Hey Girl, Nice Shot

Automated Online Backups with LiveDrive

A while back I asked my husband to write a blog post about how I back up my files using an online service called livedrive.com and I wanted to revisit this because they've added some functionality!

My Portrait Session Workflow - File Management

When I return from a portrait session the first thing I do is get the photos off the card.  The time between when I take the photos and I get back to my desk is stressful for me...I just cannot wait to back up the photos!  I use Lightroom to import the photos off the cf card.  When I put the card in the reader, Lightroom will launch and ask me if I'd like to import the photos.  I create a new directory to import them into (my structure is /2010 Portraits/MMDD_ClientName/Originals/ in case you care). On this same screen, Lightroom will give you an option for making a copy to a secondary location.  I used to backup the originals straight to DVD, but now instead I backup to the virtual backup drive that is connected to the online backups (using a similar structure: /LIVEDRIVE/2010 Portraits/MMDD_ClientName/Originals).  Then I just watch while Lightroom imports the photos to my hard-drive AND to my virtual backup drive.

[NOTE: If you have large files or a lot of files from a session or a wedding, it is important that you keep your computer on and connected to the Internet while the files have a chance to backup to the server.  If you are backing up a large number of files for the first time...this can take a VERY long time. I do this on my desktop so I don't have to worry about waiting for this process to finish.  The only problems I've had with files not backing up completely are when I shut down my computer before they've completely uploaded.]

Automatic Backups While I Work

The other option with LiveDrive it to set specific folders to automatically backup to the server if it sees that there is a change in the file or the addition of a new file.  This is great for backing up not online the files you are working on, but any local copy of documents, your actions directory, and even the directory that you download all those great templates you buy. You'd hate to have spent good money on templates and then loose them!  I have the directory where I work on sessions setup to automatically backup.  This means when I generate PSD files, they are backed up.  When I crop proofs they are backed up.

Saving my A$$

So, computers go down.  Hard drives fail.  Bad things happen (how many of you have spilled diet coke on your laptops).  So having an easy backup solution is critical.  I used to back up to DVD and to an external drive but then I had trouble accessing my external drive, and I have WAY too many DVDs for that to be practical.  Plus, if something happened my house house where all this stuff is stored, I'd be out of luck.  How many of you have some sort of off-site storage? GET ONE!  Recently I had a request to order some reprints from a session from December of last year.  Well, since December my computer had a major melt-down and had to be completely wiped and reinstalled.  And thankfully those files were saved on my online backup so I could get to them.

Double the Fun

Now, because we are a little fanatical here, we double our backups.  My husband setup another computer at our home whose job it is to go see what is on the LiveDrive, and back it up to that computer.  So that makes our process

Copy files to workstation -> copy files to online backup -> copy files to second workstation

We figure that way if anything every happened to LiveDrive, at least we have another backup.  Probably overkill for most folks but a nice safety net.

Now Macs Can Play Too, and more

The last time we wrote about LiveDrive it was PC only.  But they have recently come out with a beta version for Mac.

I have multiple computers I work on.  I have a primary workstation, a secondary workstation, a PC laptop, and a Mac Air Laptop.    Yah, a lot to keep track of.  So that makes it especially wonderful for me to have everything automatically backing up online so I can get to it from the other computers.  And there is a web portal which means I can log into the website from ANY computer and access something if I'm not at one of my computers and need to get to something.

The pricing for a year of the service is around $150 and it has definitely saved me MORE than that in security and time. Heck, it has probably saved that much in DVDs.

 

SEO For Photographers - Updated Results

Earlier this week I had an email in my inbox from a company in India offering to do search engine optimization for my website.  They claimed that I wasn't ranking for my keywords and they could help me!  I'm sure they didn't check, that they just email blast and hope something sticks.  If you get one of these emails, I suggest just delete it.  You know your market best and you are in the best position to optimize your site with a little help.

I got my little help from The Photographer's SEO Book a few months ago.  I had randomly done some things early on with my site to "help" my rank but I was still on pages 2-4 for many of the keywords that I wanted to be ranked for.  After reading the eBook by Zach Prez, I implemented his suggested changes over a few weeks.  I selected some of the easier changes first (updating my site's splash page) and as time allowed went back and made additional adjustments to the text of my site, the alt tags, the titles, etc.  And I started creeping up the rankings.

As I've noted in the past, I use a product called Traffic Travis to manage my keyword list and to check my ranking (SORRY-IT IS PC ONLY).  Sure beats going in and searching across multiple search engines to see where I rank myself (it is a HUGE time saver).  So after this email came in from the developer offering to help with my search engine rank, I went ahead and ran my keyword report for my main photography site.

The list above shows the keywords that I report on where I rank on the first page of the results for the three big search sites (Google, Yahoo!, Bing).  The items in yellow are keywords where I've moved up in rank since the last time I ran the report.    So the good news is I rank on the first page (and even in the first position) for many of the primary keyword sets I'm targeting in my search engine optimization.  This is a major improvement over my rank when I first ran this report about 4 months ago.  And all by making changes you can make too!

And to give you an idea, here are some of the top keywords people are searching for when they come to my site.  I know this because I run Google Analytics on my site and they have a report that shows you what keywords people were searching for when they find your site.  And as I would expect, many of the keywords I'm optimized for come up in this list.

And with the holiday season approaching I would suggest considering tweaking your SEO to reflect searches specifically for holiday portrait sessions.

I've done the same type of optimization for my primary keywords on my website for photography classes.

I am optimizing for FAR fewer keywords sets for that site and also doing very well in those.  I rank first for the ones that are most important to me and I can see the results.  I am contacted almost every day by someone interested in taking a photography class with me.   And even better, because the site includes a directory of photographers that offer photography classes I'm seeing them get clicks to their sites as well (which helps their ranks AND sends business their way).    The people on the directory have all purchased my Photographer's Kick Start: Training module so I have a level of confidence that they have at least a certain level of class available and so linking to them makes sense and makes it easier for me as I used to get emails all the time from people looking for a photographer in a different area that offered classes.

Holiday Cards & Gifts for the DIY Photographer

Not to be outdone by those who take the outsourcing approach, for many photographers the option of offering custom high quality press-printed cards and other photo gifts is a way to draw families in for those holiday sessions.  I think my second holiday season I went WAY overboard and bought every holiday template that was available from any vendor - seriously, I think I had something like 100 holiday card choices. It was overwhelming for me, and for my clients.

The third year I purchased a much smaller number of templates and only offered them after a minimum purchase to avoid putting so much work in to the holiday cards and not making enough money on the session as a whole.  It was a MUCH better option.

Last year I purchased even fewer holiday card templates and I only offered a custom design service to my very best clients.  I outsourced everyone else and it was an AWESOME combination for me.  I always do my own cards too.  And my company cards.

Believe me, I totally understand how photo card template shopping can be like eye porn for photographers.  So many templates, so little time.  So here are a few of my favorites this year!

 

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Design Aglow

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I am such a big fan of pretty much anything Design Aglow puts out.  I just love the style!!!  Especially after meeting the lovely Lena Hyde at Learnfest, I continue my love affair with all things DA.  I especially love the rich colors of Design Aglow products and I think they look especially yummy printed on the art watercolor paper from WHCC.

This year you can stand out from the crowd by offering round holiday cards that double as an ornament!  And the template collection also includes square versions for those looking for a more traditional card but loving the style.  I think these would also be great as the studio card that goes out to your customers...I can imagine starting that as a tradition.

You know what would also be fun for these?  To have them made into coasters!!! Right?  I know My Own Labels offers photo coasters.

This collection of holiday cards throws tradition aside and makes holiday cards fun!  I love that you can use them as they are, or customize them for your clients!

Looking for something more traditional?  And something to work with that vintage faded photo feel that is SOOOO hot right now?  Check out his collection - it totally took my breath away and better yet, the designs are for the outside AND inside of a folded card for a totally polished look!!

 

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Jaime Schultz Designs

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The very first photo card template I ever bought was from Jaime Schultz Designs.  At one point I owned everything ever designed by her.  Her offerings have expanded so much over the last few years and now there is a beautiful online storefront to go with it.

One of the things I really like about her card collections is that there is so much variety in each collection AND that they usually include at least one 5x5 trifold option or a accordian fold option (I LOVE 5x5 Trifold cards).

 

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Swiss Miss Design Haus

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Swiss Miss has super cute designs and for those looking to save some money, you can buy individual card templates.

One of the things I really like is that she offers wide format cards (where the card opens on the short side).  I think it is a fun and different way to layout your cards.   I actually used the card design above last year for my holiday cards and love them.

 

 

Tiny Prints & Minted: Outsourcing Holiday Photo Cards for Photographers

I've never been a big fan of making my own holiday cards for my clients.  I know the arguments: it is great marketing, you get to have your name on the back, blah.  To be honest, I feel like it is too much time for too little money.  Having to have the the templates, having clients choose and change their minds, all of it. Yeah, can you tell I'm in a funk?

Well, last year what I did is encouraged my clients to use either Tiny Prints or Minted for their cards.  If they had not purchased a package with digital files then I would upload their selected files for them, otherwise, they could do the whole process themselves.  And you know what, it was VERY freeing!

So again this year, I will be suggesting to clients that they consider using Tiny Prints or Minted for their holiday cards.  That's not to say I don't do ANY custom work - but they do pay a hefty premium for that service.

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Tiny Prints

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I've always been impressed with the cards I have recieved from TinyPrints in the past.  The paper is a good stock which makes a world of difference.  I think their print quality is good.  And they really have a fantastic online system for allowing customers to design their own cards, customize it, and then for clients that need the photos uploaded, I am happy to upload it (after a minimum print order has been placed, of course).  They have trifold cards, which I love, and their folded cards have lots of different layout options for the interior (great for clients that can't decide on just one or two pictures for their holiday card).

Recently when I checked back in with TinyPrints I noticed they had some new products including these AWESOME looking photo notebooks.  What a great gift item for your VIP clients, or an upsell for a package.  Better yet, add one or two of these to your highest price package as a "holiday special" to encourage clients to increase their purchases.  They are priced right around $12 but are cheaper if you purchase them in volume.

 

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Minted

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Minted in another company that I suggested last year to my customers.  Again, I liked the quality of their paper stock.  One of the things that is great about Minted is that if you sign up with them as a photographer you can setup your own storefront...then when your clients order cards from that co-branded storefront, the back of the card will have your studio name giving you that marketing edge that we look for in our holiday cards.  For example, my storefront is http://bubblegumtree.minted.com.  I don't have a ton of stuff on there but as we get closer to the holiday season I'll go through and see what items I like and add them in.

One of the styles I really liked from Minted are their Yearline cards.  The inside of the card is designed to hold four photos in like a timeline fashion but the text is totally customizable so you could use it to make a little newsletter, or an update on each member of your family by using names instead of dates.

Another Minted product that I love are their Mini-books.  They have grommets that hold them together, and you can choose to have either a combination of text and photos for more of a storybook, or more photos is you wanted to really make it a holiday photo book.  They are so unique!

And for when you want to include a special thank you to a customer, or suggest a photo gift item, their photo stationary cards make a great choice!

So there you have it.  I like these two services because I feel they have high quality paper and printing, a large variety of designs and styles, and they do electronic proofs so the clients can approve the cards. I don't have to make cards or deal with revisions.  And it is easy for me to upload the photos for my clients when they don't order digital files (you can even charge a service fee for this OR make it a free add-on for your larger packages).

 

 

My Choice: Waterproof Point and Shoot Camera

Not that long ago I was writing about my consideration of purchasing a waterproof point and shoot camera.  I wanted something small that would be easy for me to tuck into my purse when I didn't want to carry my Canon 5D Mark II.  And because we spend so much time in and around the pool or beach, I knew that I wanted a waterpoof camera so I could have some fun with the kids and not worry about the camera.  I ended up going with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2.  The fun bright orange color helped sway my choice (although it comes in other colors).  Also, my husband surprised me by buying it for me.

Here's a quick pic of my daughter on a recent trip we made to Alabama. It was super sunny and I did force the flash for a little fill on her.  The color is great right out of the camera.

This picture I took with the camera on sunset mode.  I love the warmth of the sunny portion.

Today I took my kids to the pool at our gym.  While we have a pool in our backyard it hardly compares to the one at our gym that features a two story water slide.

Here you can see the side by side comparison of the straight out of the camera (on the left) and the one that I did REALLY quick basic adjustments on just to give it a color boost and sharpening. 

 

Summer Day at the Pool from Jessica Grieves on Vimeo.

But the real fun comes with the underwater photos and video.  Above is a video I made using a few clips I took today in the pool with the kids and some photos I took.  All were taken with the Panasonic Lumix.

By the way, I made the video combining my video clips and photos using one of Animoto's new premium styles: Water, which is included in my pro account.