Q&A with a Photographer | Photography Education
One of my retirement goals is to get back into filming YouTube tutorials as well as coaching/mentoring new photographers. This year I have been mentoring one of my former brides-turned-photographer Stormy Sanders of Grace Lens Photography, so we got together at the end of July to film a Q&A for YouTube all about my thoughts on equipment, education, running a small business, and all things photography-related! We ended up recording two videos because we had so much to talk about! Below are some of the questions we discussed, in case you’re a reader vs. a watcher/listener or don’t have much time. Or, you can check out the two videos we recorded, which are filled with a lot more details and fun stories!
PART ONE/YouTube Link
1. What made you realize photography was something you wanted to pursue? I have always loved photography, but initially it was just to document my own memories and life. When I got married, I had such a wonderful experience with my own wedding photographer that I wanted to learn more, so I took a few classes. When people started offering to pay for me to take their pictures, I thought, why not?
2. What camera/equipment do you recommend you start with? How do you know what you should buy? I started with a Nikon d50 because that is the camera one of my friends owned, and I knew it produced quality photos! That was before I understood that it’s not just the camera–it’s more about the photographer knowing how to use the camera! Because I started with Nikon, I’ve stuck with it. I have since owned 4 other bodies, 2 of them mirrorless, and 9+ lenses! I would recommend beginners to start with a DSLR kit (usually a camera body with 2 basic lenses), even if it’s refurbished, so they can begin learning how to shoot in manual mode, and then they can upgrade as they see fit! (See my blog post What’s the Best Camera for Beginning Photographers?)
3. If you could go back and tell beginner you one thing, what would it be? Shooting in manual is not as hard as you think! I tried to learn from reading my camera manual, and that made it seem like an impossible task. But when I learned from an actual person, she made it so understandable! (See my YouTube tutorial Understanding the Exposure Triangle) And…learning off-camera flash was not as difficult as I thought it would be! Once I invested in the right system, it was so easy.
4. What’s the hardest part of photography to learn? For me, creative lighting! When I got a good flash system (Godox), I was able to figure out off-camera flash! But I am still working on creating unique lighting compositions.
5. How do you find beautiful light in difficult situations? Look for EVEN lighting, or create it with flash!
6. How do you keep from repeating the same poses each session? If I get stuck in a rut, I will look on Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration (but never during a session!). There are some go-to poses that I always use. I will also take what the client(s) are naturally doing themselves and just add to it so that it feels more natural.
7. What’s one editing mistake beginners make? Overediting!!! Get it right in camera, then edit as little as possible.
8. What should photographers practice every week? Exposing things correctly in the camera and composition.
PART TWO/YouTube Link (coming soon, to be released September 15, 2026)
Coming September 15, 2026!
9. For someone hoping to break into second shooting, what steps would you recommend they take, and what can they do to become someone photographers want to hire again? Find local photographers whose work you admire, and ask if you can shadow or second shoot with them! Be willing to do whatever they need, support them when they need an extra hand (like holding a veil/lightstand or fluffing a dress), and provide them with quality imagery!
10. How do you make sure your clients are comfortable? I literally talk to them the whole time…ask them about their lives, tell them they’re doing great, get to know the kids, laugh, smile
11. How do you handle difficult clients? Kill them with kindness! Stick to my boundaries but be friendly about it. I have rarely had “difficult” clients. The ones I have found to be most difficult are just self-conscious about how they look, so I try to use posing to help them feel/look beautiful, as well as light editing if needed.
12. Have you ever had a photoshoot go completely wrong? I lost my phone in the mountains during the 2nd of 3 back-to–back bridal portrait sessions, which would have cut my communication and directions to the 3rd client…but miraculously, when I drove back to where I thought I lost it, a biker had found it on the side of the road and was literally at the place I stopped and asked! Another time I was attacked by a client’s dog…but I pushed through the session and then went to urgent care for treatment! Another stupid move I made was at the beginning of some Christmas mini-sessions. I accidentally locked my keys in my car before I got out my equipment, and my first client helped me break the window of my car so I could get to it because AAA would have taken too long!
13. What’s been your best marketing strategy? Word of mouth! Client referrals are my #1 way that I get new clients. Consistent posting on social media. Lately, SEO on my website has brought me more Google inquiries!
14. What’s something photographers often undercharge for? Extra editing–time is money!
15. What should photographers post if they’re just starting? How often? 3x/week so that you stay relevant, at least once a week something about YOU! Authenticity is important these days, especially with so much AI out there and so many inexperienced photographers advertising themselves as if they have been doing this for decades. Let people see the real you, your personality, your life, especially in your Instagram stories. Behind the scenes content is good. But listen to me giving this advice when I am STILL working on showing myself more on my social media!
16. How do you build confidence behind the camera? Just keep practicing! Critique your own work and have another photographer give you constructive feedback!
If you have any questions you’d like to see me answer in an upcoming blog post or YouTube video, please drop me a comment below! I’d love to help!
Kimberly Cauble
…is a wedding & portrait photographer and educator in the Charlotte, NC area who has been photographing families, seniors, and weddings since 2012. She has photographed over 100 weddings and loves people, the art of photography, and sharing what she has learned with others!
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