Photographers love to brag about their hours in the edit cave. There’s a strange badge of honor attached to 2 a.m. Lightroom binges, as if suffering through endless slider tweaks somehow makes the work more “serious.” But here’s the truth: clients don’t care how long you sit in front of a monitor. They care about turnaround time, consistency, and whether the final product looks polished. So, why not save time wherever you can?

I've created a video to show how you can make mood boards. In fact, I've done a rebrand via mood boarding for Selena Gomez and her Rare Beauty brand. There are profits in play if you learn how to mood board correctly. I hope this video helps you.

A growing number of photographers and creatives, once loyal to Adobe, are walking away. Is this the slow decline of Adobe's monopoly on the creative world?

When you’re working on your craft, it’s not always easy to know where you stand. You might think you’re still at the beginner level, but your habits and results may already show you’ve moved on. Recognizing those shifts matters because it changes how you should approach learning and practice.

The OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II is one of those lenses you can carry almost anywhere without worrying about what you might miss. It covers the 24-80mm equivalent range, which means you can handle landscapes, portraits, events, and travel with just this one piece of glass. Having a constant f/2.8 aperture across the zoom range makes it even more valuable, since you don’t need to compromise in low light or sacrifice depth of field control.

The Fujifilm GF 32-64mm f/4 R LM WR doesn’t get as much attention as some of the flashier primes in the GFX system, but it has been a quiet workhorse for years. If you spend most of your time balancing lifestyle, portrait, travel, or food photography, it offers a flexibility that helps you move between different kinds of images without swapping gear constantly.

The Mitakon Zhongyi 55mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro is built for a very specific purpose: letting you see the world closer than most lenses allow. Extreme macro work pushes both your skills and your gear, and this lens gives you access to magnifications that would normally require specialized, expensive equipment. If you’re looking to capture the tiniest details in everyday subjects, this lens offers something unusual and challenging.

A small, bright, ultra-wide lens can make your kit far more flexible. If you’re shooting landscapes, waterfalls, or night skies, carrying one compact prime instead of a heavy zoom changes how long you can stay out and what you can bring back.

Raw is practically a religion. It preserves sensor data, maximizes editing latitude, and lets you recover mistakes that would wreck a JPEG. That’s all true... and still incomplete. “Shoot raw or you’re not serious” turns a tool into a dogma. Tools aren’t moral; they’re contextual. The job dictates the format, not the other way around.

Wide angle lenses can make the biggest landscapes look small and dull. You’ve seen it yourself: mountains that felt huge when you were standing there shrink to a disappointing background when viewed on your screen. That gap between how it looks in person and how it looks in the photo is the problem this video tackles.

The term "the decisive moment," made famous by renowned photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, describes the fraction of a second when the significance of an event unfolds in front of the lens. However, in today's "spray and pray" digital age, it begs the question: Has the essence of the decisive moment been lost?

The Leica M11 is not just another digital camera. It’s a tool that forces you to slow down, commit to a process, and engage with your work in a more deliberate way. Whether you’re using it at a wedding, traveling abroad, or making everyday family photos, this camera asks you to be intentional. That alone makes it worth considering if you want to create images with more care and attention.

The DJI Mic 3 isn’t just about better sound, it’s about cutting down the number of compromises you make when recording. Whether you’re working outdoors in shifting conditions or indoors with multiple voices, the updates here are designed to solve real problems you’ve likely run into before.

The Sigma 200mm f/2 DG OS Sports lens is one of those rare tools that changes how you think about shooting. Its fast aperture and reach give you creative options you don’t get anywhere else. For portrait work, it can create subject isolation that looks almost unreal. For sports and action, it offers the kind of speed and sharpness usually reserved for the most expensive first-party lenses. The balance between performance and price makes it an option worth serious attention.

Gen Z couples are entering the wedding market, and that means a shift in expectations for how you run your business. Their preferences lean toward speed, flexibility, and digital-first options, so if you want to stay competitive, now is the time to rethink the way you package and deliver your work.

I do not like Facebook. It feels like a haunted time capsule that insists on reminding me of who I was 14 years ago. It pops up with posts like a close-up of a dandelion paired with Death Cab for Cutie lyrics. Or it digs up photos from my first “portrait sessions” in 2009, when my friends graciously stood in front of my camera so I could figure out what aperture even meant. Every time I log in, it feels like an unwelcome nostalgia trip.

Photographers are always chasing fresh perspectives—but this time, I didn’t just change my angle, I completely flipped the rules. During a golf-themed shoot, I turned my light modifier into something it was never meant to be: the view from inside the golf hole itself. Here’s the story (and the shot) that came out of it.

In addition to new capabilities like a dedicated bird autofocus mode that bring the Z6III’s capabilities in line with cameras like the Z8 and Z9, Nikon’s new firmware 2.0 brings an added, likely overlooked, feature that is worth pointing out.

Photographers are trained to nod yes. In the beginning, it feels like survival, as every gig could be rent money, portfolio material, or a referral waiting to happen. Even seasoned pros get caught in the same reflex: saying no feels reckless, like turning down income in a field where nothing is guaranteed. The truth, though, is harder: some jobs cost you more than they pay, and others leave bruises that take weeks to shake off.

The Canon RF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 lens is one of those rare pieces of gear that might actually change how you approach everyday shooting. It’s not built for prestige or to impress with specs, but it opens the door to focal lengths you can’t reach with a kit lens or a phone. At $219, it offers a chance to experiment with telephoto work without committing to a major investment, and that alone makes it worth your attention.

DJI has expanded its OsmoAudio™ ecosystem with the launch of the DJI Mic 3, a next-generation mini wireless microphone that combines the compactness of Mic Mini with the functionality of Mic 2—giving creators professional-grade sound in a compact, easy-to-use package.

Creating consistent color across your work is a challenge whether you’re editing one image or building a whole series. LUTs, or lookup tables, give you a simple way to save and apply a particular look over and over again. They’re not just for stills. You can bring them into video projects too, which makes them useful if you want your photos and videos to carry the same style.

Broncolor has announced the Stelos 800 L, a battery-powered monolight delivering 800 joules and a notably compact design. The unit adds adjustable flash color temperature, a feature the company has typically reserved for its power packs, alongside high-speed sync, V-mount battery support, and USB-C power input. Availability is slated for September 2025 through authorized partners.

If you want to find out about six essential apps for night (and day) photography, you've come to the right place. Whether you have iOS or Android, these apps will greatly enhance your photography. The sixth one is surely one that doesn't make it on many photography app lists!

Street photography is a story of two halves. On the one hand, you can quite literally stroll down a street and capture some shots; whether it’s with your phone, a retro camera, or a modern DSLR, you’ll be doing street photography in one way or another.

The hardest part of being a photographer often isn’t taking great photos, it’s running a sustainable business. Shoots come and go, and when the calendar looks thin, panic sets in. That’s why repeat clients matter more than almost anything else in your business model. A client who hires you again and again is worth far more than a new one you have to chase.

It’s been years since a 200mm f/2 prime lens hit the market, and Sigma has finally brought one back. For portrait work, the lens opens doors to a unique look you won’t get from the usual 85mm or 70–200mm zooms.

Mixing APS-C lenses with full frame cameras has long been considered a mistake, something you’d never want to do if you cared about image quality. But depending on your needs, it can be a smart and practical choice. The trade-offs aren’t as black and white as they first seem, and in some cases, the benefits may actually outweigh the downsides.

There’s a moment every photographer faces when a single image makes you pause. It might not even be the most technically perfect photo you’ve taken, but something about it hits differently. You keep wondering if you’ve already hit your peak: "what if that was the best I’ll ever do?"

Zoner Studio has been named EISA Photo Software of the Year 2025–2026, an honor that highlights its balance of accessibility and professional-grade performance. The award, presented by the Expert Imaging and Sound Association (EISA), recognizes products that stand out for innovation, usability, and impact across the photo industry.

Hasselblad has unveiled the X2D II 100C, a 100-megapixel medium format body that expands on the original X2D with HDR capture, AF-C continuous autofocus, and a stabilization system the company rates at up to 10 stops. The announcement also includes a new standard zoom, the XCD 2.8–4/35–100E, along with a line of 86mm filters and a camera backpack.

You bought all that autofocus and stabilization for a reason. Don’t handcuff it with a timid ISO. If the choice is “clean noise” or “clean motion,” pick motion every time; blur is forever, noise is negotiable.

Many real estate images you see online don’t tell the full story. You’re often only shown a polished selection, which can make you second-guess your own work. Knowing how professionals really operate gives you a clearer perspective on what matters and where to put your focus.

This is lightning season for large parts of the U.S. and Europe and the rest of the world, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.

Creating flattering portraits isn’t just about telling someone how to stand. The way you position your subject, the lens you use, and the angle you shoot from all come together to decide how your subject actually looks in the final image. Small changes in these areas can completely transform how someone appears, which is why learning to control them matters so much.

The Sigma 12mm f/1.4 DC Contemporary lens steps into a rare corner of the APS-C lineup. Wide primes at this focal length are scarce, and that means fewer choices when you want a compact lens with a dramatic perspective. Sigma’s newest option is designed for those who need strong low-light performance, portability, and a field of view that lets you capture more of a scene without stepping back.

The Canon 5D changed the game when it first launched, giving you full frame image quality at a price that was shockingly low for the time. Two decades later, it’s fascinating to look back and see just how much this camera still offers, even with all its quirks and limitations.

Before you price out another lens, open your menu. Hiding behind plain names like “histogram,” “focus limiter,” and “touchpad AF” are five switches that quietly raise your keeper rate, clean up color, and shave hours off your edit. Flip them once, and your camera stops acting like a bag of parts and starts behaving like a partner. Your next upgrade isn’t in a shopping cart. It’s already in your hands.

The opening round of the 2025 US Open was supposed to be a routine night of tennis. Instead, it turned into one of the wildest scenes the sport has witnessed in years, complete with a photographer on the court, a furious Daniil Medvedev berating the chair umpire, and Benjamin Bonzi somehow surviving the chaos to win in five sets.

Who pays for a test shoot? Let’s settle this once and for all.

Using images out of context is one thing. Using images that are clearly exploitative as part of your marketing is something else.

Godox has announced the AD400Pro II, the follow-up to its popular 400 Ws all-in-one outdoor strobe. The original AD400Pro became a go-to for many photographers thanks to its balance of power, portability, and cost. With the new generation, Godox is adding refinements aimed at making the light faster, more flexible, and easier to use in multi-light setups. Here's everything new in the strobe.

I’ve spent years photographing in rural Utah, and one of the most rewarding, overlooked subjects I’ve found is the working ranch.

The OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II pushes what you can do without extra gear with a design and features that center on giving you more flexibility in the field. Whether you’re working with landscapes, experimenting with motion blur, or capturing detail-heavy subjects, it offers tools that can save you time and effort.

Some cameras age like fine wine. Others age like milk. You can find bargains, quirky relics, or outright junk, and knowing the difference matters if you want to avoid wasting money. Buying older digital cameras can be a gamble, but if you know what to look for, you can walk away with gear that still produces solid images without draining your wallet.

Nikon has updated one of its most important lenses, the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II. This is the kind of lens you rely on in every situation, and any changes to it matter. Here's a look.

Auto White Balance (AWB) works for some scenarios. Night photography is not one of them. Here are five solid reasons to ditch AWB—and how doing so can instantly improve your night photography game.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II lens has become one of the most practical tools for anyone shooting weddings. The flexibility of a zoom makes it possible to move quickly between wide establishing shots and tighter portraits without juggling multiple lenses, which is critical when working in fast-paced, unpredictable environments.

A smooth portrait session starts days before the first shutter click. Set expectations, reduce decisions, and build trust up front, and your clients will walk onto set relaxed, styled, and ready to give you real expressions. Here’s a five-part playbook you can copy, complete with scripts and micro-checklists.

Two lenses compete for your attention if you shoot Nikon Z-mount APS-C: the Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR and the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD. Both are pitched as “do-it-all” options, which makes the choice tricky. The difference between them comes down to how you balance portability with reach.