Easter Photography Ideas

• 

Easter Photography Ideas

If you haven’t started planning your Easter mini session you may want to hop on it! More often than you might think, photographers will put all their eggs in one basket and  find out that their customers want something different than they planned! In this post we will show you some awesome ideas for your upcoming Easter Photography sessions!

Too chilly still to hit the great outdoors for your sessions? Snag one of our fantastic Scene Photography Backdrops to accomplish this look in the warmth of your studio!

Tired of the same ‘ol floor you always use? Try one of our brand new 2-in-1 Photography Backdrops! They’re perfect for switching things up without breaking the bank!

Want to keep it simple? Try one of our Solid Photography Backdrops and add your artistic touches to make it festive!

Lastly, we have a HUGE collection of Pattern Photography Backdrops that could not be more perfect for Spring and Easter Photography! Try one in our excellent poly paper material!

Starting Your Photography Studio On A Budget

Are you one of so many photographers out there that would LOVE to start their own photography studio? Whether you’re just starting out in the photography business or perhaps you just want to do it in your time, you will need a space you can get your creative juices flowing, store all your gear and let the magic happen. However many entrepreneurs just don’t have the extra cash to dedicate to a professional photo studio. Luckily, we have a few tricks that might help you get a head start!

1. Use Space in Your Home

No doubt, the largest expense you as a future studio owner would have would be buying or leasing studio space. The easiest way to conserve these funds would be using a space that you already own or rent. Of course, you’ll probably want to tradition out of your home at some point when the cash starts flowing in but until then, save yourself the headache of writing that check every month.

Now, when choosing your new creative space, you’ll probably want to select an area that is secluded to some extent for privacy during the many sessions that you will be booking. The tough part about starting a studio in your home is finding an unused space that has enough room for your photos. It is probably best to have at least 20 feet of space to work with. Basements would certainly work, but you will need to be aware of low ceilings as, of course, that would not be best for photos. It is also very likely that light will bounce off the ceiling and you won’t be able to use a hair light, as it requires about 3 feet of space above your subject. A high-ceilinged room, attic or even a garage space are great potential spaces for your new studio!

2. Lighting

For you natural light photographers, you’ll want to select a space with large windows, a skylight, or some other source of light. However, if your preference is studio lights, you’ll want to choose a room where ambient light from windows, skylights, reflections and existing room light won’t be an issue. If ambient light is there, in many cases you can manage it with studio lighting, flash and shutter speed.

When you’re ready to start purchasing lighting equipment, you’ll want to start with either constant lights, speedlights or studio strobes (as your wallet or husband allows). A light modifier will help control your flash — choose from soft boxes, umbrellas, strip banks, flash benders, beauty dishes, and more. We highly recommend that you do your homework to help you decide which is the best and most economical solution for the lighting needs of your new studio.

3. Versatile Photography Backdrops

Now, you’ll want at least one Photography Backdrop to complete the list of basic equipment for your new studio. Again, if your wallet or husband allows, try and have one in the brown color family and one in gray. Such as our Sand Dollar Solid Photography Backdrop and/or ourSoft Gray Solid Photography Backdrop. These are both perfect, versatile drops to start your new collection. From there, add a blue-toned option and a solid white either in poly paper or matte vinyl. Depending upon the type of photography you plan to do, you can expand into a roll of black paper and other seamless color choices. When you’re just starting out, versatility is very important. Your first few Photography Backdrops need to give you the ability to shoot all different occasions without breaking the bank.

4. Props

One of the best ways to set yourself apart as a new photographer is adding unique and adorable props to your setups. Now, this is a very broad subject so here are a few pointers: Although there are many adorable companies (& Etsy shops) out there, those expensive props can really add up. You might consider starting with some DIY projects for now. You can find a ton of ideas on our Pinterest boards on how to create some custom props until the cash starts flowing. You can also find some very cute (and inexpensive) props if you keep your eyes open on your next trip to Hobby Lobby or Michaels. Just remember to check out RetailMeNot.com or similar sites before you make your purchase!

5. Insurance & Taxes

Lastly, make sure that you are ready for the unthinkable. Little Sally could trip and fall in your home, or heaven forbid, your precious possessions might go missing; insurance would be a small monthly premium that will bring you security and that peace of mind that you need when starting a business. You should also contact an accountant and make you are set up for proper tax filing. You’ll be able to write off many expenses, including the percentage of your home rent/mortgage and utilities for the portion of your home used as your studio.

We hope this has been helpful!! If you have any thoughts or comments please leave them below!

5 Photography Tips for Beginners

Having years of professional photography experience is not necessarily a requirement to capturing absolutely stunning photos. Even amateur photographers can get lucky and snag breathtaking photos. Photography is a very hands-on field and practice makes perfect, but anyone would love a few tips from the pros, especially when you’re just getting started. Here are some photography tips for beginners who are looking to excel in their camera knowledge and capture some of those award-winning shots.

1. Equipment

As you’ve likely already noticed, there is an endless amount of photography equipment you can use. Finding the right equipment depends entirely on the type of photos you are looking for. You certainly don’t need to buy all of the top of the line equipment right off the bat. But you will need the essentials: a camera body, 50mm lens, zoom lens and external flash. These will help you get started and you can always upgrade and add to your equipment as your photography skills (and budget) improve.

2. Know the Terms

To help you better understand how to use your new DSLR, it is important for you to know the different terms related to the camera’s manual settings. ISO, aperture, shutter speed and other terms can sometimes confuse a beginner who is unfamiliar with these settings. Let’s take a look at some terms you will regularly come in contact when shooting photos.

Shutter Speed – Shutter speed refers to how long the shutter stays open when shooting a picture. Slower shutter speeds are used to allow more light in through the lens when there is an absence of light. Faster shutter speeds work great in bright situations and when shooting moving objects.

Aperture – The aperture is measured in F-Stops and relates to the size of the lens opening. Using a lower F-Stop will focus on a single item in your picture making the photo background appear blurry. A higher F-Stop will ensure more of your photo is in focus.

ISO – ISO is the adjustment you use depending upon the amount of light you are working with. For example, the lower the ISO number you set, the less sensitive the camera is to the light. You can use a low ISO when shooting outdoors on a sunny day and a higher ISO when it is cloudy or when shooting indoors.

3. Use a Tripod

When shooting in low light or taking a long exposure photo you probably won’t be able to hold the camera still long enough to capture the shot without causing camera shake. Even some of the most seasoned photographers use tripods to eliminate the slightest effects of camera shake.

4. Learn From Others

One of your most valuable resources is going to be other more seasoned photographers; they are a great asset when looking for photo tips. Every photographer had to start somewhere so most veteran photographers are more than happy to help out a newbie. Remember what they do and what they say about their experiences when on a shoot. You can also check out photo books or online sites and study photographs taken by professionals. Then, take what you have learned and try to replicate what they do. As we said, photography is a hands-on learning experience. So play with your camera and the settings until you get shoot the photographs you are looking for. Another thing to consider is taking a photography class at a local college or attending a photography workshop at a local gallery. Learning as much as you can will make experimenting with your camera much easier and much more fun.

5. Experiment

There is only one way to really get not just familiar but experienced at shooting in manual mode and that is practice. In addition to playing with the settings, try shooting in different situations, indoors and outdoors, from different angles and a variety of subjects. Ask family members to be your guinea pigs and experiment shooting portraits of them using different lighting equipment and photography backgrounds. The more you practice, the less you will feel like a beginner. Do not let the fear of trying something new stop you from improving your photography skills. Even the most seasoned photographers have to practice and experiment. Remember, we are all beginners at one time or another. One final tip: carry your camera with you everywhere because you never know when the perfect photographic opportunity will arise.