There is A LOT of arguing going on between these two photographers as they work together. As someone who works alone, I wonder how having to consult with another professional for every shot would affect my demeanor…..but am I being too confident in saying I would not be acting like this? One question that keeps popping into my mind as I watch – what amount of talent makes inappropriate behavior acceptable? Is it ever acceptable? It think the answer comes in the revelation that Klinko and Indrani are drowning in bankruptcy and debt.

This is a valuable lesson. We have all heard stories about those talented photographers that sit alone in empty studios, and then about those that might not be as technically gifted but they have more clients they can handle. This show proves the point that running a successful photography business, whether portrait of commercial, takes more than knowing how to create a great image. And while I’m awestruck by the fantastic images and how they are using all that expensive equipment, more than anything, this show confirms for me the importance of conducting yourself professionally while you work. That might be the greatest lesson ever.

MaryAnn Talamo | Custom Digital Images

Pair several shades of green with crisp white and you have a classic, yet fresh look that will be amazing on walls– including those that are still just plain beige!

I’ve been on the hunt for a new rug for my living room. Like usual, I don’t know exactly what I want, but I am confident I will “know it when I see it” (and can only hope it won’t be $2000 for a 5×8 rug!)  I was intrigued, however, by the multitude of color configurations and let that intrigue inspire this month’s Color Inspiration post:

I found the answer to my on-line correspondence prayer in Mad Mimi – www.madmimi.com – a really cool, easy to use, online marketing tool.

I use it in two ways -  Email list correspondence (aka – online newsletter) and also for individual client communications where a form letter is needed. (Note, I don’t use it for general day-to-day correspondence with clients.)

For the individual form letter correspondence,  I have several templates set up and simply clone the template and make customizations for the client I am sending it to.

I use it for:

1.  Formal confirmation of the session date/time to the client and link them to my Client Portal website that has pertinent information about how to prepare for their session and my detailed product catalog. CLICK HERE FOR SAMPLE

2. Follow -up confirmation a few days before their session.

3. Post-session email with a quick peak at a one image (generally sized 200×300 px with watermark), personalized “Thank you” and “Next Steps”. Also includes a “Product Spotlight” to remind them of the products we discussed at their session. CLICK HERE FOR SAMPLE

4. Online ordering information once their gallery is activated

So if you are looking for a way to take your client communication to the next level, I encourage you to explore Mad Mimi to see if it’s right for you!

We have all seen them – amazing photographs created with a little help from textures.

So what ARE textures exactly? Textures add an additional level of dimensionality to a photograph.  Textures are often used to make newer photos look a little worn, dingy, scratched up, weathered, etc.  They can be used to add color where no color exists (ie: a blown out sky could benefit from the addition of texture).  The trick to achieving a great effect with the help of textures is to choose a photograph that has just a slight variation in tonality and texture.  When you choose to overlay a texture over an image you simply drag & drop the texture layer onto the photograph you wish to enhance and change the layer mode (my favorite is to change to OVERLAY but MULTIPLY, SCREEN and SOFT LIGHT sometimes work well, I encourage you to play with the layer modes to come up with some cool combos!).   Textures that are overwhelming (loads of contrast or a big mix of high low texturizing) can be difficult to manipulate on top of a photo unless it’s already a busy shot with texture of its’ own.  For my client work I tend to prefer subtle textures that enhance an already strong image with a toning, burnt or hazy effect.

Take for example this texture – the texture image used to lay over the top of the photo is a black & white manipulated texture I created myself.  I used a combination of photographic techniques with Photoshop manipulation to create this texture so that it produces just a hint of texture and increases contrast in certain areas producing an almost burnt edge effect.  I used my Isle Of Palm Sandstorm texture here (the texture is based on some sand I photographed then later manipulated):

See the subtle nature of the texture as it highlights the background?  I took my time erasing back my focal point (in this case this beautiful little girl) to produce a nicely finished image, I don’t particularly love texture going over focal points unless I am trying for a dreamy effect which I do on occasion.

I’m offering up the Isle of Palms texture as a freebie giveaway for the next couple of days…feel free to share this tutorial with your friends – this link will only be downloadable for the next week!  Enjoy!  (file is called ISLEOFPALMSMONOSANDSTORM.jpg).  If it opens in a browser window then go ahead and just save to whatever part of your hard drive you’d like it to save to.

DOWNLOAD

FINALLY…So how do you make textures? That’s the easy part!  The simplest and most common way is to find common everyday flat surfaces and photograph them.  For my own meanderings into the world of texture I enjoy surfaces as diverse as driveways, pathways, brick, stone and all sorts of other crazy odd surfaces (I once photographed a raindrop laden, glass covered backlit restaurant menu on the famous Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas – it’s one of my favorite of all textures).   That’s it!  The great thing about textures is that you can take them into Photoshop and desaturate or change the color range, use your Photoshop skills to create amazing textures all your own!

]]> http://www.portraitallure.com/2010/05/tutorial-tips-for-making-your-own-textures/feed/ 0 http://www.portraitallure.com/2010/05/portrait-faux-pas-the-uncovered-diaper/ http://www.portraitallure.com/2010/05/portrait-faux-pas-the-uncovered-diaper/#comments Thu, 13 May 2010 12:13:59 +0000 admin http://www.portraitallure.com/?p=746 The first in a series on common “faux pas” in the world of portrait photography

Diapers were not meant to be photographed. Nothing about them screams “quality” or “elegant.”  They serve more function than form and for that reason, photographing a baby with a diaper, but sans diaper cover, is a professional portrait faux pas.  A portrait should never scream “sponsored by Pampers!”  (And before all of the “lifestyle” photographers yell at me, I will agree that there may be exceptions for certain types of lifestyle/photojournalistic type sessions.)

The first objection I hear when pointing out the diaper faux pas is “I don’t know where to buy basic diaper covers!”  Well, fret no more – here is a vendor that will get you started!

www.titch.biz – a great resource for basic knitted diaper covers. I suggest buying two in the newborn white and if you photograph older babies, a few of those in white as well. It’s a great start for a very basic cover. (I will warn you that I am not crazy about the off-white color that she offers. It’s a bit too yellow for my taste.)

A Titch cover in action (imagine this portrait with an uncovered diaper!)

When you are ready to expand your collection of diaper covers, you can easily search Etsy.com for “diaper covers” and be presented with a multitude of options. In a previous post, Kuttin’ Up was featured with her boutique covers, but she also offers a few simple styles that I love to use with little girls.

So, bottom line – while bare baby bums might be preferred, if you need to have a diapered baby, be sure to use a diaper cover!

The medium strips hold up to 3lbs each, so I use 2-3 strips per frame or canvas, depending on the size/weight of the piece. (Note, I don’t use glass/plexi for my prints, so weight is minimal.)  I was able to install an “eclectic” gallery of 8 display pieces in my studio in a matter of minutes – all without the use of a tape measure, nail or hammer.

The 3M site has a nice product video HERE and the strips can be found at places like Target or Amazon.com

Here are some ideas:

This Magazine Rack from Organize.com is pretty utilitarian, but with a bit of tassel trim from the fabric store and a hot glue gun, it could be boutique in a jiffy!

For flexibility, consider something on wheels: Rolling Storage from Bellacor

And if “grab and go” is more your style, these portable canvas cubes would be super handy: Find this HERE.

]]> http://www.portraitallure.com/2010/04/creative-storage-for-little-props/feed/ 0 http://www.portraitallure.com/2010/04/sitting-pretty-diaper-covers-from-kuttin-up/ http://www.portraitallure.com/2010/04/sitting-pretty-diaper-covers-from-kuttin-up/#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:00:53 +0000 admin http://www.portraitallure.com/?p=710 by Meggan Jacks | Meggan Jacks Photography

Diaper covers are an essential “prop” to have on hand for photographing babies. While too much fluff and fuss on a cover may overwhelm a newborn, I’ve found having a few “over the top” boutique covers a great way to add some fun to my portraits of 4M+ babies.

My favorite source for the covers is Kuttin’ Up, a seller on Etsy.  Below is one of her creations and she has TONS more in her store.  Happy shopping!

I am always looking for color inspiration for newborn birth announcements, mini-books and custom albums. While browsing Pottery Barn Kids for my daughter’s new “big girl” bedding, the colors of the nursery bedding caught my eye as it contained some really nice color combinations and before I knew it I was off on a nursery bedding color inspiration tangent… Here are some results: