In a statement that emphasizes the company’s commitment to staying in front of tech advancements and giving their user base access to the latest cutting edge tools, Frank Lin, the COO & CTO of ACD Systems International, stated, “By taking advantage of the latest AI features and improvements, as well as the ever-expanding library of tools such as the new Masking group in Develop mode, creators and photographers will find they can see and accomplish more, all while spending less time hunting for what they need. Photo Studio Ultimate 2024 is your key to a new horizon of possibilities.”

Highlights from ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2024

The ACD Systems team has clearly designed the 2024 edition of the software for the widest possible audience while keeping in mind the constantly evolving technological landscape. When you read through the highlights below, you’ll notice that the updates aim to enhance the creative possibilities for all photographers, irrespective of their expertise levels.

Here’s a quick overview of the key highlights from the 2024 edition. This list is not exhaustive, but it will give you a better idea of what’s new and what you can expect from ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2024.

1. AI Enhancements

While all of the new developments rank worthy of attention, these AI enhancements are some of the most exciting and noteworthy. Let’s take a closer look at a few standouts.

AI Keywords

As the name of this feature suggests, AI Keywords will allow users to quickly locate images based on tags automatically assigned by AI upon import. This saves time up front since you won’t have to enter the keywords manually, as well as any time the need arises to locate specific images from a session. Wedding and event photographers, who often capture thousands of images within a single session, will find this feature extra helpful.

AI Sky Replacement

Other software companies offer sky replacement tools, but ACDSee’s AI Sky Replacement is super easy to use and it renders incredible results. This tool includes some nifty features like foreground and reflection options when replacing the skies over a body of water. In addition, users can choose from one of several pre-installed skies, including Sunset, Storm, and Night Sky, among others.

AI Object Selection Tool for Edit Mode

This feature can save a ton of time when it comes to cutting objects out of a scene. With just a quick outline around the objects you want to remove, ACDSee’s AI Object Selection Tool will put AI to the task of refining your selections for a clean cutout.

Non-destructive AI Select Subject/Background/Sky in Develop Mode

It’s hard to overstate the importance of being able to edit our photos non-destructively, especially when making dramatic changes like swapping out a sky, or even the background! The Non-Destructive AI Masking tools in Photo Studio Ultimate 2024’s newly redesigned Masking panel give editors the awesome power of automatically masking subjects, backgrounds, or skies in photos, all while preserving the original file. These masks make it possible to effectively mask specific elements within a photograph using tools like the classic brush, linear gradient, and radial gradient, among others. All of these new additions to ACDSee’s Develop Mode lineup equate to more precise edits and less time invested in editing.

2. Develop and Edit Mode Innovations in ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2024

Here’s a look at some key highlights from ACDSee’s new Develop Mode innovations.

Develop Mode Masking Panel

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2024 makes it easier and more convenient than ever to manage your selection masks with the new Develop Mode Masking Panel. This powerful new feature allows users to keep all of their selection masks in a single panel. This will definitely come in handy when editing photos with multiple masks (which many edits require), eliminating the need to hunt through several panels in search of a particular mask. In addition, ACDSee has also included other time-saving options like making it possible to duplicate masks, convert selections, and copy & paste masks, among others.

Flow, Opacity, and Jitter Control for Brushes in Edit Mode

Using the Brush tool in Edit Mode used to feel somewhat limited in terms of controlling the brush’s attributes. Not anymore. ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2024 has introduced new options for Flow, Opacity, and Jitter that will change how you use the Brush tool. According to the ACDSee team, “Flow controls will allow you to adjust the speed at which the brush builds up, allowing you to increase or decrease how powerful each stroke is. Opacity controls allow you to set a hard limit on the brushing intensity, while Shape and Color Jitter settings add randomization into every stroke.” Considering how powerful a tool the Brush is, these changes can have a significant impact in one’s editing workflow.

Enhanced Select Subject and Select Sky in Edit Mode

Because we’re starting to rely on AI to select our subjects and skies so often, it’s important that these selections are precise. To that end, the Select Subject and Select Sky tools in Edit Mode now provide more precise edges when making selections. This latest version of ACDSee’s software features a completely new AI model for selecting skies, which “results in masks with significantly finer details and the ability to isolate reflections.”

3. Fan-favorite Features Continued in ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2024

Lastly, plenty of ACDSee’s fan-favorite features will still be included in the new Photo Studio Ultimate 2024 software, including the following:

• AI Face Edit
• Layered Editing
• Face Detection & Facial Recognition
• Powerful Batch Tools
• RAW Development
• Light EQ
• Photomerge Techniques
• Pixel Targeting
• Color & Tone Wheels
• Liquify Tool
• RAW support for 700+ camera

If you’re not already familiar with the above features, you can learn more about each on ACDSee’s website.

[Related Reading: How to Remove People and Objects from Your Photos Using ACDSee]

How to Get Started with ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2024

For those interested in experiencing the latest tools in ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2024, you’ll be happy to know it is available with a few different payment options. You can purchase the software outright or try the subscription models. Lifetime licenses can be had for $149.99, and subscriptions start at $8.90 per month or $89 annually. It’s worth noting that free trials are available as well.

Conclusion

ACD Systems International continues to bridge the gap between photographers and next-gen editing tools, offering a top-level user experience. With the introduction of the ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2024, photographers from all walks will have access to powerful, non-destructive, AI-driven editing tools that will allow them to realize ACD Systems’ goal of doing more in less time. We only covered a handful of features here. Be sure to head over to ACD Systems’ site to learn more, and take the software on a trial run to see if it’s a good fit for your own photo editing workflow.

What are the foreground, middle ground, and background?

• The foreground refers to the part of the image that is closest to the camera.
• The middle ground is intermediary layer that connects the foreground to the background. It is often where the primary subject of the photo resides.
• The background is the furthest section from the camera. It helps to provide context and can either be in sharp focus or blurred, depending on the desired effect.

The Effect of compositions with all three layers

Utilizing the foreground, middle ground, and background can add depth and dimension to your images. This three-layered approach ensures your photographs are rich and captivating, engaging the viewer’s eye from the front to the back of the image. Furthermore, the layers can assist in directing the viewer’s attention to the primary subject or focal point.

How to Use Foreground, Middle Ground, and Background in an Image?

For beautiful, interesting imagery, capture a  foreground, middle ground, and background in conjunction with other composition techniques.

Use The 3 Layers With the Rule of Thirds

By positioning your foreground, middle ground, and background along the lines and intersections of the grid in the rule of thirds, you can create a harmonious composition. For instance, place a rock formation in the foreground on the left third line, your main subject in the middle ground on the central intersection, and a distant mountain in the background on the right third line.   In the example below, notice how the foreground elements are in the bottom third, the middle ground elements are in the middle third and the background is in the top third of the photograph.

Use The 3 Layers With Leading Lines

Leading lines draw the viewer’s attention directly to the subject. An example would be a winding road in the foreground leading to a car in the middle ground, with the horizon visible in the background.  In the example below, see how the railing in the foreground creates a line that draws and viewer’s attention to the couple in the middle ground.  Then, right above the couple, is the line of the bridge that leads the eyes away and off into the distance of the background.

Use The 3 Layers With Negative Space

Negative space offers a serene and uncluttered look to your images. You can emphasize a subject in the middle ground by using a vast empty sky as the background and a simple, clean foreground like a stretch of sand. The negative space amplifies the significance of the subject.

Use The 3 Layers With the Symmetry

Symmetry can bring a sense of balance and harmony to an image. The foreground can mirror elements in the background, while the middle ground acts as the focal point or bridge between the symmetrical elements. For example, a reflection of a couple in a lake can act as the foreground and background, with the horizon in the middle ground.

Use The 3 Layers with Frames Within Frames

Foreground elements can act as natural frames for your main subject. Overhanging branches, archways, or windows can encapsulate your middle ground, with the background providing additional context.

Settings for Foreground, Background, and Middle Ground Photography

When composing your photo with a foreground, middle ground and a background, the main setting to focus on is the aperture.  Of course ISO, shutter speed and white balance are always important in any photograph, but aperture is the setting that most directly impacts the three layers.

Wide Apertures

Use a wide aperture (like f/2.8 or lower) to isolate the middle ground subject and blur the foreground and background.  This is more common in portrait photography, when you want your subjects to stand out, with the foreground and background out of focus.

Narrow Apertures

Utilize a narrow aperture (like f/16) if you want all three layers are in sharp focus.  This is a common setting for landscape photography and real estate photography.

Photo Editing Tips When Using The 3 Layers

Post-production tools like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop allow you to emphasize the layered effect.  For example, you can adjust the sharpness and clarity for each layer separately. For example, you could add additional blur or sharpness to any of the layers.  You could also use gradient filters to modify exposure levels across the foreground, middle ground, and background.  Or you can dodge and burn to spotlight or hide specific parts of the image.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of foreground, middle ground, and background layers in photography is vital for producing compelling and depth-rich images. It not only adds aesthetic appeal but can also guide the viewer’s attention. Take your time to experiment, practice, and remember: the more layers you effectively use, the deeper your story becomes.

1) Charge by the property, room, or sq/ft – NOT hourly.

Real estate photography is a very different business from something like wedding or event photography, where “hours of coverage” are a common thing.
When it comes to real estate clients, they will want to feel like they’re getting their money’s worth. If your pricing is by the hour, yet your pace of work seems at all slow to them (even if you’re just taking the necessary time to get truly polished results!), some clients will feel like you’re milking them for more money.

Instead, first make sure that you always work with consistent efficiency, even if you have to take an extra few minutes to get a shot right. Then, once you know how many hours certain jobs will take, convert your desired hourly rate into a more straightforward price, and charge by the property and/or by the image.  You’ll make roughly the same amount of money, and your clients will perceive the pricing to be much more straightforward and fair.

2) Do the math on what you’re actually paying yourself.

Alright, this tip is one that some creative people won’t want to hear, but it’s absolutely critical. So please don’t skip this just because the word “math” made the artist in you panic! Read on…

Tally up all the hours you spend not just shooting and post-producing, but also corresponding with a client, drafting up their contract, driving, even prepping your gear, cleaning your lenses, charging your batteries. It’s ALL part of your overhead time and costs!

If you can do this for all your work hours, and then organize it by job, you’ll discover that maybe for example it takes you 8-10 hours of behind-the-scenes work to deliver a job that “only” took 1-2 hours to shoot. Then, you can factor this info into your overall pricing for that size of a job to ensure that you’re profitable.

In accounting, this is called the “cost method” of pricing.  Below is a sample screenshot of what this might look like.

Before we move on, another important bit of math to do is this: how many clients you can actually handle in a given day or week, and what that could add up to? This will be what actually tells you if the business model is truly profitable enough, or if you need to raise your real estate photography pricing. In other words, just because you turned a profit on one job, doesn’t mean you can go full-time and make a career out of it. The weekly/monthly numbers have to add up, too.

3) Always Seek Improvement in Efficiency

Since revenue per client is typically in the hundreds and not the thousands, a profitable real estate photography business, perhaps more so than any other genre of photography, requires an efficient workflow.

Quick turnaround time and attention to detail can be the difference between a client who keeps using you, and one who never calls again. If you promise images in a certain time frame but can’t deliver on schedule, you’re in a lot worse trouble than if the subtle tones or colors of your post-production are slightly off.

Moreover, if you’re taking too long with any aspect of the workflow, you can quickly find yourself making significantly less per hour than you’d like.

Keep efficiency in mind and seek ways to cut time without compromising quality.  For example, many real estate jobs can require you to perform the same bracketed HDR merge repeatedly, and the best way to do that is with an application such as Photomatix Pro.

4) Analyze The Competition

To determine what you should charge, first you should understand where you are in relation to the market and your competitors.  This can be done with a quick “SWOT” analysis, as outlined below:

• Strengths – Create a list of your strengths.  What do you do better than your competition?  Do you have resources or knowledge that your competitors don’t?
• Weaknesses – Next, make a list out all of your weaknesses.  Where can you improve?  What are your competitors doing better than you (currently)?
• Opportunities – List the opportunities in the current environment.  Are there population or demographic changes in your area?  Is there a shift in style preferences?
• Threats – List the external threats to your business in the current environment. Is there more competition?  Are the barriers to entry low, possibly allowing more competition in the future?

After you’ve analyzed your own business, choose a handful of competitors in your area and make a list of their strengths and weaknesses.  In addition, document their real estate photography pricing if it’s available.  Real Estate Photography businesses are often very transparent in their pricing.  In fact, many photographers have their prices and packages right on their websites.

If you feel that you are offering a service, product, and experience at or above your competition, consider matching or pricing above them.  If you feel like your weaknesses outweigh your strengths in comparison, consider pricing at below.

This is not an exact science, however, as each individual has different opportunity costs and income expectations. That being said, this analysis—along with the Cost Method outlined in Tip 2—give you an idea of the range in which you should fall.

5) Understand the Psychology of Pricing

This is another real estate photography pricing 101 tip that every small business owner should understand. You should expect that most of your clients will go for one of your middle packages if you offer three main “packages” or products.

Your bottom package should be the minimum amount you would charge and still be motivated to complete the job and profitable after doing so.  The top package should be the VIP experience with the potential to capture high-end clients with a high budget.

These packages should lead the client into booking the middle package, which should include everything your average client would want and need at a price point within your target market’s budgets.

While you shouldn’t expect every single client to jump at your highest-priced package, it isn’t a good sign if every single client is just barely affording your lowest package. (By the way, if every client is booking your most expensive package, that means you really should consider raising your prices!)

For many photographers, this can require a lot of fine-tuning in order to get it right, so don’t be afraid to adjust over time.

6) Know the Value of Properties in Your Target Market

It would be great if real estate photography pricing could be an exact percentage of the value of the property itself, but unfortunately, that’s not the case.  Still, it’s easy to understand that you can charge more for real estate photography in areas where the property itself is worth a lot more.

If you’ve been doing work in one area where all the properties are roughly in one price range, but you get contacted to shoot a property in a different area where most homes cost ten times as much, you should consider adjusting your prices for the new area.  Of course, you don’t want to seem opportunistic, so your old pricing needs to be unknown to your new clients and/or you need to be able to justify the higher pricing if questioned.

This might result in a few “no thank you’s” from some potential clients, but it can eventually open the door to a whole new price bracket and clientele.

7) Offer Additional Services

As any internet marketing guru will tell you, countless business models these days rely on selling additional services or products above the “in-the-door” price.  Real estate photography is no different. Of course, no customer likes that “upsell” feeling, so make sure you are adding value with everything you offer.  Also, keep it simple, quick, and low-pressure.

A few additional services that some real-estate photography clients might be interested in are:

• Ariel/Drone Photography – Whether this is an essential service or an add on these days is up for debate.
  
• Videography Services – Consider partnering with another business to offer this service if this is beyond your core skillset.
• Rush Turnaround Real Estate Photography Pricing – Even if most clients are OK with you delivering images in 48-72 hours, a few clients here and there may ask you to turnaround images in just 12-24 hours; you can either choose to swallow that cost (no shame in that, by the way) or offer such an immediate turn-around at an additional charge.
• On-Location Proofing/Delivery (Shooting Tethered, Etc.) – Quick turnaround is one thing; some high-end clients may even prefer that you proof the images on-site for them so that they can approve of each shot before you even leave the job. This may require you to shoot tethered to a laptop, and get the images into Lightroom or even do advanced processing immediately, all being services which are certainly worth an added fee.
• Different Shoots at Different Times of Day – Consider offering premium packages that offer photographs at different times of the day.  Some clients may want a sunset/twilight shoot, while others may be fine with a mid-day job.
  However, this idea deserves its own discussion, which we’ll begin below.

8) Remember – There’s Only One Sunset and Twilight Each Day

This may sound like a really odd thing to say among tips about pricing real estate photography, but hear me out. Simply put, exterior shots are gorgeous at twilight. And, unless you (and your client) are willing to wake up for sunrise, you’ll only be able to fit one property into a single day, usually.

So, some real estate photographers recommend charging a higher price if a client requests a twilight shot for their exterior, while other real estate photographers don’t. What works for you may be one or the other. If all your clients request that a property exterior is shot at sunset, you should just count it in your initial price. However, if more than half your clients don’t care if you photograph an exterior mid-day, then you have room to decide on what works best for your business.

The important thing to remember is that the “golden hour” and “blue hour” time of day does have value. Maybe you have to to do a lot of horrible rush-hour driving, just to shoot a property right around sunset, so you could consider having an added fee for travel and timing, even if it’s just a small fee.

9) Don’t Sell Yourself Short or Under-Charge Just to Gain Access to a Property

This is one common mistake you might make after you’ve photographed a handful of properties, and you get an inquiry about photographing a really nice portfolio-worthy property.  Don’t make the mistake of selling yourself short just to ensure that you get the job!  Or, at the very least, don’t do this more than a few times in your career.

If you find yourself doing a cheap job or even a “freebie” just because you want to photograph a really nice property, then you may need a reality check.  Simply put, if you’re a good enough photographer that a client is even considering letting you photograph a really high-end property, then you’re worth good money, and you should be charging it.  Have confidence in your work and your value.

Charging a fee shows the client that, regardless of your skill level, your time is still valuable, and you should be respected as a fellow professional. To clients, shooting for free can bring with it the stigma that you are just a hobbyist who is desperate to make a few bucks sooner or later (and the client is happy with letting it be “later”).

10) Be Careful with Volume Discounts

For those of you who are just barely starting out, and are considering doing your first job for free or a low fee, be sure that you’re only offering this “introductory real estate photography pricing” for one or two properties at most.  However, avoid committing to multiple properties at a discount. Simply put, if you’re new to the business, you might vastly underestimate how much time it takes you to complete each project.  This will only lead to major frustrations when you wind up making less than minimum wage, and also if the client doesn’t receive their photos in a timely manner.

If at all possible, only offer a volume discount to clients you’ve worked with already; you know their standards, or rather, how picky they are, as well as how much time goes into each job. Even then, a volume discount should be just a relatively small percentage. And remember, don’t even mention any sort of discounts, unless a client brings it up and persists in discussing it.

Bonus Tip! Set a business goal, and hold yourself to it

This final tip is the hardest for many entrepreneurial small business owners to tackle. That is, setting a specific goal and holding yourself to it.

Say, for example, you want your average job to be at $700 within 1 or 2 years, or you want to be grossing $80K per year, by the end of year 1 or 2. Well, how are you going to get there? It’s one thing to set a goal, but it’s an entirely different thing to come up with a plan, a course of action.

So, set small steps for yourself to take, each month or each quarter, with regards to your real estate photography pricing, or your overhead costs and actual profits, or simply your sheer volume of clients. Work towards those smaller targets each week, each month, and see where you stand at the end of the week/month.

If you reach your goal early, you can either set a higher goal next, or you can accelerate your existing plan. However, if you don’t meet your goal, you guessed it – you need to reevaluate your strategy and potentially extend your timetable for the existing goal.

It can be really hard to hold yourself to these goals and adjust course accordingly, but any hard decision you make sooner, is much, much better than realizing you’re 6-12 months down the road and have almost nothing to show for it.

Again, this is just general business advice for all entrepreneurs, but it’s extremely relevant to the start of any photography business, and absolutely pertinent to this particular topic of setting your pricing as a real estate photographer.

Questions or comments?

We hope this article has helped you find the confidence to move forward with a real estate photography business! Please leave comments below if you have any specific questions about pricing for real estate photography.

What are Diagonal Lines in Photography?

Diagonal lines are lines that slant across the frame, connecting two points in a non-horizontal or non-vertical manner. They can be found naturally in the environment or introduced deliberately through various elements.

Use Diagonal Lines to Create Visual Energy

Diagonal lines possess an inherent dynamic quality that injects energy into photographs. They have the power to convey a sense of movement, leading the viewer’s eye through the image. By incorporating lines strategically, photographers can transform an ordinary composition into a visually captivating photo.  In the image below, notice how the lines, combined with the subject in movement create visual energy and a dynamic composition.

Use Diagonal Lines to Guide the Viewer

One of the significant roles that diagonal lines play in photography is guiding the viewer’s gaze. The inherent directional nature of lines can be harnessed to lead the viewer’s eye through the frame, ensuring a deliberate visual journey. This aspect is particularly valuable in storytelling and creating a visual narrative. With careful placement and use of lines, photographers can establish a visual flow and direct the viewer’s attention to specific points of interest.

In the image below, notice how the leading lines on the ceiling lead the viewer’s gaze right into the model.

Use Diagonal Lines to Create Frames

Diagonal lines in photography not only add dynamism and movement to an image but can also be cleverly employed to create frames for subjects. By positioning lines strategically within the frame, photographers can effectively enclose their subjects and draw attention to them.

When diagonal lines intersect or converge, they form a natural frame that can emphasize the main subject and provide a sense of containment. These lines guide the viewer’s eye towards the subject, creating a visual pathway that leads to the focal point of the image. The frame created by lines helps to isolate the subject from the surrounding elements, reducing distractions and allowing it to stand out more prominently.

Use Diagonal Lines to Convey Depth and Perspective

Diagonal lines have a unique ability to convey depth and perspective in two-dimensional photographs. By carefully aligning lines with vanishing points or utilizing them as converging lines, photographers can create an illusion of three-dimensionality, making the image appear more immersive and engaging. See an example in the image below.

Use Diagonal Lines for Symbolism and Emotional Impact

In addition to their visual significance, diagonal lines hold symbolic meaning and have the power to evoke emotions within the viewer. Different angles and orientations of lines can elicit varying emotional responses, conveying a sense of stability, movement, or tension. Photographers can leverage this emotional impact to add layers of meaning and communicate their intended message effectively.

Try an Aerial Perspective to Find Lines

Incorporating an aerial perspective can offer a fresh and captivating approach to utilizing lines in photography. By considering drones or elevated positions, photographers can gain a unique vantage point from above, unlocking a whole new realm of possibilities. This perspective opens up opportunities to explore architectural structures, expansive landscapes, or vibrant urban environments where diagonal lines are prominently visible.

When photographing from above, look for lines created by roads, rivers, bridges, or rooftops that form striking diagonals across the frame. These lines can serve as powerful compositional elements that add depth and a sense of scale to the image. Experimenting with different angles and orientations allows for emphasizing the diagonal lines and creating visually dynamic compositions.

Architectural marvels such as skyscrapers, stadiums, or bridges often exhibit strong lines when viewed from an aerial perspective. Play with the angles of these structures to accentuate their lines and create compelling compositions that highlight their grandeur and elegance.

Find Patterns of Diagonal Lines

Look for repeating patterns and geometric elements. Keep an eye out for patterns or geometrical elements in your surroundings that create a series of lines. These could be anything from textured surfaces, rows of objects, or even natural formations. By identifying these patterns and incorporating them into your compositions, you can create a visually dynamic image that draws the viewer’s attention along the diagonal lines.

Use Diagonal Lines to Lead the Viewer to the Subject

To establish a sense of visual flow and guide the viewer’s eye, consider placing your subject along a diagonal line within the frame. This technique adds a dynamic element to your composition and draws attention to your subject. By aligning the subject with the diagonal line, you create a harmonious connection that enhances the overall impact of the image.

Another effective approach is to align the diagonal line in such a way that it intersects or leads directly to your subject. This alignment creates a strong visual connection between the diagonal line and the subject, emphasizing its importance within the composition. This technique helps to highlight your subject and ensures that it becomes a focal point for viewers.  See a good example of this in the screenshot below from the Disney classic, Lion King.

Find Naturally Occurring Lines

Diagonal lines are all around us and even in nature.  Explore landscapes, seascapes, or mountain ranges to discover natural elements that form lines, such as tree branches, cliffs, or waves.  But also pay attention to the small details in nature such as patterns on leaves and insects.

Conclusion

Diagonal lines are a wonderful tool in the photographer’s arsenal, enhancing composition, creating visual energy, guiding the viewer’s eye, conveying depth, and evoking emotions. By understanding the power and purpose of diagonal lines, photographers can elevate their work and captivate viewers with visually compelling images. So, embrace the dynamic potential of diagonal lines and experiment with their incorporation in your photography, as they hold the key to unlocking new dimensions of artistic expression and visual storytelling.

Night Portrait Photography Tips Video

Let’s start out our nighttime photography learning with this video tutorial on “Night Portrait Photography Tips.”  Most of the tips in this article are based on those presented in this video.

6 Night Photography Ideas

1. Simple, Soft, Diffused Flash
2. Constant Light
3. Whip Pan
4. Streaks of Light (Shutter Drag)
5. Back Flash (Silhouette)
6. Back Flash (Inner Warmth)

Night Photography Idea 1: Simple, Soft, Diffused Flash

While a single speedlight with a softbox would not be able to compete with the sun during a daytime shoot, that setup provides plenty of power for lighting subjects during the evening.

To figure out an adequate power setting on your flash, start with the inverse of your ISO when shooting wide open (e.g. f/2 or f/2.8). In other words, if you’re shooting with an ISO of 1600, set your flash power to 1/16th. Other factors such as distance of the flash from your subjects and aperture will affect your settings and outcome, but this general rule provides a great place to start.

To capture the image above, we placed the light 45-degrees to camera left. We dialed in our settings in camera to leave the ambient light in the background a little darker so that the subjects would pop out from the scene.

Let’s review one more example of this technique from the same engagement session.

For this photo, we use the same lighting technique as the first image, with a speedlight and a softbox, but we also supplement the lighting with an off camera flash behind the subjects to illuminate the water. Night photography ideas like this give you a beautiful diffused light source which avoids any harsh highlights on the skin.

Night Photography Tip 2: Constant Light

Using a constant LED light, like the Westcott Ice Light for example, is another alternative for illuminating your subjects when photographing in the night. While an OCF with an umbrella or softbox produces more of a diffused light, a constant light is a bit more portable and still gives you a smooth transition from light to shadow. The main issue with using an LED light is that it might not illuminate enough of the body, making it harder to get full body images. You also might face the issue of not having a strong enough source of light compared to an OCF where you can adjust the power.

Idea 3: The Whip Pan

The best part about shooting night photography in the city is having plenty of ambient light available, especially in the dark. Using city lights as your backdrop, there are a plethora of possibilities to be created in-camera that are sure to wow your clients.

The “whip pan” is one of our favorite night photography ideas on the list.  The effect creates interest by panning the camera left and right while the shutter is open to add motion into an image.

Whip Pan Directions: 

• Look for an area where city lights are visible, preferably closer to your subjects than further to increase the emphasis of the effect.
• Set your camera on a tripod and slow your shutter to around 1/2 second.
• Set your flashes to Rear Curtain Sync to ensure that the subjects are flashed as the shutter closes.
• Place your subjects in the darkest area of the frame.
• Instruct your subjects to hold still.
• Position a backlight (a single speedlight on a light stand) directly behind the subjects to create a “rim light” (or outline) around them.
• Loosen your tripod head and press the shutter, then quickly pan in one direction to capture streaks of light.
• Adjust your shutter speed until the light trails are the length you’re looking for.

You may need to create a composite using a plate shot during post-production to get the exact look you want.

Tip 4: Streaks of Light (Shutter Drag)

Long exposures are another easy trick to try for city photography. Capture the motion and movement of downtown cities by simply slowing down your shutter speed and freezing your couples with flash.

Similar to the whip pan, this shot requires a slower shutter speed. The biggest difference here, however, is that the motion will come from the lights on passing cars rather than the movement of the camera. Here’s a quick breakdown of how to capture the above image:

Directions: 

1. Set your camera on a tripod and slow your shutter to around 1-5 seconds.
2. Instruct your subjects to hold still or freeze them with flash.
3. Place your camera on tripod.
4. Position the camera so that the frame can capture passing cars (you do not need to stand—nor should you stand—in a dangerous place to achieve this).
5. Place your subjects into the frame so that you can see the busy movement of the city around them.

Night Photography Idea 5: Backflash (Silhouette)

Silhouettes are creative night photography ideas that you can execute to achieve incredible results. Simply place an off-camera flash behind your subjects and face it either toward a textured wall behind them or towards them. Make sure your camera settings allow for just enough ambient light to be seen surrounding your subjects.

To capture the image above, we also used a technique known as shooting “day for night.” In other words, we made the ambient light look darker and cooler (more blue) than it was in reality. We used CTO gels over the flash units to warm the light color coming from the speedlight. We also dialed down the in-camera white balance to cool the overall image without over cooling the light behind the couple.

Night Photography Tip 6: Backflash (Inner Warmth)

There really isn’t a technical term to describe this particular shot but the end result gives meaning to the phrase ‘inner glow’. This shot works best if one of your subjects is wearing white or a light color so that the flash can bounce off their shirt and be diffused. The tight composition and flash to ambient light balance really work together to create a unique and unforgettable image.

Varying the distance between your subjects and the flash can dramatically change the shape and look of the light in the image. To create the “blooming backlight” featured in the image above, we placed a speedlight directly behind our subjects. The speedlight should be aimed toward the chest of one of the subjects, preferably the one wearing the brightest shirt. This will help bounce the light so that it wraps around the subjects.

In order to avoid overexposing the subjects and capturing too bright of highlights under their chins, do the following:

• Pose the subjects so that they’re facing one another (closed pose) with their heads leaning in and their eyes closed.
• Add a grid to the flash to minimize light spill.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed these 6 night photography ideas and put them to good use during your next nighttime photo session. Don’t let the setting sun set limits on what you can do with your photography. Dive deeper into your flash photography education with our complete Flash Photography Training System, which provides everything you’ll need (except the flash gear) to master flash no matter whether you’re shooting day or night.

What is Family Photography?

Family photography is a type of photography that focuses on capturing the likeness, relationships, and emotions of a family. It typically involves a photo shoot of family members together, either in a studio setting or on location. The goal is to create lasting memories and artistic images that showcase the unique bond and dynamic of the family. Family photography can include posed and candid shots, individual portraits, and group shots, and can be done for special events, mini sessions, smash cake sessions, holidays, or just to document the growth of the family over time.

Family Photography Tips

Here are some essential tips to make your next family photography session a success:

Find the Best Location for Your Session

Nobody wants to stand in the hot sun—or in the freezing cold—for an hour or more. Time your portrait around the season. In summer, always plan on sunrise or sunset to avoid the heat of the day (and to capture the best light). In winter, you may need to shoot on a weekend if it’s getting dark before Mom or Dad will get off work.

Likewise, we can’t control the weather, so include a Plan B when you book, whether that’s an alternate, covered location, a backup day or simply a location that includes both outdoor and indoor or covered options for shooting (like a gazebo or broad front porch).

Of course, remember that an overcast day can often lead to the best images, with even light across faces and nobody squinting into the sun.  Location selection is especially important for mini sessions, where you will be doing many shoots throughout the same day in the same location.  Find shade!

Schedule and Find the Best Times for Photography

Choose a date that works for everyone with clear start and end times.  For capturing quality family portraits, the most important thing to consider is timing – not only what time of day it is but also the season. The best time of day to take quality photos is, for most outdoor locations, golden hour, which is typically just before sunset or just after sunrise.

During this golden hour, natural light softens as the sun begins to dip below the horizon and its rays are diffused by larger particles in the atmosphere.

When considering what season to shoot, keep in mind that different months offer unique opportunities from gorgeous monochromatic snowscapes in winter to beautiful soft colors surrounded by lush green foliage in springtime.

Advise the Family to Dress Appropriately

One of the most important, yet sometimes overlooked details, is the outfits. Most importantly, families should choose clothing that has a unified feel – having everyone in the portrait wearing something in the same or similar color palette to add cohesion and consistency to the overall imagery.

In addition, picking out timeless styles will make the portrait look just as great 20 years down the road as it does today.   Avoid trends or outdated fashion and stick to simple, tasteful choices. Also, making sure everyone feels comfortable and confident with their outfit choices is key, so pick out clothing items that reflect each person’s individual persona! Lastly, consider the location and choose clothes that complement the background and season.

Make It a Comfortable Family Photography Experience

Encourage your family to relax and be themselves.   This could mean planning activities and encouraging natural interaction for more a lifestyle family photography feel.  Consider having them play games, tell jokes or just talk to each other to help put everyone at ease.

Of course, be sure to get a few traditional poses too, with everyone looking into the camera, smiling, and looking their best.  Find the right balance of traditional vs lifestyle family photos based on the client preferences that you discover in your planning and talk through calls.

Use Natural light For Most of The Family Photography Session

For the majority of your photos, shoot in natural light.  This lets you focus on getting the right interactions and expressions without having to adjust flashes or worry about the shadows that your flash might be casting on your subjects.  It also lets you get more photos and more variety of photos since you don’t have to worry as much about set up time, moving the light, or other factors.

Of course, this depends on your overall style and your proficiency with flash.

Prep the Kids

This is the most important tip for shoots with families. As the photographer, let the parents know to prep their kids for the shoot, beginning days in advance. Build it up to be a fun event that they look forward to, followed by a treat, like ice cream or a visit to the bowling alley.

While the anticipation factor is important, the same day buildup is even more crucial. Children should arrive with full bellies! Hungry children are unhappy children. If they still nap, make sure they get their full nap on the day of the shoot.

You can’t do enough to impart to parents the importance of bringing their kids to the session at their very best. A photo session is not the same as dropping them off at Grandma’s house!

Keep Kids Engaged During the Shoot

When you first meet a family for a shoot, spend five to ten minutes getting to know the kids. Run around with them. Consider bringing a small toy as a gift, or a stuffed animal you can introduce to them and let them play with. If they’re comfortable around you, they’re more likely to smile and behave during the shoot.

Bring a treat or snack for the kids (or prep the parents to do this). Photo shoots are the rare case where it’s okay to offer children a small bribe! Finally, be ready to work fast. Often, the best pictures of children occur in the first 20 to 30 minutes of a shoot.

Consider All Possible Family Combinations

Include a variety of poses and groupings, such as individual portraits, family portraits and fun candids.  Split up the groups into different organic pairings, such as kids only, parents only, kids and dad, kids and mom, etc.

However, as you work through your combinations, remember to start with the groupings that involve the children first, as they are less predictable and generally have less patience for photos than the adults.

Stay On the Move

Even adults can quickly tire of having their photo taken, but the more images you capture, in the most scenes and locations, the more variety and options you’ll have to offer your clients.

Every few minutes in one location, switch up your subjects’ stances. Have Dad hold Junior, or have Sister stand with her hand on Mom’s shoulder. Then immediately mix it up by having them casually walk toward you, looking at each other, to capture a candid moment.

Don’t stay in any one location for more than 10 to 15 minutes. Plan to move around your site. The time between spots is a chance to chat and get more comfortable with your subjects, and to let the kids have a break and run around before asking them to sit still again. It’s also a chance to capture great candid moments.

Prepare the Right Family Photography Gear and Other Items

Be sure to pack the right gear for your style and the scene.  This will vary from photographer to photographer.  However, here are a few items to consider:

• Camera
• Medium Zoom Lens
• Off Camera Flash, Flash Stand and Trigger
• On Camera Flash
• Camera Bag
• Extra Battery
• Plenty of Memory (at least 32GB)
• Reflector
• Props
• Snacks

Edit the Family Photography Photos

After taking pictures, photo editing can bring out colors, correct mistakes, or add an overall tone or style to the photos. Editing also helps to rid memories of flaws like red-eye, overexposed areas, or distracting objects in the background. Consider using Lightroom to correct your photos from scratch or start with a Lightroom preset.   To turn around and deliver your photos even faster, even consider AI Photo Editing, such as Impossible Things.

Conclusion

Family photography is a special way to capture memories and relationships with the people your subjects love most. Professional photographers should know just how to make a family session filled with fun, laughter and warmth.  The photos should be artfully crafted to provide an end result that perfectly captures the essence of each family member and their special bond together as a unit. By following these tips, you can ensure that your family photography session results in beautiful, timeless images that capture the love and bond of the family. For even more in-depth video tutorials, see our Family Photography 101 Workshop.

Why Google Alerts Are Important for Small Businesses

Google Alerts Monitor Your Brand

As a business owner, your brand is everything. Google Alerts helps you to monitor what is being said about your brand online, be it good or bad. This will enable you to respond quickly to any negative comments or misinformation, and also to thank those who are speaking positively about your brand.  When setting up your google alerts, which we’ll cover later in this article, make sure you add one for your brand name.

This will help you become aware of online features of your work on wedding blogs, photography websites, or vendor websites.  Getting featured online is a great way to build up your reputation and provide 3rd party support for your photography skills and services.  To get featured in more places and see the Google Alerts flowing in, consider joining Wedding Maps.

Competitor Analysis

Monitoring your competitors online presence can help you generate marketing and business building ideas. Google Alerts can help you stay informed about your competitors’ activities, new offerings, and promotions.  Choose a handful of competitors to add to your Google Alerts.

Help You Build Backlinks

Backlinks are important for SEO. At times, you may receive a mention on a website but not a link. For example, an online publication might use one of your photos, mention you by name, but then fail to link to your website. With a Google Alerts, you will be notified when your brand is mentioned and check to make sure that they link over to you. If they haven’t linked to you, then consider reaching out to ask them to do so.

Stay Updated with Industry News

Keeping up with the latest trends, news, and updates in your industry can help you stay competitive and offer services that are in demand.  This one is less critical for you business, but you may also consider setting up Google Alerts for things that are relevant to your business.   For example, an alert for “[insert camera model] update” could be beneficial for staying informed about recent firmware updates.

Step by Step Guide on Setting Up Google Alerts

Here’s a quick guide on getting started with Google Alerts.

1. Create a Google Account – If you do not have a Google Account, you will need to create one. Go to the Google homepage and click on “Sign In” in the top right corner. Follow the prompts to create a new account.
2. Go to Google Alerts – Once you have a Google Account, go to the Google Alerts page.
3. Enter Your Search Terms – In the “Create an alert about” box, enter the terms that you want to receive alerts about. For example, you can enter your brand name, your competitors’ names, industry-related terms, etc.
4. Configure Your Alert Settings – You can configure your alert settings by clicking on “Show options.” Here you can choose the frequency of your alerts, the sources, language, region, and how many results you want to receive.
5. Create Your Alert – Once you have configured your settings, click on the “Create Alert” button. You can create as many alerts as you need.

What to Do When You Receive a Google Alert

1. Evaluate the Relevance – Not all alerts you receive will be relevant to your business. Evaluate the relevance of each alert and decide whether it requires any action.
2. Take Action if Necessary – If an alert is relevant to your business, decide what action needs to be taken. This could be responding to a negative comment, sharing a positive mention of your brand on social media, or reaching out to a potential collaborator.
3. Save Important Alerts – It is a good idea to save important alerts in a separate folder in your email inbox so you can easily find them later.

Tips for Organizing and Using Your Google Alerts

1. Use Specific Keywords – The more specific your keywords, the more relevant your alerts will be.

2. Use Quotation Marks – Using quotation marks around your keywords will ensure that you only receive alerts that contain that exact phrase. For example, “John Doe Photography.”

3. Use the Minus Sign – Using the minus sign will exclude certain words from your alerts. For example, if you are a wedding photographer, you could use “wedding photography -stock” to exclude stock photography alerts.

4. Combine Keywords – You can combine keywords using the “OR” operator. For example, “John Doe Photography OR Jane Doe Photography.”

5. Organize Your Alerts – You can organize your alerts by creating folders in your email inbox and setting up rules to automatically move alerts into the relevant folder.

Conclusion

Google Alerts is a powerful tool that can help photographers stay informed about everything that is relevant to their business. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily set up Google Alerts and start receiving notifications about your brand, your competitors, and the latest industry news and opportunities. Remember to evaluate the relevance of each alert and take action if necessary. Lastly, make use of the tips provided to organize your alerts and ensure that you are receiving the most relevant and useful information.

Understand and Manage The Timeline

As with most cultural traditions, each couple and each family may take a unique approach to cultural traditions.  For example, some Vietnamese couples will have two ceremonies, one at the bride’s house and then another one at the groom’s home.  Other times, they only have one, and sometimes they skip the event all together. In another example, when a Chinese or Vietnamese bride or groom is marrying someone from another culture, it’s not uncommon to see the tea ceremony incorporated into the wedding ceremony itself rather than as a separate event.

As the creative on the job, be sure to memorize and understand the timeline and be flexible for any last second changes or requests. If there are going to be multiple tea ceremonies and outfit changes, make sure the timeline is adequate for full coverage, especially if you’re covering prep for each outfit. Travel time can also add up quickly in densely populated areas. It is not unusual for Chinese or Vietnamese wedding coverage to run between 12 and 18 hours.

Here is a typical order of events for a tea ceremony:

1. Groom and his family/friends arrive at bride’s home
2. Door games (more common in Chinese weddings)
3. Bride makes an entrance
4. Welcome Speech or toast (often by father of the bride)
5. Brewing of Tea (Bridesmaid or sibling)
6. Tea served by bride and groom to relatives  (often in order or seniority)
7. Gifts provided to the bride and groom (often jewelry)
8. Food (Often a roasted pig)

Be Prepared for “Everyday” Surroundings

As mentioned, most tea ceremonies take place in the bride’s living room.  Sometimes these can be beautifully decorated and photogenic and other times, they can be everyday living rooms, with potentially distracting elements like televisions, kids’ toys and more.  Be prepared for any type of environment and utilize your composition and lighting skills to deemphasize unattractive parts of the scene.

Be Prepared for Tight Spaces

Many tea ceremonies have dozens or even hundreds of relatives and friends gathered in a living room or hotel suite.  Be prepared for tight spaces and be sure to stay assertive, while remaining polite, in getting to the optimal positions.  Consider medium zoom lenses, such as a 24-70mm lens for maximum versatility.

Plan Your Angles

If you’re shooting alone and can only get one perspective, it’s usually more important to get an angle that features the people the bride and groom are serving, as opposed to the bride and groom. For coverage with multiple shooters, capture both the bride and groom as well as the guests they’re serving.

Crop in Tight and Remember the Details

Remember to capture a variety of angles and perspectives.  The most creative and interesting crops are sometimes the tight ones.  This is particularly true if the environment is messy or unappealing.

In addition, tight crops of the action, such as the image of just the hands holding the tea or putting on jewelry can help tell a story.  See the images below.

Focus on Emotion

In many traditional Asian cultures, the tea ceremony is the actual moment that the bride and groom are married.  Traditionally, it signifies the moment that the bride is leaving her home and joining the groom in a new life.  As you can expect, this can trigger some strong emotions of joy and sadness for the couple and their family members.  Be prepared to capture the action.

Carve Out Time Before or After the Ceremony for Portraits

Many times, the bride and groom will be changing out of their traditional attire into a white “Western” wedding dress after the tea ceremony.  So be sure to capture all of the individual and couples portraits that you and your clients want before this happens.  Tea ceremonies are often followed by lunch, so you may have some time there to pull the couple out while everyone else is eating.

Conclusion

We hope that this helps prepare you to capture better tea ceremony images.   If you’re interested in more wedding photography education, we have a full training system that teaches you every aspect of wedding photography, including how to capture cultural weddings such as the tea ceremony.  For more information, check out the Wedding Photography Training System.  If you’re interested in learning about other cultural weddings, you may be interested in the following articles:

• Jewish Wedding Photography Tips
• Persian Wedding Photography Guide
• Hindu Wedding Photography Guide
• Mormon Wedding Photography Guide
• Catholic Wedding Photography Guide