Photographer's Kick Start

Get Ready to Train in 2012

2011-11-30T07:51:00-08:00

I love teaching my beginner's and advanced photography classes. This month alone I've taught 6 photography classes betwen group classes and private classes. Even if I'm feeling a little tired before my class, meeting up with moms who want to take better pictures of their kids really energizes me. I dance around, usually cry at least once, and in the end I always feel as though I've made some new friends. I put my love of photographing my own family into the class materials.

The classes are not designed to replace the need for professional portraits done by a photographer - instead they are designed to help moms (and dads) learn how to get more out of their camera and candids so they can capture those everyday moments with more clarity and style. And with the upcoming holidays, there is not a better time to start offering photography classes in your area. January is commonly a slow month for portrait sessions, but it can be a HUGE month for photography classes - after all, new cameras are finding their way under the tree.

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Advanced Training & Bundle

2011-04-07T08:12:48-07:00

Here's a sneak preview of the Advanced Training slides that are a part of the Photographer's Kick Start: Advanced Training materials for photographers that want to offer and advanced photography class to their customers.

This class is MUCH more technical that the Beginner's Class. Speakers notes are included with each slide as well. More details coming shortly or sign up for the newsletter to get an email when the product is available for purchase!

Featured Sponsor: Photography Blogsites

2011-04-07T07:52:38-07:00

Just the other day I was talking about making sure you had a non-flash alternative if you have a Flash website for viewing on phones such as iPhones, and iPads. More and more Internet browsing is being done on mobile devices and you don't want to lose out on that traffic when you have a flash only website.

As it turns out, I came across a somewhat new player on the sites for photographers map - Photography Blogsites. After checking out their site and swapping some email with them I'm excited to see where these guys go.

Their blogsites are built on the Wordpress platform using HTML5 which means the sites will be easy to update, use an Internet standard admin, are going to be super SEO friendly, and best of all - the sites will work on computer web browsers, iphones, ipads all the same way! Woohoo!

Want to learn more? Check out the video showing what the system looks like:

Be The Master of Your Domain from PhotographyBlogSites on Vimeo.

Checking out their FAQs I found out a few things. One is that they use the same SEO plugin (All in One SEO) that I use on several Wordpress sites I've developed. It is a great plugin that provides you the options to make your site more search engine friendly. And they developed their own plug-in to display image galleries. (cool) The designs include links to your social media sites (like Facebook and Twitter) and some of the designs can even show your recent tweets.

To make the whole process easier they host the sites but you can use your own domain name. The upside of that is you don't have to be super technical or worry about installing the system. And you can switch between designs easily (so if you have commitment issues this may be a good option for you). They don't charge a setup fee - and the hosting is charged either monthly or annually (for some cost savings).

Check out Photography Blogsites for more info on what they offer.

Photography Blogsites is a sponsor of The Photographer's Kickstart and has a generous offer included in the virtual swag bag for our new release coming Thursday April 7th!!!

Featured Sponsor: Go {4} Pro

2011-04-07T07:39:07-07:00

A few years ago I received an email from a fan of Hey Girl, Nice Shot letting me know she was inspired to create her own blog about the trials and tribulations of starting a photography business. We all have different journeys, different approaches, and try different products so it seemed like a great addition to the sharing that I think is essential to building a better photography community. That email came from Leah, and that blog turned into Go {4} Pro.

Leah has since grown her blog beyond documenting her personal journey and into something much bigger with lots of great content, contests, and tutorials. And she looks great doing it!

About Go {4} Pro
"We picked up our camera's to create, but have you created your business to thrive? Leah Remillet created Go{4}Pro three years ago when she decided to go for pro. Pulling from her background in marketing and sales, Leah was able to create a profitable business with a 4 to 6 week wait list in the first year. Leah openly shares her knowledge about marketing, branding and sales freely with the photography industry through her site Go4ProPhotos.com. Go{4}Pro is a place to come for daily inspiration, business tools, marketing design and personal business coaching. "

If you have not already been over to Go {4} Pro I definintely recommend visiting and getting your daily inspriation and advice. Plus, she's in the know about what is new in the portrait photography world! And if you want Leah to help you look good - check out the Go {4} Pro Shop.

Go {4} Pro is a sponsor of The Photographer's Kickstart and has included a goodie in the virtual swag bag for our new advanced training or training bundle release coming Thursday April 7th!!!

Featured Sponsor: Photography Web Marketing Guide

2011-04-06T06:00:00-07:00

I know it can be overwhelming to work in this web 2.0 world and know where to put your time and effort. Blogging, Facebook, Twitter - how can you use these tools and more to put your best face forward, build your rank, and earn more customers? What techniques should you use to clear out the electronic clutter and stand out online? Zach Prez is back and has a new ebook developed to help you know where to concentrate your efforts in your online marketing.

I used Zach's SEO tools on my photography website to improved my page rank for the critical keywords to me. Close to 50% of the traffic on my photography site is from search engines and directly from the keywords I have targeted. While I do occasionally use paid ads, most of the traffic I get to my site is free traffic and free is good! I had over 31,000 unique visitors to my photography website over the last year. Here's a crazy number....my traffic on my photography site from Google went up 2,425.00% when comparing March 2010 to March 2011. How awesome is that?!

Now I'm getting ready to do my next pass at web marketing and I'm looking forward to having Zach's guide to assist me. I won't be floundering on what to do because this eBook includes a checklist so I simply have to follow his suggestions and I'll be all caught up. At $29 this book is a steal and will certainly pay for itself in rank and bookings.

BUT WHY NOT GET IT FOR FREE? As part of the launch of our new Photographer's Kick Start: Advanced Training launch on Thursday April 7th, we'll be including the Photography Web Marketing Guide by Zach Prez for the first 30 people that purchase the Advanced materials or the Beginners and Advanced Bundle.

Need more help that an eBook can provide? Check out the option to have a coaching call with Zach where he can help you develop your SEO strategy and recommendations.

Featured Sponsor: Robin Long Newborn Posing Guide

2011-04-05T09:28:36-07:00

I think newborn sessions may be my favorite kind. I love getting to snuggle those new babies (without having to have a new one myself), listening to those little newborn sounds, and capturing babies at their freshest time. I've been very lucky to have had the opportunity to observe some of the countries best baby photographers over the years during my workshop craze (I think I went to three different workshops one year) and I know my comfort level with newborns is directly related to seeing the other photographers at work.

I do believe that seeing a newborn photographer work in person is a great way to improve your technique and learn how to create lasting images. But I also know that not every photographer has the option to travel for a workshop, take the time or expense to go, or want to invest so much if it is not going to be their speciality (many photographers make a living specializing in newborn photography).

Featured Sponsor: Robin Long Newborn Posing Guide

Introducing Robin Long's Newborn Posing Guide. In addition to having recently been awarded for her maternity and child photography, Robin has also had image published on many covers of Tot Trends weekly magazine.

The pure baby Newborn Photography Guide to posing is a Soft cover PRINTED 7x7 square book with 80 pages of images, tips and tricks on posing newborns, lighting and camera techniques, soothing baby, post processing and so much more! Robin's style portrays a pure, natural and organic feel to her newborn portraiture throughout the book.

While the main part of the book is about posing and how to get newborns into those curly, squishy poses. The book also covers a wide variety of topics to help you with a complete newborn session.

Topics discussed in the book include:
* Natural light & how to see it
* exposure & metering
* white balance
* lenses
* prepping the parents
* best age to photograph a newborn & why
* transitioning
* baby tools every photographer needs
* the set up with pull back images
* using a bean bag
* pure posing
* soothing techniques
* props
* post processing
* tips and tricks
* before & after post processing images
* vendors list
* pure baby | newborn photography workshop

You can keep informed about new products and workshops by "liking" Robin's Facebook Fan Page (don't forget to say hello). She also has workshops scheduled all over the country (and one in Canada) if you are looking for a more hands on experience.

And when you purchase the new Photographer's Kick Start: Advanced Training or Training Bundle (to be released Thursday April 7th) you'll find something from Robin in your virtual swag bag.

How could you not love photographing these sweet babies? The real trick is getting them to sleep. Looking for more inspiration? Check out Robin Long's Photography blog.

Teach Moms Photography - Generate Extra Revenue

2011-04-05T09:03:57-07:00

Beginner's Class Materials ($299)

Three products designed to help you generate revenue - especially during your off-peak months. Teach moms in your area beginners or advanced photography so they can learn how to better use their cameras and take those "everyday" candids. All the materials you need to start teaching classes to moms including the slides, speaker notes, and marketing guide.

This material is NOT designed to teach someone how to become a professional portrait photographer. Taking better candids is not a replacement for milestone portrait sessions with a professional photographer. Build a stronger relationship with your clients while educating and developing a better appreciation for all that goes into your portrait photography business.

Featured Sponsor: Jamie Schultz Designs (and Van for Dan Workshop Info)

2011-04-04T09:24:00-07:00

The first time I blogged about Jamie Schultz was in June of 2007. In many ways I feel like we grew up "together" online as our businesses grew and changed. Over the last 4 years I've recommended Jamie's beautiful card templates and marketing materials (many of which I used in my own business), at least 7 times. I love her style and somehow felt a connection over the Internet to her.

I always wished that she would do a workshop. I would have loved to have gone to learn how she runs her business in my earlier days. And have you seen her amazing studio space?

It would be hard not to be inspired by such beauty.

Then Jamie did something that proved to me that she was every bit as nice and special a person as I already suspected. She created a workshop as a fundraiser for a former high school classmate that needs a new handicapped accessible vehicle after being in an accident that left him handicapped. She is donating the proceeds from the workshop to help Dan get a special van to allow him to continue to be mobile.

This workshop sounds like it is going to be great fun. And with only 12 people it will be cozy allowing you to make some new friends. You'll feel good about helping someone get a better life while positioning yourself to learn from a seasoned pro (and the other workshop attendees).

And there are goodies in it for you. I'm not sure what exactly but I've heard rumor of generous support of this workshop from lots of different vendors in the photography community.

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Jamie Schultz Designs has also generously offered a little something for our swag bags for the upcoming release of our new Advanced Training materials on Photographer's Kick Start. We are thrilled to have her join our group of sponsors and will be announcing additional sponsors this week prior to our launch on Thursday April 7th!

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I've blogged a bunch about Jamie Schultz...check it out:

First blogged about Jamie back in June of 2007 with my post Buying Templates.
http://blog.heygirlniceshot.com/2007/06/buying_template.html

Posted again to talk about holiday card templates in October of 2007.
http://blog.heygirlniceshot.com/2007/09/holiday-card-te.html

More about the way I offered Holiday cards in November 2007.
http://blog.heygirlniceshot.com/2007/11/holiday-cards--.html

Marketing Business Packages in January 2008
http://blog.heygirlniceshot.com/2008/01/business-market.html

valentine Goodies in January 2008
http://blog.heygirlniceshot.com/2008/01/valentine-goodi.html

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas July 2008
http://blog.heygirlniceshot.com/2008/07/its-beginning-t.html

It's beginning to look a lot like christmas cards again July 2009
http://blog.heygirlniceshot.com/2009/07/index.html

From my inbox...

2011-03-31T10:54:41-07:00

I just wanted to send a quick email to thank you for this update. What a welcome surprise and one I was NOT expecting. How generous of you to provide this update to everyone who purchased this before!! Many companies that sell things (especially to photographers) wouldn't usually do this! I appreciate it VERY much.

Also I just had a quick look over the new material and it is GREAT, what a perfect addition to an already excellent package!

-Annemarie

Thanks Annemarie. Your note made my day and I'm thrilled that liked the updates!

Coming Soon: The Advanced Class Materials

2011-03-31T10:50:30-07:00

Over the last four years that I've taught my beginner's classes, I am frequently asked questions about more advanced materials. And as our customers get more savvy with their cameras and master the beginner's materials, they are going to want to know MORE about how they can have more control over the images they are taking. Today's DSLR cameras come fully loaded with features once reserved for professional cameras and using those features may be overhwhelming to a novice.

Available on April 7th, the second product in our training program, the Advanced Training materials were developed based on advanced training I provided to my own customers. From the one-on-one training where their questions would drive the material, to follow up classes or advanced groups that wanted to know more about their cameras, this class dives deeper into the technical aspect of a camera. Not for everyone, but for those customers who really want to gain more control of their photos, this class will help get them there.

Course Outline

Exposure Review

Creative Modes

Shooting in Program Mode

Shooting in Av Mode

Exposure Lock

Shooting in Manual Mode

Shooting in Tv Mode

Composition

Depth of Field

Focus Methods

Single Shot Focus

Continuous Focus

Changing the Focus Point

White Balance

Embracing Macro

Exploring the Menu

Out of the Box Locations

These class materials will be available for purchase and download starting April 7th. Want a reminder? Sign up for our Newsletter!