It should be simple. Take pictures. Make money.
Time Management KRISTEN (QUESTION): Hi Phil! I have a question, regarding time management. My annoying tendency is if I say we are shooting for a half hour we end up doing close to a full hour anyways. How do you stay strict with the time limits you have set, without seeming like a jerk when you have […]
Depth of Field JEFFREY (QUESTION): In this image, how did you get the shallow depth of field between the face and the rest of the body? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): Jeffrey, I shot this photo (above) at an aperture of f/2.5, which is a really shallow depth of field (especially on a 135mm lens like I […]
Upgrading Your Camera JOHNNY (QUESTION): Alright, question time. If I were going to start saving for a new camera that would be more on the professional end, what would you recommend for upgrading your camera? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (RESPONSE): What do you have now? JOHNNY (RESPONSE): Nikon D80. I was thinking about switching to Canon. I know the […]
The Camera Toss ADRIENNE (QUESTION): How do you do this camera toss?! What if you drop your camera?! PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): Adrienne, I never drop my camera. That’s why it’s called the $3000 trick! And to accomplish the camera toss, you need to do a few things: 1) Own a full frame camera with a fisheye lens (you can find […]
Shooting with a 50mm Lens AMY (QUESTION): I got a nice canon 50mm for Christmas and it takes great shots. What I don’t like is I’m not able to take shots up close because there’s no zoom. So backing up so far from my subject (at a cafe) for example is tricky. Any tips? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND […]
Branding Yourself MAYRA (QUESTION): My mentor said to find a style, I have to find a brand! What do you think about that? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): I have some thoughts about that, and I kind of disagree. It’s like telling Brad Pitt in his first year of acting that he has to know what […]
How to be the best Second Photographer Katie (QUESTION): Phil, I have my first second photographer job at a Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding this Friday! Have any advice on being a top notch 2nd shooter? Phillip Van Nostrand (ANSWER): AWESOME! Yes I do have some tips: 1) Remind them to sync camera times with you at the […]
When to Start Charging for Pictures LAUREN (QUESTION): How do you judge if you’re good enough to start charging other people for pictures? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): I love this question! I guess my first gig happened because someone offered to pay me! So I didn’t begin by charging others, someone literally asked me to shoot […]
Best Camera Accessories LAUREN (QUESTION): What is the first photography accessory would you recommend getting, besides a camera? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): I think a good solid flash is the best accessory to your camera. By using a flash, you open yourself up to a whole other world of photography, and you can start doing […]
Negotiation Katie (Question): Do you let people go if they say you’re out of their budget, or try to have some negotiation with them? Phillip Van Nostrand (Answer): Great question! If I feel like it is worth it for me I am always willing to negotiate, and even at the highest level of photography people are […]