Bettina Bogar a Toronto-based photographer and creative director from Europe walks us through producing creative photo shoot ideas. She began her career in Budapest, before moving to Canada to further her creative goals. She specializes in commercial photography and has shot for brands like Lululemon, Airbnb, and Tim Hortons. In this post, in collaboration with
Photo Stories
One of the biggest misconceptions about commercial photography is that you have to have a big budget—and an unlimited amount of time—to make profitable images. The truth is that while some stock photographers do set aside specific dates to shoot for their commercial portfolios, many simply incorporate Licensing into the shoots they already have planned—no
Happy Black History Month! The rich history of black photographers around the world is a lineage that is carried by each of these talented visual artists. According to Data USA, in the United States, the second most common ethnicity of photographers is black, accounting for 8% of the industry, while white photographers account for 79%.
This year is going to be all about breaking photography rules. We’re going to see the rise and fall of some key trends in 2020 and even a few comebacks. Photography trends have defined generations of hobbyists and professionals for years, and the recycling of trends isn’t new. For example, the resurgence of luxury and
How to avoid disappointment and take the shots your clients really want! I know you are wondering – “Do I really need a wedding photo checklist?” The answer is a unanimous yes, We put together this helpful wedding photography checklist as a lifesafer for that big day. Hope it helps. What is wedding photography?
Keep up with key trends in Licensing as 500px’s Art Director, Karen Biilmann, analyzes common threads and current themes throughout our Exclusive Contributor photography submissions. From GenZ travel to trains, here’s what’s trending in the 500px Licensing Collection. Disconnecting and getting off the grid were the most popular 2019 travel themes. We also saw people
Marcia is a Brazilia lifestyle photographer who has mastered the micro moment that we see gaining traction in commercial photography. She captures the small details that happen throughout the day, helping to translate a universal narrative of authentic lifestyle visuals. Q: As a commercial photographer based in Brazil, are there any challenges you face when
Want to capture someone’s attention? Use the color red. Cultures around the world revere red as either an auspicious omen or a sign of terror. Since it is considered to be one of the most visible colors, it has also been used to signal caution (think fire trucks and red lights). In East Asian stock
Happy 2020! Under the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar, January 1 is regarded as the start of the New Year for most cultures around the world. The New Year is considered to be a time to leave the previous year behind and start fresh. Last year was an incredibly exciting year
Over 65.2 million people visited New York City in 2019 (according to NYC & Co). This legendary city is heralded as a must-visit destination for tourism photography—whether enjoying a play on Broadway or immersing yourself in the sites of Times Square, photographers have the chance to embrace the arts and culture of the city that
Searching for a model can be frustrating for photographers who are planning a photoshoot. Finding models on Model Mayhem is a simple solution to this problem, but only if you know how Model Mayhem works. You’ll need to know the best way to connect with models who meet your specifications while avoiding common pitfalls. Our
Adriana Samanez is a Licensing Contributor based in Lima, Peru, who doesn’t shy away from exploring different locations while traveling and capturing candid and intimate moments between her models. Q: How you get into photography? A: I got my first camera as a gift from my uncle one Christmas. It was the one he used
Last year, when The New York Times digitized millions of their archival photographs, their editors recognized a recurring theme: dogs were everywhere. They appeared in the style pages, but they also cropped up in more unexpected places—like the sports sections and weather reports. For decades, animals—and their relationships with humans—have been a fixture of mainstream
From underwater portrait sessions to floral crowns and flowy fabric, recent trends have reinvigorated the field of maternity photos. If once the genre was considered radical (think: Demi Moore on the cover of Vanity Fair), it’s now entered the mainstream (think: Beyonce’s 2017 pregnancy photoshoot with twins). These days, maternity photos are equally at home
Walker Evans influenced Robert Frank. Eugène Atget inspired Berenice Abbott. Alfred Stieglitz mentored Paul Strand. Invented in the 19th century, photography is a relatively young medium, but its brief history has been shaped—at least in part—-by the relationships that form between artists and generations. Up-and-coming photographers stand on the shoulders of their predecessors; they borrow
The global commercial stock image industry is big business, and it’s expected to grow significantly in the next four years, generating revenues of more than $4 billion by 2023. With the increasing demand for online visuals and the accessibility of top-notch cameras, it’s no wonder more photographers than ever are Licensing their images and bringing
In the last three decades, the stock photography industry has undergone radical shifts. In the 1960s, advertisers and designers generally classed stock images as generic and artificial—but as today’s creatives will tell you, the field has experienced an about-face. In the 1960s and 70s, Graphic Design USA rejected stock photo ads—however, according to their 33rd
In the last few decades, photography contests have had a hand in shaping the industry, promoting emerging voices, and predicting new trends. In 2020, camera brands, independent publishers, universities, and non-profit organizations alike will launch new competitions for photographers, with awards varying from cash prizes to international exhibition opportunities and more. In anticipation of the
If one thing has defined commercial stock photography in the last five years, it’s been a shift to more natural, realistic images in advertising. While stock photography agencies might once have provided images of canned smiles and isolated white backgrounds, they now offer candid moments, genuine emotions, and beautiful light. Today’s lifestyle photographers work in
For the last century, photographers ranging from Dorothea Lange to Robert Frank, Edward Weston to Gary Winogrand, and W. Eugene Smith to Cindy Sherman, have helped to define our culture—often with a little help from grants from agencies and organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the MacArthur Fellows program.
The trends and movements that start on the streets of our cities often filter into our visual culture. From television commercials featuring street-cast models to print ads shot in collaboration with iconic street photographers, today’s leading brands are hitting the pavement and finding inspiration in the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life. As major companies
Well, 2019 is almost behind us, and we want to end the year by celebrating you, our creative community. It’s safe to say you were hard at work this year, uploading and sharing over 12.4 million photos, submitting 650 thousand images to Quests, and commenting on your fellow photographer’s photos over 15 million times. We
Cameron Prentice is a freelance editorial photographer and Exclusive 500px Licensing Contributor based in Edinburgh. He travels and photographs different areas within the United Kingdom, while also working predominantly within the creative industry. Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself—how did you start in photography, and what is your current focus in the creative
From hip florals and pops of color to sculptural food and minimal flat-lays, the last few years have revolutionized still life photography. Last year, the #shelfie trend-inspired fine artists and Instagrammers alike to reimagine everyday objects and transform their bookshelves and desks into candy-colored confections. The new wave of still life photography has touched the