I love food photography. I love everything about it – the planning, the prepping, looking for the perfect lighting to highlight fresh ingredients, selecting the dishes and plates to use, and the story to be told. So now for what I don’t love about food photography… having to wait to eat the amazing food! And realistically, very few photographers get to reap the rewards of the chef’s enticing creations. Think about that before you run off and decide to be a food photographer.  You may want to consider becoming a food critic instead . Fortunately for me I was working with Laura Dove, owner of Dove Creative Concepts, and she was determined that every dish she designed and I photographed would be enjoyed after. She didn’t lie!

Let’s look at Dove Creative Concept’s “Farmers Market Vegetable Tacos”. My goal was to (of course) make them look irresistible but to also make them look large and filling. Many people assume that if it doesn’t have meat, it’s not a meal. Not these tacos, my friends! Filling, healthy, and sinfully delicious.

I chose to fill the frame with the first taco but still use the second taco to provide depth to the image. I set my focal point at the very front of the taco and chose to blur the background. My goal was to bring the viewer into the image quickly and start the salivating immediately! Isn’t that what food photography is all about?!

What would a perfect food photography photoshoot be without the insanely delicious Mac & Cheese with Italian bread crumbs and cracked peppercorn? This was probably the most difficult to photograph because I was dying to take a bite!

I chose the black ramekin to contrast the light-colored pasta. Remember, in food photography everything matters. You must make a conscious decision on the color, shape, and depth of the plate the food will be on. Do you want the food to sharply contrast the plate or blend into it? Neither choice is right nor wrong, it’s simply a preference. I also chose to cut off the left side of the Mac & Cheese dish to highlight the silver fork. For me the fork says, ‘go ahead, take a bite!’ The shininess of the fork also worked great with the rustic wood table I was photographing against.

You’ll notice that the angle on the Mac & Cheese is much higher than the angle used on the tacos. The tight angle on the Mac & Cheese brings you into that golden brown heaven of crumbs, whereas the lower angle on the tacos says, ‘don’t worry, there are more to enjoy!”

All images were photographed with my Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 24-105mm L series lens, 20mm extension tube (in lieu of a macro lens), natural indirect light, silver/gold reflector, and Canon 580 EX flash bounced off a white ceiling (at regular power).

If you have any questions, definitely leave a note in the comments and I’ll be sure to respond. Also, for more updates and delicious images, follow me on facebook!

Sound familiar? How about this…“If you photograph our event for free, we will consider you for upcoming events.” What you now have to decide is if working for free will actually pay off. You want to break into the photography industry but the last time you checked, working for free doesn’t pay bills or put food on the table. In situations like this it is usually the photographer who gets the short end of the stick. Consider this as a reason why. The photography industry is saturated to the point you can wring it out and fill buckets! Companies know this and know there are plenty of people willing to work for free in hopes of getting their foot (and lens) in the door.

Here’s a few ideas to ensure both you and the organization come out as winners. I should also mention that dealing with non-profit organizations create some gray areas. Non-profits by nature rely on donations of time, money, and talent. You’ll need to judge each situation as it comes, but #3 below provides some guidance.

1. With companies, always make a trade. NEVER work solely for free. It cheapens you as a business and brings down the entire photography industry. If a company isn’t willing to pay you now, more likely than not they won’t be willing to pay in the future.

2. Consider swapping photography services for marketing/sales opportunities. As an example, if the company is acknowledging sponsors of its event, make sure your info is listed as an in-kind sponsor with your name, website and type of service. Another example is including your marketing collateral (business postcard, promotional swag, etc.) in the company’s gift basket.

3. If you’re offering your services pro bono to your favorite non-profit, do not be afraid to ask for something in return. Here’s an example: let’s say you set-up a mini studio at a non-profit’s annual family picnic. You handle the photography for free and in return are allowed to sell the images. Some photographers even print a free 4×6 image on the spot with ordering details for larger sizes. Get creative and think out of the box. You may only spend a few minutes with the family but people are always more inclined to use someone they are familiar with for future photography needs.

4. Let’s say a local radio station is starting its summer concert series and you really want to get in on the events. Offer to shoot one event for free provided they are willing to book two additional events for pay. If they agree to an arrangement like this, get it in writing and make them sign it! Also state when you expect payment.

Have a number in your head of how many trade and free events (non-profits) you are willing to work during the year and stick to it. The last thing you want to do is overwhelm your schedule with unpaid events and become “that guy” who works for free. I realize that building a portfolio and gaining experience is a challenge, but do not sell yourself, your time, or your talent short.

There are as many ‘for trade’ possibilities as there are stars in the sky. Again, get creative! If you have a great idea to share with other photographers, please post it in the comments section below or on my Facebook page.

Happy Shooting!



Looking for tips on summer photography? Check it out here!
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1. Catch the Action! Summer is a great time to practice those action shots. Set your camera to shutter-priority and try speeds at 1/500 and faster.  If you’re using a point-n-shoot camera, go into your menu and look for a sport mode.  For those DSLR users, be sure to set your camera on continuous shooting. By doing this you will increase your chances of capturing that perfect picture. Imagine your little one doing a flip off the diving board for the first time. You do not want to miss it! By having a fast shutter speed and continuous shooting, you are more likely to capture the moment. Don’t forget about composition though! When we shoot action scenes, it’s very easy to hone in on the subject but forget the background. Imagine capturing the exact moment your son jumped into the air to catch a baseball that won the game but you didn’t plan your overall scene and your image shows a tree growing out of his head. Know your surroundings and you should be able to avoid this.
2. Watch that high-noon light and learn to compensate for it. When the sun is burning bright your camera will often times try to correct for the brightness and underexpose your images. Be aware of this and consider using fill-flash. I know many people do not like the look of a flash but if used properly, you can get great images. You’ll also reduce the big triangular shadows on your family’s faces. Most point-n-shoot cameras have the ability to increase and decrease the power of the flash. Play around with it and know your camera’s capabilities.
3. Models. Turn your family and friends into models this summer. Rather than taking a picture of a setting sun on the ocean, place your kids in the foreground playing in the last moments of sun. Use your daughter and her surfboard to create that ‘endless summer’ look. Even consider using objects to add interest to the composition. Take a look at the images of the sun setting over Puget Sound. The colors that evening were brilliant and the water was calm. Rather than just capture the sky and water in the first image, I changed my composition and placed a single boat and the full moon into my frame to create a story and add depth to my image. Don’t be afraid to get creative and add some interest to your shots.



4. Keep your horizon straight! You all know what I’m talking about because I am willing to bet it has happened to all of us. Picture this: the sun is setting fast and you know it’s going to be gorgeous so you quickly setup your tripod and camera. In your haste though, you forgot to verify that the horizon line was straight! I can’t tell you how many people have told me, “I meant to do that – it’s creative.”  Control your creativity, don’t let it control you. Here’s a few tips that will help:
   • buy a bubble level that sits in your flash shoe. Take the picture ONLY when your bubble says it’s straight.
   • Many DSLRs offer grid functionality in the Live View mode. This means that a grid will appear over your image (on your LCD screen) and help you maintain straight lines.







Summer doesn't always have to mean happy and fun. There are amazing opportunities to create dramatic images.

5. Light my fire. In the U.S. we can always count on a great display of 4^th of July fireworks. Here’s a few tips to help you capture them:
   • Use a tripod and shutter release. If you are in a busy area, be sure you won’t have people kicking/tripping on the legs of your tripod. The shutter release will also help avoid unnecessary shake.
   • If you plan on taking photos from a boat, do not forget that the boat is moving, thus you are moving as well.
   • Don’t forget your composition! It’s like the tree coming out of the ballplayer’s head- don’t forget to plan your shot. A perfect capture of the firework finale with a dumpster in your foreground does not a good picture make.
   • You do not need your camera on ISO 1600 with a fast shutter speed. In actuality, you’ll want to slow it down a bit, especially if you want to get some light into your overall scene. Start on ISO 100 and experiment from there. Try using aperture-priority and start with an f/8.
   • Turn your flash off. Your flash will never illuminate fireworks a half-mile away.  The only thing that flash is going to do is illuminate the dumpster.

As always, Happy Shooting!

Here’s a few ways to stay in touch!

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Trying to manage photography while on vacation can be stressful and tricky. On one hand, you want to be on vacation with your family but on the other, you don’t want to give up the opportunity to create amazing images in a beautiful location. For photographers, spending hours framing a shot and moving a tripod a few inches left or right sounds like a small sacrifice to create that perfect photo. Oddly enough, most spouses don’t feel the same. Although scientists have tried to figure out why this is, no answers are available.



Here are a few tips to keep your spouse happy and your photo cravings satisfied:

1. Discuss what both of you want to do before you even get on the plane! Nothing can cause more frustration than arriving in Paris and you want to photograph the Eiffel Tower and your spouse wants to spend all day in the Louvre. If you’re both comfortable in the area, consider splitting up for a few hours and meeting at a quaint cafe later to discuss each other’s experiences.




2. Plan combo events. As an example, do the four day trek to Machu Picchu. This will allow hiking and adventure for your outdoor buff and provide you with spectacular photo opps.




3. Have a “shot list” prepared (again, prior to departure). Know exactly what you want to shoot, when lighting is the best, and hours of operation if needed. This is important to do as many attractions can often have weird hours. I completely missed the Uffizi Gallery because I didn’t realize that they are closed on Mondays. Also, if you’re dying to photograph the interior of churches or mosques, you need to research when visitors are allowed inside and what equipment is acceptable to bring with you.
   
   
   
   1. Your shot list will help you get your images without wasting precious time and irritating your loved one!

   
   

   2. Highlight your must-haves and be willing to compromise on the rest.

   
   
   

   

   Color Palette




4. Leave the strobes and softboxes at home…ok, I am joking, but my point is to keep your pack simple. A simple pack means quick access and shorter shoot times.  Get creative with available lighting and learn how to use a small flash as your fill light. Also, a light pack means you shoot for longer periods of time before your shoulders start to ache and your spouse gives you that, “I told you so” look and walks off holding an 8 ounce point-n-shoot camera.




5. Your spouse is not your personal assistant (don’t tell my husband this!). If hubby offers to graciously hold a reflector in one spot for a straight hour then awesome! Remember though that this is their vacation too and he/she might want a break from reflector duties.




6. Look for the opportunities. Going someplace like Venice presents obvious photographic possibilities, but even what may seem like the most mundane of trips (e.g. your girlfriend’s 10 year HS reunion in Sandusky) can present interesting opportunities if you keep an open mind.  Do your research and you can probably squeeze in a few money shots wherever you may roam.

Oddly enough, vacations can be very stressful. Having a plan of what both of you want to do is the best way to make the vacation a happy and memorable experience.



Happy shooting and Happy Vacations!



Have any good stories or tips of your own? Feel free to share them with me. Here’s how to find me:

www.amywisebacis.com
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When the Flowers Don’t Cooperate

As so many of you know, the wildflower season in California was supposed to be amazing. One storm after another this winter sent the flower-peepers into a frenzy in hopes of a color explosion of epic proportion. Along with the rest of So Cal, I packed my gear and headed toward Anza Borrego State Park. Upon arriving in the park we immediately checked in with the rangers to get up-to-date info on road conditions. Anza Borrego has an amazing network of roads, washes, and 4WD trails. The terrain is exciting but can also be a bit dodgy. Always check with rangers first! I also suggest finding maps of the surrounding areas like Ocotillo Wells SVRA, as some of your destinations may be just outside of the park’s boundaries. Nothing is more stressful than ending up on a trail so narrow only a quad can get through, the skies are pitch black, and you’re map-less. I should mention too that not all GPS units show the washes, so it’s critical to carry detailed maps AND know how to read them.

After a quick drive through the usual haunts like DiGiorgio Rd., Coyote Canyon, and Henderson Canyon Rd., I realized that this season wasn’t quite as glorious as expected, at least not yet. I found there were few options for sweeping landscape images bursting with flowers. Fortunately I had made a ‘shot list’ a few days prior to the trip where I listed all the areas I thought were opportunities and estimated the best time to capture them.

One of my favorite areas from this weekend’s shoot was the Pumpkin Patch (located just outside the park). These “pumpkins” are actually formations shaped by wind and weather- constantly changing. If you ever decide to visit the area, have at least an AWD (all-wheel drive) vehicle with good ground clearance- you’ll need it! The Patch is great for sunset and night shots. Remember though, if you photograph in the Patch well after the sun has set you will have to make your way back in the dark through deep sandy washes with few to no markers. It’s actually a hell of a lot of fun…for those with an adventurous spirit.



My next shoot was sunrise on Henderson Canyon Rd. Typically this area has more photographers bobbing up and down than flowers, but at 6am it was surprisingly empty. It was nice having the entire place to myself, but the flowers were less than stellar. I chose to do some tight shots and create images that showed as many flower varietals as possible in one image. The sun was rising behind haze and light clouds so there was only a minute or two of decent light. Since there was such a contrast of dark foreground to light background, with the sun low in the sky and the ground just softly lit, I used my 3-stop graduated neutral density filter. You may also consider using a reflector to bounce light back onto your subject.

Last but certainly not least is Clark Dry Lake. I < heart > this place. There are no flowers, palms, oases, or animals, yet there are endless possibilities to create beautiful images. Consider doing star trails, macro shots of the mud flats, dramatic black and white images, as well as sunrise and sunset shots…the options are endless.

A few tips for desert photography:

• Always have updated maps and check-in with a ranger
• Never assume you’ll have cell phone coverage
• Leave an itinerary with a family or friend back home as well
  If plans change, try to update them
• Have lots of water! Be sure to also have enough food and proper clothing in case you get stuck out in the boon-docks until sunrise
  Many people underestimate how cold the desert can get and don’t plan accordingly
• Keep your camera bag closed while in the field to avoid sand getting in your lenses and other gear
• Bring a pocket rocket or similar product to blow sand off your lenses and camera sensor
• Change your lenses quickly. Don’t lolly-gag with a lens off and your camera’s sensor exposed. You’re just begging for a dirty sensor and/or jammed equipment.

Here’s a few ways to stay in touch!

www.amywisebacis.com
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Happy shooting!

If you sell products online (particularly on sites like Etsy) but find that hiring a professional photographer is out of the question, read on. If you have the budget to hire a professional photographer…call me!

You’ve undoubtedly seen some bad product photography out there and it most likely left you with negative feelings. Often a bad picture can go beyond not doing justice to the item you’re selling, it can turn away potential buyers. The entire purpose of this blog is to offer some tips on product photography, specifically using a point-n-shoot camera in a studio/office. For those using dSLR cameras, all the tips and tricks apply. Every image shown in this post was created with a 3-4 year old point-n-shoot camera with limited capabilities.  The only lighting used was the on-camera flash and the office’s lights. Furthermore, there weren’t any reflectors, gels, or diffusers used. Also, a very special thanks to Elements Refined for allowing me to work in their studio and photograph a few of their beautiful tote bags.

Let’s get started. In the first two images above you’ll notice that the background is a mess and no time was taken to stuff the bag to give structure or show the size.  Even when using the model, the background is distracting and the pose unattractive. If you’re going to use a model, decide on some flattering positions that ‘sell’ your item! The model should be a prop, nothing more. This means that using a supermodel or “It’s Pat” (Saturday Night Live reference) are both bad ideas because they become a distraction. If the first comment people make is about the model, you’ve missed the mark.

Notice the next two images above. The model is now set against a white backdrop, eliminating the distractions in the background, and the crop is tight so that the focus is on the tote bag itself. Also, her hands are relaxed, not strained. It sounds like a silly point but when hands are pulling on a strap or pushing a binder into a bag it looks really bad! Remember, keep focus on the bag and keep the pose relaxed.

Now let’s get to the nitty-gritty of making your own studio. Here’s what I used for this shoot:

•    White foam board
•    Clear sheet of plastic to sit on top of the foam board and provide a subtle reflection
•    White fabric to hang against the wall
•    Wood stick (seen in images below) and thread that will allow me to ‘magically’ prop the handles of the bag up and keep it from sagging

Notice the bottom left image is slightly better than the first two images at the beginning of the blog. I have my base and backdrop set-up but the bag looks saggy. To give it shape but keep it light and easy to work with, I stuffed newspaper in a plastic sack and placed the sack inside the bag. Note that you can see it though; not good.  Be sure to tuck that stuffing inside, out of sight!

Look at the image to the bottom right and see how different the bag looks now. The stuffing has filled out the base and the handles are tied to the wood stick with a light-colored thread.

What else do you notice in the top right image? If you said props, you’re right. What a difference it makes to show how the bag is used! Props are also a great way to show size. This handy tote bag not only is wide enough to hold a binder, but the side pockets can also hold a large water bottle.  Never forget how powerful visual aids can be when selling products. Sure you can list the dimensions in the description, but how many people can accurately and quickly comprehend the size of the product from a bunch of numbers.

On a product like this the interior is every bit as important as the exterior, but interior shots can be difficult to say the least.

Look at the next image to your right. This shows how one handle is tied overhead to help open the space. I also placed a piece of plexiglass in the base of the bag so it would stay up. You can get very creative here. I’ve used everything from Kleenex boxes, to cooking tongs in product photography!

Now we move in tighter to show the final image below.  Because it is quite deep I had to use the flash to get enough light into the bag. Unfortunately my point-n-shoot is so old that I cannot control the flash output. I knew that if I stood too close to the bag that my image would have a very washed out look to it, which is terrible for product photography. To compensate for this I simply stood farther back and used the zoom function.

Again, be sure to show the interior in use. Look for objects that people can relate to like mobile phones, glasses, wallet, etc. I can’t stress this enough, especially for companies like Elements Refined that put a lot of great features in its products. Differentiation is critical when selling items, particularly online when all people have to go off of are the images you supply.

Now that you’ve seen the studio set-up, let’s check out the final images:

If you have any additional questions, be sure to comment here or leave a comment on facebook and I’ll try to answer all of them. I know the process can feel overwhelming, but just take it one step and one picture at a time. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment and try various angles.  Get low, get high, get close. If they don’t turn out you can always delete, no one has to know .

My final point is that you don’t need fancy cameras and editing software to get attractive images. Keep the shot simple and clean and always remember that the product is the most important!

For more of Elements Refined visit them on Etsy. You can also check out my Etsy store here.

Happy Shooting and Happy Selling!

As photographers we are always looking for ways to share the images we create. Fortunately the web is an extremely visual medium and gives us the opportunity to share our work globally. One of the best sites for this is flickr with 36 million members and over 3.5 billion photos! Flickr is also the fastest growing photo-sharing site and the 7th most trafficked social media site overall (according to Nielsen and NetRatings).
I want to provide a few tips on getting the most out of the site as well as some “don’ts” in the flickr world. Remember, social media sites are only as good as the people who use them – and use them correctly.

Definite Do’s

1. Fill out your profile with name, website, and bio. This is your opportunity to let people know about you and your business. Maybe you have an extremely unique style and want to educate people about it– here’s your chance.
2. When you choose a screen name, make it the name of your company “e.g. Amy Wise-Bacis Photography”.
3. Use either a company logo or a professional image of yourself. As a photographer I want people to relate to me directly so I chose an image of myself. I want people to be able to put a face with a name (rather than a logo that may change a year from now). If your company is comprised of multiple photographers, a logo is the way to go. Whatever you do, don’t leave this blank and have robo picture as the filler!
   

   Robot = bad; Self portrait =good

4. Organize your images in Sets (think of Sets as Albums). Whether the Sets are ‘personal & professional’, ‘residential & commercial’, choose a system that works for you and stick with it.
5. Be selective when choosing the thumbnail to represent each Set. Decide on your best image and make that your main Set image.
   a. You can do this by going to Organize & Create > Your Sets > Click on the Set to edit > drag your preferred thumbnail image into the left column and place it over the current thumbnail > SAVE!
6. Join groups that relate to your content whether it is as large as “Travel” to as specific as “Sunsets at Imperial Beach”.
7. Contribute regularly to your groups. Not only should you add your own pictures but also be sure to comment on others’ images; it’s key to building relationships on flickr. Why should people comment on yours if do not return the love?
8. Regularly check the discussion threads on your groups and see if you can add valuable information. For example, if you’re a member of the “Leaf Peepers, New England Group” and a discussion is started regarding weather in Stowe and you live there, add a quick weather report. Even give a little overview on what the leaves currently look like.
9. Add people you like/admire as contacts. By doing this you are building a rapport with these folks and will get updates when they add new images.
   a. If they add you as a contact too you are able to send them updates of your latest images. Just remember not to abuse this feature. Your contacts don’t need updates on every photoshoot you do. Save this function for special images.
10. Utilize the tagging feature. Be sure to describe your image well as this helps others find your work.
    a. Here’s an example. The image below is of Alcazar Garden in Balboa Park. These are the tags I chose to go with the image: alcazar garden, balboa park, flower, san diego, winter, Amy, Wise-Bacis, fine art prints, fine art, www.amywisebacis.com, photography, art, travel, tips, techniques, all rights reserved, copyright, ©Amy Wise -Bacis
11. Add a title to each image. I know this is a pain in the rear but “Raining Fire” is a lot sexier and more interesting than “_IMG_4392”.
12. Watermark your images. People seem to think that anything on the web is fair game. The most valuable asset a photographer has is his/her images (and the rights to them) – don’t get lazy on managing their safety!

Definite Don’ts

Veins of Life, San Diego, CA

1. Don’t post a public gallery of images of you and your drunk friends from last weekend. Flickr allows you to mark sets and even individual images as private or only viewable to friends/family. Be sure to use this feature. Nothing says amateur-hour like inappropriate images on a site you use for business.
   a. This doesn’t mean that you cannot have pictures of you on a photoshoot or capturing special family moments- just use some judgment on what’s appropriate.
2. Don’t use flickr as a dumping ground for every image you have ever taken! Just because you took 350 images on your last photoshoot doesn’t mean you have to post all of them. If three of the images rock, only post three! I cannot push this point enough. Only show your best work!
3. Don’t join 50 groups and post your own work without commenting on others’ work.
4. Don’t try to sell a product or service. This is an uber no-no and is against flickr’s rules. If you have a cool product shot and someone is interested, trust me, they will contact you.
   a. As tempting as it may be to slip in a sales pitch in a forum, don’t do it! The only time it’s ok to sell your service is if someone asked for recommendations.
   b. Not only is there a “nofollow” tag that was implemented last year but you can be removed from the group for abuse.
5. Don’t poo-poo others. If someone is looking for critiques then provide them with well thought out constructive criticism. Saying, your work sucks, isn’t going to help anyone.

If there are flickr tips that you would like to share, be sure to comment on this post or visit me at facebook and leave your tips there.

Happy Shooting!

There are so many blogs out there to help you prepare for shooting your first wedding, or perhaps give you tips on how to improve your current strategy. In this blog I’ll present tips that don’t always get touched upon. Some of these topics may seem a little silly, but they are there because I’ve encountered them or worked with photographers who have.

1. Always have a contract- even for friends, even if it’s a trade. I know this may sound harsh but there are too many things that can go wrong and you are responsible for covering both you and the happy couple!
Some items to include:

i. Hourly rate for going over paid-hours. If you are in fact getting paid, state in the contract that you will stay past the agreed end-time for an additional $150/hr (as an example).

ii. Being fed. People probably laugh at this, but I promise that when you’re on your eighth hour of non-stop shooting, a nice warm meal is precious. Include it in your contract so you don’t end up with a “sorry, we didn’t pay extra for staff”.

iii. You are the main photographer! This means that if Uncle Bob, ‘camera extraordinaire’, thinks he’s going to be running the show, you have the written word that you are in charge.

iv. Timeline to order prints. If prints are included in your package, be sure to give a deadline that they must order by, say six months. Why? Because, if you quote on 2010 printing costs and they take five years to order, I guarantee that prices have increased. I learned this the hard way and I’m going on several years with one bride!

v. Treatment of the photographer. As a female photographer, this item is very good to have in writing. Let’s face it, one of the great things about weddings is the open bar! This also leads to ‘friendly’ men with loose hands. Most of the time a polite ‘no’ will suffice but when it doesn’t, have that signed contract stating that the bride and groom are responsible for their guests. This item should also cover those times when drunk guests think it’s funny to throw others in the pool!

2. What to Wear

a. Business suit- preferably black. You are not there to stand out, but rather blend in. When the newlyweds get their images and say, “oh my God, how did you get those images- I never even saw you!” you know you did a great job!

b. Comfortable shoes that have a fresh coat of polish. Also, be sure the soles are a fairly soft rubber so they don’t clank or squeak when you walk across a very quiet church floor.

c. Belt. Wearing one allows you to strap small bags to your belt so you can carry memory cards, batteries, business cards, etc.

d. Keep the hair pulled back! Don’t risk being out on the dance floor getting awesome shots just to have your own hair fall in front of the lens.

3. Shot List. Always have the bride and groom provide a list of must-have shots. Example: MOB (Sally Smith), Bob (mom’s boyfriend), bride/groom; parents & bride/groom shot but separate parents on either side of bride/groom; etc.
This will save you a great deal of stress and ensure that you get the necessary shots, especially if time is limited. And yes, if you do enough weddings you will see notes on who cannot be in the same shot with another (divorcees often retain unreconciled hostilities).

4. Find out what restrictions the ceremony and reception sites place on photographers. Many churches do not allow you to pass a certain point at the front of the church or even stand in the center aisle. Flash is another big issue, particularly if you’re shooting in a venue that has art. The flash can damage paintings, tapestries, etc., or just be seen as a distraction to the minister. You need to know how to shoot all types of lighting situations and be prepared for everything.

5. Where to keep your bags. You definitely don’t want to spend the entire wedding lugging around all your gear. For the ceremony, I wear two cameras around my neck with varying lenses and fill my belt bags with needed items. Once I arrive at the reception I immediately head to the DJ to discuss the timeline and make sure we’re in-sync. I also ask to leave my gear hidden under his table. It’s obviously not foolproof but I’ve never had problems.

6. Rent an external high-capacity battery to power your flash. Renting an external battery that allows you to fire rapidly is key for weddings. You cannot afford to miss the first kiss, exchanging the rings, or lighting the candle. Standard batteries in your flash will not recycle the power fast enough.

7. Party like a rock star…or not. Often times people start their wedding photography career by shooting family, co-workers’, or friends’ weddings. As tempting as it is to go out and party with the group, don’t forget that if you get sloppy drunk and lose their images, it’s all on you. My advice… politely bow out, go straight home, and backup your images immediately. The last thing you want to do the day after the wedding is explain how your car got broken into and all your gear, including their images, was stolen.



Every wedding is different and will present different obstacles, but this list gives you a good starting point. No matter how stressed out you get, remember to remain calm, be professional, and remain in control. People often start out in wedding photography thinking that it’s easy money, but be warned, it’s hard work!

Please feel free to leave questions in the comments field. Also, get helpful tips by becoming a fan of Amy Wise-Bacis Photography on facebook.com.

To checkout my fine art landscape photography, please visit me at AmyWiseBacis.com



Happy Shooting!

Photographing at night can be an awesome and frustrating experience. What you see with your eyes can sometimes be difficult to capture with your camera. Often this is caused by light pollution and even moonlight. Have you ever noticed those pesky sodium lamps you see on the outside of buildings, on piers, over streets, etc.? They give off a very yellow/orange tone that can destroy your image. This is just one example of light pollution, but it can also come from sky glow (light given off by an entire city), glare, light trespass, etc. For anyone who has ever tried to capture the stars from their backyard, you probably encountered several forms of light pollution.

Look at the image to the left of downtown San Diego from the Ferry Landing on Coronado Island. The image has an odd orange-yellow color caused by the exterior building and pier lights (or sodium lamps). This image is straight from the camera with no manipulation and the white balance set to Auto. It’s clear that the camera did not understand the surroundings when set to Auto White Balance. For those unfamiliar with white balance, think of it as your camera’s color mixture tool that decides how much red, green, and blue goes into your image. If you want to really get into white balance, checkout Wikipedia’s definition.

Here are a few options to deal with artificial lighting:

1. Set your camera’s white balance to a cooler setting like Tungsten (in most cameras, even point-n-shoot cameras, this setting is represented by a ‘light bulb’). To take it one-step further, dSLR users can choose the exact color temperature (in Kelvin degrees) you want. Say that you set your camera to Tungsten but it came out too cool. Try choosing the manual white balance setting and use something warmer, like 4000 Kelvin (Tungsten is approximately 3200). This is actually a fun technique to learn because you can create unique imagery, both day and night, by manipulating the color temperature.


San Diego Skyline- this time with the white balance adjusted in Lightroom

2. Photograph your scene with your camera’s white balance set on ‘Auto’ and shoot in RAW (not JPG) so you can easily change the white balance later in programs like Photoshop and Lightroom. Notice how the image (to the right) now has a much cooler temperature. That’s because I brought the temperature down to 2532° and increased the tint toward magenta (versus toward green) to help balance the yellow/orange cast in the original image.
3. Reposition yourself to eliminate the light pollution. This may mean finding a spot where a light has blown out or even choosing a different perspective entirely. This is not always an option, particularly in this situation where I wanted both the pier and beach in my image. Nevertheless, always check your surroundings for other opportunities- there just might be a better image elsewhere.

Now onto one of my favorite types of night lighting – the moon! When most people hear of photographers going out on a full moon they assume that the goal is to capture the moon. For me, it’s the opposite. Moon shots have always frustrated me because they are so difficult to capture well. I like to use the moon as my light source to cast shadows and create a very cool effect.

Take for example the image below from Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California.

I used the moon to illuminate the scene and cast shadows between the rocks to provide dimension and depth. By using a shutter speed of 519 seconds, I completely smoothed out the clouds that were present and created a Star Trek-like sky.

Let’s look at another image from Joshua Tree with the moon hidden behind some clouds.

To create this very surreal image I used the moon as my glowy light in the sky and my headlamp (set on incandescent) to illuminate the trees. My shutter speed for this image was 134 seconds, which gave more detail to my cloudy sky and made a great backdrop for the scene.

I hope that this blog inspires you to get out there and try something new. Get creative when you shoot. Whether it’s using moonlight, street lights, or even a headlamp, get out there and experiment.

Before you go, keep these tips in mind:

1. Always use a tripod!
2. Keep your ISO low (I don’t like going above 200)
3. Watch the wind! When doing long exposures even the slightest breeze can ruin your image. Experiment with it and always do multiple images!
4. Pay attention to clipped shadows. Remember when we discussed the histogram on your camera? If you have a histogram that is flush-left, you have straight black! This means that a lot of detail is lost and you need to expose your image longer.
5. The moon is bright enough to cause blown highlights, especially when doing long exposures. Again, refer to the lesson on reading your histogram.
6. When shooting at night you will most likely need to focus manually because your camera cannot see enough of the scene to focus for you. To save yourself time and frustration, set your camera’s ISO very high (1600 plus!). Take a quick picture, zoom in on your LCD screen and make sure it’s sharp. Now, change your ISO to something under 400 (preferably under 200) and take your final image.

To learn more tips and techniques, be sure to follow me on twitter and facebook!



Happy shooting!

Things are looking up for you. You’re no longer taking snapshots and your photos are getting wide praise from family, friends, and even a few flickr followers. Better yet, people have expressed interest in purchasing your prints. Having never sold art before, you’re not quite sure how to proceed. I’m going to give some wise wisdom on do’s, don’ts and things to consider.



Tip 1 that should NEVER be broken: Don’t low-ball your images! It’s so very tempting to cut corners on quality and price your work low just so you can make the sell, but it’s a huge mistake. By lowering your prices you are lowering the entire fine art print industry!

Here’s an example: If a shopper sees two similar looking images, Johnny’s image that is $100 and Kim’s that is $15, nine times out of 10 they will go for Kim’s simply because it’s cheap and the content is similar. Little does the shopper know that Kim is clueless when it comes to paper and ink and went to Costco to get her images printed. All the while, Johnny uses 100% cotton rag photo paper with pigment-based archival ink that can easily last 100 years. He also uses acid-free matte board and backing board. Kim has no idea what I just said and will be lucky if her image hasn’t faded after 3 years. This is not meant to be a slam on Kim- after all, she hasn’t read this blog post . A good image deserves quality presentation, quality worth paying for.

The second point under Tip 1 is that you will set precedence if you price your artwork low. I speak from experience on this one. (FYI, this is true for commercial, residential, and fine art print photography). My thought was, if I give Company X a great deal I will get more business and can gradually build my pricing from there. What actually happened was that when I needed to raise my prices (and be able to pay rent), they freaked when they saw the estimate. Trust me on this one, put in the leg work in the beginning and figure out a sound pricing strategy.

Tip 2 – know what your art is worth. The first time someone said this to me I got irritated because I had no idea what my work was worth and was at a loss to figure it out. And now I get to offer the same advice to you (ahh, life is cruel). Let’s think of it logically. The first thing logic will tell you is to calculate your costs.
Checkout the numbers below for a ready-to-deliver print at 12”x18”:

Paper cost for one print- $6. This is using a 100% cotton photo rag paper AND getting it perfect the first time. Pay attention to this: every sheet of paper costs $6! This means that when your printer profile is wrong and the colors look off, every mistake will cost $6. Imagine flushing money down the toilet…a bad print feels just as miserable.

Ink Cost – $2.50. This can vary quite a bit depending on the printer and how many times you mess up! Remember, if you mess up a print it will cost $6 + $2.50 = $8.50!

Foam Board - $1. Be sure to protect your prints and always deliver the print with a backing.

Protective Sleeve – $0.75. Always use protective sleeves with your images.

Total using your own printer (professional-grade): $10.25 (don’t assume this is the better way to go because it’s cheaper. Printing your own work can be costly and overwhelming. Remember that you’ll need to invest in the equipment and its upkeep as well.)

Total using online print house: $30-35

*Don’t forget, in order to get those low prices you will need to buy in bulk so plan on storing 25 sheets of huge foam board, several hundred plastic sleeves, etc.

Now for the tough part. How do you price your creative ability and what it took to get that killer image? Have you been doing photography seriously for 15 years and have $30,000 worth of equipment that you use to capture your images? Are you more of a novice with an entry-level DSLR who got lucky with that photo people want to purchase? And don’t forget to factor in where you live and how much it costs to actually run an art business in that area.



Tip 3: Look at other artists’ work that is similar to yours, visit galleries, understand what the market can bare, checkout photographers online to get an idea of what ‘industry professionals’ are charging. Remember, looking at what Kim is charging will not help you in your quest. Also, always compare apples to apples. For example, my paper of choice is Hahnemuhle Fine Art Pearl photo rag paper because I think it’s the best. Comparing my pricing using Hahnemuhle to someone using a cheap paper will only cause issues with your own pricing strategy. Remember, the difference between what Johnny and Kim are selling is night and day.



Tip 4: Don’t forget that the creativity to capture your image must be built-in to the price. This means that you cannot say that because 8×10s are so small that you are going to arbitrarily price them at $25. You need to consider what went in to getting that image. If all you did was take a picture in your backyard and it took about two minutes, then maybe $25 is accurate. However, if you traveled to a remote location to view a truly once-in-a-lifetime event and captured it beautifully, $25 is probably not enough. Remember, this event will never happen again and you are the one who captured it! Your base price must start higher to reflect the value of the image. Once you have established your base, you can increase from there.

Still unsure of what your work is worth? Or perhaps you are not even sure if it’s worth trying to sell. There are many professional photographers out there who will review your work. Find someone in your field (i.e. landscape, street, underwater photography) and ask how much he/she charges for a review session.

I’m sure you’ll probably have a ton of questions, so by all means, ask away! There is so much to cover on this topic, but the tips listed above should be top on your list.

Happy shooting (and printing!)

To learn more tips and techniques, be sure to follow me on twitter and facebook!

Take a browse through my website site to see my latest images.