Thursday, August 4, 2011

Facebook Networking

I did a couple of sessions over the past week. My niece came into town and I did a session for her and the girls. I also did a shoot of my daughter Ava in a new knot dress I bought for photo sessions and an adorable vintage hair piece. I absolutely love it and will be purchasing more kinda like it. Maybe a fascinator next! I also purchased some cute newborn hats for my friend's upcoming session. She's expecting her little one any day! I got an elf hat and a monkey hat and I knitted a baby pod and blanket to use for the session as well. I'm hoping to visit IKEA this weekend to pick up one of their Ophelia throws as well. I joined 2 sites on facebook that are very helpful, I think, for small businesses. One is "Promote Your Page Here" and the other is "Fan Page Promote". Businesses can network with other businesses and show support and it also provides potential vendors that you may need to purchase from later. I networked with a lot of fellow photographers and people who knit and make things that could be photography props. It benefits everyone involved and I highly recommend it!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

What to Wear

To the left is this month's what to wear ensemble to give you some ideas how to tie together a look for your family portraits. Each outfit can be find at Gap, Old navy, or Piperlime. It's very important to tie a look together especially when you're spending money on getting portraits done, haircuts for the kids, new outfits for everyone. The yellow brings out just a "pop" of color to the theme. Hope you enjoy!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Maternity Session-SpokesMama

My good friend Tammie lives down the road from me in Fayetteville, NC. When I found out she was pregnant I knew I wanted to photograph her. Pregnant women are so beautiful and they just glow. Tammie is already a sweet girl with a bubbly personality. I took some quick shots of her at Rim Lake just down the road from her house. Here are a couple of the shots I took. I purchased some parasols online just for this session and I'm so glad I did because they just added a nice touch. I also asked her to be my first SpokesMama. For her participation she gets 15 referral cards with her favorite pose from the session with my logo and information to pass along to friends. She also gets a mini accordian which is perfect for displaying in the home as a conversation piece. And she gets an 8x10 as a gift. She was my first maternity session so I was so happy it was her. I can't wait to photograph her little one when he's born!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Detroit Fan!

Today I took out my daughter Ava to test out a couple of things. For my birthday my husband bought me a 50mm 1.8 lens. For the price of this lens, it's soooo worth it! All of the photos pictured were shot with it. I also bought some parasols online that were super affordable and I love them! I bought a white one and blue one because I'm doing a maternity shoot for my friend Tammie next weekend. I'm very happy with how the shoot turned out and how the lens performed.
On a personal note, I'm starting Full Sail University on the 27th for digital cinematography. I'm so stoked about learning this. I got my new MacBook Pro in the mail with Final Cut Studio, Adobe photoshop CS5 extended, Fireworks, After Effects and so much more. I can't wait to utilize this new software and make some awesome video. I plan on trying out some fusion photography when I get my T2i. I plan on downloading the magic lantern for it and a glidetrack and a stabalizer. Can't wait!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

SpokesMAMA program

I need to broaden my client list so I decided to do a new program. It's a referral program for a selected individual that represents my target market very well. It's called SpokesMAMA and it's a free session, accordian mini for display in the home, and 25 referral cards to send to friends and family to help promote the business. I also provide free images for facebook and blogging. It's to help get the name out there as well as provide an incentive at the same time.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Lifetouch Senior Training



This week was a lot of fun at the studio. We were training for the upcoming senior season so we practiced on each other with different backgrounds and lighting techniques. It also gave me the opportunity to get some business portraits that I've really needed. The thing about photographing everyone else is that you rarely get portraits done of yourself. I added some actions to these portraits to give them a pop. I've mentioned how much I LOVE mcpactions.com and I use their actions in every photograph I edit. For example, all three of these images have the "eye doctor" and "the dentist" actions applied to them to really make the eyes stand out and whiten the teeth. I also used their magic skin action to soften the skin. That's all I really have to do to an image that is good on exposure and lighting. But that's where professional photographer's images have to have that "extra" something to give someone a reason to use their services rather than pick up an awesome point and shoot. Anyway, I'm very happy with the training I got and hope to take some awesome images worthy of winning competitions.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Senior Survival Kit

I thought of a really cool gift that I could give seniors who participate in a senior session. I remember when I was a senior I always loved getting freebies, especially when they were nice gifts that I knew I would use. And I'm sure one store that any senior can go into and find something they want is Ulta. So I figured, wouldn't it be nice to create a "senior survival kit" for seniors with products they can use to make their senior year easier. Every senior uses facial products, body washes, and hair care products. Ulta is an awesome store that has all of these things. However, Goldsboro does not have an Ulta so why not kill two birds with one stone. When you book a senior session with me, the day of the session the senior will get their really cool gift! Photography is very competitive and you have to find ways to set yourself a a part.
And there are no limits on creativity with senior sessions. As a matter of fact, I welcome with open arms an awesome creative senior session. A senior session can be anything that reminds the senior of the last four years of their life. It can be a portrait that has your favorite color, your family pet at the time, a really cool hang out that may not be there 20 years from now, the beach, the car you drive that you're really proud of. A senior can even use this session as an opportunity to do a "trash the dress" session with their prom dress from a previous prom. Don't let a little rain get you down! How about some funky rain boots and retro umbrella with a dress? Have fun! I can't wait to experiement with some fusion photography now that my hubbie is buying me a 60D camera body for my b-day. Have some fun with your senior session, the sky's the limit!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Senior Season!

This wonderful Easter weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Laura, a German exchange student staying at my niece's house for the year. As you can see, her beautiful smile is contagious. She was a joy to photograph and we were able to find a nearby vintage car graveyard where I took several shots. The shot to the left was one of my favorites. I used the car window as a frame and I loved the texture which I accentuated with one of my photoshop actions I purchased from www.mcpactions.com. BTW if you want to spice up your images, there are tons of fun and new actions to purchase there and also some freebies. If you would like to see more of the shots from this session, I downloaded them on my facebook fan page, KimJo Photography, go check them out.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

New advertisement!

This is the front of my new card ad to mail out to potential clients and current clients. I have a bella bebe advertisement specifically for babies and maternity, so this is a separate advertisement designed more for families, couples, and senior portraits. If you haven't noticed on my website, I have packages as well as a la carte. I'm going to start really pushing those because you get more for your money. A la carte is really more for if you really need 2 8x10 portraits instead of 1 and your package only includes 1. I've had a lot of fun shooting some "senior" specific shoots lately. My model Brooke pictured in the advertisement upper left allowed me to get some great shots of her at a local park with a beautiful waterfall in the background. I love how the water creates leading lines to my subject and she pops right out of the image. I was able to experiment with the best lighting and I was very pleased with the results. This type of shot is not typical of a traditional studio. Most traditional studios, especially chain studios, do not offer designer location sessions. As a senior you are missing out if you don't hire a studio that can offer you everything you need and want in your session. If you want to have beach shots, you be able to get that. I have a few "spots" that I use for location sessions, this park is 30 minutes from my house. I love railroad shots and I have a place specifically for "urban" shots. I recently shot a cap and gown session right in my house. For the backdrop I simply clamped black felt I purchased from Michael's to some light stands, had a stool that the subject sat in and shot different angles and her mom was very happy with the final product. I also shot some prom portraits right in the client's home and got it out of the way so that the couple could enjoy their prom night without spending $100 on prom portraits. My fairy portraits will also be under this advertisement. I have everything now except my mushroom and I'm going to build a nice bridge for a prop. Can't wait to have a fairy day!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Working at Lifetouch

I needed some extra cash to buy some new props for my fairy shoot and maybe an alien bees strobe so I looked online and found an opening for a school photographer through Lifetouch Portrait Studios so I applied. I had a good interview and started training at the studio for a week and for the time being I'm working to pay for my fairy props and lights but I'm learning valuable skills in customer service. So far I've worked on cap and gowns, school groups,and school individuals. We set up our equipment, take the pictures, and tear down. It's definitely good experience.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

The Secret


It is now 2011! I can't believe how fast it got here but it's here now and it's time to look to the future. I'm going to talk about something indirectly related to photography, especially if you're in business for yourself and you're struggling, or not struggling. Either way I have a positive message. I was on the message boards for www.nobsphotosuccess.com and I saw a thread entitled "The Secret". Immediately I clicked on it, lol. I guess I was wondering if it was some photography secret that I just had to know. Anyway, when I clicked on it, someone was mentioning how grateful they were for learning about the secret. Ok, what's the secret? I had to know because at this point I felt like somehow in a group of people who knew something and I was the only one who didn't know. There was a link and I clicked on it. It was "The Secret" and I just can't express how inspiring this is, for anyone. I feel so blessed that I found this at the beginning of this year because i really think my life is going to turn around for the better. It's a new mindset of positive thinking. On this website you have to pay to watch the movie and there's a book you can read but I want to pay forward something I found so that you can watch it for free because I feel that everyone should watch this. I even printed out the optimist's creed and put it on my refrigerator so that I can read it everyday. Here is the link http://www.megavideo.com/?v=FWNNJTJY and you need to click on the play button twice. So, how does this relate to photography you ask? I'm going to tell you a short story. I have always been interested in the arts. I finally realized at 28 years old that I want to be a photographer. But I also realized that I want to work for myself and now I realize that it is possible. There are so many things possible with the right mindset! I can lose some extra weight that I've accumulated over the years having children, my family can be prosperous, and I have the capability to love everyone around me. My next book to read after watching this inspiring video is "The Power". I will let you know how it is. www.thesecret.tv/ Once you watch the video check out this site as well. You can print out and watch visualization tools and things to inspire you even more! And please pay it forward as well by sending this to one of your friends or family members!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Make Your Own Awesome backdrops!

Well, already this new year has brought some surprises that I was not expecting or hoping for. I made a hard decision to switch schools so that my drive would not be as long and I could borrow student loan money to help start my photography business. I dropped all of my spring classes at RCC and started the process to go to Pitt. Well, my final transcript is still not there and I don't have the money in my pocket to pay for classes so I guess I won't be going to school this semester. I need to focus my energy on getting certified with the help of Sandy Puc's website. So now that I don't have the money I have to figure out how to get it started on a budget. My first purchase will be to get a softbox kit for my vivitar flash since I already have a reflector I just need a stand for it. As much as I would love to go with Photoflex products, it's not in my budget so I will have to go with cowboy studio. I already purchased a wireless trigger kit from them and it has not let me down. Good $23 investment I think ,and it got my flash off camera. They have a softbox, light stand kit for around $50 so I will have to go with that. As far as the backdrops I wanted so bad, I was planning on purchasing a tin wall through robertandrewdesigns.com. If you have the money this website has beautiful props and vivid, creative backdrops. However, this is something I can make myself for hundreds less than what it costs on the website. All you have to do is purchase some faux tin ceiling tiles or styrofoam ceiling tiles with elegant designs and either paint them yourself or buy them already painted with the colors of your choice. Two websites that you can buy these from are www.decorativeceilingtiles.net and www.americantinceilings.com. There are videos that explain how to make your own custom backdrops that are unique and will appeal to your seniors and children. You can buy insulation from your local hardware store and glue the tiles on to make an 8x8 backdrop that will have your customers coming back. It's a cheap alternative that is effective. As soon as I make one I will put a picture on here. I want this business so bad and, light is light no matter how you diffuse it so I am determined I'm going to make this work. If you're in the market to spice up your business with some new colorful backdrops and props here are some websites I recommend: www.designrevolutiononline.com, www.robertandrewdesigns.com, and www.dropitmodern.com.