Photography Blog

Brian Scott asked:




Finding a job in the graphic design industry can be challenging, because this industry is competitive. However, the job outlook for graphic design is above average, and the demand for graphic design services is in high demand.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor website, the number of people employed in the graphics industry will increase by 10 percent between 2009 and 2016. The persons who gain experience in website design and Flash animation are likely to gain the most experience in this field.

If website design and Flash animation interest you, then you need to update your technological knowledge in one or more of the following areas: Adobe Flash software, along with HTML, CSS, and other website programming languages. Learning Photoshop and Illustrator are helpful as well.

In addition to learning the above-mentioned design software, you need to enhance your skills and experience as a graphic designer. For example, you may want to learn how to design a variety of different multimedia projects, such as video tutorials, cartoon episodes, or advertising banners.

You can find many opportunities to learn how to create a different multimedia projects. Your experience in multimedia design will include a combination of on-the-job training and formal classroom training.

Your formal education might involve taking classes in professional photography, drawing, or painting. On-the-job training opportunities may require you to find entry-level positions working at a small print shop.

An additional option to gain experience in graphic design is to create a portfolio of completed graphic design samples. You can include samples of projects that you completed for a class or internship, or even from a small volunteer job.

Posting your own finished designs (even if you had designed them for free) can help you acquire freelance design jobs, even if you are still in college. This will give you a head start in the graphics industry once you graduate.

Once you have finished your schooling, more opportunities will be open to you, but you will need to know how to find them. If you want to find a full-time graphic design job, then you can search online at national and local job sites.

You also may want to search for opportunities in your neighborhood or city. Each locality usually has its own government job agency, and most of them offer job search resources, free of charge to applicants.

If you are located in a place where graphics design skills are not in high demand, then you might consider freelancing. As a freelance designer you can receive jobs from all over the world. It will increase your opportunity to earn money doing what you love to do, and you will not need to travel. Your assignments will be sent back and forth via e-mail.

If you have not yet found the design job of your dreams, just remember that you need patience and persistence. Most designers start in low-paying positions and then will work for a few years before obtaining higher-paying positions.

While you wait for that huge job offer in this field, you can expect to find entry-level design jobs which pay a salary of $20,000 to $30,000 a year (or sometimes less if you work only part-time). As you gain more experience, you will then start to earn up to $60,000 or more.

If you work in commercial advertising for a large company, you may earn a higher salary. However, you may need to take additional classes if you expect to earn as much money as the average.

Besides experience as a web designer, graphic designers become most successful if they also have excellent communication skills. Moreover, it help if you are also familiar with various types of design and publishing software.

If you have been working as a pro designer for several years now, you might want to update your education. Taking new classes related to the newest design technology and software will help you land different clients and help you gain new experiences.

Firstly, congratulations on your forthcoming wedding, we hope your plans are going well and you are looking forward to your big day.

When your thoughts turn to choosing your wedding photographer to capture those special moments for you how do you make the right decision. There are many things you should consider before choosing your wedding photographer so we have compiled a list of the 10 things we believe are important.

Have you seen the photographers work ?

Initially the photographers website is a good place to start, try to view a selection of images taken throughout a typical wedding day from a number of different weddings. Be prepared to call your photographer to have an informal chat about your requirements or better still arrange a visit to meet.

Who will take your wedding photographs ?

If you hire a photographer from a wedding photography studio it is wise to know exactly who will take your wedding pictures on the day and see samples of their work.

What about the \’style\’ of wedding photography ?

Would you like your wedding photography to be classicly formal or strictly reportage or as is normally the case a mixture of both. Make sure your photographer has the ability to deliver your preferred style of wedding photography in a confident manner.

Will your photographer work alone ?

Many photographers prefer to work alone though if your preference is for a mixture of photographic styles for your wedding photography then an assistant/second photographer can be a real bonus. If this service is available is it an extra cost or included within the price of your wedding photography package.

Have you met your photographer ?

We believe this plays an important part in choosing your photographer, you will learn much by meeting in person. Your photographer will be with you throughout your wedding day and you need to feel not only confident in their ability but comfortable in their prescence. If it is not possible to meet your photographer in person before your wedding day then ask for testimonials from previous clients. If the photographer has an assistant/second photographer then try to meet them as well. Don\’t be afraid to ask how your photographer will be dressed for your wedding day.

Is your photographer qualified ?

Whilst not essential a qualified photographer has a level of professional attainment and has the benefit of continuous education through meetings, programmes, access to educational materials and sharing knowledge with their peers. Belonging to a professional photographic body ensures the photographer adheres to strict ethics in both their photography and business practices.

Everything is going well but what if ?

Hiring an experienced photographer will greatly reduce the \’what if\’ factor. Things like having backup to cover equipment failure, professional equipment like fast lenses for low light work, studio lights for indoor photography on dark days are all essential consideraions. Your photographer should also have the experience to know how to adapt when things go wrong often without you even being aware of a problem.

Local knowledge ?

When choosing your preferred wedding venue how good is the photographers knowledge of the area. This may make a difference when it comes to ideas for suitable locations for your wedding photography.

Does your photographer have insurance ?

If not, why not?

And finally are there any hidden extras ?

Whilst considering your photographer and wedding photography package ensure there are no hidden extras and that all prices are well defined and transparent. Is the assistant/second photographer included? Are there any additional travel costs? How reasonable are the after sale prices?

We hope this has been helpful and of interest in enabling you to choose your wedding photographer.



By: Phil McDermott

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Jimmy Dawkins asked:




Those special photos, negatives, slides, videos, photos, and more you’ve acquired over the past years , could be totally lost forever if you don’t do something to preserve them . Through slide scanning services all these things can be digitized so you can preserve these memories forever, or as long as CDs and DVDs are in use . Take a minute and think about it, do you want to lose all those memories due to the film or paper deteriorating ? You are probably answering “No” right now . Let’s take a look at what slide scanning is able to do for you.

You can have your slides digitally converted to both DVD and CD formats . Just think of how delicate slides are . This provides you with an excellent way to save your slides in case something happens to the original copies . They can be viewed on the computer easily this way too . Depending on the plan you go with, different adjustments can be made .

You’ll find that negatives can be quite fragile. It only takes one tear or mark and no more pictures ever from those negatives . You’re also able to digitally put negatives on CDs and DVDs. The negatives are actually turn into positive images that are digital .

The paper photos you have can be scanned in and adjustments of different levels can be made. You can enhance the color on faded photos, they can be cropped , the contrast can be changed , and image rotation can also be done. Photos can be made ready for print or video if they’re not already too faded .

Film in super 8mm or just 8mm can be transferred to MPEG4 files, AVI-xvid, Blue-Ray, DVD, or MJPEG files . They are carefully done frame by frame . This way you no longer have to drag out the projector you can use your computer or television to watch them .

A few other things that your slide scanning services can do include digital repairs and restoration, video and audio tape transfer, and a whole lot more. By using these services you can safely and digitally save memories for good .

With the available image organization , you’re able to see the scans before your final product is done. This lets you identify the order of things for the transfer that is done finally to DVD or CD formats. Scans you’re not a fan of can be rejected . This also makes it easier when you send in photos to have this service done . Just get them all together and mail them. Then after they have been scanned they can be viewed on the web where it is much easier to rearrange and organize the digital copies of them .

Now you can see how easy and convenient it can be to save memories from photos or film for years to come ! Just mail your memories off today to one of the slide scanning services and you’re sure to love how they turn out . You will no longer have to worry about your memories getting faded or damaged due to exposure to light, air, or just plain aging .

SA Wedding Photographers asked:




It’s always nice to know what you’re in for when you have your wedding photos done as this will prepare you mentally. Important questions to consider prior to your big day would be what style of photos you prefer as this can be either traditional, spontaneous, arty etc. Another question would be whether you’d prefer colour, sepia or black and white photos; with or without frames or a mix of everything. This all needs to be discussed with your wedding photographer before the wedding day – besides the fact that he/she needs to know what your preferences and requirements are, the photographer can give you some guidance and advice on must-have shots so that the photos you imagine can take on real life form.

Although there are so many hair styles to choose from, keep in mind that you’ll have to look at these photos for ever, so I would advise against anything very different or extreme (the kids will probably just tease you about this later!). If you want your wedding photos to be timeless, go for a classic, simplistic hair style that would be easy to manage throughout your photo shoot and day.

Its important to have a trial run with your make-up to avoid last minute disappointment. You know what you feel comfortable with, again, this needs to suit your personality. You want to mingle with your guests feeling comfortable and self assured. Your wedding make-up should compliment you, not change you – rather keep it natural and fresh.

Keep the main thing the main thing – firstly you need to feel comfortable and most importantly be yourself so that your unique personality would reflect on the photos. But a girl needs all the help she can get and if a few props will help you to relax and have fun – why not! Take some props with or ask the photographer to supply some interesting objects that you can use during your photo shoot, for example a hat, colourful sarong (that will double up to keep your dress clean in case you have to get down and dirty), a wedding invitation, your garter, a cigar for the groom etc . Give your photographer some healthy attitude and the right tools to be creative.

We so often invest our precious time in things that won’t last – yes, its important that you look absolutely breathtaking but besides looking beautiful, the photo shoot takes priority as this is what you would take with you long after the champagne has lost its bubble. You can either shy away and lose out on stunning memories or you can forget yourself, go beyond yourself and have fun!

Abhishek Agarwal asked:




We can get a glimpse of fashion photography almost everywhere we look on TV, newspapers, internet and all media. Dazzling women with long legs and tanned skin scream for attention on news stands all over the place. It is the fashion photographer who is primarily responsible to bring those photographers to us, the everyday people. Unlike what one often imagines, there is more to fashion photography than a glitzy life style, fun and happening models. In fact there is a lot of planning involved behind every single fashion photograph that we see.

A name such as Mario Testino has become iconic in the realm of fashion photography. Did you know that photographers like him are just as sought after as the models that they photograph? At times the photographer is an even bigger celebrity than the model.

This profession may seem dream like to the young and enthusiastic photographer but it is not all about fun and glitz. It is not just about meeting the rich and the famous, the fat checks and the feeling of rock that goes with fashion photography. Did you know, for every one photographer that is successful, there are hundreds who are left looking for shoots for many years? Many give up after a few years while some do go on to become successful later on in life.

If you want to become a fashion photographer -

1. Learn the art well

There is no end to learning. Here is where many a youngster goes astray. they are so bothered about the style and the glamour associated with the fashion photographer, they concentrate more on looking right than shooting right. Know your photography so well that it comes naturally to you. Get books on the subject and read them to expand your knowledge of the subject.

2. Equipment

Next to the right knowledge comes the right equipment. Here is a hard truth – you cannot be a good fashion photographer unless you can afford expensive equipment. Cameras are not cheap, and you have new ones coming out every season. If you cannot afford to start off with a good camera and lighting system, your knowledge would go to waste.

3. The portfolio

The portfolio of a photographer is what finally lands the job. Make sure you have an impressive folio with your best work carefully selected. Choose the best 4 by 5 slide images you have. Some prefer to make prints. It is suggested – if you are discussing something with a photography pro, carry the slides. If it is a designer you are meeting the prints may be a better idea and more convenient for everyone.

4. Personality

Any editor is looking for original talent, so make sure you have a strong individual point of view. It is ok to be affected by another professional’s point of view, as long as you add or remove from it to make it unique and different. You need an identity!

John Parks asked:




With the explosion of the global internet and millions of websites begging for content information, there arises the question of just where is the border between free information and copyright? Research today is a snap, or rather, a query set into a browser followed by “enter”, and tens or hundreds of thousands, even millions of related information websites appear. Just click and presto, you have information on your screen. But, is it free or is it copyrighted?

For most cases, information on a website is copyrighted. You can scroll down to the footer of most websites and find a copyright notice, or there may be a more visible warning posted. Some even have small banners for protection services like CopyScape on their website pages. Owners can check with this type of service and instantly see if any information contained on their website is appearing elsewhere, and from there they can pursue the copyright issue with offending websites.

There are services available that provide original written material for website content. Care is taken at those sites to check for any text infringements before content is released. This makes sense, because information production involves, time, talent, money, and ideas. It would be very wrong to just steal someone else’s work, same as stealing physical property. There are principles involved, unless a person is totally unscrupulous and wants to run the risk of lawsuits and possible fines and/or jail time.

Let’s look at definitions to determine where is the border between free information and copyright. Information is of three types: free, open, and copyrighted. Free information is available to be freely used, changed, altered, derived from, and there is no penalty for using it. Open information is available to be used, and free, but it cannot be altered or changed. Copyrighted information is not free and available to use except with specific authorization for use by a licensed or permitted person or business. Authors can post a notice that a copyright work of their own may be reproduced or copied.

Holders of copyrights have monopoly control over their works. Information that is in the public domain is considered free to use however a user wants. If a work has been copyrighted and that term of copyright expires, putting it into the free public domain category, it still can become copyrighted again if the laws change. This would affect all derivitive works from it also.

A copyright is a legal term, marked on works with the copyright symbol, a “c” within a small circle. It can be for a period of time and is important to protect monetary rights of the copyright holder on that work. Usually this refers to creative or written works, but can be to other ideas. It is a term for Constitutional protection in the US for original works published or unpublished, and is honored by many other countries, but not all. Besides the written word, it protects music, songs, computer software and architecture. Before using content, be sure it is free, not copyrighted. Additional copyright information is available online at the US Copyright Office.

For more information on copyright, visit http://www.copyrightmicroblog.com/

Robert Provencher asked:




Marketing your photography studio does not have to be expensive. I’ve used hundreds of low cost marketing strategies over the last twenty five years and managed to build my photography studio to the point where I am one the busiest and most successful studios in my city. Here’s a few tips for you:

1. Create a photo display. A photography display can be as simple as displaying a few small portraits at a store and offering some free information about your studio or more elaborate set ups with framed wall samples. You can even create large temporary displays in malls or at events such as trade shows.

The important thing is how it looks. You will attract a lot of attention with some great images, especially from woman, who happen to be your target market. Displays will help you create a lot of business if you play your cards right. Have a great selection of images, be presentable yet never pushy, have a system for collecting names and address’s from those wanting more information by simply asking or offering a draw prize, and keep in touch with all those prospects. It’s the beginning of a potential long term and lucrative relationship.

2. Have a free giveaway. Offer a time limited in studio session and small reprint. Tell them there is no obligation for further purchase, and mean it. You will make some sales anyways and you will acquire many long term clients if you do a good job for them.

Some will only grab the freebie, but the odds are very good that you will upsell without being sneaky or pushy. Especially if you are professional and create some great images. Do this at mall displays, banks, schools or offer it to a list of clients from a non-competitive business in your town or city. Freebies are the best way to get your studio busy, start making sales and most of all for getting tons of exposure.

3. Reward referrals. Make a policy to reward anyone who brings you referrals. When a client brings in a propective client, give them a gift of appreciation, such as a coupon worth reprints dollars at your studio, frames, or to a local spa or restaurant. As an added incentive, give a small gift to the new client as well.

4. Create a tie-in with another business. Contact a local business and offer to exchange coupons. For example, your client receives coupons from a local restaurant, hair salon, spa, or wherever your typical prospect would shop. A great place to start is with clients of yours who already own their own businesses.

5. Make your reception or waiting room “prospect and sales friendly”. Whenever you create a family portrait or are shooting a wedding there are often people waiting in your reception area. Offer them snacks or something to drink. Make sure your place looks great and smells nice. Make it comfortable. Use this time to increase your upcoming sales presentation by explaining some of the items such as wall portraits and other packages and services. Answer objections that you know will be coming up later during the sale presentation with a consultive approach and people will not only trust you more but will likely make the sale easier for you and even buy more. This is also a great time to collect names. These people are somehow associated with you and at this point make excellent prospects.

6. Make copies of news articles about yourself and your studio. Hang them on the walls or pass them out. Past publicity is better than any advertising or promotional literature you can create. Give copies of positive articles to everyone who comes in for information.

7. Raise money for charity. Not only do you help a good cause, you get plenty of free, positive publicity and exposure. Hold a contest, offer some photography classes, give out free booklets- that you can easily write yourself and print for pennies by having them photocopied- think up your own exciting charity event.

8. Submit press releases to the local newspapers about a noteworthy event at your studio or a human interest story. Did you win a photography contest? Is there and article on photography that relates to local sites in your area or has to do with the seasons? Make your release interesting to the readers, never self-serving and you will get press coverage.

9. Give a free photography seminar or presentation at your studio. Invite members of the public and clients family members to be a part. A seminar gives them the chance to see your studio and your work. Offer something timely to do with how to create great photographs with digital cameras or offer a slide show from some of your more exotic travels. You could create an exhibition highlighting your work. Don’t forget to invite the local newspaper.

10. Leave your business cards everywhere. Whenever you are at a restaurant, leave a nice tip and your card. Drop a stack off at the local jewellry store. Make sure card is loaded with your best samples and print on both sides to maximize the space for your sales message.

So you’ve decided to try to tap into the growing photographic demands of a larger than ever pet owner population! I applaud your decision.

The pet industry was exploding by incredible leaps and bounds even prior to the advent of the Internet. The ready availability of pet-based products that tapped into this new avenue for trade multiplied exponentially.

There are certainly a number of sites available where you can purchase almost anything you can imagine for your furry home companions, but as a professional pet photographer, I would like to stick to what I know and what I do best.

I take pictures!

Now, you are probably saying to yourself that you take pictures too, and that doesn’t qualify you as a profesional pet photographer. What makes me so special? The answer is that people are willing to pay me to take pictures for them and I manage to sell a goodly number of pet photo related items as well.

But let’s, for arguments sake, say that you take a picture that captures a special quality in someone’s pet that makes them ask if they can buy a copy. THAT is your introduction into the world of pet photography as a business; and here is where you can get bogged down.

There are thousands, literally thousands, of books about how to go about a start-up business and all of them probably have something worthwhile to offer. You need to remember that most of these books are in the business of selling books, not knowledge. It’s rather like the “Make Zillions in Real Estate” infomercials that promise you will quadruple your income in three days if you buy their program. Well, the owner of the program will undoubtedly make zillions, but most of it will come from selling you the program not necessarily from you using the information in the program!

Don’t get me wrong! There are books out there that will be of help to you. You just need to be careful about what advice it is you really need in order to create a business out of pet photography.

First! Define yourself.

Are you predominantly an artist or a photographer? Yes, of course you can be both. The question is, do you want to create pet portraits that are true works of art similar to professionally done portrait paintings? Do you plan to make as much of a statement about yourself as the artist as you do about the subject of your photograph? Do you want to develop the ability to capture the special relationship between an owner and his or her pet? Or do you simply want to go for the owner who wants a nice framed photo to acknowledge that their pet is truly a beloved member of the family whose photo deserves to be placed in a position of honor on the mantle place with the rest of the family?

These are important questions to ask yourself before you begin. I do not mean to suggest that you must choose one mindset over another. It will simply be easier to create a viable business plan for yourself as a professional photographer if you make yourself aware of your target audience and make yourself able to adapt to their specific needs. You will find that once you determine the sort of photography you wish to offer, the interview process between yourself and the prospective client will be the most important part of the process.

It is imperative that you be able to grasp the dynamic existing between the pet and owner. This will likely be a purely intuitive exercise on your part since the way the owner sees a pet is not always the way the relationship will come across. Are they overly affectionate and cutesy-adorable together? Do they enjoy roughhousing and outdoor activities? Are they quiet and sedentary together? These observations will give you insight into what the owner expects to see when they look at your interpretation of their bond with their pet. The portrait must reflect not only the personality of the pet, but the owner’s perception of that personality as well.

Pricing! I would suggest a sitting fee that is non-refundable. If someone is unwilling to recognize that your time is valuable, then they will likely be unwilling to pay for any photo packages afterward. A “sitting fee” requires a commitment up front that encourages a professional atmosphere on both sides. The owner realizes that they are paying for the privilege and you recognize that you have an obligation to the owner.

Franchises? With all the new avenues open to pet photographers both at the entry level and the professional level it is inevitable that the subject of franchising will come up. There is a built-in safety net when you choose to go with an established franchise, both in the formulaic manner in which they operate and in the general public awareness of a known “name.” But this comes at a cost and I don’t believe it is necessary for every start-up pet photography business. I would encourage you to research as many as possible and carefully peruse your own business plan to see if it is worth the extra expense for a limited amount of security.

You CAN do this on your own. You CAN become a professional in your own home with pet photography. You can become the “go to” photographer in your community. You just have to get out there and get yourself known. Volunteer your services at the local animal shelter. Take the opportunity to do “pro bono” (free) photos for special occasions that have built in press coverage. Get cards made up and pin them everywhere you can. The bottom line is…have fun with it! The best thing you can do in your life is find something you love to do and then find a way to make a living at it.



By: anonymous

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