Phone Case Giveaway with Caseable! [ Recycled ] { Spring Flower Photography } Spring Freebie

We are all so looking forward to Spring! It is time for Winter to close and Spring to make its appearance with a profusion of flowers and warming breezes. And in anticipation of Spring, Caseable is giving away one of my Phone cases for free! FREE! All you do is stop by their Facebook Page and leave a comment about what you like best about spring for a chance to win my popular Dialogue With the Sky design in a phone case! But hurry, a winner will be selected in a couple days! Of course my favorite thing to do is to get out and hike and shoot the beautiful flowers! Spring Fever!!

Dream {Central Ohio Photographer} Desktop Wallpaper - free!

When things start moving fast in my life, I forget to breathe and I forget to dream. Dreams take being in the moment and taking the time to just "be". I made a desktop wallpaper with powerful little words that I could look at every day while at my computer! Yes - an affirmation while sitting at the computer!! So, I wanted to share this with you to enjoy on your computer as well. I think this will work on most computer screens.

You can download* the wall paper HERE or here.

* Please remember that the images are for your personal use only and I retain the copyright, etc etc :)

FREE Holiday Card Templates (Columbus Ohio Photograher)

Well, I had hoped to get to this MUCH sooner than December & hope it's not too late! Where has this year gone?! This season has been a very good one (thank you so much to my great clients!), & I have been just swamped with portrait sessions from September through now. But, I wanted to get a couple FREE holiday Card templates out there. These are 5x7 size cards and can be used with SQUARE CROPPED photos.I hope you enjoy!! Find the download link HERE.

Joyful Lightroom Presets!!

I LOVE Lightroom! For me, it is much more intuitive than Photoshop. In Photoshop, there are actions. In Lightroom, there are presets. Both perform similar functions - a means of processing a photograph with one click (& then some adjustments). Most presets for Lightroom are for photographers who shoot in RAW. Sometimes I shoot RAW, but most of the time I shoot jpeg (space constraints on my computer & storage). Over the past months, I've had inquiries about my processing and my "signature" tones. So, I've decided to release the Lightroom presets I've developed to get "That Look". These presets are for those who shoot in jpeg. They will NOT look the same if applied to RAW files. Don't have Lightroom? Well download a FREE TRIAL & check it out for 30 days!

Joyful Lightroom Presets - a set of 20 presets for editing jpeg files in Adobe Lightroom. Instructions for installing the presets are included. Want to try a couple first? Click HERE to download 2 FREE presets!

The rose garden shots were taken on an overcast day. I was shooting aperture priority at 5.6 and had white balance set to auto.

The dinosaur shots were taken at 10AM on a clear autumn day. The sun was at about a 45 degree angle to the boys right. I was shooting aperture priority (5.6) with white balance at auto.

The painter shots were taken on an overcast day around noon. I was shooting aperture priority (5.6) with white balance at auto.
These shots were taken around 11AM. The boy was backlit and the sunlight was diffused by tree branches and leaves. I shot aperture priority (5.6) with white balance at auto.

To purchase JOYFUL LIGHTROOM PRESETS, look for the link in the sidebar to the right! Enjoy your free presets!

MAGGIE TEXTURES {Tools for Photographers} and a FREE Postcard Texture

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
~ Anatole France

Pets touch our lives. Most of us have had at least one pet in our lifetimes. They hold an important spot in our lives & hearts. Last evening, a neighbor recalled her childhood pet, a White Collie. She remembered going to the vet to see her the last time. It brought tears to her eyes 65 years later. And many of us will have our 1 in a million pet – the one pet we share a bond & connection more unique than the others. Maggie May, my lab greyhound, is that for me. She is my one in a million.

Maggie May became critically ill July 4, 2010. She was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. I almost lost her. She spent 2 days in veterinary emergency care and 4 days hospitalized at my vet after the holiday weekend. Maggie May came home & is recovering daily – her playful goofy nature is back. Her appetite is improving. What followed her home are huge vet bills (3K). My ability to pay these bills is directly tied to how many portrait sessions I book, and sales of my art and textures. At the present time, things are very slow & I cannot even make the payment plan.

I have created a special MAGGIE TEXTURE SET. The sales from this set will help me pay this bill. I am giving a freebie texture, and the cost of this TEXTURE SET is low to make it affordable. So please, no sharing! Please pass the word!! Also, if you don’t have the MODERNE TEXTURE SET, I am reducing the price to $20!! There is something for everyone in this set – traditional textures, backgrounds/frames & word/letter textures.

MAGGIE’S STORY:
Maggie was in 2 homes & 2 shelters by age 1. She was the dog no one wanted. Maggie came home with me at age 1, enrolled in obedience training, & was loved. She ultimately went on to become a THERAPY DOG visiting heart patients in a local hospital. She has also graced many pet rescue fundraising calendars and small business logos & marketing pieces.

MY STORY:
I had lost my 2 dogs (AGES 14 & 15) around the time my 2 ½ year divorce became final. My parents had passed prior to that. I had no family or support system. Enter Maggie. The irony is that twins ran in my family. I grew up believing I would have twins & I knew they would be girls. I picked out 2 names: Katie Grace & Maggie Jean. I saw Maggie at the shelter & knew in an instant she was meant to come in my life - & she came with her name! (For those who have read “The Art of Racing in the Rain” you will understand this!!) I adopted Maggie, & together we learned to trust & love & become confident – to live in the moment. The bond I share with Maggie is even more special since we volunteered together at the hospital. It was amazing to see how people responded to her & how much she helped them! I have always believed in volunteering & giving back/paying it forward. I want to help people. I actively participate in helping pet rescue organizations and to an organization for chronically ill/terminally ill children. And I have donated my art to raise money to help restore the Gulf Coast. I have always been the person rallying for a cause & helping. I am a private person, & I don’t like to ask for help. But Mags needs are bigger than I can handle, & even with the economy being so tough for everyone, it’s my hope enough people can help just a little bit by purchasing textures, art or sessions & we will overcome these tough circumstances.

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See sidebar for purchase link.

For the FREE DOWNLOAD of this postcard texture, CLICK HERE.

Valentine's Day Sale on my Etsy!

I'm sharing the love in my Etsy shop! Through Valentine's day, I'm having a buy one get one sale!! Treat yourself to a little something - and give a little something to a friend - for free.

Drumroll, Please.....

Thanks so much to all of you for stopping by and saying hello! It was great seeing some new people stop by, as well as old friends! Thanks for sharing my happiness and excitement over my Etsy shop opening!

I hopped on the random number generator site and clicked the button twice to get 2 random numbers. The lucky numbers were #13 and #27. I scrolled down to see who filled those spots in the comments.

CONGRATUATIONS to Meg with Tea & Brie Photography and to Amy McGibbon! Yay, girls! You each win a FREE 8x10 of your choice. And.... because ALL of you are truly winners, I'm offering a buy one get one free to all of you. If you see something on my Etsy shop or Flickr that you have to have, you'll get another freebie of your choice. Just specify the title of the Freebie in the comments section when making your purchase. Hugs to all of you!

Happy Monday!

My Etsy Shop is Open!

There have been many questions about how to purchase my fine art photographs, and I'm pleased to announce that is finally an option! I have officially opened my ETSY shop, and will be adding more items in coming days. To celebrate my Grand Opening, I will be giving away an 8x10 of your choice. Simply make a comment on this post - it's that easy to enter! Comment before midnight Sunday January 31, 2010. I will randomly select two winners and each person will receive a complimentary 8x10. Make sure to include your email or some way of reaching you should you be the lucky person(s), and let me know the title of your choice! To stop by the shop, CLICK HERE.

Girl and Beach Umbrella

Blueberries

Forget Me Not2

Oak in Fog


Pair of Pears


Watermelon and Roses

Apple Blossom White

FREE HOLIDAY TEXTURES!! {Columbus Ohio Photographer}

Back by popular demand!! CLICK HERE to download some fun FREE holiday textures!! Enjoy!

FREE SESSION! {Columbus Ohio Family Photograher} {Columbus Ohio Pet Photographer} Columbus, Ohio

It is that time of year again… the hustle and bustle of decorating, holiday parties and searching for perfect little gifts. For me, the season has been about wonderful memories, traditions and giving. I believe giving has a domino effect… one kindness, smile or act of giving somehow has a ripple effect. It reaches out with wonderful effect.

So, I would like to give you a gift. I will be giving a free classic session ($150 value) for a family (up to 5 persons) or pet (up to 2 pets) to a lucky soul to use in 2010. This offer is good in Central Ohio or Benzie County Michigan for a weekday session. Prints are extra. What do you have to do? It’s simple – just leave a comment on this post! I will be randomly picking a lucky winner who will receive a gift certificate for the session! This offer is good for NEW CLIENTS ONLY. Spread the word… and post a comment! Comments must be made by 10PM Saturday night (December 12, 2009). Winner will be selected & notified by Monday, December 14, 2009!

Happy Holidays

Free Wallpaper!

A little summer freebie to celebrate the first day of summer!! Enjoy!

Grab the link HERE.

Spring Wallpaper Freebie!

We've been waiting so long for Spring to appear! I went to Inniswood Metropark the other day - one of my favorie places. And this is what I spied! Enjoy this as a wallpaper by clicking HERE for the original size, or HERE for the large size.

Happy Spring!

St. Paddy's Day..... freebie!

Get ready to grab this freebie - one of my most popular!!! The download link is only good for a week (until March 22), so download & have fun!!

Feeling Lucky??? Chance for a FREEBIE!

OK - I fell in love with a new place I found..... LUSH. I will be giving away 3 freebies!!! Yay! Hop on MY OTHER BLOG for all the info. Leave a comment for a chance to win!

And the WINNERS are...

We have some WINNERS!! Yes, winner"S"! I decided to pick 1 grand winner to get the Moderne set, & I also picked 2 others to get the soon to retire (January 31st is the last day to get them!) Vintage Pastel & Urbanesque textures!! How did I pick? No high tech here.... I just put the numbers 1-34 on pieces of paper & pulled 3 out of a bowl!!

The winner of the Moderne Texture set is Aubrey! Yay, Aubrey!! The winners of the Vintage Pastel & Urbanesque sets are Sarah & Char. Way to go girls!! And.... because you are all winners, click this link to get a couple FREE TEXTURES to use!!

Love ya! Have a great day!!

MODERNE TEXTURE SET!!!

OK... FINALLY! These have been done for 6 months, but I was just so busy, I didn't have the chance to introduce them. But here they are!!! The new MODERNE Texture set!! There are a total of 28 textures that work wonderfully together, or alone!! And, I have a special intro price through January 31, 2009! Get them now for only $35!! After the 31st, they will go to $50.



Samples using the Moderne textures.

In the above images, I pulled the texture over the main image & used the blending mode of MULTIPLY. I then adjusted the LIGHTING & CONTRAST on the texture layer. I added brightness & also upped the contrast. I am so loving these new textures!!



POST A COMMENT BY MIDNIGHT JANUARY 28, 2009 (WEDNESDAY) AND YOU GET A CHANCE FOR A FREE MODERNE TEXTURE SET!!! EEP! I WILL RANDOMLY SELECT SOMEONE POSTING A COMMENT TO RECEIVE A FREE TEXTURE SET!

Last Call on Textures!

Last call on my texture sets!!! They will be going, going, gone!! In January 2009, my current texture sets will be retiring. So grab any you want now! In mid January 2009, I will be introducing a NEW set of textures! Yay!! I will be incorporating a couple of my favorite and most loved textures into the new set. Stay tuned for the news on the release of the NEW set!!

And don't forget to grab the FREE Holiday Textures in the post below!!

Holiday Textures - FREEBIE!

Holidays & freebies - now it just doesn't get any better than when those two are paired!! So.... here are a couple holiday freebies for YOU!! Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!! Click HERE for the download link. The link is only good for two weeks (until December 26) so download and save NOW! This is Molly, the Boston Terrier. The shot was taken by her owner, the multi-talented Char. Have fun & enjoy!


ORIGINAL SHOT.







OK – How did these texture images happen? In the snowflake shot, I pulled the texture over the Molly shot, & used blending mode Hard light set at about 70% opacity. I then used the ELIPTICAL MARQUEE TOOL with pixels set to 120 & worked it around on Molly to erase the texture from on top of her. The pixels set at 120 feathers the erased area.

For the red polka dot shot, I used the POLYGONAL LASSO TOOL to outline Molly. Once she was completely outlines with the lasso tool, I hit erase & poof, the texture was gone from her body.

Then just flatten the image & save as… I am currently using Adobe Photoshop Elements5. CS is on my wishlist!!