Are you a Facebook user? Join our new Collages.net fan page on Facebook! Use the Search feature on the top right of your Facebook page to locate Collages.net and then select the option to Become a Fan. Join discussions and read about Collages.net’s latest product announcements, company updates, and industry events.

This new feature was introduced after the release of Collages.net’s Facebook application for linking event sites to a Facebook account. Links to MySpace, blogs, and studio websites are also available on every Collages.net event site for you and your clients to link to the social networking site of your choice. We even included a detailed support section for assisting you and your clients in using this tool. Haven’t heard of this feature yet? Learn how these links can benefit your studio in our January Newsletter!

Generate more contacts, modernize your studio’s image, and boost more sales in 2009 with this new and exciting marketing tool.

This week’s websites of the week come from Shutter-Think Photography, LLC and Meena Jeanes Photography.

Nick Fancher of Shutter-Think Photography, LLC shot Brandon and Sarah’s wedding in Canton, Ohio. Nick recalls, “Brandon and Sarah were a breeze to work with. They live in Chicago, but came down to Columbus for the engagement shoot and we had a great time getting to know each other. Come the day of the wedding we all felt like friends. We took advantage of the beautiful day and tried to fit in as many photos as possible.”

Meena Jeanes of Meena Jeanes Photography shot the portraits of Lacey and her boys in their home. She recalls, “They reminded me of why I love working with families. Everyone in the family, including their little dog, was so expressive – they were running and playing almost the whole time. I found myself constantly shooting because there were so many opportunities to capture their loving and spirited nature!”

To view the complete events, visit our websites of the week page.

Collages.net wants to help you connect to even more clients and update your studio’s image in 2009!

Collages.net will soon be giving photographers and their clients the ability to link event sites to their Facebook, MySpace, blog, and website pages. These links are free, and will be available on every Collages.net event site to be used by you and your guests.

How can these links benefit your studio?

• Generate More Contacts
  Linking your work to a client’s social networking site will help spread the word about your unique photography. Sharing images with friends and family has never be easier for your clients. The results are increased exposure to your studio’s brand and more interest to your studio. You can also be sure that your work will remain secure as every Collages.net event site is Flash-based and images cannot be downloaded.
• Modernize Your Studio’s Image
  With applications available for Facebook and links for MySpace, blogs, websites and other social networking sites, your studio will look even more cutting edge and up to date by adding links to your work to multiple social networking communities. Add the events to your own social networking sites as an alternate way to show off your favorite wedding or engagement demo site.
• Boost Your Sales
  Your clients will now be able to share their images with even more friends and family members. Watch your referrals grow with this cutting edge marketing tool.

For more information about linking your event sites to your Facebook, MySpace, blog, or website account, contact Collages.net Customer Service at www.collages.net/chat or customerservice@collages.net.

This week’s websites of the week come from Dawn Gioia Photography and emily deisroth photography + design.

Jason and Shana’s wedding took place at Lambert Place in Atlanta, Georgia and they rented the historical Swan House to use for their portraits. Dawn Gioia of Dawn Gioia Photography remembers, “Despite the heavy rain, the day was fantastic.” Here are a few favorite images.

Matt and Kimberly chose Georgetown, Washington, DC as their engagement shoot location because of the multiple views and interesting characteristics that it offers. Emily Deisroth of emily deisroth photography + design recalls, “Matt and Kim are incredibly outgoing and totally in love, which really shows in the photographs.”

 To view the complete events, visit our websites of the week page.

In this month’s issue of Professional Photographer magazine, Sarah Petty, CPP, provides a helpful guide to marketing in 2009 in her article “New Year, Fresh Start.” She includes thirteen steps to a great promotional plan. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Perform SWOT analysis to identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Petty suggests Googling “SWOT” to find some examples. Opportunities are mainly markets you can grow into, which will help you decide where and how to invest your marketing budget.
• Chart your studio’s monthly sales in 2008. Petty affirms, “Most studios take in the most money in the last four months of the year. You might also see a spike during the senior season. Use this graph to figure out when you need to invest in bringing in more business. If you’re working 80 hours a week October through December, I suggest limiting your promotional investment during those months.”
• Write your own growth objectives. It can be very damaging to attract more business than you can handle.
• Have a plan for building your current clients’ loyalty by strengthening your studio’s brand and rewarding your clients for referrals. Petty believes that a studio’s client base is one of its strongest assets. Communicating with clients throughout the year is key.
• Have a plan to attract new clients by displaying your work at key stores, networking and co-marketing with other businesses, prospecting with new mailing lists, even hosting events.
• Evaluate what worked and what didn’t in 2008. Petty suggests that many small businesses do the same thing each year even though they aren’t happy with the results.

To learn more, pick up this month’s copy of Professional Photographer magazine.

Collages.net provides favorites folders for client use on every event site. Your clients can place their favorite images in a folder that can be e-mailed to you for print ordering, choosing images for album designs, and more. Provide your clients with the following information on how to use these folders:

• Click on the Favorites tab on the left side of the event site.
• Click New Folder to create a new folder title and click OK.
• Click on the Photos tab on the left side of the event site and start choosing your favorite images. When you find a favorite image, click on the Add To option beneath each image and check off the folder in which you would like to add the image and click OK.
• Repeat this process until all favorite images are selected.

If you would like your client to e-mail their favorites folder to you, have him or her click on the Favorites tab and then on E-mail Folders. Your client can enter a custom message, if desired, and click OK to send. The e-mail will automatically be sent to your e-mail address.

Many Collages.net photographers use client favorite folders for several reasons and have found great success using this free communication tool. To learn more about client favorite folders, contact Collages.net Customer Service at www.collages.net/chat or customerservice@collages.net.

This week’s websites of the week come from Kimberly Bee Photography and Duke Photography.

Kimberly Bee of Kimberly Bee Photography shot the portraits of Bruce, Rebecca, and Baily at the Saguaro Ranch Park in Phoenix, Arizona with beautiful sunset light and perfect weather. Kimberly recalls, “Bruce, Rebecca, and doggy daughter Baily were a breeze to capture because they were all very easy going and so cozy in love.”

Taryn and Jimmy were married at Café Pinot in downtown Los Angeles near the historic Los Angeles Library as seen in the background of many of their reception photos. Duke Khodaverdian of Duke Photography remembers, “They are an eccentric couple with a very unique taste in everything from their wardrobe all the way to their wedding with unique decoration, set up, and location. I had an amazing time shooting them since they wanted still-life type photos, which are more serious and dramatic than those requested by most couples out there.”

To view the complete events, visit our websites of the week page.

It’s never too early to prepare for next year’s wedding season. Collages.net’s Album collection includes Premium leather, Genuine leather, and Brilliant covers to provide the versatility and flexibility you need to cater to every client. Having album samples to impress your potential clients is crucial to your studio’s success during next year’s wedding season, which is why Collages.net offers an unlimited 30% discount on studio sample album orders. Book your clients now by showing several album styles and guest book samples during upcoming bridal shows.

Collages.net is dedicated to providing the highest quality products in the industry and truly understands your studio’s needs. At this time, Collages.net is accepting a limited number of album design clients in 2009 to help streamline your studio’s workflow. To learn more about Collages.net’s Album Design services, contact your product consultant at (877) 638-7468 and press option 2.

This week’s websites of the week come from Ann Coen Photography and Aaron Marron Photography.

Cami and Mike were married at the Bonnet Island Estate on a crisp November day. Ann Coen of Ann Coen Photography recalls, “The wedding party was great about dealing with the cold in order to get the best photos for the bride and groom. Although nobody could feel their fingertips after the photo shoot, it was well worth it for the beautiful photos that they ended up with!”

Aaron Marron of Aaron Marron Photography shot Dave and Pearl’s engagement shoot in the Pasadena, California area. Aaron recalls, “Dave and Pearl flew in from Texas requesting that we take their photos at the beach. We decided to also take them to old town Pasadena for some photos. They were outgoing, fun, and willing to get into the shoot. We, as well as they, had a great time and it shows through the images.”

To view the complete events, visit our websites of the week page.