Photography Through A Mic

I had a maternity photoshoot planned that didn't happen. But luckily I could use the props for a cool twist on a old self portrait.

It can be hard to keep those creative juices flowing, especially when there's a pandemic going on. Try one of these 3 steps and see if they help create something you love.

This must be some mistake, or a silver lining for those wanting to expand their skills and take part in a new market. This news has pros and cons, but could be just what you needed. Check out my Instagram @leannielens for photos and upcoming reels.

Thumbtack is a lead generating website. I've been using it for about a year and enjoy it. In this episode I tell you about some pros and cons I've found plus let you know if thumbtack is something useful to you.

This pandemic has made people not want shoot and that can be tough to deal with.

Sometimes some clients just aren’t for you. And that’s ok! But knowing how to decipher the good from the bad can be difficult. I’d say go with your gut feeling. Dodging a bullet can be way better than sticking with a difficult client. Your mental state of mind will thank you.

Not only is this beneficial income wise but it gives you knowledge and experience that you can use in your preferred field of photography. Head over to Instagram to check out some of my work @leannielens. Thanks guys!

Almost every time I pick up my camera I have intentions of improving and being better than my last session. I’ve learned that letting your work speak for itself is not only a great feeling. But also a way to tell if you’re getting better or not. Unless photography is strictly a hobby constant improvement is important. Over on IG you guys can scroll back through some of my old work and see all the ways I’ve improved. @leannielens

Started this year with a family session since I want to start building my portfolio for families. I offered a free session to a former high school teacher of mine and things seem to be going good until we were almost done with the shoot and I realized something.

Asking for feedback is important when you are trying to improve your skills especially if you ask people who inspire you. They can give some advice on how they might do it and that will overall help you improve your own photography. Be sure to check out my recent work on IG @leannielens. I’ll catch you guys in the next one.

How do you find the perfect models for you and why is this important. Well first off, finding the perfect model can help you really create a style for you editing along with helping build you brand. Let me explain.

Practice Gratitude Everyday

Is photoshop really better than Lightroom? I don’t believe so, I just think that they are best used for two different things. I’ll explain more!

I’ve had many people tell me that they love my behind the scene videos. And I understand why. It’s the same reason Beyoncé’s Homecoming video was so amazing to people. Take a listen to hear me really explain. Also check out my Instagram @leannielens.

Content is the name of the game now a days. So if you’re a creator...but don’t have any content to share, you’re already lacking. A easy way to get lots of content but in a short amount of time like one day is to switch up small things such as lighting or location. To see any of the images from my five self portraits session check out my website and my Instagram both at leannielens. Thanks guys! Catch you in the next one.

Do you have a location that you can go to and you know the images will turn out great. Like that go to location for shoots? Well I want you to schedule a shoot there but have intentions to get completely different shots than what you normal get. Watch yourself start to think outside the box. Check out my recent work on IG at @leannielens or my website at www.leannielens.com

Sometimes your just have to take a look back and understand the steps you took to get to where you are. Some of those times you may be able to thank yourself for being this or that, because that’s the main reason you’re where you are. Let me elaborate! Also my IG is @leannielens and my website is www.leannielens.com

I give one (actually two) really simple tips to think outside the box and create eye catching photos. By changing up the position of your light and playing with silhouettes you can instantly take your photos to the next level. Head over to my Instagram to see a couple previews @leannielens

Your camera may give you clues as to how strong the exposure of an image is. I’ll share with you one of those clues and how to fix the problem.

A couple years ago I really wanted to be a pastry chef, mainly because of how pretty the desserts were. Well I quickly realized that photography was the path chosen for me. Don’t forget to check out my Instagram and IGTV to see behind the scene of photoshoots, and my website www.leannielens.com

If I could only take two lenses with me to the afterlife, it’ll definitely be a 24-70mm and a 30mm 1.4 sigma lens. I’ll explain why. Make sure you follow me on Instagram @leannielens and check out my website at leannielens.com.

If you put two images side by side of one you took last year and one you took this year, there should be a clear difference of which one is the most recent. I’ll explain why.

It’ll be a very small and quick wedding which I’m actually excited for because that takes lots of pressure off of me! But also adds to the intimacy of the wedding. You’ll find the final images of this wedding and engagement session on IG (@leannielens) and my website (leannielens.com)

There’s a local designer here in Saint Louis and I’ve been wanting to work with her for a while now. Well, I finally got the chance and I’ll tell you how I did it. If you’d like to check out more work head over to IG a @leannielens or website a leannielens.com.

By adventuring into new areas you’ll find yourself with a new sense of motivation to go out and start shooting. Using the same area 20 times get old. Have a friend take you or go explore by yourself. I’m sure something will catch your eye. Check out my work on IG @leannielens and Corey work at @coreywallisphotograpgy

The answer is yes! Yes! And...Yes! I’ll explain why on this episode. Check out my website (leannielens.com) and instagram (@leannielens) to see more work.

It’s more than just taking a pretty photo of yourself. During the process of taking pretty photos of yourself, you learn new editing techniques and posing along with other technical things. As a result your images get better, which will begin to build your self confidence. To see self portraits I’ve taken be sure to check out my website (leannielens.com) and Instagram @leannielens.

On today’s episode I answer this question, “why aren’t my photos sharp?”. I struggled with blurry images for a while when I first started photography and have learned a thing or two. So these few tips should definitely help you!

I recently realized how easy it actually can be to become a world famous photographer. After struggling with finding the right goals to set and achieve, I’ve just began to understand the way reverse engineering works. To be a world famous photographer I first have to at least be know in my country (United States of America). So here I am, beginning a 50 states photography tour.

Not knowing why you’re doing something makes it that much harder to push through the rough times and stay the course. Always reconnect with the why!

Once you’ve gotten to the point where you don’t have to worry about doing anything you don’t want to do. And only focusing on improving at the things that you genuinely enjoy, life gets good!

I am just now learning how to use photoshop and it’s definitely a game changer when it comes to editing! Which I feel is obvious! I’ll explain what difference I’ve seen and the biggest tip I have after a week of practice.

These tips are very general but can be applied to any kind of session!

These are my top two lenses to use when it comes to fashion photography. Also check out my images on my Instagram @leannelens or my website leannielens.com

Here’s a couple different tips to help create great indoor self portraits. Check out some of my self portraits on IG @leannielens or my website leannielens.com

With world wide recognition being the goal, I share Some major tips on how to get your name outside of your home state or country. It’s a lot easier than it may seem and actually works! Also check out my Instagram @leannielens and my website leannielens.com

The clothing your model has on will really effect the final image. It can make or break the vibe you’re going for. Here’s a big tip on how to find wardrobe stylist in your area.

Picking a niche is really important especially when you’re first starting out but when you want to venture outside of it it may not be the simplest task. Here’s a really easy way to build your portfolio outside of your niche and begin to diversify your skills. Along with some pros and cons.

Storyboards are extremely important to making sure everyone on your team is on the same page. They also help make sure your vision come to life the way that you have initially planned on it looking. Here’s a couple tips of why you should be using a storyboard for all of your photo shoots.

Just got some bad news. Unfortunately we can’t control what happens to us. But we 100% can control how we respond to things that happen to us.

My self portrait sessions doesn’t always go as planned. This is something a good thing (as in they turn out way better than expected) orrr sometimes a bad thing (it’s way worse than expected). Either way it’s a learning experience. Check out the bts for my makeup on my Instagram @leannielens

These are by far my favorite weddings to shoot but also hands down the longest and most work. They can be up to 3 day events and the actual ceremony on average last about 2 hours. All in all if you get the chance to do at least one, I can assure you it’ll be a fun experience and a great way to add some diversity and lots of color to your wedding portfolio.

If you’ve never heard of Shutterfest, it’s one of the biggest photography conferences in America that’s hosted in Saint Louis, MO. It’s a 3 day event and totally worth every penny no matter what skill level you’re at with photography. Here’s a tip on how I made sure to take home everything I learned while attending the conference.

Tip of the day, Keep It SIMPLE. You’ve heard less is more right? Well that can definitely be applied to photoshoot! You don’t need the fanciest equipment or massive lighting setup. With a little thought you can make the simplest setup and wardrobe look like a million bucks. Lol ok not really but close enough! Be sure to follow me on Instagram (@leannielens) to see exactly what I mean.

People prefer to see how you created an image, especially those who are just starting out and have no idea on how to get even the simplest of images. You don’t have to have a videographer or the fanciest editing software. Use what you have. Check out one of my self portrait sessions BTS video on IG, @leannielens. I’ll catch you in the next one!

The first step is getting together a portfolio. You always want to have something to show and back up your words. Take photos of products you have access to such as watches, shoes, etc and begin a portfolio. From this point you’ll make a proposal and along with your portfolio send it to product brands. Hope that helped!

Running your own photography business is more about the business side and less about the skills that you possess. Let me explain.

At the end of the day if you’re Leary’s trying to get better be aware that you’re going to always look for something wrong with your current work. Let that thought go to the waist side and appreciate where you are and learn from the mistakes. Period.

It all starts with networking. New and different people brings new opportunities and experiences. Reach out to some fellow photographers and see if you could borrow a new lens or piece of equipment. If that’s not an option you can always rent equipment for reasonable prices. Take advantage of the time you have with the borrowed or rented equipment because your time is limited with it. Make intentions to either use the equipment to add better images to your portfolio or to simply practice using it. Either way borrowing or renting equipment if a forsure way to quickly improve you photography skills.

Here’s a tip to build your holiday prop collection for those fun studio sessions. In exchange for a free photoshoot have the model buy one or two props that’ll end up staying and being added to your prop collection. After 3-5 sessions you should have a decent amount of props to build on for future shoots.

Including, Peter McKinnon, Jessica Kobeissi, Jessica Whitaker, Mango Street, Irene Rudnyk and special mention Brandon Woelfel. All have unique styles of shooting and inspire my work today. Have you heard of any of them??