Christmas Giveaway: And the Winner is....

If you're a fan over on our Facebook page then you already know about our daily giveaways and if not then be sure to join in the fun, you could win something really awesome!  Congrats to the winner of Yellow Rose Halo Headband, Erin Rufer King!  Erin, you've got 48 hours to email us with your info and we'll zip your new headband your way ;)  Thanks to all who participated!!

12 Days of Giveaways: Day 6 Winner

Welcome to our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!  If you're a fan over on our Facebook page then you already know about our daily giveaways and if not then be sure to join in the fun, you could win something really awesome!  Congrats to the winner of Day 6 in our giveaway, Tara Bonnet!  Tara, you've got 48 hours to email us with your info and we'll zip your new Newborn Knot Hat your way ;)  Thanks to all who participated and don't miss Day 7! - You can enter the giveaway here.  

12 Days of Giveaways: Day 4 & 5 Winner

Welcome to our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!  If you're a fan over on our Facebook page then you already know about our daily giveaways and if not then be sure to join in the fun, you could win something really awesome!  Congrats to the winner of Day 4/5 in our giveaway, Nicole Pringle!  Nicole, you've got 48 hours to email us with your info and we'll zip your new Stretch Knit Wrap your way ;)  Thanks to all who participated and don't miss Day 6! - You can enter the giveaway here. 

12 Days of Giveaways: Day 3 Winner

Welcome to our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!  If you're a fan over on our Facebook page then you already know about our daily giveaways and if not then be sure to join in the fun, you could win something really awesome!  Congrats to the winner of Day 3 in our giveaway, Lauren DeShea Donnalley!  Laurne, you've got 48 hours to email us with your info and we'll zip your new Faux Fur Rug your way ;)  Thanks to all who participated and don't miss Day 4/5! 

12 Days of Giveaways: Day 2 Winner

Welcome to our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!  If you're a fan over on our Facebook page then you already know about our daily giveaways and if not then be sure to join in the fun, you could win something really awesome! 

Congrats to the winner of Day 2 in our giveaway, Andrea Holland!  Andrea, you've got 48 hours to email us with your info and we'll zip your new Halo Headband Set your way ;)  Thanks to all who participated and don't miss Day 3! - You can enter the giveaway here.

12 Days of Giveaways: Day 1 Winner

Welcome to our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!  If you're a fan over on our Facebook page then you already know about our daily giveaways and if not then be sure to join in the fun, you could win something really awesome!

Congrats to the winner of Day 1 in our giveaway, Christy Lynn Jerome Delong!  Christy, you've got 48 hours to email us with your info and we'll zip your new Red Ruffle Wrap your way ;)  Thanks to all who participated and don't miss Day 2!

And the Winner Is...

Congratulations go out to Liz Craft, the winner in our recent giveaway for a beautiful Red Ruffle Wrap on our Facebook fan page!  You've got 72 hours to claim your prize Liz, so be sure to check your inbox!

A Love Story

Our friends over at FOTOVELLA are having a special sale on their "Love Story" Wedding Photography Marketing Suite and we wanted to share this great deal with you all :)

"Love Story" is a complete suite of professionally designed and written wedding photography marketing templates created to capture the imaginations of your brides-to-be, and take your studio marketing to the next level!

We just launched a deal over at Photo Deal Cafe on our "Love Story" wedding marketing suite. It's the best price we've offered since our introduction of this very popular suite of templates.  If you're a wedding photographer looking to update your promotional materials or just getting started and looking for templates — this is it.  --  FOTOVELLA

If you're a wedding photographer you're not going to want to miss this chance to own this amazing marketing suite (and at such a low price too!!)

Available for purchase here.

Photo Credit:

Featured images © Katelyn James Photography

It's All About the Lighting

Normally I'm a natural light on location kinda girl but sometimes it's just not possible to shoot outdoors.  So what's a photographer to do in this case?  Get yourself some good lighting!  So I went online to YescomUSA and grabbed a portable umbrella/lighting kit and was pretty happy with what I got.  Here's a little more about the kit:

 (photos and package description courtesy of their website)

This professional kit is extremely suitable for professional level photographers. It is a perfect solution for product photo and video for web retailers and commercial product catalog. Very easy to use and setup in minutes. With their wonderful photo kit, you can take perfect photos everywhere anytime.

Best Solution for Your Professional Photo Studio:

• Perfect for any objects, such as portraits, costumes, furnishings, etc.
• Best color temperature to prevent from color aberration.
• Powerful total 170 watts lighting to provide a sufficient exposal and brilliant image.
• Soften lighting with umbrella for reducing overexposure and hot spots.
• 2x powerful continual lighting for bathing object in dimensional lighting.
• Set up in minutes to offer you a professional photo studio.
• Please kindly note that it is for 110 voltage.

Professional Daylight Bulbs:

• 85 watts spiral daylight bulb equal to 340 watts regular bulb. It can also save the efficiency of electricity.
• Color temperature is 5500k, most perfect color temperature for photo taking.
• Average life 8,000 hours.

Studio Umbrellas:

• High quality nylon construction.
• 32" wide soft white translucent umbrella.
• Extremely soften the light and get rid of the shadows to improve the quality of your images.

Light Tripods:

• Color: Black
• Maximum height is 7 feet, fold down to 28 inches for easy portability.
• Professional quality aluminum frame with black satin finish.
• Simple quick-release levers provide fast precise height adjustment.
• Extra wide angle footprints with rubber tips for more stability.
• Folding frame design for freewill lighting position setting and easier storage.

AC Swivel Umbrella Holders:

• You can use it with or without the umbrella.
• Quick adjustable light positions that lock at the desired angle.
• Distance from the umbrella to bulb is adjustable to be used as fill-in light.
• Its 12.5 feet long cord helps you move it freely for best lighting effects.

Packages Include:

• 2x 7 feet light stand
• 2x AC swivel umbrella holder
• 2x 32" translucent umbrella
• 2x 85w 5500k energy balance spiral energy saver light bulbs
• 1x Suitable padded carrying case

Fotovella Superpack

That's right my friends, the good folks over at Fotovella are running one heckuva deal right now....you can get their Superpack of 12 of their most popular Facebook timeline covers for just $19 (a 90% savings!) PLUS a FREE Bonus 20-piece Custom Facebook Tab Set ($12 value).

PACKAGE DETAILS
• FLASH Deal Price — $19 — (Reg $108 sold separately)
• 12 FACEBOOK Timeline Covers + Coordinated Custom Tabs For Each
• FREE Bonus: 20-Piece Custom FB App/Tab Set
• Ends @ 12 Midnight (PST) on Tuesday 10/15

Meet Our Featured Sponsor: Ella Bella Photography Backdrops

We're so excited to introduce our current featured sponsor, Ella Bella Photography Backdrops!  Ella Bella™ Photography Backdrops provide amateur and professional photographers with an inexpensive backdrop choice.

Ella Bella™ Photography Backdrops were introduced to provide amateur and professional photographers with an inexpensive backdrop choice. Our designs are printed on a 50lb paper and created to help minimize light reflection, enhance your image and complement your subject. Patterns are seamless and printed with a fade-resistant ink. Each roll is 4ft wide x 12ft long.
Ella Bella™ was designed for newborn, children and product photography but can be used for a variety of photography reasons. They can also be used for non-photography uses, such as YouTube video backdrops and many types of displays or creative reasons.

Simply hang the roll from your backdrop stand and pull the amount of backdrop you need. When you are finished, roll the backdrop back up and secure with a rubber band. No backdrop stand? No problem. Just cut the amount you need and tape it to the wall. See our Easy-To-Use Guide for some simple tips http://pacon.com/ella-bella-backdrop-techniques/.

Ella Bella™ can be purchased through Amazon, Hobby Lobby, Mardel and other retailers.

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/art-supplies/art-storage/?brand=Pacon

http://www.mardel.com/search/default.aspx?Keyword=Ella+Bella

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AZO2UBI/ref=abs_brd_tag_dp

Cara, the project manager and creator of Ella Bella and her team have graciously answered a few questions for us to introduce us to their wonderful products and company:

Name of your company, your name, your store URL, Facebook, Twitter, etc. 

Our brand is Ella Bella™ Photography Backdrop Papers.  Our Facebook page is www.facebook.com/ellabella

Our photography backdrops are made from heavyweight paper, and come in 4’X12’ rolls. They’re designed for use with newborn, children and product photography. The patterns are seamless and printed with a fade-resistant ink for a vibrant, long lasting color. Each design was created to help minimize light reflection, enhance your image and complement the subject.

Ella Bella™ Photography Backdrop papers can be found at Hobby Lobby, Mardel, Amazon and other retailers. We recently introduced two new designs to our collection—White Washed Wood and Multi-Colored Dots. Others include: Vintage Wood, Classic Damask, Dots—Soft Pink and Dots—Baby Blue.


When did you launch your store?  What inspired you to start?

Our Ella Bella™ Backdrops were newly introduced this year and were inspired by Cara, product manager and photographer. She manages her own in-home photography studio, and recognized the limited options for photographers in inexpensive photography backdrop choices. She worked with our marketing team to research, develop and create Ella Bella™.

Which one of your products is your personal favorite?  (Is there a reason for this?)

I love working with all of our designs, but our new White Washed Wood Floor is probably my favorite.

What are two products that have consistently been good sellers for you?

Our Vintage Wood Floor design has been a very good seller for us. However, we’ve recently introduced a new White Washed Wood Floor that we feel will do equally as well.

Please let me know some background information about you, like where you live, married status, kids/grandkids, hobbies, etc.  Anything that will help our readers get beyond the product to the person behind your store. 

Although there are a lot of people that make Ella Bella™ happen, I’m the creator and photographer behind the brand. I’m a mama, wife and photographer and my greatest joys are my 2 boys, 2-1/2 years and newborn. I’ve been married for 8 years to a wonderful man and together, with our family, we live in a small town outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin. I own and manage my own in-home studio where I photograph babies, children and families. Besides photography I love to spend time with my family, reading books to my boys, snuggling by the campfire, roasting marshmallows, fudgesicles and of course the Green Bay Packers.

Cara and team, we thank you so much for sharing your brand and beautiful products with us!

Stretch Knit Wraps Winner

On Friday we held a giveaway on our Facebook fan page for a set of our Stretch Knit Wraps.  Since we are not allowed to post the winner's name on Facebook we are announcing it here on the BPP blog.  So drumroll please........ 

Congratulations Crystal Zamudio Rico!

Crystal, you have 48 hours to email me at kimberly@beautifulphotoprops.com to claim your prize :) 
 Thanks to all who participated, be sure to check out our next giveaway starting today on our Facebook page!

Winner of our Newborn Striped Hat!

Recently we held a giveaway on our Facebook fan page for one of our Striped Newborn Hats.  Since we are not allowed to post the winner's name on Facebook we are announcing it here on the BPP blog.  So drumroll please........ 

Congratulations MaryGene Atwood!

MaryGene, you have 48 hours to email me at kimberly@beautifulphotoprops.com to claim your prize :) 
 Thanks to all who participated, be sure to check out our next giveaway starting today on our Facebook page!

And the Winner Is....

Recently we held a giveaway on our Facebook fan page for one of our Stretch Lace Wraps.  Since we are not allowed to post the winner's name on Facebook we are announcing it here on the BPP blog.  So drumroll please........ 

Congratulations Sophia Renee Sena!

Sophia, you have 48 hours to email me at kimberly@beautifulphotoprops.com to claim your prize :) 
 Thanks to all who participated, be sure to check out our next giveaway starting today on our Facebook page!

And the Winner Is....

Recently we held a giveaway on our Facebook fan page for one of our Frosted Gray Faux Furs.  Since we are not allowed to post the winner's name on Facebook we are announcing it here on the BPP blog.  So drumroll please........ 

Congratulations Tricia Dean!

Tricia, you have 48 hours to email me at kimberly@beautifulphotoprops.com to claim your prize :)  Thanks to all who participated, be sure to check out our next giveaway starting today on our Facebook page!

And the Winner is...

Recently we held a giveaway on our Facebook fan page for one of our Toffee Lace Wraps.  Since we are not allowed to post the winner's name on Facebook we are announcing it here on the BPP blog.  So drumroll please........

Congratulations to Bubbagigi Emery who was the 93rd comment chosen by Random.org!

We'll be notifying the winner and the winner has 24 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be chosen.  Thanks to all who played!

Every photo should tell a story....

....evoke an emotion.  I giggle with them, I watch them, I let them be, and the story unfolds.  Forever captured in that moment for you to cherish for a lifetime.  - Kim Kropke, owner of Laugh & Grow Press 

I love writing reviews about amazing products and so when Kim Kropke of Laugh & Grow Press contacted me I was delighted!  You see, Kim recently launched a rather large customizable template system called Simply Announcing which is geared toward the newborn photography community.  The design itself is clean, crisp and modern with the philosophy to focus on, and highlight, the photography and of course the clients' beautiful new little one.  And she's offering this amazing set plus anything and everything else on her site at 20% off for our readers!  Simply use code BPP20 on all of your favorites and enjoy the savings!

Simply Announcing was created on the idea that the star of any announcement is the lovely new addition to your client’s family, not the design itself.  What better way to do that than to feature and display your beautiful photography within a tasteful, meticulously thought out, crisp clean design?

Simply Announcing's 14 different template solutions allow for almost every photographer style and pose.  Within each template file you will find several layers of customizations for font treatment and design and border styles.  Mix and match by turning layers on and off creating endless design pairings.  This set includes 5 different brush sets, over 100 brushes in all, to customize the announcement for your client.  Adorable icon brushes to incorporate a possible theme, 3 different sets of alphabet brushes for a monogram look, and a set of banners and seals for decorative layering and so much more!  Carry the designing to the back of the card with a fully layered psd file of back patterns and colors.  Turn layers on and off to pair any of the patterns with one of the provided color layers, or create a color choice of you own.  All design elements are fully customizable from size to color and direction, making the possibilities endless!  Your clients have invested in you to preserve their memories of this beautiful time, there’s no doubt they’ll be Simply Announcing it to friends and family!

I had SO much fun designing some announcements using Simply Announcing (yep, a few of the ones above are mine), it was so incredibly easy to use!  Take a peek at the following video to see Kim explain just how simple this is...even someone just starting out in Photoshop (like me!) will be able to make beautiful announcements!

Kim also designs custom logos and branding, digital papers/backgrounds and brush sets.  You can find her work at the following locations:

Website:  Laugh & Grow Press
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/LaughandGrowPress

Simply Announcing templates, brushes and patterns are compatible with Photoshop CS2 through CS6 and Photoshop Elements 10/11.

Win a JoTotes Camera Bag!

I'm SOOOO excited, our featured sponsor of the month has graciously offered one of their amazing products for us to give away to one lucky reader!  And who is this awesome sponsor you might ask?

That's right, you can enter and win a FREE Jo Totes Camera Bag of your very own right here on the BPP blog!  So who's ready to win The Abby in Mint?

Abby is classic, fresh, and the perfect companion for travel, a photo shoot, or everyday wear. This stylish cross-body bag can accommodate a camera body with attached lens and one to two additional lenses. Six convenient pockets make organization easy.

Details

• Exterior material: soft, water-resistant, top quality man-made leather in mint
• Interior fabric: gray silky cotton
• Protective foam sewn into the lining of all four sides and the bottom of the bag
• Three sturdy, adjustable interior pads
• Adjustable and removable cross body strap
• Removable shoulder pad
• Shoulder strap
• Main compartment closes with a zipper
• Exterior: Front flap zippered pocket; open back pocket that can accomodate an iPad Mini and a hidden zippered pocket; two zippered back pockets
• Interior: Zippered pocket
• Size: 8" x 12" x 5.25"

Now for those too excited about JoTotes camera bags and aren't willing to wait for the giveaway to end (those like me who are just too darned impatient and want to shop shop SHOP!) this gorgeous bag also comes in Lilac (so pretty!).

Or you can check out some of the other amazing styles too!  I've got the Rose and the Millie and am in love!  My Millie is the perfect size for my needs and is oh so fashionable.

The quality of the materials and the craftsmanship is extraordinary!  The faux leather is so buttery soft, each bag has foam padding sewn into the lining on all sides and the bottom to protect your camera equipment, there are tons of extra spaces to store your everday purse items....my Jo Tote goes with me everywhere!  And check out some of their other amazing styles, there's something for everyone!

 Okay, I know how excited you all must be so here are the details on how to enter!

HOW TO ENTER:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This giveaway is neither endorsed by or run by Facebook or any of it's affiliates and follows all rules and regulations.