As every photographer knows, every day in business is a hustle; you will spend just as much time trying to get work as you spend actually working. This means that in addition to your technical skills and spending time photographing, you need to deploy effective online marketing strategies and be visible on the internet – and this isn’t always so easy.

With this in mind, if you are in need of guidance that will outline what you should be doing to step up your photography business’s game, carry on reading; this handy article is about to offer just that.

Build a Portfolio 

If you are serious about getting your photographs out there and showing the world what you can do, you need a dedicated, high-quality portfolio. This can be an online collection or a physical book that gives people an idea of the types of photographs you take.

So many people think that photography is a dying art considering that anyone can take a photo on their phones these days. However, it is for this reason you need to create a stunning portfolio that shows your style and talents, one that tells people why they need to hire your to take photos for them instead of having a family member or friend snap images on their smartphone – and that means your portfolio is your chance to shine and show the world what you’ve got.

Have a Great Website 

To make sure people can view your photographs, you need to have a great website. Naturally, it should be a visually heavy site with a quick loading page so that users can quickly see what you have to offer as a photographer. 

Additionally, it’s important that you ensure people can discover your website in the first place. In this respect, you need to have a great SEO strategy, which many people don’t actually understand nor know how to effectuate. 

Whether you don’t know how to create and maintain excellent SEO, or you simply don’t have the time to do so, there are plenty of reputable, expert SEO agency services that can take over and deploy results-driven, tailored SEO strategies for your business that’ll have you ranking high on Google and other search engines – increasing viewers to your photography website and social media pages as a result.

Have an Excellent Instagram Profile 

While it is unlikely that you will have a million followers like some Instagrammers, having a strong presence on the image-based social media platform is essential if you want to become a popular photographer – and this notion is especially true as people look toward Instagram more and more often to find the photographers that they want for their events and special occasions.

In any case, no matter the style and niche of a photographer, there is one element that all successful photographers on Instagram have: a unified aesthetic. As such, think very carefully about the type of vibe you want to give off with your work while planning your Instagram look and posts accordingly, and your photography career is sure to be a success. 

Start a Newsletter 

Suppose you want to get people interested in your photography services. In that case, you should launch a newsletter, which will help you build a loyal list of fans and potential customers interested in the services you offer. If this is something you’d like to do, it’s probably a good idea to browse all the different newsletter providers in operation today – and there is no lack of them, for sure! 

The post How to Promote Your Photography Businessappeared first on Photoshop Actions and Lightroom Presets | MCP Actions™.

Nowadays, digital art has become more and more popular. People use digital art to create all kinds of things, including landscapes. If you want to create a beautiful landscape in digital art with a Procreate brush and other tools, here are some tips for you:

1. Choose The Right Software

There are many choices of software available on the market, such as Photoshop, Painter and Sai. In my opinion, you should choose a software that is most suitable for your own needs.

2. Drawing The Foundation

After you have chosen a software, then draw the foundation in it by using the pen tool or pencil tool. When drawing a landscape , it’s important to get the basic shapes and contours right.

3. Add Colors

After you have finished drawing the foundation, it’s time to add colors. The colors you choose should reflect the mood and feeling of the landscape. For example, if you want to create a sad landscape, you can use dark and dull colors.
If you want to create a beautiful landscape, the colors have to be bright and vibrant. You also have to use shades and shadows in order to create a sense of depth.

Source: CreativeMarket

4. Mastering The Brush Tool In Digital Art

Before you get a star brush Procreate offers, there are 4 aspects that an artist must learn about brushes: size, opacity, hardness and blending mode.
The size of the brush tool can be controlled by using the mouse scroll wheel or the slider bar in the toolbar. The opacity of the brush tool can be controlled by using the keyboard shortcuts: Shift + ] for increasing opacity and Shift + [-] for decreasing opacity. The hardness of the brush tool can be controlled by pressing the [ or ] keys. The blending mode of the brush tool can be managed in the toolbar.
Need a place for Procreate brush downloads? Look no further than CreativeMarket.

5. Adjust The Shadows And Lights

When creating a colorful landscape, it’s important to adjust the shadows and lights so that your digital art and its Procreate brush free effects look more realistic. You can use some lighting effects to do so. If you want to, you also can use some filters and brushes. When adding the lights and shadows, make sure that they are symmetrical so that there is a balance in your art.

6. Add Some Details

The final step is to add some details to your landscape. This includes adding trees, flowers, mountains and other objects. When adding these objects, make sure that they are in proportion with the rest of the landscape.
You should also use this step to clean up the picture and make sure all the colors are blended together nicely. If you want to make your landscape more realistic, you can also use some filters in your software like blur or smudge. However, excessive usage of filters will make your work look too messy.
When you are finished with colors, it’s time to add details by using the eraser tool. When adding details, don’t make them too messy and excessive because they will ruin your landscape. Just like colors, details should also reflect the mood of the scene.

7. Enhance The Detail

After you have finished mastering the tools, it’s time to enhance the detail of your landscape. You can use some filters to do so, such as the oil paint filter, which makes your art look more three-dimensional. Alternatively, you can also use a Procreate star brush. Lastly, you can make use of photo manipulation techniques by using some blending modes and adjustment layers.

8. Fixing And Tweaking

After you have added the lights and shadows to your landscape, it’s time for you to fix and tweak them. You have to use the smudge tool in order to fix and tweak your art. The smudge tool can be used to fix parts of your art that are messy or doesn’t look right. You also can use it to adjust lights and shadows to make them look more natural.

Source: ArtTower/Pixabay

9. The Final Touch

Before you are ready to submit your landscape art, it’s good to go over it one more time and make sure that everything looks fine. If you feel that something’s missing from your landscape, you can add some details or effects with a free Procreate brush to create a stunning piece of digital art. You can use some final effects to make the picture stand out even more. When adding these effects, they have to support the overall mood of the image

10. Save Your Work

To save your work, you can use different file formats, such as PNG or JPEG. Before saving it, don’t forget to go to Layer > Flatten Image in order to combine all layers into one single layer. work.
You can also use the proprietary software format (.psd, .tiff or .xcf). This can be done through the file menu in your digital art software. Take note, however, that exporting in a low-quality format will lower the quality of your work.

You also should use this step to resize your artwork for uploading.

In Conclusion

With these tips, you should be able to create beautiful landscapes in digital art. Just remember to take your time and practice regularly. You will get better with each landscape that you create. Have fun!

The post Tips On Drawing Landscapes In Digital Artappeared first on Photoshop Actions and Lightroom Presets | MCP Actions™.

Being a professional photographer can be a very exciting career, but if you prefer to work on your terms, then choosing a path as a freelance photographer might be better for you. However, freelancers have different kinds of challenges and making sure that you are the one who gets picked for a job in a competitive market can be tough. If you have recently decided to move into the world of freelance photography, here are some tips to help you build your profile and get hired.

Create a Professional Website

If you want to get taken seriously as a professional, you need to present yourself as one. Having a website dedicated to your work is one of the first steps you need to take when you become a freelance photographer. This will also be part of your digital portfolio, and this is will be the first impression potential clients will have of your work. The website must be easy to navigate, have quality content (no spelling or grammatical errors in the text), and have your contact information as the basics. Including a blog on your website can also be beneficial, as this allows visitors to learn more about you and your work.

Take Networking Opportunities

Networking is effective in any industry, especially if you want to get ahead in your career. It is even more important for freelancers, as you won’t have a manager or company representative to sing your praises to possible clients. This is something that you will have to do yourself, so by taking those networking opportunities, whether it’s attending a photography event, meeting someone for a cup of coffee or lunch, all of these moments are chances for you to make a good impression and get noticed.

Social Media

It’s also worth setting up professional social media accounts for yourself as a freelance photographer, keeping your ones separate from business. As a photographer, having an Instagram account is a must, but you should also be active on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. LinkedIn is also a useful professional social marketing tool as it has been designed specifically to connect professionals around the world. While you shouldn’t spam your followers’ feeds with constant posts, sharing things around 3-4 times a week is enough to show that you’re active. 

Publish a Book of Your Work

Another useful thing you can do to boost your freelancer profile is by publishing a book of your work. Companies like Blurb help writers, academics, and photographers to self-publish their work to a professional standard and sell their products on their online bookstores. It could be a great way to boost your income through the sales of these books, and you could even show this to potential clients as an extension of your portfolio.

Show Some Variety

You might like to focus your photography on a specific subject, such as sweeping landscapes or unique portraits. However, if you want to make money as a freelance photographer, it’s important to cater to a range of clients. This is why having some variety in your portfolio is important.

If you are trying to become a successful freelance photographer, consider the tips above and see how they can help to boost your profile and career.

The post How to Build Your Profile as a Freelance Photographerappeared first on Photoshop Actions and Lightroom Presets | MCP Actions™.

Being a professional photographer can be a very exciting career, but if you prefer to work on your terms, then choosing a path as a freelance photographer might be better for you. However, freelancers have different kinds of challenges and making sure that you are the one who gets picked for a job in a competitive market can be tough. If you have recently decided to move into the world of freelance photography, here are some tips to help you build your profile and get hired.

Create a Professional Website

If you want to get taken seriously as a professional, you need to present yourself as one. Having a website dedicated to your work is one of the first steps you need to take when you become a freelance photographer. This will also be part of your digital portfolio, and this is will be the first impression potential clients will have of your work. The website must be easy to navigate, have quality content (no spelling or grammatical errors in the text), and have your contact information as the basics. Including a blog on your website can also be beneficial, as this allows visitors to learn more about you and your work.

Take Networking Opportunities

Networking is effective in any industry, especially if you want to get ahead in your career. It is even more important for freelancers, as you won’t have a manager or company representative to sing your praises to possible clients. This is something that you will have to do yourself, so by taking those networking opportunities, whether it’s attending a photography event, meeting someone for a cup of coffee or lunch, all of these moments are chances for you to make a good impression and get noticed.

Social Media

It’s also worth setting up professional social media accounts for yourself as a freelance photographer, keeping your ones separate from business. As a photographer, having an Instagram account is a must, but you should also be active on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. LinkedIn is also a useful professional social marketing tool as it has been designed specifically to connect professionals around the world. While you shouldn’t spam your followers’ feeds with constant posts, sharing things around 3-4 times a week is enough to show that you’re active. 

Publish a Book of Your Work

Another useful thing you can do to boost your freelancer profile is by publishing a book of your work. Companies like Blurb help writers, academics, and photographers to self-publish their work to a professional standard and sell their products on their online bookstores. It could be a great way to boost your income through the sales of these books, and you could even show this to potential clients as an extension of your portfolio.

Show Some Variety

You might like to focus your photography on a specific subject, such as sweeping landscapes or unique portraits. However, if you want to make money as a freelance photographer, it’s important to cater to a range of clients. This is why having some variety in your portfolio is important.

If you are trying to become a successful freelance photographer, consider the tips above and see how they can help to boost your profile and career.

The post How to Build Your Profile as a Freelance Photographerappeared first on Photoshop Actions and Lightroom Presets | MCP Actions™.

What is fashion photography?

Fashion photography encompasses a wide range of subjects, including runway shows, brand catalogs, model portfolios, advertising, editorial shoots, and more. Fashion photography’s main goal is to show off clothing and other fashion accessories. 

A Fashion brand’s success depends upon the quality of the images they use in their catalog. Photographers are required to enhance fashion items in ways that elicit an emotional response because this is a genre dedicated to exhibiting it. 

This post will go over various aspects of how a beginner can get started shooting their fashion photography, as well as provide several editing methods for fashion photography.

Fashion photography Shooting tips

Location 

When choosing a location, think about what clothes you’ll be shooting, what story you’ll be telling, where the tale will take place, and how and where they should be worn? 

A studio is a very versatile location for a fashion shoot because it usually has all of the necessary lighting equipment, such as scrims, umbrellas, softboxes, octabanks, and beauty dishes. But, when filming outside, the atmosphere can be more difficult to manage, so be ready for anything that may occur.

The right Camera and equipment

For a newbie, a digital camera is an ideal choice due to its ease of use and capacity to capture a big number of images. As your knowledge of fashion photography grows and you begin to attract editorial or commercial clients, you can invest in a high-quality digital camera. 

Using a tripod to snap crisper fashion portraits. A tripod will aid in the stabilization of the image and the avoidance of blurry images. Furthermore, you can use it to select the ideal angle for the shot.

Use the manual mode

If the camera is on a tripod, use Manual Mode. If you’re shooting handheld, select Aperture Priority. When you shoot in Manual Mode, you have complete control over your settings, which will not alter under any circumstances. It indicates that the exposures will be consistent from one frame to the next.

Adjust ISO

Choosing the right ISO is one of the most useful fashion photography tips. It can be set anywhere between 100 and 400. If you’re shooting in low light, in the shadow, or indoors with only window light, start with ISO 400. 

Adjust the Aperture

Instead of using the f/2.8 aperture, try using the f/4 aperture for fashion photos. f/2.8 does provide a more blurred background, but because models are always moving, it is insufficient for sharp photos. You can use a smaller aperture and a higher f/stop number to make a thicker DF.

Use a correct Shutter speed

If you want your photos to be sharp, make sure the shutter speed is correct. Consider the slowest shutter speed you can use when shooting with a camera in your hands versus how slow you can go with a tripod. 

Bring Props

Props aid in the creation of a more cohesive theme in your pictures. So don’t be frightened to try new things. You could even use strange objects to create bizarre scenarios. They’ll draw the viewer’s attention to the most important point.

Try Different angles

Experiment with angles and shoot from the top, bottom, or tilt the camera a little for unique high fashion photography. 

Photo Editing Tips

For photographers, it is always good to know some photo editing techniques using Photoshop or Lightroom, as they are the most popular tools.

Photo retouching

To get great fashion photos, retouching a photo to clean up both the model and the product is essential. It’s critical to remove blemishes and smooth skin, remove wrinkles, and ensure that everything is presented in the best possible light. 

While the photographer or photo editor has complete control over the image’s appearance, it is also critical that you do not go against the wishes of the firm for which you work.

White balance

The whites in your photograph do not have to be pristine. The image may look better in a warmer or cooler environment. A minor tint in the green or magenta direction can also be effective. 

Using the As Shot or Auto modes, you can adjust the white balance of your photos. These modes should not be used as a final destination, but rather as a starting point for editing. You can also use the eyedropper tool to accomplish this. Then, dragging the tool across the image, select a white balance point.

Global adjustments 

The Basic tab in the Develop module of Lightroom is a good place to start. In Photoshop, you may also use the Camera RAW filter. 

Start by changing the exposure slider between stages while keeping an eye on the Histogram is an excellent approach to learn how to edit. 

Now, change the Exposure slider to compensate for any changes you make to the Highlights, Shadows, Whites, or Blacks sliders. This will allow you to maintain a neutral exposure while making the adjustments you want to see in the photographs. 

For local color modifications, use additional sliders like HSL(Hue/Saturation/Luminance)/Color.

Image masking 

Simply select the layer you want to mask and hit the layer mask tool underneath your layers panel to create a layer mask in Photoshop, which allows you to make a local change in its layer. It’s a grey square with a white rectangle.

Dodging and burning 

Dodge and burn is a technique for contouring the face with light to make it more appealing. To make sections appear less or more bright, vivid, and contrasted, you can dodge and burn them out. 

In Photoshop, you may access your Dodge and Burn brush by pressing O. To switch between the two, right-click on the one you’re presently using. Choose between Shadows, Midtones, and Highlights from the menu at the top of the window to determine what you’ll be dodging or burning.

The post Fashion Photography Tips For Shooting & Editingappeared first on Photoshop Actions and Lightroom Presets | MCP Actions™.

One of the simplest and most inexpensive tools you can use to light your portrait subject is a 20×30 inch white foam poster board. Too often new photographers get caught up in having to have the best gear and lighting equipment when sometimes you can get similar results without spending much money!

These pictures were shot by illuminating the subject with a simple white foam core poster board that was purchased at our local dollar store. Each shot shown was taken with the same exact exposure (f 2.8,  1/400, ISO 250), the only thing that changed was that a white board was added to reflect light back onto the subject.  The sun was behind the subject at about a 90-degree angle and the white board was positioned directly in line with the sun in order to reflect the light back.  The board was placed about 3 feet away from the subject to maximize the amount of light reflecting back.

As you can see the image without the DIY reflector fill card is muddy and dark which typically is fixable on the backend; but you should always go into Photoshop or Lightroom with the best possible exposure and lighting. Keep in mind, as a rule of thumb you are much better off with a slightly underexposed image than an overexposed image since you can open up shadows, but cannot typically bring back detail from highlights. One of the greatest benefits of using a fill card or reflector is the “catch” or “sparkle” you achieve in the subject’s eyes. Nothing can ruin a picture more than flatness in the eyes.

These particular examples were all backlit since it is one of my favorite types of portrait light, but experiment with the sun directly on one side or have the sun in front of your subject and bounce the light back to create a stunning backlight! You can see a diagram of our setup below.

I use simple fill cards for many other different applications, like when I’m photographing products and food, they are essential in my opinion. The black poster boards have great uses as well, but we’ll save that for another time or another post!

The final images were processed using MCP Photoshop Actions from their Fusion set. It’s a great set of simple and effective actions that produce beautiful results!

Carolyn Devine is a Los Angeles-based photographer whose work is inspired by the environment around her.  Her love for nature is obvious in her work, whether it’s photographing families, fashion, or products. This natural style is what people are drawn to and what she is known for.

Find her on Facebook or at www.carolyndevine.com.

The post Dollar Store Lighting for Photographers on a Budgetappeared first on Photoshop Actions and Lightroom Presets | MCP Actions™.

In the span of time between the first moment I picked up a camera and today, I have taken hundreds of thousands of photographs. When I was little, I took photos of my cousins at family gatherings. As I grew older, I took snapshots of my friends in school, my boyfriend (now husband) playing in a rock band, and my beloved dog, Brady. Once my two boys came along, the number of photographs in my collection shot off the charts, and when I started my photography business, I added thousands of photos of my clients.

Do you know what was missing from my collection? Me.

A little over two years ago, a friend of mine was killed while out for a morning jog. As I sat at her funeral and watched a slideshow of her life, I was hit with the realization that the photos she left behind were suddenly priceless artifacts that her children, family, and friends would treasure forever.

Then, in October 2013, Jodi Friedman wrote a very personal post about being photographed. To this day, that post still stands as my favorite from this blog, and it had a very powerful influence on both how I viewed myself and how I felt about being in photos.

I had been thinking about my friend’s death and the photos she left behind for her children, and I realized that I needed to stop letting my own insecurities keep me behind the camera and out of photos, for the sake of my loved ones—especially my children. However, my attempts at getting in photos using the timer on my camera were completely exhausting.

During our trip to Jekyll Island, Georgia, last summer, I decided I would take our own family photos on the beach using that method.

Instead of the fabulous photos I envisioned, this was the best I could do:

And although this photo represents the memory of that one time when I wore myself out completely and sweated through my dress while running back and forth between my camera and three incredibly frustrated guys, it wasn’t the beautiful photo I wanted to hang on my wall.

Fast forward to this year…

This year, when we planned our vacation to Jekyll Island, I planned a photo session with a local photographer while there. For the first time since launching my own photography business, I was a photography client.  In addition to photos of my kiddos playing on the beach that I took myself, this year I got incredible photos of my entire family.

As a result of my fabulous experience being in front of the camera for a change, there are a few lessons I learned that I would love to share. Here are some tips to help you get in photos and fall in love with them.

1. Hire a Photographer

My experience of trying to take my own family beach photos last summer was exhausting and frustrating.  I’m glad that I have plenty of great photos of my husband and children to pass on to my boys one day, but I also want them to remember how frizzy the ocean air makes my hair and the way my nose scrunches up a little when I laugh.  Most importantly, I want them to have photographic evidence of my love for them to remind them long after I’m gone. I want my grandchildren to see the love I have for their parents and their grandfather.

Always being behind the camera keeps that from happening. Although there are tons of photographers who have mastered the art of the self-timer or the remote shutter release, I am not one of those photographers. If you are not either, save yourself the stress and exhaustion and hire a photographer to capture those things for you.

2. Do Your Research

When I first started trying to find a photographer in the Jekyll Island area, I knew I wanted a lifestyle photographer; however, no amount of searching turned up the “right” one. I found a ton of wedding photographers, several formal portrait photographers, and a few others family photographers, but none of their photos were exactly what I was personally looking for. So, I didn’t hire anyone. In fact, I decided not to have photos taken on vacation at all and started researching local photographers instead. Then, on a whim one day, I did a search for lifestyle photographers in the Jekyll Island area again. This time, the very first result of my search was a photographer named Jennifer Tacbas. I took one look at her website and fell in love.

This piggy-backs off “Hire a Photographer.” Don’t hire just any photographer. Do your research and hire the photographer whose work you connect with the most. If you make the decision to hire a professional to do photos for you, don’t hire anyone until you find the photographer who fits the style you want for your photos. I didn’t want formal portraits. I wanted a lifestyle photographer. Instead of hiring someone from the options available, I waited until I found the best of who was available for me, personally.

3. Communicate

During my very first e-mail to Jennifer, I let her know that my youngest son, Finley, is autistic. I wanted her to know that getting his attention and any sort of eye contact is next to impossible, especially in a fairly new environment like I knew any location while on vacation would be. Throughout our following conversations, I reinforced the idea that “perfect” photos with everyone smiling at the camera were important to me. I wanted authentic photos that showed our interactions as a family, which I already knew Jennifer would capture after viewing her work. I also wanted her stress level minimized. I wanted her to enjoy our session as well, and I didn’t want her to fear I would be disappointed if a “perfect” photo didn’t happen. The photos that resulted were still perfect, in every way—just a different definition of the word.

Be sure to make your photographer aware of any issues that might be important to you. Do you have a child who is nervous around strangers? How about personal insecurity, such as hating your nose or smile? Or do you have an issue such as mine? Let your photographer know upfront. By doing so, you can ensure that your photographer has the knowledge needed to make your session the best it can possibly be.

4. Have Fun!

Instead of ending our session exhausted and sweaty from running back and forth to my camera, I ended our session exhausted and sweaty from having an incredible amount of fun with my family. We played in the sand, twirled around in circles, and had tickle fights. We explored Driftwood Beach and the grounds of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, gave nose kisses, and chased crabs. In short, we had a blast.

If you choose to hire a photographer, a big reason for doing so is to save yourself from feeling stressed out. What does that mean? Don’t stress. Have fun. Not only will doing so produce photos that show genuine interactions, but it can also help any members of your family who might not be as excited about having family photos taken as you.

5. Love Your Photos

Those who love me know that I can be incredibly critical of my own appearance, which is one of the reasons I am usually happy to be behind the lens instead of in front of it. However, Jodi Friedman’s post about her experience having her own photos taken was a true eye-opener for me, so before viewing the photos from our session, I made the mental decision to love the way I looked in them. And I did. Because ultimately, my kids don’t care about my love handles. They will never notice if I have a double chin or goofy look on my face in a photo.  I shouldn’t either. I didn’t have photos taken for friends on social media (or readers of this post) who might criticize my appearance. Ultimately, I had photos taken for my sons, Gavin and Finley. So ultimately, Gavin’s and Finley’s opinions are the only ones that matter to me.

Whether you love or hate your appearance, make the decision to love the photos that preserve who you are. Read Jodi’s post, if you need the same inspiration that enabled me to do so.

My experience in front of the camera as a photography client provided me with precious memories, gorgeous photos that now hang on my wall, and a new perspective as a photographer. Our photographer treated us with kindness, patience, and professionalism and I can only hope I make my own clients feel the way she made us feel, both during the session and every time we look at her beautiful work.

Get out from behind the camera for a change. If doing so means hiring someone else, hire someone whose work you love. Communicate your expectations, have fun during your session, and love yourself and the photos you are in.

Your loved ones will be glad you did.

Photos by Jennifer Tacbas included with permission from the photographer.

Lindsay Williams lives in south-central Kentucky with her husband, David, and their two sons, Gavin and Finley. When she isn’t teaching high school English or spending time with her family, she owns and operates Lindsay Williams Photography, which specializes in lifestyle photography. You can check out her work on her website. You can view more work by Jennifer Tacbas on Jennifer’s website.

The post 5 Tips for Photographers to Get In Photos with Their Familiesappeared first on Photoshop Actions and Lightroom Presets | MCP Actions™.

It’s not always easy for an expecting mom to figure out what to wear for her maternity photo session.  What she wears is a very important part of the maternity shoot and most importantly she should be comfortable…with a bit of style of course!  One thing to keep in mind is for her to dress simple too.  The main focus should be her, her glow and her belly.  Here are a few suggestions that make for a perfect shoot!

1.  A Solid Color Tank Top

A solid tank top works great to show off the shape of her belly.  This always looks great with a skirt or skinny jeans.

2.  A Long Skirt or Dress That is Tighter Fitting Around The Belly

A long skirt or dress that is tight-fitting – so that again, her shape will show.  Be careful that skirts and dresses aren’t too loose as it may make her figure seem larger than she is.  Pregnant women tend to feel heavier as it is and this can add pounds if it doesn’t fit right.

3.  A Pop of Color is Great to Add Dimension And Life to The Photos

I suggest staying away from prints or patterns as they may take away from the main subject.  I like to ask what their favorite color is and what colors go well with their skin tone.  Usually, most women have a favorite color to wear so that is always a perfect option!  This shirt is perfect for her shape and the belt above her belly keeps it in the right place.

4.  If She Wants to Show The Bare Belly, a Tank Top Rolled Up Above Her Belly or a Bandeau is Perfect

Not all are wanting to show their belly, but usually, by the end of the session, I suggest just doing one or two.  I let them know that if they don’t like it, no problem  But, they almost always end up really liking it and ordering those specific shots.

5.  Many Times, The Clients Will Have a Thought of What They Would Like to Wear

If it works, go with it.  I always suggest bringing a few options.  Sometimes just adding a piece of jewelry or a simple prop can really change up the look and feel of the photo.

Some of my favorite sessions are maternity shoots.  You can feel their excitement mixed in with a little bit of nervousness.  Just remember to keep styling simple so that her excitement really shines in the photos!  Have fun!

And photographers, remember MCP Newborn Necessities works great on maternity images, in addition to baby photos.

Hillarry with Silver Bee Photography is a maternity and newborn photographer in Austin Texas specializing in simple, organic natural light photography.  To view more of Hillarry’s work or to inquire about mentoring and workshops, please visit her at SilverBeePhotography.com.

The post What to Wear Guide For A Maternity Photo Sessionappeared first on Photoshop Actions and Lightroom Presets | MCP Actions™.

Maybe you’re a photographer who has edited photos on your computer but your prints look drastically different than how you’ve edited, and you’re not sure how to fix this.  Or perhaps you’re a photographer, hobbyist or pro, who’s heard about monitor calibration but you’re not sure why you should do this or how it happens.

You’re not alone!  Monitor calibration is an important part of photography, but not everyone knows how to get there…but it’s really easy and this blog will tell you all about it.

Why Should You Calibrate Your Monitor?

When you take a photo, you likely want to see on your monitor an accurate representation of the colors you saw when you took the photo. You may want to do some editing, but a clean, accurate starting point is very important.  Monitors are not generally calibrated to a true and accurate representation of colors, no matter what kind or how new. Most monitors lean to the cool tones right out of the box and are also rather “contrasty.”  This may be pleasing to the eye at first glance but is not suited to photography and editing.

Monitor calibration will allow your monitor to display accurate color representation.  Additionally, you should calibrate your monitor so that the edited photos that you work so hard for look the same in print as they do on your monitor.  If you do not have a calibrated monitor, you run the risk of having your photos come back from the printer looking brighter or darker than you are seeing them, or with a color shift that you are not seeing (such as more yellow or bluer).  Whether you are shooting photos for clients or for yourself, unexpected surprises in color and luminosity are usually not welcome when you get your prints back.

If you calibrate your monitor, you can correct these inconsistencies and correctly represent colors.  If you’ve done a shoot and have worked hard on your edits, you want your prints to look exactly like the edits you have worked on.  I know that the print I get from the below edit will look just like it does in Lightroom because I’ve calibrated my monitor.  Read on to find out more details.

How to Calibrate Your Monitor

Proper calibration is done with a device that is placed on your monitor and the accompanying software.  Some of the more popular brands include Spyder and X-Rite, with each brand having several different levels of products for varying budgets, skill levels, and needs. Since we cannot be experts on every single one, flip through the product details and reviews.

Once you buy one of the calibration products, you will install the software, place the accompanying device on your screen (following any manufacturer directions for changing/resetting any settings on your screen or being aware of the brightness of the room you are calibrating in) and allow the device several minutes to complete its calibration.  Depending on the model you have purchased, you may have a completely automated calibration or you may have more choices for customization.

Your monitor will look different.  Don’t panic.

After you calibrate, things will look different. At first, it may look strange.  Most likely it will look warmer to you.  Below are two example shots of what my monitor looks like uncalibrated and calibrated, from the Spyder test screen.

Photos of the screen itself are the only way to demonstrate this, as screenshots will look exactly the same on a monitor.

First, the uncalibrated view:

And then a picture of the calibrated view:  

As you can see from the above, especially notable by the photos in the first row, the calibrated view is warmer.  This may be unusual when you first calibrate, because you may be used to your monitor looking cooler or more contrasty.  This calibrated view is how it should look, and I promise, you will get used to it!

What if You Lack Funds for Monitor Calibration?

While introductory calibration devices range between $100 and $200, I understand that it can take a bit to save for that.  If you are not able to calibrate right away, there are a couple of options. These are not ideal solutions, but they are better than using your monitor’s defaults.

The first is to see if your computer/monitor has a calibration routine.  Many computers, both Windows and Mac, have this option, and may also have both auto and advanced modes.  The other option is to have your print lab color correct your prints for the time being until you are able to calibrate your monitor.  Color corrected prints that come from uncalibrated monitors generally come out with very good color, though it will most likely not match your monitor, as your monitor is not calibrated.  Once you calibrate your monitor, you should not need to have your prints color-corrected.

Desktops vs. Laptops for Editing

When it comes to editing, it is ideal to edit on a desktop. Laptops are also good to use as long as you understand that the view, colors, and light change each time you change the angle of the screen.  There are devices that are available to buy for laptops for under $15 that allow you to keep your screen at the same angle at all times for consistent editing.

Bottom line:

Monitor calibration is a necessary part of the business if you’re a professional photographer and a plus if you’re a hobbyist.  It’s also extremely easy, and once you do it, you’ll wonder why you waited so long!

Amy Short is the owner of Amy Kristin Photography, a portrait and maternity photography business based in Wakefield, RI.  She carries her camera with her all the time!  You can find her on the web or on Facebook.

The post Why and How to Calibrate Your Monitorappeared first on Photoshop Actions and Lightroom Presets | MCP Actions™.

Here are 12 of the best tips for a successful newborn photography session.

Newborn photography could be daunting compared to other photography genres where either a still object or adults and even kids could be posed and moved at will. Whereas, newborn babies are delicate and need to be handled with a lot of care. Plus, you need to be patient as there could be multiple breaks during a photography session to attend different baby needs. Hence, in a short period of time during the actual shoot, the photos need to be perfect. Below, are a few photographing tips on how to have a successful newborn photography session and some editing tips, shared by Memories by TLC (Tracy Callahan) and Newborn Photography Melbourne, to help you perfect your newborn photography.

How to have a successful newborn photography session

Newborn photography is a super popular business these days, but if you don’t have much experience in photographing babies, you could be in for a stressful venture :). We want to help become a success with your photography business so we’ve come up with 12 simple steps below to help you out.

Do you ever wonder how newborn photographers get their newborns posed so nicely that they look peaceful? In this comprehensive guide, we have collected the best tips and tricks on how to start with newborn photography and have a successful newborn session. These tips will be useful for those of you who don’t have enough personal experience with photographing babies.

Read these 12 simple steps on how to work with babies in a photo studio:

Step 1 : Keep the baby warm.

Newborns have a difficult time regulating their own body temperature. To keep them comfortable with no clothing on it is important that you keep your studio warm.

I keep my studio at 85F. I also warm my blankets in the dryer or with the heater fan prior to placing a newborn on them.  If you choose to use a heater fan be sure to keep it far away from the baby so you don’t hurt their sensitive skin. 

If you are sweating during your session then you have it nice and warm for the baby and he/she will likely sleep more soundly.

Step 2 : Make it noisy.

The sounds in the womb are very loud and some say as loud as a vacuum cleaner. Newborns will sleep much more soundly if there is white noise in the room.

During a newborn session, I have two noise machines (one with rain, one with the sound of the ocean) as well as an app on my iPhone for static white noise.

I also play music in the background. I not only find it helpful for the baby but it also relaxes me as well as the parents. Being relaxed is key since babies will pick up on your energy.

Step 3 : A full belly equals a happy baby

I always ask the newborn’s parents to try to hold off feeding their baby until they arrive at the studio. I have the parents feed their baby first prior to beginning the session.

If the baby is happy when they arrive then I start with the family images and then have them feed their baby while I am setting up the beanbag. I also stop if needed during the session if the baby needs to eat some more.

Babies with a full belly will sleep much more soundly.

Step 4 : Keep them awake prior to coming to the studio.

I always ask that parents try to keep their baby awake for 1-2 hours prior to coming into the studio. A good way to have them do this is by giving their baby a bath.

This is a great way for the babies to exercise their lungs a bit before coming and tire themselves out a bit. It also helps their hair to be nice and fluffy (if they have any!).

Step 5 : Use the macro mode.

Newborn babies have so many cute body parts presenting the photographer with limitless opportunities to get creative and capture those “awwwww so cute” shots.

If your camera comes with a macro mode or you have a specifically designed macro lens, you can isolate various body parts such as the baby’s fingers, toes, eyes, etc. The focus will be clear and you will create some really wonderful, creative photos.

Macros will help you highlight details that are totally lost using a standard focus. During your photo session, you will start creating wonderful pictures along with some excellent feature shots that could be a lifetime memory for the parents.

Step 6: Time of the day matters. Schedule in the morning.

I often get asked the question of when to take newborn photos. If at all possible, I like to schedule my newborn sessions first thing in the morning. This is a time when most babies sleep more soundly. 

The afternoon can be very tricky as they approach the afternoon witching hour. Anyone who has kids can attest to the fact that kids of all ages tend to not be at their best as late afternoon approaches. It is the same for newborns. 

Step 7: Stay calm and relaxed.

Babies are very perceptive and can pick up on our energy. If you are nervous or anxious the baby will sense that and will not settle easily. If the baby’s Mom is anxious this can also affect how the baby does.

I have two comfortable chairs placed behind me so that parents can sit back and watch while giving me enough space to work. I also offer them snacks, drinks and I have a stack of People magazines for them to read. I rarely have moms that come over and hover but if they do I politely tell them that this is their chance to sit back and relax and enjoy.

Step 8: Find the best angles

This is one of the most difficult aspects of newborn photography. If you are a novice photographer, it can be a little challenging to find that perfect angle but here are some thoughts:

• Get Down to Baby Level: Newborns are small, and you need to get down to their level while being close enough to capture the special shots. Try using a 24-105 zoom at the widest focal length. The images will seem like you are in the same space as the baby and not tower over him or her.
• Close-Up Shots: To get a really sweet intimate shot, you can either move in really close to baby or set your camera to a longer focal length. The longer focal length really is the best choice to create good close-up shots. Also, less chance that your huge lens will be staring into the baby’s face which can really upset an infant.

Step 9: Get them while they are young.

The best time to photograph a newborn is in the first fourteen days of life. During this time they sleep more soundly and curl up more easily into adorable poses. For babies that are born early and spend time in the hospital, I try to get them into the studio within the first seven days of them being sent home.

I don’t usually photograph babies younger than five days old since they are still working out how to feed and can often be very red or jaundiced. I have photographed babies as old as ten weeks and have been successful in getting a newborn like poses.

The key to photographing older babies is to make sure that they are kept awake for up to two hours prior to starting the session. I also make sure that the parents understand that there is no guarantee that they will get typical sleepy shots.

Step 10: Take your time.

Newborn sessions can be quite time consuming so you should plan accordingly and educate the parents. If you are stressed about time the babies will sense that.

My typical newborn session lasts at least three hours with some as long as four hours. It takes time to get newborns comfortably posed and sleeping soundly. It also takes time to perfect the little details like keeping their hands flat and fingers straightened.

Step 11: Be safe.

Remember that although you are an artist and your goal is to capture an amazing image, at the end of the day this is someone’s precious new life that they have entrusted you with.  No portrait is worth putting a baby at risk of getting hurt.

Use common sense and always make sure to have someone VERY close by spotting the baby, even if the baby is on a beanbag. Be gentle and NEVER force a newborn into a pose.

Make it a habit to always wash your hands well before starting the session, and make sure that all of your blankets are laundered after each use.  Never ever photograph a newborn if you are ill, even with a common cold.   Babies are very susceptible to infections, and it is our job to keep them safe.

Step 12: Don’t be afraid to overexpose the photos.

Newborns, in general, have a slight redness of their skin tone. You can reduce this look by carefully overexposing the photos. It can add a soft, pristine look to baby’s skin that everyone is going to really love.

The post 12 Essential Tips for Successful Newborn Photographyappeared first on Photoshop Actions and Lightroom Presets | MCP Actions™.