WM-499: How to Plan a Photography Trip Without the Stress | Photography Clips Podcast

Today, let’s talk about travel—and more specifically, what to bring when you’re heading out on a photography trip. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a big vacation, a little preparation goes a long way when it comes to making the most of your time with a camera... And one word that keeps coming up, quietly but persistently, is permission... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/tips-photographers-vacation/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  https://www.instagram.com/willmoneymaker https://www.youtube.com/@willmoneymaker https://www.flickr.com/photos/willmoneymaker   #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

You know, something I’ve learned over the years—something that becomes clearer the more time I spend with a camera in hand—is that photography is just as much about relationships as it is about light, shadow, and subject matter. Not just relationships with the people in front of the lens, but with the communities we enter, the land we stand on, and the cultures we interact with. And one word that keeps coming up, quietly but persistently, is permission... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/photography-permission-guide/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  https://www.instagram.com/willmoneymaker https://www.youtube.com/@willmoneymaker https://www.flickr.com/photos/willmoneymaker   #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

Today, we’re going to talk about something that’s supposed to be fun—something that should feel freeing, adventurous, and inspiring. But sometimes, well… it gets a little heavy. I’m talking about the photography trip. You know the kind. That big escape where it’s just you, your camera, and the world outside your front door. But if you’ve done a few of these trips, or even just tried to plan one, then you probably already know: photography trips can be stressful... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/open-yourself-to-possibilities/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  https://www.instagram.com/willmoneymaker https://www.youtube.com/@willmoneymaker https://www.flickr.com/photos/willmoneymaker   #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

A large portion of my time is devoted not just to photography itself, but to something just as important: finding new places to create it. Scouting, for me, is part of the adventure. It's a little like being on a treasure hunt with your camera bag in the passenger seat and curiosity behind the wheel. And over the years, I’ve discovered a few ways to make that hunt easier, more enjoyable, and a whole lot more rewarding. Back when I first got serious about photography, I used to just hop in the car and drive with no particular plan. Sometimes, that spontaneous approach works. But more often than not, I’d come home with a few random shots and the nagging feeling that I had missed something better just around the bend. Today, I plan more deliberately—and it’s made a big difference. Here are a few tips I’ve picked up along the way to help you make the most of your own scouting adventures... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/scouting-great-new-locations-photography/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  https://www.instagram.com/willmoneymaker https://www.youtube.com/@willmoneymaker https://www.flickr.com/photos/willmoneymaker   #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

You know, one of the hardest things about being a creative person—whether you’re into photography or painting or writing—is motivation. Just getting started. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had every excuse in the book. I’m not feeling inspired. I don’t have the right gear. There’s no time. The light’s wrong. You name it. But if I’m being honest, those are just that—excuses. Life’s busy, sure, and things pop up. But most of the time, it’s not that something is actively standing in the way. It’s just that the motivation isn’t there. So let’s talk about how to get motivated. Because over the years, I’ve found a few tricks that really do help me get moving again. And maybe they’ll help you, too... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/motivational-tricks-increase-productivity/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  https://www.instagram.com/willmoneymaker https://www.youtube.com/@willmoneymaker https://www.flickr.com/photos/willmoneymaker   #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

The stereotypical image of the artist is someone who spends a large part of their life not producing anything. Then, when the inspiration strikes, the artist goes to work, spontaneously producing works of art. The artist finally had the exact right sequence of thoughts. Whatever the case is, the work is something that just came to them, spur of the moment. Photographers often have a mental image of the inspired artist. It is sometimes even stronger because people assume that all a photographer must do is keep pushing that shutter button. Eventually, something magical happens. In a fit of inspiration, the photographer figures out the method to create the perfect piece of art. With a few quick snaps, the job is done. Nevertheless, that isn’t how artworks. Any art, not just photography, but painting, writing and so forth. More often than not, the greatest works are those that took the most time. They are the works that the artist spent days, weeks, or even years producing. In photography, a lot of that time is time spent waiting. Thinking, digesting, and letting ideas coalesce and grow. What’s more, there are several points throughout the photographic process where you should find the time to wait. Let the image percolate in your mind. Give yourself the time to forget about it just enough so that you can look at an image more critically. Let me show you the three stages of the photographic process where I find myself simply waiting and thinking... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/spontaneity-doesnt-work/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker https://www.instagram.com/willmoneymaker https://www.youtube.com/@willmoneymaker https://www.flickr.com/photos/willmoneymaker #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

Photographers hear it all the time: follow the rule of thirds, shoot during golden hour, use leading lines, frame your subject just so. These formulas are everywhere. They promise guaranteed results, and sometimes, they do deliver something pleasing. But if we rely too heavily on formulas, our photography runs the risk of becoming repetitive and uninspired. That’s why it’s important to understand the difference between a formula and a strategy. One boxes you in; the other sets you free. In a previous post, I explored how photography formulas can become a trap—producing predictable photography techniques that lack depth. Here, I want to dig into the contrast between formulas and photography strategies, and why embracing a strategic mindset can lead to more creative photography... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/formulas-versus-strategies/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker https://www.instagram.com/willmoneymaker https://www.youtube.com/@willmoneymaker https://www.flickr.com/photos/willmoneymaker #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

What are the best tools for photography? I spend a lot of time talking about what the reviewers say. If you listen, they will have you believe that the best gear is the gear that has the highest megapixels, the things that will produce the sharpest image quality, the best colors—that sort of thing. I’ve long argued against this, saying that, in most cases, these costly items are overkill. The megapixels and incredibly sharp resolutions are a wasteful investment when you consider that the average photographer will never produce the billboard-sized prints these devices are designed for... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/the-best-tools/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker https://www.instagram.com/willmoneymaker https://www.youtube.com/@willmoneymaker https://www.flickr.com/photos/willmoneymaker #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

For most of us photographers, the reality is that we’re not making a living from photography. For many of us, that’s deliberate. Some simply don’t want to turn a favorite hobby into a job. Others of us may have goals and dreams, but perhaps we’re just starting out, or the demand for our particular brand of photography just isn’t that high yet. Whatever the reasons, the point is that most of us have to do something else for a living—and everything else that we have to do, from jobs to family obligations, takes away from the time we have to devote to photography. All of that leads to us seeing all kinds of photographic opportunities as we go about the rest of our lives. But, because we are busy with the rest of our lives, we just don’t stop to take the picture. I’m sure it’s happened to you, and it’s definitely happened to me many times. How many times have you noted that thus and such place looked like a great spot for photography—but you didn’t have time to stop.., Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/taking-notes/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker https://www.instagram.com/willmoneymaker https://www.youtube.com/@willmoneymaker https://www.flickr.com/photos/willmoneymaker #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

There are a few things that top the list of struggles for photographers. For instance, portrait subjects who find it hard to be comfortable in front of the lens, or lighting that just won’t cooperate no matter how you try to modify it. But nothing is so ubiquitous as the weather. It causes all kinds of problems, from rained out trips to the high humidity that results in frizzy hair. So how do we photographers deal with the weather? Well, the first step is planning around it. It’s always a good idea to check weather forecasts and plan our photography tripsaccordingly, choosing days when we think the weather will be just what we need to complement our photographs... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/dealing-with-the-weather Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker https://www.instagram.com/willmoneymaker https://www.youtube.com/@willmoneymaker https://www.flickr.com/photos/willmoneymaker #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography