Lately, I've been getting
an influx of emails from beginner photographers. I love this fact -- as I remember how rad it was to get bits of help when I was starting -- but there's just no way I can write everyone back. I've sort of been answering emails based on "
can I answer this question in about three minutes?" -- and if not, I just have to move on :( So I'm doing this blog post and will use it as a way to answer these questions in the future when I get them.
So if you're reading this after emailing me, I hope this helps!
1. What's your go to lens?My
Canon 50mm f/1.2L
lens is by far my favorite. I love that lens. It's loved by many -- and just as many write it off as the cliche wedding lens. I couldn't care less about any of that. I just know that I love images on that lens when shot on my
5D Mark II
(a
full frame camera) at f/1.2. I just love it. If I had to, I could shoot an entire wedding with that lens.
p.s. the
Canon 50mm f/1.4
is a great (more affordable) alternative to the L version ;)
2. I'm not a pro so I don't need a super expensive pro camera that will kill my bank account. What camera should I get?This is a question people think too much about, in my opinion. There is honestly no wrong DSLR these days. They are all great! And also, without sounding too arrogant, I don't know much (if anything at all) about equipment other than pro gear. I had a Canon Rebel XTi a few years back and it was great! But since then, I have no clue about the newer models or about the best point and shoot (I have a
Canon G10
-- which I love -- but I'm sure there's tons others that are great). Honestly, just look for anything at a good price. Most online retailers have the same prices on new gear.
A great place to buy (used gear) is at the for sale forum on
photography-on-the.net. I think you have to get a free membership. I usually search back over the last month for what I want to buy and check out the items that actually sold. That gives me a great idea for how much I should pay for whatever used item I'm looking for ;)
3. How'd you start in photography?HUGE question that would take me an hour to answer. Long story short? Loved traveling, bought a camera, shot travel photography, then shot a few friends' weddings for free, started charging slowly, and once I was proud of my portfolio I charged more.
4. How'd you book your first paid weddings?Craigslist. I had no shame. I just wanted photos. My first charged wedding was $500. Second was $600. That's just how I did it. There's a million ways to get your first weddings. I've noticed that the people that end up getting them (and keep it up from there) are in love with photography and are completely determined. The people that struggle are the people who don't like their current job and think photography would be an easy gig ;)
5. Any tips for someone just starting out?Another one that could take a TON of time. Briefly? Shoot ALL THE TIME. Seriously. No, I'm not kidding. All the time. If you aren't comfortable with shooting outside the auto mode, for example, reading books won't do nearly as much as going out and getting a healthy dose of "practice makes perfect." You literally cannot shoot enough. Shoot your friends a ton. Get in uncomfortable situations where you don't know what you're doing (not professionally, of course). Challenge yourself. Just shoot, shoot, and shoot more.
6. What lens should I get next?TOTALLY impossible for me to say. I love primes -- but that's me. If it helps, here's the lenses I own and why. Keep in mind they are all on a full frame sensor...
Canon 50mm f/1.2L: I use it for portraits, the ceremony, walk around PJ... I just love this lens.
Canon 24mm f/1.4L
: I use this for extreme close up portraits as I enjoy the outer edge distortion. Love it.
Canon 135mm f/2L 
: Main lens during ceremony and toasts. Also love it for full body portraits at f/2. Incredible lens.
Canon 15mm f/2.8
: rarely use it but it's fun to have :)
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L
: worst lens I own (optically) but I LOVE it for the party/fun dancing shots. I use this at EVERY wedding.
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
: haven't used it at a wedding since I got the 135L last year.
Canon 24mm f/3.5L ts-e
: LOVE this lens but almost never use it. Enjoy it more for traveling.
Canon 45mm f/2.8 ts-e
: LOVE this lens, as well. Use it a lot during couple portraits.
7. I'm uncomfortable when shooting the bride and groom. I don't know what to say or how to pose them. Any advice?This was the last thing to come to me as a photographer. I used to HATE the couple portraits at my weddings. I didn't know what to tell them to do -- or how to tell them to do it. Unfortunately, in my experiences, it took experience to get me comfortable. There wasn't any "Get rich quick" type of thing. The more you do it, the quicker you'll figure out how you do it... if that makes sense. Another rad option is to find a good workshop. My friend
Jasmine does AWESOME ones!8. Which TRA's should I get?When I got my
Totally Rad Actions, I jumped in head first. I bought both sets. When I loaded them into photoshop, it didn't separate them as "set #1" and "set #2" -- so I literally have no clue which one I use most. I know that isn't helpful, but it's the truth ;) What I can say is that I'm pretty sure I'd still buy both as I use a ton of them!
9. Do you really like your Shootsac? Or do you just say that because that's what everyone says?Okay, as a wedding photographer
I guess I could live without
my shootsac -- if I had to. Don't get me wrong, I freaking love it over what I used to use. As a matter of fact, I just
love my shootsac, plain and simple. But I love my shootsac even more for traveling than anything else. It fits three lenses and has three other little pockets for other goodies (cf cards, batteries, keys, mobile). So instead of walking around with a photo backpack (what I did before) I now have my 5DII and 50L in my hand with my 135L, 24L, and 45mm ts-e in my shootsac. I have no idea about the specs compared to other things -- but what I know is now I don't look like a weirdo with a huge backpage when Lindsay takes a picture of me when we're traveling and this thing feels like nothing compared to my old photo backpack.
So it's worth it for weddings, hands down. Even more worth it for traveling/walking around, hands even more down. Mine has been to God only knows how many countries -- I'm pretty sure I've put mine through more than it was intended so I need to get another one soon!
10. Are Lightroom and Photoshop worth it? If so, which should I get first?Both are totally worth it -- but I'd say it depends which you're going to get first. If you're going to be a wedding photographer, I'd say LR first since it's WAY more affordable and does everything you really need. Once you get it, save up and then get PS -- as it's such an incredible part of the photography process!
11. I have a cropped body -- should I switch to full frame?Do whatever you want. I had a pro (1 series) body before I got my first 5D -- I had NO idea that full frame was supposedly "better" (so I wasn't bullied into thinking this way). But when I got my first 5D and put my 50L on it? I literally stopped using my 40D and 1D Mark II N (my other cameras at the time). I just loved the images right out of camera so much!
Having said that, there are TONS of incredible photographers who use non full frame cameras. And buying a full frame camera won't instantly make your images better. So if you want to make the jump, go for it! If you're happy with where you are, don't worry about it ;)
12. Can I shoot with you sometime?I wish I could shoot with every photographer who asked! Here's the problem... Lindsay is ALWAYS with me at weddings. She's sort of my second shooter -- but way more importantly, she's my other half of my brain. She helps me come up with poses, think of where/what we should shoot next... Just tons of help.
Anyways, it's hard to bring along three photographers to a wedding without sort of making guests feel overwhelmed. This means it's VERY rare that I bring along a third shooter. So if you're wanting to shoot with us sometime, you'll be much more likely to on one of our phototrips -
so sign up and come on the next one!
13. Who made your website?Yours truly. I say that with no real sense of pride. I'm no graphic designer -- and I'm sure that graphic designers look at my site and think "
this is why only pros should design websites..." :P -- but my site is all me.
However, more importantly than me making the site is the software that I use that enables me to make it so easily! I use
Showit Sites. It's freaking amazing. Sure, I'm friends with the inventor -- but I'm friends with lots of people who run cool things in the photography world and I don't just recommend things for no reason. Fact is,
DJ is a freaking genius and made the most ridiculous website making software ever. It's literally drag, drop, and just about anything else you could ever want to do.
Oh yeah, and you can make a site for free!!!
So do it!----------
I really hope this helps!
And since this post is a little better with a photo...
The Cinque Terre (Italy) after sunset -- one of the possible photo trips we'll be leading next year! Over a hundred people are signed up to be in the know (only taking 12) so
be sure to sign up if you're wanting a shot at going!
Bobby
