Clued Up with Maria B: The Behind-The-Scenes Photography Podcast

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In this, our first Case Study, we talk about making major decisions in your photography business that reflect  and affect your morals, ethics, and your integrity. We talk about knowing when it is and isn't the right time to seek payment for work related to an important cause and one in which the subject or subjects of your photograph represent a civil struggle and the fight against injustice-in this case, Black Lives Matter.

We also discuss the importance of usage right in distributing your photos to major brands and companies and the need to utilize resources to ensure that as photographers we make informed decisions when we seek renumeration or allow for use of photos without financial compensation.

Similarly, we talk about when we should separate ourselves from a collective entity in order to negotiate with companies and brands for the work required by them in order for them to use our work.

If you'd like to learn more about usage rights, copyrights, and your legal standing as a photographer, please go to Copytrack.com. Click on the link to this page for information specific to Photo Usage and Licensing. This is definitely worth the read: It's important whether you're a pro or an amateur, a business owner or a hobbyist.

Take a look at photographer Joel Sartore's website to get some idea about how photographers word usage information on their websites. This is a fine example that can by tailored and made appropriate for you work as well. While on Joel's site, please take a look at "The Photo Ark", his work dedicated to raising awareness of what our planet is losing. 

Questions or Comments? Reach out at [email protected] and I'll be in touch* directly or address your comment on the podcast.









*By submitting a question or statement, you agree that your submission can be discussed publicly on the podcast, website, or other platforms owned by or affiliated with CluedUpBTS and its parent company, HeadshotNJ, and affiliate company Maria B Photography Studio. while retaining your anonymity. 

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In this bonus episode, I discuss with you the realities of what goes on when potential clients contact you about a photo shoot-in this case, headshots and an event. What often seems like a clear cut, smooth sailing process, is almost always guaranteed to have some challenges. That's not a bad thing. It makes you think or rethink some of your strategies and can make you recognize some areas that require improvement. 

Questions or Comments? Reach out at [email protected] and I'll be in touch* directly or address your comment on the podcast.









*By submitting a question or statement, you agree that your submission can be discussed publicly on the podcast, website, or other platforms owned by or affiliated with CluedUpBTS and its parent company, HeadshotNJ, and affiliate company Maria B Photography Studio. while retaining your anonymity. 

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In this episode, we'll talk about the settings used to capture sharp, well-lit photos on the runway during NY Fashion Week. Relying on the basic understanding of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, I discuss how I arrive at the settings I used during runway shows, plus, a brief discussion on why Auto White Balance (AWB) is the way to go whether your shooting guests during intermission or shooting the actual runway show. I also discuss that you don't have to travel to a major city in order to attend a runway show as a photographer. By establishing a relationship with a local modeling agency, or by keeping your ear tuned to local events, you can start with smaller shows and work your way into larger more extravagantly produced fashion shows. 
The best way to learn is to do. I encourage you to shoot runway even if fashion is not your thing. It really is a fantastic learning experience. 

Questions or Comments? Reach out at [email protected] and I'll be in touch* directly or address your comment on the podcast.









*By submitting a question or statement, you agree that your submission can be discussed publicly on the podcast, website, or other platforms owned by or affiliated with CluedUpBTS and its parent company, HeadshotNJ, and affiliate company Maria B Photography Studio. while retaining your anonymity. 

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In this episode we talk about the whirlwind fun, craziness, and adventure of shooting at New York Fashion Week. Rest assure, these tips work for every runway show no matter where the show is held. In this episode we talk about navigating through the prep work, long hours, in-between sessions, the post-show networking and the after party. Runway shows make new photographers grow up fast because you have no choice but to learn, learn fast, and then get better. The big takeaway: Apply to smaller independent runway shows and if you get in, go! You'll thank me later!

Questions or Comments? Reach out at [email protected] and I'll be in touch* directly or address your comment on the podcast.









*By submitting a question or statement, you agree that your submission can be discussed publicly on the podcast, website, or other platforms owned by or affiliated with CluedUpBTS and its parent company, HeadshotNJ, and affiliate company Maria B Photography Studio. while retaining your anonymity. 

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Let's talk about dressing for photography! Our clothing has to be functional, comfortable, & flexible, while professional and relatable to our clients, and appropriate for the shoot or in some cases, the venue. We have to  dress with confidence! See the links below mentioned in this episode. Enjoy!


Videos
What to Wear on Camera
How to Look Good on Video Calls
5 min Makeup for Video Conferencing

Products
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
Estée Lauder Revitalize Supreme + Moisturizer
Smashbox Primer
Estée Lauder Waterproof Mascara
Estée Lauder Waterproof Eyeliner
Dior Iconic Waterproof Mascara
Anastasia Eyebrow Pencil (Brow Wiz)
Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion
Jones Road Beauty Balm in Flush
Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover
Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream
Clinique All About Clean Foaming Cleanser
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair
Oil Blotter
Spa Slippers

Questions or Comments? Reach out at [email protected] and I'll be in touch* directly or address your comment on the podcast.









*By submitting a question or statement, you agree that your submission can be discussed publicly on the podcast, website, or other platforms owned by or affiliated with CluedUpBTS and its parent company, HeadshotNJ, and affiliate company Maria B Photography Studio. while retaining your anonymity. 

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In this episode I share my recent personal experience with a no-show clients, and I talk about the urgency of your self-value when interacting with clients and businesses. It's important to recognize and believe in your value both as a professional and as a person, and to conduct your photography business and anything else in your life accordingly. 

This episode is as behind the scenes as it gets because your success depends more on how you value and respect yourself before others do. People treat you the way you treat yourself! That's the take away from this episode. 

Listen and Learn!

Questions or Comments? Reach out at [email protected] and I'll be in touch* directly or address your comment on the podcast.









*By submitting a question or statement, you agree that your submission can be discussed publicly on the podcast, website, or other platforms owned by or affiliated with CluedUpBTS and its parent company, HeadshotNJ, and affiliate company Maria B Photography Studio. while retaining your anonymity. 

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In this episode I talk about service. Specifically making your client the center of what you do as a photographer beyond taking photos. As a photographer, you're in the service industry, and giving service to your clients has to be your number one priority. It's not about creating lavish sets, or serving champagne, or chocolate-covered strawberries:It's about making people feel good, feel great, about themselves; so good, that the talk about you and your service and about their experience with you. It's karma.It comes back to you as you will hear when you listen to this week's episode. 

Questions or Comments? Reach out at [email protected] and I'll be in touch* directly or address your comment on the podcast.









*By submitting a question or statement, you agree that your submission can be discussed publicly on the podcast, website, or other platforms owned by or affiliated with CluedUpBTS and its parent company, HeadshotNJ, and affiliate company Maria B Photography Studio. while retaining your anonymity. 

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In a previous episode, episode 10,  I talked about the importance of knowing how you learn or in other words, how best you comprehend information. Here's something to keep in mind: Much the same way photography information has to be communicated in several ways in order for us to learn, we should consider the same thing when it comes to our clients or potential clients.

I talk about this short episode in which I give the example of providing information to a client through written information only to find out on the morning of the shoot that she didn't read it. At best she skimmed through the info. She arranged her schedule not knowing the shoot would take as long as I had said in the information I had sent to her. 

Because there was now a potential time conflict, I initially felt a little rushed. I even asked my makeup artist to arrive a little earlier than scheduled. We actually didn't get to use all of the outfits the client had brought and there were some interesting outfits that would have looked really great in her personal branding photos, but we ran out of time. 

The gist of this is, don't just send your clients info. Get on the phone, do a Zoom call or something similar, and talk to your client about all the info you need to give them so they're well prepared. 

Use multiple means of Communication!

This shoot went really well. We all had a good time and the client was absolutely amazing but it could have been even better had there been more time giving her many more photos to use in her business. 

As you've heard me say several times, "Don't make my mistakes." 

Questions or Comments? Reach out at [email protected] and I'll be in touch* directly or address your comment on the podcast.









*By submitting a question or statement, you agree that your submission can be discussed publicly on the podcast, website, or other platforms owned by or affiliated with CluedUpBTS and its parent company, HeadshotNJ, and affiliate company Maria B Photography Studio. while retaining your anonymity. 

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Controlling light seems complex, but the truth is it's as complex or as simple as it's explained to those who are interested in learning and understanding it. Too often, I've found that a 5 minute to 30 minutes explanation can't cut it, and generally, it leaves people lost, confused, and frustrated. 

We're going to take a different path, whether it's all about light, or about aperture or about the exposure triangle, we're going to break down each piece so that you learn the information you need to support your photography. In this episode we're discussing 

• the shutter in your camera
• the shutter speed that affects your exposure, and 
• how to use your shutter and shutter speed to convey sharpness and motion

I've also provided you with a few excellent articles on shutter and shutter speed. 

• Understanding Shutter Speed, Both Slow and Fast
• Introduction to Shutter Speed in Photography
• What is Shutter Speed (And Why it Matters in Photography)

I've also posted some photos on this episode's website so that you can see some really strong examples of the power of manipulating the shutter and shutter speeds. 

Questions or Comments? Reach out at [email protected] and I'll be in touch* directly or address your comment on the podcast.









*By submitting a question or statement, you agree that your submission can be discussed publicly on the podcast, website, or other platforms owned by or affiliated with CluedUpBTS and its parent company, HeadshotNJ, and affiliate company Maria B Photography Studio. while retaining your anonymity. 

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In this week's episode we begin the discussion on light, not from the technical aspect but more from an emotional aspect. That emotion is fear: fear of learning something that appears complex and most importantly and fear of failure. I can relate because for years, I struggled with my own fear using light in photography. I was lost and had no guidance. Everyone I listened to would just spit out these terms that were essentially a new language. I gave up but then I had an experience that changed everything. As it often happens, we believe we can't learn something or do something until we're put in a situation in which we must act. Then the light (no pun intended) goes on!!
If light, particularly artificial light has been a problem, then listen to this episode. You're not alone...and I believe I can help you. 

Questions or Comments? Reach out at [email protected] and I'll be in touch* directly or address your comment on the podcast.









*By submitting a question or statement, you agree that your submission can be discussed publicly on the podcast, website, or other platforms owned by or affiliated with CluedUpBTS and its parent company, HeadshotNJ, and affiliate company Maria B Photography Studio. while retaining your anonymity.