natalie_l

<p>Thanks for your input... I have a great LR book which i'm going to dive into this week and next.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for your input. I will certainly take both points into consideration as I begin designing albums for clients.<br>

Natalie</p>

<p>Hi everyone,<br>

I'm curious what advertising and marketing material you have/use most? Business cards... brochures?<br>

What information do you (would you) leave at a reception hall if they asked you to leave a marketing kit? I ask because a hall contacted me for a small job and asked that I send over my marketing kit. I have business cards, but havent done anything yet for weddings and events. I started off doing portraits, so my material material consists of a few brochures advertising portraits.<br>

I was on a call last week and someone suggested that I approach reception halls and offer to do an album of their space and in turn, I would create mini books which could be given to brides who go to the hall, which would be great dual advertisement.<br>

I realize that every area/region may have different methods for marketing and advertising, but I would like some inspiration.<br>

Thanks in advance,<br /> Natalie</p>

<p>No problem, I'll try to reask it!</p>

<p>Cathy/David... I use indesign for brochures. Now that you mention it, there are some similarities to using it and the Graphistudio software. I appreciate your feedback. I may do a few GS non-wedding albums using the software to see what I think. <br>

Thanks everyone!<br>

Natalie</p>

<p>I appreciate your help. Basically a vendor/hall stated they may need me for a future job for a bride. Asked if I could drop by a kit. They were so vague, and I didnt want to sound inexperienced so I didnt ask for specifics. I was curious what photogs may typically leave at halls, business cards, brochures... things of that nature. I was just curious! Thanks again.</p>

<p>Thanks Tony. This is a vendor who wanted me to leave some material with them. I was just curious what photogs usually leave at various vendor locations in terms of marketing info and a kit. Do you leave brochures, pricing? I dont want to leave a giant brochure or one that is too small and insignificant. <br>

I realize this can vary greatly...but I figured it didnt hurt to pick your brains and get a few ideas =)<br>

Thanks!</p>

<p>Maybe this is a dumb questions, Steve - but do you use blu ray discs for Toast 10 or anything specific?<br>

Thanks,<br />Natalie</p>

<p>Hi everyone,<br>

I've designed a few event books, family albums and baby books myself. I'm curious what you prefer to do.<br>

1. Do you design your album inhouse (you or staff do it) or do you outsource it and let either the album company do it or another company. <br>

2. Do you like the control of doing it inhouse? or do you trust the exceptional quality produced when you outsource it?<br>

3. Do you feel there is a cost savings outsourcing? I realize some people may say this is a YES.<br>

Thanks for your feedback.<br />Natalie</p>

<p>I had a vendor (reception hall) ask me directly if I was available to shoot an upcoming affair. They asked me to send them a kit. I'm assuming a marketing/advertisement kit.<br>

I havent really created brochures yet. I guess this could mean different things to different people.<br>

What do you think I should send? What do you have in your kit (if you have one)? What do you provide some of your vendors with? I'm going to start pulling things together in the coming weeks.<br>

Thanks in advance,<br />Natalie</p>

<p>Ditto Raymonds suggestion. Sometimes saving that $90 could return a HAPPY customer and 10 future customers.</p>

<p>Thanks Mark, the 3800 it is!!! Likely new =)</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for your insight and detailed responses above. I have LR 2 at home, but dont use it at all. I will definitely spend the next few weeks exploring the possibilities. I want to learn more about the LR sync feature as well.<br>

Jen - thanks for attaching the link, it was really helpful to see your image processing method laid out step by step.<br>

Natalie</p>

<p>What am I missing in LR? I use PS and have LR, but do not use it "yet". What do you love most about LR? What feature in LR is something you cant live without (I know thats dramatic).<br>

thanks,<br /> Natalie</p>

<p>Good point Robert, thanks.</p>

<p>I see a refurbished 3800 on amazong for $799, would anyone consider it? I've never been one to go refurb? but the price looks good...<br>

I do send all my work to a lab, but occasionally having inhouse printing would be convenient.</p>

<p>Hi everyone,<br>

Can you recommend a photo printer? I'd like to print engagement pictures inhouse (occasionally), some wedding pictures for clients and headshots. I dont have a budget and will wait if need be if its a higher price point.<br>

If you could have any printer inhouse (with reasonable space for it), which would you buy/recommend? I saw a few B&H rebates for the pixma 9000 series and above.<br>

Thanks in advance,<br>

Natalie</p>

<p>Thanks again! I know as I grow this is simply a hard question to answer I realize. I was curious from an outside perspective, what would be a "next" good purchase to round out my equipment. I went with the 16-35 afterall. I am eyeing the 85, but will wait until the holiday's to consider the next purchase.<br>

thanks again</p>

<p>Thanks William. I appreciate your input. I had a shoot yesterday and found myself swapping back and forth with my 2nd camera which was on my shoulder too.<br>

I'm just not sure which lens to get next. I think I would benefit from either, but I'm not sure which I'd get the most use of. I do use my 24-70 over my 50 or 85mm now. So maybe the 16-35 is a better option. Hmmm....</p>

<p>Hi everyone,<br>

I want to buy another light for my home studio. I was looking at alien bees and noticed their ringflash, which claim to produce shadow free lighting.<br>

Would you recommend a ringflash for a portrait studio? Or should I stick with the regular flash units?<br>

Thanks in advance,<br />Natalie</p>

<p>Hi everyone,<br>

1. I'm curious which lens you like using for preceremony bride shots (getting ready, accessories, etc). Do you have a favorite lens that you use? I enjoyed using my 70-200 at 2.8/3.5 on many shots myself, but I'm curious what you prefer.<br>

2. I am in the market for a new lens and was considering the 16-35 or the 85 f1.2. Obviously two very different lenses, for different purposes, but I wanted to ask what you thought would be a good addition to my arsenol.<br>

My current equipment includes a 5dmII, 50d, (all canon lenses) 24-70, 700-200 ISL 2.8, 50 f1.4, 85 f1.8, 580exII. Do you think I'd benefit from a wider lens or a REALLY fast prime?<br>

Thanks in advance for your input!<br>

Natalie </p>

<p>Kim - I think its the updates ! I had a similar problem last year, for my new pc laptop and updates fixed it. Will try to update it tonight! keep you posted.</p>

<p>Okay, I will double check. Thanks</p>

<p>Thanks Bill! I had tried to take pictures under shade whenever possible and used flash fill. Thats good insight, and I'll keep in mind next time. Many thanks to all!</p>

<p>I loaded my new macbook pro with DPP, but can not see the raw files (just the jpegs). I can preview very small images in adobe bridge, but cant open/edit them in photoshop or DPP. I had previously edited photos in DPP on my old pc, then I'd batch process them and convert them to jpeg.<br>

I'm not sure if i have an issue with my mac or if i'm missing something obvious. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.<br /> Natalie</p>