The Beginner Photography Podcast

By Raymond HatfieldEducation Arts Leisure How To Visual Arts Hobbies

The Beginner Photography Podcast episodes

March 04, 2019The Myth of the Perfect Camera
#138 What if I told you, your camera is a waste of money, and spending more money on a better camera will never make you a better photographer?
Well it is all true and today I’m going to prove it to you.
Let’s talk about your camera, your baby. The thing that will unlock doors for you. Lets you explore your creativity, bring smiles to the faces of so many. The thing you treat like a baby. So precious you must protect it.
Yet at the same time... you want to get rid of it. You would throw your camera away in a HEARTBEAT if it meant you could upgrade to a flagship professional grade camera body.
Why you ask?
Oh man, where to start, Its full frame, it can shoot 15fps, max shutter speed of 1/8000th (think of all the humming bird shots you could take!) its weather proof, can survive a bomb explosion, and will SURELY elevate you as a better photographer!
That sounds incredible.
However it is completely false.
A new fancy camera will not improve your photos. It will not win you any awards. No one will come throwing money at you because of the camera you own. Why? No one cares but you. Why? Because the camera does not influence a photo as much as the person holding the camera does.
Plain and simple.
A professional camera does have its advantages sure. The rugged body, faster autofocus, and larger sensor. But which of those will make your photo stand out? None.
Every camera ever has used just 3 settings to expose an image.
Aperture, which is in the lens and not the camera.
ISO which is the cameras sensitivity to light
And Shutter speed.
The cameras sensitivity to light or ISO is determined by the cameras sensor. With the speed at which technology advances, $500 entry level cameras have the same ISO performance as $5000 flagship cameras did just a few short years ago. Where we are at right now, flagship cameras can pretty much shoot in the dark, which is awesome... but its not that practical. You would never really want to use a photo that you shot in the dark.
I still get the allure. When I was shooting with a 8mp canon XT I lusted after the 5dmk2. Now I would rather have a new entry level camera rather than a 5dmk2. And you know what, an entry level camera today STILL cost less than a used 5dmk2.
So what does that mean? It means you are lucky. You are fortunate to live in a time where it is cheaper and easier than ever to take amazing photographs.
Now I know what you’re saying. If its easier than ever to take amazing photographs, how come my camera does not take amazing photographs?
Its because YOU dont take amazing photographs.
Now that was not a personal attack and I’m sure it was an incredibly hard pill to swallow.
What I mean by that is simply that while the camera has some effect on the final image it is YOU who tells the camera how to take a photo. And if you dont know how a camera sees light, and you don’t which setting to change to get the photo you want, and you look at the photos you have taken on the computer wonder why they dont look like the photos you see online or in magazines, then the problem is you and not the camera.
If you don’t believe me, rent your dream camera body. I rent all of my gear from CameraLensRentals.com and you can even get 20% off your order by using the promo code “BeginnerPhotography”
What you will find after spending a few days with your dream camera is that you photos don’t look all that different from the photos you took with your entry level camera. They might even look the same.
But guess what? That is great news. It’s great news because you are in control of what you know about photography and light. Imagine how terrible it would be if the best photographers in the world were just the ones with ca
Connect with Raymond!
Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!
12 min
February 25, 2019Mastering the Art of Landscape Photography for Beginners with Andy Mumford
#137 Andy Mumford is a landscape photographer based in Lisbon Portugal. He is also an author, and posts his adventures on his youtube channel where he shares extremely helpful tips to becoming a better landscape photographer. He is also the latest in an ever growing list of Fuji Ambassadors to join the podcast.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
How Andy got started in photography
The most difficult element of photography for Andy to learn
What Andy looks for technically in a great landscape photo
How Andy learned landscape photography
Why Landscape photography is important
How to get started in landscape photography
A personal story of the importance of failure
The Importance of having an instagram following
How Andy grew his instagram following organically
If knowing an image will be sold does it affect how it is shot
Working and selling photos through stock sites
How to get started selling prints and what to charge
Resources:
Andy Mumford’s website
Andy Mumford Youtube
Andy Mumford Instagram

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
Connect with Raymond!
Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!
1 hr 28 min
February 18, 2019Beginner to Pro: 24 Months to Full Time Wedding Photography with Nick Church
#136 Todays guest is Nick Church. A UK based Bristol wedding photographer who until 2014 had never picked up a camera. 24 months later he had left his full time job as photography had replaced his income. Today I'm excited to talk about how Nick did it so quick!
In This Episode You'll Learn:
When was the first time Nick picked up a camera
How Nick booked his wedding
How Nick handled shooting 40 weddings a year with his full time job
The hardest part of photography for Nick to learn
A common misconception people think about going full time
What Nick would do differently if he had to do it all over again
Bad info Nick hears being taught to new photographers
An embarrassing moment Nick had at a wedding
How to know when do go full time
Why most photographers struggle to get bookings
Nick’s Facebook ad strategy that you can implement right away
Some tools Nick uses in his photography business to keep him organized
Resources:
Nick Church’s Website
Nick Church’s Facebook
Nick Churches Instagram
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
Connect with Raymond!
Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!
1 hr 15 min
February 12, 2019The Law Tog: Common Legal Mistakes to Avoid for Photographers with Rachel Brenke
#135 Today's guest is Rachel Brenke, a licensed attorney in Virginia and Texas focusing on small business law including contracts, business formation and intellectual property such as copyright and trademarks. She is also the face behind The Law Tog which is the only dedicated legal resource for photographers. I can not wait to get into todays interview With Rachel Brenke

In This Episode You'll Learn:
How Rachel got started with Law and photography
What is a photography contract
Where to get a free portrait photography contract
When do you need to an LLC
Do children need to sign a model release
What needs to be on a photography contract for minors
Current laws about shooting street photography and selling photos
When is it legal to start charging money
When does photography change from a hobby to a business
The most common legal issues photographers face
How to make a photography contract
What a wedding photography contract should include
Why a photography contract and model release should be two separate documents
The benefits of being a legal entity
What to do if someone steals the photos off your website
Who needs to sign a wedding contract if parents pay
Can you cancel your contract if are in unsafe working conditions

Resources:
The Law Tog Website.
Download the free portrait photography contract
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
Connect with Raymond!
Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!
1 hr 17 min
February 04, 2019Imposter Syndrome or Beginners Nerves
#134 Dealing with imposters syndrome is no joke. It can hold you back for years. But how do you know if you are dealing with Imposter syndrome or just a case of beginners nerves? In todays episode you will find out!
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
Connect with Raymond!
Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!
34 min
January 28, 2019A Street Photographer's Dilemma: The Challenges of Capturing the Moment with Valerie Jardin
#133 Today's guest is Valerie Jardin. World Renowned Street photographer with more than 20 years of experience. A born artist, her bio says "while other kids had posters of rockstars on their walls, I had framed photos from my favorite photographers" She is also the host of the popular "Hit The Streets" Podcast, Today I'm excited to find out what those 20 years have taught her about shooting the streets.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
How Valerie got her start in Street photography
Why Street photography is Black and White
The hardest aspect of street photography to learn
What the job of a street photographer is
Why shoot street photography
How to study and learn street photography
the must have gear for street photographers
Is Street photography legal
The most important piece of gear a street photographer can have
What lens for street photography
When to call it quits at a location
How to build photographic intent
How to market street photography
How to sell street photography
How to make money with street photography
Resources:
Valerie Jardin’s Website
Valerie Jardin on Facebook
Valerie Jardin on Instagram
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
Connect with Raymond!
Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!
1 hr 10 min
January 21, 2019Common Blogging Mistakes Photographers Make with Corey Potter
#132 Today's return guest is Corey Potter. The Best SEO Specialist for Photographers. Focusing on helping photographers understand search engine optimization and proving an incredible amount of help Corey is here to day to talk about mistakes photographer make when blogging and expert SEO tips for your photography website.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
Which photography website builder to use and why
Why have a photography website
Why blogging is so important
What to blog if you don’t have any recent shoots
What is cornerstone content and why it is critical to google
What google wants to see from a photography website
What to put on a photography website
The hardest thing for beginners to understand about SEO
How to SEO Photography Website
How to promote your photography website
How often to blog
Why blogging frequently could be bad for your google ranking
What to do with your content after you hit publish
How to use Keyword Research to discover what topics to talk about
The one blog every photographer needs to have on their website
Resources:
Corey’s Photography SEO Services Website, Fuel Your Photos
Fuel Your Photos Facebook Group
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
Connect with Raymond!
Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!
1 hr 10 min
January 14, 2019The Importance of Newborn Photography with Alison Winterroth
#131 Today's Guest is Alison Winterroth. A Tampa Florida newborn, maternity, and family photographer. She’s a self-proclaimed Baby Whisperer who loves to photograph the newest and tiniest human to help preserve the hectic time of life having a child is. Today I'm excited to talk to her about getting started working with newborns!

In This Episode You'll Learn:
The hardest aspect of photography for Alison to learn
What the job description of a newborn photographer is
Why Newborn photography is important
How to convey the power of newborn photography to potential clients
How Alison got her first clients and how it went
How to practice newborn Photography
Signs of an amateur newborn photographer
What gear you need for newborn photography
What lens to use for newborn photography
The importance of knowing how to light
Bad info thats commonly taught to new photographers
What Alison would do differently if she had to start all over again
How to attract new newborn clients when the opportunity to photograph them is so short
When to take newborn photography
How to start a newborn photography business
How to know when is the right time to open a studio
How to keep business coming after you have opened a studio
Alison's best tips for editing newborn skin in photos
Resources:
Tampa Newborn Photographer Alison Winterroth’s Website
Alison Winterroth’s Instagram
Alison Winterroth’s Facebook
Portraiture plug in
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
Connect with Raymond!
Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!
1 hr 14 min
January 07, 2019How Photographers will Capture Tomorrow with Chris Marquardt
#130 Today's guest is Chris Mar-quart. A photographer, author, and host of the Future of photography podcast. What better time to talk about the future of photography than the start of a new year?
In This Episode You'll Learn:
A brief history of photography
Why we humans cant be happy with the camera technology we have today
What misconceptions people think about the future of photography
What specifications would be in the perfect camera for Chris Marquardt
The worst thing Chris hears being taught to new photographers
The best investment Chris has made in his photography
What advice Chris would give to himself if he was just starting out
Is post production a thing of the past
What is the allure of photography and how technology pushes it
What current technology will explode in popularity in the coming years
Why we will still need competent photographers in the future
Resources:
Chris Marquardt Website
The Future of Photography Podcast
Chris Marquardt Photography books
Chris Marquardt Photography Tours
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
Connect with Raymond!
Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!
57 min
December 31, 2018Do This One Thing To Grow As A Photographer In 2019
#129 For all of December I like to do these personal episode where I talk about things I learned throughout the year or things I think could help you in the new year and as usual I had a blast. But this is the last episode of 2018 so next week we will be back to our regularly scheduled interviews. Which I’m sure is welcome news to those sick of listening to my voice.
The end of the year is a perfect time to reflect on the past year and look to the future. Last year I made a list of 5 way to jump start your photography in 2018. And although I called it a jumpstart, I felt like the tips were more foundational.
Last year I suggested to
Share your photos
Experiment more
Be the dumbest person in the room
Don’t buy any new gear
And print your photos.

all this last year I think I did really well with this list.
Share your photos
The idea here is that you’re a photographer, you should be taking and sharing photos. But I think I took less personal photos this year than most. I started using an app called 1 second a day which is short 1 second video clips which you can compile into a month long chunks and then year long videos too. I love it. But I realized too late that I really don’t have to put in a ton of effort making the videos great. I use it to document my kids and just hearing their voices from a year ago has been a crazy progression. I don’t have to worry too much about lighting and composition and making it an event to get the 1 second because then its kinda fake. I should spend that energy in 2019 to create more family photos.
Experiment more
I did do a lot of experimenting this year. From video with a GoPro on top of my camera, to trying out new lighting techniques, and even with the core of my business. In this area I really excelled this year and will not be stopping in 2019
Be the dumbest person in the room
At the beginning of the year I was in a mastermind group with some other photographer and it was doing great things for my business and just having some support. It fell apart and through the chaos of the summer just kept myself busy. Once weddings slowed down I was asked to join a 1 day in person mastermind with business owners of other fields (fitness, automotive, real estate, copy editing) and I even though they didn’t have any knowledge of photography the had practical tips for my problems and I felt like I had some helpful tips for their problems. It really ignited an excitement in me and I will be putting more value to that in 2019.
Don’t buy any new gear
I aced this. I didn’t buy any new gear in 2019 except for like batteries or expendables. Pens, memory cards, I had to replace a flash. But no new cameras (well except a GoPro that I bought for our trip to Iceland which was so worth it). I really fell like I became much better acquainted with the abilities of my camera and lenses by being forced to stick with them. I wanted to upgrade to an xt3 but I didn’t. I wanted to get a 70-200 but I didn’t. I made what I had, work. My bank account thanked me too as I was able to bring home more money because of it.
Print your photos
I printed more photos. Thanks to Brian Caporici I made same day albums a big thing this year at weddings and every one of my couples went crazy for them. They were all SHOCKED that I was able to create one while at their wedding. These albums are nothing fancy either. They are instant prints glued onto black card stock and put in a $5 book from hobby lobby. The point being, that having something physical made their wedding day feel real. That’s what prints do. We had family photos taken at the beginning of the year and I had those photos framed and I gave them to my wife for Mother’s Day. I did the same thing with family photos for my mom for the holiday
Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com

Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.com
Connect with Raymond!
Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!
41 min

About The Beginner Photography Podcast

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The Beginner Photography Podcast is a free weekly podcast hosted by professional photographer Raymond Hatfield who interviews world class photographers of all genres who share what they wish they knew…