Five Things I Wish I’d Known as a Beginner Photographer

Ever wonder why some photographers seem to book better clients and make more money, while others just struggle? In this post, we’re going to cover five of the fastest ways to improve your portrait photography so you can become more profitable. 1. Attract the Right Clients by Showcasing the Right Work This is a tip…

Think you need a strobe to shoot professional portraits? Think again. In this video, I’m breaking down some common misconceptions about strobes vs speedlights — and why sometimes, using a simple speedlight is actually the better option. Whether you’re upgrading your flash setup or just starting with off-camera lighting, this will help you make smarter…

If you’re new to flash photography and wondering what kind of flash to buy for portraits, this video should help. In it, I walk through all the essentials you should look for in your very first flash unit—especially if you’re just getting serious about lighting. I explain why a good speedlight (also known as a…

Learning any new photography skill can be challenging, but there are strategies you can use to make it easier (and more effective). Here’s a good strategy for mastering new lighting techniques: Set aside time to practice regularly. Experiment with different lighting setups, try new techniques, and see how changes in angle and distance affect your…

Beginner portrait photographers should understand how even small changes in the distance from the light to the subject can have major effects. This video also discusses how to control exposure on the background in basic portrait lighting setups.

I wanted to talk about something I believe is important for portrait photographers to learn: mastering the use of artificial lighting. While natural light can be beautiful, gaining skills with artificial lighting, especially flash, is what’s really going to make the difference in your work. Here are a few reasons why understanding how to use…