networking is awwwwwwesome :D

In an effort to continually keep up with the times, we as photographers need to network, network, network. Which means workshops, seminars, classes, pug meetings (no...not the dog, although they are pretty cute...pug really refers to Pictage User Groups), smugmug meetings, and so on. 

Most of the time the seminars and meetings are free. Most often the workshops are not. BUT sometimes...at the best of times...there are contests! I love contests. That feeling that I might possibly win (which, more often than not I don't...but that doesn't mean I can't try!) gets me all happy...like a kind in a candy store!!!

So this post is all about the possibility of winning. 

"I want a UNO DVD and a shot at the scholarship to the Love Affair Workshop! http://www.loveaffairworkshop.com" 

You might be wondering what both Uno (check out the Uno website here) and the Love Affair workshop are...well, let me give you a little 411 :D

Uno is a DVD photoshop tutorial (that is for ANYONE! not just photogs :D ) made by Lauren Clark (who is a photographer based out of Lubbock, TX). Check out her website here and her blog here. I personally do not have this DVD yet, but I have been looking into getting it (maybe I will get my chance now!).

The Love Affair workshop is a workshop for photographers that is put on by 4 fabulous photographers (Lauren Clark, Millie Holloman, Davina Fear and Kelly Moore Clark). Basically it is a jam-packed 3 day workshop of learning everything and anything you want to know about photography and the business of it. These ladies are fo' real folks! Check out what this workshop is all about here.

 So here's to winning :D

~Maggie

email me :) / check out the website :)

Photographer Tip: Back Button Focus

So, one of the many things that we learned about at the MJ 2 Day was Back Button Focus. 

I knew about this before from reading an earlier blog post of Melissa's. I tried it out on my camera but was confused at what I was exactly supposed to do. So, I un-did it and went about shooting the "other" way, by holding down the shutter button half way to get my lens to focus. Well, during the workshop we discussed back button focusing further and Melissa showed us how it works. So I put my camera back to back button focus. 

Oh. My. Gosh.

Back Button Focus has 

changed. 

my. 

LIFE!

It is wonderful, and I really don't know why I didn't keep using it. But anyway, NOW I will keep using it :)

For a little 411 for everyone so they get the just of what back button focusing is about:

it is a function on SLR cameras that allows you to separate the shutter from the focus.

Which, is pretty cool because that means you can just keep shooting and focusing at the SAME TIME! or, if you want you can also use this to lock the focus to one spot. This can come in handy at receptions where you want to get shots of people that are all about the same distance away from you. To use back button focusing once you have set it up press the * button on the back of your camera!

ok...on to the instructions :)

FYI: I have a Canon Rebel XTI, if you need instructions for a Canon 5D Mark II or Nikon cameras click here

1. turn on your camera and hit the menu button

2. move over to the orange tools 2 menu

3. scroll down to Custom Functions and click on it

4. change the custom function to 04, click on that and it will bring you down to another menu

5. on the secondary menu change it from 0 (default) to 1

6. Exit out of the menu

7. Change your AF mode to AI SERVO, leave it here from now on!

The only other thing that I changed was the AF point selection, I leave it on manual so that I can change it on the go. 

Now start shooting! :D Remember to use the * button on the back of your camera to focus from now on!  It takes a little bit of getting used to, but after a little while you will get the hang of it!!!

Happy Shooting :D

Maggie

email me :) / visit my website!

MJ 2 Day Mock Engagement Shoot

Part of the MJ 2 Day is a mock engagement shoot. It was really fun and inspiring to see Melissa in action! We had some totally awesome models for this shoot! Promise Tangeman-Wurzell and Brian Wurzell, you can check out their blogs here and here. Promise is also a local photographer and artist...she is soooo stylish! I love it! And Brian is a worship director at one of the local churches. They are so easy to photograph!! :D These two got married about a year ago, so these photos are more like anniversary photos! On to the photos:

These two LOVE to laugh!!

Melissa in action!

Don't they just ooze love and happiness :D

The group in action!

Aren't they such a cute couple!! 

Thank you again Promise and Brian!! You guys rocked the camera!

~Maggie

email me :) / visit my website

Ketchup :)

Yes, that's right I'm calling this post Ketchup...mainly because its a catch-up post of everything that I have been doing the past few months! It has been a crazy couple of months. So....

1. I didn't really think that we would be all that busy with planning wedding stuff..but I was wrong. We have gone to see a number of different venues, met with a bunch of photographers and been to some bridal fairs. Its a lot of fun...but tiring. Good thing we only have to do this once! :)

2. Werk, Werk, Werk. (yes, I know...its spelt wrong...it reminds me of the country song "A Little Bit of Life" by Craig Morgen :D ) The reason behind the 3 "werks"...I have a full time job (werk #1), I have my business (werk #2) annnnnd we are remodeling our house (werk #3). Which I suppose I don't help all that much with the house (I'm really good at handing nails or screws over and getting tools, as long as the description is something easy for me to understand haha!).

3. Starting to get some things in place so that I can "brand" myself and get a new website/blog going :D yay! I'm so excited to be able to take my business to the next step!

and last, but most definitely not least...

4. The MJ 2 Day! This was by far the BEST 2 days of my business career! I learned SOOO much and met 12 amazing people! You can check out Melissa's recap of the MJ 2 Day here and here.

This is our group photo after the mock engagement shoot:

Photo courtesy of Melissa Jill

Day 1 we learned about shooting techniques, lighting, client interaction, posing, choosing locations, post-processing and off-camera flash. We also had a mock engagement shoot where we got to see first hand how Melissa uses most of the things we talked about earlier in the day.

Day 2 we learned about workflow, album design & sales, vendor relations, networking, blogging, client meetings, pricing, websites, branding & getting published.

It was a jam-packed 2 days, but soooo worth it. As I was flying home I jotted down 4-5 pages of notes about what I want to change, how I'm going to change it and when I want to change it by. I feel so lucky to have been a part of this and to be able to meet some really awesome people!!