Month

November 2021

Passion + practise = success

Above: I photographed this young student of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) Australia using my canon 1DX and 85mm 1.2 lens “Passion for something leads to disproportionate time practising or working at it. That time spent eventually translates to skill, and when skill improves, results improve. Better results generally lead to more enjoyment, and more passion and more time is invested. It can be a virtuous cycle all the way to extraordinary results.” The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Resultsby Gary Keller

Ep 370: Finding your niche with portrait photographer Brian Becnel

Meet Orlando-based photographer Brian Becnel, whose portrait and event photography oozes authenticity. His love of finding the beauty in everyone he sees translates into authentic and relaxed portraits. We chat about starting out on his photography journey; workshops and education, the first moment he realised this could be a side hustle; seeing the beauty in everyone; shooting authentically, how Brian relaxes his models, reading the cues clients give you; the photographer he always dreamed of becoming.

Check out this very cool filter in Lightroom

Ever taken a shot that looks great but is missing detail in a certain area? Yeah, me too! This filter is awesome for selectively adjusting areas like skies.

Should you follow your dream and become an artist or get a “real job”?

Above: Australian entertainers, Hamish and Andy photographed using my classic 4 light setup. When I was a kid, if someone asked me “And what do you want to do when you grow up Gina?” my answer was always the same. “I’m going to be an artist.” I always got the same response, a small knowing smile, that I interpreted as “Wow, how cool. Everyone should be an artist. It’s like, the best thing ever!” It wasn’t until I was in my mid-to-late teens that well-meaning friends and family started to comment on my career choice. “Yes, but what are you going to do to make money dear? Art isn’t a real job. It’s a hobby.” Or… “Don’t become an artist, you’ll end up starving in a garret.” This confused me because I didn’t know what a garret was. (It’s a small living space, like an attic.) Luckily for me, I’m a rebel...

Ep 369: Pet photography with guest Jannene Meyer

Meet Jannene Meyer, an award winning pet photographer located on the Gold Coast of Australia. We chat about: making the transition from what you ‘think’ you should be photographing to following your heart and photographing what you love; working with assistants, the power of mentors, Facebook marketing, 3rd party promotions, the importance of standing out in a crowded market, doggy markets, in person sales and heaps more.

Quote

Above: Siracusa,Sicily, Canon 5D MK111 F4@1/1000th sec Love this quote! “The one thing you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can. The moment that you feel that just possibly you are walking down the street naked… that’s the moment you may be starting to get it right.” – Neil Gaiman, Make Good Art

Ep 368: It’s never too late to be what you might have been, with guest Karla Livney

We chat to guest photographer Karla Livney about making the transition from corp life to the creative life, playing the long game, the importance of creating your own website, photographing the stuff you love vs the work you think you should be doing, how working for charities is a great way to grow your business, learning to light and developing confidence, saying no to certain gigs is just as important as saying yes, gear and much more.

Bargain hunting: 7 tips to consider when buying used camera gear

Above: Old school Yashica edited in Lightroom using a preset from my Black and White preset collection.  There are many bargains available online when buying used camera gear, but always do your research before you part with your hard earned cash so you don’t end up with someone else’s junk. 1. Safety Beware of shonky dealers. Check their online rating and feedback and where possible try and meet them in person. Trust your gut. Ask questions like: What was the camera used for?Where and how was it stored?Are you the first owner?Why are you selling?Any mould, scratches, chips on the lens or sensor? 2. Check under the hood. Ask about how many actuations the camera has (this is a fancy way of saying shutter clicks). The shutter clicks (actuations) on a camera tell you how many times it has been used, much like the kms or miles a car has...

Get out of your head and get into your heart. Think less, feel more.

Above: I photographed the Colosseum in Rome at sunrise using my 5DMK111 ISO 400 @ 1/1000th sec F4 “Follow your heart but take your brain with you.” – Anon An artist and a scientist walk into a bar. The scientist carefully studies the wine list and chooses a wine based on all the data he is given, including the region the grapes are grown in, the history of the wineries and the reviews of each bottle. The artist orders the same bottle the people on a nearby table are drinking because that’s exactly what he feels like. I believe the way a photographer orders wine, or chooses anything in life, is directly related to how they approach their photography, and the way a photographer works, influences the way their work is perceived. The photographer that orders like a scientist is guaranteed to always take consistently good photos. There is very little...

Ep 367: Beyond the cliche: How to shoot family portraits that stand out from the pack!

Family portraits are often in danger of looking cliched. But you can create, compose and style stunning family group shots that look more like professional lifestyle shots instead of awkward or uncomfortable photos. This week we discuss the steps you need to take to ensure you’re taking family photos that stand out – and that your clients will love!

How to direct and pose like a pro

About Gina

About Gina

Gina Milicia is one of the most widely known and respected photographers in Australia. She is the master of capturing that ‘magical moment’... READ MORE

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