Photography Websites - BLUDOMAIN

I'm so excited, {da, da, da, da, dah} and I just can't hide it. {da, da, da, da, dah} I'm about to loose control and i think I like it!

If you are in the market to start building your website - you have to use BLUDOMAIN! I have been drooling over these little gems for quite a while now and it was my turn to get one.

I can't stop ranting and raving about them. I love having my site! It was SOOO easy to create and so flexible. I had way to much fun making it and now I can't wait to add to it as time goes on! I love that I now have a proofing section on my site (instaproof is great and I was really happy with them) but this is just on a whole new level and no more paying a cut either! And try to copy an image off my site - can't happen. Ok -maybe there is a way (I'm not very technical savvy, but as far as I can tell... You can't!)

They are actually really reasonably priced too! They are broken into the $100 category (really think $200 - because whether you host with them or not you pay an additional $100-  I hosted with BluDomain) and the $400 category (think $500, again for hosting). When I was first thinking, oh someday I want a website I was thinking I'd have to spend way more than a couple hundred!!

You can go take a look at my new site and than check out BluDomain next! I got Finely. I have been SO happy with Blu, all my questions (ok I only needed to ask 2) were answered super fast and when I was ready to go live (at 2am) my site was up and ready with me the next morning!

I even have a favicon now!! I don't know why, but I have an infatuation with favicons. (A favicon is the little logo up on the left by the website address - with this blog is the orange blogger logo by the http://.) And now I have one of my very own! I feel so cool!!!

I LOVE MY BLUDOMAIN SITE!! If you love yours or love what you see, make sure you leave some love here!

A New Logo - Image Sells!

As much as I would have loved to have had someone else design my logo, the funds are definitely just not there, as of yet so that means it was all up to me. Presentation is TRE Important, (sorry I've been watching Eloise with the girls) there is a reason the big dogs shell out a lot of money for their image. Presentation Sells. My husband once bought an $8 bottle of water because he loved the packaging (the bottle was glass)... I want to try Vita Dolce Chocolates because there packaging is soooo uber cute, you just know the chocolate has to be fantastic!!! 

Bottom line - image matters! And for most of us, our websites & blogs are our  first chance at impressing our potential clients! Take a look at the photographers we all absolutely LOVE... They offer more than great work, the presentation is beautiful too. As photographers, we are selling the fact that we have a creative eye! We will loose a lot of credibility if our virtual store fronts aren't up to par. 

Above is my original logo: And at the time of creating it I was so happy with it(and it was my first attempt). 

But as I've grown into my own a little, I've realized I wanted something a little different. Something a little more my personality. What I'd really wanted was to have this cute bird I have in my head in there somewhere too, but I couldn't find the right bird so another logo will make a dawn another day... But for now, I'm very excited about my new logo:

This time I spent a little money (not much) but still more than my original logo (happened to be free). I bought a commercial license for the frame and than started creating a background and playing around with the text. I started this little project at about 11pm and finished at about 5am this morning. When I get excited about something, I just can't stop. It's still not exactly what I wanted, there is a little tinkering to do, mainly because I want my colors to be chocolate brown, green and white - not black. But since I could not figure out how to change that just yet I (and my head was starting to bob in front of the screen) it will have just have to wait. 

I think if you are unsure, stay simple! If you have a little extra dough or just know that you don't have the creativity or time to create your own... Here are some cool sites I like to drool over. Jen Thompson's work is tre impressive! She's my most favorite to drool over. If you can swing it, I highly suggest using her. There is no question she'll bump you to the next level or maybe even up a few levels (she's that good!)

Jen Thompson Design 

Here are a couple more worth noting:

Deluxe Modern

Heidi Kruger Creations

Also, a little random I must admit... If you love to read novel's (and I do) here is a fun one that totally got me inspired about image. Plus it's a british book - which I love because than I get to read the whole thing with my awesome English accent that I wish so badly I really had! 

Lastly - if you find these posts useful, entertaining, something that brings a happy thought... Please become a fan and leave comments. I'm happy to keep this blog going and I know my google analytics that a lot of people are stopping by... But it would be great to get feedback!I'm one of those creative people who strives on positive reinforcement! It's a flaw. Thanks.

napcp

I recently found a new association, and when I say new, I mean new! I'm excited to say that I'm the newest member  (ok well probably not the newest as of this minute).  I'm really excited about it and wanted t share with you why I did it. 

1. I love the philosophy of napcp.  In their mission statement it reads: 

"To promote and support the artistry and integrity of the most talented, creative, and professional child photographers.

To accomplish this mission, NAPCP provides the most comprehensive resources for its members, bringing together a community of passionate artists committed to growth in their skills, their artistry, and their businesses."
Now I wouldn't call myself 'the most talented' but passion... All the way baby! 
2. I want to grow. My full time job is still and will always be mom, however (saying that) I also want to be successful with Leah Remillet Photography. I have no intention of settling at mediocre. I believe that being a member on napcp will help me accomplish bigger and better things as a photographer! 
3. Networking! Networking is key to a great business. Belong and actively using the resources available is essential to getting your name known! I love the directory napcp offers and I can't wait for the parent portion of the program to be launched and see what kind of business it brings in! 
4. Now I have this super cool logo to add to my blog and it makes me feel way cooler! =)
Go explore napcp - if you photograph children, this may be a great fit for you too! 

Amazing Women Sharing their TALENTS!!

As I spend way to much time on the internet I find over and over again amazing women who share their awesome talents to help the rest of us. Here are a few blogs that are definitely worth noting!

1. Say Hi to Crystal. She has a blog dedicated to helps and actions for photoshop called Momaziggy's. If you need to learn the how to's of photoshop, check her out, also she offers editing. If you want to see how someone who really knows what to do would post / edit you can send her an image and compare her final to yours. Cool huh!? 

2. This is Shanon, self acclaimed 'techie girl'. Shannon offers a remarkably clever blog She has a great post on how to  make your own card template using Photoshop and WHCC! It's spot on, so if you have been thinking you wanted to try your luck at design go take a looksie! Shannon is one of my first fans of GoforPro... Thanks!

3. Last but not least meet Amy! Amy has an awesome blog with 'creative ideas and free downloads' and you all know how I love free! So if you are planning a party or looking for a cool calling card go look, because you're gonna find something you love! 

None of these women (ok Shannon is going to) know that they are featured on this blog so go take a look and make a comment. Maybe we can make someone's day! So until the next addition here are three awesome blogs to get your creativity flowing and minds expanding!! Have fun! 

Kindness - Holladay Photo {Photographer Spotlight}

I'm still very new to the concept of natural light photography. I was familiar with studio photography, I'd been to the stores and had pictures done and was never very satisfied. Than a friend had pictures done with Mark Holladay and I was smitten (not with Mark ;) although he is great! It was love at first sight, I started finding more and more photographers like Mark and pored over the images and held on to every word they wrote. 

My husband was (still is) a student. At the time he was just about to graduate with his Bachelors from BYU-H, we had just had our third and I was really wanting to get pictures done by Mark! I got (or rather coursed) the OK out of my hubby and got the appt. all set up. Anyhow I got the details (financially speaking) messed up and somehow had the impression that the shoot was much less than it really was (remember I am the SAHM of 3 and wife to a student - we're poor). Extremely embarrassed, I had to call Mark to cancel. I was honest and told him why, he offered a mini shoot ($50). I was so excited, this I could afford, well sort of. The day of the shoot came, we had a wonderful session. And Mark even gave me photography tips the whole time as I had explained that I wanted to do something like him... Toward the end of the session he explained that the CD would be available shortly and since we would no longer be on the island he could mail it to us so did I want to take care of the cost now. My heart stopped, I had messed it up again! How could I have done it twice? I could feel my husbands eyes on me, wondering what was going on. I told Mark I'd have to settle up another day. 

Eventually I had to email him AGAIN, once more, I'm saying  how sorry and stupid I feel. I thanked him for the session and explained that we would not be able to purchase the CD for some time and how embarrassed I was (I think I actually was under the chair I typed from). I had messed up and misunderstood... him again. 

Mark sent me the CD. He made $50 off the entire ordeal with me (so in all honesty, nothing!) He could have taken such a different approach. He could have let me feel as small as I did and even added to it but instead he showed kindness and generosity. 

I hope you take 2 things from this story. 

1.  Be very clear in your prices, not just written but also verbal. It may sound very black & white to you but for those just trying photography it can still gets confusing.

2. Everyone is going to have that customer some day, or some other situation worth comparing. When you do, show generosity, kindness and understanding. Everyone needs a little bit of understanding (some of us {me} need more than a little) It will leave a BIG impression! 

Proofing Site...

When you are admiring all the photographers that make your heart sing what do they have in common? They have a website, and most likely a client proofing page. Today lets talk about proofing. Proofing can make life a lot simpler/ Being able to upload all your final images from a shoot and offer them for purchase (especially using credit cards) can really add to your sales. But how do you get set up with proofing if you don't have any extra$$?

Well, here is someone I've tried. I found this company because it's who Mark Holladay Lee uses. They are free to set up an account but charge a percentage of your order.

If you are interested in being able to set up online proofing (with customer password if desired) for your clients than Instaproof  just might be the right place for you. Heres an idea, if you are still not charging, how about as you ease into becoming profitable you can continue to do the shoot for free but than load the images and offer those for sale.

I just had my first customer place an order through Instaproof. I'm able to update from my side as I place the order via WHCC. I can change the status from received, to ordered and once it's shipped from WHCC I will update again to shipped and add the tracking number. Instaproof sends all the emails and allows me a little spot to add any text I may feel relevant.

If you decide to sign up with Instaproof, please say you were refereed by Mark Hollady Lee of Holladay Photos. After all, he referred me!

And the winner is....

First of all, wow. May I please say thank you to all of you who stopped by and voted! I really do know it's all about Heather's amazing actions, but I'm still honored than you came to my blog to try your luck and touched by all the kind words! And a HUGE thank you to all the ladies who wanted to up the chances and plugged for Heather and I on your own blogs. It's you, sharing this blog that's going to really help it reach! In getting the voting ready, I had to check a lot of "triple me please" blogs and was very inspired by what I found. There is so much talent and it's exciting to know that perhaps a little trick I have found was also of interest to you. 

So with out further stalling... 

Our first contest winner on GOforPRO is................... (drum roll please)

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http://estherpedersonblog.com/

Esther I will be sending Heather your information and she will be getting in contact with you shortly. Enjoy your awesome new actions!!! 

CONGRATULATIONS! 

MINI MOOS - 20% off coupon code!

I really believe that it's important to make yourself stand out! You need to leave an impression and your first impression is always critical. That’s why none of my business card are actually business card size, how is that ever going to stand apart from the rest?! I have the book mark size, when folded becomes business card size but offers a lot more room thru WHCC and than I also have my mini Moos. These are really fun and cute, and they work great for leaving in a little bowl (I have some at the salon I use). Now order placement to your doorstep is not the fastest, but you can design your own front and than leave your 411 on the back! 

I paid $20 for 100 and they come in a cool hard box. (I'm a sucker for presentation) - oh, I didn't have a coupon code.

Want to try em' 

I have a promo code for you! Q2NWU9 

If you have never bought from MOO before, you will get a 20% discount off any 1 MOO product. Cool, huh!?

Tip: In Photoshop create a new document width 28mm, height 70mm. Just drag your logo, a picture and you have a unique calling card!