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

09/26/24 • 50 min

1 Listener

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/

Download your free copy of
46 Creative Photo Ideas to Get You Out of a Rut
at https://creativeimageideas.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!

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/

Download your free copy of
46 Creative Photo Ideas to Get You Out of a Rut
at https://creativeimageideas.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!

Previous Episode

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

1 Recommendations

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!

Next Episode

502: Justin Haugen: Is Commercial Photography Your Next Break?

In this episode of the podcast, I chat with Justin Haugen, a seasoned ex wedding photographer turned commercial and corporate photographer known for his expertise in commercial, and creative portraiture. Justin emphasizes the critical role of understanding and observing light in various situations and mastering flash photography, even if you typically prefer natural light. He shares insights from his career, including lessons on trusting your skills, adapting your style, and the importance of continuous learning.
THE BIG IDEAS

Understanding Light: Continuous awareness and understanding of light's role improve your compositions. Observe the direction, quality, and type of light in various situations.
Embracing Flash Photography: Even if you prefer natural light, learning flash techniques enhances your overall lighting skills, making you a versatile photographer.
Trust and Effort: Trust in your abilities and put in the effort; skills develop over time with continuous practice and experience.
Adaptability: Be open to evolving your style and approach based on market needs and personal growth. Flexibility is vital in sustaining a long-term career.

PHOTOGRAPHY ACTION PLAN

Understand Lighting Basics: Spend time observing different lighting conditions throughout the day. Notice how light direction and quality change. Experiment with creating both soft and hard light using household items like lamps and curtains.
Learn Flash Photography: Start with basic flash techniques, like bouncing light off the ceiling or walls to soften shadows. Practice using flash in various settings, adjusting intensity and position to see their effects on your images.
Build a Versatile Portfolio: Gather images that showcase a variety of techniques, from natural light to flash photography. Ensure each photo highlights your understanding of lighting and composition.
Engage with Subjects: Practice interacting with subjects to make them comfortable, improving the authenticity of your portraits. Conduct shoots in different environments, guiding subjects naturally to best capture their expressions and stories.
Focus on Continuous Learning: Take on new challenges and projects that push your skills beyond your comfort zone. Look for online resources, workshops, or courses that can help you refine your techniques and learn new ones.

RESOURCES:
Visit Justin Haugen's Website - https://www.justinhaugen.com/
Follow Justin Haugen on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/photowarlock

Download your free copy of
46 Creative Photo Ideas to Get You Out of a Rut
at https://creativeimageideas.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!

The Beginner Photography Podcast - 501: Craig Strong: Art of Playful Photography: Custom Lenses and Creative Freedom

Transcript

Craig Strong00:00:00.000

that's what's required as photographers. You've got to be able to tell the future or at least predict that something's important is going to happen in the future. In my career, the most important thing was seeing moments that I had missed. It wasn't capturing the moments, although that was the end goal. Because when I started as a photographer, I just would walk out of a assignment going I didn't really see anything in there. Then after I'd mi