The Beginner Photography Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Boost your Confidence and Discover the Magic of being a Photographer Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

#335 Gaining confidence as a photographer comes down to things and none of them have to do with the camera. You will naturally get comfortable with the camera as time goes on. Confidence 3 things.
#1 Prep

A wise man once said that failing to prepare is preparing to fail. That couldn’t be more true than in photography. If you want to start taking photos with intention you need to know your gear and how it works inside and out. So the prep stage is knowing your gear, how it works, and how it reacts in different lighting sanarios. Take a listen to episode 243 where I break down step by step how to get to know your camera.

#2 Plan

If you want to be successful as a photographer you will need to shoot more than just reactionary photos but shoot with intention. Sometimes that means planning out your photos. Before a shoot really break down each element. What lens will you use, what lights will you use, how will your subject pose. Hammer those details out so when you get ready to shoot you won’t have to think on the fly, they are already planned out.

#3 Practice

You can read every tutorial and watch every video on youtube but if you don’t actually put in time behind the camera you won’t be retaining much. That’s why practice is so important. To be most efficient when practicing, have a clear goal and work on just one aspect of photography. When just getting started I recommend composition. Composition how you compose the frame of your image with the goal of leading your viewer’s eyes to the subject of the photo. Composition is something you can practice anywhere and even with just the camera on your phone which is why its such a great place to start.

Connect with Raymond!

Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Photography Manifesto for Beginners - Focus on The Essentials Jan 03, 2023

Show notes

#334 It's 2023 and that means it's time for a fresh start.
This year we don't have resolutions, we have a manifesto.
A set of rules to live your life by as a photographer.
Download a printable version of the manifesto at - https://beginnerphotopod.com/rules
The Beginner Photography Podcast Photography Manifesto

The point of photography is to enrich the human experience
To be a half way decent photographer you must dedicate all of your time to it
Moment matters most in a photograph. Not settings
You dont need to know everything about photography to know anything.
Your camera gear is not holding you back, you are holding yourself back.
If there is no intention, there is no image
The only photographer you are in competition with, is yourself
Community is the only external source that will make you a better photographer
You cant make money from your creativity as a photographer
Kill your photography teachers

Connect with Raymond!

Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Best of the Year Pt 3 - Community Spotlight Dec 27, 2022

Show notes

#333 Each month I sit down and have a conversation with a fellow member of the beginner photography podcast community.
These are people just like you. Most are new to photography and dealing with those struggles that most of the other guest I interview on the show, just kind of gloss over. The goal of these interviews is to show you that whatever you're dealing with right now, you're not alone and that theres someone in your own digital backyard going through the same challenges and can possibly help out too!
All of these photographers are active members of the bpp community on facebook and Im sure would be more than happy to answer any follow up questions you may have, all you have to do it join the FB community. If you want to be apart of the most helpful group of photographers on the internet just head to https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Photographers in this interview:
Matt Austin
Ann Mangum
Stephen Overfield
Karen Doughman
Tyi Reddick
Riaan Koekemoer
Vicky Wilde
Chris Britton
Zenia Monteagudo

Connect with Raymond!

Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Photography Q&A: Your photo questions answered! Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

In this very special bonus episode of the Beginner Photography Podcast, I answer your photo questions!
To get your photography questions answered in future episodes of the podcast head to
https://www.beginnerphotographypodcast.com/contact
and ask now!
Questions:

What did I learn from photography that I wouldnt have otherwise.
What are some good ideas for a first photo project?
How to use flash and how to find people willing to be photographed?
How do you deal with wildly different exposures like someone standing in a doorway where they are dark but the background is bright?
How would you approach someone in a dangerous area in order to capture them in their environment?
Am I an imposter for shooting crop sensor?
I'm taking better pics on my iPhone than I am with my Nikon D7100, why I'm spending all this time (and money) trying to learn this Nikon?
Challenges switching from photography to videography?
Wondering your thoughts on buying a refurbished lens from canon?
How to narrow down what you shoot when people ask you to shoot all different genres of photography?
How do I market to potential clients?

Connect with Raymond!

Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Best of the Year Pt 2 - Photo Lessons The Years Top Photographers Dec 20, 2022

Show notes

#332 This year you downloaded the Beginner Photography Podcast more than 600,000 times! Thats more than 38 consecutive years of photo education!
In this part 2 episode, I take the best lessons from the most downloaded interviews of the year and compile them into this mega photography education extravaganza!
Photographers featured in this episode:
Joe McNally
Terri Baskin
Dan Milnor
Annemie Tonken
David Julian
Sabrina Gebhardt
Jeff Tisman
Angela Douglas Ramsey

Connect with Raymond!

Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Best of the Year Pt 1 - Photo Lessons The Years Top Photographers Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

#331 This year you downloaded the Beginner Photography Podcast more than 600,000 times! Thats more than 38 consecutive years of photo education!
In this part 1 episode, I take the best lessons from the most downloaded interviews of the year and compile them into this mega photography education extravaganza!
Photographers featured in this episode:
Jason Matias
Valerie Jardin
Ave Pildas
Lissa Chandler
Gavin Wade
Heather Daenitz
Pete Souza

Connect with Raymond!

Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Shoot a Wedding with Me - Wedding Photography Behind the Scenes Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

#330 In this weeks episode of the podcast I take you with me to my last wedding of the year. I walk you through how I get ready, what I do before I walk in, I let you hear me pose the guys, photograph the dress, ceremony, bridal portraits, and then we wrap the day with lessons learned. If you shoot weddings don’t miss this episode!
In what is the last wedding of the year, I share my routine for the day leading up to the wedding. Unforeseen rainy conditions mean photos will now have to take place indoors and I share details of how I tried to make the best of the lack of natural light. Plus, what to eats to ensure Im fueled through the lengthy day.
The Big Ideas:

Show up early and prepared
Eat snacks for energy
Be relaxed and natural
Enjoy the moment
Be clear who has jewelry
Capture emotion in photos
Budget your time when shooting portraits
Shoot with intention and purpose
Find your passion in photography

Time Stamps

00:05:06 Eat to stay energized.
00:07:00 Arrive early and be prepared.
00:16:05 Be relaxed and natural.
00:26:10 Enjoy a cocktail together.
00:33:05 Be clear who has jewelry.
00:37:59 Capture emotions in photos.
00:56:59 Plan for extra time for events.
00:04:28 Use prime lenses for better photos.
01:09:14 Shoot what you love.
01:12:09 Discover your passion in photography.

Resources:

Connect with Raymond!

Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Product Photography: Discovering Your Creative Side with Evan Tanaka Nov 29, 2022

Show notes

#329 Evan Tanaka is a Los Angeles based product photographer who has had a meteoric rise in success since starting his photography studio. Tanaka didn't set out initially to be a photographer but picked up the craft when starting his own athleisure brand. He was teaching himself how to take photos and received his first job even though it was not paid. Tanaka goes on to discuss his creative journey and what form of education he found helpful to learn photography. Working with brands like White Claw, Liquid IV, Cupcake Wines, and One Plus. Today Evan talks about being open to creative ideas that fulfill you as an artist as well as capturing images the client needs. Tanaka has no mentor and hasn't experienced formal education in photography, but through self-teaching has become well-versed with producing amazing results in simple setups.
The Big Ideas:

Start with small steps
Learn by solving problems
You are in control of the final image
Be flexible with clients
Start shooting with what you have
Get it right in camera
Get all the details first
Err on the side of making the client happy
Experiment and try new things
Shoot more to get better

Time Stamps

00:03:00 Learn photography through trial and error.
00:06:09 Learn by solving problems.
00:16:48 Have control and be creative.
00:17:03 Explore creative ideas with brands.
00:27:59 Start with camera, subject, shoot.
00:33:01 Get it right in camera.
00:37:03 Get all the details first.
00:43:59 Err on the side of making clients happy.
00:47:39 Experiment and take risks.
00:53:45 Shoot more to improve.

Resources:

Connect with Raymond!

Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

How to Get Started in Photography : 3 Photographers Share Their Best Tips Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

Happy Thanksgiving week!
This is a special bonus episode from the BPP vault.
In this interview you will hear from professional photographers Nick Church, Matt Payne, and Andrew Hellmich who will each share their best tips on how to get started in photography!

Connect with Raymond!

Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Breaking into Boudoir Photography: Growing a Photo Business without Social Media with Tracy Kirkland Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

#328 Tracy Kirkland is a boudoir photographer who found it difficult to grow her business when social media would keep taking down her photos. Tracy has went on to build a 7 figure boudoir photography business without having to rely on positing her photos on social to attract clients. Tracy shares the fine line images must tow and the way to get started in boudoir photography, and provide tips about lighting and posing for photos. In this interview we talk about organic ways you can start and grow boudoir photography without depending on social media. Tracy also shares boudoir posing and lighting tips that will be sure to help out at your next session!
The Big Ideas

Learn camera settings to create art
Dive in 100%
Exaggerate curves with light
Hire models to promote business
Plan ahead for success
Focus on business first
Know lighting, posing, settings
Shoot today, be better tomorrow

Time Stamps

00:03:04 Learn photography to control your life.
00:06:12 Dive in and learn.
00:19:31 Emphasize curves with light.
00:25:37 Hire models to promote work.
00:30:06 Plan ahead for success.
00:37:45 Focus on business first.
00:41:52 Take control of your business.
00:45:44 Shoot more, become better.

Resources:

Connect with Raymond!

Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

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