From Snapshots to Great Shots with Erik Valind

On Monday, we've got a new podcast with commercial and lifestyle photographer Erik Valind. Earlier this week you may have watched the behind the scenes Yamaha video of his shoot with Josh Groban.

I get excited about every new podcast I do, especially when it's somebody I admire and have heard of, but don't personally know. This industry is really relatively small and we share so many of the same friends, work with the same vendors and have spoken at many of the same conferences.

In Erik's case one vendor we've both had a great time working with is the crew at Tamron USA. It's a remarkable group of people and they're creating some impressive products and great glass.

On my search to find out more about Erik, I ran across his new book on Amazon, Portrait Photography - From Snapshots to Great Shots. Well, while I know I probably could have weaseled a freebie, I wanted it ASAP and just ordered a copy. I've got an amazing library of books by so many different photographers, many of them personal friends. Now the challenge will be to catch up to Erik on a future trip to Florida, (he grew up here) and that's when I'll get him to sign it.

Just reading the Amazon sampler I've already found a wealth of solid tips to improving my own portrait work. Just click on the book cover and you can check it out for yourself.

In the mean time, tune into the SCU podcasts on Monday for what promises to be a terrific podcast with Erik and a discussion on some of the key things he's done to make sure his images and business style are always top shelf!

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