It’s been an exhausting week since my company just had its annual user conference. It’s a 3-day event, and I worked as a photographer the entire time. I used to photograph our events for fun (I’m actually a software developer for the company), but starting last year, I began helping out on the photography team.
There’s 3 of us that walk around to take photos, and each of us have our own style. One of my coworkers mentioned last year that he’s better at candids while I’m better at talking with people and asking them for a photo. When I look back on how I used to be, it’s kind of funny to me how I ended up like that.
Oct 2013: A photo I took at last year’s conference.
When I was young, I was incredibly shy. My parent-teacher conferences always ended with the feedback of, “Catherine doesn’t talk enough”. I was even like that when I did a photoshoot for the first time ever.
I bought my first DSLR at the end of 2009, and I chose the Canon 50D. It’s considered a semi-casual/semi-pro camera, which has a cropped sensor and was targeted at serious (but not pro) photographers. At first, I was super excited about it, but after a few months, that turned to regret. I wasn’t confident in my skills and felt I wasn’t good enough for the 50D. What the hell was I thinking? Starting with a serious DSLR when I was a total newbie?
Dec 2009: One of my earliest DSLR photos.
That changed when I met a college friend I hadn’t seen in a while who was more experienced in photography. We began meeting up every other week, finding places to take photos of. This helped a lot, being encouraged to use my camera more and having someone to learn from.
Jan 2011: We’d just find places around Austin to take photos.
Then he suggested we go to a photographer meet-up to do a models shoot. I felt completely out of place. I was in a studio surrounded by pro and experienced photographers, and I reverted back to my young self. I pretty much stayed back until one nudged me to give it a try. Even then, I was so nervous that my mind blanked, and I had no idea what to say to the models. I stayed silent and let the other photographers do the directing while I took photos.
Jun 2011: One of my photos from the meet-up.
After that, I was determined to do better. I did more research on poses and surfed the portrait/photoshoot threads on photography forums. The next time around, I did a few more shoots with my friend and was able to take part in directing them.
Dec 2011: Engagement shoot for Sam and Siyi. I did better during this shoot.
I then turned to cosplay shoots and was on my own. I started by asking random cosplayers at conventions because I didn’t know who would book with an inexperienced photographer. It eventually got easier. The awkward pauses of, “um… what pose should you do next”, dwindled.
Aug 2012: An early cosplay photoshoot – my first time at San Japan. Cosplayer: Eve
I knew I finally became comfortable and confident with my shoots when cosplayers told me they like booking with me because I make the shoot fun, or when some tell me how they were so nervous at first but felt at ease with me. The photographer’s attitude matters a lot. A nervous and unsure photographer probably makes the models nervous too.
Dec 2013: A cosplay shoot from a year later. Cosplayer: Kate
And so, I went from thinking I wasn’t good enough for my camera to upgrading to a full frame. I now shoot primarily with a Canon 6D, though I keep the 50D around for traveling. I went from being terrified of photoshoots to having it be my main focus.
For those who are starting out in photography, I’ll leave with a few tips:
1. A photography buddy helps a lot, even if the person is a newbie too. It’s just nice to take photos with someone else and be excited about photography with someone else.
2. Keep learning. It bugs me when people think just buying a DSLR is enough to take good photos. Do your research! Learn the technical parts so you can be smart about your gear and settings. Learn composition to keep your photos interesting. View other photographers’ works so you can learn and be inspired by them.
3. Start small and build up. Before I did long exposures on Hawaii, I practiced by doing them at night in my city. Before I began booking longer shoots, I did short shoots with random cosplayers at conventions.
I stood at a street corner with a tripod and practiced long exposure.
4. And the most important thing: don’t be discouraged. Like with anything else, the more you do it, the better you’ll be at it. The important part is that you keep trying!
I have a feeling I’d be just like the younger you in photoshoots; people always say I’m very social, but I’m very shy and I’m only so bubbly in social interactions because I *know* I’m shy and overcompensate. I’m exhausted by the end of a party, let me tell you!
A DSLR is what I’m saving up for with my next paycheck and I’m still not 100% sure what I’m getting. I had a film DSLR for high school so if I can get something that uses the same lens, I’ll get that.
But I really want to learn more so I can do cosplay shoots and help people showcase the amazing costumes they’ve made.
Thanks for the awesome advice! I’m going to look and see if there’s any photographer’s meetups near me now!
WHOA! Have you taken any classes or does all this talent come naturally?? Beautiful photos.
Thanks! I haven’t taken any photography classes đ I just learn on my own and keep at it!
Props to you for taking on more roles than what you were initially :D. I donât talk enough either at first *__*.
Iâm a newbie^2304 times and I donât even know whatâs wrong with the picture D:. And itâs great that you have a friend whoâs into photography too! Especially with him teaching you the ways of a photographer XD. But from the pictures of your progression, all of these little changes contribute to the 1337 pr0ness you contain!! And yes, donât be discouraged! Thereâs a difference between people criticizing you for you to be better and people doing it to put you down.
And even without going through actual classes, youâre really good :D. More props!
Thanks for sharing your story and your tips. :)I’ve found that having someone to take photographs with has been so benefical. It’s always good to get someone else’s perspective and to learn from them.
My school reports were exactly the same. It was always “Holly is a quite member of the class.” and it drove me mad because being quite isn’t a bad thing at all. They always made it seem like I wouldn’t get anywhere in life because I didn’t talk much. Wish I could rub it in their faces that I’m now in my final year of my degree, hehe.
Yay Cat, I love these photo tip blogs of yours. đ They’re really so nice, especially since we get to see more of your great photography & how much you’ve improved over the years. IMPROVEMENT PHOTOS ARE DA BEST.
“2. Keep learning. It bugs me when people think just buying a DSLR is enough to take good photos. Do your research! Learn the technical parts so you can be smart about your gear and settings. Learn composition to keep your photos interesting. View other photographersâ works so you can learn and be inspired by them.”
YES. I’m so sad to hear that you thought you weren’t worthy of your camera at one point. đ But also really glad that you found the courage to get out there & do better. I don’t feel like I’m unworthy of my camera, I just feel frustrated with my own photography ability & my creativeness….but that’s me being harsh on myself. I can’t even fault my camera or feel as though I’m undeserving of it. Wish you were around on the east coast to be my photo buddy! I could learn a few things or hundred from you. Loved that long exposure shot too. Really inspired me to….goo….dooo oone but I also don’t want to lug around this tripod into the city (no car, must walk).
Love this inspirational post. Keeeeep it up! Your cosplay photos are always so great. You didn’t even know you were fun to be around until you were told! So humble of you haha. Awkward photoshoots are the worst. They’re so obvious too……. đ
This is so inspiring.
I struggle with being super shy and when I try to open up, I’m super awkward.
I literally have no photography skills. Josh got an olympus pen e-pl1 for his birthday and I use that but i generally know nothing about it or any other camera really lol. What camera would you recommend for someone who knows nothing but wants a start?
I would really like to be able to take good photos of my product.
The Olympus Pen is actually a nice camera to start with đ It’s nicer than the typical compact camera and not as complicated as a DSLR. When it comes to learning the technical parts of photography, it helps to have a camera that will let you control the aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. For the other parts like composition, you can learn that with any camera really!
Wow, how awesome that you’ve progressed so much in such a short amount of time! It can be so daunting to meet up with other people that are so experienced – I’m always afraid I will say/do something stupid and make a fool of myself, but it really is the best way to learn! Great advice!
Wow Cat!!! Your pictures just keep getting better and better! I love seeing them!!
What I am definitely missing is a photography buddy! Pretty hard to make a commitment right now but hopefully I’ll be able to find someone soon! Keep at it! I hope to see more coming this way!
Thanks also for your pointers… Start small and build up. Small shoots first! đ