Mike James, How to Capture Engaging and Impactful Photos – InnovaBuzz 465
Mike James, Smartphone Photography Training
In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Mike James of Smartphone Photography Training. Mike has combined over 20 years of experience in photography and mentoring to become a sought-after smartphone photography training specialist – delivering extraordinary value, in an engaged and intelligent way. His passion comes from being on a mission to help you become more photography literate in your personal and business photography – priding himself on delivering practical, jargon-free techniques and tips.
In our discussion, Mike talked to me about:
- Always remembering why you are in business and Mike’s personal, powerful why
- His two rules – will it transform his customers and will it bring him joy
- And of course, a bunch of photography tips
Listen to the podcast to find out more.
Listen to the Podcast
Photography is one of those things that give people an outlet. It allows them to spend some time alone; to go out and connect with the environment. Mike James on #InnovaBuzz podcast Click To Tweet
Show Notes from this episode with Mike James of Smartphone Photography Training
Key points and takeaways from this episode include:
- Mike’s mission is to help smartphone photographers become more confident and creative in taking photos using their phones, and not rely on technology so much.
- Photography is one of those things that give people an outlet. It allows them to spend some time alone; to go out and connect with the environment.
- There are so many health benefits to photography.
- The best camera is the one you have with you.
- It’s important to understand what your motivation is for taking a photo.
- There’s a lot of ways you can work around and appeal to other people’s learning styles, but having a community where people learn from each other is a big one.
- People get the most of the community when they contribute and share their experiences to help other people. We learn so much by teaching.
- The 4 basic steps to capture a great photo are lighting, composition, perspective, and intention.
- Be intentional about your photos. Pause for a moment to think about what your motivation is for taking that photo. When you start with intention, everything just flows.
- An intention could be a call-to-action. Intention forms the main visual anchor of a photo.
- Think about the story you’d like to tell with your photo. Place the main subject off the centre and then position the contextual elements around the frame in such a way that creates depth.
- Intention is a big part of photography. It doesn’t matter if you only know half a dozen compositional techniques, as long as you realize why you’re taking the photo. Intention helps you change your angle to make the main subject or story stand out, and get rid of distracting elements that don’t add up to that story.
- When taking a photo using your smartphone, tap the screen to select the focus. Swipe up and down to adjust the brightness, and make sure that your elbows are stable.
- Don’t just smack the main subject in the middle of the frame. Position the main subject off the centre so that it gives your eye the space to move around and pick up other elements to create a visual journey.
- Storytelling in photography is all about creating a path. It is what creates an engaging photo.
- You can have a photo with beautiful colours and all those sort of things, but real photos that are engaging are those that have other elements such as shadows, mystery, and mood, that will encourage someone to go in there.
- Editors help enhance the experience.
- There is no such thing as right and wrong. Stop putting too much pressure on yourself to come up with your own photographic style. A style is basically your personal preference. It is what gives you enjoyment with your photos.
People get the most of the community when they contribute and share their experiences to help other people. Mike James on #InnovaBuzz podcast Click To Tweet
The Buzz – Our Innovation Round
Here are Mike’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.
- #1 thing to be more innovative – Be open to it. Be curious. Enjoy what you do. Be transparent and be open to receiving ideas.
- Best thing for new ideas – Looking outside of my industry (photography)
- Favourite tool for innovation – 10xPro
- Keep project/client on track – Create real human touchpoints; regular check-ins and getting them excited about the next steps.
- Differentiate – Put yourself out there. Communicate with your audience.
To Be a Leader
Connect with people doing the same thing as you. Reach out to people in your space. Be generous with your time. Ask them how you can help them and be very transparent about what you are doing. Let go of the idea of competition. A rising tide lifts all ships.
Reach Out
You can reach out and thank Mike through his website.
Suggested Guest
Mike suggested we have a conversation with John Lint of 10XPro.io. So John, keep an eye on your inbox for an invitation from us to the InnovaBuzz Podcast, courtesy of Mike James.
Links
Join the Smartphone Photography Club and grab amazing freebies; including eBooks, mini-courses, and other bonuses!
Cool Things About Mike
- He holds a Diploma in Training Design and Development from Rose Training Australia.
- He delivers tranings to different learning styles through PDFs, video courses, online workshops and programs.
- Cycling is one of his hobbies.
Stop putting too much pressure on yourself to come up with your own photographic style. A style is basically your personal preference. It is what gives you enjoyment with your photos. Mike James on #InnovaBuzz podcast Click To Tweet