Tag Archives: totally rad actions

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRAND CAMP BLOG!

One year ago, I wrote a little welcome note and welcomed precisely zero readers to the blog.  Since then, over 80,000 people have visited.  To say thanks, I’m having a HUGE sale on the Projection & Sales Merit Badge!

Promo code BDAY takes 50% off the merit badge, making it $44.50 for today only!

So, go buy the Projection and Sales Merit Badge if you’re the slightest bit curious about how to nail in-person portrait sales.

Oh, and we have FABULOUS prizes from peeps we love at Brand Camp headquarters!  Just leave a comment telling me which prize you’d like to win and why!

Totally Rad Lightroom Presets will revolutionize your workflow, smack your images in the face with color, make your black and white conversions easy-peasy AND make you giggle at their names.  All in a day’s work for the best Lightroom presets on the planet.

Easy as Pie and Pastry School, the companion follow-up guide, have set the bar for portrait pricing in the photographic industry.  Alicia Caine shares her pricing strategies, her tips and tricks for time management, and common sense ways to do what’s best for YOUR business in her best-selling e-books.

Get Schooled is the It guide for those of you interested in making school portraiture fun, hip, creative, and profitable.  Courtney DeLaura shares step-by-step methods for getting the school gig, making it memorable, and turning the traditional school photo on its head.

Thanks to all of you for your support, encouragement, love, Twittering, Facebooking, and sharing here at the Brand Camp blog!

::hugs::

SHOW COMMENTS HIDE COMMENTS 128 comments

bo - May 13, 2010 - 9:08 am

happy birthday! i would love to win the lightroom presets. i only use lightroom for both organizing and editing, and had been eyeing the presets as of late. thank you for the generous prizes.

bo - May 13, 2010 - 9:06 am

happy birthday! i’d love to win the lightroom presets. i currently only use lightroom as an organizing and editing software and have been eyeing those presets recently. thank you for the generous prizes!

Sam - May 13, 2010 - 4:36 am

Happy, Happy Banana-rama-rific Birthday to the Brand Camp Blog. This place has been, and continues to be, a really rockin’ rad place. Thanks for all you do. I would really lurve to win Easy as Pie. I’m just starting to re-work my pricing and have gone off in at least 14.7 different directions. I need guidance. And pie. Preferably apple. Thanks for the giveaway, and Cheers to the blog!

Heather - May 13, 2010 - 1:57 am

I would love the get schooled info! It sounds like a genius plan, but I already spent my money on EAP and TRA!

Julie - May 13, 2010 - 1:30 am

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I just found you about 2 weeks ago and I can’t thank you enough for your info.!! Just two week and I’m making thing happen. I am right in the middle of deciding my pricing…it needs revamping, BADLY. With your help and help from Easy As Pie, I know I can make it happen successfully.

ps: LOVE you saucy attitude, its right up my ally!!!

dave - May 12, 2010 - 11:58 pm

I definitely want the totally Rad LR stuff!
I just ordered and read the Merit Badge. Excellent! Great selling system! I can see how the advice will increase sales and profits.

Rachel Perry - May 12, 2010 - 11:27 pm

Totally buying that! Thanks for the discount! I would love to win the Easy As Pie pricing guide!

jenniferL - May 12, 2010 - 11:13 pm

yeah! some easy as pie pricing would be awesome! is it really that easy?

Truc - May 12, 2010 - 11:04 pm

Happy birthday to Brand Camp Blog! You give such great advice here! I would LOVE to win the Lightroom Presets. They look totally awesome, and I know they would make my workflow much easier. Thanks for the giveaway!

Ashley G. - May 12, 2010 - 9:35 pm

I love the brand camp blog! So much good information, especially for people like me who are creative, but not so much business-y. I would love the Easy as Pie and Pastry school because pricing is so difficult to figure out. Thanks for the help!

Brooke Snow - May 12, 2010 - 8:31 pm

Happy Birthday! I’ve learned a lot in the last few months on your blog… like how to take a lesson in branding from strip clubs:) I found your blog off the EAP forum (which i love!) How are those pre-sets! the actions are awesome and i can imagine i’d love the presets even more since you can still be working with a RAW image! good luck in the coming year! thanks for sharing!

Weezie Black - May 12, 2010 - 7:49 pm

I would love Alicia Caine’s guides. I am just starting out and a few of my mentors have highly recommended her materials. I am building a business on my own from scratch and would love some guidance like this. As you know starting a business costs a pretty penny-it’s all worth it-but I am now paying off what some of the equipment I have bought and will have to wait to purchase this book…..unless of course I win it ;) Thanks for the opportunity!

Emily S - May 12, 2010 - 7:47 pm

Definitely Easy as Pie. It is time to restructure our pricing.

Alli S. Miles - May 12, 2010 - 7:45 pm

easy as pie! i need help with pricing!

JB White - May 12, 2010 - 7:19 pm

I would be tickled pink to win the Easy as Pie price guide! Because my pricing really does suck ;~)

Amy Hoogstad - May 12, 2010 - 6:38 pm

Happy birthday, Brand Camp! Thanks for all you share and do here, Kristen:) I would be thrilled to win Get Schooled because I am really curious about it. I’ve heard good things about it!

Hilary - May 12, 2010 - 6:29 pm

I’d LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to Get Schooled! My son’s preschool teacher just asked me today if I’d be interested in doing the kids’ photos at school next year! I’d love to but ack! I can’t even imagine the logistics!

kellie trenkle - May 12, 2010 - 6:26 pm

ohhhhh, queen of left-brainedness… i would LOVE to win the School Portraiture dealy bobber. i’m looking for a fab way of doing school pics in a non-school-bland-pic way. me me me! dominatrix? i am your winner.

Maggie - May 12, 2010 - 6:22 pm

I would love to win the Totally Rad Lightroom Presets! Because I need some fun new presets to speed up my workflow and make my pics totally rad! (Also I already have EAP! Love it!)

Jennifer Cupp - May 12, 2010 - 6:14 pm

I would LOVE the Get Schooled stuff, that is a product I keep looking at that I think would fit very well into my business but as of yet I’ve not been able to afford or justify the purchase. So in the meantime I just keep hovering over the “buy” button. I think it sounds wonderful!!

Cindy - May 12, 2010 - 6:06 pm

I would like to win Easy As Pie! Because I think I’ll be restructuring my senior portrait stuff again soon and I need mo’ help! :)

Kim Orlandini - May 12, 2010 - 5:29 pm

I need the easy as pie portrait pricing guide…cuz you said my pricing sucks butt. Mmmm pie.

Tina Prainito - May 12, 2010 - 5:16 pm

this is EASY…Easy as Pie! Simply because I do everything for FREE! I have NEVER charged a penny! My husband will thank you if I win this! LOL!

Ryan -You Look Nice Today Photo - May 12, 2010 - 4:57 pm

I’d love the “East as Pie” pricing guide because, as you know and have stated in the past, my pricing sucks. :)

Kris Daley - May 12, 2010 - 4:30 pm

I would love the EAP. I have the TRA2 and as of yet don’t need the get schooled, so EAP it is :)

Melissa Green - May 12, 2010 - 4:24 pm

I would LOVE to win the Easy as Pie Pricing Guide! I am getting started with limited funds and I know I am selling myself short on my pricing. I’m practically giving my images away but I have no clue how to set my prices to where they should be! Thank you for considering me! :D

Laurie Y - May 12, 2010 - 4:18 pm

Wow, awsome prizes!! PICK ME PICK ME lol.

I own EAP… the TRA are great. I’d love to ‘Get Schooled’ though! I’m already doing sports portraits (wingin’ it – and hopeful this might help!) and wouldn’t mind doing some schools eventually!

Amy Galloway - May 12, 2010 - 4:18 pm

I’ve been checking out EAP for some time now and would love to win a copy. Every site I’m on talks about it, sooner or later I’m going to have to get a copy – my pricing needs serious help!

Janeal - May 12, 2010 - 4:16 pm

What an awesome giveaway! I’d love to win the Easy as Pie guide.

Jasmine Johnson - May 12, 2010 - 4:11 pm

Amazing! I’d love to win Courtney’s Get Schooled guide… I’m gearing up for my first senior portrait summer and would love extra advice from someone who does it so well!

Gabby - May 12, 2010 - 4:07 pm

Wow what a great giveaway but what a hard decision. As much as I would love all of them I am going to choose get schooled as I have a daycare booking for later in the year and really need some help with it all.

Karyn - May 12, 2010 - 3:59 pm

Wow. Tough choice, but I’d have to say the TRA lightroom goodies. You rock, as usual. And happy birthday BCB!!

Jaidean - May 12, 2010 - 3:57 pm

Happy Birthday!!! I’d love to win the TRA presets…love their actions and I have been eying the presets to speed up my workflow even more! Thanks!

Jen Parker - May 12, 2010 - 3:45 pm

I’d love the Easy As Pie guide. I could really use it to improve my business skills! Thanks!

Christi Slider - May 12, 2010 - 3:34 pm

I would love the Easy as Pie, one I LOVE pie, and two I could use some help with pricing strategies and time management!

aimeej - May 12, 2010 - 3:12 pm

I would love anything from TRA. I’ve been drooling over their products for ages!

Anna aka @Beach_Mama - May 12, 2010 - 3:02 pm

Well, I would love all three, but if I could only choose one it would have to be the TRA Lightroom Presets. I love Totally Rad and would love to try add the presets to my workflow.

Tammy - May 12, 2010 - 2:58 pm

I would love get school

R. Hays - May 12, 2010 - 2:57 pm

I would love the Easy as Pie guide. I have a tendency to UNDERprice everything I do…so this would be nice to have a guide to help me formulate pricing for my actual worth! Thank you!

Jennifer - May 12, 2010 - 2:55 pm

Any of them! What a tough choice! If I was forced to pick, I would say Get Schooled. What a unique product, and with that, I think I could fill a need in our community. :)

Chase Gustafson - May 12, 2010 - 2:49 pm

Dang, rockin the photography boat again as Brand Camp does. I would love to get my grubby little hands on the TRA Lightroom Presets. Why you ask? I love, love, more than I humanly should love their TRA actions in my workflow and to have them on the RAW side of the work flow would make my computer come close to blowing up. I know you know what Im talking about.

TRA Light Presets – For The Win.

Pamela - May 12, 2010 - 2:39 pm

I would love to win TRA Lightroom Presets because they would definitely speed up my workflow. I love the before/afters posted by members in my photography forums- the presets look amazing!

Ferdy - May 12, 2010 - 2:29 pm

I’d love to win Totally Rad Lightroom Presets, I love to play with Lightroom and everything from TRA is amazing!!

Emily Thompson - May 12, 2010 - 2:23 pm

I would L-O-V-E to get the “Get Schooled: School portraiture” it would make my life so much easier *sigh*. I already have the EAP so this would definately be another wonderful guide to have. Oh please pick me!! I am a Clickinmom too. Why pick me? I have nine kiddos, and I am so busy, so to have this all laid out for me would be a dream; I really want this. Pretty Pretty Pretty Pleasey?? I hate to beg, so just pick me. LOL

wendy - May 12, 2010 - 2:18 pm

Tough decision….easy as pie and pastry school for me please!

ashleigh - May 12, 2010 - 2:16 pm

i want the tra lightroom presets!!! i heard they are amazing, and my LR workflow could definitely use some help!!

Shelya - May 12, 2010 - 2:02 pm

Would love to win the TRA presents… Just got Lightroom and haven’t played with it yet. Besides, I have EAP already! I love what can be done with TRA!

crystal - May 12, 2010 - 1:59 pm

hi! i’d love to win lightroom presets, because i LOVE TRA but editing photos one by one on photoshop can be a pain on my super-slow computer!

Amanda Padgett - May 12, 2010 - 1:59 pm

I’d love the Easy As Pie guide because I’m thinking of moving from amateur photog to pro photog next year and I’d love to do it right. I’ve heard wonderful things about her guides.

Kelly Hamm - May 12, 2010 - 1:56 pm

Happy Birthday Brand Camp Blog! I would love to win the Easy as Pie pricing guide because my business/prices need a serious overhaul. No money = expensive hobby Thanks!

Chelsea Fitch - May 12, 2010 - 1:54 pm

I would LOVE TRA presets! These presets seem better than most i’ve looked at and lightroom is such an amazing program that my LR needs amazing presets to accompany it :)

Michelle - May 12, 2010 - 1:40 pm

I would love to win the TRA Lightroom Presets!

I am a wedding and portrait photographer just getting started on my own…I have second shot for several photographers at several weddings, and would love to create an easy, fast and awesome workflow. I think these presets will do it for me! I just bought Adobe Lightroom, and haven’t really used it yet, and would LOVE to have the presets to learn on.

Right now I’m using Adobe Photoshop, which I don’t think works nearly as fast as Lightroom can with these presets.

Thanks so much for the giveaway!

Daniel - May 12, 2010 - 1:31 pm

I’d love to win Easy As Pie. Living in Brokesville, like you so accurately called it, I think “strategy” is what I need the most right now… :)

elaine eno - May 12, 2010 - 1:26 pm

I would be happy as a pig in mud if I won totally rad actions! I follow this blog and I am always interested in all Doug has to say.I really admire his work! Although all prizes are amazing!

Lia Lotito - May 12, 2010 - 1:10 pm

I’d love to win TRA LR presets!!!

TaSh - May 12, 2010 - 12:56 pm

Happy Birthday!!! I’d LOVE to win the TRA package.

Jared Weichert - May 12, 2010 - 12:42 pm

I have the TRA #1 Photoshop actions…. and would love to try the Lightroom TRA Presets.

GayleV - May 12, 2010 - 12:37 pm

I’d love the Totally Rad prize or the Get Schooled prize. I just bought Easy as Pie! I have been wanting the Totally Rad actions FOREVER and just have never pulled the trigger! I just learned about the Get Schooled guide recently. Thanks for the great giveaways and congrats on a whole year!

Claudia oliver - May 12, 2010 - 12:35 pm

Hi
I would love to win TRA actions
I am a wedding photographer, I recently became a widow and I forced to move to Miami
I need to start over it is really hard been a single mom to afford them
i love this actions,
thanks !!!
Claudia

Bee - May 12, 2010 - 12:21 pm

Ooh boy, happy birthday! Fabulous sale, thanks!:) And I’d LOVE to have a chance at winning the Totally Rad Preset!:)

s h e r r y - May 12, 2010 - 12:06 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! :) Popular day for birthdays; I think I have 6 friends on Facebook whose birthdays are also today! :) I would love to own the TRA Lightroom presets! :) I think that would be Totally Rad. (har, har, har).

Camille Deann - May 12, 2010 - 11:51 am

I would love to win the EAP and Pastry School e-books. I have heard AMAZING things about Alicia and her knowledge. Thanks for this awesome giveaway opportunity!

Jenny Beck - May 12, 2010 - 11:32 am

I’m struggling with the business side and my pricing!! Please enter me to win the easy as pie! Pretty Pleeeeease! =)

Aimee Taylor - May 12, 2010 - 11:29 am

I really would love to win “Easy as Pie” pricing myself seems to be the hardest part of my business. I love taking pictures and being with newborns and children but struggle trying to figure out what I should be chagrining and putting together packages…

LOVE YOUR BLOG!!

Aimee Taylor - May 12, 2010 - 11:28 am

I really would love to win “Easy as Pie” pricing myself seems to be the hardest part of my business. I love taking pictures and being with newborns and children but struggle trying to figure out what I should be chagrining and putting together packages…

LOVE YOUR BLOG!!

Amy K - May 12, 2010 - 11:24 am

I would love to win the Easy as Pie pdf!!! I’ve been drooling over it for quite some time now! ;)

Nichole Frank - May 12, 2010 - 11:24 am

I would lurve to win the TRA Presets. Since streamlining my workflow I’ve been able to cut my processing time in half. Thanks to Lightroom, of course. And the presets would be icing on the cake!!!!

Faith - May 12, 2010 - 11:18 am

I would be ecstatic to win the Easy As Pie prize! I struggle with my pricing (as most people do) and this year is my year to step it up and be confident in my worth as a photographer. The Easy As Pie pricing guide would be a lifesaver and help get me on the right track!

Cynthia - May 12, 2010 - 11:13 am

I would love the TRA Lightroom presets – I am just now getting into Lightroom and these would help immensely! Thanks for the chance to win!

Sara Code-Kroll - May 12, 2010 - 11:10 am

TR Presets, pa-lease!!! Because I need to giggle more:)

Julie - May 12, 2010 - 11:06 am

I really need to win Easy as Pie b/c I’ve been in business for 4 years now… and it hasn’t been easy as pie. It’s been hard. This has pretty much been the worst week ever and actually winning something might make it slightly less crappy. :)

Julie - May 12, 2010 - 11:04 am

I really need to win Easy as Pie b/c I’ve been in business for 4 years now… and it hasn’t been easy as pie. It’s been hard. I would eventually like to earn above-minimum wage. :) Will that ever happen?

tamsen donker - May 12, 2010 - 11:01 am

oooh, i would LOVE to win the totally rad lightroom presets…anything to help me speed up my workflow!!

thanks for this blog, it’s helped many more people than just me I’m sure!

Natalie - May 12, 2010 - 10:57 am

Happy birthday!! Would love to win totally rads lightroom presets!

Christina Shippey - May 12, 2010 - 10:56 am

Happy Birthday Brand Camp Blog!!! Thanks you so much for all the fabulous advice and insight over the past year! I would love to win the Easy as Pie pricing guide….. I am completely clueless when it comes to pricing and would love to have good, solid, well thought out prices to give my customers!! Thanks so much!

Leila - May 12, 2010 - 10:50 am

Congrats!! I love your blog, so thanks for putting in this past year! I hope you’ll be around for many to come. =)

I’d love the Get Schooled guide. I already own (and love) EAP and have a ton of actions, but would love a guide on breaking into the school picture market. School pictures are often just a waste of time and paper as they don’t reflect the student at all. Custom pictures are such the way to go.

Brent Yoder - May 12, 2010 - 10:41 am

I’d like to win the presets. I already own the easy as pie and I don’t have the TRA Presets. I have the TRA actions and love them.

Steve Clark - May 12, 2010 - 10:41 am

You guys all do great work!

I’d love to try out TRA’s presets. I love their actions. That or the Easy as Pie stuff…

Marie S - May 12, 2010 - 10:39 am

Happy Birthday! I would be so happy if I won the Totally Rad Actions. These actions are awesome and would speed up my work flow. Thanks for a chance to win. You rock.

Denise C - May 12, 2010 - 10:38 am

TRA presets, I love their actions

Alissa - May 12, 2010 - 10:32 am

I would really appreciate and learn from “Easy as Pie”. I am just starting a photography business and am having the most difficult time deciding on what my pricing should be. It’s a delicate balance between experience, competitive pricing, and effort. I could really use some guidance. Thank you!

Stacy H - May 12, 2010 - 10:27 am

I do love TRA but I really need some help with pricing. Easy as Pie would be so awesome! Thank you and Happy Birthday!!

Jen - May 12, 2010 - 10:27 am

I would LOVE to win the Easy As Pie! Any help in taking the next step with kreatid photography + design would be SO appreciated…plus, I’ve heard it’s wicked helpful! :)

Emily - May 12, 2010 - 10:23 am

I love the Totally Rad actions so no doubt the lightroom presets will be just as amazing as well! I would love to win it!

Natalie Paget - May 12, 2010 - 10:21 am

I would so love the Easy as Pie Pricing books, what I need right now is a good way to figure out my pricing. Having just quit my full time job, I am in need of figuring out how to price what I am selling and I just don’t have the extra money to buy that book. Would be a great help I am sure.Thanks Natalie

Carolyn - May 12, 2010 - 10:20 am

Happy Birthday! Would love to win EAP to help me work through my pricing changes that are much needed!

Patricia Espedal - May 12, 2010 - 10:19 am

Happy Birthday! I started reading almost a year ago! I’d love the TRA presets!

Jeanette LeBlanc - May 12, 2010 - 10:00 am

Oh god, the TRA presets….or the Easy As Pie….or maybe the TRA Presets, or….

You choose?

Okay, just to make you proud, I’m gonna be all definitive and say the presets (unless you think that’s the wrong choice).

:) :) :)

Lori - May 12, 2010 - 9:56 am

I would love the Totally Rad LR presets! I’ve been looking at them for a while and really want to try them out. Thanks! Happy Birthday!

Pleasant Vonnoh - May 12, 2010 - 9:55 am

Happy Birthday! Thanks for the giveaway! I’d love all three BUT I suppose that I would probably choose TRA presets! I’ve had my eye on those since they were released.

rachael s - May 12, 2010 - 9:50 am

happy birthday, brand camp! i have to say that you have an incredibly perfect birthday, in my humble opinion. yes, today is also MY birthday. though, i am just a wee bit older than you.

i would love to win the totally rad presets!!!

or maybe the get schooled guide… ;)

rachael s - May 12, 2010 - 9:48 am

happy birthday, brand camp! i have to say that you have an incredibly perfect birthday, in my humble opinion. yes, today is also MY birthday. though, i am just a wee bit older than you.

i would love to win the totally rad presets!!!

Lindsay Carole - May 12, 2010 - 9:47 am

I already have Easy as Pie, so I’d love to win the TRA presets. :)

Allison - May 12, 2010 - 9:42 am

I would love the Totally Rad presets. They are awesome!

ely fair - May 12, 2010 - 9:40 am

I would choose the TRA presets, I have been so curious about them!

angieg - May 12, 2010 - 9:37 am

I’d love to win the best Totally Rad presets on the planet!! You could always be a little more rad! Thanks!

Paul - May 12, 2010 - 9:32 am

I’d love the TRA actions, mostly because I’ve already purchased the other two EXCELLENT products, but also because my LR preset is a bit “shopworn”.

Catie - May 12, 2010 - 9:24 am

Happy Birthday to the Brand Camp Blog. My friend Karyn first told me about your blog and I’ve been coming back ever since. I’d love to snag the Lightroom presets and make processing another step easier!

Brandi - May 12, 2010 - 9:19 am

I would LOVE to win the Totally Rad Lightroom presets! I have been drooling over them for a while now. :)

Amelia - May 12, 2010 - 9:17 am

Totally Rad LR Presets are awesome and I must have them! Thank you and Happy Birthday!

Fiona Lumsdaine - May 12, 2010 - 9:05 am

Oh I love Alicia’s Easy as Pie pricing guide..

But as I’m just now making the transition from ACR to Lightroom.. I would really LOVE TRA’s lightroom presets.

As a single mum I really struggle with my work-life balance, and my plan is to nail my workflow in order to best manage my time between my business and my family. TRA’s Lightroom presets could help me do that!

Laura - May 12, 2010 - 9:01 am

Happy Birthday to the Brand Camp Blog!!! I would love love love to win the Totally Rad presets. Would make my workflow fabulously rad! Now off to twitter this birthday! :-)
http://twitter.com/tenderportraits

Leslee Mitchell - May 12, 2010 - 8:58 am

I’d like to win the TRA LR presets b/c Max Boutwell is about to have a little brother or sister!!!!!!

Gabi Butcher - May 12, 2010 - 8:56 am

TRA LR presets… why??? Ohhh well because they are TRA and I NEED them – LOL…

Rebecca - May 12, 2010 - 8:56 am

Ok I dont know how to choose! Probably the pricing guide . . .

Elisabeth - May 12, 2010 - 8:50 am

Oohhh….lightroom presets. I’ve been eyeing them and would LOVE to add them to my workflow :) (already have the Easy as Pie which I LOOOVE!)

Samantha - May 12, 2010 - 8:48 am

I would love to win the TRA actions! I am just getting started in my portrait photography business so all of your prizes would be useful, but the most important part to me right now is providing EXCELLENT images. Maybe Easy as Pie is like the cone that holds it all up, and Get Schooled are the sprinkles on top, But TRA actions are for the images- the ice cream. And the ice cream is the reason you go there in the first place.

Sarah Lou - May 12, 2010 - 8:47 am

hmmmmm can i have some thinking music please????

I cant decide between the presets and the EAP. drooling over both big time.
hmmmm I think right now EAP woudl be most beneficial please.

Arden - May 12, 2010 - 8:43 am

Get Schooled Fo’sho!
Happy Bday :)
Thanks a billion too for all of your tips!

Jeremy Ellsworth - May 12, 2010 - 8:41 am

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I am super thankful that I ran across your blog. You provide priceless advice and it is appreciated.

Honestly, I would love the TRA Lightroom Presets or Easy as Pie. I think both would better my services as a professional photographer.

Let your smile and your joy be contagious!!!!

erika - May 12, 2010 - 8:40 am

Wow! A year already! Time is just whizzing by…

I would love the Lightroom presets. I know my workflow could be greatly improved and I’m always looking for ways to do so. Tweaking first in lightroom instead of everything in PS would do the trick!

And I already have Easy as Pie and don’t do school portraits. =)

Laura - May 12, 2010 - 8:39 am

I’d love to win the TRA Lightroom presets to speed up my workflow! Happy birthday to this rockin’ blog. :)

Nicole Sullivan - May 12, 2010 - 8:32 am

I have been eyeballing Get Schooled for a while now. I would love to get started in this market and I need some help, (I’m a little nervous). The TRA sets and Easy as Pie are also amazing, I use both a ton of the time. What an awesome set of prizes!

Marcene Perry - May 12, 2010 - 8:30 am

Wow, happy birthday! I think I’d go for Easy as Pie. I’ve been eyeing it and just haven’t had the cash. Thanks!

Jeni - May 12, 2010 - 8:25 am

I would LOOOOOOVE to win the Totally Rad Lightroom Presets!!!!!!

Alissa - May 12, 2010 - 8:23 am

I’d love to win Get Schooled. I’ve done preschool pictures for a local preschool for two years now and I’d really love to know how to branch this aspect of my business into something more. More schools, different ages, etc.

Happy Birthday!

Ryan - May 12, 2010 - 8:21 am

That’s a tough call. I already own EAP, but would love the lightroom presets or the Get Schooled. I suppose if I have to narrow it down to one, I would go with the presets, since I know I have a use for those right now. Thanks for the great blog and happy blog birthday!

kristin - May 12, 2010 - 8:12 am

holla goes to alicia cain’s easy as pie!
i can take a pic… but running my biz is another story!
HELP ME – ha ha!!

Tina Ryan - May 12, 2010 - 8:10 am

I would love the TRA Lightroom Presets. I have yet to get into Lightroom but I know I should to improve my workflow. These would really help me make that leap!

Dawn - May 12, 2010 - 8:06 am

Happy Birthday! Your blog is awesome and makes me laugh. In fact, it’s probably the only one I actually look forward to getting in my inbox. I really appreciate your answering questions I’ve sent in, too. I already own the merit badge book and the Easy as Pie book (both tremendously helpful), I’m not really interested in school pictures right now, and I own TRA1. I’d love, love, love to have TRA2. Thanks again!

Kirsty-Abu Dhabi - May 12, 2010 - 8:03 am

I’d love to win EAP – I soooo need those time management tips so I can spend more time with my own kids!

Jeri - May 12, 2010 - 8:01 am

Happy Birthday!!! I love all of these prizes, but would prefer the Totally Rad Presets!

Alison - May 12, 2010 - 8:01 am

I would DEFINITELY be interested in ALL of the prizes, BUT, since I already own EAP (and love it by the way); and almost all of the TRA actions … my eyes immediately went to Get Schooled! What a great idea … I mean how many of those STUPID school pictures that are ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE am I going to buy before I FINALLY do something about it?!! I would DEFINITELY want to find out more juicy details to get started!! :D

And thanks for a great year … I love and ATTEMPT to live by your posts. You know exactly how to word things and KEEP IT SIMPLE … life is hard enough, right?!

Jeremiah Colling - May 12, 2010 - 7:56 am

Totally Rad Lightroom Presets. Just because I posted first.

Amy - May 12, 2010 - 7:33 am

I would love to win Get Schooled so I can aim for taking photos at my children’s preschool!

Danielle M - May 12, 2010 - 7:05 am

I want the TRA Presets!!! I have the TRA actions, EAP and Pastry School, AND Get Schooled! That’s right…I have them all but the presets:) I’m a Lightroom fanatic, so I really wanna add them to my stash.

Trent - May 12, 2010 - 6:52 am

I have the totally rad lightroom presets and love them. They’ve totally sped up my workflow. If only I could get my pricing in line. I could definitely use the easy as pie and pastry school!

sarah - May 12, 2010 - 6:36 am

I would absolutely adore owning the Totally Rad Lightroom Presets. I need to find a way to make my photographs totally rad, and I think this is the perfect way to achieve that! This would be awesome! Thanks :)

BEHIND THE CURTAIN: TOTALLY RAD LIGHTROOM PRESETS

The Totally Rad Lightroom presets have finally launched, so I can give you a look at the behind-the-scenes goodness that made the product happen…and what you can learn from Doug Boutwell‘s approach to bringing a product into the world.

Wait until the product is glorious before release.

Totally Rad peeps have been harassing the Doug for YEARS to get onto Lightroom Presets.  But he’s taken his time, watched what the competition offered, tweaked it to his (totally rad) tastes, and ultimately attempted to one-up himself.  A profitable product is great, but a truly remarkable product that’s also profitable is the goal.

In the wedding & portrait world: yes, you can throw together a dog portfolio or add an ‘available for commercial work’ tag to your website.  But taking the time to hone your skills, craft a killer collection of images, and/or learn more about the commercial process will probably be better for you.  And for your clients.

Take time to listen to your users.

When Doug sent his goodies off to peeps for review, he didn’t want to hear ‘Yay!  Awesome!’ He was looking for honest feedback that would lead to a better user experience.  I suggested a tall, grande, venti-type of breakdown to control the power of the preset effects.  Other suggested adding basic Lightroom tweaks to the process to correct exposure, recapture highlights, etc…all tweaks that were not part of the initial plan.  He may be a master of the technical stuff, but his greatest entrepreneurial strength lies in his ability to capture what the market wants at any given time.

If you’re a portrait photographer and 90% of your clients ask for digital files, make them available.  Don’t sell yourself short, by any means!  (I recommend pricing from $1500+ for portraits.  Pricing strategy here.)  But don’t be stupid enough to think you can change what the market wants.  Those clients who really want digital files will find someone who offers them.

Reward your users for their awesomeness.

When I ask Doug to sponsor a workshop, hold a contest, offer a promo code for reader-created blog articles, or reward a fan for an exceptional recipe, the answer is always “Yes.”  Without hesitation.

If you have clients who consistently refer you to others, reward them.  Flowers, chocolates, go-cart rides, a trip to the spa, a portrait session, one-on-one camera lessons, or a handmade gift.  A phone call.  An hour of babysitting.  A latte and some girl talk.  Whatever it is, make it unique to them.

And of course, go buy the Totally Rad Adobe Lightroom presets.  The images in this post feature the Purple Nurple preset!

SHOW COMMENTS HIDE COMMENTS 2 comments

Doug Boutwell - February 9, 2010 - 1:09 pm

BTW – did you re-design the brand-camp blog? Seems niftier since I was last here…

Doug Boutwell - February 9, 2010 - 1:09 pm

Thanks Kristen! You just kinda made my day a little :)

IT’S BUSINESS TIME: PART II.

Okay, so on Tuesday, we talked about carving out time for your business to happen.  You scoffed and thought, “DUDE, I am so far ahead of you.  MY desk is perfectly organized and MY calendar is full of business time and MY business plan is in working order and has recently been revisited.”  Kudos to you, darlin’!

Now that you’re in business time mode, there’s just one question to ask: are you scared yet?

That’s it, and it’s the premise that will help to build an exceptional brand: are you scared yet?

Are you copying the marketing promotion of a prominent businessperson or coming up with your own, utterly brilliant concept?  Are you actively seeking media coverage for your brand?  Are you involved in social media in some way?  Have you tackled a ground-up web design (with the help of a professional, of course)?  Are you taking risks — or do you know how things are going to turn out?

Likewise, are you producing the products recommended by x artists on x forums and websites?  What if you created a product that didn’t exist before you, and that can only be created by you? What if you took an active interest in bettering the lives of others in your profession by releasing the product to the general public? What if you made your idea into a company, KNOWING FULL WELL YOU MAY FALL FLAT ON YOUR FACE? Again, I would argue…you’d be scared out of your wits.

…and in being scared, you would be on the road to being exceptional.  Try, fail, try harder, fail brilliantly, and then get down to business.