This week’s websites of the week come from photobyjamie.com and JPix Photography. 

 Jamie Weingarten of photobyjamie.com shot Garland and Lloyd’s wedding in Saint John, USVI. Jamie recalls, “Garland and Lloyd were married on one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world on Saint John. Their ceremony took place at the Caneel Bay Resort on a lookout with a view of the ocean. The ceremony was followed by an indoor and outdoor reception complete with a salsa band and lots of dancing! Caneel Bay is home to some sugar mill ruins, which made for some great night shots, not to mention a perfect sunset for beach photos!” 

Jermaine and Catron Turner of JPix Photography in Bowie, Maryland shot Monica and Raymel’s bride and groom portraits in New York City. “Monica and Ray were married on April 4, 2009 in Maryland, but wanted to take some more memorable and colorful images after their wedding day,” Catron recalls. “We decided to take them to New York City because Monica and Ray are full of life and energy. They were dream clients and were willing to do anything we asked.”

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

Collages.net recently had the chance to talk with Robert & Kathleen Trenske of Robert & Kathleen Photographers in Fairfield, CT about their blog.

How would you describe your studio’s style?
We like to think that we capture fun and timeless images. It’s important to us that our pictures evoke emotion and incorporate the true personality of the couple. We use a storytelling approach, never being too obtrusive in any given situation, to ensure that we capture the real moments of the day.

What type of photography are you most passionate about?
We photograph weddings and engagements and we absolutely love it.  We truly enjoy being able to work with people that are in love and share in their most special moments. Ever since our own wedding almost two years ago, we have an even greater appreciation for what we do. Being around happy couples and watching them recite their vows makes us fall in love with each other over and over again.

Robert and Kathleen Trenske

Where did you find your inspiration for your blog’s design?
We wanted a blog that was a true reflection of not only what we do, but also who we are and what we are passionate about. One of the things we love most is travel, so that was our starting point for our inspiration. Since we also enjoy scouring flea markets and estate sales for old cameras, luggage, and typewriters, it made sense to us that our travel theme have a vintage feel. We incorporated this theme with the vintage map background, the look of parchment paper, and travel stickers. One of our personal favorite details is the stamp that is on the top of each post that has the number 9.07, which is the date of our own wedding. 

As for the functionality of the blog, we wanted it to be interactive and give visitors a reason to return to our site regularly. That’s why we have things like the “Favorite Photo” section, where people can vote for their favorite picture (or pictures) from each post and see all of the favorites on the top of the page. It has been a huge hit – everyone seems to love it. We also have a custom slideshow included on the site, very much in keeping with our theme.

What was important to you when looking for a blog vendor?
Since we’ve very visual people, we don’t always have the easiest time taking the vision in our minds and putting that into words. Because of this, we wanted a blog vendor that could take our abstract ideas and turn them into something even better than we had imagined. Infinet Design, the company that designed our blog, did just that. They took our original idea and completely ran with it. We couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out.

Which entry has been your most popular entry this year?
We had a wedding in an airport hanger this past May. That is by far our most popular entry! It’s not every day you see a bride leaning against an airplane!

What do you write about on your blog?
It’s really important to us that each blog entry really focuses on the couple that is being featured. When we spend the day with them at their engagement session, we really take the opportunity to get to know them – how they met, what attracted them to one another, how they got engaged, etc.  We want to create a blog post that will make them feel like we really captured them not only in the pictures but with their own personal story that accompanies each post.

How do you think the blog benefits your studio?
We think the blog is incredibly important for our business. We have had many new clients come across our blog through current clients, past clients, and through Internet searches. One of the biggest compliments we receive is that someone who has never met us feels like they know us just from following our blog. We find that as the ultimate success since, like all artists, we put ourselves out there with each picture we take.

Do you have any blog stalkers?
Yes – in addition to our own friends and family that check our blog regularly, we have actually received quite a few e-mails from people that have read our blog over a number of months or years.

Our favorite example is when we got an e-mail from a woman when our new blog went up. She had followed our blog for a while and decided to finally reach out and contact us to let us know how much she loved the new site. She’s not yet engaged, but she said she already knows she wants us to photograph her wedding. It was probably one of the most flattering e-mails we have ever received.

Do you use social networking sites to promote your studio and blog?
Yes – we’re big fans of both Facebook and Twitter. Not only do they both direct a lot of traffic to our site, but our personal messages on both sites give a little more insight into who we are, which people really seem to enjoy.

What advice would you give to photographers who are looking to start a blog or revamp their blog?
Make it your own as much as you possibly can. It may be expensive to get a custom blog, but it’s definitely worth the investment. It you want to revamp your existing blog, we would suggest to really think about how you present yourself and your work on your blog. When you make it clear that you really love what you do, people will pick up on that and the response will blow you away.

Collages.net would like to thank Robert and Kathleen for sharing this information about their studio’s blog. If you would like your blog to be featured on our blog, please e-mail us at customerservice@collages.net.

Collages.net is pleased to announce that our Twitter page was chosen as one of the 30 Absolutely Creative and Stylish Twitter Backgrounds from Beautifullife.info. Collages.net’s Graphic Designer Eric Haft created the Twitter background using inspiration from Collages.net’s products. Collages.net’s winning Twitter page design has also been featured on Twitter Backgrounds Gallery, a showcase of unique and stylish Twitter backgrounds from around the world.

In addition to its Facebook fan page, Collages.net’s Twitter page provides photographers with access to special discounts, product announcements, sales and market tips, studio interviews, and links to inspirational images. Become a Collages.net Insider today by following us on Twitter follower and becoming a Facebook fan. Click on the corresponding icons below to get started!

For a limited time, Collages.net is offering a stimulus package designed to give studios the ability to succeed in 2009. In our stimulus package, Collages.net Album Design will now cost just $1.00 per image. If you have albums from 2008 that need to be designed, now is the time to take advantage of this offer.

Collages.net’s Album Design team is dedicated to providing a personalized design that is tailored to your client’s individual style. From modern and elegant to classic and timeless, Collages.net Album Design Specialists create designs that are as unique as your clients. To view samples of our designs, click here.

Workflow:

Album design can be purchased by contacting Collages.net Customer Service at (877) 638-7468 or customerservice@collages.net. Once the request for album design has been received, Collages.net will process your order as follows:

Design Process

• A representative will send you image FTP information as well as an album design questionnaire.
• Once Collages.net receives the completed questionnaire and images, a designer will design your album according to the specifications on the questionnaire.
• Upon completion, you will be e-mailed a low resolution PDF of the design and a Collages.net Premium Website to share with your client. There will be no Collages.net branding. Once we post the initial design, you and your client can quickly and easily communicate using PictureChat regarding the exact changes that you would like to see in the next version of the album. You will be charged for the design upon delivery.

Review Process

• After you review the design, you can request up to ten changes for no charge using PictureChat messages. These changes must be given at the same time.
• If there are additional changes after the initial set, there will be a charge of $99.

Collages.net’s design, print, and bind album solution helps successful studios across the United States save time and money by centralizing their product workflow. Maximize your time by outsourcing your album and book design. To get started with Collages.net Album Design, contact customer service at customerservice@collages.net or www.collages.net/chat.

This week’s websites of the week come from Christina Carroll Photography and Nightingale Photography.

Christina Carroll of Christina Carroll Photography in Austin, TX shot Janie and Ian’s wedding at Hamilton Twelve outside of Austin. Christina recalls, “Janie and Ian are two very creative people, so every last detail of their wedding was unique and beautiful. The couple tied in both American and European traditions to honor both of their heritages. There were guests from all over the globe, including several of Ian’s family members who flew in from Ireland for the joyous affair. Janie and Ian were wonderful to work with and I felt honored to capture their special day.”

Christina Hernandez of Nightingale Photography shot Lindsay and Emmanuel’s engagement session at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Christina remembers, “Lindsay and Emmanuel were the perfect clients to work with. They were playful, trusting, and adventurous. Lindsay made the effort to choose great clothes, get her hair and make-up done, and bring a great prop. Emmanuel went with the flow and trusted me to give him direction. The Golden Gate Park provides an ample supply of exciting environments: urban, modern, and natural. The overcast day also gave great latitude for exposure.”

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

With the first day of summer quickly approaching, high school seniors are gearing up for senior portrait sessions. As a professional photographer catering to young clientele, it is extremely important to stay up not only on trends in photography, but also trends that are popular with the clients that you photograph. Trends for senior photographs change from year to year, so it is important to stay on top of what’s hot and what’s not.

In an article called “Marketing and Selling to Seniors” in this months’ Professional Photographer magazine, Greg Stangl, M. Photog. Cr., CPP describes Generation Y’s collective personality traits and how you can market your studio to this unique client base. He states, “Broadly characterized, this generation believes in its collective value, and in the value of the individual. They crave fresh ideas and challenges, yet they’re committed and loyal to people and ideals they believe in.  This generation assertively seeks feedback, responsibility, and involvement in decision making.”

“Seniors expect to be an active participant in the senior photo shoot,” Stangl asserts. ”They’re used to being photographed by parents and friends, and they’re looking for something different. That’s a huge opportunity for a professional photographer who can give them photographs they can’t get anywhere else.” In addition to creatively photographing your seniors, it is so important to market fresh and unique products to them. collagesColor’s large-scale metallic prints were made for senior sessions. With deep color tones and richness, metallic prints create a sharp, eye-catching three dimensional effect. They are perfect for making bright colors pop and metallic tones really shine.

Another huge trend that is characteristic of Generation Y is social networking. Stangl states, “Gen-Y are in constant communication with one another. If they’re not phoning or text messaging they’re communicating via Twitter, Facebook or MySpace. They love to blog about their life, and they illustrate their stories with images.” Collages.net event sites are perfect for seniors as every site contains links to MySpace, Facebook, and blog pages. These free links allow your seniors to share their photos with friends and family, all while maintaining the image security that you desire.

For graduation parties, let your senior choose his or her favorite image(s) to be printed on press printed card invitations.

Guest books are another unique product that seniors love. Why not take your client’s session image and have them printed in a guest book as a unique album alternative? They’re also great for keeping at graduation parties for last-minute yearbook signing and are an excellent way to build your studio’s brand recognition in the area. No matter what you offer, make sure you are aware of photography and product trends so you can attract more seniors this summer.

Kevin Hammond of Kevin Hammond Photography in Chicago, IL has developed a senior portrait shoot style session called Rock the Frock that he will be offering to seniors this summer.

“I want to start driving a healthy senior business to my studio,” states Kevin. “I have neighbors and friends of the family who are seniors and are willing to get together to have their photos taken in their prom dresses in an urban trash the dress-style session. I will be printing an 8×8 press printed book studio sample to keep with me to show prospective senior clients. I shot a similar type of session last year with brides at a lakefront, which was a great success, and thought the idea would translate well to seniors.”

Have a great idea for marketing your studio to seniors? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below!

Photos by TriCoast Photography, Carrie Workman Photography, Schmitt Photography, and Kevin Hammond Photography

Work smarter by using free tools provided by Collages.net.

For a limited time, enjoy the benefits of Collages.net’s Stimulus Package, designed to give studios the ability to succeed in 2009. In our stimulus package, Collages.net Album Design will now cost just $1.00 per image. If you have albums from 2008 that need to be designed, now is the time to take advantage of this offer. Below we have included two free tools that Collages.net developed to make your studio’s workflow easier.

1.  Selecting Images for Album Design
Clients can use the favorite folders located on Collages.net event sites to make their image selections for their albums. When clients use favorite folders, they can send an e-mail with their favorite files directly to you. You also have access to these folders through the Image Organizer in Site Builder. Once you receive your client’s favorite image choices, locate the high resolution copies on your computer. When you’re ready to place your album design order, send your client’s favorite images to Collages.net’s Album Designers, who will create the album spreads in the style of your choice.

2. Reviewing Album Designs on Collages.net’s Premium Websites
Collages.net Premium Websites offer PictureChat™, a communication tool that can be used for selecting and confirming album spread choices. After the spreads are designed, Collages.net can post the spreads to a Collages.net Premium Website at no additional cost. Once we post the initial design, you and your client can communicate via PictureChat regarding the exact changes that you would like to see in the next revision of your album. Photographers are reporting incredible time savings and efficiency using this simple technique. Once you are completely satisfied with the design, you approve it, we build the order, and ship the album to you or directly to your client. Following your final approval, albums are shipped in two weeks or less. Ordering albums has never been easier or faster with Collages.net!

For more information or to get started with Collages.net Album Design, contact Collages.net Customer Service by e-mail customerservice@collages.net or collagesChat www.collages.net/chat.

Last night, Collages.net’s CEO Kevin Casey delivered his final Finding Your Blue Ocean interactive photography business workshop to an enthusiastic group of professional photographers in New York.

Kevin discussed ideas about what profitable studios are doing to stay ahead during these tough economic times. He also helped photographers learn what they can change about their businesses to become more profitable and what studio finances really mean. Participants broke off into small groups and worked together to brainstorm ideas on how they can practically move their studios to the next level of success.

To see what photographers have been saying about the workshops, click here. If you attended the workshop in New York last night, please feel free to leave a comment with your feedback and reactions!

This week’s websites of the week come from Matthew Brush Photography and Caleb Jamin Photography.

Matthew Brush of Matthew Brush Photography shot Max and Amy’s wedding in Ft. Collins, CO. Matthew recalls, “With only forty-five minutes to shoot the bride and groom’s portraits right after the wedding, we were very limited to creative options. Rather than going to the reception site to shoot as planned, we drove to a few spots that I had scouted the day before. The couple wasn’t quite sure of the locations I chose, but they took my word for it. In the short time we had, I captured some of the best photos of the day. Max and Amy’s smiles and personalities matched so well with the way I shoot and everything worked itself out.”

Caleb Matthews of Caleb Jamin Photography shot Matt and Jena’s trash the dress session at a summer camp in Des Moines, IA. Caleb remembers, “Matt and Jena were married in the middle of March. At the time they were married, they discussed some possible locations for a trash the dress shoot. Since they both work at a summer camp just south of Des Moines, it seemed like a perfect location for this type of session. Both Matt and Jena were great sports getting back into the dress and suit and Jena brought some cowboy boots and hat. We had the entire camp open to us for the afternoon and we finished shooting just before it started to rain.”

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

For a limited time, Collages.net is offering a stimulus package designed to give studios the ability to succeed in 2009. In our stimulus package, Collages.net Album Design will now cost just $1.00 per image. If you have albums from 2008 that need to be designed, now is the time to take advantage of this offer.

Collages.net’s Album Design team is dedicated to providing a personalized design that is tailored to your client’s individual style. From modern and elegant to classic and timeless, Collages.net Album Design Specialists create designs that are as unique as your clients. To view samples of our designs, click here.

Workflow:

Album design can be purchased by contacting Collages.net Customer Service at (877) 638-7468 or customerservice@collages.net. Once the request for album design has been received, Collages.net will process your order as follows:

Design Process

• A representative will send you image FTP information as well as an album design questionnaire.
• Once Collages.net receives the completed questionnaire and images, a designer will design your album according to the specifications on the questionnaire.
• Upon completion, you will be e-mailed a low resolution PDF of the design and a Collages.net Premium Website to share with your client. There will be no Collages.net branding. You will be charged for the design upon delivery.

Review Process

• After you review the design, you can request up to ten changes for no charge. These changes must be given at the same time.
• If there are additional changes after the initial set, there will be a charge of $99.

Collages.net’s design, print, and bind album solution helps successful studios across the United States save time and money by centralizing their product workflow. Maximize your time by outsourcing your album and book design. To get started with Collages.net Album Design, contact customer service at customerservice@collages.net or www.collages.net/chat.