If you haven’t become a fan over at the Facebook page… what are you waiting for?!?  Thanks!  CLICK HERE!

Check out the video below… if you would like to download it from iTunes for free, CLICK HERE!

If you would like to register for their event to see all the wedding photos online, CLICK HERE!

PhotoVenture with Kenny Kim & Friends – Italy, 2010 from Curtis Moore on Vimeo.

I’ve only played around with them for about 30 minutes but so far so good… very impressive!!  Really quickly hit some adjustment buttons to find a great white balance, contrast level, shadows and tone… very easy and it got it right.  The top photo has some “Bitchin Camaro” and the bottom B&W processing is called “Riot Juice”.  Oh, and the brushes are great!!!  Even good old “Ying and Yang” in the house:):)  Still lot’s to explore but so far, this is the best group of Lightroom presets I have seen:)  I’m sure these will grow to be even stronger in the next year with the release of Lightroom 3:)  This image was all lightroom with a sharpening droplet set on export using a sharpening action from the TRA2 package.  This was a quick test so perhaps I’ll post a larger collection of pics with before and after’s soon:)  Thanks again Totally Rad!!!

Check out everything Totally Rad has to offer HERE, thanks!

So this January is all about love and we need a contest:):)  For your chance to win a free couples session email your love story to curtismoore@moorephotography.ca

The selected couple will receive a couples sessions and an 8×8 art album on me!  No substitutions for a boring family session, LOL!  Just you and your loved one.

I want to hear some great stories so please don’t hesitate!!  Thanks to the awesome Kyle Perison in Vancouver for giving me this great idea!!

But I love what I do!!!  Why does this happen???

It just does:):)  I’m not sure why, but it just does.  For some it is easy, and others very difficult.  I shouldn’t be complaining about anything… I honestly feel blessed that I am doing what I love and spending more time with my family!

The good news is… you are not alone and everything is gonna be just fine:):)  It still won’t be easy… but what is???  I want every single thing about my business and life to be “great”… and that shouldn’t come easy:)  It’s certainly not going to happen by itself!  I recall seeing an amazing video last year posted by Zack Arias on his blog… it is a must see for photographers, CLICK HERE to see it.  If anything, it made me feel that I wasn’t the only one struggling to build my business over the winter.  I always remember that “Every photographer at some point in history, sucked!”  Very inspiring… Thanks Zack!

So I am going to face reality early this year and beat this so called winter depression:):)  Have fun… more face time with friends, photographers and clients… take care of my body… step out of my comfort zone… learn new things from others and on my own… set goals… achieve them and bring my business to heights I have only dreamed about.  It’s very comforting to know that I don’t need to do this by myself!  I have Amanda, Bethany, my clients, my family, my friends and many awesome photographers out there willing to lend help and support:)

I have so many new and exciting things happening over the next three months that I can’t even think straight!  So please stay tuned and keep updated with the blog… lot’s of cool news coming!  Speaking big picture… my goal is to outsource where I can to create more face-time with clients, friends and family… continue to develop my photography skills working with others and restructure my business to showcase it’s most important, valuable and unique offering… ME!!  I’m also gonna have fun with some new projects that will challenge but benefit the way I shoot… my good friend Rebecca and I will be teaming up and showing you some cools stuff in the months to come:):)  Thanks so much for reading!!!

Some advice for others…

Shooting Outdoors – It can be difficult with our cold weather:(  If your client really wants outside photos… find a location where it will be easy to pop in and out of to stay warm and spend 5 to 10 minutes shooting outside at time.  Remember to “walk around the shot” to get all you need before heading in.  As long as you and your clients understand what to expect, it’s not that bad and will make for some wicked winter shots:)  You never know… maybe we will have a nice winter???  Suggest to you clients to try to wear clothing that is warm but still can give their body a shape.  Shoot close to a coffee shop for a mid hot chocolate break:):):)

Shooting Indoors – Practice, practice and practice!  Have confidence in yourself and learn as much as you can about anything you are afraid of… get out of your comfort zone!  You can create cool things when you get that flash off your camera:):)

Yourself – Not a clue!!!  Any advice???  It’s tough for me, especially at this time of your to eat right and exercise… but I’m gonna try:):)

Your Business – This is the time of year for new direction, new ideas, new logo, new website, new blog, new prices, new product, new everything!  (although this is somewhat true and differs for everyone… remember why your 2010 & 2011 clients booked you… make sure you keep some things consistent depending on your current position… you don’t want to worry or upset your clients by going in a wrong direction).  The truth is, there are so so so so many photographers out there now and many of them look the same… how can you stand out and offer something unique that everyone wants a piece of???  YOU!!!  Put “YOU” into your business.  You are unique, so sprinkle it all over everything and you will certainly enjoy what you do!  There is nothing more valuable and important than good marketing!!!  There are a few important equipment choices but if you are thinking of where to put the little money you may have… MARKETING!! (website, blog, logo, branding, ect).  Want some great resources to help and inspire???

Fast Track Photographer by Dane Sanders (A must read for ANY photographer)

The [b] school (A great price and so much info)

DWF forum (Another great place to hang out)

Showit Sites (Make your site all “YOU” very easily)

I could list hundreds more but there is really no need.  Everyone has different tastes and different roads to travel and all of the above resources will give you many many more resources and business ideas to keep your fire lit:):)  If you are a photographer, feel the same way about this time of year and have anything to share… please leave a comment below:)  It will only help!!  Thanks again and enjoy!

Oh so cold… but they sure warm me up:):):)

We all know that referrals are so important and helpful to us… the most effective (and affordable) advertising you can find!  I start with my Bride & Groom of course by delivering to them what they expected multiplied by a million:)  I keep the party members happy and praising my name by keeping their photo time short and sending them off for drinks and fun!  What about the guests???  You guessed it… the Rockbooth!  They love it!  They have so much fun and it drives them right to my site after the wedding!  Rockbooth print sales from guests have been awesome but I was trying to figure out how I could offer more without too much design work involved… how about a wicked Rock Album?!?

I’m no designer so I contacted the wonderful team at Design Aglow with the idea and they loved it!  They are amazing!!  Check out their stuff…. so many helpful tools for your business!  And for you photographers that want to get your learn on… check out their article issues… very inspiring!!  They created an awesome design template where you can easily drag and drop photos from the Rockbooth into spreads and apply them to a self mount album.  As soon as I offered them at weddings the requests came rushing in!  Who wouldn’t want a cool keepsake like this to remember the party?!?  You can display these at weddings while rocking out at the reception.  Not only do they want one but it easily gives them an idea of what the Rockbooth is all about and how they can rock out! Thanks again to Design Aglow for an awesome job!!!!  The design template will be available to purchase from Design Aglow right away.  Check out the slideshow below for more reception fun!! Enjoy

Oh yah… For clients and guests who are interested in getting your own Rock Album, send a request through email at curtismoore@moorephotography.ca  for now.  I will have actual album product shots and a link to purchase up on the site right away.  Thanks!

The Rockbooth from Curtis Moore on Vimeo.

For any guests who participated in the fun and would like to order some personal prints or even a rockin’ album, CLICK HERE for the galley and please contact me if you have any questions.  (pasword is “cindy” and a 30% discount code is “MANMEET”)  Thanks!

If you haven’t become a fan over at the Facebook page… what are you waiting for?!?  Thanks!  CLICK HERE!

Check out the video below … if you would like to download it from iTunes for free, CLICK HERE!

Cindy & Manmeet – The Rockbooth from Curtis Moore on Vimeo.

To see more from the evening, CLICK HERE for the show!

We went out of the resort for a walk for the next few

I miss you so much Bethany!

Night time music at the resort, very cool!

Oh, and what a great day today hey!  Everyone was in and out of their rooms catching the historic day today.  Awesome!

To see more from the session, CLICK HERE for the show!