Blog - Lenspiration

What To Do When “Wow” Subjects Don’t Look “Wow” In Your Photos

by James Staddon | Jan 17, 2020 | Impressive Places, Tips & Tricks

One catches a first glimpse of their destination. They scramble forward to get the best view, pull out the camera and take their prizewinning shot. But is it really prizewinning? Was it the subject that made the photo great? If so, the viewer will probably be disappointed at how un-prizewinning their photo is when... Read More »

On Assignment: Chasing the Light

by James Staddon | Jan 10, 2020 | Assignments

Know the common thread between the four hymns Let Him Have His Way With Thee, O For A Closer Walk!, Precious Name, and Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord? Here’s the answer, and how I went about trying to capture it! It sorta felt like I failed miserably in my pursuit of a path that was very bright. But that didn’t mean... Read More »

The Story Behind the Pro Posing Database

by James Staddon | Jan 6, 2020 | Stories & Expeditions, Updates & Opportunities

It all started back in 2011. My brother Robert was getting married and he asked if I could help out with the photography at his wedding. I was assisting his soon-to-be brother-in-law, Kerzdenn, as the second photographer. It was my first time ever shooting a wedding. And it wasn’t exactly the most pleasant... Read More »

“One Picture Only!”

by James Staddon | Dec 20, 2019 | Stories & Expeditions

It’s pretty funny what happened on a recent photo excursion I went on with a friend. 🙂 I’ll let John tell it to you in his own words . . . When was the last time you went to photograph an epic location and only took ONE photo? Recently I had a friend in town (i.e. Mr. Lenspiration 🙂 ) for a few days, and... Read More »

On Assignment: Spending an Evening with Grandpa

by James Staddon | Dec 13, 2019 | Assignments

It’s Christmastime! I figured most of us would be spending time with friends and family over the next couple of weeks, so that’s why I decided to do this for this month’s assignment . . . This month’s assignment is “The Elderly”. When I asked the Christian stock agency, Lightstock,... Read More »

Random Comments from a Simple Sunrise Shoot

by James Staddon | Nov 30, 2019 | Stories & Expeditions

There aren’t any beaches in West Virginia, so while traveling around in Virginia earlier this month, I did what I could to make the coast my destination a time or two. I didn’t have a particularly enormous amount of time to spend just taking pictures, seeing I was on a regular business trip, but sunrises... Read More »

How I Landed At This Incredible Place

by James Staddon | Nov 22, 2019 | Stories & Expeditions

Traveling for photography gets pretty fun when multiple events line up back to back. I’ll pack up hiking clothes and rain gear for an outdoor workshop. Then I’ll pack up a suit and tie for a wedding. Then I’ll pack up all my lights and a backdrop for a professional studio shoot. Then it gets... Read More »

On Assignment: In Search of a Grand Piano

by James Staddon | Nov 15, 2019 | Assignments

When it came time to make a video for this current photo assignment, I found myself visiting friends in Virginia without a clue where I was going to find a grand piano! Thankfully they all loved photography too, so we got together to figure out where to find a piano to shoot, actually go out and shoot it, and pull... Read More »

Autumn in Connecticut

by James Staddon | Oct 31, 2019 | Updates & Opportunities

The Autumn in Connecticut photography workshop was so much fun! Thank you Richard Spearin and Lydia Bennett for teaming up to bring together your photography friends to make the Photography Field Day a success! I’m so grateful we found Castle Craig as a place to go for afternoon photos. It was a gorgeous view!... Read More »

What Is A Significant Photo?

by James Staddon | Oct 18, 2019 | Assignments

Ansel Adams is said to have stated, “Twelve significant photos in any one year is a good crop.” Great advice. Especially for us in this digital age! But, what exactly is a significant photo? I had my own ideas, but I thought it would be fun to find out from other people what they thought made a photo... Read More »