The Beginner Photography Podcast

#427 Happy Thanksgiving! In this episode I share with you how to be present with your loved ones while still capturing memorable photos, and offer a challenge for you to tell the story of your thanksgiving day in just 5 photos!Connect with Raymond! Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/ Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#426 In todays episode of the podcast, I chat with Data Expert Will Yarborough. Today you'll discover how to transform your photography workflow. Learn how to effectively manage and store your photos, select the right storage solutions, and safeguard your work for the long term. Get ready to bring structure and efficiency to your photography process.THE BIG IDEAS1. Protect Your Work: Safeguard all your precious images by using the three-two-one backup solution. Back up your photos in multiple places to ensure you never lose them.2. Understand Your Needs: Evaluate your photography style and file types to determine the most suitable storage capacity for your work.3. Harness the Power of NAS: Discover the benefits of Network-Attached Storage for photographers, such as flexibility, centralized storage, and easy accessibility.4. Explore Backup Solutions: Consider utilizing Backblaze for its unlimited storage capabilities and comprehensive backup features.5. Upgrade Wisely: Transition to SSDs and NAS as your photo collection grows to ensure efficient storage and easy access to your files.Resources:Check out Will's Youtube ChannelWill's WebsiteGrab your free 52 Lightroom Presets athttp://freephotographypresets.com/Connect with Raymond! Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/ Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#425 In today's episode of the Beginner Photography Podcast, I chat with wedding, senior, and family photographer Lissa Chandler. Lissa shared valuable tips about building rapport with clients, embracing creativity, and staying true to your artistic vision. She also discussed the importance of shooting for yourself and creating work that fulfills you creatively. As you listen, take notes on how Lissa navigates vulnerability, handles rejection, and captures authentic moments.THE BIG IDEASEmbrace the Evolution: Look back on your earlier photographs and appreciate how they have evolved over time. Your growth as a photographer is an ongoing process.Follow Your Passion: Trust your instincts and pursue photography even if it's not a popular career choice. Lissa knew from a young age that photography would play an important role in her life.Finding Your Niche: Be open to finding your niche in photography. Lissa initially wanted to be a posed baby photographer but discovered her passion for shooting weddings after a convincing encounter.Shoot for Yourself: Shoot work that fulfills you creatively, not just what others expect. Lissa emphasizes the importance of creating a body of work that is meaningful to you, even when working with clients.Build Rapport with Clients: Connect with your clients to create a successful photoshoot. Use questionnaires and encourage client involvement to build rapport and capture their true selves.Resources:Lissa Chandlers WebsiteFollow Lissa on InstagramCheck out Lissa's Photoshoot Checklist BookGrab your free 52 Lightroom Presets athttp://freephotographypresets.com/Connect with Raymond! Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/ Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#424 In today's episode of the podcast, I'm going to share with you the key to becoming the best photographer you can be in the coming year. You'll learn how to transform your photography skills and achieve personal and professional satisfaction on your photography journey.THE BIG IDEASStrive for progress, not perfection - Don't worry about getting the perfect photo, just take a photo and learn from the experience.Learn by doing - Quantity group vs. quality group experiment showed that taking more photos leads to better results and improved skills.Change your goalpost - Don't be discouraged by the idea of 10,000 hours of practice, focus on achieving personal growth and satisfaction instead.Embrace the journey - Photography is not a destination, it's a process that is unique for everyone. Enjoy the ride and embrace your own path.Resources:Picture Perfect Settings - Free Download52 Free Lightroom Presets - DownloadWedding and Engagement Posing Guide - Free Download6 Step Photography Business Plan - Free DownloadConnect with Raymond! Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/ Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#423 In today's episode of the podcast, you'll hear from David Julian. Shooting travel, street, landscape, conceptual work, he's a very diverse photographer. David shares his journey through photography, teaching you to embrace personal projects, seek feedback, let go of perfectionism, and find your unique voice. By listening to this episode, you'll gain valuable insights on diversifying your photography, pursuing personal projects, seeking feedback, and letting go of perfectionism.THE BIG IDEASDiversify Your Photography: Try different types of photography to learn and problem solve.Personal Projects Matter: Pursue personal projects to maintain passion and creativity in your photography.Seek Feedback: Show your work to others to know if you're on the right track and improve your skills.Let Go of Perfectionism: Embrace trial and error, and don't be too focused on the perfection of each photograph.Share Your Work: Get your photography out into the world to tell a story and be seen.Resources: David Julian's websiteFollow David on InstagramGrab your free 52 Lightroom Presets athttp://freephotographypresets.com/Connect with Raymond! Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/ Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#422 In today's episode of the Beginner Photography Podcast I chat with  experienced sports and baseball photographer Brad Mangin. Discover how to capture amazing baseball photographs, the importance of planning and context, and the power of storytelling in sports photography through Brads stories.THE BIG IDEASThe key to great photography is not the camera, but your ability to see and look.Balancing technical elements and capturing emotion is essential in sports photography.Practice and continuous learning are crucial for improvement, regardless of whether photography is a hobby or profession.Surrounding yourself with experienced photographers and seeking feedback helps you grow as a photographer.Enjoying the process and having fun are important aspects of capturing stunning photographs.Resources:Brad Mangin's websiteFollow Brad on InstagramBuster Posey BookInstant Baseball Photo BookGrab your free 52 Lightroom Presets athttp://freephotographypresets.com/Connect with Raymond! Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/ Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#421 In this episode of the Beginner Photography Podcast, I chat with the talented Street Photographer, Valérie Jardin. She talks about exploring the essence of street photography and the power of self-imposed limitations.  As you listen, challenge yourself to embrace the light around you, whether it's rain, fog, or harsh sunlight. Remember, there's no such thing as bad light, only opportunities to see the world differently. Valérie reminds us to trust our vision and not get bogged down by gear or the pursuit of perfection. THE BIG IDEASEmbrace Limitations: Discover how constraints can sharpen your focus and boost creativity.Observation Over Equipment: Understand that your unique perspective is more valuable than any camera.Trust Your Vision: Learn the importance of authenticity and the power of your individual voice in photography.Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets athttp://freephotographypresets.com/Connect with Raymond! Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/ Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#420 In today's episode of the podcast, you'll learn about the innate human instinct to seek guidance and look up to leaders. You'll explore the ease of finding mentors and teachers online, and how this accessibility can either benefit or hinder your growth as a photographer. Discover the importance of curiosity, experimentation, and taking action in your photography journey. Explore the concept of long-term projects and the value of personal experiences in improving your skills. Discover practical tips for becoming a better photographer and the significance of personal development in your photography journey.THE BIG IDEASSeeking guidance and looking up to leaders is a natural instinct that can shape your photography journey.The internet provides easy access to mentors and teachers, but it's crucial to be discerning and choose resources that truly benefit you.Curiosity and experimentation are essential for growth as a photographer. Embrace new ideas and be open to trying different techniques and styles.Long-term photography projects can be personally fulfilling and offer opportunities to witness your growth and evolution as a photographer.The value of personal development cannot be overstated in improving your photography skills. It's not just about technical knowledge but also self-reflection and growth.Resources:- Join the Free and Private Beginner Photography Podcast Community Connect with Raymond! Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/ Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#419 In today's episode of the podcast, you're going to learn a game-changing way of understanding lighting in different environments. Portrait photographer Cris Duncan shares his experience and insights on how to create soft light without expensive equipment. Discover how lighting can transform your photography. THE BIG IDEASSize matters: The size of the light source affects the quality of light. A larger light source produces softer light. DIY diffusers: You can achieve a large light source without breaking the bank by using shower curtains, frosted paint, or drop cloths as diffusers.Choose your market: Just like high-end dining and fast-food chains coexist, decide which market you want to serve as a photographer and focus on it.Family photography matters: Family portraits are like high-end steakhouse meals – they have a significant impact on society, providing a sense of belonging and individual roles.Client experience matters: Taking a client-centric approach and planning ahead can elevate your work and change the way people value your photography.Resources:- Join the Free and Private Beginner Photography Podcast Community: Connect with other photographers and access valuable resources in the community.Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets athttp://freephotographypresets.com/Connect with Raymond! Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/ Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#418 In this episode of the Beginner Photography Podcast, I chat with photographer Stephen Wallace about the importance of making work that truly matters. Steven discuss' the impact of blending personal exploration and client work, and how this can lead to greater satisfaction and better results. Steven shares his insights on shooting film and digital, and offers advice on navigating the film versus digital debate. The conversation delves into the psychology behind our choice of subjects, and emphasizes the significance of creating work that resonates with us on a personal level. This conversation will encourage you to prioritize you own artistic vision and not simply follow trends.THE BIG IDEASPersonal Work Powers Growth: Taking time to shoot just for yourself keeps your creativity fresh and prevents burnout in paid work.Process Matters More Than Perfection: Enjoy the act of photographing, regardless of the final image—sometimes the experience is the true reward.Balance Authenticity with Professionalism: Blend your personal style with what clients value by staying open and observant, creating work that’s meaningful on both fronts.Reflection Builds Self-Awareness: Revisiting your older photos reveals recurring themes and helps you understand what draws you in as a photographer.Resources:Steven Wallace's Photography WebsiteFollow Steven on InstagramGrab your free 52 Lightroom Presets athttp://freephotographypresets.com/Connect with Raymond! Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/ Thanks for listening & keep shooting!