As a photographer, filmmaker, and dad of two, I’ve seen firsthand how a real camera changes the way kids engage with the world. Last year, I reviewed the best cameras for kids in 2025, and this year I want to go a step further. I’ll cover why phones aren’t helping kids see, the benefits of using a real camera, and practical tips for parents.

I’ll also review the newest Kiimento Model P2, a camera that’s fun, fast, and perfect for young creatives.

Comment on the video and tell us what your kid will photograph—you could win a Kiimento Model P2!

Why Phones Aren’t Enough

Phones are everywhere, and kids are glued to them. They’re great for convenience, but they don’t encourage true observation or creative thought, or even the desire to take photos creatively. Notifications, social media, and apps constantly pull attention away from the subject in front of them.

With a real camera, kids slow down and notice the world—the way the light falls, the shapes of objects, or the colors in a scene. Photography becomes about seeing, not posting or getting likes, which is essential in teaching kids about digital photography. This is the experience I want my own children to have.

The Benefits of Giving Kids a Real Camera

Here’s why a real camera is so valuable for kids:

1. Creativity – Kids learn storytelling, not just snapping photos. They can experiment with composition, light, and perspective.
2. Confidence – A creative hobby builds skill and pride in their own work. Owning their camera gives them ownership of their art.
3. Connection – Cameras encourage family exploration and shared experiences, unlike phones, which can be isolating.
4. Mindfulness – Photography encourages kids to focus on the moment, get outdoors, and observe their surroundings carefully.
5. Digital Balance – It’s a break from screens and social comparison. A camera gives kids freedom to create without distraction.

A camera isn’t just a toy—it’s a tool for learning to look closer and think creatively.

Choosing the Right Camera for Your Child

Picking a camera isn’t one-size-fits-all. Consider your child’s age, interests, and skill level, and prioritize ease of use, durability, and portability.

Age-Based Guidelines

• Toddlers & Preschoolers (ages 3–5): Lightweight, durable cameras like the VTech KidiZoom Duo 5.0 or Oaxis myFirst Camera 2. Big buttons, simple menus, and sturdy builds make them ideal.
• Elementary-age Kids (ages 6–10): Point-and-shoot or instant print cameras with fun, colorful designs. The Kiimento Model P2 and Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 are great choices. Instant prints create tangible memories and encourage thoughtful photography.
• Preteens & Teens (ages 11+): They may be ready for entry-level DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, offering manual controls, zoom, and video. At this stage, teens often develop a serious interest in photography.

Other practical features to look for: built-in flash, selfie lens, shockproof or waterproof design, rechargeable batteries, and the ability to transfer photos to a computer for editing and sharing.

Why Instant Print Cameras Are So Engaging

Instant print cameras offer unique advantages for kids:

• Immediate prints encourage composition and creativity—each photo feels valuable.
• Physical prints provide keepsakes, turning everyday moments into memories.
• Cameras that combine digital storage and printing (like the Kiimento Model P2) give kids flexibility: store photos digitally or print instantly.
• Instant prints make photography interactive and fun, rather than just another screen-based activity.

Kiimento Model P2 Review

Now, let’s take a closer look at the Kiimento Model P2, the newest kid-friendly instant camera that’s perfect for sparking creativity and helping kids see the world in a new way.

Availability

The Model P2 is currently available in a limited first batch. This makes it a perfect gift option for the holidays or for getting kids started with photography before the end of the year.

Printing Made Fun and Easy

One of the standout features of the P2 is its ink-free thermal printing, which delivers a finished print in just 5 seconds. You can choose from four different two tone color styles, and each print is BPA/BPS-free, measuring just over 3×2 inches—perfectly sized for scrapbooks, walls, or handing out to friends. Unlike many other instant cameras, you don’t have to wait for ink to dry or deal with messy cartridges. It’s instant gratification, but with quality that feels professional.

Photo and Video Quality

The P2 doesn’t just print quickly—it also captures high-quality images and video. It offers up to 48MP (interpolated) photos and 1080p video recording, so kids aren’t just snapping blurry snapshots—they’re learning real photography skills. With both a main and a selfie lens, it’s easy for kids to frame themselves, friends, pets, or family moments without needing a separate device. This dual-lens setup also encourages creativity, letting kids experiment with different perspectives and compositions.

Creative Tools

Kiimento has packed the P2 with fun creative tools. There are 25+ filters and frames, plus Normal and Creator modes that let kids adjust print density and experiment with different styles. Whether your child is just exploring photography or loves to get artistic with their prints, the P2 provides hours of creative play and encourages them to think about storytelling through images.

Display

The 2.4-inch HD screen is clear and bright, making it easy to frame shots, preview photos, and scroll through images before printing. This gives kids immediate feedback on their compositions and lets them decide which photos they want to print, reinforcing the connection between taking pictures and enjoying the results.

Power and Storage

The Model P2 is powered by a 1,500 mAh rechargeable battery, charged via USB-C, so you won’t need to constantly replace batteries. Plus, it comes with a 32GB memory card pre-installed, which is rare at this price point. That means kids can store hundreds of photos and videos right out of the box—perfect for travel, holidays, or weekend adventures.

Extras

Kiimento has thought of the little details that make a camera feel special. The P2 comes with a handmade strap and USB-C cable in the box, making it ready to go anywhere your kids want to explore. It’s a camera that feels durable and real, not just a toy, which is something my own kids immediately noticed and loved.

Overall Impression

The Kiimento Model P2 is a refined, faster, and more creative version of the original Kiimento Model P camera. It keeps all the fun and style but adds practical upgrades that make photography easy, enjoyable, and rewarding for kids. From instant prints to digital storage, and from high-resolution photos to creative filters, it’s designed to inspire a love of photography while letting kids experience the joy of seeing their work come to life.

Pro Tip: Let your kids experiment with both the print and digital modes. It’s a great way to teach them about composition, lighting, and creativity while having tangible keepsakes they can share or display.

Be sure to comment on our YouTube video for a chance to win a Kiimento Model P2 and get your child started behind the lens!

Kiimento Model P2 – Key Features at a Glance

Ink-Free Instant Printing

• Prints in just 5 seconds
• 4 color styles
• BPA/BPS-free, 3×2 inches

Photo & Video

• Up to 48MP (interpolated) photos
• 1080p video recording
• Main + selfie lenses

Creative Tools

• 25+ filters and frames
• Normal / Creator modes
• Adjustable print density

Display

• 2.4-inch HD screen for framing and previewing

Power & Storage

• 1,500 mAh rechargeable battery (USB-C)
• 32GB memory card pre-installed

Extras

• Handmade strap & USB-C cable included
• Feels durable and real, not just a toy

Why Kids Love It

• Instant prints + digital storage
• Fun, playful, and easy to use
• Perfect for weekend adventures or everyday moments

Practical Photography Tips for Parents

1. Match the camera to your child: Instant prints for quick feedback, film cameras for a challenge. Balance simplicity with room to grow creatively. Take your kids’ personalities and goals into account. If your kid wants that instant feedback, you might choose something that instantly prints their photos. If your kid needs a challenge, you might consider an old film camera. You don’t want something that they’re going to be bored by or that will be too complex and complicated for them. The goal is to find that sweet spot for creativity where they are challenged enough to grow but not too stressed to get in the zone.
2. Embrace imperfection: Celebrate experimentation and unique shots. Don’t worry about perfect photos. Let go of perfectionism and embrace failure. Creativity is all about experimenting and taking risks, and letting that be part of the fun.
3. Make it fun: Scavenger hunts, sunset walks, or mini photo challenges. Encourage sharing, slideshows, or printing images to make it interactive.
4. Encourage creativity: Let kids experiment with filters, frames, and photo projects. Instant print cameras like the Kiimento P2 make this easy.
5. Promote safe handling: Wrist or shoulder straps help prevent drops. Rugged cameras are essential for younger kids.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: At what age should a child have a camera?
A: Toddlers can use rugged, simple cameras (ages 3–5). Elementary-age kids can use point-and-shoot or instant print cameras, while preteens/teens may enjoy beginner DSLRs or mirrorless cameras.

Q: What is the best first camera for a 5–6-year-old?
A: Options for smaller kids include the Kiimento Model P2, VTech KidiZoom Duo, Oaxis myFirst Camera 2, and Instax Mini 9. Look for durability, ease of use, and fun features.

Q: Why do teens want a digital camera instead of a phone?
A: Teens often enjoy manual controls, creative flexibility, and better image quality, which phones can’t fully offer. Photography becomes a serious creative outlet.

Q: How do kids’ instant print cameras work?
A: Cameras like the Kiimento P2 use thermal or film printing to produce small prints within seconds. Some combine digital storage with instant prints, offering flexibility.

Q: Are cameras better than phones for kids?
A: For learning photography and focus, yes, especially when considering cameras that provide great value. Cameras reduce distractions, encourage mindfulness, and teach composition, light, and storytelling.

Creative Photography Projects for Kids

Once your child has their camera, the fun really begins. Beyond just taking pictures, setting up small projects and challenges can keep them engaged and help them develop a sense of storytelling and composition. Here are some ideas:

1. Photo Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of things for your child to find and take photos of—shapes, colors, textures, or objects in nature. You can make it theme-based, like “Autumn Adventure” or “Backyard Wildlife”, encouraging them to explore and look more closely at their environment.

2. Daily Photo Challenge

Encourage kids to take one photo per day of something that makes them happy, curious, or surprised. At the end of the week, you can print a mini gallery using their instant print camera, helping them see the story their week tells.

3. Mini Photo Exhibitions

Pick a wall or a bulletin board at home and create a rotating photo gallery. Kids can print their favorite shots and display them for the family. This not only gives them pride in their work but also teaches curation and presentation skills.

4. Storytelling Through Photos

Challenge them to take a series of photos that tell a short story. For example, “A Day at the Park” or “My Favorite Toy’s Adventure.” This project encourages sequencing, creativity, and narrative thinking, essential skills for budding photographers.

5. Family Photography Projects

Take the camera along on family outings—hikes, vacations, or just daily life. Encourage kids to document moments from their perspective, then compare their photos with yours. This fosters connection, conversation, and reflection on what they notice versus adults.

6. Print & Create

Instant print cameras like the Kiimento Model P2 allow kids to make physical creations. They can build photo scrapbooks, greeting cards, or collages using their prints, combining photography with other creative arts. This helps them understand how images can be used beyond the screen.

By turning photography into a playful, goal-oriented activity, kids develop not only technical skills but also observation, focus, and storytelling abilities. These projects are simple, screen-free ways to encourage creativity, problem-solving, and pride in their own work.

Comparing Top Kids Cameras for Kids

Kiimento Model P2

Age: 8+ (5‑7 with supervision)
Price: ~$100‑140 USD – Check Price Here
Type: Hybrid – Digital + Print
Capabilities: 48MP interpolated, 1080p video, main + selfie lens, 2.4″ HD screen, ink-free thermal color printing, 4 print styles, rechargeable USB‑C, 32GB memory card included
Pros: High-quality prints, fun and durable, digital storage, multiple creative modes
Cons: Slightly larger than some entry-level models, pre-order only

Vivitar Kidztech Kids Digital Camera

Age: 3‑9 years
Price: ~$20‑30 – Check Price Here
Type: Digital Only
Capabilities: Basic digital camera, simple controls, 12‑16MP photo, 1080p video, rubberized case, drop-resistant
Pros: Super affordable, very simple, rugged for young kids
Cons: Limited features, no instant prints, low resolution

Kiimento Model A

Age: 3‑6 years
Price: ~$50 – Check Price Here
Type: Digital Only
Capabilities: Digital only, selfie lens, durable silicone/ABS body, easy buttons
Pros: Cute design, simple interface, durable
Cons: No instant prints, basic photo quality

Oaxis myFirst Camera 2

Age: 4‑8 years
Price: ~$60 – Check Price Here
Type: Digital Only
Capabilities: Digital photos, video, waterproof housing, compact design
Pros: Rugged and waterproof, affordable, easy for small hands
Cons: No prints, basic image quality

VTech KidiZoom Duo FX

Age: 3‑9 years
Price: ~$65‑80 – Check Price Here
Type: Digital Only
Capabilities: Dual-lens for selfies, 1080p video, basic games, durable rubberized case
Pros: Safe and durable, fun built-in games, dual-lens selfies
Cons: Limited print options, more toy-like than serious photography

Kodak Printomatic

Age: 7+ years
Price: ~$70 – Check Price Here
Type: Hybrid – Digital + Print
Capabilities: Instant prints, digital storage, simple point-and-shoot
Pros: Both digital and physical photos, simple interface
Cons: Prints lower resolution than premium instant cameras

Fujifilm Instax Mini 12

Age: 6+ years
Price: ~$90 – Check Price Here
Type: Instant Print Only
Capabilities: Instant prints, simple exposure control, built-in flash
Pros: Fun instant prints, simple operation, durable
Cons: No digital storage, manual exposure ring can confuse younger kids

Kiimento Model K

Age: 5‑8 years
Price: ~$80 – Check Price Here
Type: Digital Only
Capabilities: 3″ HD touchscreen, main + selfie lens, 1080p video, 32‑48MP interpolated, silicone case
Pros: Touchscreen, great for learning photography, digital storage, kid-friendly design
Cons: No instant prints, slightly more expensive than ultra-budget models

myFirst Insta 20

Age: 4‑12 years
Price: ~$80‑100 – Check Price Here
Type: Hybrid – Digital + Print
Capabilities: Instant print, digital storage, fun kid-friendly designs
Pros: Easy to use, both digital and printed photos, fun for younger kids
Cons: Print quality moderate, fewer creative modes than premium models

Entry-level Mirrorless (Sony A6000 / Canon M50)

Age: 10‑16+ years
Price: $600+ – Shop Canon M50 / Shop Sony a6000
Type: Digital Only
Capabilities: Full manual controls, interchangeable lenses, 4K video, high-resolution, flip screens
Pros: Excellent image quality, manual controls, grows with skill level
Cons: Expensive, heavier, requires a learning curve

How to Think About Budget Tiers

• Budget ($50‑$80): Kiimento Model A, Vivitar Kidztech
• Mid‑tier ($80‑$120): Kiimento Model P2, myFirst Insta 20
• Premium (>$500): Canon M50 or Sony a6000

Summary of Kids Camera Tips

Leaving the phone behind and giving your child a real camera can cultivate creativity, mindfulness, and connection, allowing them to capture beautiful pictures. Cameras encourage kids to slow down, observe, and experiment, helping them see the world in a new way.

The Kiimento Model P2 and other kid-friendly cameras are designed to spark curiosity, capture memories, and create fun experiences for young photographers.

Remember: the best way to learn photography is to see the world with wonder, and sometimes the best teachers are our kids.

For more inspiration and camera options, check out my video on the Best Kids Cameras of 2025.

Thanks so much for reading, if you have a question about which camera to get, leave a comment down below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!

The post Leave the Phone Behind: Why Every Kid Should Have Their Own Camera appeared first on .

Over the past few seasons, I’ve tested dozens of filming techniques, accessories, and mounts across the GoPro Hero 10, 11, 12—and now the GoPro Hero 13. This post is your updated 2025 guide to how to film skiing with a GoPro like a pro, covering:

• The best GoPro mounts for skiing (and when to use each)
• Hero 13 settings optimized for snow sports
• Favorite GoPro accessories that make filming easier
• A quick-start guide for beginners
• My full GoPro Hero 13 ski filming setup

In this post, I’m sharing my updated approach to filming skiing using the GoPro Hero 13—along with my original video on GoPro ski filming using the GoPro Hero 12, which still holds up for Hero 11 and Hero 13 users. Watch both videos below, then scroll for all the extra tips, links, and context!

Skiing with a GoPro How-To Videos

Watch Part 1: How to Film Skiing with a GoPro (Basics + Mounting Tips)
Great for any GoPro model

Watch Part 2: Updated for GoPro Hero 13 – Mounts, Settings, and What’s New
Best for Hero 13 users and anyone wanting more cinematic ski footage

Why Film Skiing with a GoPro?

GoPros are made for snow. They’re lightweight, waterproof down to 10m without a housing, and built to survive freezing temps, crashes, and powder sprays. With each new generation—especially the Hero 13—you get improved image quality, stabilization, and smart features like Horizon Lock, making it easier than ever to capture buttery-smooth, cinematic ski footage.

But gear is only part of the equation. To get that pro-level POV, you need to pair the right GoPro ski mounts with the best camera settings—and know how to use them in a fast-moving, high-contrast environment like the mountains of Colorado.

GoPro Ski Filming Tips (That Actually Work)

Here’s a quick breakdown of the biggest takeaways from both videos:

1. Use the Right Mounts

• Chest mount: Most immersive angle, especially for tight trees or parks. Not ideal for layer changes.
• Ski Pole/selfie stick: Great for follow-cam or third-person perspective.
• Ski Helmet mount: Easy to use, but can feel less connected to the action due to high angle.
• Magnetic mounts: With Hero 13, these make swaps super easy! Or get a third party mod for your older GoPro to access this handy feature.

2. Hero 13 Settings for Skiing

In my latest video, I walk through updated settings for Hero 13, including:

• Lens modes (Wide vs Linear + Horizon Lock): Choosing this is based on what you’re filming. I use a max lens mod with the widest setting if I want to put on my helmet and be able to reframe for social. If I’m filming someone else, I usually try for horizon lock and a zoomed-in digital lens: try Linear.
• Frame rate & resolution for smooth slow-mo (The higher the frame rate, the greater the scope for slowing down footage to create slow-motion videos.) Filming at 60p allows you to slow the playback by half. Dropping down to 4K allows video at 120p for super slow-motion capabilities. The GoPro Hero13 Black maxes out at 60p at its highest resolution. You should shoot your videos at high resolution for maximum detail.
• Stabilization tweaks: GoPro’s HyperSmooth stabilization feature is essential for reducing camera shake during skiing.
• Horizon Level/Lock: GoPro’s Horizon Lock feature keeps the world level even when the camera moves through 360 degrees. Horizon Leveling keeps the horizon level but only up to a point.
• White Balance: Auto white balance works great most of the time.
• Exposure Compensation: It is advisable to boost exposure compensation on overcast days. I use +1/2 for overcast to partly sunny and +1 for stormy days.
• Color: Natural colour setting is a good choice for video quality.
  

3. Accessories Worth Having

These are the GoPro ski accessories I use:

• GoPro Hero 13 Black
• Max Lens Mod – Get the auto lens version for your Hero 13
• Sticky Helmet Mount
• Magnet Mounts – super handy for Hero 13
• Third Party Magnet Mount Fits Hero 12
• Ski Pole Mount – skip the extra pole
• Ski Clamp Mount – fun mount, but less practical
• Sandmarc Snow Edition Kit
• Sandmarc Pole
• Sandmarc Variable ND Filter
• Fixed ND Filters – handy especially if you get the auto versions for the Hero 13
• Extra Batteries: Cold weather can drain battery life quickly

A few other tips worth noting: Extra short and long thumbscrews can be handy accessories for GoPro cameras. Extra Curved and Flat Adhesive Mounts can be useful for GoPro setups. The GoPro Volta is a handle and power supply in one that supports various GoPro models (ideal for vlogging). GoPro’s enduro batteries are recommended for better cold-weather performance (the new Hero 13 batteries are even better). Moisture can cause fogging inside the GoPro housing, affecting video quality. Anti-fog inserts can help prevent fogging of the GoPro lens in cold conditions.

(These are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no cost to you—thanks for the support!)

Save Money – Get a GoPro Hero 12

While all the marketing and media will tell you to get the latest and greatest GoPro, sometimes you want to save some money and get an older generation. Afterall, the year before, everyone was raving about the new release. Here is a review of the Hero 12 Black if you’re considering it:

Best GoPro Mounts for Skiing

Choosing the right mount makes or breaks your ski footage. Here’s a breakdown of the top GoPro skiing mounts, their pros and cons, and when I recommend using them:

1. Chest Mount

Buy it Here

Why it’s great but not my favorite:
The chest mount offers a grounded, immersive perspective that captures your skis, poles, turns, and the slope ahead. It’s dynamic and stable—ideal for tree skiing or park riding. Chest mounts restrict visibility to a forward view only while skiing.

Best for:

• Powder turns
• Park laps
• Trees and glades
• POV skiing tutorials
• Looking faster since mount is closer to the ground

Tips:

• Angle the camera slightly upward to avoid filming just your skis.
• Tighten the straps well—loose mounts bounce and ruin the shot.
• Combine with Horizon Lock to reduce distortion. A chest mount provides a stable viewpoint and is comfortable for extended periods while skiing but is a pain when you need to do a layer change. Also, you have to get over the look of wearing a harness.

2. Pole Mount / Selfie Stick

Buy it Here

Why it’s great:
A pole or extension stick gives you those cinematic, third-person follow-cam angles—like someone else is filming you. With the right timing, you can get beautiful arcs and body movement. Pole mounts can capture unique angles, but their stability depends on the user’s grip.

Best for:

• Solo skiing footage
• Following a buddy
• Variety in your edit
• Slow-motion turns

Tips:

• Use the Sandmarc Pole Metal Edition for extra reach.
• Get close for dynamic action (don’t be afraid to ski fast!).
• Keep your movements smooth and stable to reduce shake.

3. Helmet Mount (My Go-To POV Angle)

Buy it Here

Why it’s great:
Hands-free and easy to set up, the helmet mount provides a high vantage point that sees the terrain well. However, it can feel a bit detached from the action and can be tricky to get your skis and the horizon in the frame. Helmet mounts offer a first-person view but can cause disorientation due to head movement.

Best for:

• Scenic wide shots
• Skiing in open bowls
• Minimal setups

Tips:

• Use a front helmet mount—not side-mounted—for better symmetry.
• To keep the helmet out of the frame, place the sticky mount on the front of your helmet
• Stabilization is key. Turn on HyperSmooth Boost or Horizon Lock.
• Try slow pans with your head to create movement.

4. Ski Clamp Mount

Buy it Here

Why it’s great:
Provides a unique angle. Shows your experience from the front without a selfie stick. Don’t try sticking a 3M mount to your ski, your GoPro will fall off and it can be hard to find depending on the terrain.

Best for:

• Unique angle

Tips:

• The clamp must be locked down TIGHT
• Put 3M sticky pads down, then clamp to those
• Be aware of how you will find your camera if it falls off

Surfboard mounts can be used on skis for low-angle shots but their adhesion can be unreliable. Wrist mounts allow for versatile filming directions but may limit pole use while skiing.

5. Magnetic Mounts (Hero 13 Only)

Buy it Here

Why it’s great:
The GoPro Hero 13’s new magnetic mounting system makes switching between mounts quick and painless. No more fiddling with thumbscrews while wearing gloves.

Best for:

• Fast transitions between shots
• Mounting on skis or poles temporarily
• Creative new perspectives (boot shots, ski tips, backpack straps)

Tips:

• Test magnets for strength before sending big lines.
• Use lanyards for backup if mounting in sketchy spots.

6. Other mounts to try

I’ve heard that Peak Design Capture with POV Kit allows camera positioning on a backpack strap for hands-free use. My worry is that this would be off-center. Let me know if you’ve tried this.

Best GoPro Settings for Skiing (Hero 13)

The GoPro Hero 13 offers serious image quality, but getting the settings right is key—especially with snow’s extreme highlights and fast motion.

Here’s my go-to Hero 13 skiing setup:

Pro Tip: If you’re filming with bright sun on snow, increase your EV comp to avoid under-exposure. Snow can trick GoPro’s metering into underexposing the highlights. Additionally, it’s essential to keep GoPro batteries warm in cold weather to prevent them from discharging quickly. It is recommended to keep spare batteries warm in an inner pocket.

Lessons Learned After Years of Filming on Snow

Stability > Everything: Even with amazing stabilization, a loose mount ruins your shot. Tighten your straps, test angles before skiing, and double-check your gear at the lift.

Clean Your Lens Often: A snowflake or smear can wreck your entire run. Carry a microfiber cloth or use your glove to give it a quick wipe.

Angle Matters: Frame your shots so viewers can see the slope ahead and some skis/poles for context. Too low = boring. Too high = detached. Better yet, follow your friends so you have a subject. Even if your friends are on snowboards! Planning different camera angles can lead to more engaging skiing videos.

Editing & Mount Tips: GoPro’s Quik app is a user-friendly tool for editing on the go. I also use it to check my mount angle. With magnet mounts, you can set it and forget it when it comes to the mount angle.

Don’t Overfilm: Battery and card space are limited. Pick your runs wisely and shoot intentionally. Capturing time-lapse shots and unique angles can add excitement to skiing videos. Use this to mix it up so you don’t just have hours of the same POV.

Getting Started: GoPro Ski Filming for Beginners

If you’re new to skiing with a GoPro, don’t overcomplicate it. Here’s a quick checklist to get you rolling:

1. Start with a helmet mount for easy, immersive footage
2. Use the pro video mode (with settings above) with 60fps in 4K
3. Turn on Horizon Lock or HyperSmooth
4. Keep your angles wide
5. Review your footage often and adjust your mount position – lock it in once you have it right and use a magnet mount so you don’t have to adjust it.

Don’t forget fresh spare batteries (they’re worth the extra weight) and a dry lens! Keeping spare batteries in an inner pocket can help maintain battery life while skiing.

My GoPro Ski Filming Set-up

Below is my current GoPro set-up for filming skiing.

• GoPro Hero 13 Black
• Max Lens Mod – Get the auto lens version for your Hero 13
• Sticky Helmet Mount
• Magnet Mounts – super handy for Hero 13
• Ski Pole Mount – skip the extra pole
• Ski Clamp Mount – fun mount, but less practical
• Sandmarc Snow Edition Kit
• Sandmarc Pole
• Sandmarc Variable ND Filter
• Fixed ND Filters – handy especially if you get the auto versions for the Hero 13
• Extra Batteries: Cold weather can drain battery life quickly

Final Thoughts: Start Simple, Then Upgrade

You don’t need the newest camera or all the accessories to get started with GoPro ski footage. Learn the basics, dial in your angles, and most importantly, keep filming and reviewing your footage. That’s the fastest way to improve, practice on a few runs, and you’re on your way.

Whether you’re using the Hero 13 or an older GoPro, focus on stable mounts, smart settings, and good storytelling. Mix up your shots, have fun experimenting, and get outside and enjoy the turns.

Have questions about your GoPro ski setup? Drop them in the comments below or on YouTube—I try to respond to every question.

Similar Content on the Blog

Looking for more photography tips? Check out these posts on Photography Basics: What is the Rule of Thirds and ND Filter Beginners Guide. Or these Tips for Travel Photographers: Photography Tips for Mountain Landscapes, Adventure Photographer Gear, Travel Photography Gear

About the Authors

We’re the Bergreens, a photography team based in Evergreen, Colorado. On the blog, we share our favorite gear tips and photography advice.

Download our free guide on how to build a creative business and a life you love or our free money and gear guide for photographers. Don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help! If we link to a product we love, Amazon links and others are affiliate links, it’s a great way to support our ad-free blog.

In the meantime, remember to…

The post How to Film Skiing with a GoPro: Tips, Settings, and Accessories (Updated for Hero 13) appeared first on .

Think of your website like a digital first impression. You wouldn’t show up to a job interview in socks and sandals (unless that’s your brand vibe—no judgment). Likewise, your website shouldn’t look like it was designed with a pack of neon highlighters in 1998. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade, having a modern, strategic, and user-friendly website is non-negotiable.

In this post, we’re diving into how to create a website for photographers that’s clean, functional, and actually helps you book clients—and why I think Pixpa is one of the best website builders for photographers today.

How to Build Your Own Photography Website

In this article, I’m going to walk through what a good photography website needs to be able to do for you as well as how to achieve that. From showcasing your online portfolio to helping you sell prints and products, a professional photography website needs to be able to work for you and effectively showcase your photography services .

I’m also going to be reviewing the Pixpa website builder for photographers. You’ll see how Pixpa delivers on my requirements for a great photography website. Most importantly, I’ll share practical tips for how to build your photography website so that I attracts clients and increases your profits.

If you’re interested in trying out Pixpa, use EPIC for a sweet 40% discount on annual plans or an even better 55% off 2-year plans!

What to Look For in a Website Builder (Summary)

When choosing the right website platform as a photographer, it helps to focus on tools that support both your creativity and your business. Here are the core features to prioritize:

• Ease of Use: Look for a platform that fits your comfort level—some builders are drag-and-drop simple, while others (like WordPress) offer more control with a steeper learning curve.

• Client Galleries & Proofing: If you deliver photos online, platforms like Pixpa, Pic-Time, or SmugMug streamline the process and offer a polished client experience.

• Customization & Design Flexibility: Your website should reflect your unique style. Make sure the platform lets you tweak layouts, fonts, and image displays to suit your brand.

• Blogging & SEO Tools: If you want to grow traffic through search or share your stories, strong blogging and SEO support is a must—WordPress is the leader here.

• E-commerce Integration: Selling prints, albums, or session bookings? Choose a platform with built-in sales tools or integrations with third-party services.

• Mobile Optimization: Most visitors will be on mobile, so make sure your site looks good and works fast on any screen.

• Hosting & Support: Consider whether the platform includes hosting, backups, and responsive customer support—or if you’ll need to manage that yourself.

At the end of the day, the best website builder is the one that helps you do what you need to do—without holding you back creatively or technically.

Managing and Growing Your Photography Business

Your website should support your business behind the scenes—not just showcase your portfolio.

• Inquiries & Bookings: Use contact forms or booking systems that make it easy for clients to reach out (and for you to stay organized).

• Client Education: Share pricing guides, session prep info, and FAQs to save time and set expectations.

• Product Sales: Set up galleries where clients can order prints, albums, or digitals. Platforms like Pic-Time or ShootProof make this seamless.

• Streamlined Workflows: Consider using integrated CRMs, automated emails, or client portals to improve communication and free up your time.

Showcase Your Photography Portfolio Like a Pro

Your photography website needs to show your work in the best possible light—literally. This is where potential clients decide if they want to work with you, so don’t make them dig for your best shots across different galleries .

Practical Tip: Use a clean, minimalist design that puts your images front and center. Don’t clutter your homepage with text or flashy elements. Update your portfolio regularly so it reflects your current style and attracts the kind of work you want to do more of.

Pixpa offers over 200 beautiful, mobile-friendly, and responsive templates designed specifically for creatives. The focus is exactly where it should be—on your photos, enhanced by various template options . Themes like Astra and Scope make it easy to build a professional-looking site without touching a line of code.

Common Mistakes Photographers Make With Their Websites

Let’s be real—your photos might be amazing, but if your website is hard to use, people will click away fast. Here are the most common photography website mistakes to avoid:

1. Outdated portfolios – Only show your best, most recent work

2. No call-to-action – Every page should encourage people to book you, get in touch, or view your work

3. Broken links or missing info – Test every page, especially your contact form

4. Overuse of slideshows or slow-loading galleries – Keep it sleek and fast

5. Too much text or vague bios – Be clear, be confident, and connect with your audience

And don’t forget to add testimonials and reviews to help attract new clients ! These are powerful trust signals.

“We felt so comfortable with [Photographer Name], and the photos are beyond anything we imagined!”

Place short quotes like this throughout your site—on the homepage, under your gallery, or on a dedicated “Kind Words” page.

Branding and Website Design Tips for Photographers

Your website isn’t just a place to show your photos—it’s a reflection of your brand. Consistency in colors, fonts, tone, and layout makes you look more professional and trustworthy in your creative business .

Here are a few branding tips:

• Use consistent fonts and colors: Choose two fonts (heading + body) and a 2–3 color palette that aligns with your photography style. Creative photography websites should be unique, vibrant, and intuitive.

• Write a standout bio: Tell people who you are and why you do what you do. Keep it personal but clear and confident. It is beneficial for photographers to include personal touches, such as ‘About Me’ sections, on their websites.

• Use your logo: Photography websites should incorporate a personal touch, such as custom logos for branding. Even a simple text-based logo adds polish and brand recognition.

• Add intentional white space: Let your work breathe. Avoid cluttered pages that distract from your photography.

• How are you showcasing your work? Many photographers emphasize the importance of showcasing their portfolio in a clear and engaging way. Creating categorized galleries can enhance the presentation of a photography portfolio. The best photography websites enable viewers to easily navigate galleries. Large images on homepage increase engagement by changing automatically.

Pro tip: Think of your website like your digital gallery—curate it just like you would a physical exhibit. Responsive website designs ensure that photography portfolios look great on all devices.

Help Your Photography Business Get Found Online with Blogging & SEO

It’s one thing to have a beautiful photography website, but if no one finds it, what’s the point? SEO (search engine optimization) and blogging, along with ecommerce features, are your best friends when it comes to driving traffic to your site.

Practical Tip: Write blog posts around topics your target audience is searching for. Use keywords naturally, optimize images with alt text, and create custom URLs for every post. Even if you only post once a month, consistency is key.

Optimizing your website by adding relevant metadata helps search engines index and rank it more easily. Compressing images before uploading can increase page loading speed, contributing to better SEO performance. Higher image quality can improve website ranking since it enhances user experience and reduces bounce rate. Using Google Analytics helps track website traffic and user interaction, informing improvements for better SEO.

Pixpa includes built-in blogging tools with SEO features like fast load speeds, mobile optimization, and custom image resizing. It also lets you add alt text, create clean URLs, and set up email capture popups. While it may not offer the most advanced SEO tools on the market, it balances ease-of-use with functionality—a tradeoff many photographers are happy to make.

Pixpa offers built-in SEO tools to manage SEO metadata for your website. All Pixpa websites are responsive and mobile-friendly, ensuring a good user experience on all devices.

Marketing and Promoting Your Photography Business

Once your website is live, it’s time to get eyes on it. Your site is your online storefront—now you need to invite people in.

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Use keywords that your ideal clients are searching for—like “Colorado elopement photographer” or “family photos Evergreen CO.” Optimize image titles, meta descriptions, and page content.

• Blog Regularly: Share client stories, behind-the-scenes moments, or helpful tips. Blogging keeps your site fresh and boosts search rankings.

• Email Marketing: Build a list and stay in touch with past clients and leads. Share updates, promotions, or new blog posts.

• Social Media Integration: Use Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook to drive traffic to your website. Make sure your site links are easy to find on every platform.

• Google Business Profile: A must for local SEO—make sure your info is up-to-date so you show up in local searches and map results.

Building an Email List Through Your Website

Social media comes and goes, but your email list is yours forever. Your photography website is the perfect place to start building a list of fans, potential clients, or people interested in updates, seasonal sessions, or print sales, and to sell online effectively .

Ways to grow your email list:

• Add a pop-up or footer sign-up with a compelling message like “Get first dibs on mini sessions + photography tips.”

• Offer a lead magnet: a freebie like a location guide, style tips for portraits, or a desktop wallpaper.

• Include email opt-ins on blog posts or your About page.

Once you have a list, you can:

• Promote print sales or sessions

• Share blog updates

• Send behind-the-scenes stories

• Stay top-of-mind for future bookings

Platforms like Pixpa integrate easily with Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and other email providers.

Mobile Responsiveness and Why It Matters

In 2025, most people will first see your website on their phone—whether they’re a couple planning their wedding or a brand looking to hire you. If your website isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re likely losing potential clients due to the importance of mobile optimization .

A mobile-friendly photography website should:

• Load fast

• Have easy-to-read text and menus

• Display images properly without awkward cropping

• Make the contact button easy to find and tap

Bonus tip: Run your site through Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to see how it scores.

Pixpa and other leading website builders automatically provide responsive templates, so you don’t have to code anything yourself—just make sure you test your final site on a phone before publishing. All Pixpa websites are mobile-friendly and responsive.

Website Analytics and Performance Tracking

You can’t improve what you don’t measure.

Google Analytics & Search Console:

See how people are finding your site, which pages they visit, and where they drop off.

Heatmaps & Click Tracking:

Learn how people interact with your homepage or portfolio—what’s working, what’s not.

Track Inquiries & Conversions:

Use goal tracking to find out which blog posts or landing pages are actually bringing in clients.

Bonus tip: Always test your website on mobile and desktop regularly—performance can change with updates, plugins, or new image uploads.

Easily Make Photography Website Updates Without Breaking a Sweat

Your photography website isn’t a one-and-done project. You’ll need to make changes, add new work, update pricing, or write a blog post now and then. A good website builder makes that process simple.

Practical Tip: Block out time each month to review your website and update anything that feels stale. Regular updates help with SEO and show visitors that your business is active and thriving.

With Pixpa, the drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to change things on the fly. I was able to jump right in and build a simple, beautiful site without a learning curve. Compared to other platforms I’ve used (and rebuilt… and rebuilt again), Pixpa was refreshingly intuitive. Pixpa also provides 24/7 customer support through live chat and email.

Deliver Photos Through Client Galleries Directly on Your Photography Website

Gone are the days of mailing thumb drives. Today, clients expect sleek, professional online galleries where they can view, share, and download their images. Your website for photographers should include this functionality.

Practical Tip: Personalize your galleries with branding, include a favorites section, and consider a slideshow view to make the experience more emotional and engaging.

Pixpa’s client galleries allow you to share images, enable proofing, and even sell prints—all from one place. Clients can select favorites, download files, and place orders directly from the gallery, streamlining your workflow and adding value to the client experience. With integrated e-commerce features you can sell photography products, digital downloads, and services directly through your online store without third-party plugins.

Pixpa offers a branded checkout experience that simplifies the payment process for photographers. Pixpa provides tools for managing inventory, taxes, shipping, and orders through its online store.

Sell Prints & Products Online Through Your Photography Website

Want to increase revenue without increasing your workload? Make it easy for clients to order prints and products directly through your photography website.

Practical Tip: Set up email automations to remind clients about their galleries, sales, or special offers. Even a simple abandoned cart email can boost your print sales significantly.

Pixpa’s integrated store lets you sell prints, downloads, or even services. You can connect to your favorite lab, manage orders, and accept payments via Stripe or PayPal. Plus, Pixpa takes zero commissions on your sales. While it doesn’t have built-in automation tools, you can integrate Mailchimp or MailerLite and use Pixpa’s guides to help set them up. (Helpful links are included below!)

• Add Mailchimp Pop-Up

• Add MailerLite Pop-Up

• Abandoned Order Email Reminders

Comparison of Top Website Builders and Platforms for Photographers

Below, I’m going to compare various options that you have for a website builder. Some shine when it comes to your online portfolio, while others are best known for their online store. Determine whether you’re looking for creative control or a support team that will make your job easier and that will help you filter through all the website builders.

Professional photographers should be using a custom domain so that they appear to have a professional website for their online portfolio. E-commerce features are a bonus but are becoming more and more important. There are various ways to incorporate the e-commerce features whether they are integrated into your website builder or a separate tool.

Let me know if I missed any other options for the best website builder for professional photographers.

Platform

Strengths

Considerations

Pixpa

Built for photographers with client galleries, proofing, online store

Limited design flexibility compared to some others

Pic-Time

Stunning galleries, advanced print sales automation, client experience focused

Not a full website builder—meant to be used alongside a main site

WordPress

Extremely customizable, powerful SEO/blogging, endless plugins

Technical setup, security and maintenance are your responsibility

Squarespace

Gorgeous templates, user-friendly, great for portfolios/blogs

Less control over image compression, more generalist

Format

Designed for creatives, simple portfolio layouts, fast setup

Limited features for blogging or complex customization

Zenfolio

Proofing and selling tools, strong for client management

Dated templates, not as flexible design-wise

Wix

Total creative freedom with drag-and-drop

Can get bloated or slow, less elegant out-of-the-box

SmugMug

Unlimited photo storage, secure galleries, e-commerce

Less ideal for blogging or full business websites

Showit

Drag-and-drop builder with WordPress blogging built in

Learning curve for syncing blog with design; premium pricing

Adobe Portfolio

Free with Adobe Creative Cloud, clean galleries

Limited to very basic websites, no blogging, no contact forms

PhotoShelter

High-quality image hosting, licensing/sales tools, built for pros

More focused on commercial photographers; UI is less customizable

Key Takeaway

• If you want a complete website with blog, SEO, galleries, and store → go for Pixpa, Squarespace, or WordPress + a gallery and print sale platform

• If you need a gallery & print sales platform to pair with an existing site → Pic-Time, PhotoShelter, or SmugMug are great.

• If you’re a technical user who wants full control → WordPress is still king.

Tips for Website Success

Here’s how to make your site not just live—but work for you:

Keep it Simple:

Avoid clutter and distractions. Prioritize a clear message, great photos, and easy navigation.

Highlight What Sets You Apart:

Whether it’s your style, experience, or personality—make it obvious why someone should choose you.

Update Regularly:

Add new work, update your about page, tweak SEO, and check for broken links or outdated info.

Invest in Your Brand:

A clean logo, consistent colors, and strong messaging go a long way in building trust.

Get Feedback:

Ask friends or clients to test your site and give honest feedback on the experience.

Final Checklist for Launching or Updating Your Photography Website

• Before hitting “publish,” run through this quick list to make sure everything’s on point:

  Your best portfolio images are front and center
  Your About page shows your personality and professionalism
  Contact form works (test it!)
  Website looks great on mobile
  Links to your social platforms are active
  Testimonials are included
  Blog is active or at least current
  Load time is fast
  Your email opt-in is working
  SEO titles and descriptions are added to every page

  Make updates regularly—your website should grow with your work!

Final Thoughts: Is Pixpa Right for Your Photography Website?

Creating a successful website for photographers isn’t just about pretty templates or flashy features—it’s about functionality, ease-of-use, and converting visitors into clients. Pixpa hits that sweet spot by offering a top notch all-in-one platform that’s beginner-friendly but robust enough to grow with your business.

From showcasing your portfolio to selling prints and blogging for SEO, Pixpa covers the bases. It’s affordable, intuitive, and built with photographers in mind. Whether you’re a wedding photographer, portrait pro, or just getting started, your website can make a huge difference in how people see—and hire—you.

Let me know in the comments: What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to building your photography website? I’d love to help! If you’re interested in trying out Pixpa, use EPIC for a sweet 40% discount on annual plans or an even better 55% off 2-year plans!

Similar Content on the Blog

Looking for more photography tips? Check out these posts on Photography Basics: What is the Rule of Thirds and ND Filter Beginners Guide. Or these Tips for Travel Photographers: Photography Tips for Mountain Landscapes, Adventure Photographer Gear, Travel Photography Gear

Or Business Tips for wedding Photographers: Wedding Album Review, Wedding Settings Guide, Wedding Photography Tips for Beginners.

Interested in more content like this? What else do you want to hear about?

Camera tips, posing tips, or mindset ideas? Let us know.

About the Authors

We’re the Bergreens, a photography team based in Evergreen Colorado. On the blog, we share our favorite gear tips and photography advice.

Download our free guide on how to build a creative business and a life you love or our free money and gear guide for photographers. Don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help! If we link to a product we love, Amazon links and others are affiliate links, its a great way to support our ad free blog.

In the meantime, remember to…

The post How to Create a Stunning Photography Website That Works: Practical Tips and Pixpa Review appeared first on .

But when I’m freezing my toes off on the side of a mountain during a ski shoot or trying to photograph the most fast-paced chaotic “I’m a super laid-back bride and therefore didn’t plan” wedding, I sometimes can’t change lenses fast enough.

Enter the 24-70. This lens is a versatile powerhouse, in this post I’ll share why. I’ll also compare it to other lenses like the 50mm and 70-200mm, and give you some practical tips for getting the best shots with it.

If you’re lens shopping, here are the links to my top recommendations:

• For the best quality, get the 24-70 f/2.8 G-Master II. Buy on Amazon here.

• For a more budget-friendly option, check out the Sigma 24-70, version 1 or 2. Buy on Amazon here.

Why the 24-70mm Lens?

So, why the 24-70mm lens? Well, this lens is the epitome of versatility. It’s one of those lenses that you can take everywhere and know you’re covered, whether you’re capturing a very wide open landscape or a tight portrait.

What I love most about this lens is its ability to zoom across a wide range of focal lengths—from 24mm, which is wide enough to capture expansive scenes, to 70mm, which is perfect for tighter, more intimate shots. You don’t have to swap lenses, which makes this a great all-in-one lens for travel, events, and even weddings.

It’s a workhorse. The 24-70mm allows you to be ready for anything without constantly adjusting your gear, which is why it’s a go-to lens for many professional and amateur photographers.

My Current Favorite 24-70mm Lens

Check out this recent video on my current favorite 24-70mm lens, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II:

Comparing the 24-70mm Zoom Lens to other Lenses

Now let’s talk about how the 24-70mm compares to some of my other favorites, like the 50mm and the 70-200mm. I think the most real-world question is would I use the 24-70 or a handful of prime lenses instead? Do I want to swap lenses or spin the zoom ring?

50mm Prime Lens VS 24-70mm Zoom Lens

First, the 50mm lens. The 50mm has a great shallow depth of field and is perfect for isolating subjects. However, it’s fixed focal length is limiting if you want more flexibility in a dynamic situation or more variety in your images. The 24-70mm, on the other hand, lets you easily adjust your composition on the fly without having to change lenses. (Ding: pro tip) Beware of zooming to frame. Some people just spin the zoom ring rather than intentionally picking a focal length and intentionally deciding on framing. 

70-200mm Zoom Lens VS 24-70mm Zoom Lens

Then, there’s the 70-200mm lens, which is fantastic for portraits, especially at the longer end. But, as much as I love it, it’s a bit bulky and limiting if you’re in tight spaces. The 24-70mm gives you some of that flexibility with a more manageable size. Plus, it’s a zoom lens that covers both wide and telephoto focal lengths, so you get the best of both worlds.

35/85/50mm Prime Lens Combo VS 24-70mm Zoom Lens

A real world comparison is that I might pick the 24-70mm lens or I might take my 35, 50, and 85 prime lenses. The real deciding factor to me is if I want bokeh and if I’m shooting in low light. If the answer to both of those questions is no, then the 24-70 makes more sense for the ease of not having to change lenses. Otherwise I need a low aperture zoom like the Sony 28-70 f/2.0 which runs $3000 verses the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 which is closer to $900.

Tips for Shooting the 24-70mm Zoom Range

Okay, so now let’s talk about some tips for getting the most out of your 24-70mm lens. These tips will help you with your photography in general but is great for understanding the 24-70 zoom range. Whether you’re considering a new lens or want to shoot better with the one you have, let’s explore the power that that zoom ring gives you.

Just make sure you know the zoom ring from the focus ring. The zoom ring zooms while the focus ring is for using manual focus. It probably goes without saying that you’ll use the zoom ring more than the focus ring!

Tip #1: Use the Zoom Range to Tell a Story

One of the best things about a zoom lens is how you can use different focal lengths to convey different feelings and perspectives. At 24mm, you can show the vastness of a scene, while at 70mm, you can zoom in to highlight a subject or create compression for more dramatic portraits. You might use it at 24mm for an establishing shot or scene-setting shot. Then you’ll get a clean isolated subject shot at 70mm. Finally, you’ll capture some mid-range storytelling at 50mm. 

Tip #2: Be Mindful of Distortion at the Wide End

When you’re shooting at 24mm, you might encounter some distortion, especially when shooting up close. Be mindful of how your subject is framed—avoid getting too close to your subject, especially at the edges of the frame, to prevent them from looking stretched out. And keep your lens level and squared up to the scene for the best results.

Tip #3: Switch to a Wider Aperture for Portraits

The 24-70mm isn’t known for producing extreme bokeh like 50mm or 85mm, but you can still create beautiful background blur by opening up to the f/2.8 aperture (if you’re shooting with a version that has that aperture). The key here is to zoom in a bit and focus on your subject’s eyes. This works especially well when you want that professional, shallow depth of field look. Another tip to maximize bokeh is to get as close to your subject as possible with a background that’s far away from your subject. You’ll get more bokeh at 70mm than 24.

Tip #4: Stabilize for Sharper Shots

The 24-70mm is heavy enough to cause some slight handshake, especially at slower shutter speeds. So, if you’re shooting handheld, try to stabilize yourself by bracing against something or using a wider stance. If your camera or lens has built-in stabilization, make sure it’s enabled.

Tip #5: Use it Like a Prime

Whenever I’m talking about zoom lenses, I always remind you to use them like a prime. Intentionally select the focal length you want to shoot with. Then, move your body into position for effective framing. Standing stationary and just spinning the zoom ring to take pictures of different things won’t elevate your skills the way that making intentional compositions will. This is why we encourage beginners to try a prime lens, the constraints of learning various focal lengths is important to develop your photographic eye.

Tip #6: Don’t forget your composition techniques

Since I’m hounding you to use intentional composition, it’s probably important that you use your composition technique to maximize the effectiveness of your photos. What is the impact you want or expect your photo to have? How do you want it to feel to the viewer? Maybe you’re filling the frame even at a wide focal length or maybe you’re leaving white space even at 70mm.

Tip #7: Don’t forget to switch lenses when the time comes

Don’t get stuck shooting the 24-70 assuming that it’s your all-in-one lens solution. If you’ve only ever owned a mid-range zoom, it’s time to try a prime or a super wide angle or a telephoto lens. A cheap 50mm might be just what you need to mix it up and add some creativity to your shots.

Why I Resisted Shooting with the 24-70

Let’s talk about why I resist shooting with the 24-70. One reason is that when I first started shooting we were on Canon DSLRs and the Canon 24-70 was notoriously terrible. It wasn’t very sharp, it was expensive, it was heavy and slow in low light. Especially when the old Canon DSLRs didn’t have the low-light capabilities of recent cameras.

“Back in the day” which isn’t that long ago with how fast cameras evolve, shooting fast primes was all the rage. They were everything that the 24-70 wasn’t.

As our business grew, camera gear improved, and our needs expanded, we had to let go of old beliefs in order to determine what the best lenses for our needs were TODAY. Am I working hard to change my prime lenses all day when the 24-70 is just as good now? Or do I really appreciate how compact those lenses are?

24-70mm a Game Changer?

Personally, the 24-70 is a game changer for video. When we started shooting more photo/video hybrid work, the flexibility of a zoom lens became more important than how lightweight the lenses are.

If I’m just shooting photos I might shoot a two-camera set-up but that’s less likely with a video set-up where you have a microphone or gimbal or other video accessories. 

So, yes, I still shoot my 35, 50, 85 primes.

But I also shoot the 24-70.

We seem to use the fact that we’re a husband and wife team as an excuse to have more gear but the reality is we have different set-ups for different scenarios that we deal with.

24-70 lenses that I recommend

Looking for a new lens? I’m happy to share my favorite lens options from the 24 70mm f 2.8 to a more budget-friendly option. These are all recommendations for full-frame cameras. If you’re not shooting on a full frame body you’ll want to make sure you get the right lens for your camera.

From Sony, I recommend a couple of purchase options that I’ll share below.

For the best quality, get the 24-70 f/2.8 G-Master II. Buy on Amazon here.

For a more budget-friendly option, check out the Sigma 24-70, version 1 or 2. Buy on Amazon here.

If budget isn’t a concern you can get the low aperture version.

Avoid the 24-70 f/4 from several years back. There are also some 28-70 options that sound good but going from 24 to 28mm is a bit limiting.

For Canon, of course you are a bit more limited if you are using the latest mirrorless RF mount. There is currently only one option, the 24-70 f/2.8.

If you’re on another brand or want a specific lens recommendation, leave a comment below and Marc will get back to you.

Summary of Shooting with the 24-70mm

To sum it up, the 24-70mm is an incredibly versatile lens for any photographer. It’s great for capturing everything from sweeping landscapes to tight, intimate portraits. And while it’s not the absolute best for extreme background blur or ultra-wide shots, it does a little bit of everything, and it does it very well making it a great first lens for beginners or workhorse for professionals.

It’s the kind of lens I’d recommend for anyone looking for an all-around performer. If you’re a wedding photographer, traveler, or event shooter, this lens is one to consider. It’s fast, reliable, and works in almost any scenario. If you prefer lightweight, compact, prime lenses you might end up with the 35/85 combo instead.

If you’re thinking about adding the 24-70mm to your gear collection or just curious about how to make the most of your lens, let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Similar Content on the Blog

Looking for more tools to understand your camera? We have a lot of great content on lenses such as how to shoot with the 85mm focal length or this 35mm to 50mm comparison. Find everything you need to know about drone photography, a comparison of mirrorless and DSLRs, our best gear for night photography, or our favorite peak design backpacks.

More Photography Basics

• What is the Rule of Thirds

• ND Filter Beginners Guide

Tips for Travel Photographers

• Photography Tips for Mountain Landscapes

• Adventure Photographer Gear

• Travel Photography Gear

Tips for wedding Photographers:

• Wedding Album Review

• Wedding Settings Guide

• Wedding Photography Tips for Beginners

• Minimalist Wedding Photography Gear

• Tips for Outdoor Wedding Photographers

Interested in more content like this? What else do you want to hear about?

Camera tips, posing tips, or mindset ideas? Let us know.

About the Authors

We’re the Bergreens, a photography team based in Evergreen Colorado. On the blog, we share our favorite gear tips and photography advice.

Download our free guide on how to build a creative business and a life you love or our free money and gear guide for photographers. Don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help! If we link to a product we love, Amazon links are affiliate links.

In the meantime, remember to…

The post How to shoot with a 24-70mm Lens | The ONLY Lens You Need for EVERY Shot?! appeared first on .

I’ve been using 85mm lenses as a professional photographer for over a decade and they continue to be an important part of my kit. This articles outlines everything you need to know about 85mm lenses.

If you want an advanced optical formula for the best portraits, get an 85mm lens. The build quality on an 85mm f/1.4 lens is hard to beat and the superb combination of background separation and bokeh that it can create will make your images stand out.

While they often don’t come with many advanced features like image stabilization (shake correction), they often have durable design that will last many years of heavy use.

An 85mm lens will excel in low light situations, for shooting events, or for capturing stunning portraits with buttery bokeh. Shoot wide open and you can almost hide anything in a backdrop.

An 85mm lens works great whether you are shooting handheld landscapes or tripod portraits. I’ve taken mine to a variety of harsh environments and it continues to deliver in virtually any application!

Sony A7RV + Samyang 85mm f/1.4

What is an 85mm lens?

Simply put: a lens with an 85mm focal length. Unlike zoom lenses that cover a large focal range, prime lenses like an 85mm are fixed and do not zoom. An 85mm lens will often be much sharper and better in very low light conditions than it’s equivalent zoom lens.

If you prioritize image quality over flexibility get a prime lens. Check my suggestions below for the best models by camera system.

Other lenses that are often available as primes are 35mm and 50mm. Most prime lenses are incredibly sharp which is why most people choose them. Having all three is a versatile combination.

What is the 85mm lens good for?

Sony A7IV + Sony 85mm f/1.8

So you’re thinking of getting an 85mm lens? This is a classic portrait lens and is the perfect focal length for making your subjects look natural and beautiful.

If you’re not already familiar, different lenses render subjects in a variety of ways. Wide angle lenses are great for capturing large scenes but the 85mm focal length is excellent at rendering subjects naturally without distortion.

While an 85mm lens can be used for a variety of subjects from landscapes to action shots, it thrives at making beautiful bokeh (shallow depth of field). Bokeh is often associated with a portrait lens by photographers because it draws the focus to the subject.

If you’re a wedding or portrait photographer, an 85mm lens is essential. Often people get sticker shock when checking the price of fast name brand options but there is an 85mm lens for almost every budget. My suggestions are:

Best 85mm Lenses for Sony Mirrorless (my preferred camera system):

Sony Budget 85mm Lens

Mid Grade Fast Aperture 85mm Lens

Sony High Quality 85mm Lens

Best 85mm Lenses for Canon RF Mirrorless:

Canon Budget 85mm Lens

Canon High Quality 85mm Lens

Best 85mm Lenses for Nikon Z Mirroless:

Nikon Budget 85mm Lens

Nikon High Quality 85mm Lens

Why 85mm is Perfect for Portraits?

Sony A7IV + Sony 85mm f/1.8

Have you ever taken a closeup or portrait photography with a super wide angle lens? Me neither. Use an 85mm lens and your clients will be singing your praises.

An 85mm lens is perfect for professional photographer for portraits because it renders people in their most natural and flattering proportions. Because of the telephoto nature of the 85mm focal length, it creates low distortion images that will make your clients appreciate the look of the images.

Additionally, an 85mm lens is a prime lens. This means it has a fixed focal length and doesn’t zoom. Because of the optical design, it allows for a wider maximum of aperture range (usually f/1.2 to f/1.8) that will allow you to blur the backdrop.

Shooting portraits at f/1.4 on a nice portrait lens creates beautiful out of focus backgrounds or bokeh. This naturally draws the eye to the person and de-emphasizes anything distracting in the background.

Other lenses you could consider for portraits are the 35mm and 50mm but none are as flattering on the face.

What is the best 85mm lens for Sony?

Sony A7III + Sony 85mm f/1.8

Because I use the Sony camera system, I have some advice for the best 85mm lens for e-mount cameras. Lets talk through a few options:

Sony 85mm f/1.8

This is an awesome, affordable, and good quality lens. I’ve personally used it for years. In the following review video I cover this great lens in more detail.

To quickly summarize, this lens produces good quality and incredibly sharp images for a good price (check the price here). It has some color fringing and isn’t as sharp in the corners wide open. The autofocus is quite good. For the price, I highly recommend this lens.

Samyang 85 f/1.4 ii for Sony E-Mount

Check out the review video or read on below to learn why I think the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 is an awesome alternative to the Sony 85mm f/1.8.

To quickly summarize, this is a fantastic lens for the price. The Rokinon version which is identical to the Samyang just branded differently, is also currently available for the same price as the Sony 85mm f/1.8. If you want an 85mm that offers an f/1.4 aperture instead of f/1.8, this is a good option. It is still quite affordable, offers good image quality, and has solid overall performance.

Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM

This is the top of the line Sony 85mm lens and the price reflects that. For around $1800, you can expect the highest image quality and best autofocus. If you are a professional portrait or headshot photographer who doesn’t want to compromise, this is the 85 mm lens for you.

For the Sony E-mount system, the 85mm f/1.4 GM lens is going to give you the best image quality possible. Especially if you are shooting with a high resolution camera like the Sony A7RVSony A1, you should consider getting the best quality lenses you can.

50mm vs 85mm

It can be difficult to decide between 85mm and 50mm when you’re choosing a lens. Both focal lengths can capture beautiful portraits.

My opinion is that the 85mm focal length thrives at capturing closeup portraits that are more headshot style where as the 50mm is better suited to capturing 3/4 length or full length portraits.

I much prefer the rendering of a closeup portrait (think headshots) at 85mm to 50mm. An 85mm can also beautifully render a full length portrait but you will have to back up quite a lot.

If you want a little more bokeh, go with the 85mm, if you want a more flexible lens that can be used in smaller spaces, get the 50mm lens. Because they are so popular and common, 50mm lenses are often cheaper.

Should I get an 85mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 lens?

Sony A7IV + Sony 85mm f/1.8

The simple answer is get whatever lens you can afford.

The f/1.4 lens will give you slightly better bokeh and low light performance but the difference is relatively small. Because the lens body the f/1.4 is often the flagship lens from the manufacturere in that focal length, it will likely be higher quality.

If you want to save some money, go with the f/1.8 version. It may sacrifice image quality but we are talking about a minimal difference that most clients won’t be able to notice.

Should I get an 85mm lens for my APS-C camera?

You might be wondering if an 85mm lens will work on an APS-C camera (smaller sensor than a full frame camera) like the Sony a6000 series of cameras (think Sony a6400, a6700, etc). If you have a DSLR cameras like the Canon 80d, the same principles apply.

Put simply, it will look great. The APS-C sensor size crops in to make the 85 an equivalent of a 127mm lens. It will have the same amount of bokeh and beautiful rendition of portraits but you will have to back up further.

If you are working in an environment with less space, you may consider a 50mm lens instead but you will sacrifice background seperation and bokeh.

85mm Lens Sample Images

Here are some sample images taken with various other mirrorless cameras and dslr cameras with 85mm lenses:

Conclusion

Thanks so much for stopping by our blog. If you have any questions about what 85mm lens to get or anything else, please leave a comment below!

About the Authors

We’re the Bergreens, a photography team based in Evergreen, Colorado. On the blog, we share my favorite gear tips. You can find everything you need to know about drone photography including drone accessories as well as more gear guides such as this ND filter guide.

Be sure to check out how to shoot with the 70-200mm lens or this 35mm to 50mm comparison. Download our free guide on how to build a creative business and a life you love. If we link to a product we love, Amazon links are affiliate links.

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First, I’ll share why we chose Vision Art as our album company (shop the Vision Art website) and continue to use them over a decade later. Then, I’ll discuss the reasons your clients need a fine art album. It will benefit them and it will benefit your business too.

Finally, we’ll dive into the different ways that you can include wedding photo albums in your photography packages. By the end of this article, I hope I have you rethinking how the best wedding photo albums can add value to your clients so that your business and their marriage can thrive.

A Review of Vision Art Fine Art Album Company

We build our wedding photography packages to include a fine art wedding album for a handful of reasons that benefit both our business and our clients. They increase value for our clients and profits for our business once again bolstering our motto that serving your clients well will serve you well. 

In this article, I’m going to introduce you to Vision Art, our choice for wedding album companies that we’ve been using for over a decade. I’m going to talk about the various reasons why we love these albums and our clients do too.

Vision Art sponsored three videos that you’ll see throughout this post. Let me start by saying that while they offered to sponsor the content that I’ll be presenting to you over this fine art album series, they didn’t require that I give them any input on what I say or how I say it. We’ve been loyal customers of Vision Art using them as albums for pictures of our clients as well as for our own family photos.

Vision Art is Known For Thoughtful Customer Service and Support

To kick off this wedding album review, let me share that we first found Vision Art at a trade show where we looked at and compared numerous album companies. Vision Art immediately appealed to us because of the album styles that we’ll talk about in a minute. However, one of the big reasons that we haven’t hesitated to stick with Vision Art for over a decade is that they provide incredible customer support.

The album design and ordering process is smooth and worry-free because we know that if we do make a mistake, their team is knowledgeable and responsive. If they notice anything awry with an album design or even our images, they’ll confirm and even provide easy solutions before printing. Their consistent attention to detail and commitment to excellence is like having another team member ensuring we deliver high-quality products to our clients.Now on to what initially attracted us to Vision Art Albums. These albums are both high-quality and durable as they’re crafted with top-of-the-line materials that last. From the thick, lay-flat pages to the durable binding, each album is designed to be a long-lasting heirloom.

We Love These Beautiful Albums

In fact, we’ve given some albums to venues to use to showcase their space. These albums endure heavy abuse, unlike the care a couple might give their own possessions. We show them at bridal shows where hundreds of hands flip through the album in one day and they’ve held up really well over.

Their lay-flat design, which means there’s a seam instead of a fold, lets you design spreads straight across without any disruption in the middle. This is great whether they’re storytelling collages or full-image panoramas. This feature brings photos to life, especially those wide shots that capture the essence of the day.

We always include a few full-image spreads in our album designs and they add an impact to the viewing experience that our clients love. Their soft-touch matte finish feels premium, enhancing the tactile experience of the album. This unique finish adds a touch of luxury that’s hard to find elsewhere.

High-Quality and Eco-Friendly Materials

Additionally, Vision Art’s fine art printing process uses archival inks and high-quality paper that capture every detail and depth in the images, preserving color, texture, and tone with impressive accuracy and consistency. In fact, we used to ship albums to our studio so that we could review them.

But now we trust Vision Art so much that we drop ship directly to our clients saving us time and getting them their albums faster. We also love that Vision Art is committed to sustainability, using eco-friendly materials and practices in their production which is great for those who value environmentally responsible craftsmanship.

An Album that fits our style

As you’ll see from their website, Vision Art offers a variety of customization options. You can offer your clients a wide range of choices—from cover materials and colors to unique embossing options which can help you design albums that reflect each couple’s style or fit various budgets. Personally, what attracted us to Vision art is the PhotoWrap cover which we now use for all of our wedding albums.

If a client came to us with a specific vision for an album, we would for sure customize it for them but since most of our clients don’t know what they want, our albums are designed in a timeless way that we think really highlights the wedding images.

The photo wrap cover allows the book to be art itself and showcase one of the landscape portraits that we’re known for. This allows people to see the book on a coffee table or bookshelf and be inspired to open it after previewing hard cover and the quality of photography to be found within the pages of the book.

7 reasons why your clients need a fine art wedding album

Now let’s talk about how offering quality photography albums can help elevate your business. Whenever we offer any product or service, we first need to understand why our clients need it so that we can be clear on how it adds value to our clients. This will in turn help us better promote our offerings.

I’m going to talk through 8 reasons why your clients need a fine art wedding album. These reasons will help you understand the value of offering tangible products and give you language for selling them to your couples as well.

Offering more value in your packages allows you to increase your pricing

We all know that clients are viewing photography portfolios and comparing style, personality, and price. In my photography pricing for profit series on YouTube I emphasize the importance of competing on value rather than competing on price. You need to build profitable packages so that your business can grow and sustain you.

One of the best ways to beat the competition is to offer more value in your packages. If you know that you need to make an average of $5000/wedding for 20 weddings per year, then you have to find ways to increase your package averages. You can charge more if you’re more experienced, have a unique style, or offer a lot of value in your packages.

If with another photographer they only get 8 hours but with you, they get 10, they’ll feel like that has more value. And if one photographer only delivers the digital files but you deliver a beautiful fine art album, that has value. We’ll talk more about how to include albums in your photography packages in the next video of this series so make sure you’re subscribed. But for now, let’s talk about the value of albums.

It’s a Tangible investment in their memories

Everyone talks about how photography is the one thing you have after the wedding day is over. But it’s not… if the photos are buried on a hard drive somewhere. If you’re going to spend thousands of dollars on photography, you should have something tangible at the end of the day.

You should have art hanging on your walls or a fine art album on your coffee table, ideally both.

Albums are a great way to Experience the Story

While I love both wall art and fine art albums, albums are a great way to relive a larger story. While one image tells a story, a series of images is a photo essay, telling a series of stories from a handful of tiny moments. You can remember that you laughed, you cried, you danced.

You can even relive things that you didn’t witness the first time because you were in a different room.

Albums are Easy access

Instead of searching your hard drive or pulling up a slideshow, you can simply grab your wedding album off the shelf any time you want to. We use these same albums for family photos and they sit on a table in our living room. Every once in a while I’ll come out to find my kids sitting on the couch flipping through the album talking about that vacation we went on or how cute they were as babies.

After I ask them if they’ve washed their hands because these are important albums to Mommy, I usually sit down and join them in telling stories of our family adventures of that special day.

Albums are Perfect for Sharing Your Photos

As photographers, we love sharing photos from our trips or other adventures. Similarly, newlyweds love sharing photos from their weddings. But having house guests over to sit down and flip through an online gallery of 700 photos isn’t as impactful as having an album they can flip through at their own pace.

Maybe it’s because I’m a photographer but whenever I’m in a friend’s house and I spy a wedding album, I always pick it up so that I can witness their love story. Whether I was there or not, whether I was the photographer or not! You can look at an album sitting around the table continuing a conversation.

Conversely staring at a computer screen is a different experience.

A Fine Art Album is High-quality for timeless preservation

If we’re talking about wedding albums being heirlooms and handled by kids with potentially sticky fingers, we need high-quality durable albums. We don’t want the colors to fade. To be honest I have thought about having little gloves next to the albums but then I’m one step closer to plastic on my furniture like my great aunt had.

And I want my kids flipping through these books. Even our sample albums or the albums we’ve ordered for venues to have on display have held up great over time. Venue and sample albums often get handled frequently and carelessly.

We take these to bridal shows where couples walk around with food and beverage samples. And they’re still in great shape. It’s kind of the same philosophy we have with gear if you’ve read or listened to many of Marc’s gear reviews, you want durable gear that doesn’t slow you down rather than fragile gear that you’re afraid to use.

The Album is a work of art itself

We all have books on our bookshelves that we like because of the contents. And then we have books that we use as part of our interior design strategy. The beautiful books that sit on our bookshelves and coffee tables.

Fine Art albums can be both! I love it when people decorate with things that are both beautiful and meaningful. When they have photos on the walls or books on their tables that show a piece of their story and tell of their values.

Fine art albums are good for business

One of the main marketing strategies that I always talk about is that serving your clients well will serve you well. When our clients look at their albums every year on their anniversary, they’ll remember us and mention us to a friend who is getting married. Or they’ll call us when they have a baby and need family photos.

Referrals are ideal because our best clients come from our best clients. We’ve had couples who saw one of our wedding albums at a friend’s house and then called us to photograph their wedding. If you’re convinced that your clients need a fine art album, stay tuned because up next in this series we’ll talk about how to include albums in your packages.

Including Vision Art Albums in Photography Packages 

Now we’ll talk through package structure as well as how to sell these upgrades to your clients. I’m going to help you navigate how to start adding albums to your package structure. Let’s dive in.

How to include albums in your wedding packages:

There are a handful of ways to include wedding albums in your packages.

• You can use them to create package tiers

• You can inclue an album credit that keeps things flexible for customization

• It can be part of your Post-wedding emotionally charged sales strategy

• Or you can use them as a way to increase package value thus increasing your package minimum and overall profits

Package Tiers with Album Options

You can Create Package Tiers with Album Options by offering packages that include different types of albums or upgrade options. For instance, have a base package with a small album, a mid-tier package with a larger album, and a premium package with a fully customized fine art album. This is a great way to differentiate between your wedding packages and have added value in bigger packages.

Include an Album Credit in Your Packages

Instead of a set album, you can offer a credit toward an album. This gives couples the flexibility to choose an album size and style they like, which increases the likelihood they’ll want to customize and add on. This is great if you really want to focus on customization helping your clients design a truly unique product.

It could also be used effectively in conjunction with a post-wedding sales strategy.

Offering albums as a Post-Wedding Add-On

Offering albums as a post-weddint add-on is great if you’re just starting out and aiming for lower cost wedding packages but want to increase sales after the fact. It’s also a good strategy if you’re a great salesperson. Some couples might be more interested in an album after seeing their photos.

Offer the album as a post-wedding add-on with a discount if they decide within a certain period, which can increase your chances of sales. I will say that we did this in the beginning of our business but found that we preferred selling the albums up front rather than after the wedding day. That’s my personal preference though, I would say this is a great model for someone who is a salesperson who is great at using the emotion of the wedding photos to sell products.

I have colleagues who are masters of getting clients to spend more money after the fact when they’re in love with their photos.

Include wedding albums as a way to increase package value

The longer you’re in business as a wedding photographer the more important it becomes to build a sustainable business. This means making sure that you’re maximizing value for your clients so that each client will be of higher value to you. While some photographers have a bulk client model where they try to book as many clients as possible, I’m a proponent of booking quality clients over quantity.

And in order to do so, I need to deliver quality to my clients. If I want to charge more for my wedding packages I need them to include things that my clients will value for years to come. Wedding albums are a tangible product from the wedding day and something we include for all the reasons I talked about in my last video of this series.

I like to do this sales up front and get my clients booking bigger packages from the beginning rather than waiting until after the wedding. This allows me to better predict my yearly income and know how many weddings I need to shoot. If that’s something you’re interested in, I’ll be talking about that in my money for Photographers series so be sure you’re subscribed to the blog and YouTube channel.

How to Sell Fine Art Albums

In this final section, lets bring everything together to help you sell a premium photo album to your clients. How can we talk about our custom wedding albumin a way that our clients want their own album?

How tangible prints and products add value

Everyone says that wedding photography is important because it’s the one thing that you have left at the end of the wedding day. Clients spend tens of thousands of dollars on a wedding but the food and beverages are consumed and flowers and decorations are often thrown away. If my clients are going to be spending thousands on photography, I want them to actually have something to show for it at the end of the wedding day.

In your marketing, client meetings, and sales calls, you can emphasize the value of physical prints and products in preserving memories. You can talk about how an album is a lasting investment, one that doesn’t depend on technology and offers a deeply personal way to relive the wedding day. There’s a difference between scrolling through your wedding files on the computer in the office and cozying up on the couch to peruse the wedding album.

Let’s talk about some of the ways we do this:

Show Sample Vision Art Albums During Consultations

We let our clients physically see and feel a sample album. Showcasing sample albums in consultations or meetings is a powerful way to demonstrate quality, design, and style, making it easier for clients to envision their own. They also start to understand the value of the album and if our packages are higher than another photographer who doesn’t include an album, they know that they’ll be walking about with something tangible.

Partner with a High-Quality Album Company like Vision Art Albums

Working with a reputable album company (like Vision Art! The sponsor of this post) ensures that your albums match the quality and style of your photography. Consistency in quality reflects well on your brand and reinforces the value of the album option. Many couples think that they can do an album themselves, which they can, so it’s important to use a professional lab where there’s a noticeable quality difference from what your client can order themselves online.

Emphasize the Storytelling Value of an Album

When discussing albums, frame them as a curated story rather than just a collection of photos. Explain that an album tells their wedding day’s story in a beautiful, intentional way that digital galleries just can’t achieve. Now, I’m a proponent of slideshows too, don’t get me wrong. I’m also a fan of beautiful wall art. But a wedding day is a series of memorable moments that can be crafted into an elegant story in the pages of an album.

Include Testimonials from Past Clients

If you have happy clients who’ve raved about their albums, and you can showcase these testimonials to tell stories about these clients. Hearing from other couples about how much they love their albums can help nudge prospective clients to invest in one for themselves. We always talk about how back before we started including albums in our packages, couples who thought they were going to design one themselves rather than order from us would come to us later for help.

We always think we’re going to have time but this is my job, I design a couple dozen albums every year. My clients can be involved and have input, but this is part of the service we’re providing.

Conclusion: How will you utilize Vision Art Albums in Your Business

So what do you think? What’s the best way for your business to start offering Vision Art, the best wedding photo albums? Are you going to increase your packages and include them or master the art of sales once your couples are attached to their photos?

Maybe you’ll convince your clients that the custom wedding albums you offer make the perfect wedding gift for their parents. We utilize the various sizes to offer parent albums or hit different wedding budgets. You could even offer three sizes for three packages.

Or perhaps you can simply ask them how they want to view their favorite wedding memories every anniversary. Do they want to sit at their desk or hold their premium photo album withe a leather or photowrap cover and seamless spreads? Ready to shop? Check out Vision Art albums!

More Wedding Photography Tips

Here on the Bergreen blog, we teach the basics of photography for both Brides and photographers. We offer tips for planning for weddings from location advice and beyond.

Photographers can learn things about the exposure triangle and camera settings. We also review some of our favorite photography gear. Let us know what you’re interested in and we’ll do our best to help take your photography to the next level.

Next, check out our candid wedding moments shooting guide or our 9 Best Tips for Outdoor Wedding Photographers. Links to products are affiliate links.

About the author

I am Brenda Bergreen, one half of an Evergreen husband and wife photography team specializing in Colorado wedding photography and videography, and adventure photography. If you need wedding photography tips or advice on the best gear for your goals, reach out. I share advice based on 13+ years as a wedding photographer.

Download our free guide on how to build a creative business and a life you love. Don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help!

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This day had everything you dream of for your mountain wedding. B&H said their vows in front of their guests and the best mountain views and the sunset did not disappoint. There’s nothing like the beauty of the eagle river valley except maybe the beauty of this bride!

Spruce Saddle Beaver Creek Wedding Videography

Enjoy the highlight reel from this Beaver Creek wedding. I loved telling the story of this couple that was bound to meet one way or another. They found their perfect match and celebrated in a perfect place.

You’ll notice another fun event in the video too. We love it when we get to capture rehearsal dinners because it shows a little deeper into the love story of the couple. In this case, the wonderfully planned welcome party helped to showcase the couple’s personalities, hobbies, and passions.

This Beaver Creek wedding was a celebration through and through. Only the coolest Bride dreams of doing a DJ set at her own wedding and only the raddest couples actually make that happen. Here’s to living your dreams, finding your perfect match, and learning that as it pertains to love when you know… you know.

Beaver Creek Wedding Deck and Spruce Saddle Wedding Photography

As you scroll through these wedding photos, I hope you can see the joy of the couple as clearly as we did. It was a honor to be present for such a monumental day in H&B’s relationship. From the ceremony to meeting their family to watching them entertain the guests, we were in awe of their presence.

We love a stunning mountain wedding. But it’s only complete with a couple that is bright-eyed as they look to their future together. The mountain backdrop is really there for you to stand in front of your parents, best friends, and wedding guests to commit to each other.

Sure, the views from the Beaver Creek Wedding deck never disappoint and Spruce Saddle Lodge is a great venue to transition indoors as the mountain air cools, the sun sets, and the party begins. The perfect big day is about all the plans coming together, but more importantly, it’s about a couple coming together.

Hally and Billy, we’re so happy for you and your next chapters!

How about that grand entrance? And who could pick a better ceremony spot? The family and guests were in for a treat with this Vail venue. We hope you loved the photos!

Beaver Creek Wedding Vendors

Thanks to all of the wedding vendors that make this Spruce Saddle Lodge Beaver Creek wedding deck wedding so incredible. Every wedding season, we are grateful for the amazing event vendors that we get to work alongside to make our couples’ wedding day a success.

• Welcome Party: Beaver Creek Golf Club

• Wedding Planner: Snapdragon Celebrations

• Accommodations: Park Hyatt and The Charter

• Ceremony Site: Beaver Creek Wedding Deck

• Reception Venue: Spruce Saddle Lodge

• Flowers: Double Dutch

• Ceremony Entertainment: Oncue

• Colorado DJ: Garman Music

• Decor/Lighting: Little Branch Lighting

• Photography and Videography: Bergreen Photography

• Photo Booth: Vail Photo Booth

• Hair: Sweet Cheeks Vail

• Cake: Cornerstone Chocolates

• Rentals: Event Rents

• Oxygen Bar: Vail IV

Round of applause to these Beaver Creek wedding vendors!

More Wedding Photography in Beaver Creek and Beyond

Whether you’re planning a destination wedding in Colorado like this Beaver Creek wedding or you call these mountains of the eagle river valley home, we’d love to help you plan your dream wedding. Below you can find links to photos from the Beaver Creek wedding deck and more.

• Summer Beaver Creek Wedding Photography and Videography

• Beaver Creek Wedding Deck Ceremony

• Evergreen Wedding at a Private Estate

• Estes Park Wedding Day

• Can You Get Married on a Mountain?

Reach out if there’s a specific Vail or Beaver Creek wedding venue or destination wedding location you want to see and we can send you more samples. You can also cruise around the blog and see the variety of stunning locations where we work, from California to Utah and Colorado.

Colorado Wedding Photographers and Videographers

We are Marc and Brenda Bergreen, a married husband and wife team of adventurous Colorado wedding photographers and elopement photographers. Above all our philosophy, love. adventurously. is the guidepost for everything we do.

Based in Evergreen, CO we travel to locations throughout Colorado and beyond to tell love stories and take photos that capture adventurous love. Be sure to reach out and tell us your story.

In the meantime, remember to…

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These two are kind and unassuming, approachable and magnetic, thoughtful and loving. And these aren’t just words I say. These are feelings I experienced in the process of getting to know them and witnessing them with their friends and families.

I always advise couples during the wedding planning stage to focus on their values and priorities. In the wedding planning industry, the craziness can take over and the next thing you know you’re adding line items to the budget for things you never wanted in life in the first place. This couple didn’t have to be reminded. They knew what was important to them.

Alta Lakes Wedding Videography

First up, the wedding videography! Let me tell you, a cabin on an alpine lake in a special place like this makes for quite the wedding video. The San Juan mountains put to shame what normal people think of mountains.

But that’s Colorado for ya, and that’s why it’s such an epic place to elope or get married. From getting ready in the cabin during a little rain to a first-look adventure to the stunning ceremony, this Colorado wedding is one to remember.

The guitar music was played live by their friend, one of the guests. Here I am spouting useless words about how beautiful this Telluride Colorado is when you really just want to move forward and see the video. Without further delay, hit play!

Alta Lakes Observatory Wedding Photography

Nick and Sophie wanted to have a fun wedding. They wanted to be somewhere beautiful with each other and enjoy nature on their wedding day. So, they made a plan that would make that possible and then executed their dream wedding.

Their dream wedding wasn’t a Pinterest board, no offense to Pinterest lovers out there. Their dream wedding was a feeling and their dream wedding was about having an incredible marriage experience. What fortune that they found us!

Our goal as wedding photographers is to help our couples have the best experience possible and then to capture moments of it and tell that story. If our couples are having an incredible day, that will show in the photos. If they are in love and full of joy, that will show in the photos.

Plus the Alta Lakes Observatory ceremony site was the perfect setting for this love story.

Alta Lakes Wedding Vendors in Telluride Colorado

Thanks for stopping by to check out this Alta Lakes Observatory wedding. What an epic venue for adventurous couples. In addition to the beautiful lodge, there was an amazing vendor and catering team on site. I know I’m missing the makeup artist and perhaps some others on here too (feel free to reach out and I’ll add!)

• Beyond the Board Caterinng

• Alpine Events

• Counter Culture Chef Steve

• Alta Lakes Observatory

It takes an adventurous crew to get up to the Alta Lakes Observatory. But an adventurous couple knows what they like and vendors like us love the adventure. They also had a ton of help from friends, family, and guests to make this wedding perfect.

More Destination Wedding Photography in Telluride and Beyond

Check out our destination wedding photography guide if you’re looking for tips to plan an epic wedding day experience. Below are some of our favorite destination weddings in Colorado over the years. People choose to have destination weddings for a variety of reasons from guest count to sharing a favorite spot with family.

Regardless, many of our couples love to be surrounded by their family as well as the beauty of nature. If you’re planning a Telluride or other destination wedding ceremony, be sure to reach out!

• Telluride Wedding at Alta Lakes

• Crested Butte Wedding Photography

• Winter Park Wedding

• Fall Telluride Wedding

Reach out if there’s a specific venue or location you want to see and we can send you more samples. You can also cruise around the blog and see the variety of stunning locations we work from California to Utah and Colorado. Telluride is definitely top on the list of places to go.

Colorado Wedding Photographers and Videographers

We are Marc and Brenda Bergreen, a married husband and wife team of adventurous Colorado wedding photographers and elopement photographers. Above all our philosophy, love. adventurously. is the guidepost for everything we do.

Based in Evergreen, CO we travel to locations throughout Colorado and beyond to tell love stories and capture adventurous love. Be sure to reach out and tell us your story.

In the meantime, remember to…

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Natalie and Jon had their first date at her parents’ house near Evergreen Colorado so it was only fitting that the estate play the part of venue on their special day, their wedding day. If you read any of my musings you know that I see the wedding venue as the setting of the love story. Like any good setting of any great story, it can set the mood or determine the fate or simply have layers of meaning for the main characters.

Capturing the moment of Natalie getting ready and then saying “I do” in this place was perfection. As she told me stories of the connections in her life and the ups and downs of the roads she’s traveled, I did my best to tell the story in my own way. This Evergreen wedding photography isn’t about what she wore or what the latest trends are, though Natalie did look incredible in her wedding dress.

Evergreen Wedding Photography

Instead, these amazing wedding photos tell a story of adventurous love. While we did walk in a meadow and get bugs in Natalie’s dress, that’s not the type of adventure I’m talking about. If you don’t know by now, let me just say that adventure isn’t just about the physical mountains that are the setting of many wedding days.

The physical mountains are only as impactful as the mountains we climb in our daily lives. The risks we take, the obstacles we overcome, and the decisions we make to be vulnerable all have an impact on where we are and where we are going. When we climb mountains we’re choosing to do hard things without guarantee of success or even views.

Instead, we use past experiences to tell ourselves it will be fun and worth it or we simply can’t not climb. Or without the double negative, we do it because we have to. Because not loving, not risking, not adventuring is simply not an option.

On to the Wedding Photos

We hope you enjoy these wedding photos. From the candid moments to the portraits, we love how their Evergreen wedding and engagement photos turned out. As wedding photographers, we tend to be critical of our work because they may seem like wedding photos but they’re memories.

As the day unfolds the timeline might be predictable. We start with getting ready, move on to a first look, have a ceremony, and end with a reception. The key is to look for what makes each couple unique and what makes each precious moment special.

Congrats to the bride and Groom

Thanks for stopping by to check out these wedding photos captured from Evergreen Colorado. What an epic wedding day and what a memorable couple (that looked absolutely beautiful)! Capturing this wedding was one of those long exhausting days as a wedding photographer that was totally and completely worth it.

Natalie and Jon and their family and friends reminded me of what I love about being a professional photographer. Whether it’s a wedding day or something else, I love capturing real life images. From the precious moments to the trials and tribulations, a photo can tell a story.

What a gift that I get to tell this story of joy, beauty, and love. Having a wedding photography business means we get to work with happy people on one of the happiest days of their lives: the wedding day.

More About Evergreen Weddings

Below are some links to more Evergreen weddings to check out. We love shooting Evergreen weddings in this beautiful town we call home. In fact, we’ve put together this planning guide for Evergreen weddings and this venue highlight for the Lake House in particular.

A wedding can never be stress-free, stress is sometimes part of some of the most special moments. We can’t provide stress-free, however, we can be a calming presence and help you stay on track to have your big day be what you want it to be. We start with engagement photos (check out our engagement photos survival guide) so that you feel comfortable with us when we show up as your wedding photographers on your wedding day.

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer for engagement or elopement photography, we’re here to help with the entire process from planning to printing your wedding photographs.

Sample Evergreen Weddings

• Cole and Taylor – Wedding at Evergreen Lake House

• Kelly and David – Evergreen Lake House Wedding

• Nicole and Ryan – The Barn at Evergreen Memorial Park

• Brooke and Jason – Evergreen Colorado Wedding Photography and Videography

• Kevin and Kim – Evergreen Lake House Colorado Wedding Photos

• Noah and Sarah – Summer Evergreen Lake Wedding

• Ben and Cait – Mount Vernon Canyon Club Wedding

• Brooke and Sam – Evergreen Lake House Wedding Pictures

• Summer and Citrus – Evergreen Lake House Wedding Inspiration

• Jess and Jon – Blackstone Rivers Ranch

Colorado Wedding Photographers and Videographers

We are Marc and Brenda Bergreen, a husband and wife team of adventurous Colorado wedding photographers and elopement photographers. Above all our philosophy, love. adventurously. is the guidepost for everything we do.

Based in Evergreen, CO we travel throughout Colorado and beyond to tell love stories and capture adventurous love. Be sure to reach out and tell us your story.

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A couple looks at or shares their wedding photos to remember the significance of this important day in their lives. It’s a big day and that couples often spend a lot of money to bring a lot of people together to help celebrate. So it makes sense that there’s a lot of pressure on getting great wedding photos.

From the Bride’s perspective, you want to ensure that the day looks as amazing as you imagined it for years to come. From the photographer’s perspective, you want to make sure you make that wedding day look even better than it was because that’s how it felt to your clients. Let’s dive in and talk about how to come up with wedding photo ideas when the pressure is on.

Determine Your Values and Make Them Priorities

Most of my photography advice for both brides and wedding photographers starts with determining values and making sure your values are your priorities. That’s the best way to make sure that you’re spending all of your time, money, or energy on the right things for you. For the record, it might be could to pause and evaluate your whole like this way, but I digress.

As we walk through various ways to find and places to look for wedding inspiration for wedding photos, head into it with an idea of what’s truly important. If you take the time to determine what a wedding means to you, it will be easier to see opportunities for wedding photo ideas. If you keep in mind what’s really important, then your wedding photos will reflect that.

The Who:

One of the first places to look for wedding photo ideas is at the people. Weddings are about love and family. They are days filled with people at their happiest or most stressed. Therefore, it makes sense that we can look at those people for inspiration for wedding photos.

If you can show the who in the wedding photos then you’re creating images that couples with treasure. In this section, I’ll talk about capturing personalities and knowing what’s important to the couple. you’ll use these to know whether to spend more time on posed wedding party photos or candid moments.

As you read through, remember the best wedding photo idea is one that turns out beautiful but also meaningful. This is usually more about people than the wedding accessories. Otherwise, we wouldn’t need to hire a photographer for wedding photos because we could just use someone else’s wedding photos.

Capturing Personalities

One great way to come up with ideas for wedding photos is to capture the personalities of all of the characters involved. This will vary from wedding to wedding which is why you can’t just rely on a shot list. Instead, you need to immerse yourself in the wedding and get to know the players involved in your story.

Let’s take the flower girls as an example. Are they wild and reckless in their flowery dresses or are the little shadows of the bride? If you allow yourself to be inspired by their personalities the ideas to how to capture them start flowing.

Let the personalities of the couple and their guests inspire your ideas for their wedding photos as what will lead to photo ideas that are meaningly for your bride and groom couple. As a wedding photographer, I love making each couple something unique to them. Even though I’ve been to hundreds of weddings, they only get one.

What is important to the couple?

When you think about the wedding photo album that will hold your favorite wedding photos from one particular wedding, what story will it tell? As a wedding photographer, I always ask my couples what they’re most looking forward to both photographically and from the wedding in general. I like to know what they spent the most time, money, and energy on.

Then, I can use that information to make sure I’m telling a story that is meaningful to my couple. Maybe they’re excited about the food and I’ll spend some time capturing how much people are enjoying the family-style dinner. Or maybe they can’t wait to see all of their friends so I’ll be sure to capture the reunion.

Make a list of what’s important to the couple and then come up with individual photo ideas from that list. The bridal party is a good place to start because these are the best friends of your couple so pictures of them and close family members are likely to be important. Some couples spent hours picking and cake while others would rather have you photography the flower girls.

What Moments are Happening

One of the most popular answers I get when I ask what’s most important is this idea of candid, special moments. A lot of my couples just want to be able to remember how much fun they had in both the private moments and public moments with their best friends and family members. Moments are a type of photo to capture and there are endless ways to capture them.

You can get close up to capture candid moments from the inside or you can back off to show the intimacy from an outsider’s perspective. You can choose what to include and exclude in the frame based on the wider story of the moment. If you keep your eyes open for special moments you can learn not only to recognize when a beautiful moment is about to happen but how to capture it well.

Getting ready shots I a great time to practice this because it’s not as rushed as the wedding ceremony or as chaotic as the wedding reception. You’ll also quickly see if each group is the matching jackets picture-perfect type or if they’re simply acting natural while you capture everything. This will prepare you for knowing what moments to look for the rest of the day.

The What:

When you think about storytelling you think about the what in terms of what is happening. The storyline contains a wealth of ideas for wedding photos. How can you tell the story through images?

You might take a close-up shot at the climax of the story and a wider shot at a scene-setting moment. Many of your wedding photos are going to fall into this category so you might even break it into chapters of what is happening at different portions of the day from the wedding ceremony to the wedding reception.

A Look at the Wedding Ceremony

Let’s take a deeper look at the wedding ceremony. It’s somewhat predictable with variations for each couple but it starts with a processional and ends with a first kiss as husband and wife. If you think about that story arc, there are great photos ideas that come from it.

Can you show the anticipation of the early portion of the ceremony or the intimacy of the vows? What composition tools will help highlight the mood of everyone cheering as the couple is pronounced husband and wife?

Paying Attention to the Wedding Day Details

Another part of the what might be part of the setting or the where but I’m including it here because it helps give context. All the details help describe the story. The wedding dress photos might be about showing how pretty the dress is or they might be about showing that this is a special day that we dress up for.

Similarly the floral arrangements and table settings might be there to look trendy or they might be part of setting the stage for the story. You can view these things as distractions or you can view all the details as descriptive elements of the story and use them to show what’s happening through your photography.

Telling the Story of the Wedding Day

Which brings us back to this idea of a story. If you think of the wedding album as a wordless book, what story will it tell when you look through it? How can you use your photography to show the beginning, middle, and end of the wedding day?

Using the ideal wedding album as inspiration for what pictures you need to take to create such an album will help set you on the right path. Cocktail hour may not be the most important time to take wedding photos but they help tell the transition to the dance floor. A picture of just the wedding dress is boring to me but a picture of the wedding dress in the background of the chaos if getting ready tells a story that’s bigger than that one wedding dress.

The Where:

I mentioned the setting in the section on details and here’s where we’ll dive into the setting more. The setting is one of my greatest sources of inspiration for my wedding photos. Of course, I live in Colorado where many of my couples are choosing their wedding venue because of the beauty of the setting.

However, regardless of the grandeur of the wedding location, the setting can help tell the story and be a source of ideas for wedding photos.

Using the Environment

Using the environment can mean things like incorporating fairy lights at the wedding reception to show the vibe. It can also mean landscape portraits. Don’t limit your ideas, use the expanse of the environment to expand your ideas.

How does natural light fall in the getting-ready room? Or what if ou can take a landscape shot that somehow looks similar to the design on the wedding cake? Will your group shots and your couple portraits take lace with a beautiful backdrop?

Some seemingly creative poses are actually just poses that seem most natural based on the surrounding environment and how a couple moves through it.

The When:

When is the wedding? What time of day or year is it? What’s going on in the world or everyone’s lives?

Is it a beautiful fall day and change is also a theme of the wedding? Or maybe its spring and it’s all about a new beginning. Better yet, summer is here and the afternoon thunderstorms are unpredictable but this couple with weather any storm together and be stronger for it.

How can you capture the when of your story?

The Why:

Why is this couple getting married? Or why is their love special? Why did they make the choices they made about their wedding?

Perfect wedding photos will vary from couple to couple based on their why. For example, some brides’ pre-ceremony photos will be about fashion and beauty while others will be about intimate moments with mom. Some dance parties will be elegant and formal while others will be out of control.

If you can remember the why of weddings, new ideas for wedding photos will continue to bloom like the love of your couple. The why is the reason that candid moments are so popular. It’s the reason we shoot adventurous bridal portraits or pre-plan shots for the wedding ceremony.

The bridal portraits and wedding ceremony are two of my favorite portions of the day because I know my wedding photography will both tell a story of the vows and show the couple in the beautiful place they’ve chosen to get married. Wedding photography is about capturing a special moment in a wedding photo and making it last forever.

Summary of Photo Ideas for Weddings

In summary, the typical thing that people do to find photo ideas for their wedding is to look at other people’s weddings. Photographers look at what other wedding photographers are doing. Instead, I’m encouraging you to look for ideas everywhere but by being in the moment rather than trying to be someone else.

Sure you could copy someone else’s wedding photo idea and it will probably work because every wedding ceremony is the same as the next. But as a wedding photographer, I love to think of every wedding as different and every married couple as special. The more I can remain limitless in my ideas for wedding photos, the more I can create magic for each couple.

So sure, sometimes I want to try a specific shot at a special moment in any given wedding. But I always need to keep my mind open to creative shots that come seemingly out of the blue. That’s the thing about creativity, the more you make it your mindset the easier it gets.

More Wedding Photography Tips

Here on the Bergreen blog, we teach the basics of photography for both Brides and photographers. We offer tips for planning for weddings from location advice and beyond.

Photographers can learn things about the exposure triangle and camera settings. We also review some of our favorite photography gear. Let us know what you’re interested in and we’ll do our best to help take your photography to the next level.

Next, check out our candid wedding moments shooting guide or our 9 Best Tips for Outdoor Wedding Photographers. Links to products are affiliate links.

About the author

I am Brenda Bergreen, one half of an Evergreen husband and wife photography team specializing in Colorado wedding photography and videography, and adventure photography. If you need wedding photography tips or advice on the best gear for your goals, reach out. I share advice based on 13+ years as a wedding photographer.

Download our free guide on how to build a creative business and a life you love. Don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help!

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