tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48883263218415451312024-03-06T17:57:34.057+10:30smile. play. love.photography & designkarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-13559638819908035852010-01-28T21:15:00.005+10:302010-01-28T21:37:32.722+10:30mini-sessions | "window box" portraits<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">well, if rebranding and growing my business while building a new website was not enough to do in the new year, we are also moving out of our lovely house (and my fantastic studio space.) *sad smiley for that* =( </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">but, before we move i want a chance to make use out of this great window cut-out i have in my studio. so i am having a day of mini-sessions. these will be approximately 10 minutes in length and will include a fully edited and touched up, professionally printed portrait. you choose the photo and place your order right on the spot. no muss, no fuss! this is a great way to get some quick, fun and affordable portraits without coming for a full one hour session. kids can sit, stand or even just peek through the window. (not really suitable for babies, sorry.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">"window box" mini-session event: saturday february 13th</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">session fee includes portrait</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">5x7 = $25</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">8x10/8x12 = $30</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">10x20 = $40 </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">(ps - this is a savings of over 30% off of my regular portrait prices. and i will give you a further discount if you order multiple copies.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>call 0404240050 or email smileplaylove@gmail.com to book your session</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">(pps - if this mini-session idea is a success i will do another one in april for mother's day gifts!)</span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2cY-XCvciL2Y1tPxd86KyPjnByhCQIpwcCxAlArkw9cvwVYOTtGkbmw1kUpswonkOrb5tQ2RqiIw5Za8kQEAsMI171b5VcxzocLbrq6ZpBsIWv1kyCMgG3uauZPRb_1PuVtSRDRxCkc/s1600-h/_MG_9145.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 171px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2cY-XCvciL2Y1tPxd86KyPjnByhCQIpwcCxAlArkw9cvwVYOTtGkbmw1kUpswonkOrb5tQ2RqiIw5Za8kQEAsMI171b5VcxzocLbrq6ZpBsIWv1kyCMgG3uauZPRb_1PuVtSRDRxCkc/s320/_MG_9145.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431740284431852642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIMs_u57RuWonI5j_7Yj4V5zUFXpBlLB0B5XmFw-ZbIWOqdHSncHSdFhhat3RgwYxE8BTowQWbpBFin3USdKIghu_RV45-I1OfCqPWJdpdIemeXVUy4ljbedfR8DBW6b0PjE5ypeud4I/s1600-h/_MG_9138.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIMs_u57RuWonI5j_7Yj4V5zUFXpBlLB0B5XmFw-ZbIWOqdHSncHSdFhhat3RgwYxE8BTowQWbpBFin3USdKIghu_RV45-I1OfCqPWJdpdIemeXVUy4ljbedfR8DBW6b0PjE5ypeud4I/s320/_MG_9138.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431740276962750434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwJC4bvx0H3XQpwkYRJD4Jjgha4dYlxjlBTJSl_85_9Fjirr7PBdJbvtoLxvaMdj1U7qfW8qGYFrfH43M8Ln6gBF_0ixaX7cw_YCv6wVkKf-pPt-pr1adHpwGIrMn2yimyXecI3VqIBs/s1600-h/5477touchedup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwJC4bvx0H3XQpwkYRJD4Jjgha4dYlxjlBTJSl_85_9Fjirr7PBdJbvtoLxvaMdj1U7qfW8qGYFrfH43M8Ln6gBF_0ixaX7cw_YCv6wVkKf-pPt-pr1adHpwGIrMn2yimyXecI3VqIBs/s320/5477touchedup.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431740270729072242" /></a>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-30716787185040798312010-01-27T21:07:00.004+10:302010-01-27T21:19:26.054+10:30location sessions | a day at the beach<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">one of the things i really want to do more of this year are location sessions. parks, beaches, playgrounds, urban settings... and of course the beach. those of you who know me well, know i love the beach! my girls are such good sports, always willing to let me practice on them. and of course they are such beautiful subjects to photograph! we had fun this cloudy saturday morning at the beach. that is, until ella fell on the rocks and taylor banged her cheek and needed a band-aid on her knee. sometimes photographing your own children is the biggest challenge! =)</span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQK9WN-WV5V1GxlAePzwrxcLF6ydqjt_bHO2kIkHO4xOfibJcp5I092M0InLH2DmJwo2fIceyepPOtwXNQ6gOh8IykbP05JlvonkyOQ1rrm2LHMhlo4OnQOR-vqqe_cZh9p57dWQ_mFk/s1600-h/_MG_9058.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQK9WN-WV5V1GxlAePzwrxcLF6ydqjt_bHO2kIkHO4xOfibJcp5I092M0InLH2DmJwo2fIceyepPOtwXNQ6gOh8IykbP05JlvonkyOQ1rrm2LHMhlo4OnQOR-vqqe_cZh9p57dWQ_mFk/s320/_MG_9058.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431367587986493138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6lkybPSQ045pMGZyM9GzhIoJTPVm2EfiwysGF45T11mbVtqxwlw3JltsIE9WS2CkoptF-WG9PxxkftFD_MNMislYQn1L4qvsV-2ARAh4sYiIa1Zpv56_-MpQo7XsnFqEd068Y7u1PgI/s1600-h/_MG_9108.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6lkybPSQ045pMGZyM9GzhIoJTPVm2EfiwysGF45T11mbVtqxwlw3JltsIE9WS2CkoptF-WG9PxxkftFD_MNMislYQn1L4qvsV-2ARAh4sYiIa1Zpv56_-MpQo7XsnFqEd068Y7u1PgI/s320/_MG_9108.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431367577917610146" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW33XF5PJokt6tdsWtmBzUpBK13y2hL_Jf1ZhEJX_kX6UeZETQO0dEDqDiKHHskyq-wlHU0IyULaTdghVD5bTSB22Ul00Cuf4s2AvLOplhpqmCvEaca9r6cT-brXQStBV2h9DeN7itEdw/s1600-h/_MG_9080.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW33XF5PJokt6tdsWtmBzUpBK13y2hL_Jf1ZhEJX_kX6UeZETQO0dEDqDiKHHskyq-wlHU0IyULaTdghVD5bTSB22Ul00Cuf4s2AvLOplhpqmCvEaca9r6cT-brXQStBV2h9DeN7itEdw/s320/_MG_9080.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431367574030175346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwgaY8FDQAmLO06na5tBkmmFvey_c1wwLldPlon_7-a09MuLcv04kBIAKTyf50sy2PReUolXathKB7JxQneYoSDvXv8XKPfmirVad51XXmpAbvBOosc3BDiYr2B4zhGg4PkcCgpsQ_9g/s1600-h/_MG_9056.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwgaY8FDQAmLO06na5tBkmmFvey_c1wwLldPlon_7-a09MuLcv04kBIAKTyf50sy2PReUolXathKB7JxQneYoSDvXv8XKPfmirVad51XXmpAbvBOosc3BDiYr2B4zhGg4PkcCgpsQ_9g/s320/_MG_9056.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431367565146382370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaRxRRBRF34cMo-zfcRULr2RUiZOc94Xqwyq8GwAf2SItVX3_wBSro0uuxelxNtM832Py0nu0G89eH0UFQTWST7qLJt3XHnYNYchdCMUuZRihM5TpcBwomFB6su9x3PiwL1xOgeySQjc/s1600-h/_MG_9055.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaRxRRBRF34cMo-zfcRULr2RUiZOc94Xqwyq8GwAf2SItVX3_wBSro0uuxelxNtM832Py0nu0G89eH0UFQTWST7qLJt3XHnYNYchdCMUuZRihM5TpcBwomFB6su9x3PiwL1xOgeySQjc/s320/_MG_9055.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431367561936836466" /></a>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-90363236907916937462010-01-21T21:56:00.014+10:302010-01-21T22:26:59.952+10:30making "executive decisions" is such a power trip!<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">family shots used to be the hardest part of my photography sessions. like, i really dreaded them. a lot. and then i would spend hours after the fact trying to fix up the photo make it look just perfect: 5 happy faces all looking directly at the camera without that fake smile look. gah! when you work with squirmy babies, tempermental toddlers, and self conscious adults it is pretty daunting to get that perfect, traditional, posed family photo. (big kudos to those of you who have mastered this. i bow at your feet.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">the thing is, every time i went to edit those family sessions i was drawn to the 'outtakes'; you know, those candid, relaxed, silly, sweet, real moments in between all the posing and 'cheese'ing. i spent all my time editing the traditional, posey ones i thought families wanted but what i really loved were the candid ones! so i started taking more of those. and showing families more of those. and i think a lot of people like those ones better too.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">so i have made an executive decision. (and since i am the only one here, i get to do that.) no more traditional, posed, "smile-and-say-cheese" family photos for this girl. if that is the type of photo that you love, then i encourage you to find a photographer that will capture that beautifully. but for me, i am sticking to the 'outtakes' =)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuCRc3hH2g3h3L2efp9q1OVA9ntP8bJNpQYoHwelcTObLEnAjQqfbiIgq3uQyOPnMWjMQ8Zn1en3uYioBEfrtg7yjA49HzcWFJsX2B3r_auSXpmZSKaRbUhVem3AHLMtI4UcpjPIB8ag/s1600-h/family+1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuCRc3hH2g3h3L2efp9q1OVA9ntP8bJNpQYoHwelcTObLEnAjQqfbiIgq3uQyOPnMWjMQ8Zn1en3uYioBEfrtg7yjA49HzcWFJsX2B3r_auSXpmZSKaRbUhVem3AHLMtI4UcpjPIB8ag/s320/family+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429157410448942018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQx9T6cVwvheXo13AALzTWcy8BosOt68JLDwoMbO0ofpRgHWDzICMYn_Xuu-qSnuQoxQ2CkMq08bpG8kuwdninSb0o2j7PTj7iyl5AHmE3CdqeSxO7oCvoLmFGz7luS-C46KxqolIsuj0/s1600-h/kissing+heyden.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQx9T6cVwvheXo13AALzTWcy8BosOt68JLDwoMbO0ofpRgHWDzICMYn_Xuu-qSnuQoxQ2CkMq08bpG8kuwdninSb0o2j7PTj7iyl5AHmE3CdqeSxO7oCvoLmFGz7luS-C46KxqolIsuj0/s320/kissing+heyden.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429157406724765122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMSiJrDS-Js6bzt4Z964bYYIr6dN139hLVb8xiQdol2KGgvvcrgO2E3M2qbiSzq-vvM-SOf9Ec_utHMzgeNKNfRwAnSSPQR3oCb2oI3eHmC4oZ3-BJf_rutenJ2jnyHT8IODtcVd0-d4/s1600-h/family+8.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMSiJrDS-Js6bzt4Z964bYYIr6dN139hLVb8xiQdol2KGgvvcrgO2E3M2qbiSzq-vvM-SOf9Ec_utHMzgeNKNfRwAnSSPQR3oCb2oI3eHmC4oZ3-BJf_rutenJ2jnyHT8IODtcVd0-d4/s320/family+8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429157403895696802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWBKfbQLZmOE2NN4bpU8PSCIjkM057_9SDcUO2p7I4qoiwaPd4vlsmhv2stnh4cREmdWslFXlfSC-fUDsrLm55bGBjzlPPkoUmpnXTTrdXvqAU5h-2WrqFw065bzs2-d_lsEFTx8fH_4/s1600-h/tyler+family+web.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWBKfbQLZmOE2NN4bpU8PSCIjkM057_9SDcUO2p7I4qoiwaPd4vlsmhv2stnh4cREmdWslFXlfSC-fUDsrLm55bGBjzlPPkoUmpnXTTrdXvqAU5h-2WrqFw065bzs2-d_lsEFTx8fH_4/s320/tyler+family+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429157399914421218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1nB4tUrpVfRdKS8-PYDJdn8torQ9W5uSpbZnqB9QC3I4LnEeZaPf5aN1ww71tzW3J7HLqtH1ETXOnRyIt6Bo3vNoQVeYlrUGzfjn6TuRdKT8fyJFrRLS4N17h-apPTYHaEWBppOhe2s/s1600-h/jas+web.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1nB4tUrpVfRdKS8-PYDJdn8torQ9W5uSpbZnqB9QC3I4LnEeZaPf5aN1ww71tzW3J7HLqtH1ETXOnRyIt6Bo3vNoQVeYlrUGzfjn6TuRdKT8fyJFrRLS4N17h-apPTYHaEWBppOhe2s/s320/jas+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429157390272048114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-68151650852199840432010-01-19T12:27:00.005+10:302010-01-19T13:20:50.733+10:30are you following your dream?<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">...as a stay-at-home-mum with no business experience attempts to make a living off some passion and a dream." </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#191919;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that's what i wrote last time. it got me thinking about how my journey started over 2 years ago. with this photo, ella on her 3rd birthday:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#191919;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGaFKlbuAPDYJTJWXY4gIxRFApo3JA1w4jgKxULXmzjhCFq7Cfi4zR-UPSxgVEGgOlmuVSh7i_E96v-vksQKe1UxYW9bdNsg4CLOKZxE8I2IfAmAtWYgRr4ihd2Hu9X14z61LAB35PgY/s1600-h/ella+3+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGaFKlbuAPDYJTJWXY4gIxRFApo3JA1w4jgKxULXmzjhCFq7Cfi4zR-UPSxgVEGgOlmuVSh7i_E96v-vksQKe1UxYW9bdNsg4CLOKZxE8I2IfAmAtWYgRr4ihd2Hu9X14z61LAB35PgY/s320/ella+3+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428266904002010898" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">of course, i had a play with these shots. with some funky borders and cute quotes and i put a bunch of favorites in a sweet little keepsake album. and my friends said "wow that is really cool, can you do that for me?" so i did. and then their friends said "wow, how much does she charge?" and then i had to decide. was i really going to go for it? i had a point-and-shoot camera, very little knowledge about the mechanics of taking photos and a really distinctive style of dressing up my photos that people liked. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">but more important than that, i had this little thing, niggling inside of me. nudging and whispering. i am not sure where it came from or when it started, but i just felt like i was </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">supposed to</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> take pictures. but i was busy, being a mom and moving to the other side of the world and trying to make some friends, and i wasn't really listening to that whisper. i also ignored the whispers about not going back to work teaching and about trying to have my own business... because that is just crazy talk, right? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">but when i took those shots of ella and people liked them it was like the whispers turned to shouts. go for it. try it. this is what you are supposed to do. was i hesitant? absolutely. nervous? of course. but when i gave myself permission to pursue those niggling feelings i also felt relief and excitement. and i was lucky because i had fantastic people in my life that told me to go for it - 3 girlfriends in particular have really supported me and encouraged me and passed my name on to everyone they know (thank you my sister/friends H, J & A, i really would never have done this if it weren't for you).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">so my question to you is this - do you have a whisper/nudge deep inside of you? a feeling you can't explain and usually ignore that you were just meant to do something? do you need some inspiration or maybe some one fantastic to be your 'people'? (i can be your person, by the way.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i have recently stumbled upon a couple of great blogs & writers who have some really fantastic things to say about doing what you love. go read these, right now:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/</span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/"></a>his 2 manifestos have really given me the jolt of energy and inspriation that i have needed these last few weeks:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/a-brief-guide-to-world-domination/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/a-brief-guide-to-world-domination/</span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/a-brief-guide-to-world-domination/"></a></span></span><a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/overnight-success/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/overnight-success/</span></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">this is another great blog - i am going to read his ebook "the zero hour workweek" next</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.illuminatedmind.net/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://www.illuminatedmind.net/</span></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and finally, this blog is quirky and odd and fun and she talks about 'd</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">estuckification' and '</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">biggification' which is pretty cool</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><a href="http://www.fluentself.com/blog/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://www.fluentself.com/blog/</span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.fluentself.com/blog/"></a>by the way this is ella, 2 years later, on her 5th birthday. i'm pretty proud of how far i have come and can't wait to see what i learn next =)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px;font-size:10px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUc9MDabQ-2tadcX9EmLJiXEkMMocP7-ClyBos1ilJV_jTr4PspWOSF6ehpW8h1oTwChlzG8rA64UdjNkmiOXiphSqgWgRMpSejB8Lq-6Xz7FuZ0ZBMO9UqkgxVbKSZz4lPnQgztPTN8/s1600-h/ella+5+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUc9MDabQ-2tadcX9EmLJiXEkMMocP7-ClyBos1ilJV_jTr4PspWOSF6ehpW8h1oTwChlzG8rA64UdjNkmiOXiphSqgWgRMpSejB8Lq-6Xz7FuZ0ZBMO9UqkgxVbKSZz4lPnQgztPTN8/s320/ella+5+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428266905429726562" /></a><br /><br /></div></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-78485043703985647842010-01-17T20:30:00.008+10:302010-01-17T21:02:37.330+10:30i've decided! i would like to introduce....<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">(wow. now i know why babies take 9 months to be born. parents need that much time to come up with a name! actually naming my photography business has been harder than naming my babies... hmmm. i am not sure what that says about me as a business owner or a parent, but whatever.)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">so this is it, i have decided! i have a new name. thank you to my friends and family that have listened to me go back and forth about a zillion times and especially to those of you who have taken time to respond to my ideas and contribute ideas as well. you all rock and i am so grateful to have your support.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">as of this moment, my photography and design business is now called: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">smile. play. love. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i believe this name is a perfect reflection of me, what i do and why i do it. my new name inspires me and excites me and makes me happy. and it represents the 3 easy steps to turning your favorite photos into amazing memories....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">step 1 - choose your favorite '</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">smile'</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> (i.e. photo)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">step 2 - i will have 'a </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">play'</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> - creating a customized design that captures your sentiments perfectly</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">step 3 - hang it, display it, give it as a gift - whatever you do with it, i promise you will </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">love it</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">thanks for joining me on this journey, as a stay-at-home-mum with no business experience attempts to make a living off some passion and a dream. good times =)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpD6C1He7DTA_zrkTeR4fdRZf__bkHcUEQiazg97LuS9xAeDr9kf0wGfJR-FDtcwAIRhpiiwS90P2CPrZ7oyYDdxwJFA6lSZKaiS13_8q-FiYFGzNdT_JA9ul1caOkmAvR2wuHHCdv7Lw/s1600-h/smileplaylove.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpD6C1He7DTA_zrkTeR4fdRZf__bkHcUEQiazg97LuS9xAeDr9kf0wGfJR-FDtcwAIRhpiiwS90P2CPrZ7oyYDdxwJFA6lSZKaiS13_8q-FiYFGzNdT_JA9ul1caOkmAvR2wuHHCdv7Lw/s320/smileplaylove.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427646837561463762" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NG5cBZRtVAF0TI9mJyM1AERwXU-y2LdJqpZ7Lh53wn3jjqdj66REYVS1LbKyAVZtWBVBOE6EyQLQHxrvw5i9QW4hIRHwwmCdkywK-l4wqJizTZLIda3tkzCrVdnrZDDkOVLEWpTA0rg/s320/smileplaylove+v2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427646840780832450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 98px; " /></span></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-79653675896648766512010-01-08T13:25:00.005+10:302010-01-08T13:42:55.566+10:30more great collage ideas<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">happy new year! as many of you know, 2010 is going to be a big year of growth and change for me and my photography business i have been putting all of my focus on that lately, but i didn't want to forget to share with you some of the amazing work i did before christmas, you know way back in 2009! perhaps some of these collages will inspire you - we can custom make something that will become a treasured work of art for your family, just as I know these ones have for these families. =)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPypLNFp8ObrCI5ReVKpuCyklFNlNLfvZUvUosP12J_pYusrdXKPvQOxD6yffHrDRI0yxhDqsdlyDSvLsaaF4RrwpH6AekMmLUBh0DbilmHkS9k1rZxXoPQYNBac-ZllM7_GASfvBHOA/s1600-h/stella+collage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPypLNFp8ObrCI5ReVKpuCyklFNlNLfvZUvUosP12J_pYusrdXKPvQOxD6yffHrDRI0yxhDqsdlyDSvLsaaF4RrwpH6AekMmLUBh0DbilmHkS9k1rZxXoPQYNBac-ZllM7_GASfvBHOA/s320/stella+collage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424198240948169426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0iZnC9tOSGsAteACLNlQ64dxErEVyVFyvLmQFgUIoyq_kbQlzxiW07CZHcTMIUC83aahFEZzCL5l9wxz23eQueY7PJJd9NgHjMHk1pMJHP4Ig7zJW-C5zzQYceEoO5CVllXrzW6d4Sg/s1600-h/jp+collage.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0iZnC9tOSGsAteACLNlQ64dxErEVyVFyvLmQFgUIoyq_kbQlzxiW07CZHcTMIUC83aahFEZzCL5l9wxz23eQueY7PJJd9NgHjMHk1pMJHP4Ig7zJW-C5zzQYceEoO5CVllXrzW6d4Sg/s320/jp+collage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424198234772063906" /></a><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvEb2lGpvyMu2eYp_dTXIR473Xspu5X5_puPtbK8xz0V__jj9zxxr3gDoxmxpSu6trK5kxK2rean8Nv1e7LSkoUgV8QCGtr9_K741sWSEng2WBWsEzeX2JrveKLtmMLzSEjr4XtXMVzg/s320/grandkids.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424198246133514194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 144px; " /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hfLIFC3ZwF8/S0afQLkDS-I/AAAAAAAAAaI/TWlNIJ03fBc/s1600-h/fiona+collage.jpg"></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_z4GVBQI9x9v3HY3_d01QP3YDtFdCMGNVwe9k_4GR8NkYcHmchS6wuUYh1EbiqzY-PqB3SEMyXVCWVBNem7tA0gGY5vyS1YdSI8SDiWg9M8vg549M5ddVk5KzKSdb9kMGGBcF1Rb2lA/s320/cate+collage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424197897317145474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hfLIFC3ZwF8/S0afQLkDS-I/AAAAAAAAAaI/TWlNIJ03fBc/s1600-h/fiona+collage.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hfLIFC3ZwF8/S0afQLkDS-I/AAAAAAAAAaI/TWlNIJ03fBc/s320/fiona+collage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424197901545065442" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXi0TsyTJlG_DXLOGwu_gYbrkHhII_5xnYGdbp8cygS7oERltLuaYKQTo1ugUwyyKg6dpx9B8pjdZ6MwS_b4LLisLdzSxcYVtQO6CV27qmTrV1lYnQZtzSpN0TWIs1zyX8ePJItUI0m0c/s1600-h/amanda2.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXi0TsyTJlG_DXLOGwu_gYbrkHhII_5xnYGdbp8cygS7oERltLuaYKQTo1ugUwyyKg6dpx9B8pjdZ6MwS_b4LLisLdzSxcYVtQO6CV27qmTrV1lYnQZtzSpN0TWIs1zyX8ePJItUI0m0c/s320/amanda2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424197893490818914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcMGwWwlVNIiY_7nRaVbgUncMpCbp4eAsM1I8XedNWc2xixT8IpRPbTAE0av36f5KDKFx-nucvGy76NIsmWmKB7FrPu_w5SwM3ZKGWhSfZrKNekzibXG3d6yc7NcsfMAm5_0se6gWMmM/s1600-h/amanda1.jpg"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcMGwWwlVNIiY_7nRaVbgUncMpCbp4eAsM1I8XedNWc2xixT8IpRPbTAE0av36f5KDKFx-nucvGy76NIsmWmKB7FrPu_w5SwM3ZKGWhSfZrKNekzibXG3d6yc7NcsfMAm5_0se6gWMmM/s1600-h/amanda1.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcMGwWwlVNIiY_7nRaVbgUncMpCbp4eAsM1I8XedNWc2xixT8IpRPbTAE0av36f5KDKFx-nucvGy76NIsmWmKB7FrPu_w5SwM3ZKGWhSfZrKNekzibXG3d6yc7NcsfMAm5_0se6gWMmM/s320/amanda1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424197881761582834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9aTafj5G14tEioBsBYwWWkLQMDeBBWkiTWjx8j6YFDE9p7WvhmzKE10jFRz3ijr0SCts-hqnD3lKaCHW_OyyLOKwqhBQlmTnBwOyst9vnyLcYGxDGPSRKX60PZULnHftelJcdb33rK0/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9aTafj5G14tEioBsBYwWWkLQMDeBBWkiTWjx8j6YFDE9p7WvhmzKE10jFRz3ijr0SCts-hqnD3lKaCHW_OyyLOKwqhBQlmTnBwOyst9vnyLcYGxDGPSRKX60PZULnHftelJcdb33rK0/s320/5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424197875337814786" /></a><br /></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-3624153373340412212009-12-29T17:15:00.005+10:302009-12-29T17:42:11.463+10:30logos and names<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">yes, i am still trying to decide on my business name. after my previous post, the overwhelming vote was for keeping <b>'zoom'</b> but i am still undecided. part of me thinks it is easier to keep it. part of me wants to start fresh with something <b>new</b>. the only problem is i am completely stumped when it comes to a fresh, new name that represents what i do! the other issue is choosing a name that will be free as a domain name. so for this, part of me that thinks i should just use <b>my own name</b> since it is easy and available. i have to decide soon though as i am ready to begin the relaunch!!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">here are some ideas i have been playing around with for a logo. regardless of the name i choose there are 3 elements to a logo: <b>font, colour and shape</b>. a logo should look good in both colour and black and white, and it should be versatile so that it fits both long across a letterhead or in a small box such as a business card. i will also need to use my logo as a watermark on my photos - so i would like park of it to stand alone and it is helpful if it looks good as both dark on light, and the reverse light on dark.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">do you need a new logo? here is my favorite 'logo design' blog:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.logodesignlove.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.logodesignlove.com/</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">let me know what you like and dislike about my ideas so far!! and thanks for joining me on this journey =)</span></div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIUPtJ43fr2M-uvflA8jNBxlNw8MAWqU12Nc3zpTz8XJavFZawGDv9ecutzebXXb6n8wC-mSabsHnP3nsjz8kjnP1Oi53jnx5eZUPSR-u-9ftNBuGUEbfPur81YBIu0VRWHC2_5UNKwk/s1600-h/zoom+segoe+script.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIUPtJ43fr2M-uvflA8jNBxlNw8MAWqU12Nc3zpTz8XJavFZawGDv9ecutzebXXb6n8wC-mSabsHnP3nsjz8kjnP1Oi53jnx5eZUPSR-u-9ftNBuGUEbfPur81YBIu0VRWHC2_5UNKwk/s320/zoom+segoe+script.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420551712561173810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrBFRbFpmOWVW-EcyRKoAO9BxFTiMMobeURbfewFMzwxNqe0VmHlWbMjqFkqDckXb9iK64K_WGwJjISKkFF-bOlCp6S-zMNCmL4xWnhXhv2pPvEaFWVq8cBC5jURIpoqTkiU9IthBq_8/s1600-h/zoom+joyful+juliana.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrBFRbFpmOWVW-EcyRKoAO9BxFTiMMobeURbfewFMzwxNqe0VmHlWbMjqFkqDckXb9iK64K_WGwJjISKkFF-bOlCp6S-zMNCmL4xWnhXhv2pPvEaFWVq8cBC5jURIpoqTkiU9IthBq_8/s320/zoom+joyful+juliana.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420551575151402354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwh7mJq4qOC8g6Ap51GlPGcCxdoYdeF2XXqPWvqXsmYrRPeFPWKvZLRomsIYZNjUTRrBIluz30g4p_ibtJMp4BZKIO0DRhvM14IRbiL4hkX31a58dSBTSmhhUQ7Hmz5n4j0_tTwzQRW84/s1600-h/zoom+grunge.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwh7mJq4qOC8g6Ap51GlPGcCxdoYdeF2XXqPWvqXsmYrRPeFPWKvZLRomsIYZNjUTRrBIluz30g4p_ibtJMp4BZKIO0DRhvM14IRbiL4hkX31a58dSBTSmhhUQ7Hmz5n4j0_tTwzQRW84/s320/zoom+grunge.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420551572144337330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYPJbxvjPRyVFdE3yveCzRbGmwKTcD3-R2PwTPs1OYe_z5AvHKthXPU7xidCEdIQML9quUzknGyZbVo1fLrUkTzCIHlR2Ghv5sH2VbAYwi71vQXiFcXoxYLLIk7uYB2fJmgFGjJZ2uCM/s1600-h/kg+wendy+script.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYPJbxvjPRyVFdE3yveCzRbGmwKTcD3-R2PwTPs1OYe_z5AvHKthXPU7xidCEdIQML9quUzknGyZbVo1fLrUkTzCIHlR2Ghv5sH2VbAYwi71vQXiFcXoxYLLIk7uYB2fJmgFGjJZ2uCM/s320/kg+wendy+script.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420551562860993250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqwg4TWtkrlodsZ7UyMaFYxoAgX428_-HTqnaojm7Xdte4nl27NuTAT0Uoww5sQ283Dz2x-4xQvcpihLrIvUl-04A8WtVOc5LIwUPPUBUJkd_7gXQIA0Q5cTSepjQc2NXKQ55E3jEoN0/s1600-h/kg+pea+weenie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqwg4TWtkrlodsZ7UyMaFYxoAgX428_-HTqnaojm7Xdte4nl27NuTAT0Uoww5sQ283Dz2x-4xQvcpihLrIvUl-04A8WtVOc5LIwUPPUBUJkd_7gXQIA0Q5cTSepjQc2NXKQ55E3jEoN0/s320/kg+pea+weenie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420551559338163522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSx0gdTnaigP4UL7E4QEpmGg_AHcuBRjeeGnZdyz41KHqTTKTb0J_uge7g4MpSqgVFT3WMJZOZQCooc8JoJOivgk1Yx4lf8rFxiqvWeoTPNwOIqB9ifS5C0gIrhwhaIMJmXWC8Plpi8E/s1600-h/kb+susie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSx0gdTnaigP4UL7E4QEpmGg_AHcuBRjeeGnZdyz41KHqTTKTb0J_uge7g4MpSqgVFT3WMJZOZQCooc8JoJOivgk1Yx4lf8rFxiqvWeoTPNwOIqB9ifS5C0gIrhwhaIMJmXWC8Plpi8E/s320/kb+susie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420551556759995970" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><div><br /></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-40216887447235443282009-12-01T15:34:00.004+10:302009-12-01T15:42:32.701+10:30sweet twins and more favorites<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i have been working like crazy these days - averaging 4 photo sessions a week and doing some really cool collages and cards for people on top of that. i am having a blast, as always! here are some recent favorites from some great sessions. thanks to these fabulous kids and their families =)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FCZjK27lOZKHiw1xGCqnVYN5kNqdW2HoeIQD2RsRFaHM-qex0PFGZ4R95iDzpGV0Mh6zjaozvjq18N4e7GDYHR3LsAMJh6agNB021Hc-vdzL5FJtXqNDt-0mvoGCr9pe883V84CSeQY/s1600/twins+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FCZjK27lOZKHiw1xGCqnVYN5kNqdW2HoeIQD2RsRFaHM-qex0PFGZ4R95iDzpGV0Mh6zjaozvjq18N4e7GDYHR3LsAMJh6agNB021Hc-vdzL5FJtXqNDt-0mvoGCr9pe883V84CSeQY/s320/twins+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410129524755433490" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjox3uFIFDCapp-6uzqam76GclbD_HGT94D1dNu4lyu5zCiDhuu2ZzB4FscegbRfEPBFNavt0EChjhZ0oPpa-DQZFFY_eOBGvRqFduDIfx4MU8U594PggQRAk68zdg7pmK6erZ3kJ72ho4/s1600/riley+web.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjox3uFIFDCapp-6uzqam76GclbD_HGT94D1dNu4lyu5zCiDhuu2ZzB4FscegbRfEPBFNavt0EChjhZ0oPpa-DQZFFY_eOBGvRqFduDIfx4MU8U594PggQRAk68zdg7pmK6erZ3kJ72ho4/s320/riley+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410129511552164482" /></a><br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWn5UjmtyxtVcXhy2xfROth6k-wvA-hnJkal_BXVtjYkBOciBX3w7glv86lHVZHuH1D3nLHpqhul7L2In4_73oRrxvz6WFdfDZJmxQ6xHQ1ymRZxv8zrPi5o88VY8nBDLrI-_RQY1r8pk/s320/matilda+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410130694167586274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px; " /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sea91ZHTaZJv8py_7uBRSLPO3HlMvl5SjTFEjPDr-6WdaAIi3FD7pD4YoP6hS0YovCRQq5P1LjliIAR6f7u3ylj4nSM1pYNLWh_ahpZChfIuJBYhtyv-l48q-4PWBWYTp2fpkhgwRQ8/s1600/ruby+web.jpg"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sea91ZHTaZJv8py_7uBRSLPO3HlMvl5SjTFEjPDr-6WdaAIi3FD7pD4YoP6hS0YovCRQq5P1LjliIAR6f7u3ylj4nSM1pYNLWh_ahpZChfIuJBYhtyv-l48q-4PWBWYTp2fpkhgwRQ8/s1600/ruby+web.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sea91ZHTaZJv8py_7uBRSLPO3HlMvl5SjTFEjPDr-6WdaAIi3FD7pD4YoP6hS0YovCRQq5P1LjliIAR6f7u3ylj4nSM1pYNLWh_ahpZChfIuJBYhtyv-l48q-4PWBWYTp2fpkhgwRQ8/s320/ruby+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410129501841915682" /></a></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-19739868316708348432009-11-24T14:02:00.011+10:302009-11-24T17:29:19.270+10:30what do i do?<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">so, as i have mentioned, i am in a period of transition. i have been thinking about my business brand and working on ideas for restructuring and growing. i could use your help with something.</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i am working on defining and highlighting the 2 aspects to my business: photography + design.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">the design portion of my business is what gives me my distinctive style; it is what makes me unique and i hope why people want to hire me. my style comes from my beginnings as a digital scrapbooker. i like to add funky borders, sweet fonts and beautiful quotes to my portraits, as well as children's names and ages. i like to create custom-made, personalized portraits, collages and cards that really evoke an emotional response in my clients.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">here are some examples of what i do. so, why do it i do it?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">sometimes i see a photo and i actually hear the lyrics of a favorite, sweet song in my head.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15GHvLq79GJGH8lJz9jLfzcyrAwMleXIP9NaPehlfbrBnUSC-9CjuaStO3NYW0Wa-ZcXi2BJm10M3TaZyYn4ZDsYV4VHX872-y5F_GzjkuVF43i6qgooLkCDwjkZva3Z3DOoFYT39DE0/s1600/cooper3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15GHvLq79GJGH8lJz9jLfzcyrAwMleXIP9NaPehlfbrBnUSC-9CjuaStO3NYW0Wa-ZcXi2BJm10M3TaZyYn4ZDsYV4VHX872-y5F_GzjkuVF43i6qgooLkCDwjkZva3Z3DOoFYT39DE0/s320/cooper3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407516317743549266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i>"with arms wide open. we'll show you love, we'll show you everything" ~ creed</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1v1_zsaqYMpzYh7ZAtvFSG9ULOWLUQsSX7xBlfYltgzjHKEpMuyrp_1vnn17qU1Aj-Hm8FZ7Rq-FE6Ya8GDyffQCoeEQMkcpVbpUjt_LeZ-255uyhRRZX7Ji9M17Vwj8VeVmxiw7xEJ4/s1600/siblings+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1v1_zsaqYMpzYh7ZAtvFSG9ULOWLUQsSX7xBlfYltgzjHKEpMuyrp_1vnn17qU1Aj-Hm8FZ7Rq-FE6Ya8GDyffQCoeEQMkcpVbpUjt_LeZ-255uyhRRZX7Ji9M17Vwj8VeVmxiw7xEJ4/s320/siblings+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407516313632375698" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">"how long do you want to be loved? is forever enough, is forever enough?" ~ dixie chicks</span></div></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFjB-0mt4_L-W2RJB6vV6g-aTFB1z8A6MHNCK0q71bvUsR7KP0MFpPmbXqkrqkpjXvEvGahimxi5DwsymFM6SRC_5htPpJL7LWpLM1ZcJsn6s_MyGssjn7ggjENSVvxTuUQuuyrFJRWY/s1600/b&k+3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFjB-0mt4_L-W2RJB6vV6g-aTFB1z8A6MHNCK0q71bvUsR7KP0MFpPmbXqkrqkpjXvEvGahimxi5DwsymFM6SRC_5htPpJL7LWpLM1ZcJsn6s_MyGssjn7ggjENSVvxTuUQuuyrFJRWY/s320/b&k+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407517148928137698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i>"this love is like nothing i have ever known" ~ don henley</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">sometimes it is a quote or saying that i think of as soon as i see a photo, or sometimes even as i am taking the photos.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiyJOKQKMgJrz9eVlXglBxn-7d0eVK6MvYorRpZdoXX112uKnLqtHKgsQSFGFUIt0fpQQZzYBl7ozvkatWe9_R59rT8Kxvi1WLhnEEFD3TMTuS-tJhOVttHYWprm22Puq_PiTQoNtaY0/s1600/black+callie.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiyJOKQKMgJrz9eVlXglBxn-7d0eVK6MvYorRpZdoXX112uKnLqtHKgsQSFGFUIt0fpQQZzYBl7ozvkatWe9_R59rT8Kxvi1WLhnEEFD3TMTuS-tJhOVttHYWprm22Puq_PiTQoNtaY0/s320/black+callie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407517154556745746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i>"your eyes are an ocean in which your dreams are reflected"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09w_cpU_jQ6VyOBxD6kgfRmzXeWW-o-q-PbGCXW7lDB-JspFrlsGhCxeqVfV4VVfHSNgZBG_Okep19zwl9ENNyG-MVEiUrXLYVD3xROp26yEgRCYKHqOize80oTvIdqNcZmqiVQZsKbg/s1600/siblings+4.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09w_cpU_jQ6VyOBxD6kgfRmzXeWW-o-q-PbGCXW7lDB-JspFrlsGhCxeqVfV4VVfHSNgZBG_Okep19zwl9ENNyG-MVEiUrXLYVD3xROp26yEgRCYKHqOize80oTvIdqNcZmqiVQZsKbg/s320/siblings+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407518161147513986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i>"to them, the name brother is is another name for love</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i>"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyk1OYrcGt2QurFd6Bf-RA8ykIuRfwJqul6Fik8Vq3pGdu6te-bcJ6hUf_tNr9-13qni6vr5Ey2qTuvCjfJkMapPvDjre6B5MizBXdmG18pMrjrGc6kHvxLlriVF2QIZzM-vxlCkQf9Do/s1600/baby+5.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyk1OYrcGt2QurFd6Bf-RA8ykIuRfwJqul6Fik8Vq3pGdu6te-bcJ6hUf_tNr9-13qni6vr5Ey2qTuvCjfJkMapPvDjre6B5MizBXdmG18pMrjrGc6kHvxLlriVF2QIZzM-vxlCkQf9Do/s320/baby+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407518158175459650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i>"you are more perfect than we could have hoped, more beautiful than we could have dreamed and more precious than we could have imagined. we love you more than we could have known"</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i want to highlight a certain feeling associated with a special time in a family's life. these are moments that we never get back, yet want to remember always. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">for me the combination of the photo + the design elements that i add create something more than a simple portrait. i want to help people preserve their cherished memories.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">so that is </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">why</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> i do it. now i am trying to put into words exactly </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">what it is i do</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. can you help? how do i describe my unique style? how do i describe the way i add the design elements to create unique portraits? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">what words come to mind when you see what i do? </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">do any of the words here make you think - "aha! that's it!"?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">~embelish, adorn, decorate, enhance, trim</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">~accessory, garnish, ornament, decoration, frills, flourish</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">~highlight, preserve, articulate, convey, commemorate, engrave</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">in a phrase, how would you describe what i do?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">here are some ideas i am playing with for a tagline. any ideas?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">~a play on ordinary vs extraordinary: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">eg 'turn ordinary photos into extraordinary memories'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">~or maybe something along lines of 'highlight the moments of your life' </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">(but that isn't quite right - too cheesy)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">~i am also thinking of the word 'bling' or a similar word that is kind of playful and fun</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">can you think of one?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">please add your comments below. it truly helps me to get some outside ideas. and honestly, the thesaurus function on my computer could use a break. =)</span></div></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-5361003653632881922009-11-23T17:07:00.004+10:302009-11-23T17:15:46.598+10:30a few recent favorites<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; ">i am in the midst of a pre-christmas photography rush that is keeping me so busy! i am having a blast and meeting some fabulous families. here are a few favorites from some of my recent sessions. thanks to all of these kids and their families for spending a little time with me, and helping to make my job so enjoyable =)</span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6TuATSMGBktn0Bw4jNWCzWL0WRbBlec9sNbmW1mADuMf0tTcchQDdNpedLErjtjIRc-fqRwlx8IHKCvFQkzNzRhxEJqQgiuzW23aBk6owZFpBxmg5U7bnPbxc6vhnu85bYk0wiLqrU0/s1600/family+new+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 98px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6TuATSMGBktn0Bw4jNWCzWL0WRbBlec9sNbmW1mADuMf0tTcchQDdNpedLErjtjIRc-fqRwlx8IHKCvFQkzNzRhxEJqQgiuzW23aBk6owZFpBxmg5U7bnPbxc6vhnu85bYk0wiLqrU0/s400/family+new+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407186213831545874" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiB7C7Z801r8ZNXt0PTBvEjtWgjWaQgNbiA19PkDCxu74l6GZf-LKoOlRZ4cVeYBSQpZzjdCu2NKF0FDbLvf1uGlOWRSXt3aaQCFXzKB3u_e_n46v9w-2POhwJY0AYWPDyV1hsXOqSkKg/s1600/josh+web.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiB7C7Z801r8ZNXt0PTBvEjtWgjWaQgNbiA19PkDCxu74l6GZf-LKoOlRZ4cVeYBSQpZzjdCu2NKF0FDbLvf1uGlOWRSXt3aaQCFXzKB3u_e_n46v9w-2POhwJY0AYWPDyV1hsXOqSkKg/s320/josh+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407185992685302898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dJOLSAU9I1nJ27OZpgxU7RIQvtpUdDRNmAPNKtTNIuDNHQHtvJPIVjtMMlg5bhGTRsXl5RsUMTFZlqEOlyjfEn8J-e5EWKPJtQpbknp3xBHzGxnOAR4q68l0CUfIYXK5XrdhM48psQM/s1600/nicole+web1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dJOLSAU9I1nJ27OZpgxU7RIQvtpUdDRNmAPNKtTNIuDNHQHtvJPIVjtMMlg5bhGTRsXl5RsUMTFZlqEOlyjfEn8J-e5EWKPJtQpbknp3xBHzGxnOAR4q68l0CUfIYXK5XrdhM48psQM/s320/nicole+web1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407185992494213602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwWil41t0MteWhO6HSUIdkWRH150lti1PWyGw8_cspbX8ABXJQQPsEnwh9Wg0CAGxL4NxkjwWvhIusM-_w9d-MpQe5lFTu9qxiA5IINUZaqJc_9SoymFx6itVl2BmYay7kgn7A8ci8do/s1600/nicole+web2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwWil41t0MteWhO6HSUIdkWRH150lti1PWyGw8_cspbX8ABXJQQPsEnwh9Wg0CAGxL4NxkjwWvhIusM-_w9d-MpQe5lFTu9qxiA5IINUZaqJc_9SoymFx6itVl2BmYay7kgn7A8ci8do/s320/nicole+web2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407185989712105090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dug52aGfI9V6Xhhm3TdDheJGKV5kMWVHJc7SDdyoTtW_Eut-g5Qj97XLGyHu6mx-XMxLHbqsNTya4TqiARDzMb74co1FimtkS0CWgFgtFZ3HiAHDxPA4JtKEOrJ43fTmfw5wSDmNEZ0/s1600/nicole+web3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dug52aGfI9V6Xhhm3TdDheJGKV5kMWVHJc7SDdyoTtW_Eut-g5Qj97XLGyHu6mx-XMxLHbqsNTya4TqiARDzMb74co1FimtkS0CWgFgtFZ3HiAHDxPA4JtKEOrJ43fTmfw5wSDmNEZ0/s320/nicole+web3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407185982865901298" /></a><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-56420615338955551042009-11-18T16:30:00.004+10:302009-11-18T16:47:21.321+10:30sneak peek | baby girl<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i recently posted some gorgeous belly shots that i took for a lovely couple and last weekend i had the great pleasure of photographing their baby girl when she was just 15 days old. so small and sweet and precious! she did not want to sleep at all (note to all new parents: never talk about what a good sleeper your baby is because they love to make you look like a liar!), so we didn't get those squishy sleepy newborn shots. but she still let us take a lot of fantastic photos and her mum and dad worked hard to keep her happy and content for me. thank you so much to k & m for sharing sweet little c with me for a couple of hours - i enjoyed my cuddle and i hope you enjoy your photos =)</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"she will fill our lives with sunshine and our hearts with love"</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfZXbJPWvlb5vYyOhbBwRcaGFUOehbkoqw2XSfaunw3hLx-jRjSWZRtokH1lr3s9orJITqhBQXu2n-ijyFGeYHkJv5sJamqIHGQBuMBtZXXWK_REN3qO0ziTi8uNhS_wyFKmSeNNxrGs/s1600/web3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfZXbJPWvlb5vYyOhbBwRcaGFUOehbkoqw2XSfaunw3hLx-jRjSWZRtokH1lr3s9orJITqhBQXu2n-ijyFGeYHkJv5sJamqIHGQBuMBtZXXWK_REN3qO0ziTi8uNhS_wyFKmSeNNxrGs/s320/web3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405321253103419586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieACNLYlwBLc4S7InRkuXjvkeZVjqqHH7RLSITjIBNqqgKWAjsX2GeGVj4tsYgWqi9tDaxizLdhvKNswI8MKwokKTe1HdAfaKVCjdHYM6VJjCVimih1akkVlkVTAZh83BZhUyi2KT-u8/s1600/web2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieACNLYlwBLc4S7InRkuXjvkeZVjqqHH7RLSITjIBNqqgKWAjsX2GeGVj4tsYgWqi9tDaxizLdhvKNswI8MKwokKTe1HdAfaKVCjdHYM6VJjCVimih1akkVlkVTAZh83BZhUyi2KT-u8/s320/web2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405321250113870242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5MQZqffaW_hAEfsiyoKsIzg_Wc-WXVSqCOZGgVJEXC5jY2KdHhCVrOjC4D6LcSthPMu4F2sn5d9TA4bQP-let8AqL3vf6MWmYrUbyrLIYxMAnvZZFz_oNvRuWIoab7OlpJo2E8_LIHE/s1600/web1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5MQZqffaW_hAEfsiyoKsIzg_Wc-WXVSqCOZGgVJEXC5jY2KdHhCVrOjC4D6LcSthPMu4F2sn5d9TA4bQP-let8AqL3vf6MWmYrUbyrLIYxMAnvZZFz_oNvRuWIoab7OlpJo2E8_LIHE/s320/web1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405321238054901362" /></a>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-37051802364894393572009-11-13T12:04:00.005+10:302009-11-13T12:49:30.472+10:30what's in a name?<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">as i have mentioned, i am in the midst of working on my business brand and structure. since i am going to build a new website anyways, i am thinking about changing my logo and possibly even my name.</span></div><div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNy6mNNXv7uJSivzRaflvfes1DpHyU-kGpOHE0GO-_KE2CfhFeMe9pMAaBdOth7DJNK24DjBrNurTRtjIZTYKDq1zIm_vrBwpDQfPDh6eAQAAMEzcmBjx6e-G0quGasIi8MwTqTTmJqa0/s320/logo.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 175px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403403000394424594" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">this is what i was just reading over at ittybiz.com about business names:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">"</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">Hate it like, embarrassed to say it out loud? Or just sick of it? If the former, change it. If the latter, think about how branded the name already is. If it’s very stuck in people’s memory then tough shit, you gotta keep it. Coke doesn’t just up and change over to Muhtar’s Tasty Fizz because Muhtar is bored.</span></span></span></span></div> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 13.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; line-height: 15pt; vertical-align: baseline; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">If nobody knows or cares your business name because they just know you by your name, then by all means, cross the floor and change ‘er up. Also, do some poking around to find out if they like the existing name as in, they think you’d be retarded to change it, or if they like it as in, yeah, it’s pretty cool but they’re not quivering with joy."</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:13.5pt;margin-left: 0cm;line-height:15.0pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">so i think i fall into the catagory where most people here in australia know me as "that canadian girl who does the photos, you know... karen." and my friends and family know me as "you know that photography thing karen is doing. she makes cool christmas cards". in other words, i don't think the name 'ZOOMdesigns' has really registered with anyone. which is kinda pathetic actually. so now is the time to decide if it stays or if it goes, before i build this business any further. i don't hate the name, but i am not sure if it is right for me either. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:13.5pt;margin-left: 0cm;line-height:15.0pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">there are really 2 aspects to my business: photography + design. we came up with the name ZOOMdesigns because we thought it was catchy and it represented both aspects (zoom as in camera zoom, get it?) and because most photographers use their name for their business but the name 'gunton' doesn't exactly role off the tongue (sorry jimbo). my new website is going to focus on those 2 aspects of photography + design and i want my name to do so as well.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:13.5pt;margin-left: 0cm;line-height:15.0pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">so this is the part where i am doing the 'poking around'. we can call it market research, if that will make you participate. and i really really want you to participate. if you are reading this you are either one of my clients, a potential client, or a friend/family member whose opinion i respect and who i am trying to encourage to order my fabulous custom made christmas cards. your opinion matters so please help me out!</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:13.5pt;margin-left: 0cm;line-height:15.0pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">what do YOU think of my business name:</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:13.5pt;margin-left: 0cm;line-height:15.0pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>a. keep the name 'ZOOMdesigns'. it rocks!!</b></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:13.5pt;margin-left: 0cm;line-height:15.0pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>b. keep the zoom part because it rocks, but make it 'zoom photography + design'</b></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:13.5pt;margin-left: 0cm;line-height:15.0pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>c. use your name: eg. 'kg photography + design' or 'kareng photography + design' or 'karen gunton photography + design'</b></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:13.5pt;margin-left: 0cm;line-height:15.0pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>d. both 'zoom' and your name are totally lame - you need to come up with something better!</b></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:13.5pt;margin-left: 0cm;line-height:15.0pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>e. some other opinion which i am very happy for you to vocalize in the comments. bring it on, i want your complete honesty!</b></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:13.5pt;margin-left: 0cm;line-height:15.0pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(ps - i am not going to worry about the logo until i have decided on the name. maybe we can have another poll when i get to that stage!) </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:13.5pt;margin-left: 0cm;line-height:15.0pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; ">if you are reading on my blog site there is a poll on the right. if you are reading on facebook i will link to the poll so it is easy to find. or you can just comment below. thanks for participating =)</span></p></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-86339581995931756942009-11-12T17:05:00.003+10:302009-11-12T17:11:10.859+10:30christmas cards | one last reminder<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">ok, ok! after this, i promise to stop reminding you about christmas cards. maybe. i just love christmas so much, i can't help myself. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">here are a few more ideas for christmas cards. as you can see there are different options for colours and patterns - you can make your card look really christmasy (is that a word?) or you can make it look like a funky portrait to display all year long. so many choices... don't worry i can help you choose! =)</span></div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQZpxURuJB4piYSlBgpIfwFXt4XN4xeyuVrpiQSYhhZRT4h2d4i-1PMfNx_8XByFIqetzdJjk28Kqe1HU9YfWRpH2hyqTDANkGPoJt1bZv1b3YDTdx1nczwdbPw8VGv4hyphenhyphenaCROuVQ0hA/s1600-h/lianne+web4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQZpxURuJB4piYSlBgpIfwFXt4XN4xeyuVrpiQSYhhZRT4h2d4i-1PMfNx_8XByFIqetzdJjk28Kqe1HU9YfWRpH2hyqTDANkGPoJt1bZv1b3YDTdx1nczwdbPw8VGv4hyphenhyphenaCROuVQ0hA/s320/lianne+web4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403103182639093490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMPEx3qS8Ns1CpKSnLUQ7VAHBWc_PYbpf7l_VLLdKl3V9kuXUOVaOYcXgc3hmTfcsQbxPo8JA47F78j7h4Esx2fNHayZXhbtmH4uWGxLBXfY17S5RrQoiYH1-tSUuznfzNRolphW7RNE/s1600-h/lianne+web2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMPEx3qS8Ns1CpKSnLUQ7VAHBWc_PYbpf7l_VLLdKl3V9kuXUOVaOYcXgc3hmTfcsQbxPo8JA47F78j7h4Esx2fNHayZXhbtmH4uWGxLBXfY17S5RrQoiYH1-tSUuznfzNRolphW7RNE/s320/lianne+web2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403103177497246322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXyZPRw5QU7s7GE6hmU3tdQa5fqbWGkJ3aD-kCtHGYd6WS2LVUbuva5WMzgaGLCpwtv8dR-N-KYUz9EsYnGT-_gU0Q1wPpOGqGoh50UNuwISSYUGFHgyJFaX3pOCFYDAg27ah2wGtTWw/s1600-h/lianne+web1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXyZPRw5QU7s7GE6hmU3tdQa5fqbWGkJ3aD-kCtHGYd6WS2LVUbuva5WMzgaGLCpwtv8dR-N-KYUz9EsYnGT-_gU0Q1wPpOGqGoh50UNuwISSYUGFHgyJFaX3pOCFYDAg27ah2wGtTWw/s320/lianne+web1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403103172640230338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfFhS57oE_xaEIMcAJyjx5Ik84iqQn6d5SAC9AH5w0F_StMaC3ebiN1x-OiGIt2Y5iwmAFxWP8KgMvQtym2WcoXQrugPoOx8H85uWaVaT05HdA72bfjVsgAtNn4pZTgeYy6swXwcS2Kw/s1600-h/lianne+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfFhS57oE_xaEIMcAJyjx5Ik84iqQn6d5SAC9AH5w0F_StMaC3ebiN1x-OiGIt2Y5iwmAFxWP8KgMvQtym2WcoXQrugPoOx8H85uWaVaT05HdA72bfjVsgAtNn4pZTgeYy6swXwcS2Kw/s320/lianne+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403103170356310050" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-51094505283355973302009-11-11T21:20:00.003+10:302009-11-11T21:26:10.027+10:30sneak peek | babies<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">this little guy was an absolute gem to photograph; he was relaxed and content and he sure liked the bean bag! j & c, thanks for letting me share in your joy and your love for your sweet little boy! =)</span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxXoD3SckE6Leh0WQOVb6HExg31J5krElBSMDTm5f0vgIzDTpRbrdfTsEMNtc_cnL9AFc9OfBjmBZuSeMjB3Ez-bJiWCXBiQvlYieMVggktU_5T0s3PbUgUPorsE3gZFmyhIs576m62o/s1600-h/jodie3+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxXoD3SckE6Leh0WQOVb6HExg31J5krElBSMDTm5f0vgIzDTpRbrdfTsEMNtc_cnL9AFc9OfBjmBZuSeMjB3Ez-bJiWCXBiQvlYieMVggktU_5T0s3PbUgUPorsE3gZFmyhIs576m62o/s320/jodie3+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402797215102777282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUruTCxpLZze1Pmr24N4ScaJ-PBv7mN689FMu92Oi2t-OuJZGbMofKTyts1T4y6lwfWcmdqEFdRlUxSKb16iRz2a9Fq2Suc6e6_Iiwot8OvNDASusSUcjSh2lwrKy2WmSbf5x0eo-tUI4/s1600-h/jodie2+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUruTCxpLZze1Pmr24N4ScaJ-PBv7mN689FMu92Oi2t-OuJZGbMofKTyts1T4y6lwfWcmdqEFdRlUxSKb16iRz2a9Fq2Suc6e6_Iiwot8OvNDASusSUcjSh2lwrKy2WmSbf5x0eo-tUI4/s320/jodie2+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402797208483812594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOk0dPr4NlW8j_bKkvLWbmxKWIumNpV2FNhsxt7o7Qt_T1rcH4ygMxLwCin22hz7dEExls8e0pBNg6I3CZ5FTnz0AGT1P51q_ykTKheg9YXaDPnSUZAJ1WY1-EvpbvE16hVKrG7n7mEAg/s1600-h/jodie1+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOk0dPr4NlW8j_bKkvLWbmxKWIumNpV2FNhsxt7o7Qt_T1rcH4ygMxLwCin22hz7dEExls8e0pBNg6I3CZ5FTnz0AGT1P51q_ykTKheg9YXaDPnSUZAJ1WY1-EvpbvE16hVKrG7n7mEAg/s320/jodie1+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402797205737254786" /></a>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-28861623567500353052009-11-11T12:18:00.005+10:302009-11-12T17:12:04.372+10:30a time for change<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">this is what occupies my mind right now, day and night. making changes to my business. my head is swimming with information from my research into pricing, marketing and branding. when i close my eyes i think about logos and websites. i dream of change.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">when i started this business, it was truly an experiment. i didn't start out as a photographer, i started out as a digital scrapbooker! that grew to an interest in photography. and that grew to friends of friends asking "how much does she charge?" turns out that i absolutely love photography, i still love designing portraits, collages and cards, and i also really love doing this as a home business. but it is time to make some changes. it is time to grow this business from a hobby into a career.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i will still be offering the same friendly, relaxed service and amazing, affordable products that my customers have come to expect. but i need to make some changes to my business that reflect those quality services and products. what changes are we talking about here?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">- i will be makes some changes to my pricing, the structure of my sessions and the products i offer</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">- i need a new website - desperately!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">- i am considering changing my logo and possibly my name</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">it is all very exciting, and yes, a little overwhelming.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">do you have a home business? what do you sell? have you done the website design, logo design, marketing etc. all by yourself or have you hired professional services? do you have favorite blogs/websites/books that have helped you along the way? what are they? i would love to hear about your experiences and the sites you follow when you need advice.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">here are a couple of favorite sites of mine. if you have or are thinking of starting your own small business these blogs are 'must-visit':</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://brandcampblog.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://brandcampblog.com/</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://ittybiz.com/">http://ittybiz.com/</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">please share your experiences and favorites in the comments section. and if you know of anyone in the business of web design, logo design, small business advice... let me know! =)</span></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-29175726483568558442009-10-22T13:24:00.003+10:302009-10-22T13:49:53.738+10:30sneak peek | ella bean<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">my baby just turned 5. where does the time go? ella has always been my favorite subject and she is always so good to me when i say "ella, can i just try one thing?" she runs off and gets all dressed up and ready for her photographs. this time, i had a hard time convincing her that she should not wear the hot pink fluffy, feathery tiara she came out in. we compromised that a pink head band would match better. and yes, she did let me try a few new things!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i asked her if she would be brave enough to stand in the cutout window of our lounge room wall. of course she was and we had a lot of fun. this is sized to fit a 9x20 inch frame.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwv4BR0d0JGl4e72N72lb7K86OFd16fhy7ygFAt0yhYc-bukMFELAIFgEkCj1xXjoblBslaaBbbEjbAeHj_gDXs1DcEyPGdL5J6YjqaCOnJa24PJP0CLH4NjD2kQA7QjgbY6ZMjwE2vE/s320/ella+5yo+1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395252667400516706" /><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">when i was in canada i saw a tall, narrow, framed close-up that i thought was fantastic. i have been wanting to try it out, so i cropped this one to fit a 9x20 frame as well. can't wait to see how it looks!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hfLIFC3ZwF8/St_JuGTRJaI/AAAAAAAAAVA/aQ0Y09aqunI/s1600-h/ella+5yo+2.jpg"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hfLIFC3ZwF8/St_JuGTRJaI/AAAAAAAAAVA/aQ0Y09aqunI/s1600-h/ella+5yo+2.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 320px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hfLIFC3ZwF8/St_JuGTRJaI/AAAAAAAAAVA/aQ0Y09aqunI/s320/ella+5yo+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395252672415737250" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i recently moved my studio space into our front lounge that has this fantastic chocolate feature wall. i have been wanting to see how this looks as a backdrop for portraits. i think it will be nicest in colour, lovely and warm.</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0cmzj9WVe12bNcOAbvmRr6LlQWORNzXgvdXIAj6rwxnUk1gMcx6ileWXOZ1zR579tuVBTdXaEGYIu73KSySPfzmhBncQ0jtNGpjCoiS9goNC1jzGc4LVdRz4xtjZRJcMIZNZJTt8BSM/s320/ella+5yo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395252676596566530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">happy birthday to my big girl. and thanks for always being such a beautiful and willing subject =)</span></div></div></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-66038833473615600072009-10-21T07:16:00.005+10:302009-10-21T08:00:18.791+10:30christmas cards | old favorites<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; ">here are a few of my favorite christmas card designs from last year. again - they can each be rotated or adjusted to include more or less photos, your favorite quote, a personal message, or a different colour scheme. and they can be printed as 4x6 or 5x7 photo cards, or as traditional 1/2 fold cardstock cards. you have about 6 weeks until you will need to post your cards, will you be ready? let me help =)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaQNo-KTThqar9VEJeEUGAbNnEhipQOdiayhc5L4D31Opp32cgFtw-CG9a30-vxBLq6J7VfuSyPtMvuR7EbdcP2IfnDFecKiLjCFj_guUNj-OurFkZKVD9gtmx8mnPE1cwadFTKoxnfQ/s1600-h/christmas+card+(23).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaQNo-KTThqar9VEJeEUGAbNnEhipQOdiayhc5L4D31Opp32cgFtw-CG9a30-vxBLq6J7VfuSyPtMvuR7EbdcP2IfnDFecKiLjCFj_guUNj-OurFkZKVD9gtmx8mnPE1cwadFTKoxnfQ/s320/christmas+card+(23).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394797254095115106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8UvDIvQRzlE2fniOoMzcor4zQk30Vlzc20kT5JusPOHORATQvHUQBSkJ5lOunjbsXLRnA9LWm3uFMDYdl5bwM_UlLivQhT5gd-Rc8o1on4gv-Qm1GuwA0vA2z-E6G9FT_DCthHu3ngE/s1600-h/christmas+card+(19).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8UvDIvQRzlE2fniOoMzcor4zQk30Vlzc20kT5JusPOHORATQvHUQBSkJ5lOunjbsXLRnA9LWm3uFMDYdl5bwM_UlLivQhT5gd-Rc8o1on4gv-Qm1GuwA0vA2z-E6G9FT_DCthHu3ngE/s320/christmas+card+(19).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394797248837551538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrt8juBRm1ZD_47j2v8U196Qww74_KIoLKxGoKrEnOdc0OYAg4kZIig65cS-QP9RFMG1-PLB-Zzilld2nXP2GcNWT2CvW1GLcUgTwehCrWfvmu6Qdbk4awoSi6Op9GRwf9etD_Mub1BM/s1600-h/christmas+card+(17).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrt8juBRm1ZD_47j2v8U196Qww74_KIoLKxGoKrEnOdc0OYAg4kZIig65cS-QP9RFMG1-PLB-Zzilld2nXP2GcNWT2CvW1GLcUgTwehCrWfvmu6Qdbk4awoSi6Op9GRwf9etD_Mub1BM/s320/christmas+card+(17).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394797239155498338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlDnIJITzN9a4vmPk2dJJWiw8_dDIMP89FrKBdi523V5SYF4xMDHmrvZTJnjHxYCdlZZ99zc1SMQ_6plY-hKI-SdxZtyQ5D5zPWv3HOy_AhJywKzgqhN7wgFh0pscQP8TSGMqGTRtXdM/s1600-h/christmas+card+(14).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlDnIJITzN9a4vmPk2dJJWiw8_dDIMP89FrKBdi523V5SYF4xMDHmrvZTJnjHxYCdlZZ99zc1SMQ_6plY-hKI-SdxZtyQ5D5zPWv3HOy_AhJywKzgqhN7wgFh0pscQP8TSGMqGTRtXdM/s320/christmas+card+(14).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394797230030045010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3X-VMbhIiZ1YgrG15Tj6qJZxJMNJ07j3pEhEAKX0cEhlODSvkmKX796SrPdGntZiBDEdcRL8TLHkkidDM8b_zIu2XqGUoya9N9j19eCu5gk_RLWw_xenXiGtgPrqM-6DpjIROAbcWh5w/s1600-h/christmas+card+(13).jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3X-VMbhIiZ1YgrG15Tj6qJZxJMNJ07j3pEhEAKX0cEhlODSvkmKX796SrPdGntZiBDEdcRL8TLHkkidDM8b_zIu2XqGUoya9N9j19eCu5gk_RLWw_xenXiGtgPrqM-6DpjIROAbcWh5w/s320/christmas+card+(13).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394797222130556834" /></a><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7ZC3lhY-OnUn8TFaXMCYkQWqjVBaUpz8jQUEL5IQ_3K4ePzmwgYQJsuvM9P-2Ulhv5f41ndaWevpU8KtrcGcl9pIkJMQKgms9uLCHjASCC-eUjhynLH34dOYxdyVa1AZRBKc3d43JT0/s1600-h/christmas+card+(11).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7ZC3lhY-OnUn8TFaXMCYkQWqjVBaUpz8jQUEL5IQ_3K4ePzmwgYQJsuvM9P-2Ulhv5f41ndaWevpU8KtrcGcl9pIkJMQKgms9uLCHjASCC-eUjhynLH34dOYxdyVa1AZRBKc3d43JT0/s320/christmas+card+(11).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394786894877325922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdirmE6UzDrnyJzZt90WVdtb57kcLb60fohj27mgP0IbFiHmWcvj3jo8FraFMuS_o6Ee-n0a7Wikl9MPyPjCHxYPW8xqzBoRdp5VfHCRlp1APi_1H3ft3IsdSN1_-mZqO7H77xC86gKA/s1600-h/christmas+card+(10).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdirmE6UzDrnyJzZt90WVdtb57kcLb60fohj27mgP0IbFiHmWcvj3jo8FraFMuS_o6Ee-n0a7Wikl9MPyPjCHxYPW8xqzBoRdp5VfHCRlp1APi_1H3ft3IsdSN1_-mZqO7H77xC86gKA/s320/christmas+card+(10).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394786889412437746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CAj1biWLzQJrjVo9WkXV3CzvnkfdiY6keK6aHyAKTJGI0kMfLq_upSSJgvlFnKs8m84FhqwW_AW-GsHmY0PW9-YrIgL0NoAf7ONkRK14i3EX7HwjOUOKl8UQ7WdFBs0ofDrMD0mp8Fg/s1600-h/christmas+card+(8).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CAj1biWLzQJrjVo9WkXV3CzvnkfdiY6keK6aHyAKTJGI0kMfLq_upSSJgvlFnKs8m84FhqwW_AW-GsHmY0PW9-YrIgL0NoAf7ONkRK14i3EX7HwjOUOKl8UQ7WdFBs0ofDrMD0mp8Fg/s320/christmas+card+(8).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394786873525502914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_k0KnXHS4sEAcTqfuiyr8H672b8aX8NwVi5qQLouANlCqf6sYgCwvnbEYT4GoXll7K5XJ3TBKSKzYCovwNJIsZQDXz11y_krID39lDrq7IWNiUnZtDzAFYYTwEGdgPce8-udHK60sac/s1600-h/christmas+card+(7).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_k0KnXHS4sEAcTqfuiyr8H672b8aX8NwVi5qQLouANlCqf6sYgCwvnbEYT4GoXll7K5XJ3TBKSKzYCovwNJIsZQDXz11y_krID39lDrq7IWNiUnZtDzAFYYTwEGdgPce8-udHK60sac/s320/christmas+card+(7).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394786864601137858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrXU_ocKZ2JMXE28rR8xhNyKUe4_noR55LFI3d5LCDUfyElF7mdfw1bw2nEk3qSfyKCkdcSkokJQLvoaX5v3ELmRdFevRSo2KwI92G6796i22uuQyHshYa79cocXL4yXMeH3F7J4eEXE/s1600-h/christmas+card+(6).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrXU_ocKZ2JMXE28rR8xhNyKUe4_noR55LFI3d5LCDUfyElF7mdfw1bw2nEk3qSfyKCkdcSkokJQLvoaX5v3ELmRdFevRSo2KwI92G6796i22uuQyHshYa79cocXL4yXMeH3F7J4eEXE/s320/christmas+card+(6).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394786857232219842" /></a>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-81473165821030358592009-10-20T10:23:00.005+10:302009-10-20T10:34:09.762+10:30christmas cards | quotes & sayings<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">yes, i am still trying to get you thinking about your christmas cards for 2009! it won't be long and you will be needing to get them in the post. here are some ideas for quotes or sayings that you can include on your christmas card. any of my card designs can be changed to include the quote of your choice. and if you have a favorite quote or saying for christmas, please add a comment! i am always looking for new ideas =)</span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLx1YxCHxC4Xn0acwI6AYTeYkgMrgYPCran71cTOGF-VuQdk2UT5U7Uqs6FsdMyFDkAbtQeFfhQe2w0BBfBVQDZdyQHhAt3IWWmaff7PRW2HPoDLqdQGTzXHfcmHrP52iP10zzDXpRs8/s1600-h/c&l+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLx1YxCHxC4Xn0acwI6AYTeYkgMrgYPCran71cTOGF-VuQdk2UT5U7Uqs6FsdMyFDkAbtQeFfhQe2w0BBfBVQDZdyQHhAt3IWWmaff7PRW2HPoDLqdQGTzXHfcmHrP52iP10zzDXpRs8/s320/c&l+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394463468901215922" /></a><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Author: Norman Vincent Peale</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="Arial","sans-serif"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Christmas night, stars shine bright, and all the angels are singing. "The Son of God is Born! Little child, holy child, how I want to be near you, this blessed Christmas night.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Author: Garry Gamble</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="Arial","sans-serif"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">But not alone at Christmastime comes holiday and cheer, for one who loves a little child has Christmas all the year." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Author: Florence Evelyn Dratt</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="Arial","sans-serif"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">There is no greater gift at Christmas than to have everything you want before you open the gifts. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Author: Flavia</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="Arial","sans-serif"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">In the eyes of children we find the joy of Christmas. In their hearts we find its meaning.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Author: Leland Thomas</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="Arial","sans-serif"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">The best of all gifts around any tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Author: Burton Hillis</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="Arial","sans-serif"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Because last year she believed that gifts come from the North Pole. And this year she knows that they really come from the heart.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Author: Lenox</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="Arial","sans-serif"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Love's the thing. The rest is tinsel.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Author: Pam Brown</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Joy is not in things; it is in us.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Author: Richard Wagner</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">I bring you news of great joy…</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Luke 2:10</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> Luke 2:14</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#990000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.</span></span></span></span></div><span lang="EN-US"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">~ Charles Dickens, 'A Christmas Carol'.</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></div> </span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#990000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">“Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more."</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span></div><span lang="EN-US" style="Arial","sans-serif"font-family:";"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">~ Dr. Seuss</span></span></span></div> </span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="Arial","sans-serif"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance - each beautiful, unique and too soon gone.</span></span></div><span lang="EN-US" style="Arial","sans-serif"font-family:";"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">~ Deborah Whip</span></span></div> </span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,</span></span></div><span lang="EN-US" style="Arial","sans-serif"font-family:";"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">The gladness of Christmas give you hope,</span></div> <span class="apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">The warmth of Christmas grant you love.</span></div></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><br /></span></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Family and friends are the true gifts of Christmas.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="Arial","sans-serif"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Being together… the best gift of all.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">The love of a family… the best gift of all.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">The joy of our children… the best gift of all.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Holiday magic starts from within…</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">I believe in Santa</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Have yourself a merry little Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">These are a few of our favorite things…</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">It’s a wonderful life!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">…and I think to myself, what a wonderful world!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Twinkle, Twinkle, Christmas Star</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">…and there was a new little star who seemed to light up this whole world</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#990000;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Your very first Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Your very first tree</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">And the people who love you just can’t wait to see</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">The look on your face</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">In the midst of the fun</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Of this wonderful Christmas, your very first one</span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-19081020706214689492009-10-19T12:19:00.004+10:302009-10-20T10:34:33.892+10:30christmas cards | new designs for 2009<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">here are the new designs i have been working on for christmas cards this year. they can all be printed as 4x6 photo cards, 5x7 photo cards, or standard 1/2 fold cardstock cards with room for a message on the inside. each of these cards can be adapted to change the colour schemes, quotes and personal messages to suit your taste. thanks to these families for sharing their kids for my examples =)</span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSLRc7qnDVVWm_7SZW1e-Hnl32FXnMgHg8VpdDyZkaZkd6wB3xDWe1WRn_AONPeR7lcd05JfpAqaBOXKmw_POPTBaQZZEWKbhr4mhzaA9GmfdUiFrhJtu2hBc-oCDSPXGe9Qie_ETUXc/s1600-h/web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSLRc7qnDVVWm_7SZW1e-Hnl32FXnMgHg8VpdDyZkaZkd6wB3xDWe1WRn_AONPeR7lcd05JfpAqaBOXKmw_POPTBaQZZEWKbhr4mhzaA9GmfdUiFrhJtu2hBc-oCDSPXGe9Qie_ETUXc/s320/web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394123511948995682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlKUH-AUnXdg-HauYEylo9ztYKg-RTswpCd9waGE5sK5jTltGJYkUZrQqGnNO3c-RpLEQ7wLs_SBlJyng40N3ZjiN7u4wEjVxjODMJsjkLzCxqshS3S_eNVCbuu5MNneJGmlh6bN2X3o/s1600-h/andrea+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlKUH-AUnXdg-HauYEylo9ztYKg-RTswpCd9waGE5sK5jTltGJYkUZrQqGnNO3c-RpLEQ7wLs_SBlJyng40N3ZjiN7u4wEjVxjODMJsjkLzCxqshS3S_eNVCbuu5MNneJGmlh6bN2X3o/s320/andrea+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394123503518458370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyBM3NUf8qUgfXzasQIs-Vgu2xh_DPCCQ6V_ZQX2p-ndl7QruKYhChGERzUsrHslAhWYpXFub4tCwbU43-M2YUR3BI4IVrGPIbFrLYf-7MP37nIs9CEyqp138B89Q9_QCxpyKDo7oJgY/s1600-h/michaela+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyBM3NUf8qUgfXzasQIs-Vgu2xh_DPCCQ6V_ZQX2p-ndl7QruKYhChGERzUsrHslAhWYpXFub4tCwbU43-M2YUR3BI4IVrGPIbFrLYf-7MP37nIs9CEyqp138B89Q9_QCxpyKDo7oJgY/s320/michaela+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394123494269197410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hfLIFC3ZwF8/StvGvBEiGbI/AAAAAAAAATA/ZuPLn0evddI/s1600-h/JP+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hfLIFC3ZwF8/StvGvBEiGbI/AAAAAAAAATA/ZuPLn0evddI/s320/JP+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394123489749899698" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkbqEKxuTVOeooVBfDgWmyjjSxp4emWAZr94JfZktdMZhcSH4dDfJp0jdkFLpBo0sOCRwlfZgjy60529RDP36uSJKwCq2V7ZLe6fFgBfTraZhuxsE7DRTCSOjV3PvxlMVi_Sx96i_cyA/s1600-h/karen+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkbqEKxuTVOeooVBfDgWmyjjSxp4emWAZr94JfZktdMZhcSH4dDfJp0jdkFLpBo0sOCRwlfZgjy60529RDP36uSJKwCq2V7ZLe6fFgBfTraZhuxsE7DRTCSOjV3PvxlMVi_Sx96i_cyA/s320/karen+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394123484796887842" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>special prices for christmas:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">25 4x6 photo cards = $40</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">25 5x7 photo cards = $60</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">25 1/2 fold cardstock cards = $50</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">(cards include white envelopes)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">purchase jpeg file for printing out yourself = $25</span></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-81611531037325909332009-10-13T18:55:00.005+10:302009-10-20T10:34:59.563+10:30photo call | christmas cards<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">yes, i know it is "only october". but i promise, it <i>is</i> time to start thinking about christmas cards. by the time you choose a photo, choose a card design, decide what you want your card to say, and wait for them to get printed... it will be time to for you put them in the post!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">the good news is that i do all of the hard work for you - i can even include a message on the inside of the card so all you have to do is write an address on envelope! and YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN AUSTRALIA to order your christmas cards from me. i will post them to you where ever you are in the world. all you need to do is email the photo(s) you would like to be used for your christmas card.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hfLIFC3ZwF8/StQ9SF52W9I/AAAAAAAAASw/6gdlGC5WHHc/s320/christmas+card+(5).jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392002034901081042" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">over the next few days i will be sharing some of the cards i made last year so that you can see how wonderful they look and get some ideas for your own card. in the mean time, i want to try out a few new designs as well as show everyone how i can take any one of your favorite digital photos and turn it into a wonderful christmas keepsake.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">so this is a <b>PHOTO CALL!</b> send me a favorite digital photo of your family/kids/pets/vacation/child's artwork/view from your window etc. etc. - really, any photo you like! i will choose a few of them to use in my christmas card examples and post them here for everyone to admire.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">send your photos to <b>karen.zoomdesigns@gmail.com</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">and stay tuned for some fantastic christmas card ideas =)</span></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-21177446594770395192009-10-12T14:53:00.006+10:302009-10-13T19:14:37.457+10:30invite<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">having a party? have a special occasion coming up? here are 2 invitations that i have made recently that just might give you some new ideas. these cards are beautifully printed and make wonderful keepsakes for your guests. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">this invitation is perfect for a first birthday. with 12 spots for photos you can use one photo from each month of your little one's first year!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQAusyLLTkgJ5F39AttmYAMp4M0qDaqqHSSSq-64W-B2N2UeLr2lU5OZe0mnc5fL6nx90MMZV3z-RBt7jy4PLWM0KTQLHBJADm8IdD2IRn6frJsJhhxWYBDbx4LCEnEuJhNbF-nKeK24/s1600-h/cooper+invite+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQAusyLLTkgJ5F39AttmYAMp4M0qDaqqHSSSq-64W-B2N2UeLr2lU5OZe0mnc5fL6nx90MMZV3z-RBt7jy4PLWM0KTQLHBJADm8IdD2IRn6frJsJhhxWYBDbx4LCEnEuJhNbF-nKeK24/s320/cooper+invite+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391564758404730066" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">this particular card is an invitation to a christening but this layout can work for any purpose. i think it would make a beautiful christmas card - yes it is that time of year again to think about christmas cards! stay tuned this week for a chance to see what your favorite photo looks like in a custom made card such as this one! =</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MolRQxbDupsu31p-f7fgkQcCsDOQ2a0sURRHInl0o4MTtsKdDy2LGlLQFD5gqUqvK0f8VBEEijLDQuFdASvilQlE5xjhz6fLeHcUVvJXCRhkopk1dlPy_WTLZXIExw7BYlcYkV9_LMo/s1600-h/x+invite+web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MolRQxbDupsu31p-f7fgkQcCsDOQ2a0sURRHInl0o4MTtsKdDy2LGlLQFD5gqUqvK0f8VBEEijLDQuFdASvilQlE5xjhz6fLeHcUVvJXCRhkopk1dlPy_WTLZXIExw7BYlcYkV9_LMo/s320/x+invite+web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391564753512191138" /></a><br /></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-85622477379912342372009-10-07T21:28:00.004+10:302009-10-07T21:47:41.887+10:30sneak peek | bellies<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">i had the great pleasure of doing a 'belly' session last weekend, for such a lovely couple. maternity photographs are a very cool keepsake of a really unique and momentous time in life. i wish this sweet family and their little one all the best! perhaps some newborn photographs will be in our future =)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6rR0k5DkSZ1eD2LawUsHC02z18hx_owwDAucSoRvZgfWJWJynupwkddnTzFKctQDp2XWnauKP6I18BQ-iyDlY_5s-XiRc4MmVJd_rAp2E0HSYyoMjP8rJkBUYb_3eHTq5Rbx_G5_bt8/s1600-h/kristy2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6rR0k5DkSZ1eD2LawUsHC02z18hx_owwDAucSoRvZgfWJWJynupwkddnTzFKctQDp2XWnauKP6I18BQ-iyDlY_5s-XiRc4MmVJd_rAp2E0HSYyoMjP8rJkBUYb_3eHTq5Rbx_G5_bt8/s320/kristy2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389811056138629698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">...all because two people fell in love</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50jJgfq5kSbM5TxrQk1ulDC420NfQALvu72WIT7D6xktJlfzba2hoKMNtcjRj9YZOFqE1YH_9KgUnEOeVICVqpMWACJZxyPhcOWOC-h1FK9ze_9CuadECY0ncQx1n5KKuZL9F_a__qs8/s1600-h/kristy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50jJgfq5kSbM5TxrQk1ulDC420NfQALvu72WIT7D6xktJlfzba2hoKMNtcjRj9YZOFqE1YH_9KgUnEOeVICVqpMWACJZxyPhcOWOC-h1FK9ze_9CuadECY0ncQx1n5KKuZL9F_a__qs8/s320/kristy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389811049380549522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">home is where your story begins</span></i></span></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-44656623334776924482009-10-01T06:42:00.009+09:302009-10-07T21:41:42.478+10:30before | after<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the amazing jody at mcp actions has a new action set coming out and she has used one of my photos on her site!! am ridiculously excited!</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: normal; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r-642Jgktpvj0EF7IqYz4e-UeeGRqPZ1Bhv3KGCFpUh18g0c1_1z7Jy5jKgh1omdBPoC2ETBzPIfdXJc5C1Oz_PNs5IZN0CLdK-ZPesNZUjJ8hEzXHFGfmaocU9y3cp7umZkOTW2p9s/s320/karen-gunton-ba.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387373057913384194" /></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="text-align: center;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: normal; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mcpactions.com/blog/2009/09/30/win-mcps-bag-of-tricks/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://mcpactions.com/blog/2009/09/30/win-mcps-bag-of-tricks/</span></a></div><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: normal; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; "><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></h3><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">this is perfect timing, as my next blog posts are going to be about processing your images and using programs like photoshop. many people don't realize this, but the work you do to your image after you take it is extremely important. if you have photoshop and/or are intersted in turning your great images into professional looking fantastic images, you must follow the mcp actions blog. the tips and tricks you learn there will change your life!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="text-align: center;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: normal; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; "><span class="UIStory_Message"><a href="http://mcpactions.com/blog/2009/09/30/win-mcps-bag-of-tricks/" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this), "a0761c0ca21193d6010525c25d8d28a0", event)" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://mcpactions.com/blog</span></span></span></a></span></h3></span></span></span></div></span>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-49017020590328772172009-09-15T14:42:00.010+09:302009-10-06T18:25:56.050+10:30tips & tricks | favorite websites for post processing<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">sooc</span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrlVFs08uwjYpGXx-IApr6V6x2ro7BoF685Baj-xyo9B5R7XJwTH8eAIcuM_y3VbZjcgV30dw6_5Fwu3GUMOR7XDfptGLARDsRmQ-EX0DmOWv8iggmtsN0JceF0sKQoIrU7m8FBC4CGA/s320/_MG_3467.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389391167282301954" /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">edited</span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPec7yBCmPiE1o0GoUfNAefCuEYHZM2reFDIluY6S6ZQNVtsi9Rjr46hgjBteYCxUUET-iAKpgk4YtAgiJK8ovudCUFUiB2z0X056w2yRk1IHKstMAn91wva-c0sDjVMYy62f_yVEFlw/s320/web1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389391170490171394" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">i have been talking about the importance of post processing. if you have an interest in photography or are looking to create more professional looking shots, then this is a must. now you might be thinking "i don't have photoshop! i don't know how to do any processing!" here is some help to get you started:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">you need to have photo editing software. the newest professional version of photoshop CS4, at upwards of $1500, will probably be out of your reach. the good news is you don't need it! photoshop has a very user friendly 'home version' called elements which you can often find for around $100. here is the site if you want to download a free trial:</span></div><div><a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelwin/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelwin/</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">another option is the google program picasa. i have heard good things about picasa and it is free! </span></div><div><a href="http://picasa.google.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://picasa.google.com/</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">another option is to check to see if your printer or camera came with any editing software - you might be surprised! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">now that you have some software, the next step is learning what to do with it. here are some great websites to help you get going:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">mcp:</span></div><div><a href="http://mcpactions.com/blog/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://mcpactions.com/blog/</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">jodi at mcp has the best advice around! she also sells amazing actions and tutorials for using photoshop once you reach that point. here is an extrememly useful post full of tips and tricks to get you started...</span></div><div><a href="http://mcpactions.com/blog/2009/04/23/40-top-photoshop-tips/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://mcpactions.com/blog/2009/04/23/40-top-photoshop-tips/</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">ilp:</span></div><div><a href="http://ilovephotography.com/forums/index.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://ilovephotography.com/forums/index.php</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i have posted the link for 'i love photography' before. not only will you find some great advice about taking photographs but you will also find heaps of advice for post processing, both with photoshop and other programs. it is free to join!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">youtube:</span></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">type the name of your editing software (photoshop elements, picasa, etc.) into the search box and see a list of a number of free and very useful video tutorials. i use this option all of the time!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">coffeeshop:</span></div><div><a href="http://coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">http://coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com/</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">if you have photoshop elements and you would like to try out some actions - you will find some great free ones here, along with some great tutorials and advice. (actions are preset steps you load into photoshop - with a click of the button you can create amazing black and whites, colour portraits etc.) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">if you do have an interest in learning some post processing techniques and would like some more specific information or have questions you would like answered, please send me a message! i would love to help, and i guarantee that your question will help others as well =)</span></div></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888326321841545131.post-25472357637401593322009-09-15T13:30:00.013+09:302009-10-05T21:48:44.122+10:30tips & tricks | post processing<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">post processing (or pp'ing) refers to the steps you take once you uploaded your photos onto your computer. you might be thinking "what steps? i just print my photos!" if you would like to kick your photos up to the level of professional shots, or make them look more like portraits and less like snap shots, then post processing is a must.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i have included a couple of sets of shots here as an example of the importance of post processing. the first shot is what we call 'straight out of camera' (or 'sooc'). the second shot has been processed (by me!) in photoshop CS4. you can see quite clearly the difference that post processing makes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i>sooc</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_ihVujw4ISY4kiKwyp0_pn7loqqjcF6digXZOxpH2Vl2z8LU92QVYa74DRBdQJFfc4rEop1qkjUv65tB5pu9dCD09RETpqGV9MI4EDRDec-XML8obeZiI-xi2AZYprqckcLUjGnhsT0/s320/_MG_3423.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381979449297944290" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i>edited</i></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmj0CC62iU65o2FDXt337HFvOHcr5fyrrB-8q_2HD7C2cMPOCvp4Ub2U_fFRoKrOi7YLVMCI4mc9hYRrrfWdyIlZP4ugCEEWmWGIrxDOEcI-9EZXNeUoAHFL8dDEexdwK1mqCt1WrmH4/s320/_MG_3423+web.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 267px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381922475079719778" /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i>sooc</i></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0j5cN9AOUX5GlMFHpHf6MjioZC6aiA-_SODfoWh6Ka5jshemSuHGtA5n0425iJrjMkm94T0Pq7CpY7fflUH8JkDN0M9Dui4uJvB4zIDocpBEFjKzzGkyMRaFNM06A3BWtjgjfrCFj6g/s320/_MG_3430.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381925370049049330" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"><i>edited</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmW7OVcRaKS78bLyhcJB39mEI3salqmJ4mNiwsHLQnBsyXs1lHc6qkzEDqbbnNfIHsrFmV8ZD3qTx6DOA5iqFkcpSQvV_ZbLuw2cAeq2wxZocrU5GBscm4d0ZrV-0-_3dVBgMtmjjKetg/s320/_MG_3430+web.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381925379556379058" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">if you have had a professional photo session with a photographer (me or someone else) you may wonder why the cost of prints is so much more than what you would pay if you went to your local walmart/big w. the reason is that you are paying for the expertise of that photographer to process the sooc shots and have them printed by reputable professional printer. if you take your sooc shots down to the local walmart/big w, the computers there will do some basic pp'ing, and they will be printed on photo paper, but i guarantee you that they will not look as fantastic as they would if you ordered your prints from your photographer! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">(as an aside, i recently had some of my edited shots printed at one of those quick & cheap stores and i was not impressed with the quality at all - it is worth finding a professional printer in your town that you trust with your images!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">to give you an idea of some of the steps involved in pp'ing; this is what i do to every shot i edit:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">-defog digital image & apply noiseware filter</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">-check/adjust white balance</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">-check/adjust exposure</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">-check/adjust highlights, midtones & shadows</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">-touch up skin, eyes, and and any clothing/background that isn't quite perfect</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">-convert photo to black & white or enhance/'pop' colour</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">-sharpen and crop for printing, keeping in mind rule-of-thirds and other compositional elements</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">so, you can rely on those computers at walmart/big w to do this all for you, or you can take your photographs to the next level and learn to do these steps yourself! stay tuned for some great tips to get you started.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">of course, you always have the option of ordering your prints from me. remember, i can take your favorite digital photographs and turn them into something really special... =)</span></div></div>karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16731174197128143579noreply@blogger.com0