Welcome to the Colorvale blog where we share business tips & helpful tutorials to help you grow your photography business.
Want to know how to quickly install your presets onto your phone? OMG so easy. You'll kiss me! It is super simple to do. 1. Open Lightroom CC Mobile App from your computer. 2. In lower right corner click Presets. 3. When the panel opens on the...
One of the most common hangups with this topic is the word "Blog". It might help you to understand that a "blog" is a website. You do not need to have both. They are one in the same. On a blog you can have your portfolio, your contact info, your client gallery,...
Blogging can be an intimidating part of a photographers "office chores". However daunting of a task it feels like, it pays back in dividends. When writing tips & answers to your audiences pain points you become a leader. You become someone that your audience sees as a value. It makes...
Blogging can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task. But its truly just because you don't know where to begin. I promise that it's easier than you think. I recently polled our Facebook group asking what types of things they want to learn about blogging. So I created this round-up post...
We talk a lot around here about working smarter, not harder. Automation is key to this. And though I love automation, there is such a thing as too much. You do still need to be present. You still need to be personable with your audience. But you can do all...
Of course I always love to use a macro lens for the most detailed of ring photos but it doesn't mean you can't create artistic jewelry shots without one. What is the con to shooting jewelry shots without a macro? You lose the ability to get super tight shots because...
It's no secret that I love me some wide-open results. Bokeh is what gets me. Every. Single. Time. Heck I even notice it in movies. (do you do that?!) So, without further ado, I'm going to explain what makes this beautiful blurred background and how you can achieve it. ...
Yes, presets are amazing. They save us tons of time. But having a good white balance before applying them is the difference between a good photo and a perfect one. Below I am going to teach you how to easily achieve beautiful skin tones using Lightroom. Open any image and...
Lightroom makes organizing & saving your images easy. The ability to batch each step of the process is pure genius. Of course, if you're reading this, it's safe to assume the editing portion of your session is complete (if not, whatcha waiting for?!). (read this blog post about my editing workflow)...
Starting a photography business can be overwhelming. Especially when everywhere you turn people are afraid to share their knowledge. Almost like there is a secret sorority and you aren't invited. Well, not here my friend. You're always invited. We are sharing everything we know. Everything we've learned (even the stuff...
It’s pretty obvious where I stand on this subject. I do, after all, design such items for photographers. But the debate is real, so we are going to talk about it. At what point is it considered cheating for a chef to use tools that make his/her job faster &...
You know the drill ... you've culled, edited, saved for print, and now you want to upload those awesome sneak peeks to Facebook. You're dying to share. But your print version is just way too big to put on social media. Well, to make things fast and simple for you I...
Are you struggling with Lightroom, maybe you've made the switch from Photoshop OR you've used it for quite some time and just want to make sure you are using it to the full capacity? Well, then I'm glad you found us because we are dedicated to sharing tips that will...
Do you ever feel like you’re failing at this photography stuff? Do you ever feel like just throwing in the towel? That you’ll never be good enough or creative enough? Maybe your editing doesn’t feel on par with the rest of the photographers around you? I’m here to tell you...
It's the deets you have been waiting for ... No waiting in lines or staying up past your bed time. We have taken the hustle away so that you can still enjoy the deals without missing time with the fam. (or eating - lots of pumpkin pie & mashed potatoes...
The New Year is upon us and creating goals should be on the top of your to-do list. If you haven't defined at least one major goal, do so now. We can not define a path for our future without a roadmap of where we want to go. When you write something down; a want,...
This Lightroom preset collection will change the game, for sure. I'm confident of that.It was born because I wanted to bring to this industry, a preset collection that was uninterrupted -- from noise, from trend, from popularity, from skin tone.It has no limitations.and creates no illusions.I wanted a preset collection that...
Lets get straight to it ... Each blog posts you write should be reused over and over again. This means that it isn't enough to post it just once on social media. You need to reschedule it to go out to your audience many times over (such as weekly if you...
Straightening images just got a lot easier, much more accurate (and more fun). Many photographers used the Straighten ruler under the Crop & Straighten tool, and that's great. But Lightroom stepped the game up quite a bit with the Transform > Guided tool. Sometimes a photo can't be straightened by just...
We have compiled some of the hottest marketing tips for photographers that this blog has to offer. I understand how frustrating it can be to grow your business. Especially when you have to be the photographer, graphic designer and marketing specialist but I’m here to help. When it feels like...
Are you currently drowning in edits and want to manage your time better? First ... high five's. It's awesome that your business is busy. Of course, with that being said, it can surely send you into a panic if there is more on your plate than you feel prepared for. The...
I know this will be a touchy subject. I don't care because it burns my a$$. So, lets chat about it. Photographers, rightfully, expect their clients to respect their copyright. and they should. So why is it that a percentage of them don't respect the copyright of vendors such as...
I know this is going to sound crazy. Heck, even saying it out loud to myself does (without context behind it). The fact is, humans are driven by competition. Many of us have a competitive nature by default. And if you are really good at it, the word “competition” doesn’t have...
When developing an editing workflow, shortcuts are a must. Lightroom allows you to quickly cull images by using a rating or flagging system. Both flagging & rating images can give you the ability to fly through an entire session with ease. Below is how I use these two options, cheers....
This has been really great bringing back the featured photographer posts again. It's so important to explore new talent. See the beauty others create and most importantly acknowledge their awesomeness. Today we have one of my favorites - Michelle Jakubenko - Eyes of Love Photography Given all the hard work...
I'm sure you have heard it before, or experienced it yourself ... Not all presets are created equal and may not match your style. The reason is simple. Lightroom presets are designed by an individual, on an image and with a specific style in mind. Though these may look great on before...
Life gets busy. We know this. Sometimes, and much of the time for wedding photographers, having a second shooter is a must. We have put together some great documents to help decide if you need a second shooter, define roles as a second shooter, plan, and more! To begin,...
So you want to grow your skills by working as a second shooter. That's exciting. Being a 2nd shooter can be very rewarding! Heck, even as a wedding photographer I have thought about being a 2nd, instead of lead. The theory in my head is it would allowing me to...
Guest blogger: Kathryn Heitkamp Anyone who’s been in business, or worked in a business environment for more than a day, has unfortunately come across an unhappy client situation. No matter what your role is in the situation: the business owner or the unhappy client, it’s never fun. I’ve found...
Call me crazy but I already have my Christmas tree decorated. I'm aware that we haven't even gotten to Halloween yet. Heck, we still have Thanksgiving before Santa gets here. But I can't help myself, and for one really good reason. ... no, I don't mean for my own...
Wedding photographers, you've been there. It's bright, heck outdoor weddings are many times subjected to full sun. What do you do? Much of the time you adjust in camera to ensure you don't hard work ahead of you. But often this isn't possible. Why? Because you are all over the place. Changing...
Dear patiently waiting for your chance ... If you are just starting out in this photography business, know that you aren't alone. Fun fact: every professional photographer was once NOT a professional. It wasn't long ago that the photographer you're drooling over currently, was right where you are standing. Don't be...
In Photoshop® you have a plethora of tools at your fingertips to fix any problem. Today we are going to go through a few of my favorite ways to save an overexposed image. Locate your Adjustments panel. If it is not already on your workspace go to Windows >...
I've got a secret ... a dirty little secret If you love a little bit of edge to your images without overworking your skin tones then you are going to love this new Lightroom preset collection. INTRODUCING Dirty Little Secrets Lightroom Presets A little bit of edge, a little...
We are going back to our roots over here at Colorvale. One of the great things about our industry is meeting all the talent. So we are bringing back our Featured Photographer interviews. This is where we will find fresh new faces, ask them questions that can helps others in...
Meet my talented friend Jess Legaspi I have been in love with Jess's work for quite some times. She has even contributed to some of our product photos (see here). Her style is what I am drawn to. She manages to create drama in her edits & mystery in her photos. The combination...
Easy ... cater to them! What do I mean by that? Become a resource for your target market, not just a photographer. Become someone they find has valuable info, tips and tricks for their needs. Think about this: say you need an electrician to hang some lights in your house....
Let's face it ... reviews are everything. Whether you are buying something on Amazon or booking a photographer, everyone seeks the opinion of those before them. I rely heavily on testimonials when buying. The opinion of someone who has previously purchased a product has more value than the sales-pitch being fed...
Have you ever had a card fail you? Let me just set the scene for you ... You're on your way home from a successful photo session, even worse ... a wedding you shot. It's time to back up all the images and even edit a few sneak peeks. Getting...
Session dates are not held without a signed retainer, contract and payment. And I'm firm on that! With that being said -- we’ve all done it -- forgot about an obligation. There are times where a bill goes unnoticed, a paper doesn’t get sent and there has to be an...
It’s all fun and games until someone thinks you made money off their photos or a relationship goes south. Yep, even friends & family member can get spicy about this. Once a photo is on the Internet, it's there permanently. There's no take backs! They are out there in the world and who...
I loved my photo but the critics didn’t. Really?! So we have peers criticize our “art” -- and their opinions matter?! Ok, I can see where you would want someone to give it to you straight, for growth purposes, but if you took a photo that you love, that moves you,...
I'm sure it's happened to you. You get an email that says “What are your prices?” Do you show the prices on your website or do you ask that they inquire? I can see both sides of the argument. The benefit of showing prices on your website is that you...
When developing your business it’s so important to create policies and really stick to them. Without these you will often be walked all over. But what do you do when a client asks for something that goes against your policy or standards? Bending the rules is sometimes the answer when you know...
The big debate: to watermark or not to watermark. That is the question. Both options are a personal preference. Some photographers enjoy no watermark because it doesn't distract from the beauty of their image. However, leaving a watermark on your images has many benefits. It helps to protect your photos from...
Installing presets is easier than ever with all the updates from Lightroom! In the video below I will walk you through this easy to do 2 step process Step 1 - Create Folder In the preset panel right click > New Folder > Name it by the preset collection you...
It's no surprise that we love TheLawTog here at Colorvale. Not only are their contracts created by a lawyer, for photographers, but also by a photographer. It is so important, in business, to protect yourself & your clients. One thing I shake my finger at is when photographers try to...
As I’ve said a million times here on the blog, social media actually requires you to be social! It isn’t enough to post on ANY social media platform your latest session photo or special announcement. You must be committed to being your audiences friend. Keep the conversation going with these 25 engagement...
There’s nothing worse that putting all your efforts into your business, marketing till your fingers fall off, just to hear the sound of crickets when you post. If this is happening to you there is a simple solution. Start connecting with your audiences! No one stops at a Facebook post...
This month we dedicated our blog to organizing your business. Why? Because being a successful business requires growth & that requires you not crumbling from all the weight of being an entrepreneur. There’s a million tasks to owning a business, but without structure you will quickly fall under the pressure. Just in case...
Of course I always love to use a macro lens for the most detailed of ring photos but it doesn't mean you can't create artistic jewelry shots without one. What is the con to shooting jewelry shots without a macro? You lose the ability to get super tight shots because...
It's no secret that I love me some wide-open results. Bokeh is what gets me. Every. Single. Time. Heck I even notice it in movies. (do you do that?!) So, without further ado, I'm going to explain what makes this beautiful blurred background and how you can achieve it. ...
Yes, presets are amazing. They save us tons of time. But having a good white balance before applying them is the difference between a good photo and a perfect one. Below I am going to teach you how to easily achieve beautiful skin tones using Lightroom. Open any image and...
Lightroom makes organizing & saving your images easy. The ability to batch each step of the process is pure genius. Of course, if you're reading this, it's safe to assume the editing portion of your session is complete (if not, whatcha waiting for?!). (read this blog post about my editing workflow)...
Starting a photography business can be overwhelming. Especially when everywhere you turn people are afraid to share their knowledge. Almost like there is a secret sorority and you aren't invited. Well, not here my friend. You're always invited. We are sharing everything we know. Everything we've learned (even the stuff...
It’s pretty obvious where I stand on this subject. I do, after all, design such items for photographers. But the debate is real, so we are going to talk about it. At what point is it considered cheating for a chef to use tools that make his/her job faster &...
You know the drill ... you've culled, edited, saved for print, and now you want to upload those awesome sneak peeks to Facebook. You're dying to share. But your print version is just way too big to put on social media. Well, to make things fast and simple for you I...
Are you struggling with Lightroom, maybe you've made the switch from Photoshop OR you've used it for quite some time and just want to make sure you are using it to the full capacity? Well, then I'm glad you found us because we are dedicated to sharing tips that will...
Do you ever feel like you’re failing at this photography stuff? Do you ever feel like just throwing in the towel? That you’ll never be good enough or creative enough? Maybe your editing doesn’t feel on par with the rest of the photographers around you? I’m here to tell you...
It's the deets you have been waiting for ... No waiting in lines or staying up past your bed time. We have taken the hustle away so that you can still enjoy the deals without missing time with the fam. (or eating - lots of pumpkin pie & mashed potatoes...
The New Year is upon us and creating goals should be on the top of your to-do list. If you haven't defined at least one major goal, do so now. We can not define a path for our future without a roadmap of where we want to go. When you write something down; a want,...
This Lightroom preset collection will change the game, for sure. I'm confident of that.It was born because I wanted to bring to this industry, a preset collection that was uninterrupted -- from noise, from trend, from popularity, from skin tone.It has no limitations.and creates no illusions.I wanted a preset collection that...
Lets get straight to it ... Each blog posts you write should be reused over and over again. This means that it isn't enough to post it just once on social media. You need to reschedule it to go out to your audience many times over (such as weekly if you...
Straightening images just got a lot easier, much more accurate (and more fun). Many photographers used the Straighten ruler under the Crop & Straighten tool, and that's great. But Lightroom stepped the game up quite a bit with the Transform > Guided tool. Sometimes a photo can't be straightened by just...
We have compiled some of the hottest marketing tips for photographers that this blog has to offer. I understand how frustrating it can be to grow your business. Especially when you have to be the photographer, graphic designer and marketing specialist but I’m here to help. When it feels like...
Are you currently drowning in edits and want to manage your time better? First ... high five's. It's awesome that your business is busy. Of course, with that being said, it can surely send you into a panic if there is more on your plate than you feel prepared for. The...
I know this will be a touchy subject. I don't care because it burns my a$$. So, lets chat about it. Photographers, rightfully, expect their clients to respect their copyright. and they should. So why is it that a percentage of them don't respect the copyright of vendors such as...
I know this is going to sound crazy. Heck, even saying it out loud to myself does (without context behind it). The fact is, humans are driven by competition. Many of us have a competitive nature by default. And if you are really good at it, the word “competition” doesn’t have...
When developing an editing workflow, shortcuts are a must. Lightroom allows you to quickly cull images by using a rating or flagging system. Both flagging & rating images can give you the ability to fly through an entire session with ease. Below is how I use these two options, cheers....
This has been really great bringing back the featured photographer posts again. It's so important to explore new talent. See the beauty others create and most importantly acknowledge their awesomeness. Today we have one of my favorites - Michelle Jakubenko - Eyes of Love Photography Given all the hard work...
I'm sure you have heard it before, or experienced it yourself ... Not all presets are created equal and may not match your style. The reason is simple. Lightroom presets are designed by an individual, on an image and with a specific style in mind. Though these may look great on before...
Life gets busy. We know this. Sometimes, and much of the time for wedding photographers, having a second shooter is a must. We have put together some great documents to help decide if you need a second shooter, define roles as a second shooter, plan, and more! To begin,...
So you want to grow your skills by working as a second shooter. That's exciting. Being a 2nd shooter can be very rewarding! Heck, even as a wedding photographer I have thought about being a 2nd, instead of lead. The theory in my head is it would allowing me to...
Guest blogger: Kathryn Heitkamp Anyone who’s been in business, or worked in a business environment for more than a day, has unfortunately come across an unhappy client situation. No matter what your role is in the situation: the business owner or the unhappy client, it’s never fun. I’ve found...
Call me crazy but I already have my Christmas tree decorated. I'm aware that we haven't even gotten to Halloween yet. Heck, we still have Thanksgiving before Santa gets here. But I can't help myself, and for one really good reason. ... no, I don't mean for my own...
Wedding photographers, you've been there. It's bright, heck outdoor weddings are many times subjected to full sun. What do you do? Much of the time you adjust in camera to ensure you don't hard work ahead of you. But often this isn't possible. Why? Because you are all over the place. Changing...
Dear patiently waiting for your chance ... If you are just starting out in this photography business, know that you aren't alone. Fun fact: every professional photographer was once NOT a professional. It wasn't long ago that the photographer you're drooling over currently, was right where you are standing. Don't be...
In Photoshop® you have a plethora of tools at your fingertips to fix any problem. Today we are going to go through a few of my favorite ways to save an overexposed image. Locate your Adjustments panel. If it is not already on your workspace go to Windows >...
I've got a secret ... a dirty little secret If you love a little bit of edge to your images without overworking your skin tones then you are going to love this new Lightroom preset collection. INTRODUCING Dirty Little Secrets Lightroom Presets A little bit of edge, a little...
We are going back to our roots over here at Colorvale. One of the great things about our industry is meeting all the talent. So we are bringing back our Featured Photographer interviews. This is where we will find fresh new faces, ask them questions that can helps others in...
Meet my talented friend Jess Legaspi I have been in love with Jess's work for quite some times. She has even contributed to some of our product photos (see here). Her style is what I am drawn to. She manages to create drama in her edits & mystery in her photos. The combination...
Easy ... cater to them! What do I mean by that? Become a resource for your target market, not just a photographer. Become someone they find has valuable info, tips and tricks for their needs. Think about this: say you need an electrician to hang some lights in your house....
Let's face it ... reviews are everything. Whether you are buying something on Amazon or booking a photographer, everyone seeks the opinion of those before them. I rely heavily on testimonials when buying. The opinion of someone who has previously purchased a product has more value than the sales-pitch being fed...
Have you ever had a card fail you? Let me just set the scene for you ... You're on your way home from a successful photo session, even worse ... a wedding you shot. It's time to back up all the images and even edit a few sneak peeks. Getting...
Session dates are not held without a signed retainer, contract and payment. And I'm firm on that! With that being said -- we’ve all done it -- forgot about an obligation. There are times where a bill goes unnoticed, a paper doesn’t get sent and there has to be an...
It’s all fun and games until someone thinks you made money off their photos or a relationship goes south. Yep, even friends & family member can get spicy about this. Once a photo is on the Internet, it's there permanently. There's no take backs! They are out there in the world and who...
I loved my photo but the critics didn’t. Really?! So we have peers criticize our “art” -- and their opinions matter?! Ok, I can see where you would want someone to give it to you straight, for growth purposes, but if you took a photo that you love, that moves you,...
I'm sure it's happened to you. You get an email that says “What are your prices?” Do you show the prices on your website or do you ask that they inquire? I can see both sides of the argument. The benefit of showing prices on your website is that you...
When developing your business it’s so important to create policies and really stick to them. Without these you will often be walked all over. But what do you do when a client asks for something that goes against your policy or standards? Bending the rules is sometimes the answer when you know...
The big debate: to watermark or not to watermark. That is the question. Both options are a personal preference. Some photographers enjoy no watermark because it doesn't distract from the beauty of their image. However, leaving a watermark on your images has many benefits. It helps to protect your photos from...
Installing presets is easier than ever with all the updates from Lightroom! In the video below I will walk you through this easy to do 2 step process Step 1 - Create Folder In the preset panel right click > New Folder > Name it by the preset collection you...
It's no surprise that we love TheLawTog here at Colorvale. Not only are their contracts created by a lawyer, for photographers, but also by a photographer. It is so important, in business, to protect yourself & your clients. One thing I shake my finger at is when photographers try to...
As I’ve said a million times here on the blog, social media actually requires you to be social! It isn’t enough to post on ANY social media platform your latest session photo or special announcement. You must be committed to being your audiences friend. Keep the conversation going with these 25 engagement...
There’s nothing worse that putting all your efforts into your business, marketing till your fingers fall off, just to hear the sound of crickets when you post. If this is happening to you there is a simple solution. Start connecting with your audiences! No one stops at a Facebook post...
This month we dedicated our blog to organizing your business. Why? Because being a successful business requires growth & that requires you not crumbling from all the weight of being an entrepreneur. There’s a million tasks to owning a business, but without structure you will quickly fall under the pressure. Just in case...
I have an amazing tip for you. This is going to take some dedication to doing and should be part of your weekly time block we talked in this blog post. THE CHALLENGE: Schedule your social media posts in advance (aka Automate). You can choose to schedule out all posts...
I feel like I say this to you often, but it’s true … You aren’t alone in any of this. The common mistakes I’m going to talk about, I’ve done them. You probably are, or have, as well. You see, as artists we are so eager. I’m not sure it’s...
We take organization serious around here at Colorvale. And for good reason! Today is all about developing a client workflow because this, my friend, is going to ensure you are dotting all your i’s and crossing all your t’s. Nothing screams efficient like a structured business flow. What is a client...
This is the day of spring cleaning & business organization! It’s so important that when deciding to take a different approach to your life, that you free your area & your mind. THIS STARTS WITH BLOCKING OUT “TASK COMPLETION TIME”. The Challenge: clear your schedule for 1 hour a day...
I’m back to give you a huge tip! So listen up. Invest in your daily & business organization. Keeping a schedule can be hard if you don’t have something right in front of your face to tell you what to do & when. The Challenge: whether you are a pen...
Last week we went over the mindset you need to cultivate to be an entrepreneur. Some of those things probably weren’t the easiest to digest, but we hope between this week and last week you had a chance to really internalize them. Because this next series is aaallll about goal-setting, and...
A lot of people when transitioning from hobby to business (aka, turning the passion into a biz) jump in feet first. Which, hey, hitting the ground running provides some of the best learning opportunities. The only issue is, it comes with a lot more failures. And oftentimes your personal life...
Building a successful and profitable photography business is possible! There are, however, factors that come into play which will either make or break your dream. “OMG, did she just say not all dreams are possible?” Noooooooooo. That’s not what was said or meant. The truth is, that without a business...
(If you haven't yet, you can read Part I of this series here.) As photographers, we’re fortunate that we can take our work anywhere and set our own schedules. When starting a family as a photographer, we usually know our schedules well in advance. Whether or not starting a family falls...
When I found I was pregnant in June last year, the first thought that went through my mind was “Oh my gosh” (happy face/dance/fist pump). The first emotion I felt was excitement and, really, slight disbelief. The second emotion was a twinge of guilt and fear – my husband and...
Social media isn't about chance. It isn’t enough to pin your blog post and cross your fingers, hoping that someone will take action. You’ve got work to do. If you think your social media will work for you without you creating the proper environment for it to go viral you’re...
Let me start by saying "you aren't alone". In any of this! The struggle of work/life balance is real. Quite frankly, to stay afloat as a small business, you must live & breath growth. But how do you do this and balance a family life too? The answer wasn't very...
Business isn't all fun. There, I said it. It's not this fairytale of creating photos & bam, you're done. Wish it was the case. But the fact is there are admin duties tied to every business. You know what I'm talking about ... the accounting, the ordering, the social...
Success doesn't come from lack of effort. It doesn't come from "wanting" it. It comes from taking the necessary actions to achieve it. Ask yourself this ... Why is it that I don't have the success that I dream of? Then ask yourself at what ends of earth would you...
Part 1 of how to start a full time photography business was pretty intense. Remember, without a profit this can’t be a successful full time job. Which brings us to our next part – comparing the ‘where I need to be’ with ‘where I’m at now.’ So ... where are...
Take a moment to bookmark some of the most popular blog posts & tutorials that photographer's have been using to grow their business. Learn How To Shoot In Manual Mode – ISO, Shutter Speed & Aperture How to create back links to help boost your SEO How To Make...
Weddings are beautiful events. Two bare feet in the sand on a tropical beach or 200 guests noshing on delicious gourmet fare at a banquet hall. The one thing they all have in common? Ideally, the bride and groom are hopelessly in love with one another, proclaiming it to two...
Something terrible happened to our bank balance before we departed to shoot a destination wedding in The Bahamas this past August. With two hurricanes threatening to make landfall in Hawaii, travel plans were sketchy and we were afraid that even a little bit of wind and rain could offset our...
For many photographers, social media is not only an outlet to showcase their work at the click of a button, but a tool to reach literally thousands of potential customers at one time – for free. I think we’re all familiar with the algorithm changes social media outlets have gone...
by Love & Water Photography When people envision a life of self-employment, some likely imagine a cushy self-made schedule filled with power naps on the beach, lazy weekday breakfasts, lunches and dinners, midday naps and money made doing what you love. I’m not going to lie – a lot of...
As photographers we've all come across the scenario: a potential client e-mails us. They love our work, can't live without it, and are living on a budget. Look, I understand. I really do. But in my experience, e-mails that begin with these key points always end in disappointment. And not...
Presentation is everything! We know that. It's everywhere around us from the furniture store you go to that has the rooms decorated in the perfect way that makes you want to buy the full set and all the fun nicknacks to go along with it to a beautiful swank...
Article by Love & Water Photography Yesterday I stumbled upon my old journal and I read through a few old entries. This journal in particular was from 2010, when I first started thinking photography might be a really cool way to earn a living and make my own hours. ...
The key to success is having the proper tools to help you! Download a copy of this guide here 1. Photographer's Planner From organizing your phenomenal photo sessions to scheduling time for editing, placing orders, developing unstoppable marketing strategies, seamlessly managing client workflow, and surpassing revenue goals, we’ve got you...
Why do you photograph? Money? Art? Memories? If you asked me on a normal day why I work so hard I would tell you that it was to support my family. But, I would be missing the exact reason God gave me this talent in the...
Being recognized by a photo style is one of the biggest compliments a photographer can get. Who doesn't want to be picked out of a crowd? If there is ever any kind of success in this industry, it isn't about the number of fans or followers you have....
The idea of posing isn't about running your clients all around town. It's about hanging with them for a few hours that day, making them feel comfortable, and capturing their true personality. A great way to make sure you have a jump-start on getting to know your client is...
I don't know about you, and maybe this is because I'm a photographer myself, but I have never viewed a series of beautiful images and instantly felt the urge to develop a negative opinion about the images or the photographer and voice said opinion in comments. I’m not talking about...
I am a photographer who specializes in high-end, fashion-savvy high school senior portraits for girls. Did I just make your eyes pop a little bit? I hope not. But, did I make your brain crank? I hope so. You see, four years ago, when I started off in portrait work,...
The title you choose makes all the difference! Have you sat there stumped on what to name your latest sneak peek blog post? You aren't alone. So you create this fantastic blog post with sneak peeks of your latest session and you are stuck on the "Enter title...
We recently asked our amazing fans on our Facebook page what their must have items are for every shoot. The responses were incredible. Some of the things we were already bringing along to sessions … but oh boy … others we had not even thought of until now. You...
FREE web enhancing Photoshop action at the bottom of this post. Let's address a real frustration that many photographers have, including me. You know the drill. You: Spend tons of time preparing for a photo sessions – check ✓ Invest in expensive equipment – check ✓ Edit til wee hours of the night – check ✓...
I might just become your best friend! Not kidding. You can kiss me later. So this year I have been trying to find ways to automate my life. It’s true that I can’t wear all the hats around here or do everything in one day. So why not automate the...
White balance can be tricky and even a big headache when editing images. You know the story ... you are super excited to rush home and see the goodies on your camera only to find out that your white balance was so off that the time needed to fix...
New Year - Have you made a plan to succeed? Nearly half way into the year how many of you have already forgotten your New Year’s resolutions? We start the year with the best intentions. Get fit, get organized, start a new project. Then life gets in the way and we...
Article by Tracy Redlin A Dark Place I can feel it, skulking around in my peripheral vision. The dark veil that clouds my mind and dulls my senses. It creeps in unnoticed and blurs the days, one into another till I can’t remember the last time I went outside. ...
Tracking website traffic is such a valuable tool and it couldn't be easier with Yoast Google Analytics Plugin for WordPress. I am all for being able to do important tasks in under a couple of minutes and this is one of them. Follow these simple steps to get it done....
I get it, you are super busy with too many irons in the pot. Why would I want to put one more thing on your plate? Because it will probably give you the biggest return of your investment. Being on social media just isn’t going to cut it. You are...
Setting up beautiful macro shots can be easy with the right kind of sparkly light & tripod. Of course diamonds are glittery and delicious but when you mix that with a dark room, Christmas tree lights and an awesome setup - come on now! It's perfect. Here is...
Part 1: How To Photograph A Christmas Tree Part 2: How To Photograph Subjects In Front Of A Christmas Tree Part 3: How To Photograph Candles With Christmas Lights Each Christmas season I am giddy with excitement over many things, family time being the most important but also the fun...
Part 1: How To Photograph A Christmas Tree Part 2: How To Photograph Subjects In Front Of A Christmas Tree Part 3: How To Photograph Candles With Christmas Lights Prepare yourself because I'm going to use a teddy bear for this tutorial ... gettin' all kinds of fancy! I don't...
Part 1: How To Photograph A Christmas Tree Part 2: How To Photograph Subjects In Front Of A Christmas Tree Part 3: How To Photograph Candles With Christmas Lights Photographing your beautiful Christmas tree this season can be very simple with these easy to follow steps. 1. Turn your...
If you read through these "signs that you might be a photographer" and nod your head + relate then it's pretty clear -- you're one of us! We pooled the Colorvale Facebook audience and came up with some funny signs that you might be photographer. Comment below yours. 1....
We've all been there. Your client is super duper excited about their upcoming session. You've given them the basics on what to wear (and what NOT to wear). You may have even provided them with a guide that can help them have references to this same subject. On your part,...
I was beyond thrilled, tickled to the bone really, when one of my all time favorite photography teams sent me a review about our Luxe Film Actions Set. Heck, I didn't even know they had purchased it and I about choked on my coffee when I received the message....
Ugggghhhh opening up is probably one of my biggest challenges. My greatest defense is keeping people at arms length. It’s just who I am and how I’m built. But I realize that by doing this I’m not connecting. A friend said to me the other day “The cute...
Are you struggling with what settings to use on your camera? This image below is a great guide the getting bokeh, starry nights & low light conditions.
Photographing males can sometimes be a challenge. Let’s face it, generally they have much better things to do then pose for photographers. As a matter of fact during my last photo session I asked my client what he would rather be doing, because I knew it was a...
I am dreamer. I truly believe I will fulfill my dreams in my head & my heart. My calendar and clock would disagree. Some day, I will have the means to hire a housecleaner or perhaps an assistant. Some day, my children will be in school & I will have...
Why do I need more than one lens? That is a good question, it’s not like these things are cheap! The answer depends on what you want to capture. Like in any profession you need the right tools for the job. When you are first getting started lenses can...