Capture reality, not perfection.

The idea of capturing reality instead of perfection has been around for a long time. People have always wanted to capture moments that are meaningful to them, not just ones that look perfect. In today's world, this idea is becoming more and more popular, especially in the realm of photography.

In the podcast episode 354 of the Beginner Photography Podcast, documentary family life photographer Anja Poehlmann talks about how shooting every day can transform not only your creativity, but your personality as well. She explains that she personally does not like studio photography, as it is too stiff and awkward. She explains that while these photos have a place, they are not for her. Instead, she prefers to capture reality, which is not always the most pretty thing.

Anja's story is a great example of how photography can be used to capture reality. She explains that when she moved to Hawaii for half a year, she decided to take her camera with her and create a website to share her experience with her friends and family. This was the first time she used her camera for more than just taking a few photos on vacation. This experience was the start of her journey as a photographer and it shows how powerful photography can be for capturing reality.

It is important to remember that reality is not always perfect. By capturing reality, we can tell a more honest story that is often more meaningful than a perfectly posed photo. We can show the real emotions and connections between people, which can often be more powerful than a posed photo.

In the end, it is important to remember that photography is a powerful tool for storytelling. We can capture reality instead of perfection and tell stories that are more honest and meaningful. We can use photography to show the world the way we see it, not just the way it looks in a perfect photo.

Practice and observe light.

For any photographer, learning to practice and observe light is an essential skill. Light can transform a mundane photo into something extraordinary, and it can bring out the best in a subject. It can be used to create atmosphere and emotion, and it can make a scene look more dramatic or peaceful.

When it comes to learning to practice and observe light, the best way to learn is through trial and error. As photographer Timur Civan explains, he learned by going out with his camera and seeing what happened when he changed the settings. He learned to understand how the numbers worked together and how to use the aperture priority mode to get a better exposure. He also learned to recognize why he liked certain pictures better than others, which was due to the depth of field.

Observing light is also an important skill for photographers. It is important to pay attention to how light affects an image and to understand why certain images look better than others. For example, it can be helpful to look for shadows under the eyes or nose, or to pay attention to the angle of the light and how it can be used to the photographer's advantage.

In the end, practice and observation are the keys to mastering light. With enough practice and observation, any photographer can learn to recognize and control light to create beautiful and meaningful images. It takes time and dedication, but the results can be truly stunning.

Be authentic and honest.

The same can be said about photography in general. It takes time and dedication to create meaningful images, and the key to creating meaningful images is to be authentic and honest. Photographers must strive to capture the truth of their subjects, and to avoid contrived and artificial images.

This is a lesson that I learned from my own experience as a photographer. I started out taking photos of friends and family, and eventually moved on to paid work. I was lucky enough to get bookings from a single wedding, and that wedding led to bookings for five years. I learned that I had to be prepared for anything, and that I had to be honest and authentic in my approach.

Today, I focus mainly on family and small business photography. My approach is documentary, and I strive to create honest and authentic images. I avoid contrived and artificial images, and instead focus on capturing the truth of my subjects. I want to create meaningful images that capture the emotion and beauty of the moment.

Being honest and authentic is an essential part of creating meaningful images. It takes time and dedication to master the art of photography, but with enough practice and observation, any photographer can learn to create beautiful and meaningful images.

Capture real family moments.

Capturing real family moments is a unique challenge for any photographer. It requires the photographer to be present, to observe, and to capture the essence of a family’s life. The goal is to capture the real moments, the moments that will be remembered and cherished for years to come.

In order to capture these moments, a photographer must be willing to go beyond the traditional posed family photos. They must be willing to take the time to understand the family’s daily routines and habits. They must be willing to listen to the family’s stories and ask questions in order to get a better understanding of the family’s dynamics.

Documentary family photography is a great way to capture real family moments. It allows the photographer to be present for a longer period of time, which gives them more opportunity to observe and capture the true essence of the family. The photographer is able to capture the family’s morning routine, their afternoon at the playground, and their bedtime rituals.

The goal of documentary family photography is to create a visual record of a family’s life that can be looked back on and appreciated. It allows us to look back on our past and understand who we used to be and who we are now. It helps us to understand our own story and the stories of our families.

Capturing real family moments is a unique challenge for any photographer, but it is also a rewarding experience. It is a chance to create beautiful and meaningful images that will be cherished for years to come. Documentary family photography is a great way to capture these moments and create a visual record of a family’s life that can be looked back on and appreciated.

Show connection in photos.

Documentary family photography is all about capturing the connection between family members. It is about taking the time to observe the family dynamic and capturing the subtle interactions between them. To do this, photographers must be patient and observant, looking for moments of connection that can be captured in an image.

One way to capture connection in photos is to use layering and composition. Photographers can use different elements in the frame to tell a story. For example, a photo of a parent and child can be taken from an angle that shows another parent and child in the background. This creates a sense of connection between the two families and allows the photographer to tell a story with the image.

Another way to capture connection in photos is to use poses. Photographers can ask family members to sit or stand close together or to interact in a way that looks natural. This can help to create a sense of connection between the family members and can result in beautiful and meaningful photos.

Finally, it is important to remember that the everyday moments are just as important as the special occasions. Photographers should take the time to observe and capture the little moments that make up a family’s life. This could include a morning of making porridge together or a trip to the park with the kids. These moments can be just as powerful as the ones captured on special occasions and can help to create a visual record of a family’s life that will be cherished for years to come.

Documentary family photography is a great way to capture the connection between family members and create beautiful and meaningful images that will be cherished for years to come. By taking the time to observe their interactions and using layering, composition, and poses, photographers can create images that tell a story and capture the connection between family members.

Create meaningful art.

Creating meaningful art is not only about capturing beautiful images, but also about creating something that has meaning to the family. As photographer Sarah Price explains in her podcast, her goal when shooting a family is to create something that means something to them and the art comes second. She emphasizes that it is not just about technicals, but also about understanding the family’s tastes and values. She also stresses the importance of allowing the family to be themselves and not feel like they have to get out of the way for the photographer to take the perfect shot.

In addition to documentary family photography, Sarah Price also has a creative project called the Long Portrait. It is a portrait on steroids in which she takes a two to three minute video of someone looking at the camera and then overlays it with an interview. She has five questions for everyone who takes part in her Long Portrait and then creates a story based on what they tell her. This project is a great way for her to create art for herself without relying on clients and it also gives her the opportunity to just try and play and fail and see what works and what doesn’t.

Creating meaningful art is not just about capturing beautiful images, but also about creating something that has meaning to the family. It is important to take the time to observe their interactions and use layering, composition, and poses to create images that tell a story and capture the connection between family members. It is also important to understand the family’s tastes and values and allow them to be themselves. Creative projects like the Long Portrait are a great way to create art for oneself without relying on clients and to experiment with different techniques.

Just get started!

However, it can be difficult to get started on a project like this. It can be daunting to think of the end goal and the amount of work it will take to get there. It is important to remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. It is important to focus on the process and the creative ideas that come out of it rather than the end result. This is something that the podcast guest has experienced firsthand. They have found that the best way to get started is to just start. They focus on the journey rather than the end goal and it has allowed them to be more creative and take risks.

The podcast guest also recommends setting personal progression goals in order to stay motivated. This can include challenging oneself to shoot vertically, take photos in a certain time frame, or observe the same scene differently every day. It is important to remember that everybody needs a different kind of motivation.

The takeaway from this podcast is to just get started. It does not matter if the end goal is not clear yet, the important thing is to take the first step and start the creative process. It is important to remember that the journey is just as important as the destination and to focus on the creative ideas that come out of it. Setting personal progression goals can also be a great way to stay motivated and create meaningful art.

Embrace imperfection and experiment.

Another key point is to learn to love the dark, grubby days. It is easy to get caught up in the idea of perfect days with beautiful sunshine and blue skies, but it is important to appreciate the beauty in the imperfect days too. This can be a great opportunity to experiment with different techniques and ideas. For example, trying out long exposures or playing around with shadows and light can be a great way to get creative and make something unique.

Finally, it is important to remember that projects should be for yourself, not for others. It is easy to get caught up in wanting to please or impress others, but it is important to focus on creating something that you are proud of and that you enjoy. Taking away the pressure of perfection and validation from others can help to create something more meaningful and personal.

In conclusion, it is important to embrace imperfection and experiment. This can help to create something meaningful and unique, as well as being a great way to stay motivated and inspired. Taking away the pressure of perfection and validation from others can help to create something more meaningful and personal. So don’t be afraid to get creative and take the leap into something new.

Don't be afraid to ask!

Don't be afraid to ask! This is a phrase that is often heard but not necessarily followed. Asking for help, advice, or a favor can be intimidating and uncomfortable for many people. It can be difficult to put yourself out there and take the risk of being rejected or judged. However, when it comes to photography, it is important to take the leap and ask for help or advice.

Anja, a photographer, shared her story of how she learned to ask strangers for their photo. She found that the majority of the time, people were more than willing to let her take their photo. This allowed her to gain confidence in her photography skills and become more comfortable with talking to strangers. Additionally, she found that having a business card with her name and Instagram handle on it was a great way to connect with the people she photographed and give them something in return.

Anja also shared the importance of reading the room. She suggested that it is best to approach people when they are not in a rush and are more likely to be open to the idea of having their photo taken. This is a great way to ensure that the experience is positive for both parties and that the photos will turn out well.

Asking for help or advice can be a daunting task, but it is often worth it in the end. Asking for help can open up many opportunities and lead to new experiences. It can also help to build relationships and create a sense of community. Furthermore, it is a great way to gain confidence and learn new skills.

It is important to remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength. It shows that you are willing to take risks and put yourself out there. It is also important to remember that it is okay to make mistakes and ask for help. It is part of the learning process and can help to create something meaningful and unique.

Shoot for what makes you unique.

This is something that I have learned from listening to the Beginner Photography Podcast. In particular, I was inspired by the interview with Anja Purman. Anja is a photographer from London who has a passion for capturing unique and interesting images. She believes that it is important to shoot for what makes you unique.

Anja explains that it doesn’t matter what camera you have. What matters is that you are the only person who can create the photos that you create. Therefore, it is important to lean into what makes you unique and don’t try to follow all of the same rules that everybody else follows. This will help you to stand out and create something special.

Another key takeaway from Anja’s interview is to be open to trying new things. Don’t just learn about them and think about them, but actually try them. This will help you to find the things that you love the most and make sure that you are not wasting your time thinking about something that you don’t even like.

Finally, Anja stresses that the art comes second. This means that when money is involved, you will always shoot for your clients and that is okay. Just know that this will happen and focus on creating something unique and meaningful.

Overall, Anja’s interview was incredibly inspiring and reminded me that it is important to shoot for what makes you unique. Don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things. And remember, the more that you shoot today, the better of a photographer you will be tomorrow.