Christmas Card Designs

Today I whipped out 6+ Christmas card designs for some clients and just used some pictures of my sisters and I as the sample images. These are two of my favorites designs. They're fairly simple, but I like simple. I'd love to hear your thoughts on them...negative or positive! :)

Check out lydia.com sometime. They have some awesome video tutorials on all sorts of photography and Adobe software. Lydia.com has so many more video learning resources than just those two topics, but those are the ones I've been soaking up this past weekend. I've been focusing mostly on Lightroom. They walk you through all sorts of keyboard shortcuts, how tos, and tips of the trade.

I've never really done photo books before, but I'd like to incorporate those into my session packages. I've been comparing different sites and keeping in mind the style I'm going for.

I'm totally stoked that I got a few more shoots lined up today! Love it when that happens!

These are the five words I decided on a few weeks ago for my business:

1. Stimulating
2. Distinct
3. Tasteful
4. Fresh
5. Invigorating

But I think I'm going to swap out 'Distinct' for 'Simple.' I think it describes me more. I've been working on the phrases to go with each word and then one that sums them all up, but I'm going to keep churning over them a few more days before I post them. :)

Tomorrow I'll be tackling writing out 5 different systems list emails that I'll be able to use as templates for emailing clients. Major time saver in the long run.

December is yet a half an hour away!!! Yahoo!!!!

Preset Evaluating Continued

Yesterday and today I've spent in Lightroom, trying to re-evaluate and re-create presets that really describe my style and branding. After looking through Wedding Photography Unveiled and some of the photographer's websites that were feature in that book, I definitely want to spend more time on this to get just the right look I want. I haven't really been consistent in my editing, and after talking with Christina, I see the value in that.

I'm really excited for tomorrow, as its is seriously my favorite holiday. Ever. Everything I am surrounded by is all because of what God has done. I am humbled by that.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving everyone!

A Loooooong Night Ahead

I'm afraid this is going to be a looooong night as I finish up the last of my assignments. I got so much on a roll today about nailing down more presets, seriously figuring out what services/products I want to offer, and finishing up designing my 5x5 trifold, that I totally lost track of time! Its already past midnight! But I'm feeling more sure and confident about my branding style, which is very reassuring.

With all this snow and wind we've been having, the lights flickered a few times this evening and made us all wonder if it really would go out for sure. So tomorrow, depending on if we have power or not, I'll be skyping with Christina in the morning. I'm excited to find out what assignments she'll have for me over Thanksgiving (my absolute favorite holiday)!

Let it SNOW!!!

I LOVE THE SNOW!!!!!! My sister freaked out when we woke up this morning to it falling outside the window, and in her excitement, decided to pounce on me while I was still resting contentedly under the warm covers!

Even though I like it when people save the Christmas lights and music till after Thanksgiving, we just felt the urge this afternoon to make our lampposts out front look like Christmas light peppermint sticks. I must have been quite the sight amidst the falling snow, trying to keep my hair dry with a t-shirt tied around my head, and bundled up in a fuzzy jacket with a knee-length skirt, leggings, and a pair of running shoes to complete the statement. I go all out for fashion.

This weekend I've been playing around in Lightroom creating presets. I'm mesmerized by how truly ugly my edit jobs were before this last year! I think I'm swaying back towards more classic natural-looking-color-pop photos than the muted-eerie-looking-Gaussian blur style I've been seeing quite a bit of in the photography trend.

I'm getting pretty close to finishing the design of my Portrait Session Information 5x5 trifold, which includes quite a variety of my work. I'm totally stoked! Can't wait to start on the Wedding Package Information 5x5 trifold, but I think I'll hold my horses till I get a few more stunning shots. These will especially be handy for me to pass out, and something tangible for my clients to give their friends and such.

Got a bit left to do on my assignments before Tuesday morning's skype call. But tomorrow:

• Create bullet points of the practical pieces of your dream business
• Create a development schedule for my Master Systems List
• Finish Portrait Session 5x5 trifold design
  

Practicality

Its been a couple days since I've posted, but nonetheless eventful. Company visiting from out of state, rollerblading together against the heavy wind and rain, being creative during the 12+ hour power outage...some definite good times. :)

I finished all my assignments except for two today before my skype call, one of which I thought I completed, but in reality, I had completely misunderstood my assignment! Needless to say, I'm loving how all this is working itself out very practically and especially getting Christina's perspective on things. I'm glad we had a chance to talk after practically two weeks!

This afternoon I started compiling a list of potential client opportunities. Its difficult to think outside the box on this one, seeing as how most of my clients have been referrals. But I have a good size bulletpoint list going so far.

Tomorrow:

• Arrange another photo session booking
• Elaborate on how each of my 5 strengths apply practically to my business
• Rate my Master Systems List
  

Sneak Peeks

This weekend was a bit relaxed as I spent time with my family and some old time friends. Today was especially meaningful to have spent much time in prayer with other believers for the persecuted church.

Here's a sneak peek of the two portrait sessions I did this weekend...one for a young lady needing a support letter photo, and the other session just for fun:

To see the rest of Rebekah's photos, visit here...

...and to see the rest of Bethany's, visit here.

I seriously am loving Lightroom.

Tomorrow is pretty much the only day this week I can get much of anything business-wise done until my skype call on Thursday...because company's coming Tuesday for a few days!
Goals:

• Gather more ideas for business brochure
• Keep checking out/exploring that photography website I posted about the other day and pin point what about their branding that I like and can incorporate into my own
  
• Contact wedding photography client
  

Branding

I found it. This photographer's branding is totally my style. I love everything about this site.

Lightroom...BOOOOYAH!!!

These past few days have been crazy but good. Tuesday and Wednesday were packed with designing graphics for a huge website and teaching a lady from my church how to make soap from scratch (a recipe that my brothers absolutely rave about). Before we even started making the soap, her little 5 year old asked me, "Will it taste good?"

In the midst of all the back to back commitments, I continued plugging away at my assignments, reading Wedding Photography Unveiled, writing up a wedding contract, and editing a couple portrait sessions.

The Strengths Finder assesment truly revealed something about me that I'd never considered before, but that's totally dead on. My top strength is Acheiver. Those especially talented in that area seldom count the hours they work.

So you're probably as confused as I am about why I randomly brought that up. With female brains, everything is connected. ;)

Christina had me calculate the total hours it takes for me to do a job/shoot. Finally, after having done so many sessions over the past couple years, I took the time to really calculate how much time I put into it. Very helpful, because usually I short calculate myself. As of a couple days ago, for a general portrait session, it would take me about 7-8 hours. That includes all the contacting, commuting, shooting time, uploading, editing, delivery, etc.

Then to make things even more interesting, I decided to compare editing time/results with Photoshop vs Lightroom with a simple portrait shoot I had done with my mom and sisters. I finally got on the ball with other savvy photographers and installed Lightroom on my computer! ;) Even though I'm still figuring out how to use Lightroom on my own, the total editing time has been cut down by about three-quarters! And the results look so much better! I'm hooked...ok, addicted to the results! I love Lightroom!!! I've already edited a couple sessions in Lightroom since that first one I mentioned above, and I find it so energizing! Quick work with stunning results is how I like it.

So, for tomorrow:

• Pick out three things from my summaries on the companies I value that I can incorporate into my business.
• Read more of Wedding Photography Unveiled.
  
• Clean up my business desk/workspace.

36 hours vs 24

Only enough time for another quick post.

With all that's been going on, I've been pondering why God didn't created 36 hour days instead of just 24. I'm pretty sure He knew what He was doing.

Elaborated more on the companies I value.

Read Wedding Photography Unveiled.

Edited more of the portrait session, but not entirely finished with it.

Returned clients emails.

Received an inquiry about shooting for a business Christmas party to take pictures of the residents and Santa Claus and how much I would charge for 5 x 7s, 8 x 11s, 3 x 5s, and wallet sizes. I've never pictured myself shooting this type of work before. I've never even done quick mini sessions before, so figuring out the pricing may be a bit of a challenge. Any suggestions?

Tomorrows I won't have much time to work on photography-related things, as most of my day will be consumed with web design/graphic work for a client. But I do plan on writing out my first wedding contract form, define my 5 words for my business by my client interactions, and continue on my dream client profile.

Brain. Is. Dead

Yesterday and today I was gone for the majority of the time, but I was able to continue adding to and organizing my inspirations board. Also edited part of a portrait session and compiled my Master Systems List.

I'd write more, but if I stayed up any longer, I'll have to duct tape my eyelids open! ;D

Tomorrow:

• Edit, edit, EDIT!
• Tally up the total hours for a photo shoot
• Work more on dream client profile

Top 5 Strengths

I spent much of my time today beginning to develop my master system's list, which includes those fancy customizable copy & paste type email you can reply to clients with (if that even makes sense). I already sent out two of those to potential clients. I LOVE how much time that saves!

I didn't even touch my camera today, but I was able to run into town and finally get a brand new Strengths Finder book! Now I remember how much I dislike buying things at retail value, especially books. Rarely do I read a book twice, unless its really good. But I'm glad I did.

Rewinding to last week, I was reading the used SF book that I accidentally bought, I was almost positive one of my top strengths was WOO. Practically everything in its description I thought, "Yep...that's totally me." Even one of my friends agreed 100%. I was shocked that WOO didn't show up in the top 5 when I took the online assessment today! Here's what they concluded about my top strengths:

1. Achiever
2. Responsibility
3. Maximizer
4. Harmony
5. Empathy
   

I agree with the top two definitely, the next two...sure. But Empathy?! Ok, well, maybe I see it. Maybe I'm just bitter that WOO wasn't in my top 5. Most definitely. ;)

Tomorrow I plan to edit two portrait sessions and work more on writing about the companies I value.

Variety, Freshness, and Starting Anew

Today I looked into Zenfolio and decided to try out their 14-day trial period. But I'm also weighing that one out with a few similar sites I've found.

I was oober excited to figure out how to use Vimeo to add another dimension to my business blog! Video quality doesn't look half as good when its made for the web, but that's the way it is.

You know how I have a tendency for variety, freshness, and starting anew? Well, I got inspired to re-do my logo. After working out a few designs, I decided it best to wait until I pinned down my branding before I get too excited! So, the old one will have to do for now. :)

Speaking of my old logo, a while back someone told me it looked too kiddish. What do you think? Honestly now. I don't bite. :)

So, tomorrow I will contact a few clients, begin my master system's list, and, challenge myself by shooting a concept picture.

That's Not Good Enough

During my call with Christina this afternoon, I realized that I need to a bit more elaboration on the environment, style, client target and so forth of the companies I value. I had posted about two of 'em this morning, but now I'll be going back to the old drawing board. Elaboration, you might say, I one of my weaknesses...that is, until someone squeezes it out of me!

In times like these, I think about Dave Ramsey's famous bargaining line, "That's not good enough." The revised outcome just turns out all the better!

Tomorrow I plan to
...look into Zenfolio.
...book two portrait sessions.
...purchase a new Strengths Finder 2.0 book. Unfortunately the access code had already been used by the previous owner.

Companies I Value

REI

REI’s motto is: "We inspire, educate and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship."

No matter what your outdoor adventure experience is, REI is enthusiastic and passionate about sharing their zeal for the products they offer and the outdoors where they play. REI knows the importance of quality outdoor gear and offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee behind all their products. REI works hard to maintain their reputation of quality and integrity. Quality comes at a high price, but the investment is lasting.

REI has been ranked by FORTUNE magazine as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” for the past 12 years.

Fred Meyer

Fred Meyer’s motto is, “What’s on your list today? You’ll find it at Fred Meyer.”

Fred Meyer is grocery and multi-department store that is, in my opinion, an upgrade of Walmart – it carries just about everything, but higher quality. The atmosphere is friendly yet professional. Because it’s so big, it doesn’t have the small store feel like Aeropostale, where you’re constantly asked by sales associates if they can help you. Instead, if you need help, just ask and they’re glad to assist.

You are an efficient shopper if you shop at Fred Meyer, because you get everything you need all in one place.

He must increase, but I must decrease

Honestly, I think the hardest part about this mentorship is actually sitting down to post on here. I habitually wait until the evening to post, then by that time I'm thoroughly wiped out! I need to rethink a better strategy.

This last week has been full of changes for our family. One of the most influential men in my lives died earlier this week at the age of 74.

With hair sprouting out of his ears and magnified eyes peering through his 3/4" thick glasses, one would not consider this albino much of an attractive man. But his passion for Christ and love for others is what magnetized others to him. His life was a reflection of his favorite verse, John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease." He was a man of generosity. A man that never ceased to encourage others. He was a man that thought if a telemarketer had enough time to stay on the line trying to sell their product, they had enough time for him to tell them all about Jesus. The lives he impacted were evidenced by the masses overflowing the church at his funeral.

He lived his dash for God's glory, and left a powerful example to follow...a true reflection of Christ.

Besides the time that went into food preparation for the funeral and responsibilities at church, last minute plans were made and family flew in all the way from Maine for a few days. Our house has been constantly on the go.

Only today was I able to catch up on most of my assignments with a handful left to complete. I read Strengths Finder 2.0 but was bummed that I couldn't take the online assessment because the code had already been used by the book's previous owner. I'm really curious to see if their conclusion of my strengths are different than my own.

Ah, so tomorrow I plan to
...complete what my dream client looks like.
...analyze and evaluate two companies I value.
...finally finish 20 things I value about the way I operate my business.

I LOVE it when people ask me if I can book them. Just this last week I've had a few portrait session requests and more than that for wedding photography! I'm stoked!

Now for catching up on sleep...