and the winner is...

The winner is Tamara Tovey - Tamara wins 25 recycled card wallets from @wewowuk  http://www.wewow.co.uk/

Congratulations Tamara and get in touch and we'll arrange everything!

www.gettotallyrad.com - 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway

I have to be honedt I've never actually bought any of the actions from Totally Rad Actions, there is just so much choice out there - where do you stop? But I have tried a few of their free ones - and they're brilliant!  They've just announced 12 days of freebies including Kelly Moore Bags, free actions and presets and lots of other design goodies.

So keep an eye on their blog, and if you join their facebook page they're doing special giveaways for their fans.

Let me know if you manage to win anything!

Interview with Jenny Meng-Strawhorne of Over the Rainbow Photography

1.   Will you start by telling us where you work and live and the type of photography you do?

I’m originally from Seattle, WA, USA but I now reside in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. I’m a people photographer, so I primarily shoot weddings and portraits.

2.   What inspires you as a photographer?

Love, laughter and light.

3.   How long have been a photographer?

Since I got my own camera when I turned 8! :) I’ve been in business a year and a half.

4.   When you’re not photographing, where can we find you?

Playing with my two obnoxiously adorable children, reading a good book (or sometimes not so good – I did finish the Twilight series), working on some sort of craft project, and sometimes… don’t laugh… playing World of Warcraft with my husband.

5.   Any books that inspired you {or helped you} in your business?

I’ve read some photography books, but most of my business inspiration has come from blogs and other successful photographers.

6.   Best marketing idea? 

I’m always looking for the best one! So far networking with other photographers and treating my clients very well top the list.

7.   Worst marketing idea?

Well, maybe not the worst ever because I did get a couple inquiries and it was cheap, but… business cards in the local chippie. I don’t think people are necessarily thinking about custom photography when picking up a takeaway. Ha ;)

8.   Do you have a studio and if not do you feel having a studio would help your business grow?

I’m pretty happy working from home right now, although I think there is a certain prestige associated with having a studio.  For me a dedicated studio/gallery/office is more something my business might grow into rather than something I’d use to help my business grow. 

9.   What do you think makes a photographer successful?

I think a successful photographer is someone who pleases their clients without losing the urge to grow artistically.

10.  What’s your weakness in this business?

My filing system leaves something to be desired. Balancing pride in a job well done with knowledge of how much I still have to learn can be tricky as well.  

11.   Are you a Nikon or Canon?

I’m a Canon girl :)

12.   and Lens?

Love my 50mm!

13.   If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?

A preschool/primary teacher. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education and I’m still a teacher at heart.  I think it helps me connect with kids and manage groups well.

14.   Can you give the readers your best piece of advice for starting or running a photography business.

Do extensive research first. Lay the groundwork for success by having the equipment and technical skills as well as business knowledge, plans, insurance, etc.  Know that photos are a small part of running a photo business.  Be confident.  Lastly, this may sound cliché but it has helped my perspective immensely recently: remember you’re running your own race! It’s great to seek inspiration and advice but don’t measure yourself by someone else’s standards and get discouraged. Be you and enjoy it!

15.   Tell us your proudest moment of your career?

Finishing my first wedding was an amazing feeling! I also loved shooting a Littlest Heroes Project session this spring.

Here is where you can find Jenny…

twitter.com/jennymeng

Facebook.com/overtherainbowphotography

Website/Blog: http://overtherainbowphotography.com

Interview with Pete Crouch from PINKTULIP

1.     Will you start by telling us where you work and live and the type of photography you do?

I live in Cumbria just off the main Hadrian’s Wall route between Carlisle and Newcastle, with my wife Louise who is also a photographer and business partner and my daughter Lucy.  I love photographing people and get a great buzz from weddings, but especially enjoy family lifestyle photography.  I also do some commercial work and like creating lovely food images.

2.     What inspires you as a photographer? 

Whilst I have not done a great deal of landscape work, the outdoors is always an inspiration, and capturing people outdoors in a relaxed environment is always a pleasure. Taking pictures of people doing what they enjoy and having fun is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

3.     How long have you been a photographer?

I have been taking photos for over 20 years which started with an evening class in B&W photo processing I then set-up a dark room in a spare bedroom at home and have been playing around with cameras ever since.  I made the jump from film to digital about 10 years ago just before our daughter was born and finally took the plunge and turned ‘full-time’ pro in 2006.

4.     When you’re not photographing, where can we find you?

Wearing my other hat as social media manager, I spend a fair bit of time in front of my computer, but love going out with my dog and when the weather is good the whole family can be found in the lakes in our Canadian Canoe.  One of my favourite things is a Friday night in the pub with good friends having a nice steak pie and some real Cumbrian beer.

5.     Any books that inspired you {or helped you} in your business?

‘E-Myth Mastery’ by Michael Gerber,

‘Screw It Let’s Do It’ by Richard Branson

And one I am reading at the moment which is awesome – Jeffrey Gitomer’s ‘Little Gold Book of Yes! Attitude’

6.     Best marketing idea? 

Making a proper commitment to networking, and also getting a good understanding of Social Media.

7.     Worst marketing idea?

Local paper advertising – very low impact and costly. Don’t do it!

8.     Do you have a studio and if not do you feel having a studio would help your business grow?

Yes we built a log cabin at the end of our garden, which we initially used as a studio for High-Key/Low-Key shoots, but now only really use it for commercial or product shots.  Most of our work now is on location or with some venues we partner with.

9.     What do you think makes a photographer successful?

A good attitude is the first thing that springs to mind, and confidence especially when working with people.  Being able to connect and get on with people is vital, as often the subject is looking to the photographer for all the guidance and support they need.  I have also found that at weddings, it is often myself that people will come to for organisation as the photographer tends to be the only ‘non-guest’ that follows the process all the way through the day.  So being organised and in control is a great help as there is an expectation that I will know what to do next.  Oh and being able to tie a Cravat helps as well!

10.  What’s your weakness in this business?

Putting myself under extra pressure. In this business it’s quite difficult to learn how to say no, and I find myself sometimes over-committing with regard to time deadlines etc, and have to burn a bit of midnight oil, but I continually convince myself that a bit of pressure generally brings out the best in people.

11.  Are you a Nikon or Canon?

I am a bit of a closet tech geek, and do love my gadgets.  I use all Canon gear and love my old and battered EOS1D but have started playing with the video function on my new 5DMkII which rocks.

12.  and Lens?

Yes lots – fave at a wedding is the trusty 70-200 2.8IS for most shots and love my 1.8 85mm prime.

13.  If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?

I love the idea of creating things that people will love, but I am not at all artistic when it comes to drawing or painting so would perhaps be a chef as I love good food except celery and red peppers, I still get really annoyed that I cannot bare the taste of either when they look and sound so wonderful.

Or maybe a lawyer if I had done much better at school.  The law has always fascinated me and I love the idea of a big courtroom battle – must be all the John Grisham books I have read.

14.  Can you give the readers your best piece of advice for starting or running a photography business.

Spend time around other photographers, you may be surprised to find that most are very generous with their time and expertise, don’t try and be all things to all men, find a style or type of photography you enjoy and focus on that. Pick your suppliers carefully and don’t rush into buying lots of kit and samples.  We still have stuff in the cupboard that hasn’t seen the light of day for 2 years.

15.   Tell us your proudest moment of your career?

I used to work in IT sales for about 12 years, and most corporate clients never really got excited about what I was selling them, so I think a very proud moment was handing over the wedding album to my first proper paying client as a pro, and seeing the joy and delight that it brought.

Here is where you can find Pete

Twitter – www.twitter.com/peterjcrouch

Facebook  - www.facebook.com/pinktulip.photo

Website - www.pinktulip.co.uk

Blog – www.pinktulipphotos.wordpress.com

Top 10 Photography Books for Beginners - Photographers Boutique

Here is the top 10 books all newbie Photographers should read, as suggested by the pro's!

1.  Understanding Exposure - suggested by Christy Lewis

2. Annabel Williams - suggested by Jo Rutherford of Jo Rutherford Photography & me too!



3. The Photographers Market Guide to Building your Photography Business - suggested by Karen Morrison



4. Damien Lovegrove - suggested by Penny Carolan



5. Digital Exposure suggested by Penny carolan



6. Light Science and Magic suggested by Claire Sloane



7. Wedding Photography by Mark cleghorn - suggested by Lisa Dawn



8. The art of Chidlrens Portrait Photography by Tamara Lackey suggested by Vicki Knights



9. The Photographers Eye (Michael Freeman)suggested by Sophie Gee.



10. Expressive Photography - Shutter Sisters - suggested by me!



Hope these books will inspire you.  I'm personally feeling the need to change my christmas list...

www.kraftandjute.com - Gorgeous Packaging

Just found a really cute website - http://www.kraftandjute.com/ its an American one so not sure what the postage will be like...but...so cute.

Sleeves for 5x7 prints:

They can even be branded:

Double CD DVD sleeves and again they can be branded:

Gorgeous gift bags:

CD/DVD envelopes:



Everything is created on 100% recycled kraft paper.

I've always used kraft bags so i absolutely love this company.  Its simple and beautiful!

www.wewow.co.uk - unique, eco-friendly, cost-effective disc packaging

Today I have the great pleasure in reviewing some very special packaging!  http://www.wewow.co.uk/ environmentally-friendly alternative for CD and DVD packaging …

Wewow print with vegetable based inks and use a single piece of sustainable board to produce the packaging so that it can be sourced locally and easily recycled. 

They can produce short-run options which are great for photographers.  Other alternatives are the WowSpiral and WowPak, visit their website to find out more and check out the photos below.

Personally I like the idea of having bespoke packaging for my clients, and definitely something that looks so professional. I can see a simple kraft brown envelope with my logo on it!

The process is really easy:

• Send them your master CD/DVD
• Download or request their artwork templates & guidelines
• Send your artwork to wewow
• Recieve PDF Approval - Digital Proofs
• Delivery in 5-8 working days

Simple!

So here are a few examples of their work and I love them!

....and the great news is that Wewow have kindly offered one reader 25 recycled card wallets in our latest competion (printed with artwork - which should be minimal colour to print effectively on the recycled board, as pictured).

To win this fantasic prize all you have to do is:

Post or RT "I really really want to win 25 recycled card wallets from @wewowuk & @photoboutiqueuk at http://photographers-boutique.blogspot.com/ " on twitter & leave a comment here telling me that you have done so, with your twitter name.

2. Follow me on twitter @photoboutiqueuk and leave a comment on my website telling me you are a follower and leave your twitter name

3. Follow me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Photographers-Boutique/121405661249228 and leave a comment here telling me you have “liked” me.

4. Follow Wewow on twitter @wewowuk and then leave a comment here telling me that you have “liked” them and leave your twitter name.

Please leave a separate comment for each of the four things :)

That's all there is to it – if you leave 1 comment you get 1 chance to win and if you do all 4 then you get 4 chances to win :) The winner will be chosen at random on Friday 10th December 2010.

OPEN TO UK PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY