***MILKPRESS BLOG THEMES are LIVE! Our webinar on Wednesday went so well and you had SO many questions about how to implement these that we have set up another webinar at 1pm PST today (Thursday) to give you the need to know! You can join us by registering here: Webinar Registration***
Today is a VERY exciting day for several reasons. The biggest one is that today, MILKPRESS BLOG THEMES are launching! I helped to design them, and Nick of Spilled Milk Designs did the heavy lifting in making an idea into reality. He's a genius. Like, a real genius. Geniuses are cool.
Why is this important?
Well, one of the most frequently asked questions I get is, "Where did you get your blog"? My blog is by Brock at Infinet Design, with the graphic design by Tim at Reddoor. In my opinion, those two companies are the absolute top of the line, and the best investment I've made in my business.
HOWEVER, to a newer photographer starting out, I would not in any way encourage you to spend the kind of money they cost before you know and understand yourself, your brand, and what you want your place in the industry to be. They are an amazing investment when you have the means and direction to invest, and not a second before. Spending 4-5 figures on a customized web presence is only good when you have a very clear idea about what you want that presence to be.
Therefore, the question I get asked really is, "How do I get STARTED with a blogsite or a website?" and the answer unequivocally is,MILKPRESS BLOG THEMES!They are designed to work with Showit and Wordpress to give you complete control over ever element including colors, fonts, categories, text, photos, patterns, etc. etc. etc. Plus they're super easy to use. Since I myself am a definite non-genius, this is most important to me!
Unlike a regular Wordpress theme, you get to move around any part of these designs using Showit Sites as your editor. For all of you who have never done any programming (like myself--I can't keep any of that stuff straight!), Showit literally makes it possible for you to program and design a website without having to know a single thing about what programming is! All you have to know is, "I want this tab to say "bio", and, "i want this one to be pink!".
Here's a little sneak peek of one of the themes (I LOVE this one!):
These themes are launching at 1:00PM PST TODAY, and you can find out all about them by joining us on a FREE live webinar at that time! Go ahead, get registered now, and come chat with Nick, me, and the team of people who are going to get you all the details and info you need to know!
Whew, am I ever glad that WPPI is over! While in one sense, it is my absolute favorite week of the year, the smoke and general "ick" of Vegas seems to cling to me long after I return home. Also the laundry--let's just say it's almost unbearable :)
One thing that I do LOVE about WPPI though is that it is an incredible opportunity to meet and reconnect with so many of you! Even though I must have had hundreds of conversations, I know that there were also many people I didn't get to see or chat with, which makes me sad.
Another thing I love about WPPI is the chance to learn from so many amazing speakers, many of whom I consider friends. I only wish that there was MORE time to hear them and chat with them face to face, instead of being swallowed in a sea of people the second they step off the stage.
What I think really sets ESCALATE apart is the fact that the 7 speakers each represent a completely different aspect of the industry. Being able to learn what they have to offer all in one shot is really a unique experience. Plus, you can't beat the price!! It's SUPER inexpensive--only $179 for the first group that registers and $249 after that, and what you get is two FULL days packed with awesomeness.
Not to mention that the people speaking are freaking incredible (myself excepted, of course!):
Jerry Ghonis
Becker
Jasmine Star
Dane Sanders
Jeremy Cowart
David Jay
These things are the reasons why I am SO excited to announce ESCALATE, which will take place right here in Newport Beach on May 17-18!!
I'm so honored to be able to stand up with some of the people I respect most in this industry, and in front of the people who attend!
Even though each of our individual pieces are only that--a small part, we are hoping to create a WHOLE bigger than the sum of it's parts. The thing I absolutely am most excited for is being able to have connections and conversations during the time that I am not speaking, and as a bonus, in a smoke-free, less distracting environment!
Seriously, run, don't walk to get a ticket to this thing. It will be, in a word, EPIC!
And because you've made it this far, here's a shot of the amazing JP & Kris Ann Elario's wedding that I shot last week in Albany. More coming soon!
I hope to see you all at **ESCALATE 2010!!!!!**! Shout it out in the comments if you're with me!
**make sure to select Jessica Claire from the drop down menu when checking out!**
The cool thing is that my good friend Doug over at Totally Rad Actions has come up with his latest beauty--Lightroom Presets! He showed me a demo the other day and I was absolutely SHOCKED at how amazing they are. He must be some sort of crazy genius to be able to make something that can turn your photos into works of gorgeousness that easily. I'm not surprised though, because the actions have completely revolutionized the way I process my photos--I can't imagine my photo world without them! To snag the Lightroom Presets or the Totally Rad Actions, click the banner below:
Also, just to be clear, I do receive an affiliate commission when someone buys the actions after seeing them on this blog. That is not why I endorse them--there are lots of companies out there offering such commissions that I would never promote. I promote them because I LOVE the way they make my photos look, and that's all. I have a similar program available if you are interested in promoting SHOOTSACâ„¢ Lens Bags or HIpslips because you love them and they has changed your life and the way you shoot. If you're interested, email me here: flamingo@shootsac.com
As for something cold, here's another little ditty from the snowy shoot last week (more coming very soon, I promise!!) This cake is by Melody with My Sweet And Saucy and the shoot itself was styled by Jesi Haack!
I used the Totally Rad Actions on this photo, Yin/Yang, and Pool Party at 30%!
It's been sunny every single day for the past several months in Orange County. So when Cortnie of I Love Lollipops, the spectacular event design and coordination team that conceptualized and styled my most recent workshop told me ten days in advance that it might rain that day, my reaction was, "Come on Cortnie, they can't predict the weather"!
Wrong.
For ONCE, they actually did predict the weather correctly, because the morning of my workshop, for the first time in weeks, possibly MONTHS, it rained. And rained. And rained. Our gorgeous location--CLOSED. Our backup location: A mudslide. So off we went to backup location #3 (bet you're impressed that there was one), with the Lolliladies handling every bump in the road like absolute angels sent from heaven.
And the workshop was a raging success.
Here's a little sneak peek--more to come next week both here and on Style Me Pretty!
The gorgeous Troy and Aimee Grover were the models, along with beautiful bridesmaid Lindye Galloway (not pictured here)
The Lolliladies are. so. completely. amazing. I love them. Seriously:
Want to know when things are happening? Sun. November 22, 2009
**this post will be pinned to the top of the blog for a little while, so for all new posts, scroll down!!**
I have some big things in the works, so get on the mailing list NOW so you won't be left out in the cold! I will be emailing this list FIRST when announcing all new things such as workshops, new Jessica Claire STYLE items, and others. Trust me, you do not want to be left out. Make sure to confirm the email you'll receive to your inbox once you sign up!
.gif)
View 22 comments for this post
