Now I can have both open at the same time — I love it!

This is due to a new tool called Fox Splitter.  This allows you to have to tabs open sideby side in one panel, great for working on blogs, websites that have an on line editor or if you just want to compare to things side by side.

It does require that you have the latest version of Firefox, but that is it!

Many of us are familiar with the EXPO disc (and even though I don’t have one I want one LOL).  This little tool makes getting the prefect white balance so easy, which in turn will make editing a much easier task.

The makers of the expo disc have come out with this new product that I find so intriguing. I really want to get one just to see how it works.  Those with a NAPP membership were able to get a discount on it (check out the NAPP website).  This is the Roque FlashBender, the part that makes it so interesting to me is how easy it would be to slip into even the smallest camera bag to always have on had to direct your flash.  Let’s face it I am a sucker for cool new things that make my life easier.  That is probably why I am so in love my my little flash to start with — great power and portable too!

I know there are a lot of bags out there for Pro Photogs and hobbyists alike, but a lot of them are black….or black…or black (oh and let’s not forget camoflague!)…as a woman I actually want something that is :

• Fashionable
• Practical
• Well Made
• Has some “wow” factor and still makes me look business like!
• Padded!!!   My L lenses love a good secure home!
• Girly
• Variety of styles and colors to choose from
• Carries everything I need and does so comfortably

Kelly Moore’s bags are just the answer to this!   Not only are they stylish and cute, but they tick all the boxes on my list….I also love that she is bringing out new and different one’s on a regular basis…..and guys…she has some for you too!!

On a wedding day, a lot of thought goes into the details, finish, color and style….so turning up with a fun, stylish, colorful photography bag, that looks like a handbag, definitely says “I know how to capture your day and your details….because I love those things too”.

Go check them out! You might find just the color/style that you have always been looking for, but if you are looking for a different color, just drop Kelly a line!  I love that she is always open to ideas, feedback and comments from her customers….as many Beyond members can attest too.

While you’re over at “her place”, be sure to check out Kelly’s amazing work!   Just wow!

Even better is that Sandy Puc is doing a free forum to help 1000 photographers get certified.  The forum will be around as long as or until 1000 are certified.  This is a great way to meet others studying and get a study group together!  She has a free webinar tonight — but it will be available to review if you miss it!

I know this is just the jump start in need to do this — it’s something I have been talking about for a long time.

Shannon

I thought I would feature some of the sponsors here at Beyond because they all have a amazing templates and I just love looking at their sites!

I know I am always looking for great resources.  There are literally hundreds of places, but not all vendors allow you to use them for clients or what is known as commercial use.  Some even have a restriction that you can not buy from them unless you are a photographer and going to use them only for your clients.  This is a hard one because sometimes you don’t know what you will use something for and so many photographers are doing their own personal thing as well.  Just try to be fare and pay for the upgraded fee if you think you MIGHT use it for client work.

Now that we have talked about use where do you get mucis can templates from?  I have talked about music before, so today I will focus on great template websites.  We are so lucky here at Beyond to have such amazingly talented sponsors.

My Lil Creations by Tina Parker — her work  is vintage and simply stunning.  I love that she sells sets of elements that you can use to make/create your own cards/albums or other projects.  I also love that she will frequently sell just single cards, so I don’t end up with a whole set,t hat is left unused, when I really just needed one~  One of my favorite sets to date are her vintage frames. I have used them many many times to dress up an album but still keep it simple.

Photographer Cafe: Their simple styles and diverse collections will aide you in everything from marketing to getting client products that reflect you and your brand, like CD cases and images boxes!  I wish I had more clients so I could justify more, ok ANY of their templates because I adore them!

Jamie Schultz Designs – Her work is contemporary and and in particular her senior templates are more edgy. If I did seinors I would be looking to invest in her yearly book/grad cards each year she has an amazing set.  I also love her holiday cards! I am still working with a set

LCH Designs:  Leah has an amazing aesthetic she creates simple yet beautiful templates that remind you of another error. Although her style is similar to Tina’s they are worlds apart in what they deliver!  I just love her border set — again somethng I use often on proof images and proof books.

That is all for today! More templates and resources for brushes, textures and other things coming next week!~

There are many great blog and other resources like actions that help us work through using Photoshop and other tools.

A great starting points is the Internet and blogs. Such as the blog by MCP actions.  However, there are times when just a blog post or a few short tips/tricks is not enough.  That’s when it is nice to find things like the National Association of Photoshop users, you do not have to be a Photoshop guru to belong and use their services.  They have so many resources I am just still, moths after joining learning my way around. I suggest you go on over and take a look — if you join let them know I sent you (they do have a referral program — which is just one of their perks).

I also love Scott Kelby’s Training website.  You get a discount on the membership, when you belong to NAPP, and you will get access to hundreds of videos on dozens of photography related topics.  They are not limited to Photoshop and Lightroom but also include many topics such as use of flash, lighting and well jsut about anything you can think of!  I know I can not wait to get into all the videos and other things he has to offer.  (nope no referral program here).

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

shannon

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So here are a few of the things that have been saving me time lately, some are fun and pretty and others are just practical.

The first is PROOF MAKER.  This action makes it SO EASY to get my clients galleries loaded. I LOVE that I can add the image/file numbers right to the image and they are also a watermark deterrent too!  Who wants to print an image with #101 right on it.

The next time saveer for me is Backblaze. It’s an online backup service.  What I like about it is that it backs up my main drive AND externals (as long as I connect them to the hub).  This has been a lifesaver in terms of peace of mind. It does not replace doing a manual back up to disc for client images, but it does help in the long term should I have an issue with my drives or computer. At just $50 a year it’s one of the least expensive but they have been great to work with.

Another time-saver is my new desktop planner, this planner from Mom Agenda is a life saver. IT’s pretty but also practical. I love it so I note everything in it.   It helps to keep me on time and organized.  The best part is the planners are now 30% off but there is still much of the year left and better yet sign up for their newsletter e: to get a 10% additional discount.  If the washing machine had not broken I would be all over this as gifts for friends this month!

For online organization I love the Flock browser. It  designed to let me view all my social media feeds at one time, this is blogs, facebook, twitter, flickr you name it I can put it there!   I love seeing it all a once, this lets me decide what to respond to quickly and easily.

More later –
Shannon