FREEBIE FRIDAY - Textures/Patterns Part One

Hi, all..... here it is the first FREEBIE FRIDAY... I just wanted to say thank you for stopping in and visiting. I love making my own cards and storyboards! When I started out, I had $0 in my pocket so I began to search the vast internet for free textures and brushes to make this happen.

I found sooooo many generous people out there who have so kindly shared free textures and put them out there for all to use... I first found COFFEESHOP and I must say the site is awesome. She takes so much time to put out textures, storyboards, actions and so many other awesome resources for photographers. She also has tutorials on how to use the textures or make cards/storyboards. I found some really funky and fun textures on BEST DESIGN OPTIONS. I love love love the cherry blossom texture as you can tell from this blog. I also found some interesting patterns at Squidfingers. There is about 140 or so free ones to choose from - they have some neat damask-like patterns in there and some plaids too. I also LOVE Pixels and Icecream. I love the Mocha Damask and the Pretty in Pink patterns. If you are looking for more "organic" textures, the Texture Warehouse is definately for you. There are textures of stone, bark, brick, leaves, etc. Smash Apps showcases different artists who have created textures. There are really cool grunge and rust textures. So I gave you some great resources to get started. Start playing around and downloading the ones you love.

As always make sure that you have your Virus protection on and never download from a site you don't feel comfortable with. Also, please make sure to read each individual sites terms of condition, some will require you to give credit if you use for commercial. I always give credit, its the right thing to do.

So what do you do with all these textures? Check out this Tuesday for Tutorial Tuesday and we will check out some things you can do with these Freebies!

My Journey (the Cliff Notes version)

So as they say "the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step". I guess that is true. My journey to being a photographer started with my first camera. It was neon green and held 110 film and took pictures that left much to be desired, but that was it, I was hooked.

Years went by and the memories on film stacked up in my photo box. In high school I took photography and then again in college. I dreamed of being a world class photographer travelling abroad to take pictures of my celebrity clientelle. Meanwhile, here in the real world, I graduated with a business degree and landed a lucrative job. Creative it was not, so in order not to let my spirit die, I stayed with my photography, showing it at art shows and craft fairs. Whenever I travelled for business, I took my camera with. I captured so many beautiful images from places that before I could only dream of.

Just as soon as my photography clientelle picked up, life happened. A big move away from the city I loved, a wedding, health problems, a grandmother with dimentia that now wanders our house, infertility followed by a miscarriage and then finally a baby, death, a new job where I worked twice as hard for half as much, a new house, a new car, a lay off. Years of hard times left me exhausted with no time left for my first love.

Then I had my son. I decided at that point, I would do what I love. I started with doing a couple free sessions for friends and then started charging for prints. Within a month, I had 3 sessions, 2 weddings for the upcoming year, and a few maternity sessions. I haven't looked back since. I am by no means a seasoned pro. I am just someone who loves what I am doing and wants others to share in my happiness.

I hope that you all love this blog as it is a labor of love for me.

Here are some things to look forward to:

GRAND OPENING CONTEST!!!

This is huge. For 4 weeks we will be giving away two prizes a week. What are they? Stay tuned! Grand Opening week will start December 1!!! They will pop up random times of the week so be sure to subscribe to the feeds so that you will be the first to know!

MARKETING MONDAYS

Ideas to get your creative juices flowing and promote your business and build your client base

TUESDAYS Tutorials

Everything from Writing a press release to post processing in Photoshop

FREEBIE FRIDAY

I will scout out freebies and share them with you.....

So here it is......

my very first post on my new photography blog. I'm very excited for this adventure I am about to pursue. I guess mainly because it is giving me a chance to "pay it forward" and share information, freebies, lessons that I have picked up on this 2 year journey of starting my photography business. This blog will track contests, workshops, freebies, and business information in general. Oh, and a mom tip or recipe here or there (did I mention I love to cook). I have taught myself photoshop, built an arsenal of textures, brushes, etc., have learned to build my own custom blog, custom logo, how to make storyboards, greeting cards, and even won a contest to go to LAUNCH - an amazing workshop on Natural Light Photography. All with my trusty computer and internet. In fact, I have learned that you can start a photography business or just become an awesome photograper with little out of your pocket (if you have a great camera and a computer).

Everyday I learn something new and I hope to share it with you. There have been so many generous people out there and they have got me here today, so sit down grab a tasty beverage of your choice (mine is Diet Dr Pepper) and enjoy the ride!

My next post will be Part 1 of my journey...stay tuned!