I'm happiest when I'm surrounded by nature, my coffee in hand and my gear in my backpack. Can't wait to show you what I've been photographing lately.. but it's very up close and personal with Florida's nature ๐คญ๐ธ
In just a couple of weeks my gorgeous friend @thecleopetra will visit and we'll be shooting some ๐ธ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅต๐ฅต๐ฅ content together.. make sure to follow her so you don't miss out on some good stuff ๐
***"Which camera do you recommend for stunning photos?"*** or ***"Will this lens enhance my photography?"*** are questions I often receive in my DMs and comments.
Remember, there's a saying that behind every great photo is a great artist. It's not only about the equipment. Great photography can be achieved with older or less renowned brands. Mastering lighting, understanding how it influences your images, and composing stunning shots are what transform a good photo into a banger, or money shot. Challenge yourself to move and see how it changes the frame, and put in the effort. Don't rely solely on your gear to elevate your workโyou have the power to level up!
Heeeey, @taylorteacheshistory invited me to join her latest OFTV episode, make sure to watch it ๐ค๐ธ Tay also has other very very very interesting episodes for you to check out if you love history like I do, make sure to subscribe to her page ๐ฅฐ
I have a new OFTV episode out! In this episode I'm showing you my go to SONOS Speakers that I use on a daily basis to get the best music throughout the house. Watch it and let me know what you think ๐คโจ
https://of.tv/video/6633928873a39f000136da8a/
Not going to lie, it took me a while to feel comfortable standing like this with people around. ๐ I've always held immense respect for other creators who manage to appear natural in front of the camera, even in crowded or busy settings. Distractions can easily throw you off, and a couple of mistakes might make you your own worst enemy.
I read a quote yesterday that really resonated with me: "99% of the harm is caused in your head by your thoughts. 1% of the harm is caused by reality, what happens, and the outcome. The problem usually isn't the biggest problem; the way we think about the problem is."
So, remember to be kind to yourself; you can't control everything in your life. Happy weekend! ๐ธโจ
Savannah, GA, is a dream for photographers and I had so much fun trying out the Fuji X100VI! Ofc youโll see more about this in an upcoming episode ๐๐ธโจ
Early morning hair, camera in hand, running out to take more photos and ignoring the huge pile of unedited photos I still have to go through.... just another day ๐๐ธ
With that said, today is definitely catching up and editing day. But, what would you like to see more of; more street photography? Macro photography? Birds? Self portraits? ๐คญ
A new episode is out! I visited Bok Tower Gardens in central Florida to snap some fun photos. Check it out and let me know what you think! ๐๐ธ
https://of.tv/video/66292da45a9328000160c9bd/
A new episode is out! In this episode I show you how easy you can convert your horizontal videos to vertical, using just your smartphone and CapCut! Check it out and let me know what you think ๐ค๐ธ
https://of.tv/video/662000772092270001a592c8/
Tried out my new gel kit from ProFoto the other day and snapped some new self portraits. You will definitely see more of them here in the near future. It is so much fun and you can add such a vibe to photos with a little splash of color! ๐ธโจ
Which photo is your favorite? And do you work with gels often?
My top photography tip is simple and one that my mentor emphasizes repeatedly: **practice is key.** You donโt need to venture to epic locations or spend hours driving. Often, the best subjects are right at home. I frequently practice macro photography with my plantsโI do have quite a collection, as Iโm a proud plant mom! ๐ฑ As my mentor always says, athletes donโt just show up to a game; they show up to practice. This applies to everything in life. The more you engage with something, the deeper your understanding and the better your skills become.
Donโt wait for the perfect place, moment, or day. Just startโwhether it's just 30 minutes a day. Those minutes quickly add up, building your expertise. ๐ธ
Whatโs your number one tip to get better at something? โจ
**โIf you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.โ**
โ Jim Richardson
With that in mind, venture out more and explore diverse subjects to photograph. Viewing the world from different perspectives not only sparks creativity but also enriches your collection of ideas for future projects. I find that traveling and discovering new places stimulate my creative juicesโand itโs a lot of fun too! ๐คฉ
A new episode is out! If you don't know these quick and easy methods for converting horizontal videos to vertical in Final Cut, then watch this. It's perfect if you want to use your beautiful footage filmed in horizontal format, but need to optimize it for other social media platforms that prefer vertical videos. Watch it and let me know what you think! ๐ค๐ธ
https://of.tv/video/6610670645819d000175318a/
What is your favorite kind of background or backdrop for photography? ๐ธโจ
When planning my shoots, I almost always prioritize finding an intriguing location first. What story does this place tell? How can I engage with the environment? Will it complement my subject, or will there be a clash, especially in colors?
The planning process is exhilarating but can also be challenging, especially if you are unfamiliar with the location. Something I am striving to improve is visiting potential sites beforehand to understand elements like the sun's position at certain times (if outdoors), the busyness of the area, accessibility, and nearby parking options. Arriving at a job with lots of gear, only to find out you need to haul it across town, is less than ideal.
So, I don't have a specific favorite backgroundโit all depends on the story I want to convey through my footage. However, one lesson from the past year stands out: take your time with planning and do it well.
The photo above is from my OFTV episode in Wynwood Miami, if you haven't check it out, you should ๐
**โWherever there is light, one can photograph.โ**
โ Alfred Stieglitz
This statement resonates with me deeply. Often, in my eagerness to capture a photo, I've neglected to take the time to observe how light shifts within a space. The sunโs movement creates ever-changing scenes, altering shadows within mere minutes. It's easy to miss these moments. Sometimes, you find yourself in the perfect room, yet the lighting is lacking. While having your own lights can solve this problem, traveling with an extensive kit can be impractical. But, when staying in new locations, itโs beneficial to dedicate a day to understanding how the light changes at different times. Keeping track of these observations, perhaps even noting them down, ensures you don't forget. Armed with this knowledge on the second day, youโre prepared with a strategic plan, knowing precisely what to capture, and when. ๐ธ
Remember, without good light, a photo rarely turns out well. So, always be in pursuit of the light! โจ
I have a new OFTV episode out! Since I know you all are curious to get to know Ms Taylor better. We had so much fun during the weekend she was here, both on land and on water, we ate and; of course we had a ton of coffee!
Watch the episode and let me know what you think ๐คญ๐ธ
https://of.tv/video/660c63dc2171ed0001d1b6b8/