Yikes!! Long time, no post!

My poor blog has been so neglected over the past few months.  With the busy season…shooting and editing sessions…designing holiday cards…the holidays…I just couldn’t keep up with the posts…BUT…I’m back now and hope to be posting on a more regular schedule again.  I hope everyone had an AMAZING holiday and is looking forward to 2012.  I know I am, lots of great things in store including several newborns already on the schedule for 2012 and so many current clients expecting baby #2 or #3.  So exciting!  I also have not one, but TWO newborn sessions already on the books for September…even I had to take a minute and do the math on those! ;)  I’ve been sworn to secrecy by both mamas, so my lips are sealed!

Since I photograph kids and families outdoors, the first few months of the year are generally considered “down time” for me.  I will shoot several newborns from January – March, but at a welcomed slower pace than the 6+ sessions a week during the busy season.  The first of the year is always a great time to reflect on and review business plans and policies and to attend conferences for continuing education…I’ll be doing both of those as well, although I enjoy the second much more than the first. ;) I’ve already updated the website with new images (Go me!), so if you haven’t checked it out lately, be sure to take a peek at all the beautiful faces I’m lucky to work with. :)  You will also see a new link on the splash page for iPhone/iPad and mobile phone users.  The main website utilizes Flash which is not viewable via mobile devices, so to keep up with changing technology, there is now a full site to accommodate those viewing from their mobile devices (non-mobile users can still view it as well).  I’ll admit, I was getting a little teary going through all the images from the past year.  I just adore my little clients SO much, I’m so very blessed!!

A huge THANK YOU to all my clients for another amazing year!  I truly love all your families.

Needless to say, I have several sessions from the fall to blog, so look for more posts to come soon!

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This following info is for all the photogs out there.  At the start of each year I always reflect on what has been successful in my business and what needs to be modified.  One of the most important things, I believe, is to be efficient.  Who likes to spend hours upon hours at their computer?  Not me, that’s for sure.  One of my goals in 2011 was to speed up my workflow, and I’ve really gotten into a groove that works for me.  I have set up several actions for the common editing I do in Photoshop that allow me to batch edit my images.  Since my images are normally pretty consistent straight out of camera, this allows me to select all the images and batch edit them.  This means that while my action is running on each image, I can be doing something else away from my computer.  Then I go back and do any final retouching needed.  This has greatly reduced the time in front of my computer.  The other thing I think is very beneficial is using Photoshop shortcuts.  Instead of fumbling around in the menus, learn the function shortcuts.  You’ll be surprised at how much quicker editing goes.

I shared this list of my most commonly used Photoshop shortcuts on Facebook earlier, but it was suggested to me to post here so people could “pin” it.  If you don’t know what that means, you must check out Pinterest.  Do proceed with caution, I will not be held accountable for the many hours you will spend there. ;)

Happy Pinning!