Just a Touch of "Soulful" Texture

I often get asked about the textures I use on images, so today I'll share!

The image above needed just a touch of something extra to give it a special look. Using layers in Photoshop, I added a texture from Tara Staton's "Soulful" texture pack. (I used texture #11 on this image.) After lowering the opacity, I then erased the texture from the model's skin.

The result is 'soulful'. :)

Twins

I just had to share this twin shot. It melts my heart!

It's the same guitar if you were wondering, I had to photoshop this one together!



Angela Smith Photography

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

{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!

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