Start a business with passion.

Starting a business with passion is an incredibly rewarding experience. It gives you the opportunity to do something that you love and make a living doing it. For me, that was photography. I had been working in a physical therapy clinic and was unhappy with my job. I had gone to school for theater arts, but had dropped out and couldn’t find a job that I was passionate about. I was stuck in the cycle of bills and had lost my creative side.

It wasn’t until one particularly bad day at work that I finally admitted to myself and my then-boyfriend that I hated my life. He asked me what I wanted in an employer and I listed all the things I wanted in a job. He then said, “You sound like an entrepreneur.” I laughed and said no, but he encouraged me to consider starting my own business. I had always been interested in photography, but never considered it as a career.

So I decided to take a chance and booked my first client. When I saw the email saying the bill had been paid, I knew I could do this. I spent the first year of my career exploring different types of photography, and eventually found my passion in food photography. I now take my job incredibly seriously, and view it as an art form.

Starting a business with passion is a brave and exciting endeavor. It takes courage to take the leap, but it can be incredibly rewarding. Not only do you get to do something you love, but you get to make a living doing it. I’m so glad I took the chance and started my own business, and I encourage others to do the same.

Start small and grow.

I started my photography business in 2015 with just a point-and-shoot camera. I was inspired by the images I saw of the people I was working with, and I thought, “Maybe I can do this.” I had an idea and a bit of elbow grease, and I wanted to see where it could take me. I set up a website and put some feelers out there to see who might be interested in hiring me. Little by little, I started to get paid gigs and my business began to grow.

The technical side of photography was what really drew me in. I was lost at first, but it challenged me in a way I hadn’t been challenged before. Once I learned the fundamentals, I felt powerful because I could create moments and capture memories. I loved how dramatic food photography could be, and I wanted to elevate it to the next level. Photography was like theater in that every shoot, every client, and every project was different. It kept me stimulated and energized, just like theater did.

My advice to anyone wanting to start a business is to start small and grow. You don’t need the nicest camera or the most expensive equipment to get started. All you need is the grit and the mental determination to say, “I’m a photographer now and that’s it.” You can start small and gradually build your business over time. With dedication and hard work, you can make your dream a reality.

Develop a style and emotion.

I learned this lesson the hard way when I decided to start my own family photography business in 2015. I was working full-time in a clinic and struggling to do both. That’s when I decided to go back to school to study photography and take my skills to the next level. I knew I was great with in-person learning, so I left my job and went to school.

During my second semester, I had a conversation with a professor who asked me why I was not pursuing food photography. I was taken aback by the question, but I decided to rate every photo shoot I ever did on a scale of one to ten in terms of enjoyable experience. Every food photo shoot was an eight, nine, or ten. That’s when I knew I was going to pursue food photography.

The first year I did everything from photographing a birth to a death metal concert, festivals, and weddings. I learned quickly that weddings were not for me. It’s a tough industry to be in, and I wasn’t very good at it. I liked my weekends and weddings are all weekends. Food photography was a great conversation starter and I enjoyed watching the chefs create something out of nothing.

To become a great food photographer, I had to learn about color and the feelings attached to color. When I look at photos, I ask myself what do I feel in this moment? What is this photo telling me in this moment? And then I ask why? What elements about this photo mean this feeling?

When I think of food photography, it feels more like you have to build something from nothing. It’s not just the food, it’s the environment that makes you feel a certain way. It’s all about the psychological feeling type of things that I had to learn and develop and be more sensitive to.

Developing a style and emotion is important in any type of photography, but especially in food photography. You have to tug at the person's emotion and emotion is what makes us buy something. Emotion is how it makes us feel. It’s all about the psychological feeling type of things that I had to learn and develop and be more sensitive to.

Overall, I learned that developing a style and emotion is key to becoming a successful photographer. It takes dedication and hard work, but if you have the grit and determination to make your dream a reality,

Learn the fundamentals to explore creativity.

Photography is an art form that allows people to express their creativity in unique ways. To become a successful photographer, it is important to learn the fundamentals of photography and then use those fundamentals to explore creativity.

When I first started learning photography, I was so focused on the technical side of it that I didn't think about the creative aspect. I was impatient and wanted to get results right away. However, I soon learned that it takes time to learn the basics of photography before you can truly explore creativity. My professors taught me that I needed to be patient and take my time to learn the rules before I could break them.

Once I learned the fundamentals, it became second nature. I no longer had to think about the technical side of photography and could focus on the creative aspect. It was like taking a breath or waving my hand - something that I had become so comfortable with that it was automatic. That's when I started exploring different styles and techniques.

I learned that it's important to be kind and patient with yourself. Everyone's learning style is different and it takes time to become a successful photographer. It's easy to look at other photographers' work and feel like you want to achieve that level of success right away. However, it's important to remember that it takes time to get to that level.

The key to becoming a successful photographer is to learn the fundamentals and then use that knowledge to explore your creativity. Everyone's photography style is unique, so it's important to find what works for you. You can do this by experimenting and playing with different techniques and styles. It's also important to be kind and patient with yourself and remember that it takes time to become a successful photographer. With dedication and hard work, you can make your dream of becoming a successful photographer a reality.

Bring life to still images.

One way to bring life to still images is to draw inspiration from the world around you. This could include looking at paintings, literature, and other forms of art. For example, if you're inspired by 15th century Dutch paintings, you can use chiaroscuro, or the use of light and shade, to create a dramatic effect. The same goes for literature, which can help you create a narrative or story in your images.

Another way to bring life to still images is to focus on the energy and emotion of the scene. Think about what emotions you want to evoke in your audience and how you can use light and color to create the desired effect. For example, you can use saturated colors and deep shadows to create a dramatic and punchy image. You can also play with different points of view to create a more intimate and personal experience for the viewer.

Finally, it's important to remember that photography is a form of storytelling. You can use props, backgrounds, and other elements to create a scene that conveys a story or feeling. For example, you can use a single spotlight to draw the viewer's attention to a particular element in the image. By creating a scene with a narrative, you can bring life to your still images.

In conclusion, becoming a successful photographer takes time and dedication. To bring life to still images, you can draw inspiration from the world around you, focus on the energy and emotion of the scene, and use storytelling techniques. With patience and practice, you can create beautiful and captivating images that will leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Try the thing.

The phrase “try the thing” is a mantra that many photographers use to remind themselves to take risks and push the boundaries of their craft. Professional photographer Aaliyah Pugh talks about how she applies this mantra to her work. She explains that she gives herself the space to fail and fail again in her portfolio work. This allows her to explore and experiment with different techniques and styles without the pressure of needing to produce perfect results.

Pugh also emphasizes the importance of learning one’s camera. She believes that it is essential to understand the technical aspects of photography before you can begin to be creative. She also recommends having portfolio reviews with other photographers, as it can help you to identify areas of improvement and to figure out how to make your photos better.

Finally, Pugh encourages photographers to “try the thing” and to not be afraid to make mistakes. She believes that by failing and trying again, you can learn new techniques and find new ways of creating beautiful images. She also believes that by being patient with yourself and showing yourself kindness, you can discover little tidbits that you would not have found by searching on YouTube or reading a book.

Overall, Pugh’s advice is to be willing to take risks, learn your camera, and be open to failure. By pushing yourself to “try the thing”, you can create unique and captivating images that will leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Shadows add dramatic flair to art.

Shadows are one of the most powerful tools a photographer can use to create dramatic and captivating images. Shadows provide a unique way to create contrast, depth, and mood in a photograph. When used correctly, shadows can add an extra layer of drama and emotion to an image.

When photographing with shadows, the photographer has to be intentional and creative in order to create the desired effect. One must consider the light source, the direction of the shadows, and the angles of the shadows to create the perfect atmosphere. The photographer must also be aware of the background and how it interacts with the shadows.

Shadows can also be used to create a sense of mystery and suspense. By using shadows to obscure the subject, the viewer is left to imagine what is hidden. This can be used to create a sense of tension and anticipation.

Shadows can also be used to evoke emotion. By using shadows to create a silhouette, the photographer can create a feeling of loneliness or longing. By using light and shadows to create a sense of depth, the photographer can create a feeling of awe or wonder.

Shadows can be used to create a variety of moods and emotions in a photograph. By using shadows to create contrast, depth, and mystery, a photographer can create a dramatic and captivating image that will leave a lasting impression on the viewer. With a little creativity and practice, anyone can use shadows to create powerful and captivating images.

Prepare before shooting.

However, before a photographer can begin to create these images, they must first prepare. Preparing for a shoot is essential for a successful outcome. It is important to consider the lighting, props, and other elements that will be used to create the desired image.

When it comes to lighting, it is important to consider the type of lighting that will be used and the effect it will have on the image. For example, if a photographer is shooting a cocktail or drink, they may want to use strobes or speed lights to create a dramatic effect. They may also want to use reflectors, diffusers, and other props to create the desired lighting scene. Additionally, they should consider the type of camera they will be using and the settings they will use to capture the best image possible.

When it comes to props, it is important to consider what will be used to make the image stand out. For example, if a photographer is shooting a martini, they may want to consider what garnishes will be used to make it look more appealing. They may also want to consider the colors and textures of the props used to create a more interesting image.

Finally, it is important to consider the art direction of the image. This includes the colors, angles, and other elements that will be used to create the desired effect. For example, if a photographer is shooting a dark and moody shot, they may want to use darker colors and shadows to create a more dramatic effect. On the other hand, if they are shooting a bright, colorful shot, they may want to use brighter colors and more props to create the desired effect.

Preparing for a shoot is essential for creating powerful and captivating images. By considering the lighting, props, and art direction of an image, a photographer can create an image that will leave a lasting impression on the viewer. With a little creativity and practice, anyone can use shadows and other elements to create beautiful and captivating images.

Give yourself permission to fail.

However, it is important to remember that not every shoot will be a success. As a photographer, it is important to give yourself permission to fail. This means that it is okay to try something new and experiment with different techniques. If something does not work out, it is important to take it as an opportunity to learn from the experience. It is also important to remember that failure is part of the creative process and should not be seen as a negative experience.

When it comes to client shoots, it is important to practice the techniques that you plan to use beforehand. This way, you can get a feel for the technique and make sure that it will work out the way you want it to. It is also important to remember that you should always be prepared for the unexpected. This means that you should always have a backup plan in case something does not go as planned.

It is also important to remember that failure can be a great teacher. By taking the time to analyze what went wrong, you can learn from the experience and use it to improve your skills. This can help you become a better photographer and help you create more captivating images.

Finally, it is important to remember that failure is not the end of the world. Instead, it should be seen as an opportunity to learn and grow. By giving yourself permission to fail, you can become a better photographer and create beautiful and captivating images.