There’s something pretty magical about getting up close with nature and seeing all the little details most people miss. Whether it’s the texture of a leaf, the glisten of dew, or a tiny bug going about its day, I love capturing those small moments with my camera. But shooting nature up close isn’t always easy—it takes a different approach than what you might be used to. In this post, I’m sharing a few of my favorite tips and techniques that have helped me along the way, from getting the right depth of field to editing the final image.

52 Clicks | Week 15 | Leading Lines

Last week in our perspectives month in our Project 52 was all about leading lines. Leading lines direct the eye where you want it to go, almost like an arrow guiding you down the path. It was fun to see how the p52 participants used leading lines in their images.

xo,
Angie Mahlke

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My name is Ashley Maple, and I am a hobbyist photographer living in East Tennessee. When our fourth child Archer was born in 2010, my family began a devastating rare disease journey that continues to this day. After an excruciating year of testing following some concerning vision symptoms, Archer was diagnosed at 18 months old with a peroxisome biogenesis disorder. Peroxisomal disorders are rare, genetic conditions that cause deafness, blindness, global developmental delays, adrenal insufficiency, neurological issues, and feeding issues, and are almost always terminal in childhood. Understandably, our lives completely changed upon receiving this heartbreaking news.

“Red has always been my color, because red stands out.” - Ravyn Lenae

This month our colour was red. Red is strong and powerful, warm and passionate, confident and rebellious. It's a colour of extremes, symbolic of both good and bad. Enjoy looking through all the different images we have created with red! 

52 Clicks | Week 14 | Framing

As our Project 52 continued with the perspectives theme last week, we centered our attention on framing. Framing not only adds depth and context but also enhances the overall composition, making the subject stand out and giving the photo a more immersive, focused feel. The p52 participants were creative in the way they approached this photo prompt, some using more obvious frames and others more abstract ones. What's your favorite way to use framing in your work?

xo,
Angie Mahlke

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As photographers and creatives, we can sometimes find ourselves in a bit of a rut. Other areas of our lives can become complicated or difficult and our mental health can take a hit. This can all have a negative impact on our creativity. We can find we have stopped picking up our camera completely and when we decide we want to start creating again, we can feel a bit lost and unsure how to get back into it. Especially if the break has been over several weeks or months. Our confidence, motivation and inspiration might be lacking. I have personally found myself in this situation before so I wanted to share with you some ideas that have helped me and can hopefully help you to rediscover your photography joy.

The month of April in our Project 52 is all about perspectives. Since perspective shapes how viewers view and connect with an image, it’s essentially a tool for controlling how an audience experiences and interprets a photograph. The first theme was scale. We often use scale to convey a sense of grandeur, intimacy, or to emphasize the magnitude of a landscape. Let’s see how the p52 participants used scale in their work last week.

xo,
Angie Mahlke

Click here to join!

Have you ever wondered how to capture that perfect portrait of a squirrel or a bird, only to end up with blurry or out-of-focus shots? We've all been there. The wildlife is fast, elusive, and unpredictable, and photographing them can sometimes feel like an impossible task. But don’t worry, I’m here to walk you through everything you need to know to start taking better wildlife photos—whether it’s the tiniest bird perched on a branch or a curious squirrel staring right back at you!

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

We concluded our storytelling theme in our Project 52 with the prompt "props." There may have been some grumbling when the word conjured up elaborate photography set-ups, but props can be as simple as an everyday item. Props assist in telling stories in your work. Don't shy away from them just because you're envisioning a photo shoot gone wrong. See how some of the p52 participants used props.  month for our Project 52 was negative space. Negative space is used to create drama or evoke emotions, and the p52 participants definitely created drama and evoked emotions with their images. Do you find yourself using negative space often or do you typically steer clear of it?

If you'd like to push yourself creatively this year, consider joining a photography project like this. Click here to join!

xo,
Angie Mahlke


Colour is one of the fundamental ingredients for creating a strong, compelling image. It plays a huge role in visual storytelling; drawing the eye to the subject as well defining the setting and mood. In this blog, I share 5 ways of enhancing your work by using colour with intention.

Next up in our storytelling month for our Project 52 was negative space. Negative space is used to create drama or evoke emotions, and the p52 participants definitely created drama and evoked emotions with their images. Do you find yourself using negative space often or do you typically steer clear of it?

If you'd like to push yourself creatively this year, consider joining a photography project like this. Click here to join!

xo,
Angie Mahlke

Hi everyone! I’m Jess Riley, a hobbyist photographer from the U.K and I love to play around with adding overlays and blur effects to my images in Photoshop. I’m on the blog this week to share my introduction to using ‘Path Blur’ in Photoshop and hopefully inspire you to have some fun exploring this tool with your own images!

We continued on with our storytelling theme in our Project 52 last week, focusing on movement. Adding movement to your image is an instant way to breathe life into it, whether the action is stopped, blurred or implied. The p52 participants blew me away with their use of technical skills like panning, ICM, light painting, multiple exposures, etc. How do you incorporate movement in your work?

If you'd like to push yourself creatively this year, consider joining a photography project like this. Click here to join!

xo,
Angie Mahlke

Capturing eye-catching portraits goes beyond just pointing and shooting—understanding and utilizing light, color, and composition can make all the difference. Whether you're photographing your family at home or taking portraits outdoors, knowing how to work with available light, incorporate meaningful elements, and choose complementary colors will elevate your images. From reading directional light to enhancing your portraits through thoughtful editing, the following tips will give you the tools to take your portrait photography to the next level.

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.

“Artists use purple to speak to the soul, a color that transcends words.” – Frida Kahlo

This month our colour was purple. A majestic colour associated with royalty and luxury, as well as a sense of mystery, magic and spirituality. Enjoy looking through all the different images we have created with purple! 

The month of March in our Project 52 is all about storytelling. The first weekly theme was layering. Since photography is a two-dimensional artform, we are always on a mission to create an illusion of more—how to make the photograph appear three-dimensional. The most effective way to do so is by adding depth using layers.

It was fun seeing the creative and unique ways the p52 participants used layering in their photos last week. Do you like using layers or is it something you struggle with?

Don't forget, you're always welcome to join our project. Click here to join!

xo,
Angie Mahlke

In this post we share our Winner and Featured Artists for the February LOW LIGHT Photo Challenge at The Framed Focus!

We finished up our month of black and white in our Project 52 last week, focusing on high key and low key. High key and low key photography are two contrasting styles primarily distinguished by their lighting, tonal range, and mood. Whereas low key is known for its dark, dramatic shadows, dark tones, mysterious or intense mood, high key is known for its bright, minimal shadows, light tones, and positive or airy mood.

The p52 participants were able to choose whether to do high or low key. Some even decided to tackle both. Which one do you gravitate toward?

If you're looking for a creative home and want to join our project, feel free to jump in at any point. We’re focusing on the theme of storytelling for the month of March. Click here to join!

xo,
Angie Mahlke

In the age of social media, where photographers showcase their best work to the world, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap. Does this sound familiar? You scroll through your feed, seeing stunning images from other photographers, and suddenly your own work feels inadequate. I know I’m guilty of falling into this trap myself. This cycle of comparing your photography to others—whether it’s their style, skill level, or creative journey—can be incredibly damaging to your growth, creativity, and self-esteem. Here’s why it’s time to step away from the comparison game and embrace your unique path as a photographer.