how-to

Special for Greener Photography members. Download the e-version of this 240-page book for $10.00. http://www.bit.ly/51waysbook

51 step-by-step tips to increase your website effectiveness. This is a digital download how-to guide on making the most of your website, written by our own Monica S. Flores.

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Use the coupon code for this special rate: greenerphotography

Welcome to our compilation of simple but effective ways to make your photography greener! We would love to have your additions - just email us!

You might also like to read this article from American Photo - "Thirteen Ways to be a Greener Photographer."

Energy Conservation:

    * Check the gaskets on your fridge for wear and leakage.

    * Keep your fridge full.  Put bottles filled with water to fill any empty space. The water helps keep the cool in when the door is opened.

    * Keep your cooling temps > 78 degrees and heating to < 68.

    * Invest in renewable energy through carbon-offsets.

    * Inquire with your energy provider about renewable source options.

    * Buy used! Computers, cameras, books, by used whenever possible.

    * Use solar energy sources/equipment.

    * Replace inefficient refrigerators (anything older then 10 years).

    * Use ceiling fans instead of A/C Replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs.

    * Ask your energy provider to conduct an energy assessment.

Water Conservation:

    * Put a bottle filled with water in your toilet's tank to reduce the amount of water used in every flush.

    * Capture the rainwater from your studios gutters and use it to water your garden.

    * Install low flow aerators for sink faucets.

    * Landscape with drought-resistant plants.

    * Install a low-flow irrigation system for your garden.

    * Ask your local water utility to conduct a water audit.

Waste/Pollution Reduction:

    * Don't offer your clients bottled water. Invest in a water bubbler.

    * Start a compost.  Many compostables are accidentally preserved by throwing them in the trash.

    * Re-use your shipping boxes.

    * Re-use your packaging material.

    * Package your boxes with any paper you have to shred in the office.

    * Print on both sides of your paper.

    * Sign contracts electronically and keep them as PDFs.

    * Buy recycled printing paper.

    * Refuse plastic bags when shopping.

    * Bring your own bag.

    * Reduce your mail at catalogchoice.org.

    * Bank online and receive e-statements.

    * Bring electronic waste to a specialized collections center .

    * Bring paint and chemicals to a special collections facility.

    * Bring fluorescent bulbs to a specialized collections facility.

    * Donate your old magazines.

    * Recycle old batteries.

    * Use rechargeable batteries.

    * Recycle toner cartridges.

    * Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a television for 3 hours.

    * Recycle your compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

Closer to Nature

Closer to Nature by Jessica Riehl

As photographers we are in a unique position to educate our clientele about our natural resources.   If you are an on location photographer you have the ability to influence your client's decision on where to take their photographs.

Have you ever considered  taking your client to a city, state or national park?  Not only will your photographs be beautiful, but your client may have a much needed respite into the natural world. Our lives are so busy we often forget to include interaction with our green spaces, especially those of us who are city dwellers.    When I take my clients to a state park for their beach photographs; I can't count the number of times they have said ‘...I didn't even know this was here and it is so beautiful.'

Throughout the session you can subtly educate them about the area. Armed and excited about the knowledge of what the park offers, they will be more inclined to return.  Also, any usage fee supports the operating costs of the park.

The more we encourage our clients to seek out areas of natural beauty and  help them learn about green spaces, the more they will be inclined to actively use these wonderful natural resources.  Frequent visits help them develop a genuine concern about its destiny.  High usage rates will also communicate  to the administrators, community and state leaders the importance of the parks and the value of preserving these areas.  If we don't use it we will lose it!

Please consider the following passage:

“We can all benefit from feeling closer to nature, feel the breeze on our skin, watch it move through the trees and the clouds above.  Children who learn about their environment, about the lifecycle of plants and animals and the effect of human beings on the planet we share, develop a greater understanding of life and the delicate balance we must maintain.  Teaching them about nature and their place in it gives them an important sense of connection to the wider world, as well as to what's going on under their feet.” ~Anita Kaushal from her book The Family At Home

We asked what conservation methods you were using in your home and business and here is what you said:

    * Bike commuting.

    * Opening windows and using ceiling fans instead of A/C.

    * Composting food waste.

    * Vegetable garden.

    * Exercising the power of purchasing locally.

    * Changed all bulbs to energy efficient bulbs.

    * Turn off electronics, unplug when not in use.

    * Program to sleep after several minutes of non-use.

    * Use energy star appliances.

    * Turn off lights not in use.

    * Insulate non-air tight windows.

    * Use LED light when possible.

    * Shoot by natural light whenever possible.

    * Shoot locally whenever possible, and use/refer to local, vendors when possible.

    * Use cross ventilation and fans instead of the air conditioner, etc.

    * All computers/equipment are unplugged (some via power strips) when not in use.

    * The studio is only heated/cooled when in use. It's well insulated too!

    * re-use packaging material and recycle everything I can.

    * Use all rechargeable NiMH batteries for my equipment.

    * I shut down my computer at night time and turn off lights when I leave a room.

    * Using fans instead of AC, heating below 67, using the US Mail pick up vice delivery

    * Fridge is full and will be doing carbon offset.

    * We chose a location that had skylights so we don't use any lights in the daytme (actually one flourescent in an office).

    * We use Greener Printer for most of our marketing pieces and biz cards- 100% recycled (50% post consumer) papers and soy inks.

    * We try to be as paperless as possible as far as admin. goes.

    * I ride my bike to the studio everyday. We use an on-demand water heater at home and at the studio- tankless.

    * Computers are turned off when not in use for more than 8 hours.

    * Lights are off, as a new window has been installed in the office to allow for more natural light.

    * I open windows to regulate temperature when the weather is pleasant, but otherwise keep the thermostat between 65-70 degrees farenheit in the winter and 70-75 in the warmer parts of the year.

    * I turn off everything I am not using.

    * Instead of using the air conditioner regularly, we utilize our ceiling fans and floor fans during the summer. We turn off our computers, monitors, and speakers whenever they are not in use.

    * I limit my paper and energy use as much as possible.

    * I keep all of my client proofing online,

    * All invoices and record keeping are kept to a digital medium to avoid printing.

    * I limit all packaging in product delivery.

    * I unplug all computer and photography equipment from outlets when not in use.

    * When I require print deliveries, I make sure multiple orders come at the same time to lessen carbon emissions.

    * I am currently looking for a solar powered battery charger. All regular lights use low energy bulbs.

    * Lights, printers, computers and other electronics are turned off when not in use. We generally do not run the A/C but use the fan or windows for fresh air as much as possible. (Except in the summer, because that's insane to do in Texas!)

    * We use a combination of turning off unused lights and installing energy-efficient bulbs for our lighting needs.

    * We only use air conditioning if the building is in use, and then only if we really need it.

    * We line-dry in appropriate weather instead of using the electric dryer.

    * We use the small toaster oven instead of the large oven whenever possible.

    * I purchased a new Toyota Prius hybrid (45 MPG!!!).

    * I turn all power strips off at the end of the day.

    * I use Dell computer designed to waste as little energy as possible.

    * Cold water for washing clothes

    * Promotion of greener photographic products through my blog.

    * Financial support of energy conservation initiatives.

    * Promotion of preserving natural areas through my photographs.

    * I drive my scooter as much as possible.

    * My windows are open and fans are on therefore allowing more air flow and less a/c.

    * I recycle everything as well as recycle my friends that live in areas that don't have recycling.

    * I work from home and have 3 other gals I shoot with and we always carpool. I have changed my delivery days to one day only and map it out, any other stops I need to make such as post office, Kinkos.. are all mapped into it. I also no longer use lights...

    * Avoiding 'phantom' energy drains such as plugged in chargers and appliances

    * I'm on the HOA Board in my community (home-based business) and apply all my conservation-minded thinking there as well.

    * I use window light to light my office/ studio rather than lamps throughout the day.

    * The hall/ bathroom lights in my building are on timers.

    * I pay for clean energy through my electric company.

    * I have recently become a NuRide supporter, their clients receive a discount on services in turn encouraging them to carpool more often.

    * No electronics, or electrical devices, are left in the on position when not in use.

    * Thermostat is set at 68 in the winter and 75 in the summer (we use the ac for one week in summer otherwise it is open windows and ceiling fans).

    * I use the library instead of purchasing books.

    * Solar outdoor lights.

    * I specific live within walking distance to both metro & train to cut down on car travel that doesn't require large amounts of gear.

    * I have implemented delivering files both finished & scouting via an internet upload cutting way down on both packaging and the use of delivery sources.

    * I have a small business partnership with carbonfund.org to offset all greenhouse gas emissions my studio is responsible for through normal operations as well as through travel for jobs.

    * I encourage all my clients (brides) to purchase carbon offsets for their wedding. I am also working on developing an online directory for green wedding vendors and I have written a number of articles for various web sites on how to incorporate low-impact ideas into weddings.

    * All studio plants are water by 'reclaimed' resources.

    * Carpooling with other photographers along on landscape shoots

    * Album and prints are made in the US and we email our files for printing.

    * We go paperless whenever we can.

Drive a fuel efficient vehicle.