It's a manic Monday...wish it were Sunday...

Monday morning...we are on the countdown to summer...and everyone is ready!

First I want to announce the lucky winner of the Memento Action Set from The Shoppe is Daleea Barrett. Congratulations Daleea!!

Also, the Shoppe is offering Savvy readers $25 off the Memento Action Set until Wednesday, April 18th...use coupon code savvy25.


It seems like everyone is having babies right now...and just we love the Chalkboard Baby's First Year album templates they recently released. 

We are also getting ready to kick off Spring with a "Savvy Images Contest"...and the prizes will be fabulous! More information will be out this week, so stay tuned. I'm excited to see all of the amazing work from our readers!


Have a great Monday! 

The Savvy Review of "The Thriving Photographer" by Leah Remillet

The amount of products and marketing programs, etc. for photographers are endless...each day I see new things pop up geared toward helping photographers. But so many don't live up to the promises of helping you become a successful photographer that actually profits and loves her business! I am so impressed with the new program from Leah Remillet called The Thriving Photographer. Leah is also the face behind the popular blog go{4}pro. 

Leah has created a fabulous product to help you "thrive" as a photographer and it's absolutely wonderful! I've had the chance to review all of the materials...and when I saw all...I mean all...which is a ton of learning materials (including the Thrive Sheets...these are awesome) and a generous amount of  templates for your business, I knew this was a product I could recommend to my readers! 

The amount of information here is huge...she has included everything to take your business to the level of success that we desire. And the best part are the audio portions that you can take anywhere with you and listen on your ipod. These are also perfect to listen to while you do your late night editing.

My favorite audio is about her referral plan...love it!

Leah has created an amazing amount of info and I'm thrilled to recommend it to you. This isn't a bunch of fluff that you will quickly read through and wonder what you got out of it. This is so much information and learning tools (along with an amazing active business plan which is wonderful!) and the huge amount of audios (twenty five of them!).

Here's more from Leah telling about The Thriving Photographer.

It's a giveaway of the Memento Action Set from the Shoppe

The girls from The Shoppe will be giving away one set of the Memento Actions (valued at $125) to a lucky Savvy reader! They would also like to offer the Savvy readers $25 off the Memento Action Set using code savvy25
We love these actions! Head on over to the Shoppe and check out all of the fun new additions to their store.
See below to enter the giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This promotion is in NO WAY sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You will NOT be notified publicly via Facebook if you are a winner. You MUST be 18 to participate. By entering this giveaway, you are providing information to The Savvy Photographer and NOT to Facebook. Prizes do not have cash value. There will be no returns/exchanges on any of the items.

the perfect marketing tool- Sticky Albums

Have you tried Sticky Albums yet?

You can try one for free!
Thank you Sticky Albums for offering Savvy readers such a great deal!!

the good and the bad in life...

You know what I just realized? I never finished my list of "favorite photography blogs" I had promised you all. I had every intention of working last week...even though it was the kids spring break and we headed out of town. I was convinced I would blog (and finish my taxes..ha!) during our relaxing vacation...and I didn't do either...but I did relax a little...well, as much as you can relax when you are on vacation with three kids and no husband...and a sweet Mom who came with us despite her strong desire to "stay at home". It was a true test of patience...and I think I failed. Most of my readers know the challenges we are facing with my Mom and her declining health...or should I say mental status. She forgets so much...and ask so many questions that I have just answered. If she were my child, I would have yelled at her for asking the same question over and over...but she is not my child...she is the person that always made everything better...the one that had all the answers and could do anything. And now...she is becoming like my child. It was sad to watch...but I am forever grateful that she came with us on this little trip. These are the memories I will cherish. I'm also embarrassed to admit how often I found myself getting irritated with her and wanting her to remember what we did an hour ago...or hoping she would remember that some of the family members that she constantly ask about had died over twenty years ago. Having to tell her over and over that they had passed away was heart breaking...I could see her embarrassment in asking..and then an hour later she would bring them up again...and wonder how they were doing..and if I ever hear from them on "space book". Yep...she calls it space book. 
Why am I here telling you this?
I feel like you are my friends I guess. The ones who will listen and not judge...but do you judge me? Don't we all "judge" each other? 
I think that's why so many of us keep everything inside...because of the fear of others finding out that our life isn't so perfect. 
The fear that someone will know that our child needs to take medication in order to get a good report at school that day.
The fear that someone will know that we don't always love our life...and that sometimes we don't even like our own children...that's a hard one to admit...and no one would ever say it...because what would others think? We all have the feelings of "how will I do this one more day without losing it" and then, thankfully, we wake up the next day and realize how lucky we really are.  But we feel ashamed of our feelings. Why? Probably because everyone you see looks happy and when you read their blogs or facebook status, they will tell you how completely fabulous their life is...it's all wonderful and their kids are perfect and their husband is absolutely the best!
Really?? Let's be honest...is everybody really that perfect?
I think it's depressing to see the perfection and not see what's underneath it all. 
I wish we could all be honest about our lives and quite trying to make it all look so perfect. 
This is life...we have kids that might drive us crazy, or we might cry ourselves to sleep every night because we would do anything to have a child. We might be from somewhere we are ashamed of...we might not have had a fancy house growing up or have had parents who loved us...or we might be from a family where we were adored and it all felt perfect...and we know how lucky we are. But faking the perfection isn't the way to achieve the happy life. 
I think everyone being honest is the best way to achieve happiness in our life and in our work. 
I know it's incredibly hard not to compare yourself to other photographers out there...but be honest about who you are.

Seniorologie Tour is heading to California

What do you get when you combine beautiful sunny weather, three fabulous senior portrait photographers, styled photo shoots and an add-on day with Folio Love??  The Seniorologie Tour - Stop #2!!

So pack your bags, get ready for some fun in the sun and lots of awesome learning from three fabulous Senior Portrait Photographers!!

The Seniorologie Tour (Stop #2) will be July 15-17 in Huntington Beach, California!


The tour will be held at the beautiful Waterfront Resort in Huntington Beach, California.  This surfer's paradise will be the perfect backdrop for learning and shooting.  The styled photo shoots will be located on the grounds of this resort and the beautiful beaches of Southern California!  This place is a photographer's dream!!

For this leg of the tour, they are making a few changes with the speakers due to everyone's schedules.  We love each speaker that is going to be in Atlanta and we can't wait for April to get here so we can all learn from these fabulous ladies!

And they are equally excited about the California speakers... Michelle Moore, Holli True and Courtney DeLaura!!

Seniorologie is also teaming up with Folio Love for an additional day of learning!  So the Seniorologie Tour will be July 15-17 and then you can choose to join them for one more day, July 18, for additional learning and portfolio building for other genres of photography.  There will even be a guest speaker for that day!!

This workshop has limited space and I know it will sell out fast!  So make sure to reserve your spot as soon as possible!!  Visit the Seniorologie blog to stay updated on this Tour!

Seniorologie is also having an Image Contest!

Head on over to their blog to learn more about it!

NAPCP Best New Emerging Child Photographer Contest!

The search is on for new, undiscovered talent. NAPCP is looking to shine a spotlight on one of our industry’s brightest rising stars. And we need YOU to help us find them.


We all know how challenging those first two years of running your own business can be – learning best business practices, juggling marketing, branding, finances, equipment, workflow, all while consistently producing gorgeous portraiture for clients. We love the spirit and tenacity of those future greats in our community, and we are here cheering them on.


To give them a little push in the right direction, NAPCP is honored to host the very first Best New Emerging Child Photographer Contest! In a few easy steps, you can help us recognize those talented newcomers who you find inspiring. Nominate your favorite(s) here by midnight (PST) on April 11th. Our panel of awesome judges will narrow the field to five. You vote for your favorite finalist April 16th – 23rd. We tally up the votes and spoil the winner.


Qualities that NAPCP looks for in the next Best New Emerging Child Photographer:


- Passionate with the ability to inspire
- Consistently produces technically strong, breathtaking work
- Strives to learn and foster best business practices
- Exhibits commitment to community
- Displays a creative and unique vision


The winner of our 2012 contest will be handsomely rewarded with the following:


- 2 year membership into NAPCP
- $500 gift card to Adorama
- $150 gift credit to Design Aglow
- $200 gift credit to Jane Johnson Branding & Design
- $200 credit to use at Simply Canvas
- Giclée Book from Album Crafters (valued at $300)
- Title of “NAPCP Best New Emerging Child Photographer 2012″,
with exclusive official seal and bragging rights


The Rules:


- Nominee must be a professional photographer who currently operates a licensed photography business and is able to provide a Tax ID Number.
- Nominee has been a professional photographer for less than 2 years.
- Nominees & Nominators do not need to be a current NAPCP member to be considered.


*Click here to nominate your favorite(s).
Nomination Deadline:  Wed, April 11th at 11:59PM EST