If they had only told me 8 years ago I would be spending much of my day telling the world my actions, thoughts and daily life I would have laughed.

I mean who really cares if my daughter’s hamster has escaped…AGAIN!?  Or what I am making for dinner or where the kids and I have gone on a field trip.  But it seems they do.  These things make me human.  They allow others to see that I have a life outside of photography.

All of this social media does not come without a price. Seldom do I run into an FB/Twitter follower who won’t ask about my daughter’s hamster or that dinner recipe I posted the night before. I am always amazed at the stories and silliness in my daily life that others find interesting enough to remember.  At the end of the day I am fine with letting my clients into my daily life.   Mainly because I really like my clients. They allow me into their homes and lives so it seems only fair.  I feel that it truly does build the bond between us. I also know what is going on in their life often and we become even better friends.

You have to be “ok” with all of this though and you also have to know how to use ALL of your privacy settings. Personally I have tons of FB friends who are fellow photographers. Many of them I do not know.  I make sure to set all of the folks I do not know into a “group” that allows me to block them from seeing most of my personal family photos. Why? Because I am still protective over the little bit of privacy I have left.  I do not see a need for those I do not know to see every family photo.  I also make sure to hit off of the “location” settings that will allow everyone to see where I am every minute of everyday…ughhh.  Really getting to know all of the options within the privacy settings on Facebook is a must. Making the decision to use your facebook friend page as a business link or a real friend link is something you have to decide early in the Facebook game as well.

Facebook etiquette is a subject I would like to touch on. These are my personal rules and they each have a reason.

• No purging off of your “friends” list unless you are finding real life friends. To go on another photographers friend list and just start hitting “add” too all of their friends, assuming that all of their friends are photographers, will annoy the heck out of them when you try to add that persons sister, parents and clients. Personally this is the reason why I now have my friend list hidden from folks I do not know in person. One to many e-mails from my family asking “who is this person and why do they want to be my friend?”
• Did you start a Fan page for you studio? Did you know that adding a bunch of other photographers isn’t that great of an idea…especially if they are in your area. I learned this lesson recently when a local photographer became a “Fan” and began purging my client list.  It happens.  Not everyone is trust worthy and I would never have dreamed that this sort of thing would or could happen. If someone hits “Like” on my page I am more than happy to have them but I am NOT going to send out request to every single friend I have to join my page. I prefer my fan page be real fans and real clients.
• Watch what you say on other photographers pages. Often they have clients as friends and they really don’t want you posting that a picture “looks strange” or something just totally inappropriate. If you have something negative to say follow your mother’s advice and just don’t say anything at all.
• Did you block someone from seeing you main wall? Hey that is rude. If they are worthy of being your “friend” but not worthy of seeing your wall/ status updates you need to just delete them from your friend list. That is much more polite and not half as shifty as the whole “banning them from viewing your wall”. Basically it is like saying “Hey I want to spy on you and watch everything you are doing but you are so not cool enough to see what I am posting.” I tend to instantly delete these people.  They are a waste of my stats. Sounds hardcore but I don’t need to beg someone to let me see their wall. Either they want me as a friend or they don’t. I am moving on
• Side note on trying to keep folks from seeing your status updates. Within your settings when you post a status update you have the option to hide a single update from a person or group with the little drop down arrow beside “share” so see there is really no reason to block your wall feed in the first place if you have something you would like to hide from someone. Unless of course it is your child…I do block all children from seeing my wall/status updates. I can’t control what other adults say so hence why I do block the 16 and under crew most days.

At the end of the day I am not sure I remember what life was like before status updates and tweets.  The friends I have made online have become friends in real life often and I love that!  It is nice to stay connected with folks and it is even nicer to take a break every once in a while from it all!

Now off to play some Farmville! (by the way…if you don’t like having all of the games folks play on FB in your newsfeed you have the ability to hit the “hide” button beside the applications post and “hide application”. Poof….no more annoying games posts in your feed

This week’s getting to know you blog post is all about Holly McCaig!!

Describe your family life: I’m a 30-something single creative type that lives in St. Louis Missouri with my two dogs, Jack & Daisy.

Describe your design style (traditional, modern, shabby, etc.): I’m obsessed with a shabby, weathered and vintage look when it comes to my studio style. But, I also really love clean, graphic and modern feels to designs in paper products.

Mac or PC? Mac – don’t ask how many Apple products I own. My latest love is my iPad.

Song that best describes you: Lately, the song that resonates with me is Brand New Day by Joshua Radin. It’s a tough time in business with the economy, so going through this song I think about what I’m facing. It helps and inspires.

If you had just 1 day left to live, what would you do? I’d have the best dinner ever with my closest friends and my family. Then, we’d sing karaoke!
Favorite product at Pink Ink Studios: I love Tisha’s Wallet Templates!
Favorite product of my own: I love my What’s Next Postcard because it is something I use with every session and my clients appreciate it!

You can find Holly at:

• Twitter
• Holly McCaig Seniors Facebook Fan Page
• Holly McCaig Facebook Fan Page
• Websites: hollymccaigdesigns.com and hollymccaig.com

What designs are you curious to know the origins of? Let us know and we can possibly feature them in the next upcoming months.

You may have been doodling since grade school but in the past few years the doodling concept has exploded in today’s pop culture. I’m not talking about simple kid doodles but sophisticated doodles that are showing up in tons of merchandise, advertising and countless other visual places. The doodley look is youthful, whimsical and at the same time edgy and urban as well. This design trend speaks to today’s teen demographic and is perfect for Senior Portraits. The next time you are shooting a senior portrait think about adding this cool doodle background from The Drop Shoppe to add a bit more pizzazz to your images.

There are several products in the store to help you get in the doodle-rific spirit like these A Touch of Whimsy Doodles from Carrie and Holly’s Whimsy Borders.

Inspiredology.com has some fantastic doodle inspiration that is worth taking a look at. Check out their Freedom of Doodle article to spark some creative ideas.

Last but not least to help your designs, enjoy this freebie Doodle It Set that contains 7 different doodle elements – so go get your doodle on! Link will expire on 9/27 and then product will be available in the Pink Ink Studios store.

Get to know designer Tara Sroka this week!

Describe your family life: I live in NYC with my husband, John and we will be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary in a few weeks.

Describe your design style (traditional, modern, shabby, etc.): My designs are more modern, clean and simple. I’m a minimalist type of designer.

Mac or PC? Mac all the way!

Song that best describes you: Smoke & Mirrors by Lifehouse & Making Love At a Nothing At All by Air Supply

If you had just 1 day left to live, what would you do? Have a crazy party with family and friends, drink and DANCE a lot! =)

Favorite product at Pink Ink Studios: I’m really digging Holly’s Studio Thank You Tag which is very graphic. Love it!
Favorite product of mine is my Mod Baby Announcement Bundle. I love circles and dots – it’s so fun and playful!

You can find Tara at:

• Twitter
• Facebook Fan Page
• Website

If you have some great photos of our designs in use for your business please email that Pink Ink Studios designer. We all would love to see your work and how our designs have helped your business.

The team at Pink Ink Studios has been busy all summer and designing fabulous, new products to help you boost your business.

Anything that says rockstar is usually a hit in my book. Check out Amy’s Square Accordion Mini. Perfect for seniors!!

Speaking of seniors, here is an awesome senior rep card by Jackie. They have senior contact info on the back so they’ll love handing these out to their friends. You can include your website and have them knocking at your door!

Holly has a great storyboard that you can use for any session, but seniors are another great audience for this one as well. Showcase lots of images with this one!

Kim Hill has a mini accordion book in her store as well. Papers are included but you can swap out with your own. Check out Mariella’s Press Printed Album with 10 spreads. Great for weddings, seniors … anything you’d like. It makes your job sooo much easier! Last but not least, if you’re looking to take the next step, here is a premade logo from MadiLu Designs. Bonus stamp included!

Have a great week!

Tell us your name. Kellie Penn

Where do you live? Decatur, IL

Please link us to your website. http://www.acrossthemilesphotography.com

How long have you been a photographer? I’ve had a camera around me for as long as I can remember, but professionally two years!

Describe your area of expertise. I do a bit of everything!  The majority of my business comes through weddings, families, and seniors.  I can see my business trending more towards weddings as the dominant area in the next year or two.  I also photograph babies, children, have done commercial work, and concert photography.

How did you come to specialize in this area? I was terrified of weddings and swore I would never do them.  But, I kept getting asked and decided to give it a try.  I am so glad I did!  There are so many magical moments during a wedding day to capture & I love, love, love them now!  I also love how each wedding is so different…you never know what you’re going to get from one week to the next.

Please share with us your absolute favorite photograph you’ve ever taken and tell us the story behind it, why it speaks to you, etc.
I had my DSLR for a couple of weeks and was playing around with it one day.  I wanted to experiment with the light in the room & I followed Mason around as he played.  He stopped near the window & I snapped the shutter.  It took my breath away to see how sweet he looked & how it captured the innocence of his age.  It is hands down my very favorite photo…and it inspired me to keep progressing in my photography!

How would you describe your style? Hmm…that’s a toughie!  I hope my style of shooting is one that just “captures life.”  I love lifestyle photography & hope that I capture my subjects as they are & not just give them a bunch of stiff, posed photos.

What is your standby pose (the one that everyone tends to want from you)? Everyone wants the shot where they are walking away holding hands in the field.  I have so many families choose the same location so they can get that shot!

What gear is in your bag? Canon 5d Mark II and a Canon 40d as a back up.  70-200L 2.8 IS, 24-70L, 50 1.4, 100mm macro, 85mm 1.8, 580 ex II, (and my bags are a shootsac & a Kelly Moore camera bag.  I like my gear to look good! Haha!!)

If you could only use one lens what would it be? I love my 70-200L.  The bokeh and colors I get from this lens are unbelievable!

Are you considering any new gear purchases this year? If so, please describe.  Yes!  I am drooling over the 50 1.2L.   Hopefully it will be mine soon!

What is your go-to camera shop? I’ve purchased most of my gear from Amazon.  I also love B&H Photo!

Which album company do you recommend? I love KISS and Finao.

How do you stay motivated? My clients keep me motivated.  I love when they are so excited about their sessions & refer their friends and family my way.  Their love of their photos just makes my day & helps keep me inspired to keep going!

What makes your job easy? I swear I have the world’s cutest clients!!  It’s not hard to make them look good!   The biggest thing that makes my job easy though is that my husband is so flexible and provides huge help of taking care of our children when I go on sessions or photograph a wedding.

Do you prefer to work in the studio, on-location, or both and why? I love on-location the best.  It is easier to capture people as they are…I find that people seem more stiff in the studio & I want more relaxed photographs.  Plus, kids don’t like sitting still in one spot…it’s much easier to just chase them around!

What sets you and your work apart from other photographers in your area? A lot of photographers in my area are more traditional and provide beautiful work, especially in studio.  My work offers something different from theirs in that I go out to locations my client choose & capture them as they are!

Do you use a Mac or PC? PC…someday (hopefully soon) I’ll be a Mac girl!

Tell us about your image processing style and the software you use. I prefer clean, consistent edits in my processing.  I used to do lots of crazy color pops and grungy edits.  Then, as I studied other photographers that I love, I realized that I leaned towards those that used a clean edit.  I love when colors are vibrant, but not over processed!

Have you attended any workshops that you found to be helpful in your work? Yes!  Going to PPA’s Imaging USA this winter was wonderful!  I was able to sit and listen to photographers that I admire & hear how they approach their photography.  I’ve attended Sandy Puc’s tots to teens and loved hearing her speak.

Which professional organizations do you belong to? Professional Photographer’s of America

Tell us about your long-term goals. To transition more to just weddings.  We are currently in the adoption process and once our child comes home from South Korea next year, I need to slow down a bit & focus on helping him transition.  Photographing just on Saturdays seem like a great way to cut back!  Then, I can work from home processing the weddings & consulting with clients.

Best advice for new photographers breaking into the business? Spend a lot of time portfolio building.  Push yourself to keep trying things that seem hard & study photographers that inspire you!

If you could choose anyone to do a photo shoot of you and your family, who would your choose? Hands down Bobbi & Mike!!

If you were not a photographer, then…I’d probably go back to teaching. There are some days I truly do miss the classroom!

What does photography mean to you? Photography offers such an ability to capture moments in time.  I’ve learned through my life that moments happen so quickly.  My son, Miles, passed away when he was just 3 months old.  He was such a sick little baby & those photographs of us snuggling and spending quiet moments together mean the world to me.  They are all that I have left of him.  I am so very thankful that we took so many photos while he was with us.  My business, Across the Miles Photography, is named after my sweet little boy.  I hope that I can leave families with sweet memories after a session with me…I know how truly precious those memories are!

Magazine must have? Professional Photographer Magazine from PPA.  It’s wonderful & full of inspiration!

What’s your guilty pleasure? Real Housewives on Bravo.

My weakness is…food!  I’m such a food junkie & love to eat..especially anything fried!   Fried twinkies, fried cauliflower, French fries…etc!

My strength is…being a mommy!  My kids keep me going and constantly cover me in hugs and kisses.  Their unconditional love just amazes me!

What do you do when you first wake up? Snuggle with my family.  Usually the kids climb into bed with us & we all just snuggle & cuddle for awhile.  I hate how quickly they are growing up and want to savor each little moment!

Finish this quote: When it rains…go splash in puddles!  (with cute boots, bright umbrellas, and make sure you bring your camera!)

Who do you love? God first & my husband & my children!  God has blessed this business in more ways than I can describe.  If you ever would’ve told me that my business would have grown so fast in the past two years I would have laughed in your face!  I can’t put into words how good He has been to me!  My husband, Tyler, has been so supportive of me and my crazy dreams!  He tells me how proud he is of me & offers so much help in taking care of the kids so I can pursue this dream of mine!  My children…they truly make my heart so happy!  I am the world’s luckiest mom & have the most beautiful children!

Do you read your horoscope? Nope!

Blog addiction… Bobbi & Mike, Clary Photo

Tattoos…none!  My dad always swore that he would quit paying for college if I ever got one, so I never did!

MAC or PC…PC

80’s Music…I’m honestly not a huge fan! But, I wasn’t that old during the 80’s and had to listen to whatever my parents were listening to!  I like the 90’s music more!

What’s on your iPod? Needtobreathe, MercyMe, Kutless, TobyMac, Tenth Avenue North

Morning or night? Night.  I’m definitely a night owl & stay up crazy late working.  I need to change that!

My friends say…“How do you do it all? You are so busy!!”

Travel dreams…My biggest dream is to travel to South Korea to pick up our little guy!  Can’t wait until that is a reality next year!

On my day off…day off?  What’s that?!?

One of your top 100 to do before you die? What isn’t? Hmmm…I would love to travel with a missions organization & photograph our journey & their work in the countries.  What’s not on my list?  Owning a snake.  They terrify me!

Thank you, Kellie, for sharing a little bit about yourself.  It was great to learn more about you and see your beautiful work.

This month’s poll is about watermarking your photos. Check it out to participate and give us your answers.