Hey Bill...

just an update for all those who care - no new black eyes to speak of (if you have no clue what I'm talking about, go back to the archives and look at the beginning of May 2007 :)) . But in other exciting news, I did do another family shoot over the weekend. It was a bit sunny, a lot cold and good fun! This is the G. Family. I had a blast taking their pictures.

I also am now using a new gallery host called, Image Quix. For me, this is an ideal gallery host because I am able to fulfill orders via whatever lab I choose. I am also more in control of the %'s taken out. I loved Pictage, but I needed a online gallery more tailored to suit my range of sessions, not just weddings. Of course, I am capable of doing weddings with this online viewing gallery, the same as with Pictage. Long story short, on the photographer's side of the gallery - this company fits my needs better and I'm excited to get going on it!

So, without further adieu - The G. Family!

Laughable

I just have to say that my absense from the technology world has been really difficult and really good for me. I am addicted. It's true. I am willing to admit it. When there's down time...my first thought is to check out email accounts, work on my portfolio, whatever...but online. So, going to Greer, Arizona was a serious trek for me in the fact that not only was there no computers, no internet, but even my cell phone didn't get reception out there. So, aside from my mom and sister Brooke - along with her kids and my kids...it was really quiet. But there was plenty to do there and now that I'm back - there is plenty to catch up on. It's nutty how things just keep on running.

Last night I went to our Denver PUG meeting and had a great time chatting it up with all the great members of Pictage that are around the Denver area. It was a good time. I love being there because I feel like not only do I get to rub shoulders with some great photographers, but I get to learn from what they have done in the past and what they look to do for the future. Not that I am not thinking about the business constantly because I feel like I do - but you really get interuppted in your thought process a lot as a mom. I'm not complaining though. I honestly do welcome the interuptions!

Anyway, I just wanted to post some images of the dance studio pictures I took last week. I think they were really cute!

PUGS!!!

Nope, not the adorable dogs that I would actually consider owning simply because of their squished face and ridiculous sounding breathing style...no, this was a Pictage Users Group meeting and it was awesome! Okay, so for the longest time I have wanted to find a way to meet photographers around the area and get to know them, to establish some kind of relationship so that we could communicate without making me look like a stalker. Being able to ask questions and share information is priceless in this business and with leaders like Becker and Jasmine Star setting the trend of being willing to share what they know and have learned with others, how can photographers not want to join in this circle of sharing? (sound like kindergarden...that circle of sharing bit) Anyway, I went to the PUG meeting last night at Blake Street Tavern and was a bit apprehensive of how I would be received, if it would already be a tight knit group or what...but, I was really pleasantly surprised to run into so many great people...and photographers.

Some I met were Amanda Tipton, James Christianson, Tori Thorp, Katie Van Buren, Travis Broxton, Melissa Rich, and Alison Williams. What a pleasure to meet each of these individuals. I sincerely look forward to getting to know and work with them in the future!

I am a new member of Pictage. Any photographers out there that happen to be reading this - go check out the March Madness promotion. You get a FREE Willowbook album. They are leather bound and fabulous. Much like Zookbinders which I absolutely love and have used since we started our business 3 years ago. Anyway, the best part about Pictage is that there is no contract, you stay as long as you like and you use it to its full ability. They are also really CLASSY - meaning they send prints and everything else in really nice black boxes lined with tissue paper etc. I mean, that's good stuff that I don't have to account for. The other thing is that they charge a commission of 10% on client orders to cover the cost of the "extras" that make it classy and to cover the fees for accepting credit cards. But, they don't have an e-commerce fee or CC fee (which for the company we use is 18% of what we make). Plus, they advertise for us and that's great too. Can't complain about free advertising. Right? Anyway, just wanted to give a shout out to anyone looking to streamline their business and get a great album for free.