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Welcome to this week’s edition of the SeniorInspire Newsletter!

I’ve got a completely stacked issue for you this week!

First up, we’re breaking down the exposure triangle — aperture, shutter speed, and ISO — in a way that (hopefully) won’t make your brain melt. Whether you’re new to photography or just pretending to understand how those three things work together, this one’s for you.

If you're too cool for basic photography skills, I’m also featuring a Why I Love This Image from Bruce Royal that nails the balance between strength and elegance — it’s bold, confident, and just flat-out cool.

And in our Mentor of the Week spotlight, we’re heading to Indiana to check in with the dynamic duo of Chris and Brandy Gronde, who are dishing out great advice and proving that sometimes two heads are better than one.

Finally, a quick contest update — the submission window for this year’s SeniorInspire Influencer contest has officially closed. We received over 1,200 images (yep, really!), and I'm currently knee-deep in the sorting, debating, and passionate image-loving process as I curate the upcoming Square Issue of SeniorInspire the Magazine.

I’ll be announcing winners this Monday, the 18th, and the magazine should be available for purchase by September 7th. So if you submitted, stay tuned. And if you didn’t… well, you’ve got some time to prep for our year end Photographers I'd Love to Follow (PILF) issue.

Let’s get it!

This week I'm answering a question for the newcomer in all of us...

I’m just getting started with senior photography and I keep hearing about the exposure triangle. Can you explain this to me like I've never touched a camera?

Oh boy, the exposure triangle: the sacred geometry of photography. The thing everyone kind of understands… until they try shooting something that’s moving, indoors, at night, and suddenly it’s panic time.

Let’s see if we can break it down...

Imagine your camera is a window. A digital, slightly dramatic window. Exposure is about how wide that window opens (aperture), how long it stays open (shutter speed), and how sensitive everything inside is to the light (ISO).

🌼 Aperture: The Drama Queen

Aperture controls how wide the opening in your lens is — and it also decides how blurry your background is.

Low f-number (f/1.8) = wide open, more light, blurry background

High f-number (f/8) = narrow opening, less light, background more in focus

It’s like your eye’s pupil. Big in the dark, small in the light. And yes, saying “I shoot wide open at f/1.4” does make you sound cooler.

🕒 Shutter Speed: The Timekeeper

Shutter speed is how long your camera lets in light. It also controls motion blur.

Fast (1/1000) = freezes action

Slow (1/30) = blurrapalooza, unless you’re on a tripod

Think of it like yelling at a raccoon. Open the door for a second and you’re safe. Leave it open too long and now you’re sharing snacks with the pesky critter.

🔦 ISO: The Sketchy Fix-It Guy

ISO is your camera’s sensitivity to light. Higher ISO brightens things, but adds noise.

Low (100–400) = clean, but needs more light

High (1600+) = brighter, but gets grainy real quick

Imagine turning up the volume on your TV. Too high and it’s not just louder — it’s distorted.

🔺 The Triangle Part

Here’s where it gets spicy: change one part of the triangle, and you affect the others. Want a blurry background with a wide aperture? Great — now you have too much light. Time to speed up your shutter or lower your ISO.

Want to freeze motion with a fast shutter? That cuts light, so now you need a wider aperture or a bump in ISO.

You’re constantly balancing these three like a very nerdy game of Jenga. There’s no perfect setting — just priorities.

So, What Do You Do?

Prioritize blur or sharpness? Start with aperture.

Want to freeze action? Start with shutter speed.

Shooting indoors or in low light? ISO’s your guy — but don’t let him go wild.

Here’s the good news: you’re not shooting film in 1986. You can test, adjust, delete, and try again — instantly.

So get out there, experiment, and remember: if your image looks awful, at least now you know which part of the triangle to blame.

——————

Have a burning question you want answered in a future column? Head over to www.seniorinspire.com/asknick. I’ll be there manning the phones and waiting for your questions...

Each week, I’m spotlighting one standout image from the thousands of senior photos we’ve featured over the years — in the magazine, on Instagram, and beyond. Whether it’s the light, the vibe, or just that unexplainable something, these are the images that made me stop and say, “Wow.”

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Some images don’t just grab your attention — they stare it down, own the room, and make you wish you looked that cool in all black.

This unforgettable photo from Bruce Royal was our cover image for the 2023 Photographers I’d Love to Follow issue of SeniorInspire the Magazine, and honestly… how could it not be?

From the moment I saw it, I knew it wasn’t just “good” — it was commanding. It had that rare combination of strength, style, and presence that makes an image stick with you long after the page has turned.

Let’s start with the obvious: confidence. This image drips with it. Everything about the pose, the expression, the body language — it all reads self-assured, fearless, and fully in control. It’s not cocky. It’s not trying too hard. It just is. And that’s incredibly hard to pull off in a portrait.

The pose is dynamic and just slightly in motion, which adds to that sense of being caught mid-moment — like she just stepped into frame and said, “Let’s go.”

There’s a subtle energy to it. Nothing exaggerated. Nothing forced. Just enough tilt, enough bend, enough lean to make it feel alive.

Now, the outfit — all black from head to toe — is a bold choice, but Bruce handled it with precision. Instead of fading into the background, the wardrobe becomes a frame for the subject’s form and expression.

And let’s not ignore the heel placement: that confident, pointed step forward is chef’s kiss — it seals the whole mood of the shot.

The low camera angle? Perfect. It gives her power. She’s not just in the photo — she owns the space. The perspective elevates her physically and metaphorically, making her look larger than life.

You’re not just seeing a senior portrait here… you’re witnessing a whole vibe.

Lighting deserves its own round of applause. Bruce used short lighting to sculpt her face beautifully, creating depth and dimension without losing the softness.

And even though the subject isn’t looking directly at the camera, her eyes still manage to draw you in. They pop with intensity and focus — a testament to both the lighting and the direction behind the shot.

This is one of those portraits that’s clean, confident, and editorial without feeling overproduced. It hits that sweet spot between classic and modern, and it leaves you thinking, “This? This is how you do senior photography.”

So yeah, that’s why I love this image.

We've all been there...

You’re cruising along, focused on your work, when something new and shiny darts across your path. A hot photography trend. A piece of gear everyone’s raving about. A random client request that’s way outside your wheelhouse.

The “squirrel” moment. And just like that, your focus is gone.

Here’s the thing: not every squirrel is worth chasing.

Your creative energy is your most valuable asset—spend it wisely. Run after every trend and you’ll end up tired, scattered, and with a portfolio that looks like a yard sale of mismatched ideas.

Trends come and go. Today it’s desaturated cinematic edits, tomorrow it’s neon overload, next week it’s moody vintage film grain. If it excites you AND FITS your vision—great. If you’re just doing it because everyone else is, let it pass.

Same goes for taking on work you don’t want. If someone asks you to photograph a newborn and babies aren’t your thing, say no. Politely. Every “yes” to something outside your brand is a “no” to the work you do want to be known for.

Your ideal clients hire you for your style, strengths, and point of view. Diluting that to please everyone usually pleases no one.

And about gear—oh, the gear. I’ve bought lights, reflectors, and bags I used a couple times and then stuffed in a closet. Gear should solve a problem or fill a gap, not just scratch an itch for something shiny. The newest lens won’t magically improve your work if the one you have already does the job.

Squirrels will always be out there. Some are worth chasing, most are distractions. The best photographers know what they want to shoot, the style they’re building, and the clients they want. They stay in their lane not because they’re afraid of new things, but because they know what truly matters.

So when the next squirrel crosses your path, ask yourself:

🎯 Does this fit my vision?

🌱 Will it help me grow where I want to go?

🚫 Or will it pull me away from what matters?

If it’s not a clear yes, let it run.

Because chasing squirrels might be fun for a minute… but building the career you want is how you eat.

This week, we’re thrilled to feature the powerhouse husband-and-wife duo Chris and Brandy Gronde of Gronde Photography based in Indianapolis, Indiana. With over 15 years in the industry, they bring not only creative talent but a deep understanding of how to build a sustainable, income-generating photography business. Known for their cinematic storytelling and passion for helping others, Chris and Brandy are cultivating a growing mentorship community.

Do you offer phone or virtual mentoring? Or only in person?
We do in-person as well as Zoom/Google Meet virtual mentoring.

What type of mentoring do you offer?
We have a mentorship group on Facebook called Fail Your Way to Success with The Grondes. From there, some have wanted direct 1:1 mentorship. We are currently working on a more direct group mentorship program as well.

Who is your ideal mentee?
Our ideal mentee can be new or established, but someone who truly wants to build a sustainable business—someone who wants to earn an income they can live off of rather than just a side hobby.

What topics do you most enjoy mentoring on?
Marketing, increasing sales through IPS, social media tactics, senior influencer teams.

What’s one thing you wish someone had told you when you were just starting out?
When we first started 15 years ago, we always thought the key to a successful photography business was just having the BEST photos. Once we realized there were photographers that were not as good as us making WAY more money than us, we realized that brand and business were just as—if not more—important than your photos themselves. I wish someone would have told me to concentrate on our sales, our marketing, and our BRAND more than just taking better photos or buying the best gear.

How would you describe your shooting style?
Cinematic storytelling with true-to-life color and dramatic lighting.

What do you hope mentees walk away with after working with you?
The biggest thing is to not be afraid to fail. Make quick decisions, fail fast, learn from what didn't work, and then do it again differently. Not everything we do is going to be a home run, but NOT doing something because we're afraid of "what if it doesn't work" will not get you anywhere. The most unsuccessful photographers are the ones who are either too afraid to try or have been making the SAME mistake every year for as long as they've been in business. You can't be afraid of obstacles, but you also can't run into the same one every day and wonder why things aren't changing.

How should potential mentees contact you?
Our Facebook mentorship group Fail Your Way to Success with The Grondes is free to join and the easiest way to get started learning with us. You can also contact us directly at info@grondesphotography.com.

Are you teaching a workshop on the horizon, I’d love to help you spread the word. NO CHARGE - No strings.

Just send me the details and a graphic, and I’ll get it in front of a bunch of senior photographers who might want in.

SeniorInspire the Newsletter goes out to about 2,500 senior photographers across the country, and more than a third of them actually open it (the rest are slackers who probably don't go to workshops either).

Anyway, just reply to this email with the details and a graphic, and I’ll get it in front of a bunch of senior photographers who might just want in.

Simple as that.

Thanks for reading this week’s issue of SeniorInspire the Newsletter. Whether you’re here every week or stopping by for the first time, I appreciate you being part of the community.

And now, in news that may or may not shake your world: Taylor Swift has officially announced her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. If that’s music to your ears, you can grab your copy here.

If Taylor is not music to your ears, go here instead and don’t worry — we’ll be back next week with zero Tay Tay references and the usual mix of senior photo goodness.

Until then, keep your shutter clicking, your clients smiling, and your playlists judgment-free.

Nick
SeniorInspire

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