vol.25

my cousin Amanda- part one!

So my beautiful cousin Amanda came to visit us last weekend, we left the girls with Jaydon and headed off to take these pictures... we didnt go far, we took all these locally... but it was SO much fun.

I dusted off my fish eye lens and played with it for most of these shots, and I am SO glad I did.... I think I may have rekindled my relationship with the fisheye. :)

We braved the pigeons for these shots!! We could hear them flying above us, and no joke... we heard one drop a bomb not too far away, and it sounded SO loud. Made a nice splat sound as it hit the ground. ;) But anyway... a little too much information there....

I made the above duaflex camera out of cardboard and a sharpie... and Amanda totally rocked it. :)

"Jim" the TV also made an appearance.
Can you tell by these pictures that she is a fun person to be around? Her laugh is contagious! :)

Hope you enjoyed the pictures! I do have more to post....SOON! :) Happy Tuesday! I realized I missed monday's quote... so maybe I can get that in later today!

Design team Share- Fresh Art Photography

I'm back with more inspiration! :) Jodie from Fresh Art shared these pictures using the new Very Merry, and Very Merrier overlay sets, and I just HAD To share... they were so adorable. My first thought when I seen them was "awwww." I think you'll agree...

Isnt that outfit just ADORABLE? Its so sweet!

In the picture above she also used the text shape from the ahoy! set.

I'm smitten with this little girl, I can almost smell that fresh new baby smell... :) Anyhow, I'll just be content pretending I smell it, because I don't think I want anymore kiddos. :) I am perfectly content with 2... and I ask that you please remind me of that in a few years when Journey starts school and the  house feels all empty. ;)

Both overlay sets are available here.

video tutorial: how to load your shapes + a FREE shape!

I FINALLY did it!! I made a video/slideshow of the steps it takes to load your shapes into photoshop. :) Of course this video doesnt cover unzipping your shapes. But that part is pretty easy anyhow. ;)

To celebrate I decided to offer a FREE trial shape for everyone to play around with. Hopefully this way, you will feel a little more comfortable purchasing a set. :) See the heart below in the adorable photo by rosie?

...well, that is the shape I'm letting you guys play with, I hope you have fun with it! You can go HERE to download it.

I hope you guys enjoy!! Have a GREAT weekend, I have a cousin coming in saturday night, and I think we are going to have a photo shoot! She's super fun, and I know she'll be up for just about anything. ;)

Design team Share- Amelia Moore Photography

Hello!! How ARE you!? :)

A few of the photographers on my design team have had a chance to play with the Very Merry and Very Merrier Overlay sets, so I'll be sharing they're super inspiring work over the next few days. Both sets are currently 35% off, and will be for the next 6 days... I'm going to start things off today with work from Amelia. :)

I like how she tilted the text so it aligned with the building in the above picture. :)

See what I mean, I find them pretty inspiring! :) If you missed the release of both sets, you can take a peek at the gallery here, featuring work from the entire team! :)

I love it when brothers think of you before hauling off old treasures...

Isnt this little t.v. just the sweetest thing? My brother saved it from an uncles scrap pile for ME. :) He called me a couple weeks ago, asking if I would be interested... I have to admit, at first I hesitated... where would I store it, along with the other two vintage portable radio/t.v.s I had picked up awhile back?  But he assured me it was small, and I have to say it really is the perfect size. I could not have found a better sized t.v. It also has just the right amount of retro-ness to it. :) It is SO much fun playing around with the overlays on the T.V. Although considering I am not a professional photographer and only take the occasional family/friend session I really have a hard time justifying my current addiction with retro props.

As some of you know, my brother lives in Oregon so I had to wait awhile to meet "jim" (I just decided that was the t.v.'s name) Unfortunate circumstances came up, and we needed to travel there for a funeral this last weekend. We actually left Thursday night, and spent a few days there before coming home Sunday night. It was nice spending time with family and friends. Saturday was spent relaxing at my brother and sister-in-law's. The weather really was gorgeous... and I was able to let the girls play in they're back yard, while the guys tinkered in the shop with Roman's Land Cruiser. The girls ate they're PB&Jelly sandwiches outside on they're new patio set:

Until Saturday I hadnt really considered how awesome of a location it was take pictures around they're house...  

Aunt Shaela had offered that morning to curl BOTH of the girls' hair so I was definitely okay with that! :) Although I wish I had planned they're outfits a little better... but I guess you could say this session was pretty natural.

I've been experimenting with the settings on my camera, and even bought an extended manual specifically for my camera from Amazon. I hope to maybe get back into taking pictures on a regular basis, I've been sticking with my photo a day project. Although, I really hoped to have had some of them scrapbooked by now... maybe I can get started on that in the next couple days. I've been taking a picture every day since July, so I have a bit to take care of. I'm planning to design a simple template that will focus on my images, and then I can have blurb print the book for me next year. :) Maybe I'll do it in 6 month time-lines instead of the year... it definitely makes it seem more attainable. :)

Do any of you photographers have a lensbaby? Or a tilt shift lens of another variety?

I've been wanting one for SO long now... and I am considering purchasing one again, do you like yours? Use it that often?

a quote for your week chap. 43

  

I am definitely guilty of "just getting wet" I need reminders like this to remind myself to really enjoy and appreciate each and every drop of rain, and every minute of life given to me... you know use it to its fullest potential, do more then just "exist." :)

We left town Thursday night for a funeral... funerals are never fun, but we really enjoyed the weekend. Spending time with family and friends, and the weather in Oregon was beautiful!

Happy monday!! Does it seem like the weather is cooling down where you live? It sure has been here this last week...

NEW RELEASE "Very Merry and Merrier overlay sets" Inspiration overload

Hello!! How IS everyone? I hope good!! I know it might seem a *bit* too early to be thinking about Christmas, but if you're a photographer, then you know there is never a bad time to prepare for the holiday rush of session after session... :)

...and if you are not a photographer, then you are still in luck because these sets are SO versatile that I promise you can use them any day of the year. :) In fact, you probably won't see much of a Christmas theme at all in any of the DT scrapbook layouts. :)

So, first is the Very Merry Overlay set: {You'll notice that I re-designed the collection pages} :)

and the second one is the Very Merrier overlay set. My FIRST set to have more then 9... it has 12! :)                                                     {You can click the images to make them bigger} 

Are you ready for some Design Team inspiration!?

For this super sweet picture of Amelia's I added the scalloped label from the Very Merrier set, and erased the rest of the seasonal text from the "much love" shape (also part of the Very Merrier set) then applied that to the vintage truck. LOVE how it turned out. :)  

...used a text shape from the Very Merrier set on Amber's image. :)

I used shapes from the Very Merrier set on Rosie's image. :) They were super fun to play with!

 

Text image on Kelli's photo is from the Very Merry set. :)

  

I whipped up this holiday card using shapes from both of the sets. :) I pulled the colors/tones directly from Hannah's photo. :)

 

 For Fresh Art's image I used the Season's Greetings overlay from the Very Merry set.

Kate's layout using the Very Merrier Overlay set:

Q)  What is your favorite shape from each set and why?

A) My favorite overlay from the sets were the heart I used and the oval label.

Kate's layout from the Very Merry set:

"PHOTOS I LOVE" supply list:

pattern paper: BoBunny Press; alphabet stickers: Studio Calico and Cosmo Cricket; Stamp: Fontwerks

"HAPPINESS IS A STATE OF MIND" supply list:

Butterfly punch: Martha Stewart; Tape: 7Gypsies; Pattern Paper: Basic Grey; Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories and Cosmo Cricket; Rhinestones: Doodlebug

                                                                                                                            -Kate

Cheryl decided to create a canvas wall hanging for her craft studio... and I think it turned out suuuper cute. All she used was iron on transfer paper, photoshop and a font to create the text "live a handmade life." She used the doily shape for the background. Super simple. :)

Q) What is your favorite shape from each set and why?

"My favorite for the very merrier set is the shape titled "Grandma's least favorite doily." I don't know why Grandma doesn't like it, but it's the one that's most inspiring to me. I think it might have something to do with the fact that it's the one that most closely resembles the ones I inherited from my own Grandma (and never appreciated until the last couple years.) that are scattered around our apartment. :) My favorite overlay from the "very merry" set is the wishing you much love one that I altered and used for these next 2 layouts. I can't wait to use it on my Christmas cards this year, but for now I feel like with a little editing it's a very universal overlay that can be used year-round! :)

Supplies: Font: KarabinE., Plain White Canvas: Joann's, Printable Iron-on Transfer Paper: Printworks

MUCH LOVE 1
"For this one I used the yellow scalloped overlay with the edited MUCH LOVE as a sun...just adding sunrays made out of colorful fabric. The cloud is also made using one of the cloud overlays...I printed it on the back of patterned paper and then outlined it on the front using a white gel pen."

SUPPLIES: Patterned Paper: SEI, Me And My Big Ideas, Heart Sticker: Sassafras, Patterned Tape: Pink Paislee, Transparency Tape and Pop-dotted Heart: Colorbok 

MUCH LOVE 2 (grandparents)
"For this one I used the same edited yellow scallop overlay but I added the overlay as kind of a frame for all the elements on the page."

SUPPLIES: Patterned Paper: Jenni Bowlin (blue) and Making Memories (ledger) Paint Sample: Lowes, Decorative tape: Kamoi, Fabric and Trim: Joanns, Butterflies: Jenni Bowlin, Heart Sticker: Sassafrass.

                                                                                                                            -Cheryl

Joscie's layout from the Very Merrier set: Q) What is your favorite shape from each set and why?

"From the Very Merry Set, it is hard to choose just one shape. I love frames and word art so it’s a tough call, but I think my favorite has to be the cornered photo stickers.  I love the photo corners, and the square frame. It’s easy to frame up your photo and/or line them up in a row.

From the Very Merrier set, another hard call. I love doilies and I love banners and hanging ornaments.  I think my favorite is the hanging ornaments. Or maybe the candy cane heart? Or the doilies in a row. I can’t choose."

Joscie's layout from the Very Merry set:

Stay tuned for a step by step tutorial on creating the 2 layouts above from Joscie!! :)

Layout: 10 Supply list

Very Merry Overlay Set, Kraft Cardstock, buttons, numbers by Miss Mint from PeppermintCreative.com, Patterned Papers by Sarah Schmutz designhousedigital.com,  font: 2Peas Scrapbook

Layout: Thurston Lava Tube Supply list

Verry Merrier Overlay Set, Textured Cardstock, frame, Alphas by Miss Mint from PeppermintCreative.com, Paper Tape Strip by puglypixel.com.

                                                                                                                           -Joscie

Jen's layout from the Very Merrier set:

Q): What is your favorite shape from each set and why?

"I love the black frame with the photo corners that I used behind the photo, like so many of the Eye Candy Overlays, it is extremely versatile!  I can see myself using it on cards, scrapbook layouts.. maybe even use it to add a little something special to blog post photos!  And it is so very classic and timeless.. looks like it should be in an elegant photo album!  Love it!"

Jen's layout from the Very Merry set:

"For this layout, to show how versatile these sets can be.. I erased the 'festive' portion of the word art, leaving 'and a happy' ..then added the rest with the test tool in Photoshop.  Of course, the title as it was would be absolutely perfect for a holiday layout, but since I loved the text so much.. I had to use it on this non Christmas layout!"

Pom poms and coffee supply List:

white cardstock, patterned paper (October Afternoon), fabric paper (American Crafts), fabrips - fabric sticker borders (Studio Calico), card accent (Studio Calico), white flowers (Prima), stickers (Jenni Bowlin, Martha Stewart, American Crafts), font (Little Days)

A dirt bike and a happy boy supply List: cardstock, patterned paper (Studio Calico, October Afternoon), tape (Pink Paislee), stickers (Jenni Bowlin), additional accents (Making Memories), font (American Typewriter)

                                                                                                                                -Jen

  For my image I used the snow from the very merrier set and I think it added an instant wintery feel. :)

I hope, this post has inspired you in some way! To get me in the Christmas spirit while designing this set, I listened to Christmas music, sipped on hot chocolate, lit an evergreen candle, while chestnuts roasted over an open fire... okay, well I did listen to Christmas music. ;)

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You can purchase both of the new Christmas Overlay sets "HERE" The 35% new release sale price will apply to both of these sets:

Very Merry 9 shapes: Regularly 30.00 will  be 35% off at 19.50

Very Merrier 12 shapes: Regularly 39.00 will be 35% off at 25.00

Sale ENDS September 2nd :)

No coupon code needed, the sale is automatically applied when added to your cart... The sale will end in 2 weeks on the the 2nd of September.

lost at sea...

Isn't this just adorable!? :) Hannah (from my design team) sent me this picture and I just about melted. It is all kinds of cute. She used 5 shapes from the "ahoy" overlay set. :)

-anyhow, I thought you might need a dose of cute. ;)

I *should* be releasing 2 new Christmas themed Overlay sets sometime today! That also means that today is the LAST day to purchase the ahoy overlay set for 19.50. The price will be reverting back to the regular price on Friday! :)

Guest Post Q+A's with Jodie from Fresh Art Photography

Hello! :) Happy Monday everyone! In case you missed the BIG news... I released the Holiday Christmas Cards last night! I promised that an interview/guest post with Jodie would be up today. So here it is. My very first Q + A's post with one of my very own DT photographers, Jodie, from Fresh Art Photography. I asked her to answer these questions and hopefully they will help you in offering holiday cards to your clients...

Q) How many designs should I offer?

We offer a TON! At the end of the day we figure that we've bought the templates so why not offer all of them? We use PicPic for our shopping cart and we just have a section for Christmas cards so it is just as easy to offer 10 as it is 100 you know? This year we're going to have our '09 templates in there too so we'll have a TON! There will be some that clients have ordered before but it doesn't really matter b/c you never know what someone will like! I will say, each year we buy about 4-5 new templates. And if you think that most designers offer multiple designs within their templates I bet we have at least 25-40 new designs we offer each year.

Q) Should I offer 25 cards in each mini-session package? If so, how does the client choose?

Last year we did offer Christmas cards with some sessions and we're doing it again this year only b/c we feel it's a great way to advertise! Our logo+website is on the back of every card we sell so our clients are mailing our work out to all of their friends and family! That being said, we've never had someone say, "we hired you b/c we got this Christmas card in the mail..." but maybe they'd heard of us through word of mouth and the card pushed them to call us? HA! Who knows! I'll just say we do think it's a great way to get your name out there!

Q) Thoughts on logistics/ timing/ pricing, etc.?

We have priced our cards (Christmas/birth announcements/etc) at $75 for 25 flat cards. The price goes up a little if they want fold-over and we don't offer the tri-fold b/c it's just a hassle to have so many styles. We could charge more since we're not making much at that price point but at the end of the day we see our cards as advertising and don't expect a huge profit. As for timing, we tell our clients that their sessions have to take place before November 1st to get to them by Christmas. We put a tight time line b/c we know we'll ALWAYS make a few exceptions and be scrambling in November to get everything done! Our card time line is the same as our prints. Our clients get their galleries 3 weeks after the session, they have 5 days to order and then their order is ready for pick-up 4-6 weeks later. A pretty long time line because it gives us room if we're slammed or kids get sick or whatever life throws at us and we always try to deliver more quickly!

Q) Do you have any tips for effectively marketing Christmas templates?

We start blogging our Christmas cards in late July and will blog them at least twice a month until we really start pushing them in Sept/Oct. We keep samples in the studio and bring them to on-location sessions so they can see the different textures/designs/etc. But we ONLY show our favorite designs, we don't print them all! We don't kill ourselves to market them b/c we don't really make that much on them... although we do love to sell them b/c they're so fun! One other thing we do sometimes is include a few cards in each client's gallery just to get them thinking about their own images on a card. Once they see them it's harder to walk away!

For us, Christmas cards are a good add-on but we still will make the most profit on prints or disk purchases so if no one buys them we're not too worried. Last year we had almost every single client order at least 25 though so I would say we had hundreds going out to the world with our name on them! This year we might have a fun gift if they buy 100 or more but honestly we haven't worked out the details! We certainly aren't Christmas card experts but if you have questions please leave them in the comments and I'll try to pop back in and answer them!

Thanks for having me as your first guest blogger Jess!

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Thank YOU Jodie for being kind enough to take the time to share that info. :) Well guys, I hope that maybe helped address any concerns you may have. If you do have any questions Jodie offered to peek in and try to answer any of them, so ask away! ;) If you are looking for inspiration, be sure and bookmark Fresh Art Photography, Kim and Jodie keep they're blog updated VERY regularly... so there is always something new and FRESH up! :)

Holiday Card Templates RELEASED!

Hi! I hope you had a great weekend! Earlier today we went to a local ranch our friend manages. She takes in abused and neglected horses, and those destined for slaughter and gives them an incredibly awesome temporary home, she then finds a perfect home and adopts them out. She has a heart as big as Texas. :) I'll be sure and share some of the pictures I took in the next couple of days, the ranch is a photographers dream... so many neat photo opps there! 

Anyway though... onto the reason for this post... the holiday cards! :) I do still have about 4 templates that I am still tweaking and having my DT test... so expect those soon. I'll share a sneek peek sometime this week! Currently I have 7 designs available, and I hope you love them as much as I do. :) Like I mentioned earlier... they really aren't overly Christmas-ey... this does make them super versatile, and because they are layered psd files, you can always change the colors to your liking. :)

What do you think?? I tried super hard to create templates that were a little more unique then what you might regularly find online. These were a definite challenge and took me out of my normal comfort zone, but I have to thank Jodie a thousand times over for her encouragement and honest feedback during the making of these templates. :) She believed in me from the beginning and it really gave me the confidence to just trust my instincts and to stop second guessing every decision I made! :) Hannah has also been telling me that I need to offer templates for like, EVER... so I want to thank her as well. :) 

Okay... here are some details about the templates....

DETAILS:

:: You can buy the templates individually, so picking your favorites is definitely an option! :) I also have a super saver pack where you can purchase all 7 at a HUGE discounted price. :)

Templates are 10.00 a piece, or 55.00 for the super saver pack including all 7.

::These are not knock outs (flattened images with a hole cut out for your pic) my templates are editable layered psd files created with WHCC sizing in mind.

::All templates are flat 5x7 cards, allowing them to ship cheaper then a tri-fold.

::Most of the text is rasterized (un-editable) on its own layer so that your computer can still read the font, even if it you do not have that particular font. I do include the font name on each text layer, and I always use free commercial use fonts, so you can easily google the font name and download it to your computer... Or you can simply delete the text layer and use your own. :)

::Templates use clipping masks, if you are unfamiliar with what this means... never fear, clipping masks are suuper easy to work with. Check out this tutorial for detailed instructions. 

::You may also edit the colors by selecting the desired layer and adjusting the hue/saturation or playing around with the color balance. :)

Be sure and check out my FAQ page for more information, and also some details on the legal aspect of these cards. :) 

You can view and purchase the templates from this page HERE.

Be sure and tune in tomorrow! Jodie from Fresh Art Photography will be answering some questions and sharing some insight on offering holiday card templates to your clients. So, if you think you would like to offer cards for the first time this year... you will definitely want to hear what she says! :) So, come back here TOMORROW! :) Bright and early...

It feels SO incredibly good to have these wrapped up and finally available! I'm curious how many of you photographers are on the ball and already purchased some 2010 holiday card templates?