Photography News

 

If you recently got your hands on a new camera (many probably did for Christmas), you may be wondering what you should do next. Here, we’ve come up with a few first steps that will help any photography novice on the way to stunning shots.
 

Step 1 - Read The Manual

Yes, we know it’s boring, and it takes a while to find the right language sometimes, but your manual will have invaluable information about your particular camera, straight from the manufacturer. Read what the manufacturer has to say, and then build on your knowledge as you go along.
 

Step 2 - Familiarise Yourself With The Camera

Turn the camera on, and familiarise yourself with what dial does what. Have a run through the menus on your camera so you have an idea of where to head when you’re out and about for the first time, saving you time if a shot presents itself.

 

Step 3 - Experiment

When you know your way around the camera, the next step is to have a go with it. This may sound obvious, but if you don’t have a quick play and see what images you can produce with various settings, you won’t know what to look for when you head out to get some professional-style shots. Have a go at shooting using every aspect of the camera, to gain knowledge – you never know when an opportunity may present itself that requires the use of a mode that you know how to use through having a play.

Step 4 - Get Online

When you know how to use the camera and are looking for inspiration and like-minded people to share your shots with, this is where ePHOTOzine comes in! We have a wealth of knowledge and ideas on the site to help you achieve those stunning shots you’ve always wanted. Search the site for anything photography related using the magnifying glass in the toolbar – you’ll more than likely find it!

Now's also the perfect time to join +. What is +? Well, if you love photography, and want to get the very best out of the site, then Plus is the ideal product for you. You can find more information about the membership here.
 

Step 5 - Find Your Niche

Once you’ve gotten to know your camera, have been out, taken some shots and read up on your areas of interest, you may find that you like, or are better at certain areas of photography. Build on these, and they will become your area of expertise. By discovering what you like and what you are good at, you can hone your skills and become the very best in an area of photography that you love.

 

Elinchrom UK has announced the full Live Stage speaker schedule for the 2026 London Photo Trade Show, taking place from 15–17 January 2026 at Novotel London West, Hammersmith.

The Elinchrom Live Stage will feature a packed programme of live demonstrations and expert-led talks from leading UK photographers, offering practical insights into creative lighting techniques using Elinchrom equipment. Sessions are designed to appeal to photographers working across portrait, newborn, maternity, commercial, product and specialist genres.

Throughout the event, Elinchrom specialists will also be available on Stand 70–71, providing hands-on demonstrations and advice on lighting setups and solutions tailored to individual photographic workflows.

Live Stage Programme Highlights

Thursday 15 January 2026

• 11:30 – Bjorn Thomassen: Top 5 Features to Elevate Your Portrait Photography (Live Demo)
• 12:30 – Russ Jackson: Lighting New Life: A Live Newborn Photography Demo
• 14:00 – Victoria Baptiste: Just Shoot It: Ditching Perfection & Finding Your Voice (Live Demo)
• 15:00 – James Musselwhite: Four Portraits in 60 Seconds (Live Demo)

Friday 16 January 2026

• 10:30 – Neil Shearer: Liven Up Your Product Photography (Live Demo)
• 11:30 – James Musselwhite: One Light Portraits (Live Demo)
• 12:30 – James Musselwhite vs Paul Wilkinson: Live Photographic Lighting Shootout
• 14:00 – Russ Jackson: Shaping the Glow: Maternity Lighting Live (Live Demo)
• 15:00 – Gary Hill: Creative Headshots (Live Demo)

Saturday 17 January 2026

• 10:30 – Gary Hill: Glitz & Glam: Professional Lighting in Action (Live Demo)
• 11:30 – Jessica McGovern: Lighting with Character: A Live Dog Photography Demo
• 12:30 – Scott Johnson: One Light, Endless Possibilities (Live Demo)
• 14:00 – Paul Wilkinson: Mastering Portrait Photography (Live Demo)
• 15:00 – Julian Fulton: Confidence Through the Lens: Photographing Boudoir with Purpose (Live Talk)

 

 

The London Photo Trade Show is one of the UK’s leading photography industry events, bringing together photographers, brands and educators for three days of learning, networking and hands-on experience. Trade Show attendance is free, with registration closing on 1 January 2026.

For full event details and registration information, please visit: https://thesocieties.net/convention/

Live Stage proudly supported by Elinchrom UK

Register now for FREE tickets!

© Fujifilm

 

Fujifilm Corporation announced a major investment of 5 billion JPY to strengthen its production facilities for instax films at the Ashigara Site in the Kanagawa Factory. This move is designed to meet the growing global demand for the popular instax series.

The new production lines will start operating in stages from spring 2026 and are expected to be fully running by autumn 2026. Once complete, Fujifilm will increase its instax film production capacity by about 10 percent compared to FY2025.

 

Global growth of instax

Since its launch in 1998, instax cameras and films have become a worldwide brand available in more than 100 countries. The lineup has grown from instant cameras to hybrid instant cameras, smartphone printers, and compact palm‑sized cameras. Fujifilm also introduced instax Biz, an application that allows businesses to create custom photo templates for events.

 

Continuous investment

Fujifilm has been investing in instax film production facilities since 2022. With 2 billion JPY invested in 2022, 4.5 billion JPY in 2023, and this latest 5 billion JPY investment, the total investment now reaches about 11.5 billion JPY. As a result, production capacity will rise by about 50 percent compared to FY2022.

 

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Company statement

Fujifilm stated it will continue to explore new possibilities in photography and expand the world of instax instant photo printing, giving people more ways to enjoy photos on the spot.

 

Investment overview

• Company: Fujifilm Corporation, Ashigara Site, Kanagawa Factory
• Location: 210 Nakanuma, Minami-Ashigara-shi, Kanagawa, Japan
• Total Investment: Approx. 5 billion JPY
• Details: New production lines for instax films and related facilities
• Operation Start: Spring 2026, fully operational by autumn 2026

 

How instax film works

• Instax film uses silver halide photography technology with 18 layers that react to light.
• When the film is ejected, developer fluid spreads evenly across the surface to start the chemical reaction.
• Excess fluid is absorbed by the frame, and the photo gradually appears in about 90 seconds.

instax and instax Biz are registered trademarks of Fujifilm Corporation.

 

For more information, please visit the Fujifilm website.

 

The UK’s most exciting photography Convention is back — bigger, bolder and packed with more inspiration, education and industry powerhouses than ever before.

 

The 2026 London Photo Convention & Trade Show brings thousands of photographers together under one roof for four days of hands-on learning, live demos, exclusive deals, and world-class speakers. If you’re serious about your photography — this is where you need to be.

FREE Trade Show: 15–17 January — Meet the Biggest Brands in Photography

Get ready for three electric days on the Trade Show floor, with leading camera and lighting brands showcasing their latest kit. Expect:

• Hands-on access to the newest cameras & lenses
• Live demonstrations from top pros
• Expert advice from manufacturers
• Show-only offers and exclusive discounts
• Retailers showcasing must-have accessories

Whether you're upgrading, testing, comparing or just curious — the Trade Show is 100% free to attend and absolutely packed.

 

Exclusive Code For FREE Entry:

Pre-register using code EPFREE to receive FREE Trade Show entry. Offer valid until 12 January 2026.

Register for FREE tickets!

 

 

Over 200 Hours of Training with Masterclasses & Superclasses

If you're hungry to learn, the Convention’s education programme is unmatched.

Masterclasses

Dive into a huge lineup of practical, inspiring and business-boosting sessions covering:

• Portraits
• Weddings
• Lighting
• Wildlife
• Macro
• Post-production
• Creative storytelling
• Branding
• Business growth for photographers

Top photographers, award-winning educators and industry leaders share the techniques and insights that elevate your photography fast.

Superclasses

Want hands-on training with the best in the business?

The Superclasses deliver small-group, practical workshops with some of the most respected names in the industry. Limited spaces — these sell out fast every single year.

 

 

Exclusive Offer

Save 10% with code epz10 on all class tickets!

  The Photography Event You Simply Can’t Afford to Miss

If you want to improve your skills, grow your business, network with other creatives and immerse yourself in the world of photography — this is your event.

 

Save the Dates

Full Convention: 14–17 January 2026

FREE Trade Show: 15–17 January 2026

Venue: Novotel London West, Hammersmith, W6 8DR

 

Join thousands of photographers for the ultimate start to 2026.

Masterclass Passes and Superclasses available now.

Book your tickets now!

 

 

If you enjoyed our technique on cross polarisation photography have a look at this variation. As it is winter I thought we'd take an icy deviation to the standard plastic cross polarising effect. Here we've still used plastic but added a colourful background to a frozen texture.
 

Gear Suggestions

All you need is a CD case, some tape and a little bit of pre-planning, along with the essential hardware comprising of a camera with any lens (ideally with a close up mode), LCD computer monitor and a polarising filter. Oh, and a steady support for the camera.

It doesn't matter if your camera doesn't have a filter thread (often the case when using compact cameras) as you can hold the filter over the lens when taking the shot.
 

The Set-Up 

First the preparation. Prise out the CD retaining tray (the bit with the clips that go through the centre of the cd to hold it in the jewel case) out of a standard CD jewel case. Use the Album type not the slimline or clam case. Close the case and tape around all the edges where there are gaps to make the sides and base water tight. Make sure the top gap is open so you can pour water in. Fill it with water through the gap on top and insert it into your fridge's ice box.

When it's frozen set up your mini studio set. Turn on the computer monitor and set it so the background is uncluttered. A standard mid grey desktop is perfect, avoid a fancy pattern. If you don't have one and cannot work out how to change your windows desktop pattern open up a mid-grey image in an image editing program and expand it to fill the screen. 

As the ice will melt quickly in the tray it's best to set up using a different CD case so you can arrange everything and switch to the icy one when you're ready to take a photo.  So position your stand-in CD case about 20-30cm in front of the screen. I used a McClamp, but you could use any form of support or even just pile up some books and balance it on top. Remember that the ice will melt as you take photos so you'll need some sheet to protect books and a cloth to mop up excess water. If you're quick you won't end up with much mess.

Position the camera in front of the CD case with the lens set to fill the frame with a portion of the case. If your camera doesn't focus close enough to fill the frame shoot as close as you can and crop the picture when taken. Again you can use books as a support and stack them to the necessary height. Alternatively use a tripod which gives a sturdier and much more versatile support.
 

 

Add The Ice

When everything is set up, switch from stand-in CD to the real ice-filled CD. Take the front of the case so you have the ice layer and then the back of the case. Balance on your support and make sure the camera back is parallel to the case so you maximise sharpness.

Now, adjust the camera position to frame in on a specific are of the ice. Areas with cracks or large bubbles can look best. The ice slab will provide lots of different textures and by rotating the polariser you can deliver different colours from the same position.

Focus carefully on the bubbles so they look really clear. You can shoot on automatic as the metering should be pretty accurate.

If you're using a camera without a filter thread hold the polariser to your eye and rotate around until the screen goes black. keep the filter in that position and move it in front of the lens.  The shutter speed will probably be slow so set the camera to the self-time mode and take pictures using that. The 2 or 10-second delay is enough to allow the camera to be still before the photo is taken.

Take pictures until the ice begins to melt fast. You have about 10 - 20 minutes before a puddle will appear.

A New Year has begun and with it comes new opportunities to better your photography. So, with a whole year ahead of you, what will you be doing differently this year? Do you want to try a new genre of photography, do you want to shoot with your smartphone? Or, quite simply, do you just want to enjoy the hobby of photography more? Whatever your plans, we've got a few New Year's Resolutions for photographers to get you thinking about your year of photography that's to come.

1. I Will Know My Gear Well

If you've got a new camera for Christmas or have fallen into the trap of switching to Auto as it's just easy to use, make this year the year you get to grips with your camera. Take the time to learn why shutter speeds are important, how apertures can change the look of your photo and why setting your white balance manually can improve your shots. Of course there are more modes, techniques and settings than listed here and you can find plenty of advice on various aspects of photography over in ePHOTOzine's techniques section. Don't overlook sitting down and reading your camera's manual too as they are usually full of good advice.
 

2. I Will Try Something New

Learn how to use a new piece of editing software or how about trying a different photography technique? There's plenty of subjects out there and you won't know if you enjoy photographing them if you don't try. If you're looking for tips, head over to ePHOTOzine's techniques section, ask your question in our forums or take a look at some of the photography books that are on offer.
 

3. I Will Take My Camera With Me More Often

Many of us are guilty of leaving the camera at home a little too often when really if we had it in the car or even in our bag, we'd take more photos. In fact, with a large amount of smartphones on the market, why not make more use of the camera that's on your phone and most likely with you all of the time? Yes, there is a chance many won't be great but you can use the shots to learn from and improve the shots you take at a later date.
 

I Will Make The Most Of The Gear I Have

Just because you don't own an expensive DSLR and a long lens doesn't mean you can't take good photos. You just have to think more about what the gear you have is capable of capturing and focus your energy into taking good shots of that with it. Plus, if you do want to photograph a particular subject but don't think you have the right gear, there are often ways to get around it. For example, for wildlife photography, you'll need longer lenses, a tripod etc. when taking your shots out in the wild which means it's not an ideal subject for compact users. However, you can capture wildlife shots at a zoo or wildlife park where you can get closer to the wildlife, making it easier for you to capture frame-filling shots.

What photographic themed resolutions have you made? Share them in the comments below. 

© Beate Ammer / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

 

Nikon has announced this year's winner of the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards. Mark Meth-Cohn, a keen amateur wildlife photographer from the UK – and a finalist in last year's awards - took home the top prize for his hilarious image, 'High Five'.

"High Five" is a perfectly timed capture of a gorilla dancing through a forest clearing, taken in Rwanda earlier this year. The comical photograph stood out among a record-breaking 10,000 entries from 109 countries – the highest number in the Awards' illustrious eleven-year history. From this extraordinary collection, 44 of the very best entries, including videos, were shortlisted for the judging panel to select their favourites. The competition was as fierce as ever; however, Mark's photograph emerged as a clear favourite among the judges – with the shot also claiming the Mammals Category Award.

Mark Meth-Cohn says: "We spent four unforgettable days trekking through the misty Virunga Mountains in search of the gorilla families that call them home. On this particular day, we came across a large family group known as the Amahoro family, they were gathered in a forest clearing where the adults were calmly foraging while the youngsters were enthusiastically playing. One young male was especially keen to show off his acrobatic flair: pirouetting, tumbling, and high kicking. Watching his performance was pure joy, and I'm thrilled to have captured his playful spirit in this image."  

Stefan Maier, Senior General Manager of Marketing at Nikon Europe, says: "We are so thrilled to celebrate the incredible talent and creativity showcased in this year's Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards. All of our category winners use joy, skills and imagination to capture the natural world, and Mark's winning image perfectly represents the playful spirit of wildlife. At Nikon, we are incredibly proud to support these visual storytellers and provide them with the tools to share their unique perspectives, inspiring audiences everywhere to connect with and care for our planet's remarkable wildlife."

As the overall winner of the competition, Mark Meth-Cohn will enjoy an unforgettable safari experience in the Maasai Mara, Kenya, thanks to Alex Walker's Serian. He will also receive a stunning handmade trophy crafted by the Wonder Workshop in Tanzania and a premium photography bag from the renowned THINK TANK.

Commenting on the moment he found out he had won the top prize, Mark said, "Doing well in any competition shows that the images you are producing are working. The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards are one of the major competitions of the year, easy to enter and fun but with a seriously committed underlying ethos and, after reaching the finals last year, I'm absolutely delighted to have gone one step further and win the competition this year."

There were several other category winners this year, with special recognition for the generation of wildlife photographers. Grayson Bell from the USA won the Nikon Young Photographer Award (16 & under) and the Reptile, Amphibian & Insect Category with his striking close-up of two frogs wrestling in the water, and will receive a Nikon Z50II kit as his prize. Further celebrating the photographers of tomorrow, Paula Rustemeier from Germany triumphed in the Nikon Junior Category (25 & under) with her playful fox image "Hit the dance floor", earning a Nikon Z6III kit. Meanwhile, Tatjana Epp, also from Germany, won the Video Category with a captivating clip of a surfing heron and will receive a Nikon ZR kit.

The winners were announced on Tuesday 9th December, and the announcement is followed by a free, week-long exhibition from the 10th -14th December, where Nikon will showcase the exceptional work of the 2025 Award Finalists at the Oxo Galery in London.

This year, in collaboration with our valued partners - paper sponsor, Hahnemühle, and printing sponsor, Metro Imaging - we're proud to share that the entire Nikon Comedy Wildlife Exhibition has been curated with sustainability at its heart. All the stunning images you see on display at the exhibition have been printed by Metro on Hahnemühle's Bamboo paper – the world's first inkjet paper made from 90% bamboo fibres and 10% cotton, offering a fast growing, environmentally friendly alternative. By choosing materials that minimise environmental impact, we are ensuring that the exhibition's strong conservation message is reflected not only in the imagery but also in every aspect of its presentation. We are delighted to champion both creativity and sustainability, setting a new standard for eco-conscious exhibitions.

Nikon is also pleased to announce that voting is open from 10th December for the People's Choice Award, where the public to get to choose their favourite Finalists from 2025. The public can cast their vote at www.comedywildlifephoto.com until March 1st 2026 and the Winner of this Award will be announced on March 14th.

© Leica

 

Leica Camera AG has introduced firmware version 4.0.0 for the Leica SL-System and Leica Q3 family, bringing important upgrades that improve speed, precision, and ease of use. These updates are designed to give photographers and videographers a smoother and more creative shooting experience.

For the Leica SL3 and SL3-S, the new firmware delivers faster hybrid autofocus with more accurate detection of people and animals. System speed has been improved, and the new Multishot mode allows images to be captured at up to 240 megapixels. Direct cloud connection to Adobe Frame.io also supports a seamless professional workflow.

The Leica Q3 family benefits from a completely refreshed user interface inspired by the SL3. The update introduces redesigned icons, a clearer menu structure, faster navigation, and enhanced touch controls. With improved autofocus and customizable Leica Looks, users can enjoy a more personal and intuitive experience.

Firmware version 4.0.0 is available now and can be installed through the Leica FOTOS App or via SD card.

For more details, please visit the Leica website.

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The latest winner of our popular daily photography theme which takes place in our forums have been chosen and congratulations go to Leedslass1 (Day 29 - Night Winter Shots)

 

Daily Theme Runners-Up

If you didn't win this time, keep uploading your images to the daily competition forum for another chance to win! If you're new to the Daily Theme, you can find out more about it in the Daily Theme Q&A. 

Well done to our latest runners-up, too, whose images you can take a look at below.

  Day 24

Urban Portraits

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Day 25

Christmas

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Day 26

Fill-In Flash Portraits

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  Day 27

'Technology' Theme

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Day 28

Mountains In Winter

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Day 30

Black & White Winter Theme

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Day 31

Paths & Lines In Cities

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You’ll find the Daily Themes, along with other great photo competitions, over in our Forum. Take a look to see the latest daily photo contests. Open to all levels of photographer, you’re sure to find a photography competition to enter. Why not share details of competitions with our community? Join the camaraderie and upload an image to our Gallery.

  Close-ups of textures can make interesting images on their own, but they are most useful for blending with other images to add interest to plain backgrounds or to give a particular shot a different look/feel. Towns and cities are great places for hunting down textures and once you start looking at detail rather than buildings as a whole, you'll soon find a variety of textures to fill your memory card with. Walls, steps, doors, sheds, modern metal structures, roof tiles and windows are just some of the locations you'll find interesting textures at.    What kit is best?

When it comes to kit choices for this subject, zoom lenses are useful for selective cropping while a macro lens will get you close to the patterns you're capturing. Pick up a telephoto lens when you want a tighter perspective. A tripod is handy for when you're using a telephoto lens and will also help ensure your shot's straight. A remote release or the camera's self-timer are tools you'll be using quite often, too. 

 

Look for patterns

Subjects that have a pattern that repeats such as a brick wall or the lines found in wooden planks and doors look great but don't think they all have to be symmetrical. Having a variety of colours and lines can work well especially if you have two contrasting objects to work with. Try to find somewhere new buildings meet old and see if any of the strong metal structures overlap or cross the older, softer structures. Head out after it's rained too as surfaces take on a different feel/look when they're damp and covered in water drops.

Don't zoom in too much as often a shot that's taken with a little more distance between you and the subject will look better and that way there's always the option to crop the photo when you're in front of your computer back home.

 

Cut out the distraction

If there's a distracting object, shadow or mark in the frame either move your feet to find a different angle or use your zoom to cut out of the frame. Try shooting straight on to make your texture as flat as possible before moving on to experiment with different angles as these types of shots are often great for adding to other images and the flatter the surface is the easier it is to use. To emphasise the shapes/textures, position yourself so your light is on one side. This will create a strong shadow and give your shot extra depth.

If you're working on a new building watch out for glare and reflections which can easily be removed by simply moving your feet a little and finally, pay attention to your white balance as you may find the cloudy or shade options produce better results.

So, you've waved goodbye to your photo journeys of last year are raring to get the new photographic year off the starting line with a bang but you're not sure where to start... Well, how about getting stuck into a photo project that can take you right through from 1 January to New Year's Eve? A 365-project is an obvious choice but there are other options for those who don't want to commit as much time to a project or if you'd like more of a challenge, there's an even more time-intense task you can take on. Have a read of our suggestions below and see which creative project appeals the most. You could even use ePz's blog system to share your project with other members on site. 

 

1. 365 Day Project

Photo Joshua Waller 

 

Even though this is something many will have done, it's still worth a mention but be warned; it's not as easy as it sounds! Basically, you need to take a photo every day for a year. Sounds straightforward but when you've done a few, inspiration could start to wear thin. The key is to not think too grand all of the time. Yes, it would be great to have 365 cracking landscape shots but it's just not feasible most of the time. Look at small details, get creative with apps, get out of your comfort zone and try something new...these are all ways you can keep your 365 project both creative and interesting. Another point to remember is to always carry a camera with you. This doesn't have to be a DSLR but do make sure you have your Smartphone, compact or even a film camera (if that's your thing) with you so you never miss an opportunity. If you do miss a day, don't beat yourself up too badly, just take two shots the following day (we won't tell anyone you bent the rules slightly). 

  2. 52 Week Project

Photo Joshua Waller 

 

If taking a photo every day seems a little daunting how about one a week? This could be of anything and everything or how about giving it a theme? Take a portrait shot every week for a year or how about taking a photo of a dinner at least once a week? There's plenty of things to try, you just need to get those grey cells working and think of something that really gets you excited about the project so you see it through to completion. 

 

3. 12 Hour Photo Project 

 

 

Pick a day and take a photo every hour for 12 hours. A workday may prove to be difficult but a day out at the coast, a day while you're on your annual vacation or a weekend in the city should provide you plenty of opportunities to take a photo every hour. It'll give you the opportunity to expand your photographic skills, taking photos in various lighting situations, locations and from a variety of angles. 

 

4. Photograph 1 Item / Object

 

If you don't want to set yourself time limits you could focus your attention on one object/item for a year. This, for example, could be a particular tree in your garden or landscape that you take a shot of from the same spot for an X amount of times. You could also pick an item and take it to various locations throughout the year to photograph. Timelapse could also be an option, especially in spring when you can capture flowers blooming in your garden. For broader themes, think of items you'll be able to capture images of in one place such as shop signs in towns. 

 

5. Take On An A-Z Challenge

 

This is one that can be completed in an afternoon while you take a walk around your local town so won't be too time-consuming but it will still challenge you to look at the world through a more creative eye. This project is something we've actually discussed before so won't go into much detail but basically, you capture shots of items around you that are shaped like letters of the alphabet. For more tips, have a read of this: Kickstart Your Creativity With An A - Z Photo Project

 

6. Think In Colour

 

This is project that you can shoot over several days, weeks or even months and the key is to focus just on one colour which means you can capture photos of various subjects so long as the colour theme matches. It's also a great project to keep running alongside your other photography pursuits. 

 

7. Self Portrait Project

 

'Selfies' are all the rage and can be captured with any camera and anywhere (they've even been captured in the International Space Station!). Take on the 'daily self-portrait' project for a week, month or even a year and you'll have an interesting collection of images that document your face, clothing choices etc. for a small pocket in time. 

 

You've read the technique now share your related photos for the chance to win prizes: Photo Month Forum Competition  

Photo by Joshua Waller

Living in the UK, most of the best clothing in our wardrobes is probably winter stuff so why not encourage people to get out and about with their favourite coats, hats and scarves and have fun shooting some outdoor winter portraits.

 

Think about different lighting sources

During the Winter months, strobe lighting can help bring out details and highlights that might not be captured without it but this doesn't mean it should be given prevalence over natural or tungsten lighting. By not overusing one particular light source, you can produce a variety of images, giving your subject more choice at the end of the shoot. 

Sometimes you'll find the flash, colour balance and ambient light will conflict but in the right settings, this can give fashion type portraits a great look. Try playing around with the white balance setting on your camera to give surrounding daylight a cool blue tone. For portraits with a warmer feel, set your white balance to cloudy. 

Don't forget to pack a good reflector as these can be really useful for redirecting winter sun and take your longer lens along which can be used at wider apertures to create sparkling highlights in the background of your shots – Bokeh to those who like the technical words. A spare battery or two are useful and if you want to shoot some indoor shots after walking around outside for a while do remember that moving from outside to inside on cold, damp days could mist up your lens and camera eyepiece up and some acclimatising time will be needed.

 

 

Photo by Joshua Waller

 

Plan your shoot before the day

Rural or urban locations can both work with Christmas lights adding further interest to town and city shoots at this time of year. It's a good idea to have a route in mind so have a look for potential shoot locations before the shoot day actually arrives and it's also worth factoring in a cafe or bar stop along the way where you can make a pitstop. This will give you the chance to warm up, apply fresh make-up etc. If you're heading for woodland, bright clothing can work well as it'll contrast against the trees which are starting to take on their winter appearance. 

Think of ideas and adjectives that'll help you portray a theme to your subject and do remember to help them relax so they don't feel so self-conscious when you're taking their photograph.