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!

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.