I am a risk-loving, dream-doing, taco-addicted destination wedding photographer living #yolo to it’s finest with my husband (and fellow photography partner, Colin) and my cat Marley. We’ve been living in Mexico for almost 7 years, because when you love the destination so much, sometimes you gotta move there. We specialize in weddings across Mexico and underwater wedding photography, which usually takes place in Mexico’s underwater caves, called “cenotes.” Fun fact: I have been using the same exact Black Rapid straps for my entire career which spans over 500 weddings! So if there are 2 constants in my life, it’s tacos and my beloved Black Rapid straps (and my husband of course).

DON’T FORCE IT

If your client feels uncomfortable in a pose, it’s not going to look good on camera, period. Don’t be afraid to say “Is that uncomfortable?” and change it up if it is. Don’t force it! If they feel uncomfortable being on camera at all, choose a walking shot. Movement always helps ease the nerves and helps them look more natural on camera. Last resort, jokes. Sacrifice your dignity for the sake of laughter and a more comfortable client.

OUR BUILDING WAS ON FIRE

Two years ago, we were traveling around Mexico and had just arrived to our next hotel and I was backing up the 5th wedding we had shot while traveling onto an external hard drive (I always back up on 3 drives while traveling and 1 always stays on my body). Someone started pounding on our door and when we opened it up there was nothing but an orange, blazing inferno on the other side. Our building was on fire, and there was no alarm. We had 5 seconds or less to decide what to get from our room. We stacked all our gear, computers, etc. in our arms and at the last second I grabbed the hard drive I was just backing up with my teeth and ran out the door.In the end, everyone survived- we actually grabbed ALL of our gear, and nobody’s wedding photos were lost. It was a good lesson in backing up wedding photos as soon as possible, because you never know what will happen.

WHAT’S IN MY BAG

• My always and forever Black Rapid straps
• 4 Nikon D750 camera bodies
• 1 Sigma Art 24mm f/1.4, 1 Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4, 1 Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4, 1 Sigma Art 105mm f/1.4 & 1 Vintage Nikkor 52mm f/2.0 for details
• 4 Yungnuo Speedlights, 2 Yungnuo Triggers, 1 Flashbender & 1 Magmod Diffuser and Grid & 1 Light stand
• 1 Fillex P100 Video Light

Misti Marquette, founder of Bohemia Photography, is a Wedding and Underwater Photographer based in Redondo Beach, California.

Find out more about her on her website http://www.bohemia-photography.com and be sure to follow her on Instagram @bohemiaphotography and her Facebook page @bohemiaphotographyus.

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I started Shotkit back in 2014 to scratch my own itch of wanting to know what my favourite photographers carried in their camera bags.

EVERYONE KNOWS THAT A GOOD CAMERA DOESN’T MAKE A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER,

but most of us in the photography industry are passionate about the camera gear we use, and we’re all a little curious about the gear used by our peers!

OVER THE YEARS, SHOTKIT HAS MORPHED INTO A POPULAR RESOURCE FOR ALL THINGS PHOTOGRAPHY AND GEAR RELATED,

but the goal of the site is still to provide an accessible place for both beginners and pros to have a snoop inside the camera bags of photographers.

After receiving so many submissions from photographers around the world, I’ve been given a unique insight into the most popular photography gear in use by professionals today… and of course, BLACKRAPID is a name that keeps popping up.

IT’S INTERESTING TO SEE DIFFERENT TRENDS EMERGE IN THE INDUSTRY,

particularly how mirrorless cameras are disrupting the throne that’s been held for so many years by the trusty DSLR.

Whatever your stance is on using a camera with an EVF vs a traditional OVF, the future of cameras which rely on cumbersome mirrors to capture images is looking admittedly bleak.

Personally, I made the switch to mirrorless cameras for my wedding photography work earlier this year and have been enjoying the experience… although I must say there are still times when I miss my DSLR.

AS FOR SHOTKIT, I’LL CONTINUE TO PUBLISH IN-DEPTH REVIEWS ON THE LATEST CAMERA GEAR

to help both beginners and professional photographers who need advice about their next purchases… not to mention of course those of us with a dose of the dreaded G.A.S.!

I definitely don’t condone buying gear for the sake of it, or amassing a whole arsenal of camera accessories that hardly gets used. I’ve taken a rather minimalist approach to my wedding photography, in a hope to encourage creativity through limitation, often using just one camera body and one lens for an entire day.

That said, I still think it’s worthwhile to invest in new gear from time to time if it helps with your motivation and creativity, and let’s face it, we do all like new toys after all

FROM PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOWING OFF THEIR BEST WORK AND FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHY GADGETS AND GIZMOS, TO GEAR REVIEWS, BUSINESS ADVICE AND CREATIVE INSPIRATION, THERE’S SOMETHING ON SHOTKIT FOR EVERYONE.

If you’re reading this and thinking that you’d like to have your work featured on Shotkit, then come on over and get involved! Whether you own one camera or ten, I’d love to have you on-board.

Mark Condon is a photographer and founder of ShotKit, the popular blog that gives readers an inside look inside the camera bags of some of the most highly regarded photographers around the world.

Find out more about him on his website ShotKit.com, and be sure to follow him on Instagram @shotkit and his Facebook page, ShotKit.

The post BLACKRAPID Guest Post by Mark Condon | Peek inside the Camera Bags of the World’s Best Photographers appeared first on BLACKRAPID.

The word serendipity isn’t used enough and today I hope this favorite word of mine brings you a little happiness as you begin your work week.

A FEW DAYS AGO,

we were taking a ferry ride from Bainbridge Island to downtown Seattle. The sun was shining, the water calm, and all passengers on board were giddy excitement as the beautiful Emerald City came into view. From the bow’s upper deck, we had a perfect view of Puget Sound as well as the car deck below, an ideal spot for any people watcher. Of course, I couldn’t help but notice all the smartphones and cameras capturing happy moments and took stock of all the different camera straps people were using (I was personally using the WandeR Bundle Smartphone Safety Tether System on my iPhone X).

WHILE SOAKING IN ALL THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS, AND SCENT OF THE SEA,

I glanced down to the car deck below and noticed something happening: a beautiful couple stood at the bow of the boat while two photographers captured their embrace with the city skyline in the background. It was a perfect engagement session underway! Now, I spent the first 16 of my 20 years in photography shooting weddings and to this day, nothing makes me happier than to see love being captured and couldn’t help but smile with genuine joy watching this beautiful moment and photoshoot unfold. It was exquisite! Then I noticed something: one of the photographers was wearing a BLACKRAPID camera strap! With an ah-ha moment and my BLACKRAPID business card in hand, I ran down the steps to the photo session, introduced myself to the photographers, and asked if I could photograph them photographing the couple. They said yes! and we all quickly got to work.

PRO TIP:

No matter your experience level, photographing BTS images of seasoned photographers is always rewarding. You get to see the angles they see, listen to their etiquette in directing people, and learn to anticipate their moves during the shoot to capture the best angle that represents their story. It’s like learning to dance with a new partner and I highly recommend every photographer take on a couple BTS sessions a year just to stay fresh in style and practiced in experience.

MOVING AROUND CARS AND WASHINGTON STATE FERRY WORKERS,

the lovely photographer gracefully maneuvered her way around all obstacles with elegance. She was so kind and gentle in directing her couple, and I knew she was capturing something truly unique while also creating a special moment for them. I felt honored to be allowed to not only witness this beautiful session, but to also capture a few images for BLACKRAPID.

THE PHOTOGRAPHERS WERE NONE OTHER THAN

the highly esteemed Alante Photography team, Kimberly Person and Loren Callahan, winners of Seattle Bride Magazine’s Best Photographers of 2018 and I know it was true serendipity that our paths crossed at this moment, on this ferry, on this sunny summer day.

Thanks you guys, for allowing me to #LiveTheMoment with you!

To learn more about Kimberly and Loren, visit their website Alante Photography at www.alantephotography.com and be sure to follow them on Instagram @alantephotography www.instagram.com/alantephotography.

The post BLACKRAPID Guest Post by LaRae Lobdell | Photographing Photographers on a Ferry, Seattle WA appeared first on BLACKRAPID.

HERE IS WHY OUTSOURCING YOUR POST PRODUCTION WILL BENEFIT NOT ONLY YOUR BUSINESS BUT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE TOO.

As you grow in your photography business you may find yourself spending more time behind the computer than the camera.

MANY OF US CREATIVES BELIEVE THAT NO ONE IS BETTER THAN DOING OUR POST PRODUCTION THAN WE ARE.

It is “Part of my Style” – but what if someone else was better at it than you? And even better what if they were cheaper than you? What do I mean by that? Let’s say for argument’s sake that you charge your time as a photographer out at $150 per hour (don’t get all hit up about rates now, this is an outsourcing debate, not a pricing one) We all know that a one hour shoot often results in two hours of post production. This means you are effectively earning $50/hr. Let’s say that you could get someone to do your post production on that one hour job for $50. This means that now you are earning $100/hr. You have doubled your earning potential. Use those two hours that you would’ve spent sitting behind the computer on marketing your business or spending time with your family. Go and have a coffee with other role players in the industry, network, collaborate or even exercise! Using those two spare hours effectively will result in more time behind the camera, less in front of the computer, more money in the bank and Heaven forbid, maybe even a better product.

IN MY BUSINESS I AM THE SPECIALIST PHOTOGRAPHER, I LEAVE THE RETOUCHING TO THE PROS AND TOGETHER WE CREATE A PRODUCT THAT I COULDN’T HAVE ON MY OWN.

These three examples show just that. It would’ve taken me days to do what my retoucher did with the raw images she was given. I utilized that time productively to ensure the progression of my brand. As, I am writing this, my retouching is being done for me and a cheaper price than my time.

Happy shooting!

Brett Florens is a BLACKRAPID Ambassador. Discover more about his workshops and mentorships at http://brettflorens.com/photographers/.

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