There is a lot of buzz in the photography world about how to capture genuine smiles and expressions from your clients. Capturing authentic connection is one of the things that can separate a good photo from a great one, and is something I plan to write about soon. But today I want to t

Because my heart for photography started with my desire to document everyday memories, it’s no surprise that I LOVE taking Christmas morning photos! But since we have had kids, I have found myself more and more aware of the fact that, most of the time, I am not in the frame with

Winter is upon us, and for many of us, that means SNOW. I love the challenge of taking photos in the snow: The scene is entirely different than what I work with the rest of the year, and it compels me to stretch my creativity and my skill level. Shooting good photos in the snow can be

Do the words “off camera flash” fill you with dread and terror? Many photographers, especially amateurs and those loyal to natural lighting, typically steer clear from flash photography of any sort due to its perceived complexities. However, once you start to learn the basics of contr

Are you struggling getting sharp photos when shooting wide open? There are several reasons you might choose to take photos with your aperture open as far as it will go, or as it’s affectionately referred to in the photography world, “shooting wide open.” One trademark of a profess

If you’ve ever shot photos indoors, you know how tricky it can be. The lighting can be inadequate, and a decent backdrop can be hard to come by. If the nuances of shooting inside have you avoiding it altogether, today is the day that changes! Whether you’re wanting to capture candid sh

We spend a lot of time talking about how to get technically perfect photo, but there is more to a great image than technicalities. A technically flawless photo doesn’t matter as much to a client if the photo isn’t INTERESTING, so let’s chat a little today about how you can enhance your

Capturing the motion of a beautiful waterfall requires the understanding of long exposure photography, one of the coolest techniques you can use as a photographer. With a good location, the right light, and a little luck, you can capture some extremely interesting images that will most

If you are like me at all, when first learning the fundamentals of photography, your main objective is to learn to take photos the “right way”.  Intriguing composition.  Perfect exposure.  The right amount of depth of field and I can go on and on and on&

Not all shadows are created equal.  There are good shadows and there are bad or even….horrendous shadows that can make or break our photos.  But which are the good ones and which are the bad ones?  After reading this quick post you will know exactly the how to uti

Many photographers struggle with how to consistently get sharp photos within each and every photo shoot.  I was once one of those photographers too.  Sometimes I’d get an awesome winner and other times the photos wouldn’t be as sharp as I’d expect, or want.

Earlier in the week I was asked by a loyal Cole’s Classroom subscriber if I had any guidance on the best “camera settings” for sunset photos.  While I did give some guidance and suggestions, the key to taking great sunset photos is more involved that you might think.

Lunar events are some of the coolest events to take place.  Throughout the year a lunar eclipse happens at least twice a year and it can be seen in different parts of the world.  The occurrence of the lunar eclipses are not as rare as many might think. However this pa

Summer is here and with the USA’s 4th of July/Independence Day just about upon us, I wanted to share with you some quick tips on how to photograph fireworks. By the end of this tutorial, you will have the preparation needed to bring your camera along with you for the fireworks celebrat

Everyone loves a good candid photo.  Everyone.  Well, unless they are making a funny or awkward face, but assuming that it’s a nice capture – we all love candid photos! The problem though, is actually getting the candid photos – especially when your subj

Do you ever just pick up your camera and snap a quick photo without much thought?  If so – it’s my goal today to show you why you should never just pick up and snap away.  A proper exposure and technical expertise will only get you so far, photo composition is oft

How often do you hear the words, “I’m so awkward in front of the camera,” or “I’m not photogenic”? And let’s be honest, some clients might be totally awkward and might not like having their picture taken. At all. We believe it’s a HUGE part of our job as wedding and p

You’ve seen the ISO button, but do you know what it does?ISO can be thought of as the control you have over the level of how sensitive your camera’s sensor is to light.That said – the more light you have, less sensitive your camera’s sensor needs to be (lower ISO).  Conversely, wh

Capturing memorable coastal photographs, those that can evoke emotion in the viewer, are a combination of good planning, good composition, a great eye, and the always welcome touch of good luck! Most of my work is shot on Cape Cod where I am very familiar with the towns, beaches, and p