It can also be when we buy new equipment, plan to attend a workshop or just acquire new skills or photoshop actions.

There is now the added appeal to every purchase by those offering to send funds if you purchase X to one of hundreds of charities providing releif support.   However, before you click buy (with or without the relief effort) take a few seconds to do your homework.

There is not a one stop fits all for finding out information, but there are a few ways you can get constructive feedback.  The first is to post on a forum you trust.  The people there will give you their honest opinions and help guide you in your purchase.  The next thing is to check out their review on Photog Vendors.

Just be safe and make sure you are careful about your purchases — which can only help you give more in the end!

It also the time of year when we think about giving of our self and talent to those who are in need, by giving them the gift of memories they will cherish.

However, photographers are a very generous group.  We give even when the season has ended through any number of charitable organizations.  Some are larger national groups like, NILMDTS or smaller but growing organizations like Pictures of Hope.

Others celebrate life and new beginnings like Celebrating Adoption .  Still others allow you to nominate and help deserving families in your own community, which is the goal of Celebrate Life.   Still others help survivors celebrate triumphs over cancer as Think Pink Photography.  Then there are those who give to the familis of our servicemen and women through, Operation Love ReUnited.   The giving does not end with these groups, there are many more and still more photographers who give their support and time to so many great causes that are local that never get recognized.

This is why I am thankful. Thankful to be a part of such a giving and talented group of people.  I am thankful to call many of these individuals friends and colleagues, even though many of us have never met in person.

I look forward to another year of helping others and sharing through this great community we have of photographic artists.

Until next time.

Shannon

The first is this fun set of cards from Minted — while I am not sure my clients would pay for these through me — I love that it’s a great site to recommend to them to use for their digital images:

The other fun thing is this great tape — from Tape Swell – who can resist fun ways to package up things that need to be sent, or client gifts!  I am already thinking of fun ways to use this as my entire family lives in other states.

Then there is the great jewellery from here: I love this and was turned on to this by a post from Seattle Photographer  Jaidean Baker.  She gave away a gift certificate to a blog reader.  What  a great way to reward your readers with a certificate to a fun site like this.  Thanks for the Great ideas Jaidean!

I also found this great vendor, McKennaPro that does your images right on tins for wallets, prints and CD/DVD’s.  Who would not want to use this as their brand or personalize their packaging for clients.

I have some fun things to share later this week that I found on Esty — Who could not spend hours and hours looking at all the hand crafted items done by some very talented ladies!

They have started a venture that is amazing.  The blog will feature challenges and everything related to photography, except business. Their goal is to show how two different and talented people can approach the same subject or assignment and achieve different results.

They currently have two contests going on.  One is for a Ticket to see Becker in Calgary next weekend.  The other is an assignment using color — the prize is a 20×24 canvas from Pixels to Canvas.  What could be better then that, to learn from two amazing photographers and win a canvas.

Stop on over and leave them some blog love on their amazing new journey together.

There blog is sure to become one of my first stops when I go ‘reading’~!

Shannon
In the new year they will also offer online mentoring — that is a feature I can not wait to see and hopefully particpate in. I find both photographers inspriational.

I have come across some fun ideas on things to make, create or use your photographs in a unique way.

1. Shrink tags – OK so you don’t really use your photos — although if you purchased the inkjet compatible acetate you could. This just looks like fun. It is also a great way to make tags and things to update and give your packing of holiday photos for your clients that extra something.

2. Photo calendars — these are by far my favorite gift to give Grandparents.  Who does not love to see their beautiful grandchild and it’s practical.  I love the template shared by the Shutter Sisters — it uses standard CD cases to hold the prints — and most of us have tons of those hanging around or can easily pick them up at an office supply store.  Use your art photographs and this can also double as a fun give away for clients, teachers or just about anyone on your gift giving list.

Jenn’s designs are fresh fun and AFFORDABLE.  She has not only templates for albums, cards, borders and marketing sets, but also a monthly club you can join and get amazing templates throughout the year.  However, what has truly motivated me today is not her designs, which honestly if I could I would buy them ALL!  It is her generous spirit and nature.  She wrote the following on her blog — about a fellow designer and photographer.

Most of you know Tracy Stone (of SugarLime Photography & SugarLime Designs). She is a wonderful addition to our amazing photography community. Her son, Nate-4 years old, passed away Sunday after his battle with the H1N1 virus which turned into pneumonia. On top of their tragic loss, they are now faced with a financial burden of funeral and medial expenses which they cannot pay. I’m offering 100% of all sales from templates & pre-made marketing that will go towards this. This will end Friday (October 9th) so please get your orders in before then. If you would like to help them out but do not need template designs, please give what you can. Currently, the official fund is not set up but you can send her paypal payments directly to sugarlimedesigns@live.com. Please keep Tracy & her family in your prayers!!

This is something that make my heart hurt to hear someone has lost a child, but I am totally up lifted at the generosity of Jenn and her ablity to look beyond her own needs and give to someone else.  So please buy a template, action or just donate. However, above all spread the word about this good dead and let Tracy and Jenn know you care!

Shannon

Her work always inspires me to create lasting memories and create books and more if not for my clients for my own children.  I am hoping that her books will continue to capture share and hold dear the small moments in life.

Till next time:
Shannon

Recently I had the privilege of attending a workshop run by TriCoast. Attending this workshop was an amazing experience.  I was there to learn TTL and Flash, but in the end I learned so much more. I learned to trust myself when I am taking an image, I learned that your histogram can lie (sometimes), I learned posing techniques (although the workshop did not focus on that), along with post processing tips and tricks.  Most of all I learned that I can do things I didn’t think were possible and do them well.

The amount of learning that happens amazing. It starts from the first minute you arrive and does not end until you walk out the door. Mike, Cody and Suzy, the TriCoast team, answer your questions and patiently wait for you to “get” it when teaching you OCF.  The workshop is completely hands on and allows you to try two different methods of OCF, using Master units and Slaves along with Radio Poppers (more on those another day because honneslty they truly changed how I think about using OCF).  To attend you only need your DSLR and a flash unit to do this workshop, they have everything else. (and I am sure if you didn’t have  a flash you they would work with you on it too).  They provide additional flashes to use as slave units, and Radio Poppers, so you can truly learn and decide what you need or want.   Mike and the gang teach you many cost effective ways to maximize your flashes to use them to their fullest!

While I think attending one of thier workshops is the best motivator, many of us can not travel to one of the locations, but they have solved that issue in creating a book, The TTL Flash Book. TriCoast has said that the book is literally their class in a book.  I am so excited!!!

It has been a month since the workshop and I have not been able to practice things as much as I would have liked to, and so many of the things I learned are fading, but now with the book I won’t have to be as worried about forgetting the techniques and knowledge gained at their workshop, it will be like having the gang right here at my home to direct me through things.  Even better the book is hard copy and so AFFORDABLE pre sale is just 49.95, it will go up to 59.95 after the pre-sale.  It is going to ship within a week or two, just in time for a session I have planned!

So for today my motivation is waiting for my book to arrive — which well since it is a MONDAY is a pretty good way to start my week!

Till next time.

Shannon

Ruby Joon the Interview — Michelle and Rebecca share what makes them special and provide even more inspiration!

What Inspires them?

MICHELLE:  I am inspired by images of emotion. whether that be laughing, crying, love. i love to look at an image and wonder what that person was actually feeling at the time the photo was taken. i was reminded of my dream of being a professional photographer after falling in love (real love), having children and really letting myself actually feel emotion. couple that with getting to know Stace Chomlack as she was my new husband’s, sisters, best friend… you still following…  and i was totally inspired. Stace’s images have that emotion. that raw passionate love. those moments in a family that can not be redone, or regained. but they can be remembered. So i am inspired i guess by two things. my loves as many as those are and my constant trials and attempts at showing them and accepting them. and by others, other people who capture that, that are comfortable letting go of the perfect posed image to capture a moment.

REBECCA: I have always had a deep appreciation for art in all forms. Not only the art, but the artist. When I read a book, I always start out by flipping to the back cover and looking at the writer. Trying to figure out who they are, and what they look like. I LOVE people who are passionate and that inspires me to nurture my own passion and creativity. Having a partner in business helps that process. I get pumped about a shoot when brainstorming it with Michelle. It’s exciting!

What suggestions they have for those starting out?

MICHELLE:  to practice. to do what feels right. to read and to get 20 different pieces of advice and find the one that fits your style and your comfort level. business is hard and finding the balance of being a good business person and making special exceptions for certain clients is important to me. Learn what your time and expertise is really worth and learn when it’s appropriate to stand your ground and say ‘no’.   for a long time i did a lot for a very small profit margin. my clients were thrilled. i was thrilled. i was learning. experimenting and really just figuring out little things i needed before i dove in.  for me marketing was not important. i always had happy clients. i made sure of it. they always had two friends and so on and so on…. and its continued for me. be proud of your work. ask yourself one question before the product goes out the door…. “would i be satisfied if i hired someone and they delivered this?”

REBECCA: Dump ½ the equipment ‘they’ tell you you’ll need. While lots of it has its place, don’t let it be your art and don’t hide behind it. Take yourself, your camera and a favorite lens and go shoot. Leave the flash, the reflector, the scrim, the lights, the stroboframe at home! Shoot minimally, and once you’re completely comfortable knowing you could still pull off an awesome shoot even if you forgot your kit, and it’s just you with nothing but your camera and a fixed lens, you’re ready.

What is their must have piece of equipment and why?

MICHELLE: wow, hard question. because really it’s not the perfect lens, or camera or…. best actions. its really hard to pinpoint. i think best piece of equipment is… yourself, your brain and your willingness to take criticism and learn and continue to learn. to not get stuck.

REBECCA: Well, if I had nothing else, it would have to be my good old camera and a 50mm lens. It is most definitely must have, above all else! And….what Michelle said. J

How do you approach your time with a couple, get them to relax.

TOGETHER: Geez, it’s hard to say, but I think it’s because WE’RE relaxed. There’s no pressure with our couples at all. And we continuously tell them that. At an engagement session, we have a chance to hang out with few timelines. We talk to them a lot about what this session is about – it’s practice! It’s a chance to relax now, so we’re not showing up at their wedding as strangers. We guide them through the shoot, letting them know what looks good. We give them tips to remember on their wedding day, so when we cue them on that day, they remember what we’re talking about, and adjust accordingly. We truly adore our clients and are excited about taking them out for a shoot – I guess it shows!

What do you think sets you apart from other photographers?

TOGETHER: While there’s definitely things we work on consciously, from a marketing perspective, to set us apart from the other photographers in our area, I think our innate style speaks for itself as being unique. There are obviously trends and fads in what is popular in photography, (textures, boudoir, photo booths to name a few), but whenever that trend pops up, we try to put our own twist on it rather than fitting in to the common mold. We hope it’s working!

What was your “ah-ha” moment?

MICHELLE:  when i didn’t feel threatened by someone copying me/us. (and it is/was happening); when i was excited to help new photographers in the same town i work in. when i was totally comfortable in my own skin. happy to say ” i am a photographer”.  and not feel like a fraud.

REBECCA: I remember one particular point in time, a few years ago, when I said to my friends: ‘I’m a photographer’ and it felt right. I wasn’t comfortable before that point, but now, it rolls smoothly off the tongue! Haha! And with Ruby joon, there was another point when Michelle and I looked at each other, and somewhere, somehow, we’d ‘made it’ and we knew there was no going back. Always learning and growing, but no more doubt and struggle. It was an amazing feeling and I’m so proud of where we’ve come to so fast.

So a few people asked about our big announcement….here it is …..

We are very very excited to announce that Anastasia Chomlack will be joining the Teaching Team for Phoenix Conference 2009!

Anastasia (Stace) is best for her maternity work, and her interest in the ‘Celebration of Life’ Programme, which enables communities to nominate those in need for a free photo shoot. Many of us have all been touched by the stories and photos from this amazing Programme; if you are interested in finding out more information about “Celebration of Life”, please contact Stace for more details.  Stace is known for her giving and generositiy to others, so it is a privilege to have her extend her giving spirit to the Conference!

Anastasia is in her third year of business as a portrait/ lifestyle photographer and will share with us that process… As well as some shooting tips…. Location hunting (making something of ummm… Nothing…which as most of us know, is vital for on-location, natural light Professionals). This last year Anastasia (with her husband Chad) added weddings to the Business and not only did they suddenly find themselves fully booked for the season, but many of those weddings were “destination” weddings as well. They will be launching their new wedding website around the time of the conference. This past year has also seen Anastasia Chomlack Photography enter the Commercial Photography field.

She is excited to share that process as well as to facilitate discussion on products, web content, marketing, promoting yourself, how she creates a connection with her clients, finding your own style, giving back to your community, etc.                                                                                                                            You can see more of Anastasia’s work in some of her recent commercial ventures including FIG KIDS, TWICE SHY ORGANIC CLOTHING, CHRISTINE VANCOUVER LINGERIE, VOMO FIJI RESORT, THORNHILL GROUP REALESTATE, MILKSHAXS BABY WEAR, NAMESTHE TEA COMPANY, GOTTSCHALK ARCHITECT, BRIDGE MAGAZINE (Vancouver) and the GREEN LIVING SHOW.