commercial

Nikon vs Canon vs Sony 135mm lenses

The Battle of the 135mm Lenses: Which Lens Takes the Portrait Podium?

The 135mm focal length is one of my favorite portrait ranges due to its compressed rendering of people’s faces, as well as lending itself to stunningly dramatic full-body environmental portraits. Last year saw the release of two new 135mm lenses, one each from Canon and Nikon. Take into account the venerable Sony 135mm G Master and you have all three of the major full-frame mirrorless companies now offering a 135mm f/1.8 lens.

Andrei Duman X-ray project

X-Ray Photo Series Shows Everyday Objects in an Incredible, Unique Way

Commercial photographer Andrei Duman has been chipping away at his X-ray series for about a year now. When not doing work for clients, Duman likes to experiment with personal projects and this one aims to showcase the products people use in daily life in a fresh, new way and show what's beneath their "skin."

Renowned Fashion Photographer Hiro Passes Away At 90

Renowned Japanese American photographer Yasuhiro Wakabayashi, professionally known as Hiro, has passed away at the age of 90. He was best known for his successful editorial and commercial fashion photography career as well as his unique style that has been imitated by many.

How to Prepare for a Professional Photo Shoot

Back when I was taking pictures just for the fun of it, I never once thought to optimize my preparation. There was no preparation -- no shot list, no scouting, no mood board. That all changed when making pictures became my job and my livelihood.

What It’s Like to Photograph a Global Launch Campaign for Tamron

Most people don’t actually know what it means when I say I’m a “travel photographer,” it is usually met with a confused look and followed up by some variation of the question, "do you mean you travel for free?” or “who even pays you to travel?”

What is Brand Storytelling and Why Does It Matter?

In today’s world, it is easier than ever to start a business. Explore Instagram on any given day and you will inevitably see an ad for some new online retailer. It begs the question: How, in such a saturated online marketplace, can a fledgling brand separate itself from the pack and survive?

How to Tell an Effective Brand Story With Your Photos

Any writer worth their salt knows that a good story is comprised of three primary components: Character, Setting, and Plot. The same can be said of visual storytelling, regardless of the medium.

Your Instagram Clichés Are Not Welcome in New Zealand

New Zealand has released a humorous new tourism commercial that pokes fun at the tired old Instagram clichés that tourists on the island nation flood social media with. The 2.5-minute ad above is titled "Travelling Under the Social Influence."

This Photographer Built a Checklist to Help You Not Get Sued

If you've ever worked in commercial photography, you know how complicated relationships with brands, agencies, and sub-contractors can be. In this 11.5-minute video, photographer Chris Hau details how he almost got sued as a result of those relationships and what he has learned since.

How Not to Shoot a Car Commercial

There is always that time on a shoot… Everything has been going really well up until that point. You’re explaining the next shot to the client and they stare back at you, not sure if you’re trying to be funny.

How COVID-19 is Impacting the Commercial Photography Set

Has COVID-19 impacted the look of ad campaigns? Maybe, but probably not by as much as you might think. What is impacted, however, is the way that a commercial photography set operates for the foreseeable future.

A Scene Breakdown of a Marine Corps Ad Created by an Oscar-Winning Duo

The Marine Corps’ latest ad is a masterclass in cinematography, advertising, and visual allegory. It is the result of Oscar-winning talent and keen insight by a sophisticated advertising agency. Such mastery of the cinematic language warrants a deeper look.

These May Soon Be the Standard Fees for Commercial Photos on Federal Land

In years past, major agencies that managed federal land weren't consistent in charging fees for commercial photography and filming on those lands. In 2000, a new law directed the government to develop a consistent fee structure for all federal lands, and the government is still working to iron out what those fees will be.

My Top 5 Photo Hacks as a Commercial Photographer

Over the past decade and a bit (the years are flashing by!) I have managed to find some great hacks. In this 3.5-minute video, I go through my 5 favorite hacks as a commercial photographer.

The ‘Why’ of an Advertising Photo

I did my first advertising assignment in the year 2000. I still remember how excited I was when I, a few months later, walked out of a bookstore on Chestnut Street in San Francisco with several magazines with my pictures in them.

Is Street Photography a Fad that Has Run Its Course?

Fourteen years ago I took an interest in street photography. I went looking for resources and information on this amazing genre, unfortunately to no avail, until I came across a great free ebook in 2006 called “Street Photography for the purist” by Chris Weeks.

‘Piggybacking’ is the New Normal in Commercial Photography

After completing my degree in still photography at RIT, I grew up in NYC working in the motion world as a production assistant. My plan was to eventually direct TV spots, but I wanted to garner a solid background in the art of lighting from the still world first.

Behind the Scenes: What It’s Like on a Commercial Film Set

My name is Liam Hawe, and I work as a video editor. When I started out in the industry I worked for a creative services agency where I had the opportunity to document behind the scenes of commercials. Four great years have passed and now that I am about to take on a new role at a different company, the process of tidying up my old files has brought on a wave of nostalgia.