Have A Photography Related Question? Have Your’s Answered Next:
Here’s what we covered!
📷 Only Two Lenses? Easy.
If I could only work with two lenses forever:
24-70mm f/2.8: Covers wide-angle to standard portraits. Perfect for events and weddings.
70-200mm f/2.8: Ideal for beautiful portraits, events, and capturing emotional moments from afar.
These lenses handle every scenario from intimate weddings to dynamic portraits. They're fast (low f-stop numbers = more light, smoother bokeh).
It's kinda like having both a Swiss Army knife and a precision scalpel—versatile yet specialized.
🎞️ Camera Buying Tips
Buying a camera is deeply personal—think about:
Budget: Photography has no upper limit for spending.
Purpose: Family snapshots vs. specialized sports like NASCAR affect choices dramatically.
Real-world example:
Canon 100mm macro lens (USM vs. L series). My mentor taught me the cheaper USM version ($200 used) was equally effective for my needs—same stunning macro results as the pro ($900+) L lens, just without extra stabilization I didn't require.
Moral: expensive isn't always better. Choose function over hype.
⚪ Mastering White Balance & Harsh Sunlight ☀️
White Balance tips:
Use a gray card to set accurate white balance.
Compare captured images against preset Kelvin temperatures (daylight, shade, tungsten).
Over time, this practice builds an intuitive understanding of lighting.
Harsh sunlight tips:
Avoid harsh sunlight if possible for portraits.
If unavoidable (weddings/events), set a high shutter speed (1/4000s-1/8000s) to preserve highlights.
Open aperture wide (f/2.8) and adjust exposure in editing by lifting shadows.
Think of shutter speed like sunglasses for your camera sensor—fast speed equals darker images, preserving those critical highlights.
🗓️ From Zero to Clients: My Journey
Timeline:
First photography gig (unpaid second shooter): Sept. 2015.
First paid gig: Dec. 2015 (3 months later).
Left corporate job for photography full-time: Oct. 2017 (approx. 2 years to steady client base).
Key promotion strategy:
Constantly posting compelling, genuine stories on Facebook and Instagram about people photographed.
Free sessions → engaging community storytelling → organic referrals.
“Photographs don't sell. Photographers do.”
📢 Marketing Magic: Boots on the Ground
Social media is useful, but the most powerful marketing is local networking.
Strategy to build a steady client base:
Identify small local businesses (boutiques, barbers, florists, coffee shops).
Offer free, undeniable value—create styled shoots using their products.
Display physical prints prominently at their location. Document this process.
Community sees you actively serving; trust and visibility skyrocket.
Exposure isn't payment—but strategic exposure leads to paying clients.
🔑 Key Takeaway:
Serve your local community authentically, master essential gear, and tell meaningful stories.
Have more questions? Keep them coming!
