i always get a lot of questions as a photographer and one of the most common questions i’m asked is how i learned to edit. one of the game changing moments in my journey as a photographer was learning how to use lightroom and photoshop. and when i decided to learn lightroom and photoshop, i was very intentional about it. i always tell photographers to work hard, but to work even harder during the off season. the off season, for me, is during january and february, when i take on less sessions and am able to dedicate more time to learning about photography. taking the time to learn is very important. i even dedicate one hour every week to learning something new, whether it is through reading a photography blog, a photography book or picking up my camera to try something new. and it’s just one little hour, but there is so much to learn when you take a little time.
last january, i decided to take the entire month off from photography sessions so i could dedicate my time towards learning lightroom and photoshop. i told my clients i would be back in february, and immediately got to work learning lightroom and photoshop. it was really important to me that i started off the new year of sessions editing in lightroom. there are two books that made my goal of learning lightroom and photoshop so incredibly easy and i am going to tell you all about them!
to learn more about my story, be sure to read about my photography journey.
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How To Learn Lightroom + Photoshop
.jpg "How To Learn Lightroom + Photoshop | Bethadilly Photography")
the books i am going to tell you about today are amazing and are just what you need if you have a goal of tackling the task of learning lightroom and photoshop. the reason why i love these books so much is because they have lessons and exercises throughout the book to help you understand what some of the buttons in the software do. and trust me, lightroom and photoshop have a lot of buttons! not only do these books tell you about all the helpful features of the editing software, but they actually have you interacting with the features and using them during the lessons. i don’t know about you, but i am a very hands on learner. i learn so much better when i am doing. my eyes go cross-eyed when i am just reading, but when i am actually doing a lesson and working in the software, it is so much easier for me to learn and to remember how to do something.
okay, so let’s talk about what these books are:
to learn lightroom 5: adobe photoshop lightroom 5: classroom in a book written by the adobe creative team
to learn photoshop: adobe photoshop cc: classroom in a book written by the adobe creative team
there is also another book geared for photographers that i have on my wishlist, but haven’t purchased yet:
for photographers: adobe lightroom and photoshop for photographers classroom in a book written by jan kabili
.jpg "How To Learn Lightroom + Photoshop | Bethadilly Photography")
after buying these books, i sat down and planned out my “curriculum schedule.” i did about 2 chapters and their lessons per day, and before i knew it i was becoming more and more familiar with lightroom and photoshop. more importantly, i noticed how comfortable i was navigating through the software while practicing my edits. now remember, you can read these books and complete the lessons at your own pace. these books really are a dream come true. before i knew it, i was editing my very first professional family session in lightroom and i was loving it! and the difference was so noticable! not only was i creating beautiful images out of camera, but i was able to edit them appropriately with the right software and take them to another level, using the lightroom tools i had learned about. lightroom just offers so many options for editing and i recommend this software to anyone, whether you are photographing as a professional or as a hobbyist. like i said before, lightroom was a game changer for me.
i should also mention that i completed the lightroom book before i started the photoshop book. there is no right or wrong way to do this, you can start either book first. for me, i primarily edit in lightroom and only use photoshop for specific fixes, so it was natural for me to want to start learning more about lightroom first since that is where i do most of my edits.
.jpg "How To Learn Lightroom + Photoshop | Bethadilly Photography")
so if you are looking to start your journey with lightroom and photoshop, or if you are already learning the software and you want to improve your understanding and comfort with it, i encourage you to try these books. they made learning the software and how to navigate it so easy! as i started reading them, i highlighted along the way and put tabs everywhere! to this day, the lightroom and photoshop books stay on my desk for quick reference, if needed, while i am editing! the books talk about everything from how you should be importing your professional photos, how to organize them, and helpful tools for editing.
please note: the versions that i linked are the textbook versions that i purchased when learning photoshop and lightroom. there may be newer versions of these books out, so be sure to purchase the latest version! i believe the current versions are:
for lightroom 5: adobe photoshop lightroom 5: classroom in a book written by the adobe creative team {same version i own}
for photoshop: adobe photoshop cc classroom in a book written by andrew faulkner {released in 2014}
also, be sure you are purchasing the right book for your software, so if you have an older version of the software, be sure you search for the correct corresponding book!
to read more photography tutorials, be sure to check out what posts are trending below!
.jpg "How To Learn Lightroom + Photoshop | Bethadilly Photography")
when i decided to start my very first 365 photography project last year on january 1st, i made myself a promise. i promised myself that if i finished my project by taking one photo every day for an entire year, i would have a 365 photo book made with all my photos in it. well i finished! i finished my photography project, i designed the book, and it arrived on my doorstep last week.
want to start a 365 photography project? check out the daily prompts for the bethadilly challenge to help get you started!
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My Photography Project 365 Photo Book
.jpg "My Photography Project 365 Photo Book | Bethadilly Photography")
when trying to decide who to make my 365 photo book through, i knew i wanted it to be really nice and classic. when i saw the books by artifact uprising, i was instantly sold. i had worked so hard all year long on photographing my 365 project and i wanted a nice 365 photo book to display my images in.
.jpg "My Photography Project 365 Photo Book | Bethadilly Photography")
from the moment i opened up the box, there was a rush of emotions upon first seeing my final book. i remembered all the days that it was really hard to take a photo, but i picked up my camera anyways. i remembered the type of photographer i was on the first day of my project in january, and how she changed into the photographer i am today. i remembered all of the friends i’ve made along the way with my 365 photography project, and how their encouragement kept me going. i remembered the way i felt on december 31, 2014, when i took my final project photo. all of the memories began, before even opening the 365 photo book.
.jpg "My Photography Project 365 Photo Book | Bethadilly Photography")
it was important to me to write a little note on the very first page of my 365 photo book. i wrote it not only to document the year and the project, but to tell a little short story about what this book holds. i guess i envision my future children stumbling upon it one day, whether it be in a box in the attic or on our family bookshelf. i envision them opening it up and learning a little something about their mom from the short story on the very first page to the story that each and every picture tells.
.jpg "My Photography Project 365 Photo Book | Bethadilly Photography")
as i was designing my 365 photo book, i poured just as much love into the details of each page as i did to the 365 pictures that are on them. i wanted the photos to be in the exact order that i took them, with the number of the day above or below it. and as i turn the pages from the very first photo to the very last, it astonishes me how much i can see my growth as a photographer. i learned so much about composition, editing, and camera skill, and my growth is very evident as you continue to turn the pages toward the end of the book. and even though my beginning photos are not as amazing as the photos i took towards the end of the year, i am so darn proud of those imperfect photos. every photo, especially the beginning ones, were a learning moment for me. i learned what worked and what didn’t work with the various elements of photography and i grew from it. i grew from every mistake.
.jpg "My Photography Project 365 Photo Book | Bethadilly Photography")
not only does this 365 photo book tell a story about my growth as a photographer, but each photo tells a story about a particular day in my life. as i turn each page, a memory comes back. a memory of where i was and how i felt when i took each picture. there are pictures that i giggle at because i remember spending over an hour trying to perfect it. there are pictures that show emotion or just capture a part of my everyday. there are pictures that bring back memories of certain life moments, both the happy and the sad.
like the picture of me wearing a special hat that one day in september, honoring a special family member that we lost too soon last year. or the photo of the cupcake with a candle in it, capturing the day i celebrated my very first year in business. while someone else may pick up this 365 photo book a not know the importance of each photo, there is a story behind each photograph that means something to me. its amazing how one picture can hold so many memories. it’s a beautiful thing. it is like i created a journal of my entire year, except i used pictures instead of words.
.jpg "My Photography Project 365 Photo Book | Bethadilly Photography")
this final book is the reason why i worked so hard on my 365 photography project last year. i dreamed of it every day, as just the thought of it encouraged me to pick up my camera on the hardest of days. not only did this one book encourage me to finished my first 365 photography project, but it also encouraged me to continue documenting my everyday. i guess i have this little dream of having a whole bookshelf of these books someday, each documenting one year of my life. it is a gift that i am doing for myself and for my future family. it is also a gift that i am doing for my skill as a photographer, as picking up my camera every day continues to teach me something new with every picture that i take.
.jpg "My Photography Project 365 Photo Book | Bethadilly Photography")
i used artifact uprising to design and print my 365 photography project book. to follow me on my journey as i photograph my everyday and complete my second 365 photography project, be sure to follow me on instagram! and if you would like to join in on a 365 photography project, come join me in the bethadilly challenge! it’s never too late to start documenting your everyday! make today the day you start.
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you are such an inspiration! I am so proud to have mad it 23 days into my 365 and I too dream about the book in the end. I hope to grow and learn as much as you – but mostly I just hope to find my style and document my family and my everyday life. I’ll definitely turn to you for motivation/inspiration when I have tough days and lack motivation and ideas.ReplyCancel
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I love it! I’m hoping that with my first project 365 this year, I will be able to figure out my style as a photographer as well. I hope to see as much growth in my photography skills as well as my editing skills (which I have so much room for improvement in ツ ). I absolutely adore your work! You are so inspiring and such a talented photographer and blogger ツReplyCancel
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I love this. I started my first project 365 on January 1st, a very emotional journey as this will be the year I lose my father, my first photograph was a picture of him. I want to have a memory of every day, no matter what the photo, I just need a visual reminder that even when I feel lost, I still have my camera and that makes me feel alive xReplyCancel
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I just have to say that you have encourage me to start my first challenge. As I read your words is like I see myself; and my hope is to find my stile and vision of my photos. Saying all that I always ask myself (this might be a silly question) you take does pictures of you white a nice a beautiful background? Thanks for sharing your journey with us.ReplyCancel
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Beth thank you so much for this post. You inspired me to join instagram and now I follow you! I have one question and hard as I tried I can’t find the answer…My instagram is set up ( I need to add a profile picture) BUT I don’t know how to get the top portion of the page to have the images scaled different sizes and have images scroll/rotate. My top portion above the profile picture is gray — How do I install the images above the profile picture? Thank you so much for helping! Your bright, clean, fun images make my day! CarmodyReplyCancel
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I love this idea for what to do with your photos at the end of the year. I have thought about how I would organize mine but never really thought about just putting them in order. Since my book is about growth in my photography skills this seems like a no brainer. Thanks for the idea and the inspiration.ReplyCancel
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you should definitely put them in order! when my husband looked through my final book, he was amazed at how evident it was that my photography skills improved last year! it is really need to look back upon, memory wise, as well because then your photos are in the same order as the months and days!ReplyCancel
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beth, your project is just so perfect. as i started my very first 365 this year i keep finding myself reading your posts for inspiration. i know that when it’s all said and done i will see incredible growth in my work, but more than that I will have documented my life. thank you for keeping me on my toes. 🙂ReplyCancel
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right after i purchased my very first dslr, i invested in a good camera bag. before anything else, i invested in a bag that would support my gear while i was out and about. i cannot stress enough how important it is to buy a good bag that will properly support your camera and your gear. if you are going to spend the money on a good camera and fun lenses, why wouldn’t you buy a bag that will keep it properly protected? when i first started researching camera bags, i wanted a bag that would be able to hold my dslr and a couple lenses, plus my everyday purse items. more importantly, i wanted a bag that didn’t look like a camera bag. i wanted a bag that would take the place of my purse, but also happened to hold a variety of camera equipment if you peeked inside! and, let me tell you, everyone is always surprised when i tell them that my bag is not just a purse, but a camera bag too! here is a little peek at my camera bags and why i love them.
photographing my everyday is one of my passions. to inspire your everyday photography, be sure to read the everyday photograph.
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My Camera Bags
.jpg "My Camera Bags | Bethadilly Photography")
the answer to my camera bag dreams was kelly moore. not only do the bags properly protect my camera gear when i am on the go, but they don’t look like a camera bag. i absolutely love them and have three kelly moore bags that i use regularly, each bag serving a different purpose. to see more information about these bags and why i love them, take a peek below! each bag will be featured seperately and i removed the removable dividers that are inside the purse to give you an idea of what can fit inside!
{click here to read about what photography gear i own and love!}
.jpg "My Camera Bags | Bethadilly Photography")
the kate bag.
i love using the kate bag when i go to my professional photo sessions. in the photo above, you can see that this bag holds my nikon d610 with my nikon 50mm 1.8 lens attached, plus two additional lenses. one of the main reasons why i love this bag is that it also fits my 13 inch retina macbook pro. i love that i can pack up my laptop along with my gear and be sure that it is all property protected. the kate bag has a cross body strap that is essential for me. i love to wear my bag across my body during photo sessions because, not only does it keep my bag with me at all times, but it also leaves my hands free for photographing.
the kate bag also has a variety of zipped pockets throughout the bag that helps to keep business cards, client contracts, and personal items like wallets and lip gloss all organized. to read more about the kate bag, please visit my blog post “meet kate.”
.jpg "My Camera Bags | Bethadilly Photography")
the two sues bag.
this mustard yellow bag was my very first camera bag, and i still use it regularly to this day. i have had this bag for two years and it still looks beautiful! as you can see above, the two sues bag can hold my nikon d610 with my nikon 50mm 1.8 lens attached plus two additional lenses. i also love the deep pockets in the front of the bag. i usually place extra batteries, memory cards, and business cards in the front pockets since they can be quickly and easily accessed. the two sues bag also has a cross body strap that makes carrying it comfortable and convenient during photo sessions. i also love the beautiful mustard yellow color because it makes it easy for clients to find me on their session day. i always tell my clients, “i have curly blonde hair and i will be carrying a yellow bag!” clients can always find me really quickly when i meet them on location.
the two sues bag also zips on the top, which i love. i love that i can zip it up if it starts raining, or if i just want extra protection for my gear. to read even more about the two sues, click on over to my previous post “my sidekick in mustard yellow.” of all my camera bags, this one is my favorite.
.jpg "My Camera Bags | Bethadilly Photography")
the esther bag.
i love to use this bag when i am traveling. this bag can hold my nikon d610 with my nikon 50mm 1.8 lens attached plus two additional lenses. i really like to use the esther bag when i travel because it can also hold my laptop. i love that it zips on the top, so i can add a little more security to my belongings while i am on the go. yet the pockets on the side allow me to have a quick and easy place to store my cell phone or boarding documents without having to open up the main section of the bag. the only thing that i wish the esther bag had was the cross-body strap. because my gear and laptop can get rather heavy, it is tiring to carry it around with just the handles alone, even though i can carry the bag on my shoulder. other than the lack of a longer strap, i really like this bag and it’s classic look. again, this is a great example of a camera bag that simply looks like a purse.
shopping for my camera bags was so much fun, so enjoy it as you look for your perfect bag! every photographer carries different gear and has different needs in a camera bag, so make sure you are choosing a bag that will work best for you and your needs.
things to think about when shopping for a camera bag
1. what camera gear do you carry regularly? make sure that you are looking at bags that will comfortably and properly store all the gear you carry with you regularly. sometimes it is helpful to put all of the gear that you would ideally like to carry in your bag out on your desk, so you can get a visual of what gear you are packing.
2. would you also like to carry your laptop, along with your camera gear? for me, i don’t carry my laptop along to my photography sessions, but i like the option of being able to carry it if i want to head to the coffee shop to blog or when traveling.
3. how do you like to carry your bag, over the shoulder or cross-body? is it easier for you to carry your bag with a particular strap? i prefer cross-body straps, as they allow me to easily and comfortably carry my bag while leaving my hands free to focus on my camera. i also like that my camera bag is always with me and i can move quickly throughout a session, without having to stop and set down or pick up my bag. think about what works best for you!
4. do you need quick access to certain things like car keys, cell phone, or batteries that are separated from your gear? personally, i think it is nice to have outside pockets or separate areas for those items that i need frequently, like my phone or car keys. i also like these items to be away from my equipment, both for easy access and additional camera protection. be sure to think about what it is that you actually carry in your purse and make sure that your future camera bag offers you enough organization and pockets to fit your must-have items!
are you excited to shop for your camera bag yet? well get going! and don’t forget to have fun! thanks for stopping by my blog today! be sure to stay awhile and browse my photography posts! i might just have an answer to your question! and if you really like what you see, be sure to subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss out on my future tips and tricks!
to read more photography tutorials, be sure to check out what posts are trending below!
.jpg "My Camera Bags | Bethadilly Photography")
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After researching camera bags for several months I thought I had narrowed it down to the B-Hobo bag by Kelly Moore or the Abby bag by Jo Totes. As luck would have it, a local camera shop carries Kelly Moore so I went over on a field trip and took my camera, 50mm lens, and 18-250mm lens to see how they fit and how easily it’d be to get a camera in and out on the fly. To my utter surprise, I fell totally in LOVE with the Two Sue’s bag by Kelly Moore and in mustard (which is normally not part of my color wheel). I was between it and the Ester bag (same color you have – it’s just dreamy) but the cross body strap was a deal breaker for me for exactly the reasons you cited. I’ve had my bag just over a week and am loving it so far! Excellent review and thank you for sharing your bag choices!ReplyCancel
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hello jody! i have heard that as well, but mine has held up very well! the back side of it has a little blue tint to it from rubbing on my dark denim jeans, haha! but it’s only slight and other than that i have been really impressed! mine is almost 2 years old in march and is still my favorite! 😉 happy camera bag shopping! let me know if you have any other questions about the two sues!ReplyCancel
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one of the most common questions i am asked is, “what photography gear do you use?” or “what is your go-to lens?” i love talking about my gear and i will be answering those questions today! from what gear i use at professional photography sessions to what gear i use for iphoneography, you will find a lot of fun goodies in this post today! thanks for stopping by + enjoy!
photographing my everyday is one of my passions. to inspire your everyday photography, be sure to read the everyday photograph.
this post contains affiliate links. thank you in advance for supporting {beth} a-dilly photography!
My Photography Gear
.jpg "My Photography Gear | Bethadilly Photography")
1. nikon d610 i purchased the nikon d610 camera body in november 2014 and have been in love with it ever since. i use my nikon d610 for both professional and personal photography, and it is my primary camera. i would recommend this camera to anyone and everyone, as i am very happy with it. my favorite features on the nikon d610 are the lcd display on the top of the camera body and the ability to have two memory cards in the camera at the same time. the ability to have two memory cards in the camera at the same time is very helpful during sessions, as you can set up the second memory card as either a back up card or you can have it ready to roll over photos onto it if you fill up your first card. and i am one of those photographers that takes a lot of photos during sessions, so i am always filling up one memory card and rolling onto the next. this saves me time during the session, as i don’t have to stop and put in a new memory card. i can just continue photographing my clients, without pause.
2. nikon d600 my nikon d600 is the camera that i started my photography business with and now it serves as my backup camera. it is basically the same camera as my nikon 610, with only a few minor differences. i didn’t realize how productive having a second camera body was until i had one. not only do i have a backup just in case something happens to my primary camera, but i can also put different lenses on each camera during the same photo shoot and switch back and forth quickly and effortlessly. i love not having to stop and switch out lenses and usually keep my lensbaby composer pro sweet 35 on my backup camera for the times when i want to get really creative with a photo. it’s just one of those things that saves me some time.
3. nikon battery grip having a battery grip offers a lot of convenience when photographing. the battery grip can be quickly installed on the bottom of your camera, and you can take it on and off as you please. i quickly put the grip on my camera when needed and then take it off when storing my camera. it is so easy! the grip offers more comfort and ease of use when you want to turn your camera to take a portrait photo, giving you a firm grip and additional shutter button for quickly taking photos. it also holds another battery so you have a battery backup in place. this works great for back to back sessions or for when you are traveling. it makes the camera comfortable to hold, while saving you time in changing out new batteries.
4. sigma 50mm f1.4 lens this is the best photography purchase i have made, to date. i love my sigma 50mm f1.4 lens so much and it honestly lives on my camera. i never take this lens off because it works perfectly for photographing both professionally and personally. the low aperture is stunning and i love creating bokeh with this lens. this lens really helps me to get a variety of photography styles, just my raising and lowering the aperture during photography sessions. i can lower the aperture and get beautiful up close photos of an individual with a pretty background blur and then raise the aperture in order to capture a beautiful group photo with everyone in focus. i could talk about this lens all day long so if you are looking for a great lens that can do a little bit of everything, the sigma 50mm f1.4 is your lens. i am commonly asked what my go-to lens is, and this is definitely it.
5. nikon 50mm f1.8 lens this lens was my very first 50mm and i really love the low aperture of this lens. because it is so little in size and very light in weight, this is a great lens to keep in your photography bag. i actually always carry this lens in my photography bag as a backup during photography sessions, just in case something happens with my sigma 50mm f1.4. you can never be too careful! the nikon 50mm f1.8 is a prime lens, so you have to physically move closer to your subject when photographing. to be honest, all the lenses i primarily use are prime lenses and it is really easy to get into the habit of moving closer and further away from your subject, rather than having the lens zoom in or out for you. this is definitely a great lens, and has a great price.
6. lensbaby composer pro sweet 35 this lens is so much fun to use! i love the creativity that can be achieved with this lens. while this lens takes a little while to master, it is totally worth the practice time! the lensbaby composer pro sweet 35 is my very first lensbaby lens, but it will not be my last. i love that this lens helps create images that are different and alluring. if you are looking for a way to get more creative with your photography, i would definitely recommend this lens. i feel like lensbaby images are the types of images that make you want to take a second look because you can create some fascinating emotion with this lens. this is a great first lensbaby lens to try and i can’t wait to add more lensbaby lenses to my collection.
7. nikon 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 when i have a need to use a zoom lens, i use my nikon 24-85mm f3.5-4.5. i think that this is a great everyday lens and is actually really useful when i travel and need a zoom lens to take photos of things that i cannot get close to. for example, when walking around the tidal basin and national mall in washington dc, it is nice to have a zoom lens to be able to get a great photo of the memorials from a further distance away. this was also my primary lens when i first started booking family photography sessions. while the aperture of this lens is not as low as my other lenses, it is a great lens for group and family photos because you can still get everyone in focus.
8. nikon 70-300mm f.4.5-5.6 to be honest, i have never put this lens on my camera. well, maybe once. when i bought my nikon d600 when starting my photography business, this lens came with it. while i haven’t used this lens, i wanted to add it to this post because it is something that is in my lens drawer. i have carried this lens in my camera bag, just in case i needed a larger zoom. the only reason why i never use this lens is because i have never had a need to use a zoom this large.
9. camera strap just as often as i get asked about my favorite lens, i get asked about where i got my camera strap. well, here is the link! i love this camera strap so much. not only is it colorful and fun, but it is also really comfortable to wear. i love the beautiful colors and the woven texture of the strap and my clients are always complimenting me on it. camera straps are a fun way to express your personality as a photographer, so take off that boring strap that came with your camera and buy something fun!
10. batteries i have four batteries for my cameras and carry them in my camera bag as back up. especially during fall season, it is really nice to have extra batteries on hand when doing back to back sessions all day. honestly, the battery lasts a really long time and i am not changing them out too often. but it is really nice to have that peace of mind that i have backups and can get through a weekend of photo sessions without having to recharge them. i recommend always having at least one extra battery in your camera bag at all times. there is nothing worse than getting your camera out to capture a moment, and the battery is toast.
11. memory cards memory cards are something you can never have enough of. i have four memory cards, and i am looking at add at least 2 more before fall season. when i upload photography sessions for editing in lightroom, i always keep the originals on my memory cards. i never delete them off the memory card until the session is edited and mailed to the client. i do this because there is always a chance that your computer can accidentally delete photos, so i like to keep them on the memory cards as backup. and let me tell you, it has happened to me. there was a session that was unrecoverable on my computer, but i still had the photos on my memory card as backup. thank goodness! instead of having to redo a session, i just re-uploaded the photos. not only is it important to have more than one memory card, but make sure you purchase high quality memory cards so they load your photos as fast as you take them. don’t let a cheap and slow memory card be the reason why you didn’t capture a moment! your memory card needs to be able to keep up with your camera.
12. nikon lens pen i always carry a lens pen in my camera bag to clean and touch up my lenses before photography sessions or as needed. if you are going to invest in nice lenses, invest in the lens pen to keep them clean. i use my lens pen before every session to ensure there are no smudges or dust on the lens. there is nothing more annoying than trying to edit out dust!
and that is all the professional equipment that i use, so far! please remember that these are lenses and gear that work for me and my photography style. be sure that you research lenses and purchase what is right for you! also, be sure that the products that you do purchase will actually work with your camera. and as always, take the time to read the reviews! they are a great tool when researching and, many times, the reviews will either talk me into or out of purchasing certain equipment!
.jpg "My Photography Gear | Bethadilly Photography")
let’s talk real quick about iphoneography! i love using my iphone to take photos because, let’s admit it, cell phone cameras are pretty stellar these days! not only do they take quality photos, but they are much smaller and lighter to carry around if you don’t want to pack up your dslr for an outing. and like dslr’s, cell phones have some fun photography accessories.
1. iphone 5 well, first you will need a phone! i currently have the gold iphone 5 and i love the photos it takes! plus, does anyone go anywhere without a cell phone these days? so, i always have a camera handy!
2. olloclip this is the best photography accessory for cell phones. i love the olloclip because it can do so many different things, and it is about the size of a cherry tomato! the olloclip has a macro lens, a wide angle lens and a fish eye lens all in one! there are so many neat photos that you can achieve with the olloclip and it is a must have! if you are looking to boost your photography creativity, you need the olloclip! trust me, you will love everything about it!
3. cell phone tripod mount for those times when you want to be hands free! i love this cell phone tripod mount because it is little, can be quickly installed and is very easy to use. it also holds an impressive grip on my cell phone, ensuring that it is not going to wiggle around. and, when not in use, it folds up and is very small to store. you can easily carry it in your pocket.
.jpg "My Photography Gear | Bethadilly Photography")
and for those of you who want to talk about tripods, i really like my oben. not only is it super easy to use, but i can use it at a variety of adjustable heights. whether i am using it in low light or using it to steady a product photograph, i am very happy with the variety of options that my tripod offers. while i rarely take it to a professional photo session, it really comes in handy when i am photographing indoors or trying to take a self portrait.
as i mentioned before, these products are what work for me and my photography style. i encourage you to do your research when shopping for photography equipment and be sure that the product you choose will be compatible with your camera.
what is your favorite photography product? what is the best purchase you have made, photography-related? i would love to hear what you love! i always love hearing about and shopping for new equipment, so tell me by commenting below!
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need some photography tips + inspiration? check out what posts are trending below.
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[…] what lenses i carry in my bag to newborn sessions for my newborn sessions, i put my sigma 50mm f/1.4 lens on my nikon d610 and my nikon 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 lens on my nikon d600. i love the low aperture of my sigma 50mm f/1.4 lens that allows me to get a sharp focus paired with a smooth surrounding, while my nikon 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 lens allows me to achieve those wide angles that i love for a great pullback photo. and again, i always carry my tripod with me too, just in case i need a steady backup! to read more about what gear i pack for my photography sessions, be sure to check out my post below about what gear is in my photography bag! […]ReplyCancel
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I LOVE your blog!!!! Congrats on your sweet baby on the way! As a mom of 3 I’m so thankful for photography and being able to capture moments that I’d otherwise forget. I would love to know how you get such beautiful white balance! This is one of the many elements I admire about your photography and would love to have the same beautiful bright look in my photos. Thanks!ReplyCancel
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the dreaded photography rut. we have all been there. sometimes it is just hard to get inspiration, and that is okay! what’s not okay is letting that photography rut get the best of you. instead of setting your camera down and giving into that darn rut, take it as an opportunity to get inspired. today i am going to share some tips that you can use to bump up your creativity and dig yourself out of that photography rut! i will give you ideas of what to do the moment you start to feel uninspired!
>>this post contains affiliate links. thank you in advance for supporting {beth} a-dilly photography!<<
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browse photography books for inspiration i have come across some amazing photography books along my photography journey that have inspired me in countless ways. there have been many days that i have been uninspired to photograph and, instead of giving up, i have gone over to my bookshelf and flipped through some inspiration. i love a photography book that inspires me to either photograph a certain item, from a different angle, in a certain location, or to challenge me to even photograph a specific emotion or mood. now, i am sure you are going to ask me what books i love! well, of course i will share! get your notepad and pencil out and write down these books! you are definitely going to want these books on your bookshelf, if they are not already!
inspire by clickin moms
the unforgettable photograph by george lange
a beautiful mess by elsie larson
the design aglow posing guide for family portrait photography by lena hyde
your family in pictures by me ra koh
the design aglow posing guide for wedding photography by lena hyde {it should be noted that i am not a wedding photographer, but this book also focuses on engagement photography and it is fantastic! i learned so many wonderful and helpful tips about engagement photography that have been immensely helpful during my engagement sessions!}
photographing families: tips for capturing timeless images by michele celentano
i also have a few photography books on my wish list that i really want! {hint, hint, handsome hubby!} and they are…
this modern romance: the artistry, technique, and business of engagement photography by stephanie williams
your child in pictures: the parents’ guide to photography your toddler and child from age one to ten by me ra koh
your baby in pictures: the new parents’ guide to photographing your baby’s first year by me ra koh
portrait photography: from snapshots to great shots by erik valind
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try photographing from a variety of angles this is my favorite thing to do when i am in a photography rut. trying different angles is a quick and easy way to get a little inspiration. in the photo above, i got down to eye level with my adorable subject and took the photo as my camera was sitting towards the end of the bed. not only does it make the audience feel like they are right in the room looking at this sleeping puppy, but photographing from lower angles is also a great way to play with leading lines. in this case, the leading lines of the bedding are leading the eye to the subject, which is the puppy.
other angles to try would be photographing your subject from above or from the side. if you are photographing something other than a person, try photographing from below. {trust me. photographing a person from below is so unflattering.} the point is, switch it up and try photographing from different points of view. a great way to do this is to take a subject, like a coffee mug, set it on a table and practice shooting from above, from down low, from the side, up close, and far away. you will be amazing how something as little as an angle can really change the feel of the subject that is being photographed. it’s a different perspective.
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pack up your camera and go somewhere. sometimes i feel like i have photographed everything in my house. and it’s probably because i have. there is nothing that puts me more into a photography rut than feeling like i don’t have anything to photograph. when i feel this way, i pack up my camera and get out of the house. it doesn’t have to be somewhere extravagant and it doesn’t have to cost you any money. sometimes going somewhere means just taking a walk, going to the store, heading to the park, or driving down the road. there is so much inspiration outdoors and in new places. in the photo above, i was simply downtown shopping when i came across this huge arrow. i loved everything about it and took out my camera!
if you are feeling like your top excuse for being uninspired with photography is not knowing what to photograph, you should join me in >>the bethadilly challenge<< where i prove daily prompts to inspire your photography. once you take your photo that inspires the prompt, post it to instagram with the hashtag #thebethadillychallenge so we can all see your lovely work!
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try photographing what intimidates you for me, that’s nature photography in general. i am so intimidated by it! but because i don’t do a lot of nature photography, i tend to try it more when i am uninspired because, well, i would rather spend my time being challenged by something than putting my camera away. if there is something that challenges you with photography, whether it be a subject or a camera setting, practice it! take that moment of feeling uninspired and learn something new or practice a skill. in the photo above, i combined my intimidation for photography with a challenge to try shooting from a different angle to perfect this photo. and, i kinda love it! it’s fun to see what you can create if you simply try something new!
ideas of different types of photography could be photographing people, photographing in low light, photography emotion, photography still life, photographing pets, or photographing motion. the possibilities are endless.
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try new lenses and camera accessories sometimes putting a different lens on your camera can simply boost creativity and inspiration, all at once. different lenses have different perspectives, making creativity endless. and if you like taking pictures with your phone, the olloclip is the best photography accessory there is! if you don’t want to spend money on a new lens, try switching up the modes on your camera and play around with the different features. your camera can do so many things, so let it show itself off! plus, you might just learn something about your camera that you hadn’t known before!
while we are talking about lenses, one of the most frequently asked questions i receive asks what my favorite lens is. without a doubt, my favorite lens is my sigma 50mm f1.4. i love everything about this lens and, from the first moment i put it on my camera, i was completely in love. to be really honest, i don’t ever take it off my camera. as photographer that professionally photographs families and also personally photographs my everyday, this lens is perfect. the low aperture is beautiful and the smooth bokeh that i can create with this lens has me swooning! and if you really want to boost your creativity, a lensbaby is the way to do it! my lensbaby composer pro sweet 35 is so much fun and can help create photos that you can’t help but stare at. definitely check out these lenses if you are lens shopping!
join a photography forum joining a photography forum can really boost your creativity and your inspiration, as you become surrounded by so many people who have the same passion as you! whether you are posting photos to be critiqued, browsing tutorials on how to grow your skill or getting business advice, forums are a great place to be. the photography forum that i recommend to everyone is clickin moms! it is an amazing community that is very inspirational! go ahead and join!
and there you have it! next time you are feeling a little uninspired, try one of these tips! don’t give into that photography rut and don’t set your camera down. keep going! if i am being honestly, some of my best work has been created during times of being uninspired because i encouraged myself to photograph something differently or tried something new.
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Wonderful article, beth a-dilly photography! This is exactly what I needed to read this morning. THANK YOU! And, yes, I am excitedly participating in #thebethadillychallenge! (iamshuttergirl) I’ve been only using my Samsung Galaxy. I’m going to get outside today and use my Canon. Beautiful scenes everywhere after a big snowfall. Funny… I took a picture of my OLD pedicure today… Reminds me of your photo above! Thank you again. You are such an inspiration. Have a wonderful, creative day. XOReplyCancel
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Hi Beth! Thanks for the great post! I am loving participating in the Bethadilly challenge and so enjoying all your lensbaby shots 🙂 Have you ever played around with the “spark” – I am interested in purchasing a lensbaby, and I’m wondering if this might be a good place to start to see if I enjoy using it, or if I should just bite the bullet and dive right into the sweet 50 or sweet 35. Have a wonderful day, friend!ReplyCancel
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Jennifer - you are wonderful! Thank you for sharing. If I were near you I’d buy you a big ole delicious Starbucks beverage!
{beth} a-dilly - awe, thank you so much Jennifer! and you are very welcome! i am happy to share my photography journey with you all! it’s just my little way of paying it forward! have a lovely week, girl! <3
Kim - Great post! Thanks Beth! I work primarily in Lightroom but am self taught so there is tons I don’t know. I am definitely going to purchase these books to help my learning. Currently, I have Photoshop Elements but am thinking about switching over to full Photoshop. Did you purchase the programs or do you subscribe to the Creative Cloud services through Adobe. In addition, I just purchased a 13 inch Macbook Pro at an incredible deal but it only has 128 GB of hard drive space which I think you have as well. Do you feel these programs eat up a chunk of your memory?
{beth} a-dilly - hello kim! you will really enjoy the books! i edit all my sessions on my laptop, and once they are completely edited, blogged, and given to the client, i move the sessions onto an external hard drive. i do this to both free up some space on my laptop, and for extra protection of the images in case something happens to my computer! i don’t feel like the programs themselves each up much memory, it is the high resolution files that will take up space. hope this helps! have fun with the adobe books!
Kim - Thanks Beth! I would love to see you do a post on how you organize your folders and images within Lightroom along with tagging. You have a great, clean and organized style we all would definitely benefit from. Organizing all my digital files is one task I am working towards this year.
Kim Ortega Nerio - Great post! Thanks Beth! I work primarily in Lightroom but am self taught so there is tons I don’t know. I am definitely going to purchase these books to help my learning. Currently, I have Photoshop Elements but am thinking about switching over to full Photoshop. Did you purchase the programs or do you subscribe to the Creative Cloud services through Adobe. In addition, I just purchased a 13 inch Macbook Pro at an incredible deal but it only has 128 GB of hard drive space which I think you have as well. Do you feel these programs eat up a chunk of your memory?
Kim Ortega Nerio - One more thing… I would love for you to do a post on how your files are organized in Lightroom. Computer organization is something I strive for this year. In my house, I’m crazy organized but not on my computer!! Any tips would help.:)
Tara - Thanks so much for sharing! I feel like I’m where you were at just over a year ago or so. In November ’13 I bought my Nikon 3200 and a year later (November ’14) I upgraded to my Nikon D750. I’m struggling with editing now and am totally overwhelmed by Photoshop. I’ve got all these photos piling up that I feel like need editing but don’t know where to start. My Photographer Mentor here does everything in ACR and Photoshop and therefore recommends it for me. I’m wondering, how do you decide what to edit in Lightroom vs. Photoshop? I’m excited to continue following you on your journey as I continue on my own!
{beth} a-dilly - i edit every single photo in lightroom and only use photoshop when adding watermarks or making marketing materials. 🙂
Diane Carey - Thanks so much for sharing. A long time ago I was “fluent” in PS 4. I had followed a course on line. The lessons were very thorough, there were weekly assignments, and quizzes if one wanted a certificate of completion. I plan to move into Lightroom and am hoping these skills will be useful. I like having reference books. Your selection has narrowed the selection.
Darlene Bernard - Thank you so much, Beth, for this information! I feel like I am right where you were at the start of your photography journey shortly after purchasing your first DSLR, down to the D3200. I downloaded the trial version of Lightroom 5 but have been so intimidated by it all so this makes me feel like I can actually conquer this! The Lightroom 5 book is now in my amazon cart! 😀
manual mode confused me, until i read this » beth a-dilly - […] need some editing tips? check out my post about how to learn lightroom + photoshop! […]
Hannah - Where did you get this label maker for your tabs?! I love the look!
{beth} a-dilly - thanks, hannah! i think you can get them anywhere. i bought mine ages ago at walmart, but i think target has one! you should definitely get one, it is a fun old school type look! i believe you can find them in the office supply or craft section! 😉
video tutorial: watch me edit in lightroom » beth a-dilly - […] to read more about my story of how i became confident and built my skill with editing, be sure to read my post how to learn lightroom + photoshop. […]
you ask, i answer. volume 2. » beth a-dilly - […] how did you find your editing style? without a doubt, through practice. more specifically, i pinpointed and strengthened my editing style during my 365 photography project on instagram last year. when i started out the year, my editing style was so different than what it is today. some of that has to do with editing fads, but a lot of it just had to do with the actual act of photographing and editing everyday. i also really grew my editing style by learning lightroom and photoshop last january. when i began editing in lightroom, it was a game changer for me and my photography. if you would like to learn more about the textbooks that taught me my software skill, be sure to read my post about how to learn lightroom and photoshop. […]
10 gift ideas for photographers » beth a-dilly - […] 6. adobe photoshop lightroom 5: classroom in a book after going a little cross eyed trying to learn how to navigate lightroom, i purchased this book and it was a game changer! not only is this book informative, but it is interactive and encourages you to be hands on and use the software as you are learning! very quickly after reading this book, i found that i used the buttons in lightroom much more effectively and was editing photos confidently in the software. to read a little more about this book and a similar one for photoshop, be sure to check out how i learned lightroom and photoshop. […]
5 Tips For Choosing Good Photos To Edit » bethadilly - […] need some help learning how to edit in lightroom? be sure you read my post How To Learn Lightroom + Photoshop. […]
Batch Editing : A Step-By-Step Guide » bethadilly - […] need some help learning more about lightroom? check out how i learn to edit in lightroom + photoshop. […]
Why You Should Be Using The Reference View in Lightroom » bethadilly - […] need help learning how to edit? read more about how i learned to edit in lightroom + photoshop. […]
10 Photography Resolutions You Should Be Making - bethadilly - […] need help learning your software? check out how to learn lightroom and photoshop. […]
Instagram Stories: 5 Ways Photographers Can Create Them - bethadilly - […] need some help learning how to edit in lightroom? check out how to learn lightroom + photoshop! […]