500: Special 500th Episode of The Beginner Photography Podcast with Jim and Kim

09/24/24 • 53 min

1 Listener

In this episode of the podcast I asked BPP community moderators Jim Sinicki and Kim Irish to join me in a fun discussion about photography and the community. They asked you, members of the BPP community questions and I do my best to answer them.
The Big Ideas:

Embrace Discomfort in Your Photography Journey: Challenging environments yield unique opportunities. Whether it’s a rugged landscape or dense urban streets, discomfort can push your creative boundaries.
- Start planning a photo expedition to a challenging location, like a local street photography workshop or a remote nature hike.
- Prepare for these conditions with proper gear and mental readiness to turn discomfort into creative success.
Tackle Imposter Syndrome Head-On: Feelings of doubt are common, especially when pricing your work or comparing yourself to others. Recognizing them as part of the journey can reduce their power.
- Reflect on your achievements and client feedback regularly to build confidence.
- Engage with a supportive photography community for encouragement and constructive feedback.
Value Your Work Appropriately: Pricing should reflect the quality and effort you put into your photography. Reassessing your rates can prevent undervaluation and communicate professionalism.
- Conduct market research to understand the going rates for comparable work.
- Don’t be afraid to incrementally increase your prices and communicate the value you bring to clients.

Connect with Raymond!

Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Embrace Discomfort in Your Photography Journey: Challenging environments yield unique opportunities. Whether it’s a rugged landscape or dense urban streets, discomfort can push your creative boundaries.
- Start planning a photo expedition to a challenging location, like a local street photography workshop or a remote nature hike.
- Prepare for these conditions with proper gear and mental readiness to turn discomfort into creative success.
Tackle Imposter Syndrome Head-On: Feelings of doubt are common, especially when pricing your work or comparing yourself to others. Recognizing them as part of the journey can reduce their power.
- Reflect on your achievements and client feedback regularly to build confidence.
- Engage with a supportive photography community for encouragement and constructive feedback.
Value Your Work Appropriately: Pricing should reflect the quality and effort you put into your photography. Reassessing your rates can prevent undervaluation and communicate professionalism.
- Conduct market research to understand the going rates for comparable work.
- Don’t be afraid to incrementally increase your prices and communicate the value you bring to clients.

Connect with Raymond!

Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Previous Episode

499: Terri Baskin: Planning the Perfect Photoshoot: From Gear to Location

In this episode of the podcast, I chat with talented wedding and engagement photographer Terri Baskin, whose unique engagement sessions stand out in the photography world. Terri shares exceptional insights from a memorable Las Vegas engagement shoot that required meticulous planning and coordination. She emphasizes the importance of truly understanding and connecting with your clients to capture their personalities and emotions authentically. Throughout our discussion, you'll learn practical techniques to elevate your engagement sessions and foster lasting client relationships. Today you'll learn how you can transform your approach, making your photoshoots more relaxed, enjoyable, and visually stunning for your clients.

THE BIG IDEAS

Client Connection: Understanding your clients' personalities and preferences is essential for capturing authentic and emotional photos.
Thoughtful Planning: Meticulous planning ensures that every detail, from locations to outfits, aligns with the couple's vision and the photos' aesthetic.
Natural Posing: Direct couples into natural, relaxed poses to avoid stiff, posed looks and bring out their genuine connection.
Versatility in Shots: Providing a variety of poses, angles, and backgrounds keeps the sessions dynamic and ensures the couple has diverse images to cherish.

PHOTOGRAPHY ACTION PLAN

Engage with Clients: Schedule a pre-shoot meeting to discuss their story, preferences, and vision. Prepare a detailed engagement prep guide to help them feel ready and excited.
Plan and Scout Locations: Select locations that reflect the couple's personalities and desired theme. Visit the sites in advance to determine the best spots and lighting.
Natural Directing Techniques: Use prompts and playful activities to help couples relax and interact naturally. Communicate consistently during the session to keep them engaged and comfortable.
Build a Balanced Portfolio: Capture a mix of wide, medium, and tight shots, both horizontally and vertically. Include diverse poses and locations to showcase your versatility and meet various client needs.

RESOURCES:
Check out Wedding Photographer Terri Baskins Website -
Follow Terri on Instagram -

Learn What Camera Settings to Use in our free guide!
https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Connect with Raymond!

Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Next Episode

501: Craig Strong: Art of Playful Photography: Custom Lenses and Creative Freedom

1 Recommendations

In this episode of the podcast, I chat with Craig Strong, an innovative wedding photographer with a flair for storytelling. Craig shares how his unique Lensbaby experimentations transformed his approach to capturing moments, making his work stand out. He dives into the importance of storytelling, relying on photojournalism skills, and learning from sports photography.

THE BIG IDEAS

Embrace Storytelling: Great photography is about capturing the essence of moments, not just staged shots. Focus on the narrative behind each image.
Learn from Missed Moments: Reflect on missed moments to anticipate future important events and improve your ability to capture them.
Experiment with Equipment: Don't shy away from trying new lenses or gear. Experimentation can lead to discovering new creative possibilities.
Push Through Fear: Transitioning into new methods requires courage. Embrace the fear of the unknown as a part of your growth process.

PHOTOGRAPHY ACTION PLAN

Capture Authentic Moments: Start by photographing candid moments at local events or family gatherings. Focus on the emotion and story behind each shot rather than setting up posed pictures.
Create a Practice Schedule: Dedicate time each week to practice anticipatory shooting, especially in dynamic environments like sports or street photography. Review your photos to identify successful captures and missed opportunities to learn and improve.
Experiment with New Gear: Try using different lens converters or lens baby products to see how they alter your perspective and creativity. Document the outcomes and analyze how each tool changes your photo’s storytelling potential.
Join a Photography Community: Engage in online forums or social media groups such as Instagram and Facebook communities where photographers share their experimental work. Participate in challenges or critique sessions to receive feedback and get inspired by others’ creativity.
Develop a Storytelling Portfolio: Assemble a collection of photos that tell a story, including a mix of candid moments, detailed shots, and environmental context. Continuously update your portfolio to reflect your growth and experiments, showcasing your ability to capture authentic narratives.

RESOURCES:
Visit Lensbaby's Website - https://lensbaby.com/
Follow Lensbaby on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lensbabyusa/

Learn What Camera Settings to Use in our free guide!
https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Connect with Raymond!

Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!