Trendy Strap Winners

Well, our Black Friday Sale was a huge success. And we have chosen the lucky Trendy Strap winners. Congratulations to Victoria Kelley and Stephanie Henry. They should be receiving their straps in the mail soon. Hope you both enjoy them!! I love mine. I am attaching a photo of me with my new Trendy Strap which looks like it was created with photoDUDS. Cool huh? Go check out all the awesome styles at trendycamerastraps.com

Tired of Your Same Old Backgrounds?

Are you like me . . . bored with the same backgrounds? Let's face it we can't continually buy new sets and backgrounds all the time. We would go broke!!! Well, here is an idea . . . use your DUDS to create entirely new looks with your back grounds. Here is an example where I changed to look one of my favorite backgrounds I have in the studio. It's a wall which I had painted by a local artist. But, as I will show by adding a few DUDS I am able to give the old background new life.

Here is the way the shot looks originally.



And this image is the same shot. However, I threw on an overlay from the Fresh, Senior v.1 Collection, changed the blending mode to soft light and masked out the subject.



And yet here again is another use of photoDUDS to create another look for this wall. In this image, I added two brushes in various colors from the photoDUDles 2, Brushes v.2.

Christmas Special

I just wanted to post some cards I created for our annual Christmas Special.

We want your opinion!!

We are taking a survey and we want your input. Tell us how we are doing, what you are using and what you want to see in the future. It will only take a few moments; plus, you'll get a reward. After finishing the survey, you will be taken to a window where you can download these two birth announcement freebies. Go to photoduds.com and get started right way. Thanks!!

Holiday DVDs are Finally Here!!

We know you have been waiting patiently for these awesome Holiday DUDS. Well, wait no longer . . . we are now shipping the DVDs. Plus, we also have added two new Mini sets to have as add-ons to your Holiday cards. Be sure to order soon, as we are running a sale on the cards sets only for the next couple of weeks. Go to photoduds.com and check out what the excitement is all about!!

Holiday Templates Just a Few Days Away!!

Here is a little teaser for the new upcoming Holiday Card Templates. We have three new DVDs arriving later this week. Here is a little taste . . .

Holiday Templates Coming Soon

Our newest DVDs will be released soon. We have three different DVDs of holiday cards, galleries and goodies coming in mid-October. Yep, three different coordinating sets with all sorts of templates for press products. Plus we'll be offering 3 mini collections you can add to those as well. There will be so many new things you won't know what to choose from!! So, get ready for some of the most exciting products we've ever offered.

Also, our contest was a huge success . . . we had over 200 entries and they were all so awesome that we decided to increase the number of winners to three DVD Covers. Also, all of the runners-up entries will have their photos included on the DVDs within the templates. Thanks to everyone for entering and congrats to all the winners!!! Happy DUDding!!

Cover winners:

Nick Adams
Peggy Todd
Danielle Williams

Runners-up:

Jonathan Betz
Dixie Dobbins
Drew Frank
Donna Froehlich
Patricia Gonzalez
Ann Kantola
Debbie Moon
Morgan Mosiman
Emily Porter
Danna Price
Jenifer Ries
Mary Russ
Vibeke Saetre
Annie Weaver
Kyle Wilcox

photoDUDS Discount

Hey all you loyal blog fans!! Here's your reward for following the blog . . . a coupon code for 15% off of any order you place on the photoDUDS website. The coupon will expire On October 14th, so don't delay. The code is:

blog15

Here is an idea for your studio . . . we are creating a lot of gallery wrap images and composites using the photoDUDS papers and brushes. This is an example of a 20x20 image gallery I created for the Cook family of their son, Robert. Too Cute!!

Rock 'n' Roll

Here is something I created last night using items from the Rockin' Booster Pack. I am so excited!! I am working on using some of the things from various collections in different ways to enhance my images. On this image I took an embellishment and placed it over the subject and set the blending layer to soft light. I then masked out the subject, burned the edge in and added the text.

Cover Contest

Calling your best shots!! We are currently running a contest and he winning photo will be featured on the cover of our upcoming DVD of our Holiday Card set. Here is the info:

Photo requirements:
We want your best photos - any subject suitable for a holiday card... families, seniors, engagement, kids, babies, pets (nothing inappropriate please). If chosen, your photo will appear on the cover of one of our soon-to-be-released DVD Holiday Card Set Templates. Each DVD will contain 7 holiday card templates (a mix of press product and photo cards) plus a BONUS gallery image template.

1)Must be low-resolution jpegs, 200KB maximum. Submit as many as you wish, up to 5 at one time.
2) Submitting a photo grants publication rights to photoDUDS for that photo for this contest only.
3) Submitter must be photo owner, and must have rights to publish/release submitted photo.
4) Winners must provide high-resolution versions upon request.

Prizes:
1) Winning photo will appear on the cover of one of our soon-to-be-released Holiday Card Set Template DVDs. Contest winner will receive one free Holiday Card Set valued at $80.00.
2) 10 additional winners will receive a $10 OFF coupon toward the purchase of any Holiday Card Set DVD.

Judging
Winning photos will be selected solely upon photo quality, composition, and suitability for holiday card sets.

Contest dates:
Photos may be submitted beginning on September 15, 2008 and ending on September 30, 2008.
Winners will be notified by October 3, 2008.
Coupons and DVDs will be issued immediately upon availability of product.

For more information or to enter the contest go to:

http://photoduds.com/Pages/photo_contest.html

Good Luck!!

Bohemian Template

I was working on a studio sample of senior Ashley Ross and I thought I would share the result. I made a couple of minor changes to the template by adding a stroke and changing the background paper to better match Ashley's photos. The finished size is 12x24 and I know it will look great hanging in our studio!!

Schilling Announcement

Just wanted to share the inside of a new tri-fold birth announcement I created using items from the Cherish DVD. I am only posting the interior of the card, as it is nearly impossible to show the entire card as it is presented with the folds. The family is the Schilling family--Jon, Kendra, Kennedy and new baby Sydney. I went to school with Kendra and have known her since I was very young. It's been such a pleasure capturing her treasured memories over the years. Congratulations to the Schilling family!!

Bohemian Pre-Release

Well, Bohemian is finally finished . . we have been planning it for quite some time now but it has taken a back burner to other projects. Anyway, it is completed and it has turned out so awesome!! We are currently offering $25 off of the DVD for all pre-release orders. The coupon code to receive the discount is boho25off
Hurry, this offer ends soon!! DVDs will ship around August 29th.

Loan Book

The PPA results are in and I was so happy to receive two Loans. One of my Loans was an album I created using items from my photoDUDS collections. The senior featured is Erin Stone from Logan High School and we had such a great time during her sessions. Congrats Erin you are a beautiful girl!!

Just Monkeying around . . .

Thought I would share this Designer Gallery I created for KalLee. These photos were taken at a really fun session with her Halloween costume. I created this with brushes from the photoDUDles v.1 Brushes set. I think it turned out really cute . . . she really had tons of great expressions!!

Our Donkey

Yes, you read it correctly and you are not crazy . . . I am now the proud owner of a donkey!!! I am posting a DUDded up composite my daughter made for me. Isn't it funny!! As some of you may know, we bought and new house and moved about three weeks ago. Well the house came with lots of amenities, one of which included a donkey named Hole. (You get it . . . _____hole. Well, we didn't name him so he can't blame us.) Hole is quite an amusing pet . . . he likes to come the fence every evening and bray for his treat--vanilla cream cookies!!

New Release__Cherish

I am very excited to announce that we are putting the finishing touches on our latest release, Weddings, Vol. 2 Cherish. Here is a preview of the cover . . . stay tuned we'll be sending out an announcement soon about a pre-order discount.

Nice Comment

I received such a nice e- mail from a photographer friend of mine who is using photoDUDS that I waned to share it with everyone. It's so nice to hear from people who are using the product and finding it so helpful in their business.

Beth,
Just wanted to tell you Thank You for photoDUDS. I cant stop playing and creating. This is exactly what I needed to help boost my confidence and advertising (the ideas are endless). My high school seniors love their pictures with that little extra touch that photoDUDS give. My 8 year old daughter Faith begs for computer time so she can create with photoDUDS.
Thanks again!
Kim Berger

Thanks Kim!! I really appreciate the kind comments. Keep up the great work! Here is the photo she attached to the e-mail.

Calling All Sports Fans

We have a new Booster Pack for your Seniors interested in Football, Basketball and Cheerleading. There's lots of highly textured add-ons, overlays and word art brushes in the pack. You have to go check it out (quickly now, it's on sale until July 2).

Here's an album page using sportz and kork:

If you are looking for specific sports, not to worry! We're working on Sportz 2 (Baseball, Softball, Volleyball and Soccer).

Bridal Story

I recently had a bride come in a see one of our senior storyboard concepts. She wanted something similar of her getting ready for wedding day. This is what I came up with. . .I think it turned out pretty nice. I had never really thought of offering this to brides. But with photoDUDS the possibilities are endless . . . .

Memento Released

We're happy to announce the release of the second DVD in the Storyboard line, Memento. It's a fun collection of girlie things to add your photoDUDS collection. And if you order Memento by June 16 you'll receive $20 off of the retail price.
Sometime later this week, we'll be releasing a second Booster pack called Sportz especially designed for the senior sports enthusiasts. The kit is centered around basketball, football and cheerleading. So drop by the photoDUDS site to get new ideas and to see all of the new things we are offering.

Storyboard Promo

I am deep in the process of creating all of my marketing materials for next year's senior season. UGH!! Anyway I just finished this promo for our storyboard line and I thought I would share. We are planning to set these out in the studio as well as send them out in the information packets.

spa exclusives

Hey spa members...watch for something special in your TK Notes!
There's an exclusive photoDUDS Alive MINI Collection in there, a bonus 20% off coupon, and an access code for the announcement template shown below! This template coordinates with the Alive MINI Collection, and only spa members can download it using the access code included in the TK Notes.



Never heard of spa Senior Portrait Artists?
spa ("spah") is an organization whose goal is to provide information for the senior photographer in a creative, artistic, and innovative form from both within and outside the photography industry. You can find out more on the spa website.

New DUDS--Memento Storyboard

I just sent in the order for our upcoming release of Memento, which is a Vol. 2 in the Storyboard line. The release date is set for June 6th and it's already in the store so you can go check it out online. For those of you who have purchased from us before . . . remember your discount coupon expires at the end of the week. If you have purchased from us before and you didn't receive an e-mail about the Customer Appreciation coupon send me an e-mail at beth@photoduds.com and I'll check it out. (Some of your e-mails are being returned as invalid addresses) Anyway, here is something I created using the new Memento. Enjoy!!

Seminar June 2

I have an upcoming seminar coming up in Dayton. I have had several calls recently about the seminar so I thought I'd post the details on the blog. If you are interested in signing up (there are a few spots left) you can e-mail Chuck Shade at shadephoto10@yahoo.com Se you in Dayton!!!!

David Announcement

I wanted to post this announcement even though it wasn't designed using photoDUDS. Well, there is one photoDUDS design on it . . . the tattoo on his arm. You may remember this image from an article that appeared in Rangefinder Magazine last August.
Anyway, I created this announcement of David for my long-time friend, Shelda. This is her youngest son (of three) and today is his 18th birthday. So, Happy Birthday David and congrats on your upcoming graduation!!

Newborn Composite

I just wanted to share one way in which I am using the photoDUDS in my everyday business. We have numerous options for composite images: 9 up square, slimline 5x30 panels, the eclectic, just to name a few. But now, using "my DUDS", I am able to create a designer series of composites whereby the final product is enhanced with papers and brush design from various photoDUDS DVDs. Here is a sample of a newborn composite I created earlier this year for the Plumleys. . . isn't Allyson beautiful!!

SPA Exclusive

Here is a Designer Gallery I created for a senior client using the overlay from an upcoming mini collection we created exclusively for SPA members. It will be sent out later this month in the SPA TK Notes packet to all SPA members. It will also include a discount code for SPA members to receive on any one order from the photoDUDS site. So, if you're interested in joining SPA check it out.

Senior Coffee Table Book

Lately, I have been frantic trying to finish all of the senior 08 coffee table books!! It's been fun and it's so much easier than last year since now I am using all of my DUDS. It actually has been fun!! So, I wanted to share a page from Laura Mikus' book with everyone. Laura is such a sweet girl and it was a pleasure to capture her senior memories. Enjoy!!

Graduation Announcement Freebie

I put a new freebie up on the photoDUDS website. So, if you are a photographer and working on senior graduation announcements like I am ...go check it out, download it and have fun!! Here is a link to the page.