we have decided to expand our presence to print!  we have an ad in the Cavanagh's wedding planner - GET YOURS HERE! - and are really excited about that, and now we are thrilled to be going to the KNOT, too!  After all we were rated by real brides to be in this magazine!  We are still excited about that!

it's funny to make these kinds of decisions, as we hope that our clients continue to refer us to their friends and family.  we do feel that being able to establish a brand and presence gives us more value and supports those referrals. so, we have gone to print!!

this may help if you are trying to build an ad.... (especially if you are a photographer)

first, it is NOT easy!  i've been reading and exploring a LOT of design books.  as the 'album lady', design principles are really important.  there are actually RULES!  it's not as easy as it looks - hopefully, it looks easy, as that is a sign of good design.  easy on the eye, pleasing, and something draws you in.  for an ad, it needs to be eye-catching.  while the image is important, especially for photographers, the design layout also conveys an important message.  comparing the designs of MANY ad campaigns, there are certain elements that i'm drawn to, and that from a 'design and marketing principles' stand point,there are elements that work well.  Uncluttered, bold but elegant, STYLE, classic with an edge, and DIFFERENT.  as i page through books, everything looks the same... cluttered, hard to read, TOO much.  i was so tempted to put several images in the ad, and i think this is difficult for photographers - we want to show our work!  but, in the end ONE really great shot says so much!  

then, there is the text, what to write?!?!   writing copy is another task.  write too much and no one reads it.  use the wrong font, and no one CAN read it!  and say the wrong thing and you risk appearing unapproachable, amateur or unprofessional.   i see a lot of claims in ads that aren't really true, or at least are unqualified.  claims such as, 'the best...', 'the first..', 'the most...', 'the ultimate...' - what is that?  the best according to whom?  i think this is kind of off-base, yet you do want to stress your strengths, concisely and simply, and honestly.  text is tough, if you are writing an ad, take your time and be sure your text is not cliché, uninspiring or misleading.

finally, SIMPLICITY.  i think this one word speaks volumes.  clean, simple, easy to read, with STYLE.  these are the elements of an effective ad.  remember, the idea is to appeal to someone enough to get them to contact you!  you need to stand out to be noticed, and once noticed, convey a likable message and finally provide the means that you are able to be contacted, and make that clearly readable.

after hours of debate and several different layouts, the final print ad includes a photo of Megan+Michael taken in front of a plain orange wall along a hallway at the Carnegie Museum.  unexpected, different, boldly set-off by the black background.  gorgeous bride and groom 'lost' in the moment, unaware of us there.  the pink sash of her dress is unique, too.  we do not use models, ever. our photos are only of real weddings, real people, real moments.  that is important to us - it's honest.  the text is simple and we are proud to let people know we are a KNOT 'best of weddings' pick.  it's a qualified claim.

so here you are... the final product.  easy...

i hope some of this is helpful if you are trying to come up with an ad.  if you need help, let me know - my fees are pretty low.

What a baby doll!!!

not having children, i often feel like i'm not sure what to do when i photograph a child.  parents seem to want that perfect, 'smiling at the camera' shot and sometimes all the little one wants to do is scream and squirm - and i LOVE THAT!  the screaming a squirming is REAL!  i'll capture that any day.  i like something that shows the personality of the person, and being the 'ALBUM LADY' i want a lot of photos so that i can make a book!

well, ann and gregg stopped to pick up their STUNNING wedding album and i HAD to treat miss madeline to her first real photo session - and what a charmer.  i could have kept her! 

HERE IS HER BOOK. ENJOY!

more are on their way!

we are leaving for an ohio wedding, and i just realized that i never posted my reveiws from the LAST 2 !  i thought i had because they were so beautiful that i talked about them constantly!  everyone knows who megan+michael are, and because of janel i have new crocs.  but, i didn't put it here - on the blog!

i should put it up now, but with a tight schedule, i'm afraid i'd miss something. so... when i get home i will be in wedding update mode.  i have a lot of things that i'm working on, and as the ends get all tied up, i'll put a quick post here and be sending a short newsletter out.  we usually put a 'special' in there, so that it will be worth the wait.

i have been working like mad on albums - and revisions to albums, too.  here's the latest...  just to keep you occupied for a few more minutes!  LOTS more coming soon - i promise!

FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS...  check out the graphics in the album above.  i use them sparingly to just enhance a design.  i've got a LOT of requests about this type of thing, and i'll be making an announcement about something just for you!

and anyone who can make suggestions for figuring out how to put more hours in the day wins the top prize in my little contest. yes... that's on the way, too!

gosh - all this suspense, i can hardly take it! 

ok... off to Ohio to meet Rebecca + Bill... oh! how stylish this wedding will be!

ciao for now...  have a great weekend, everyone!

i have this little clip on my computer at work.  i actually have a couple of clips that just make me laugh every time i see them...

here is a link to one of the funniest uTube clips i've ever seen - i honestly laugh EVERY time i see this, and i've watched it like 100 times! (i must rate this one PG for language - but you're all adults, right?)  i don't have a mac... yet.    all you truly geeky people will like it the best.  it's almost as funny as my 'how to trim the dog' video that i did for my mom.

my sister sent me this one today - and while i have it on my computer already,  i thought i'd share it because it's just too adorable.  those of you who join me in the daily grind will understand.  OH! i guess that's everyone!

just click the little triangle to see the most adorable video for all you hard workers...  and it gets a G rating - suitable for little eyes and ears.

wow!  apple and starbucks have struck a deal....

according to AFP (some news thing) the new iPod will link for FREE to starbucks wi-fi!!  are you kidding??  where do i sign up - i gotta have the new iPod now!!  HERE'S the story i found.

the timing is perfect for my soon-to-launch contest(s).  one of the prizes will be starbucks cards.  more info is coming.... i'm getting it all set up now - just thinking up the rules. 

have you bookmarked this page, yet?  go ahead, SUBSCRIBE!  it's free and you really don't have to do anything. just sign up and subscribe to my blog and all this fun info will just come to your email.

I've decided to have a little contest!  you are all invited to participate, and there will (hopefully) be more competition - so get ready!  tell your friends to visit, too.  maybe they'll share the prize with you , if they win.

of course, if you are a regular to this blog, you will have a slight advantage....  it's only fair.

there will be prizes!  real prizes.  fun prizes, stuff you want, but not too expensive because i don't have a lot of money - and this is really just for fun...  so keep watching here and i'll give you all the details and make up the rules as we go along. 

i have lots of them - i LOVE my iPods!

and now there is a new one coming.  just what i need....  well, not really.  actually, not at all!  but i want one!  and life is too short, so i'm saving my pennies now and when it's available in stores, i may have to spring for it...

or you could all talk me out of it by then.