The Beginner Photography Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Common and Costly Website Mistakes New Photographers Make with Alex Vita Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

#261 Alex Vita is a photographer turned web designer for photographers. After more than 10 years and hundreds of happy photographers Alex shares some of the most common mistakes, he sees from photographers starting out with their first website and shares why you need a website, even if you’re not in business.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

Alex’s Roots in photography
How Alex transitioned into web design
Why social media is a terrible place to host your portfolio
Most common mistakes photographers make with their first website
How you’re sabotaging your website traffic and how to fix it
What is a Splash Page and why it’s a bad idea for your website
A Perfect home page headline formula to give visitors all the info they need about you

Premium Members Also Learn:

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!

Rewarding Challenge: Photographing the Aurora Borealis with Justin Anderson Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

#260 Justin Anderson is a Manatoba Canada based landscape astro photographer. Justin works by day and chases the beautiful aurora by night. In this interview Justin shares some of his best tips for getting out and capturing the night sky.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

How Justin got started in astrophotography
What Justin struggled with most when learning
Why Justin loves shooting astrophotography even in the Canadian winter weather
What elements Justin looks for in a good sky photo
How Justin prepares for a night of Astrophotography
Justin’s must-have camera gear to get great Astro images

Resources:

Astrophotographer Justin Anderson’s website
Follow Justin on Instgram
Follow Justin on Facebook
Follow Justin on Twitter
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
Free Lightroom Presets!
This episode of the podcast is sponsored by USB Memory Direct. Deliver personalized USB drives with your own branding to photography 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!

How to Listen to your Photography Instincts and Squash Self Doubt with Dorie Howell Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

#259 Dorie Howell is a Northern Virginia Portrait Photographer specializing in Family and Newborn images. Dorie has been running a successful portrait business for more than a decade and today talks about how to trust your own instincts as a photographer and capture beautiful and honest photos.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

How Dorie got started in photography
Why Dorie loves capturing portraits
How to get the moment and make sure you capture what the family wants
How to trust yourself and your photographic instints

Premium Members Also Learn:

The importance of getting on the phone with a potential client
The Elements of crafting a perfect inquiry email

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 Gain Confidence When Starting Out in Photography Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

#258 When just getting started in photography we can quickly find ourselves in situations where we feel over our heads and which can leave us feeling defeated and break down our confidence. Whether your shooting your first paid shoot or simply wish to be more proficient, in this interview I break down 3 elements to building more confidence while youre behind the camera.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

#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.

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!

Overcoming your Fears and Becoming A Fearless Photographer with Huy Nguyen Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

#257 Huy Nguyen is a photojournalist turned wedding photographer who spend more than 15 years taking chances at weddings to produce some of the most raw and authentic images of a wedding day. Upset that the wedding industry didn’t have a location for brides to find fearless documentary wedding photographers for their wedding day, he created Fearless Photographers. A place that highlights some of the best talent in honest, emotion-driven, creative documentary wedding photography. Today Huy shares some tips on how you can be a better and more fearless photographer.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

The first photo Huy took that stood out to him
How Huy got into photojournalism
What lessons Huy took from photojournalism into wedding photography
The 5 Bad Things Rule
The 3 Elements to building an emotion-driven moment
What to do when you’re TOO Fearless

Resources:

See the work of some of the Best Documentary Wedding Photographers at Huy’s Fearless Photographers Website
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
Free Lightroom Presets!

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!

Showcase your Photographs: Crafting The Perfect Portfolio with Brad Smith Jun 22, 2021

Show notes

#256 Brad Smith is a photo editor with more than 35 years of experience working for some of the most notable publications including Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, WWE, and The White House. Today Brad shares what it takes to build and craft a stand-out portfolio!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

What is a Photo Editor
How Brad got started in photography
The Elements of a great portfolio
How your photos can stand out even if you just shoot high school sports
How to spot holes in your portfolio
What its like working as the Director of Photography for the White House

Resources:

Long Time Photo Editor Brad Smith’s Website
The Art of Photo Editing Workshop
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
Free Lightroom Presets!

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!

CS: Magda Stolte: Community Spotlight Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

Magda Stolte is a New Jersey based photographer who has been shooting every day since 2018 and has been a pillar of strength and encouragement in the Beginner Photography Podcast Community since joining. The images that she captures of her life and children are intentional and inspiring and Magda shares exactly what makes her photos so dreamy.

Resources:

Follow Magda on Instagram
Check out LensBaby and get 10% off with Magdas code “WSTOLTE”
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Group!
Free Lightroom Presets!

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!

Playing Safe in a Risky Scene: Hulu's Exposure Photography Competition Contestant with Anna Harvingston Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

#255 Anna Harvingston is an Erie PA based documentary family photographer and contestant on Hulu’s photography competition show “Exposure”. Today we talk about her experience on the show, the challenges she faced shooting ONLY on a phone, and how her photography has already evolved since being on the show.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

How Anna got started in photography
How Anna was picked as one of eight photographers for Hulu’s photography competition show, Exposure
The most challenging part of the show's challenges
How Anna was able to capture incredible photos with just a cell phone
How to trust yourself in a high-stress situation
How to critique your own images to capture better photos

Resources:

Erie PA Family Documentary Photographer Anna Harvingston’s website
Find Anna on Instagram
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
Free Lightroom Presets!

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!

Diving into Underwater Fashion Photography with Matt McGee Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

#254 Matt McGee is a Nashville Tennesee based Underwater Fashion Photographer. Matt works with models underwater to create beautiful dreamlike and ethereal images. Today Matt talks about the challenges of working with models underwater, how to create a vision for your image, and easy ways you can dip your toes in and get started.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

How Matt got started in underwater photography
What Matt struggled with most when he started shooting underwater
The process of working with models underwater safely
How to keep your equipment safe underwater
How to light a scene with strobes while shooting underwater or in a pool
How to get started without making a major investment
One big mistake Matt made while shooting underwater that destroyed his camera

Resources:

Underwater Fashion Photographer Matt McGee’s website
Find Matt on Instagram
Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community

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!

Capture Perfect Summer Memories Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

#253 Summer is here and that means there’s an abundance of memories to capture and save. Today I’m going to share the 4 elements to capturing better summer memories to remember for years to come without being hyper-focused on the camera.

The 4 Elements of Capturing Better Summer Memories

#1 Prepare: Theres a fine line between capturing everything and being present in the summertime activities. That means you’re going to miss some photos and you have to be ok with that! Make summer time photos a game. Give your self a rule like Only one camera and one lens for the whole summer.

#2 Capture: Focus on just two photography elements this summer to skyrocket the quality of your photography. Composition and Action. Focusing on these two aspects of photography will force you to think quickly during the fast-paced summertime activities.

#3 Edit: The majority of the photos we take are in the 3-4 months that are summer, so you need to have a system to organize your images so they don’t get lost. I choose to orginize my family photos by year and month. That way I don’t have a million folders called “Kids at the Park”. Next, you want to spend your summertime enjoying the summer and not stuck behind a computer editing. Download my 52 Free Lightroom presets today to speed up your editing and unlock the full potential of your summertime images. www.FreePhotographyPresets.com

#4 Share: What good are summertime memories if you cant share them with family, friends, and your future self. Do yourself a favor and have your photos printed at your local big box store or make a summertime book within Lightroom and have it printed by Blurb.

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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