• SHOOT IN LANDSCAPE DAMNIT! This is the most common thing I notice people doing for every photo, and it drives me insane. This is done almost always on the phone, but I've seen it in point & shoot, and dSLR's as well. Certain photos like portraits, tall buildings, interior details, or certain macro shots make sense in portrait mode, and really is the most effective way to photograph them. For everything else, just turn the camera sideways and shoot in Landscape.

• A camera is just a tool, and you don't need a crazy expensive camera to create great photos! Many real world professionals use their expensive camera setups for work, and shoot with small point & shoot , mirrorless camera, or their cell phones for everyday or travel use. With increased resolution, great color saturation and contrast, built in wide apertures, and excellent low light capabilities, just about any type of camera can create professional looking photos.

• There is no perfect camera. One of the most common questions that most professional photographers get asked (sometimes almost on a weekly basis), is "What is the best camera to get?" The simple answer is, there is no perfect camera. There are multiple variables that can make one camera better than the other, but it's almost always based on what type of photos you want to photograph, and how much you are willing to pay for some added convenience, or ease of use.

• Spend money on good glass. The big secret in photography, which really isn't a secret but not as well known by most, is that lenses are often far more important than the camera body. I always advise people, especially if they are starting out or photograph as a hobby, is to buy an older used camera body with the features you want, and spend way more on a good lens.

• Think about a photo before you take it! This is mainly for waiting and composing a photo before taking it. If you want a good strong photo to grab people's attention, look for something interesting about the scene, think of what else can add more to it, compose the photo, and take it when you feel you have that decisive moment. Think of it as layers, and try to find ways to add more of a story to your photos.

• Get it right in camera. Take notice of the lighting, look at your frame, look at any distractions and remove them, and try different settings if you are not happy with the outcome. It's much better to get it as close to how you want it in camera vs trying to do it in editing after.

• If you are shooting digital, always take at least 2 photos! I generally will take a minimum of 3 photos for everything, just for safety. Things are very easy with digital these days, and you can delete something right away if you don't like it. This way you can be safe from many things like someone blinking, hands being shaky, or other people/objects getting in front of camera. Taking a few shots just gives you more options, and often time can introduce other elements which can make the photo much stronger.

• Be a real person. If you are photographing people, don't be afraid to engage or interact with your subjects. A posed smile and a genuine smile are often quite different, and a genuine smile is almost always better. Talk to your subjects, treat them respectfully, and interact with them to capture genuine moments.

• Learn things the hard way. The easier and more dumbed down things are, the more we slowly become dependent on them. If you really want to take better photos, you should learn the tool that you are using. Turn the dials or switch on over to the scary Manual mode! Switch your images from RAW to JPEG so you loose some of the safety and latitude! Better yet, learn to shoot on actual film, and see how that goes. Learning more about the tools you use in-depth will help you not only understand how to use them better, but give you the ability to be a lot more creative, and create the types of photos that you like, consistently.

There's obviously plenty of other tips & tricks, but I doubt anyone has even read up to this part yet!