You know that sinking feeling: you've eagerly started to tinker with your website, but there is always one. more. thing. that needs to be added or edited or perfected.

Fellow reader, I am right there with you, because as a DIY'er, I've spun my wheels when it comes to making updates to my website content. I've sat on it so long that I know in my heart I've lost clients because my website simply does not address a problem nor does it offer a solution.

All that ends this winter when I dive into Ling Messer and Michelle Blais' new course, Master Your Website Content. [affiliate]

I was so intrigued by their system and approach to teaching that I invited them to a quick chat on my podcast, Tiffincast (Spotify, iTunes).

Ling Messer is a full time wedding, portrait, and commercial photographer in Connecticut, and has been in business since 2013 since she left her long career in the dairy farming industry in Oregon. She now runs a six-figure wedding photography business, Trailing Twine Photography, with her team photographers, who travel all over New England photographing outdoorsy soulmates getting married on farm and barn venues.

Michelle Blais has worked as an in-house corporate graphic artist, on staff at advertising agencies and since 2000, has been operating her own small graphic and website design business. Michelle works with entrepreneurs and small business owners to create branding, marketing and websites with a clear message, engaging imagery and a professional design that easily connects with their customers and grows their business.

After you have listened to the podcast in its entirety click this link to receive some free goodies from Ling & Michelle.

Here are are few screenshots of the Master Your Website Content course:

Also learn about Shoot For Web Design, the new company Ling and Michelle have formed. sign up for Master Your Website Content today.

A special offer – If you use my affiliate link above, Ling and Michelle have the following special offer for you –

Anyone who enrolls in the online course, Master Your Website Content, and learns about us through Tiffinbox, a free 1/2 hour coaching call for students, that they can use at any point in the course, valid through the entire year of 2021.

On December 17, 2020, you can register for a free webinar with Ling and Michelle. Learn the 3 mistakes to avoid a website meltdown!

Sephi Bergerson, originally from Israel, is known for documenting life, especially weddings and portraits. Now a freelance photographer and author based in Goa, India, he has embarked on a special photo project during the lockdown due to the pandemic.

As soon as I heard about Sephi's new project, “Documenting The World In Lockdown,” I was intrigued to know more.

The Interview

We sat down for a quick chat a few weeks ago:

This is the third time Sephi Bergerson has appeared on Tiffinbox. Here are the first two times: 1 & 2

Documenting Life In Lockdown

A few examples of Sephi's work using his iPhone and the Facetime application:

Other Mentions Of Sephi's Work

Indian Express | Travel & Leisure | Rangefinder

Newsbreak | Hindustan Times | The Hindu

Do You Have A Personal Project?

Are you working on a personal photo project during the pandemic? Would you like to share it with us through this website and the podcast? If you are interested in contacting me, please email me directly at – seshu at tiffinbox dot org. Good luck to you!

Learning To Photograph Kids

Photographing kids can be challenging. Be that they are your own, or your client's. You are going to pat yourself on the back when things go right and definitely question your ability (been there, done that) when things start to go south and quickly.

Thankfully, I can lean on some amazing photographers who have made it their life mission to only photograph kids. This is their specialty. So, truly, kudos to them for showing us all that there is a way to go about photographing children.

Who is Tamara Lackey?

One such amazing photographer is Tamara Lackey. One quick look at her website and you know she knows kids. She knows how to read them, interact with them and to photograph them.

And, she knows how to teach you to photograph them in a manner that is authentic to their personalities, too.

Sometime ago, I interviewed Tamara about her organization, Beautiful Together.

One of the organization's missions is the following:

“We work to identify and complete specific and measurable projects that tangibly improve the lives of orphaned children in the United States and Africa.”

You've likely seen her present at conferences or, these days, online. She is a Nikon Ambassador and she has written several books on photographing kids and families –

Books About Photographing Kids

Art of Children's Portrait Photography, Capturing Life Through (Better) Photography, and Envisioning Family: A photographer's guide to making meaningful portraits of the modern family.

Just a few weeks ago, Tamara launched a new book, “The Posing Playbook for Photographing Kids,” published by Rocky Nook.

The Rocky Nook Interview

Mercedes Murray of Rocky Nook interviewed Tamara recently about the book. Give that presentation a listen here:

Buy The Book!

For a limited time use this code: PP4PK40 – to get 40% off the price of Tamara Lackey's new book.

Want to buy it on Amazon instead? Please remember to leave a 5-star review for my friend, Tamara Lackey!

A Photo Project During A Pandemic

When Eric Francis told me about “Isolation In The 402”, it immediately made sense. Unlike the popular #thefrontstepsproject which we have all now seen, Eric's work has both depth and breadth in some very nuanced ways.

Like Paul Gero, who I interviewed a couple of weeks back about his project in Wisconsin, Francis is also on a mission to document his community.

He wants to photograph as many families and individuals as possible in his area code: 402, during this time of self-isolation and social distancing. Hence the name for his project, “Isolation In The 402.”

Eric uses only Fujifilm gear and limits himself to one or two camera bodies and lenses. Most of the lighting you see in some of his portraits (scroll down) is either a porch light or day-light. Listen to the podcast, below, to learn more about his gear.

All the photographs are intentionally in black & white. As I saw Eric post portrait after portrait on his Facebook wall, I repeatedly stopped to read his posts too. Francis displays a sense of respect and curiosity to get know how each of his subjects is feeling on the day on the photo shoot.

Chatting With Eric Francis

Eric and I chat and text each other often. I know I wouldn't have converted to a Fujifilm photographer if it hadn't been for Eric's patient instructions. And yes, we can talk shop all day. When I asked if I could interview him about his project, he wasted no time in scheduling the call. Lean in and listen to how “Isolation In The 402” took shape and where he hopes to take it:

Photographs From The Project

Other Photographers Documenting Life Now

Paul Gero and Eric Francis both mentioned Matt Mendelsohn's project, Not Forgotten: The Yorktown Seniors of 2020. Take a look. If you know Matt, please let him know I would be honored to interview him for what appears to be a series now of chats with photographers about personal photography projects during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you know of other photographers who are creating a body of work during this time, please have them contact me on Facebook.

I know, I know, as professional photographers we feel as though we shouldn’t be giving away our services for nothing. Sometime there is nothing wrong with this mindset. For a majority of my time as a portrait photographer I thought the same way. Why give away my service? I have worked so hard to get my product to where it is today and I know what it is worth. I certainly have better things to do with my time.

I was recently more or less forced into shooting for free in order to fill my portfolio with some missing pieces. I was looking for specific looking people to put in my portfolio. It became more apparent as time went on that it was pretty unlikely I was going to get these people to purchase a shoot with me, and even less likely they would do it in the time frame I was looking to get them done in.

There are many different reasons one may decide to offer a select few people free sessions for their photography business. Below is a list of some of the reasons one may decide to offer free sessions.

You are in need of some portfolio building.

This is the most obvious reason to do it. If you need people in front of your camera to help build your portfolio, there is no better reason then to offer some people (that you choose) in your area a free session.

You need to test out some new lighting setups or gear that might take time to shift and change.

One probably shouldn’t do this while a paying client is there!

You are looking to keep your photo skills sharp when you don’t have paid work scheduled.

I always feel that if I go a long time in between shoots I am not as sharp as I could be. Scheduling free shoots during times when you don’t have paid work can keep your skills sharpened and your mind engaged.

You are looking for BTS content.

It is without a doubt much easier to convince a non paying client to allow for “behind the scenes (BTS)” to be done during their shoot compared paying customers. Utilize this and maximize the gain from unpaid shoots and create social media content.

Offering free sessions is not for everyone (hence why the title of this article includes the word “sometimes”). If you are too busy with paid shoots, then obviously you shouldn’t make the time to shoot for free, but if you find yourself relating to one of the reasons above, then it could make sense for you to offer some (select few) a free shoot.

Another way to think about these types of shoots is that you are, in fact, being “paid” for them, just not with money. You are still getting something in return for doing the shoot. Whether that be more photos for your portfolio, or BTS content for social media. In time they will pay out in actual currency.

I have achieved some of my favorite and best images during unpaid shoots. I attribute this to the added level of control I have over what and how we are shooting during these sessions.

During a paid shoot, if a client wants to be photographed a certain way, I more or less do it how they want it. When an unpaid shoot is in the studio I am directing every step of the way. I may want the lighting to look a certain way or create a certain mood/vibe to the shot, I am in charge and I can make that happen during this time.

The level of freedom and creativity in these shoots is usually on a higher level than my paid shoots. It really gets my creative juices flowing and allows me to think outside the box.

So ask yourself. Do I have spare time on my hands? Do I need some special look to round out my portfolio? Do I have some ideas I want to try out in a more leisurely way? Perhaps this is the time to give out some free shoots to a few special and lucky people.

Comment below on the conditions when you offer to shoot for free.