What is the difference between a professional and an amateur? I can honestly tell you it has nothing to do with the quality of work. My friend and photographer Bill Gekas proves this theory. He is not a professional photographer, and his quality of work is simply amazing.

I wanted to share his work with you to show that you don't need fancy equipment, a fancy studio, or even to label yourself as a professional to produce amazing work....the only thing you truly need is knowledge. Your brain is much more powerful than any camera, strobe or softbox! Be resourceful, think it through and get out and shoot...right after you read this article though..

PEARS

I don't think I truly knew the power of photography until the filming of the first season of Unknown Photographer Show. With the help of the homeless family and Mike Ridinger my eyes where opened to the true power of photography. We as photographers have a responsibility to not only take photographs, but to open people's eyes to the importance of photography. We may talk all day long about settings, cameras, posing, composition...but in the end it comes down to the image and what that image means.

My friend and commercial photographer Jesse Alan Paul is doing just that, proving how important photography really is. His project called HOPE FOR HAILEY shows you how. Check it out, be part of it and spread the word...

When Creativity Is All You Have

I wanted to introduce to you to my friend Jamie Pfister from Fnkybee Photography! She's a professional photographer from Nashville, TN! I really like Jamie, not only because her work is rocking, but because she's out there hustling. The hustle has to be the hardest part to learn about the entire photographic process. You can learn lighting, posing, retouching, but in the end, if you don't hustle...well you're basically just going to be sitting at home.

Alot of people complain about this or that, and the truth is, and I hate to be so blunt, but it's YOU! Only you are in charge of you, and only you are in charge of your future. There are situations (as my dad would say, a problem has no solution) that are completely out of your control, and a lot of times they suck! But what you do have, and always will have in your control is how you handle them!

So stop complaining, get out there, start hussling and...

FLY FOR YOUR DREAMS

WOW! I'm still exhausted! I have a new found respect for family portrait photographers, especially when there is a young child involved....or maybe I'm just completely out of shape! My good friend Anita Nowacka has been shooting families, wedding and pretty much anything lifestyle for the past 10 years in Seattle, WA!

But, before I begin I want to give a GIGANTIC THANK YOU TO:

ROSEANNE, DaNiel and Siloe

who came out to help us film this video for you guys!

In this video we document the entire Family Portrait Shoot and show you how much work actually goes into it. I can tell you from personal experience, you guys should be charging an arm and a leg for these shoots, they are much, and I mean much harder on the body and gear than any commercial shoot I've ever been to.

In the video Anita goes over some cool techniques that she uses to get the shot!

KEEP READING TO SEE THE IMAGES