Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts

3 Reasons To Use The Best Product Photography Services In California

Displaying high-quality product photos on your e-commerce website can boost your chances of driving high sales. Professional photos eliminate the fear that customers may have about products not meeting their requirements. Impressing a first-time buyer is easy if your product photos give consumers detailed information on the item's pattern, colour, shape, and style. About 22% of online products get returned to the seller because the item looks completely different from the photos. Hiring experienced California product photographers is essential if you want your business to record higher sales, more conversions, and improved brand awareness.

Why Use Product Photography California Services?


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Photos have the power to create a lasting impact because they are natural and visual representations of a product. As a popular saying goes, " A picture says a thousand words." Statistics show that about 93% of consumers prioritize visual appearance as a crucial factor when buying products. One stunning website product photo is worth a thousand website visitors. Here are some good reasons to invest in California's best product photography service providers.

1. Enhance Your Brands' Reputation

High-end product photos cast a good image of your business. Product photography is one long-term investment strategy that can uplift your brand reputation. A professionally created product picture showcases your business as a trusted, creative, and innovative company. Investing in premium product photography services in California will help convince clients that your business cares for customers' needs and wants. It will also help foster brand loyalty and repeat purchases. Beyond highlighting your product quality, professional photos also reflect your business credibility.

2. Increase Sales

Product images can help boost your sales because buyers are naturally attracted to appealing things. Therefore, you can use them to create a moment of truth as customers browse through your product catalogue. Many consumers can get distracted in this digital landscape. Only a few people have the patience to read text or product descriptions. Therefore, consider working with the leading product photography California service providers to instantly grab consumers' attention and maximize sales on your online store.

3. Set A High Standard Of Product Quality

Expertly taken and effective product photos engage viewers with the twinkle of an eye. Once you balance the image quality concerning colour, concept, and subject, it will resonate with the audience. Businesses that want to establish long-term relationships with clients can utilise professional product photography services in CA to realize their goals.

Setting a high standard of product photography is easy if you get in touch with California's best product photographers such as Square Shot. Promote your unique selling point and distinguish your e-commerce business from others by creating superior product photos. You can also use professional images for banners for offline advertising. Offline retail stores can please the eyes of buyers with good quality photos.

One of the smartest decisions you can make to scale your company's growth in this digital age is to invest in high-quality e-commerce product photography. Are you a California business owner looking for the best professional product photography services in California? Connect with SquareShot now to make your product photos stand out from the crowded e-commerce landscape.

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5 DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH AS A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

 If you’re passionate about taking stunning photographs and telling stories with images, then you’ve probably thought about becoming a professional photographer and starting your own photography business. Having a career in photography sounds like a dream come true, as your work will revolve around what you love doing the most. However, there’s more to the photography industry than taking awe-inspiring photos and using the latest equipment. You also have to consider the important documents you need to ensure that you’re running a legal business in the UK.

Although drafting or filing legally binding documents is a lot of hard work, it’s a necessary step to build trust with your customers. Such documents also protect your business from various risks like loss of money, defamation, and legal disputes. Finally, proper documentation ensures that your business is duly registered and legal to conduct business in the country.

With these in mind, it’s in your best interest to familiarise yourself with the following paperwork to fill out and file when starting your photography business.

Business Registration

photographer


Even though there isn’t a specific photography licence that will authorise you to operate your business in the UK, you must still register your business with the appropriate local authorities. This process involves choosing a business structure to ensure that you’re complying with the regulations that govern your specific type of photography service. Depending on how you run your photographer-for-hire business or photography studio London citizens can rent, you can register your business under one of two types of structures: sole trader or limited company.

When you register your business as a sole trader, it means that you’re self-employed and you operate your business as an individual. Under this structure, you get to keep all of your business’s profits, but only after you’ve paid tax on them. Your responsibilities will include keeping all of your business records and records of expenses, sending a Self Assessment tax return every year, and paying income tax on your profits; you also need Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance. Additionally, you have to follow certain rules when naming your business. As a sole trader, your business name must not be offensive and should not include certain titles such as “limited,” “LLP,” “PLC,” and the like. Visit the official UK government website to learn more.

If you’re registering your business as a limited company, on the other hand, it means that you’re setting it up with a partner or team. Doing so gives you a clear separation of your business’s finances from your own personal expenses. You can choose from two types of limited companies: limited by shares and limited by guarantee. The former is usually for businesses that make a profit. These businesses have shares and shareholders, and they’re allowed to keep any of their profits after paying taxes. The latter, on the other hand, is usually for businesses that are “not for profit.” This means that these types of businesses have a “guaranteed amount” and guarantors instead of shares and shareholders. They also invest any profit they make back into their respective companies.

Once you’ve decided on the type of limited company your business falls under, you can start the registration process. During this step, you’re required to choose a name, choose the directors and company secretary, and decide who the shareholders or guarantors are. Click here for a more in-depth view of the process.

Photography Permit

Certain locations in the UK may have restrictions or guidelines for commercial photography. Thus, before setting up a shoot at any location that you don’t own, it's prudent to check with the relevant authorities or landowners if you need to secure specific permits so that you can use the area for your photoshoots. Obtaining these permits showcases your commitment to operating ethically and within the legal framework. It also helps in avoiding any potential legal consequences and contributes to the overall positive image of your photography business.

Examples of locations where you might need a permit include historical sites, national parks, and urban areas. Special events, like festivals or parades, may also necessitate permits for commercial photography.

Model Release Form

A model release form serves as the legal agreement in which the individuals being photographed are giving you, the photographer, their permission to use their images for various purposes. This form typically includes details such as the names of the individuals, the specific ways in which the images will be used (commercial, promotional, etc.), and the duration for which the consent is granted. By having the individuals sign this document, you’re protecting yourself from any potential legal complications that may arise from the use of the models’ images. It also establishes transparency and trust between you and your models, showing a commitment to ethical photography practices.

Photography Contracts

Photography contracts play a pivotal role in establishing expectations. They ensure that everyone involved in the process is on the same page, protecting the interests of both the photographer and the client. The terms and conditions of the contracts may depend on the type of photography service you offer. Let’s have a look at three examples to give you an idea of what you should include in yours.

  • Wedding Contract. This type of contract should cover details such as the date, location, hours of coverage, and any specific shots requested by the client. Terms regarding payment schedules, cancellation policies, and the delivery timeline for the final images should also be clearly outlined.
  • Album Contract. If you offer album services, a separate contract specifying the type of album, design process, and delivery timelines is essential. It should also contain details about additional costs for revisions or extra pages to ensure transparency.
  • Portrait Photography Contract. Portrait sessions may vary, and a tailored contract is crucial for setting expectations. Include details about the location, duration, and any specific requests from the client. Clarify the number of edited images they can expect and the delivery timeframe.

Contract Amendments

When unexpected circumstances or mutually agreed-upon changes occur, a contract amendment allows you to modify specific terms without the need for an entirely new agreement. This can include changes in the photoshoot schedule, additional services requested by the client, or adjustments to the pricing structure. Simply put, a contract amendment provides you with the flexibility needed to accommodate changes while maintaining a clear legal framework.

When making contract amendments, clearly outline the changes being made, reference the original contract, and have both parties sign the document. This ensures that everyone involved is aware of and consents to the modifications, preventing misunderstandings or disputes down the line.

There are a lot of documents you have to acquire or file before you can open your photography business, and being aware of some of them can make the process easier for you. When you already know what to expect, you can confidently fill out necessary forms, as well as write legal agreements that benefit all parties involved. As a result, you can rest assured that your business is operating smoothly and legally.

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5 Ideas To Make Your Photographs Look Unique

Whether you’re a keen amateur or an experienced professional, as a photographer you’ll undoubtedly want to capture images that are stunning and unique, and also worthy of showing off in high quality photo enlargements.

If you usually snap family and friends and are looking for some inspiration to give your photography style an upgrade, here are 5 excellent ideas to make your photos really stand out…

1. Try A New Photography Genre



One of the easiest ways to give your photo skills a style makeover is to try your hand at a brand new photography genre.

If you’re in the habit of taking portrait shots of friends and family members, step out of your comfort zone and give landscape or wildlife photography a go. Pack up your gear and go and explore the beauty of nature and wildlife in the great outdoors. If you’re a confident photographer of breathtaking panoramas, hone your photography skills by capturing candid moments at weddings and social events.

You can also further explore your favourite photography genre by updating your techniques. As a seasoned portrait photographer, you can upgrade your skill by taking snaps of people who are strangers, or by focusing on babies or elderly individuals. Improve your style by creating unique photos that display attractive images that are full of character.

Challenging how you view the world through your camera lens is a way to create unique images. You can use a new shooting angle to give your favourite photography genre subject matter a fresh visual perspective. Once you’ve taken a selection of snaps, you can also be creative about your cropping and presentation.

2. Recreate Iconic Images



As a photography fan, you probably have an array of iconic images that have made you wonder about how they were captured on film. By trying to recreate a favourite photo, you can learn a great deal about the art of photography and which techniques enhance your own style.

Choose an iconic image or subject, and set up the scenery or props to enable you to recreate the photo. Add your own visual modifications and twists, to ensure that the captured image is totally unique, and doesn’t infringe copyright laws. While you’re learning the same skills that the original photographer used, you’ll also be capturing an image that is uniquely yours.

If you’re proud of the results of your iconic recreation, print photo enlargements of your version of the famous photo, with additional shots taken at the shoot. Frame and display the photos on an accent wall, and enjoy the complimentary comments from your family and friends.

3. Make The Most Of The Changing Seasons



The changing of the seasons offers unlimited opportunities for an avid photographer to try their hand at capturing breathtaking and unique photos. Don’t restrict yourself to taking snaps on sunny days. If you want to build an impressive photography portfolio, take advantage of the opportunity to photograph landscapes and scenery in different weather conditions, and from angles that deliver a refreshingly new point of view.

Each season has its own unique palette of glorious colours that you can show off in stunning photo enlargements. Season themed shoots are also good for developing your favourite photography genre. If you love to capture wildlife in natural habitats, you can explore the migration and behaviours of animals throughout the changing seasons.

4. Create A Photo Series



An alternative way of making your photos look unique can be inspired by the method in which you choose to display your work. Instead of taking tons of snaps and filling up the pages of a photo book in a random fashion, you can create a unique photo series arrangement that tells a story.

You can start a photo-per-day project, to highlight a person, place or object that is visually striking and appealing to you, every day. If you want to challenge yourself, and develop your photographer’s eye, commit to creating a photo series that boasts a single underlying theme. Pick a colour or subject matter, and photograph it in a variety of different ways, and at different times of the days. Focusing on a single colour creates shots that are visually consistent and aesthetically pleasing.

Tell a story through a sequence of images that document growth or destruction. Use your imagination to explore the background of a particular image, so that your collection of photos reveals a story when presented in a personalised photo album.

5. Go Poster Size



There are unlimited photo opportunities available for you to practice your skills, and to capture unique images. Think about your personal interests, passions and hobbies, if you need inspiration for something to photograph.

Use new techniques, different lens and lighting to get out of a photography rut, and to produce uniquely creative, striking and eye-catching images that you’re proud of. Play around with reflections to add depth and structure to your cityscape street life photos. Look out for shadows that add an air of mystery and drama to your portraits. Try out different apertures to enhance subject matter or background focus.

Study the composition of the different elements that you can see through the lens. You may spot a detail that is worth enhancing with photo enlargements. Super-sizing your favourite image to poster dimensions is a great way to ensure that your photography gets noticed.

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7 Easy Ways To Improve Your Photography in 2019

We live in a very visual age, and many of us love recording our memories. With the advent of digital cameras, smartphones and social media, it is now easier than ever before to take photos and also share them with our friends at a click of a button. These photos, however, can still be out of focus or badly framed, so here are 7 easy ways to improve your photography in 2019.

1. Equipment

Technology has come on so far that even the most basic smartphone and simple compact cameras can take decent photos. However, if you are looking to buy a more advanced camera I would always say by the best you can afford.  

 If you do want to buy a camera look at the newest (professional) full frame mirrorless cameras. Getting rid of the mirrors traditionally placed inside high-end cameras get the lens closer to the sensor and pave the way to several innovations, making the camera lighter, and more compact. Another alternative is a DSLR camera with interchangeable lenses. There are many options so do your research and check out non-biased reviews on a consumer site such as Which. 

 2. Practice


Whether you have a state of the art camera or your smartphone the important thing is to practice. Take your smartphone or camera everywhere and practice. Only practice will help you improve your photography skills.

 Practice in different lighting conditions, at different times of days with different subjects. Once you have got the basics, take your camera off the auto setting and try out all the different settings. Check out natural lighting for day time photography and look into how to take photos indoors and in low lighting conditions. Some of the best light is at dawn or dusk when the light is softer and less harsh - often called the 'golden hour'.

3. Subject


Take photos of interesting subjects, perhaps a person with an interesting or strange look, a subject that looks out of place in their surroundings, a building that is unique or quirky. Candid photos of people unposed look more natural, perhaps deep in conversation, be discreet when taking photos yet don't forget to ask permission.

 A subject that will pique the interest of your viewer will make your photos much more interesting. 

4. Composition


The 'rule of thirds' is one of the most basic skills a photographer can learn. If you think of a photo divided up into a grid and then place your subject at an intersection it can add interest to your photo as a person's eye goes naturally to one of the thirds in an image. I like this photo that I took in Doha above as your eye is drawn to the top right third of the photo. 

 Try a different angle as most photos come from the same head on an angle so try a different perspective or a different angle. Get on the floor if you can taking a photo of a young child for example, or get up on a chair and look down on your subject. Different angles will add interest.

 Look at shape, form, texture, pattern and colour to make the photo stand out. Maybe your subject is reflected in a river or water, or the pattern on a building design is unique. Exclude clutter and be sure the observer knows what the subject is.

5. Stability


No one wants shaky photos that will be blurred so be sure to have a steady hand when taking that perfect shot. A tripod is a great addition to your camera kit, and you can even get a tripod for a phone. This will help you in low lighting conditions to produce a sharp photo. Tripods don't have to be huge either, many are lightweight, and they will all fold up so you can carry them.

 You can always steady your arm on a table if a tripod isn't available. 

6. Edit


 If all else fails you can always improve your photo with a good editing package. I use Picmonkey online which I pay a small amount for every month. Adobe Photoshop is an excellent software package when you want a bigger array of editing tools. There are also a number of apps available to edit photos such as Snapseed. 

7. Support


 If you find that you are not improving and everything isn't working, don't forget that YouTube is your friend. There are many online photo tutorials out there but seeing how exactly to take a great photo in a YouTube tutorial is a brilliant way of leaning.

 Another excellent way of learning is to join a photography club or course. These can be online or in real life and they can offer support and camaraderie as well as be a great way of improving your skills.

 So here are 7 easy ways to improve your photography in 2019. Do you have any tips on how to improve your photos, have any of these tips helped you?

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The Latest Craze Sweeping Weddings!

Whether it was a disposable camera left on the table in the ’90s or a traditional photo booth in the noughties there has always been a desire for guests to capture their own fun pictures when celebrating a wedding.

The photo booth industry is thriving with new innovations been developed annually, one of which was the new Magic Selfie Mirror.

This differs from its predecessors quite significantly and offers many more advantages than were previously available to clients.

Like any other photo booth, it comes packed with all the usual functionality. It will take pictures of you and your guests, they can be shared to email, SMS and social media and it will print them! But let's talk about where this product really stands out.

Firstly, it looks striking, and from first glance, it's like looking at a large mirror as you can’t see any of the magic that lies under the hood. It is interactive and guided by animations, so you and your guests are entertained throughout the process. It also takes up a lot less space should this be a consideration for your venue. You can draw, sign and even put emojis on the prints which add that little extra customisation. 

All this sounds great, right? But here is the real selling point for weddings, unlike any other product on the market its portrait! So, unlike the sometimes-limited traditional photo booth, you get to see more than just the head and shoulders of a subject and capture those beautiful wedding dresses in their glory. Also, should you have wheelchair users or children coming? No problem as it's portrait, it will capture everything!

So, there you have it, the Magic Selfie Mirror, over at My Fun Photo Booth.  They offer photo booth hire in Surrey, Sussex, Kent and London and it will certainly take centre stage at weddings up and down the country, and if you are in the US try Fort Worth Photo Booth Rental


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How to Make Your Product Photos Really Pop

Whether you are selling jewellery and accessories you make yourself or trying to market other products as part of your online venture, attracting customers with good product information is important. Aside from good and clear product descriptions, you need stunning product photos.



Great product photos can really stop potential customers in their tracks. Stunning photos can even be the deciding factor in the customers’ journey. That is why in this article, we are going to learn how you can produce product photos that really pop. Let’s get started, shall we?

Clarity Is King

One of the mistakes many still make when producing product photos is stylising the photos too much. I know that it is important to have a signature style and to stay in tune with what the customers love to see, but you must never forget the basics.

In fact, stylising your product photos too much – by adding multiple filters or altering the colours – isn’t always a good idea. When the colour of the product gets changed in the photos, for example, customers could end up being disappointed.

What you want is a clear and sharp image of your product; a photo that really accentuates the positive features of the product. Add additional photos to reveal different angles and to focus on details of the product to complete the set.

Set the Light

Lighting isn’t something you want to take lightly when producing product photos. Any product photographer will tell you just how crucial nailing the lighting setup is when capturing photos of products. The right setup can really make a product shines and look appealing.

The same tip is used in other industries as well. Pay closer attention to food photos used by top restaurants and you will notice similarities in the way those photos use light to make the star dish look incredibly tasty.

In the case of jewellery, a still life photographer can use a lot of light sources, reflectors, blockers, and other tools just to get the shine and the shadows absolutely perfect.

Work with a Pro



Speaking of experienced still life photographers, it is also a good idea to work with a professional in producing stunning product photos. The process of creating product photos that can really make an impact is easier when you work with top names like Howlett Photography. Working as a still life photographer in London, Howlett’s clients include some of the biggest brands in the country which include Pandora and Marks and Spencer. Working with a professional such as this is a lot more effective than you may think.

For starters, you don’t have to worry about losing sales due to bad photos. You can also save on photography lighting production costs since there will be no reshoots to fix mistakes.

At the same time, you get a lot of value in return. Great product photos aren’t just good for sales. They are also great for boosting the value of your brand. Certain brands are even known for the way they photograph their products, earning them bigger exposure than ever.

It’s all in the details. Making product photos pop and really appealing is about attending to the details, using the right lighting setup, and capturing the photos with complete clarity. At the end of the day, you can simplify the whole process by working with a professional product photographer.

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A Simple Guide To Starting With Travel Photography

We all like to document our travels these days, and with the smartphone being the ultimate portable camera more of us are doing it than ever. 

 I don't know about you but so many of my personal memories are intrinsically linked to the places I have been, the people I have met and the photos I have taken. Taking that perfect photo to remember those moments, to share with family and friends and on social media is what many of us strive to do. 
Nice old town
I do feel it's important though to live in the moment too and not get obsessed with creating perfection. After all, even if your photo isn't the best there is a plethora of editing software available that can help you crop, highlight, saturate, and sharpen. 
From the Top Of The Rock New York

If you are starting to get serious about travel photography though, you may want to buy a good quality camera, such as a mirrorless or SLR camera as they are more flexible and better in low lighting conditions like an Olympus Pen or Canon EOS. 

 Once you have that perfect camera, picking that destination for amazing photography is the next important thing. My favourite destinations for fabulous photos include the stunning landscapes of Iceland, the French and Italian-influenced architecture of Nice and the iconic skyline of New York.
A glacier hike in Iceland 

If you don't know where to start, here is an essential guide by Clifton Cameras, on what to what to pack, travel considerations and best destinations to get that perfect travel photograph.

  An Essential Guide to Travel Photography

If you are looking to upgrade your camera check out the range by Clifton Cameras including Canon, Olympus and Sony Cameras. My camera of choice is an Olympus Pen whilst Mr W loves his Canon EOS 80 D.

 Tell me, do you like taking travel photos? What is your favourite destination for fantastic travel pics?
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Helloprint - Perfect For All Your Photo Needs.

Photos mean so much to me. I am always capturing my life through a lens - from my son's first day at school to him winning an award for art at 16, to our family holidays to Orlando and my travels with my husband now that my son has grown up. Finding a site to get affordable good quality prints of my favourite photos with great colour rendition is always tricky but recently Helloprint asked me to collaborate with them to check out their website and report back for my readers. 
Who are Helloprint?


The brand started in 2013 - launched by four young guys with their dream to own a photo business - and now boasts more than 150 team members who come from over 20 different countries. The Helloprint platform is live in eight different countries and is visited by millions of people each year. The brand has nine core values: do what you promise, show flammable passion, be hungry, enjoy the ride, act energetic, powerful and fast, solve it, design yourself, make friends and be in it to win it. They hope to deliver on all of them to each customer. Helloprint are also one of the fastest growing e-commerce platforms in Europe and they even won the Deloitte Fast 50 Rising Star of 2016.

So what is the site like? When it comes to photo printing, I want the site I use to be simple and easy to use. I pride myself on being quite tech savvy but I like my sites to be as user-friendly as possible so anyone can use them. I want my photos to be crisp and good quality - like these photos from New York. So do they deliver?



Helloprint is incredibly easy to use - you can quickly find the specific product you are looking for or enter the design studio to create your own personalised products such as leaflets or business cards. The company are great because they offer such a wide variety of products from packaging to Point of Sale items to home items to clothing - they have pretty much anything you could ever wish for. 



They sell such a variety of items that you are bound to find what you are looking for. Whether you are looking for items for a business (business cards, business stationery, document bags or even brochures), something for the home (umbrellas, beanies, bomber jackets) or some specific stationery (birth announcements, wedding invitations, letterheads), Helloprint probably have what you need. They cater to every consumer - from big businesses to a new mum at home wanting to let everyone know that her baby has arrived. They are a relevant brand for everyone and offer some items that you probably didn’t even know you needed - printed balloons or printed water bottles aren’t your everyday item but are definitely needed at times!


What makes them so special though?
  • You are getting good quality products at an extremely affordable price. 
  • They really do go the extra mile - offering a free artwork check for example
  • In the unlikely event that you have a problem, they are readily available for customer service. 
  • They offer free delivery on all products - you don’t have to meet any minimum threshold for the free delivery which is refreshing.
  • The brand is also rated as excellent on Trustpilot, which is not something every brand can claim to have!

For the quality and the affordability, Helloprint are a brand I would certainly use in the future. They really have covered all bases with the number of items they offer without skimping on quality. Far too many brands offer plenty of items and plenty of promises but cannot deliver upon them - Helloprint are different and this is reflected in their Trustpilot rating. I will definitely be considering them next time I need some items for work - they really do offer everything - and decent quality items always help impress when it comes to business.

What printed items do you utilise in your personal or business life?

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High Quality Photo Service Artsy Couture Review and Giveaway Ends November 8th

Artsy Couture is a website with simple goals - to provide the consumer with the highest quality, most innovative photo products at amazing price points.

Starting out in 2012 in a small two-car garage with just a dream, many sleepless nights and one product, the company was built and launched for the professional photography market. Based in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA, they now operate out of two production facilities and are run by a fantastic team.

Artsy Couture has evolved over time and today is a full-service boutique photo lab that offers an array of premium products, for the professional photographer as well as the average person taking photos for a hobby. They ensure that the quality of the products are exceptional and strive to bring innovative products to their consumers on a regular basis.

I’ve been taking a look at the site recently and have really been liking what they have to offer. So much so that I have created a wishlist of the items I think I would most like in and around my home.

 Canvas Wrap



With a solid wood base and the tightest cleanest corners you’ll ever see on a canvas, these canvas wraps look amazing and I would love one in my home - it would be a hard decision to pick which photo to put on it though! Do I choose a family picture, perhaps a picture of my son, or do I choose one of the many scenes from our travels? The choice is very tough!

These wraps come with a thick black backing that comes standard with hanging hardware and wall bumpers meaning it is ready to hang. The product also has a UV-free protective coating which means it can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

Custom USB Drive


As a blogger and freelancer, USB and hard drives are a staple part of my equipment. What better way to set my USB drive apart from the rest than with a custom USB drive? You can choose between 8GB or 16GB and you can choose from wood or standard (durable plastic). They are around the size of a standard business card and will make a real talking point - you could use your photographic images or perhaps even your logo on it!

Professional Photo Prints


We all love a good photo print, don’t we? It is easy to see why professional photographers value Artsy Couture so much. Using only the highest quality Kodak Endura professional papers (with the choice of Lustre - a satin-like sheen with a modestly textured surface - or Metallic - a high-gloss paper with distinctive pearlescent finish), the papers are meant to be enjoyed for a lifetime.

What I love best is that there are so many ways you can customise your prints - from choosing one of the aforementioned paper types to perhaps even adding a linen texture to your prints which gives them a deep linen quality finish and a fine art feel.

There’s even a variety of mounting choices - you can choose from 100% eco-friendly bamboo to styrene and more. You could even purchase a custom presentation box to store your prints in.

These would be great not only for a professional photographer for your clients but also for someone just like me - a mother, a blogger, and someone who loves travelling. I am always taking photos so it would be nice to have some hard copies of my memories to look through.

Custom Photo Albums


These photo albums are absolutely incredible - with genuine Italian leather album covers and embossing available in black, silver or gold, these albums really do scream luxury. Buyers can choose between two premium paper types - deep matte photo paper (a 100% non-reflective paper with an elegant and smooth finish) or lustre photo paper (showcases the colours and contrasts that a glossy print would have but without a reflective glare). This would be perfect for storing all my memories from the travels I have gone on with my husband - although I would probably be tempted to buy one for each trip we went on!

With the choice of two different paper types, two different sizes, six different covers and four different page counts, you can really create a unique product personal to you. It is little wonder photographers are using Artsy Couture when they are producing premium good quality unique products such as this.

The Artsy Couture website certainly has a lot to offer consumers.  - whilst their original goal was to provide photographers with high-quality innovative photo products at affordable price points, they’ve definitely achieved that and more - and I can see people such as myself and my friends beginning to use them regularly for all our photo product needs. I can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2018!

Today on my blog I am giving my readers a chance to win an Artsy Couture canvas wrap of up to $150 in value. All you have to do is enter the competition below. The competition is open to those from the UK and USA who are 18 or older. 

While you are here don't forget to check out the other competitions I have running too. Good luck!

Win an Artsy Couture Canvas Wrap up to $150



Terms and conditions
You must be 18 + to enter 
Open to entrants in the UK and USA only
One entry per household 
The winner will be contacted within 7 days of the competition ending.
If I do not hear from the winner within 28 days I reserve the right to redraw
Please allow 6 weeks for delivery 
Closing date 2017-11-08 11:59:59 PM
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Cheerz Photo Site Review

Cheerz is a photo website and app that allows you to print your photos and personalise your gifts. You can even have your photos printed as if they are Polaroids.

 The company got in touch with me recently to see if I wanted to review one of their new products - a photo album that you can personalise.

 Now it's no secret that I love to travel and I also love to take photographs. In days gone by (now I sound old!) I used to keep all my photos as prints and spend ages putting them in an album. In the last couple of years I have become a convert to the personalised photo album like the type Cheerz sells.


Firstly you upload your photos to the website or app. Depending on how many photos you have and the size of them this can take some time, but it's a straight forward process. As you are waiting for the photos to upload comments come up on the screen such as,  'Whoa! Your photos are really lovely', which is a nice touch. 

 Now the software will allow you to alter the effect of each photo and move the positioning slightly but it will not allow you to do heavy editing of your photos. I would suggest you edit your photos before the upload in software such as Picmonkey or Photoshop.
Photos can be uploaded from your computer, from Facebook, Instagram and Google Plus. Once you have uploaded your photo you can set the occasion, the colour, assign it a number, and give it a name. 
When you set the occasion it has pre set designs to add to the cover and you have a choice of 6 colours. Picking a name and number prints it on the spine of the book. Some of the pages allowed you to add captions to the page - this may depend on the size of photo you select.

You then have a choice of selecting the photos yourself and putting the photos on each page or allowing the software to do it for you. Initially I tried allowing the software to do it for me, but for more flexibility and if you have time I would suggest you pick the photos yourself. This allowed me to collect groups of photos in sections, for example I put all my photos of the museums together.



If you change your mind you don't have to place all the photos you have picked, and you can choose extra pages for an additional cost. In the standard photo book you get to place up to 150 of your favourite photos depending on the size of photo in the book. 


The software recognises if the photos are a poor resolution and if this happens it shows as an exclamation mark in the top right hard corner. If you have placed a photograph across a double page and it is showing this I would suggest placing the photo somewhere else where it is smaller and then the resolution would be higher.

I think the website and photo album creation software is easy to use. It would be useful to have more editing facilities for the photo once uploaded, such as being able to crop the image and adjust the brightness. There are lots of free editing software out there though.




The photo book is a hardcover and a lay flat format, priced at £35. 

Cheerz also sells photo magnets, posters, invitations as well as lots more. The app is very useful when you are out on your travels as you can upload your photos there and then, Wi-Fi and 4G allowing.

When the book arrived I was very impressed! The photos were excellent quality and the book looked very professional. The pages were thick card which was great. Other photo books I have created before with a different company had paper pages. 






I really think this photo book is a quality product, and you do get what you pay for. I would certainly order again.

Recommended.
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Porthcawl In the Storms









My little town of Porthcawl, South Wales in the storms last week, taken with my new Panasonic Bridge camera and edited in Pic Monkey an online photo editing software. 

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A Seaside Town In Winter

I hope you all had a great Christmas. One of my resolutions for 2014 is to improve my blog. I was very pleased therefore to have a new Bridge camera for Christmas. A Bridge camera forms a bridge between a compact point and shoot camera and a Digitial Single Lens Reflex camera (DSLR). So I have been out and about, getting some practice in and snapping my little seaside town of Porthcawl in South Wales. I used Pic Monkey to edit the photos, an online digital editing tool. I love taking photos, but I am a novice, so I will be looking to improve my skills further in the coming year.

Let me know what you think.











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