I RARELY post on the blog about sales and events in the biz…but seeing as how this is such a short lived, limited time sale…a blog post will get the info out there faster!

I’M HAVING A MOVING SALE!!!

For those of you who aren’t in the know, now is your time to join the club!  I’m moving!!  The last week in July, I’ll be loading up the moving van and taking off for a cross country trip to the great…mythical land of Seattle, Washington! (I hear that these lands hold the few remaining unicorns in existence.)  0_o

So in honor my grand exit, stage left….I give you the best sale I’ve ever had.

From now until July 15th, FIFTEEN  NINE of my photo sessions have been slashed to half price!!  It’s first come, first served…so shoot me an email using this form:  [contact-form]

So what is included in this partay package? 

• 3 hours of photography.
• 20-30 edited images within 24 hours of the shoot
• A gallery online with high res, non-watermarked images for you to download. 

What kinds of sessions are available with this deal?

• Engagement sessions
• Headshot sessions
• Model portfolio building
• Pet sessions
• Family sessions
• Baby sessions
• Family reunions
• Senior Sessions
• Kids

Related articles

• Sunday Sweets: Take It Away, Movie Guy!(cakewrecks.com)

  ---

• Hello May! (englishmuse.com)
• Delicious Chocolate Cake (dustjacketattic.blogspot.com)

Here’s a little secret.  I love engagement shoots.  I love weddings.  But I absolute ADORE boudoir shoots.

Why?

Because the women I get to photograph are some of the bravest women I know.  EVERY woman, Heidi Klum or not, has insecurities…and putting mine on camera would honestly NOT be my idea of a fun time. But these beautiful women, on the inside and out, are ready to take the plunge.

In my mind, this is the equivalent of sky diving.  WHAT AN ADRENALINE RUSH!!

Andrea is a gorgeous model that Josh and I had the pleasure of photographing for IMO Ink’s upcoming book “Boudoir La-La”.  Although the book is all about how to photograph a bride, I thought this post might be better geared towards the brides themselves.

I’m sure you have a few questions.

What is the point of a boudoir session? 

Debunking the “Porn” myth. 

How do you work up the nerve to even be PHOTOGRAPHED in a boudoir session? 

How do I find a boudoir photographer I’m comfortable with? 

What do I bring to the shoot? 

This one is rather lengthy…so sit back ladies.

What is the point of a boudoir session? 

Boudoir sessions are first and foremost a confidence boost and a life changing experience. One thing I’ve learned (not from experience, mind you) is that men LOVE confident women. They are attracted to a woman who can be proud of who she is and doesn’t need that constant reinforcement (although telling a woman she is beautiful often is ALWAYS a good idea).

The boudoir session builds up a woman’s confidence if it’s low, surprises the man if it’s not expected, and surprises the bride when she is pleasantly surprised at the sex appeal of her own body.

These images are not for public display and attention, but for a personal gain that can only be attained through understanding just how beautiful you are in the eyes of others.

A great boudoir photographer will show you this.

Along the same lines, boudoir sessions are used to celebrate milestones.  A woman’s body is an always changing, always shifting beautiful creation. In that fact alone, a woman’s self esteem can fluctuate from one year to another…from one milestone to the next.

Imagine a woman who has just turned 50 and lost 30 pounds. Consider the woman who has just been divorced and is ready to break out of her shell of hard knocks. And think hard about the survivor who has just gone through months of chemo, the loss of a breast, and the most drastic and immediate body image shift a woman can go through.

These are all moments to celebrate.  These are moments to be proud of, and feelings that have to be addressed in some way. To be photographed at your most vulnerable can be to break through barriers you only thought were impossible to crush.

Debunking the “Porn” myth. 

Being in the boudoir industry, you hear a ton of opinions (solicited or not) on the morality of boudoir sessions.

Obviously, YOUR opinion is what counts in the end. The boudoir session is something intimate between you, your photographer, your significant other, and your beliefs. It need not be anything you show to your friends…or it might be something you make your next Facebook icon.  It is AAAAAALL up to you.

The one thing that DOES frustrate me, though, is the comment I hear often repeated of “Boudoir sessions are like porn.”  This…is absolutely not true.  A boudoir session is done to the comfort level of the sitter.  If the woman is not comfortable doing a certain pose, or wearing a certain piece of clothing…it absolutely shouldn’t happen! If your photographer asks you to do something you KNOW your husband would be uncomfortable with, you should feel comfortable with saying “no”, and professional photographer will quickly accept your decision and move on to the next pose

Pornography is for the pleasure of thousands…and boudoir is for the confidence and romance of two. To judge them the say is to put down women who might just be braver than yourself.

How do you work up the nerve to even be PHOTOGRAPHED in a boudoir session? 

This is the fun part!! Get inspired.  Start poking through magazines, advertisements, famous photographs and paintings, and google (of course, be careful with this last one…you CAN get surprised).

Before every boudoir session I shoot, I pull together (with my client) a collection of images that will inspire the work. I do this a few weeks to a month in advance, so that by the shoot date my client is fully aware of the direction, style, and posing we are going for.  No surprises!

For Andrea’s shoot, we were really pulling for a french/european style.  Our inspiration storyboard looked something like this:

1.Victoria’s Secret   2.Photographer: Elizabeth Messina   3.Photographer: Mark Nicdao   4.Photographer: Marcin Tyszka 5.Photographer: Elizabeth Messina 6.Photographer: Mark Nicdao

We decided on soft pinks, lace, feathers, flowers and soft textures.  While you are working on the planning of your boudoir shoot, you’ll be able to see exactly what kind of posing might be considered for the shots.  Is your photographer leaning towards the risque? The classy? The curves? Has your photographer provided any photos that get you super excited, or any that make you nervous?  Let him/her know! The more feedback you give your photographer before the big day, the more likely you are to be comfortable with everything asked of you.

Going along with this vein of our discussion:

How do I find a boudoir photographer I’m comfortable with? 

Many brides will already have a wedding photographer booked for their big day…but if you aren’t comfortable with your wedding photographer shooting you in this capacity (perhaps your photographer is a male…and you’d prefer a female), or perhaps you don’t think their wedding style will translate well into boudoir photography…the search is ON LIKE DONKEY KONG!

Of course, the quickest way to begin is through google. A key to a great photography google search…is to keep looking past page 2. Go up through page five and six of your search!!  That’s where the good one’s are! Also, don’t forget to click the “images” button at the top of your google page! Their new search engine system will allow you to flip through matching, keyworded images.  Finding gorgeous work in your area become a ton easier!

After trying the obvious “DC Boudoir Photographer” in Google, I highly recommend checking out local wedding blogs and magazine that you can fawn over.  Sites like Style Me Pretty will have  a “Little Black Book” of local wedding vendors.  Not all wedding photographers will do boudoir sessions, but if you love their style of photography, it couldn’t hurt to ask.

Remember, also, that a boudoir session is really a great place to splurge. An amazing boudoir session will do wonders for your confidence and body image.  If you settle for a boudoir photographer based on their price…chances are you’ll come out wondering why your hips look bigger on camera.

Don’t put down websites like Pinterest, either.  Do some research on the style of photography that you love.  It will help you to narrow down exactly what you are looking for.

What do I bring to the shoot? 

Once you’ve picked your photographer and the location of your shoot, it will be up to you to style your boudoir session. Although some photographers will have certain pieces of lingerie on hand, adding your personal touch to the shoot will make it that much more special for your significant other.  Although Victoria’s Secret has some gorgeous wardrobe selections, you certainly don’t have to break the bank for your close up!

Andrea’s shoot was styled almost completely from Forever 21. Big sweatshirts, lacy undies, heals, vintage tops, and accessories were available to us in this two story store of amazing-osity.  Total bill? $75.

So in conclusion, ladies and gents, boudoir photography is nothing short of strong women building stronger confidence.  So don’t knock it before you try it!!  And if you aint’ gonna try it…then don’t you DARE knock the confidence of the women who do.

Related articles

• An Intimate Wedding Gift for Your Man: Boudoir Photography(satinandsnowflakes.com)

  ---

• A Little Bit Personal(all-things-lovely.blogspot.com)

  ---

• Considering a Boudoir Shoot?(weddinglovely.com)

  ---

Here’s a quick post…but a post I’m SUPER proud of. A few months ago I wrote an article for Rock the Shot, one of my FAVORITE photographer friendly blog’s of all time. They have articles on Editing, Freebies, Inspiration, Blogging and MORE!!!

And now?  They have an article on “The Dressing Room Sessions“.  :D

So head over and read it.

Tweet it.

Facebook it.

…Give it some comment luuurve.

Related articles

• No More Spray and Pray: 6 Steps to Building Better Blog Traffic (imoinkblog.com)
• 7 Tips to Help Make Your Content Go Viral (freelanceswitch.com)
• How to Use StumbleUpon to Drive Traffic to Your Website (sproutsocial.com)

SUPER quick little post!! 

Last week I welcomed a new member to the family…I named her Siri.

With this little puppy, comes great power…apparently.  Within 24 hours of getting the iphone, I was connected to social sites I’d never really used before! So…to give you a little bit of the connection, I thought I’d throw up a quick post showing you a few ways to keep track of me.

As a photographer, it would be kinda silly if I didn’t tell you about my newfound love for Instagram.  Of course, I have my besties (Josh Marshall and Conor) to thank for the recommendation. If you use Instagram as well, feel free to follow me at TerraDawn.

If you DON’T have an iPhone, but want to follow IMO Ink’s personal day to day moments, subscribe to the brand spankin’ new tumblr feed! We’ll post what we’re doing while we’re working, new projects we are working on, and behind the scene shots of us just…having fun doing what we do at IMO Ink.

Of course, you can always follow us at the usual:

Terra’s Facebook

Josh’s Facebook

IMO Ink’s Facebook

IMO Ink’s Twitter

Related articles

• This Instagram-Printing Party Box Could Soon Be Yours (mashable.com)
• Create a gorgeous photoblog of your Instagram photos in minutes using Jux (thenextweb.com)
• Instagram for Android (poshpinkgeek.wordpress.com)

I had another photographer ask me recently “What is one thing you do in your business that you wish you would have started doing earlier?”

It was a great question, and pretty damn timely…so I thought I would answer it here.  About a year ago, I decided to start doing what I lovingly refer to as “The Dressing Room Sessions”. (You should totally click that link.  It’s how to shoot, edit and get your clients their images all in under two hours…epic.)

These sessions save me tons of time, money and sanity later.  (Not that I had much sanity to begin with…)

I recently met with Kenny and Bree at Potomac Point Winery (really freakin’ good Viognier). We talked, we walked…I shot them. 0_0

They are getting married here next October, so we all thought it might be fun to meet for a glass of wine…

talk to the coordinator about the way the day will go…

and end the session with a 3o minute shoot as the sun went down!

It just so happens that this is also about the time their ceremony will take place, so it gave a really great idea about the timing of the ceremony, the traditional portraits, and (of course) the romantical wedding gown portraits.  *le sigh*

I think Bree kinda looks like Jenna Fischer from “The Office” …don’t you?  YAY!!!  THIS IS MY CELEBRITY WEDDING FOR THE YEAR!!

Last year my celebrity wedding was Ryan and Lindsay.  :)  Lindsay kinda looks like Taylor Swift.  Terra. For. The. Win.

So, I’ll close this little post with a few parting shots…

SUPER BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Bree and Kenny and a FREAKIN’ GINORMOUS thanks for bringing me along!! I am so stoked for your wedding day it’s beyond belief!!!

P.S. Don’t work TOO hard.

Related articles

• Sara + Niko’s Elegant Fall Wedding in Washington, DC (unitedwithlove.com)
• How to Consign Your Wedding Dress (unitedwithlove.com)
• Tower 23 Wedding : Victoria + Eric (jasminestarblog.com)

One of my goals for this year is to jump back behind the camera in a fashion capacity. I’m thinking my style has changed just a bit…but we’ll see!!

(I added a Canada shot just because I found it too…even though it was just from a few months ago).

SOME PEOPLE JUST SUCK WITH ACTIONS!!

Normally I would be all:

“We are arteests!!! There is no wrong way to hold your paintbrush!”

But not today. There has been an attack of Wacom-wielding, Action-throwing hooligans…and something MUST be done. These shenanigans must cease to happen.

What am I raving about? Actions, my pretty compatriots in arms. Actions are wonderful, wonderful tools of the photoshop loving tradesman. It makes editing an image quick (and in a world of the “I want it now!” mentality…heaven sent…). The only problem is, most photographers new to the world of digital editing know very little about how these puppies work.

“Pshaw!”, you say. “I don’t need to read this!” Well, maybe you don’t…but you should continue reading for the soul fact that my prose are pretty and I DO have a certain flair for alliteration.

Let’s start with the basics.

What is a Photoshop Action?

A photoshop action is a series of steps “recorded” in photoshop so that they can be easily replayed on a different image with similar results. For instance, there are actions that allow you to brighten images, convert an image to black and white, or create a vintage feel to your image. Of course, you can do any one of these things by hand in five minutes to your photograph…but an action allows you to accomplish this in, roughly, ten seconds.

Now, pick your jaw up off the floor and hop on the Hogwarts train to Photoshop Castle. (That was totally lame…I am aware.)

“If they are so easy, how can I be using them wrong??”

Actions are SO easy to use, that they are one of the MOST misused tools by photographers today.

Here’s where most photographers go wrong. A photographer selects an image to convert to black and white. The photographer chooses which black and white action to apply. The photographer merges the layers, saves the image and plasters it on Facebook.

Face/palm.

Ok…ok. Let me explain where the photographer went wrong.

Every action works on an image differently. You can apply a black and white action to two images and have them come out looking completely different from one another. These two images have the Totally Rad Action “Boring Black and White” applied, without any adjustments.

See the difference?  The bottom image seems a bit harsher than the top image.  This is due to the lighting that the images were shot in.

So what am I getting at? Actions are NOT magic beauty buttons no matter what Professor Lockhart says. (OK…I’m done with the HP references). BOTH of these images still need work.

If you are just hitting “play” in the actions pallet, and publishing the end result you MIGHT get a piece of crapola, you MIGHT get a decent photo, or you MIGHT get lucky. I can count on my hands the number of times I’ve been able to run an action and have come out satisfied with the result.  Running an action can be a lot like poker in Vegas. Only in this game, you can rig the dice. 

What is a layer mask? 

Your next step in learning how to use an action properly, is learning what a “layer mask” is. Most actions use them, and you should too. Layer masks allow you to easily edit a layer without destroying that layer.

For example. Let’s say, in the image above that you want to erase that little baby tree second from the left. Then, let’s say you spend 20 minutes diligently erasing that little baby tree. Then…YOU FIND OUT THAT ERASING THAT LITTLE BABY TREE WAS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF YOUR CAREER!!!!!

How do you get the tree back?????

Your history pallet has already covered it up. Do you go back to the original image and just start over? Well…since you didn’t use a layer mask…yes. That is exactly what you do.

IF you had used the layer mask, it would be as simple as coloring the little baby tree back in. A layer mask is simply a white layer over the original image. Where you color in black, is where you are telling the Action NOT to be.

See that little black dot on the “B&W Standard” layer? See the correlating spot of color on the image? We’ve, essentially, painted a hole in the white screen of the black and white action. YOU ARE A PEEPING TOM!!!

Is the light starting to turn on?? Are you beginning to see the amazing-osity and potentialistic advantages of layers??? Let’s break it down a little more.

Let’s say you have an image of a teen. Oh wait…I have one!!

You’re looking to pop out the color…make it a little edgy. Really give her a modern portrait.

My next step here would be to determine what I want to fix about the image. The image is too dark. There is no sun. I want the colors to really pop. And I want there to be a slight vignette to bring focus to her face.

I use approximately four actions to do this. The layers are adjusted, the opacities lowered and the colors popped. Check out this video to watch me work!!

The names of the actions are provided in the text on screen and below.

WITH GREAT ACTIONS COME GREAT POWER!

If you are serious about your work, your product and your business, you will take the time to learn your craft behind the computer. Although the learning process was lengthy, each image only takes me about 3 minutes to finish in total now.

Although I own around 200 actions, I only regularly use about 5 of them.

Download actions.

Play with actions.

Adjust the opacities and color in the masks.

Make HORRENDOUS creations…because you’ll learn from the them.

Experiment with your “artist’s eye”.

The worst you can do, is apply the “magic beauty button” and never look back.

Terra Dawn

P.S. I’m passionate about what I teach, so feel free to leave questions or comments in the fields below!!  I use CommentLuv, so be sure to link to your most recent post as well!

Totally Rad Actions

       + “Oh, Snap!”

       + “Warm It Up, Kris!”

Parker Pfister Actions

       + “Tilt Shift 2″

       + “Fill Flash”

Kalif Banane Actions  <—— These are FREE!!!! 

terra@terradawn.com

WATCH ME EDIT THIS IN UNDER THREE MINUTES!

This is a silent video (unless you count the amazing song “Quiet” by This Will Destroy You (one of my favorite bands). This series is meant to be more of an observation series. I will provide basics at the show notes on actions and software used.

Software Used:
Photoshop CS4

Actions Used:
Parker J Pfister -

“Tilt Lens 2″

“Fill Flash”

“Vignette”

Kalife Banane -

“Cross Coloring Refine” (This is a free action.)

Totally Rad Actions -

“Warm It Up, Kris!”

“Oh, Snap!”

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask below!

And subscribe to our YouTube Channel here!!

Take a look at these six videos that inspired me, or changed the way I thought in 2011. These videos either inspired a new idea, or put me into high gear to create a new scene in front of my lens.

What will they do for you? If you have videos that inspired you last year, post links to them in the comments section!!!

Pen Twirler
This video caught me SO off guard it’s ridiculous. Not only is it an amazing video, but the purpose of the video was so far out in left field. I love that the viewer is totally surprised.

The Goldfish
I totes thought these were real fish in resin!!!! I was inspired by the serenity of this man’s art. He doesn’t seem to be creating it for any reason other than he loves what he does.

“Goldfish Salvation” Riusuke Fukahori from ICN gallery on Vimeo.

Meet Impossible
I am at a loss for words as to how inspiring (and tear jerking) this man’s love for life is. If you haven’t seen this video, bust out the tissues and the new years resolutions!

Seth Godin’s Video On “Free”
Seth Godin is a personal hero of mine. Check out the variety of business books that can inspire you at your local book store! This video inspired me to start focusing on giving FREE a shot in my business.

Schweppes Commercial
Seriously a beautiful and fun commercial. How fun would it be to do a slow motion water balloon TTD!!!???

The Guardian
I love it when commercials think outside of the box.

KEEP READING FOR THE FREE DOWNLOADABLE WORKSHEET “MORE THAN JUST A PHOTOGRAPHER”

This was a hard blog post to write, primarily because I am still not sure if what I have to say will make sense, but also because this has proven to be a serious topic and I am rarely a serious writer.

To clarify a bit, let’s break down my statement. What do I mean by “I am not a photographer”?

I have been a “photographer” for nearly 12 years (if my calculations add up…), and I have NEVER flinched at the term. In fact, when someone asks me “What are you?” I reply with “A Photographer”.

The first time someone asked and I answered “A Photographer”, I think I blushed crimson and wanted to hide in the off hand men’s room. I didn’t deserve the title. I was still learning. I hadn’t landed a paying gig and probably didn’t even have what was considered a professional camera. In my mind, I was no photographer.

It got easier to say over time.

A few years down the road, I would still get the same question. “What are you?“. I gave the same reply…”A Photographer.” This wasn’t accompanied with a blush now, but with a business card directing them to my very own online portfolio.

Fast forward to a few years later, and I own my own business. I get the question “What are you?”.

“A Photographer.”

Now, however, it’s accompanied with a business card and the thought of “Oh, please hire me. If I could JUST get my foot in the door.” If they had been wearing magic x-ray brain glasses, they would have seen me on my knees…arms outstretched begging for their good graces and credit cards.

Fast forward to four months ago. I saw a friend of mine in an airport who I hadn’t seen since high school. We aren’t even friends on Facebook…
“What are you doing with yourself these days?”
“I’m a photographer,” was what came out of my mouth. But what flashed through my brain went something along the lines of “But PLEASE don’t try to hire me.  Don’t look me up! Don’t ask what my prices are for a 6 hour bar mitzvah!!!”

This…should not be my reaction.

Here’s what I’m trying to get at. Labeling myself as “A Photographer” took the fun out of photography for me. I enjoy weddings and love my clients. I get excited when I pull up to the hotel, ready to photograph a beautiful bride getting married. But at heart…I’m a hobbyist. And I WANT to be a hobbyist!  I want to be a hobbyist at EVERYTHING I do in life! I WANT to be a photographer out of love, not out of necessity.

On initial inspection, I have two options:
A) Suck it up and go on until retirement. That’s what most people do.
or
B) Find another job and start at the bottom of the heap again.

I…chose option C. Please understand, that it’s NOT the photography or the people that I hate…it’s having to do something because I have to a pay a bill that I despise.

I want to shoot a wedding because it’s my passion, and let me tell you, holding a camera in my hands is the equivalent of warm fudge icing on a red velvet cake. I could never leave this wonderful community behind.

So what makes Option C ideal?

The question that played on repeat through my brain was “If I’m not a photographer…who am I?”

And then it hit me. I had placed “Photographer” on a pedestal. I had placed it above writer, animal lover, music addict and bookworm. I had elevated it above singer, History Buff and Bug enthusiast. I’ve enjoyed “books” my entire life, but if I became a professional “reader” I would probably want to paper cut myself to death by the end of the year. If I had become a musician…well, everyone ELSE would want to papercut themselves to death by the end of the year.

In my arsenal of proficiencies…photography, writing and entrepreneurship are my most valuable weapons.

So to answer the above question,  Option C presents itself as a mindset change.

Instead of taking a photography job for survival…I’m taking a photography job because it genuinely interests me. I’ve booked 7 weddings for next year…and am not interested in booking anymore. I’ve wanted (keyword) to start writing for the photography industry for a long while now…hence the books, articles and crazy writing whatnot pouring from my fingertips almost everyday now. And my idea of creating a community for photographers has long been put on the back burner.

THESE ARE ALL GREAT INTERESTS!! Yes…they are a form of income, but I am doing them because I WANT to. Not because I HAVE to. The content I will create out of desire will FAR surpass the content I will create to get a paycheck, or gain attention.

I am not a photographer any more than I am a writer.

And this brings us to the “And You Shouldn’t Be Either” part of my statement.

I think JUST being represented by ONE of your passions is a mistake. You are NOT a photographer. You are a lover of light. You are a passionate baker. And a shopaholic. And JUST thinking that your clients will hire you because you’ve stated that you “like puppy dogs” in your author bio is a mistake! Don’t tell them who you are…SHOW them who you are.  But more importantly?  Be who you are for no other reason than it is who you are.  

Whoa…I am totally going all Mr.Miyagi on you now.

All I mean is, don’t make the mistake of putting yourself out there for ulterior motives.  The only thing you will EVER succeed at doing perfectly in life, is being yourself. And if the saying “You are your brand,” aint a lie…then I don’t see a more successful business plan than that.

I challenge you to come up with three passions that help to define you. Three obsessions that, when you dig deep, you KNOW are just as important to you as your camera.  I challenge you to mix these passions up in your mixing bowl of a business, and take the pressure off of your camera by baking a proverbial “3 layer-cake” (or 20 layer!!!  How many passions can you throw in??). This cake is more about WHO you are, not WHAT you are.

So next time someone asks you “What are you doing with your life?” you can respond with “I spend a lot of time behind the camera…but I also recently insert recent accomplishment here. “ 

How do I  respond to this question now?

“I have a photography business, but I recently published a book (I’m working on book number two), and am building an online community for photographers that want to be chillin’ like villains.” (And this statement is, once again, accompanied by a crimson blush and a dash into the wrong lavatory.)

Hells to the yeah.

Download the FREE worksheet, “MORE THAN JUST A PHOTOGRAPHER” to help  you determine which passions should drive your business, life and passions.

Terra’s Personal Digs:

Facebook

Twitter

JOIN THE CONVERSATION IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW…