How to Create a Backup Plan for Your Photo Shoot

As the unexpected can always occur, I decided to discuss how to create a backup plan for your photo shoot. Depending on the type of photo shoot you are doing, you most likely will have a limited amount of time with the clients or venue that you have booked that day. To start, focus on what could go wrong on your photo shoot. For instance, what would happen if your camera didn't work or you left your memory cards at home. Below are a couple of items that I include in my backup plan for photo shoots.

Backup Camera

Having a backup camera that is the same as your own make and type of your primary camera is great in emergency situations. For example, if your primary camera is a full-frame model like a Canon 5D Mark III, you should have a secondary camera that is also full-frame.

Camera Rental Stores

In addition to having a backup to your camera, you should also have a backup for the lens you are using. However, you often won't have the same type of lens that you are using for the photoshoot. Being familiar with a nearby rental store can save your photo shoot in case something happens to the lens you're planning on using.

Extra Memory Cards & Batteries

There have been a few occasions where I have forgotten to bring memory cards for my cameras when I'm planning on taking photos. LensRentals and BorrowLenses are two popular rental shops that are really reliable.

Hard-drives

Having several hard drives available to back up your files is great to have. Especially since some cameras only have one card slot. Immediately backing up your photos after a photo shoot is a good practice to adopt.

Summary: How to Create a Backup Plan for Your Photo Shoot

In conclusion, having a solid backup plan will assist if any issues arise in your shoot. To recap, the items in this list include:

• Backup Camera
• Camera Rental Stores
• Extra Memory Cards & Batteries
• Hard-drives

I hope you enjoyed this article. Feel free to let me know if I missed any items that should be included in a backup plan for a photo shoot.

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The Best Times for a Photo Shoot

Review of the Sony A7 ii

[sc name="affiliate disclosure"]The Sony a7II is Sony's entry-level Full Frame Mirrorless Camera. I choose to review the Sony a7II because I was looking at affordable Full Frame cameras. Sony has emerged as a third contender to the two big camera manufacturers: Nikon and Canon. In addition to the price, the Sony A7 line of cameras benefits from its small size. Hence, here is my review of the Sony A7ii.

Sample Images

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Price:

At the time of this writing, the Sony a7II retails for $1,098.00 for just the body. Released in late 2014, the Sony a7II competes with others entry-level cameras: the Nikon D750 and the Canon 6D Mark II. It also has a compact body weighing in at 599g. This seems like one of the great benefits of mirrorless camera bodies.

What You Get

Here is a quick summary of some of the features you get with the Sony a7II:

• 5-axis Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
• 3" Tilting Screen
• Built-in Wireless
• Weather Sealed Body
• NFC Connectivity
• 599g Light Body
• 117 Focus Points

In addition to these feaures, the main strength of many Sony Cameras is the Image Stabilization in their bodies. At this time, Nikon and Canon rely on image stabilization just through lenses. Therefore, Sony is the only maker of full frame cameras that puts image stabilization in the majority of their cameras bodies. While Panasonic is another manufacturer that is adding image stabilization to their new line of cameras. Yet, Panasonic doesn't make full frame cameras.

Disadvantages of the Sony A7ii

• Timelapse with optional downloadable app
• Low Battery Life: 350 shots
• GPS
• No Silent Shutter
• Expensive and Limited Lens Selection

Most noteworthy among the disadvantages of the a7II is its battery life. The battery of the Sony a7II will last around 350 shots. This is a short battery life compared to Full Frame cameras from other manufacturers such as Nikon and Canon. Almost all of Sony's previous generation of cameras have this issue. Sony has made strides in some of its newest cameras such as the Sony a7R III and the Sony a9.

Summary: Review of the Sony A7ii

In conclusion, the A7ii might be the best option among entry-level Full Frame cameras for its size. Because of the Sony a7II small size, it makes a great travel companion. I used the Sony a7II on a trip to New York and did not experience the shoulder strain common to carrying a DSLR. In addition to its size, the added image stabilization and focus points mean your photos will be sharp. Therefore, if you don't mind the short battery life, the Sony a7II is a great camera to pick up.

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Sony A7 iii ReviewSony A7R III Review[tg_divider style="normal"]

The Best Times for a Photo Shoot

Whether you are a looking to hire or do photography yourself, you may be wondering what is the best time for a photo shoot. Many in the photography and videography community agree that the best times for a photo shoot are:

• Dawn
• Sunset

These times generally work best for outdoor photography as you can take advantage of the sunlight. Also, scheduling at these times will work whether you are a morning or evening person.

Dawn

If you're a morning person this is a great time to do a photo shoot, especially outdoors. If you're doing street photography locations are mostly empty allowing you to be more creative with the shoot. Morning times are also great for popular travel destinations and allow you to get the shot you want at otherwise busier times.

Sunset

While outdoor locations probably won't be less empty as in the dawn or sunrise, it's still a good time to plan a shoot. If you're on shooting real estate you can plan the photo shoot an hour before sunset. You can then start shooting the interiors of the estate first. Afterward, you can start shooting the front and rear exterior of the location.

Summary: The Best Times for a Photo Shoot

In conclusion, picking the best times for a photo shoot will provide less stress and makes planning for the shoot easier. Even though this mostly applies to outdoor photography, shooting at these times can assist you in some indoor locations. Especially if you are in an indoor location with a lot of windows and interior lighting. Sometimes you won't have a choice of when you plan a photo shoot and will have to work with how your schedule dictates. Overall, I think it is always great to use these times as a guideline for planning your photo shoot.

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Photography Session

Three Budget Prime Lenses for Canon

[sc name="affiliate disclosure"]One of the reasons people often choose Canon cameras is because they offer a wide selection of lenses. If you choose to invest in the Canon system you have several options in terms of what type of lens to select with your camera. I have listed below three budget prime lenses for Canon cameras. While zoom lenses provide the ability to change lengths, prime lenses are different in that their lengths are fixed. The Prime lenses discussed below are for EF Mount cameras which are for Canon Full Frame Cameras such as the 5D, 6D, and 1D product line. These lenses will also work for APS-C Canon Cameras but their lengths will be multiplied by 1.7.

• 35mm f/2
• 40mm f/2.8
• 50mm f/1.8

Canon EF 35mm f2

Of the Three Budget Prime Lenses for Canon cameras, the Canon EF 35mm f2 is perhaps the most expensive of the three. Priced at $549 this lens includes image stabiliation that provides sharper images and video.[gallery ids="2031,2032,2033"]

Canon EF 40mm f2.8

Priced at $179.00, the Canon EF 40mm f2.8 is my favorite lens of this group because of its size. Since it's a pancake size lens putting this on a big camera body like the 5D Mark III dramatically reduces the size of the camera. This lens ends up making the camera into a great choice for street or travel photography.[gallery ids="2035,2036,1035"]

Canon EF 50mm f1.8

I wrote about the benefits of having a 50mm in a previous blog post, Why Your Camera Kit Should Include the Nifty Fifty Lens. The 50mm f1.8 is the most affordable on this list starting at $125.00. Similar to the 40mm f2.8, it makes for a great walkaround lens but many choose to use it as a portrait lens.[gallery ids="2038,2039,2040"]

Summary: Three Budget Prime Lenses for Canon

In conclusion, if I had to choose one lens on this list it would be the 40mm f2.8. Also, 40mm is the perfect in-between length between 35mm and 50mm. However, having all three are affordable and great additions to your camera bag. If you have recently picked up a Canon camera and are looking for lenses to invest these lenses are a great choice.[tg_divider style="normal"]