Understand Aspect Ratios For Better Images!

Ever find yourself with an image that you thought was just perfectly composed, but then when you got your order back from the print shop, it came back with half a head or a hand chopped off? Or (less dramatically!) just doesn't look the way you thought it would?

If that has happened to you, it's most likely it will be because of your Aspect Ratio.

Not sure what that is and why it's important?

Then keep on reading, as in this post you are going to learn:

What aspect ratio is
What aspect ratio your camera camera shoots in by default
Why you can lose part of your image (even when you go up in size)
How you can minimise the impact of aspect ratio on your images
And how you can get your hands on a little cheat sheet that has all the relevant information for you!

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPSAudrey AnnJuly 24, 2018BEGINNER

3 Simple Tips for Dreamy Background Blur in Photography

One of the questions I get asked a LOT is how to get those soft, dreamy, velvety blurred backgrounds in photography, so that your subject subject seems to pop right off the screen, and the whole image has that wonderful 3 dimensional quality to it.

So, that's exactly what I'm going to cover today, with 3 simple tips that can help get your background super blurry and dreamy. You can use each tip on it's own to get better background blur, or use them TOGETHER for maximum impact!

Let's dive right in shall we?

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPSAudrey AnnJuly 10, 2018TIPS & TRICKS

How she did it: From Beginner to Photography Business in 1 year

Today I've got a case study for you that I think you are going to LOVE! I asked Live Snap Love student Whitney Charles to come on the blog to share her story with you, because she has moved forward SO far in such a short period of time. She's come from being a complete beginner in Spring 2017, to having her own photography business (and taking amazing images to boot) a mere 12 months later. I've been following her progress with awe, so I'm delighted to welcome her to the blog today. In this post she's sharing with you what she did, what challenges she faced, and what she wished she had done differently. Plus there is a heap of then / now images so you can see the difference in her images. I think you will find it incredibly valuable and inspirational, so let's dig in!

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS, PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS TIPSAudrey AnnJune 19, 2018CASE STUDIES

5 Surefire Ways to Build Confidence as a Photographer

It happens to all of us at some time or another.

We feel somehow lacking as a photographer, that we aren't creative enough, or our images are boring, or that we will never be in the same league as the "big guys" we admire. In short, our confidence is in short supply .

And in response you will have heard the same stuff as me, about how "there is only one you" and "no-one else sees the world quite like you" and "embrace your unique perspective!"

Now, don't get get me wrong, all of that is definitely 100% true, and we SHOULD keep that in mind, but for me, I need something a little more practical than simply being told I shouldn't feel that way 😃

So that's what I am here with today - some practical advice for building your confidence as a photographer.

If that sounds like something you could do with, keep on a readin'....

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPSAudrey AnnJune 12, 2018BEGINNER, TIPS & TRICKS

The Top 3 Reasons You Get Soft Images With Your 50mm Lens

Are you using a 50mm F1.8 lens but having trouble getting sharp images?

Do you wonder why others can get awesome images with this lens, but not you?

Then you'll want to check this video out!

In it I go over the top 3 reasons why your images might not be as sharp as you want...and the best thing is, they are pretty easy to fix!

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPSAudrey AnnMay 31, 2018BEGINNER, TIPS & TRICKS

Camera Lenses Explained: Understand All The Functions of Your Camera Lens!

Ever looked at your camera lenses and wonder what everything does? Then this is the blog post for you!

I’ll explain everything you can see on your lens, so what each switch does, and what that funny little window thing is meant for too 😀

Learning about the tools of your trade is important, so take five minutes to cast your eye over this, and have your camera lenses explained…..

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS, GEARAudrey AnnMay 22, 2018BEGINNER

Lifestyle vs Documentary Photography: What’s the difference?

Have you ever found yourself wondering about the difference between lifestyle and documentary photography, and which one suits your style and way of photographing best?

The truth is, the line between the two can be a little bit blurred and fuzzy, as there is just a few subtle distinctions that separate them, so it is easy to confuse them with one another, or even find yourself doing both from time to time!

So this blog post, we are going to get into a high level overview of both lifestyle and documentary photography, and see what those differences are, and whether it should matter to you….

CHILD & LIFESTYLE, PHOTOGRAPHY TIPSAudrey AnnMay 1, 2018

How to Find & Use Open Shade in Photography for Better Photos

Today we are going to have tutorial on LIGHT - specifically how to find and use open shade in photography, so you can take more flattering photos.

First of all, raise your hand: how many times have you read / heard that you should shoot in the hours just before sunset or just after sunrise (a.k.a the Golden Hour), for the best light?

And how many times did you mutter under your breath that that’s freakin’ impossible to do all the time, especially if you have kids? (yes, I hear you)

The good news is, there is a way to photograph in full sun, even at midday, hat still allows you to get nice, soft even light on your subjects, AND is easy to use!

It’s called open shade, and in this photography lighting tutorial, I’m going to show examples of where you can find open shade, and how to use it for the most flattering results.

Let’s jump in!

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPSAudrey AnnApril 10, 2018BEGINNER, LIGHT

3 Simple Ways to Add Depth to Your Photos

When we take an image, we flatten our three dimensional world into something two dimensional.

And as a result, our images can look a little...er... flat.

Adding depth is simply a way of bringing back that three dimensional feel - in other words, more closely mimicking how we see in the real world. It helps our viewers feel like they are in the photograph, and adds more complexity to your image, in turn making it more inviting and engaging.

Luckily for you, that complexity only exists in the resulting image, because it can be super easy to do, you just have to remember to do it 😁

So, here are three simply ways that you can start to incorporate depth into your images, that will take you only a few seconds to do.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPSAudrey AnnMarch 20, 2018TIPS & TRICKS, COMPOSITION

How to Photograph Movement with Motion Blur

When photographing movement, you have a couple of options on how to capture it: either freeze the motion completely, or allow the subject to show a bit of motion blur.

Motion blur is simply when you get blur to just certain parts of your image - those areas that had a subject or item moving faster than the shutter speed you chose.

Although unwanted motion blur is a bad thing, it can also be a used as a creative tool! The difference is that we are using it with intent, rather than getting it when we don’t want it.

So, this week’s blog post is all about how to capture movement with motion blur, as usual, broken down step by step.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPSAudrey AnnFebruary 20, 2018BEGINNER

How To Keep Moving Forward With Photography When You Doubt Your Skills

Every single one of us will doubt our photography skills at one point or another - in fact, I would say it is at least a yearly occurrence for me 😀

It also doesn't seem to matter whether you are completely new to photography, or been shooting for a while, there will always come a time when we feel doubt creeping up on us, and it can be paralysing.

Understanding how to keep moving forward, even when you doubt your ability, is key to making sure that you carry on on your photography journey, and achieve your goal of becoming a photographer.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPSAudrey AnnJanuary 31, 2018BEGINNER, TIPS & TRICKS, INSPIRATIONAL

Guest Post: How to Set and Plan Your Goals for 2018

When someone asks me if I do other forms of photography besides interiors and still life, I always respond, seemingly joking that I shoot interiors because I don't like people. As an introvert, I could never have imagined that I would be someone that inspires and encourages people to start with interior photography and give them the directions to grow their business and brand. But it turns out that I love it as long as I can keep my groups small, really small! Like five students small, at the max! Probably not the best way to grow rich but I love the interaction, the personal approach and that is my strength.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPSAudrey AnnJanuary 17, 2018

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