Portrait and studio photography
Light, glass, and the frame worth keeping
Stong Photography Journal is a working logbook of portraiture: what a lens or a light actually does once the session starts, and the pictures that came out of it.
In the frame
Verdicts on bodies, lenses and lighting, written after the shutter rather than from the spec sheet.
Latest writing →By subject
Headshots, portrait sessions and studio craft, grouped the way a photographer goes looking for them.
Browse topics →From the journal
Latest writing
How to Build an Email List as a Photographer (2026)
Learn how to build an email list as a photographer in : choose a signup tool, capture leads ethically, and send emails…
How to License a Photo for Commercial Use (2026)
Learn how to license a photo for commercial use in : scope the use, choose the rights, set the fee, sign the…
How to Handle Photo Theft Online in 2026: Evidence & Reports
Learn how to handle photo theft online in : evidence collection, platform reporting, clear copyright notices, and realistic recovery options for…
How to Use Pinterest to Get Photography Clients (2026)
Learn how to use Pinterest to get photography clients with a focused profile, searchable pins, consistent posting, and simple ways to track…
How to Copyright Your Photographs: Practical Steps (2026)
Learn how to copyright your photographs, protect your originals, document ownership, and manage permissions with a practical process for working photographers.
How to Work With a Hair and Makeup Artist: 7 Steps (2026)
Learn how to work with a hair and makeup artist in : write the brief, ask the questions that matter, book a…
How to Choose a Print Lab: A Step-by-Step Guide (October 2026)
Learn how to choose a print lab: compare color accuracy, paper, pricing, turnaround and shipping, then order one test print before a…
How to Build a Shot Workflow for a One Hour Session (2026)
Create a practical shot workflow for a one hour session, covering planning, lighting, posing, timing, and a smooth review before the session…
How to Use an Online Gallery for Client Delivery (2026)
Updated for : learn how to use an online gallery for client delivery, set proofing and download rules, and send a handoff…
A note to readers
Photography rewards patience far more than it rewards new equipment, so the writing here stays close to the work: how a lens behaves through a long portrait session, how one light reshapes a face, what survives from the shoot to the final print. Expect plain language, full-size pictures, and an honest verdict even when the answer is that your current kit is fine.
The Stong Photography Journal editors
About this journal
Written beside the camera
Stong Photography Journal exists for photographers who want a straight read on gear and lighting before they spend, and something worth looking at once they have — portrait and studio work first, and the wider craft that feeds it.
Everything published here is written from use: tested on real sessions, shown at full size, and revised when a better way turns up.