
Camera sensor size can help you predict image quality before a camera even comes out of the box. A camera’s sensor is the part of the camera that actually captures the image. It plays a big role in what the resulting image looks like. But what does camera sensor size…
By Hillary Grigonis Photography

Timing can make or break a photograph. Knowing when to push that shutter button is essential. But most cameras have another tool to help capture that perfectly-timed shot—burst mode. Burst mode changes your camera from a single-shot mode to a multi-shot sequence of images. This feature is often used to…
By Hillary Grigonis Photography

Light modifiers alter or control the light. Some of them soften the light for more flattering shadows, others create hard light for drama. Others allow photographers to have more creative control over the light by changing the color or even shape. It’s easy to spend thousands on lighting modifiers if…
By Hillary Grigonis Photography

School portraits grace the yearbooks and the walls of many family homes. But working as a school portrait photographer feels like running a marathon. You might want to offer yearbook photos for your seniors. Or you might want to photograph entire schools. Here are ten school picture tips for photographers…
By Hillary Grigonis Photography

When it comes to choosing between soft light and hard light photography, the decision can be a little daunting. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this post, we’ll explore the differences between hard and soft light, and show you how to choose the right type of light for…
By Hillary Grigonis Photography

On-camera flash is a portable way to light up a scene. Add a wireless flash trigger, and that light becomes a tool for endless creative effects. A remote flash trigger opens up studio lighting possibilities for on-location photography. But, working with a wireless flash trigger can be tricky. The settings…
By Hillary Grigonis Photography

Direct flash is harsh and unflattering. And off-camera flash can be expensive and difficult to set up. But, there is a way to get some of the look of an off-camera flash without actually taking the flash off-camera: bounce flash. Instead of taking the flash off the top of the…
By Hillary Grigonis Photography

Unlock the power of Photoshop masking with this beginner’s guide. Learn the essential techniques to seamlessly blend and manipulate images for professional-level results. In this article, we’ll discuss how to do Photoshop masking basics. Photoshop Masking Basics Photoshop masking determines what parts of a layer are visible and what parts…
By Hillary Grigonis Photography

A blurred background draws the focus to what’s important. It also often plays a part in differentiating the professional portrait from the casual snapshot. But how, exactly, do you create a blurry background? Through a mixture of gear, settings, and subject placement. Here’s how. What You’ll Need to Create a…
By Hillary Grigonis Photography

Photography has no shortage of accessories. But you don’t need to break the bank to try something new with your images. DIY photography tricks can add just the right level of interest to your photos. Some of them create interesting visuals. Others replace pricey gear with something that’s simple to…
By Hillary Grigonis Photography

Picture an old Hollywood portrait of an actress from the mid-century. Think of the well-defined curves, the cheekbones carved with shadows, the classic beauty. That’s glamour photography. But glamour shots extend well beyond the traditional portraits of Hollywood stars. So where does the genre sit in modern photography? Read on…
By Hillary Grigonis Photography

No matter how much we love our camera gear, sometimes we must sell it. It might be that the new gear bug has finally bitten, and you’re ready to part with your old camera. Or you might have decided to ditch your beloved film camera and switch to digital. Perhaps…
By Hillary Grigonis Photography