5 Gifts for Photography Lovers under $50

5 gifts, each one under $50! Say What!?

You heard me! These are not your run of the mill suggestions

If you think your photogrpahy lover has everything - here are some funky fun finds 

that will prove you wrong!

This wristband is inspired by different lens... and it's just super cute for a $10 and under gift!

Found on Amazon

Tiny lenses that are really shot glasses! ADORABLE!
Plus they could hold fun things like your media cards on your desk, rubber bands... whatever!
Coming in under $20

The Shot Glass Lens Set at the Photojojo Store!

Not a drinker? How about these for the more "family Friendly" option under $20!



Buy the The Camera Cookie Cutter Set at the Photojojo Store!


Rolling in under $40 is this BAMBOO Solar charger
It will charge your cell phone from Sun power... anywhere!
(ok.."camera phone".. whatever I still love it!)

Buy the Bamboo Solar Charger at the Photojojo Store!

And perhaps at the top of my list for photojunkies, this Ring Flash Adapter.
If your loved one (or you) enjoy macro photography or portrait style work this is something you will LOVE! It converts your speedlight to a ring flash... creating a soft light, reducing shadows and
lighting those macro shots with ease. It's TOTALLY on my list!
And for only $40 it should be on yours also!!!!



Buy the The Ring Flash Adapter at the Photojojo Store!

A little gift.

I hope you all have been learning a lot during our product photography series! As you know, I've been busy in the studio myself! I have had SOOO much fun checking out the new designs, and products by so many different shop owners! I can't share many of them with you yet... sworn to secrecy and all that! I admit it's one of the more difficult parts of my job! I can't wait to share not only my images... but these products! Your going to LOVE them!

For now... I can tell you that when I opened the project the wonderful, and fantastic Melli from Melli's Trinkets and Melli's Yarn Works  it had this super awesome trinket inside... just for me! Not only super sweet, and thoughtful.. but super cute!

It came inside an adorable bag, along with a handwritten note... did I tell you I LOVE it when people take the time to write a note!

When I opened it up I discovered this charming anklet! PERFECT for swimsuit season... (really it's a  bracelet, but for me anklets are more fun, and this one will fit!!)

And it even sports the cutest little charm saying "made for you" I LOVE it!

By the way... this adorable item has "friends" found at Melli's shop you better place your order now!

A Bow For Mama and MORE!

First, let me introduce Shirley, from A Bow for Mama. Shirley makes amazing decorations and bows that are used for all occasions. Baby showers, weddings, holidays, etc. ABFM provides your home, business, or event with the beautiful decor it deserves!

Each of her bows are handmade, they are packaged and shipped with LOVE and CARE, so that they arrive to you fluffed and beautiful! When Shirley contacted me and asked if I would take her product images for a new "super secret" product line! I almost died! I LOVE a good secret! I was fall out of my chair excited!!!!

 I received her boxes of goodies, and I could hardly wait to open them! I had an "idea" of what was inside, but to put my hands on these little gems - AMAZING!

As I unpacked the box, I was very impressed with the time Shirley had put in to separate the bows, and make sure they all floated so nothing got squished. While I did fluff a few as I was styling for her images, I didn't really "need" to! They arrived beautifully!  Now, these are not her regular bows... no this is something TOTALLY new for her! I am so excited that I finally get to share them with you! It was SO hard keeping this a secret!

These little prizes are her message board bows... or as I like to call them Little Bits from Heaven! They have 2 clips, one on the back and a smaller one on the front. I found SO many uses for them around the office as I was creating her "in use" images.

 On my pencil holder - perfect for holding reminder sticky notes or business cards I need to update in my client list...

Clipping recipe cards, or marking pages in my book.... 

As a housewarming, birthday or any celebration gift! It adds just the right bit of glam, who needs a bag! PLUS this is RE-USEABLE so the person receiving it can use it around their house again! I LOVE THAT!

I love the extra touch on top of gift boxes and bags... since they clip to message boards and can be ordered with magnets for magnet boards they make AWESOME additions to teacher gifts!

OH! Not to be outdone... but I found the BEST use for these babies! Clip them onto your napkin rings to hold a place card... TAKE THAT SANDRA LEE! Oh, and by the way.. you can stock up on the Eco-friendly napkin rings shown here... that's right with A Bow For Mama also! This makes the perfect gathering a little more special! Each guest can take the bow home with them, or you can use them yourself over and over!

What Clients Say: Streeter & Co

April Showers bring more then May Flowers! This month I am  super excited to add this segment to my blog! 

I hope to share with you, a clients perspective on my services, or tips and solutions from them during this segment and let this continue as a guest blogging option for you all to "put in your two cents".  If your interested in creating a post, please contact me! I would love to hear what you have to say!

So now, I will be turning it over to Kristina at Streeter & CO for our First "What Clients Say" post!

"I used to be guilty of what I like to call the "Jack of All Trades Syndrome". I was always the business owner that wanted to do everything myself, if for no other reason that I wasn't willing to invest the time or the money into having someone else do things for me instead. Did you notice I used "used to be" in that first sentence? That's because I learned the value of having my items shot professionally.

Although I know my photos were better than others I have seen around the handmade shop industry, heck lets me honest - even in small business images - we've all seen them, the grainy, unclear photos - mine weren't quite that bad, but they weren't the quality I needed.  As an online merchant I know that the photos are the one chance I get to grab the customers attention and want my product, low quality images won't help me achieve that one bit. Sure, I was getting return customers that had used my products in person ordering from my store but I wasn't having the sales that I hoped for from "new customers" - why? My product photography. The images I was shooting with my amateur skills and less than fabulous camera quality (or iPhone whichever was closest) wasn't doing my products justice. I needed a different solution.

Verte Photography was the solution to my problem and I never looked back. With Verte Photography I know my products are in the hands of a passionate, talented photographer.  Candy is so wonderful to work with and thrives on making the image look so wonderful that you would like to grab it off of the screen.  I have seen such a big difference in sales and page views. Customers are liking what they see and I know this not only by the sales but by the fabulous comments that I have received.

Not only does Verte Photo have a lifetime customer but I also refer every other shop owner I know to Candy. Why wouldn't I? A Shop with fabulous products needs nothing less than the best." - Kristina Streeter, Owner of Streeter & Company

Setting up for Sucess

Why bother to shoot your own products if your not going to take the time to be SUCCESSFUL! The point to having photo's is to showcase your images, so people can see what they are buying right? So let's make sure we have the tools we need to from this....

To this!

Product Provided by: Crafty Gal Creations

Depending on your product, and set up you need to think about how the light will hit the items, what part will reflect, what shadows can be created, and what adjustments do you need to make so you don't see shadows, as well as making sure each part is shown, and showcased the best it can be.

There are a few secrets to this.

1. Tweezers are your friend. I use these to place each stone, bead and chain in just the right place.
2. Cleaning cloth. I use my soft clothes from cleaning my lens to polish stones and remove any finger prints, fibers or dust that may be on a product
3. Cotton Gloves. These are so I don't get new finger prints on items as I am working on them. They are special gloves from the photo lab, same quality that they use when handling negatives. You can also use latex or even finger cots (found in the bandage section of your drug store). I never cared for them, but its a viable option.
4. Time. Don't try to do this in a rush
5. Stable work area. Placing product on a table that can be bumped or with a fan moving in the room can be a nightmare...please save yourself the headache.

Now, if you have been following along in this series we have covered...

Why you want to shoot with a CAMERA

Backgrounds: Part 1 Part 2 and Part 3

Finding the right location for your home studio

Finding the right light

White Balance

Setting up your DIY studio*

and now, collecting the tools to success.

Which brings us to product placement, posing, and perspective.

These will be our focus this week! Be sure to come back!

*I have delayed the release of the DIY studio available light - as well as a followup to the Dollar Store studio due to (of all things) TIME to shoot the images for them! I hope to get the images done this week and fit them back into the schedule - but I wanted to make sure you still had some great information to chew on this week! For now, you can view the First part of the Dollar Store Studio from the link above - it gives you some basic guidelines and some very helpful tips!

Not "that photographer"

I recently had a fellow business owner send me her thanks for helping her with her own product photography... and she commented that she was really happy that I wasn't "that photographer".
It really made me smile.

Your right! I am not.

There are a lot of ways that I am not that photographer... and I thought I would share a my list of 10 things about myself and my business that set me apart!

1. I don't judge your photography skills
2. I don't claim to be the "end all be all" to photography
3. I SHARE my knowlage, I WANT to help
4. I don't believe equipment is everything
5. I believe in client's privacy and I don't share even a 1/3 of the work I do
6. I don't ever want COST to be the reason why someone doesn't have great images! Personally or for their products. Everyone deserves to have amazing images.
7. I am old school and believe "It's not a print until you can hold it in your hand"
8. I do a lot of charity work
9. I support women, local, and small businesses 
10. I focus on being green. Recycling, re-purposing and purchasing from companies with a "green focus". 

 I have spent several days... well weeks really, in the past few months working with other business owners who don't have products that could be shipped or who are choosing at this time not to send products to me for other reasons, mostly because they do mostly custom items. I have been troubleshooting and offering my advice free to them to improve their home studio set up, and camera skills to be able to get the "best" available images, working with what they have.

This month was sort of a toss up for me when I made my plan for the year... so I have decided I will focus on macro and product photography this month since it seems so many people out there REALLY need this help! I hope to share some tips, techniques and camera functions to help you achieve better images on your own.

This does not in any way mean I couldn't use your support, or business! I would LOVE to help you with your imaging needs!  Like I said before - don't let cost be the reason you don't have good images! I have several deals available, I offer trade for services in many cases... and I will do my best to work with YOUR budget without sacrificing your needs!

 In fact, I will offer the first 3 people to email me at VertePhoto at Gmail dot Com a FREE 1 box shoot! What ever you want to send 1 time only.. you only pay the shipping. Everything will get the full treatment... multiple photos of each item, digital preview and watermarking with your logo or website... full photo release and a special surprise item to be returned with your products! My march madness gift to you!

 I don't know anyone else who offers FREE product images! But hey... I am not "that" photographer !

Friday Im In Love

I am sad that this will be my last official Friday, I'm in Love post! I have had a lot of fun sharing things with you and I might have to bring it back on some sort of regular basis!

I am always sharing with you handmade, and home-based businesses that I LOVE and shop... but sometimes it's hard to find all your "daily" items in that venue. So I thought I would end with a few "everyday" items that make my day happier, healthier, greener and cleaner!

Bear River Valley Cereal

OMGoodness! I am so happy that I found this cereal! Ok. First, on its ingredients list. is whole grain, pumpkin, yams, blueberry's, carrot...hello veggies and fruits in the morning for my kid! Second, Free of artificial flavors or preservatives. No high fructose corn syrup. No hydrogenated oil. Third, 75% LESS Packaging materials!! RESEALABLE BAG! Oh and "We purchase wind-generated electricity credits for 100% of the electricity used to make our cereals because working with Mother Nature just seems like common sense to us." direct from the website.  I love stand up companies that make a good product, and put thought into how they effect the environment! Plus, my kid thinks its a "treat" because it has marshmallows, which we would never do in any other cereal! OH! They have other flavors also... chocolate, frosted wheat's... gluten free options... and best of all found in my regular Safeway store! (they hide them by the granola!)

I have mentioned this next one before.  But it seriously is the best purchase I have made for $5 this year!

Magic Tap

Ok, to be fair the website say's $19.99 I found mine on the "as seen on" rack at Walgreens for $10, and had a $5 store coupon from the rewards card. I am not sure I would be so in love with it as a $20 purchase... who am I kidding it keeps me from getting up at dinner to refill milk glasses 3 times, and it allows my kid the freedom to get her own breakfast so I can enjoy my coffee. So  what a price for some peace right? LOVE THIS! I will even take cleaning up a few spills in my fridge as it drips occasionally and my kid presses the blue handle with her finger for "kicks" occasionally.

And my last product to share today... tho I have a TON that I wish I could fit in, is from Wildtree

WILDTREE Dealer / or find your own vendor at Wildtree.com

This is from the direct sales company WildTree. They were started in 96 by a mom who had two young children with dietary restrictions. The offer "the highest quality herbs, spices and culinary blends that are free of preservatives, additives, fillers and promote a healthier lifestyle. We believe in the value of making cooking a quicker, easier, more healthful project for those who are short on time." (from website)     There are many products from them that I adore. This one is a personal favorite because while it lists to mix with milk/mayo I use Greek yogurt for a healthier twist and my kid uses THIS to dip veggies into rather then the over processed, "other" options. Plus when I order from my friend Christine (linked you to her FB page above) I get to help another woman in business make money!  I love THAT!  

Disclaimer: I am not a review site. I purchase all of these products and have not received any money or product discounts/ or freebies in return for my thoughts and personal review of them.                          

A year ahead.

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.
Helen Keller

I always liked Helen Keller. 

I do agree with this quote and as I look towards my goals and begin to flush out my calendar for the new year I am encouraged and reminded of this. Success and happiness. Not always the same, but always a part of the plan. Happiness and joy, to shield and comfort against trials and difficulties. 

While I don't make new year resolutions. I do try to refresh my goals, set a new calendar and plan my business year out each January. I find that if you don't set goals, and make a plan you tend to always be fumbling around missing deadlines, and forever behind. 

So to that end I thought I would share with you some of my goals for this blog. What you can expect to see and some things I am currently working on! Perhaps this will help you keep me all "on track" and hold me accountable for creating some more successful posts!

January: Time to Click series. This will bring you several posts with tips and suggestions for new camera owners, there will be plenty for the experienced or every day user as well. But we will be starting this year with some basics to build upon over the next year! Depending on feedback and subject content once it is all finished this series might continue into Feb or March.<in progress, please let me know now if you have suggestions for topics!>

February: To go along with the romance of the season, I plan on bringing some great tips for finding, interviewing and hiring a wedding photographer. I will also touch on some guidelines, contacts, expectations and general etiquette. <in progress, please let me know now if you have suggestions for topics!>

March and April: I am not sure it will be any sort of series, but this is a good time to cover some outdoor photography topics, macro, and possibly some family ideas. I will probably take this time to push forward and build on skills such as aperture and lens options since it goes so well with outdoor and macro topics.

 

May: I want to do a Mothers Day "something" perhaps this will be a good time for a guest giveaway, and end of the school year photography sessions and tips. Maybe, Road Tripping series?

June/ July: Will be tips for finding a family photographer, high school senior images, and more on posing and such for those shooting themselves.

August: Back to school

September/ October: Family portraits and sports photography. More advanced lens, shutter speed and manual trainings... perhaps additional flash if it hasn't yet been done.

November/ December: Holiday, Food, and seasonal photography.

You can also count on more Tuesday Tips, which will not always go with the topics of the month, and will remain a chance for me to get technical in response to your questions. As well as more product photography tips for everyone, and hopefully more crafts and food posts. As always, there will be plenty of current topics when PMA happens, and as new camera's and products are released!

I am also looking forward to bringing in some guest posters, not all photography related, and getting back to offering more reviews of photography outings and events. If your interested in doing some guest posting with me this year - please let me know! 

Well there you have it... a year ahead.. some plans made and I have updated my calendar with these goals so I can work on them ahead of time! I hope to, like in my business, stay ahead by a season (or a topic, here) so you are never without new content. This will make it easier also for me to simply add in current events and thoughts as they strike me rather then spending all my scheduled blogging time on the lengthy technical posts. 

Cheers!

Color in Motion

Today I am going outside our normal "box" here at Verte. Something that has become very close to my heart has been the education and groups supporting girls. So it was quite surprising one morning when I found an email from Morgan introducing herself to me and asking if I could help her get the word out about this project. After doing some research on both the event and the charity it supports... how could I say no!  While I am not a runner, I am seriously thinking of going to the event and doing a follow up for all of you - I mean just LOOK at these fun images! How could that not be a blast!!!! **Disclaimer - I have not been to this event - so none of these images are mine - they were given to me to use by Morgan from Color in Motion!

So, I am super excited to turn this post over to my first guest poster, who can share with you more about the event and how you can help support a local charity "Girls on the Run"

Hey friends! Do you want to have more fun this winter with your family? This is Morgan from Color in Motion 5k to tell you about an event that you are guaranteed to have a blast at and offer Verte Photo readers an awesome deal for the Color in Motion 5k fun run on February 2. This race also benefits the local Houston charity, Girls on the Run. 

**Use the discount code- VERTEPHOTO to register and get 10% off race registration at colorinmotion5k.com/event/Houston.**

Girls on the Run, the charity that we will be helping with this fun event benefits girls between 3rd and 8th grade and helps "inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running." 

So what is Color in Motion 5k? Color in Motion 5k is the most fun 5k race you will ever participate in. This is is not a timed race so run, walk, jog, whatever your prefer. I don’t know about you but I’m always looking for ways to have more fun. If you can combine having fun with exercise, friends and a great cause, I’m all in. What more could you want? Colorful photos? You can get plenty of those as well.

If you are not familiar with Color in Motion 5k, here’s how it works.

Come in white clothes and start moving.

At every kilometer of the race there is a color pit where our wonderful volunteers throw powder color on what we call, Color Chasers, as they go by turning your white clothes into a palette of color. Like these Color Chasers

What also makes Color in Motion different than your average 5k race is the after party. Afterwards there is a big party with music, dancing, vendors and a color throw.

Doesn’t that look fun? Having participated in one, I can promise you this is an event you DEFINITELY don’t want to miss out on. While pets are not allowed, this is an event I promise your husband/wife, boyfriend, kids, and friends will LOVE.

So what do you have to do to join in on this fun? Go to colorinmotion5k.com/event/Houston and sign up using VERTEPHOTO to get 10% off, bring your friends and get ready to have a great time and support a great cause while doing it. We are excited to see yo covered in color on February 2!

A Sweet Giveaway

Our lovley sponsor and my client Kim at Sweetsie's is hosting a giveaway! I was super excited to offer a very timely product for her to giveaway and I wanted to be sure each of you saw that you had a chance to win a little something from me... and a VERY big something from her! Oh yea... and some other great prizes from many other wonderful ladies! So here is the info and the links!

Thanks again Kim for offering this great opportunity for a lucky viewer! 

 <<Kim's post>>
Hello Everyone!  I have reached 100 followers and I'm so blessed and so very excited!  I've gained a few more since then!  Thank you, thank you!

So in honor of gaining enough followers and out of appreciation I, and a few of my good bloggy friends, have put together a little Give-A-Way!

Please join us and may the luckiest person win!

One winner takes all!!!

First of all, I will be giving away a {Sweetsie}Sampler!  Wait, not just one, but two!  One for you and one delivered to your friend or just keep both for yourself!!

Who doesn't love those personalized holiday cards?  Well, this is one that will beat even the best of the best!  Verte Photography is offering a card design to match your personality!

Next is Ms. Holli from over at Holli's Hoots and Hollers!  Holli has this beautiful unique ornament by one of her favorite artists that she is offering up for this special give-a-way!

And last but certainly not least is Pamela from Pamela's Heavenly Treats!  She is including some wonderful Ad Space to show you off!

Now that you've seen these wonderful prizes, get goin' on entering this Little but Certainly not Skimpy Give-A-Way!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Holiday Photoshoot: Reveal!

I had a BLAST writting my 10 days of Thoughtful photo series and I promised to reveal my own Holiday Card this year!

I also have been doing some guest posting around some blogs, and decided to challenge myself a bit. I didn't use any studio lighting, or equipment. In fact, I used a sheet from the resale store, and a "kit" lens that I had around! I also didn't use my background holder - I taped it to a wall, worked in my office (which didn't allow for much room to shoot), and I tried to use the tips that I specifically gave during that series!

This was TOUGH! I did use my bounce flash, with a white piece of foam core as a bounce which I hand held while shooting which was a tip from one of my lighting posts.

I picked our theme...

I picked our color pallet

I also came up with a fun take on what I wanted: Picked up some supplies... big brushes, paint, drop cloth to put under so paint didn't get on the wall or carpet, a sheet to paint on (that I am recycling into a fun new backdrop for my studio) and of course a new dress good for Thanksgiving this week also!

I set up the studio in the morning and then did a bath after lunch, so she could have new nail polish and pretty hair. (working without a time frame helped us a LOT)

I picked a day where this was ALL I had to do, no running to the store, no big dinner to cook... no other stress.

I even let her pick the first 2 outfits to shoot in, so she could have some fun playing "pop star" and "model"

Then I got her changed and broke out the paints!

I let her go to town!

I didn't pose

I turned on some music... and the paintbrushes became drum sticks...

We even changed the hair to take on her "rock" style.

and now... I can't choose!

Want to help?! Vote for which card you would use! Since most family/friends see photos of her often I don't mind sending the more artsy one with the paintbrush where her face is blurred. But I also love the other... it is just her! Crazy kid. So help me choose! Leave a comment and vote which one you like the most!