Hansen Images – Before

Hansen Images – After

Hansen Images from San Francisco Greater Bay area specializes in Equine, Wedding, Event and Portrait Photography. Debbie from Hansen Images contacted me for an extreme makeover of her web site, blog, social media strategy and on-line order fulfillment process.

Debbie writes to us:

“I’ve come a long way in my photography, but still have a long way to go…..  I think every photographer might think this way. 

There is always something new and challenging  to learn in this art world.   You never really “get there”.

I’ve had a camera in hand since I was 12, learned from the guys who shot album covers back in the day when my dad was a music engineer in the 70’s.  I was always hanging out at his studio.  (Graham Nash’s camera collection blew me away…….)

I started seeing the world TTL  … and was thrilled (to once in a while) have this awesome print in front of me, just as I imagined in my head.  I called it my “National Geographic Moment”. 

Fast forward 30 + years, many classes, workshops, trials and tribulations….. 

The thrill of the capture is stronger than ever.  I always have a camera to grab, from my phone to a compact digital Elph, G10, 5 D, Mark 11, and my current fav, the new Mark IV.  And, once in a while my Nikon FM2 film camera.

What to do with all these images and requests?
 

Found and started with SmugMug about 5 years ago as my platform to launch my images to the world.  Can’t imagine life without them….those heroes are amazing.  Brilliant.

Then Jerry found me shortly after,  from miles away …. And put together a great website on Smug Mug’s platform that launched me further.   And now again with this new awesome update complete with blogging.  And with help from Brittney Melton’s graphic designs,  I have had so many complements.

Beautiful, professional, easy, and profitable.  SmugMug has always been on top of what us photographers’ need.  Perfect showcase for what I do and how I want to connect with people.  I have complete control with absolute confidence. 

 
The team efforts of SmugMug, Jerry and Brittney have helped me get to my happy place and I love it.

How else should it be?” 

Visit Hansen Images to see more images…

Graphic design by Brittney Melton Photography and Design

Brittney Melton Photography and Design from Austin Texas specializes in wedding, senior and family photography.

Brittney writes:

“I’ve always loved photography. I took film classes in high school and just fell in love. I earned my degree in Graphic Design and have used so much of what I’ve learned in my own photography. I just recently started my business about 2 years ago and I’ve loved every minute of it! I’m SO excited to see what the future holds! Photography has always been an interest and a love and I’m so thankful that I get to take beautiful pictures of [beautiful] people as a part of my living!”

“I’m brand new to this “smugmug” world but I am LOVING it! Jerry made me love it even more – I think I’m hooked! Thank you Jerry for the awesome work – as always!”

Visit Brittney Melton Photography and Design to see more images…

Note: To see an example of the client login, enter ‘jenheadshots’ (no quotes)

LT recently had the opportunity to work with SPC Creative Photography. SPC Creative Photography from Houston Texas specializes in portraits, sports and event photography.

Shelly writes to us:

I am convinced that given a nice cape and a tiara I could save the world – or at least photograph it for posterity.

As a child, I was the one who always brought home stray dogs and people – and then wouldn’t rest until they were safely fed and cared for. Then when I grew up, I learned that I really could do my part to save the world by working for a variety of nonprofit and health awareness organizations. In 20 plus years I did it all: Public relations, program management, fund raising, event planning, education, volunteer management, grant writing — and naturally photography often fell into my realm of responsibilities.

Just any old snapshots simply wouldn’t do; I wanted mine to be great, so I signed up for a lighting seminar with portrait guru, Dave Newman. Suddenly I saw everything with fresh eyes. It was like falling in love for the very first time, and I couldn’t think of anything but the pictures around me waiting to be captured.

So . . . I added more classes to develop and polish my skills and then launched SPCcreative as a sideline business. Before long, I was blessed enough to take it full time. My nonprofit/PR background gives me a unique perspective for telling my clients’ stories through imagery.

I believe that the photography experience should be stress-free and fun for everyone involved. I enjoy portraiture, weddings, action sports , product photography, nature, and travel. Most recently, I have added boudoir photography with a special niche for women who are 40 and older. After all, beauty doesn’t stop at age 25 and 125 lbs. The women who have paid their dues DESERVE to show off their beauty – if only for themselves and their husbands. The other day I had a session with a gorgeous 59 year old. Talk about FUN!

Few things make me happier than sharing a picture with someone and seeing them smile. It doesn’t matter to me if the picture is a portrait or candid snap, a game-winning touchdown, or the intricate stamen of a tiny orchid. I still get downright giddy at my prospects when I see a beautiful child in perfect golden-hour light. I love to watch storms approaching. Teenagers moody expressions light up my engines just as much as their million-dollar smiles. God gave us a beautiful world and I just want to photograph every square inch of it, every special occasion and every day-to-day moment that will become a memory only if it is recorded for the future

One of my funniest photography stories included a big lesson learned. I started shooting high school football for our athletic booster club. At my very first game, I positioned myself on the field after halftime alongside several other more seasoned photographers. We were going to catch the team running onto the field behind a couple of brawny flagmen who carrying huge flags. These banners are at least 8 x 12 feet, no joke. I had a fantastic shot of one of these guys coming straight at me. As he got closer, I decided it was time to get out of the way. BIG MISTAKE. He and I danced left and right all the way to the sideline. That was when I learned to stand still and get as small as I can. If the ball is not in play, these guys will go around me. During play . . . I am pretty strategic about where I stand, and I place a great deal of trust in my guardian angels who protect me every day.

Visit SPC Creative Photography to see more images..

It was back in the summer of 2007. One evening I was surfing through the Smugmug popular photos page and came across Jaki Good Photography. I spent awhile surfing through Jaki’s site admiring her photography. I was truely amazed and I e-mailed Jaki complimenting her on her wonderful art!

Soon after, Jaki contacted me about customizing her smugmug site. Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to work with Jaki on implementing a variety of new technology on her site. Since our collaboration her site now includes slideshow pro and PayPal collections for sitting fees/wedding down payments. You can see Jaki’s willingness to try different things in her photography. Jaki challenged my technical skills as well. She called me one time and told me she did not want the same slideshow on the home page to appear all of the time. “I get a lot of returning visitors and I want them to see something new!” So we came up with a method in which slideshowpro would generate a random slideshow for the site visitor. They may see the weddings slideshow or the seniors slideshows or the family slideshow – randomly selected.
With the amount of inquiries I receive on smugmug customization, Jaki’s site is one of the top sites I get compliments on (“I want my site to be just like Jaki Goods!”).

Every year I like to introduce some new technology to offer my customers. I thought would start off the year early with customizing
Showit/Smugmug/WordPress together in one seamless website. After returning from Imaging USA, I decided to take on this challenge I had set for myself, and I wanted to work with a photographer to make this initiative a success. At the same time, Jaki e-mailed me about some changes to her site. I called Jaki and shared with her what I learned about Showit and Smugmug and how well the platforms integrate with each other. Jaki really wanted to take her site to the next level to show off her wonderful art. She said “Jerry – I just want my site to kick ass!”

When we launched Jaki’s site on Facebook, the amount of comments, e-mails and phone calls was overwhelming. “Amazing” was the word we heard most often!

Jaki Wrote to me “sometimes i am truly amazed that i get paid to do something i love so much. when i am on a photo session, i am in FLOW – in the zone. time passes so quickly and i absolutely love every minute of it. i have many interests in my life, but photography is truly my passion. my photo sessions delight me – from helping my clients with clothing choices, to deciding on the perfect locations, to spending time with my them and bringing out their personalities in my photos. i have recently ventured into studio photography, but my niche is certainly on location, using natural light and real, dynamic settings. i feel blessed to be a photographer. sometimes the large amounts of editing, deadlines, and ordering seem like work, but taking pictures, creating snapshots in time, and getting to know so many wonderful people never gets old. my love for nature, art, and people all make photography the perfect fit for me.”

If you have not already done so, visit Jaki Good Photography to see more…

Back in 2008, I had the opportunity to work with Cathy Hartman Photography on the customization of her smugmug site. At the time, her photography business was “Treasured Moments” photography.

Cathy recently contact us for ‘an extreme makeover’ to her site with new colors, banner, logo, slideshow, content and music. LT worked with the Cathy on implementing the modifications. Most importantly, LT did not have to ‘recreate’ the customization of her smugmug site. The customization is design specifically for ‘extreme makeovers’ and enhancements for photographers who change there market brand strategy. This results in both a savings in time and money and expedites the redesign process. LT also work with Cathy to design and develop her wordpress blog which looks exactly like her smugmug web site.

Cathy writes to us “I have loved photography since I was a kid. It was always a great hobby, but not something I had time to pursue professionally. Most of my images were of my six children, 10 grandchildren, and students at my dance studio. Three years ago I sold my dance studio and last year became an empty nester. This gave me the opportunity to take my photography to the next level. I am very passionate about my photography and feel so blessed to spend every day with my camera. Some days I think I only want to be a baby and child photographer because I absolutely love the little ones. Then the next day I change my mind as I have a blast with a senior. Weddings are awesome – who doesn’t love a wedding! It means so much to be able tell the story of the couple’s special day through my images. And, I still have my passion for dance, but now as a dance photographer. There is nothing like capturing the beauty of a dancer whether on stage or leaping through the park. ”

Before – Treasured Moments Photography

After – Cathy Hartman Photography

After – Cathy Hartman Photographys Blog

Congrats to Cathy Hartman Photography on the new implementation of her market brand and “awesome” job LT!
Visit Cath Hartman Photography to see more images..