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Take & Talk Pics

Take & Talk Pics is a photography based podcast and blog where the host, Rob Krueger, shares information every Monday, interviews a new working professional photographer each Wednesday and Friday. This full blown photography podcast and blog is full of amazing content 3 days a week. Photo World, the listening community, can expect a fresh new show every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Rob will use Take & Talk Pics as a better way of learning photography and more importantly the business of photography. He asks nearly identical questions to every photographer being interviewed each Wednesday and Friday. The great thing about this continuity is; Photo World will know exactly what to expect from Take & Talk Pics but the answers are constantly changing from one professional to the next. Rob believes this is the best way to learn. It begins to become an educational habit. Aside from the weekly interviews, Rob has the Monday Message. This began in June 2015 and continues today. Whether Rob is recalling a quote, suggesting a book, speaking about his own experiences, or just getting Photo World motivated to CRUSH their photography business; He delivers a unique perspective on a range of topics to keep us interested in all the aspects of photography and running a small business.
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Now displaying: August, 2015
Aug 31, 2015

Gratitude is the direction to better life. It is a peaceful motivator to begin a day and to end a night; it is the inner strength we have but often forget and we need not be without Gratitude.

The growth of your business can come from Gratitude.

Your health both physically and mentally can be improved with a daily practice of Gratitude.

There is a wealth of information on Gratitude and it is no secret. However it is a friendly reminder.

Listen to this episode where I share a story that reminded to practice Gratitude more often.

Aug 28, 2015

Fundamental Friday's - Depth of Field

There are three factors for depth of field.

We discussed one of them two weeks ago... Aperture!

listen or watch the video to learn the other two factors and start making great pictures with these tools!

Aug 26, 2015

Today’s featured guest is Lyndsie Schlink.

Lyndsie is a portrait photographer based out of Normal IL. However she has a full time job in addition to her photography business. Today I want to speak with Lyndsie about her full time work. See… Lyndsie is the Senior University Photographer for Illinois State University. After completer her Mass Communication degree in 2004 Lyndsie continued with her photography and in 2007 started with ISU full time.

I was inspired by my mom to become a photographer. My mom always took a lot of photos of my sister and I growing up, whether it was playing in the yard, at summer camp, or family vacations. Her love of the art led to my love of the art.

My professional career began as a student photographer at ISU taking photos for the Vidette, which led to a job at The Pantagraph and later the Herald and Review.

For the past eight years I’ve worked full time as the University Photographer at ISU documenting student life, events, and activities. I love the variety of work, which gives me the freedom of a newsroom as well as the creativity of art.

When I’m not working for ISU, I enjoy photographing friend’s families, children, pets, and special events like birthdays and weddings. I love getting the chance to meet new people and capture their emotion and interactions through my lens.

You’ll likely see my smile peeking from behind the camera as I photograph children playing in a pile of leaves at the park or a couple in love staring into each others eyes during a photo session.

I also have a love of country music and enjoy photographing concerts, as well as traveling and taking photos of my vacations around the country.

Recommended Resources:

Get on social media! Instagram especially.

illinois state university - tumblr page

w: simply-lyndsie.com

The story she mentioned about a recent project. - Take a look HERE!

Aug 25, 2015

Hey Photo World!

Bonus episode today!

This is the second Take & Talk Pics webinar to date and it is all about failure.

I ask this question in every interview. "Tell Photo World about a time you failed." - this isn't to point out the times where a photographer messed up... No. It is meant to give insight to you Photo World on how to do things a little different that you maybe have been or to prevent you form making the same mistakes anyone of them has... or in today's case - mistakes I have made. I cannot count how many times I have failed it must be tens of thousands by now perhaps hundreds of thousands. Well, in this webinar I shared 3 failures/mistakes I made on my wedding photography contracts... 1 of them is such a big mistake it cost me thousands of dollars. Ouch! watch this webinar and tune in to future webinars for great content you don't get on the podcast right away. I have been toying with the idea of exclusive live content on the webinars only and not publishing them in any way. What do you think Photo World? Comment below!

Aug 24, 2015

Procrastination is a success killer! If you procrastinate your work your procrastinate your overall progress. Growth is driven by forward momentum.

Listen to today's episode and learn three tips that will help you from procrastinating in your work. This is great for those of you who are already making your business out of photography and this is especially awesome for those who are gearing up to start their photo business.

Take control of your day to day by applying these small but effective changes and watch the momentum build. You are on your way to bigger and better things Photo World keep it up!

and share this with your friends and photo family out there!

Click HERE to register for the next Take&TalkPics.com webinar!

Be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter!

2015 © Take&TalkPics

#HeyPhotoWorld

#PhotoWorld

Aug 21, 2015

063 Fundamental Friday - ISO

Aug 19, 2015

Today’s featured guest is Jacquelynn Buck.

 

Jacquelynn is a full time portrait and wedding photographer based in Tucson AZ. She has been building her boutique studio over the past 9 years. Jacquelynn was a speaker at the 2015 WPPI Photography Expo for her 5 consecutive visit.

The quote Jacquelynn shared was great and so inspiring! "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?" -Robert H. Schuller. Hear how Jacquelynn lives by this quote and how it brought her to her "I Made it Moment".

Note from Jacquelynn
I am a: full-time, totally enamored Pro photographer {#dreamlife}, Foodie {#sotasty}, wine-lover {#drinkme}, travel junkie {#takemethere #morethanonce} + coffee addict {#wakemeup}
I am a: philosophical, introspective dreamer and an energetic, outgoing, dynamic do-er.
I write {travelblog} when it moves me. I love to cook. I adore rooftop bars {#viewfromthetop} and look for one in every city I love, live and travel to. I am obsessed with quotes. Fresh flowers make me happy. But photography makes me smile. Sometimes in that shy, delighted, just meeting someone kind of way. Sometimes in that broad ear to ear grin kind of way. Still. And hopefully always. This is a world that I belong to that I embrace fearlessly, distinctively, with just a touch of sparkle and a little bit more than a little bit of sass.
I own a boutique portrait and wedding studio, and have for 9 years. Yes, I love and live to travel, and capture everything I can along the way. And yes, it is business {#hardwork}, but it’s primarily a love affair. A journey. A surprise around every corner. A connection with the unexpected. An opportunity to meet with people who share my drive. A chance to explore the sides of me that are vibrant, bold, colorful. An ever-shifting balance between what is unique and ordinary, simple and complex, real and imaginary. Photography is a challenge. And a delight. And it was a fork in my road, the path less traveled, but the one I’m glad I chose. This is my story. And the story continues because I don’t just do it. I teach it. To be inspired and to inspire, to seduce and be seduced. This is the heady thought that wakes me up every morning, that reminds me that today…today and every day… I get to do what I love. And pass that on to others.
Aug 17, 2015

Keynote Speech for College of DuPage.

I was asked to speak at the 1st annual College of DuPage Exposed Photography Showcase. It was an honor to speak for a little over 400 photography driven individuals. I tell a bit about my journey and segue to becoming an instructor and podcaster. Not before I play with the question “Can I make it as a photographer?”.

I pulled out 3 minutes from an otherwise long speech. I think you can hear some excitement mixed with nerves as I share with the large group. Although it was a great practice to be inform of so many people. I would love to speak on a few different topics that I have been developing. A goal would be an hour talk for WPPI. I want to burst out now with the topics but I think I’ll save them for a while or at least till WPPI invites me. :)

Enjoy today’s Monday Message and tune in to Wednesday’s episode where I interview a photographer and WPPI speaker Jacquelynn Buck.

Stay Cool and Happy Shooting!

Rob

Aug 14, 2015

Aperture!

Hey Photo World here we are on another Fundamental Friday’s episode and I am so excited to bring us back to the basics of Aperture. Many of you already know that aperture plays a big part in depth of field and I am only going to scratch the surface on that piece to the aperture puzzle. Today I am really dialing back and walking us through the basics of aperture. Simply put it is the opening in the lens. Furthermore it is adjustable by you the photographer. There are many cameras out there where you would have a fixed aperture however I am speaking to those of you who are DSLR, hybrid, or mirrorless shooters. Basically those who have the full manual options to make exposure changes. Your aperture is the opening in the lens and the part that allows for that to be adjustable are a set of blades coming together making a larger or smaller hole. The numeric value assigned to each step or Stop are referred to as the F number or F stops.

Example of full stops:

F1.4, f2, f2.8, f4, f5.6, f8, f11, f16, f22, f32, f45, f64

F number… Aperture… blades… the hole in a lens…

What does all this mean?

 

Well, what aperture is designed for is – regulating how much light passes through the lens and therefore how much or how little of the scene is being projected onto the film or digital sensor. The F number tells us a few things:

1) the smaller the F number (like: f2.8) the bigger the opening in the lens and therefore more light passing through.

2) the larger the F number (like: f22) the smaller the opening in the lens and therefore less light passing through.

3) Aperture effects the Depth of Field – small aperture (large F number) the longer the DOF/large aperture (small F number) the shorter the DOF.

Again and just like Shutter Speed this is one third of the exposure triangle. (the 3 main setting that determine our exposure for an image)

Shutter – how long the picture is taken

Aperture – how much light is passing through the lens

and

ISO - … tune in next week (episode 63) to find out how this triangle is completed!

I also discuss how Aperture effects Depth of Field however I have that topic set aside for a future  Fundamental Friday’s episode.

Hey Photo World pros! Comment down below to help out the newer photographers joining the Photo World!

Stay Cool and Happy Shooting!

Rob

Aug 12, 2015

Today’s featured guest is Sarah Claxton.

Sarah is a Photography Agent with her company: Claxton Represents. She is based out of Philadelphia Pennsylvania and represents commercial photographers and their work. After graduating from Brooks Institute she worked in many facets of the photography industry Sarah has found a passion in working with other photographers in helping them achieve their vision. 

Aug 10, 2015

I am currently on vacation in Wisconsin Dells.

Something I do one every year to get away from all the work day to day. To celebrate for the little victories I have. Just like you do. I feel we need to take the time and spend the money to reward our driven motivation to succeed in our businesses. It helps continue the path to the big wins where we see the most change and ultimately growth in our businesses.

We'll I need to get back to my trip so enjoy this little Monday Message and great reminder to relax from time to time.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Shooting!

-Rob

Click HERE to register for the next Take&TalkPics.com webinar!

Aug 7, 2015

Today on the Take & Talk Pics Fundamental Friday's, I am really dialing back down to the basics.

I walk you through the basics of Shutter Speed.

Each week on Friday I will be adding new elements to the basics and tying everything together as we go.

Pros I would love for you top contribute to the conversation and share your knowledge with those starting out.

Follow along with the slides on the show notes page on Take & Talk Pics .com

Aug 6, 2015

I was having complications so the video will be ready next week. Sorry about that.

Aug 5, 2015

Today’s featured guest is Andre LaCour.

 

Andre is a Chicago based wedding and portrait photographer. His award winning work has been published in many magazines such as: Chicago Style WeddingsWedding Guide ChicagoChicago Social Brides, and Range Finder. As a member of PPA Andre has certificates as a Craftsman and Master Photographer.

Andre LaCour, Master Photographer, CR, is an award-winning photographer with more than 25 years of experience capturing relationships and important moments in the lives of his clients. Andre’s sophisticated and distinctive approach is grounded in the principles of art, and combines the best of photojournalism, classic and fine art styles. One of Chicago’s most established and reputable wedding photographers, Andre will photograph his one thousandth wedding in the summer of 2010. His portfolio of work includes all aspects of wedding, portrait and fashion photography.

Andre’s passion for photography was ignited early on by an educator who eventually became an employer and mentor. He honed his skills by apprenticing at a number of top Chicago studios, and gained experience in both wedding and commercial photography. Andre strongly believes in the importance of ongoing education and development, and continually invests in opportunities that keep him on the forefront of the latest technology and post-production techniques.

Andre holds Craftsman and Masters degrees from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), and is a two-time Kodak Gallery award winner and a recipient of the Fuji Masterpiece award. Andre is a sought after speaker at professional and industry engagements, and has presented at numerous events throughout the country. He has also shared his expertise and passion for photography by training hundreds of professional photographers over the last decade. Andre LaCour Photography has been featured in wedding and photography industry publications, including ChicagoStyle WeddingsWedding Guide ChicagoChicago Social Brides and RangeFindermagazines. Andre’s wedding photography has taken him to destinations across the country and abroad, as well as many of Chicago’s major landmark locations, museums, hotels and other unique reception venues.

Aug 3, 2015

Monday Message 010 – The Snooze Button

“Just 5 more minutes” Rob thinks to himself, as he rolls over. His phone, rudely blaring, interrupts the perfect dream.

BEEP- BEEP- BEEP- BEEP-

“nooo” he utters, thinking about his dream, being keynote speaker at WPPI 2016.

Swipe. Such a simple move to earn a bit more time of rest, no work, no problems, and an overwhelming guilt trip for wasting that time.

So many of us do it though. We sneak by reality and think we just earned something because we are tired. There are enough things happening day to day to justify the 15 minute crave for rest each morning.

At what cost? I would argue one of the worst parts of my day are those brief moments in the morning; that transition from laying down snoring my brains out to sitting up rubbing my eyes.

It is one of the worst parts to my day!

If I hate waking up so much why do I hit the snooze 3-4 times? It doesn’t make sense.

I hate it… let’s do that 4 times.

Now Photo World is this Monday Message really about waking up each morning? Did I really just spend the last 4 minutes to tell you about a 12 second routine I conquer each morning? – No. I want you to understand how often we hit the Snooze Button in our business every single day. I know I do it all the time and I feel like there is a later time where I can pick up the slack. 10 weeks ago I started the Monday Message and introduced many of you to the book “Do the Work”. I would like to take a second and remind you that nothing gets done if you don’t put in the time. Nothing gets done well if you do not do the work… all the work. We find these excuses in our business- these Snooze Buttons. It is a way to blame everything else for our mishaps in our systems.

I don’t care if it is family, friends, a job, a prior commitment, or anything else we can justify reasoning for our lack of commitment to a job task… By blaming others you give up the power to change. Change and therefore grow.

Tomorrow when you wake… and I will do this too set your alarm, turn off the Snooze Button option, wake up on that first try and spring out of bed. Find a mirror and smile at you. Say out loud “by blaming others I give up the power to change.” Acknowledge that change is good and you are ready to do something today without hitting that Snooze Button.

Just one day is all I ask in this challenge. As silly as you may feel and tired as you might be; do this and as you look back on your day before you go to sleep reflect on your day and how well you felt by choosing a fresh fast start. Analyze that task where you wanted to hit the Snooze and see how you feel about it.

If you don’t feel at least 10% better about that day and all you accomplished (be honest you probably did a ton) I will give you your money back. 100% all of it.

Every cent you paid for this knowledge and new challenge goes right back in your pocket if you are not 100% satisfied with the outcome. (To be clear this refund will amount to the exact investment of $0.00)

Make the small changes in your business and life today so you can expand upon the growth tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Shooting!

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