Austin Pictage User Group

Wednesday evening I attended the Austin Pictage User Group led by the lovely Suzi Q.

We started off the evening by photographing each other so we would all have updated photos to include on our websites. Then I led a discussion on website content and design. We learned a lot about important things to include on our websites and some things we can strive to work on.
Is there anything that you wish I included on my website?

Here is another fun Austin PUG photo from a previous meeting.

Speaking in Austin on Oct 15th

I'll be speaking at the Pictage User Group in Austin (more info) coming up on October 15th. I'll be guiding a discussion on photography websites. We'll talk over what has content helps sites and also what is best to leave off. And then we'll jump into some of the local photographers sites to discuss how we can make all of our sites better.


This group of photographers is welcoming and always open to others joining in.

We're starting earlier than normal so that we can all take headshot of each other, so bring your camera and come dressed for having photos taken.

Join us at 5pm Oct 15th at
Jennifer Nichols and Sarah Q's wedding studios
1601 East 5th St. #104
Austin, TX 78702

pizza and beverages will be provided

Hanging in San Antonio

I was invited to drive down to San Antonio on Wednesday to hang out with Brian Hancock, another cool photographer in the area. Brian also does some sweet re-designs for Blogger blogs. We went to a nice sushi and thai place called Mon Thai and I had some good chicken panang.

Loving my Wacom

After the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International conference this year I decided that I needed to get a new toy to help get me excited about sitting in front of a computer for retouching. I've passed along all of my general editing to my super fabulous editor, Sarah, but I really wanted to start doing some special editing for our portraits and large print pieces. So I decided to pick up a Wacom tablet that acts like a digital paint brush in Photoshop. It's been amazing!

It's definitely help excited me when it comes to editing images and it has allowed me to be creative in new areas.

So, how many of you wonderful photographers have realized the wonders of tablets?

Austin Photographers

I headed up to Austin last night for a get together at Sarah and Jenn's new studio. It was so nice to be welcomed into Texas by a great group of photographers. A few people had already left by the time we took this photo, but here is a part of the group.

(photo from Bonnie's blog)

Shown below, in the front row, from L to R: Shannon, Lisa and me.
Back row, L to R: Sherry, Sarah, Bonnie, Jenn, and TaliAlso in attendance (but not in the photo) were Stacy and Stan, Brian and Mary Kate, Tyler, and Courtney

For Photographers - Now Available!

We now have a couple of our information packets and templates available for purchase in our Online Store. And I'll be giving a few of them away tomorrow night at the AZPPA meeting.

Client Information Forms
This template is built for use in Apple iWork Pages program and is setup to auto-fill information from the Mac Address Book helping to make this form much faster to complete. Images can be dropped into the pre-defines wells.


Ensuring the Best Packet
This packet helps describe to our clients how they can make the most of their photography investment. It covers hair and makeup, family photos and a pre-wedding photo schedule. This template is ready to have your images and local information plugged into it.
Available as a viewable PDF download or Editable Apple Pages document (requires iWork '06).

Fun in the Booth

Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Conference 2008

I'm here in Vegas for another year at convention. It's always a blast to see photographer friends again and to connect with new people.

And who could resist hanging out with the ladies!


I walked by the Pictage booth today and they have some of my portrait photos on display in an album and on a photo card. That totally caught me by surprise and the album looks amazing!



Jared and his brother Rex are busy at work in our room.


And Jared is practicing his Happy Face for his presentation at the Livebooks booth tomorrow at 3pm.

For Sale: Canon 1D Mark III

Mint 1D Mark III with Fix and firmware update...No experienced focus issues.
Includes all original materials, receipts, paperwork, box, battery and charger.
Approx. 8k clicks

I've decided that I am a true Nikon guy.

Email Me if you're interested.

Speaking in Arizona Tomorrow Night

I'll be speaking to the Arizona Professional Photographers Association tomorrow night. Networking begins at 6pm and I'll begin presenting at 7pm.

Marketing will be the big topic of the night and I'll be covering ideas on how to better connect with potential clients as well as how to keep everything looking professional with all of your documents. And I'll also be giving away some free photographer downloads from our new online store.

You can find out more details HERE. First time visitors are free. Non-members are $25.

Live on Pictage Forum Today!

I'll be hosting a live question and answer session for Pictage photographers today, so be sure to check it out HERE!

Speaking at AZPPA Feb 5, 2008

I'll be speaking at the Arizona Professional Photographers Association meeting on February 5th, 2008 at 7pm. You can find out more details HERE.

I'll be giving my talk on image marketing. You'll walk away with some ideas that you can implement the next day. And I'll also be giving out a couple packets with examples of our marketing and organizational materials so be sure to bring your business card, because you'll need one to win!

Fun Stuff!

Yesterday I spent the day helping Melissa Jill with a few office things. Recently I have been begun to do consultations with other photography studios and helped get them up to speed with their technology and marketing for a Mac based business. If you are interested in hiring me for your business, whether it is photography focused or not, just shoot me an email.

Pictage Holiday Party

Last week was the Pictage Holiday Party and we had just over 50 friends come together to celebrate another wonderful year.



Laura was the lucky winner of my free giveaway for the PUG Party. Thanks for joining us Laura.


It was nice to see some new people come to the group. In addition to Laura, we had Joe and Kadie Panburn drive up from Tucson, AZ to hang out with all of us. Nice to see you guys again!


Some fun photos from Melissa Jill's blog.


Thanks again!

Holiday Pictage User Group Open House Party

I just want to invite anyone in Arizona to join us for our holiday party. You don't have to be a wedding photographer to join the group. Any vendors and friends are invited to join us. Here is the info:



And if you are able thttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifo come, be sure to send an email to Melissa our fearless leader.

Taking Bids for Thirst Relief

Just wanted to announce that the bidding war has begun for 1on1 mentoring sessions at Pictage's PartnerCon next week. If you'll be attending then definitely consider a 1-on-1 session with one of your favorite photographers. All money raised goes to support Thirst Relief International, a wonderful organization that helps provide water filters to those who don't have clean drinking water.

Kevin Meyers bid on me at a previous session.


So CLICK HERE to place a bid!

I'm looking forward to seeing so many of you again at the conference next week. Be sure to make my session on Thursday at 9am.

Speaking at Pictage PartnerCon Again!

I have again been asked to come and speak at Pictage's Partner Conference. Their next conference will be held in Los Angeles, CA.

My topic will cover how photographers can best use their images to excite their clients. I'll go over the different ways that I use use my images to create business without spending thousands of dollars in advertising.

If you are a Pictage photographer then you definitely need to plan on attending this conference. They have an early registration special through July 24th. Click the link below for more info and the schedule of speakers.

PartnerCon Highlights

I'm finally back from a week in Chicago and my laptop finally has some juice so I can post some photos. I forgot my charger in the room that I was speaking in at the hotel so I had to get a new one.

I always love these events so much because I get to hang out with some many great friends while even more friends. Here are just a few of them.

Sarah and Shyla


Jared and Bronson


Shaun Anthony


Me and Scarlett


Leann and the infamous Pink Flamingo


Sara and Anna

Gotta Love It!

Gotta Love It!
Originally uploaded by Jefferson Todd Pals.

Marcus is loving his ice cream!

More Photograhers

Robin from Bellissima Photographic Artistry in Pittsburgh was visiting and of course that called for a get together of local photographers who all new Robin and of course a few newbies.
I love the community of photographers that I've gotten to know nationwide.




Kevin King was showing us some fun new stuff in Adobe's new Lightroom software for photographers.