Meet Matthew David Parker, Photographer

Matthew David Parker is a photographer based out of New York City with over 18 years of experience. He primarily works in NYC and the but is available for opportunities worldwide.

1. At which stage of your life that you discover yourself with an obsession for architectural photography?

The Big Apple has always been a profoundly inspirational, profoundly influential place for me and my artwork because it (New York City) for me, is literally the most perfect representation of hope, opportunities, health, success and abundance. I have always seen the city of New York as the central hub for all things in life that are important in life, sort of as the pulse of everything new and cool. New York has always inspired this ambition in me to inspire others of the majesty of the heart of the city. More and more in my life, I have found New York's rich architectural backdrop as the one place on earth that I could happily explore with a smile on my face for the rest of my life.

2. When have you been most satisfied in your life?

I believe that I am at my happiest now, although you can argue that the first moment I discovered happiness was when I discovered photography, when I was 13. Oftentimes, I think, "how can a man possibly be luckier than myself?" I am a world-class artist and photographer who is making a name for himself, not just in the world of New York photography, but in art circles worldwide. Art critics around the world have labeled me a visionary, as opposed to just another uninspired, bargain basement wedding photographer. The fact that I've been able to make quite a good living doing what I love is just icing on the cake. Yes, the present time is definitely the best time my life has ever been and I wouldn't trade places with any other artist in the world.

3. Who are your influences as an artist?

Lucien Hervé, the Hungarian photographer popular for his very futuristic, very avant garde style. Some people see him as the Salvador Dali of photography and I'm one of those people who agree. I'm also a great lover of Berenice Abbott, a popular photographer known best for her breathtaking photos of cultural icons of the 60s and 70s.

4. Whose design language did you fall deepest in love with? How come?

Lucien Hervé and his avant approach to accentuating shapes and patterns in his black-and-white photos has always inspired me as an artist to create minimalist works of art. I often times find myself using Lucien's greatest works as a measuring stick for my success as a photographer and I see that is the greatest thing I've ever done.

Thanks, Matthew!

Meet Tracey Pettis, Fantasy Portrait Photographer

Selfies and snapshots can’t capture the inner you.
 But your Fantasy Portrait can.

Tracey Pettis will help you step out of your daily life and into your authentic self by taking a fresh look at the inner you from a completely new perspective.

Every human being wants to be seen, wants to be loved, wants to be understood. Through Fantasy Portraits, you can uncover and experience your special beauty, creativity, and gifts. Learn more by visiting FantasyPortraits.co.

1. What gave you the idea to create Fantasy Portraits?

I have been working in advertising for the past 20 years as a creative/art director. But I felt empty. I realized it was time to leave the world of advertising, feeling that companies were placing more importance on data, templates, and stock photography over the kind of creativity I was interested in.

I have always known I wanted to get back to one of my first loves, photography. But I wanted this version to be more than just creating pretty pictures. I wanted to bring the viewer into the process. I wanted to make the process more experience driven. Thus, Fantasy Portraits was born.

2. What's your process like in determining what an individual's Fantasy Portrait should look like?

We start by getting to know you through a discovery session. You share what you're comfortable sharing: your dreams, desires, hopes, aspirations. The object is for you to let go and explore.

Through this process, a concept will gel. Together, we'll fine-tune it, getting more excited about the portrait as we go.



3. Do you think the #nofilter Instagram selfie and other phone photography has changed how we define portraiture?

I think it's added to our choices immensely! We are changing all the time. Having that instant access to capture ourselves while immersed in an experience is a great advantage. And that's why I knew that Fantasy Portraits had to be something different than "just a portrait." It had to be an experience. As we say, "Selfies and snapshots can't capture the inner you. But your Fantasy Portrait can."


4. How can photos make positive changes in our lives?

So many ways! Our mission at Fantasy Portraits is to help women go deeper and learn how to connect with their inner beauty and deeper soul. Through getting to know and understand your spiritual self, your self-esteem and self-love increases.

A photographic image is a preservation tool. Your Fantasy Portrait becomes part of who you are at this stage of your life's journey.



5. What else would you like readers to know about you and your work as a photographer?

I think if you look at some of the Fantasy Portraits we've created, you'll see the attention to detail that you won't see in some of the other "fantasy" work out there. We put a lot of thought and heart into making each image special and unique, and not what you would expect.

If you'd like to explore creating your Fantasy Portrait, send an email to tracey@fantasyportraits.co.

Thanks, Tracey!

Meet Troy Conrad, Filmmaker and Photographer

Troy Conrad is an award-winning filmmaker and the creator/co-producer of improvised stand-up show Set List: Stand-Up Without A Net. He has photographed comedy in seven countries, and his images for the upcoming Comedy Central series Roast Battle have additionally been published in Playboy.

Samples from the series can be found via the Instagram hashtag #hallseries and at humansofcomedy.com.

A photo posted by Troy Conrad (@troyconrads) on May 6, 2016 at 8:51am PDT

1. How did you come up with the idea for the Hall Series?

Last August at The Comedy Store in Hollywood, I took a picture with a fisheye lens of the all the headshots on the wall, and something about it looked very different... it felt like I was surrounded by these pictures on the wall. A couple weeks later, Brian Moses was walking through the hallway and I took his picture, and it looked really cool. Then I wanted to see what it looked like as a portrait. Joey Diaz was the first person I asked to stand in the hallway and pose. I loved how he looked. To me, it felt like the pictures of the comics surrounding him were giving him the nod, pushing him forward. I'm very honored that The Comedy Store liked these shots enough to make them a part of the club. Starting on May 10th, they will be on permanent display in the entrance to the Main Room.

2. What sets the photos in this series apart from other portraits?

The thing that gives these pictures a different feel is the imagery surrounding each comic in the shot. There are vintage headshots on the walls of legendary comics--some of those photos go back as far as 30 or 40 years. There is a feeling of reverence being in that hallway, and these portraits seem to capture that feeling of reverence as if the viewer is there.

3. How many photos have you taken for the Hall Series so far, and what are the plans for expanding on the series over time?

I’ve taken over 80 photos of Paid Regular performers at the Comedy Store, and the collection is growing all the time.

4. What other projects have you done involving filming and/or photographing comics and comedy?

I started as a filmmaker, and directed a film called Runyon: Just Above Sunset starring Eddie Pepitone which won awards at the two festivals it was submitted to. I created and co-produce the improvised stand-up show, Set List: Stand-Up Without A Net. With the show, Paul Provenza and I have traveled the world, and I've photographed the show as well as other shows in seven countries. I've also done a lot of photos of comics in New York and Los Angeles. When I saw Roast Battle at the Comedy Store, I was hooked from the beginning. I knew someone needed to be capturing stills for that show, which is unparalleled worldwide for its high level action. I'm there for that show every Tuesday night.

A photo posted by Troy Conrad (@troyconrads) on Apr 29, 2016 at 4:34pm PDT

5. What makes The Comedy Store a vital and interesting venue after 40+ years?

The Comedy Store is vital because of its integrity. There are three rooms that are bustling every night. It's run incredibly well right now. It's a place that is welcoming to comics, and very hard to get into as a Paid Regular performer. But everyone wants to be there. There is so much personality there that makes it interesting. Roast Battle is so unique. Ari Shaffir's "This is Not Happening" is still running there. Joe Rogan is there all the time. Chris Rock came in to practice for the Oscars. Dave Chappelle pops in, and Louis CK drops in. Last night John Bishop just came in from the UK and did his first show in the US in the Main Room. I love watching Joey Diaz. He's one of the real humans of comedy. He's so unfiltered and raw, and is pure joy to watch. He's raised the bar for so many comics there.

The Paid Regular Hall Series Exhibit debuts at The Comedy Store on Tuesday, May 10th 2016 from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. and will be on permanent display thereafter. More info at www.thecomedystore.com

Thanks, Troy!

Introducing Angela Millar Soul Art on Etsy

Everybody knows that I love Etsy shops, and even more so, I love to showcase Etsy sellers here on my blog. Most recently, I've discovered the shop of an Australian artist named Angela Millar.

Angela's work includes original paintings, travel photographs, greeting cards, and prints. Her art covers a variety of themes that reflect nature, spirituality, and mythology. I like the diversity of her work; as I scrolled through her listings, I was sometimes surprised by an image that I didn't expect. For example, paintings of Ganesh and the Buddha were followed by paintings of a regal flamingo and a smiling mermaid. Angela's image of the Buddha included in this post is called "Young Buddha."

The profile page on Angela's Etsy shop reveals that she took up art less than five years ago when she moved from Sydney to a small seaside town in New South Wales. As another person who loves the sea, I can perceive the influence of the coastal locale in her work in the swirls of color and the feelings she conveys of the natural world.

There's much to like about her work, and my own favorite pieces are the ones that depict animals, such as this beautiful peacock print of a painting called "One Hundred Eyes" which I think would appeal to art lovers of all ages, young children included.

In Angela's own words, "One of my favorite subjects to paint is Buddha, and a favorite medium is acrylic paint, I love using rich and vibrant colors thickly layering them onto the canvas to create interesting textures."

By the way, her artwork has also been published in a coffee table book called Amazing Australian Artists, compiled by ArtMeGallery.com.au. This book is carried by The Art Gallery of NSW, which is a great honor for her. Angela's painting "Blue Buddha" has been used as the cover image of the inspirational book, Wisdom Within: Awakening the Empowered Woman, by L.H. Owens. I suspect that we will be seeing her work published in many more places over the next few years.

Check out https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/AngelaMillarSoulArt and explore her work for yourself! I love that Etsy brings artists all over the world to everyone's doorstep with just a couple of clicks.

Introducing Stephanie Hopkins' Photography Site

When it comes to an artist's website, I really like learning someone's story: why do they create, how did they get interested in creating in the first place, what keeps them motivated, and so on.

Stephanie Hopkins is a professional photographer based in California's North Bay area who specializes in portraits using natural light. I like her website because she gives you an insight into her life as an artist and why she creates--plus, she gives you an excellent idea of what it would be like to work with her.

On the front page of Stephanie's site, she currently has a video that gives you an inside peek at what it's like to have a senior picture photo session with Stephanie. Clever idea indeed.

Her site also has a blog where you can see a lot of samples of her recent work. This is also fun for people she's photographed as it gives them a way to share a preview of their pictures and also to give family and friends an idea of how they enjoyed their photo session.

In addition to senior photos, Stephanie takes wedding photos, family photos, and more. Do you need headshots for your acting portfolio, a book jacket, or to post on the website for your business? Stephanie's website gives me the impression that she is a warm and engaging person to work with and that she can draw out your true personality and show it in a photo.

You can also follow Stephanie's photography page on Facebook.

Meet Joshua Valderrama, Designer and Artist

Designer Joshua Valderrama resides in the U.S. where he is an entrepreneur, seeking opportunities in a digital world. He wants to inspire dreams in those who have given up on theirs and/or those who have forgotten that anything is possible. For examples of Josh's creative work, including photos, artwork, mobile apps, and videos, check out his website, Vision Lingo. You can also find him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

1. How did you come up with the name "Vision Lingo," and what does the name mean to you?

Well, I don't speak much, and it has always been easier for me to give a visual of what I want to interpret. To me, the name means that it's easier to express yourself in action than in words.

2. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?

I wouldn't say entrepreneur, but I am more of a free spirit. I never felt it was for me to follow anyone's rules or anyone's dreams but my own.

3. What projects are you currently working on?

I am working closely with a friend who has his own company that provides dog massages. We are creating an app for his services to his customers. But more importantly, we're working on branding the company's name.

4. How does your skill and training as an artist influence your work when it comes to creating apps and video content?

My artistic skills have no part in my creativity of my apps or videos.

5. Where do your best creative ideas come from?

My kids. Without them, I wouldn't have the vision of creativity that I have.

Thanks, Josh!

Meet Betty, Photographer and Mentor

Betty is a retro pin up and modern boudoir photographer based in the Tampa, FL area since 2009. She is the owner of Bodacious Betty Pin Up Photography, which specializes in glamor portrait photography from the 1940-50s era. Betty believes any woman can be made to both look and feel gorgeous. Her mission is to bring out the pin up starlet in every gal!

Publication credits include the cover of Pin Up America magazine, Retro Lovely Kat Club Holiday edition 2014, Latina Pinups, Delicious Dolls, Surreal Beauty magazine, Cat's Pajama magazine, and the 2014 and 2015 calendar for Strickland Vintage Watches.

Recently, Betty had the pleasure of being interviewed by Marie Grace Berg for Today's Leading Women, as well as P.K. Spearman for Living Large.

1. How did you first become interested in pursuing photography as a career?

I became interested in pursuing photography as a career after I had my own pin-up photos done. I was felt so empowered and confident that I wanted other women to experience the same feelings.

2. What inspired you to specialize in retro pin-up work?

I've always loved the look of women in the 1940s and 50s. They were so feminine and seemed so glamorous and polished.

Also, the pin ups of that time period were sexy, without being salacious. There was a playfulness in them.

3. What are some of the things that you do to create a unique and comfortable experience for a woman who hires you to shoot a series of pin-up photos?

I like to consult with my clients before the session, either in-person or over the phone, to get an idea of what they envision for themselves. We talk about themes, wardrobe ideas, and what she may be insecure about body-wise.

When she comes in for her session, she is able to relax while getting hair and make-up done and then I am able to guide her into poses that are the most flattering to her.

4. Would you tell us a little bit more about your coaching program for photographers?

Over the years, I've developed friendships with quite a few other photographers, and many of them either struggle to make a living, or have a day job to pay the bills because they don't how to adapt to an industry that has been radically changed by the introduction of the affordable DSLR camera.

I developed a comprehensive plan to help struggling photographers work less for more money, and help them educate their clients about photography. All photographers know that good photography requires more than just a good camera, but they don't know how to attract clients that understand that as well.

I do offer a free consultation in addition to a free report with ideas to give photographers a jump-start on making changes that will start bringing in more income without adding to their workload. It can be found here: http://www.bodaciousbettyfl.com/makemoremoney.

5. I think that it's always a challenge to pursue a career in the arts in our society! What is some of your advice for other artists who want to develop a career that reflects their artistic interests and abilities?

This probably applies to anyone looking to start their own business, but I'd say, above all, be persistent. If something isn't working, brainstorm and try other methods.

And second, make a list of the skills you are good at and think of ways you can utilize your talents and skills to bring in money in multiple ways. For example, a photographer is not just a photographer, but also a photo editor. A photographer looking to bring in additional income during downtime can edit photos as a service to other photographers looking to outsource that part of their job.

Thanks, Betty!

Introducing Tom Potter, Photographer

I've been to Colorado on vacation more than once, and the natural environment there is just plain beautiful--there's really no better way to describe it! From the mountains to the rivers to the plants and wildlife, there are plenty of subjects worthy of contemplation. And that doesn't even mention the incredible rock formations.

Tom Potter is a photographer who lives in Colorado and loves to photograph landscapes, wildlife, and basically everything having to do with nature. He grew up in New York but lived amidst the scenery of Colorado for almost 20 years now. He has studied at the New York Institute of Photography and Brooklyn College, and continues to expand his work through self-study. His work explores the year-round beauty of Colorado and offers a way to bring a bit of that beauty into your home.

Tom began by shooting on film but became interested in digital photography. On his website, he sells prints of his work on canvas as well as fine paper. If you're looking for photos of Colorado taken by someone who truly loves the local surroundings, you'll want to check out Tom's work. His photos of animals are wonderful, too!

He also accepts customer requests to shoot specific locales within 100 miles of his home; you can contact him for specific details if you want to discuss a custom piece.

Meet Gayle Nielsen, Hypnotherapist and Artist

Gayle Nielsen is a Master Hypnotherapist based in Wisconsin who works with clients using cutting edge consciousness technology to shift their reality. Her life is her art--helping everyday people live their lives in new and more joyful ways. Her photography and digital art inspires both herself and others with new perspectives and possibilities. Visit Gayle online at perfectspirit.com, as well as on Facebook. The photos in this post were taken by Gayle.

1. How did you first become interested in doing hypnotherapy work?

I've been interested in the power of our subconscious mind and in helping others ever since I was a child. When I had the opportunity to make a career change, after years of working in a technical field for a large corporation, I pursued the training in hypnosis and other holistic modalities that allow me to really help my clients now.

2. What are some issues that you help clients address through hypnotherapy?

In addition to the usual things like smoking cessation, weight release, and stress relief, I love to do regression sessions with clients to help them resolve long-standing issues that prevent them from being truly happy with the life they are creating. I feel great when a client is totally amazed with the results we achieve together.

3. What is Matrix Energetics®, and how does it help people?

While it's not really possible for me to define what Matrix Energetics® is, I can say that I've learned a set of tools that make it easier for me to access my natural abilities, the same abilities that each of us has, to shift reality in what seems to be a miraculous way. It has been my experience that clients have had positive changes in relationships, careers, and health after an ME session. I've seen this in my life as well! And it happens in what seems to be a natural way, as if that wonderful thing that just happened has always been there, but just now is the client noticing it!

4. Reading your blog, it seems to me that your interest in taking photos also approaches photography as a metaphor. Would you tell us a little more about this?

Maybe, yes, a metaphor for life. When I notice something interesting and decide to photograph it, I’ve just taken a representative moment of that thing, from my perspective, with that specific lighting, through the lens of my awareness, to create a unique experience that I may be able to share with others. I share the symbol of that thing...not the thing itself. Isn't that what we do with our lives? We choose a series of unique moments of awareness, influenced by our seeming past, moving into the future, keeping the ones we want and discarding the ones we don't to experience, in the end, a complete work of art called our life. Sharing with others--optional.

5. What do you see as the relationship between art and healing?

I don't really like the word "healing." It assumes that there is a state of being "not well" from which we need to be healed. I don't believe that. What I believe is that we subconsciously, unconsciously, are choosing to experience everything in our life. Pain may be useful as a signal to change something. Creating art is an intentional process, as creating our life may be. It's a sharing of perspective and observations. The deepest pain has created some of the most meaningful transformations. Life IS art. Art IS life.

Thanks, Gayle!

Meet Michael, Owner of SnapMarket, a Marketplace for Royalty Free Photos

SnapMarket is the marketplace for some of the cheapest, most flexibly licensed royalty free photos. SnapMarket has the highest quality photos, images, and illustrations, all from as little as $1. SnapMarket also pays their contributors some of the highest commissions in the micro-stock world. Check out this link to learn more about how to sell your photos on SnapMarket.

1. What gave you the idea to start SnapMarket?

As a web and graphic designer myself, I found that I was always purchasing royalty free stock photos and usually spending a fortune. The idea came about when I spent over $600 worth on photos for a client's website and it got me thinking: there must be a cheaper way to purchase good quality images. I had a good look around and could not find any stock photo websites that were offering high quality photos at a cheap price with flexible licensing terms, so this is when I decided to start SnapMarket.

2. What are the benefits your site offers for webmasters, designers, and other people who need to buy royalty free photos?

The benefits that SnapMarket offers are much cheaper images (from as little as $1), very flexible license terms, and no minimum spend. A lot of the other stock photo websites I have dealt with require that you sign up with them for a subscription or buy copious amounts of credits, even if you only needed just one single image.

3. How do you keep your prices so affordable?

We can keep our prices affordable simply because of repeat business. Our photos are high quality yet very affordable; this is what keeps our users returning and gets new users on board every single day. A website like SnapMarket is quite expensive to run, but we felt we needed to offer something different from all of the other overpriced, tightly licensed micro-stock photo websites.

4. Why do contributors like sharing their work through SnapMarket?

Contributors love sharing their work through SnapMarket because we pay some of the highest commissions in the micro-stock world, our website is user friendly, and we get our contributors' photos sold day in, day out.

5. What are some qualities that make a great photo for the web, in your opinion?

I feel that any photo can make a great photo for the web; it really just depends on what people are looking for. Obviously these photos must be high quality and convey the correct message to the target audience. The image size should also be scaled for fast loading times yet still be of reasonable quality for viewer enjoyment.

Thanks, Michael!

Meet Will and Mark, Commercial Photographers

Will and Mark are two commercial photographers from Dorset and Bournemouth based on the south coast of England. They offer a range of photography services including lifestyle, people, food and drink, interiors and architecture, plus products and pack-shots. Below they share with us about how they work and how they came to setting up their commercial photography business.

1. Why is it important for businesses to hire a commercial photographer?

Images are so important when it comes to first impressions, and also actually selling something. Our commercial photography services are predominantly for clients in the Dorset and Bournemouth area of the United Kingdom, although on many occasions we are required to travel throughout the country.

Our clients range from property developers, restaurants, watch manufacturers, and large retailers. All of them come to us because we manage to capture the moment which places their product or service in the best possible light--and that's our job at the end of the day as commercial photographers--you can see some examples on our commercial website.

2. How do you decide where to take photos for a shoot for a particular client? In other words, are there criteria that help you decide, for example, when to do interior photos and when to go outside on location?

Many of the clients we work with are retail businesses or are manufacturers. Because of that we need to take shots inside the studio. When we shoot in our studio, then the real trick is in the lighting. Any commercial photographer will tell you that you need to understand how light works in order to get the best photographic results. There's also a need to understand the composition and form so you can make the client's product look as good as it can be.

We also do need to go out on location, but this is primarily for clients where their product is used in an outdoor scenario, or our architectural clients. Many of them need great images of their property to help with the sale, so half of the shoot will naturally be outdoors, and the rest will typically be interior shots of the building.

If we can do a plug here, then please head on over to our website and check out the interiors and architectural page which has some of our most recent work examples.

3. What is your background in photography, and how did you decide to become a commercial photographer?

It's at university that we actually met around 10 years ago, but before then had both been keen photographers. Whilst we both had differing methods, styles, and types of photography equipment, we had a connection and thought that we would look at setting up a commercial photography company together.

Since then it's been a successful partnership for both of us and has turned into a solid commercial photography business and partnership that is creative and brings in a profit. We work hard to achieve that.

4. For someone who is looking to hire a photographer for a project, what advice do you have to help ensure a good partnership?

Make sure that it's someone you can get along with! We pride ourselves on our communication and two way approach. We listen to what the client wants from their photography project and take on board their requirements. It's then up to us to impart our professional opinion based on our years of experience as commercial photographers. Any prospective clients can check out a video we've just placed on our YouTube channel about how both of us work as commercial photographers in Dorset. Hope you like it and thanks for the interview!

Thanks, Will and Mark!

Meet Mario Fazekas, Wildlife Photographer and Author

Mario Fazekas is a wildlife photographer and the owner of Kruger-2-Kalahari.com. He has spent over 700 days on photo safaris in African National Parks such as the Kruger Park, Kgalagadi, and Pilanesberg in South Africa; Etosha in Namibia; plus Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara in Tanzania. Mario is the author of the Photographer's Guide series of how-to photo e-books: The Photographer's Guide to Etosha National Park and The Photographer's Guide to the Pilanesberg National Park, both of which have been rated A+ by Apogee Photo Magazine.

1. When did you first become interested in wildlife photography, and how have your interests evolved over time?

My wife dragged me kicking and screaming to the Kruger National Park back in 1995 and from that initial trip as a day visitor, we have visited the various southern African parks and game reserves every year for our annual vacations and free weekends!

I started out with a Kodak point and shoot camera, realized that was insufficient and then progressed to a Minolta SLR and finally a Nikon DSLR system.

Initially I was interested in photographing mammals, such as the "big-five" as they are large and therefore easier to shoot, but I have now developed an interest in macro photography, photographing birds in flight and also landscapes.

2. What are some of the unique challenges in taking safari photographs?

In order to return home from an African safari with impressive images four things have to happen:

• You need to find the subjects! If you cannot locate animals there will be nothing to photograph.
• Be prepared to get up early! If you want to capture landscape and animal photographs with impact, you need to make the most of the blue hours (the hour before sunrise and the hour after sunset) and the golden hours (the two hours after sunrise and the two hours before sunset). You can sleep in at home, but while on safari you must be up and ready when the animals are most active and the light has the most impact and mood.
• You should know a bit about your subjects. You don't have to be an expert in African animals, but know a little about their habitats and behaviors.
• You need to be aware of your position in relation to the subject and the light source. Photography is known as "painting with light," so you must use your light source wisely.

3. What inspired you to share your knowledge in e-book format, and what has the response been to your books?

In 18 years we have captured over 300,000 images on film and digital. We started going through them a few years back and realized that our nature photographs had improved consistently year after year and that we had learned many, many lessons that would also help other photographers improve their skills.

We were going to publish traditional books but the publishers were so dictatorial that we decided to self-publish.

In our e-books, or site guides as they are also known, we share our proven strategies for finding elusive and/or exciting animals such as leopards, wild dogs, cheetahs, etc. We also provide advice on how best to use your photo gear, animal hot spots, advice on lighting at the waterholes and camps as well as photographing at night--basically, solutions to the challenges that most wildlife photographers will face while on safari.

We realised that there was a gap in the book market as there are many coffee-table books with lovely wildlife images and there are also many books on general photography, but not much providing detailed advice for visitors to specific national parks. A lion in Botswana's Chobe National Park may have different behaviors to an Etosha lion that in turn may have different habits to a Kruger Park lion in South Africa and so forth.

Our e-books are for all levels of photographers, from amateur to professional and for self-drive or guided safaris. The plan is that when you arrive at an area covered in these e-books, you'll know where to go when and what to expect and you will know what equipment and techniques will be most effective. Even field guides tell us that they learn a lot from these books!

What usually happens is that visitors waste valuable time getting to know the parks and animals and by the time they start getting "acclimatized" to the animals' current locations and habits, it's time for the visitors to go home! These e-books will prepare the visitor so that from the first day you arrive at the parks, you can be photographing the key animal species like a veteran.

The response to our e-books has been great! We have converted the Etosha e-book to Amazon's Kindle format and are in the process of doing the same for the Pilanesberg site guide, so people have a choice of buying either the PDF or Kindle version. We are finalising our Kgalagadi and Kruger e-books that will be available at the beginning of 2014 and we already have a list of people wanting to purchase them!

4. What do you suggest that photographers do to brush up their photography skills at home before going on safari?

Many amateur and even advanced photographers think that new photo gear is the answer to improving their photographs. We agree that photo gear is important but it is only one half of the solution--the other half is photographic vision or creativity. Many photographers become obsessed with "how" they capture the image (photo gear) and exclude the "why" (the photographic vision) and that is to the detriment of the "what" or end result.

Therefore my advice to photographers is that they should firstly read the key parts of their camera manuals and then actually go and use their cameras at the zoo, at home, or at an air show. We are amazed at how many people buy a new camera and then come on safari without having read even the quick-start guide and without having used the gear. Wildlife action can happen very fast, and photographers must know their cameras and lenses if they want to respond in time and capture good images.

Secondly they should read books and interviews by professional photographers, especially books written by Freeman Patterson and David DuChemin who are both masters of photographic vision. In addition, they should try and buy site guides to the specific national parks that they will be visiting as these books will provide explicit advice and not just general photographic advice. We are not the first photographers to publish e-books specific to certain parks. For example, Arthur Morris, the world's premier bird photographer, has published some excellent site guides for the various American parks and reserves.

5. If you could give photographers just a couple of pieces of advice before booking a safari trip, what would that advice be?

To focus on what we term the "five-P's." In addition to the first two P's of Preparation and Practice, which must be done at home before coming on safari and that we discussed in the previous question, you need to have these three additional traits, making up the 5-P's:

• You must have a Purpose in mind before booking your destination. If you want to shoot as many mammals as possible, filling up your memory cards every day, then you should be going to Namibia's Etosha Park in winter. If you want to photograph birds and wildflowers, then you should be going to the Kruger Park or Kgalagadi in summer and so on. You should also try to be more of a "situation-driven" photographer as opposed to a "subject-driven" photographer--if you want to photograph a cheetah, but you come across a black-backed jackal hunting doves and the light is good, stop and photograph the jackal as you may not find the cheetahs that day.
• Nature has its own time and you will see and photograph much more if you have Patience and spend time at bird-hides or waterholes instead of looking for just a few seconds and then driving on. Take some coffee and rusks with you in the mornings or some sun-downers in the afternoons--let the action come to you, which will make sitting and waiting much more enjoyable!
• Finally, Passion will keep you motivated and disciplined in terms of the other four P's. If you are not enthusiastic about nature photography, you will tend to sleep in, miss the good light and go home with few, if any, "wow" photographs.

Thanks, Mario!

Meet Marguerite Beaty, Photographer and Teacher

Marguerite Beaty lives in Miami, Florida, where she enjoys taking photos and teaching photography classes. She has an MFA in Photography from the University of Miami, and she worked as a stockbroker in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Learn more about Marguerite at her website, Crea8fotos. She offers a variety of classes in photography as well as business classes for artists. Her classes include in-person and online options.

1. As a photographer and photography teacher, how do you find a balance between fine art photography and commercial photography?

I do not think that I ever found a good balance between the commercial photography and the fine art photography. They contradict each other in every way! The commercial photography is all about another person's vision and will be used for marketing or advertising. In other words, it will be used to sell something. The fine art is about my vision. It's about my philosophy or the way that I see things and then somehow put it all together. I was able to use my vision in some commercial photography but it was more about how to do a photo session than the actual final product.

2. Your digital mastery program looks to be very comprehensive. Do students need to have any previous experience before taking these classes, and what are some of your goals for students to achieve in this program?

The Digital Mastery Program is created for the beginner: the person who just bought a camera and has no idea which button to press. This program is also good for the person who has a good idea about photography but wants to study it in depth. There is also the part II which is great for the advanced photographer. The idea is to understand the camera very well and to take control of the picture taking by making decisions. When you shoot in the auto mode, the camera will decide everything for you and there are many techniques that will not be very successful. So it will come down to this: do you want to create your photograph, or do you want your camera to create it?

3. For students who are located outside of the Miami area, what are some online learning options you offer?

For students who are from different states and countries, I teach via Skype! I love it and it has worked quite well. I am finishing a new series of classes that will be available online. Those will be for people who prefer to learn on their own.

4. What do students learn in your business classes, and are these online or in-person classes or a combination?

The photography business classes were designed after I met several self-taught photographers who asked me to teach specific techniques and began to ask about sales and marketing. As our conversation flowed, I saw that they needed a plan and to organize themselves so that they could actually create a profit while doing what they loved.

The business class are one-on-one online (via Skype). The students will do research and will have several assignments. So this has a large component of self-learning and the advantage of a number of real-time sessions to discuss things.

5. What inspired you to start teaching, and do you feel like your teaching influences your artwork (and vice versa)?

I have always enjoyed teaching. While I was working towards my MFA in photography, I did quite a bit of teaching-assisting or adjunct teaching. It is fun to exchange ideas and to be challenged creatively. I do not think that teaching has affected my artwork. It does make me think more and do a lot more research on photography--so maybe it has influenced me. I am not sure how!

Thanks, Marguerite!

Meet Jason Wickens, Photographer and Owner of Fotoviva

Jason Wickens is a member of the Fotoviva Art Prints photography team and owner of the online gallery. Offering a unique range of award-winning photographic art, Fotoviva are one of the UK's leading suppliers of wall art, selling photographic art printed as either canvas prints, acrylic prints or poster prints. Fotoviva has been operating since 2006 and offers over 700 images, created by a team of photographers; visitors can also create prints from their own original photos.

1. Could you talk about the different options for prints that you offer through fotoviva and the unique features of each option?

Every one of our art prints can be purchased from the online gallery in a wide range of options which means when you have chosen your favourite picture, you can be sure the final print will match your interior design. We can print the images on canvas, acrylic, or poster. We find most people like the canvas print option as they are ready to hang and in fashion right now. We can print the canvas as a gallery wrap which means the image is wrapped around the wooden frame. This gives a continuous feel to the print. The acrylics are becoming very popular too; the glossy look suits modern interior home designs, and people love the way the light makes the picture look like it has depth. Posters are ideal if you are working on a budget or have an existing frame you want to use. We also offer a range of standard sizes, so you can buy a wall print that suits the blank space in your room. Of course if you need a different size print, we can work out our best price, too. Often we have photographers looking for specific sizes for their clients.

2. What have you looked for when selecting photos over the years to build your catalog of 700+ images?

Our image collection has grown over the years, as has the number of photographers we use. When looking for new images, we only accept photographs which we feel will suit being printed as wall art. Customers tend to look for creative and artistic photo prints, rather than just snapshots of nice locations. The photographers we use always produce really nice images such as the seascapes, black and white work, and the creative modern art series.

We also only use images of the highest resolution which ensures we can print them as large canvas art without losing quality. Some of our canvases have been printed at over three metres, so we need to ensure the image will not look pixelated at large sizes. Our photographers use high-end DSLR cameras and good quality lenses--they are also well-versed in post-processing which means they produce files which are up to the high standard we require.

3. What tips would you offer for people (in terms of composition, photo size/quality, etc) who want to make prints from their own photos?

From our printing service we can transform your own digital photos into canvas or acrylic prints. As a rough guide, for best results you should be shooting at the camera's highest resolution setting. This not only allows us to print the picture bigger, but it also allows scope for any cropping you need. Images from phone cameras are not ideal for large prints as the camera sensors are not up to the job, but they do tend to be OK for the acrylic photo blocks or small canvases. Also, try to shoot in good light so the picture is clear and punchy. You can always send us your photo first, and we can check it out to see if it is suitable for printing from.

4. Your panoramic prints are striking. Do you find that people order these for their homes or businesses or both?

The panoramic canvas prints tend to be ordered for the home, but of course some do go to businesses who want to add some affordable art to their offices or receptions. When you see a panoramic print hanging on a wall it really does look great--I think it is the unusual aspect ratio which catches the eye. Also, the fact you can see so much more of a landscape scene means there is plenty of detail in the picture. Panoramic art is also ideal for wall spaces which don't have enough height for a standard wall print, such as above mantle-pieces or across landings. They do seem to sell particularly well, and some of the panoramic views we have in that collection really are a feast for the eyes!

5. What are your suggestions for people who want to affordably decorate their home and office spaces with unique photographic art?

Of course we have a great collection of photographic art and with prices starting from as little as £16, there is art that's affordable for anyone. However, a great tip for finding other affordable art is to explore the work of local photographers. You might see them displaying their work on stalls or in small local galleries, and by buying direct from the photographer, you can get some affordable art straight from the artist themselves.

Thanks, Jason!

Meet Jay Shon, Photographer

Jay Shon considers himself a native of California, having lived in the state most of his life. He recently became interested in photography after first exploring it as a hobby and then discovering that it allowed him a bubbling creative outlet. He created Photo.Artful to sell his artwork depicting the region where he grew up--the Bay Area, California.

1. In setting up your website, what made you decide to emphasize the Bay Area as the unifying factor for your photos?

The Bay Area is a diverse region, a mixture of cultures and philosophies and scenery. You don't need to travel far in order to find something unique. Sometimes it's in plain sight, other times hidden and known to only a few. My goal is to share the sights and fascination of the region.

2. What are some elements that make your photos unique?

I don't have a particular style, or at least try not to. My only goal is to present subjects how I view them through my "creative eye." And I enjoy mixing in some digital elements when I think it'll enhance or transform my vision of a particular photo.

3. When you are creating abstract compositions where you use photos as a starting point and then alter or add to the image using software or other tools, what guides you in terms of how to change the image while also remaining true to your original photo?

I enhance around the purpose of the photo, and simultaneously have fun. I have a series of artwork around these two tall trees that I photographed ("Energy" and "Madness"). One displays an image of the trees exhibiting life and having fun, while the other image showcases rage. My goal with both images was to show that plants are living and dynamic creatures. I think creating abstract compositions enhances the subject of the photograph if the look and feel is right. And it can attract some extra attention as well.

4. What are the challenges and what are the benefits in being able to sell artwork through online platforms?

I think the biggest challenge is the risk of having your artwork seem devalued monetarily if sold through online platforms. But my main goal is access and online platforms certainly provide that benefit. The other benefit is that customers have different options than what I can provide alone--framing, canvas, poster, giclee print, etc.

5. When you are walking in the city, what helps you to spot great opportunities for taking photos?

Inspiration arrives in many forms. I keep my eyes and thoughts open.

Thanks, Jay!

Meet Ahamed Iqbal, Photographer

Kind thanks to Ahamed Iqbal, the first interviewee for this blog. The image above is a sample he provided of his work. Ahamed is a professional photographer who recently moved to Seattle from Philadelphia. He sees photography as the ideal medium to express the visible and emotional uniqueness of the people he meets. By constantly challenging himself and evolving in his work, Ahamed hopes that creativity is the only common thread in his photographs. Ahamed has a studio in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, and you can see more of his work on his website, Zincphoto.com and/or his Facebook page.

1. How did you get started taking photographs?

I started taking photographs by playing with my Dad's old Canon AE-1 film camera. Learning the basics of photography through film taught me to respect each shot and get a deeper appreciation of the process of creating images.

2. Who are some artists (in any media) who inspire you?

I'm inspired by many artists in various disciplines, but some that come to mind are Martin Scorsese, Mark Rothko, and Phillip Glass. Although each creates very different forms of art, each expresses a unique balance of intensity and peace in his work. I'm always looking to achieve the same balance between peace and intensity in my own work.

3. What makes for a well-composed photo?

Purpose. A properly composed photograph intentionally includes compelling and essential elements while excluding distracting and unnecessary elements. Photographs succeed when they convey a sense of purpose and fail when it appears they were taken without thought or planning.

4. How do you decide on the best background/setting for a particular subject?

I believe a background should either provide a complementary setting for the subject or provide a contrast that forces the viewer to look closer at the subject. I also take great pride in finding odd or traditionally "ugly" backgrounds, settings or elements and using them to create a beautiful image.

5. What projects are you currently working on?

I'm currently working on a project to capture the strength and beauty of people with disabilities. My goal is to portray them in creative ways that provide an honest look into who they are.

Thanks again, Ahamed!