There is a LOT of information out there on the web, and with the ever-increasing ease of sharing, the demand for free education increases every day! On the one hand it’s a blessing, because it’s never been easier to grow in your business while sitting at home on your computer. On the other hand it’s a bit of a curse- there is so much information available that it can all become a bit overwhelming.

I used to have a long list of blogs I’d read every few days, but it got to the point where I was consuming TOO much; I was constantly bombarding myself with all the things I wasn’t already doing for my business, so I made the decision to cut all but a few of those blogs out of my rotation. And the ones that were kept were ones that are 1) legitimately educational, 2) encouraging, not condemning, and 3) consistent. Here are my top three choices for educational photography blogs!

1) Natalie Franke. I effing LOVE this girl- Natalie & I’ve been following each other since her days in college, and I remember thinking “there’s no way anyone can actually be as nice in-person as she is online.” I was dead wrong- Natalie is one of the most encouraging, heartfelt, authentic people I’ve ever met, and she’s one of my favorite human beings in general. Her blog is no different- she has a genuine desire to see her readers grow in their own businesses, and she never holds back. Her post on rainy day kits saved my LIFE for a wedding in June! The level of openness when it comes to running a business is astounding- she gives without thought of holding back, and I know you’ll love her just as much as I do!

2. Katelyn James. This is a “well duh” if you’ve been following my blog for any measure of time. I’ve been to one workshop, three coaching sessions, have heard her speak at five conferences, etc. Katelyn’s a wealth and powerhouse of information, and she’s another one who doesn’t hold back! She’s been blogging for something like seven years now, so her archives are extensive. You could spending weeks reading and still not be caught up! What I love most about Katelyn’s blog is that she shares new, relevant tips & ideas as they come to her- if she’s just discovered a new way to draw followers from Pinterest? She’ll share it NOW as opposed to waiting until everyone else has already implemented the idea. Katelyn’s a pioneer in the business of photographer, and her loving heart and sweet disposition make it feel as though you’re learning from a friend, even if you’ve never met!

3) The Palm Shop by Krista Jones. This one’s definitely newer than the other two, but Krista shares seriously meaty information over on that blog! I’m a technological idiot, so her posts that explain how to install new WordPress plug-ins, with step-by-step illustrations, have been a lifesaver for me. Krista’s an SEO genius, so it’s worth it to read the blog just for that! Matt & I will most certainly be doing a session with Krista in the near future for that very purpose, and again; I love that she doesn’t hold back on her blog. Also, how gorgeous is the layout of this site?? Among her many talents, Krista’s a designer, too!

Bonus! Justin & Mary are the bee’s knees when it comes to inspiring work and projecting encouragement to dream big- Mary’s a crazy talented writer, and if you’re ever in need of someone who’ll tell you “you got this?” Mary’s your person. Plus, this list of 25 Blog Post Ideas for Photographers is seriously awesome.

I’ve also recently begun following FStoppers, and I really enjoy the articles they put out! Thought-provoking interviews with renowned photographers, insights into the creative process from artists around the nation, and tech talk galore. I don’t read everything they put out just because there is SO much information available on their site, but it’s a great resource, especially if you have a question about something specific. Just try searching their blog for a particular subject, and there’s almost certainly something written about it!

I’d love to hear from you guys: what are your favorite photo education blogs to follow? Is there anyone I’m missing out on?