Would you like to be able to create quick DVD quality slideshows for your clients but don't have a lot of extra time? I would! I used to create slideshows occasionally with ProShow Gold which is still great for the one-off slideshow where you really want to control the experience. But to be honest, it was a little more time consuming then was possible for me to do it more than occasionally. So I headed over to the Animoto site to try my hand at creating one of their music videos and was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was.
Essentially you upload your pictures, choose which ones should be spotlighted (featured) in the video, pick your music OR upload your own, and let it run. Their software will analyze the music and create a music video that works in time with the tempo of the music. It is so very cool.
Here's an example from my recent urban session which I posted on my photo blog (sorry RSS readers, you have to come over to the actual site to see this). The video made the client happy AND has been great marketing for me already.
For business owners such as photographers that want to create music videos to offer to our clients, they have two levels of commercial membership (a 3 month membership for $99 and a one year membership for $249). The commercial membership gives you access to music that has been cleared for commercial usage, minimizes the amount of Animoto branding, and gives you unlimited DVD quality downloads. I went ahead and signed up for a one year pass knowing that I can use these videos for marketing, as bonuses for customers, or for sale to customers!
I will warn your...this can be highly addictive. I've watched my videos a bunch of times because it is just so fun to see them as a music video. Oh, and you can download your video and add it into sites like Flickr or transfer it to YouTube. So very cool.
So go create your free 30 second short to see how easy it is...then sign up for your commercial account so you can start creating these for clients. Imagine how much more fun it'll be to have client review sessions that are kicked off with a music video!!! Way more engaging than a standard slideshow. Come back and leave a comment with the link to your site where you've created your own slideshow so we can check it out!
Hey jessica!
Your insight and information is always inspiring and helpful. Thanks again.
While my photograhy base has grown leaps and bounds this year, I'm just starting out as a blogger and have so much to learn. (like keeping things interesting and ~~simplifying~~!)
Today, I was motivated by your terrific and funky video. I was excited to make my mini-video at animoto and place it on my new blog: the inspired nest, where I am currently expounding upon the planning of my own wedding, my fledgling photography business, and my artistic creativity.
Here is my professional photo site:
http://fitzphoto.smugmug.com
and my blog, where I posted my animoto:
http://www.theinspirednest.typepad.com
can't wait to see the videos that others come up with! ciao~ciao
Posted by: Lynette | July 24, 2008 at 02:15 PM