Summer weather is finally here; time to celebrate with outdoor family adventures. Whether it’s a trip to the beach, a picnic at the park or a backyard barbeque with family and friends, there’s no time like the present to get your camera out of hibernation and start shooting a slew of summer memories. However, before you take aim in the great outdoors, there are a few tips to remember so that your photos don’t come back underexposed, overexposed or blurry. For starters, most digital point-and-shoot cameras have a preset white balance setting. If you are shooting on a cloudy day, … Continue reading →

Securing a summer internship in the world of professional photography is only part of the battle. Making the most of your opportunity by turning it into a stepping stone for future employment should be your ultimate goal. Even if you are planning to go back to school as soon as your internship is over, you can still put your new skills to use by working the freelance market. Any new skills gained through a summer internship should be used to spice up your portfolio. A portfolio is a compilation of your best work, which you show to prospective clients. If … Continue reading →

Do you ever browse through magazines, books or websites and think, “I could have snapped those pictures!” and actually have the chops to back up your claim? If so, then you might very well be successful at turning your passion for picture-taking into profit. The key is landing a break that allows you to earn cash for your frame worthy shots. So how can you profit from money shots? Some of the most popular places where photographers earn cash for their talent are Internet-based macrostock and microstock agencies. The former typically works exclusively with established professional photographers. If you are … Continue reading →

Summer is prime time for burgeoning professional shutterbugs to snag photo internships. Many newspapers, magazines, and television stations offer unpaid internships to students looking to forge a career in photography. As a teen, I spent three consecutive summers shooting video for a local TV station in order to gain professional experience. Back then, the Internet was practically nonexistent; rather, I was forced to rely on word of mouth and recommendations from teachers in order to snag my gig. Today, students can visit the National Press Photographers Association’s website which maintains a list of internship opportunities in the United States. Another … Continue reading →

May is a huge month for professional and amateur photographers alike. Between prom, commencement, weddings, and a slew of parties celebrating everyone from mom to kindergarten graduates, there is little time for your camera to remain idle. Shutterbugs will get their workout this month capturing special moments that make up each of the aforementioned occasions. However, no matter how hard you try to document all of the memories unfolding at these events, if you are not organized you’re bound to miss a few. The key to keeping it all straight is to devise a shot list prior to the event. … Continue reading →

As I look back on last summer’s photos, I’ve noticed that 99% of them feature my young daughter participating in some type of water activity. Ironically, I don’t own a waterproof camera. Granted, most of the photos were taken from the safety of a dry pool deck or sandy stretch of beach, but there are instances where I waded into the water in order to capture a unique angle. Fortunately, my camera survived the water exposure. I took a risk by venturing into deep water with my camera, but it paid off. This is not to say that you have … Continue reading →

If there’s one genre of photography that I find most challenging it’s action photography. For some reason I lack the quick reflexes and focus needed to capture the drama which unfolds on the court, field or in the water. However, summer is just a few weeks away and my daughter is signed up for soccer camp, so I am trying to complete a crash course in action photography in order to document her achievements. Here’s what I’ve learned so far: Camera: I’m all about making do with what you have, but when it comes to snapping high action shots, a … Continue reading →

Easter is a week away, which means that even the most reluctant shutterbugs will be reaching for their cameras. Holidays bring out the snap-happy in all of us. Even if you don’t take pictures on a daily or weekly basis, Easter is typically a time when we want to at least try to document special memories. The problem is succeeding. If you don’t take aim with your camera on a regular basis, you might be rusty, and your Easter photos will show it. To avoid snapping ugly holiday pictures, consider the following tips: Lighting: Try to take as many Easter … Continue reading →

Where are you headed for spring break? Whether you are jetting off to the slopes or are planning a beach vacation, you don’t want to miss capturing all of the action with your camera. Make the most of your picture-taking device even if you are sticking close to home this Easter. While the price of gas has put a dent in many people’s wallets, it doesn’t mean you have to put the brakes on making and documenting fun spring memories. For example, if you are planning to visit a hometown amusement park while your kids are on spring break, aim … Continue reading →

Whether you are staying close to home and basking in the unusually warm weather or you’re jetting off to spend spring break in a more tropical locale, you’ll likely want to brush up on your outdoor shooting skills, especially if you have been cooped up inside all winter. FLOWERS: With fresh blooms all around, now is the time to experiment with close-ups. If you are shooting in macro mode, then your background will be slightly blurred, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be mindful of what else is in your frame besides a pretty blossom. Examine your background before you … Continue reading →