The 20 Photo Blogs I Follow

As any painter through the ages will tell you, it is important to surround yourself with good people that inspire you.

I’ve been going stead fast for about 4 years following a few photographers I adore. It’s a way of connecting with people I know and admire. A few are friends. Some I’ve attended their workshops. Others, I’ve never met but hope to some day. Above all, I can usually count on a dose of inspiration from each post from the peeps I follow.

IMHO, my ingredients for who/whom (never mastered that in school) I choose to follow isn’t science. I’ve dropped some people I used to stalk years ago… and added others very recent (you know who you are). However, I have a few basic tenants… and encourage you to come up with your own filters.

Turn-ons: inspiration (above all), nice warmth & humanity of tone, established leadership in the industry, value-to-time ratio, tips & tricks, original content, humor, passion illustrated.

Turn-offs: copycats, infrequent updates (about twice/week is good for me), SEO phrases to woo search engines, boring work

The Top 20 Photographer Blogs I like to follow:

[b]ecker – solid brand, business, infrastructure
AltF – out of the box thinking, my mentor
Anna Kuperberg – loves dogs & cats with simple beauty
Chase Jarvis – my creative older brother I never had
Gino Siller – bad-ass photojournalist, a dear friend
Gray Photography – a great husband & wife duo
James Christianson – my wedding photographer
Jared Platt – a Lightroom expert, inspirational teacher
Jasmine Star – stellar writing makes me fall in love with being oneself
Joey L – new kid on the block has panache
Justin & Mary – reminds me of a hard love teacher, filled with goodness
Laurence Kim – says it as it is
Melissa Jill – a driven leader, kind person, terrific blogger
Otto Schulze – goes against the grain… and does it well
Photogen – a creative, spunky team
Scott Stebner – heart of gold, friend
Strobist – changed the world of small flashes with writing
Susan Stripling – I’d marry her work
Image is Found – I’d steal their kids
Voltron of Awesomeness – dances to his own tune, well

It’s hard just to keep up with these 20 folks… they are among the best leaders in the industry. But it is worth it. And I thank them!

And the nourishment that sustains creative juices best? Not other wedding photographer blogs, but the soul food served with love at my happy place, Bad Medicine Lake!