Free Textures until 7.23.09

on my blog:)



PS Wow this blog is NEGLECTED!!!! I need to get back with it!

Hafta laugh at myself

Okay, so these aren’t art-quality photos…but I have a point. There was a time when, if asked to take a couple pics of stuff to sell on Craigslist, I would snap a shot of each item and upload them directly to Craigslist. No more.

I had to laugh at myself, and I hope my husband was laughing too. He wanted a couple photos of a door he wants to sell, so we went out to the shaded carport (so we didn’t have harsh sunlight) and he held the door up. But wait – there’s going to be a hotspot on it from the sunlight coming through right there…move to my left a bit…a bit more…okay, turn it a bit…there! Okay, shoot. Wait…bad composition…shoot again. Oh – move the wagon…shoot again. Whew. Now the other side of the door…just a sec – there’s something on the door…okay, it’s clean…shoot – oops, I clipped the corner…shoot again…one more shot just to be sure. Whew again!

If that’s not enough to drive my husband crazy, before I can send them to him for Craigslist I must edit! Adjust levels, sharpen for web, crop out the distractions…okay, I’ll let him post these, but I’ll still call them “snapshots!”

I’m such a dork!

Looking for a new forum home?

I love me some Phaunt!!!! Free for the month of June!
Come check it out:)

{Jumpin' Spider}

I just took this of a huge jumpin spider that found some warmth on my modem...he was about the size of a quarter...see the catchlights?



settings: ISO: 100 AP: f/4.0 SS: 1/60 bounced flash used

Awesome senior posing guide!

Natalie Bacon of Natalie B Photography has made this awesome posing guide for seniors! I went to a workshop that she held and she gave me this as a gift! It is great to tuck into your camera bag and glance through when you are stuck. I just love mine! You can contact her through Senior Solutions... http://www.seniorsolutionsguide.com/
to get this guide.

Layer of Lights- Special Offer from Kaleidoscope

OMG!  I am in love with these!    It's a  collection of (truly) unique overlays & sunlight textures for photographers!   Just launched and so awesome!!

 Kaleidoscope 

 

Patti is just the sweetest and so talented!  Right now she is offering a special discount if you purchase by June 15- You can go to her site and check out some awesome examples.. Here a couple of mine..I used various ones!!  The after/befores..  Hurry.. won't last long! 

Here is the deal.. You save 30% if you enter the discount code light.  Again.. Here is her site

Go get em' !!

Green and Pretty {Molto Bella Photography}

Going green? That is what I play over and over in my head on an almost daily basis. When I first decided to bring my business into that direction I never thought it would be as difficult as it has been. I love the boutique look but I also want to be green. So merging the two in to one has been a challenge. When I think of boutique, I think of fun and beautiful packaging to go with amazing one of a kind products. Well I knew I could give my clients the one of a kind product, but what to wrap it up in and present it in was a chore. So after months of collecting I am finally able to start making pretty and green packages!! I have a large collection of lunch and grocery bags. Old fabric I don't want nor need, torn up clothes that have lost their appeal, mint tins, cards, fun jars, and a list of other things that can be used to make your packages pretty. I also use only recycled materials, the higher the percentage the better. And if it's something made in the USA even better!! So we wrapped up our first "Green and Pretty" order and we are so pleased at what we came up with!! Here is a sneak peek of what we came up with so far. More to come!!!

My Sunset

I know that this isn't nearly as cool as most of the sunsets that I see but I wanted to share it anyway. I took this in my moving car after a senior session a few days ago.

Free Quickbooks Simple Start Download

http://quickbooks.intuit.com/qb/products/common/direct_download/email.jsp?scid=qbkm_ssfe_hero3_getfree&skuId=sku0000000000006360737


I just downloaded my copy, hope it works well!

Home Made Accordion Album

Some here share a link for a tutorial to make an accordion album, so I decided to give it a try, OK it is not the best and the perfect as you get from the lab, but this is home made and inspiration from my head ;)
(here in Venezuela, no one prints accordion album :( so bad )
I enjoyed doing it and it was a realy nice Mother's Day present. they all love it..

Twins!

Been a long, slow winter, but I'm finally busy again! Here's some from a recent session I had with newborn twins. My first with twins!

Great video on OCF!

http://www.stansphotos.com/My%20Videos/Lighting_Tutorial.wmv

{Must Love Weddings} part duex

It's been a whirlwind of weddings here. I had a wedding a few weeks ago that blew my mind. It was intimate and personal, the best kind of wedding! I am posting a few from it. You will see a picture with Flat Annie, you may have heard of Flat Stanley, well this is kind of the same concept. Annie is the brides cousin, she was unable to make it to the wedding as she is battling cancer and was very weak. So they created Flat Annie (FA). From what I understand FA went everywhere with them in the weeks up to the wedding, so it only seemed fitting to have her join in the festivities. FA had cake, had formals done and also had a drink. I was so moved by this and it was such a great part of their story that I had to share it. It truly inspired me and I hope it does you too.

{Lilacs are blooming...}

and the sun is shining...just a few snaps of the lilacs and my neighbors tree...

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.

1. ISO: 100 AP: f/4.5 SS: 1/50


2. ISO: 200 AP: f/4.0 SS: 1/160


3. ISO: 200 AP: f/20 SS: 1/80

Pounds Lab

Found a really cool lab that I tried- You can get 1/2 off your first order!  They offer proof finishing samples in a bound book... The color is great... Mounting is great- Prices are good.. service is excellent... Give them a shot!  http://www.poundslabs.com

They use Roes software. Very simple- Lots of products available.. *You must have your tax I.D. number however to get set up...  Give Jim a call   901-603-8522 or sign up on the site... 

Have fun!   xoxo- Char

My 2 Cents!!!

this is a photog friend that so willingly put back on her wedding dress and let a few other fellow photogs snap away at her.  I think the important thing to remember is....although we are always behind the camera, it's good to get in front of it every now and then.  So, moms get some shots with your kids, brides to be or brides been get out their and model those dresses, capture you and your spouses relationship...don't get so busy capturing everyone else that you forget about your important moments in life too!!!  That's my 2 cents worth and I've got to pocket it as well!

Interview with Matt Nicolosi

Have your heard of Matt Nicolosi? If not, you really should check out his blog, it is full of humor and inspiring images.

Anyway, he's been interviewed by Soul Sista's. Take a look!

A pretty cool site!

http://www.photoinduced.com/

giveaways, reviews and lots of info!

Popular Photographer magazine 89% off

Click Here

Plus use code X8N4C7E for an additional 10% off

Enjoy:)

I know, I know... bad blogger!

Wow - e, I have enjoyed the few posts that have been here and there. Sorry for slacking! Hope you are challenging yourself to grow as winter fades away and spring comes slowly. I have challenged myself to pick up my camera and take a photo everyday, my blog has the results.
Here are a few,

An interesting article on marketing

I found this very helpful. I hope someone else does too.

http://blog.marathonpress.com/post/view/id/16

Task Management

I haven't had a chance to try it yet but it sounds perfect for me

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/fusiondesk-deluxe-12/

from Giveaway of the Day Blog:

FusionDesk is project management and time tracking software for individuals and small teams. Its power is well disguised behind a simple and elegant user interface. Its flexibility allows it to adapt to your way of doing things, instead of forcing you to adapt.

Message from the publisher (Virtuoza Software)

FusionDesk Deluxe is a version not yet available from our official web site. It will cost $59.95 but only today you get it for free thanks to GiveawayOfTheDay.com.

In functionality it sits between our Starter and Pro version.

In addition to all features available in the Starter edition it contains:

• Reminders: Normal and Recurring
• Work Timers
• Filtering
• Smart Views
• Manual Sort

It does not include the following features that can be found in the Pro version:

• Dozen different reports
• Sharing
• Sync with Outlook
• Sync with Smart Phones
• Import & Export from many formats
• USB Drive Deployment

Important! Today you can also get 50% discount for FusionDesk Professional. Click this link to purchase the software with special GAOTD discount coupon.

You have to download and activate it today! They have a daily freebie so you may want to bookmark them!

Kayla

Gorgeous New Line of Books

IRISbook is a Canadian based boutique-style photo book company for professional photographers. I haven't ordered from them yet but I'd love to soon! They print the photos on fine art silk paper and have linen covers in black, cream, red, green, robin's egg, and taupe. Up to 100 sides and you can choose from slip case, clam shell case, or presentation box, You can even get custom die cut on your covers. Check them out at http://www.irisbook.ca/ or follow their blog. It looks like they offer 50% off of studio samples, email them for a price list. I'm really impressed and going to have to try them out!

Kayla

DIY Accordian book

I came across this project today and may have to try it soon!

designspongeonline.com

I borrowed the image from their DIY Guide to show you how cute it is! They have lots of other great projects and design ideas. And a book out "Show Me How: 500 Things You Should Know Instructions for Life From the Everyday to the Exotic" that looks like an awesome resource.

Kayla

More cute camera straps

Another photographer shared this on a forum and I thought I'd share here

http://phatstraps.com/

Really cute camera straps, wrist straps, lens bags, even guitar straps and lanyards. You can even get them custom embroidered with your studio name for a great price "Embroidery is $8 for up to 10 characters, $12 for 10-20 characters and $16 for 20-30 characters." Use code MPIX15 for 15% off at checkout.

Kayla

1000 FREE Business cards!

This is a good offer that will only last until 3/31/09

All you pay for is shipping.

http://www.uprinting.com/Free-Business-Cards-KickStart09/

You can also visit the main site http://www.uprinting.com

I hope everyone takes advantage.
You have to register and you will get a code in your welcome email;)


I just ordered my duck cards size 4x4 inches, matte finish, double sided cost me $11;)
ENJOY!

{Must Love Weddings}

I had my first 2009 wedding this past Saturday. It was a blast. I had so much fun and for some reason, don't know why but I was the calmest I have ever been at a wedding. My 2nd and assistant kept asking me why so calm. Honestly I think I have honestly gotten comfortable in this role I have in life! It's such a great feeling. So if you are out there just starting out in the wedding world, trust me you'll get there. Confidence and time will play the biggest part, but know there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Here are some to inspire. Enjoy!

Hormonal Horse: Day two

I was bitten by a cranky hormonal pregnant mare yesterday and boy does it hurt, mind you not as much as yesterday but it's still tender. Here is what I look like on Day two.

Settings:

ss: 1/125 ap: f/5.6 iso: 100 bounced flash used.

{Just to inspire you... some maternity pics}

here are the latest maternity pics that I took in a session!
they were in a Beach in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, nice place to live but horrible during vacation, very crowed (because of the wonderful beaches)
I hope you like them all.
Have a great day

Twin Maternity

I really wanted to incorporate the "twins" into this photo session, I think we came up with some good idea's, and I searched around on Flickr for even more. Here are some of the shot's from the twin maternity that I did about 2 weeks ago. The babies are due any day and I can't wait, I am going to have my first twin newborn session!

Photo Series?

I already do POTD. But feel like I need to do more.
http://www.jenaphotography2009.blogspot.com
I'm wanting to do several photo series.
I just have no idea of what.

Trees and flowers are out as they started blooming last week already.
And tomorrow the grass will already need to be cut.
It's definitely spring here in Southern Indiana.

{Shabby Straps}

I ordered two straps from Shabby Straps and I must tell you I was super pleased! If you want a fun way to add personality to your camera check these straps out. They not only have straps for SLr's but they have wristlets for point-n-shoot cameras too.

I love how professional they look! I will soon be doing a give-a-way with one of these straps as the prize! (keep checking my blog for more details)

BUBBLES & SUNSET

I have more on my blog of tonights bubble fest.



Settings: ISO: 320 AP: f/3.5 SS: 1/100



Settings: ISO: 100 SS: 1/250 AP: f/5.0

50% off custom flash drives, exp today!

http://www.pexagontech.com/index.php

I just ordered 5 1 gig drives in brown with my logo and custom engraving as well as key rings for them for $39.xx shipped!

I think that is a great deal and is what I was looking for for my seniors!

cute frames - 50% off 1

Hey guys!
just wanted to throw this out there, CPQ (http://www.cpq.com/) is having a 50% sale on their whimsical frames and they're so cute! Here's a direct link to the frames page and sale information (http://www.cpq.com/products/whimsical_frames.aspx). I've heard that these frames are really nice, and the best thing is they come already assembled and ready to hang. This is a great deal, don't pass it up!!!
~Hope
eta: here's a screen shot of the one i'm buying!

50% off gallery wraps!

Stock up!
Sale lasts until April 15th

These artistic canvas prints are very popular with today's clients and we want to help by giving you this limited time opportunity to save money on your studio samples.

All Gallery Wraps are done on 1 1/2" stretcher bar for that frameless appeal. There is not a limit to the number of Gallery Wraps you can order during this promotion. When placing an order in our Black River Imaging software the sale price will appear until midnight on April 15th.

These Gallery Wraps are not marked SAMPLE in any way so you are free to order them as client purchases, samples, personal gifts, etc.

{curlie hair girl and a boy in a dock}

Just to share a pic that I really like, here is my oldest son with a friend during the carnival break in the beach with some friends
They really enjoy the time, but my son continue NOT cooperating with pictures at all, what can I do, I guess he is already tired and sick of being picture all the time lol...
Hope you enjoyed them

Wednesday Pixel2Canvas Blue Plate Special!!!

That means TODAY ONLY!!!!

"Roxanne P2C Blue Plate Special ALERT! - Today only 11x14 or 12x12 LUXE Gallery Wrap for 45.00 + 5.00 ship - SPECIAL PRODUCTS PAGE pixel2canvas.com."

Get one!!!!!

A helpful article

I found this article at Digital Photography School to be helpful...

http://digital-photography-school.com/posing-for-portraits-a-quick-way-to-get-inside-your-subjects-head

I hope you do too!

SEO- How do we?

I am starting to search information on Search Engine Optimization. I need to draw people into my website. I have stumbled on some information that I thought I would share. If anyone has anything helpful it would be much appreciated! My area doesn't have many photographers in it so this would be very beneficial to me. Thanks!

http://www.seochat.com/c/a/Search-Engine-Optimization-Help/Search-Engine-Optimization-Website-Development-and-Search-Engine-Spiders/

~Newborn Session~

I did my first newborn session a couple of weekends ago! And I totally loved it! I wasn't sure how I would like it, b/c it takes a lot of patience to get the right shots & you have to work around babies schedule! But it is so worth it! I really enjoyed myself! Here are a couple of pictures from the shoot! Sorry, there are so many! I couldn't decide which ones to put up!

Giving is Awesome

Giving is Awesome was founded in December of 2008. It was a simple premise: photographers give a portrait shoot and products to a family who deserves it, but can’t afford it. In the twelve weeks since then, over 530 photographers have donated over $550,000 worth of custom portraiture to families who couldn’t afford it.

Artists in places as far flung as Australia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and Mexico joined in. Giving is Awesome is also featured in this month’s issue of Professional Photographer magazine, and we’re looking to continue to spread the word about giving. Lenovo and Microsoft are sponsoring the ‘Name Your Dream Assignment’ contest, which grants $50,000 to the photographer who wins to shoot whatever/wherever they would like.

What better way to spread the word than to load 12 photographers into a tour bus and hit up cities with Giving is Awesome shoots? The blog traffic generated by the tour would easily reach 50,000 photographers per day, thus multiplying the number of photographers who sign on for the 2009 version of Giving is Awesome. (The goal: 15,000 photographers for the 2009 edition.)

…but how would we decide who to shoot for those tour bus Giving is Awesome giveaways? Why, we would rely on our friends at ConKerr Cancer, an international charity, to provide our subjects: children currently living with cancer. We’d be bringing awareness of both utterly smashing organizations to light, spreading the photographic love, AND rockin’ a tour bus! Now we’re talkin’!

What if this project doesn’t cost $50,000? Easy! ConKerr Cancer receives the funds to purchase cameras for their chapter coordinators, less the expenses of the tour. This allows the impact of the tour to go much further than the people on the bus, or even the photographers associated with Giving is Awesome. It’s the ripple effect in its truest form, giving sparking giving sparking giving.

For more information about the organizations mentioned:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.givingisawesome.com
&
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.conkerrcancer.org

DIG IT? GO VOTE! Click that little 'pic' button in the upper left of the assignment details, when you get there. (You’ll have to register to do so, but I promise it’s worth it! Pretty please, vote?)

GO!! : http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com%2Fthe-ideas%2Fgivingisawesome%2Fgiving-is-awesome-tour%2F

(wording by Kristin of 'Giving is Awesome')

HUGE Template Sale!

Shared by Dawn McCarthy
http://www.thealbumcafe.com/Home.html

I just received their Grand Opening e-mail and they are offering a super nice wedding album template, 40 sides, both 10x10 and 12x12 for $5.00...can you believe that??? Plus they have a free trial page and some free actions. Check them out ya'll. I'm off to purchase that album...

Of course you can use these templates for anything...not just weddings!!! Drag & drop!

Discount for Pro Photo Blog Theme!

Thank you Pro Photo!!!! You guys are the best!!!! Super long story short... CMD (my web hosting) had the hardest time getting me set up with my new blog layout from Jared - Finally with his patience, he got it all worked out. If you are thinking of getting a "killer" blog setup, Go with the ProPhoto Blog for Wordpress! The new one is awesome, super user friendly, and that is alot coming from me... I stink at all this... Anyway- Jared has a great handheld package for those who need the extra help, which I am SO glad I took on.. Did I mention Jared Rocks??? Ok so here is the deal...Here's code to get you a discount!! CSTRINGER939 just click the Pro Photo link to get started! and Take peek at my blog too! PRO PHOTO LINK You will not be disappointed!!

Picture Frames

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share this link with you all: http://www.pictureframes.com The name says it all, they do picture frames. But what is cool about it is you can upload your own photos and see what it would look like with different frames and mats. You can also get everything you need for framing your picture, including the photo printed, through them. Not that I would recommend printing from them, I've never had them print anything for me and can't say if it's good or not. Your own lab is probably better for this. Also, I have not actually ordered a frame from them yet either, so I can't speak about the quality of their frames. I plan to in the near future, I will let you know my thoughts. Or if some here has ordered from them, leave a comment on your opinion on them. I'm just posting this link because just the feature of seeing your photo with different frames and mats is helpful, not matter where you get your frame from. It can give you an idea of what colors would look nice. Anyway, I hope you find this useful.

Hey, I think this is my 2nd post. Doh! Sorry Heather.

Anyhow, I just wanted to display what so many of us experience with Photoshop. It still amazes me, at how much a picture can change in the post-processing stage. It is helpful to see what pictures looked like in natural format and where they went ... so here is my share.

This is a quick snap of the Austin Skyline this week.

SOOC (straight out of the camera)

A 10x20 crop, some sharpening, a b&w conversion and major contrast boost. I added a brown-toned action at the end to give it a little more depth.

I entered a contest!!

I rarely enter any type of contest but I thought why not go ahead and humor yourself.  The prize up to win is super sweeet!!. I’m hoping  that this photo of my daughter letting loose on my current bag will win me a great new shootsac camera bag for my newest camera. So everyone keep their fingers crossed and wish me luck! If you want to enter, just go to  http://mcpactions.com/blog/2009/02/10/shootsac   and enter for your chance to win too!!!

{St Louis Metro East Photographer } Molto Bella Photography

Hi I am Stacy. I have yet to post an introduction as I have suffered the winter blues horribly this year. I long, like many of you I am sure, for longer, warmer and sunnier days. The picture I am posting is to show you what I do when I have nothing else to shoot but myself lol. I recently fell victim to the Twilight Saga and it really sank it's teeth in me... ha ha ha


Ok on the work side of things: I am an on location photographer. I prefer natural light but do own lighting that is only collecting dust. I am considering bringing it out and possibly begin using it at weddings for the popular "photo booth" look. We'll see. I love shooting everything. I don't specialize in one area, I say I specialize in all life events, no matter how big or how small.

I've been in business for myself for over 2 years now. I recently changed the whole look and feel of Molto Bella Photography. I just launched my new website... which I am so excited to share! Check it out, give me some love or tell me what to change!
www.moltobellaphotography.com

I look forward to taking part in this blog.

Thanks!

I haven't shared in a while, so I thought I had better share some from a recent session. I love this family, and the girls are just so adorable. I did this session for the baby's 6 month pictures and she was teething a lot, she had 4 teeth coming in all at once, and while she was a little fussy she did awesome!!

So brilliant!!!

This was first featured on Scott Kelby's blog! Then I saw it again posted by Kylie on the Phaunt form, then today I saw it again on Deb Schwedhelm's blog and it was then that I thought I would finally watch it! And I am SO glad I did! It is truly brilliant & totally inspiring. If you haven't seen this video by Zack Arias then I strongly suggest you do! It is something that I will watch again too!

Here is the link: http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2009/archives/3433