Tips & Advice

Welcome to Helen Oakes’ blog, where creativity meets strategy. Here you’ll find insights across DIGITAL PRINTS, TIPS & ADVICE, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, NEWS & ARTICLES, and more. Whether you’re exploring GENERAL photography discussions, seeking MOTIVATIONAL stories, or diving into MARKETING and SOCIAL MEDIA strategies, each category is designed to help you grow. You can also journey through TRAVEL & TOURISM inspiration and explore hands-on PHOTOGRAPHY guides. Every section connects to real-world experience, practical knowledge, and proven methods to transform your creativity and digital presence.

Why Are My Photos Always Blurry? 7 Fixes for Sharp Shots
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Why Are My Photos Always Blurry? 7 Fixes for Sharp Shots

Photography, Tips & Advice

Why Are My Photos Always Blurry? 7 Fixes for Sharp Shots

By Helen Oakes|2025-10-13T13:12:28+13:00October 4th, 2025|Categories: Photography, Tips & Advice|Tags: Beginner Photography, Blurry Photos, Camera Settings, Christchurch Photographer, Photo Editing, Photography Guide, Photography tips, Sharp Images|

Blurry photos are one of the biggest frustrations for photographers, but they are also one of the easiest problems to fix. This guide shows you why your photos are always blurry and offers seven practical solutions for sharp, professional-looking images.

How Women Over 50 Can Build Passive Income Using Skills They Already Have
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How Women Over 50 Can Build Passive Income Using Skills They Already Have

Passive Income, Tips & Advice

How Women Over 50 Can Build Passive Income Using Skills They Already Have

By Helen Oakes|2025-09-01T09:37:53+13:00June 22nd, 2025|Categories: Passive Income, Tips & Advice|Tags: build an online business, create and sell digital products, digital income streams, Digital Products, financial freedom after 50, make money from home, midlife entrepreneurship, online business, online business for beginners, passive income for women over 50, passive income ideas, second career ideas for women, women starting over|

Passive income isn’t just for Gen Z or twenty-somethings. It’s for us, the women who’ve raised families, managed careers, and still show up every single day.

How to Make Money with Canva in 2025: 9 Proven Ways to Turn Design into Dollars
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How to Make Money with Canva in 2025: 9 Proven Ways to Turn Design into Dollars

Passive Income, Tips & Advice

How to Make Money with Canva in 2025: 9 Proven Ways to Turn Design into Dollars

By Helen Oakes|2025-08-30T16:19:17+13:00May 7th, 2025|Categories: Passive Income, Tips & Advice|Tags: Canva crash course, Canva for beginners, Canva tips, Digital Products, freelance design, how to use Canva, make money with Canva, online business, passive income ideas, sell Canva templates|

Learn how to make money with Canva in 2025 using 9 real-world methods. Start earning today with templates and digital products, without being a designer.

6 Powerful Ways to Enhance Your Photography with Digital Backgrounds
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6 Powerful Ways to Enhance Your Photography with Digital Backgrounds

Photography, Tips & Advice

6 Powerful Ways to Enhance Your Photography with Digital Backgrounds

By Helen Oakes|2025-08-30T16:28:13+13:00August 6th, 2023|Categories: Photography, Tips & Advice|Tags: Artful Backdrop, Decorated Backdrop, Decorated Room Backdrop, Decorated Wall Backdrop, Digital Background, Digitalbackdrop, Fineart Backdrop, Fineart Backdrops, Fineart Digital Backdrops, Fineart Digital Background, Gifts for Her, Maternal Backdrop, Photo Backdrops, Photo Gifts, Photography Props, Photography tips, Photoshop Overlays, Portrait Photography, Professional Photography, Studio photography, Wall Backdrop|

Digital backgrounds open a world of creativity for photographers, allowing them to explore diverse themes and settings. They can save you money and space too.

Posing People for Studio Photography: Tips and Tricks for Capturing Stunning Images
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Posing People for Studio Photography: Tips and Tricks for Capturing Stunning Images

Tips & Advice

Posing People for Studio Photography: Tips and Tricks for Capturing Stunning Images

By Helen Oakes|2025-08-30T16:34:46+13:00March 8th, 2023|Categories: Tips & Advice|Tags: Group shots, Headshots, Lighting techniques, Photo shoot techniques, Photography lenses, Photography tips, Portrait Photography, Posing techniques, Professional Photography, Studio photography|

One of the most critical factors in capturing great studio photography shots is posing your subjects. Posing people for studio photography can be a tricky task.

Mastering Minimalist Photography: Tips and Techniques for Impactful Images
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Mastering Minimalist Photography: Tips and Techniques for Impactful Images

Tips & Advice

Mastering Minimalist Photography: Tips and Techniques for Impactful Images

By Helen Oakes|2025-08-30T16:34:17+13:00March 2nd, 2023|Categories: Tips & Advice|Tags: Angles, Beauty of Simplicity, Cluttered Photos, Details, Drama, Essential Elements, Impactful Images, Intimate Photo, Lasting Impression, Light, Limited Color Palette, Minimalist Photography, Mood, Natural, Negative Space, Powerful Photos, Simple Subject, Simplicity, Unique Composition, Visual Storytelling.|

Unlock the Secrets of Minimalist Photography: How to Capture More with Less and Create Impactful Images with Simplicity. Discover Practical Tips and Techniques

5 Tips to Help You Stay Motivated (Even When It’s Tough)
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5 Tips to Help You Stay Motivated (Even When It’s Tough)

General, Motivational, Tips & Advice

5 Tips to Help You Stay Motivated (Even When It’s Tough)

By Helen Oakes|2025-08-30T16:36:26+13:00August 20th, 2022|Categories: General, Motivational, Tips & Advice|Tags: Brand Photographer, Christchurch Photographer, girlboss, goalsetting, HELEN : OAKES, motivate, motivated, motivation, Photography, productivity, Productivity Hacks, staymotivated, supportgroup, visionboard|

When you're struggling to stay motivated, it can be helpful to find someone who is motivation personified. Look for someone who is doing what you want to do.

Speed Up Your Social Media with These 4 Batching Posts Tips
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Speed Up Your Social Media with These 4 Batching Posts Tips

General, Social Media, Tips & Advice

Speed Up Your Social Media with These 4 Batching Posts Tips

By Helen Oakes|2025-08-30T16:36:52+13:00August 7th, 2022|Categories: General, Social Media, Tips & Advice|Tags: batching old content, batching posts, batching posts tips, benefits of batching posts, content calendar, creating new posts from scratch, how to batch posts, Productivity Hacks, repurposing content, scheduling social media, Social Media, time management, updating old posts, writing tips|

You can batch posts for a few days, weeks, months or a year. The great thing about batching is you are planning ahead and batching is a great productivity hack.

9 Benefits of Unique Social Media Stock Photography for Wellness Coaches, Therapists and Life Coaches
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9 Benefits of Unique Social Media Stock Photography for Wellness Coaches, Therapists and Life Coaches

General, Tips & Advice

9 Benefits of Unique Social Media Stock Photography for Wellness Coaches, Therapists and Life Coaches

By Helen Oakes|2025-08-30T16:37:38+13:00August 5th, 2022|Categories: General, Tips & Advice|Tags: Content Creator, Social Media, Stock Imagery, Stock Images, Stock Photographer, Stock Photography, Therapist, Wellness|

Unique stock images can help you show your personality and brand. By using photos that represent who you are as a person, you can attract like-minded clients.

What to Say When a Client Says: “You’re Too Expensive!”
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What to Say When a Client Says: “You’re Too Expensive!”

Tips & Advice

What to Say When a Client Says: “You’re Too Expensive!”

By Helen Oakes|2025-08-30T16:39:47+13:00November 15th, 2021|Categories: Tips & Advice|Tags: Christchurch Photographer, HELEN : OAKES, How to Respond You Are Too Expensive, Photographer, Photography Pricing, You're Too Expensive, Your're Price is Too High|

As photographers we have all heard this phrase “You’re too expensive”. You will always get objections around your price so don’t take this personally at all.

How To Price as a Photographer and Not Scare Away Clients
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How To Price as a Photographer and Not Scare Away Clients

Tips & Advice

How To Price as a Photographer and Not Scare Away Clients

By Helen Oakes|2025-08-30T16:40:17+13:00November 8th, 2021|Categories: Tips & Advice|Tags: Branding Photographer, How Much do Photographers Charge?, Photo Shoot, Photography Prices, Photography Pricing, Photography Pricing Guide|

It’s a constant battle trying to work out if you’re over-charging or under-charging or just working out a number to cover your costs. Pricing shouldn't be hard.

How to Say NO to Clients That Want All Their Digital Images
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How to Say NO to Clients That Want All Their Digital Images

Tips & Advice

How to Say NO to Clients That Want All Their Digital Images

By Helen Oakes|2025-08-30T16:40:35+13:00November 3rd, 2021|Categories: Tips & Advice|Tags: Branding Photographer, Digital Files, Digital Images, How To Deal With Difficult Photography Clients, Photography, Photography Clients, Photos, Portrait Photography, What To Do When A Client Asks For All The Photos?|

Saying 'NO' to the clients that ask for all the digital files! Has this happened to you before? Sometimes we haven’t been clear on what the client receives.

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09, 2021

Kiwi Slang – Jandals

What is the origin of the term Jandals? The history of the kiwi jandal & its meaning has been debated. Morris Yock trademarked the jandal. New Zealand Slang
2

09, 2021

Kiwi Slang – Sweet As

Sweet as can mean so many things and is used in lots of situations. It can mean good, awesome, no worries, you're welcome, nice and thanks. Kiwi NZ Slang Words.
2

09, 2021

Kiwi Slang – Yeah Nah

Yeah nah is a non-committal statement, you are acknowledging what someone is saying but you don't agree. It means indecision, no or maybe. Kiwi Slang Words.
17

11, 2020

Kiwi Slang – Tiki Tour

Tiki tour is said when you take the scenic route or long way to get to a destination. It can also mean a journey with no destination in mind.
2

09, 2021

Kiwi Slang – Choice

Choice is a kiwi slang word that use to get said a lot. It is more of a retro slang term that can mean many things like, you are happy. New Zealand Slang Words
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01, 2023

The Top 8 Reasons Why I Recommend the SONY A6400 as Your Next Travel Camera

Sony's A6400 has some of the best video quality seen in a camera. If you’re looking for a camera that can handle low light situations, the A6400 is a good pick.

Tips & Advice

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