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Mike Ross

@shots_by_ross

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FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER | Headshots | Promotional | Family | Portraits | Weddings | Products | Landscape | Events | Pets

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Tell me about your worst client in the comments!

Was it the discount requests, asking for RAW files, or wanting unlimited edits? This skit captures the reality of being a photographer juggling client expectations, pricing conversations, and the editing workload behind every shoot. Whether you’re in real estate photography, portraits, or content creation, this is a relatable look at freelance life, photo editing in Lightroom and Photoshop, and running a photography business.

#photographerlife #photographybusiness #freelancephotographer #realestatephotography #contentcreator taken in Santa Cruz, California by @shots_by_ross

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3 months ago

Roscoe said it best: being a photographer is only 30% of the job—being able to sell your work, market your photography services, follow up with leads, and create a real photography business is what keeps the camera in your hands. 📸😂

If you’re an aspiring photographer, professional photographer, creative entrepreneur, or trying to turn photography into a full-time business, this one’s for you. You can have the talent, the gear, and the edits—but if you don’t learn photography marketing, client communication, pricing, sales, and how to book photography clients, Roscoe might just call you out.

#PhotographyBusiness #PhotographyTips #PhotographerLife #CreativeEntrepreneur #SmallBusinessOwner taken in Santa Cruz, California by @shots_by_ross

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2 months ago

Every photographer has met that Realtor client who wants luxury real estate photography, cinematic listing video, and drone shots for their real estate marketing… but also wants “just a quick discount.” In this short-form comedy skit, a real estate photographer walks through a painfully relatable booking call with a bargain-hunting Realtor who keeps adding more requests for listing photos, social media content, and video edits while trying to pay less and less. If you’re a real estate photographer, photography enthusiast, content creator, or Realtor who lives in the world of real estate listings and client negotiations, you’ll recognize the red flags, laugh at the chaos, and maybe rethink how you price your next photoshoot. Tag a photographer friend, a real estate agent, or that one Realtor who always asks for “just one more free revision” and share this POV from the photographer side of the real estate content grind.

#realestatephotographer #realtorlife #photographerhumor #realestatecontent #photographerproblems taken in Santa Cruz, California by @shots_by_ross

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2 months ago

FINAL CHANCE TO SEE ANNIE!
This weekend is your final chance to see Annie! With reviews from community members and the Santa Cruz Sentinel, the reviews are in and Annie is worth the watch! See Liv Friday October 2nd @ 7pm and Saturday October 3rd @ 2pm! Lucy will perform Saturday October 3rd @ 7pm and catch the closing show Sunday @ 2pm!!!
The Sun will Come out Tomorrow, and so will our wonderful cast! taken in The Landing, A Performing Arts Center. Scotts Valley, CA by @shots_by_ross

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16 days ago

Get your tickets for the production of Annie in Scotts Valley!

@scottsvalleyperformingarts has been putting on an incredible production of the timeless musical Annie. I’ve had the pleasure of doing head shots and taking pictures of the performances and I’ve been blown away by the production. The last performance is on October 4, so make sure to secure your tickets now!

#performancearts #ScottsValley #mikerossphotography taken in Scotts Valley, California by @shots_by_ross

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22 days ago

This was a super fun sweet 16 shoot of Chloe. I’ve been taking pics of her since she was just a little one. This shoot made me feel old, but it’s great to see that she’s growing into such a happy young lady. Thanks again Rebecca Kate for trusting me with your family’s pictures. It’s always a great time! #portraitphotography #offcameraflash #goldenhourphotography #santacruzphotographer #mikerossphotography taken in Quail Hollow Ranch by @shots_by_ross

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25 days ago

Same subject. Same lighting. Four completely different portraits. 📸

In this photography tutorial, I’m showing how focal length changes your portrait—not only the field of view, but the background, perspective, compression, and overall feeling of the image.

For this shoot with the lovely model Brittni, I used off-camera flash with a 600Ws strobe and a 48-inch softbox, then photographed the same setup using four focal lengths:

• 200mm at f/2.8 — Strong background compression, tight framing, and smooth background blur. Great for a clean, flattering telephoto portrait look.
• 85mm at f/1.4 — Classic portrait lens focal length with shallow depth of field and extra bokeh while still showing more of the environment.
• 24mm on a 24–70mm — A wider portrait that brings in more background and gives the image a more environmental feel.
• 16mm on a 16–35mm — Ultra-wide perspective for a more dramatic, abstract, creative portrait with intentional distortion and exaggerated depth.

Your lens choice can completely change the story of a photo—even when your subject, pose, lighting, and location stay the same.
Which focal length is your favorite for portraits: 200mm, 85mm, 24mm, or 16mm? Let me know in the comments.

#PhotographyTutorial #PortraitPhotography #PortraitPhotographer #PhotographyTips #BeginnerPhotography taken in Santa Cruz, California by @shots_by_ross

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a month ago

Comment what makes you a “better photographer.”

Comment “team flash” or “team natural light”—let the camera-war debate begin.

Photographers, videographers, wedding shooters, portrait artists, and camera nerds: this skit is for anyone who has argued about back-button focus, Nikon vs. Canon, megapixels, Lightroom presets, signature edits, expensive lenses, and whether flash has a soul.

If you’ve taken 6,000 photos to deliver 9, said “I capture moments” with complete confidence, or own 56 lenses but only use two, you already know exactly who these photographers are.

Tag your favorite photography friend—or the one whose “signature look” suspiciously resembles a preset pack.

#PhotographerHumor #PhotographyLife #CameraHumor #VideographerLife #WeddingPhotographer taken in Santa Cruz, California by @shots_by_ross

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2 months ago

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2 months ago

If you’re a photographer struggling with pricing or constantly attracting low-budget clients, this is your sign to stop undervaluing your work. I used to offer discounts before clients even asked—and it only brought in bargain hunters who didn’t respect my time or skill. Once I started pricing my photography services with confidence, everything changed. This is for photographers, creatives, and anyone starting a photography business who wants to build a sustainable income, attract the right clients, and grow with intention. Know your worth, price your work accordingly, and stop chasing clients who don’t see your value.

#PhotographyBusiness
#PhotographerTips
#CreativeEntrepreneur
#PhotographyPricing
#StartAPhotographyBusiness taken in Santa Cruz, California by @shots_by_ross

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3 months ago

Behind the scenes of a cinematic outdoor portrait using off-camera flash. In this shoot, I’m using a 600W strobe with a 48-inch softbox to balance ambient light and control exposure in a bright pasture setting. By slightly underexposing the background and shaping light on the subject, I create depth, contrast, and a clean professional look. The sun is positioned as a natural rim light and hair light to separate the subject from the background. I also compare this to a natural light portrait, showing how unmodified sunlight can lead to overexposed backgrounds and less control. This is a practical lighting breakdown for photographers learning off-camera flash, high-speed sync techniques, outdoor lighting setups, and how to achieve dramatic portraits in harsh daylight.

#OffCameraFlash #PortraitPhotographyLighting #StrobePhotography #OutdoorPortraits #PhotographyTips taken in Santa Cruz, California by @shots_by_ross

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3 months ago

From a thrift store frame to a custom gallery piece — I grabbed this Goodwill frame, sanded it, primed it, painted it, and turned it into the perfect home for my new blown-up family portrait.

This portrait was inspired by that iconic Death Row Records magazine cover vibe — cinematic, dramatic, and built with bold lighting, creative direction, and a full photo-to-frame process.

For photographers, creatives, and portrait lovers: this is your sign to turn reference-inspired concepts into something tangible, styled, and frame-worthy.

Goodwill frame makeover, DIY picture frame, custom portrait display, blown up family portrait, dramatic lighting portrait, cinematic portrait photography, creative photography project, photo framing process, portrait inspiration, photo content creator, behind the scenes photography, visual storytelling.

#portraitphotography #photographer #creativeportrait #diyproject #portraitart taken in Santa Cruz, California by @shots_by_ross

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4 months ago