How to Take Photos Like a Professional 

Matthew Jones

I am a professional photographer  and earn my living through photography.  Even after many years in the industry I am still learning.  I am just a bit further along than most people.

Wether you are at the begging of your journey or some way along it this blog will help you move in the right direction and maybe even help you to take photographs like a professional photographer.

Introduction

There is no step by step guide, no magic bullet, you can't just go out and buy the best DSLR or flagship mirrorless camera and most powerful Apple Mac computer and expect instant results.  However there are things you can do to right now to improve your photography and over time you will develop your abilities. 

First Steps to Better photography - Get to know your camera better

Long Exposure and symmetrical composition

Before you start thinking about light, compositions you should get to know your camera a little better.  You can do this right now in your home or office.

Step 1 - Clean the lens

The first to do is make sure your lens is clean, especially if you are using your phone.  The lens is possibly the most important single piece if equipment.  I always advice to prioritise your budget equally between your lens and camera body.

Step 2 - Explore your camera settings.

I often hear there amateur photographers and leaners say there's are so many features in my new camera and become overwhelmed.  The truth is while some focus tracking settings can be daunting even for a professional photographer, the basic are pretty simple once you under stand some basic concepts.

On arrival at this job for UDC (see image right) it wasn't immediately obvious how I was going to get any decent images.  As it turned out with a little fill in flash it worked out pretty well. 

One of the imges from the Tri - Campus games at the University of Nottingham.  This was a match between China and the UK.  The Chinese player was was probably the best player on Campus, men included and went on the win an amazing game of table tennis.

For many years Mich Stevenson  has been highly involved in regeneration projects in Nottingham, and he was instrumental in the formation of the Lace Market Heritage Trust, to inspire regeneration of projects in the historic Lace Market including the Galleries of Justice and the National Ice Centre.

His many awards include an OBE in 1998,  an Honorary Freeman of the City of Nottingham in 2005 and a n honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Nottingham in 2010 and is currently one of the main directors on the Sport England Board.


I didn't have much time with Mich, fortunately his office provided plenty to work with photographically,  although the predominant back lighting presented it's own challenges.  I think most photographers like the process and challenge of these assignments;  adhering to a brief, taking account of light, environment,  applying the framework of a style, and working with another person.

Your website is often the first point of contact to customers.  Professional photography with high production values is a good way to portray your business and distinguish it positively from competitors who may use stock images or photographs they have taken themselves.

The work we recently completed for Air-IT is a great demonstration of this.

Air-IT is leading Microsoft and Accredited Sage Business Partner committed to delivering a range of first-class IT services to businesses across the Midlands. It offers a wide range of managed IT services from tailored IT support and installations to cloud computing and IP telephony and can effectively act as a company’s in-house IT Department or complement existing resources.

The company has a diverse range of clients across the region including Skills Motor Coaches, Future Health Technologies, Eden Day Spa, RH Commercials and Price and Buckland.

Air-IT offers potential partners a free, no-obligation on-site audit which highlights IT strengths and weaknesses and includes a comprehensive recommendation report.  For further details  please visit the Air-IT website.

Genuine thanks to Paul, Todd and the rest of the team for being fantastic clients. 

 There is more information about our website photography service on our website.

MJP has recently been appointed by Google as their Photographer for Derby and the surrounding region. 

Google Business Photos meets two fundamental needs;

• To increase the visibility of local businesses

• Providing customers with key information to enable them to make informed decisions

Google Business what . . . ?

Google Business Photos are 360 degree photographic interactive tours of business premises. 

The big advantage of Google virtual tours and feature photos is the integration into their searches, maps and street view technology.  Google provide the technology and hosting for free which keeps costs low.

The interactive tours can be linked to a website or Facebook page.

Want to know a little more?

Take a look . . .      Chameleon Hair & Beauty       The Churchill Arms

It's an great project to be involved with, anything that it is going to help business during these tough times is going to be very rewarding. Google is the worlds largest search engine and some research suggest that 92% of consumers use Google to find new services and products.

Find out more about Google Business Photos ....... or get started by booking an appointment 01332 383038.

Pleased to see Peter in the studio recently, he called in for a business profile photograph for his new venture.  After a number of years working for the BBC he moved to the head of Corporate Relations at University of Derby and is now an independent operator.  There's few around with his skills and credentials so probably better to let Peter introduce his new company . . .

"Peter Gallimore Media, based in Derbyshire, is a company offering bespoke media training and advice to middle and senior management. In a world where 24 hour news networks and newspaper websites want instant responses from your company to their questions."




Did I mention his credentials . . .

Peter Gallimore is a broadcast journalist with more than 40 years experience of the industry. He was Assistant Editor of the prestigious Today programme on Radio Four and its sister programme PM, where he worked with presenters like John Humphrys, Sue McGregor and James Naughtie. He was also one of the founding editors of BBC Radio Five live.

 . . .apart from that he's a really nice guy too.