Photography Training: Finding Your Style

Photography Training: Finding Your Style

I must say that when I started out I thought I was ok. And I was. I was 14 and shooting my first wedding. I was using a Yashica FX-D with on camera flash. The wedding turned out pretty good and I made 300 Dollars. Not bad for a 14 year old. That was 1987.

Even though I was proud of those shots and they were good, if I was shooting the same way now I would not be happy with myself. A lot of photographers get stuck in the one mode the learned to shoot in. They don't challenge themselves. They don't learn. They don't look. They become stagnant.





I could not do that. A few months ago I looked at my work. I do good work and my clients love it. I loved it. But then I looked around at what inspired me. I realized I was not shooting what I wanted. I was not taking the images that I admired. I was taking shots that I knew I could get.




I decided it was time for a change. So. I changed. I have decided to change my business model. I have decided to shoot the type of shots that inspire me.







So, if you are not shooting the type of shots that inspire you maybe you should ask yourself why? I went looking for a new style. I found it on Tumblr. There were other places too but I was inspired by a specific look and a specific blog. My work does not look the same but this woman's blog was my inspiration.




These shots are some of my new work. I have gone with a more intimate idea of work and portaits. I am looking forward to this weekend. I have my first client to shoot in my new style. I will let you know how it turns out!

Brian Johnson is a professional photographer and the owner of Buffaloz Photography Training. Missoula Photography School and Ayres Photography






If you are interested in being a guest writer for this site please contact me at ayresphotography@yahoo.com

Buffaloz Photography Training: Free Online Photography Tips, Training, and Tutorials.

Iphone Portrait Photography Crash Course!

I know I have been on an iphone kick lately, but I have to say the I absolutely love mine!!  Enjoy this video on how to take portraits with your iphone.  If you don't have one this is still a great video on portrait lighting!

P.S. If you want some Iphone photo accessories check out my shoppe! 

A Background Can Make or Break a Photo!

Quick Tip


How many time have you taken what you thought would be a great picture and after you look at it you realize the photo’s background is too busy and lacks impact? I’ve done it.
Cameras have a tendency to flatten an image unlike the eye which can distinguish between the different elements in a photograph.
Pay attention to what is in the background.  If you are shooting a portrait set your f-stop on f/8 or f/5.6. This way you will get an out of focus background and your eye will focus in the person instead of a busy background. Pay attentions to bright background also. Light backgrounds usually distract from the subject.
The background can ruin a photo or make a photo so always look at the background before and imagine how it will affect your photo.
The photos below will reinforce what is written in this post.
Thanks!