Whenever I have my big camera in hand, I can usually count on someone stopping me to chat. Sometimes they want to tell me about that time that they tried photography or how they got a camera last Christmas, but haven’t really braved the user manual.

Many times, though, they have a question they’re hoping I can answer. Sometimes I can and sometimes I can’t, but today I put together the top 10 photography FAQs (and answers) for you.

I hope you find them helpful. I also hope you keep asking because if you know me, then you know I like any good excuse to talk with someone new. 😉

How did you get into photography?

After my son came along and I decided to stay home with him, I found myself with some extra time on my hands…and also a brand new camera that I didn’t have a clue how to use. I enrolled in an evening course at the local university to learn the basics. Eventually, I started helping the instructor shoot weddings and learning more and more. Over the years photography grew from an interest to a hobby to a business. Read more about it here.

Do I need to buy a lot of expensive equipment to get started?

The short answer is no. The long answer is that I believe you can get started today with whatever equipment you have. Good photography starts with understanding the basics, not with great equipment. Read more of my thoughts on it here. 

What time of day is best to take pictures?

You’ve probably heard of “golden hour”. It’s that time just after sunrise or before sunset where the light is soft and dreamy. It makes for great photos, just about anywhere, while making your subject glow. If you want to learn how I calculate my session start times, you can find more here.

Can I find good used equipment online?

Yes, I have actually purchased several pieces of equipment used. Just make sure that you do your research and are purchasing through a reputable source. One of my favorite 3rd party retailers to use is mpb.com. I’ve used them several times and have received the everything as expected. I think buying used is a great way to start building your collection without breaking the bank.

Why should I take my camera out of auto mode?

So. Many. Reasons. When you shoot in auto mode, you’re trusting your camera to make all of the best decisions and while it can do a decent job most of the time, many times it just falls short. If you learn how to shoot in manual mode, you are the one making the intentional decisions and creating and image that you love instead of crossing your fingers and hoping it turns out. Read more here.

How can I catch my kids moving fast without getting blurry pictures?

This is important and seemingly tricky at first. To catch tack-sharp images, you need to understand how shutter speed works. I break it all down for you here.

How do you get that blurred out background?

Ok, I get this one a lot…maybe the most. Everyone loves the blurred out background that draws your eye to the subject. It’s an element that a lot of people associate with professional photography. I teach you how to do it yourself here.

How do you edit your photos?

There are a lot of options, but the most popular editing programs are probably Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom. While I started by learning Photoshop, I’ll say that 95% of my editing these days is done in Lightroom. Once you learn the ropes, it’s easy to use and streamlines your whole process. You can try it out a free trial here.

What do I do with all of those lenses?

If you bought a camera kit or just browsed equipment online, you’ll find out pretty fast that there are a lot of different lens choices. They can seem overwhelming and the cost adds up fast, but you really don’t need all of them. Decide what you photograph most (portraits, your kids, landscapes, details, etc.) and start with the lens that will be the most useful and versatile for you. Read more about it here.

Where do I start?

Good question. I know it’s overwhelming and there’s just so much information out there, so I put together a Getting to Know Your Camera Starter’s Kit to help you navigate that fancy camera of yours. It’s not so scary, after all. You can grab your free copy here.

So that’s it…my top 10 photography FAQs. I hope you found them helpful and maybe I even answered one of your questions. What others do you have for me? Click here and let me know!

Until Next Time,

P.S.

If you’re really serious about learning how to use your fancy camera, keep your eyes out for details my online course…doors will be opening again soon. 🤫