Amanda Diaz is one of the best-known Fashion and Portrait photographers based in Western Canada. Her career as a photographer started in 2008 and in 2012 was nominated as one of the top ten fashion/editorial photographers on the Framed Network.

Amanda, like many successful artistic photographers, has made a brand for herself in the world of photography. Her work has been featured in multiple magazines and websites from around the world and has taken over all forms of social media.

Besides her sensational work of taking stunning photographs, Amanda is also teaching photography and workshops. Her style in photography has brought her the attention of many who are looking to learn from her.

If you are seeking for some inspiration in the fashion and portrait photography, then Amanda Diaz is the photographer for you.

In this interview, we speak to Amanda to seek out insights into her work and feel her passion towards photography.

Amanda spoke to us by email…

Let’s start with a small introduction about yourself.

I am a Fashion and Portrait photographer, born in Toronto, Ontario and currently reside in Western Canada. My shooting style tends to lean more on the artistic and fine art side of photography. I like to add a surreal and ethereal mood to most of my images. I love watching movies and listening to music – I usually will have one or the other in the background as I’m working or editing. I’ve been shooting for almost a decade come May 2018.

Before you started with photography I see that you worked with children for a long time. Can you tell us more about that?

Yes, that is correct. I studied early childhood and started out in daycares. I then began working with children who had special needs. Autism, speech delays, behavioral issues, FASD etc. It was fulfilling but also extremely stressful and I was getting very burnt out. I then started studying graphic design and photography online part time as I continued working. It took me a total of 5 years to transition out of the first career and into this one now as a photographer.

At what point did you realize that photography is what you wanted to do as a career?

It wasn’t really that obvious, to be honest as I was planning to be a graphic designer, I had to finish my courses in order to get my certificate of advanced design, and choose an additional subject and so I chose photography. I was following assignments and used friends to model for me. After getting so much positive feedback on my work, I just ended up going in that direction over time.

Were there any hurdles that you encountered at the beginning of your journey as a photographer?

Yes, many and I still do from time to time. Rejection for one, and also that I walked into quite a rude awakening. I found that the more attention I started to get online and off, the more negativity and hateful comments also came my way. It was quite a shock and many nights I would cry myself to sleep in total confusion as to why strangers would talk to me and about me the way they did, making accusations of my character and so on. But as time has passed, I just don’t really worry about it anymore and stick to myself for the most part. I would say that was the biggest challenge for me- other than learning the technical side of things which I am not fond of.

Why did you decide to become a fashion/ Portrait photographer? 

I actually started out taking pictures of weddings, babies, family etc. As time went on, I found I was not really happy nor was I interested in doing images like that. I actually got to the point of nearly just quitting- I started to work with models here and there and really loved the energy and creativity I could have. The planning, styling, shooting and even editing was something I enjoyed a lot. Over time, I just started to only shoot portraits or fashion editorials and have been doing that ever since!

In 2012, you were nominated as one of the Top 10 Fashion/Editorial Photographers. How did that feel?

I was pretty excited and quite surprised actually. It was very encouraging for me as I was placed in a category with a couple other photographers whom I admired and looked up too- So even though I didn’t “win” -being nominated was more than enough!

How much time do you spend taking photos? Can you tell us a little bit about your workflow?

Well, these days actually not very much! I’ve been so busy with working on a new project that will be coming this spring its left little to no time for shoots! I’m trying to get back into some more creatives coming up though! But as for my workflow, I usually begin with some kind of inspiration like a makeup or hair look, some style of clothing, lighting etc, then from there, I build on the idea adding more elements and trying to create something unique. Once I have my idea I start gathering my team, set a date, shoot and the spend forever trying to narrow down the images. Sometimes I get so critical of my work I don’t even want to look at the images again…It’s the artist in me I suppose. It’s a very bad habit but I’m working on it.

How do you market yourself to your clients?

Well, luckily, I have my social media that helps me a lot when it comes to being hired for work. People tend to see my work a lot on platforms like Instagram or Facebook so that part makes it easy, as well as word of mouth from past clients.

You’re also in the photography education industry. How long have you been teaching photography workshops?

Yes, I’ve only been teaching workshops only for the last 4 years. My last one was this past October and I most likely will no longer be doing physical workshops (unless they are retreats) as I am now moving my curriculum online. It makes it a lot easier for students too as they can learn in the comfort of their own home and at their own pace.

What projects are you working on now?

I have two brand new projects coming up that has been keeping me really busy. One is in partnership with a couple friends and it will be a resource site for females in business and the other is my online courses that I will soon be releasing

You have around 53.3k followers on Instagram, what tips can you give to photographers who want to get their work seen like that?

I think the most important thing when it comes to social media, to remember to be true to yourself, style and brand. Don’t worry too much about what others are doing unless it’s to motivate you, otherwise it can get really discouraging watching what everyone else is doing. Also, be patient and consistent with your posts. Even I sometimes fall off and it actually does affect my visibility if I don’t stay on schedule after a few days. Social media honestly for me can be very draining and time-consuming… especially that I am such a private person, I have difficulty sometimes thinking about what to post other than an image! But I’m trying to be better at it though!

Any final words of wisdom you would like to share with all the aspiring photographers out there?

I would say just to keep focused if this is truly your passion. It can be a harsh and competitive industry and there will always be ups and downs, but if its something you love – just don’t give up! 🙂

Find out more information on Amanda Diaz photography tutorials & insights here!

Oded Wagenstein is a unique and professional photographer whose photographs capture emotions and tells stories.

At a very young age, Oded taught himself how to use the camera as a platform to explore his fears.

Through hard work and determination, he has now built a career as a professional photographer. He loves to travel around the world and capture intimate portraits.

His images and articles are regularly published on numerous international platforms, such as the BBC and the National Geographic.

Oded believes in sharing knowledge. He is the author of three amazing books –

• Stories and Faces – Composition for stronger stories and better portraits.
• Snapn Travel – A lifetime of travel memories in a snap.
• The Visual Storyteller – Creating stronger stories and better photographs.

He is a photography instructor at the largest photography school in the Middle East (Galitz School of Photography). He teaches both Jews and Muslims to use their cameras as a bridge between them. Through photography, he helps them share their stories, hopes, and fears.

In this interview, we had a chance to connect via email to ask him a few questions.

Can you tell us how important is it for a photographer to “connect” with his subjects?

Not every photographer needs to connect with his or her subjects. I have colleagues who are wonderful street photographers and in their mind, even talking with the subject is a great sin. For me, the camera is just a vehicle for fascinating encounters. I love the way the camera allows me to meet new people from different cultures and gain new knowledge. Therefore, I find that connecting with people through the camera is not only the most important aspect of my work but the most rewarding.

How would you describe your style in photography?

The question is – what is style? Is this a form of visual repetition?In that light, I am not sure I have a style. I prefer that we would change the word “style” with the word “voice“. I find that focusing on “style” is putting the emphasis on the shape of the work while focusing on the “voice”, is putting the emphasis on the meaning. So, I wish that my work could bring my voice, tell my stories and share my fears.

How much preparation do you put into before working on any project?

It depends on the project, but usually, my preparation includes several basic steps:

First, visual preparation. I would like to collect visual materials (pictures, paintings, films) dealing with the subject/place/culture I wish to explore. At this stage, I would like to be visually inspired and understand what has been done in the past on that subject. The second stage is reading. I would read any material relevant. For example, when it comes to culture; I would like to read about the traditions, history, economy, and demographics of the place and anything that can help me understand the meaning of living in that culture.

I remember a few years ago, a magazine sent me to photograph in a kibbutz of organic agriculture in Israel. Since I have a family living on a kibbutz, I knew the meaning of life in a Kibbutz, but I knew nothing about organic agriculture. So I read information online and talked to experts and learned so much. Of course, you could say that I could photograph those farmers without that preliminary knowledge, but I think that understanding what they do, helped me in creating a better visual story.

What advice do you have for somebody who wants to pursue photography?

My advice is to put less emphasis on purchasing new and advanced equipment and more emphasis on learning and inspiration. Buy books, take courses, and surround yourself with creative people.

See more of Oded’s work here.

Lightroom and Photoshop have revolutionized the photo editing world. With the ease of workflow and the ability to transform images into works of art at the click of a button, many have grasped the capabilities of the Adobe editing software programs and taken full advantage. Despite the capabilities that Photoshop and Lightroom possess, there is an easier way to edit photographs for newcomers and those that just want to streamline the editing process: photo editing plugins and

Despite the capabilities that Photoshop and Lightroom possess, there is an easier way to edit photographs for newcomers and those that just want to streamline the editing process: photo editing plugins and auto photo correction software.

This article aims to review ten different auto photo correction and photo editing plugins that can be used in either Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom.

1. VSCO

VSCO Film revolutionized the ability to turn your iPhone photos into gorgeous film like pictures at a push of a button. Along with the world famous app that was developed by VSCO they have published photo editing plugins that can be used in Lightroom along with Adobe Camera Raw. With eight different packages and film types priced at $59 each, one will be spending their entire paycheck to hope to edit their photos to look like they came out of their parent’s camera.

Image: Vasco Photo editing plugins

Pros:

• Most realistic film plugins on the market
• Easy to use on Lightroom, Adobe Camera Raw and iPhone
• $15 off new Camera Profiles for VSCO Film with coupon VS0816

Cons:

• $472 for all of the plugins (eight packages)
• Can achieve the same look as a VSCO filter for free

2. Athentech’s Perfectly Clear Plugins

Perfectly Clear Plugins 2.0 offer a revolutionary way to edit photographs in both Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Athentech’s new product boasts to “dramatically speed up your workflow with these powerful one-click plugins.”

The plugin looks at your photo and uses a system to calculate how to enhance the photo fully. This powerful algorithm that has been carefully developed makes editing photo super easy, and the same edits can be applied to a batch of photos which saves hours.

The workflow with Perfectly Clear Plugins is simple. After opening the photo in Lightroom or Photoshop, one will adjust any corrections manually. After the photo is adjusted manually, Athentech’s platform begins to enhance the photographs to a level many photographers have not achieved. With this plugin, you get 20 algorithm based one-click enhancements – 10 for corrections and 10 for beautification.

Perfectly Clear one-click exposure corrections

The ten one-click corrections that enhance your photos are:

1. Perfect exposure
2. Color vibrancy
3. Noise removal
4. Tint removal
5. Image sharpening
6. Increase depth
7. Light diffuser
8. Red eye remover
9. Real color technology
10. Dynamic range

The ten one-click corrections that beautify your photos are:

1. Perfect smooth
2. Blemish removal
3. Dark circle removal
4. Shine removal
5. Face slimming
6. Catch light
7. Eye enhance
8. Eye booster
9. Teeth whitening
10. Skin toner

Pros:

• 20 different one-click editing commands
• Not only correct the photo aesthetics but also corrects person in photograph
• All of these auto photo editing plugins are only $99!
• Available in both Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom
• Allows for you to adjust photograph manually before using the 20 one-click corrections

3. Sleeklens Complete Lightroom Collection

Sleeklens is another option for editing images in Lightroom. Sleeklens boasts “that whether you are editing Portraits, Landscapes, HDR or anything else – This Lightroom Collection has it all.”

The complete Lightroom photo editing plugins have 1,095 presets and 357 brushes for Lightroom. Along with this, Sleeklens offers numerous guides on how to edit the photos using their brushes and presets.

Pros:

• Numerous plugins (over 1,000)
• Brushes for different needs

Cons:

• Hard to use (tutorials seem to be necessary to understand plugins and brushes)
• Photographs do not seem to look any better
• $610 for the entire package (most expensive photo-editing plugin package I could find)
• Only able to use in Lightroom

Sleeklens photo editing plugin “Before and After”

4. Strike a Pose Workflow

Sleeklens also offers a smaller package called “Strike a Pose” that is aimed to develop the best portrait photographs through a Lightroom auto photo correction plugin. This package includes:

• 69 portrait presets and 62 portrait brushes
• Only compatible with Lightroom
• Easy-to-follow guides
• Recipe list and sample images for “inspiration”

Pros:

• Easy to use portrait presets
• Recipe list that helps to develop photos to full potential
• It costs $39

Cons:

• Only for portrait photographs
• Can only be used in Lightroom

5. 100 Landscape Lightroom Preset

100 Premium Landscape Lightroom Presets advertises an ideal way to develop landscape photographs. With this auto photo correction platform, the company states that it will “help the professional and amateur photographer.”

Pros:

• 100 different presets for landscapes
• Only $26

Cons:

• Only can really be used for landscapes
• Published on creative live and not be a reputable company (lack of customer support)
• Only compatible with Lightroom 4,5 and 6.

6. MCP Actions

MCP actions offers, editing tools for both Lightroom and Photoshop that are separated into different photography styles. The four editing tools that MCP actions offers are:

• Inspiration Lightroom Presets
• Baby Steps New Born Lightroom Presets
• Enlighten Lightroom Presets
• Inspire Photoshop Actions

All of these packages are priced individually although all except the Inspiration package are priced at $149.99.

The product describes states that it uses to auto photo correction in each of their plugins to develop photos through 99 set actions that include: lighting fixes, quick looks, mood rings, and custom looks that will polish the photographs.

Pros:

• Up to 100 different auto-photo correction actions in each package
• Develops portrait photographs in both Lightroom and Photoshop

Cons:

• $149.99 for each of the four presets ($600 for all presets)
• Aimed at portrait photographs and do not seem useful for landscape, cityscape, HDR or any other types of photography.

7. Totally Rad

Totally Rad offers auto-photo corrections for both Lightroom and Photoshop. The website describes the company as “a team of artists and engineers who make simple, fast and beautiful editing tools for creative photographers.”

Totally Rad offers two different photo editing plugins, five different presets and two different actions. Each are priced separately but the range of the software is between $39 for the cheapest presets to $149 for their most popular plugin called “Red Lab”

Pros:

• Different presets, plugins and actions
• Can use in all versions of Lightroom and Photoshop
• Interactive website with support and learning tools

Cons:

• Expensive if you want the whole package

8. Yellow Sky Actions

Yellow Sky Actions are auto photo correction actions that can be used on either Photoshop CS3-6 or as Lightroom presets.

The Yellow Sky states that it will “help anyone take pictures” and offers over 100 actions that help the photographer save time while making the photographs look much more beautiful.

Yellow Sky’s example photographs on their website pages tend to lean towards more of the portrait and wedding photography presets but could be used for landscape or cityscape photographs to create a moody photograph.

Pros:

• Actions that can be used in either Lightroom or Photoshop

Cons:

• Website seems not to be functional
• Customer reviews stated that the customer service was unresponsive at times

9. Greater Than Gatsby

Greater Than Gatsby offers numerous photo editing plugins for Lightroom along with Photoshop auto photo correction actions. The aim of Greater Than Gatsby photo plugins and presets are more towards portrait, newborn and wedding photography.

Pros:

• 11 Photoshop actions and 6 different Lightroom presets packages to choose from.
• State of the art actions and presets for portrait, newborn or wedding photography.
• Online tutorials available
• Can save 50% if you create your own bundle
• Can try the actions or photo editing plugins free before purchasing the packages

Cons:

• Packages are $400 or more
• Individual presets or actions range anywhere between $79-125
• Actions and Plugins are only aimed at portrait, newborn or wedding photography

10. Delicious Presets

Delicious Presets are aimed to enhance the “storytellers” photographs and can be used in Lightroom and ACR.

The presets are broken down into three different packages but can be bought in a bundle for $120.

Delicious also offers auto photo correction to quicken the editing flow in Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw with five different presets that focus on correcting colors, enhancing black and white, add subtle and analog tones, and vivid colors for those that want their photographs to pop.

Finally, Delicious offers a package that is aimed only at the workflow and can be used in Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw. This package called “Delicious Recipes” goal is to provide step by step guidance along with information and tips that will help the editing process for those photographs that edit photographs in bulk.

Pros:

• Numerous different presets and correction along with a package that are aimed solely at creating an effective workflow for editing in Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom
• Bundles are highly discounted

Cons:

• Minimal reviews online about the packages
• Aimed only at portrait and wedding photographers

There are hundreds of different auto photo correction software, and photo editing plugins in are the market. So how do you know which one is best for you?

This chart is aimed at comparing all of the different aspects of photo editing software’s that can be used with Lightroom or Photoshop.

Photo Editing Plugins Comparison Chart

Plugin	LR or PS or Both?	Price***	Style of Photography
Athentech’s Perfectly Clear Plugins 2.0	Both	$149	Portrait, wedding, landscape, HDR, etc., (all photo mediums)
Delicious Presets	Both	$210	Portrait, wedding, landscape, etc. (all photo mediums)
Greater Than Gatsby	Both	$690	Portrait, wedding
MCP Actions	Both	$596	Portraits, newborns
Sleekens Complete Lightroom Collection	Lightroom	$255	Portrait, wedding, landscape, etc. (all photo mediums)
Strike a Pose Workflow	Lightroom	$39	Portrait, wedding, newborn
Totally Rad	Both	$150+	Portrait, wedding, landscape, etc. (all photo mediums)
VSCO	Lightroom	$472	Portrait, wedding, landscape, etc. (all photo mediums)
Yellow Sky Actions	Both	Unknown	Portrait, wedding, newborn
100 Landscape Lightroom Presets	Lightroom	$26	Landscape

**Price is for all of the services offered combined

Conclusion:

With so many different types of photo editing plugins, it is difficult to choose which one is the most cost effective for the style of photography you use.

From the chart above one can narrow down the different price levels, photography styles and software (Lightroom, Photoshop or Both) that are available.

Despite the many different options the one true editing plugin and auto photo correction software that stand out is the Perfectly Clear Plugin. Looking at the different aspects of photography that this plugin can be used to edit from landscape to newborn and from fashion to fine art.

Athentech’s package develops photographs regardless of the type of pictures that the photographer takes. This package should appeal to the diverse photographer that shoots different types of photos or wants to experiment with different forms.

Along with the diversification that the perfectly clear plugins allow, it boasts state of the art algorithms. These algorithms aim to help the photographer edit the photo to its highest potential and also decrease the overall editing time. This streamlines the editing process.

With the low price and ability to edit all different styles of photographs, Athentech’s Perfectly Clear Plugins 2.0 is the clear choice for Lightroom and Photoshop photo editing plugins.

 

Boudoir photography is huge right now. There are so many women out there, who aren’t necessarily models, looking for classy, sexy photos. Boudoir photographs make a woman feel beautiful. They make her feel sensual, and they can, if taken properly give her some newfound confidence. They also make the perfect gift for her partner, so, of course, she’s going to look and feel her best!

‘Boudoir’ is of French origin, meaning a woman’s bedroom or sitting room. So it won’t come as any surprise that most boudoir photography takes place in an intimate setting like a bedroom or hotel. Or if you don’t have access to this, your own boudoir setting within your photography studio.

Romantic, sexy, soft, sensual, and sometimes even naughty…these are all characteristics of what makes a good boudoir picture. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been in the game for years or you’re just starting out as a boudoir photographer, you’re probably still on the look out for some hot boudoir photography tips.

When it comes to boudoir photography tips for the budding boudoir photographer, you’ve got to remember your primary goal – make your subject feel totally at ease while capturing them in the most flattering way possible. No woman wants to be left feeling vulnerable and unattractive.

We’ve compiled some of the best boudoir photography tips there are to help you get it right from the outset. You need to know your subject well (not too well obviously) and you need to find the right poses that compliment your client’s body type.

Regardless of what people might think, boudoir photographs aren’t sleazy. They’ve been around since the early 1900s and were a favorite amongst the aristocratic women of that time. So keep it classy and shoot your subjects well.

Here are some of the best boudoir photography tips for every boudoir photographer.

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