MISTAKES I've made as a PHOTOGRAPHER (and how to avoid them)

In this video I'm sharing the mistakes I've made as a photographer and I'm giving some tips and advice on how you can avoid making these mistakes. Hopefully You will enjoy this little sit-down video! What are some photography-related mistakes you've made in the past years?
I'm a full-time photographer in the Netherlands and I'm planning on showing you a but more of my life as a photographer. Are you interested in photography? Are you looking for a free-online Photography course? Do you want to see the inside of a Photo Studio? Then please, watch my videos and subscribe to my channel!
I'm planning on sharing videos in which I show you my typical work-week as a photographer. I will give you tips & tricks concerning photography, photo shoots, backdrops, studio props, camera settings (iso, aperture, shutter speed, white balance), photoshoot outfits, photoshoot make-up etc.
Bedankt voor het kijken! Ik ben een full-time fotograaf in Nederland en ik wil je graag iets meer laten zien over mijn werk als fotograaf. Wil je meer weten over (digitale) fotografie? Wil je weten hoe een fotostudio er van binnen uitziet? Ben je op zoek naar een gratis online cursus fotografie? Kijk dan mijn videos en abonneer je op mijn kanaal. Ik zal videos maken over camera instellingen (iso, sluitertijd, diafragma, wit-balans), studio achtergronden, fotoshoot outfits, fotoshoot make-up enz.
IMPORTANT
If you are interested in photographing newborn babies yourself I would highly recommend you to first learn about photography in general. Master you camera, photograph in the Manual mode, learn about aperture, iso, shutter speed, white balance, light and composition. Take photos of your friends (adults or very patient older kids) and make sure you don't have to think about your camera anymore when photographing babies. Learn about editing as well. Please, don't experiment photographing Newborn babies without training. Attend a workshop by an experienced and professional photographer with an expertise in Newborn Photography. Learn about the anatomy of babies and invest in good quality cameras, lenses and props. Babies are extremely vulnerable and small and their safety and comfort should be your highest priority. Start with simple poses and make sure you know and understand that many 'pinterest poses' are composites. Please, don't try this at home. If you want beautiful photos of your own Newborn Baby, I highly recommend you to hire a professional and experienced photographer who is trained and specialised in Newborn Photography.
#fenna_and_photography #photoshoot #photography #fotograaf #fotografie #fotoshoot #photographer #behindthescenes #photoshootprops #photostudio #newbornphotography #nikon #nikonnederland
www.wonder-foto...
/ wonderfotografie
/ wonderfotografie
Music:
Somewhere In Nature by Simon More / user-73416670

[@deliahayward1541]

Your so sweet. I can see how it hurt you. Don't take it personal. Its someone being inconsiderate and very rude. Thank you for this video I learned alot

[@weidikoh2579]

what a great way to turn a missed session into a productive video. you don't waste any time! thanks

[@rubylovessummer8274]

Thank you for sharing your mistakes. I’m not a professional, just an amateur but I enjoy every video you post and learned a lot from you. You’re easy to relate to and super sweet. Thank you Fenna

[@lindahinton5500]

I just love how passionate you are about photography! I appreciate your explanation on the appropriate steps to become a SAFE, WELL TRAINED newborn baby photographer. How you keep Mom, Dad and siblings feeling comfortable is so kind. Although, how you care for the the babies that come into your studio is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!! Thank you for sharing your work with the world, the achievements, as well as the mistakes. I've always believed that you can't achieve much without mistaking a little. **J.R.H.** 📷👶☺

[@briannsmith2458]

Please make a video on pricing!! And what you include in your packages!

[@melp.6562]

Such an important topic! Yes, on pricing please!

[@CarolelovesCandles]

And how long your sessions are please

[@bridgettecollins5970]

She has on another video called Q&A :)

[@scljr1987]

Just found your videos recently and love the flow and easy/calm nature to them. Keep up the good work. New viewer from the U.S.

[@lissac67]

Early on I didn't read an order properly during my very busy season and I thought the client had ordered the full gallery on disk. But they had ordered a large wall canvas, they were the same price. So I just looked at the price and sent a disk. She emailed a month later asking where her canvas was. Oops. I did refund her money but I felt awful. This was over 10 years ago when I was just starting out. But now I read and reread everything! I also once forgot to format a memory card and just what you said happened, I couldn't take very many photos. It was mini sessions so I did have time to run out for a new card, but yeah, that never happened again! Love your videos, thank you for being such an inspiration!

[@ivansgreatadventures9542]

All of my clients have to prepay for their sessions at the time of booking to guarantee and lock in their appointments.

[@michellesmith4833]

I just recently have discovered you and I love your work. It is very inspirational. One mistake that I have made is definitely not Charging enough for my photos and my time.

[@annerichard788]

I left my battery charger and battery plugged in a hotel wall in Chicago and did not realize it before I was back in Montreal. I broke a 50 mm 1.4 when changing lenses over a concrete outdoor floor. I went to India and Australia with a crappy first-generation point-and-shoot digital camera. So many mistakes come to mind, but I'm still thrilled whenever I manage to take good travel, street or portrait photos. Such a great and creative way to spend our time.

[@michelleh.5965]

I'm so sorry you were left today, that is horrible. Thank you again for being so real with us. You are awesome. Could you share some of the software you use, especially where you upload the client galleries to and what you did to get the photos to them when you started? Have you ever done 'In person' sales?

[@lotus1695]

I to am keen to know what you've asked as well Michelle.

[@sarahlloyd617]

Oh my goodness, thank God you are human! LOL. You seem to achieve so much, mother to 2 young children, wife, homemaker, awesome photographer and so on. Plus you make some of your own props so you are very creative. You have a wonderful eye for colour and what will work together. And on top of all that you make videos for us to watch! I was starting to feel inadequate! But now you have shown you are human! I do think it is very rude for people just to not show up, if you don’t think you can make it for whatever reason just call. Saves everyone a lot of hassle. Keep doing what you are doing.

[@kyralochead-clarke7182]

You are inspiring! Thank you I love your channel

[@elicepeda]

I have made most of those mistakes, including dropping the lens at a shoot and not having a second camera and worst, running out battery at an outside event. Learning mistakes... Mistakes that help you grow. After a few same day cancelations, I started charging a small non refundable fee for booking. Now I charge 50% to book and 100% 24 hours before the shoot. Also, just like you, I used to give too many files and charged too little money. Now for minis I give between 10 to 30 printed files, depending on the package. (I used to give all the pics taken. :( ) Clients can view and select the pictures online. However, for events, I give all the best files in a decent quality with my signature on them. And clients choose up to 50 files to print and edited. There is a fee for extras.

[@InBetweenMaps]

I think I've made all your mistakes too! and yes people sometimes don't understand the whole work there is behind a photoshoot and they just simply dont shownup or dont pay. I've also had another mistake, I didn't check the weather forecast and so it was a rainy day and clients were a unconfortable in the session.

[@-adri-4335]

Thanks for those tips Fenna. They'll come on handy.👍🏻🌻

[@vaniaravind1055]

Learnt a a bit to be careful thanks for sharing this video

[@ZannaTheGreat]

My big mistake was relying on natural window sunlight for a newborn session in someones home... And the mom gave me the time of day she thought her house has the most light. But, it was the wrong time of day and I have a crop body so we had some grainy photos. Next time I'll bring lights!

[@FennaPhotography]

I've had that happen as well! In my first years I travelled to clients homes and sometimes they had orange sunblinds or direct sunlight in every room. Since then I always brought my light setup and reflector to block the sun a bit if needed.

[@sanaimran5999]

You are very honest I love your videos. I am a bigginer photographer and made many mistakes when I did my first wedding I forgot to charge my speed light's extra battery I made lots of photos of wedding but at the time of couple shoot I ran out of the batteris lol it was so embarrassing for me. And once some students ask for their farewell shoot an hour before sunset I reched there but they were late and came after sunset that was too dark outside where they want photoshoot and my speedlight was not enough for that dark but I made it somehow.

[@angeliquemaez5569]

I’m still new but when I had just started I was doing a free shoot with a model and my SD card only took about 14 shots and then stopped working. Good thing I always have extra SD cards...but I had no idea that you had to format them! Now I format them right after transferring to my computer. Too many times I’ve made the mistake of raising my ISO and then forgetting it was really high and shooting with it 🤦🏻‍♀️ Another time when practicing using strobes with a fellow student that was modeling laying down on the floor and the strobe tipped over and almost fell on top of her. Luckily I caught it and now I always use sand bags.

[@TheMsRicanbaby]

I dont even know what it means to format them haha. I only have one and I never take it out of the camera. I just wirelessly transfer to my computer. Am I doing something wrong?!

[@sherryheard2083]

I love your photos! Thank you for making videos, they are very informative.

[@prodigygirl1]

Thank you, Fenna. I have also made the same mistakes. I must also learn to take a deposit.

[@primyfuentes409]

Oh my gosh I thought I was the only one to prepare a pink set for baby boy by mistake. Haha.. great tips Fenna!

[@jewelbf]

i love ur videos so muchhh...💕💕

[@FennaPhotography]

Thank you! That's awesome to hear :)

[@havenlove7023]

Your so caring ..I'm sorry people suck and dont show up or pay..I wouldn't let them use thier phone camera if I were you .

[@FennaPhotography]

Thank you. Usually now I friendly ask my clients not to take photos on their cell phone. It's in my 'terms and conditions', but they usually don't read them. It's quite distracting as well for a toddler, because sometimes they even call the name of their child to have them look at the phone (instead of me....). Sometimes I tell parents they can film a bit during the 'cake eating part', but then I sometimes still see they secretly take pictures. For a newborn session, they usually respect my wishes and completely understand it.

[@havenlove7023]

@@FennaPhotography That's crazy they call their child name..😮 they should just let you do your work.smh!

[@marianadvp]

Hi Fenna! Love this video! Could you make a newone? With the mistakes when you are and advanced photographer.

[@anjusingh6721]

so true & VERY INFORMATIVE

[@zdepav2609]

Fenna, you are so nice and I totally see why it makes you upset and yes some people are so rude to do that because you could have a serious client or spend the time with your children.

[@bettyannstryker4380]

Hi Fenna, I have been following you for at least 4 years and I’ve taken great pics of my grandchildren. The newest is turning one. I’m going to do a cake smash session. What size cake should I order? Can u tell me? Thanks for all your great tips.

[@deefadog86]

Hi Fenna, I LOVE your work. Can I ask why you use a lense hood, what benefits do you gain? Wondering if I should invest. Thankyou Sam xx

[@lotus1695]

Because life flare into the camera but mostly for protection incase camera falls. Hope that helps. 😉

[@JFebrillet]

you are like so darn sweet. i just love how you explain your mistakes and how we can learn from it.

[@threelittlebirds1057]

Love the video. One question about the outdoor mini session: what happens if it rains that day? Do you call all people to cancel/reschedule? Or you still going just hoping someone show up?

[@minedgroundhog]

Echt balen dat ze niet op kwamen dagen, ik heb het laatst ook gehad en dat voelt zo vervelend! Het was de laatste shoot die ik zou doen voor de lockdown, dus het was achteraf extra zuur

[@yeseniagarcia6771]

Hahaha I love this video your awesome and we are all humans. I love all that you post

[@manilanim9344]

there is a home studio in my country who actually has the same set-up session of yours ,"that white balloons cake smash", first time i saw the photos in Facebook i was like oh i can see Fenna everywhere then realized it was actually their own photos .. the funny part here was when they replied to a comment complimenting their decoration with "it's our certificate that we proud of" ohh come on (sorry for my bad English)

[@rachelg7371]

Never do ANY work or Order anything for a client unless payment is made up front or a big enough deposit to reserve a session. I haven’t had as many clients as you, but I always ask “which method of communication do you prefer?” Easier for everyone, because no one is checking emails when they should be checking voicemails, for example.

[@2214suzq]

You are just to cute....love watching your videos. I lost my bf daughters birthday party back when I started, memory card failed, can't remember exactly what it said, but I ended up loosing all the images. Yeah, when ever I did a wedding I would think of that and just panic inside. I am good at leaving stuff behind when doing outside sessions, left my 70-200 lens cap last month on a bench. Left behind my monopod years back too, both gone. I can be forgetful.... Now, I don't do weddings, just to much stress, nothing ever goes as you planned and they never leave time for portraits. My favorite it cake smashes and newborn now, but hard on me, I am not so young. Today I am driving myself mad looking for a vinyl backdrop for cake smashes, but here in the US, to much for shipping on the one you have. US vendors don't seem to have the size I need, only in white, black, gray or green. I love the one you have. You get great deals locally where you are, so lucky.

[@veternica89]

I love you videos, such inspiration 💖 i wanted to ask you how many sessons per week do you usually do? and how do you split the time between taking pictures and photosessions? thanks 🌸

[@FennaPhotography]

Thank you! At this moment, I try to accept no more than 13 sessions per week. This means max 2-3 sessions per day and the Sunday is always my off day. This week I ended up having 15 sessions, but I try to stick to 10-13 sessions. Maybe in the future I will go for less or more sessions. For the extra requests I try to recommend other good photographers.

[@veternica89]

+Fenna&Photography amazing! thanks for sharing. I end up schedling just one newborn session a day. A bit worried that some sessions will take longer and a lot of energy. What do you do in case the baby is fussy and crying during the session? i once ended up 1 hour in the session and the baby was still not ready, cramps and crying and wanted to eat all the time. Do you reachedule in any occasion?

[@missyfarr7594]

your amazing don't worry about one no show things will go ok :)

[@wednesdaymonroe]

This might be a stupid question, but after shooting in raw do you edit and save it in jpeg?

[@TheNamibRose]

I once put my camera bag outside the church while the wedding ceremony was going on, then we left in a rush for the couple photos. I realised my bag was still there, when I got to the church, my bag was gone, with all my extra batteries, and stuff - 3 hours later - someone brought it back, he took it, when he locked the church and then he went to the pub for some beer and a rugby match - I was freaking out for hours!!!!!!!

[@TommyKarstrom]

Very helpful. Thank you :)

[@nickycornelis9762]

Hi Fenna, waar heb je jou flokati gekocht? En is de kleur ivoor? Die is zo mooi 😍

[@TrioOuriques]

Lindo o seu trabalho, incrível!

[@sashinisarangi7338]

I have done most of those mistakes and gone emotional when they didn't show up, not once but many times.

[@lotus1695]

Thank you so much!! ❤️

[@briannsmith2458]

You should def make people pay a retainer! I make people pay the retainer first Then they fill out the booking form I email and message them on fb I’ve never had a newborn no call no show I had for minis though even when they do pay a fee sometimes they still don’t come! Make yourself a process that they have to go through in order to be booked I do not put them in my schedule unless the retainer is paid

[@ceciliacabrera123]

Thank you Fenna. One of my mistakes doing 1st year sesion was small backdrop :(

[@alexisrose4221]

Yes I am having a hard time finding huge ones that aren’t like 500 lol

[@ceciliacabrera123]

@@alexisrose4221 for real 😂

[@chrissysimpson403]

I never promise anything incase I cannot deliver I've learnt from that mistake in the past..and I over shoot too I'm terrible I'm still trying not too hehe..I once left my flash at a wedding I'm so glad the people there where honest I got a call from the venue and got it back :) Im still waiting for someone to pay me its been nearly a month and I've mailed again today asking her when she is coming to collector pictures the thing is she is a friend of a friend so yer awkward now ive learnt my lesson from that so ill be asking for payment up front from now on..

[@Slisqopros]

Thank you!!

[@wanneske1969]

My biggest mistake was buying too much gear and buying stuff I didn't need and had I to sell it secondhand at a very low price. Something else : I once shot part of a wedding in Jpeg instead of Raw but I didn't tell the wedding couple and nobody noticed !

[@pamelahagan3215]

Do you shoot in Raw or Jpg in your studio?

[@Emmelynn2015]

Hi Fenna, How do you let the clients pay in You’re studio ? Do you have an pin machine ?

[@maggiebane2069]

people asking for raw files are so rude! it happened to me too

[@hijaabkhan9183]

Love your videos ❤️ Love from Pakistan

[@cindyballagh1346]

What do you use for your booking for?

[@nikkijamesmcinnis4293]

I set up for a girl once and it was a boy, so embarrassing. Also called the kids the wring names the whole time and at the end they corrected me "that isn't their names" they were regulars and I just got confused, never booked with me again. I have so many stories too.

[@RoyalBlue-ge2oj]

Hmm my mistakes OMG i Just start and i have many XD .. like i took the wrong Bag ( all my session in customer home ) cuz i have same look Bag XD .. one itme i forgot the camera it slef XD and another time my flash broke in mid of the session for No reason and back to normal after the session so lovely when that happens :P and thanks for sharing .. i think i better to put Extra SD card :x .. what u saying makes me feel scary >

[@jl1515]

I spend literally all day watching your KZbin videos nowadays that I end up staying up till past 12 a.m. I have a huge favor to ask. Could you please share about developing your website? I've seen websites that clients can fill out model release from directly. I'm new to building website and this is not my forte so I'm really struggling. I've purchased a WP theme from Envato and it wasn't working and the creator artist's first response was telling me he had never met someone more stupid than me that he couldn't find words to describe my stupidity only to realize he was the one who made a mistake but never apologized and continued to call me names. It was such a sad experience that I'm afraid to buy anything that's related to website now.

[@natalia1923]

jumping on prices, like im not sure what i should charge :(

[@abmo32]

wtf you are 33 yrs old?! At first I was like, oh a teen, what can she possibly know about photography :D

[@FennaPhotography]

Haha, love your comment. Thank you, I guess :)

[@geniegino]

what do you put into your contract for parents

[@feeenchantee3249]

A mistake that I made... I forgot my keys in my car... fortunately I had my camera and only one lens... CAA could help me only the day after the wedding so I ended up sleeping at the bride s parents house... soooo embarassing! Lol

[@johansmitphotography]

If that wasn't a Nikon lens it would've been broken. 🤣 nah just joking...

[@crystalforand9656]

Always have a non refundable retainer fee!

[@vaunsphotography6820]

I left my extra battery and charger at home when I went to a family reunion. At least I did have my Canon EOS Rebel t3i and my Nikon Coolpix L330 as well as my smartphone, so I still got lots of photos.