Category: Nature Photography

From Mundane to Magnificent: Composition Techniques for Memorable Landscape Photography

From Mundane to Magnificent: Composition Techniques for Memorable Landscape Photography

Published July 26, 2023

If you have a vacation planned and you want to take some awesome landscape shots of your exotic (or not so exotic) vacation spot, we have some tips for you.

You don’t need to be a professional photographer or have a fancy camera to take great photos. Most times, a great image comes down to how it was composed. We’ve compiled some helpful landscape photography composition tips for you to reference during your next scenic trip.

Landscape photography is generally defined as images of a natural scene. A landscape photo can be of an ocean, a field, mountains, rivers, or basically any place found in nature.

Snow-capped mountains behind a river valley with green forested area in the foreground

A few bits of technical advice for taking landscape pictures

When you find yourself out in the world—either on vacation, hiking, or even a walk around town—you may find an exciting and beautiful view that you want share with others. If you don’t have a “fancy camera,” no worries! You can shoot landscape photography using your phone. With most phone cameras, you’re unable to change your aperture; the phone will set it for you.

And if you do shoot with a DLSR or mirrorless camera, stay tuned! This article is about photo composition; we’ll leave the technical camera aspects for another blog post. But a few basics:

When shooting a landscape, you generally want all the components in the photo to be in focus.

If you have a DSLR or a mirrorless camera with manual setting capabilities, think about the camera settings before you start shooting. If you’re not a professional photographer and don’t have a camera with manual mode, you can still shoot unforgettable landscape photos using your phone or point and shoot camera.

For shooting landscape photography, a smaller aperture (f/11 or smaller) is better. This allows you to have a larger depth of field; more of the scene will be in focus regardless of how close or far the objects are in your image.

We’ve put together a few easy-to-follow tips for better landscape photography. Follow these tips so you can take a unique image that doesn’t look like every other photo that you see on social media.

Instead of just whipping out your phone or camera and snapping a quick photo, pause and think of this:

How do you want your viewer’s eyes to navigate the photo?

A landscape photograph should be visually appealing and keep your viewer’s attention. This is why the composition of your image is so important. You want your viewer’s eyes to be able to explore your image easily and keep the viewer intrigued. Composition tools can help show the viewer’s eyes “the way” to navigate the photo.

Let’s talk about the following simple composition tools that will help you compose your next image:

Leading Lines
Foreground/Middle Ground/Background
Horizon Line
Reflections
Natural Framing

Leading Lines

Finding “leading lines” in a scene can help compose an interesting photo and allow your eyes to have a clear path throughout your photo. Leading lines don’t have to be literal lines, but rather a change in the topography. Leading lines can also be actual lines, such as a road or a railroad track that navigates your eyes into the photo.

See the cracks in the foreground of the above image. The cracks create lines for your eyes to follow through the rest of the image.

Some craggy, snow-dusted mountains are in the background. A fissured, rocky landscape in the foreground has lines that draw you eye to the mountains.

Foreground/Middle Ground/Background

Another composition tool is including a foreground, middle-middle ground and background in your photo.

Take a look at the image below. This composition tool helps breaks up the visual texture of the image and gives the viewer’s eyes some variety. The water is the foreground, the trees being the middle ground, and the background being the mountains and sky. This breaks up the image into three parts, giving the photo more visual variety.

A clear river flows slowly in the foreground, a dense forest of evergreen trees are directly behind it, and a craggy, rocky mountain sits behind the tranquil scene.

Keep Your Horizon Level!

A quick way to ruin a landscape photo is having a crooked horizon. The horizon isn’t crooked in real life, so it shouldn’t be crooked in your landscape shot.

If you cant get the image level at the time of shooting it, fix it after by rotating your image using the crop tool in most photo editing apps.

Gentle lapping waves from the ocean meet the beach at sunset.

Reflections

Reflections can help create a symmetrical composition in an image. These types of images can be taken near ponds, lakes, and even the ocean if it’s calm enough. The best time to take these types of photographs is when the wind is calm. Keep your horizon of the body of water straight in your frame. You may need to move your camera higher or lower depending on how you want your subject reflected in the water.

Mist rises off a glass-like lake at sunrise. Evergreen trees on a small bit of land are reflected nearly perfectly in the water.

Natural Framing

Find elements in your scene that can create a natural frame in your image. Trees, rocks, and flowers can all be used to frame your image. The frame element can be on top, bottom, or on the sides of the image. It doesn’t necessarily have to be confined to around the outside of the image or on more than one side of the image.

Mist rises off a glass-like lake at sunrise. The landscape scene is framed by a tree on each side in the foreground, with a hill on the side of the lake.

Sharing Your Landscape Images

So you followed these tips and have captured yourself some really great shots. Now what? You should share them! Share them on social media, email them to family, or print them.

Now that you’ve printed them, share those prints. Send Granny one of those awesome photos you took. Is it Uncle Stu’s birthday? Send him one of your images in a photo card with a personalized message. Or if you want to make some money from your photos, learn how to sell your nature photography.

Get out there, create something beautiful.

Paper Frames for Botanical Graphics: A Buying Guide

Published August 8, 2019

Whether you’re looking to frame your own botanical graphics or you want a cheap framing solution to sell your botanical prints at art fairs, farmers markets, or online, we have some great options for you.

First things first: we need to talk about archival-quality framing.

The botanical print frame options we have for you are all made out of acid-free, archival-quality materials. What that means is your artwork won’t fade or yellow. Of course, if you put the print in direct sunlight, fading could occur; however, the areas protected by the frame won’t fade or yellow. Likewise, if the print is exposed to extreme humidity, the print could get brittle (low humidity) or moldy (high humidity).

Let’s look at some different options for framing botanical or floral prints.

Budget-Friendly Botanical Print Frames

If you’re working on a budget or are just looking for cheap frames for your botany prints, you’ll want archival-quality paper frames. We have many recycled options in a variety of standard print sizes.

5″ x 7″ Photo Insert Card Frames for 4″ x 6″ Prints

Our Simplicity photo insert cards are popular with nature photographers, so we know they’ll complement your botanical artwork as well.

Recycled kraft paper photo insert card with hand-drawn flower picture framed in the front window. — Shown: Recycled Desert Storm (Kraft) Photo Insert Card

The beautiful thing about these acid-free photo frame cards is that the card itself fits a 5″ x 7″ frame. This is the perfect, budget-friendly selling option for when you want to let buyers of your art choose their own frame. So not only can you sell photo insert cards as a custom greeting card, but you can also sell them as inexpensive picture frame mats.

Whether you sell these at art fairs or give them out as botanical birthday cards, photo insert cards are an upscale—but inexpensive—way to frame your botanical prints.

Bonus: Many of these photo frame greeting cards are made of recycled paper. Plus, if you’re ordering blank photo insert cards, there is no order minimum. Get as many—or as little—of whatever colors you need! Learn all about our popular photo insert cards.

Easel Back Paper Frames

If you want a true paper frame with easels for easy display on a desk, mantel, or end table, you’ll want acid-free paper frames made of recycled black or white textured cardstock. These cheap paper frames are an economical way to frame your prints of flowers.

Learn more about paper frames ➜

Textured black paper frame with watercolor painting, set on long, flowing Prairie Dropseed grass blades. — Textured black paper frame—perfect for colorful watercolor botany paintings.

Where can you sell botanical prints in paper frames?

Point-of-purchase display (retail shops)
Art fairs
Craft bazaars
Gift shops
On consignment
Online marketplaces (like Etsy)
Tourist areas
Parks & nature centers
Flower shops

Upscale Frames for Botanical Graphics

If you want to sell prints at art fairs, or just want a ready-framed option for your customers, you’ll want to check out our acid-free mat boards in sleek and stylish poly frames. Designed to look like real wood, these durable plastic frames are available in black, cherry, or walnut.

Learn more about upscale botanical print frames.

Watercolor floral painting in a black frame with white mat. Sitting on a wooden desk with a plant sitting by the side. — For a more upscale framing option for your botany prints or artwork, consider poly frames with mat boards.

Who frames botany art prints in poly frames?

Artists. Do you sell at art fairs? While some of your clients might choose botanical prints in paper frames, offer this upscale option for those looking for an elegant display.
Botanical Gardens. Sell prints in your gift shop that artists have made on your grounds.
Garden Centers & Nurseries. A great selling option in the off-season. This is a great options for garden centers that remain open year-round. These make great Christmas gifts for gardeners.

Are you selling botanical graphics?

If you’re selling botanical prints in frames, make sure you’re getting them at the right price.

We have a wholesale program at StudioStyle.com for any business or artist who uses our products to resell their artwork. Here’s how it works:

You sign up for a wholesale account, and you can save up to 50% off retail prices, giving you plenty of room to make a profit on your framed botanical graphics and floral prints. Sign up for your wholesale account at StudioStyle.com/Wholesale.

Let’s see YOUR botanical artwork.

If you sell botanical prints, or if you make sketches in the field, share them with us in the comments below! We’d love to see (and share!) your art.

How to Sell Your Nature Photography

Published June 15, 2011

Make money doing what you love by selling greeting cards of your photography.

Taking photos of nature and wildlife is a passion for outdoor enthusiasts. Nature photographers spend hours at parks composing beautifully proportioned images of landscapes or taking crisply detailed macro shots of a single flower.

Some are fortunate enough to work for National Geographic or have thriving careers in the photography industry. For many others photography is a hobby.

How do you take your hobby to the next level and make an income stream from it? An easy way to get started is by selling photo insert cards. It’s easier than you think to make nature picture cards, and we’ll show you how.

Recycled black and natural flax photo insert cards for nature photographs — Examples of nature photo cards. Blank greeting cards with a “picture frame” style front cover make it easy to insert your own photographs. Shown: Black insert photo card and Natural Flax insert photo card.

How to make nature photo cards

Select Your Best Photos & Make Prints. Take inventory of your photo collection and narrow it down to just a few of your strongest images. Make prints (usually 4″ x 6″) of these photos.
Assemble The Cards. With pocket-style photo insert cards, the front cover has a window opening to slide your photo in. This makes it easy to create instant photo greeting cards, and if you change your mind, you can remove the photo without damaging the image or card. Something to keep in mind: how much of the photo are you ok with being covered up by the window frame edge? Simplicity photo insert cards from Studio Style have a 3-½” x 5-½” window opening, so ¼” of your photo edges would be covered up when inserted into the card.
Add Your Personal Touch. Don’t forget to include your name, web address, and the title of your photo and location. Some photographers like to handwrite this on the window border or back of the card, some create printed labels to stick on the back, while others choose to have us foil stamp their cards for a truly professional look.
Consider Product Packaging. While not necessary, it is a good idea to insert your cards into a clear cellophane sleeve to protect it from fingerprints and moisture. Place cards in a bin, basket, or box at the front of your booth or by the cash register.

Cards with photo insert for nature photography — Photo frame cards are perfect for wildlife and scenic photography alike. Shown: Desert Storm and Navy Blue.

Where to sell your nature photo cards

Parks & Forests. A great place to sell photo cards is within gift shops at parks and tourist areas. Many larger parks and wildlife areas have gift shops on site to sell souvenir pins, walking stick medallions, iron-on patches, ornaments, commemorative pins, and other souvenir items. Greeting cards of photographs taken at the park are the perfect compliment to these other items! Visitors love to take home visual reminders of places they’ve been.
Local History Museums. An often overlooked place is your local history museum. People visit museums to learn more about specific regions, so selling cards featuring photos of that area is a natural fit.
Tourist Areas. There is great opportunity to sell your photographs to tourists visiting your area. Take photos of the natural surroundings in town, perhaps even expand into local architecture & landmark photography. We’ve seen photo cards at coffee houses, fudge shops, ice cream parlors, flower shops, apple and pumpkin farms, and general gift shops. Photo cards also do great when merchandised at the front counter of locally owned restaurants that require you to pay at the cash register.
Farmer’s Markets. Setting up a booth in a farmer’s market is a great way to meet new people, sell your cards and get fresh air all at the same time. If running your own booth is too much work or money, see if another vendor would be willing to partner with you. For instance, selling cards at a booth that also sells fresh cut flowers or handmade gifts is a smart idea.
Art Fairs. If you are already selling larger prints, why not offer some smaller gifts as well? Your photo cards are at a price point that most art fair goers will gladly pay for. Be sure to include your studio logo and website info to lead them back to your online shop for your larger prints.
Food Co-ops. While it might seem an unlikely place, it’s worth checking into your local food cooperative. While some are strictly member-only, stores that are open to the public often sell work from local artists and photographers.
Etsy.com. Etsy offers photographers a place to easily sell their photo cards and reach a wide audience. Try setting up your own Etsy shop and promote it with your blog, website, or Facebook page.

Sell your art and advertise your business with custom foil imprinting. Shown: gold foil on Black insert photo card.

Marketing & selling tips for nature photo cards

Advertise your business. Studio Style offers foil imprinted personalized on all of our cards with photo insert. Take advantage of this by adding your studio name and website to the back of each card.
Display Your Goods. For offline (in-store) sales, in most cases you’ll be responsible for your own card display. This can be as simple as a basket filled with your cards or a wire greeting card display rack.
Welcome & Inform With Signage. Try creating a sign with the name of your photography business, price and a short bio. Make it personable by including a photo of yourself. Any little bit of information can help make a connection between you & the customer. If selling to a local market or if your work has been acknowledged, make that a selling point. Example: “Martha Williamson – Award Winning Local Photographer”
Take Photos of Your Cards. For selling online, you’ll need crisp and attractive photos of your cards. Set aside an afternoon to do a product photo shoot. Optimize your images in Photoshop using the “Save for web” feature to create quick-loading optimized images.
Determine Your Selling Price. Do other photographers in your area also sell cards? Do some research and find out what they are charging and price yours accordingly. Generally speaking, you can easily sell cards in most markets at a price point between $5-$8 per card. Buying your insert frame cards and prints in bulk can help cut costs and keep more money in your pocket.
Think Seasonal. In most parts of the world, nature changes with each season. Varying your photo card selection by season will keep your work fresh and current. Don’t forget the time of year people send the most cards – Christmas! Create seasonal winter and holiday theme cards and make these available starting in early November.
Be Patient & Positive. Like with any new adventure, results can take time. Don’t become frustrated if your cards don’t sell right away, give it time. If your cards still are not selling, evaluate your photo choices, selling location and marketing efforts. Make adjustments and keep a positive attitude!

Recycled Photo Insert Cards | Made in the USA by Studio Style — Black and white nature photos look great in any color of frame card. Shown: Gold foil on Mint Green (discontinued).

Want to learn more about photo insert cards from Studio Style?

Selling photo art greeting cards is a great way to make extra money, express your creativity and gain exposure of your photography. Browse Studio Style’s collection of photo frame cards, including many that are made of recycled paper.

We have even more selling tips, marketing ideas, and pricing strategies for selling photo frame cards. Interested in selling photo holder cards for your photo studio or business? Learn how to sell photo greeting cards on our wholesale photo insert card resources page.

Watch this short how-to video to see how easy it is to use our photo frame cards and how you can personalize them.

Related: Don’t forget that June 15th is Nature Photography Day!

Do you have any photo card selling tips or ideas? Feel free to share your experience in the comments below!

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Celebrate Nature Photography Day

Published May 19, 2011

Grab your camera and capture the great outdoors on June 15th for Nature Photography Day.

What started in 2006 as a new idea has since become an annual celebration of nature photographers across the globe. The North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) designated June 15th as Nature Photography Day, a day to explore the natural world with your camera.

Learn about nature photography

NANPA has a large collection of photography tips and techniques, covering nature photography in urban and wilderness areas. They cover everything from the technical aspects (like lenses and neutral density filters) to the subtleties and art of photo styling.

Explore the world around you!

Discover nature on foot or by bicycle and set aside some time this June 15th to go on an exploratory hike or bike ride and stop to notice your surroundings. If you are stuck working all day, pack a lunch to-go and take a walk outside. Raining? Don’t worry, bring an umbrella! Don’t have a sitter for the kids? No problem, bring them along!

Share your photos on Nature Photography Day

Share your photographs with others! Instagram is a great place to do this. Just add the hashtag #NaturePhotographyDay to your post. If you do this yearly, you can add another hashtag with the year. Ex: #NationalPhotographyDay2023.

If you are a member of the NANPA or thinking of becoming one, check out their Nature Photography Day event for members.

Inspire others

Your photos inspire others. Use your photographs to encourage others to think about the affect that humans and development have on nature. Nature photography has the power to spark conservation efforts and rekindle an appreciation for our earth.

Want to sell your nature photography?

If taking photos is more than a hobby, consider selling your nature photos. It’s a great way to get your name out there, make some extra income, and share your passion with your community—or the world!