Photo umbrellas are often used to control the lighting in photo shoots, especially harsh brightness and extreme contrasts that can leave unwanted shadows against a photography background. One benefit is they create a soft, diffused lighting effect –especially for portraits. Reflective umbrellas are useful here because they reduce the contrast between shadow and light. Of course, not all photography umbrellas are the same, so it’s important to know which umbrella to grab in a given situation.

As a photographer you will learn that working outdoors can offer some great natural lighting, background and unique portrait opportunities. However, there are some challenges you will face when taking your photo shoot outdoors. It can be challenging to find the right location, the lighting can be too bright (or not bright enough) and Mother Nature is not always cooperative. But don’t let these issues deter you from experimenting with outdoor photography. Pack up your camera gear and keep these five tips in mind when heading for the outdoors. One, or maybe all of them, will help make your outdoor photo shoot even easier.

Creating stock photos may not be the photography you dreamed of doing your entire life, but it’s a great way to boost your personal revenue while you focus on the art you do enjoy. Whether you’re a wedding and family photographer, a studio photographer or a photojournalist, commercial photography is a great industry to get started in at any point in your career. It gives you the opportunity to take creative, crisp photos while earning some extra cash at the same time.

Photo Courtesy of Ryan Walsh

Everyone knows the advantages of working in the studio. Studio photography lets you exercise complete control over your environment, allowing you to shoot anytime, day or night. Unfortunately, studios also have one weakness:  plain backgrounds can be a bit boring for certain photo shoots. Recently, however, new products have been coming out that really liven up the old background standbys that have been in use for years. Floor drops – realistic recreations of various floor materials – offer photographers a way to create incredibly detailed environments for their subjects, with very little effort.

A photograph is not the sole creation of the photographer; it is a creative collaboration between the photographer, stylists, make-up artists, set designers, photo assistants, and the model. Photography backgrounds, lighting kits, and camera equipment must all be in place before the shoot can begin as well. As a photographer I would say that one of the most difficult roles within this dynamic is that of the model. The model is expected to oftentimes endure strange and challenging circumstances and yet manage to maintain a look of seduction, or serenity, or beauty. Professional models with experience have mastered this (swimsuit catalogs aren’t usually shot in the summer…), however for photographers who are trying to get started, Kate Upton’s price tag may be a little bit too high.

When working with models who have less experience, these sort of challenges can be frustrating for both the model and the photographer, however there are tricks to ease the process. Here are five quick tips for working with amateur models:

One of the first steps to getting your studio lighting right is learning the lingo. It’s easy for lighting jargon to sound like another language to a newcomer, but with a little practice, you’ll soon be speaking it like a native. To get you started, here are the most commonly used lighting terms:

Photography backdrops can make a huge difference in the creativity and professional appearance of your photos.  However, different photography backgrounds add different elements to a photo, so choosing the right backdrop can be as critical as choosing the correct camera or lens. With so many different types of studio backdrops available though, sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out which background is right for your shoot.