DAY 1: 5-in-1 32" Reflector and Diffuser - $11.99
I've found reflector/diffusers are one of the best investments for the price and they go with me to every photo shoot.
Day 2: Wacom Intuos Pro Pen and Touch Medium Tablet - $299.95
If you are still editing with a mouse, this will change your life!
Day 3: Picture Perfect Posing, Roberto Valenzuela - $32.74
Learn to pose professionally form one of the best in the industry. I love that Roberto teaches you to study every detail and create perfect poses.
Day 4: Ohuhu DSLR Digital Camera Gadget Organizer Bag, Dark Brown - $37.99
If you are a photographer who needs just one more bag (and we all do), check out this enjoyable, stylish thing.
Day 5: WizGear™ Universal Air Vent Magnetic Car Mount Holder, for Cell Phones - $7.99
This is one of the best buys I made in 2015. All other car mounts pale in comparison and cost so much more.
Day 6: 24"x24" Protable Off-Camera Flash Soft Box with universal L-shaped bracket & flash ring - $31.99
When I need a small, portable soft box to feel a little more like Joe McNally, this does the trick!
Day 7: ShuttlePRO V.2 - $129.94
Cull and edit faster in Lightroom with programmable buttons. This baby is next on my wish list!
Day 8: Rogue FlashBender Small - $16.95
Are you using the flash on the camera? Here is a versatile tool that will allow you better control of the light. I use the large version, but I wish I had this small one.
Day 9: Manfrotto 175F-1 Spring Clamp with Flash Shoe - $60.99
This travels with me everywhere as my go-to lighting support device when nothing else will work. It's one of the most versatile tools in my bag...in fact, I bought two!
Day 10: The Headshot: The Secrets to Creating Amazing Headshot Portraits - Book $23.94 / Kindle $19.79
I have heard this is a must read book for anyone doing business head shots. Now I have a copy and must find time to read it.
Day 11: Palette - Your Personalized Photo Editing Controller - Starts at $199 [See how it works here]
The folks who designed this modular peripheral are brilliant! I'll be taking a serious look at this in 2016 for my work flow. Anything that speeds workflow is a smart investment.
Day 12: AmazonBasics 52-Inch Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with Bag - $79.49
A tripod is another one of the single best investments that will instantly improve your photography! A light weight, carbon fiber tripod like this will travel easily making it so much more likely to get used.
Day 13: Picture Perfect Practice, Roberto Valenzuela - $31.67
A Self-Training guide to mastering the challenges of taking and analyzing photographs from one of the best teachers in the industry and world class photographer.
Day 14: Trello - Stupidly Simple Project Management - FREE
The super simple, free, flexible, and visual way to manage anything with anyone. Include collaboration and synchronization across all devices. Now you will never let something slip through the cracks again.
Day 15: Acronis - Flexible backup software for your studio - $59.99
You have a back up plan for your digital business, don't you? Well, now you do! Better than Windows Backup and more flexible than Time Machine, Acronis allows you to customize how your data will be backed up and set where you will send it, onsite and/or off site.
Day 16: Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II Digital Camera - Wi-Fi Enabled - $699.00
Are realizing your cell phone photos aren't cutting it? Do you cringe when you think about what your cell phone did to your family photo memories over the last few years? If you know what I'm talking about, here's a simple and small, but powerful point-n-shoot camera you will won't regret having!
Day 17: Star Trek Enterprise Pizza Cutter - $29.95
Live long and pizza! I know many of you photographers are also Trekkies.
Day 18: AmazonBasics Large DSLR Gadget Bag - $21.99
When you need a simple bag for gear, Amazon Basics is really good for the price. I use it to carry all my speed lights.
Day 19: Save Money on AA Batteries...
AmazonBasics AA Rechargeable Batteries (16-Pack) - $26.69
EBL 8 Bay AA, AAA, Ni-MH, Ni-Cd Rechargeable Battery Charger - $9.99
...because you know you are already spending too much on batteries.
Day 20: Nite Ize Gear Tie Reusable Black - Range $3-$16
They say these are gear ties for cords and equipment, but they're in my emergency kit and get used for so much more. They can bunch up excess clothing fabric behind models, hold and position odd pieces of art, they mold into custom stands for weird shaped products or hidden support for props, and best of all, they're strong enough to hold speed lights in strange hidden locations. The ROI for me with these has been in the multi-thousands. I recommend getting some large and small.
Day 21: Ravelli 12 Pack of Photo Video Muslin Background Clips - $17.69
If you have been using A-clamps from the hardware store, stop. A set of 12 A-clamps from a hardware store will run you about $36 and they won't always work quite right with your photo gear. Also, nothing says amateur like neon-green or construction-orange rubber grips. is time to look a little more professional and at less than half the cost, you have no excuse.
Day 22: Neewer 30"x 12"x 11" Photography Photo Studio Lighting Equipment - $79.99
Carrying gear to and from gigs really stinks, but rolling it...that is the way to go! This is a great option for some of the heavy stands.
Day 23: Vaultz Mesh Storage Bags - $6.23
Get organized in your bags for 2016.
Day 24: Epson EX7235 Pro Refurbished Projector - $405.91
If you are on the fence or ready to make the jump to projection sales, do it. This is the one we use and love.
-JMB
© 2015 Jared M. Burns Photography
Snohomish Family Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com