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MCP Actions Quick Purchase 

This article is written by Cindy Bracken, owner of Shuttermom.  She is a well respected business person who teaches others how to start up their own businesses.

So you take great images. Everyone tells you that you should quit your day job and start your own photography business. You agree. You dream every night about quitting your “day job.” You want to fire your boss. You want to make your dream a reality…but where to start? Obviously, to make a living out of your passion you are going to need more than technical skill. You are going to have to learn a little something (okay, maybe a lot) about business!

The first thing to consider is the type of photography business you are going to pursue. Maybe you see yourself as a portrait photography artist. Perhaps you enjoy doing event photography such as weddings. It could be that you are only interested in shooting stock photography and selling it to publications. I would recommend focusing on one main area to start. Strive to become the best you can be in one area and then branch out if you so desire.

Once you are certain of the area of photography you will focus on, you will need to sit down and write a photography business plan. If the task seems too daunting, there are numerous software programs that can help you, or you may even want to hire someone to write it for you. Your photography business plan will serve as blueprint for your business, help you set goals, test the waters, create marketing plans, assess financial requirements and even get funding.

Your next step is to legally establish your photography business. Your state and county will have specific laws, rules, and regulations regarding your particular business. The best thing to do is to contact your county clerk’s office and ask them what steps you need to take for establishing a home-based photography business. You should also check into the zoning laws and restrictions in your region.

Next on the list? Open a photography business account at your bank. For tax purposes you should definitely keep your personal and business finances separate. Same goes for credit cards. Remember to keep a record of all your expenses!

Now for the fun part! Time to shop! My advice would be to just start with the basics. What you need depends on the type of photography business you will be doing. Be sure to purchase some back up equipment as well, because if something breaks you don’t want to be without any options. As you make more money with your photography business, you can upgrade and add to your equipment, so don’t feel like you need to “have it all” to start out. Don’t forget about office supplies, a good computer, printer, business cards and other marketing materials, etc.

Now for the not-so-fun-but-necessary part. Insurance. Get some. You’ll be glad you did! You’ll need liability (in case somebody gets hurt) as well as protection on all that fabulous equipment you just bought! Oh yes – and if you DID quit that old day-job, you should look into health insurance, too (unless you are lucky and are covered by your spouse who still has to drag him/herself to work every day!).

Next you will want to research and start relationships with the vendors you will need. Labs, album suppliers, frame supplies, etc. If you aren’t sure where to start, pick up a photography magazine from the local newsstand. You will find MANY advertisements for vendors. Try them out – many will even send you free samples.

Finally, get a good portfolio and samples together. Oh – and don’t forget about your photography business website! People just expect it these days.

Whatever you do, don’t become discouraged. This sounds like a lot of work – and it is, but won’t it be worth it when you turn in that letter of resignation at your day job?

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MCP Actions Quick Purchase

OnOne Software has offered to do a unique e-seminar for MCP Blog readers.

Brian Kraft, Vice President of Sales for OnOne Software, has offered to do an e-seminar for us. As long as I get enough commitments for attendees, this will take place on:

*** Wednesday June 4th at 6-7pm eastern - 3-4pm pacific ***

OnOne will host the webinar using remote desktop software and cover their entire product line. They will discuss all of their products in depth and allow you to get a first hand look on how the products are used. You will see which products can best help your photography and see how to use them.

The best part is any attendees of the online demo will receive 20% off of their products for a short period of time. I negotiated an ongoing 10% code - MCPACTN.

20% is even better - but you will need to attend to get this phenomenal discount.

I need to get them a list of people who will attend so that they can get you a confirmation number - and information on how to attend. So if you can attend, please write in the comment section that you will attend and your email address where you wish to be contacted.

MCP Actions Website | MCP Flickr Group | MCP Reviews

MCP Actions Quick Purchase

To make this blog even better for every hobbiest and professional photographer on the internet, I plan build partnerships and incorporate guests into my blog.  If you fit any of these descriptions or know of people I should contact, please leave me a comment or contact me via email.

- Tutorials and Tips - if you have made an excellent tutorial or tip that I can share here.  I will of course give you credit and link to your site.  I would love to include Photography Tips too.  I will be doing lots of videos and screen shot tutorials on Photoshop, but it is always helpful to have items from a different perspective too.

- Contests - if you have a product you want to use as a prize for a contest on my blog.  This will be great exposure for you.  We can figure out details for the actual contest together.

- Discounts - I would love to be able to start posting more discounts for MCP Actions Blog readers.  These need to be for Photography related products, anything from camera equipment to templates and more. 

___________________________________________________________________

 Stay tuned for some exciting news on my first partnership later this week.  I have a major Photoshop software plugin vendor who will be making a permenant discount code for MCP Actions, and will be doing some great contests and giveaways here.  I will announce this later this coming week.  Keep watching!

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MCP Actions Quick Purchase

Adobe has launched a beta version of Lightroom 2.0.  You can get it free through August if you own LR already.  If you do not, you can try it for 30 days.

 Click here to download it.

Some of the changes listed from Adobe’s Press Release and Site are:

I am personally very curious about the localized corrections as that is my biggest gripe with LR - not being able to make changes to one specific area.  I sure hope it does what I am picturing. 

They do say this should not be used for production just testing.  So I am undecided if I will be installing it this early on.  If I do I will let you know.  And if you do, please come back to this thread and add comments on your thoughts and opinions on this new version.

Thanks - Jodi

MCP Actions Website | MCP Flickr Group | MCP Reviews

MCP Actions Quick Purchase

My twins had their recital costume photo day yesterday. 

We are at a new dance studio this year which means a new photographer taking the photos.  The photos from last year were terrible.  I will refrain from sharing the names of the photographers.  They basically took one shot of each kid.  It was either good or bad.  And done.  You had to buy blindly and if you did not like it, so what.  The price was very low but it was not a good value since most people were not happy.  

I was very impressed with this year’s set up.  They had a photographer taking photos, owner of the dance studio helping pose the children, a person with a computer deleting bad shots as they were taken - the camera was hooked in directly. They did not just take one shot - they took probably 20+ of each of my kids and then took some of them together.  I never asked them to, they just knew to.  How smart.  Last year’s studio would take one shot of each kid and if asked one with a friend or sibling.  That was it!

Back to this year, in another room there were about 15 computers for viewing.  As soon as your kids photos were taken, you could go see proofs, pick which photos you liked and what sizes or what specialty items you wanted (like montages and sculptures, etc).  Guess what?  Prices way way way more expensive.  But better value!!! Way better. People bought more.  Way more.  They spent TONS of money.  They felt good about it. 

Low prices does not equal your customers being happy - If you can increase your perceived value, you can charge more and yet your customers leave more satisfied.  They will spend more.  You will make more.  And it is a win - win.

So what did I buy…  I will start by telling you that I took probably 100 shots in my home photo studio before I left.  I had no intent of buying anything except a class photo…  Yet even I walked away ordering.  The sold me.  I ordered 8 4×6 - of poses I knew I did not take.  I know I got some I can print big so I did not buy bigger from them.  I also ordered a keychain for me of my twins together.  And I got them each a cut out sculpture.  I spent $168 even though I have plenty of photos and I did not need them.  I wanted them.

Hope you enjoyed my MCP thought of the day…  Next post will have dance photos I took

MCP Actions Website | MCP Flickr Group | MCP Reviews

MCP Actions Quick Purchase

Can you tell how excited I am? I have been waiting to launch my site for a month.

I am so excited to say it is done - YAY!!!

Go check it out by clicking below:

MCP Actions Website | MCP Flickr Group | MCP Reviews

MCP Actions Website | MCP Flickr Group | MCP Reviews

MCP Actions Quick Purchase

In this MCP E-Mail:

1. HOLIDAY SHOPPING
2. NEW ACTIONS TRAINING - one on one
3. NEED YOUR IDEAS for 2008

HOLIDAY GIFTS! Actions make a great holiday gift.
If you are wanting some new actions, and hoping someone will buy them for you, feel free to give my email address or web address (http://www.mcpactions.com) to someone you love. I am happy to help walk them through purchasing actions for you (if they have no idea what one even is), and I can even wait and email it out on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning to you from them. Or can send sooner and they can burn it to a CD for you.

How is that for a hint? I have already done this for a number of people. So spread the word. Maybe you will get one you have been wanting too.

*********************************************************

NEW for 2008 - just introduced!

All MCP Purchased Actions come with complete directions, tutorials and screen shots. But for many people who are new to Photoshop or who really want to take their photo editing to the next level, I offer one on one tutoring. I have been tutoring photographers and hobbiest in Photoshop for a year and a half.

NOW I AM TAKING THIS TO A NEW LEVEL WITH ACTIONS TRAINING.

When you purchase any action set or package of actions, you can also purchase an hour of one on one tutoring specifically to learn how to use any of my actions. I can teach you everything from how to install and run and action, to using the layer masks in the actions for the most professional results.

To learn more about the Actions Tutoring, click here, and scroll toward the bottom of the page.
MCP Actions is looking for your ideas for 2008.

************************************************

I have gotten many emails asking what actions I will be creating next. I have a few things I have been thinking about, but I really want to make things my past customers will find helpful to their photography and editing. So now is your chance.

What actions or products are you hoping I create next? What do you want to see in 2008?

Please forward any responses to me at momoftwins@comcast.net.

Anywone who replies will be entered in a drawing for my template set. If you already own it (as a result of purchasing 2 or more sets), then I will just send you a BIG thank you if you are the winner, and will pick a second name. I will pick the winner at random. My girls LOVE to pick names from a hat. And I will announce the winner in the next correspondence.

*************************************************To see this template set, visit my website at: www.mcpactions.com

MCP Actions Website | MCP Flickr Group | MCP Reviews

MCP Actions Quick Purchase

Check it out - and join today. You can post your photos you edited using any of the MCP Actions. This group is for you. Ask questions, make comments, or post pictures. Most of all, enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/mcpactions/

MCP Actions Website | MCP Flickr Group | MCP Reviews

MCP Actions Quick Purchase

This may not be a tutorial, but if it can save you from the STRESS and SLEEPLESS night I just had, this tip may be more valuable than most.

TIP: SLOW DOWN, TAKE YOUR TIME, and MAKE SURE TO SAVE YOUR ORIGINALS…

Uggh, I had heard that a million times. But until last night, thought I was invulnerable. I had spent hours editing photos of my kids with 2 of their friends at a scenic, historic area (we walked for miles to get all these pictures). I took some incredible ones of my friend and her kids. I was so excited to give them to her. I edited them all with care. And finished at 12:30am.

I then deleted all the originals, as I always do when it is personal stuff (not enough room to store them on. BUT since I shot RAW (which I never usually do) and the files were so big, I emptied the recycle bin before exiting too.

Anyway - turns out, when I selected the originals to delete, I accidently grabbed most from the session too. I am dizzy and tired. All night I stayed up trying to retrieve these from the computer. And when that did not work, tried getting thr deleted RAWs back from the CF card. NO LUCK. I have to call my friend. These were amazing shots of her with her daughters and of my kids with hers. UGGH….

I got lucky and a few of my one daughter Jenna escaped this fatality. Here is one to share. You will never see the rest - as they are gone.

Please learn from this terrible MISTAKE!!!!! Slow down, take your time, and save your originals… JUST IN CASE.

I just noticed that I forgot my usual frame and watermark… Guess that is the lack of sleep talking.

Jodi