Ever dream of doing your own custom or stylized shoot?
How about a favorite book of yours… and having your own children STAR in their own?! I first saw this idea on the fabulous Lindsey Mills Photography page…and thought it would be fun to create my own.

But this idea would entail a while variety of “prop”… I needed costumes (in my case, I went for hats)… a book template.. and a print lab..So, I reached out to a few of my favorite vendors… Baby Cuddles by Tiffany, Sugar Lime Designs, and Millers Pro Lab… and got CRAFTING my shoot!

Whipped out my white vinyl backdrop.. dressed my babes up and got shooting!
And not to any surprise… my kids LOVED it! The whole idea was exciting to them… their favorite book + dress up = AWESOME KID FUN!
All while creating a custom family heirloom for us, that we can enjoy in years to come.. along with their own children.

You can see my FULL custom book creation here >>> Stinky Face *on issuu, in a simple to read… and prepare to be inspired to create your own!

Now to put this fabulous little book together for my kids, I had to find some ULTRA FABULOUS vendors to work with…. and I knew just who I wanted…
Baby Cuddles by Tiffany… for the darling 100% OOAK custom hats (she created each one just to my specs!) Sugar Lime Designs … for the precious templates for my book… Millers Pro Lab  of course, for my printing how could I choose anything but their lay flat books!

And with that… we created our own special, very precious… stylized shoot and custom heirloom…

OOAK hats by Baby Cuddles by Tiffany not only created the beautiful custom hats I used.. but she whipped them up in no time (Just a couple weeks), which was more than impressive for an OOAK order! Tiffany creates just what I imagine, so go check her out!  Shes ready to knit a OOAK goodie just for you too

Beautiful book template by Sugar Lime Designs creates easy to use, and obviously gorgeous, templates for all books and cards youd ever need!  Tracy Stone is a fab designer, and I highly recommend her goodies.

Layflat book printing by Millers Pro Lab has my favorite lay flat albums. Honestly, I used to order from another print lab… until I met Millers, and I was in LOVE!  Not only are the books top quality, but they are simply stunning… a real honest BOOK (and than some).  The pages are thicker than other labs Ive worked with, and the little extra touches (like the vellum sheet in front) make it a real top notch product for yourself.. and clients!

And what would this project have been without the fabulous author of “I Love You Stinky Face”, is Lisa McCourt! Lisa was more than a peach, and very happy to let me create our own special family book with her “Stinky Face” in mind.  She gave us her “OK” to use… and love!

And IMO, every mother & father should own and read this book on a regular basis to their own little ones, its just a precious way to remind them HOW MUCH WE LOVE THEM! So to purchase your own “stinky face” book, simply CLICK HERE… every house should have it!

With all my love, for my own three “stinky faces”!

***Please remember to always RESPECT AUTHORS… writing these precious children books is their craft and lively hood… so if you have a book you love, reach out to the author for their A-OK to use.  You never know… you might be surprised by the pleasure and acceptance of the author, as I was with Lisa McCourt.

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Pixie Kids winner is… Matt Davies

Pebble Brook winner is… Pam Christianson

Hannahs Tutus & Bella Claire winner is… Joette Cronin

Bad Sass Backdrops winners are…
1) Angela Hawk
2) Heather Harlin
3) Marissa (loreto) (marissa pls email me, the email you provided is shooting back to me)

Stitches by Sarah winner is… Jennifer Barata Allen

Chic Critique winner is… Katie Redmond

Pink Elephant winner is… Chelsie Lee

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Shannon Johnston is a newborn & wedding photographer in central mississippi.

She knows what a photographer wants, and needs… and what “clicks” for us.
Including jewelry… like camera shaped necklaces!

Shannon also knows what it’s like to get behind on a session and feel like you need to rush through editing to get the clients gallery up in time. Don’t jeopardize your business, outsource! You can send her your session and she will edit the images, and send back for you to upload to your clients gallery. With this low cost program you can spend more time with your family, and still have quality work in half the time! You will receive your original large file, and a web file ready to upload to your website/facebook or clients gallery.

Shannon Johnston EDITS *click here*

Price: $2.75 per image – 10 print minimum
Images must be properly exposed
RAW – SOOC images are required
You may send your editing recipe (step by step process of how you edit) for me to follow, or she can use my best judgment and edit she sees fit

Programs used:
CS5
Lightroom 3
Portraiture

Turnaround Time:
up to 25 images – 2 days
25-50 images – 4 days
50 – 100 images – 1 week

Shannon offered to work a few of my SOOC images, and needles to say.. I was impressed! Not only did she do a great job, but she HONESTLY edited my images in the same way I would have myself.  Her own creativity shined, and I would be happy to send my SOOC to Shannon ANY TIME!

And think it all through…
you charge for prints and products with your edit time in mind… so by adding in someone ELSE to edit your images, that price should still be (or can be easily) added into your selling cost.  Think about this too… more time for YOU and your family, by having another professional edit your images FOR YOU.  You shoot your clients, and Shannon edits them… and being that the editing is the most time consuming part of a shoot, I find it more than worth the cost… and LOVE THE IDEA!

Shannon Johnston Photo

Now… WHO WANTS TO WIN?!

One lucky PI reader will win one of Shannons camera necklaces.
Woot woot!
To enter, simply visit her facebook page >>> click here to like and leave her some love! Then come back here and leave a comment below and let us know how YOU would spend your extra time if not editing your photos?????

For me.. Id spend the time snuggling my new baby… and THAT is time well spent!

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Sweet Lilly B Designs

Sweet Lilly B Designs has the crown jewels of props..
in fact.. she has the crowns… PERIOD.

And we had the JOY of testing out a handful of her crowned goodies!
Sure to please on any tiny head…
any gender…
almost any age!

We *heart* Sweet Lilly B Designs
and think you will too!

Different styles, different colors… all as simply precious as the next!

They are sized for newborns, babies, toddlers and kiddos,
and what lil prince or princess wouldnt be “topped off” with cuteness like this!

And at $12+ a pop… they are a great addition to your prop stash!

DISCOUNT ALERT!
Use code PROPINSANITY for 20% off all orders until March 6th

That is one discount you should take advantage of… pronto peeps!
Tiny crowns like this are the new fashion fab of the photography world… and its easy to see why. They are simple, precious, endearing… and affordable to use all!

So come take a peek around Sweet Lilly B Designs and thank us later

WHO WANTS TO WIN?!
One lucky PI reader will win 3 crowns! (baby, toddler, kid)
To enter, simply visit their site >>> Sweet Lilly B Designs
then come back here and leave a comment on which 3 colors youd like!

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Being a professional photographer has its definite perks, and using the fabulous props we come across is a big part of that!

However, when we use props, we have to make sure that we are always using them wisely and most of all carefully. After all, we are photographing babies, not objects… and our tender care for them is a #1 priority.

In our world of prop photography there are a handful of props we use on a regular basis… So, I made a list of my favorites… and some simple tricks & thoughts to keep it safe.

Slings:  Always have a spotter, with a beanbag underneath.
Common sense should take over here, to never let a baby dangle… let alone without a bean bag directly under baby. I suggest having hands on baby at ALL times, and than doing a composite to remove hands for a full “hanging” shot.

(above shot compliments of Keri Meyers *click image for more Keri)

Heads Up:  Shown simply below thanks to Brandy Jaggers, its all about 2 shots, than composite in photoshop.

(above shot compliments of Brandy Jaggers*pinterest)

Baskets: With baskets, they are prob the simplest of props, however can be just as dangerous. Never leave baby unattended, obviously…but also dont forget babies are tiny, but still strong in their own right. They CAN and WILL push themselves out with one tiny ooomph & push of their feet. So always have a spotter right next to baby, and never start your shooting until baby is quieted, still and fast asleep in the basket.

Sometimes, I will even have my spotter hold baby in place, then composite a shot, or just clone/brush out the hands.

Bean Bags: Obviously, never leave them unattended as well.
Babies can still roll over, and off, a bean bag…  or flop their faces right into the soft folds of a bean bag.
Yet another note to always take precaution, even with the most simple of props.

Chairs, Stools & Such: Leaving a baby or toddler standing against a prop
like this, when they are unsure of their own footing, is asking for a fall to happen. Once again, I know its common sense.. but have your spotter (or mommy) right beside baby. Baby is more important that ANY shot, and even if WE know that, we sometimes have remind parents in the “heat of an amazing shot”.

Those wobbly legs are pinch-able sweet, but they are not sturdy and very unsure when first acquired. So take caution… and keep spotter on hand so baby doesnt fall or push/slide the prop and OOOMMPHH!

Again, lots of times I Just clone/brush out the spotter/parent from the sideline.

Composite Composite Composite

Remember… you can always composite 2 shots… or brush away part of a background…but we always have to put safety first when using props.

Props are a fabulous way to enjoy a newborn and baby session,
but each has its own quirks and issues, so take heed… and GET THAT SHOT with safety in mind… because baby always comes first.

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Gorgeously Chic is an amazing line of romantic garments, headpieces, beautiful junk and shabby treasures. 

Jennifer with Gorgeously Chic created Gorgeously Chic in April 2011 to bring to life her  handcrafted simple, yet classy designs. 

Gorgeously Chic offers a variety of designs as well as a new collection filled with shabby, vintage inspired wedding props & home decor accent pieces.

You will love all of the eyecandy and beautiful bits in her Etsy shop!

Gorgeously Chic is giving away a $30 gift certificate to use in her Etsy shop to one super lucky PI reader!

So, who is ready to win?!?!?!

All you have to do is make sure that you like Gorgeously Chic.   Then, check out her Etsy shop, and come back here and leave us a comment telling us which of her gorgeous items is your favorite.

-Krista

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A few weeks ago, I was browsing Etsy for some newborn girl hats. Specifically, I was searching for flapper hats. They’re one of the new looks I’ve seen cropping up in newborn photography circles recently, and I just LOVE them! They’re so cute, I can’t stand it!

I was immediately drawn to a li’l Etsy shop called “CraftNikki.” She has SO many adorable designs in her shop, it’s almost impossible to pick a favorite. But that pink flapper beanie immediately caught my eye.  It’s just so simple, sweet, and girlie.

And Nikki is SO wonderful to work with. She answers questions super quickly, and she’s just so nice!

I love this little headband she sent. The yarn is soft and pretty, and the flowers are so cute. I love the pink stripes! There’s an elastic in the back of the headband that ensures a comfortable fit on delicate little newborn heads.

But my favorite part? The flower is actually a clip, which is interchangeable on all three products (the headband and two different hats). The colors of the flowers coordinate with several different items in Nikki’s shop, so you have 6 different looks with 3 items. Well, really 7 looks, since you can use the hair clip by itself as well.

I absolutely adore this little teddy bear beanie. The yarn is SO soft and stretchy, and the color is just perfect. And those little ears!! Too cute, don’t you think? And of course, the flower is detachable, so you have two different looks without having to disturb a sleeping baby by changing hats!

Soooo… Who wants to win? CraftNikki is giving away all four items featured in this blog post – the flapper beanie, the teddy bear hat, the headband, AND the interchangeable flower clip. I’m so excited about this prize!

If you want to be entered to win, it’s a super simple process. Simply check out CraftNikki at her home on Etsy, and try not to be overwhelmed by all the cuteness in her shop. Then head back over here and leave a commenting letting us know which item in her shop is your very favorite.

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So it’s almost here prop junkies… senior portrait season! Spring is just around the corner, and it’s time to work up your senior reps.. get them lined up, gear up, and ready to work it up for you!
And to get US pumped up for the up coming season… we have the specialists in senior portraits ready… SENIOROLOGIE!

At SENIOROLOGIE you can read about the top senior portrait photographers in the industry… and, get yourself on their “senior portrait photographer directory”, so the seniors in your area can find YOU!

What is SENIOROLOGIE? It’s THE place to meet, find, be inspired, and learn all about senior portraiture. Lucky for us here at PI… we get a special insight into this fabulous, and magical, art, from the gal (Leslie the great) over at SENIOROLOGIE.
We put together a special Q&A just for prop junkies… and senior portraiture artists alike! Ready for it? Here is comes…

HELLO SENIOROLOGIE! First of all… which of you fabulous gals is doing this interview?
Leslie…Believe it or not it is a one-woman show…I am the woman behind the curtain, so to speak!
And of course, give us all of your links… site, blog, facebook, twitter, etc… any and all of your social networking!
THE SITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER

We put together a special five (5) Q&A tailored just for you… ready for it?

1) Is a senior rep program THAT important? And of course… your reasons “why”?
I think the RIGHT senior rep program is very important! Senior rep programs are trial and error and figuring out what will work for your specific senior portrait business can make your rep program very successful! Rep programs are also a great way to get into the senior market! We all have to start somewhere. I think the best senior rep programs are those that are created by doing your research, making changes in your program if things aren’t working and being consistent with communication to your seniors. A rep program is a great way to get your business out there and in the minds of the seniors or juniors or even sophomores. The misconception I think a lot of photographers make is they think they have to have tons of reps or they think they have to have it all figured out. No!

Most photographers started somewhere with their rep program and have changed it over the years to what it is now. You really just need one senior to begin this process and from there it will organically grow into a full-fledged rep program! It is kind of like the saying in that baseball movie that I literally couldn’t sit through but…”if you build it, they will come!”

Start with one girl and grow your rep program from there! I promise it will happen if you work at it!!

2) What is the first step in getting started in the senior portrait biz. For those of us who are established as family photographers, how can WE step into the senior portrait biz??
Do your research!!! Find out what your area high schools do for photos. Talk to people that have children in high school or friends of friends. Find out all the info you can on each high school, what their rules are for photos for the yearbooks and who currently take the photos. From there, find one girl (like I stated above) and give her a complimentary photo shoot!

I have met no one that will ever turn down a free photo shoot! Make sure to be clear on what they will receive from this shoot. Do not give away everything like I did on my first major senior shoot. Make this person work a little for photos so you can begin your rep program. That girl will then talk to her friends and show off her photos on Facebook, etc. and this will have a domino effect for your business.

If others don’t call right away, then do another shoot. Make sure to do shoots that you want to showcase and this will give you great photos for your portfolio and make others take notice on this side of your business. Be patient but keep working at making those connections with seniors and it will build from there.

3) And we must ask… how important are PROPS for senior portraits? Do they tend to bring their own, or should the photographer supply the props?
I personally think the most important thing is to gear each shoot toward that particular senior. If you do a pre-shoot questionnaire then you will find out a lot about the senior and you will be able to gear their shoot toward them.

You can ask questions like, “what is your dream photo shoot?” and “what types of activities do you really enjoy?” Their answers will tell you what type of props you need.

For instance if they love ballet then ask them to bring their ballet shoes for the shoot and that is a great prop they can wear or have in the photos in some other way. If they mention they love vintage records or clothing, then work with the senior to pull together some of these items from their collection or from your own. If you gear the props toward what they love, then they will probably have what you need for the shoot.

Of course, it is always nice to have some things that you want to try out as props but use those when you have a senior who is willing to let you sort of play or when you are doing a complimentary session for a rep. When using props, don’t forget the detail shots!! A lot of times we think of details only when it pertains to weddings but details of any shoot can help tell the story of the subject and can help sell an album! Props for seniors can be anything from what they are wearing like a special hat or shoes to other objects such as their favorite instrument. If you have a senior that is into photography, have an old vintage camera or two in the photos.

I think props are always a fun addition to any shoot and sometimes it gives the subject something to play with or pose with and that helps make them feel comfortable.

4) When it comes to “what to wear”… how do you recommend the students dress, and outfits to bring, etc?
I encourage photographers to use these posts to send to their clients as inspiration. You can also follow me on pinterest, where I have a senior board that I pin things to to help inspire seniors on what to wear.

The best advice I can give as to what to wear is to talk with your client and help them with their wardrobe!

Have them send you pics via text as to what they are thinking of wearing. Tell them to bring a couple of options so you can give them several looks during their shoot. I always tell my clients to bring at least a dressier look and a more casual look. By dressy, I don’t mean ball gown and by casual, I don’t mean sweats! Usually my senior girls will bring a pretty dress for one look and then jeans and a nice top for another look. Layering is always great for photos. Just by taking off a sweater or adding a scarf to an outfit, you can get a totally different look!

And accessorize! That is really important. Some of these things can become “props” in the photos and the senior can play with her scarf or necklace to give a different pose for the photos.

I also think determining what to wear based on the location of the shoot is a good idea. A really pretty flowy dress and a straw hat looks perfect in a field of tall grass but maybe not the best outfit for the funky, graffiti-filled downtown area location. So make sure to plan ahead so your senior will be able to dress for the situation.

5) Lastly…. what is the best way to MARKET to the senior portrait clientele??
FACEBOOK!!

Seniors are always on facebook so by giving every client or rep five facebook photos from their session you are guaranteeing that others will see your work! Post on your reps facebook walls and be sure to stay in touch with them. Comment on their cute photos from their prom or congratulate them on winning an award or getting into the college they wanted! I even go support my girls in their high school pageants or other events.

Seeing me there always makes them feel like I am a friend and not just their photographer. I have helped many of my girls with sorority recommendations and advice on schools. They text me, call me, email me with questions about stuff. I do this because I truly love the girls that I have photographed and I love that age and remember what it was like in high school (even though it was a million years ago). This definitely helps with my marketing but I don’t do it for that reason.

I just truly believe that maintaining a relationships with your clients, whether they are seniors or not, is the best way to having a successful client relationship.”

~Leslie

And with that prop junkies… GET ROCKIN THOSE SENIOR PORTRAITS… and enjoy every second of it! It’s an honor to be a senior portrait photographer, in such an important time in their lives!…

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Urban Lane Frames

Ready for a new LOVE in the frame world?

Then come take a peekie peek at Urban Lane Frames
and tell them PI sent ya!

Frames as beautiful like these…
well you dont want them just for one thing,
you want use them, use them, and USE THEM over and over again!

So hang Urban Lane Frames  in your studio,
in your office space,
in your own home…
and dont forget to use Urban Lane Frames as props too!

And with colors as bold at those above,
they are more than perfect for
Senior Portraits.. with a style to match!

I think my #1 in their collection is the CAPRA montage frame, holding the 5 5×7 photos…
I mean, simply gorgeous and perfect for swapping out your favorite studio
(or own family) pictures!

Check out all of Urban Lane Frames shapes…
the plethora of styles is never ending.

And YES… I have Urban Lane Frames hanging in my OWN home and studio as well

Wanna see more of them?
Check out Urban Lane Frames on FACEBOOK

WHO WANTS TO WIN?!
One lucky reader will win an 8×10 frame of choice!
To enter… simply visit their site..and come back here to comment
letting us know which frame and color youd like..
and you could win just that very frame!

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Please let me introduce you to the Pink Elephant Bowtique.

This shop is filled with pretty accessories- adorable crowns, headbands and bows to adorn your children or your sweetest little clients.

I LOVE The Pink Elephant Bowtique’s vintage crowns. 

These vintage handmade crowns are guaranteed to receive many compliments & spark sentimental memories for years to come. 

Aren’t they just adorable on newborns?

The Pink Elephant Bowtique has delicious satin headbands with vintage pearls and jeweled adornments and come in a variety of colors and flavors. 

Perfect for newborns all the way to adults! 

And all of The Pink Elephant Bowtique’s rolled and hand-crafted hair accessories are backed with soft felt, for comfort and durability…. you will absolutely LOVE them!

 The Pink Elephant Bowtique is giving away 1 item from the Etsy shop to a lucky PI reader!

So, who wants to win?

All you have to do is make sure that you like The Pink Elephant Bowtique on Facebook.  

Then, check out The Pink Elephant Bowtique on Etsy and come back here and leave us a comment telling us which item is your favorite.

The Pink Elephant Bowtique Prop Insanity readers can receive a 10% off  discount; just enter the code ‘Prop10′ when checking out in The Pink Elephant Bowtique Etsy Shop!

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