GoPros aren’t just for thrill-seekers and action videos. In this blog, I’m sharing how I use my GoPro for fun, everyday photography—from underwater vacation shots to candid family moments. With tips on gear, settings, and creative shooting angles, this is your guide to getting more out of the tiny camera that does it all.

52 Clicks | Week 28 | Reflections

Last week in our Project 52 was all about reflections. Reflections can be such a fun way to tell a story, introduce layers and framing, and just experiment with creativity. The p52 participants used a variety of reflective surfaces in their images and it was interesting to see what everyone came up with.

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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Want sharper, cleaner images in Photoshop without overdoing it? The High Pass filter is a quick and easy way to boost detail and clarity. In this blog, I’ll walk you through how the High Pass filter works, when to use it, and exactly how to apply it for subtle, professional-looking sharpening.

Colour is one of the most powerful tools in photography. Colour can evoke emotions, tell stories, and transform an ordinary scene into something extraordinary. In our Chase the Rainbow project we explore the beauty of a different colour each month. Whether that’s finding the colour in nature, around the house or setting up a scene with colourful props and clothing.

"Yellow is the color which is closest to light. We associate the rays of the sun and the stars with it. It is the radiance of the spirit." - Ueli Seiler-Hugova

This month our colour was yellow. Yellow is such a bright and happy colour. It’s the colour of the sunshine, daffodils, sunflowers and bees. It makes us feel energised, positive and hopeful.

Enjoy looking through all the different images we have created with yellow! 

52 Clicks | Week 27 | Silhouette

Our Project 52 continued our fun with light month with silhouettes last week. A question came up regarding light sources for creating silhouettes with the thought that they can only be achieved with a pretty sunrise or sunset. That's completely false, of course, because all you need is light of any kind behind your subject. You can achieve silhouettes at any time of day with any light; you just have to expose for the light and your subject will naturally become underexposed to create the silhouette for you.

The p52 participants proved this point with their variety of light sources taken during all hours of the day. Scroll through their images and see for yourself!

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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Photography prompts are powerful - but only when used with intention. In this post, we’ll break down how to build a smooth, flexible session workflow that supports real connection, emotional storytelling, and variety - without overwhelming your clients (or yourself). Whether you're shooting newborns, families, couples, or maternity sessions, a strong workflow paired with the right prompts makes all the difference.

52 Clicks | Week 26 | Dramatic Light

A new month brings a new theme in our Project 52. July is all about having fun with light. The first type of light we focused on was dramatic light, which broadly emcompasses anything where light becomes another subject in the image. The p52 participants used a variety of lighting techniques, from pockets of light and dramatic shadows to artificial light, specifically with spectacular night photography.

We could spend weeks on this type of light alone, from side light and backlight to starbursts and light painting, but it's time to move on to the next one on the list. Until then, enjoy all the images from our dramatic light week.

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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As women, especially those of us in creative fields like photography, aging can feel like a slow fade into invisibility both on social media and in life. In this personal reflection, photographer Holly Awwad shares how motherhood, shifting identity, and the evolving creative journey intersect, and why midlife may be the most meaningful chapter yet.

In this post we share our Winner and Featured Artists for the June SILHOUETTE Photo Challenge at The Framed Focus!

52 Clicks | Week 25 | Fire

Our Project 52 concluded our elements month with fire. This might have been the trickiest one for the majority of us, but the general consensus was that it was a good challenge. When you look through the images you'll see that everyone rose to the occasion and produced their customary superb work. The p52 participants continue to impress me every single week.

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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Burning and dodging aren’t just darkroom relics. They’re powerful Photoshop tools that can bring out texture, enhance light, and add depth to your photos. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how I use them to guide the viewer’s eye and give my images a subtle but impactful finishing touch.

52 Clicks | Week 24 | Water

The next up in our month of elements in our Project 52 was water. I think most of us would agree this was the easiest of the elements with there being so many ways to approach the theme. It was great timing as a big chunk of us experienced a heatwave. I personally hid from the heat in my air conditioned home, finding all the water images refreshing as I scrolled through my Instagram feed during our weekly mass post.

See how the p52 participants tackled the water theme. Be prepared to be awed by their brilliance. I know I am every single week.

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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Join Icelandic photographer Anna Guðnadóttir as she captures the magic of Egypt through her lens. From the awe-inspiring pyramids of Cairo to the vibrant coral reefs of Sharm El-Sheikh, Anna shares her travel highlights, favorite photography moments, and tips for shooting on the go.

52 Clicks | Week 23 | Air

Last week in our Project 52 we continued our month of elements with the theme air. It's been fun exploring the elements and how the p52 participants interpret them with their images. Air is a theme that can embody many atmospheric details, like wind, fog, lightning, etc. But it can also lean into more fun aspects, like bubbles, balloons, kites, etc. How would you capture the element of air?

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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Planning a theme park trip? Discover how to capture magical family memories without missing the fun. These simple photography tips will help you shoot smarter, pack lighter, and stay present during your vacation.

Colour is one of the most powerful tools in photography. Colour can evoke emotions, tell stories, and transform an ordinary scene into something extraordinary. In our Chase the Rainbow project we explore the beauty of a different colour each month. Whether that’s finding the colour in nature, around the house or setting up a scene with colourful props and clothing.

“In the world of colors, lilac is a gentle whisper” - Unknown

This month our colour was lilac. Lilac is a soft, pale shade of purple that feels feminine, youthful and elegant. It’s a soothing colour that creates a sense of balance and serenity. Enjoy looking through all the different images we have created with lilac! 

52 Weeks | Week 22 | Earth

The month of June in our Project 52 is all about the classical elements, breaking them down into weekly themes. We've never done this before so it'll be a fun challenge and interesting to see how everyone interprets the different elements. We started with earth, and the p52 participants were definitely up to the challenge!

How would have you captured the element of earth?

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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A photograph may be two-dimensional, but with the right techniques, it can feel like it extends beyond the frame. In this blog, you'll learn how to create the illusion of depth in your images using light, shadow, composition, layering, and more. Whether you're guiding the viewer's eye with leading lines or adding atmosphere by shooting through objects, these methods will transform your storytelling and visual impact.

In this post we share our Winner and Featured Artists for the May FLOWERS Photo Challenge at The Framed Focus!

52 Clicks | Week 21 | Self Portrait

Last up in our month of genre sampling was self portrait. You cringed a bit just reading that, right? Well, you're not alone, because the majority of the participants in our Project 52 felt the exact same way. We, as photographers, feel much more at ease behind the lens. The minute you force us to step in front of it, panic ensues. Because we understand the level of vulnerability and bravery it takes to put ourselves out there in this way, we are doing this feature blog just a little bit differently. We are including every single image that was submitted for a feature.

Scroll through all the lovely faces (or in some cases, faceless) of the talented people who make up this group project. We all braved the dreaded self portrait week and survived. Not only survived, but created beautiful art that included ourselves, the "face" behind the names we've been seeing since the beginning of the year.

Do you shy away from self portraits or do you embrace them?

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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