psst… still reading?
I’m ready to re-enter for real and want to do it with a bang! What new product would you like to see in the vibe store? Of course there will be a giveaway for the people actively involved in getting that new product in the store… so… whatcha need?
14 comments April 26th, 2009 posted by Ren in housekeeping
I have resolved the SSL Certificate issue after some hurried emails to my host provider. I am leaving the sale up for another 24 hours as there were some people unable to purchase because of the issues.
In the meantime… I thought I’d leave you with a little animoto slideshow. The kids and I went away to my sister’s in the summer holiday and it was seriously THE best holiday I’ve ever had…. enjoy!
4 comments February 18th, 2009 posted by Ren in housekeeping, random
I’m back, baby!
I’ve been MIA for a few months now. Divorce makes life a little crazy and I’ve been helping my amazing kids come to terms with this new way of being. Over the last few weeks I’ve been making through my inbox and sorting some things out. Now that I have time to blog again I thought that you all deserve something for still checking in here.
Sooo… the comeback special is quick and easy. 50% off EVERYTHING in store for the next 48 hours ONLY. Whatever it is you’ve been waiting to snap up from the store now is the time to do it.
Click here to enter the store.
7 comments February 14th, 2009 posted by Ren in promo
Since I’ve been absent for so long (thank YOU to everyone who emailled me - I truly appreciate your kind words) I knew it was definitely time for a super special for all you guys. Since I’m not running a super Christmas giveaway this year (keep your eye out with other vendors that I’m helping out instead) I decided that December was a perfect time for a special on the Vibe Business Forms.
I get more requests for group buys on these forms then on any other product in the store lately and this month is a great month to start getting things ready for 2009. If you are already in business but aren’t happy with the way your forms are set up - these are for you. If you’ve just started out in business and spend hours every night (yes, I’ve been THERE) trying to put your paperwork together - these are for you. If you’ve been toying with the idea of going into business within the next 12 months - these are for you too!
That’s right! For the entire month of December you can snap up the Vibe Business Forms for just $40!!!
- - - - -
Also - as I promised - the winner of the random $30 voucher (from Mands’ interview) to the Vibe Store.
The #4 comment belongs to the one and only Kelly Vella who just happens to be a fellow aussie photographer!
Kelly, email me to claim your prize!
2 comments December 3rd, 2008 posted by Ren in giveaway, products, promo
I’ll be back tomorrow… and with a surprise for you!
I’m melting…… I’m melting………..
I’m here, I’m here… I swear I’m here. Right now, I’m melting.
Things in my life are a little upside down. I can’t be more specific then that right now, please forgive me.
If you have emailled me and are waiting on a reply, please email again. I will be back soon with a winner of the random comment voucher for the Amanda Hayes interview.
Thank you for your patience.
3 comments November 14th, 2008 posted by Ren in random
I met Mands online about a year ago. Once again, I’m amazed at just how much stuff one person can fit into their day. Coming to you all the way from New Zealand… Mrs Amanda Haynes!
Name/Location - Amanda Haynes (Mands to my colleagues!) / based in Rangiora (just outside Christchurch), New Zealand
How did you get started in photography?
I won a camera in a photo competition when I was 16. I didn’t know I was entering a competition, I just took my film in for processing and it was picked as the best image that month, so I was shocked to get the phone call! It was a Canon SLR and from the moment I changed lenses on it, I was pretty hooked. I’ve stayed with Canon and SLR since but gone digital. When my children came along I decided to pursue photography as a career and signed up for local College night classes, Jinky’s Forum and any other online Classees that I could find.
How long have you been in business?
Officially for nearly 4 years now, but I’ve been really serious about it for the last 2 and a bit… and love what I have done in that time..
What was the one piece of advice you were given when you were first starting out that you like to pass on?
Shoot with your heart…. know your technical stuff so well, that you no longer have to think about it, you can just concentrate on the art and heart of the image.
What is your primary focus…
Weddings/children/seniors/etc. Weddings including Engagements, Boudoir and Trash the Dress. I didn’t know I’d have such a passion for them until I shot my first one, and since then I’ve been hooded. They are HEAPS of work, mainly behind the scenes.
Tell us about your style…
We like anything that is Elegant but Edgy… and like to use the sun, textures, etc to bring in pieces of art for our clients. We provide portraiture that is fully finished, and then some more edgy pieces that can hang on big canvas in their home, as well as shooting for an album; so making sure we are always telling a story. In the image below they were learning to Latin Dance for their wedding and this is the loand they will build their home on, so we wanted to capture what is unique and special to them at this time, but also something that would be a piece of art 50 years from now.
What’s in your camera bag?
More stuff than I need, that’s for sure! but 24-70 2.8, 70-200L IS 2.8 and 135L are my faves!
What is the strangest thing you take with you to a shoot?
Smint mints… for me and for them!
What is your most important marketing tool?
My Blog… and for the last few months I’ve LOVED posting on it. I started posting what I enjoy, what I think about, what makes me laugh… without caring about whether it would bring in new business, etc… and if feels more “me” and has become enjoyable.
What is your best selling add-on product for 2008?
Our Engagement Sessions… so not really a product… but it results in sales of other products; and the Design Aglow products always sell no matter what we put them with.
How do you handle workflow?
Pretty much like you see in the picutre! and this was just cleaned up the day before! It is a never-ending battle! but I did buy Lightroom to speed up color, exposure, etc editing, however with the new PSCS4 release, I suspect that may have been a waste of money.
We specialise in offering our clients not only the images from their sessions; but some of those images are hand-worked to be pieces of art; and so each one is done individually. It is time-consuming but our clients love the results and that is what we feel great photography is all about; when the client can’t wait to hang it on the wall!
How do you stay motivated?
I use flickr and I’m pretty choosy about whose work I view; it has to be different and unique. I buy fashion magazines like Vogue and look at lighting and posing. I also have started taking a day a week to just go out and shoot for me; but since I don’t like doing landscapes I usually find some sort of model to come with me; sometimes that is even my daughter’s doll!
Tell us about the Beyond Forum…
I love Beyond… I love what the members themselves have created there. I administer it, but honestly, the members have made Beyond unique, different, friendly… and well, I could go on. I feel so passionate about this Forum because I know the love and work that has gone into making it a great place to be. It is more than just a forum, it is like a “photographer’s pub”. One of those old English one’s where people come to hang out, meet with friends, discuss life, business, family and the industry as a whole. I love that members can get an instant answer, threads don’t go unanswered and that there are members from right across the world there; but we are all dealing with similar issues. Everyone embraces new members and if we ever all manage to physically get otgether, I know it will be a blast!!!
I love that we are always pushing to be fresh, unique, fun and different; and provide members with the best.
What is the one thing you can’t live without (no cheating and saying family and friends)?
Actually a day without any friends and family would sometimes be quite nice! (but only a day!)… but seriously I don’t think I could live without my car. I had it serviced for a couple of days and with four kids, three businesses to run and all the other things I use it for; it was a nightmare! How’s a girl meant to go shopping without a vehicle to get to the mall?!?!?!!!!.
If you were entered in a talent show you would…
That would never happen Ren! I have no talent that any talent show would want I’m afraid; so my children have endured being put in every class that is offerent locally (horse-riding, piano, painting, guitar, soccer, etc) in the hopes that they will develop the “talent gene” in at least one area! I’d probably get the job of organising the talent show! LOL
What turns you on?
My husband (big blush)… yep even after 13 years… he still rocks.
What turns you off?
Conflict… I find dealing with and listening to conflict difficult, but in the last couple of years I have become a lot better at standing up for myself and for what is right. This has been one area I’ve been really proud of in my life this past year.
What’s on your iPod?
David Cook right now… wish he’d hurry up with the album though! and Ashley Gramins; her songs are so pure.
Mac or PC?
PC.
You can visit Mand’s photography website or start reading her blog. While I’m always inspired by her photography posts it’s Mands’ conversational posts and way of writing that bring me back for more.
Don’t forget to leave Mands some comment lovin’ - next week one person will be drawn from the comments on this post to win a $30 voucher to the vibe store.
19 comments November 7th, 2008 posted by Ren in interview
No, it’s not a special christmas party for any singles out there 
My gal pal, Shannon, has talked me into offering the trifold Christmas cards from the Silent Night Couture Collection as singles. Yup, you can now snap up 1 or both the trifolds. If you’re not a professional photographer and you’re just looking for a christmas card for your family this year this is a great opportunity.
You can purchase either trifold for $15.00 or both together for $25.00
Sample image only:
Trifold A is #10 in this image:
Trifold B is #09 in this image:
Anyone out there with a Mac who has a little spare time? If you think you can help out with an easy job, email me pretty please.
You’ll be rewarded with goodies raining from the sky of course!
Ever heard “wow! Why does it cost that much?!” from your clients?
Marianne Drenthe of Marmalade Photography has put together a resource that helps you to educate your current and future clients about the benefits of choosing a custom photographer and why custom photography costs more then the service a chain store can provide.
Check it out:
Professional Child Photography Guide
Add comment November 4th, 2008 posted by Ren in random
