Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Tog Talk

There are many times that I would shy away from talking to other photographers because I was terrified of not understanding the typical "Tog Talk". There are so many acronyms and shortened words, I didn't know if I would ever learn them all! Below is a list of some of the most important terms that helped me follow along and engage in conversation with some of the most inspirational photographers that I follow today.

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Aperture
Lens opening. The opening in a camera lens through which light passes to expose the film.The size of aperture is either fixed or adjustable. Aperture size is usually calibrated in f-numbers. The larger the number, the smaller the lens is opening.

ASA
American Standards Association

Aspect Ratio
The ratio of width to height in photographic prints.

AF
Auto Focus; The setting on your camera that makes your camera automatically focus on the selected part of your subject.

Backlighting
The light coming from behind your subject.

Bokeh
A word, of Japanese origin, used to describe the out-of-focus elements in an image.

Continuous Service AF
Used to allow the camera to continue focusing as long as the shutter release is slightly pressed.

DOF
Depth of Field; The distance between the farthest and the nearest points which are in focus. DOF can also be used to describe the zone of acceptable sharpness before and behind a given focused subject.

Diffuser
Material that softens and diffuses light in order to soften the edges of an image.

DSLR
Digital Single-Lens Relfex

EF Lens
Designation for Canon EOS system auto focus lenses.

Exposure
The amount of light that reaches film or the combination of f-stop and shutter speed that controls the amount of light.Also used to describe an exposed piece of film.

F-Stop
Also known as F-Numbers; Numbers on the outside of the lens corresponding to the aperture opening. The lager the number (i.e. F/22), the smaller the opening of the lens, the less amount of light that comes through. The smaller the number (i.e. F/1.4), the larger the opening of the lens, the more light comes through. F-Stop is equal to the focal length divided by the aperture diameter.

ISO
The speed/sensitivity of the film. The higher the ISO (i.e. 1200), the more light is allowed through the lens but the grainier your image will be. The lower the ISO (i.e. 200), the less light is allowed through the lens and the shaper your image will be.

JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group; A compression technique for color images. 

LCD Panel
Liquid Crystal Display; A panel that displays information such as remaining exposures, flash status, and aspect ratio selected.

Lens Shade
A collar or hood at the front of a lens that keeps unwanted light from striking the lens and causing image flare.

Tog
Short for Photographer

White Balance
Also known as Color Balance; The global adjustment of the intensity of colors.

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Now feel free to add your own Tog Talk that you have learned by commenting below! (:


Monday, March 11, 2013

How to be a [Successful] Self-Taught Tog

I am self-taught, and I admit when I talk about it I probably sound like I’m ashamed of that fact. I tell the same long, boring story every time someone asks me how I came to call myself a professional photographer, and I have got to stop. I never went to school to learn all the technical terms, never took a class to teach me about how to use my camera. I couldn't afford it! Everything I have learned, I have researched, asked other photographers, and studied. I learned from experience.. and there is NOTHING wrong with that! How many songwriters went to school to learn how to write? Or artists to learn how to paint? Photography is an ART. You learn from your passion, it is what pushes you forward. You wanted something and went after it. Never be ashamed to tell someone you are self taught. That is something to be proud of! You fed your passion. You pushed yourself. You spent hours behind a lens just learning how each button on your camera works. There is nothing more inspiring to me than seeing the beautiful work of a self taught photographer because I know how hard they have worked to get there. 
There are a few things that I believe have truly helped me learn and grow as a photographer.


1. Read your camera's manual. 

Yes- that long, 250 page book that you set aside during the excitement of getting your first DSLR camera. That itty bitty fine print will teach you a LOT of techniques that will better your skills. You will learn things that your camera can do that you never would have if you wouldn't have read the manual. Take a few hours to sit down and read it, skim through each one, read a little each night before you go to bed, it doesn't matter. Just open it already!

2. Practice!
You won't get better just by reading about how to take pictures. You have to practice if you're going to get comfortable behind the lens. It doesn't matter what you're shooting at, as long as you are shooting. You will probably start with inanimate objects (i.e. flowers, landscapes, things around the house, etc.) but you have to take it farther than that. Push yourself. Do a few sessions for free. The more you shoot, the better your aim is going to be (tee hee!).

3. Learn about exposure.
Shutter speed, ISO, Aperture.
Exposure, simply, is the combination of three main variables that control the amount of light that is allowed to interact with your camera's sensor or film. The right combination of these variables is at the heart and soul of every photograph that has ever been taken. As scary as it is to talk about something that you know nothing about, these are vital keys in learning how your camera works. Reading your manual will only assist you so much in learning these. Read a book from the library about photography. Ask a fellow photographer. Research it online. Once you get the hang of it, you will realize how easy it is to manage.

4. Go at your own pace.
Slow down! No one is rushing you, you don't have someone over your shoulder saying "I need you now and I need you to be perfect." Being a professional photographer takes practice, time, and years. I have been taking pictures for over 3 years now and I am still learning something new every day.

5. Take your face out from behind the lens.
Getting your picture taken is scary! Very rarely will you have a client that will pose for you, be relaxed, and won't freeze up. I was very bad at this when I first started out. I still am not good at it to this day. I was never a very good people person. I am extremely shy and to-myself. It is so much easier for me to hide behind my lens and shoot than to interact with my clients. I started by bringing my boyfriend along with me. He is the kind of person that connects with everyone. All of my clients love him because he can carry on a conversation about pretty much anything. While I am busy behind my lens, he is making them laugh and relax. Don't know someone like this? It's up to you now! Take a deep breath, pull your camera away from your face, and GO. Crack a corny joke, ask about something going on in their life ("So how long have you been in dance?" "Where did you grow up?"), make fun of yourself. One of my favorite photographers took our photos just a few months ago and she made me laugh by making silly noises.. "Awwwww SOOOOO cute!" "Get it girl!" I started out dreading it, clammy hands, my stomach churning. By the end of the session, I had a huge smile plastered on my face and was laughing with her like she was my best friend. The images turned out to be beautiful because she captured out true happiness. My best technique is to tell your client "Okay, now give me a serious face." Get your camera ready, take one shot, and watch a genuine smile explode from ear to ear. No one can be serious for too long! (:

6. Shoot with someone.
Whether another photographer allows you to follow them or you go on an adventure with a friend with your cameras, do something with someone that shares the same passion with you. there are things that they know that you don't yet.. and vise versa. Not only will it make you more comfortable to talk about photography with someone (that actually knows what you're talking about), but you may learn things that you never would have if you hadn't opened up. After I joined a club on Facebook, "Photographer's Connection", I learned a ridiculous amount of information and was able to share my interest with other people working for that same goal!

7. Make yourself known.
Make a business page on Facebook. Advertise a free session, create a referral program, pass out business cards (Moo.com is my favorite!), do anything that will get people talking about you. 

8. Use protection!
It doesn't matter if you charge $300 a session or if you are ding them for free. I can't stress how important it is to have everything legal. When you start advertising yourself as a business (and start charging), you are getting into a whole new world. It is best to protect yourself as a photographer, your business and your name. You can find a few free ones HERE.

9. Do your homework.
After 3 years of photography (and over 450 sessions), I still get the jitters before a session. What helps me the most is researching. Google "Newborn photography", "Photography Poses". Pin pictures on Pinterest. YouTube Behind the Scenes videos. 

10. Believe in yourself.
"You are your biggest critic." If you don't believe you are good at what you do, how can you expect your clients to? You are growing.. so give yourself room. As an artist, you are creating your own style. Every photographer has a different style and every one specializes in something different. Whether it is weddings, lifestyle, children, newborns, models, food, or landscapes, figure out what you love to do, and do it! You are unique and your work comes from your heart. All you are learning, is the technical stuff to go with it. 


Now go feed your passion.



Sunday, March 10, 2013

LWP Giveaway

Our Giveaway is now LIVE! Please visit our Facebook page and enter by using the blue "Giveaway" Tab located at the top of the page. Good luck everyone! (:

Friday, March 8, 2013

10 Studio Must-Have's (that fit your budget)

Starting out, I didn't have much; a Canon Rebel T2i DSLR and the kit lens it came with. I dreamed of being a professional photographer and I would do almost ANYTHING to become one. I quickly learned how expensive it is to start out in this business.. but I refused to let that stop me. I became friends with local (and non-local) photographers on Facebook and searched Destash Sales left and right for second-hand items. I also went to local fabric stores and looked for textured throws and fabrics on sale. After wasting a LOT of money on things I never even used, I have finally put together a list of items that truly helped me grow as a photographer and expand as a business. 

1.   External Flash- I never knew how dark and off balance my images really were until I used an external flash. Although using natural light is best in images, it is very difficult to schedule sessions during those "perfect daylight hours".. especially if you center your sessions towards children and choose to schedule them indoors. If you were blessed with a huge storm glass sliding door to do your sessions with, let me just tell you how lucky you really are. Natural light is absolutely beautiful in images. Not all of us are so lucky! I moved around a lot and now my studio is an extra room in the apartment with a window only 3'x3' and is behind a closet door. My pop-up flash was casting terribly harsh shadows on my clients. I searched everywhere for an external flash that would fit my budget and found one on sale for only $40. I LOVE it! I use it for all of my indoor sessions and all of my weddings.  YONGNUO Digital Speedlite YN560
As you can see, it makes a HUGE difference in my studio:



2.    Expandable Backdrop Stand- I purchased a backdrop stand that can fold up and I can carry in a bag for my location sessions. It can shrink to 5 ft tall for Newborn sessions or raise it to 10 ft tall for my taller clients. I also found this on eBay:  Adjustable Backdrop Support Stand


3.   Bean Bag for Newborns- I found mine at Meijer for only $15. If you have a larger budget, I highly recommend purchasing the Studio Poser and all of their supporting posing pillows. They have a ton of accessories that make Newborn Photography SO much easier!


4.   Laminate Flooring- I found at Lowe's for $38. This gave me a 4'x6' space with beautiful flooring to take photos. I just pushed it up against a tan wall and Voila! 



5.   Paper Roll- I found a paper roll at Norman's Camera for only $35. This gave me a seamless backdrop without any wrinkles that cloth backdrops leave for endless editing. I just stick it on my backdrop stand and roll out whatever I need. This especially worked for my Cake Smash Sessions for super easy clean up!


6.   1.8 Lens- Although my 1.8 lens was a little pricier because it's an 85mm, you can find a much cheaper one ($100-$150) if it is a 55mm. You can also find cheap lenses by looking on eBay or buying them second hand off of photographers looking to upgrade. My 1.8 is my go-to lens. I use it for ALL of my portrait sessions.


7.   Reflector- I use a reflector for all of my outdoor sessions. A lot of reflectors can serve for multiple uses. This 5in1 Reflector can be used to bounce a harsh light away from your client's face, bring gold or silver light onto a subject, or diffuse the light that is being too harsh on your subject. I bring mine to every outdoor session.


8.   Shutter Buddy- A Shutter Buddy can make a huge difference if you are doing Children's Photography. I purchased mine for only $12 at the Shutter Buddies store. They have a squeaker in them to catch a child's attention and make them smile. 




9.   Session Organizer- I have a very hard time organizing my sessions and client information. A fellow photographer referred me to Studio Cloud and although I have only used it for a week, I couldn't ask for anything better.. especially for FREE! I downloaded it to my Android Phone and Laptop (compatible with Mac or Windows). It allows me to keep my client's contact information, sessions, images, and birthdays/anniversaries in order so I can send out emails, invoices, confirmations, and birthday gift cards.


10.   Photo Editing Program- Photoshop is expensive! A friend of mine gave me a program that is a more concentrated version of Photoshop with useful tutorials. I use this program to edit all of my photos. You can find it here for only $19.99!



As you expand your business, you can expand your budget. You can always upgrade your equipment and sell your old props in Destash Sales to other photographers starting out. Happy shooting! (:


Stay tuned for "How to be a Self-Taught Photographer".


 

Thursday, March 7, 2013

LOA

Hey Clients! I am flying out to Colorado on March 26 for a destination session and will be returning April 2. I will not be taking any sessions, emails, or calls at that time. I am also taking a leave of absence from May 1 to July 10. We will be vacationing in California but I can answer emails and schedule sessions during this time. If you need to schedule a session, please contact me now so that we can squeeze you in before I leave. Thank You all for your support and understanding!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Dream BIG.

I made this to explain to you all.. Time doesn't slow down for anyone. You have a dream? Go after it. Another day stalling is another day wasted. Never tell anyone that their dream is impossible, too big to reach; Mine come true every day. Every smile I see through my lens, every newborn I spend a half hour getting to sleep for that perfect shot, every toddler I sing and dance with to get that laugh that will shine through an image, every time I hear "Wow, I LOVE them!".. I explode with happiness. I strive to create happiness. That is my career. I will never again think "I can't do that." I CAN. YOU can. You can be whoever you want to be. Just start turning your dreams into your reality. All it takes is that {first step}.


Friday, March 1, 2013

New Look!

Our webpage is now live! Go check it out here and let us know what you think. In honor of the new look, we have a giveaway in the works. Coming soon: Customer Appreciation Giveaway! Prizes from my favorite vendors, gift certificates to local vendors, a free gallery wrapped canvas, and a $75 Gift Certificate towards any session scheduled at Little Wishes Photography. More details to come in the next couple of days! (:

Lights, Camera..

Whew! Who ever knew that setting up a webpage and blog would be so much work. Now that I am ironing out the final kinks, you all can expect to see so much more added to LWP. With the new webpage and new look will come a brand spanking new logo.. and possibly a Giveaway to spread the word and thank you all for being so patient with me as I go through all these changes.
You guys ROCK! (:

Liz