It’s the first day of May and you know what that means? Yep, a whole new photography challenge coming your way! *pauses for slow clap*

Last month was all about flatlays. For this month, we’re going with a one lens challenge. What does that mean? It means that you can only use ONE lens for the entire 31-day challenge. We thought this would be a great way to illustrate the importance of making whatever equipment you have, work for you. Many of us are guilty of buying a “better” lens or a better camera all in the hopes of improving our photography.

Yes, it’s true that better equipment can make for a better photo. However, our philosophy is that it’s not the equipment that makes the photographer good. It’s the photographer that makes ANY equipment good! 

With that being said, here are the full details of the next #PIXPhotoChallenge. Please be sure to share your images with us and the community on Instagram using the #PIXPhotoChallenge hashtag and in our PIX Tips Facebook group. We hope you’ll join along! 

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Lucky for you, we teamed up with the über talented Kelley With Love to create this helpful prop styling video. In this clip, Kelley With Love shares 5 expert tips for styling your photos. 

Who’s ready to create some flatlay magic now?

PIX Tips Facebook Group

Join the PIX Tips Facebook Group to engage with and learn from photographers and content creators of color!

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If you’ve run the wheels off of your current collection of props, you’ll love this list we put together of 7 places to find awesome photography props! 

Target

We know that Target can be a dangerous place to shop. You go in looking for a tube of toothpaste and come out with a hundred dollars worth of items you probably could have gone without. Sound like you?

As money-sucking as Target can be, we couldn’t make a list about photography props without including it. Target is one of our favorite places to pick up photography props. It has this section (usually in the front of the store) that has super affordable items, some as low as $1! The best thing about this section is that you can find a lot of seasonal props! Another good section, that’s not as affordable, is the arts and crafts section (and surrounding aisles). You can usually find great props to add to your photos.

Michaels

Michaels is a pretty popular arts and crafts store that sells EVERYTHING under the sun. It has faux flowers, paint and brushes, colored paper for backdrops and so much more. Literally, everything you can think of, you’ll find it at Michaels.

ProTip: Sign up for Michaels Rewards to receive discounts on your purchases.

Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby is like Michaels but on steroids! It offers just about everything that Michaels does, and then some. It is, however, a bit more expensive and has far fewer stores than Michaels (so chances are that you’re going to have to take a journey to find one). 

Amazon

You know those days when you feel too lazy to get out of bed and treck to an actual store? Yea, we know those days all too well! That’s why we can’t get enough of Amazon. It’s not only great for us lazy folks, it’s also a great resource for finding any prop your mind can think of. 

ProTip: If you sign up for Amazon Prime, you can get your order within two days! Amazing, right?

Etsy

Similar to Amazon, Etsy offers a large array of items. What makes Etsy so great is that many of the items for sale on the site are vintage and handmade. So, while it may take a little longer to receive your items from Etsy, the benefit of having unique items for your photography, makes it worth the wait!

Your Home

When it comes to looking for props, don’t underestimate household items. You’d be surprised how many prop-able items you have just laying around the house. That vintage camera that no longer works? Prop it! That box of jewelry that you keep hidden away under your bed? Prop it! Part of being a photographer is learning how to be resourceful. There’s no need to break the bank in order to capture the perfect picture!

ProTip: You can find props outside in nature as well. Go out and explore your surrounding area for things like flowers, leaves, sunlight, shadows, etc.

Home Depot

You’re probably wondering why Home Depot is on this list. Well, we’ll tell ya! Home Depot is an awesome place to find cool tiles that you can use as backdrops for your photos. They’re usually pretty affordable as well!

This is our list, but we’re sure there are some gems that we’ve missed. Feel free to share your favorite places to find props down below or in our PIX Tips Facebook Group!

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If you’d like to be added, please send an email to info@pixelsincolour.com with the following:

• Ten (10) of your best photos (feel free to send more!)*
• A link to your portfolio/Instagram
• Full name

*By submitting your photos, you agree to allow Pixels in Colour and PIX Tips to post the images online.

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Have you ever come across an image like the one above and wondered, ‘How the heck did they take that photo?” The overhead photo (or flatlay) is a very popular one amongst photographers, so we thought we’d share 4 different tips to help you capture an overhead photo. These tips will come in handy if you’re taking part in our 30-day flatlay challenge!

1. Tripod

The most obvious way to achieve an overhead shot is by using a tripod, but not just any tripod. It’s best to use a tripod that has the capability of rotating horizontally so that you can mount your camera directly above the object(s) to be photographed. If you’re already in possession of a standard tripod, you can simply purchase a horizontal mount extension to attach to your iPod. If you’re using a phone camera, there are tripod attachments for mounting phones as well!

Here are a few benefits of using a tripod for an overhead shot:

It helps to reduce “camera shake” (and subsequently blurry photos), that can occur when you’re holding your camera. You have the freedom to move props around freely without having to worry about positioning and repositioning your camera. You can literally set it up and forget it! Lastly, it’s one of the easiest ways to get a sharp, overhead photo.

2. Yourself

Believe it or not, you’re already in possession of an effective tool for capturing overhead photos: your arm! Yes, you heard right, your arm.

We understand that not everyone has the funds to purchase a tripod, nor do they have a significant other willing to help with snapping photos (rude, right!). In these instances, you’ve gotta make due with what you have. And if you have an arm, you can pull it off.

Here’s how it works:

Set up your props. Hop in bed. Grab your cell phone. Throw your arm in the air (and wave it around like ya just don’t care!). Hold your phone with back camera facing down and then snap the photo. This method may take a few tries to get a photo that is sharp, centered and has everything in frame, but we promise you it works!

3. Ceiling

This third trip requires the most amount of effort and creativity. Ready for it?

One of the drawbacks of using your arm is that it can only go up so far (unless you’re Elasti Girl from The Incredibles). In this case, you can take your phone and tape it to the ceiling, right above the area you wish to photograph. Similar to using a tripod, this method reduces camera shake and allows you to move things around without having to worry about the camera.

Here’s how it works:

You’ll need to find some sturdy tape to attach your phone to the wall. Once it’s up there, you can set your props up on your bed just the way you like them, remember to leave some space for yourself. After that, simply hop into bed, reposition the props around you (if necessary). Then you’re free to snap away (with the assistance of a remote)!

Now, you’re probably wondering how the heck are you supposed to snap the photo if your phone is sitting on the ceiling! Valid concern. We recommend purchasing a remote and pairing it with your iPhone so that you can trigger your phone to snap a picture without touching it.

4. A Friend

One of the easier ways to pull off the overhead shot is to use a second person. This option also gives you the freedom to style your shot as you please, without having to worry about the camera.

Will you be trying any of these methods? Let us know in the comments below or over in the PIX Tips Facebook group! If you have any additional tips to share, be sure to drop them down below!

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If you’re like most people and you need a little assistance keeping track of all the National Cat Days and the National Spongebob Squarepants Days (we’re sure this one is a thing, somewhere!), this 2018 Social Media Holiday Calendar for Photographers is perfect for you.

We recommend saving it to your phone or to a Pinterest board for easy reference.

Let us know in the comments if you found this helpful!

Join the PIX Tips Community

If you’re in search of a safe environment to learn and grow as a photographer, check out the PIX Tips Facebook Group for photographers of color (Everyone is welcome to join!)

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We recently posted an article providing 7 tips for flatlay perfection and it seemed like you all really liked it. So it got us thinking! What if we hosted a photography challenge every month? We think it would be a great way to help you strengthen your skills and pick up on new ones along the way.

We’ll be kicking off our first challenge on April 1st with a 30-day flatlay photography challenge!

The 30-Day Flatlay Challenge

The 30-day flatlay photography challenge is for anyone who wants to get better at shooting flatlays. Each day, we’ll ask you to create a flatlay and share it with us on Instagram or on the PIX Tips Facebook Group! If you do share on Instagram, be sure to use the #PIXFlatlayChallenge hashtag so that we can all see!

Along the way, we’ll share tips and tricks on Facebook to help you with the challenge. If you’re not already a member of the PIX Tips Facebook Group, be sure to head over now.

Although we won’t be starting until April, here’s a look at the challenge so that you can start preparing. And if you’d like a head start, be sure to check our article, 7 Tips to Help You Master Flatlay Photography.

Who’s ready to make some flatlay magic happen? We sure are!

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If you’ve spent even a second on Instagram, you no doubt have come across a flatlay before. It’s essentially an image taken from up above of products laying on a flat surface. These types of images usually tell a story. And when done well, they’re Instagram gold taken from the fountain of youth that baby unicorns bathe in. Yes, they’re that good.

If you struggle with creating beautiful flatlays, these 7 tips will help you elevate your game and bring in the likes!

1. Prop Selection is Key

The props you select for your flatlay can make or break your photo. Before you begin pulling any supporting props, it’s important to first nail down a theme. For example, if your focus is on travel, it’s best to pull related props like a passport, a travel guide or even a fanny pack (no judging!).  If your focus is on natural skin care products, you may consider a wood backdrop, leaves or maybe even some of the ingredients that are contained within the products (e.g. lemons, cucumbers, etc.).

A few of our favorite places to pick up props are Target, Michaels, Hobby Lobby and the Dollar Store. However, don’t limit yourself to these stores. Props can be found just about anywhere, even out in nature! Let your creativity run wild!

2. Backdrop Selection

When it comes to flatlays, solid backgrounds usually work best. As a general rule, you don’t want to use colors/backdrops that distract from the product(s). If you do decide to go with multiple colors, that’s absolutely okay! Just be sure to use complementary colors that do not conflict with one another or with the products.

3. Cut the Crop

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your cropping! It’s not always necessary to fully showcase EVERYTHING in your photo. In fact, cropping your images can add a level of interest and uniqueness to it.

4. Natural Lighting Is Everything

Just like with most photography, natural lighting is the king and queen of flatlay photography. If you’re shooting products it’s best to lay them out next to a window that lets in a lot of light. To really take things up a notch, try shooting outside in direct sunlight. It makes a world of a difference. And if you’re at a cafe and wish to photograph your meal, be sure to sit as close to the window as possible.

Natural lighting will take your flatlays to another level!

5. Experiment

The beautiful thing about flatlays is that there are an infinite number of ways to style your photos. The best way to improve your skills is to experiment and to get your practice on. Test out different layouts. Play around with multiple backdrops. Choose creative props to shoot with.

Experimenting will help you quickly learn what does and does not work with flatlay photography.

6. Shoot from Above

The trick to nailing the perfect flatlay is to shoot your images from up above. To accomplish this, you may need to stand on top of a sturdy stool or use a tripod to elevate your camera and capture the image from above.

Tip: If you plan to include yourself in the photo, you can use a remote control to trigger your camera to take a photo.

7. Seek out Inspiration

This last tip is the most important tip on our list. When you’re just getting started, it really helps to look at what other people are doing. Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest allow you to search photos via hashtags. They’re both great places to start your search for inspiration!

Not sure where to save it all? Instagram’s ‘Collection’ feature is a great way to store your inspirational images and reference them whenever you need a little motivation. Pinterest boards are great to use as well!

Tip: If you find an image that you really love, try replicating it! This will help you familiarize yourself with the steps necessary to create a winning flatlay. Just be sure not to share any of these imitation images on social. This exercise is just for practice! Once you feel comfortable enough with your skills, you’ll be able to create your own flatlays that other people save as inspiration!

We hope you found these tips helpful! If you decide to implement any of these tips, be sure to use the hashtag #PIXFlatlays to share with us!

Join the PIX Tips Community

If you’d like to learn more about photography and share your work in a safe community, visit our PIX Tips Facebook Group here.

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If you’re new to the world of freelancing or if you’re looking to improve your current workflow, this list of 9 apps for freelancers is just for you!

1. Grammarly

Grammarly may seem like an oddball on this list, but if you’re a freelancer, this app will change your life (or at least make sure it’s grammatically correct!). It’s essentially a free web-based app that monitors your writing to make sure that it is mistake-free! It’s literally a virtual writing assistant! For example, if you make a spelling mistake while typing, Grammarly underlines the word and provides suggestions, in real time.

If writing is not your strength, Grammarly is perfect for helping you create error-free contracts, invoices, etc.

Price: Free

2. Trello

Trello is a web-based project management app that allows you to create boards, checklists and even collaborate with other people. If you’re like us and you struggle with staying organized and managing multiple projects, Trello is a must-have tool.

Price: Free

3. Toggl

When you’re working as a freelancer you know that every second of your day counts. Therefore, it helps to know where your time is being invested. Toggl is just the tool for that! It helps you keep track of both your time and your budget. It’s especially handy if you’re billing a client based on your time or if you’re working with a team of people and need insight on how their time is being spent.

Price: $9 – $49/month. Offers a free trial.

4. Quickbooks

When it comes to your money, there’s no room for funny business! In order to keep track of all the money you’re bringing in, we recommend using Quickbooks (or Freshbooks) to not only keep track of what’s coming in, but also to create and send invoices and stay on top of your budget.

This one’s a non-negotiable for us. There’s no way around it. Trust us, you need it in your life.

Price: $10 – $50/month. Offers a free trial.

5. One Note

For some people, writing notes on a piece of napkin works just fine. No one’s here to judge! However, if you’re looking for a better way to take and save your notes, we highly recommend using an app like Microsoft One Note.

Microsoft One Note is a digital app for capturing and organizing your notes across all of your devices. You can jot down your ideas for photoshoots as they come to mind. You can take notes during client meetings, create to-do lists, etc, etc. There’s just so much you can do with this app!

Price: Free

6. Mint

Mint is another app that helps you keep track of all the coins you’re bringing in. What makes this one great is that it syncs with your bank account (Yes, it gets ALL up in there!) and helps you keep track of where all of your money is going. It can even send you alerts when you’ve gone over your usual spending amount.

It’s not only a money manager. It also allows you to pay your bills and check your credit score. For all of these reasons, we think this one is another must-have!

Price: Free

7. Slack

How many of you are sitting there right now looking at an email inbox that is literally filled to the brim? Don’t be shy! It’s okay to admit it.

A lot of times, we get emails and they just sit in our inbox collecting dust. Why? Because of life…..just life. As a freelancer, you’re probably really busy and have limited time to check your email as frequently as you probably should. Slack is the answer to that! It’s “where the people you need, the information you share, and the tools you use come together to get things done.”

It’s an app that you can use across all of your devices and it allows you to share messages, pictures, files, you name it, with whoever you want. It makes it super easy to receive and send information quickly so that you can get back to what matters, making money.

Once you start using Slack, we guarantee that you’ll say farewell to the overflowing email situation.

Price: Free

8. Link Tree

We recently discovered this gem of a software and had to share it with you all! Quite simply, Link Tree allows you to combine multiple website links on one landing page and then share that landing page link in your Instagram bio.

Why is this important for freelance photographers? We’re sure you have multiple places to which you’d like to drive your followers and potential clients: your website, your portfolio, your rates, etc). This is the best answer to the 1 link Instagram bio problem. Here’s an example of how it looks:

Price: Free

9. BirchPress

The best thing you can do to make your life as a freelancer easier is to find a reliable scheduling tool. As you start to book more and more clients, it will be extremely helpful to automate the booking process as much as possible.

Birch Press is a WordPress appointment booking tool that allows you to accept online bookings. It’s a pretty straightforward plugin that can be set up in no time at all. It’s definitely worth checking out!

Price: Free

Share some of your favorite apps down below! And don’t forget to stop by the PIX Tips Facebook Group to say hi!

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Let’s jump right in!

1. Get Yourself a Quality Camera

If anyone ever told you that all cameras were created equal, they were lying to you. Truth be told, if you’re shooting with a crappy camera, you’re going to get crappy photos in return.

The good news is, a high quality camera does not have to ring you dry. You could literally use the camera on the back of your cell phone. Seriously, some of these phone cameras take phenomenal photos! Whatever you decide to go with, whether it’s a DSLR, SLR, mirrorless or phone camera, it’s important that it has the capacity to produce quality images.

2. Learn How to Use Said Camera

So you went out and purchased a fancy-smancy new camera. Now what? Here’s another hard truth. You could have the Krabby-Patty-Secret-Recipe of cameras, but if you don’t know how to use it, it will be very hard (if not impossible) to get the quality images that you desire.  There’s just no getting around learning how to use your camera.

So study the ins and outs of your camera (and accompanying equipment) and you’ll soon see the quality of your images greatly improve.

3. Have You Met Our Friend Natural Lighting?

*Turns up mic volume for the folks in the back* This is probably the most important photography tip on this page. Natural light is your best friend. And the great thing about it is that it’s free to use. Yea, you heard right, FREE!

Whether you’re shooting a model, products or whatever, natural lighting will take your images to the next level. Unlike studio lights that can sometimes be a pain to set up, natural light is free. It’s consistently present. It illuminates the subject in ways that artificial light just cannot and oftentimes, it’s what the client prefers. Sounds like a win to us!

4. Artificial Light Is Sometimes Unavoidable

We’re based out of sunny Los Angeles, however we understand that not everyone is as blessed (We kid. We kid!). If you live in one of those places that does not get enough sunlight (sorry!), there’s always the artificial light option.

If natural light is your best friend, artificial light is that friend that’s kind of annoying but you keep them around simply because they’re useful sometimes. Yep! That’s a pretty accurate analogy.

Truth be told, some shoots just call for artificial lighting. Lucky for you, there are a plethora of options available so you should have no problem finding lights that suit your needs!

5. Mind Your Composition

Have you ever seen a photo and thought to yourself: ‘This picture would have been even better if the model moved to the right just a bit more.’? We do it all the time.

Composition is essentially how a photo is framed, or set up. It’s important because it helps to guide the viewer’s eyes and gives them a roadmap to your vision, if that makes sense.

Before you place your finger on the trigger, take a few seconds to think about everything that’s happening in the scene. Is there a pole that looks as if it’s protruding out of your model’s stomach? Does the background call for your model to be centered or off centered? Giving thought to the composition of your photo will set you up for success before you even snap your photo.

6. Rule of Thirds

You’ve probably heard of the term “rule of thirds, but for those who haven’t, we’ll do our best to explain it!

A lot of times, newer photographers tend to place their subject in the center of a photo. Who can blame them, though? All our lives, we’ve been taught the importance of symmetry, balance and centering things. However, when it comes to photography, sometimes it’s best to throw all of that out of the window.

The Rule of Thirds works like this: imagine that your image is divided into 9 equal parts (squares). The idea is if you place your subject in the top, left, bottom or right area, it will make for a more interesting composition.

7. When in Doubt, Bokeh it Out

The other day, we came across a user who was speaking negatively about people who use bokeh in their photos. This guy was going in as if bokeh had stolen his baby. DISCLAIMER: If you hate bokeh as much as that guy, please jump on ahead to the next tip because this one is all about bokeh love.

What is bokeh? If you look at most beauty and fashion bloggers, you’ll notice that a lot of their images feature a blurred background or defocused background with only the subject in focus. That’s bokeh and it’s truly magical. To achieve it, you simply need a camera that has a wide aperture (1.8 or higher is the magic spot!) and the trick is to keep a fair amount of distance between your subject and the background. It may take a bit of practice to really nail it, but once you get it, you GET IT!

8. Choose Your Models Wisely

Quite simply, if you’ll be shooting with models, it’s important to pick the one(s) that works best for what you’re trying to achieve. Some photos require heavy body posing whereas others may only require a beautiful face.

When preparing for your shoot, be sure to give some thought to the type of photo shoot you’d like to have as this will determine the type of models to use.

9. Photoshop to the Rescue

While it’s best to get things like white balance and exposure correct while you’re shooting, sometimes that doesn’t happen.

Photoshop and Lightroom are just a few of the amazing tools available to photographers to assist with photo editing. You can do everything from adjusting colors to increasing/decreasing exposure. It’s kind of scary and somewhat concerning, but you can literally do anything your mind can think of with editing tools.

10. Plan Ahead

If you don’t plan ahead, you’re ultimately planning to fail. Just like with anything in life, if you go into something with a set plan, you’re setting yourself up for success.

What does planning entail? Create a mood board filled with inspirational images. If you have a client, share this with them so that you all are on the same page. Put together a shot list with all of the images that you hope to capture. You can even take things a step forward and attach an inspirational image to each shot on the list.

In short, prepare as much as possible in advance so that when it comes to shoot day, you’re ready to hit the ground running!

11. Get Your Learn On

Google is another one of your best friends. You can find just about anything your heart desires on Google. If you’re looking for a more structured learning environment, there’s YouTube and also Lynda.com (our fave). Lynda.com is our personal favorite because it’s free.99 if you have a library card or if you’re in school.

We also have a database of tutorials for you to check out here on our website.

12. Seek out Feedback

Receiving critique on your images can sometimes be hard. We know. However, if you want to get better, constructive criticism is something you should welcome with open arms.

The day you start to think that you have nothing to learn from other people, is the day you’ll stop growing. If you’d like a safe place to share your work and receive feedback, join our community of photographers over on Facebook.

13. Raw, Baby Raw!

If you haven’t been shooting in RAW, this photography tip is about to change your entire world.

What’s wrong with shooting in JPEG? Everything. When you shoot in JPEG, the information in the photo gets compressed and you therefore have a lot less to work with. Shooting in RAW allows you to preserve all of the information, which gives you more editing capabilities and ultimately leads to higher quality images.

You don’t have to take our word for it though. Give it a try for yourself!

14. Filters Are Your Friend

Yes, filters are great, except when they are not. People can sometimes go a little overboard with filters, which can take away from the beauty of an image.

But where oh where would we be without filters. For example, Instagram is a social media platform that relies pretty heavily on filters. They can help you create a cohesive and visually appealing feed. Our only suggestion is to let your work speak for itself and to use filters as an enhancement not as a cover up for not-so-great photo work.

15. Practice Makes Perfect

Practice, practice, practice! The best way to improve as a photographer is to get out and practice. No amount of reading and video watching can replace real life experience.

And there you have it! Fifteen tips to help you become a better photographer! Now that you’ve finished reading all of our tips, grab your fancy-smancy camera and get to shooting! Be sure to stop by our “Pix Tips” Facebook group to share your work!

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