#533 In this episode of the podcast, I chat with Ashley Marston, an accomplished birth and family photographer from British Columbia, Canada. Ashley opens up about her journey from film to digital photography and the deeply personal moments that shaped her career. She shares her method of balancing documentary and lifestyle photography, offering insightful advice on maintaining creativity, engaging with clients, and conquering the unique challenges of birth photography.

THE BIG IDEAS

• Finding Your Vision: Identifying a meaningful subject that you love to photograph can reveal your potential and passion, just as it did for Ashley.
• Evolving with Technology: Embracing new tools like digital cameras can open up opportunities to experiment, improve, and expand your skills.
• Balancing Control and Authenticity: Knowing when to direct a scene and when to let moments unfold naturally leads to genuine, impactful photographs.
• Staying Motivated: Maintaining a positive mindset and communication with clients ensures rejuvenation and high-quality work despite unexpected challenges.

PHOTOGRAPHY ACTION PLAN

1. Explore and Understand Lighting: Spend time observing how light changes throughout the day in various settings. Experiment with different lighting techniques, such as backlighting or using reflectors, to see their effects on your photos.
2. Practice Authentic Moments: Capture everyday moments of your family or friends, focusing on candid shots that tell a story. Choose a relaxed setting and let the subjects act naturally, aiming for unposed and genuine interactions.
3. Develop a Consistent Creative Routine: Start a Project 365, committing to take and post one meaningful photo every day. Use this project to focus on different aspects of photography each month, such as lighting, composition, or movement.
4. Engage with Your Subject: Communicate with your subjects before and during the shoot to make them comfortable and involved in the process. Plan your sessions around typical family activities to capture authentic moments that reflect their everyday life.
5. Set and Track Your Photography Goals: Write down specific goals you want to achieve, such as getting featured in a publication or mastering a new technique. Regularly submit your best work to reputable competitions or communities to gauge progress and receive constructive feedback.

RESOURCES:
Visit Ashley Marston's Website - https://www.ashleymarstonphotography.com/
Follow Ashley Marston on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ashleymarstonphotography/

Connect with the Beginner Photography Podcast!

• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Send in your Photo Questions to get answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#532 In this episode of the podcast, I chat with Sarah Wagner, an adept family and wedding photographer who has crafted a flourishing career through adaptability and practicality. Sarah shares her initial struggles and triumphs, emphasizing the importance of balancing artistic vision with client expectations and the critical role of understanding lighting.

THE BIG IDEAS

• Adaptability Matters: Being flexible in your style and approach helps satisfy diverse client needs and keeps your business thriving despite life changes.
• Lighting is Key: Mastering natural light can drastically improve your image quality; understand its impact on various environments.
• Iterative Learning: Embrace mistakes and continuous practice to refine your skills; growth often comes from trial and error.
• Balancing Creativity and Client Needs: Harmonize your artistic vision with what clients want to ensure satisfaction and recurring business.

PHOTOGRAPHY ACTION PLAN

1. Master Natural Light: Observe and document how light changes throughout the day in different settings. Practice shooting in varied lighting conditions, manipulating light with simple tools like a reflector.
2. Develop Your Style: Create a mood board with elements from photos you admire. Experiment with combining these elements to develop a unique style suited to your environment.
3. Practice Adaptability: Plan sessions that balance posed and candid shots to cater to varying client needs. Review each session's feedback to adjust your techniques accordingly.
4. Build Client Relationships: Communicate clearly with clients about their expectations before sessions. Follow up with clients post-session, asking for honest feedback and areas for improvement.
5. Invest in Education: Enroll in online courses that focus on both the artistic and business aspects of photography. Attend workshops or join local photography groups to continually learn and network with peers.

RESOURCES:
Visit Sarah Wagner's Website - https://chasingcreativemedia.com/
Follow Sarah Wagner on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chasingcreativemedia/

Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets at
http://freephotographypresets.com/

Connect with the Beginner Photography Podcast!

• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Send in your Photo Questions to get answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

#531 In this episode of the podcast, I chat with Matthew Jordan Smith, a renowned celebrity fashion and beauty photographer. Matthew shares his inspiring journey, from his initial spark of passion ignited by his father, to working with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. He emphasizes the importance of persistence, preparation, and developing a unique vision.

THE BIG IDEAS

• Persist Through Challenges: Learning photography is a marathon, not a sprint. Continuous practice and perseverance lead to progress and success.
• Prepare Meticulously: Visualization and preparation are key. Develop storyboards or vision boards to communicate your ideas clearly to clients and team members.
• Embrace Your Unique Vision: Identify what you love in life and let that passion drive your creativity. Your unique perspective is what sets you apart.
• Value Continuous Learning: Never stop learning, whether it's about lighting techniques or new trends. Knowledge and skill refinement keep your work relevant and captivating.

PHOTOGRAPHY ACTION PLAN

1. Visual Storyboarding: Create a vision board using images from magazines, Pinterest, or your previous work that reflects the mood and style you want to achieve. Share your storyboard with peers or mentors to get feedback before your actual shoot.
2. Lighting Practice: Use a simple lamp to practice different lighting techniques, experimenting with angles and light intensity. Capture the same subject under various lighting conditions to understand how light direction and quality impact your photos.
3. Portfolio Development: Curate a collection of your best work in a digital portfolio, focusing on a consistent theme or style. Update your portfolio regularly, replacing outdated images with your latest and best work.
4. Networking and Learning: Join photography forums, social media groups, or local clubs to connect with other photographers and exchange feedback. Attend photography workshops or webinars to continuously improve your skills and stay updated on industry trends.
5. Client Communication: Draft a clear project brief outlining your vision, the shoot's purpose, and key details to share with your client. Follow up with clients post-shoot to get feedback and ensure their expectations were met, reinforcing professional relationships.

RESOURCES:
Visit Matthew Jordan Smith's Website - https://www.matthewjordansmith.com/
Follow Matthew Jordan Smith on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/matthewjordansmith/

Connect with the Beginner Photography Podcast!

• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Send in your Photo Questions to get answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!