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Bella Kotak Phase One Emma sm

Bella Kotak Interview

Fashioning fantasies with Bella Kotak: 10 tips for getting started with creative portraiture.

Bella Kotak’s fine-art-meets-fashion portraiture showcases the fantastic world that lives just at the edge of our vision. Using a rich palette of clothing, props, models, and scenery to paint her compositions, Bella’s work lifts the veil between our world and the one in which her imagination thrives.

Bella Kotak - In Bloom

Bella Kotak - Molten

Bella Kotak - Floral Storm

Bella Kotak - Arabian Tales

Bella Kotak’s fine-art-meets-fashion portraiture showcases the fantastic world that lives just at the edge of our vision. Using props, clothing, models, and scenery to paint her compositions, Bella’s work lifts the veil between our world and the one in which her imagination thrives.

Coming Soon: The Fabric of Fantasy | SmugMug Films

The Fabric of Fantasy

Kristina Makeeva dreams with her eyes open. Giving life to her whimsical imagination as a child, she reimagines the sprawling wilds of Siberia as dreamscapes where anything feels possible. Contrasting natural light and settings with surreal subjects and pops of technicolor, Makeeva captures what happens when you blur the line between the tangible and intangible—the ethereal and the real—and when you stop seeing and start dreaming.

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Imagination Unbound

Get inside the mind of self-portrait artist Lizzy Gadd as she shares her top nine tips on process, inspiration, and the importance of community. 

Getting lost in the wilds with Lizzy Gadd.

Echoing the energy of her emotions, self-portrait landscape photographer Lizzy Gadd brings life to the vast landscape of the Scottish Highlands. Wearing vibrant colors, she creates contrast against a backdrop of wilderness, becoming the human element within Mother Nature’s playground. In stark opposition with the scene, Lizzy becomes a portrait of the human experience—exposed and wild.

Ethereal/Personal

Outdoor Lifestyle

Pure Landscapes

Client Portraits

The Nature of a Self-Portrait Artist

From the shadows of a cityscape, street photographer Alan Schaller composes narratives out of the chaos around him. Limiting the noise of his surroundings, he imagines the stories that spaces want to tell. Searching for contrast—a striking person passing in a crowd or a flock of birds suddenly taking flight—Alan captures the harmony of life’s unpredictability by simply observing.

Alan Schaller: Home

Alan Schaller: Street Photography

Alan Schaller: Portraiture

Alan Schaller: Manhattan

Streets in Mind

Take in the moment with Karen Hutton as she explores Slovenia to capture nature’s breathtaking expressions.

From the heart, through the lens with Karen Hutton

A lifetime of capturing moments of awe leads Karen Hutton to autumn in Piran, Slovenia. Losing herself in nature’s expressions, her photos act as an extension of herself and the ways she experiences the world. Karen’s magical photos don’t happen from simply traveling to beautiful places—they’re created by fully immersing all her senses, from the inspirent moments to the final frame.

Karen Hutton: Travel

Karen Hutton: Landscapes

Karen Hutton: Flora Fauna

Karen Hutton: Monochromes

Framing the Journey

Leap into the world of Omar Z Robles, where dancing in the street is the norm, and learn his tips for capturing the magic.



The world’s a stage for Omar Z Robles.

For Omar Z Robles, to be different is to be extraordinary. Leaning on his background in performance arts, Robles captures the beauty of ballet dancers using the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro as their stage. The familiar background strips away the barrier between subject and viewer, daring you to explore the power of being different.  

Join Omar Z Robles on a dream trip to Brazil as he captures the beauty of ballet dancers using the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro as their stage. The familiar background strips away the barrier between subject and viewer, daring you to explore the power of being different.  

Omar Z Robles - Pointe of Focus | SmugMug Films

Pointe of Focus

Jerry gets down low to share his unique view of the world. Get more insight into his vision for creating big stories from little more than what’s in his pockets.



Forcing a new perspective with Jerry Business.

Jerry Business doesn't care about your standards. His gear, his craft, his vision are exactly that: his. The iPhone-first photographer specializes in the miniature. Using meticulously chosen angles and antique toys and figurines, he blends the micro with the macro to create tiny stories in a modern world. Join him on the ground floor of his creations and see the world like never before.

Jery Business: Figures

Jery Business: Two Wheels

Jery Business: Floating

Jery Business: Trailers

Little Toys, Big World

Chris Burkard has made it his life’s work to find wild, remote destinations and then capture the juxtaposition of humans in these environments. He shares his essential landscape tips.

Essential Night Landscape Photography Tips from Chris Burkard

Acclaimed adventure photographer Chris Burkard talks about how he got his start, what he looks for in a fantastic image, and that time he got deported from Russia.

Exploring the Wild with Chris Burkard

Photographer Chris Burkard and Professional Surfers Patrick Millin, Brett Barley, and Chadd Konig brave sub-zero temperatures in the Arctic Circle to capture moments of raw beauty in conditions that rank among the harshest in the natural world. The bitterly cold seas and wind exact a large price on their minds and bodies, but the reward - adventure, amazement, and self-knowledge - draws them closer together and pushes them to tackle the next frontier in surfing.

Chris Burkard: Adventure

Chris Burkard: Landscapes

Chris Burkard: Surf

Chris Burkard: Waves

Arctic Swell - Surfing the Ends of the Earth

We sat down with Eric to learn more about his passion for the intersection of photography, cooking, and culture and maybe a few tips along the way.



Inside the Kitchen with Eric Wolfinger

If you want to tell a human story, the best place to start is at the table. Watch as photographer Eric Wolfinger takes us on an incredible journey far beyond the kitchen’s reach to discover stories around the world while forging his own.

Eric Wolfinger: Benu

Eric Wolfinger: Eat

Eric Wolfinger: People

Eric Wolfinger: Travel

Beyond the Plate

Photographer Tim Kemple and two world-class climbers push the boundaries of their comfort zone by attempting to climb Iceland as it’s never been climbed before.

Ephemeral Kingdom

Photographer Tim Kemple strives to capture situations and perspectives that few people would ever see, let alone feel comfortable experiencing. But don’t let the pursuit of discomfort ruin your shot. Here are his tips for surviving a cold night with your camera.



Tim Kemple’s Tips for Shooting in the Cold

Two of Europe’s best ice climbers joined photographer Tim Kemple and a two-person film crew from SmugMug to explore the Vatnajökull, or Vatna, Glacier of southeastern Iceland. The ice climbing featured in the photo essay is unique because they were climbing on, and sometimes inside, Europe’s biggest glacier. Read more about essential equipment the ice climbers used to ascend these vertical landscapes of frozen water.

A Guide to Ice Climbing Gear and Techniques

Tim Kemple: Hole

Tim Kemple: Tent

Tim Kemple: Iceberg

Tim Kemple: Truck

Tim Kemple: Lights

Tim Kemple: Climbing

Tim Kemple: Tunnel

Tim Kemple: More Climbing

Climbing Ice - The Iceland Trifecta

Blake gives us the lowdown on shooting up high in the mountains, how luck and some planning go a long way, and just how cold it gets out there in the deepest powder.



Finding a little luck with Blake Jorgenson.

The relentless pursuit of chance is what lures mountain sports photographer Blake Jorgenson into rare alpine air with nothing but his camera, a vision, and a little luck. See him capture sublime moments in Whistler's frozen backcountry.

Blake Jorgenson: Environments

Blake Jorgenson: Automotive

Blake Jorgenson: Action Adventure

Blake Jorgenson: People

 The Cold Open

The roar of the engine. The curves of the body. The power behind the wheel. Easton Chang captures the heart, soul, and beauty of automobiles through his photography. Get an eyeful of gorgeous cars through his lens, but buckle up tight first.

Easton Chang: Location

Easton Chang: Personal

Easton Chang: Studio

Easton Chang:  Gallery

The Art of Style and Speed

Elia and Naomi Locardi share their best tips for traveling the world while laden with camera gear and new-image aspirations.

Chasing light across the globe with Elia Locardi

Escape the day-to-day routine with traveling photographers Elia and Naomi Locardi as they explore what this world has to offer and awaken wanderlust and personal discovery.

Elia Locardi: Portfolio

Elia Locardi: Historic Cities

Elia Locardi: World Heritage

Elia Locardi: Modern Architecture

Nomadic Photographic

Follow Paolo Cascio as he embarks on a journey to photograph and document four of the five remaining survivors of the USS Arizona at the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. There they give their final salute to their fallen shipmates.

 A Tribute to Valor

As a busy executive, David Powell often found himself caught up in the hustle and bustle of his daily life in Tokyo: commuting, meetings, travel, more meetings, home, sleep. Seeking a better balance between work and life, he decided to pick up photography as a creative outlet. Since he could take his camera anywhere, it didn’t disrupt his busy schedule. And it grew into a successful blog: ShootTokyo. There David takes time to share his glimpses of the city, offering business insights and other random thoughts each photo sparks.

Walk the streets of Tokyo with Dave Powell

Follow Dave Powell, street photographer behind the popular blog ShootTokyo, as he walks the neon-lit streets of Tokyo capturing the unique historic and cutting edge juxtaposition the city and its inhabitants offer up nightly.

Dave Powell: Gion

Dave Powell: Yanaka

Dave Powell: Keeper

Dave Powell: Shinjuku

Point, Click, ShootTokyo

Brent Gilmore has worn many hats during his lifetime, but none so fulfilling as that of dad. He’s not only juggled his share of strollers, dirty diapers, and 1 am wake-up calls, he’s also learned to balance his fatherly duties with those of the family historian. He photographs his family’s tender, wonderful moments and keeps them safe for his children and future generations. We chatted with Brent about how he’s mastered the busy roles of father and photographer and why he trusts SmugMug to keep those precious memories safe and secure.

Capturing life’s little moments with Brent Gilmore

Brent Gilmore has worn many hats during his lifetime, but none so fulfilling as that of dad. See how he photographs his family’s tender, wonderful moments and learn how he keeps them safe for his children and future generations.

Brent Gilmore: Favorites

 Brent Gilmore: Explorer

Brent Gilmore: Sunday Run

Brent Gilmore: Backyard Summer

Just a Dad with a Camera

Step into the sights, sounds and smells of Morocco with photographer Trey Ratcliff, aka the “gentleman explorer,” and engaging persona behind the popular blog, “Stuck In Customs." In this film, Trey takes viewers through a deeply personal walkabout through the ancient and otherworldly cities of Fez and Chefchaouen. While exploring these lively and colorful North African streets, you’ll see Trey capture glimpses of Moroccan life that transcend beautiful and expand into something quite magical.

Lighting His Own Path

Join photographer, artist, and explorer Trey Ratcliff as he travels through the ancient and otherworldly Moroccan cities of Fez and Chefchaouen, capturing the amazing sights, sounds and smells of these magical places.

Trey Ratcliff: Trees

Trey Ratcliff: Burning Man

Trey Ratcliff: Travel

Trey Ratcliff: More Burning Man

Passport through Morocco

Renee Robyn shares her tips for creating epic digital art. A master of combining portrait and landscape photography to create imaginary characters and worlds, Renee divulges her approach to posing, lighting, color, and more.

How to Create Digital Composites

After a devastating motorcycle crash left her almost paralyzed, Renee Robyn turned to Photoshop to create surreal and mysterious worlds that stretch the boundaries of imagination. Though her body was immobile, her mind was free to fly.

Renee Robyn: Military

Renee Robyn: Studio Portraits

Renee Robyn: Terra

Renee Robyn: Environmental Portraits

Dreams of a Digital Artist

Elena Shumilova shares her personal tips on how to capture remarkable images of children. Specializing in capturing precious moments that happen once in a lifetime, Elena discusses her approach to light, composition, and being in the moment to help other parents photograph their children as they actually are.



How to Photograph Your Children

Last year, Elena Shumilova took photos of her sons in the Russian countryside and put them online. Those photos struck magic and went viral with over 60 million views. She invited SmugMug onto her farm in Russia, where we got a behind-the-scenes look at how she captures these beautifully nostalgic photos.

Elena Shumilova: Autumn

Elena Shumilova: Summer

Elena Shumilova: Winter

Elena Shumilova: Spring

Capturing the Magic of Youth

Photographer Benjamin Von Wong was a trained Mining Engineer who took photos on the side. However, in 2012, he decided to quit his day job and pursue his passion for photography full time. He’s now an award-winning photographer admired for his “epic, surreal, fantasy storytelling.” In this interview, he shares more details about himself, his background, and exactly how he crafted those exquisite angel wings.



Fantasy Storytelling

Benjamin Von Wong quit his high-paid day job as a Mining Engineer to create photography full-time. His images transport viewers to another world of fantasy and mystery, thereby stretching their understanding of what’s possible. For his part, Benjamin lives every day knowing that he’s doing what he’s meant to be doing.



Benjamin Von Wong: Home

https://vonwong.smugmug.com/Home/i-gg3wf5f/A

Benjamin Von Wong: Strawpocolypse

Benjamin Von Wong: Firebreather

Benjamin Von Wong: Library

Creativity Is A Way Of Life

A lifelong passion for aviation led Jessica Ambats to join the editorial team of an aviation magazine. She eventually became a pilot herself, sharing her love of the sky and everything that flies through it with fellow aviators and friends. In this interview, she talks about her shooting process, what it’s like to coordinate pilots and airplanes in high-speed and high-risk situations and more.

Air-to-Air Photography

A behind-the-scenes look at how photographer Jessica Ambats captures the beauty of flight. Jessica specializes in air-to-air photography, a high-stakes type of aerial photography that involves shooting from an airplane with the doors removed while the plane being photographed flies as close as 20 feet away. Do not try this at home.

Jessica Ambats: Airplanes

Jessica Ambats: More Airplanes

Jessica Ambats: Just Airplanes

Jessica Ambats: They're All Airplanes

Pulse-Pounding Aerial Photography

In this interview, photographer and Founder of Kelby Media (now called KelbyOne), Scott Kelby tells the story of his “aha” moment, how he balances his work and family commitments, plus his favorite tips and tricks of the trade.

Mastering the Craft Through Education

Scott Kelby believes "you never go wrong by doing the right thing." And from what we’ve seen, he’s done a lot of things right. Peek behind the curtain to learn more about the man who built an educational empire - while staying true to his passions as a photographer and family man.

Photographer. Author. Educator.

Sarah Lee’s underwater photography captures the sensual beauty of people, water, and light interacting together in nature. Sarah Lee shares her essential underwater photography tips and equipment.



Essential Underwater Photography Tips

In this interview, you’ll learn how Sarah Lee’s natural love of swimming led to photographing swim meets. Over time, her interest in photography grew until she started taking her camera in and under the water to photograph other swimmers, surfers, and good friends. Sarah’s passion has led to her work being featured in Italian fashion magazines and for adventure companies in Australia and New Zealand.



Riding Under the Waves

Water photographer Sarah Lee loves the unpredictability of nature and creates art that captures the interplay of people, water, and light. Unlike other forms of photography, where pixels are painstakingly crafted, Sarah embraces what she can’t control and uses her photography to find beauty in the chaos.

The Fabric of Fantasy

Bella Kotak's Photo Galleries

Fashioning fantasies with Bella Kotak: 10 tips for getting started with creative portraiture.

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