Ep 362: A complete guide to landscape photography for beginners and intermediates with guest, Brenda Petrella

2 September 2021

Meet photographer Brenda Petrella who took a leap of faith when she left her cushy job as a cancer researcher for a tree change and life as a landscape photographer. She is a Vermont-based landscape and nature photographer, the founder of Outdoor Photography School , and the host of the Outdoor Photography Podcast. We chat about how it feels to make that leap of faith, why every portrait photographer should embrace the landscape photography, the importance of leaving some shots to the imagination and not having to shoot everything you see, how to be a socially, environmentally and ethically responsible landscape photographer, scouting locations, being in the moment, whether HDR overrated, finding great light, gear+settings and heaps more!

Gina and Valerie hope you enjoy the podcast. Sign up to the newsletter for great tips and free Lightroom presets at GinaMilicia.com. Join the dynamic Gold Membership in our Community which delivers monthly tutorials, live mastermind and lots of behind the scenes videos into the creative process.

Gina and Valerie hope you enjoy the podcast.

Join the dynamic Gold Membership in our Community which delivers monthly tutorials, live mastermind and lots of behind the scenes videos into the creative process.

Connect with us on Instagram @valeriekhoo @ginamilicia

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Brenda Petrella

Brenda Petrella is a Vermont-based landscape and nature photographer, the founder of Outdoor Photography School (https://www.outdoorphotographyschool.com), and the host of the Outdoor Photography Podcast (https://www.outdoorphotographyschool.com/podcast/). Her successful tutorial YouTube channel recently surpassed 29,000 subscribers, and her videos have been recommended by Imaging-Resource, Shutterbug, Photography Talk, Capture Landscapes, Picture Correct, and others.

Prior to photography, Brenda was the principal investigator of a cancer research laboratory and later oversaw research safety and compliance at an academic biomedical research institution. In late 2016, Brenda left her scientific career to honor her love of the outdoors and pursue a long-standing interest in landscape photography.

Brenda has been invited to showcase her work in several solo exhibits around Vermont and New Hampshire, and her iconic Vermont landscape photographs were recently chosen for a permanent exhibition in the Vermont State Attorney General’s Office.

Her images have been featured on the cover of Northern Woodlands Magazine and by the National Wildlife Federation, Save the River, and the Monovision Photography Awards. Brenda has also been an invited speaker at several camera clubs nationally and internationally. You can view her online portfolio at https://www.brendapetrella.com.

When not creating images, podcasting, or teaching, Brenda enjoys hiking, biking, snowshoeing, doing projects around her house, and spending time with her young daughter, partner, dog, and two pet cows.