I wanted to share a few thoughts for my fellow photographers out there about what is going through my head when I shoot.

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KEEP IT REAL
My goal in my photography is to try to capture the essence of whatever I am shooting. A dog and their owner, a fresh newborn and their parents, or even the kids in the neighborhood. Real moments are what I am after.

KEEP IT SIMPLE
Too many elements in one image can be distracting. If possible, I like to use one key element and get rid of the rest, allowing the subject to shine. Too many ideas or concepts in one image make it hard for the viewer to understand what you are trying to say.

KEEP IT SHARP
There are some cases where a photographer’s personal vision for art supercedes the need for perfect focus (and I love these), but don’t underestimate the power of an incredibly sharp photo. It allows the viewer to easily take in your image. Nailing your focus is something that takes concentration and practice.

LIGHT OVER LOCATION
You can have the most perfect location in the world, but if it doesn’t have great light, it probably isn’t going to work well. I look for light first and location second. This was a lightbulb moment for me last year when I attended The Antiworkshop. My group was in an alley and we were looking for really cool ideas and backdrops for our bride. Chenin, a workshop leader, was quick to point out what we were all missing… a gorgeous pocket of sunlight shining right down into the middle of the alley. If you weren’t looking for it, you probably would have discarded that spot in the alley because of all the clutter. But with some creative positioning, it turns into a really lovely image.

Happy Shooting!