I for one always find my self with the best photography material right in front of me, yet I am without my professional gear. Luckily many people have improved on this situation and created apps and even portable macro lenses for Android and iPhone's!

To me, there are few things in the world more fun that attempting to capture a child’s true essence with a camera- that fleeting moment that can never (especially with kids) be planned. The look that says it all, the glimpse of genuine curiosity or glee, even the tears and the tantrums, will remind us forever of the person they were and have become. And now that we have a LOT of time at home with them, take advantage!... While shooting kids is always a bit of a game of luck, here are a few tips to make it easier, whether you are a budding pro or a parent with a camera.

For this shot I used an iPhone XS. I have over the last 10 years jumped from Canon, Nikon, and Sony and Iphone. I love Sony cameras because they are Mirrorless and the iso is a force to be reconed with. I love thinking outside the box. I love to bring new things to photography not seen before. I’ve spent years developing my skill in photography and just recently have been receiving recognition. I teach others about photography whenever I get the chance. As an influencer I love inspiring others to pick up a camera and start shooting. This shot was created using 2 different glass balls that took over an hour of balancing just to get the perfect shot with the perfect amount of bokeh. I took a lot of pictures during this photo shoot trying to capture just the right lighting and with a fresh rainfall everything came together perfectly. There is no telling when and where the perfect shot is going to happen so as a photographer one thing I tell all my fans is to take pictures of anything and everything. Because one day you’ll be looking through your shots and you’ll see that one picture that stands out from the rest, and that I tell people is what to focus on. It’s a beautiful thing when everything comes together in the end for that one of a kind shot. It just takes time and dedication. But it’s worth every second. With the wide variety of cameras out there and the fact that cell phones keep getting better and better, more and more people are picking up photography. I love nothing more than being an influence to those beginners. Anything and everything I can do to help I will always try. I have over 1.4 million followers on Tiktok and Instagram and would love for a picture of mine to actually win a contest to show my followers and fan that it is possible if you just try. From portrait photography to Astrophotography it is all in my blood. Wherever I go I always have my camera ready to take an amazing shot. Sometimes it comes from the heart, other times it comes out of pure imagination and thought. A beautiful sunset to a full moon at night any moment is the perfect moment.

What would normally be a day-off hoarded in front of the computer playing catchup on personal projects became a memorable Saturday afternoon photo experiment. It was memorable because it got me out of my comfort zone both photographically and socially. It’s not that I don’t like being around people because I do. It’s that I can become withdrawn in group conversation quickly and find it difficult to keep conversations going. In the past I marched on, but slowly, usually erring on the side of comfort. That is in the past and not now, however. The moment I decided I was going to take the first leap out of my little comfort box was in a text message with my friend Caitlin about mobile photography and the labs hosted by the Apple Store. The one that piqued my interest in particular was, “Disrupting the Portrait” co-created with Christopher Anderson. I sometimes find it ironic that someone who isn’t great in social groups outside of their circle is drawn to portraiture as much as I am. People are interesting, especially when caught in an off-guard moment. Those are the fleeting mobile moments that add fuel to my urge to make photographs.

There’s a different kind of beauty in capturing moments without planning.

My favorite part about being the self-proclaimed “photography friend” of my group is all of the weird antics I can get away with in the name of getting a good shot. I have scaled cliffs, climbed trees, laid in the dirt, and hopped fences I shouldn’t have to get us a group photo worthy of putting in a picture frame. It’s a life of risk and adventure and today, I am going to share my secrets so you too can be the awe-inspiring, self-proclaimed photography friend.

When you first find a passion, wherever it may be, there is so much excitement to create. Whether that is in photography, modeling, art, or music, there is something so exciting about exploring this unknown territory of creativity.

I remember, when I was young, seeing photographs and being amazed by them. Whether it was printed photos or creative ones I found on google, Flickr, or Photobucket. But nowadays we have such an extreme influx of content that our standards for a great photograph have never been higher. Instagram single handedly has made photography an almost universal skill set that every human who actively participates on the platform feels compelled to learn and improve on. During these times of extreme influx and content overload, how can us photographers stand out and continue to create incredible photographs? How can we continue to produce photographs that live on longer than the milliseconds they linger in front of your followers while deciding if they’re going to double tap or not? As a serious photographer for the past 6 years and a more passive photographer for even longer, I have watched the transformation happen and here’s what I’ve learned about creating an incredible photograph:

It doesn’t count whether you are a beginner or are an intermediate-level photographer, these tips will surely help you. You can boost ample opportunities to be creative and vibrant. Inspiration from the internet is a reliable source. However, do not blindly pick up the trends, but try something unique.

Researching

Over the past 6 years I’ve probably planned over a thousand photoshoots. Some have gone alright, some good, and some truly great. During this time I’ve also followed many other photographers along on their photoshoots to see how they do things as well. The system I now follow is the culmination of everything I’ve learned. It’s what I use whether I’m shooting with a business client, an influencer, or just with friends. Here is my guide.