Have you ever come across a fun dog image and you wonder “how in the world did they execute that image?” I have to admit that same thought crossed my mind time and time again. Today, I am sharing my entire creative dog photography process with you.

We continued with our Fun with Light month in our Project 52 last week with the theme of reflections. Reflections are fun to experiment with because there are so many options for reflective surfaces: mirrors, water, windows, glass, etc. Reflections are an easy way to add depth, drama, framing and tell the story in a creative way. Do you like to play with reflections in your work?

Take a look at how the p52 participants used reflections. They definitely understood the assignment!

If you're interested in joining our photography project next year, let us know and we'll add you to our waitlist.

xo,
Angie Mahlke

A “photography voice” is the unique creative fingerprint that defines a photographer’s style, perspective, and approach to capturing the world. Just like a writer’s voice in storytelling or a painter’s vision on canvas, a photographer’s voice shines through in every frame they compose. It’s what makes their work stand out—the way they frame a subject, play with light and shadow, layer in color, and carefully edit each shot.

Colour is one of the most powerful tools in photography. Colour can evoke emotions, tell stories, and transform an ordinary scene into something extraordinary. Each month we explore the beauty of a different colour as it appears in the world around us. Whether that’s finding the colour in nature, around the house or setting up a scene with colourful props and clothing.

“Brown is the color of hearth and home — of dried herbs and stone-ground bread and freshly baked cookies.” - Leatrice Eiseman

This month our colour was brown, a colour anything but dull. Instead it is warm, earthy and nurturing. It's the colour of coffee, chocolate, crispy autumn leaves and soft teddy bears. Enjoy looking through all the different images we have created using brown.  

The month of November in our Project 52 will be all about light. Fun with light, to be exact. We studied different types of light earlier in the year, and now it's time to be more creative and have fun with it.

Our first theme was shadow play, and a large majority of us struggled because of uncooperative weather not giving us enough light for natural shadows. Instead, we had to think outside of the box and come up with different light sources to create shadows. It was a great exercise to challenge us, because without challenges, we won't grow and develop new skills.

You can see for yourself how everyone rose up to the challenge by browsing these p52 participant images.

If you're interested in joining our photography project next year, let us know and we'll add you to our waitlist.

xo,
Angie Mahlke

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holiday season is here, bringing cherished traditions, festive foods, and family gatherings. It’s the perfect time to capture memories, but with so much happening, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. To help you focus and make the most of the season, here are 6 Holiday Photography Tips to ensure you capture the magic of every moment!

We finished off our color month in our project 52 with black and white - the absence of color. Black and white photography has such a different feel to it than color photography. It can evoke emotions, create a nostalgic vibe, add contrast, force attention on the details, etc. Are you a fan of black and white? Do you use it often in your own work?

Here is a small sampling of the ways the p52 participants used black and white photography last week.

xo,
Angie Mahlke

We asked our community to share their favorite SPOOKY images and they delivered!

We focused on the monochromatic color scheme in our project 52 last week. Oftentimes people confuse monochromatic with black and white, but black and white is the absence of color, whereas monochromatic colors are multiple variations of one color. Do you ever use monochromatic colors in your work?

Let's see how the p52 participants tackled this theme. If you're on the fence on whether you're a fan of monochromatic, these images just might pull you over to the mono side.

xo,
Angie Mahlke

Halloween can be such a fun time for a photographer - costumes, props, colours and lights galore. You could choose to embrace the spooky side with creepy outfits, moody lighting and a chilling atmosphere, or maybe you prefer to keep things lighter with colourful autumn nature, delicious treats and silly family games. Either way, the creative possibilities are endless and we’re here to help you make the most of this “fa-boo-lous” celebration.

52 Clicks | Week 42 | Analogous Colors

Last week in our Project 52, we moved on to analogous colors - the three colors next to each other on the color wheel.

We struggled with whether our colors were truly analogous, and Abi Coop shared a trick on how to check your colors by uploading an image in the Adobe Color website.

Check out some of the participants' images from week 42 of our p52. What sort of vibe do you get? Analogous colors are known for their calming aesthetic since they lack the contrast we see with complementary colors.

xo Angie Mahlke

See what the p52 participants did with complementary colors last week.

xo
Angie Mahlke

We asked our community for tips on embracing the dreaded self portrait! Check out this post for valuable advice and inspiring self portraits from our talented community members!

Colour is one of the most powerful tools in photography. Colour can evoke emotions, tell stories, and transform an ordinary scene into something extraordinary. Each month we explore the beauty of a different colour as it appears in the world around us. Whether that’s finding the colour in nature, around the house or setting up a scene with colourful props and clothing.

“Orange is the color of positive thinking and optimism.” – Remez Sasson

This month our colour was orange, a bright, playful colour, reminding us of warm, exotic sunsets and crisp autumn leaves. Enjoy looking through all the different images we have created using this colour.  

We will be focusing on color theory for the month of October in our Project 52. Using colors intentionally can make such a huge difference in your photography. Do you think about the different color harmonies when you pick up your camera? Do you consider what color schemes will best serve your vision while editing?

The first color harmony we tackled was complementary - the two colors opposite each other on the color wheel. Do you have a favorite color combo you tend to favor?

See what the p52 participants did with complementary colors last week.

xo
Angie Mahlke

As a family photographer, your passion lies in capturing special moments and creating beautiful memories for your clients. But how do you ensure that potential clients find your work in a crowded online space? That’s where SEO—Search Engine Optimization—comes into play. If you’re new to SEO, don’t worry! This guide is here to help you understand what SEO is, what it isn’t, and how you can start implementing some simple strategies today.

Our month of senses in our p52 concluded last week with the sense of smell.

I love how so many things can evoke smell; and it was fun seeing how the participants decided to capture this in such a variety of ways.

Before we move onto a new theme for October, let's take a moment to appreciate some of the images from the group. Can you smell the images from week 40?

xo Angie Mahlke

When you mention terms like "golden hour," "window light," and "even lighting," how does that resonate with you as a photographer? Does it ignite excitement for a photoshoot? Maybe it brings a sense of relief during a client session? Now, consider terms like "dappled light," "harsh light," and "direct sun." How do you feel now? Does it introduce a hint of stress? Lastly, let's talk about flash. Does it evoke a sense of calm or anxiety? Flash seems to have a negative reputation.

Week 39 in our p52 was all about the sense of sound, and how we can either interpret or conjure it in our images.

Scroll through a sample of the participants' images and see if you can hear the sounds. Even the absence of sound can be loud.

xo Angie

Hello, my name is Diana Johnson. I've always had a passion for photography, especially portraiture. Over the years, it became challenging to find subjects to photograph. I never imagined I would develop an interest in self-portraiture, but here I am, embracing this new journey. I always hated self-portraiture.

We're continuing on with our month of senses in our project 52; and next up: sight.