Saving Money Tip:)

I just signed up with a site called Coupon Carryout to be an affiliate... You can order coupons that you will use for that week. Right now I am ordering my pampers coupons for the little man. This is genius. I usually buy between 2 and 4 Sunday papers. I make back about 10 times that in saving so I see it as a good investment. However, a lot of the coupons go unclipped. Wasted the whole paper and because I am concerned about the environment that is really wasteful. So when visiting one of my favorite sights - Big Fat Piggy Bank I found this service. They clip the coupon and for a small fee (not selling - read the terms of conditions) for their time (8-20 cents per coupon) they will clip and ship just the items you want... Huge timesaver. I will still prob get my one paper and then match up sales. Items that are free or almost free I will order the coupons from this site so I can buy multiples and stock up. This past week there was a $2 off Pampers (certain kinds) TARGET coupon. I have a ton of Manufacturers $2 off Pampers coupons. Did you know that you can double up because of Target's coupon policy. If you have a MFG and a TARGET coupon, you can use both!!! That is $4 off per bag. If you can hit the $8.99 price, that is $4.99 per jumbo pack!!! I just learned this little tip and I have already used it to buy Hershey's Kisses (our favorite) I had a MFG coupon for $1 off two, a TARGET coupon for .50 off a bag, and a MFG coupon for buy 3 get one free so the math goes like this

$2.50 per bag on sale - bought 4
Take $1 for 2 MFG Coupon
Take $1 for 2 MFG Coupon (can use 2 because I am buying 4)
Take $.50 off

Then I gave my Buy 3 get 1 free and that took off $2.50

So I got 4 bags of Hershey Kisses for $5... That comes out to $1.25 per bag. I don't think I have ever seen them that cheap at any store...

Plus I got 2 free snuggle softeners at Walmart, 2 free Wet Ones Canisters (hand sanitizing wipes), Free Neutrogena for men face lotion, free Conair brushes, and free Olay Body Lotion (2) at Walgreens. This is all stuff we use. If it is for free I get it. I am getting together a package of freebies that I can't use to donate to the local shelter. We can't afford to give a lot this Xmas but I can do what I know best and shop:) and donate what we get for free to people who need it.  I am sooo addicted to the whole couponing thing, too.... I have a list of couponing and my favorite photography sites on the right. P.S. these sites I am not an affiliate just a big fan. I know on Dec 1 we need to start disclosing these things:)

I am now a affiliate of coupon carryout, so if you are interested, click below to check it out. If not, that is OK. When I find something I believe in i may decide to become an affiliate, however,the opinions are always my own. I will also never be an affiliate with a product that I haven't tried or don't believe in. I am here to provide a free service to you all and I am not here to make a quick buck. I will always disclose if i review or talk about something. So far, I think that this is the first one:) I have affiliate and free trial links on the side where you can see them. Even on your free trials, I will get credit (trust me - I think since I started I have made .25 , not even worth updating everyones banners) so the choice is always yours. Just wanted to put it all out there because I know some sites do not tell and that is dishonest....

Click here to check out Coupon Carryout

A different Perspective

This is our last contest winner Jolene. Check out her website www.krookedsmilesphotography.com . Since I love to meet new people as I said before and I love learning from others, I thought I would have a mini Q&A with Jolene......

How long have you been a professional Photographer? I am just starting out but I have offically been working at my business for the last year and I am on my way to the TOP!!



How did you get into this field?
I am sure you hear this quit often but I will say it again because it is true... I have always had a camera in my hand, ALWAYS! Everywhere I went a camera tagged along! About five years ago when my brother passed away is when I really started looking at and cherishing the memories we had created together and I thought I would love to help others have their memories! Then when my son was born two years ago...I became obessed! So here I am!

What is in your camera bag?
Currently a Panasonic DMC-FZ50 w/DMW-LW55, DMW-LT55, DMW-LC55


In the process of upgrading to a Canon 5D w/50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.8

What is your specialty(kids, maternity, family, etc?)... How did you find your "voice" in photography?
Children and Family all the way! Since my "Family" is the most important part of my life it gives me great joy to help other families capture memories that will last a lifetime!

What is your greatest struggle with your business? What steps have you taken in this tough economy?
 I have not been able to focus 100% on my photography business, I work a full time job also! It is extremely hard but it is a passion and a dream of mine and I went for it!!

Do you have any memorable marketing strategies or any marketing tips for the readers?
Word of Mouth!!! I can not stress that enough! Every customer has been from a friend of a friend! I strive to make all my customers happy so they will send more customers my way! Not to mention I have become good friends with the owners of my sons daycare and they Market for me! Free Marketing! Gotta Love it!


Tell us a little about yourself?
I have the most wonderful and supportive husband ever he is the one who pushed me to pursue my dreams! I am a mother to "Gods Greatest Gift" Caleb Austin, he may be a Sour-Patch kid but I wouldn't trade him for the world! He is my inspiration...My life:Family+Photography=Happiness



Do you have any advice for the novice photographer or someone who wants to break into the field?
Do what makes you happy not what others are doing! Never let your friends walk all over you! Join groups and forums and get advice from other photographers Professional and JSO it can only make you "Stronger"

 
Thanks Jolene for letting us get a glimpse of your photography journey:)
 
I love how you mention FREE advertising and Word of Mouth. As I am taking my journey, I am putting my efforts into ways to promote my business for free:) Once I am raking in the big bucks (lol) then I may throw a chunk back on a new studio or a huge marketing budget. Right now I am just chugging along without one. Word of Mouth is a powerful marketing tool:)

Free 8x10 Canvas by Canvas People

I can't vouch for quality yet as I just ordered. The 8x10 size is free so I ordered that. You have to pick a frame and at checkout that goes down to $9.94 and with shipping it comes to $27 ish. Not bad for a framed canvas picture. Very easy to order too. Just upload your pic. It took me 3 minutes from beginning to end. I did notice that they have a money back guarantee so if you arent satisfied, I believe you can get $ back. I have heard good things on other forums so I decided to give it a try... I'll post how it came out. I don't know when offer ends so jump on this if you are interested:) Link below

http://www.canvaspeople.com/freegift

Freebie Friday - Trial Offers

Before I purchase or subscribe to anything, I see if that company offers a trial product. This way, I can test-drive it. You wouldn't buy a car before you drove it? Why invest money in your business without trying it? Here are some free trials that are out there for your photography business or some software trials if you are just clicking it for now:)

Software

Adobe offers trials on their photoshop products, Illustrator, and some others. I personally had taken advantage of the Lightroom trial. And now I have it and love it. $299 is a big investment when you are on a low budget so make sure that it fits your needs. Most people will find that all they need is Elements 7 or 8 (which is a lot less expensive) http://www.adobe.com/downloads/  If you decide to purchase any of the adobe photoshops, I have them set up on an Amazon store on the right column.

Noiseware and Portraiture are Plugins for Photoshop and are used by a lot of professional photographers. Portraiture is a very simple way to correct skin and give that creamy skin tone to your subject. It uses sliders and is a lot less complicated than using Photoshop to fix blemishes and skin tones. Noiseware is great for high ISO photos. You can check out before and after shots on this site and you will be impressed. However, they are both expensive software for us on low budgets, so see if they will fit into your workflow. Personally, I don't have either right now. I may invest in noiseware in the future as I am a natural light photographer and High ISO's are a given. Here is the link to the free trials

Portraiture http://www.imagenomic.com/pt.aspx
Noiseware http://www.imagenomic.com/nwpg.aspx

Portrait Professional

Very similar but with a lower price tag. This works as a standalone - so that is one minor disadvantage because it will require additional time. Right now the promotional price is $69.99 as opposed to Portraitures $199.99. Also read down to the end, because I included a link to a site I use for coupon codes!!! So if you do like any of these products or in the future any purchase you make, check out that site first:)
http://www.portraitprofessional.com/

Corel has a few free trials on their site as well... They have paint shop pro and also illustrator and some office software, too.
http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Content/1152796555406

*** Try them first to see what works for you. Personally I have the Photoshop CS3 which is great for me. I don't need CS4 - on the same respect I had Photoshop Element 5 when I started and I did fine with that at first. Sure Adobe CS4 is the bomb but it is not for everyone... See how it works into your photo flow - are you just someone who like to take pictures and wants to do minor editing - maybe photoshop elements or corel may do. ***

Business Management/Studio Management

There are some great tools for Studios out there. They have client lists, information, pricing information, keep your calendar, and some even have photo carts for your clients.

I personally like Phobrio. You will be able to track clients and prospects, manage scheduling, ordering, invoicing, online proofing, track clients throughout every stage of your workflow, create to do lists, and a whole bunch more all for $15 per month. The online cart leaves a little to be desired, however, the rest is PERFECT for my business. No more excel spreadsheets for me! They have a demo where you go and play around with the software. Click the trail button on the login page and you can play away.

Tave is another great photography business software. Click here for the trial page to register. It is a little more - $25 per month, but to me it has some additional features that personally I don't need right now. However, a larger studio may find that it works better for them.

Email Marketing

Want a email service to keep contacts and do mass mailings like newsletters and promotions?

Vertical Response has a free trial available. You can try it out. The benefit is if you are a small business (or growing) and your newletter only reaches a certain amount of people, you can pay per contact instead of getting locked into a high monthly rate. Click on my affiliate link on the right hand side and sign up for your free trial.

Constant contact is another company that will let you send out professional mailings. Click here to register for their free trial

*** Also before you buy ANYTHING - I always check out RETAIL ME NOT to see if there are any coupon codes for it:)

New Giveaway!!!!!

OK, have another giveaay for you all!!! I have been sooo busy - 3 Xmas Sessions, a maternity and trying to get the house decorated and shop for Xmas.... all with my bad back and a cold oh and sleep deprivation because my little man has decided not to sleep through the night anymore. He wants to play at 2 a.m.

Here is the giveaway...

Sharper Image Digital Photo Album Keyring!! It is awesome. You can load up to 60 images via USB. It has a FULL COLOR 1.4" High Resolution LCD Screen. It recharges via the USB cable. It is pink (my favorite color) and you can win it by

1. Sign up for RSS, subscribe or Fan me on FB (If you have already done that, leave a post for each and tell me you are a subscriber)

2. You can get extra credit by posting a comment on a subject that you would like to see on the blog. Do you want more freebies, photographer interviews, Tutorials (what kind)

3. Tell me what is in your bag (this is a seperate post)

4. Refer someone else to this blog and if they sign up for RSS and Facebook Fan - just post "I referred so and so (enter name here)

So that is up to 5 enteries plus one for each person you refer!!! Good Luck. Can't wait to read the posts:)

Winner announced!!!!

Hi, all,

Thanks so much for entering the contest and fanning me  on FB and subscribing. U guys rock!!!

The winner (thanks to random.org) is KROOKED SMILES - please email me at Jensphotomojo@yahoo.com to claim your prize.

Keep tuned - we have leather proof/photo albums, Digital Photo Keychains and a secret GRAND PRIZE at the end of the month!!!

Next prize will be posted later today:) So stay tuned!!!

Freebie - Great magazine!!!

Hi, all! Here is the link to Rangefinder magazine. They have a free subscription for US residents. Rangefinder is a magazine for professional photographers and they have some great articles:)

Click here to get to the subscription page.