Interested in taking up photography as a hobby, but not sure where to start? Perhaps you lack confidence with respect to capturing the ideal photo. No matter whether you’re a complete beginner, or  a “weekend warrior” looking to bump-up your skills, understanding a few basic principles (combined with regular practice and some trial and error) will have you producing amazing photos in no time.

Lighting

Lighting is everything! Photography is all about manipulating and capturing light. Most beginners think that the magic of photography happens in the body of a camera, but the true source of a great photo is light. Keep in mind, a well-lit subject can still be captured poorly, but a poorly-lit subject will never look good.

Composition

All photographers think about composition, whether it's consciously or unconsciously. When you're first starting out, abide by some of the simple rules to make your shots look even better. The key compositional tool is the rule of thirds. When looking through your camera's viewfinder or camera screen, imagine that it’s divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Alternatively, check your camera's manual to see if an overlay grid can be activated on the display for you. Placing the main subjects on the intersection points of these lines will create the most visually interesting image.

Every photographer, at some stage in their career or hobby, has taken some pretty bad shots, or photos haven't turned out the way they expected. But, rather than throwing in the towel when a photo doesn't look quite right, work out what went wrong and use that as a basis to keep improving. Remember not to give up...and of course...once you master the basics, feel free to break the rules.

Songs of Life Photography Studio offers customers a tailored experience with guidance through the entire process. We serve the greater Bozeman,, Montana, area including Belgrade, Four Corners and Manhattan.

If you are looking for an authentic, unique, lifestyle approach to your photography session with great value, then you have come to the right place. To view our portfolio or to schedule a photoshoot, please give us a call at 406.580.6176 or get in touch below!