10 Things I’ve Learned from 10 Years Shooting with a Hasselblad
This year marks the point at which I have been using Hasselblad cameras for over a decade. My first was a 201F in 2007, before moving to a 203FE in 2011 and adding a 202FA in 2015.
Yelp Advertising Failed Me as a Small Business Photographer
My name is Jessica Rosa, and I've been a professional photographer for more than 20 years. I feel cheated by Yelp's advertising services, and I want to help other photographers not make the same mistake I did. This is about my experience in purchasing Yelp "full-service" advertising, and you need to know this before you enter a contract with them.
How I Talked My Way Into Doing 400% More Work
As I write this post, I have just finished slogging through a tedious and time consuming photo edit that could have been 100% avoided. Here's the story of what happened.
I Never Shoot Photos for Free, But This is Why I Did
One of the often recurring discussions among professional photographers is whether or not we should ever work for free. I’ve been known to rail against those who do and against clients who request free pictures... so why did I recently waive my own rule?
Traveling with a Large Format Camera Through Brazil’s Estrada Real
When I started working in photography, digital already ruled the industry. I never got the chance to perform controlled photography (don't wanna use the term "professional") using film.
I Shot the Trump Inauguration Protests and Got More Than I Bargained For
Yesterday, I went out to photograph the protests in Washington, D.C. during Trump's inauguration. I'm a professional freelance photographer, and I had never really taken a stab at photojournalism before, so this seemed like a good time to try.
How I Turned $3,000 Into a Successful Fine Art Photo Business
About a year and half ago, after what seemed like a lifetime of living paycheck-to-paycheck (paying off student loans and other debts) my wife and I were sitting in the office of a financial advisor with money to invest. After hearing the options to best set us up for retirement, he asked, “What are your goals?”
I Photographed an NFL Game from the Stadium Catwalk
This past Saturday, I was assigned by NFL.com to photograph the Divisional Playoff game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
I Earned More From Photo Gigs in 2016 With My iPhone Than My DSLRs
2016 ended in a most fitting fashion for the new way I am trying to earn a living as a freelance photographer. On December 27, I was on Montara Beach photographing a college volleyball player on assignment for Volleyball USA magazine. The big story here? I was shooting the entire assignment with my iPhone 7 Plus.
What I’ve Learned Fifteen Years Into Photography
I've been doing this long enough that I honestly can't remember why or how I started. I mean, I remember my origin story... but as an adult I also know that is probably a distillation and summary of what exactly went on. There are no easy lessons now.
Sony UK Said My Camera Was Beyond Repair; Sony Thailand Fixed it for $120
My name is Sam Spicer and I'm a semi-pro family and travel photographer using the Sony Alpha mirrorless system. I’m going to tell you about a problem I have discovered that's potentially damaging the environment and costing photographers a lot of money.
How Crappy Weather Turned a Boring Shoot into a Memorable One
It's been a pretty dismal autumn in Vancouver. The sun makes guest appearances, but the rain has the stage for the most part. Business as usual, if you've ever been here.
How to Stay Motivated in Photography When You’re Struggling as a Pro
A week and a bit ago I was in Falmouth, on stage, in front of maybe a bit less than 100 or so students. It was Tuesday, around 2pm. I felt oddly calm and eager. They looked expectedly unenthusiastic.
Wild and Pure: Photographing Wildlife in Kamchatka
Kamchatka. Just the name evokes so many different and exotic feelings as flashbacks emerge from National Geographic features.
In recent years, as a pro wildlife photographer, I’ve been doing incredible features worldwide, but Russia is complicated and Kamchatka is remote and isolated… so it took me a couple of years to get everything ready for my special photography project in one of the last wild places on earth.
7 Lessons Learned On My First Fashion Photography Shoot
I recently had the great pleasure of shooting fashion photography for the first time with Suede Brooks (model), fellow photographer Bil Brown (he arranged it all), as well with stylists and makeup professionals, and Cindy (creative director, and lighting assistant).
Why Do We Struggle to Respect Women in the Arts?
We all have heard about cases of sexual harassment or simply disrespectful attitutes towards females in workplaces, which sometimes get buried under the never ending mazes of bureaucracy, some other times they lead to job losses, penalties, warnings, sometimes plain ignorance.
A Mothers Anguish: The Story Behind a Photo in India
Varanasi, India is an incredible place, a real eye opener and a step back in time. You witness events you may have never imagined, or have ever wanted to see. It's completely unavoidable and totally unpredictable. It's the kind of place that you shouldn't expect anything, but embrace every moment.
What It’s Like to Be a Photographer for a Presidential Campaign
Here are random observations from my time as staff photographer for Dean for America. I wrote this some time ago as advice for somebody who was going to be a campaign photographer.
I Swallowed a 64GB microSD Card
A couple of weeks ago, my team and I pulled together a weekend poolside shoot with models, perfect weather, and a drone. I operated the drone and got some beautiful footage. Magnificent footage. Award-winning footage.
On Mothers, Cancer, and Fighting for Your Photography
The doctor looked straight to my mother's eyes. He wanted to break eye contact but he couldn't. There was bad news to deliver first.
My Wedding Photo Went Viral, and This is What I Learned
One morning last December, I woke up and noticed that a dream of mine came true: I had taken a picture that went viral. A picture I took at a friend’s wedding had been shared by UNILAD on Facebook with the caption “Best wedding photo ever.”
‘Fauxtographers’ Go Away!
“Fauxtographer” (according to Urban Dictionary): A person that claims to be a good photographer when in reality they just set their camera to automatic mode a start shooting. This person also happens to fumble over photographic terms or has no knowledge of the terms or switches the color mode to monochrome and calls it artistic no matter what the hell is in frame.
How I Became the Subject of My Own Boston Marathon Bombing Photos
Every year, around the beginning of April, I find myself getting lost in the emotions I felt after witnessing and photographing the aftermath of the explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon in 2013.
It Wasn’t Abandoned: How One Urbex Photographer Found a Friend
Exploring and photographing abandoned houses always comes with its share of surprises. It also often confronts you with some moral questions and scenarios -- there are many “what if’s” that can be associated with this hobby.
Photographer Threatened with Ruin if Refund Not Given
What would you do if a client threatened to ruin your reputation online if you didn't issue a refund... for a photo shoot you already did? That's what recently happened to San Francisco-based photographer Josh Edelson.
Facing Xenophobia as a Photographer in the US
With years of experience, I have learned how to handle most daily situations encountered as a photographer. With the emergence of social media, people can be very picky about photos and privacy. I understand.
The Horror of Having a Powerful Photo Go Viral Online
If you think having your photography go viral online is always a good thing, be careful what you wish for. American documentary photographer Nina Berman found that it can be quite a nightmare.
I Was Invited to Photograph at the White House
On March 10th, 2016, I woke up with great expectations: I was heading to the White House to photograph Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and American President Barack Obama.
A Photographer Shares What It’s Like to Swim with Humpback Whales
Here's a beautiful 2-minute video by Great Big Story in which photographer Anuar Patjane talks about what it's like to swim with and photograph whales in the ocean.
Overwhelmed and Undergeared: Two Days on the Campaign Trail in Nevada
In December 2015, Donald Trump held a campaign rally not too far from my house. I didn’t go, but it drove home the idea that the election was coming, and elections mean news. It also got me thinking about shooting the news again.