amateur photographer

Mayra Padilla is a San Francisco based marketing consultant with a side dish of photography. She joins this episode of the Big Photo Hunt to talk about how she is able to make photography a part of her busy life and how she gets gigs locally and internationally (hint: she goes so she can "learn"). She also talks about how she approaches shooting photos in Italy - a country that's been completely photographed, over and over, and inundated with tourists on every turn.

Pulitzer Prize finalist Greg Kahn is an award-winning documentary photographer. He joins this episode of the Big Photo Hunt podcast to talk about light, composition, freelancer photography tips and his approach to authentic photography in Cuba.  His work has has been published in numerous publications, including The New York Times Magazine, National Geographic, and British Vogue as well as on the cover of Time and Newsweek.  Don't miss this valuable chance to hear directly from Greg about his photography mindset and how he sees the world.

Having shot weddings for the last 12 years, I've kinda lost that sense of terror when I'm asked to shoot another one.  But I remember my first wedding: a combined sense of wonder and an uncontrollable rush of adrenaline.  Excitement and panic, all in one.

When you get asked
I regularly meet students who have been asked by friends or family to photograph their wedding. 

One the one hand it's a tremendous privilege to be asked.  To think that someone likes and trusts your work enough, that they would ask you to photograph what is probably the most important day of their lives.

On the other hand, few photography jobs I know, fill an inexperienced photographer with more sense of dread.  Possibly the word 'Terror' is more apt. 

Most photographers are terrified of missing the most important shots of the day, they hate the idea of having to organise wedding guests into the group shots (called 'Formals') and are they sufficiently competent with their camera to ensure they can handle the pressure. 

Deciding to shoot a wedding can be a real test of metal.

There's no doubt about it, the learning experience is invaluable... it's just that few photographers would want to use the wedding as a learning tool. 

Today's Tog-Talk content
In this Tog-Talk, we initially look at the discipline of 365 day photography.  Shooting one photo every day for a year is something this week's guest, Forbes Johnston, has been doing for the last three years.  He unpacks some of his thoughts.

The main part of the show though is looking at the wedding question discussed above.  We covered a lot of ground with loads and loads of really practical tips to help you on your first wedding.

Some links from the discussion:

Used gear
WEX Photo & Video
MPB
Park Cameras

Online Galleries for clients
Shootproof

Take a photo every day for a year
365 Photo Project


Hampshire School of Photography (HSP)
Hampshire School of Photography is based in Fleet, Hampshire, on the border with Berkshire and Surrey.

Its wide ranging curriculum teaches photography to enthusiasts at all levels - from complete beginners and advanced amateurs, through to those who want to go professional.

It does this through workshops and year-long courses that provide solid foundations in (amongst other things): photography theory, composition, portrait & landscape photography, working with flash, macro photography and editing in Lightroom and Photoshop.  Some of our courses go even deeper… to stretch students with challenging assignments, forcing them out of their comfort zones.

Founder of HSP, Kevin Ahronson, also offers private mentoring to a small number of people each year, as his busy schedule allows

Check out our website for more information about courses, all of which are run at our training centre.

Photography Assessment Tool:
Test your knowledge

Website: gohsp.com

Kevin Ahronson is founder of Hampshire School of Photography: www.hampshirephotoschool.com
More teaching and video tutorials are available at the Photography Teacher

Email: info@hampshirephotoschool.com

We’re knighting photographers in this episode of Orms Air, will you make the cut? Join us, Deon Joubert and Rachel Reeves as we shed some (much opinionated) light on what it really means to be a photographer, provide some clarity to the labelling process and talk the influence of camera tech on creative work. 

In this episode, Deon references the following articles:

• Everyone is Taking Photos, Now, What Makes Someone ‘A Photographer’? by Udi Tirosh via DIY Photography
• What Makes a Photographer a Photographer? by Samantha Chrysanthou via oopoomoo
• What Makes a Photographer? by Jayphen Simpson via Peta Pixel

In this episode, Rachel references the following articles:

• The Fallacy of Talent by Alpha Whiskey via Photography Life
• 19th Annual Travel Photo Contest: Official Rules via The Washington Post
• and mentions photographer Dale Yudelman and his Life Under Democracy photo series which can be found here.

In this episode, producer Jess Semple references 

• the following interview with Martin Scorsese on the Importance of Visual Literacy.

If you've enjoyed this episode of Orms Air and want to join us again in conversation be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts and never miss a moment of creative enrichment. 

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ORMS IS FOR EVERYONE

Orms services extend beyond the needs of photographers alone. We’ve helped everyone from photobook creators to graphic designers, artists, interior decorators and more, to turn a single creative spark into something tangible - something to be proud of. 

WHEN WE SAY “ALL YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC NEEDS,” WE MEAN IT. 

Born from the commitment to evolving with the needs of photographers of every level, Orms Print Room & Framing is what ultimately set us apart from your average photography store. It’s our way of bringing your prized work to life, and keeping creativity alive through excellence and craftsmanship.