Photog vendors.

So you found a phenomenal deal on that new camera you've been lusting after...but is it too good of a deal? Photog Vendors is a great resource for us to know what vendors we should stay far far away from and who was wonderful to deal with. All of the reviews are the reviewer’s opinion. Check them out and share your own to help others make a decision on which vendor to choose.

Marketing You Have To Do It

The best thing you can do for yourself beyond being unique and being good at what you do is to market yourself. Get yourself out there. Go and drop off those cards and brochures. I'm willing to the bet that one place you didnt dare go into before would be thrilled to see you walk in the door. You can do it!

Restless

“When we tire of well-worn ways, we seek for new. This restless craving in the souls of men spurs them to climb, and to seek the mountain view.” ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

I don't know what it is that has me restless right now. Whether it was my long break over the holidays, or whether it is the fresh new year that is upon us. I am seeking the mountain view, climbing the hills to find out what is at the top. Hoping that this year will lead to something bigger than what is now.

Like many of you, I've re-vamped many of my business ideas and practices for the new year. Organizing and re-organizing. Isn't it true that, just when you think you've got it all figured out, you want to re-create or move yourself ahead of where you are? At least it is for me :)

I've got a pot of creativity stirring in my soul. Ready to jump out and find itself in form of a photograph. I'm hoping it will find itself very soon!

Do you find yourself restless, like me? Are you on the brink of something new, something untold? Feel free to leave comments to let me know how you curb it!

I'll leave you with a picture (or a few). Here is my oldest, 7 and a half. He lost his first upper tooth last week and on a day where I was wanting to shoot, but just had no opportunities. And here, one fell in my lap! There was a little unexpected surprise when he started talking after he lost it. With one tooth missing, he's unable to say his Ses, Fs and THs. It's a happy surprise that makes me fall in love with him all over again every time he talks. I'm hoping these photos will make me remember and giggle all over again later on when he's no longer a boy.

{Austin Photographer} Baby {K}

This sweetie was my Thursday session this week, she was 6 days old. She totally gave me a run for my money. I used my new tapestry for the first few shots and I love that darn thing!!!! I'll share some of those images maybe tomorrow or Sunday...for today though just this shot I love of sweet, new piggies.

My first go at Studio lighting

*sigh* I am so in love with my new light (Alienbee 800) and a fellow photogs 50x50 westcott I can't think straight. I got to play for a bit yesterday (in preparation for todays newborn) and got some amazing images from this setup. This is my youngest..almost 20 months..she is getting big QUICK!!! Sadly, the westcott had to go home today:(

Frame me baby!

I wanted to share a website with y'all. I have personally ordered from her and love her work. You should check out her shadow boxes. I love them! Me personally...I have one of everything she makes. Maybe I like her work a little too much. :0 I will post a pic or two of a few of my favs....and it doesn't hurt that my boys happen to be in the frame. Have fun, don't spend too much!

Rustic Creations

Kyla

Need a new look?

Need a new logo, or maybe want to jazz up your website a little? Go check Danella out! She recently designed a new splash page for me, you can view it by going to my site: www.hopebrown.com. Here's her site: http://www.danellasdesigns.com/, tell her Hope sent you!

Easy As Pie

If you’re like me, pricing for your photography business is overwhelming, frustrating and downright complicated! But now ‘Easy As Pie’ is here… Alicia shares her yummy secrets, step by step, about smart pricing strategies.

Her book is jammed-packed with information, but broken down step-by-step to easily apply to your own business. Now my pricing makes sense, I feel more confident and I’m even excited!! I am ready to see the profits roll in.

Alicia is having an introductory sale that starts tomorrow (January 23rd through Jan 31st).
Take a look: www.served-up-fresh.com

~Carole Marie

Photoshop Video Tutorial

Here is a link to 2 great tutorial videos on the liquify tool - it shows how to use the pucker tool to smooth liquify effects.  Both videos are on the same subject, but both quite entertaining.

Liquify Tutorials

Linda Jay

11 days old

This is {B} the newborn I shot last Thursday. She was so sweet and tiny! The house was a bit dark so I had to use my speedlight bounced of the ceiling and window behind me. I am very happy with the images I got though:)

My Lil' Creations! I am in love!

Ok.. Want to impress your clients? I did! Grab these precious Valentine templates from Tina Parker and amaze them with these beautiful Valentines! I did! Her Mommy loved it! Tina is amazing... simply put. She really is a big inspiration to me. Check her out here! So worth the investment.

And on another note.. Please keep her in your prayers. She is having surgery February 27th.

Here is one I just presented today

"Existing Light Photography"

In my attempt to learn all I can about using my SB-800 I found this book, which has been a GREAT resource. Although the title is for "existing light" there is also great information on using external light sources, very simple ones. I'm on my second read through right now.

Check it out here

My Snow Angels

Hey everybody! Sorry I've been gone so long, looks like all of you have been very busy and sharing some GREAT information!! I don't have any advice to share, just some photos (trying to take more of my girls, something I haven't done much of since I officially started the biz in 8/08).

The top pic is Rachel, bottom is Claire. In Claire's pic the focus fell on the hair on her jacket and not her eyes, but still my sweet baby's smile.

I'll share a "tip" in a moment.....

{100 Free Postcards}

100 free postcards from Overnight Prints Only good until 1/23/2009. Promo code: GET100PC

Customize your own blogger blog!

I found this great blog that gives you step by step instructions on how to customize your own blogger blog. SJH Blog Design is a great resource on where to find backgrounds (you could totally make your own in photoshop!)how to load them and even tells you where to add in to the existing html code! I messed around with one of my blogs and it literally took me about 20 minutes! Good stuff!

Practicing with lights

As I may have mentioned before, I've recently jumped into using strobes in my new "studio" (a relatively small space in my basement). Every day I spend a little bit of time watching lighting videos on YouTube, and then I spend a bunch of time trying stuff out in my studio. This shot is my current favorite.

  
(yeah, his face was dirty, but it was just practice - I didn't expect to get a shot I loved!)

Here's one video I've watched: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRbOZfmd7mE
and another: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKAdkKKNL5k&NR=1
and one more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRHwtLmzus4

Newborns

I think newborns are the hardest to shoot. Well them and two year olds maybe ;)

However I have found one thing really helpful! HEAT!! Always have a heater, if no heater a hairdryer works well, the heat and hum work great. Here was my latest and probably the ones I am the most pleased with! Just going to post a couple here there are more on my blog

TK Biz Books sale!!!

Tennille King has her Biz Books on sale for $55 for the rest of January, that's a $20 savings! I have heard so many rave reviews about these books from so many photographers!