Did you know that some people consider the word “sales” to be a dirty word?! It’s funny to me because I’ve been in sales since I was a Girl Scout and besides being a portrait photographer and business coach specializing in business branding for the last twelve years, I have sold countless other things like tires and auto repair to insurance, and I have never regarded it that way. Most of the time I think it’s fun, but probably not for the reasons you’re thinking right now. (Spoiler Alert: My four-step sales framework takes the pain out of selling!) © Tammy ZurakSales: A Dirty Word? I grew up ..read more

A portrait is really about the relationship between the subject and the photographer. The lighting, wardrobe, and location can all be perfect, but if your client is uncomfortable in any way, it will show up in your photo, and that portrait will not be a successful one. I always favor connection over photographic perfection, and I believe that is the secret to making lasting boudoir client connections. There are so many opportunities before, during and after the shoot to ensure lasting connections with your clients, and most of them are really easy!  Here are just a few simple and hi ..read more

Photographing kids requires ultimate flexibility. To get genuine shots, a photographer must develop a good rapport with them and be open and flexible to keep their interest while getting good shots. Cedna Todorovic is a Calgary-based photographer who shoots a variety of genres but especially loves photographing children and families. In this article, she share her tips for taking great photos of kids. Cedna recently joined host Nikki Closser on The Portrait System Podcast to talk about her portrait business and how she made over $100,000 in her first year. Cedna began shooting weddings in 201 ..read more

Breaking new ground in their lens line-ups, Sigma and Tamron announced the development of Canon RF Mount lenses under a licensing agreement with Canon. This is great news for users looking for third-party RF Mount APS-C lenses. Starting this July, with additional releases continuing this fall, Sigma plans to release a half-dozen RF Mount compatible options from its DC DN Contemporary series of lenses. With a combination of zoom and primes, the new lenses—most of which favor a slightly wide-angle field of view—offer a nice variety of focal ranges. All the lenses have been optimized to work on ..read more

The torch of excellence of WPPI’s Photo Competition has been successfully passed along to the Icon Awards with its inaugural session held at WPPI last March. Competition co-directors Melissa and Jerry Ghionis achieved their goal of sustaining the prestige of the former competition while elevating the experience for participants with both in-person and virtual events. According to co-director Melissa Ghionis, the Icon Awards’ other main goals were “to celebrate the finalists and the winners all week long” and “focus on what makes an award-winning image by providing valuable feedback to the ent ..read more

I received countless emails and messages in my online groups regarding submissions to fashion magazines and how to get work published. I hear you! There is so much information out there that it’s confusing to know what advice to follow or to even know where to get started!  So I’ve created this article to share some of my top tips on getting your work submitted to fashion magazines, as well as share a list of magazines contacts to help you get started on the process! (You’ll find the link to this FREE downloadable resource at the bottom of this article!) Getting your work published in f ..read more

The best photographs capture a story within a single frame. Creating narrative wedding photography, however, is a challenge that involves blending multiple techniques including emotion, composition, and posing or prompting. This week, we asked five of our 30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography for insight into how they work to capture a story in a single frame. Find inspiration and storytelling techniques from Autumn Jordan, Juliana Jumper, Echo Kowalski, Mati Machner, and Koko King. Autumn Jordan, Autumn Jordan Photography © Autumn Jordan Photography When Autumn Jordan of Autumn Jordan Photo ..read more

On Valentine’s Day 2023, I began a personal project creating raw portraits. I was nervous (read: terrified) to follow my heart in this way. In fact, I’d put it on the back burner for nearly two years. But when you survive cancer, scary things (like photography projects) feel less scary. And when you survive cancer, the things you do and do not want become crystal clear. I wanted to offer a photoshoot that was different: no professional hair/makeup, no new clothes, no Photoshop, all black and white. I wanted to call it “AS I AM” because two years prior I had a return client reach out and reque ..read more

If you’re tired of losing potential sales and want to know how to not just close deals but also keep your clients coming back for more, today, we’re diving deep into the power of sales in your portrait business.  © Tanya SmithThe Sales Journey It is a common misconception that sales are confined to the final ordering session. In reality, the sales process starts with the initial interaction with your prospective client, including that very first email. Prior to the photography session is when you’re setting expectations and making sure you’ll capture the kind of images your client wants ..read more

Photographing weddings in dark indoor environments like cathedrals, temples, and other religious structures present unique challenges and opportunities for photographers. The low light, the intimacy of the venue, and the solemnity of the moment require a delicate balance between technical skill and creative vision. This guide is designed to help photographers navigate these challenges, ensuring that every shot reflects the beauty and uniqueness of the ceremony. Here’s how to turn low-light conditions into an opportunity for stunning, moody photographs that couples will treasure for a lifetime ..read more