Goodbrain.com Photo Studio & Digital Art Gallery Blog

Your 'personal professional' holiday shopping helper

2011-12-06T14:38:00.001-08:00

Good Afternoon! :)

Please won't you let me help you while you help me?

Your 'personal professional'

holiday shopping helper is here to rescue you!

Click here to ask me to email to you directly

a pdf flyer of

Goodbrain.com Photo Studio

Holiday Season 2011

product offerings!

Merry Christmas to you & yours!

2011-10-07T06:34:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone!

So, have you heard about FRANK FM's awesome radio promotion going on this month?

Check this out!

Click here to enter for a chance to WIN in the $30,000 giveaway on 106.3 FRANK FM

Then check out my coupon offer associated with this giveaway!

Goodbrain.com Photo Studio 'Watch Me Grow" Baby Plan offer

I wish you good luck with the giveaway, and you'll have to let me know if you win anything! This is the first time they are doing this giveaway in this manner, I think it's a pretty cool idea!

The gift giving season is now upon us...I am not really sure what happened to this year, but it is flying by. I have to say that I have had some amazing experiences this summer, from my aunt and uncle 'recommitting' to each other in a July 4th ceremony by the ocean...to my good friend Valery bringing his lovely wife Emily and two boys with him from France to visit and stay with me for 10 days...from purchasing an RV and tooling around NH and Maine...to photographing some very lovely clients and their children!

As if I have lots of time on my hands, I am now in the role of President of my BNI chapter. I attended our Annual Awards Banquet last night...which was a good time...did you know there are 38 chapters in NH and over this last year, Sept 1, 2010 to Sept 1, 2010, they closed over $8 million dollars in business? So, I ask you, "What recession!" And for any one viewing this who wishes to learn about GAINING MORE BUSINESS...shoot me and email and I'll invite you to join us for a meeting or two! BNI-Network NH meets weekly on Thursdays from 12:00-1:30 at Milly's Tavern...check us out at BNI

Oh, and if you are on LinkedIn or Facebook, so am I! Love to get to know you!

View some of my Stock Photography via this link

or this blast from my past...still out in cyberspace...

Art Concord: Read more about our featured artists on the "Artis...

2011-08-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

Art Concord: Read more about our featured artists on the "Artis...: "The artwork is in! Read more about all of our Featured Artists on the 'ARTISTS' page. DAVID M. CARROLL LAURETTE CARROLL ..."

Painting in the Digital Age - NEXT WORKSHOP SERIES announced...

2011-07-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

Please Join Us on August 4, 2011 from 5-8pm for the next
Open Doors Manchester Trolley Tour event!

Goodbrain.com Photo Studio and Digital Art Gallery will be showcasing
6 talented digital artists / photographers who will be exhibiting their original digital paintings created as a part of the
Painting in the Digital Age workshop series taught at Goodbrain by digital artist and professional photographer PAt Desmarais Edsall in June.

The next two day workshop date is in September and it's not too late to register!

Eli has arrived!

2011-06-04T10:59:00.000-07:00

Please let me know how this has touched you...

2011-04-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

Goodbrain.com Photo Studio's Most recent success! Lexxton at 3 months

2011-04-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

So, what will YOU do with YOUR Goodbrain®?

Patrick at 3 months old, already!

2011-02-12T17:36:00.001-08:00

Check out yesterdays session here!

DAM - Digital Asset Management Workshop | March 26, 2011

2011-01-23T14:53:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

I just updated my website and thought you might want to check it out. To visit, just click on the links below or paste the URLs into your browser.

Goodbrain.com http://www.goodbrain.com
Workshops in 2011
DAM - Digital Asset Management Workshop A 1 Day (Hands-On) Photography Workshop
Archive
About Me

Take a look and let me know what you think!

one more thing...

2011-01-05T12:52:00.001-08:00

I want to throw a shout out and a HUGE Thank YOU to my brother Mark, who moved to NH recently from Baltimore...and threw himself at me as my photo assistant when needed!

It's great to have him working w me! Thanks for everything Mark!

Man, what a ride!

2011-01-04T16:45:00.000-08:00

Well, I can say that the 2010 Holiday season was a WILD ride for Goodbrain.com Photo Studio!

I am thankful that I got through it with my hair still on my head, and no weight gain! YAY! (that of course is thanks to my awesome personal trainer Ryan from Gold's Gym!)

I want to say that after a much needed respite over the New Years weekend and yesterday and most of today, that I am ready to get going again!

This a a big THANK YOU and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of my photography clients!

I am very humbled by all the variety of work I was able to create for you between September and December 2010.

For sure, it was hard work but fun - I was able to capture a number of maternity sessions, along with the newborns associated with the moms & dads! I had an awesome time working with a teen model on her first official portfolio session, and I even had a good time photographing ROPE! (yes, rope, and anchors!) for a clients web site use...I had a blast photographing a sweet 16 "a night in Paris" birthday party, professional head shots for a number of business colleagues for use on their Facebook or Linkedin or other needs...and a spectacular halloween party...and the best times were photographing Santa Claus!

And, while in the end of this time period, it all became a ton of work...including having to live through a hard drive crash (that wasn't recoverable)...I have learned a great deal, am much stronger for it and am so very grateful that my clients are so wonderful!

Well, in closing, I just want to say Thank you, Happy New Year, and BRING IT ON in 2011!

Santa has arrived!

2010-12-13T06:43:00.000-08:00

Click here to view larger!

a night in Paris....some fun with Adobe Photoshop...

2010-10-24T13:32:00.001-07:00

Jaime, Peter & Patrick

2010-10-23T07:18:00.001-07:00

Alivia

2010-10-13T12:01:00.001-07:00

Jim & Abby

2010-10-13T11:28:00.000-07:00

Thanks Bernadette!

2010-09-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

Brookline Hollis NH High School Senior portrait session completed last night...sneak peek...had an awesome time working with Bernadette...we even went outside in the rain! Hope you enjoy these!

Pet portraits...

2010-09-29T11:01:00.001-07:00

NH Creative Club's 2010-2011 Season Kick off a SUCCESS!

2010-09-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

Manchester, NH-These 'professional head shots' were photographed by Crystal Nadeau last evening, during the NH Creative Club's 2010-2011 Season kick-off meeting (9/21/10). The NHCC event was hosted by Crystal Nadeau at her studio - goodbrain.com. Kevin Harkins Photography was also doing professional head shots (http://www.harkinsphotography.com), and Stephanie McLauglin of Savoir Faire Marketing/Communications (http://www.savoirfaire-us.com) presented a talk on Social Media/Networking, and lastly, the Perkins Digital Art Gallery (located within the goodbrain.com studio) hosted an encore presentation of the NHCC 2010 Annual Juried Design Exhibition winners. This exhibit will be open to the public again during the Oct. 21, 2010 Open Doors Manchester Trolley Night, between 5-8pm (http://www.majestictheatre.net/opendoors.php). 47 members and attendess had a great time eating excellent Brazillian food provided by Fatima and Jeremy McHugh, and 'co-mingling' during this very different event for the club!

Jaime's maternity session...

2010-09-14T12:45:00.001-07:00

a Goodbrain high school senior portrait montage...

2010-07-31T08:50:00.001-07:00

Thanks to David for being a good sport! Sorry, we didn't find that train!

Here's a sneak peak...a Londonderry High School Senior, graduates in 2011!

Now booking High School Senior's...

___________________________________________________

"Live your BEST life" Oprah Winfrey

Need a professional headshot? Check out Accuphoto.com

2010-07-08T06:36:00.000-07:00

So, how many times have you said "I hate my profile headshot?"

If so, then this PPA site is for you:

accuphoto.com

Check it out! Then come see me...

Crystal Nadeau Hosts a PPANE "ALL STARS" PROGRAM

2010-06-04T09:35:00.000-07:00

PPANE "ALL STARS" PROGRAM
Presents
in New Hampshire
Ownership, Rights & Permissions...
Learning what's new in the area of "Intellectual Property"

Hosted by Crystal Nadeau with

Doug Verge

of Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green

Tuesday June 22, 2010

1:00 - 5:00 PM

The afternoon will include some networking time in the beginning, and a Q & A period at the end.

Location: Crystal Nadeau's Studio Goodbrain.com

(Portrait Studio & Digital Art Gallery | Langer Place, 4th Floor)

55 So. Commercial St., Manchester, NH
Phone: Studio 603-232-1377, Cell 603-548-4033

FREE TO PPANE MEMBERS

$50 for all others (applied to PPANE membership if you join)

Baby Tony...4 months of age

2010-03-27T06:18:00.000-07:00

First opening of the Perkins Digital Art Gallery at Goodbrain.com studio!

2009-11-04T04:46:00.000-08:00

Open Doors Manchester Trolley Night - Last one of 2009...November 12, 2009 - 5-8PM! Its FREE!

Be sure to stop at the NEWEST studio at Langer Place, Goodbrain.com, where the Perkins Digital Art Gallery will open for the first time. On display will be Crystal Nadeau's photography, representing her limited editioin art photography book "Flowers of the World". This is an encore exhibit of the show that was at the Nashua Public Library in September of 2008. 'Flowers of the World' limited edition books will be available for purchase and signing, and 2010 Calendars will also be available.

On the 3rd Floor, "Harvest!", an exhibit celebrating the Fall season, will be on display in the photography studio of Althea Haropulos. It will show collages by Karen Bessette and photography based artwork by Althea.

East Colony Fine Art Gallery will have Dee Lessard and Adele Sanborn showing "Well Read Wine". They have worked in tandem to illustrate the theme of wine and poetry. Adele's pieces include mixed media and calligraphy, while Dee's oil paintings have an old master style using a light source referred to as "Chiaroscuro".

Hatfield's Gallery will be showing, along with their usual great art work, restored guitars by Ron Boucher.

Look for other gallery and artists' doors to be open, as well.

(55 So. Commercial St., www.langerplace.com)

View Larger Map

Fwd: Breast Health ~ Tonight

2009-10-13T11:01:00.000-07:00

Begin forwarded message:

There is a talk this evening at Dana Farber Londonderry, in the Elliot Blding.
Breast Health ~ Separating Fact from Fiction
Free Community Program that addresses the important lifestyle & screening influences on Breast Health.
Oct 13th, 6:00p Refreshments (food).
6:30p Presentation & Q&A
40 Buttrick Rd, Londonderry, NH
Reg# 622~4978 or www.nhoh.com
Jennifer Ligibel, MD, Dana Farber, Medical Breast Oncology Center
Edward Dalton, MD, Medical Director, Elliot Breast Center
Thank you Jaynemarie

Jaynemarie Vahey, MA, Clinical Assistant
Dana Farber Cancer Institute/NHOH
40 Buttrick Road, Suite B
Londonderry, New Hampshire 03053
jaynemarie_vahey@dfci.harvard.edu
603-552-9147 phone
603-552-9176 fax
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/New Hampshire Oncology-Hematology is a satellite of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA

___________________________________________________

"Live your BEST life" Oprah Winfrey

Crystal Nadeau
603-232-1377 Studio| 603-548-4033 Cell
email: graphicmasters@goodbrain.com
www.goodbrainblog.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/Goodbrain

Goodbrain.com (Photographic Studio)
Langer Place
55 So. Commercial St. 4th Floor
Manchester, NH 03103

Permanent address
214 Wellington Hill Rd.
Manchester, NH 03104

Follow my new photography /digital art gallery startup at Goodbrainblog.blogspot.com

Children's Portraits - http://web.me.com/graphicmasters/Goodbrain_Photographic/Bean_Sprouts-Childrens_Portraits.html

BISPP BLOG - bisppprophotoschool.blogspot.com

Manchester Arts Commisson - Meetings and Events Calendar:
http://www.manchesternh.gov/website/LeisureandEntertainment/ArtsCommission/CommissionEvents/tabid/1263/Default.aspx

Winners of The MAA Gallery's "2nd Annual New England Open Juried Photography Show"

2009-10-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

Hey, Check out this link to see some beautiful photography!

http://www.manchester-artists.org/html/maagallery_show0904.html

Dedication of The Bull

2009-10-13T06:22:00.001-07:00

We are delighted to invite you to the dedication of the hand-forged bronzed bull
recently donated to the City of Manchester on

Wednesday, October 14 at 10:00 AM

The dedication will take place at the east side of the Hands Across the Merrimack Bridge

The bull is a gift of the Alex Shapiro Charitable Trust to "commemorate Manchester's entrepreneurial tradition
as exemplified by the founders and employees of Granite State Packing Company and Jac Pac Foods"

For further information or any questions, please call Lee at Art 3 Gallery

Lee Forgosh
Art 3 Gallery, Inc.
44 West Brook Street
Manchester, NH 03101
603-668-6650
www.art3gallery.com

Next NH Creative Club MTG-Oct 20

2009-10-09T14:18:00.001-07:00

Hosted by Concord Litho
92 Old Turnpike Road, Concord, NH 03301

Tuesday, October 20th - 6 p.m. Social Hour, 7 p.m. Presentation

NHCC members & students: $5 - Non-members: $15

Join the New Hampshire Creative Club at Concord Litho for a tour of the
company's 225,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, and discover a
laboratory where complex print jobs come to life. Company representatives
will share some of the latest innovations in brewing up great printed work
for both their commercial business and their unique fundraising branch.

DIRECTIONS:
Take I93 to Exit 13 in Concord.
(Coming from the South) Turn right at the end of the exit.
(Coming from the North) Turn left at the end of the exit.
Proceed over the bridge and take a left onto Old Turnpike Road at the first set of lights. Concord
Litho is located about ¾ mile on the right side. Use the main entrance via the circular driveway in
front of the building (just past Terrill Park Drive + the Concord Litho sign on the lawn).

For more information call the NHCC Hotline: 603-382-5530
www.nhcreativeclub.org

All attendees will be entered to win Pantone's new
ColorMunki Create — the industry's hottest all-in-one
color solution.

2009-10-09T14:13:00.001-07:00

This is a test of my new Mobile Blog blogging system! COOL!

The Perkins Digital Art Gallery gets a new home!

2009-07-08T12:09:00.000-07:00

AND

My new photographic studio will also be the new home to “The Perkins Digital Art Gallery” once again, a gallery devoted to selling archival digital art on commission basis by artists who generate their artwork by 100% Digital means.

I am resurrecting the gallery I had when I ran Goodbrain® Academy...when you walk into the studio, it will be the Gallery that is seen first. I will have TWO rooms devoted to The Perkins Digital Art Gallery.

If anyone is interested in showing at the Gallery, whether it be now or in the future, please contact me and lets talk!

I plan to be open for business as soon as the end of July to beginning of August and an official launch is planned for the fall, with the hope that I'll be completely ready for a grand opening on the next Open Doors Manchester Arts & Cultural Trolley Night Sept 17th (otherwise, the secondary goal will be the November 12th Trolley event...).

Anyway, this is your pre invitation to our opening and I hope you can come!

Please save this date:
September 17, 2009 (5-8pm)

(The Open Doors Manchester Art and Cultural Trolley Tour is FREE to ride...trolley stops at other art and cultural venues...and the Langer Place building is one of the stops...there’s a ton of things that happen in the Langer Building on Trolley night, and I understand that anywhere from 2-300 people typically are in that building those nights...)

(Official Studio Name)

Goodbrain.com

Studio Location:
Langer Place
55 So. Commercial St.
3rd Floor if using East Entrance (main, Front Entrance)
4th floor if using South Entrance (rear, Side Entrance, facing Fischer Cat Ball Park)
Manchester, NH 03101
(yes, that’s fellow photographer Jeff Dachowski’s old studio space, he moved up by moving down to the first floor!!!)

I will continue to keep everyone posted as things continue to take shape over the next few months.

Thank You in advance for sharing my story with those you know who might be interested in highly artistic professional portraits or other photographic sessions, and for purchasing 100% DIGITAL ART (for their business locations or homes or gifts).

After 20 years of dreaming..I'm finally opening a new Photography Studio ...

2009-07-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd take a moment to say I hope EVERYONE had as much fun this past 4th of July weekend as we did! What BEAUTIFUL weather...and we took full advantage of it...three parties and a nice long motorcycle ride..first time in a month I've seen my Harley and it didn’t let me down!

I also want to share some SUPER EXCITING personal news with everyone - I signed a lease on a photo studio space last week (address below)! Yeah, it's finally a reality...20 years worth of dreaming and it's all starting to come together. For those who don't know, I've been a freelance portrait & commercial photographer for over 20 years, with my roots in Commercial and Stock (and it’s more likely that you know I’ve been in the graphic arts education arena since 1999 first with Pioneer Computer School, and then as Goodbrain® Academy).

Anyway, this is my first out-of-the-home studio space. I feel like I've only just begun to define myself as a photographer, so I'm sharing all this with you more from as an FYI (and I do appreciate any referrals!) I thought that it would be fun to blog about the whole process of how I launch my photo studio / digital art gallery, so this is what you are reading now...or the start of that whole thing...If anyone has any gently used posing furniture: like rolling posing stools or tables, unique chairs, lounge couch or garden patio style furniture for sale, or some 9ft paper backgrounds kicking around they want to get rid of...please let me know....)

My business has two parts: photo and art. I will be doing Lifestyle & Fine Art Portraiture (in studio natural light or flashed, and destination locations) and Commercial photographic work. My main goal is: photograph anything you can fit through my front door! LOL...Really, I'm focusing on Lifestyle portraiture and Commercial photo work. My "Bean Sprouts" lineup includes: newborns, infants, children's, teens, HS Seniors. My "Sexy Mama's" lineup includes: maternity, boudoir, engagement, and anniversary couples. My last product category doesn't have a 'marketing' name yet...any ideas? It includes: Fine art family portraiture (large print archival canvas and gallery wraps) and groups. I also do Group Events, like family reunions, birthday, anniversary and other types of parties, etc. (like i said, i've been shooting for 20 years,..I've photographed Team sports photos, model portfolios, High School Reunion groups of up to 300, militry groups, etc...

Here's a pre paint look at the new space! Click on any image to view it larger...

A Baby Boy, an infant photo session...3 weeks old!

2009-06-30T06:44:00.001-07:00

NH Creative Club Show '09 Winners Announced!

2009-06-25T06:14:00.000-07:00

Winners of 2009 NH Creative Club Annual Show honored

Images as captured by Kevin Harkins

A Public Awards Ceremony & Exhibit Opening Reception was held Tuesday, June 23, 2009 starting at 6 PM with the Awards Presentation starting at 7:30 PM. The event was held at the McIninch Art Gallery located at Southern NH University in the Robert Frost Hall at 2500 N. River Rd. in Manchester, NH. Refreshments were supplied by the Culinary School at SNHU and was excellent!

The NH Creative Club's Annual Show is New Hampshire's premier juried exhibition showcasing creative excellence from northern New England's graphic and web designers, videographers, copywriters, illustrators, photographers and students. Our distinguished panel of judges selected the most brilliant entries.

The winners in each category are:

Best of Show: Larry Dunn of Larry Dunn Photography

Best Advertising/Copywriting: Joe Hannaford of Hannaford Design

Best Design: Joe Hannaford of Hannaford Design

Best Illustration: Jeremy McHugh of McHugh Studios, Show '09 Chair

Best Photography: Larry Dunn of Larry Dunn Photography

Honorable Mention for Photography: Kevin Harkins of Kevin Harkins Photography

Best Student: Lauren Graziano; student at Southern New Hampshire University

Best Video: Chris Conroy of Heartwood Media, Inc., current NHCC President

Best Web/Interactive: Shaun Donnelly of Tangram 3DS

Complete list of finalists whose works were selected for the show by category:

Advertising/Copywriting:

Joe Hannaford of Hannaford Design

Sullivan Creative

Graphic Design:

BLACKCAPstudio

Concept Communications

Creative Co-Op LLC

Crown Design

Image Zoo Creative (iZoo)

Joe Hannaford of Hannaford Design

Southern New Hampshire University

Illustration:

Cameron Bennett

Image Zoo Creative (iZoo)

Jeremy McHugh of McHugh Studios

Jim Roldan Illustration

New Hampshire Local Government Center

Tangram 3DS

Photography:

Althea Haropulos Photography

Gerry Miles

Greg West Photography

Jerry Monkman - EcoPhotography

Kevin Harkins Photography

Larry Dunn Photography

Marcia Gardner

Student:

Brian Boshav/ Southern New Hampshire University

Deb Good/ Manchester Community College

Francis Aiken/ Southern New Hampshire University

Lauren Graziano/ Southern New Hampshire University

Yvette Bohn/ Manchester Community College

Video:

BLACKCAPstudio

Chris Conroy of Heartwood Media, Inc

Discovery Communications Group

Web/Interactive:

Creative Co-Op LLC/Silvertech Inc

J Maze Design

Tangram 3DS

Vital Design

The judges of this year's NH Creative Club Annual Show were:

Nicole Berard of Mullen Advertising

Susan Darbyshire of HCPro, Inc.

Jillifrances Gray of jfg.com

Andy Waldrop of Mediumbold,Inc and andywaldrop.com

The exhibition will run through July 23rd during normal gallery hours and is FREE to the public.

Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday - 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Closed Sundays, during university vacations, between shows and during the summer.

The New Hampshire Creative Club is a non-profit association of creative professionals in Northern New England, including graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, copywriters, desktop publishers, printers, videographers, and others in related fields. The Club serves as a creative forum for networking and professional development through its monthly meetings, panel discussions, presentations and workshops on timely topics relevant to professionals in the advertising and visual communications fields.

For more information about this event or New Hampshire Creative Club membership, please call the NHCC hotline at 603-382-5530 or visit us online at www.nhcreativeclub.org | P.O. Box 3425 Manchester, NH 03105

Or contact: Crystal Nadeau | New Hampshire Creative Club Vice President/PR

Thank God It's Stopped Raining!

2009-06-25T06:12:00.000-07:00

Here's a bit of fun...in my backyard this morning!

Enjoy...

Winners Declared at the New Hampshire Creative Club’s “Iron Design” Competition Wrap Up by Lisa Landry of Print Savvy

2009-05-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

Click here for a Linkedin.com message from event coordinator - and awesome caterer! - Lisa Landry, owner of Print Savvy in Manchester, NH. (if you are not a member on Linkedin.com already, you will be asked to create a free login id)

This is a Great article that goes along with the images I posted from NHCC's 3rd Annual Iron Design festivities!

We hope to see you at NHCC's Iron Design NEXT year! Are you a designer or head up a design team that would like to be one of next years competitors then let us know by emailing me or anyone one of the Steering Committee members!

What's that, your not currently a member of the NH Creative Club...so you won't be notified when it happens again? Well, that's easily remedied...just click here to go to the Members page and we'll get you started!

10 great Iron Design Images

2009-05-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

And the winner is.....drum roll please....

The Marketing All Stars!

yeah!

have fun and I’ll blog to everyone from the road!

Crystal

Fwd: NHCC - 3rd Annual Iron Design competition is underway!

2009-05-19T17:05:00.000-07:00

Subject: NHCC - 3rd Annual Iron Design competition is underway!

I am trying this for the first time...emailing an entry directly to my blog! Cool, eh? Technology...what would we do without it?!

I'll try to attach a photo or two as well...if anyone gets this, let me know if it worked!

I'll send another email after we all vote via text-tonight (...just like American Idol- GO ADAM!!!) and tell you the results!

The teams- Calypso Communications, Timberland & a group of non associated design and marketing professionals.

The challenge- a very special line of fashion...the three teams had 4 specific criteria to follow... And they now have 30 minutes left to come up with a marketing plan and designed materials...then they'll have 20 minutes to present to the crowd of about 90.

Where's Alton Brown? We need a commentator. LOL.

Sent from my iPhone.
Crystal Nadeau

NHPPA Annual Conference - What a RIDE!

2009-05-04T14:05:00.001-07:00

Please enjoy this 9 minute slideshow of members of NHPPA having a GREAT time during our 'Fabulous 50's' themed event...hope you will consider joining us next year!

Destination Portraiture - Cancun, Mexico 04/09

2009-04-22T10:45:00.001-07:00

Nichelle, model

Cancun baby!

2009-04-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

So, how do you make a trip to some exotic destination become a tax write off? Well, I'm glad you asked! That's just what I did recently. So, you want to know more? It's easy where photography is concerned...and while I don't profess to know tax code laws inside and out...it IS possible.

Above is a slideshow of a DESTINATION PORTRAIT SESSION I made certain to complete while on my most recent excursion to Cancun Mexico. Business completed during the course of my trip...now it's a business expense. So, the trick now, to get PAID to do it! Thanks to my model, Nichelle! She was a peach! ;>)

Bobbi Slavin's -"Warren's Book"

2009-04-02T15:30:00.001-07:00

View Project at Shutterfly

I spent this past week at NEIPP...New England Institute of Professional Photography

2009-04-02T10:28:00.001-07:00

Hey! What an awesome week I've had, so far!

I have been attending NEIPP this week, taking classes with Doug Box, from Texas Photography school...and have learned a lot!

The photo of me was taken by my classmate professional photographer Terry Norris! What do you think?

Did we learn how to use our tools, or what! I LOVE this image of myself...and I HATE most photos of me!

I'll be making an Animoto movie soon, but I've uploaded a few images to wet your whistle!

Enjoy
Crys

NEIPP 2008

2009-03-21T11:58:00.001-07:00

Enjoy! I'll be headed to NEIPP this year in Hyanis in just a few weeks!

Internet Marketing - The Topic of last nights NH Creative Club event!

2009-03-12T09:19:00.001-07:00

WARNING! This is a long post...but SO WORTH the read...

Wow! Last night was a great meeting! It was good to see you! OR..So sorry you missed it!
The NH Creative Club met at this little venue in Portsmouth called 'The Pearl', which is a church, re-purposed. A great find for any small function. Check out their website at portsmouthpearl.com. The meeting was sponsored by Print Savvy and The Pearl.

Our 3 guest speakers were awesome! The event started off with Brett Houle of Sendlabs.com; next up was Sean Owen of Wedü; (sidebar…Congrats to Sean on being one of the top “40 under 40” being honored at last nights Manchester Young Professionals Network event…which he had to miss because of the NHCC event…we are honored he chose us! Thanks for supporting the club Sean!) and last but definitely not least, was Traci Bisson, of Bisson Barcelona and, Lisa Landry of Print Savvy was the most excellent MC!

So, based on what I heard and then saw when I first entered the building (the noise, the crowd, the beer, OH MY! ) I'd say our first event utilizing the Sendlabs.com Email Campaign was a HUGE success! There were easily 90 people in the building at 6:20 PM and we were able to be prepared ahead as we had a pretty good upfront idea of who would be attending because of RSVPs! You know, RSVPs may be an old way to plan a party...but so MANY of us don't use it in our own business practices...and we wonder why we are frustrated when no one shows up! (Hey, you can try Evite.com for a simple online invitation solution too...I've had good success promoting my personal photographic exhibitions using them...)

Anyway, I see it as a great return for the NHCC. Now, of course, the topic of “Internet Marketing” is also a draw in and of itself, AND we hadn't been up in Portsmouth for a few meetings, so that could have been a factor itself as well…
So, my thoughts of the evening - it was a HIT! Two Thumbs Up to everyone involved!

Some images from last night, taken by professional photographer & long time member Kevin Harkins! harkinsphotography.com

And here's a 30 Second Commercial from a NHCC Print Sponsor:
RAM Printing is hosting their Annual Spring Paper Show
April 15th | 10-12pm | at the Red Hook Brewery in Portsmouth, NH
Includes a Complimentary lunch and beverages
Please RSVP directly to RAM Printing

Here's some gems from the event speakers:

Brett says:
Email has highest ROI - Drives sales
#1 driver to top 40 online retail stores…a positive brand experience.
#2…Email campaigns, but, only if done right!
If you are a freelance or agency creative professional you are already 80-90% there. Offer Email promotions as a service to your clients NOW. Approach your clients who are doing direct mail in traditional manners and incorporate Email into the mix. Best reasons why? It provides track-able results. It’s measurable, cost effective, immediate & relevant.

Some Email Promotion Ideas include:
• Email newsletters – provide relevant content, links, subscribe…
• Product announcements/launches
• Special offers
• Press Releases
Keep this in mind: “What’s in it for me?” That’s what your client is going to ask! It’s about what’s relevant to the WHO you are talking to. Are you inspiring new ideas or better ways to work, helping them grow their business, etc…

Brett’s Email Marketing “Quick Strategy” Tips
• Double opt in – best (see #4 below)
• Integrate email opt in into your clients web strategy
• Create RELEVANT content
• Segmentation-laser focus on WHO you are talking to… (categorize the customer base)
• Drop the word e “blast” from your vocabulary…it’s an email campaign, or promotion….or “focused email communications…”
• Personalize - use their names creatively in the offer, message content, really TALK to them…
• Use humor – dogs are good…babies are another consideration…people like to have fun, but keep it relevant and professional…
• Experiment-with offers, subject line, copy, approach…compare A to B for performance results…
• Integrate - Email campaigns work best when as a combined effort! Include with print campaigns as well…
• Don’t buy lists!!! Make your own, keeps ROI on the up and up…keeps the personal relationship topic alive…
• Simple is better…don’t write a book…tease them and provide links to “the rest of the story…”

Brett offers Action items:
1. Read “email marketing an hour a day” by Jeannie Mullen
2. Go NOW (hehe) to Sendlabs.com/nhcc for copy of his presentation
3. See their “Email Marketing Best Practices” Blog at Sendlabs.com
4. And, from my personal experience with subscribing to their services as of just this morning…My Own Tip to put into your strategy: be sure to tell them to “…add us to your whitelist!” (them = a trial customer) This is done in an additional email that is sent to them after they confirmed they want to be subscribed). This is reminds them to add you to their address book and as a safe recipient list, so it doesn’t get caught in a Spam Filter…sendlabs.com/whitelist (it IS ok to guide the customer)

Sean says:
Wedü / They offer Usend data software for clients…

The Reality-The Internet is a fad!
NOT!

Q. So, why is digital-everything so hot?
A. Web 2.0, social medias, viral campaigns, banner or teaser ads, consumer influence campaign, and more.

Sean’s Email Marketing 4 Stage Concept:
• Start with a “Lethal” Attraction (your product/service)…
• Engage (they look…awesome design helps engage)…
• Respond (you see they bought x, so tell them “we recommend this which goes with that other x product you were interested in…”, think Amazon)…
• Commit.- helps the transaction happens at a more PERSONLIZED level…

THIS IS WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION!
DO YOU PURL?
P-url is: A personalized URL included on a direct mail piece (web or printed)…a web address that is usually a vanity URL with someone’s NAME in it….typically takes a potential customer to a landing page that asks them more questions…thus creating a more personalized experience, and designed to get YOU information about who THEY are, and what their interests are, etc…then using personalization in your responders and you are on your way to creating a relationship with them!

Personalized URL marketing campaigns turn offline to online in a big way!
P-url ROI’s – Sean has seen increases from 10% up to 30% over traditional promotions!

Sean’s campaign strategies include:
• mass customization (I think this was about market segmenting…segmenting allows for more campaigns over all to be used…I’m sure there’s more to it…)
• personalization with versioning (let me see – I think this was the ability to personalize a campaign using customer name, being sent from one company with multiple sales reps {which is the versioning part}…ask Sean to clarify further...)
• personalized customization (you’ll have to ask him…I have no idea what this was about…LOL! Information overload at this point…they were talking so fast…I couldn’t keep up! Who’s idea was it anyway to only give them 15 minutes to talk! Just kidding…)
• 1:1 (…hmmm, wonder what this was all about? Oh well…if you know, let me know!)
Basically – Sean is talking about “change content” personalization practices…sending responders based on some previous activity that occurred between them and you…

Social networks - are a great way to make exclusive offers and to receive valuable feedback…make your specials different between the various social networks you utilize…engage them specially…don’t feel like you need to have the same topic OR the same customer everywhere you are…it’s ok to have separate groups of relationships!

AND

Traci says: BLOG IT BABY!
Overview of Blogging
• What is a blog? Online journal, a tool for reaching out to customers and prospect, an outlet for expressing views (takes 2-3 years to make money using blogging)
• Is blogging right for you? Are you a writer, social, creative, consistent! (give it a mission and then fulfill the mission) Are you honest? Are you willing to learn? New stuff all the time…investigate the stuff to add to your blog…
• How to start a blog? Find a provider, blogger.com, wordpress.com, typepad.com, lifejournal.com. Design and “Widget-ize” it, write a few posts, then be SURE TO SYNDICATE at feedburner.com or feedblitz.com, AND Add Google analytics…
• Creating awareness of your blog? REGISTER at Technorati (blog search engine…you don’t open a store and sit back to hope someone comes shopping…right?) Share it via social bookmarking, subscribe to other blogs and leave comments, use social networks such as Twitter to gain awareness and invite visitors…(micro blog. HEY - Did you see Ellen’s show today? SHE’s Twittering just as of today and she’s hoping to get 1 million Tweats…see her website to get on board…see how fast it can work?????).
• AGAIN, this is worth the price of admission! Use tools like Peter Shankman's HARO for reaching out, ask other bloggers for content for your blog, offer contests and giveaways, subscriber to win, offer reviews of products, services, etc. then they’ll reach out to you as the expert, invite conversation, polls, etc…(let me know if there are other ways you use it that aren’t here….please!)
• Traci’s Blog example-Themomentrepreneur.blogspot.com (share this blog button - www.addthis.com…for free blog buttons & widgets), HP printer contest (send this link to your friends…) ,
• Invite them to ‘Join the support group!!!’ Link…if free…money made indirectly…
• Make the blog mobile – iPhones, blackberry’s etc
• “Take our badge ad and add it to your site” - offer the code for the badge for this to happen easily…
• Create an “I recommend this “ section…win win…
• Badge ads…that Links to affiliate programs
• A section that has “Live feed to your other blogs” into your blog..that way, it updates when you update another blog automatically…(inquire at Traci’s blog to see an example of this…Themomentrepreneur.blogspot.com
• A badge (ad) “Get my blog as a widget from widgetbox”
• Feedjit widget – see visually where your readers are around the globe!
• Don’t forget your contact information on the page!
• Feed shares at the bottom of all posts…(see Traci’s blog for this…not sure how to describe it…)
• Social networking sites aid in building an online community…Where is your target market online? Twitter, linkedin? facebook? Create groups…a way to bring your audience together for private discussions…different from a forum…
• Create Squidoo lenses (need more input…)
• Post articles in online directories (write what you know about…Squidoo mentioned, still need clarification…)
• Use hellotxt.com for reaching most networks with updates (goes to many blogs)
• Incorporate video with YouTube.com, (or how about Animoto.com…one of my personal favorite sites!)

THE END!
(Feel free to leave comments and add or retract any of this information. I was not trying to write word for word, although it may seem that way if you were there…So, WAS it worth the read??? I do hope this is helpful to you. Blame the speakers if it wasn't! LOL)

Till Next Time! TGIF...tomorrow that is!
:>)
Crystal

So much for the Bahamas!

2009-03-02T19:19:00.000-08:00

Well...today, I measured 11 inches of SNOW on my back deck...

this just two days after I got home from the sunny warm Bahamas! I knew it was going to snow...yet I came home. What was I thinking?! LOL Here's another look at what I left behind...

...so anyway, it's been two days since I spent an entire week away at BISPP (Bahama International School of Professional Photography) with 16 of some of the most talented pro photographers I've ever had the pleasure to know! We spent the week getting to know each other, and I spent a great deal of personal time listening, and learning and photographing and just working so hard on my photographic skills and thinking in depth about what I want my business to look like.

In the past 6 months, I feel deeply that I have arrived at a different plateau with regard to my image creating skill level...I can 'see the light', so to speak. NO, don't laugh! it's true. I find it hard to go anywhere and just be there. I see light, quality photographic light, everywhere. Thank goodness my cell phone has a decent quality camera! It lets me take images anywhere...some day, i'll post a couple of my favorites here. And I'm no longer shy about asking someone to be photographed in it as before. So, if I look at that honestly, I'd say it means I'm pretty close to gaining the momentum I need to propell me forward into my photographic self. How exciting!

I LOVE that. I think it's weird that I recognize it, but I do love the knowing!

So, now, the next step...I opened a competition print today (didn't notice it was here...) and was WOWed for sure...my image, treated by another award winning print maker (Jonathan Penney) and he has prepared my image for the upcoming NHPPA competition in April.

Speaking of print competition...man, if you have ever wanted to view 200+ top level professional images at once, you have to make time to come see the print display at the North Conway Grand Hotel...visit the NHPPA.com website to view the registration pdf or for more information on attending the print exhibit (specific times and dates) email me.

Enjoy the snow...and the beautiful light!

Crys

Self Portrait - Class Assignment

2009-02-27T06:30:00.001-08:00

Here's mine!

Stay tuned...for more images and story to be posted after i get back to the states!

Headed to downtown Nassau, and the Straw markets for a little bit of R & R!

Enjoy the day!
Crys

More from Bahama International School of Professional Photography week...

2009-02-26T06:18:00.003-08:00

So, what do you think of this image? it's a slice of a view to the left of our resort. The effect? NOT ONE Photoshop filter was used! Whaaat?! How can that be, you ask? I used Adobe Lightroom solely to create the effect. Email me and i'll tell you how!

Anyway, today, M. Photog., Cr. (Master Photographic Craftsman - PPA designations) Photographer Instructor Don Chick, Rochester NH is going to work with us on our posing and lighting techniques!

Gotta go...stay tuned. Will post more images later today...
Crystal

Hi from BISPP!

2009-02-23T07:01:00.000-08:00

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by my blog. You look great!

I am currently sitting in class at the Bahama International School of Professional Photography!

its about 72 degrees and much warmer than New England for sure!

Check out the BISPP website to learn more...and think about joining us here next year...

...photos coming soon, as we begin shooting today!

Just back from PPA Convention....way cool event!

2009-01-23T14:12:00.000-08:00

Hey, if you are wondering, this video was produced by some excellent new Web based slide show software by Animoto. Check it out and tell them I sent you! (please!)

If you have ever wanted to be INSPIRED by other professional photographers, this IS the event for you! I just attended, for the first time, ImagingUSA, the annual PPA Convention that was held this year in Phoenix, AZ from January 9th to the 14th. What a trip! Picture it: 73 degrees. Sunny. Dry. Certainly a nice departure from snow dumps and the 15 below temperatures that were going on here in Manchester, NH at that same time!

Anyway, I went there with the intention to offer myself as a volunteer in an effort to learn about what it meant to be at the PPA convention and, I'll admit, for some behind the scenes hob nobbing, of course. Boy, did they put me to work! I worked hard for 4 days straight (never saw my mom, who went with me, except for a few moments each evening and morning, when she was carting my butt back and forth to the convention center). I was barely able to get a moment to capture some images of the whole scene. BUT I ALSO got to see all the speakers I wanted and then some, and shake hands and talk with some of the top professional photographers today! Like Jay Stock, Don MacGregor, Tim & Bev Walden, Sandy Puc, Doug Box, Hanson Fong, and a whole bunch of others!

It's an awesome thing to be able to meet some of the top professional photographers in the county, NEVER MIND being able to take lessons and learn from them! But, I must say, the BIGGEST highlight for me, was that our Keynote Speaker was the one and only Anne Geddes and to boot, she spoke to me on MY birthday! What a nice present she gave me...and she didn't even know it...LOL! She had a book signing event in the afternoon, and I was able to have her sign my copy of PPA magazine as well as have my photo taken with her (on my iPhone, thus the image quality could be a little better) and that was VERY exciting for me!
(sidebar: As she was speaking that night, I began to think back and realized that she got started right about the same time as I did! She in 1985, I in 1987. And I also remembered when her first product's hit the streets...how I studied her work and wanted to make beautiful images of babies and children in the same manner! And low and behold, now, I DO! (refer to the black and white image of a baby lower in this post...)

Eventually, I"ll be posting some of my early portrait work that was inspired by her (before the days of digital, so I have to find the prints and do some scanning. Don't hold your breath! You can tell I don't work this blog daily...) So, she to ok me to thoughts of my earliest clients. I thought of a child I had photographed annually for the first 6 years of his life, Brandon. His first session was at 6 months old, and he was dressed in a baseball shirt and cap! He could just hold himself up, and I placed him on a bean bag with a light background! Boy, he was cute! His mom stopped bringing him to me once he started school (bummer), but we continued to communicate via Christmas cards annually for awhile. I haven't gotten one in a few years now, since they moved away from the area...he's at least 16 or so years old now...wonder where and how they/he are/is...maybe she'll find this blog...sigh!)

Well, anyway, I hope that fellow photographers who are ready to take their images to the top will join me either locally at the NHPPA monthly meetings (NHPPA.com), at a PPANE convention (PPANE.com), at NEIPP (NEIPP.com) or even next years ImagingUSA (PPA convention) in Nashiville, TN! Yee Ha!

View my images at Digital Photo Pros Web Forum

2008-10-22T10:12:00.001-07:00

Click here to visit digitalphotopros.com, and I invite you to join if you are an aspiring, professional or admirer of photography!

We have a theme contest each month, and this month is Motion. We are only allowed to enter one image. Let me know what you think about mine...it's called "Going Vertical". While it doesn't appear to be found using the search field yet, it's probably because the months competition hasn't officially closed yet...and it's part of the moderator's posting thread...you might be able to find it once you join...There is no fee to join, but I get 'kudo's' for any referred new member!

I also have a image called "Catching Air"...and some other recent portrait and wedding work I've completed.

Hope to see some of you there.

Enjoy!

What's new or better in Adobe CS 4

2008-10-22T10:01:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been so long since i've posted anything. I guess I didn't have anything of great interest to share...until now!

Last night was the October meeting of the NH Creative Club.
Below is NOT a list of ALL new features, but a smattering of what was shown to us by Tim, the Adobe presenter. I was trying to follow along AND type pertinent info into my tiny little iPhone keypad...so some notes are cryptic...but use the topic as the heading for a search topic...all in all-the presentation was very good, and Adobe rules!

Adobe® Bridge updates/improvements to:
... Ratings, Keywords, File name Batch changing, etc.
... Metadata managable inside Bridge on all assets, Ai, InDesign, etc.
... Opens faster

Adobe® Photoshop (PS) updates/improvements to:
Camera RAW
New tools-Zooming function updated, now rotates view
Go to Window>Application Frame- helps keep palettes together.. in all apps
...new - Tabbed open documents, like tab broswer windows.
...new - Transform: content aware scaling – you can make selection(s) and save them to use as a "protected" area while scaling...saves image from becoming distorted.
...new - Edit>Auto Align Layers
...new - Edit>Auto blend layers. Uses something akin to HDR processing techniques to enable multy layer blending of one image with varying depth of fields so you end up with one properly focused image...
...new - Ai now available as a plug in to PS
...new - Vector Smart Object-3d object rendering
...new - In Ai - recolor artwork from within ps
Adjustment layers - new Adjustment Panel (lives with Masks Panel).
Refined mask options...Moves you away from working in quickmask...Which should speed you up!

Adobe® Illustrator (Ai):
...new - actual Multi Page support!!! Called “multiple art boards”, art boards visible on one space, yet independently functioning items... Allows for Indesign insertion workflow corrections. It asks which artboard to place. No longer turning on/off layers in Ai doc to make it act like a page layout doc.
adjustments - Smart guides – extremely beneficial not only for the information they show you, but the more you keep them on, the quicker you'll be able to get to the object u need when selecting something within a multi object image.
adjustments - Gradient tool modified...way cool functionality added onto the line that’s visible when you actually drag out the gradient...
...new - Blob brush-paint away and it will create the bezier paths and points. Akin to live trace technology to create paths around color that’s painted.

Adobe® InDesign (Indd):
(most of the fixes are production based...)
Quark/ you’ll have to back save a current QXP doc to QXP 4 in order for InDesign to natively open the file.
Now can generate a .Idml file - a truly XML file version of an Indd file
Thumbnails Page Layout views generated much faster. introduced In cs3, but was way slower.
Greater Benefit in Indd using “PS Layers” activated. Translated = only 1 PS file to manage, while having many Indd versions simply by turning PS layers on and off inside InDesign. Since individual layers can be turned on or off, there’s no need to keep multiple PS versions of the same image.
Great Benefit to using Smart Guides - shows aligning guides and “previos placed image size” set up on placing of multiple images. Green line indicates horizontal (or vertical or diagonal or whatever) aligning is same...before you let go to place it on the location needed...
...new - Command + shift + drag the File>Place cursor (Tim called it a “Place gun”) when it’s been loaded with multiple images (when you use Place command you can bring in more than one image at time) to create a Contact sheet style page of all items in the place "gun"...use the short cut to click and drag and place...
...updates - Links palette - resolutions and other columns of file data can be viewed and actually used.
...new - Type - Cross Refrencing using style sheets. Can create character styles on the fly within cross ref dialog box.
...new - Conditional Text using style sheets- ie US price vs. England price...for style sheet type changing of content
...new - GREP Paragraph styles- use to apply paragraph and character styles to specific text, words or phrases.
...new - File>Export Dreamweaver. Allows you to export as set Flash .swf files.
...new - Buttons Library-Go To Window>Interactive>Buttons...for making workable web links prior to exporting web page layouts...no coding needed!
...new - Go To Window>Output>Preflight Panel- for use AS your working on the file, not JUST after it's gone to press, where it might get kicked back because you didn’t do all your pre-flighting properly, more comprehesive.

Adobe® Flash:
Animation model-easier. Place a Library> Movie Clip on stage. Select & right click > Create Motion Tween. Move it as desired. Done. Play animation.
Motion presets - Motion editor allows for more precise editing of the animation.
Bone tool
Deco tool

*Suggestion: become a “Adobe Print Service Provider” program member - for discounted updates on versions @ $500/yr, you get two licenses- one for each platform...and Unlimited free tech support

*To view awesome stuff, Go To
Adobe® Creative Suite Video Podcasts
Bridge Home> Adobe TV

*While he’s not going to give you complete Tech support, Tim said you are welcome to email questions about the new stuff at:
Timothyp@adobe.com

...the REST of my life...started years ago!

2008-05-27T05:30:00.000-07:00

I just watched a great movie this morning..."Vitrus".

It was about a boy prodigy, piano player. A great inspirational flick! Two thumbs up, as Siskel and Ebert would have said!

It spoke to me loud and clear, When I am ready to fly, I WILL! and, in the words of one of my best friends, "I'm ok with that!"

So, I am home today, after about 3 weeks of off and on traveling and photographic workshops and such and am gone again tomorrow for another 10 days! Headed to California to witness the high school graduation of my first neice, Alyssa and hopefully witness the reunion of my sister and brother. So, with my mom, we'll visit with our family there...Lisa and her family in Folsom (outside of Sacramento) and my other brother Daryl (hehe, if you chuckled at this one, you are showing your age!) and his lovely young family...I expect to be taking lots of photos, while some will be for historic purposes (family) lots of others will be for me.

This July, we head to Croatia for our 'other world' trip...can't wait to see what that's going to be like! Territory Ahead catalog recently showcased beautiful photography from this country...although I can't remember what issue it was...i'll have to try to find out...

Here's a link to some of my latest images...
http://www.goodbrain.com/Clients/Bedell%20Beach%20Family/

Let me know if you would like me to photograph your family this year...beach or wherever...have lights, will travel!I am very affordable.

So, in the mean time, enjoy this image of baby Lily, in my 'Anne Geddes wanna-be" shot.

And this lovely spring we are having here!

Day 2...of the rest of my life!

2008-03-25T03:51:00.000-07:00

So, I've been pretty busy since I created this blog. I've been working on my portfolio of photographic stock images, (that consists of moving all my images from Lightroom on one machine to my newer Lightroom on my brand new Mac Pro Intel Quad Core super duper machine!) and have had two photo related clients. One is photographing some beautiful handcrafted artisan jewelry for web purposes. To view a slideshow of 35 images go to goodbrain.com And then feel free to hire me to do your web product photography!

The other was a maternity/family photo session.

In thinking about what I want to do with this blog, I decided that I will use it to share with others my love of photography. I have made the decision that I will use this time in my life to do my own learning...since July 07 I've been happily retired (not by choice, but I don't have any regrets...), took 6 months to do nothing except hang out with my doggy in the woods and at the beach and reflect..then came the holidays...and here we are!

My time spent walking outside daily in the woods around our area lake allowed me to really get into my head and evaluate myself as a creative person, as an artist. I have spent a lot of volunteer hours with my favorite organizations: The NH Creative Club, the NH Professional Photographers of America, the Manchester Art Association and most recently, the Art on the Wall at City Hall Gallery and Manchester Art Commission.

So, what does all this mean to you? Well, nothing I guess, except that it allowed me to realize that I have a lot to share. I worked in photo retail for over 10 years...I loved every moment of it. Learning and then teaching others the how to's of taking great photos. I watched my customers excel in their craft...have some friends for over 20 years who are award winning and nationally renown...and now, I think it's time for me to get with the program and make a name for myself.

Its funny, when I look back over who my photographic clients have been and how they came to be a client, I realize that it's true, everything happens for a reason and you will get what you need at the right time!

So, with all that said, I'm going to go have a cup of coffee, and keep culling and correcting the jewelry images I took yesterday...and finish photographing the other 50 or so more pieces...and then, I'll share the images with you. I have put a sample on this post...stay tuned!

Oh yeah, I will try to make this blog have something worth reading about in the future...I've decided that I will share tips and tricks related to great photographs and graphic design including how to print better and what's an f-stop kind of stuff, and you may even get some digital scrap-booking topics now and again, as I love that too! I can't promise it will be weekly, but it will be at least once per month.

Watch Ellen Degeneress! She's awesome!!!

Today is the first day of the rest of my life!

2008-03-04T10:20:00.001-08:00

Hey there world!

So, I have jumped on the band wagon...and have started this blog.

Not sure what I'll put here over time, but I would imagine it will be a place where I'll be able to connect with other photographers, graphic designers, web designers, fine artisans, writers (like my mom Linda Joy) and other creative individuals.

I love to be inspired...looking at others artwork across the web inspires me to get my own portfolio in process...which I am doing now...I do have a place where you are able to see some of my work, it's called digitalphotopros.com (It's a membership site, but it's free to join...and there are some wonderful photographers who post images to that site, so hopefully you will join it and browse...)

As I start posting my work on various web sites, I'll use this blog to tell the world, then you can all flock to see my work, and then tell me what a good job I did! (hehe)

Well, this is all I have time for today...gotta run off to a dental appointment!