In photography, colour does far more than add visual interest. It shapes the mood of an image, draws the viewer in, and helps communicate the story. In our Chase the Rainbow project, we celebrate colour by focusing on a different shade each month. Whether that’s seeking out the colour in nature, spotting it at home, or styling a scene with thoughtfully selected props and clothing, the project encourages creativity and seeing the world through a more colourful lens.

“All the best things in life are free: love, smiles, friends, family, pets & companions, thoughts, sunsets & sunrises and especially rainbows.”  - Anthony T. Hincks

June’s colour is rainbow!

Not just one colour, but every colour together. A rainbow appears when light is refracted through raindrops, creating a beautiful spectacle across the sky. Often seen as a symbol of hope, renewal, and brighter days after a storm, the rainbow reminds us that beauty can emerge from challenging times. It is also widely recognised as a symbol of Pride, celebrating diversity, inclusion, and the vibrant spectrum of people who make up our communities.

Enjoy looking through all our rainbow images.

52 Clicks | Week 22 | Favorite Subject

Sometimes the easiest way to find your way out of a creative rut, or to rediscover your original joy in photography, is to focus on all your favorite things. The month of June in our Project 52 is all about our favorites. We started with our favorite subject.

As it always seems to happen with open-ended themes, we may have spent a fair amount of time overthinking things. Once we got past the idea that we didn't have to pledge our undying love and devotion to one single subject as our most favorite, then things got rolling. 

Scroll down to see what the p52 participants chose as {one of} their favorite subjects. It's an interesting mix of people, pets, wildlife and nature.

What would you choose as your favorite subject to photograph? If a month of favorites sparks your creative flame, you can still hop in our project!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Film photography is about more than nostalgia. Discover why so many photographers are falling back in love with film and how you can confidently start shooting film yourself.

52 Clicks | Week 21 | Chiaroscuro

The fun thing about any photography project is learning new things and challenging ourselves. That's how we learn, right? And isn't that the goal? Last week in our Project 52 we introduced a term that is brand new to most of us: chiaroscuro. It's a word that is even hard to pronounce (a Google search gave me differing pronunciation so it still remains a mystery to me), so it seems big and scary. But the interesting part is that once people discovered what it meant, they realized they've already been doing this technique all along. They just never had a name for it.

So what does this intimidating term mean? Literally it translates to bright-dark. And to break it down in simple terms, it's just an artistic technique that emphasizes the high contrast between lights and darks with the goal of creating a three-dimensional image. Google it to learn the art history behind it if you'd like! 

In the meantime, scroll to see how the p52 participants used the technique. I bet after seeing these examples you'll realize it's something you've been doing all along, too.

If you'd like a weekly challenge like this, it's not too late to hop in the group!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Struggling to figure out why your skin tones look slightly “off” even after hours of editing? In this post, I’m breaking down some of the biggest mistakes photographers make when editing skin tones in Lightroom, including colour casts, inconsistent white balance, and workflow issues that can make editing feel frustrating and random. I’m also sharing how understanding RGB values can help you create more natural, believable skin tones with greater consistency and confidence.

52 Clicks | Week 20 | Silhouette

Silhouettes rate up there as one of my favorite photography techniques. They're a fun way to get creative, but they can be challenging. The trick is to make sure your subjects don't turn into indistinguishable black blobs. Scroll down to see how the Project 52 participants tackled this theme.

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

In photography, colour does far more than add visual interest. It shapes the mood of an image, draws the viewer in, and helps communicate the story. In our Chase the Rainbow project, we celebrate colour by focusing on a different shade each month. Whether that’s seeking out the colour in nature, spotting it at home, or styling a scene with thoughtfully selected props and clothing, the project encourages creativity and seeing the world through a more colourful lens.

“Deep blue is the color of my dreams.” - Debasish Mridha

May’s colour is navy!

Navy is an deep, inky blue. It symbolises authority, confidence, stability and trust, and so is often used for corporate branding, uniforms and formal wear. Navy also evokes a sense of quiet strength, bringing to mind the depth of the ocean and the vastness of the night sky. Rarely found in nature, navy carries an added air of mystery and sophistication.

Enjoy looking through all our navy images.

52 Clicks | Week 19 | Shadow Play

Using shadows in your images is an easy way to add drama, interest and contrast. It's what was up next in our month of playing with light in our Project 52. Whether you use the shadows as a subject in your image or a compositional tool, there are so many possibilities. Leading lines, pockets of light, textures, storytelling cues and various other creative techniques are at your fingertips with shadow play. The p52 participants used them so brilliantly. Go take a look and then decide how you'd like to use them in your work.

If you're wanting to have some fun with light, you should join us! There's still time to hop in the project. Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Struggling with greens that look too neon, too yellow, or just off? You’re not alone. Greens are one of the hardest colors to edit because they’re constantly shifting based on light and their connection to yellow tones. In this post, you’ll learn why your greens behave the way they do and how to start making simple, intentional adjustments that actually work—so your edits feel natural, consistent, and fully in your control.

52 Clicks | Week 18 | Reflections

We studied light earlier in our Project 52, and now we're having fun with it! For the month of May, we will explore different ways to use light creatively. We started with reflections, which is one of my favorite ways to add interest, drama, and storytelling. The p52 participants proved to yet again be creative geniuses with this theme. The various reflective surfaces they used, the compelling compositions, and the beautiful storytelling blew me away! 

If you're wanting to have some fun with light, you should join us! There's still time to hop in the project. Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Photographing hummingbirds can feel impossible one second and magical the next. Their speed, unpredictability, and tiny movements challenge even experienced photographers—but that’s exactly what makes them so rewarding.

In this creative field guide, you’ll discover 10 unique hummingbird photography ideas you can try right away. From dreamy wing blur to glowing backlit halos and storytelling interaction shots, each concept is designed to help you capture not just sharp images—but emotion, light, and behavior.

Whether you're shooting in your backyard, garden, or local park, these tips will help you slow down, observe more intentionally, and create hummingbird photos that truly stand out.

52 Clicks | Week 17 | Senses: Taste

We saved the best sense for last in our Project 52: taste! The p52 participants used a variety of ways to capture this theme, and I'm betting you'll leave hungry and craving some sweet treats. You've been warned!

We're getting to that point in the year where our inspiration starts to wane, or life gets busy and our personal projects aren't the top of the priority list. If this is you, you're not alone. But I'd encourage you to not completely throw in the towel. It's perfectly fine to hit pause. Breaks are necessary sometimes. But then don't forget to hit the unpause button and jump back in. Even if that means playing catch up or giving yourself permission to skip ahead. 

It's hard to feel creative when we're stressed or battling things behind the scenes. But just remember, digging into your creative energy is actually a great way to destress and has great health benefits. So take a break if you need to, but don't step away permanently!

There's still time to hop in the p52! All are welcome! Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Spring photography goes beyond blooming flowers. It’s in the subtle details such as the first hints of green, the softness of the light, and the way the world slowly comes back to life. In this post, I’m sharing how to capture spring in a way that feels natural, intentional, and full of depth… plus a look at how I bring it all together in editing.

One of the Project 52 participants brought up a good point during the fourth week in our senses month: we rely on a collaboration of our senses rather than utilizing one at a time. I think you'll find this is true by looking through the p52 images from last week. More than just the sense of touch was captured in the images. See how many senses you pick up on as you scroll through the photos.

There's still time to hop in the p52! All are welcome! Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Can you smell a photograph? I think you'll say yes after reviewing the images for last week's Project 52 theme. The goal was to evoke the sense of smell. Go look through the photos and tell me you can't smell them. Be warned: you may want cookies, coffee and pizza and dream of summer days in the sun.

There's still time to hop in the p52! All are welcome! Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

In photography, colour does far more than add visual interest. It shapes the mood of an image, draws the viewer in, and helps communicate the story. In our Chase the Rainbow project, we celebrate colour by focusing on a different shade each month. Whether that’s seeking out the colour in nature, spotting it at home, or styling a scene with thoughtfully selected props and clothing, the project encourages creativity and seeing the world through a more colourful lens.

“I really just want to be warm yellow light that pours over everyone I love.” - Conor Oberst

April’s colour is yellow!

Yellow is a vibrant, happy, optimistic colour that brings to mind warmth and sunshine. Its eye-catching nature makes it a popular choice in branding and in warning signs where visibility is key. Yellow ranges from a crisp, fresh lemon to a rich, deep gold.
Enjoy looking through all our yellow images.

There’s something powerful about simply looking up. In a world that moves fast and rarely pauses, the sky invites us to slow down and notice. Whether it’s a soft ombre sunset or dramatic clouds rolling in, the sky has a way of transforming even the simplest scene into something meaningful. As photographers, we don’t just document what’s in front of us—we learn to see what’s above us, too. When you begin to treat the sky as part of your composition, or even the main character, your images start to tell deeper, more emotional stories.

52 Clicks | Week 14 | Sound

Next up in our month of exploring senses in our Project 52 was sound. Like sight, you could take a literal approach and photograph ears or things that make sound, like instruments, record players, etc. Or you could go the opposite route and capture things that evoke sound, like waves crashing and laughter. See how the p52 participants interpreted this theme.

If themes like this inspire you, you can still jump in the project! Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Struggling to get the results you want from your Lensbaby? These creative lenses aren’t meant to work like traditional glass, and once you understand how to use them, everything changes. In this post, I’ll walk you through what makes Lensbaby so unique, why it can feel frustrating at first, and how to start creating dreamy, emotive images with confidence.

52 Clicks | Week 13 | Sight

April is all about exploring the senses in our Project 52. We started the month with the sense of sight. There are so many possible ways to explore this theme, from the very literal interpretation of the eye to cheeky captures to more abstract renderings. The p52 participants definitely did not disappoint. It was a fun one to look through all their images.

If themes like this inspire you, you can still jump in the project! Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke