or other creative works the sole right of ownership and publication of the created work.  Copyright owners hold the power to the reproduction of the work, therefore, they can reproduce  According to the U.S. Copyright Office, the owner of the “work” is generally the photographer or, in certain situations, the employer of the photographer. Even if a person hires a photographer to take pictures of a wedding, for example, the photographer will own the copyright in the photographs unless the copyright in the photographs is transferred, in writing and signed by the copyright owner, to another person. The subject of the photograph generally has no ownership interest in the photographs.  (Note: If you are an international photographer, copyright laws vary by country.)

How do copyright releases differ from print releases?
Copyright releases release either all or partial ownership of a creative work.  Print releases retain the copyright but allow for usage within the outlined guidelines.

Why is this so important to photographers?
Ownership of copyright is important to photographers for many reasons, but most importantly, once the copyright is given it is gone. The photographer no longer holds power to dictate how the photographs are used or amended (unless otherwise provided in the copyright release agreement).

How should I approach my clients so they understand?
There are multiple ways to gently remind your clients that the copyright belongs to you and that digital files may only be printed within certain guidelines.  One of these ways is the use of a copyright information card.  While the information may be outlined in the contract signed prior to the session occurring, a copyright card serves as a gentle reminder to your clients.

Dear [CLIENT’S NAME]

Thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer!  Here’s some information on the rights and restrictions for use of your products.  I know that by purchasing digital files you will be printing and that is no problem!  

The Copyright Act protects photographers by giving the author (creator) of the photograph the exclusive right to copy, edit, and distribute image by sale or transfer. These exclusive rights make it illegal to copy, scan, edit, or share photographic prints and digital media without the photographer’s permission. Violators of this Federal Law will be subject to its civil and criminal penalties.  

However, feel free to print for your personal use within the guidelines in the print release form provided.

[PHOTOGRAPHER NAME  & CONTACT INFO]

The second tool is that of the print release itself.  This document allows the photographer, owner of the copyright, to outline and put all print companies on notice as to the approved reproduction methods and uses of the digital property.  Language that can be used in a print release to convey ownership of copyright is as follows:

Copyright is retained by [PHOTOGRAPHER BUSINESS NAME] per USC Title 17 (US Copyright Law) and are not released by this agreement.  Reproduction is subject to the following restrictions.

What if they want the copyright?
The beauty of being a business owner is that policies are created and you get to stand behind them.  If it is your policy to not give away copyright, don’t do it.  If you are open to it, consider charging a premium for the ownership rights because once sold the ownership is gone.

What if my client violates the copyright?
Violating copyright can be a sticky situation because you don’t want any negative publicity but the infringement is a federal violation and should not be allowed.  First, you should contact the client and gently refer them to the contract they signed and/or the print release.  The communications should be in writing and include reference to the documents outlining the provisions where copyright is retained by photographer and is explained to the client.  Sometimes the mere act of asking the infringer to cease their actions will be enough.  If this does not remedy the situation the second alternative is the use of a cease and desist citing that the copyright infringement is a direct violation of your policies of Title 17 of the United States Code, and severe civil penalties are available under United States Law.  The communication should also outline the specific request for action or desisting of action paired with a deadline and consequences if not adhered to. This demand can either be in the form of an informal communication or an official communication drafted by an attorney. 

Snag your free copy her free Legal Lens eBook HERE

About Rachel Brenke:  Rachel Brenke is a photographer, lawyer, business consultant and social media marketing strategist based out of El Paso, Texas.  She has helped over a thousand photographers start up, market and maintain their businesses through online eWorkshops, 1:1 consulting and the free resources on her blog.  She has been nationally published in magazines such as Senior Style Guide, Chic Critique, and Lemonade and Lenses.  Her blog feature line up includes Bridal Musings, Something Navy Weddings, Style Cusp, Capitol Romance, and a few others!  In 2013 she will be speaking at the WPPI 2013 Convention on pricing, business and marketing.

Visit Rachel at her WEBSITE  and  FACEBOOK pages today!

 

 

by Guest Contributor Nicola Toon

I love photographing families.  I just love going out on a shoot with a family and walking away at the end of the session knowing that I have just created something for them that they will cherish.  Their very own personal piece of art.  A representation of who they are at that moment in time, immortalized forever in the “perfect family portrait.”

But wait a minute….is that beautiful photograph of Mom, Dad and a couple of kids dressed up in their amazing outfits all snuggled and cuddled together in a gorgeous natural setting of willowy reeds and wispy grass a real and true representation of who they really are?  Well, yes.  Sort of.

I love photographing families.  But if there is one way that I truly love to photograph families it is capturing them in the raw.   It is being the un-photographer, a fly on the wall.  It is documenting families as they truly are.  At home.  A day in the life.  It’s not a snapshot.  It’s a chronicle.  It’s commonly referred to as “Lifestyle Photography” and I love it.

I have recently started to receive many emails from fellow photographers enquiring about lifestyle photography.  It seems that so many photographers are interested in it and yet no one is entirely sure what to do with it.   The bottom line is that photographers love lifestyle!  But the question remains how do we get our clients to feel as passionately about lifestyle as we do?  How do we get them longing for those delicious candid and relaxed images as whole heartedly as we do as photographers?

I would say that the first answer is in the details.  Let’s take a minute to think about the good old days of photo albums.  You remember those, right?   Those perfect little packages of 4X6 sized memories.  I don’t know about you, but when I look back over those albums I simply gloss over the images where everyone is smiling nicely at the camera.  BUT it’s those other photos that really grabbed my attention.  The shots of us playing, hanging out, opening presents on Christmas morning.  I couldn’t get my nose close enough to that clear plastic protective sheet trying to pick out the details.  What toys were we playing with, what books were on the shelf, what gifts were poking out of our stockings that year, and what on earth was that carpet that was on the floor?

You see – it’s the details.  All of those elements of “stuff” that surrounded us, those things are the nostalgia makers.  Those details represent all of those teeny tiny elements of us that would otherwise be forgotten.  That is the kind of heart and soul that you just don’t get with your standard portrait session.

Many clients will tend to believe that their home is not “pretty enough” for a lifestyle shoot.  Why would they want photos done in their home?  I mean, that’s not very exciting, right?  To that I like to respond with “You’d be surprised how beautiful your home and life can be through someone else’s eyes”.  The fact of the matter is that my job as a lifestyle photographer is to take the ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary.

As a lifestyle photographer you need to get creative.  Get down low.  Get up high.  Learn to see your client’s environment in a way that they have never seen it before.   Sure they watch their kids eat breakfast every morning.  But they might have failed to notice their perfect reflection in the granite countertop, or maybe they didn’t notice the perfect light in their upstairs bedroom.  As photographers we are always looking at the world differently.  You know what I’m talking about.   Suddenly roadside patches of weeds look like a fabulous spot for your next session.

You find yourself staring intently into your children’s eyes and analyzing their perfect catch lights.  You can’t help but critique the white balance on your favourite television programs.  You notice that your little ones lashes look delicious while they sleep.  You need to take that power and harness it.  This unique way of looking at the world around you will help you immensely when photographing lifestyle.   Photograph your clients reading a story to their children and then do it again.  Differently.  It’s this unique perspective on their life that will send your clients into a giddy spin and leave them wanting more.

Aside from all of this there is also a solid argument that lifestyle is a great alternative to a traditional family portrait session because it’s practical.  I find it especially conducive for clients of the toddler variety.  You know the ones.  The two year olds that make all of our palms sweaty.  The ones that are big enough to walk and still too little to take direction.  The ones that we simply chase around our beautiful setting snapping photos of at any instant that we can get them to turn around.   And really – can we blame them?  We are taking these uber energetic and innately curious little lovelies and plunking them into a brand new place with flowers and grass and dandelions, oh my!  Of COURSE they would rather look at those things than at me!  However…when you go to them it’s an entirely different experience.

When a client wants to book a session with me for a two year old I always like to gently suggest that they might like to try a lifestyle session.  You see two year olds have a new found sense of independence.  Once we get them out on a photo shoot they like to explore the world around them and generally don’t want to be picked up or cuddled by Mom or Dad, which is understandable, but at the same time tends to defeat the purpose of a family photo session.

When a toddler is at home they are more open to getting close with their parents.  Capturing story time or even simple shots on the bed are great ways of getting your pint-sized subjects to get close with their parents for some great family photos.  I also find that an in home lifestyle session also provides toddlers with a certain level of security.  For one thing Mom and Dad have invited you into their home and that automatically makes you “safe”.   The creature comforts of home will definitely make even the weariest of little clients more comfortable with the idea of a photo shoot.

The final thought that I’d like to leave you with in regards to documentary style photography is exclusivity.  The photography market is undoubtedly over saturated.   In my neighbourhood alone there are four other photographers, and if you broaden that boundary to include my city there are dozens of photographers out there all vying business.  In this market you need to set yourself apart and offer something that is unique and 100% you.  Lifestyle Photography is something that not many people offer.  It’s a fresh take on an old tradition and if you can do it and do it well I truly believe that you will have that little something extra that will set you apart.

So I encourage you to take on the Lifestyle Photography challenge.  Embrace the everyday and turn it into something simple and beautiful.  After all, it’s those “mundane” moments that we will surely forget and even more certainly long to remember.

About Nicola Toon: I am a Mother of three.  I love my children, my husband, my wiener dogs and my Canon.  I find the smell of wet sand nostalgic, I don’t drink enough water and I occasionally enjoy a good big mac.  I love life – and I love seeing life through my lens.

Visit Nicola at her WEBSITE  and  FACEBOOK pages today!