The Weekly Photo Tips product of the year!...

Of all the outstanding products we have had the pleasure of getting our hands on this year only one could be selected as our product of the year.

The winner, Weekly Photo Tips 2009 product of the year is "The Evolution Collection with FLO" from Jed and Vicki Taufer of V Gallery Haven.

The Evolution Collection with FLO is the most complete "studio in a box" that you can get and contains enough information (16 gigabytes of how to videos, templates, actions, presets, edges, overlays, marketing tips, workflow techniques, forms, price lists, relationship building with vendors and clients, fund raisers, and so, so much more...) that if you use the information contained on the 4 DVD's you will be assured of success.

Take a look at the results that Jed and Vicki have had in the small town of Morton Illinois (population 15,000) using the same information they've shared in their "studio in a box".

I love getting involved in fund raising events, it's a win for the studio, a win for the organization, and a win for the people they are trying to help. Jed and Vicki give you ten different plans (with action plans, ads, posters, brochures, sample images, press releases, and FAQ's) for getting involved, helping your community with the added (and secondary) benefit of helping yourself.

One of my favorites is "Dog Days of Summer". In exchange for a 25 pound bag of dog food (donated to local animal shelters) folks would receive a free mini portrait session and a free 5x7 print of their pet. The results of that day was over 125 bags (3,200 poinds) of dog food donated, cover stories in in three different newspapers, and because so many folks wanted more than the free 5x7 print they ended up with over $10,000 in sales!

So for doing something good for their community Jed and Vicki ended up with new clients, free advertising, and sales for one day of shooting that would make Donald Trump envious.

In my humble opinion, if you can't build and run a successful, profitable photography studio with The Evolution Collection with FLO chances are good you were probably meant to be do something else.

So, watch the video to get my full review, but this is not the last you will hear of it, this will be the longest review we have ever done. Once a month for the next year we'll report on how we've used The Evolution Collection, what new thing we've incorporated into our practice, and how it has improved our studio.

As usual, if you are a subscriber you'll need to return to the blog or head over to YouTube to watch the video as it does not get pushed through with your subscription.

National geographic photographer Joel Sartore...

"At Close Range with National Geographic" follows the exploits of photographer Joel Sartore.

This originally ran a couple years back and is now being shown again and if you want to see some stunning imagery, peak behind the scenes of National Geographic photography assignments, and meet a truly interesting man, you really should watch this.

At the very least it will make you want to travel to (and photograph) Nebraska. Seeing "Nebraska's Big Rodeo" has been added to my list of things to do before I die.

After watching the show I visited Joel's website, the fact that he is an outstanding photographer was reinforced and but the best part was learning more about him as a person.

You can read his essay on his wife Kathy's battle with cancer and how it changed his life, Joel's insightful words will make sit back and take pause.

"Now, forgive me for saying this, but cancer can also be a blessing. An amazing experience that forces us to make amends, to set things right, to concentrate on living. To pay attention.

Cancer made me a better father. My work had made me a stranger to my three kids. They got along just fine without me. I was so bad that I once tried to get Kathy’s midwife to induce labor to get me back out on the road the next day.

But now we’re both changed, for good."

You can read the rest here.

Ordering his book "Photographing Your Family" will help me keep one of my New Years resolutions.

Day 3 with Joe McNally - repeating flash...

Here is day 3 with Joe.

Now I understand that most people don't have the number of flash units Joe uses in the shoot (when I saw the table with all 14 laid out I got tingly all over!), but it is cool to see the thought process and work that goes into a shoot like this.

See you on Wednesday when I will be reviewing our product of the year.

2010 COLOUR OF THE YEAR

Pantone, the global authority on colour and provider of professional colour standards for the design industries, recently announced that Turquoise is the colour of the year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise is a colour that most people respond to positively. It's universally flattering and appealing to men and women alike.

With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with all colours in the spectrum. It adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, compliments reds and pinks, creates a classic look with deep blues and livens up all other greens. Turquoise is especially trend setting with yellow-greens.

For brides wanting to incorporate it in their wedding, Turquoise can either make a statement that is elegant and dressy or casual and fun. Because of its versatility, it's a great accent colour for decor as well as jewelry, purses, shoes, hair accessories and even nail polish for women and ties and shirts for men.

THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR!

As 2009 comes to a close, Viva la wedding would like to take a moment to thank all the wonderful people we’ve had the pleasure to work with throughout the year.

We are so grateful and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to coordinate so many fabulous weddings and bond with such great couples and their families over the past twelve months. Thank you for having chosen Viva la wedding and allowing us to be a part of your special day. We wish you all a happy and healthy future.

Of course these weddings would never have been possible without the hard work of the many outstanding vendors we are fortunate to have access to in the Ottawa area. Thank you for your talent, professionalism and willingness to go above and beyond to make our couples happy. Viva la wedding is looking forward to working with you all again in 2010.

Photo Credits: Two Tone Studios

Joe McNally - part 2 of "Controlling color"...

Today is part two of "Controlling color" from Joe McNally.

3 days, 3 videos from Joe McNally...

For the next three days I will be posting lighting videos Joe McNally did for Nikon School.

Yes Joe shoots with Nikon but please don't let dissuade you from watching, because it doesn't matter if you use Nikon, Canon, or candle light, light is light and when Joe takes the time to show us something it is not a Nikon moment, it's a learning moment.

Today is part one of "Controlling color".

See you tomorrow for part 2.