I read this quote the other day.....

I read a quote the other day...

“IF you can’t make sacrifices for your dreams, you should probably choose bigger dreams.”

A man named Beau Weiher said this last year. He was a into extreme sports and he was killed doing what he love a few days ago while base jumping in Glacier National Park. 

He makes a good point.

Last night I was at the park watching my kids play and I started a conversation with another father. After talking for a few he asked me what I do and when I told him I was a full time photographer and showed him my work he said. "It's not very often that someone actually gets to follow their dreams."
He's right. But I am going to tell you a secret and getting your dreams..
Beau had it right.  You have to give something up... At least for a while. You ask what I had to give up?  I gave up comfort. I lived on no money for a while. I didn't have much food.  I was behind on bills. I lost friends.  Was it worth it? Now I have my dream. The friends who left.. I am not living to make them happy. I am here for me. Now that I have my dream I can go out and I can help others. I am in a position to do that now.
 So is your dream worth it? What do you want to do? What is your passion? What are you willing to give up to have your dream?

\\

This is me! Brian Johnson

I own Missoula Photography School and Glaston Vallhall. I travel, teach and shoot professionally. 

http://www.glastonvallhall.com/

http://www.missoulaphotoschool.com/

Film Vs. Digital: Which is Better?

Film Vs. Digital: Which is better?

We all have our opinions right? Yeah, we do. And this is totally my opinion. Really it's like trying to have a discussion about wether Canon or Nikon is better. We all know that Leica is the best anyway!! Haha!

O.K. Well,  here is the question, Which is better, Film or digital? I'm not going to go into the whole talk about the advantages and disadvantages of them. You all know them. People say with digital you get instant feedback and it's easy to learn. That is true. With Film you have to wait and it's a bit nerve racking for those who are unsure of getting the shot. Really, there are lots of advantages to both. So I would rather focus on the look and feel of the shot.

I wanted to know what the difference was when you compared them side to side.
So, I went out and took a few shots. I took the same shot with my digital camera and them the same shot seconds later with film. I will say that I prefer the film. The digital shots seem flat and lifeless. The film is just nicer to look at. I could say a lot more but I really want to know what you think.
I do need to mention that all the shots were touched up in Photoshop. But I should also mention that I did almost nothing to the Film shots. The most I did was maybe dodge and burn a bit and then throw a bit of softness on them. The digital were a lot more time cosuming and it's sad because I like the film shots a lot more!

Here are a few shots. Which ones do you prefer?

 

Brian Johnson is the owner of Missoula Photography School, Buffaloz Photography Training and Ayres Photography. He pretty much almost always has a camera on him. Actually, he usually has at least 4. He likes to teach and shoot and loves to learn. Yeah, even after 25 years of learning he is still trying to figure stuff out! Aren't we all?

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Powered my lack of sleep and the will to get things done.

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

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Photography Training: One Tip on How to Take Better Portraits

Photography Training: One Tip on How to Take Better Portraits

This post will help you if you are a beginner or even a professional. 

In the past I have said that it is good to reinvent yourself as a photographer every few years. I even went as far to say that a great example if reinvention is Madonna. Love her or hate her, she was very successful at reinventing herself and that is why is was popular in the 80's, 90's and is still successful after 30 plus years of being a musician. If you can reinvent yourself every few years and you are running a photography business there is a good chance that you won't be out of  business in 10 years from now. I reinvented myself, and  I will do it again and again and again.

One way that I reinvented myself was I made one simple change in how I photograph. I don't always do this but a large portion of my images have this in common. So, you are wondering what I am doing different? I use depth of field to the max!! I must say that I am not the only photographer out there that does this but I have a certain look to my images that sets me apart. Some can look at an image of mine and say, "yep that was shot my Brian".

You might wonder how I do this....?? Well, the main thing I do is I shoot almost all portraits wide open!! What I mean by this is I have lenses that have large apertures. They have apretures like f/1.1 and f/1.4. These apertures allow me to create very shallow Depth of Field. Basically the backgrounds go out of focus. I have invested in lenses that help me get this look. If you buy a camera and it comes with a kit lens you probably can't get this look. So, you really need to invest in some good quality lenses with fast apertures.  

I spent over a thousand dollars on my Voigtlander Nokton 50mm. I got my 85mm f/1.4 for a lot less. It's a Rokinon. The Rokinon is not as sharp as the Nokton, but it does a great job. Next I will get a 35mm f/1.4 Voigtlander and then I am not sure were I will go after that. Anyhow, fast lenses are very important to the look and style that I want my images to have. 

To take advantage of these wonderful lenses I have I need to make sure when I take the picture I have space behind the subject. If you have lenses like mine and you put your subject right up against a wall it kind of defeats the purpose.


If you want to learn more about how to pose people click here and check out this ebook! It's a great resource on how to creatively pose!

These are examples of what I mean.

See how I do not put them up against a wall? I almost always use f/1.4 for the Aperture and adjust the Shutter speed to allow the correct exposure.

Notice the leading lines in the image above? Do you notice the Shallow Depth of Field in this shot also?

Again, I have very shallow depth of field. When you have shallow depth of field it will separate your subject from the background and make the subject stand out. 

Again, this lovely lady stands apart from the background because I used a wide aperture of f/1.4.

If you have questions or need clarification on any of this please leave a comment and will answer you back!!

Thanks! -Brian

Is my goal if working as a full time photographer something you want to do? If so check out this ebook and learn how to get started!

Buffaloz Photography Training: One Tip on How to Take Better Portraits 

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Photography Training-How to Build your Photography Business Quickly

Photography Training-How to Build your Photography Business Quickly

In the past I have said that one if the quickest ways to build your business is to photograph others for free.  Friends and family are great for this but to get a bit more help attractive people and models are great for this. Handing out cards for free photo sessions and connecting with people on line is one of the best ways of jump starting your business.  I use Model Mayhem, Instagram, Facebook, and sometimes Craigslist to find people to photograph,  

When you are shooting an model that has experience, even a little experience, this helps you in other ways too. I am sure you know that when you get a picture you are proud of your confidence goes up. When shooting models you will usually get better shots, and sometimes you will get amazing results. This can be a real confidence booster! I have a few models that I work with a lot. There is one in particular that does an amazing job and I love working with her.  Jaci, (photos below) is such an amazing person. We try to get a shoot in every week or two as long as we have time.  

Most of the time, at least for me, it takes a few shots to get comfortable with the model. I usually plan on the first few shots to be "not so good" and then after a few minutes of shooting and talking the model and I will relax.  That's when I get the shots that I want. With Jaci, almost all of your shots are good because we feel comfortable shooting together.

However, you do need to shoot more than one model.  If you just shoot one and don't expand then you will not have acomplish your goal of growing your business, which is what this is really about. 

One thing you need to be aware of is people and models canceling. When shooting models, or others for free, there will be times when you have people that will stand you up. Yes, this is very rude and unprofessional of them but the fact is that it happens quite a bit. I used to get really upset and frustrated when a model cancelled on me. I took it personally. I kept wondering if something was wrong with me. Maybe the didn't like my work or maybe someone else was saying bad things about me.

Then I found statistics online. The stats say that when shooting someone for free, especially a model, you will have about 50-70 percent of no shows. Yes, they will stand you up. Some will call and have an excuse, others will just not even call. I have sat and waited for a model to show up for 45 minutes, then called and left a message and they never show up. This is very inconsiderate, and I still get a bit ticked off by it, but knowing the statistic makes me feel a lot better.

Anyhow, I do feel that even with the the issues of working with models and giving away free sessions is still one of the fastest ways of growing your business. You are not gonna get tons of business right away, and keep in mind that it still takes time to grow your business, but if you keep plugging away and don't give up, you will succeed where others fail.

The main reason photographers fail to make it is because they don't market and advertise. I look at shooting sessions for free as advertising. I get my name out there and others talk about me. 

There are other reasons for a photography business to fail, like charging too little, not having a look that others like, and simply not knowing how to manage money, but the main reason is photographers don't know how to market. 

Take some time to write down some goals and the just work on them a little everyday. Try to do something that helps you grow every day,  and keep shooting, shooting, shooting! If you have questions please leave a comment below. 

Thanks for being part of this community are reading my blog!


If you are interested in growing your business and learning how to make money with photography please check out this other post I wrote! Click here to learn more!


Here are a few photos of my lovely friend Jaci. She is simply amazing. You can visit her vintage clothing shop on Esty by clicking here.

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Photography Training: Why it is Important to Touch Up Your Photographs.

Photography Training: Why it is Important to Touch Up Your Photographs.

I have worked for over 20 years as a professional photographer. Everyday that I have taken photos I have learned something new Even though I write this blog and I shoot almost every day I still get a big surprise once in a while. 

I have touched up my images myself since the beginning of my career. I used to develop and print my own film and now I use computer programs which make it a lot easier. 

The other day I had an awakening. I wouldn't say it was rude because it came from a good friend. I had photographed her son a few weeks ago for his senior portrait. As most boys his age do, he had a small problem with acne. I did not remove them and sent her and gave her the images. Well, she called me yesterday and asked me if I could take care if it. 

It was at that moment that I had a paradigm shift. I had become lazy. I was putting my name out into the public and I wasn't putting my best foot forward.  When she got off the phone with me I will have to admit I was kind of embarrassed. I have made to new promise to myself that I will only sell, and post( on my various sites) my best work. This principle is the same with any job. Always do your best and don't do  half @%#@#  work.

Here is an example of an image that is touched up correctly and one that is does half @#$^.

The Image below is good(at least I think it is. I took it)

This Image is better. It took me 5 minutes to do this.

Not touched up but still nice right?

Much better don't you think?

So, if you don't have programs to touch up your images then you are missing out. The program that I used to touch up these images cost me $50. That's it. Anyone can afford it.

Also, you should check out this e-book. 

The Easiest Way to Start a Photography Business Book Click Here! Only $97 dollars!
-If you are interested in starting a photography business, this is a great resource!
All kinds of great info to get you started!!

AND

Portrait Photography Guide Click Here! Only $47 dollars!
Any excellent resource if you are interested in learning the art of Portrait Photography!

If you want to make money at photography they will really help you out. I recommend them. 

As Always thanks for reading this blog and if you have questions please get hold of me or leave a comment.

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

Photography Training: Why Quality Lenses are so Important

Photography Training: Why Quality Lenses are so Important

I get asked all the time "which camera should I buy?". Well, truthfully, but the cheapest camera body you can and spend the rest on quality lenses. You're probably thinking that I am crazy right now. I mean, everyone knows that you need to newest Canon or Nikon digital camera body to look cool, right?  Wrong! I totally disagree. For example, I have a friend that has a $4,000 Nikon body and she has a cheap lens for it. Well, Hmmm, how do I say this nicely? She messed up. I did it the other way. I have a Lumix G1 camera. It cost me $250. I have spent around $4,000 on my current lens selection. I can take the same shot as her with my cheap camera body and my quality lenses and get an amazing shot that she is so jealous of. She sure looks cool with that big heavy digital monster of a camera though. No one looks at my camera. Is it really important to look cool or is it more important to get the amazing shot that can sell and make you money?  I would say the latter. I make money with my little digital camera. My clients love my photos. So, if you don't believe me, I will just add some photos below. They were taken with the same camera, but different lenses. One is a Canon FD 50mm lens and the other is a Leica lens. 

This one was taken with the Canon Lens. not a great shot but I'm trying to prove a point

This one was taken with the leica lens 

They were taken within seconds of each other.

The second one is much sharper and you can tell it is a quality lens.

Here are some other examples:

Cheap lens, not a bad photo though...

Quality lens.. Can you see the difference?  Haha.. I hope you can!

Ask yourself which image you would buy? They are both nice shots. I took them. I think the bottom shot is way better. It was taken with a quality lens.  

So, if you are going to purchase a new camera soon, think about this before you go out and but the expensive high megapixel camera with the kit lens. I would say do it the other way around. Buy expensive lenses and not as expensive camera body. In a few years your gonna get a new camera body anyway. If you have lenses you can keep them forever. Quality lenses are an investment. All brands of cameras have quality lenses available. They all have cheap lenses available too. Make sure you do your due diligence before you buy lenses and get the best one you can! Not the most expensive, but the best!

If you have questions please leave a comment and I will answer. 

Also, If you want to learn how to make money with photography check out this post I did earlier.

Click here!

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Photography Tips: A Simple Model Shoot at Sunset

Photography Tips: A Simple Model Shoot at Sunset

I have to say that this is an amazing video. You can learn a lot from watching it. If you have questions leave a comment and I will do my best to answer it.  Enjoy!!!

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Photography Training: Ebook for Beginner Photographers

Photography Training-Digital Photography For The Creative Eye ebook!

Digital Photography For The Creative Eye Click Here! Only $14 dollars!
Another great book that everyone should have

This is  a great ebook to get started with learning photography.

Here are some of the things you will learn about

DSLR Photography Essentials

 Learn How Digital Camera Works
What is Digital Image & Digital Color
Understand Photography Light 
Creative Photography Techniques 
Composition 
Digital Image Editing 

If you are starting out in photography and just need help with the basics this ebook will really help. 

Learn how to take better portraits

Learn about the different types of lighting

And learn the basics of Composition

Become a better photographer and all it costs is 14 dollars.  It costs less than a trip with my kids to Mcdonalds.

I look at books as an investment. I read a lot and I have become a better photographer because of continual learning. If you want to be a great photographer you need to keep learning and learning. This book is simple to understand and fun to read.

Digital Photography For The Creative Eye Click Here! Only $14 dollars!

Just so you know, I do make a little money when you purchase an ebook from this site. I need to pay the bills and support my family of 4, soon to me 5. Here's the thing though, I only recommend products that I have used myself and I feel are of the highest quality. So help support this blog and my family and become a better photographer at the same time!!  If you have questions or concerns you can shoot me an email at ayresphotography@yahoo.com

Thanks, Brian

Owner of Buffaloz Photography Training and Professional Photographer

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Photography Training: Learn about TLR Cameras!

Photography Training

Photography Training: Learn about TLR Cameras!

A great video on Twin Lens Reflex Cameras!! Yes, It's film. Don't be afraid. There pretty easy to use and a lot of fun!!

Photography Training: Learn about TLR Cameras!

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Photography Training: How to Make Money with Photography Online.

Photography Training: How to Make Money with Photography Online.

I get asked all the time how I make money with photography online. In fact, I get asked how much too. 

Here is the thing, I married and I have a family to support. I have to make money with photography if I want to buy new equipment(photography can get expensive). If I don't make money, I don't do photography.My wife would lay down the hammer. Haha!!

Because I love taking photos and buying cameras I have learned how to make money with my camera. Here is the thing, It's exciting to make money with photography. I mean, how many people really do what they want and love and get paid for it? I'm in San Francisco right now on vacation and I'm still making $$!

I have also learned that if I can do it, so can you. It's not rocket science. I learned by reading books and asking questions. I build a network( I am still building it) so that others would know what I do. This last few months things have really blown up.  I am so busy that I can hardly keep going. I have tons of portrait sessions, and I am shooting commercial photography and now I am getting into fashion and fine art portraiture. I've been asked to do a year long photography project too!  I have a full time job that I will be leaving it soon! YAY!

It all started online. I learned about stock photography and other places to show my work and how to market myself online. I remember last Christmas when an ad agency from NYC got hold of me and asked me to shoot for Chevy.com! It was fun and I got paid good too!  

You can do it too! Imagine you could live where ever you want and make money online by selling your work.  If you sold your photography online where would you live? What kinds of things would you do when you didn't have to punch a clock and work a 9 to 5 shift? Actually, you could probably do what ever you want to do and live where ever you want too. 

You don't have to be the best photographer(I'm not), and you don't have to be the smartest person around. You just need to learn how to make money online. It has taken me about 9 months of serious work to get to where I am at. It might take you longer or maybe not, but if I don't try you will never know. If you could see yourself  9 months from know making 30 dollars a day selling photography online, what would you think? Now image seeing yourself in 3 years making 150 dollars a day and probably way more! Now image 5 years....
How would your life be different?  What kind of car would you drive? What would your schedule look like? Would your commute to work be gone? Could you afford that dream vacation?  You get the point.  

 Click here to learn how to make money online. This ebook will tell you how!!

It will be a good start. One thing I realized a while ago is that books are an investments. I have spend a ton of money of books. I have read self help books, montivational books, photography books, business books, investment books.  I read a lot.  My wife says I'm a nerd. She's right. I still tuck my t-shirt into my jeans. LOL

This is one of the images that I sell online. Nothing fancy. Actually, images like this are easier to sell online than artsy stuff! I know, Who would have thought?

Now, don't expect to make money overnight. It will take some time. The trick to becoming successful with selling your work on line it to never give up. Be committed. If you have the knowledge and are keep at it, it will happen! Plus as you go along, you will get better and smarter about it and then BAM!! Your making money!

This ebook has really helped me and I am sure it will do the same for you!!

Are you interested in learning how to make money with photography Check out this ebook and learn how to make money with photography!!  

There are other ebooks in the shoppe page of this site but I would start with this one. It is easy to understand and will give you the knowledge to get started.  I will warn you that after reading this ebook you will need to take action. You can't read it and then decide that you will do it later. If you are gonna do that please don't buy it. It will be a waste of money. But if you really want to make money with photography online, and you really want to change your life, get this ebook. It's the starting point!  I want you to succeed and I am here to help you. It was one if the best investments I ever paid for! For me it has paid for itself at least 100 times over and will continue to do more.  

Where will you be in 9 months? Making money with photography, or sitting on your couch thinking you should have invested in your education 9 months ago? You decide.  You know the path I chose.

I need to tell you that I do make a few dollars if you buy this ebook. I need to feed my family and pay for expensive photography equipment, but I only recommend books and products that I believe in and have tried. So help me support my family and learn  how to support yours at the same time!! If you have questions feel free to send me a message at buffalozphotog@yahoo.com

Thanks, Brian!

Photography Training: A Few Shots From Our Vacation So Far!

Photography Training: A Few Shots From Our Vacation So Far!

I thought I would share a few shots from my families vacation so far. We are staying in Oakland but we are going into San Francisco for most of the days. Anyhow, Here are a few shots I took today! Hopefully I will have more for tomorrow. Hope you enjoy!

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

Photography Training: Improve your photos with two simple rules

Photography Training

Great video on how to improve you photography by doing a few simple things!

Great video!

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

Photography Training:Lightroom 4: Create Stunning Images

Photography Training:Lightroom 4: Create Stunning Images!

Great video on Lightroom 4 basics!

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Photography Training:How to use a cloth photo backdrop on location

Photography Training:How to use a cloth photo backdrop on location

Great video! This is a good idea!!

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

Photography Training: Choosing the best camera angle

Photography Training: Choosing the best camera angle!

Great video!! Enjoy!

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

Photography Training: Thank you!

Photography Training

I usually don't share many of my own images on this site. I 

tend to focus on tips and training. Well, I have decided to share a few of my shots for you to see. I hope you like them.  I really just want to say thank you to all of you who visit my blog and read or watch the things I post. Thanks you so much for being part of my life and letting me into yours. If you ever need anything from me please let me know and I will do my best to provide it. 

Anyhow, here are a few of my images! 

Hope you enjoy!! Thank you!

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