• Featured Photographer of the Month: May 2012

    With 20+ years in the photography industry, Sandy Puc’ has become a well-known and respected name in the business. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with other working photographers through her seminar tour series, Sandy Puc’ Presents. ...read more
     
  • FacebookFollow Us on Facebook
    TwitterFollow Us on Twitter
    PhotoBiz CommunityJoin Our Community
    RSSRSS Feed
      

    Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall – Who Has the Most Mobile Sites of All?

    Mobile Mirror“I’m on my iPad and I can’t see your website!” These words can cost you more than just frustration – they can cost you money. Wouldn’t it be great if you could make your site accessible no matter what device someone is viewing it from? You can with PhotoBiz’s HTML and mobile mirror sites!

    Having an HTML or mobile mirror site gives your customers the best of both worlds: the beauty of Flash on their computer, and the accessibility to view and navigate from mobile non-Flash compatible devices (e.g., iPad, iPhone, Android). No matter what device they access your site from your customer can explore your work, learn information about your company, and contact you with ease. In fact, our system does all the work, automatically recognizing what device someone is viewing your site from to determine which version to display.

    HTML mirror site. An HTML mirror shows all the same pages and links as your Flash site, but in HTML format. This allows your site to be seen in its entirety from any non-Flash device. You even get to choose an HTML template and adjust the colors to compliment your Flash site. This is a great way to present continuity between your sites and provide the same experience to your customers, no matter what device they access you site from!

    Mobile mirror. Having a mobile mirror is another way to provide easy access to your website from mobile devices. This format is presented with the feel of an “app”. You get a clear navigation menu, and your beautiful images can be easily seen.

    These products are available for purchase through your Flash/HTML control panel under the “Extras” icon.  This is a great way to invest in the accessibility of your website!

    Oxford Street: A Beautiful New Blog and Store Template

    We are happy to bring you a new design for the Blog and Store sites. Oxford Street brings a soft and informal look, with its beautiful rounded corners. Plus, for the first time the tabs for signing in and viewing the cart are in the upper right.

    Oxford Street Template
    The samples of this new template feature images by Tracy Allyn (Store Site sample) and Larry Perez (Blog Site sample). A special thanks to these amazing photographers and awesome PhotoBizzers for sharing their images!

    Too BIG to just call them “Enhancements”

    Our PhotoBiz development wizards have been hard at work and have truly revolutionized your control and level of customization for the Blog and Store Site banners and gallery pages.

    The banners for Blog, Marquee (if banner layout is selected), and Marquee Plus pages have a completely new control interface that is very easy to use and understand. You can now choose if you want your slideshow to display in sequence or at random, select which controls appear with the slideshow, and customize the height of the banner (between 100 and 500 pixels). You can also select from five transition styles and set the speed or time (from one to ten seconds) that the image is still before the transition begins to further personalize the slideshow.

    Banner Screen Shot 

    Pick Your Focal Point

    Another radical new feature where the PhotoBiz developers really “raised the bar” is the Image Focal Point. Previously the banner image was always centered to fit the width of the site. Now by selecting Customize and Edit the Image Focal Point can be dragged to any point within the image. Once selecting the Focal Point you get to enjoy instant resizing and cropping!

    Focal Point

    Full Screen Gallery Viewing

    Another subtle enhancement that can make a big impact on your presentation starts with the click of an icon in the lower right corner of the screen. That’s right, with just a click your customer can see the images in fullscreen for a spectacular display of your images.

    Plus, PhotoBiz’s unique color shifting system has been added to the image control panel. After selecting the “Color” tab you can use the “eyedropper” to select any color within the image, and set it to display as your background when that particular photo is viewed in fullscreen.

    Color Picker Two New Gallery Layouts

    In addition to these wonderful enhancements, the Store and Blog Site gallery pages now have two more layouts to choose from: Top Large Thumbs and Bottom Large Thumbs. The layouts allow you a better opportunity to “style” your gallery.

    New Gallery Layouts New slideshow controls, layouts, fullscreen viewing, and color shifting – all for you to create the most compelling presentation possible. We hope you enjoy all of these new features! As always, you can make a one-click switch to enjoy these new designs and layouts.

    How to Wow Your Customers With a Splash Intro Page

    You’ve heard the old adage, “You only get one chance to make a first impression!” The same thing could be said about your website. Have you ever wondered if there was an easier way to navigate your website, blog and Facebook pages while impressing your customer at the same time? Using a Splash Intro can be the perfect solution!

    A Splash Intro is a great way to advise your customers about how to find different aspects of your company’s’ online presence, and the best part is it comes with a PhotoBiz Flash or HTML website. 

    Splash IntroHere is what a Splash Intro page should do:

    • Welcome your customers, without being a hindrance to get to your site
    • Prominently feature your logo
    • Have at least two links,
    • Include your contact information such as.your company name, address, phone number, and email.
    • Feature the same color scheme and background as your website

    You can also use the Footer Text box to add HTML features, such as a Facebook “Like” box, a badge for your favorite organization, or deep links to improve SEO. Take advantage of the HTML ability of this box to add some pizzazz to your Splash Intro!

    There are so many cool things you can do with a Splash Intro page, and this is only a hint at what was discussed in today’s webinar titled “Perfecting Your Splash Intro Page”.

    And as always, the PhotoBiz Passionate Support® team is eager to help you make the Splash Page of your dreams! Feel free to call us here with any questions you have to help you utilize all portions of your Splash Intro so you can make the best first impression!

    Sandy Puc’ is the PhotoBiz Featured Photographer for May 2012

    Sandy Puc'With 20+ years in the photography industry, Sandy Puc’ has become a well-known and respected name in the business. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with other working photographers through her seminar tour series, Sandy Puc’ Presents. With over eight tours to date, these events continue to educate and inspire portrait photographers across the globe. Even with her busy speaking schedule, Sandy shoots nearly 400 individual and family sessions every year at her Colorado-based studio.

    A longstanding personal and business practice of giving back is one of Sandy’s trademarks. This commitment to community inspired her to co-found the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation in 2005. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing in-hospital portraits to families suffering the loss of a newborn. Today the organization has over 12,000 photographers registered as members in over 40 countries. 

    Sandy has served on the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers of America, and holds the prestigious titles of Print Master and Explorer of Light from Canon USA. When she isn’t busy with a speaking engagement, a portrait session or overseeing her studio, Sandy is spending time with her four amazing children and her boxer Canon.

    The Interview

    1. Tell us something about your business and how long you have been a professional photographer?

    I’ve been a full-time photographer for more than 20+ years. What started as a hobby at 17 years old, by 18 it soon became a career that has taken me from an at-home business to a thriving, high-end portrait studio with over 20 employees.

    2. What equipment do you use?

    I have always been a big fan of Canon products. I shoot with the Canon Mark II, but I am excited to go to the Mark III. Because I specialize in children’s work, my lens of choice is typically the 70-200mm 2.8. I also love my 50mm for environmental work and the 100mm macro for babies as well. 

    3. Where are you located?

    My studio is located in Littleton, Colorado. It’s a beautiful area to live and work, and though I love traveling and discovering new places, there’s no place like home. 

    4. What type of photography do you like to create?

    I enjoy photographing babies, children, seniors, and families. There are so many tender moments that can be captured during a traditional, posed session. I like bringing out the true emotions and personalities of my subjects. It’s one of the most rewarding things about what I do. I love the variety that each day brings. When I walk into the studio every morning, everything is new again. 

    5. Price range of portraiture

    Although we are busy, we are considered a boutique studio. Our goal is to create a high-end experience, and our prices reflect that. Our least expensive 8×10 starts at $150 and packages can range from $650-$7,000. 

    6. When did you notice you had a passion for photography?

    Almost from the moment I picked up a camera, I was hooked. I started my company as a passion and eventually built it onto my dream. I am still obsessed with learning. I read, watch, and try every new thing and I never stop growing. 

    Sandy Puc'7. What is unique to what you do or what you offer?

    I think every photographer has a unique gift and a unique way of photographing. My work is known for a subdued, tranquil mood and timeless sets and posing. I have always felt that photography is more about relationships than skill. I feel blessed that I have the gift of listening, and I feel I really hear what my clients want. Not just their words, but with their actions and expressions. 

    8. Most awkward moment during an event?

    Oh man, I could tell story after story of stupid things I have done. Once I sprayed mace in the air and sniffed it to see if it worked. IT DID! The last wedding I shot I stood up and my baggy pants stayed down. Don’t even get me started on the kid sessions. Once, I was pregnant and a kid sneezed on me leaving a bunch of yuck on my arm, which caused me to start throwing up because I was so sensitive. We laugh so hard at work it scares me sometimes. No job should be this fun! 

    9. What is the scariest thing that ever happened during a shoot?

    Oh, I shot a wedding once, in a gazebo right on the ocean in the keys. When they did the butterfly release, 10,000 seagulls that were on the roof flew in and attacked everyone. It would have been terrifying but we were laughing so hard we could not be scared. See, this can’t be real life. 

    10. Best advice that you’ve been given in your photography career?

    When I was a younger photographer, I had a mentor that taught me to look at my work not as pieces of paper, but as a piece of art that represents everything from my education, experience, equipment, and beyond. That advice meant the world to me then and it has changed my business immensely.

    11. Best advice that you could give someone else that is pursuing a photography career?

    BELIEVE. I have seen amazing things happen in my life from a positive attitude and little persistence. You only get one life. One chance to follow your dreams and really become what you dream. Nothing is easy, not for me, or anyone. Life is about sacrifice and choice and keeping those balanced. 

    12. Best moment of your photography career?

    I have had so many best moments, but seeing my youngest son following in my footsteps and shooting from the heart thrills me. He has such a natural eye, where I had to try so hard to learn and grow. You can check him out at www.facebook.com/NikolaiPucPhotography.

    13. How many sessions/events do you do each year?

    I personally hold about 400 family and individual sessions each year. I love teaching and sharing my knowledge, but it is also really nice to spend time with my clients. Many of them have become very dear friends over the years.

    14. Have you changed anything to adjust in the current economic times?

    Absolutely. I think many photographers have. Consumers are spending differently, and there are a lot of ways to combat this. Model search campaigns, lower session fees, and lower-cost social media campaigns have helped keep a steady flow of business in the last year or two. More than anything, planning ahead and knowing that lean times always come has helped me thrive even during this rough patch.

    Sandy Puc'15. Describe your shooting style.

    As a photographer, I try to get to know my subject. I interact with them throughout the session, and try to evoke natural smiles and other expressions through a casual conversation. This works on varied levels with children, teens, couples and families alike. I find if I am smiling, they will too. 

    You can connect with Sandy through the following websites and social media sites:

    Main Website: http://sandypuc.com/
    Seniors Website: http://sandypucphotography.com/
    Tours Website: http://sandypuctours.com
    Forum: http://sandypucuniversity.com
    Marketing Tools Website: http://www.ukandu.com/
    Blog: http://sandypucblog.com/
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sandypucfans
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/sandypuc
    YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SandyPuc

    Announcing May Webinar Schedule

    We are pleased to introduce an amazing line-up of speakers for the month of May! Take a look below at the scheduled FREE Webinars and sign up today.    

    Perfecting Your Splash Intro Page | May 3, 2012 | 2PM EST  
    By PhotoBiz Passionate Support® Team 
     
    A killer splash intro page can help distinguish your website from the competition. Not only do splash intro pages enhance the navigation on your website, they also add beauty and even help search engine optimization! Join us for this webinar in which a Passionate Support Team will show you how to create an eye catching splash intro page.
    The Art of Photographing a Wedding | May 8, 2012 | 2PM EST
    By Larry Perez      

    Take the pressure off and the difficulty out of photographing a wedding. Join wedding photographer and industry sales mentor Larry Perez as he takes you through the ins and outs of his distinctive wedding day approach!
    The Importance of a Mobile Site | May 10, 2012 | 2PM EST
    By PhotoBiz Passionate Support® Team
         
    As more people are accessing websites from mobile phones, having a mobile presence online is just as important as having a website. Our Passionate Support team will show you how to take advantage of the HTML and Mobile Mirror sites that PhotoBiz offers, while matching the branding of your existing sites.
    Lori NordstromNo Cost and Low Cost Ways to Market Your Business | May 15, 2012 | 2PM EST
    By Lori Nordstrom  

    Don’t spend tons of money on marketing. Learn the most powerful ways to market your business for FREE, by joining Lori Nordstrom for this webinar. 
    Free Online Image Tools | May 17, 2012 | 2PM EST
    By PhotoBiz Passionate Support® Team   
       
    JPG, PNG, TIFF, GIF, oh my! If these acronyms make your head spin, this webinar is for you. Join one of our Passionate Support team members and learn how to use free online image editing resources to create logos and modify images to use on your website. 
    D.A.M. Digital Asset Management | May 22, 2012 | 2PM EST
    By Richard Esposito
         
    A file structure is surprisingly important for photographers and is often an overlooked aspect of your business. Join professional photographer Richard Esposito, to learn how to organize your files! It is important to know where your files belong so anyone can find them and have them backed up (especially offsite), how to archive jobs, and when to remove unnecessary files. All of this also relates to your workflow!
    What’s Your Color? | May 24, 2012 | 2PM EST
    By PhotoBiz Passionate Support® Team       
      
    One of the great customizable elements of your PhotoBiz website is the ability to personalize the color scheme to match your brand. In this webinar, our Passionate Support team will show you how to take full advantage of our color picker.
    The 5 Most Important Facts To Know About Email Marketing | May 29, 2012 | 2PM EST
    By Suzanne Feinberg       
      
    Join Suzanne Feinberg to learn the five more important facts about email marketing. Using simple, clear examples you will learn about the Can Spam Act of 2003, how to capture leads and create relevant lists, how to automate your newsletter and blog distribution,  how to track and analyze the data you collect, and how segmenting your lists can increase sales.
    Coding 101 | May 31, 2012 | 2PM EST
    By PhotoBiz Passionate Support® Team
           
    One of the wonderful features of PhotoBiz websites is that you don’t have to do any coding! But what if you want to do some basic coding to enhance your site? This webinar, led by one of our Passionate Support team members, will show you how to create basic HTML code. Join us to see how some simple codes can enhance your splash intro pages, store, and blog sites.   
    Page 1 of 812345678
  • Blogger's Corner

  • Contributing Photographer