The weather’s warming up, and we’re ready to spend more time outside with our cameras. This month’s issue covers a variety of topics ranging from how to photograph fidgety kids to keeping your camera’s firmware updated. We’ve got tips to help you capture that incredible sunset and a recommendation for the perfect travel tripod. Plus, our feature on how to maximize online product sales can mean great things for your bottom line. As a final bonus, our interview with professional photographer Katherine Mathis will inspire anyone dreaming of one day turning a photo hobby into a career.
We hope you’ll take every opportunity, large or small, to explore the world--camera in hand – and share your vision of the world around you.
Quick Quotable:
“You cannot depend on your eyes if your imagination is out of focus.” – Mark Twain
The Working Photographer:
Behind the Lens with Katherine Mathis
Katherine Mathis knows a thing or two about photography, and equally important, she understands the value of connecting with her subjects. Katherine runs Photography By Katherine, an up and coming full service studio in Grove, Oklahoma, specializing in high school senior portraits. “We want every senior to leave her session feeling confident and beautiful and to feel that the portraits we’ve taken represent her well.”
Katherine has always loved photography, but it was upon graduating from John Brown University that she decided to get serious about turning her craft into a career. “I was fortunate to work for Mark Jackson in his studio, and I learned a great deal from him. I realized that I loved every aspect of this business and I wanted to learn as much as possible.”
Katherine pursued her passion and dedicated herself to understanding the business and financial aspects of making a living as a working professional photographer. While many people fantasize about this seemingly glamorous and creative field, Katherine knows the true demands and challenges of making a living behind the lens. “The market continues to be flooded with new people starting photography businesses, although many people shoot on the weekends or as a part time business. Building a photography business that is successful and can sustain you financially is very demanding and requires a tenacity to keep pushing every day.”
Katherine is supportive of those who wish to turn their hobby into a reality and says, “I believe anything is possible if you want it badly enough and are willing to do the work. Each person brings a unique perspective and vision to the job.” When asked for advice on how to reach this goal, Katherine says, “Being involved in a professional organization, such as PPA (Professional Photographers of America) and continuing your education is extremely important. Keep taking classes on the craft, take your camera with you and practice your technique, and network with other professionals. “ Katherine is a member of PPA, TPPA (Texas Professional Photographers of America) and has regularly submitted work for print judging competitions as a way to continue learning and expanding her technique.
Katherine points to the importance of quality marketing efforts, continuing development of the craft and effectively using social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook and others to stay connected to potential and existing clients. She often showcases “sneak peaks” of her clients’ sessions on Facebook and on her website, a strategy designed to keep her connected to her community while showcasing her work.
Where does Katherine find inspiration? “So often, I’m inspired by my clients. Each person comes with her own style, her own perspective and a unique personality. I love that every experience is fresh and different and allows me to showcase them in a way that’s authentic and playful. Seniors are on an exciting path toward the rest of their lives, and I’m grateful that I’m trusted to shoot and celebrate that first step toward their next adventure.”
To learn more about Katherine’s work, visit www.photographybykat.com
Sometimes we rely a bit too much on our camera’s technology. For example, if something doesn’t turn out the way we envisioned we’ll just ‘fix it in post processing.’ While that may be possible, why not save yourself the extra work by capturing the image you intended during the shoot?
For example, when shooting that breathtaking sunset, consider using a neutral density filter on your lens. This specific filter can help correct the substantial contrast between the foreground and the sky, helping to create an image that is captivating and representative of what your eye experiences.
For example, the ProMaster Neutral Density 4 Filter is an excellent choice for reducing the amount of light reaching your camera’s sensor while leaving color balance unaffected. It’s an overlooked but powerful tool that can become your best friend when shooting in extremely bright situations.
For travels near and far, consider the extremely versatile SIRUI T-005 . The SIRUI T-005 tripods have a shiny, colorful appearance (red,
blue or black) that almost makesthem look like works of art! The T-025 comes
in elegant basic black and has 8 layer Carbon fiber legs for added load
capacity and stability.
And their compact size - only 11.8 inches (30cm) when folded! -
is 20~30% smaller than other similar style tripods. There’s always room for
one of these tiny wonders in your bag or backpack! And, they weigh less than the
1 liter bottle of water you are carrying.
Even though they are compact, and lightweight, these impressive
tripods can still extend to over 51.4 inches (130cm) - perfect for most
shooting situations. The T-005 can hold up to 8.8 lb. (4kg) and the T-025 can
hold 13.2 lb. (6kg)!
Few things can test your skill – and patience – like attempting to photograph restless kids. We often approach family shots with a specific concept and this can sometimes clash with the reality of photographing the younger set.
If your kids are uninterested in posing and smiling, consider changing your approach. Take some steps back and photograph them from a candid perspective as they go about playing, exploring or just goofing around with their siblings. In terms of camera mode, have some fun shooting in continuous mode as this mode is well suited for shooting action and motion. You also may find some unexpected series shots in this mode that you can edit and transform into a larger story that can be shared in print and online.
Increasing eBay Sales through Quality Photography
Selling online has become an important source of revenue for many small businesses and individuals. eBay offers the opportunity to purchase everything from children’s clothes to designer goods and even automobiles. It’s truly a buyer’s marketplace, and in this economy, people are looking for the best value. As a seller, there are numerous opportunities to earn sales and create repeat business opportunities. It’s time to pull out your secret weapon--high quality photography.
Color Accuracy Matters: When it comes to making purchasing decisions, online buyers can be very particular about the color of the item they’re purchasing. For example, teal and cobalt are two distinct colors and whatever is represented is what the customer is expecting to receive. When shooting photos of your sale item, make sure to take this into account and ensure your photos show an accurate color representation. Buyer dissatisfaction can cause loss of sales and possibly a negative strike against your seller feedback.
Highlight Imperfections: One of the fantastic aspects of digital photography is the fact that we can cover or mask almost any imperfection, whether it’s retouching blemishes on a person’s face or removing light poles from what would otherwise be a perfect landscape image. However, when it comes to selling products online, trying to cover imperfections can lead to customer dissatisfaction.
If you’re selling a product that has a paint chip, smudge or other damage, however minor, it’s important to accurately photograph it and note it in the sales copy. By doing this, it shows the buyer that you are particular and up front about what you’re selling. This helps instill confidence in you as a seller. Also, the buyer is fully aware of the item. An informed buyer is a satisfied buyer.
Showcase Your Skills: Many eBay sellers post photos that are mediocre with copy to match. Leveraging your skills as a photographer is what will separate you from the competition. Your ability to highlight a product’s selling features and shooting from close and interesting angles using current lighting techniques will draw bidders and buyers to your auction, even if 20 other similar or exact items are for sale. Quality photography draws the buyer in and sets your auction apart from the rest.
Be Careful with Copyrighted Photography: If you are selling an item and are not considered an authorized reseller, don’t use manufacturer’s product shots for your auction. Many companies are cracking down on this practice so it’s important to only use your own original images when placing an item for sale. eBay has pulled seller’s listings for this practice and has increased this practice over the last year. If you are a Canon authorized retailer and are using Canon’s approved product shots, that’s fine. Otherwise, stick to your own photography and make your listing shine with your shooting skills.
Shoot Like a Pro: You don’t need your own studio to create product shots but a tabletop shooting tent can make this process much easier. This is particularly important when shooting reflective items or challenging products. The ProMaster Tabletop Light Cube Kit is ideal for shooting many standard-sized items. This professional tool can aid in product photography and provide consistent images and offers different backgrounds to contrast a wide variety of subjects.
Basic digital camera maintenance is important in making sure your equipment is up to any shooting adventure you have planned. One often-overlooked task is ensuring our firmware up to date.
A camera’s firmware is essentially the software residing on your digital camera that is responsible for handling image processing. The firmware is capable of controlling a whole host of functions, including which features you can access from your camera’s controls.
Your camera manufacturer may post firmware upgrades on its website, but you may not receive any notification of their availability, so you’ll need to check from time to time. Updates are sometimes issued to fix software bugs or other nuisance issues, so it’s worth the effort to ensure you’re running the latest version.
Consider adding your email address to the company’s communication list to receive updates if possible. It’s an easy way to keep your camera current and in top shooting condition.
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