Rangefinder

Luminous Love: Keyhole Light Elopement Photography 30 Rising Star Mikalynn Amos of Venturing Vows has spent years exploring the beautiful Oregon Coast to discover magical locations. Her clients wanted to exchange their vows in sunlight coming through a keyhole arch, and Mikalynn knew just the place where this could be accomplished a handful of times every year when there is an extremely low tide that corresponds with a sunset on a day with no clouds or fog. She says, “images like these only happen because of hours of scouting and exploring on this beach for years prior to the elopement.” Her deep love for the Oregon coast and discovering its secrets are the key to her magical images. It’s simply not possible to capture images like hers without knowing “which tides are best, when the hidden spots are accessible, what conditions cause the beach to create beautiful reflections, and when to find the best wildlife.” This set of images is 100% candid, which is one of Mikalynn’s favorite things about them. The couple had requested privacy while they exchanged their vows, so Mikalynn used an 85mm lens so that she could be a good distance away from them. This is her go-to lens for landscape-focused portraits, which are a signature part of her galleries. Read more about how Mikalynn Amos captured these images in the full article (link in bio). Photo Credit: @venturingvows

8 Tips for Beautiful Castle and Chateau Wedding Photography Chateaus and castles offer timeless elegance and romantic allure that make for rich storytelling in wedding photography. From grand landscapes to ornate details, they bring a strong sense of character that makes them unforgettable. Here are 8 essential tips to prepare you for such a wedding. 1. Get to Know What Your Clients Like About the Location. Couples spend north of $10,000 to book a venue like this, so capture the details that matter most to them. 2. Scout the Location in Advance. Familiarize yourself with the layout, backdrops, and details where key events will occur, so you are prepared. 3. Plan for Various Lighting Conditions. Know what the lighting will be like in chosen locations at different times of the day. Apps like Sun Surveyor can help. 4. Work with the Venue Staff, Wedding Planner, and Vendors. These folks are your greatest allies, so build good relationships with them. 5. Prepare for the Unexpected. Have contingency plans for if the weather does not cooperate. 6. Encourage First Look Portraits. This gives you more time to make the most of the stunning venue. 7. Use the Epic Landscape to Capture Epic Portraits. Leverage the grandeur of your surrounds. 8. Combine Composition Elements for Incredible Portraits. Use leading lines, framing, reflections and symmetry to create jaw-dropping shots. Find out more tips and see more epic images in the full article (link in bio). Photo Credit: 1. Henry Tieu Photography @henrysdiary 2. Michelle Jahns Photography @michellejahnsphotography 3. Party of Two Photography @partyoftwophoto 4. Holding & Co. Photography @holdingcophoto 5. Andy Sidders Photography @andysiddersphotography Also featured in this article: @jessieanddallin @tismanphoto @gen_palmer @authenticcollectivephoto @1836photographie @smjphoto @jcmphotographyasheville @zackbradleyphotography @cheatwoodphotography @irinaduanephotography @roddychung @lazzat_photography @wsphotography.us @greenapplephotoky

Photos of the Week July 1: Portraits with Bold Colors Colors can often be the difference between a successful portrait and one that falls flat. But when working with bold colors, photographers need to present those dramatic hues in a way that highlights the subject, rather than distracting from it. This week, we’re featuring five portraits that epitomize the use of bold colors. Find bright-hued inspiration in these Photos of the Week from Sarah and Darren Hendry, Stephanie DeFranco, Breanne Cook, Pervez Taufiq, and Daniel Nydick. 1. Sarah Hendry and Darren Hendry, The Hendrys, @the_hendrys ▻ “If artificial lighting will be used, experiment with it first! We tested the lights out on each other in our house to see what worked best in terms of how direct it should be and changing angles if needed.” 2. Stephanie DeFranco, Stephanie DeFranco Photography, @sd_photo ▻ “My advice is to have a basic understanding of color theory. If you want your main color to be green, add pops of a contrasting color such as red or pink.” 3. Breanne Cook, The Picture House, @the.picture.house.photography ▻ “Don’t be afraid to push boundaries and experiment—bold colors can bring your images to life, infusing them with energy and emotion.” 4. Pervez Taufiq, P. Taufiq Photography, @ptaufiqphotography ▻ “I would recommend that photographers try to experiment and use light that isn’t necessarily always deemed the best light.” 5. Daniel Nydick, Daniel Nydick Photography, @danielnydick ▻ “The lives we live are in bold color, so I believe photographic memories should reflect that. They also add ‘flavor’ to an image simply because colors are eye candy.” To learn more about how the photographers got these images, read the full article (link in bio). To have your images considered for Photos of the Week, send up to five images at a time to: hillary.grigonis@emeraldx.com.

Queer Wedding Photography: Tips for LGBTQIA+ Allyship We've made great strides as a society when it comes to marriage equality, but as photographers can do even more to be welcoming to the LGBTQIA+ community. A few simple changes to the language and imagery on our websites would go a long way. Queer wedding photographer Ezlan Powers says, “With the legalization of queer marriage, we have eliminated the barrier between queer couples and the right to legalize their union. However, while legalization has brought about a huge rise in awareness, we’ve also seen more discrimination. . . . There are so many little things you can do to signal, “Hey! I’m either queer or a queer ally who will center you and honor you.” I share some ways just below.” ~Ezlan Power’s Tips for Expressing Allyship~ 1. Always default to they/them to the best of your ability if you don’t know what someone’s pronouns are, and don’t argue that a singular “they” doesn’t exist. Update your contracts, forms, and CRM to ask people for pronouns. 2. Educate yourself on queer history, including historical struggles like Stonewall, and the current reality of work and housing discrimination and hate crimes – especially against transgender folks. You don’t have to be an expert, but it helps to understand that queer history is largely based in fighting for basic rights that most het cis people take for granted. 3. Make sure your website says it is queer friendly and feature queer folks in your imagery. If you don’t affirm that diverse people are welcome in your business by showing them on your website, they will assume that they are not welcome. These tips aren’t meant to certify you in queer wedding photography, but they are meant to poke your thinking into the right direction. Keep going. Being an ally is an ongoing effort to unlearn the ways society has conditioned us and open to alternatives in thinking about sex, gender, sexuality, and love.” To learn more about being a better LGBTQI+ ally, read the full article (link in bio). Photo Credit: @ezlanpowers

Able and Proud: How My Daughter Inspired My Photo Exhibit Tosha Gaines' "Able and Proud" exhibit features 16 individuals, who are both queer and disabled. Each photograph invites the viewer to see beyond the surface and appreciate the richness of these individuals' lives—their joy, their struggles, and their unwavering strength and resilience. Gaines became inspired to create this exhibition by her daughter’s mental health challenges which were amplified by her queer identity. She says, “Her struggle with mental health opened my eyes to the often unseen and unspoken challenges faced by individuals who are both queer and disabled. As her mother, watching her navigate this pain was both heartbreaking and eye-opening. It became clear that there was a significant lack of awareness and support for people dealing with such issues, particularly those who are queer and disabled. As I delved deeper, I noticed a significant gap: the stories and struggles of queer individuals with disabilities were largely overlooked. In Alabama, this gap felt even more pronounced. The intersections of identity—queer, disabled, and often marginalized—were rarely acknowledged in mainstream conversations. This realization sparked a desire in me to bring these stories to light, to show the world that being different is not a limitation but a unique strength.” Find out more about Tosha Gaines’ “Able and Proud” project in the full article (link in bio). Photo Credit: Tosha Gaines @toshaphotog

So You Want to Be an Elopement Photographer? Elopement photography isn’t just a passing fad bolstered by a global pandemic. It’s a unique and challenging niche that offers a great opportunity for photographers to be their own boss and create the kind of life they desire. Photographing elopements is an immensely personal and rewarding job. Like birth photography, you’ll often be the only one present to witness the most emotional and important moments humanity has to offer. There are no rules, and that means no limit to the amount of unique ways that couples are getting married on their own terms. Adventure truly means something different to everyone, so you don’t need to be an avid hiker or live next to a national park to offer elopement photography services. What You Will Need to Be an Elopement Photographer Having professional equipment is a must for elopement photography because these are once-in-a-lifetime moments for your clients. If photography is a hobby for you, consider renting a pro camera to shoot elopements before you purchase pro level cameras. You will need: ~Cameras with dual SD card slots — whichever brand you prefer ~A variety of professional lenses, including a wide angle and a telephoto and focal lengths in between ~A strong online presence with a website, Instagram, dedicated elopement pricing and backlinks ~A portfolio of couples having the kind of elopements you want to shoot Since elopements are so small and private with limited networking opportunities, online presence is crucial for getting found online. Submit your images to: ~Zion Brides @zionbrides ~Wandering Weddings @wanderingweddings ~Elopement Photography Legend Awards -- deadline to submit for the 2nd round it this Sun, June 30. @elopementphotographyawards To learn more about what it takes to be an elopement photographer and find links for submitting images to the above, read the full article (link in bio). Photo Credit: Lucy Schultz @lucyschultzphotography

Thank you @rangefindermag for the feature. As much as I love photographing newborns my favorite stage is around the 6 month mark. You can click on the link to see the full article. /news-features/photo-of-the-day/photos-of-the-week-june-24-stunning-portraits-of-older-babies/#gallery-4

Photos of the Week June 24: Get Great Portraits of Older Babies Photographers are typically advised to photograph babies before six weeks of age, when the new humans are most likely to allow for sleepy swaddled poses. But infants change quickly, and the gummy grins and rolls of baby fat are worth capturing, too. The problem? Working with older infants can be a challenge. This week, we asked four photographers for advice on how to capture portraits of older babies beyond the newborn stage. Find inspiration from these stunning portraits of older babies by Montserrat Zavala, Ambreia Turner, Audrey Blake Calvani, and Casey McMurray. 1. Montserrat Zavala, OM Wedding Storytelling, @omweddingstorytelling ▻ “What I always recommend is that the photoshoot needs to be after their nap time. Feed them 5 to 10 minutes before the shoot if possible, so they will be satisfied and calm. Also, have a toy or something in hand just in case you need it but not too close to the baby because it can be a distraction.” 2. Ambreia Turner, Ambreia Artistry Photography, @ambreia_artistry ▻ “My most prudent advice is to have patience with small children. They are precious and curious. It can take time for them to warm up. I would say to consider this a moment to switch into a documentary mode and capture their behavior.” 3. Audrey Blake Calvani, Audrey Blake Photography, @audreyblake_ ▻ “Speak to them softly and maintain eye contact to build a connection. Focus on capturing authentic moments . . . Pay attention to the loving interactions between the baby and their parents . . . the key is to create a relaxed and joyful atmosphere where the baby’s unique personality can shine through.” 4. Casey McMurray, Casey McMurray Photography, @caseymcmurray ▻ “My advice for photographing older babies is to start the session early in the morning when they are the happiest. . . Lastly, make sure the parents have lots of snacks AKA puffs!” To learn more about these photographers and how they got these adorable shots, read the full article (link in bio). To have your images considered for Photos of the Week, send up to 5 images to hillary.grigonis@emeraldx.com.

Why Dads Make Every Photo Session More Awesome Dads make every situation better just by being there, and family photos are no exception! This Father’s Day, let’s get Dad in photos to help him see the magic he brings to every moment of our lives, whether it’s a professional photo session or dinnertime around the table. Some of the most special moments captured in my studio have been between fathers and their children. Fathers can show up to your maternity, newborn and family photo sessions knowing that just being there and being themselves is all we need to get the perfect photos! Kids’ lives are better every moment dads are there with them. It’s called, “The Father Effect,” which describes the benefits children experience when their fathers are actively involved and present in their lives. Just being there and being themselves is all kids need to feel the benefits of having a dad. And if anyone knows how to make the most of the moment, it’s Dad. Dads know how to turn boredom into magic. Dads can turn tears into laughter. Dad jokes are world-renowned. Dads help us all learn how to let go and have fun. This is actual science! There’s a lot of research around the benefits of playfulness in fathers — especially more active, energetic play like: ▻Chasing (“Here comes the tickle monster!”) ▻Racing (“First one to kiss mom wins!”) ▻Piggybacks ▻Pillow fights ▻Foot wrestling ▻Tossing kids in the air and catching them ▻Letting kids climb on them This more “wild and free” form of play is really important for children to learn basic lessons around fun, trust, risk-taking, expression, self-regulation, self-control and boundaries. And during this kind of play is an excellent time to catch amazing photos of Dad with his family. Photo Credit: Karen Byker @karen.reflections.photo Learn more about why dads make photos more awesome and see more of Karen Byker’s heartfelt images in the full article (link in bio).

Shadow, Light, and Reflection: Getting Ready with the Groom and his Sons Wedding getting-ready rooms are often dark, small, cluttered, and hard to light, but Chris Gandy and Sam Rose of Isle & Oak Photography have built their signature look on drawing out the depths shadow, finding interesting light, and sometimes using reflection for their documentary-style storytelling that is artistic and conceptual. The duo are Rangefinder 30 Rising Stars of 2024, and the image they share for this article is one they are obsessed with because of its perfect balance and use of shadow and light. Most of all, they are proud of how the idea for it popped into Chris’ mind and how he perfectly executed it. It is the result of years of dedication to push beyond the urge to gravitate to tried-and-true techniques and compositions and instead “to grow and elevate [their] approach.” Chris was spending the morning with the groom and his sons, using the natural light coming through the hotel room’s window. When he turned to photograph the groom’s sons, he noticed the groom’s reflection in the mirror. He suddenly envisioned the groomsmen in the foreground with the mirrored reflection of the groom as the focal point. He quickly arranged them into alignment then made a final tweak to put them all in profile. The groom is spotlighted by the window light, while his groomsmen supportively frame him from the shadows. Sam and Chris advise wedding photographers to be involved in the wedding planning process, encouraging the couple to create space in the wedding day schedule for photographs to happen. Sam says, “We intentionally have our couples place buffers and ‘down time’ in their timelines to eliminate as much rush as possible throughout the day. Buffers in a timeline eliminate stress and afford the photographer time to conceptualize and create. If our entire day with this couple was spent running from one spot to another, this image would never have happened.” Find out more about the photographers and how they got this shot in the full article (link in bio). Photo Credit: @isleandoakphotography

Four Tips for a Father’s Day Photoshoot Dad Will Look Forward To Father’s Day can be a day of beautiful appreciation, and although it doesn’t get as much excitement as Mother’s Day, it’s absolutely worth celebrating. Kim Hildebrand shares how to plan a Father’s Day photoshoot, so you can make the most of this occasion to celebrate dads. When it comes to a Father’s Day photoshoot, the lifestyle photography lens is ideal. Lifestyle photography is more relaxed and natural. There’s no stuffy posing and matching outfits that a lot of people, especially dads, tend to think of when they imagine family photography. In addition to finding the right style, location is key. In-home sessions or outdoor sessions allow a family to feel at ease and interact organically, the bread and butter of lifestyle imagery! ~Tips to Make a Father’s Day Photoshoot Fun for Dad~ 1. Address expectations. There is always a bit of chaos during a family session because kids have different temperaments, personalities, and ages, and photos aren’t a normal occurrence. Let parents know that you can work around any crying or misbehavior. Do you know how many photos I have where mom or dad is in a photo with a crying child but you can’t tell from the photo? 2. Tell Dads they will get lots of breaks. They won’t have to be in front of the camera all the time. They are free to check their emails, have a snack, or take a break to do whatever they’d like. 3. Let them know it is the photographer’s job to manage the kids. Warm up to the kids right away, and also loosen up Dad. Establish a laid-back and chill vibe in sessions, so they know this experience will be different from any bad photoshoots they’ve had in the past. 4. Many times, a dad’s dread of the session is based on a previously bad photo experience. Work with families and kids to break the ice, have fun, and calm them down. If parents feel stressed out, it’ll show in the photos. Dads and partners should be relaxed and having fun in the session, and if they are, it will show in the images. Photo Credit: @kimhildebrandphoto To learn more about how to help Dad enjoy getting into family photos, read the full article (link in bio).

Photos of the Week June 17: Inspiring Portraits of Fathers What fatherhood looks like is often different from family to family. By getting to know the family dynamics first, photographers can capture portraits of fathers that showcase the unique way that a particular father interacts with his children. In honor of Father’s Day, this week we’ve selected four heartfelt images that capture the essence of fatherhood. Find inspiration in these portraits of fathers from Emmy Lou Virginia Canedo, Anna Bailey, Ella Börner, and Rebecca Loveridge. 1. Emmy Lou Virginia Canedo, Emmy Lou Virginia Photography, @emmylouvirginia ▻ “First make a mental note of those things that are unique and beautiful about fatherhood for the dad you’re capturing, so that you are aware when the moment happens that you’d like to capture.” 2. Anna Bailey, Anna Bailey Photography, @annabaileyphotographer ▻ “Focus on genuine interactions . . . Use playful prompts to create natural moments of connection and emotion. Look for the candid moments that show emotion and connection. Be patient and observe, allowing the natural dynamics to unfold.” 3. Ella Börner, @dear_ella ▻ “It’s important to get to know each family (member) a bit before even starting to take photos — so they feel like they know you and have an easier time showing their emotions. Then just be a part of the activities of the day, be patient, observant and focus on the little moments.” 4. Rebecca Loveridge, Rebecca Loveridge Photography, @rebeccaloveridgephoto ▻ ”Make your subjects feel at ease from the start to capture the most natural interactions. Engage with them, keep the session light and fun, and be patient to capture spontaneous moments.” To learn more about these images and how they were captured, read the full article (link in bio). To be considered for Photos of the Week, submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to 5 images at a time) to: hillary.grigonis@emeraldx.com.