Spring is here. Finally, after the long, cold winter in South Korea, it’s time for me to head outside and start shooting again. Spring and autumn are my favourite times to shoot portraits. The outfits, the foliage, and the overall mood of your subject all come together to create some great shots. Unlike winter, where our subject is fighting the cold, and summer, where they’re fighting the heat, these seasons strike that perfect balance and our model can enjoy themselves.

There is an important distinction between a complete beginner and an experienced photographer when it comes to landscape photography. The beginner will find themselves in a nice location with the perfect view and begin to shoot. The experienced photographer will find the same location but question whether the light is optimal for the shoot. If it’s not, they are more likely to leave and return to the spot at a better time.

Outdoor portraits are a lot of fun to shoot. You have far more freedom than you do in a studio, and can really change up the theme and style depending on the location you choose. The one drawback, while also being one of the benefits, is the light. It doesn’t cost a thing, but you also have very little control over it. This can lead to issues such as flat images, unflattering harsh light, and dull tones.

Burst photography is a go-to choice for a range of photography styles. Sports photographers use burst mode to capture the perfect moment a ball is kicked, a boxer lands a punch, or a tennis player connects with a swing. Street photographers use it to make sure they get the timing just right in their compositions too, and as a street photographer myself, I’ve often relied on it while out shooting. It gives photographers the ability to ensure moments aren’t missed, capturing the exact moment they were hoping for.

Camera bulb mode sounds like a rather complicated setting to use. If you’re a beginner, it may even sound like something you want to avoid altogether. But in reality, it’s very simple to use and unlocks the ability to take photos you otherwise wouldn’t be able to capture.

Flowers have been part of portraits for years, centuries even, because they aren’t just popular in photography but have been used in painted portraits countless times. Does that mean it’s an overused prop to include? Absolutely not. I feel like flowers effortlessly bring more beauty into an image, solidify narratives and affect the mood. Simple yet effective, it’s definitely still worth shooting with them.