So you’ve decided you want to get into photography or improve your current skill set?! Yay, that’s so exciting! I’ve had several people reach out to me lately about what they can do to improve their photography or what steps to take to get started being a better photographer. I wanted to share my top 3 tips for you to be able to reference back. I’ll admit, these steps are pretty straight forward, and you probably won’t be surprised. However, the most important part isn’t reading these steps – it’s putting them into action afterwards!

1. Practicing Shooting in Manual

   Before I first started really getting into photography, I was convinced I really didn’t need to learn manual. I thought it was optional, and I believed I could still create great work without learning all of the quirks of photographing in manual. Well, I guess that part is kind of true. You can create pretty photos and great images without learning manual, but you can gain more control over your images if you learn how manual works. I used to get SO upset because my camera would decide things for me (what should be brighter, what should be in focus, and anything else under the sun.) I wanted creative control of my images, and I realized I needed to learn how to photograph in manual. I want to encourage you to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!! It’s true practice makes perfect. In order to get better at photography, you’ll have to take a LOT of bad photos! Keep going – you’ll make strides of growth over time!

2. Focus on ONE Spot of Learning

   It can be REALLY overwhelming to think about ALL the things you want to improve. It might feel like you’ll never be able to achieve all of them. I suggest focusing on a few things you want to get better on: taking close-up shots, taking wide shots, working on posing clients, getting natural laughs out of clients, etc. Focus on one to two skills at a time. Then, check one off and add another!

3. Ask For Critique

   Find someone in your daily life that is willing to be honest and critique your images. If you don’t have someone in mind, or you don’t know of anyone that understands photography, use your social media account to ask for opinions of your work. Understand that not everyone can be polite online, but this can be a great way to hear directly from your target market what they do and don’t like!

I’m excited to see what you create, and don’t forget – practice makes perfect! I still use all of the steps in my own business on a regular basis, and it has helped me continue to grow!