1. Keep it slowly but surely.

It takes time before you can tag your photography professional, though you’ll get them if you’re patient enough.

2. While you’re at it, become a better version of your shutterbug self every day.

Take time to practice and learn continuously. Grab that camera and keep taking pictures. Be comfortable in being behind that lens. Know your style and outdo yourself.

3. Save up for a better camera that can do wonders for you.

Simply put, a professional photographer owns a professional camera. If you want to land a paid job and keep them coming, make sure that your equipment is the best you could probably get.

Ask around for prices and market reviews. If you found the camera you think is right for you, go ahead and buy it so you could practice.

If you need some more funds, that’s okay. If this is the profession you want to be in, then, work hard for your camera, your investment and the key to success.

4. Get certified.

Though some successful photographers did not have any formal education or training, it is still best for beginners nowadays to get some certification.

It helps build your credibility and your network, too.

5. Get recommended.

Offer your services to friends, at no to minimal cost, and build your portfolio. While starting up, you need to increase your clientele and experience. Your friends may not be able to pay you the amount you aim for, or give you that break that you need, however, they may know people who do.

6. Start photo blogging.

If you want to be a professional shutterbug, then act like one. Experts keep an online portfolio of their works, so prospects have reference to what they do.

Start one for yourself and update it from time to time. You’d never know, your big break might be your next blog visitor.

The post 6 Secrets Professional Photographers Won’t Tell appeared first on PC Photo Mag.

As you gain experience, one wedding after another, you tend to evaluate your worth, and it’s way higher than you currently ask from your clients.

After evaluating how much you earn versus how much you would like to receive, you are now ready to stand up for yourself and the future of your wedding photography firm. You finally accept the fact that charging lower fees is no longer a business, but a charity.

So let me list down three steps on how to raise your prices as a wedding photographer.

1. Be visible. Be opinionated. Be online.

If you are serious about getting paid higher, get more visibility. Start sharing your opinions about anything wedding photography and have an online portfolio where people can see your skills.

Start a blog, if you do not have one. You need an avenue where you can showcase what you’ve got – from opinions to previous clients to your services to finally, your marked-up prices.

If you already own a blog, keep it up-to-date and never dated. No one wants to hire a wedding photographer who doesn’t have a new portfolio to brag.

2. Make more art with your art.

Wedding photography is already an art in its own right. However, to increase prices, you have to take your artistry to a different level.

Try taking pictures aside from wedding photo shoots. Take time to add more drama to your craft, and post it on your site. If you build your reputation as “more than just a wedding photographer”, people won’t care if they pay more for your services.

3. Add more perks, for a price.

Most people think that it is better to pay more than spend time on things other people can do for them.

Thus, if you want to receive better pay, start giving the VIP treatment. Look for perks to excite them up, like a 24/7 hotline or free package delivery for their photos, if you can or give them DVD copies of their wedding or a blog specially dedicated to their pictures.

See which one fits, and adhere to it. No one likes false promises.

There go three tips on how you can effectively increase your prices as a wedding photographer and gain more customers.

The post Demand Higher Wedding Photography Prices This Year and Attract More Clients appeared first on PC Photo Mag.

While there are many paid photo editors online, you might want to start with excellent tools that can be downloaded free of charge.

To help you make an easier yet well-informed decision about the tools to install on your computer, I have listed the 5 best free photo editing programs.

1. GIMP 2.9.4, and soon 2.10

GIMP has been reviewed by many as an alternative to Photoshop with an almost similar setup and brushes and its capacity to manipulate graphics.

We recommend GIMP 2.9.4 for beginners who cannot pay for Photoshop just yet. While there are some differences in the interface, the skills we learn from this basic-to-intermediate editing tool can still be used should we switch software.

There are more enhancements to come, as per their website.

2. Paint.NET

They created Paint.NET to replace Microsoft’s Paint program – not just its name, but more.

Paint.NET is a free-to-use interface for editing photos that includes layers, and other functionalities available on Paint. If your hands move a lot and are not so steady, don’t fret. This version has unlimited undo!

3. PhotoScape

PhotoScape is more than your average free photo editor.

This interface has practical editing tools grouped in pages, while it allows RAW conversion to JPEG, splitting and merging photos, and creating animated files in Graphics Interchange Format.

There goes my top three when it comes to free downloadable software for editing digital photos. Give these programs a try and see which one is the right pick to deliver your style. Good luck!

The post 3 Computer Programs To Edit Your Photos Best This Year – At No Cost appeared first on PC Photo Mag.

To narrow the choices down, here are some tips that set the difference of one camera to the next.

1. Identify your Lifestyle and Photo Subjects

Your style of life, hobby, and the subject will demand different features and functions from your camera, so make sure you categorise accordingly before making any purchase.
a. For apprentice and professional photographers (Studio, Fashion, Sports, Landscape, Event, etc.)
They work best with cameras that bring highly defined photo quality with auto or manual focus, high ISO features, and interchangeable lenses. DSLRs and mirrorless cameras would fit this skill level.
b. Active sports enthusiasts, thrill seekers, animal wildlife observationalist and the likes
Above average photo quality, with fast shutter speed, shockproof, waterproof, and mountable features are recommended. Tiny, action ready cameras that can be strapped onto a helmet or on any moving object are perfect.
c. Occasional and random point-and-shoot candid photographers (most likely aren’t exactly photographers but are social media active individuals)
Slim, compact, accessible, average photo cameras are suggested. Camera smartphones work best bringing a variety of photo apps available plus swift uploads on social sites.

2. Personal Preferences

Take your aesthetic and texture preferences into consideration. Buying a camera is similar to buying yourself a gift. Eliminate designs that do not make you feel happy about spending.

3. Research Camera Types and Cost

Online stores and manufacturer websites usually indicate estimated costs. Stick to the budget you’ve kept and cross out cameras impractical for your pocket and style of life.

4. Helpful Accessories

Sometimes, what your camera lacks, an accessory may make up for. Cables, eyepieces, power banks, tripods, memory cards are some compliments you can add to your camera to complete a function you need.

The post A Guide to Landing the Camera that’s Perfect for You appeared first on PC Photo Mag.

Here are three of the top modern shutterbugs best known for their skills, talent and photos.

1. Joe McNally

Joe McNally is one of the top names when it comes to photography and has inspired many shutterbugs and enthusiasts throughout his career.

His forte, portraits, was technically produced using his Nikon camera and were made more vivid and artistic using light and color techniques.

He was named a legend by both Kodak and Nikon in separate ceremonies.

His photos earned him three decades of visibility worldwide, including top magazines that were delighted to feature his works. McNally has also received many recognitions for his craft, including nominations and awards such as the Alfred Eisenstaedt Award for magazine photography.

2. Joey Lawrence

Not even on his thirties, Joey Lawrence has already been acclaimed as one of the top young photographers today. Known as Joey L, described his work as “stylized environmental portraits”.

He first showed talent and passion for taking pictures when he was just seven years old and taught himself the art and science of photography.

He has shot numerous projects in his career, which allowed more commissioned projects to come pouring, including posters for the Twilight movie in 2024.

Joey Lawrence received Gold International Photography Awards for Professional Portrait twice.

3. Michael Muller

He was the man behind Rihanna’s intriguing album cover for Unapologetic. He has shot promotional posters for Iron Man and X-men Origins: Wolverine among Hollywood movies and became famous for capturing vivid and uncensored photos of sharks underwater.

Michael Muller, who has earned his reputation as a portrait photographer, also won hearts of sick children when he co-founded Kids Clicking Kids in 2024. He has also supported other advocacies that made him a brilliant photographer with a big heart.

So, if you are decided to get behind the lens and take photos, try seeing these men’s works for some inspiration.

The post 3 Top Modern Photographers You Should Watch Out For appeared first on PC Photo Mag.