Are you ready to evolve your photography passion into a business? This episode guides you through the basics of setting up a photography enterprise. We illuminate the process of creating and registering your business, placing special emphasis on the advantages of launching as an LLC. You'll gain insights into protecting your personal assets, savoring tax benefits and the pitfalls that could potentially endanger your personal assets. Imagine a world where your photography business is not jus...
Aug 09, 2023•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever wondered how photography workshops can ignite your creativity, refine your skills and push your business to new heights? I'm here to tell you that workshops are a game changer. They offer an opportunity for camaraderie and connection, for learning and growth, and for witnessing the transformative power of your photography. I'll share my insights on the importance of these workshops, not only for your personal artistic journey but for your business as well. We'll also...
Aug 01, 2023•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Are your photos not quite hitting the mark in low-light situations? Frustrated with unwanted noise in your images? This episode is just the tool you need to understand the power of ISO in your photography . Join us on Clued Up with Maria B, as we shed light on the third pillar of the exposure triangle - ISO. We'll dig deep into what a native ISO is and expose the secret of how bumping up your ISO can lead to better image exposure. You'll walk away with a clear and solid understanding o...
Jul 29, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode is your golden ticket to understanding the art and science of planning a successful maternity photoshoot. I'm your host, Maria B, and I'll be pulling back the curtain to reveal the meticulous steps, from striking the right business balance to building the foundations for your creativity, all in service of a smooth and enjoyable client experience. Get ready to step into my shoes as we navigate the intricate process of setting dates, securing makeup artists, and handling con...
Jul 18, 2023•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wondered what separates a good photographer from a truly great one? Let's find out! Today, we dive into the world of photography, exploring the elements that transform a simple click into a breathtaking masterpiece. We'll unravel the blend of technical skills, artistic vision, and the dedication necessary to separate from the photograph pack. The ability to visualize the shot before clicking the shutter, creating a powerful composition, and pushing boundaries with colors and innov...
Jul 11, 2023•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode we explore 10 Food for Thought Photography Questions about our photography. These are questions I've thought about over time. The answers change based on my experiences and what's significant to me at the time. I think you'll find the same if you ever choose to come back to them. These questions show us where we are and where we want to be, and in some cases, the likelihood of making our answers real. As the title states, these questions are food for thought to hel...
Jul 02, 2023•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this week's episode we take a closer look at planning and executing headshots for clients. Headshots should be easy, and they are, as long as you plan ahead and prepare so that when your client arrives it's a go! Understanding your client's needs and their expectations, will provide you with a wealth of information to make this as simple and as easy a process as possible. Remember, understanding you clients' goals helps you to obtain your photography goals. Here are some o...
May 12, 2022•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this, our first Case Study, we talk about making major decisions in your photography business that reflect and affect your morals, ethics, and your integrity. We talk about knowing when it is and isn't the right time to seek payment for work related to an important cause and one in which the subject or subjects of your photograph represent a civil struggle and the fight against injustice-in this case, Black Lives Matter. We also discuss the importance of usage right in distributing your ...
May 03, 2022•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this bonus episode, I discuss with you the realities of what goes on when potential clients contact you about a photo shoot-in this case, headshots and an event. What often seems like a clear cut, smooth sailing process, is almost always guaranteed to have some challenges. That's not a bad thing. It makes you think or rethink some of your strategies and can make you recognize some areas that require improvement. Questions or Comments? Reach out at MariaB@CluedUpBTS.com and I'll be i...
Apr 30, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we'll talk about the settings used to capture sharp, well-lit photos on the runway during NY Fashion Week. Relying on the basic understanding of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, I discuss how I arrive at the settings I used during runway shows, plus, a brief discussion on why Auto White Balance (AWB) is the way to go whether your shooting guests during intermission or shooting the actual runway show. I also discuss that you don't have to travel to a major city in orde...
Apr 26, 2022•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode we talk about the whirlwind fun, craziness, and adventure of shooting at New York Fashion Week. Rest assure, these tips work for every runway show no matter where the show is held. In this episode we talk about navigating through the prep work, long hours, in-between sessions, the post-show networking and the after party. Runway shows make new photographers grow up fast because you have no choice but to learn, learn fast, and then get better. The big takeaway: Apply to smaller in...
Apr 19, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let's talk about dressing for photography! Our clothing has to be functional, comfortable, & flexible, while professional and relatable to our clients, and appropriate for the shoot or in some cases, the venue. We have to dress with confidence! See the links below mentioned in this episode. Enjoy! Videos What to Wear on Camera How to Look Good on Video Calls 5 min Makeup for Video Conferencing Products Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation Estée Lauder Revitalize Supreme + Moisturizer Sma...
Apr 12, 2022•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode I share my recent personal experience with a no-show clients, and I talk about the urgency of your self-value when interacting with clients and businesses. It's important to recognize and believe in your value both as a professional and as a person, and to conduct your photography business and anything else in your life accordingly. This episode is as behind the scenes as it gets because your success depends more on how you value and respect yourself before others do. People...
Jan 01, 2022•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode I talk about service. Specifically making your client the center of what you do as a photographer beyond taking photos. As a photographer, you're in the service industry, and giving service to your clients has to be your number one priority. It's not about creating lavish sets, or serving champagne, or chocolate-covered strawberries:It's about making people feel good, feel great, about themselves; so good, that the talk about you and your service and about their ex...
Nov 11, 2021•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a previous episode, episode 10 , I talked about the importance of knowing how you learn or in other words, how best you comprehend information. Here's something to keep in mind: Much the same way photography information has to be communicated in several ways in order for us to learn, we should consider the same thing when it comes to our clients or potential clients. I talk about this short episode in which I give the example of providing information to a client through written informati...
Nov 11, 2021•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Controlling light seems complex, but the truth is it's as complex or as simple as it's explained to those who are interested in learning and understanding it. Too often, I've found that a 5 minute to 30 minutes explanation can't cut it, and generally, it leaves people lost, confused, and frustrated. We're going to take a different path, whether it's all about light, or about aperture or about the exposure triangle, we're going to break down each piece so that y...
Oct 30, 2021•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this week's episode we begin the discussion on light, not from the technical aspect but more from an emotional aspect. That emotion is fear: fear of learning something that appears complex and most importantly and fear of failure. I can relate because for years, I struggled with my own fear using light in photography. I was lost and had no guidance. Everyone I listened to would just spit out these terms that were essentially a new language. I gave up but then I had an experience that cha...
Oct 23, 2021•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this week's episode we talk about collaboration among creatives: Photographers and other artists. I share with you the positives and the challenges of photographing a large event. In my case the painting and installation of a 9000 sq ft. Black Lives Matter Mural over the course of a week. I provide inside observations of what is needed among professionals to ensure photography and other visual media are used effectively in order to provide cohesive images. This is not an easy process, an...
Oct 08, 2021•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode I share with you what I considered to be an epic fail and my most challenging photoshoot. Oddly enough it had nothing to do with the client. I share with you what happens when you lose control of your shoot and when you loose control of your space, your physical and your professional space. I'll also share the important lessons I've learned and the steps I've taken to ensure that I maintain control of future shoots. {4:36} This day was about the client and it ended...
Oct 02, 2021•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Once you have a rudimentary understanding of your camera, and someone wants you to photograph their event, their party, their kid, or they want you to take their headshot, don’t do it for free. Send your potential client a copy of your price list, a documented affirmation that demonstrates the value of your photography work. Your price list a sign that you're a professional. It shows potential clients you've considered the costs of working as a professional photographer and that you&ap...
Sep 28, 2021•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 12. How to Have Successful Photo Shoots Without Your Own Studio. In this week's episode we talk about an issue that many photographers face: How to produce successful professional-style photo shoots if you simply do not have a space. Necessity isn't called the mother of invention without good reason. When you want to do something badly enough, you will find a way. This is true of finding photography shooting spaces. There are several alternatives to renting or owning a dedicate...
Jan 23, 2021•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 11. In this week's episode we go behind the scenes of a recent photo shoot that just sort of happened. In one of my most successful photo shoots, we look at the elements that came together to create the perfect storm: Preparedness, Professionalism, Killer Attitude, and Confidence on the part of the client, the makeup artist, and the photographer-that would be me. This is what happens when people know their craft, when they're comfortable in their capabilities, and when there&ap...
Jan 04, 2021•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 10: Have you ever thought about how much money you spend on photography education...and why? In this week's episode we discuss how to get the most out of your photography education, who to follow and why, putting a limit on how much you spend on monthly subscriptions, and the criteria you should use in deciding which educators you should pay to follow. Also in this week's episode and central to your photography education is learning about your personal learning style: How best ...
Dec 17, 2020•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 9. In the "Know Your Camera" series that will be intertwined between regular episodes, we take a deep dive into understanding the basics of our cameras. Why? Even if you are familiar with the basic functions, sometimes there are little nuggets that change our understanding or we just need to hear something or talk about a topic we haven't addressed in a while that can change how we work with our cameras. Knowing your camera is of course the most basic element related to wh...
Dec 06, 2020•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 8. Organization of every part of your photography life is key to success as well as minimizing your stress. It also makes a heck of an impression on your team and your clients because nothing says amateur like disorganization or frequently searching for gear or for something you know you wrote down somewhere. Organization is an essential part of your time management. Consider the minutes wasted when we have to search for gear or telephone numbers or even searching for photos on our compu...
Nov 30, 2020•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 7. In this week's episode we take a look at how to map your portrait photoshoot in order to create a seamless workflow for the client, the team, and for the photographer. Those annoying minute details that we dread taking care of before a shoot can make all the difference between a quality experience for everyone involved and a series of challenges during a photoshoot. Key to a quality experience is building consistency for general mapping: Doing the same things over and over so the...
Nov 23, 2020•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast In Episode 6, I take you behind the scenes from the day of my first conversation with my client to the day of her photo shoot. In this episode you'll hear intimate details of this process from our first discussion through details related to getting the shoot set up in the studio. You'll get the low-down on what happened, what should have happened, and what should have happened better. You're getting the real deal as to what happens when you manage the different aspects to make a p...
Nov 18, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 5. If you want better photographs the 2 tools we talk about in this episode will get you there so much faster. These 2 tools, the X-rite color checker and the light meter, are essential for accurate colors, white balance, and desired lighting in your portrait photography. For all the money photographers spend on gear, presets, videos, webinars , and tutorials, and for all the time she dedicate to learning to take better photos, it makes sense to invest in tools and gear that really make ...
Oct 16, 2020•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 4. In this week's episode we dive into why it's critical for photographers to do their homework when it comes to shooting at venues and especially when shooting at houses of worship. We talk about how to avoid becoming a disruptor by knowing the rules. We also talk about the need for awareness of guidelines, permits, and required permissions, when shooting outdoors from local parks to world famous sites, and photographing in front of private property and business establishments...
Sep 23, 2020•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 3. One day, as organized and as thorough as you may be, you're going to find yourself short of an SD card. On that day, you'll be happy you listened to this episode. Questions or Comments? Reach out at MariaB@CluedUpBTS.com and I'll be in touch* directly or address your comment on the podcast. *By submitting a question or statement, you agree that your submission can be discussed publicly on the podcast, website, or other platforms owned by or affiliated with CluedUpBTS an...
Sep 15, 2020•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
