Photography Made Simple

In this episode, I’m answering a question I get a lot, especially at this time of year… Which order should I take the Live Snap Love courses in? We have quite a few courses on offer (which you can check out here!) so I understand it can be difficult to know where to start….and what to learn next! In this episode, I’ll break down a typical learning path, the reasons why I recommend this order, and the Live Snap Love courses that align with that learning pathway.  Even if you are not interested in any particular course, or indeed, getting any of our courses, you will still want to give this podcast episode a listen, because it will help you figure out your own curriculum, and where you should be focusing next!   This will help you not waste your time and money on things that won’t move the needle for you, or understand what might be missing from your current curriculum.    In this episode we discuss:  The four key areas of photography that everyone needs to learn! The all important areas you must learn as a strong foundation for everything else Why getting an organization system for your photos is something you should do as early as possible in your photography journey The key area that most (if not all) pro photographers will want to control themselves The “next stage”  course I recommend that EVERYONE takes, because it’s so darn important.  The key skills you need to learn to become a more proficient photographer What to work on when you’ve got the crucial technical skills down! The advanced editing skills you’ll want as you progress.  The order to layer on the Live Snap Love courses.  FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR COURSES: 👉You can learn more about all our courses by going to our shop page! https://livesnaplove.com/everything   COME SAY HI! WEBSITE | https://livesnaplove.com/ BLOG | https://livesnaplove.com/blog-home  INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove  New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!

In this week’s episode, we are diving into Lightroom Presets - what they are, what they do, and how they can help you speed up your editing process, so you can get more done in less time!   In this episode we discuss:  What Lightroom Presets are, and how they work https://livesnaplove.com/bloWhy many photographers, from beginners to pros use presets Why presets are not the be all and end all when it comes to editing, and what to watch out for What we have coming up for you in the store!  GET THE FREE LIGHTROOM STARTER KIT!  https://livesnaplove.com/lightroom-starter-kit    COME SAY HI! WEBSITE | https://livesnaplove.com/ BLOG | https://livesnaplove.com/blog-home  INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove    New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!

Although I don’t always want to remove day to day clutter from my frame (for example for more documentary photos) there are times when I want a cleaner, more streamlined look to my images than my cluttered, messy home will allow!  Over the years I have come up with lots of tricks to help me create beautiful, clean photos in less-than-picturesque environments, from my home, to clients home, or even just being out and about with my camera.  So in this week’s episode, I’m sharing with you 6 tips and tricks that will help you use your space - even a normal everyday home - and turn it into a great location for clean uncluttered photos!  In this episode we discuss:  The simplest way to get a “clean” background absolutely anywhere!  What to look for in your home for a clean backdrop.  How to use your window to create a clean, bright area behind your subject. Another way you can use the light in your home to create a black background.  And more!

Are you planning on taking your own family portraits this year, but not sure how to go about it? Then listen to this week’s episode as I walk you, step by step, through how to take your own family photos!   Being able to take your own family photos, either for a traditional portrait to hang on your wall, for your holiday cards, or just to have a snapshot of your family at this stage of life,  is actually pretty simple to do - you just need to have a few basics down.  Tune in to learn:  What equipment you’ll need for taking your own family photos (less than you think!)  What to consider when planning your family photoshoot.  The tripod I use, or what you can use instead to support your camera.  How to set your camera to take photos without you being there to press the shutter!  A quick tip on your camera settings. The most crucial aspect of taking your own family photos - getting the focus right!  GET THE PLAYFUL PROMPTS GUIDE!  https://livesnaplove.com/prompts  SEE THE SHOW NOTES: https://livesnaplove.com/blog/take-your-own-family-portraits   COME SAY HI! WEBSITE | https://livesnaplove.com/ BLOG | https://livesnaplove.com/blog-home  INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove    New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!

In this episode, I’m talking with an incredible photographer, Pam McIntyre, who was actually a student of Live Snap Love many years ago, but has gone on to do amazing work in all different genres. The story of her photography journey is an interesting one - she had a highly technical job in a male dominated industry, and took up photography as a way of having a creative outlet.  She then recently retired, and worried that her life would lack focus and purpose, so she started a blog, and has been sharing her work and journey through the process of retirement there, along with sharing her fabulous photos. Here we talk about her personal journey and the importance of finding purpose after retirement, how she stays creative, what things helped her grow the most, starting a blog, photographing birds and landscapes, her gear and so much more!  Here’s just a few things we cover:   Why Pam was worried about losing purpose after retirement, and what she did to overcome it What her biggest game changer in photography was…..and what wasted her time. The type of photography she started with, and what she focuses on now Her favorite lenses for bird photography and landscape photography How she is using photography as a way for mindful thinking  And so much more!    AUDREY’S LINKS MENTIONED: The Auto to Awesome Course The Mastering Natural Light Course All our Freebies & Courses   PAM’S LINKS MENTIONED: Pam’s Blog  Pam’s Instagram Page GAS Syndrome Blog Post   New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!

Have you heard people talking about Lensbaby lenses, and wondered what they are, and why the heck you might want one?  Or maybe you’ve already been thinking about adding a Lensbaby to your collection but not sure which one you should get, or even if they are the right choice for you? I have coveted a Lensbaby for years, but was never sure which one I wanted, or what the difference was between the various options! So I’ve been busy doing my homework, researching all the options, and in this week’s podcast episode, I’m going to share all my recently gained knowledge with you! We’ll dive into all things Lensbaby - what they are, some of the different types you get, who they are for, what to watch out for, and why they might be a great addition to your camera bag. Tune into this episode where we discuss:  What a lensbaby is A quick and dirty guide to some of the different types of Lensbabies you can get and the “look” each one provides.  The 2 different mounting options you can choose from Who would use these lenses, and what type of photography they are often used for Some important things to consider when buying a Lensbaby  Who should and who shouldn’t get  Lensbaby MORE RESOURCES Go to the Show Notes for this Episode

In this episode, I’m answering a question from one of our listeners, Emma, who wanted to know a little bit more about documentary and lifestyle photography, and what the difference was between the two. She asked: “I’m never sure whether to call myself a lifestyle or documentary photographer. I like capturing unposed shots, and more candid moments, but I’m not really sure of the difference between the two. And does it matter?” So tune into this week’s episode where we’ll chat about both forms of photography, what makes them different, and whether it really matters which one you call yourself!   Tune in to listen to me chat about: An overview on what documentary is An overview of what lifestyle photography and how this differs from documentary photography Whether this is relevant to you as a “hobby” photographer, and whether this changes when you are in business Got a question for the podcast?  Leave it here!: https://forms.gle/Ffcifn35HPi4RrBx8   COME SAY HI! WEBSITE | https://livesnaplove.com/ BLOG | https://livesnaplove.com/blog-home  INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove    New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!

I know from personal experience that when you first start out in photography, it can often feel very overwhelming and frustrating, and for many new photographers, this leads to you giving up, thinking you might “never get it” or that you’re just not cut out for photography.  Which is why I want to share with you 11 things that I think you should know right at the start of your photography journey! These are the things I wish that I had been told, realized or simply paid more attention to in the beginning, because it would have saved me so much TIME and got to where I wanted to be that much faster.  Tune in to learn:  How to approach learning photography so that you don’t feel overwhelmed in the beginning The biggest change you can make that will have a huge impact on your photos  What to ensure you learn in tandem with manual mode How to avoid noise and grain in your image What NOT to worry about in the beginning Why gear is not the answer to your problems! Why comparison is making you feel worse about your photos than you need to The two crucial things to keep in mind when learning photography.  ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Photography Learning Blueprint: https://livesnaplove.com/blueprint  Auto to Awesome: https://livesnaplove.com/auto-to-awesome Episode Show Notes: https://livesnaplove.com/blog/things-new-photographers-should-know   COME SAY HI! WEBSITE | https://livesnaplove.com/ BLOG | https://livesnaplove.com/blog-home  INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove    New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!

Fall is one of the best times of the year for portraits, whether that be of your child, your family, your pet, maternity or any type of portrait!  That’s because nature creates a fantastic backdrop for us in fall (or autumn in you are in the UK) with the leaves on the trees turning into beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow,  creating a vibrant, warm, cozy look to our portraits. So in this week’s episode, I’m sharing how you can plan for a fall photoshoot - from when to find the best time of year to shoot,  what to think about when planning your outfits, lighting, practical tips and more. In this episode we discuss:  How to find the best dates to shoot in the US and UK (starting now from mid-Nov) Location ideas for your fall photoshoot. The best times of day for a fall photoshoot, so you can get the best light for highlighting the beautiful fall colours What to consider when outfit planning, and some accessories that can really help tie everything together.  Practical tips to help your fall photoshoot go smoothly!  RESOURCES Check out all the resources on our show notes: https://livesnaplove.com/blog/plan-fall-photoshoot   COME SAY HI! WEBSITE | https://livesnaplove.com/ BLOG | https://livesnaplove.com/blog-home  INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove    New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!

One of the questions I get a lot from my students was about lens filters, so I created a free training for them inside our student community, the Live Snap Love Insiders Club. But I thought that you would probably enjoy it too, so today on the podcast, I’m sharing the audio of that free training. Although it was obviously created with slides to show. you examples, I still think it will be incredibly interesting to listen to even with audio only (and if you are a student, you can watch the whole thing in our student community!) (Not a student? Check out our range of courses here!)  In this episode, you are going to learn everything you ever wanted to know about lens filters, from the different types of filters available, what you would use each one for, what type of photographer will find them useful, and even how to use them! I’ll also answer some questions that were posted by our students. So tune into this episode to learn: What exactly lens filters are, and the main reasons for using lens filters (even when you can do some of the effects back in post production!) The different types of lens filters that are available, including UV, neutral density, graduated density, polarising filters and more What each filter is used for, and the effects it can give you A quick start guide on how to use each of the filters we talk about Tips for buying filters and what to look for Whether filters are a “must-have” in the digital age, and if so, which ones do you need What filters you should start with, depending on the type of photography you do COME SAY HI! WEBSITE | https://livesnaplove.com INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove

Have you heard the terms aperture, f-stop and depth of field and wondered what the **** they all are, and how they all work together? Then this is the podcast episode for you! Today, listen is as we go over what Aperture is, what the term F-stop means, and how this impacts your depth of field, and how this changes the look of your photo. (Want to see pictures? See the full show notes for this episode here!) In this episode you’ll learn: What exactly aperture is, and how it is really just a fancy term for a hole! How you determine the size of the aperture, and what this looks like on your camera How aperture changes the way your images LOOK by changing the depth of field What depth of field is, and how you control it A quick exercise you can do to see aperture and depth of field in action. ✅ Check out the Beginners Bootcamp here!  COME SAY HI! WEBSITE | https://livesnaplove.com INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of our brand new community for our students! We recently moved our student community away from Facebook, and into a new home on our course website.  Today I want to get into what you’ll find over at the new community, and why we made the switch, and how you access the community if you are a student, and what to do if you’re not! In this episode we discuss:  Who is this community for, why we have one (and why it’s better than any free community out there!)  Why are we moving from Facebook, even though this wasn’t in my plans until recently! All the fun things you’ll find inside the community - free resources, updates, support and deeper discussions (and so much more to come!)  How the structure of the new community makes more sense, and how it will help you find what you are looking for more easily.  How to access the community as a student, and how to get access if you’re not!  ➡️  Check out our programs and resources here!  COME SAY HI! WEBSITE | https://livesnaplove.com INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove

Learn how to get started with macro photography, from which gear you need, to camera settings and composition!  Macro photography has been an unexpected joy for me in my photography journey. . It allows you to see the world in a whole new way, and appreciate the beauty that can be found everywhere if you get close enough!  So many people come to me and say that they would like to try macro too, but they don’t know where to start.  So that’s exactly what we are going to look at today - how to get started with macro photography!  We’ll cover what macro photography is, how to get started within spending a fortune on gear, finding subjects and what settings to use, along with tips for light, focus and composition!  Tune and learn:  What macro photography actually is The gear you need for true macro photography, and how you get started without breaking the bank The macro lens that I personally use and love Some ideas for macro subjects that I recommend for getting started with (and the ones I don’t!)  What camera settings you’ll need to pay close attention to, along with where to start with your aperture settings Tips for focusing when you are so close to your subject  More photography tips including light and composition   RESOURCES & LINKS 👉Check out the Everyday Macro Magic Course: Https://livesnaplove.com/macro Go to the Show Notes for this episode: https://livesnaplove.com/blog/how-to-get-started-with-macro-photography  COME SAY HI! INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove  New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!

How to find more time in your day for learning photographyWhenever I ask people about what the number one thing is that is holding them back from learning photography, one of the most common answers I get is not having enough time!  I can definitely relate to that - most of us are struggling, trying to juggle several plates at the same time, so learning photography can get shunted down to the bottom of the pile.  Although I can’t help you add more hours to your day, I can try to help you work smarter in the hours that you DO have, and help you find time in your day for photography - and that’s what we are going to dive into in this week’s podcast!  Tune into this episode to discover:  Why scrabbling around trying to learn photography via disconnected tutorials is wasting your time Why being more structured in how you approach learning photography will ultimately save you so much time How to map out your own learning curriculum (or download my free blueprint if you are a beginner)  How to find time in your day for photography, or factor it into your existing schedule!    RESOURCES & LINKS 👉 Get the FREE Photography Learning Blueprint https://livesnaplove.com/blueprint Go to the Show Notes for this episode: https://livesnaplove.com/blog/finding-time-for-photography COME SAY HI! INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove   New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!

The 5 must-know editing tips to help you edit your photos like a pro!    If you have been following Live Snap Love for a while, you'll know that I LOVE editing photos. It’s a HUGE part of photography for me, because it's another area where I get to be creative, or get the photo looking exactly the way I want it to look! Editing is like the icing on the cake or the seasoning on your food - you might not technically need it, but without it, your photos can be a little bland and uninteresting. But the good news is, even a little bit of editing with some basic tools can have a huge impact on your photos!  So in this week’s podcast episode,  I'm sharing 5 must-know editing tips to help you edit your photos like a pro, so that they look more polished and professional, and help you get a more consistent style for your photos.    In this episode, you’ll learn:  The first thing you’ll need to do in editing, to make sure your photos look beautiful, fresh and natural. How to turn your image from so-so to masterpiece by playing with the exposure What to do if you want a specific style, like light and airy or dark and moody  Why you should avoid using presets to start with and learn how to take the wheel and drive yourself!  Where to start when it comes to editing your photos, and a good way to experiment with editing.    RESOURCES & LINKS 👉 Get the FREE Lightroom Starter Kit: Https://livesnaplove.com/lightroom-starter-kit Go to the Show Notes for this episode: https://livesnaplove.com/blog/must-know-editing-tips   COME SAY HI! INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove b New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!

How many times have you heard that in order to get the best photos, you should try to shoot in the Golden Hour, in other words, the hour right before sunset or just after sunrise? Probably a lot!  However, many times, we simply cannot shoot at that time of day.  Maybe we’re taking our kids to the beach or the park later in the day, or we’re photographing a wedding that is happening in the afternoon, or we’re on holiday and sightseeing during the day, or maybe you’re in business and your clients can’t make the golden hour.  The good news is, there is a way to photograph people that allows you to get nice, soft, even light on your subject, even at midday, and is easy enough to use as a beginner!  In this episode, I’ll give you a couple of tricks to try for shooting in full sun that will help you get better “people” photos, even in the height of summer. Tune into this episode to discover:  Why shooting in full sun is generally considered “bad” for traditional portraits / people photos  How utilizing shade can help you get softer, more even light  Where you can find open or covered shade  What to do when there is no shade available  Some other ways to play with photography in full sun!    RESOURCES & LINKS 👉 Get the FREE Mastering Natural Light Starter Guide: https://livesnaplove.com/light-guide Go to the Show Notes for this episode: https://livesnaplove.com/blog/shooting-in-full-sun The Mastering Natural Light Course: https://livesnaplove.com/light   COME SAY HI! INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove   New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!

There has been a lot of chatter recently about the use of AI in photography, especially as Photoshop's AI tools have been growing steadily, and very recently both Lightroom and Lightroom Classic introduced a new generative AI tool inside Lightroom, making it even more accessible to use AI on your images. So where do YOU draw the line when it comes to the use of AI in photography? I'm definitely no expert in AI but it did prompt me to think more closely about the use of AI in my own work!  From tagging and noise reduction to generative AI tools, together we will explore the ethical considerations and personal boundaries of AI in photography. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, this episode will hopefully get you thinking about what is and isn't acceptable in your own photography journey! You’ll discover:  What AI is in Photography, and how we have maybe been using AI without realizing it! Some recent examples of AI photos that made the news (including one that won a photography competition!)  What I personally use AI for, and where I draw the line. Does it make a difference if you made the changes manually or using AI?  The ethical considerations of using AI in photography GO TO THE SHOW NOTES 👉 https://livesnaplove.com/blog/ai-and-photography-where-do-you-draw-the-line COME SAY HI! WEBSITE | https://livesnaplove.com/ BLOG | https://livesnaplove.com/blog-home  INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove  New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!

Over my 17 years of practicing and learning photography, I have had plenty of a-ha moments or changes I have implemented that have totally changed my photos for the better.  So today on the podcast I am sharing just three of these, but these three are ones that you can do today (as in right this minute!) and they don’t require any new equipment,  spending money or learning anything too complicated!  Tune in today and learn the 3 simple changes you can make today that will change your photos forever.  You’ll discover:  The simple shift in lighting that will make your images look more three dimensional and compelling What to take control of in your camera, and why leaving it up to a bunch of wires and sensors won’t create images that look the way you want them to How to compose your images with more care, by being intentional about what is in the frame (and what to watch out for!)  GET THE FREE MASTERING NATURAL LIGHT GUIDE 👉 https://livesnaplove.com/light-guide GO TO THE SHOW NOTES 👉 https://livesnaplove.com/blog/3-ways-to-improve-your-photos-right-now COME SAY HI! WEBSITE | https://livesnaplove.com/ BLOG | https://livesnaplove.com/blog-home  INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove  New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!

In need of a new photography project for summer? Then I've got you covered!  In this episode of the Photography Made Simple podcast,  I'm giving you 4 ideas of photography projects you can do that will help you document summer, get more creative photos, or just motivate you to pick up your camera.  Whether you are photographing your young family, or you’re retired and capturing your travels or you just want to capture the beauty of your days and the world around you, there will be a summer photography project here that will suit you!  So join me in today’s episode and discover:  How a Summer Photography Project can help you get back on track and taking photos again if you’ve hit a slump The projects you can do that will help you document your days, along with special tips for families. Summer photography projects that don’t involve shooting people, but instead inspire you to explore different photography subjects and techniques GET THE FREE SUMMER SCAVENGER HUNT LIST  👉 https://livesnaplove.com/summer GO TO THE SHOW NOTES 👉 https://livesnaplove.com/blog/motion-in-photography COME SAY HI! WEBSITE | https://livesnaplove.com/ BLOG | https://livesnaplove.com/blog-home  INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove    New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!

The way that you show movement or motion in your photos can give your images a totally different look and feel,  and today on the podcast, we are looking at all the different ways you can capture it!  Using motion is a great way to make your images look more creative, have stronger compositions, or just play and have fun!  You can choose to freeze the motion, have motion blur in the background, have motion blur on your subject, introduce motion blur just by camera movement and even do time lapse photography! In this week’s podcast, we’ll look at all 5 different ways to capture motion in your photos,  along with some tips and ideas for using each one.  So join me in today’s episode and discover:  The 5 different ways to show motion and movement in your photos. How to ensure that you “freeze” the motion in your images. How to introduce intentional motion blur on your subject How to show the motion in the background, but keep your subject sharp What time lapse photography is  CHECK OUT AUTO TO AWESOME 👉 https://livesnaplove.com/auto-to-awesome GO TO THE SHOW NOTES 👉 https://livesnaplove.com/blog/motion-in-photography COME SAY HI! WEBSITE | https://livesnaplove.com/ BLOG | https://livesnaplove.com/blog-home  INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/livesnaplove  FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/livesnaplove  New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure to click that follow button to get notified when they land!