Get Out There: Get a business headshot and win a free session at my exhibit photo booth!

Tomorrow, I am two of my photography colleagues, Jason Peckovitch and Chris Platz, will be hosting a photo booth at the 2010 Success Summit & Expo at the Colorado Convention Center, 10am - 5pm in the Korbel Ballroom.

We will be at Booth No. 420. Studio lights and a background will be set up for attendees to have a business portrait taken for a nominal fee. Photos will be professionally retouched and printed on the spot for up to $15 for an 8x10 or pay $25 for a high resolution digital download.

Leave your business card for a chance to win a free hour-long photo session valued at $75.

Here are examples of business portraits I shot of exhibit coordinator Carla Ladd:







Don't know what to wear? Choose an outfit that you would wear when meeting with clients. When a photo is a portrait of a person (or a group of people), the photographer wants the viewer's eyes to go to the face(s). That means that the faces in the image need to be the lightest part of the photo. Avoid white or very colored blouses or shirts. Men should select a shirt with at least some color; i.e, blue oxford cloth. People with very dark complexions might want to consider deep colors like black.

Conservative clothing in mid-range and darker, solid colors such as blue, brown, gray, red and green will flatter both male and female faces. Avoid busy patterns, large amounts of white or very bright colors. Use the clothing as a frame to draw attention to your face. Tailored suits in wool or linen work well, but watch out for fabrics that wrinke. Simple, classic styles will remain fresh even as styles change.

Get Out There: Your Sports Photos Wanted for a Digital Photo AcademyWebinar!

Need some national exposure of your work? Sumbit your SPORTS and FAST ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY for consideration and inclusion in a Digital Photography Academy Webinar.

Please submit your images by Feb. 10 for the webinar scheduled to run on Feb. 16.
Participants must sign up for the DPA E-Newsletter to submit an entry for inclusion in the DPA, LiHD Webinar, Online Photo Webinar Series. Go to www.digitalphotoacademy.com to begin receiving the newsletter. Also, please include a phone and e-mail address in case DPA needs to contact you about your entry.

My readers will recognize DPA as the program that introduced me to one of my favorite photography instructors, Russ Burden. I have taken several DPA classes taught by Burden and his free "Instructor's Tip" appears here on my blog every Monday to get our photographic weeks off to a good start. Now's your chance to show what you've learned from Burden's instruction and have your photos get some worldwide exposure!

Each webinar is archived on the DPA site for future viewing. Here is an example of a previous webinar so you can see how your photographs will be used to enhance the free lesson hosted by one of the DPA's instructors.



If you would like to submit your photographs please review the submission requirements below. Note that webinars are edited and formatted days in advance, thus please submit your photos in advance of the webinar. Late submissions can not be added. Photographs are chosen, and edited, for their applicability to the webinar theme, artistic and technical merit, and content length.

If your photograph is NOT chosen, it will be archived and may appear in a more appropriate future webinar. Submit your photographs to info@digitalphotoacademy.com.



Please submit your images in the following specs:
Compressed JPEG (Level 4 or 5)
Approx size 1MB per image
200 dpi
10 inch size longest edge

Please include your name and city in the image file name as below:
First_Last_City_01.jpeg

Please also include brief captions including subject, location and any pertinent tech info. If it is not immediately clear from your image, for which webinar you are submitting photos, please indicate this as well.

By submitting your photographs for consideration, you grant and authorize, The Digital Photo Academy,LivinginHD.com and Panasonic, the following: The right to use your photograph(s) in the content and promotion of the webinar series, and for use on each company’s respective website. You further authorize your photograph(s) may be archived online and/or in a database, and allow unrestricted internet availability of the webinar(s) containing your photograph(s). You further authorize the use of your photograph(s) in any future webinars. By voluntarily submitting your photographs for consideration you agree to the aforementioned without any legal claims, or claims for remuneration, whatsoever. You, as the photographer, retain the copyright © of any submitted photograph(s) and proper photo credit and acknowledgement will appear with your photograph whenever possible and practical.

Good luck everyone, and remember to check back and watch the webinar to see if your photo was chosen!

Get Out There: Only one Denver Entry for North America's Cutest Family Photo Competition

Right now, there is only one Denver photo entry in the running for the "North America's Cutest Family" competition benefitting the Now I Lay Be Down to Sleep Foundation. The 2010 Sandy Puc International Charity Model Search is on the look for the nation's best looking family. Only one finalist with the most votes from each of the 52 tour cities will move on to the final round of judging round. The grand prize winner will drive away with a new car!

The Denver finalist should be YOUR FAMILY. But you can't compete if you don't have a photo taken by a participating photographer. You're in luck because PICTURE YOUR WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY is a registered participant in the model search!

Call NOW at 303-548-6112 to book your Model Search Special session and be eligible for the contest.

Model Search Special:
$50 entrance fee includes:
60-minute photo session
one free 8X10 and one image submitted to the national gallery. Once the photo has been uploaded to the gallery, send the url to your friends, family and co-workers and have them vote for the image!



The image MUST have been taken on or after November 1, 2009 through the end of the submission deadline date of April 5, 2010. So contact me today!

Have your family photo standout by one after a fresh Colorado seasonal snow!

Get Out There: Google Map Results

I just noticed something on Friday: When you type in "event photographers denver" in a Google Map result, Picture Your World Photography comes up on a prominent list of local businesses.

I'm not sure how that happened. I remember signing up for free account with Google's Local Business Center, but I haven't really looked it since then. had know idea what happened after that. One thing I also noticed though is that I'm the only business listed in my area in far Northeast Denver, so it could be something that's based on having diversity in locations around the city. I'm number I on the list. Either way, I think that's pretty darn cool!

Want to write a review about your experience with Picture Your World Photography? Sign into your Google account, look up your business and then push the "More" or you can leave it here.


Congratulations Jim Turley from Sweetwater Images for having his name in the number one A spot on that list as well. Hey Jim, if you read this post, how did you do that?

I would love to know what you need to do so that my studio pops up when you search under "Denver photographers" or "Denver portrait photographers," etc. etc. I've been spending some time adding my studio to just about every photography directory or networking list I can find online. Can anyone share any information on how to accomplish this?

Get Out There: Get your wedding photos published for free!

While thumbing through a recent edition of the "Brides.com/Colorado" magazine, I discovered a wonderful and FREE opportunity to help get some sorely needed advertising for my wedding photography.

"Brides.com Magazine" just started printing a local Brides magazine for the Colorado area called "Brides Colorado." Every issue, they have a special section called "Real Weddings," and "Real Engagements" that highlight local nuptials and engagement stories and feature images by Colorado wedding photographers. There are easily a dozen photos showcased in each two-page spread, highlighting lovely wedding locations and vendor information, including a list of wedding photographers. Real Wedding articles are also printed online offering more exposure, while there are 16 local editions in various cities throughout the country to help get the word out about your business.

Here's an example of a "Real Wedding" shot at the Denver Botanic Gardens by photographer Suzanne Wille, A Photo Opportunity

It's free to submit photos and details about the wedding and it's a great marketing opportunity for my company to get published in a magazine. I have asked all of my newly wed and soon to be wed couples if they would vouch for me, allowing me to share the details and photos about their wedding in hopes of having my photography featured in Brides.com.

The response was phenomenal:
"That would be great! We would love to help you in any way!! You are so great at what you do!!" says Jessaca, who's wedding I will be covering in Dec. 2009.

"Sure, I think that would be awesome. Just let me know anything we need to do," says Krista, who's wedding I will shooting next year.

Thank you ladies for your unwaivering faith in my abilities and I haven't even shot your special day yet!

Get Out There: Senior Portrait Promotion!

Don't freak out if you haven't gotten your senior portrait taken yet for the upcoming school year! Picture Your World Photography has got you covered with a brand new, discounted 1-hour session for seniors still facing a deadline to get their mugs turned into the yearbook staff.



From now until Jan. 1, 2010, pay just $150 for a senior portrait shoot either in studio or on location and receive two 8x10s, four 5x7s, a sheet of eight wallets and of course that all important yearbook shot. Check out highlights from previous senior portrait sessions by viewing this gallery.







If that's not enough for the teen overwhelmed with incessant requests for pics from family and friends, then consider upgradinging your package to a CD that includes all images from your session. A disc with images sized to print up to 4x6s will run you an additional $100 while a DVD filled with high resolution images to print to poster sizes as large and in charge as you want to be is an extra $200.

Every student will receive a private, password protected gallery and url to give to friends and family for checking out your photos and purchasing more. Plus, take advantage of the studio's Referral Program by telling friends to book a session with us. Everyone time someone does, you get $25 off your next session or $25 worth of free photos from your current session.

Get Out There: Hosting my first vendor booth for my photography

My client from Auraria campus emailed me yesterday about a great opportunity: A local Walmart in my neighbohrood is hosting the 1st Annual Diversity and Outreach Fair, and fair participants can set up a booth or table for FREE!

My contact is going to refer my event coverage services to Walmart, which could be an amazing resource in itself if I can could connected with such a large company. But I have often considered hosting a booth during one of the many festivals that are held in Denver to market my photography services, and it would be nice to have my first experience with something like this in my own neighborhood where I can meet people who shop at the same Walmart I shop at! Plus, I might not be facing nearly as much competition nor will I have to worry about paying the exhorberent exhibitor fees that are common with other festivals in the city.

I've been toying with an idea: What if I get an assistant to help me set up for a quick portrait, shoot people who want their photos taken and print them out on the spot for immediate payment? Do you think something like that would work or am I aiming too high?

Get Out There: My First Wedding Rehearsal

Yesterday evening I attended my first wedding rehearsal for the couple I am shooting Saturday, and I'm so glad that I took the time to do so. Being able to meet relatives, wedding party members and the Catholic priest who will perform the ceremony was extremely beneficial. The Father explained the rules about flash and using it sparingly during the wedding, plus, he granted me amazing access to the couple. I will be allowed to shoot behind the altar with a spectacular and intimate view in front of the couple. During the last wedding I shot, I could only get images of the bride and groom from under them (they were above me on the altar) and from behind.

My assistants and I were able to pinpoint some great areas to shoot the bride and groom portraits (if we can convince them to make a climb up some winding stairs!) All of our fingers are crossed that by tomorrow, the roses in the garden will have bloomed just in time for our formal portraits. We've got about an hour to shoot those after the wedding before everyone high-tails it over to Maggiano's for the reception. And I think we were able to get some great candid shots during the rehearsal that will make this a more complete story for the couple. I will upload those later today, as I have another rehearsal to attend in just a few hours for my couple getting married on Sunday.

While researching online, I was surprised by how many professionals do not attend this event. I completely understand the need of time management and appropriate payment for that time spent as professional Bruce A. Dart remarked on the betterphoto.com forum

"Most professionals do not attend the rehearsals, although I do know one of my friends who does attend them for all of the previously mentioned reasons. As a business, I need to be concerned about the hours spent away from the studio and whether or not I get paid for what I do. I already spend anywhere from 6-8 hours or more at each event. I have an additional "prep" time to be sure my equipment is ready to go. Afterwards, sorting files, getting previews ready, designing an album, etc. takes about another 20 hours before you deliver the product. There are ways to streamline all this but the point is that there is already a LOT of time involved here."

However, I think it is a mistake not attending the rehearsal, and I will continue to include this coverage in my storytelling, photojournalistic wedding photography.

Get Out There: Take your blog from blah to big time!

This email came across my desk last week, and I found the information to be extremely useful for growing my blog. Use these strategies from Jason R. Rich, author of "Blogging for Fame and Fortune" (April 2009, Entrepreneur Press) to create a blog readers will stick with:

1. Stay in Tune with Your Topic

Any good blogger should get into the habit of regularly reading other blogs, websites, newspapers, newsletters, magazines, trade journals, etc. that cover the same topic. In addition to helping you stay up-to-date about your topic, this allows you to keep tabs on other sources your audience might already be turning to for information.

From these other sources, you can figure out what approaches work in terms of communicating with your audience, plus you can more easily brainstorm innovative and original ways to better provide your audience with relevant, current content. Figure out what your competition is doing and discover ways to do it better, more efficiently, and/or in a more entertaining manner.

2. Create Emotional Ties

Develop and publish content that your readers can strongly agree or disagree with, learn from, or somehow become emotionally invested in. Encourage your audience to then share their own thoughts and opinions by posting comments to your blog entries, take part in online questionnaires or surveys, and become part of a small online social networking environment that you create around your blog.

Consider adding a specific call to action within your various blog entries. The call to action might be providing an open invitation to agree or disagree with a blog entry, attend a real-world event, make a donation to a charitable cause, purchase a specific product or service, or simply to tell friends about your blog in order to help you generate more traffic.

Photo credit: Jurjan Huisman

3. Keep It Real

If you have an opinion on a topic, state it and then support it with facts, research, and strong arguments, while encouraging opposing points of view. Whatever you do, be consistent.

Don’t one day adopt an opposite point-of-view simply to get attention or create controversy or disagreement. This will take away from your credibility and could damage your reputation.

Instead, invite others with strongly opposing beliefs to write or create guest blog entries, or post comments with different points of view that you can address within your future blog entries in order to create controversy and make your content more enticing.

4. Make It Your Own

While you might not be able to come up with something that’s 100 percent new to say or blog about in terms of an overall topic, you can put your own spin on your topic, share your own personal opinions, and package your content in a way that’s different from everyone else.

It’s how you package the material and make it engaging, interesting, informative, memorable, valuable, and/or entertaining for your audience that will allow you to stand out as a blogger and flourish.

Focus on creating original content by interviewing other experts, doing your own research, and sharing your findings, and by allowing your unique voice and opinions or ideas to be heard. These are just some of the strategies bloggers use to create engaging and unique content.

5. Transform Yourself Into an Online “Personality”

Visit other blogs and vlogs, you can easily distinguish between people who simply create a blog and those who establish themselves as a personality that distinguishes them from other bloggers—based on their appearance, attitude, voice, opinions, knowledge, and experience.

There are thousands of entertainment gossip blogs that populate the internet, but there’s only one Perez Hilton (perezhilton.com). Within seconds of visiting his blog, it’s easy to see that every aspect of Perez and what he has to say is unique and different. Obviously, Perez Hilton is an extreme example of what can be done to transform yourself from a run-of-the-mill blogger into a personality. However, valuable lessons can be learned from his success and applied to people blogging about any topic whatsoever. While in some cases, it’s important for the blogger to fit in perfectly with their audience, in some situations positioning yourself as anything but ordinary might prove beneficial.

Whatever online personality or persona you choose to adopt, make sure that it’s something that you believe in and relate to, and that it’s an extension of who you really are as a person. You should be 100 percent comfortable with the online persona you create for yourself.

Get Out There: Critique This!

The Denver Darkroom has created a great opportunity for photographers in the Denver metro area to get feedback on their work. The school is holding it's first open "Critique This Thursday!" event. Everyone is welcome to attend this new bi-weekly event. Each critique will be led by one of the school's instructors or advanced students.

This week's critique is being led by Jefferey Rupp at 7 p.m. I will have to check my schedule, but I would like to attend this session. Learning to accept constructive criticism and understand how different people view your work can broaden your own photographic perspectives. Not everyone is going to love everything you do. Any opportunity you have to understand why an image "works" or "doesn't work" offers great insight and can improve your skills, even if you disagree with the critique itself.

I remember when I took Digital Photography class with the Darkroom, a course which was then being taught by Efrain Cruz before he started his own Illuminate Photography Workshop program. The final day of class included a "wine and cheese" critique of our best images by the Darkroom director Standish Lawder. Because I was so new and unsure of my own abilities, I remember being overly sensitive and having a hard time getting critiqued. Standish didn't like what I thought was one of my best images, and I was very upset and put-off by the critique. I took it personally, which is something you should never do during a critique.

It wasn't until later when I had calmed down that I could think clearly about what Standish had pinpointed as being problems with the image -- namely that a busy background was distracting and pulled away from the main subject. I kept looking at the image and trying to figure out how I could make it better. I even asked other instructors what they might suggest. During my first Photoshop class, I learned about "burning and dodging" to either darken or lighten an area of image. So I decided to "burn" out the background in the image. I wasn't entirely happy with the result, but I decided to turn it in for a Digital Photo Academy monthly assignment called "The Allure of Water."



Not only was that image chosen for that month's assignment winner, but it will also be a part of a 20-city exhibition DPA is hosting throughout the country beginning next month. If Standish hadn't told the truth about how he saw my image, I would never have been able to perfect it.

So, if you are in the area, drop by the critique at the Denver Darkroom on Thursday. If you can check your sensitivity at the door, you are bound to come away with some great recommendations for making your work standout.

Get Out There: The Biggest Full Moon of 2009

The biggest full moon of the year will be lighting up the dark skies tonight. A perigee moon, normally 14% wider and 30% brighter than lesser Moons seen before according to NASA, will be the perfect opportunity to practice your night photography. Last month, a similar moon graced the skies and helped me nail some wonderful cityscapes and holiday light coverage. Here's the best shot I got that night:

Get Out There: Photography Meetup at the Butterfly Pavilion

He Survived Rosie, originally uploaded by Sheba Wheeler.

On Saturday, I met up with members of the Mile High Digital Photography School for a fun photo shoot at the Butterfly Pavilion. One of the things I love about participating in this group is that it forces me to get out and shoot for fun and experiment. This meetup definitely tested my resolve as well as my creativity!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am deathly terrified of spiders, and I'm not too keen on creepy crawly bugs such as beetles and ants either.



But I found myself fascinated by those things that scared me the most, especially this hairy tarantula named Rosie. Inspite of myself, I kept going back to it and watched while people bravely allowed the arachnid to crawl on their outstretched palm. I just knew I HAD to do it!

Taking photos of the critter helped me gain some confidence and getting encouraged by my friends finally did me in. I sat down, breathing hard and heart pounding. I thought just smelling my fear alone would cause the tarantula to take a chunk out of my hand. Instead, she crawled gently across my palm. I could barely feel her. If my hand had been made of sand, I don't even think she would have left a trail in her wake. I survived Rosie!





We spent the rest of the afternoon checking out the other critter displays and witnessed the release of the butterflies, taken just moments after they had emerged from their chrysalis.



All of the social group members had imagined this grandoise daydream where a staff member would open her arms, launching thousands upon thousands of butterflies into the air for a fantastical aerial display. Well, we were wrong. All the staff member did was place the butterflies on a tree where they were allowed to take flight when they were able.





We still got some great shots out of it, including this one image I turned in as my decisive moment entry. One of the butterflies flew and perched atop this young woman's head! She sure was a good sport about it...as I don't think I would have been able to stop myself from smacking it off my head.

Turns out my 75-300 lens on my Canon 5D was not a good choice for this shoot. I was unable to get as close as I wanted to get to an object because of the minimal focusing distance (even though the lens touts itself as a macro lens). There were simply too many people vying for the same space in such a small area, and I didn't have enough room to get to a focusing range my telephoto wanted. It beeped at me most of the evening, refusing to shoot at all in some instances. I may have done much better to shoot with my XTi (which has a dedicated macro setting). Can't wait to go again and get more practice. Part of being a successful photographer is knowing what gear to use in what shooting situation!

Get Out There: Election Day in America!

OK, so maybe this little girl is a little too young to vote, but I'm totally digging the idea of her father teaching her at such an impressionable age why this civic duty is so important.

If you haven't done so already (I voted early last week) please vote today. At this point I don't even care who you vote for (well, actually I do, but I'll keep that to myself) just as long as your voice is heard when your ballot is counted. Leave it to Aaron Johnson, the creator of the photocentric online comic strip 'What the Duck," to throw some humor on the topic.

Get Out There: Join Flickr Groups to Improve Your Photography Skills

I happened upon this great Flickr group over the weekend that I wanted to share: "high school senior portraits-living on the creative edge." I joined this group, added several photos to the group pool and have left tons of comments on photos that have simply amazed me because of their quality and creativity. The photos are inspiring and really have great examples of some outstanding, non-traditional senior portraits. It's the kind of direction I want to go with my own senior portrait photography, and I think you can learn from seeing how the best do it better.

Flickr is fast becoming a key resource for advertisers to seek out (or troll, however you see it) new talent. But at it's heart of hearts, Flickr is still about connecting with other photographers, sharing your work with as many people as you can, earning accolades and constructive criticism, and getting ideas to make your own photography stand out. Take advantage of this resource by uploading your own photos and joining groups.

Get Out There: I Need a Second Shooter for a Wedding Reception

I am shooting a wedding reception for a friend, and I'm wondering if I could get a second shooter looking to work for free and have images to put in his/her port. My client is giving the photos to the bride and groom as a gift. The couple had a simple ceremony before a judge and decided to splurge on their reception.

One way for you to make money is this: I would like the second photographer to set up a "photo booth" which actually is just an area with a background/backdrop to take portraits. That way, if anyone wants portraits, you can take the profit from those sales. I will be shooting the actual reception. You up for this? Email me at shebawheeler@picture-yourworld.com

The reception is Sept. 13 in Denver! It's your chance to "Get Out There!" Let me know ASAP

Get Out There: Becoming My Neighborhood Photographer

My dogs could be THE best advertising campaign I could ever have had (second only of course to letting my work speak for itself). When I walked my dogs this evening, several of the people who had seen me before waved at me as if they knew me. My dogs, a lovely Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute, were quite the attention-grabbers. And it was then that the idea came to me: Since everybody in the neighborhood knows me as the lady with the two "big arse dogs" as one neighbor said, why not use that exposure so the area comes to know me as "the photographer in their neighborhood (with the big arse dogs.)"

I wrote a feature article once business people, including real estate agents and private practice dentists and therapists, said they experienced an increase in sales once they started displaying photos of them and their pets on business cards and fliers. People tend to respond and relate to cute puppies and babies in positive ways that may make them give your business a second look when others are quickly forgotten. The next business postcard I pass out should probably have a picture of a person interacting with their pets.

Since I don't have a lot of money for advertising, I have to be my own brand, my own product. If my neighbors get used to me walking my dogs every morning and evening, passing out promotional fliers, coupons, or business cards, I think they will come to think of me as an extension of their space, a part of their community. It may make me seem more real to them, someone they can approach. I've been told several times that some think of photographers as being elitist. I want them to see me as a part of them, somebody working hard trying to showcase a special skill set. Either I will become my neighborhoods photographer or they will thing I am a big pain in the arse, It's a fine line, I'm sure!

Get Out There: Almost Ready to Display My Photos At Heidi's Deli

The owner of a Heidi's Brooklyn Deli in downtown Denver has given his final blessing for me to hang 8 to 10 of my images in his restaurant, since we now know that I can do so without destroying his store walls. Marty was concerned about nail holes, plaster and paint damage. So he asked if I could try using those popular 3M™ Command™ Adhesive Products which guarantee an easy, clean removal.



To test this plan, I hung up one of my 11x14 images in a glass frame with a mat and wire at home. The first time, I only used one large hook, and I didn't give the adhesive the full hour it needed to adhere firmly to the wall. So of course the picture and the mount slid down the wall and hit the carpeted floor with a sickening thud. Once I made sure nothing was broken, I tried it again, this time using two large hooks and waiting at least an hour, if not longer, for the adhesive strip to stick before hanging the picture. This time it worked, and it was very easy to slide the hook cover up, grab the tab and stretch the adhesive off the wall without removing the paint or plaster. I bought about 16 of those tabs and tested the plan again hanging up one image at Heidi's.

So far so good! The image hasn't taken a swan dive, yet. And I think the 11x14 size is large enough for a potential customer to buy the image right off the wall that same day. Marty has agreed to accept payment from customers. I would love to work out some kind of agreement where he could get some profit from a sale too, but he keeps saying he doesn't want payment. Maybe I could just have all of my friends have lunch at the Heidi's in honor of the showing so he can make some extra sales that way.

Get Out There: Passing out Business Postcards

I purchased 500 business postcards from Prints Made Easy and canvassed my neighborhood this morning, handing out a stack full of the cards. Because my neighborhood is largely comprised of young families with children, I decided to use this image of model Michele and her daughter Aeona to appeal to their needs.



While walking my dogs, I stuck postcards in door jambs and on car windshields, occasionally running into neighbors walking their dogs as well or watering their yards. The face to face interactions were beneficial I believe because I got the chance to explain my business and share the fact that I lived in their neighborhood and was easily accessible for services. "Do you shoot senior portraits?" one mother asked. "My son is graduating next year." Yes, I sure do! A couple of people said they would definitely contact me later!

While walking, I took note of all the avid gardeners and pet owners that live in my area too, thinking that my next postcards might include photos of pets and flowers in bloom. It was tough work, and I was pretty much done in after an hour of being yanked by my young dogs who were pulling on their leashes. Maybe next time I will do the job alone or consider hiring someone else to do it! Here's hoping I get new customers!




See anything I might need to change? I would appreciate your comments about the card. Is it too wordy? Am I missing important information clients should know?

Get Out There: Business Postcards

OR




There's a simple reason why Phuoc Nguyen is my new landscape guy: His business postcard that he taped to my house's screen door. I could also argue that I chose Nguyen because he was the only person out of three who responded to my frantic call for service (hey, I'm terrible at maintaining my lawn). But that's really just good follow-through. Fact is, there are tons of companies I could have contacted for lawn care service by just thumbing through the phone book. But Nguyen's postcard was immediate, and it gave me some ideas....namely, "if it worked for him, could it work for my fledgling business?"

Several aspects of Nguyen's postcard were affective:
1) it was simple and easy to read
2) his phone number and address let me know he lived in my neighborhood
3) it included a comprehensive list of services
4) it was timely, arriving right when my yard seemed to look the worst.

Sure, maybe he could have paid more to have the postcards directly mailed to me. But at the same time, taping it to my door worked for me, and I think I was less likely to toss it since I had to peel it off my screen. Looks like he simply hired someone to canvas the neighborhood with the postcards, and it seems to have worked because I know of at least two other neighbors who hired him to do some work, too.

To that end, here is what I've decided to try. I created some postcards using some easy templates with www.PrintsMadeEasy.com. Because I ordered some new business cards from there too, I got a great discount. I have to walk my dogs anyway, so why not tape some postcards on some screen doors, too? Later on, I can pay for a mailing list of everyone who lives in and around my neighborhood. I'll use my money from the exhibit sale to pay for this advertising venture and see what happens!

I wanted my postcard to feature my ability to capture a moment and my Photoshop skills using an eye-catching (and hopefully unforgettable) graphic technique. My neighborhood is largely comprised of young families with young children, so I figured either of the above images would speak to them.

Which of the pics do you think I should choose on my postcard? Or do you like something else from my port that could work?

Get Out There: Gallery Showing

I haven't heard anything from the Denver Darkroom yet about whether or not any of my photographs sold at Friday night's exhibit. But whether I made a sale or not, I still think the experience was a terrific opportunity for me.

Seeing my photos blown up to an impressive poster size of 20x30 was amazing. I kept looking at them thinking, "Wow...did I take that?!" As people wandered through Jeffrey Rupp's studio in the Arts on 7th building, I held my breath while guests made comments about my photos. I didn't hear a single negative word, and many of them didn't know that the artist was standing right there next to them. "Whether you are able to believe it or not, you are a hit!" Jeffrey beamed with confidence. I want to thank Jeffrey for allowing me and other Denver Darkroom students to showcase their work in his studio. His passion inspires me.


"...really enjoyed seeing your work at the show Friday night -- beautiful images!" from photographer Dave Wood.

I also enjoyed being able to meet with other local artists to see how they presented themselves and their work. And I was introduced to an art form I've never seen before. Betsy Duzan and Judith Babcock both use a technique where paint is applied to a canvas in large, thick blocks with a spatula. I have always enjoyed texture in photography, and I couldn't stop myself from touching the canvases. I haven't told anyone yet but you, but I also started to feel that familiar tingling in my gut...the same sense of excitement I get whenever I take my photography. Could it be that maybe painting is in my future too? Perhaps I could do both such as Ron Zito, another artist I met at the showing.


"Aspen Solitude" by Judith Babcock was one of my favorite's at the showing.

Do you practice both art forms? If so, do you have any suggestions on how I could get started? Many of the artists said they often start painting an image they've seen in a photo...hmmmm