Laura Wrede Freelance Writer and Photographer

Photography Set : How to stage a photography setting- lesson five

2012-02-14T21:37:00.000-08:00

A photography set can be a box of garlic in the early morning light.

How do you create a great photography set? All the worlds a stage.

My answer comes from days spent in my high school drama department where I learned all about set design for theater productions.

A photo set isn't any different than a theater set.

What this doesn't mean-
It doesn't mean you have to have a fancy stage, lighting, professional set designers, or expensive props. A photo set can be just about anywhere using very inexpensive props.

You can create a great set by simply placing a chair next to a window for instance.

Imagine for a moment that you want to shoot someone in an ethereal setting. The end photo will be a black and white.

A photography set idea:

Place a chair next to a window, drape gauze type material over the curtain rod, run a fan on the curtain and on your subjects hair.

Now place a cheap clip light outside the window if there isn't enough natural light coming in. Play with adjusting the light until you get the look you want. Add more clip lights inside focusing on hair and features.

Add a steam vapor machine to create a smokey affect if desired.

This is just a very short, simple example of how you can easily create a photo set. Think about places you've been in your area. Are there abandon buildings that make good back drops? Are there fields of flowers, hay bales, garlic boxes, wheat, or trees?

Think about how light looks at different times of the day. Long shadows in the late afternoon can create a very different look than the early morning shadows.

If you have to shoot products, also think in these terms. The surroundings of your shot will vary depending on your product. A car parked on a long winding road, shot low will look great. A watch gleaming on the road shot close up can also work.

Start thinking like a set designer the next time you need to stage a photo setting. They say all the world's a stage. In the world of photography, this is definitely true!

Photography Internet Lesson Four: Photography Composition

2012-01-11T20:11:00.000-08:00

Photo Composition Tips

In the early years of my photography endeavors, one of the more illusive things to me was photography composition.

It took me a few years to understand what makes a photo look good, or how to capture a well balanced shot, and obtain the right photo composition.

Many of you have likely heard of the rule of thirds. This is a standard rule in art and photography that says:
For the best photos, don’t put your subject right in the middle of your frame. Instead, imagine your frame is divided into thirds, both vertically and horizontally. Now position the most important elements at places where these imaginary lines intersect.

It is pretty easy once you understand how to frame a subject to meet the rule of thirds. It is even easier because many cameras have grid lines in the view.


The rule of thirds in photography

Sometimes, however, you may not have a single subject, such as a person, a tree, a bird, or some other isolated image. Instead, you want to shoot a scene. How do you divide a scene? The rule of thirds still applies. This time think in terms of two-thirds. This rule is especially easy when you think of an ocean with a horizon.

water, place the horizon about two thirds up from the bottom. This is a well balanced photo. You have two thirds of the photo as water, and one third as sky. Of course you can reverse that too.

For the business owner taking their own product shots, you can stage your photos using this technique. It will keep your product composition balanced.

Food photography composition is similar - keep your grid in mind when you are setting up the shot. This includes the placement of the plate or dish, relative to the grid lines.

For food, imagine an off center triangle. Look at the image to the left. If you start at the upper right corner and draw a diagonal line to the lower right corner, most of your composition fits into this grid.

As you practice remember not all images must be in perfect balance. Sometimes we make things off balance just to draw attention. I think of Radio Shack's logo when I think of off balance. When it first came out, I was shocked how off balance it looked from a traditionally artistic standpoint.

The graphic artists weren't trying to make a well balanced image, however. They were trying to make a memorable image. I think they accomplished that. Even though their graphic composition broke some rules, it becomes acceptable from a marketing standpoint.

The next time you need to set up a photo composition, keep the rule of thirds in mind as a general guideline.

Photography Internet Lesson Three: Lighting Your Products

2012-01-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

Lighting for a product shot varies with the item you are shooting. There are different rules for plates of food, jewelry, lotion, baskets, shoes, your head shot, etc. I'm going to include hotel, BnB, and resort rooms in this lesson as well. After all, a room, in essence, is the product of the hospitality industry.

What does lighting do?

1. When you light your scene, consider what mood you want to evoke. Light creates a mood. For example, think about a typical romantic setting. The lights are low, candles are lit, and moonlight may be streaming in from a window, or dancing on the walls from a fireplace. If you are shooting a hotel room, what kind of mood do you want the room to have?

2. When you light your scene, consider subject exposure. Light exposes the subject. Do you want to show your product in a harsh, bright light exposing every nook and cranny? Or do you want to soften the light, for instance when shooting someones face?

Think about the features of your product. To highlight the brilliance of a beautiful jeweled bracelet, you want light that shines enough to bring out the depth of color, and the facets of the jewels. If you are shooting a face, however, you don't want every pore to stand out, right?

3. Use light to create a 3D effect.
Light defines depth. Think of using light to show how round, flat, or long something is. The further back a product is towards the horizon line, the softer the elements will be. Light gives the ability for a flat photo to look three dimensional.

Valle del Sur Art Show at Gilroy Art Alliance Saturday January 7th, 2012

2012-01-01T20:21:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

I thought I would deviate from the usual stuff and start the year with a personal invitation. As many of my friends know, I have been dabbling in art photography this past year.

I also joined two local art leagues. The first is Santa Cruz Art League in the art mecca of the northern coast--Santa Cruz, CA. I expect to have fun news coming from that in the near future.

I also joined the Morgan Hill Valle del Sur Art League just down the street from my home town. This coming Saturday there will be an art show at the Gilroy Art Alliance Center for some of Valle del Sur members. I am proud to be included among the members represented.

If you are in the area of Gilroy, CA--Garlic Capital of the World--on Saturday, January 7th, 2012, please stop by and say "hi"! I would love to meet you.

Here are the details:
Valle del Sur Art Show
Where: 7341 Monterey Street, Gilroy, CA
For information- 408.842.6999

Artist reception on January 7th from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Come meet the artists.

Show held Tues-Wed 2-6pm, Fri-Sun 11am-5pm (hours changeable, check with center)
Expected Valle del Sur participants: Jeanie Watson, Karen Garnett, CJ Myers, Lance Trott, and Laura Wrede.

Reception: Saturday 7 Jan 2012 4-6pm
Take Down: Saturday, February 4 5pm or Sunday, February 5, 11am-5pm

Photography Internet Lesson Two: Food Photography: Is your food photo the right color?

2011-10-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

Thumb through any food magazine or online franchise restaurant, and you will see photos of food that look as perfect as food can get.

Let's take a McDonald's hamburger for instance. The Big Mac photo to the left looks great. How many us us have ever gone to a fast food place and bought a burger that looks like this one?

I know I have never seen a Big Mac that looked like this--ever. Yet these are the kinds of photos their food photographer took of a hamburger for the corporate website and menus.

Imagine if McDonalds used the photo to the right instead? This is the true photo of what we are used to getting when we order. It doesn't look quiet the same, does it?

Food photography is important to any restaurant. McDonalds knows that, so does Chilis, Outback, and a lot of other restaurants who can afford to hire food stylists to stage food photos (often using non-edible props).

Large companies know they will lose business if their photos look bad (same food, bad photo)- This next photo looks more like an image you might see on a website from a local restaurant.

So where does that leave the little family owned bistro? Unfortunately, in the same position as the big guys without the budget.

Here is our first tip for staging your own food photos-

Use natural light to light your plate. This will help you have as correct of a color as possible on your food. If you take your photos inside, your food will be too blue, yellow, or blown-out from flash photography.

Come back again for more tips in this series on food photography.

Photography Internet Lesson One: Product Shots for Your Business Products--What Are You Doing Wrong?

2011-10-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered a new restaurant that served great food --according to my friend (I haven't eaten there yet). I went to their website to check them out. Wow!

I wanted to call and tell them how their website was probably turning customers away. I felt bad for the owner as I am sure they had good food, but their website photos made the food look horribly unappetizing. In my profession, I see this time and time again. It is a mistake that I feel many restaurant owners can overcome without blowing their budget.

For the purpose of this blog post series I chose a food photo (above) to talk about ways to improve your product shots. This shot was taken from a Chinese Restaurant that represents many of the problems I will talk about.

Food photography can be something as simple as taking your point-and-shoot camera and snapping a shot; all the way to food photography that was prepared by a food stylist. Most small family-owned restaurants choose the point-and-shoot option due to budget constraints.

The menu photo above was probably shot by a person who was familiar with photography, but lacked certain skills in product shots, especially food product shots.

We will cover these five major points about food photos over the next few blog posts so stay tuned.

1. Color
2. Light
3. Composition
4. Setting and Background
5. Equipment

I will leave you today with one question that will help us understand how important food photography is:

If you were going to eat at this restaurant and the only deciding factor was the photo collage above, would you eat there?

You want to build a website for your small business.

2011-09-26T11:12:00.000-07:00

You want to build a website for your small business.

Great!

Every business should have a Web presence. Even small businesses such as house cleaning services, pet sitters, and party DJs should have something on the Web about their business.

Today anyone with a computer, and nominal tech skills can launch an eye-catching website using one of the many hosting companies that provide templates.

Many small business owners, as well as professional service providers, create their own site simply because they don’t have the budget to hire a professional website designer.

Designing your own website also means you have to create the content for your site (even if you hired a professional graphic designer, you still have to provide content).

What do I mean when I say, “website content”?

Website content is made up of text, photos, widgets, graphics, and other elements found on websites.

Most small businesses write their own text and upload photos taken with a phone or point-and-shoot camera.

What if you knew you were losing business simply because your website turned people off?

As a professional website content writer and editor, I often look around the web at small business sites. It’s amazing how many sites are poorly written, have bad photos, or use graphic elements in a way that make a site hard to read.

Solution:

If you are launching your website and you developed all the content, have a skilled professional web content editor review and edit your site before you launch.

Taking Action Photos - Sports Photography

2011-09-20T08:07:00.000-07:00

For the longest time I had difficulty taking action photos for sports photography.

I couldn't figure out how to make those awesome freeze frame shots without having serious blur. For most photographers with point-and-shoot cameras, this problem is solved.

Most consumer grade cameras have an action or sports icon on their cameras. When choosing this icon, it will allow your camera to switch to "shutter priority"and you will get great sports shots.

What if your camera doesn't have an action icon?

Most cameras with removable lenses will not have icons that are preset for different scenarios. In this case, you will want to go into your camera's menu and choose "shutter priority" as your "mode". Doing this will allow for great sports photos.

There is one problem you may run into if you choose shutter priority--your photos may be darker. That's because your camera is allowing for a faster snap of the shutter to catch and freeze the action.

When the camera does this, it also lets less light in. If your sports photos are coming out dark, you can adjust how much light you allow in by using your +/- icon. During the day this isn't usually a problem, but dusk or evening photos can be a real challenge using shutter priority.

Try these options next time you are at a sporting event and see if you get those great action stills you always wanted.

Thanks for visiting with me today on Laura Wrede Blogging Outloud. Until next time, have a great day!

Gilroy Trade Show - Event Photography

2011-09-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

The Gilroy Business Trade Show was a great success. I took photos of many at the event as they put last minute touches on their displays. I wanted to take more event photos, however, I was so busy with the steady stream of visitors to my booth, I didn't have time. Before I knew it, the show was over and it was time to pack up and go home. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and said "hi"! If you have a special event coming up and want to record it in photos, contact me- Laura@PhotoGirlStudio.com.

Gilroy Trade Show September 8, 2011

2011-09-08T12:18:00.001-07:00

Whew! Today is the business trade show in Gilroy, CA. It takes a lot of hard work for businesses to showcase their products and services at a trade show. I thought I would share a few tips I learned along the way.

1. Make a list of things to do before the trade show. If you need to shop for supplies, make a shopping list. Name the store where you will buy those items in order of location to save travel time.

2. Make an equipment list. Write down everything you need to take to the show. Be as detailed as possible, down to small items such as pens and clips.

3. Check off your items as you load them into your vehicle. This will give you peace of mind knowing you aren't forgetting something.

4. Have an emergency bag with items such as needle and thread, scissors, tape, Tylenol, mints (no stinky breath please), small mirror, lint brush, lotion, etc.

5. Take along a bottle of Downy Wrinkle Release. It helps to make table covers and back drops look smoother.

6. Never put off any thing until the last day. You will be too busy. There is no need to stress over last minute things that could have been done the day before.

7. Get a good rest the night before the show, you will need lots of energy the next day!

8. Trade shows often mean discounts and show specials. Be sure and offer something special to those who stop by your booth. For instance, I am offering 3 prints in a raffle, along with coupons for discounted services for show attendees.

9. Take a small ice chest with bottled water. Staying hydrated will help you fight fatigue.

10. Wear comfortable business clothes--not cut offs and flip-flops (unless you sell surf boards). Don't wear things that pinch, bind, bunch or wrinkle.

Developing Content for Websites

2011-09-01T08:08:00.000-07:00

In today’s digital world, they say that “content is king.” What do you mean when you tell me I need “content for websites”?

It is more than simply putting words on a page. Content is the number one way we develop relationships using digital tools like websites.

There are three things that visitors want when they come to your site. They want information. They want to be entertained. They want to engage with you. How does website content fit into this?

Information on a website needs to go beyond dry facts. It needs to engage the readers—it needs to be persuasive, entertaining, and informative.

Information on your website must apply to the needs of your visitors. If content is relevant to your readers, they are likely to see you as an authority. They will come back to your site again and again.

Content is also about things such as images, videos, social media, and surveys. Using this type of content keeps in mind the three needs of visitors (information, engagement, entertainment), allowing you to go beyond words.

Take a look at your website and ask yourself, “What kind of content do I have?” If the answer is just dry facts, boring, poorly written text, bad photos or no photos, no blog or FaceBook—it may be time to update your website content.

Printing photos with Gilroy Costco

2011-08-22T07:40:00.000-07:00

Gilroy has a trade show next month and I have a booth. In order to get ready for the show, I decided I needed a large ad piece to display. I know that most trade show vendors will have a large banner at the back of their booth but I didn't want to go that direction.

Because I am designing my booth to look like a photo shoot set, I decided to have a large 20 x 30 poster on an easel. I was going to use my regular vendor who processes my professional photos for clients but the cost was much greater than Costco prices. So I opted for a Costco poster printed for less than $10.

I have to say that I am impressed with the turn-around time on Gilroy's Costco photo printing service. The poster was ready the same afternoon that I uploaded the artwork on the Costco photo processing website.

When I went to Costco to pick up my poster, I looked it over for quality and here is what I discovered as far as flaws:

The ink colors were not an exact match. I have a large orange bar on the poster and it looks darker than the actual color.

There is a weird reverse affect on a couple of places where there is fine line work. Not a huge deal in this instance.

The white reverse type bled colors a little.

Some of my images had corrupted quality. This was an important aspect because as a photographer in Gilroy, I want people to see my work in a true light. I feel the poster quality diminished it a little. Having said that, I will have many other prints there so I feel that most people probably won't notice the poster flaws.

My final conclusion on photo processing at Gilroy Costco? It is fine for situations such as these where I don't want to invest a lot of money. For quality photo prints for clients I will stick to my current suppliers. Their quality is superior to Costco for fine art prints. I would not risk a disappointed client just to save money on photos.

Pore or Pour - which one is right?

2011-08-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, for some reason it fascinated me that two or more words in the English language sounded the same, but had different meanings. These are known as homonyms. Is your elementary school English class coming back to haunt you right now?

For instance, to, too, and two. Here they are in a sentence:

The two girls were too young to go swimming alone.

Most of us can distinguish when to use each version of the word. There are other words such as bear and bare that are also a little easier to figure out.

Some words such as pore and pour, are not as clear cut to many of us.

Here is how to use each word:

1. The pore on her nose was very large.
2. James had to pore over a large stack of receipts to find the one he needed for his records.
3. If you pour the milk too fast it will spill out over the lip.

The next time you run into a problem with a homonym, just do a search using the phrase like I did-

Pour or pore?

You will usually find the answer you need so that you can use the word correctly.

Summer is the time to share your pictures

2011-08-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

One of the things I love about summer is all of the great photo opportunities there are. Taking my camera out to the yard and just wandering around, I find many interesting shapes and textures to shoot pictures of.

I just posted a picture of a pea plant from our summer garden on Laura Wrede PhotoGirlStudio homepage. I spent a lazy couple of hours checking out leaves, bugs, flowers, and of course our garden. One side note about our garden--I think the weird summer weather this year has played havoc with our tomatoes. Our plants are 7 feet tall and full of green tomatoes, but only one ripe one!

I guess we will hopefully have fresh produce into fall. Back to photography--

Being outdoors in the cool summer mornings is my favorite time to capture light on images. There is also a good chance there will be dew still lingering on leaves, glistening and adding dimension to your picture.

Take your camera into your backyard and see how many things there are to photograph. If your camera allows it, get up close...really up close. It is amazing the details you will see in something as simple as a Geranium like the one in the photo here.

Take your camera and go have some fun! And when you are done, share your photos with your friends.

Thanks for joining me on Laura Wrede Blogging Outloud. Be back soon!

Branding and Designing Your Website with Color and Logos

2011-05-11T08:24:00.001-07:00

Every website needs to have visually appealing art as part of the overall design.

This starts with your color selection. When the time comes to build your site you will want to consider your overall branding colors.

What do I mean by this--website branding colors?

First look at your logo. Do you use specific colors for your logo?

For instance, Target has a red and white logo. Pay attention to their ad campaigns. They use this same color scheme throughout their website, print ads, TV ads and web ads. Target, in my opinion, is one of the best examples of branding by simply using color.

While we are talking about Target, look at the logo. it isn't only color that brands them, it's their logo design. I can't help but think of target whenever I see a bulls eye...even if it isn't a Target ad.

They use the simple red and white theme on their website too. Mainly it is in the top navigation bar lettering, and side frame. This stays consistent on each page. Are their other colors? Sure there are. They advertise all kinds of products that are different colors, but they stay consistent using the red and white theme too.

Here are some questions to ask about branding:

What are your colors?
Do your colors look right together?
Are you using the same boring color combinations that others use?
If you were to get bold, what colors would you choose that are a little outside the box?
How are you using these colors to brand your identity?
Are you using these colors consistently on all your advertising?

Thanks for joining me here today on Laura Wrede Blogging Outloud. I will share more website tips in the next post. Until then, have a fabulous day!

Top five things that make a great website

2011-04-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

When you are ready to make a website, whether you DIY websites or hire a webmaster, you want to have these elements on your site.

Website Content- The number one reason a person comes to your site is for information. If you provide accurate, professionally written, and engaging information for your visitors, they will stay and read more...and be more likely to come back.
Website Functionality- This means that it is easy to navigate. There are no broken links or links to sites that are unrelated to your topic or interest.
Website Layout- There is nothing more difficult to read than red type on a purple background. Having a professional looking site means it is easy to read and is pleasing to your eyes. This also means using high quality graphics and photos. If they look cheesy, this makes a bad impression on your visitor. Keep it simple and make it look great.
Website Content Add-On- Lack of garbage such as buttons, ads, flashing gizmos, lists and lists of SEO links, pop-ups, buttons for social media sites, and other annoying things that confuse or irritate your visitors. Using these types of add-ons are fine, and necessary—just use them in moderation.
Website Blog-Have a blog on your website. People can get to know you better. They can also have up-to-date information on things happening in your industry.

Website photography

2011-04-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

Today I wanted to share just a little about how to choose photos for your website. As a photographer, I am probably more sensitive to poorly executed photos than the average person. This doesn't mean, however, that visitors to your website won't notice, or be affected by second- rate photos.

For example, when you look at a picture of a plate of food taken by a professional food photographer, the work that goes into making the food look delicious is extensive.

Food photographers adjust lights so there is a sheen on certain parts of the dish. They also make sure there are no gray shadows over the surface (gray food, yuck!). They even touch up food colors with paint. That rare steak photo is probably enhanced with red food color or paint!

The reason they go this this kind of trouble? Food needs to look appetizing. If it doesn't, people won't eat it.

If you have any product or service with photos showcasing your work, the photos need to accurately reflect your work. If you use cheap photos, guess what? It makes you look cheap. It gives the perception that you are an amateur.

This is also true of your own head shot. If you use a picture of you shot in the backyard with shadows everywhere, it makes a statement.

One exception to this is using photos from the past such as old Polaroids from the '70s. These can add "artsy" flavor to your website.

Take a look at your website photos. Look at them compared to professionally shot photography. Which is more appealing to you? Remember, you only have a few seconds with your website visitors. Using every tip to your advantage could mean more customers and clients for you.

How to write a good homepage for your website--Website Content Tips

2011-04-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

Thinking about building a website?

Designing a home page for your website is more than just a "welcome to my website" and "here's how great I am" page. Your home page is prime real estate in the online world. The frame that is visible when the website is accessed is our primary focus here. Not the sidebars or the text underneath, just that first frame. This serves the same function as a book jacket.

It's been said that today's consumer spends less than a few seconds deciding on whether to explore your website, or click on to the next site in their search.

That's a lot of pressure to engage your readers in that short of time.

What kind of content should a home page contain?
A home page needs to be about your client or customer. Many site owners make the mistake of writing web copy primarily about "them" instead of their readers. If you make your home page content about "you", what is the "about you" page going to contain?

A good website home page is not about you. It is about the reader.

Here is an example taken from an actual website homepage:
"I bring the flavor of Europe into your home with Full Service Interior Design, Architectural and Garden Design. A Complete team of talented artisans, contractors, fabricators, and designers make up the design firm of (name removed). Whether a simple cottage, traditional manor house, or a grand villa or chateau, my passion for creating homes with timeless European sensibility is imbued in my artistry for your home."

Forget about all of the poor writing skills here and concentrate instead on this:

In this one short paragraph, this designer used "I, My, and her own name". While it is clear that she is a designer who has a large team at her disposal and her focus is on European design, how does this benefit her customer?

Don't misunderstand me, your homepage needs to have something about your service or product in order to make it clear what it is you offer. Each business varies too. A construction business will say something very different than a physicians site.

In the example above--the last sentence about this designer's passion is a great statement. The rest of the paragraph would work better if she painted a picture for her client about what a designer does or describing the feeling of entering a grand European estate. Capping that off with, "My passion for creating homes with timeless European sensibility is imbued in my artistry for your home," would work better.

Take a look at your home page and ask yourself, "Where is the focus?"

If it's on you, you may want to consider revising.

Thanks for joining me here on Laura Wrede Blogging Outloud. Next time we will continue looking at ways to improve your website.

Do you need a website? Your FAQs answered about websites.

2011-03-12T11:17:00.000-08:00

Websites- why are they important to a business?

Many businesses today have a website that serves much like an electronic business card…and little else. You advertise your Web address on your business cards, your Yellow Page ads, Chamber of Commerce website listings, etc...making it easy for potential clients to find out more information about your services. For some businesses that’s enough. Your goal may be to reach just a handful of people you have actually had personal contact with.

If, however, you want people (who don’t know you exist) to find you on the Web among thousands of competitors, you need a functioning, well-built website in order to bring them to you.

Can I use free websites from Yahoo or other sources-- or should I hire an expert website designer?

Again, that depends on your business goals. Many people choose to go this way because of cost. They are very limited, however, in functionality. I think it is fair to say that investing in a professionally designed website-- in the long run--will pay off for most businesses.

Isn't it really expensive to hire a website designer?

The cost to hire a professional website designer is varied. You probably don’t need someone as expensive as Apple’s Web designer for instance. You also don’t want Mary Jo’s little brother’s neighbor who built his own website for his garage band either. Just because you only have to pay him $250, in the end it will be a waste of money. A good 5 page website with SEO packed in will usually cost around $500 to $900 if you provide all the professional web content.

There are so many people who advertise web design, how do I know how to choose one?

What you want to look for is a Web designer who can build a functioning site that is visually appealing. Good designers know SEO, graphics, and marketing techniques. They know the balance it takes to drive traffic to your site and engage them once they are there.

The other thing you want to look for is someone you like, trust and enjoy working with. You also want a designer who listens to your needs and ideas, but gives honest feedback on what they feel would be in your best interest.

In the long run, you need to trust the expertise of the designer. If you are micro-managing every step of the process, you either don't trust your web designers expertise, or there is some other issue that needs to be addressed.

How do they drive traffic to a website?

There are many ways to drive traffic to your site. There are many free applications such as Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Yelp, and other sites that bring traffic to you. The key is knowing how to use these Web tools in conjunction with your website so that it becomes a virtual traffic-driving machine.

Unique Website Content

Another powerful tool is fresh, original website content. This can be a weekly blog post, articles that you write, or postings from guests to your site. Whatever you do, make sure it is completely original and unique. This element has become a priority in search engine rankings.

Content Farms

There are many “content farms” available selling the same articles over and over. Sometimes they “spin” the article to read “somewhat different” than another, but in the end search engines will read it as duplicate content. This will hurt your rankings in the long run. Again, fresh, unique content is king.

Website SEO--Why is SEO (Search Engine Optimization) important?

It has to do with how search engines find you and index you. For instance--the right placement of words on your site can improve your chances of high rankings in the search engines. This is just one of the tricks good designers know.

Do you need someone to evaluate your website for effectiveness?

If you think you might, I would recommend MediaPix Web Design for a comprehensive overview of your site. If you just want a review of your content, contact me and I can help write website content that is unique for your business.

Laura@PhotoGirlStudio.com

Speed Traps

2011-03-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

OK- I know this is a deviation from my regular photography and writing tips...just thought it may interest my readers to know about a site I recently found.

But let me back up one step and explain why I am posting this here.

Several years ago I got a speeding ticket on Leigh Ave. in San Jose, CA. I was having a bad day and well, let's face it, I wasn't paying attention to the posted limits. The road was Leigh Ave. in San Jose. This road is a 4 lane road and "feels faster" than 35mph, but that is what the limit is. I got caught going 50 in a 35...YIKES! I deserved the ticket no doubt about it. I was kind of bummed though when I found out that this was a common area for the police to patrol because people often mistake it for a 45mph.

When I found this site, I thought, why not share it with all of you. I am not encouraging any of us to break the law, just a reminder of where you may run into the most trouble.

The National Speed Trap Exchange

Next time--more tips on photography and writing. In the meantime, stay safe on the roads. Until next time on Laura Wrede Blogging Outloud.

Website Content Alert!

2011-03-02T09:34:00.000-08:00

Now, more than ever, it is important for website owners to have original web content on their websites. There are many places around the web that offer "article marketing"--allowing "original" content for websites. What website owners don't realize is, the "original" articles are often not unique to your site.

Many website hosting companies for professional medical
practitioners for instance, offer web hosting and fresh content loaded on your site. If this content is also offered to the other 500 hundred sites they host...guess what? Your content is no longer original or unique to search engines.

Furthermore, if you copy information from other sites, even as a quote (as I have done here), if the percentage of your text is filled with too much quoted or copied material--even if you give credit--you will get a penalty from search engines.

Search engines such as Google, are beginning to crack down on website content providers of low quality. Unfortunately they are also penalizing many high quality sites that are news sources. Nonetheless, if you don't have original, unique content, you will get a spanking from Google. Here is a portion of the news release from Google:

“Our goal is simple: to give people the most relevant answers to their queries as quickly as possible…This update is designed to reduce rankings for low-quality sites—sites which are low-value add for users, copy content from other websites or sites that are just not very useful. At the same time, it will provide better rankings for high-quality sites—sites with original content and information such as research, in-depth reports, thoughtful analysis and so on…”

If you own a website, you need to add fresh, original website content if your goal is attracting new clients via your website. If you need someone to help you with your website, please visit my colleague, Theresa Santa at MediaPix Web Design. She is highly knowledgeable in SEO and can provide ways for your website to avoid penalties.

Video Editing Tip

2011-02-22T09:34:00.000-08:00

Today I am going to give you all a tip about video editing. This comes from my friend and business associate at MediaPix Design Studio. I have one of those old Hi8 recorders with a drawer full of old family movie tapes. I am so excited to know there is a converter out there. Thanks Theresa at MediaPix for a great tip!

How to Capture Video from an Old Video Camera Hi8 tapes, VHS onto Your PC

by MediaPix Web Designs on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 7:19am

A lot of you may already own one of these. But I get asked how I transferred my little one's videos onto my computer, edited them, and was able to both create a DVD and also create simple videos to send out to the grandmas.

So just wanted to tell you about Dazzle DVD Recorder PLUS. You can capture video from any old camera and then edit it with the editing software it comes with. Create a DVD or upload to Youtube, or just keep it in your PC. It is a lot less expensive than having someone do it for you. Less than $50. It's available at Amazon for a real inexpensive price. Also Best Buy caries it but they charge a little more than Amazon.

It's not that big of a device and it comes with software too. They also have a really great library of tutorials online.

Here is the link for Amazon: Dazzle DVD Recorder Plus

For a Mac. The product is a little more expensive but does the same thing. It's called Elgato Video Capture Device.

Here is the Amazon Link: Elgato Video Capture Device (White)

Blog Tip #6 Blogging Platforms

2011-01-31T10:22:00.000-08:00

Choosing which blogging platform you want to go with can be confusing--especially if you are new to blogging. My two favorites are Blogger blogs and WordPress blogs.

Blogger as your platform-

Blogger is free.
Blogger interface is very easy to use.
You can easily add photos and videos.
It is search engine friendly.
It will index quickly due to Google ownership of Blogger.
Allows Adsense and other moneymaking features.
New templates make it easy to set up a nice looking blog.

Example of how your blog URL will look if hosted by Blogger-
WWW.Joeblog.blogspot.com

WordPress as your platform-

WordPress is free.
Functionality is a little tricker to learn, but is feature rich, and allows plug-ins,videos, photos, etc.
You can host a WordPress Blog on your own site or you can just set it up on WordPress.com.
If WordPress hosts your blog you won't be able to add commercial money making features such as Adsense, however.
Lots of great blog templates to use or design your own.

Example of how your blog URL will look if you have WordPress host it-

WWW.JoeBlog.wordpress.com

Uploading a WordPress blog to your own domain gives you the freedom to add many money making features.

WordPress.org will allow you top set up a WordPress Blog within your domain.

Example of how your blog URL will look if you host it on your domain-
WWW.JoeBlog.com

If you need help designing a blog, I would recommend MediaPix. Theresa Santa, Senior Web Designer, can help you set up an SEO friendly blog. She can also help you set up your website.

Thanks for visiting me to today on Laura Wrede Blogging Outloud. I hope these blog tips help you. Come back again soon for my next tip.

Blog Tip #5: Social Media and the Future

2011-01-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

The following chart is a "social media" breakdown that helps us understand how cluttered social media is becoming. According to the source, only 1 in 6 people will lack any social media connection by end of year. Or to state it another way, 83% of all people will be socially connected.

This means that, while social media is growing and popular, it is also quickly becoming saturated and cluttered. How will you get your blog noticed amidst all the others?

"In the US, 59% of adults are now 'Joiners,' a category on Forrester's Social Technographics Ladder. Such users visit or maintain a profile on social networking sites. Joiner levels are up from 51% in 2009, and 19% in 2007."

This information on social media was provided by MarketingProfs.

Blogging Tip #4

2011-01-06T10:37:00.000-08:00

Blogging
What's it all about?

No I'm not talking about the line from a seventies song--I'm talking about your blog content.
The content on your blog should be about your reader. It shouldn't be about you. This means that if you won an award or have a great new product you want to talk about--that's OK--to a LIMITED degree. Your blog should not primarily focus on you and your stuff, however.

The exception to this is if you are a super star from sports or TV. Then people want to know EVERY detail about your life. So if that describes you, go ahead and share your fav foods and how many shoes you own. This fascinates (some) people.

Years ago I had a acquaintance, Carl, who, every time I saw him, all he wanted to do was share all his knowledge of his product and services, continually trying to sell me on them. This guy was selling septic tank treatments. Well, you can imagine how exciting that conversation was.

I use Carl as an example of how you can bore people to death when your conversation focuses on you, and what you do or sell. You want to benefit your readers. For your next blog post, think about something you can offer even if it is off topic. Offer a recipe, a joke, links to helpful websites, coupons, etc. To stay on topic within your industry, you can offer stats or current trends, how-to, educational content, links to helpful websites, etc.

Thanks for being here today on Laura Wrede Blogging Outloud! I will post a new tip soon so come back and always feel free to leave tips of your own in the comments.

Blogging Tip #3 What are These Blog Things? Why Do I Need them?

2010-12-16T08:40:00.000-08:00

What are these "blog things"? Did you know that blogging is so new that if you type the word 'blogging" into Microsoft WORD program it flags it for misspelling? The suggested correct words are bogging, logging, flogging, clogging and slogging. Blogging is that new.

Everywhere you go, however, people are talking about blogging. Many people who own a business are being told by their PR team, "We must have a blog". And the response is, "Yes, yes...I have heard that every business needs a blog. But what is this blog thing and why do I need it?"

Why does every business need a blog? Well isn't that the $62.98 question? Why should any business invest time writing a blog? I am going to go out on a limb here and say that, "not every business needs a blog".

One of the benefits of blogging is that it allows you to communicate with others 24/7. Therefore, you must ask yourself, "What will my customers get out of my blog posts? What do they need? What will be the return on my time investment if I blog for an hour a day (or hire it out)?"

If you can't answer these questions, you either don't need a blog, or you have yet to explore how a blog can benefit you, and your customers, or clients and you are missing out on a great business tool.

One of the main things a blog is: Blogging is a tool for communication.
One of the main reasons you may need a blog: Blogging is an inexpensive way to keep your business in the forefront of your customers mind's.

Thanks for joining me here today on Laura Wrede Blogging Outloud. Think about why you may need a blog and come back next time for our next blogging tip.

How to Blog Tip #2

2010-12-04T18:25:00.000-08:00

I've shared this tip before, but it is worth repeating because of all of you who recently joined me here on Laura Wrede Blogging Outloud. One of the most common problems for any writer is the dreaded "writer's block". Writer's block happens when you find yourself staring at an empty computer screen, without anything to write about.

It happens to every writer at some time or another, and some more often than others. If you aren't a professional writer this may be an even more irritating event especially if you are trying to keep up with blog postings.

Here's the advice I gave my good friend Chris Hoch when we talked about blogging. Chris owns a business and recently started blogging. He shared that he didn't always know what to write about. I told him one of the simplest things you can do is ask a question.

For instance, let's say you are a chamber of commerce and have recently started blogging. You may pose the question, "How can a business market itself more efficiently?" You then proceed to answer the question.

Your blog headline could read, "Ten Ways to Market Your Business More Effectively". Then proceed to offer advice. This little trick can be used for any business. Think of a common question you have heard customers ask. Take that question and turn it into your next blog post.

Writing for a living is a great profession--but for many who don't like to write it can be a burden. Blog writing should be fun for everyone. Try this one tip, and see if it helps you the next time you write a blog post.

Blogging Tips for those who don't write for a living

2010-11-15T15:52:00.000-08:00

Today the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce held a seminar on business use of social media, presented by an excellent speaker Frank Kenny. It was a great class and nice to see so many friends there. If you own a business. check out the great tools he has for anyone unfamiliar with social media.

One of the things Frank talked about was keeping up with a blog. For some, this is an easy task. For others, this might be as painful as writing that 10th grade essay you got a C- on, and you have hated writing ever since.

I thought I would share some tips that have helped me. Maybe you will actually get to the place where you enjoy posting on your blog, after all, you have a world of useful things to share with your readers! They are just waiting to hear from you.

Here is my Blog Tip for the day-

When you write your blog post, the normal post doesn't need--nor should it be--more than about 300 words (this post is about 285 words). That is about a page of writing in a Word Doc. As you write--unlike more formal writing--blogs are expected to read like a conversation. So if you and I are in the room together, I would say what I am saying--pretty much how I am writing it right now. In a blog, people want to know the information you are sharing, but they also want to know you too, right?

Make sure you do a spell check, and look for other errors. Most of this can easily be accomplished with a program such as Microsoft Word. You can cut and paste the text into the blog post when you are done writing.

That is my Blog Tip for today. Keep coming back and I will continue sharing stuff I have learned along the way--including photo tips. I hope this helps!

Post election article on Yahoo News

2010-11-10T12:12:00.000-08:00

Whew- now that the elections are over, we can all get back to our "normal" lives. Normal? With the state of our state in an all time mess, what do people think is going to happen in the future?

I had an opportunity to cover that question recently for Yahoo News. I asked people I knew what they thought about the future of California. Some told me they voted their conscience, some didn't vote, others voted for new parties, while others voted more as a lark than a conscious political effort to reform our state. Here is the article on Yahoo News.

Photography tips - retouching

2010-11-02T19:03:00.000-07:00

My best friend Susie took a nice shot of our friend Elaine. The camera she used was a nice point and shoot Nikon. I tell you this because a lot of times we think that we get a pretty good shot with our point and shoots...and we do.

There are simple little tweaks you can do to a picture that enhances it even more than as it is right out of the camera. For instance, look at the 2 photos of Elaine posted here. the one on the left is the original and the one on the right has been manipulated just a little in Photo Shop. You don't need an expensive program like Photo Shop. you can use Photo Shop Elements or several other photography friendly software. Taking good photographs is first about design. Once you get that down, many adjustments can be made after the fact to just about any photograph.

Gilroy Photography

2010-10-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

Today as I left a Chamber luncheon, I noticed a sweeping expanse of clouds coming up over the west hills. I drove to one of my favorite places to take photos of the valley in Gilroy. The location is just past Christmas Hill Park where Gilroy holds the annual Garlic Festival.

I like to take photos here. It's too bad that in the near future, this entire area is likely to become a sea of homes...about 2000 I think. Of course it may take awhile because of the economy. For now, the area remains as open fields, filled with wild flowers and grasses, with views of the east and west hills.

The elevation is just high enough that some early mornings when there is mist in the valley, you can photograph this ethereal scene that makes amazing pictures. This type of weather usually happens in spring. When I got home I couldn't wait to play with the photos in Photo Shop...but work called... back to work for me.

Content Writer for Blogs

2010-10-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

Are you a blog writer...or a blogger?

Everyone seems to have a blog. Many people use their blog to connect with friends, to journal, or to create a place to post things about a particular organization or group they belong to.

Many businesses and independent contractors also have a blog. It has become a place we can share industry knowledge, tips, products we like, and keep up on all the latest with our clients or fans. I have a friend and business client who recently asked me what he can blog about. He isn't a professional writer, but he has a blog for his internet marketing business (Chrishoch.com). He often has a hard time coming up with subjects to blog about.

What I suggested is a writer's tool I learned along the way. When you need to post something on your blog and you have writer's block, ask a question. Once you have a question, you can then spend the next few minutes talking about the answer.

For instance- I am a freelance photographer in Gilroy, CA. I also am a freelance writer. If I had writer's block, I could ask a question such as, "How do I take fashion photos?" I could then spend the next few minutes writing about how to shoot fashion photography. The next time you have a blogger block, just think of a question and then simply answer it.

Fashion Photography Photo Shoot with Melissa Rodwell

2010-10-19T19:54:00.000-07:00

High-end fashion photography is much like producing a movie or a theatrical production. You have a crew to set up the props, make up artists, hair stylists, assistants, etc. It can be a lot of fun, but the work is grueling. The end pieces,however, are usually worth the effort. Many of these shoots are on location, and run in the thousands, even climbing into multiple six-figures and beyond. Of course that depends on who your client is, who the models are, and what the client requires. Have a look here at a typical on-location fashion shoot with colleague Melissa Rodwell.

Time to think about the Holidays! Book your Family Photo Shoot

2010-10-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

Book your holiday photo session by October 31, 2010 and save

I know, every year it's as if we keep pushing Christmas into summer. It just seems to take longer these days to prepare for the holiday season-- at least that's how I feel. If I don't at least begin thinking about Christmas in October, somehow, before I know it, Christmas is in two days and I find myself in the 7-11 trying to do some "creative" Christmas shopping. I am a proverbial procrastinator when it comes to preparing for Christmas.

So I am blogging about it today so that--if nothing else--I will remember to, well, remember. Of course, there are some things you can't really do last minute, like sending out personalized photo cards. This year, don't be like me and put it off. Book your holiday sitting today. And just to make it more enticing, for the first 10 people who contact me for a FAMILY photo shoot, I have a surprise for you (Only revealed at the time of booking). Its my way of saying Merry Christmas a little early.

How to write a Press Release

2010-10-11T09:19:00.001-07:00

Here are tips from the pros on how to write effective press releases-

-- current events and recent news stories- does my company or business tie in?

-- Who do you know that is well regarded in our business community or is a well-known public figure that can give you a quote or recommendation?

-- How does your release fit in with holidays or seasons?

-- Has anyone received an award or

certification that you can announce?

-- What kinds of problems can your service or business solve?

-- What industry trends can you write about?

--Is there any interesting research or studies being done by your group?
--What about participation in charity events or fundraisers?

These are just a few ways to think outside the "boring box". Make your press release pop. If you need help- I am ready to assist you. If you need a press release in Gilroy, San Jose, or any other location, I can work remotely.

Family photos

2010-10-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

We often reserve family photos for those special events such as holidays, graduations, or weddings. Some of the best photos, however, are not from milestone moments, but rather, from everyday life. We would probably not think to take a picture of the family hanging out watching TV, or of our kids tying their shoes. When twenty years roll by and we look back on those simple moments that make up "a life", they become as treasured as the wedding photos, however.

Keep a camera always on standby. Take shots of your family including the backgrounds such as the living room, the family car, or the backyard pool. Years from now, your grandchildren will enjoy looking at them.

When styles change, people move, cars are redesigned, and hairdos come and go, these moments also become family historical journals.

Why do self employed people need a writer?

2010-09-27T06:51:00.000-07:00

A self-employed professional in San Jose asked me why they would need to hire a writer to write their web content. My answer was simple, "When I need a haircut, I use a highly trained stylist. When I need a chiropractor, I go to a licensed practitioner. When I want a fantastic meal, I eat at a restaurant with a skilled chef in the kitchen, not a fry cook."

I could probably cut my own hair, but it would look...well, like I cut my own hair. I could crack my own back, but not without causing damage. I can cook my own meal, but a plate of fish sticks and tater tots is nothing compared to - Hawaiian Ahi Tuna, with heirloom tomatoes, organic bluelake beans, summer squash,balsamic vinaigrette, pesto aioli & toasted pane francese.

Does that make sense?

Even if you already have your website up and running, it can probably use some help. Many people think their websites are "just fine". What they may not realize is how many mistakes there are. How the text is self-defeating, or boring. How they don't fully maximize the use of space.

For instance, a local business has this paragraph on their homepage:

What was the first thing you read?
My eye was drawn to "wax". Probably not what they intended to happen.

There are great services here, but the layout makes it difficult to sort out. There are minor typos and grammatical errors taking away from their professionalism. Changing a few words would optimize the text.

Here is how I would change it--

Unique Rejuvenating Facials- skin feels softer, hydrated and radiant!

MLIS Body Wraps - loose 4 to 14 inches in a single session--guaranteed.

Airbrush tanning- by Bronze Biologic. A safe all natural tanning solution made from beet juice, giving your skin a bronzed glow lasting up to 10 days.

Skincare treatments and removal-

Skin tags
Hyperpigmentation
Sunspots
Spider veins
Cholesterol deposits
Clogged pores
Broken capillaries

Other spa services include-

Full body waxing including the Brazilian Bikini Wax
Glo Minerals Makeup
Bridal Makeup Applications
Eyelash Extensions
Massage Therapy

If you think your website could use a "tune-up",
contact me at L.wrede@Verizon.net.
I will look at your website FREE

Website Tune-up $59 and up

Fall Photos

2010-09-19T17:18:00.000-07:00

This is the time of year when the sky is filled with giant puffy clouds and the leaves begin to change color. It is also a time when mist tends to linger in the fields and pastures where you can catch streams of sunlight filtering through. Fall is a beautiful time of year to go out and shoot some pictures!

Make your reservations at the Best Western Forest Park Inn in Gilroy for the Gilroy Garlic Festival

2010-06-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

Best Western Forest Park Inn
www.bestwesterngilroy.com
375 Leavesley Road
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 848-5144

If you are ever in Gilroy, California- one of the best local hotels is the Forest Park Inn, Best Western on Leavesly rd. The owners are passionate about the hotel business and want to make your stay the best it can be. Selected by TripAdvisor as the best hotel in Gilroy.

Articles on World News

2010-06-07T08:26:00.001-07:00

It is always exciting and humbling when articles are picked up by the World News- Thanks WN!

Cucina Bambini Photo Shoot

2010-03-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hey I discovered the best place to take children in Willow Glen. It is a local cooking school owned by Shelley Ballard called "Cucina Bambini". The place is designed for cooking classes for children as young as three, all the way to adults. Shelley and her staff take you around the world teaching you how to cook everything from homemade pasta to sushi.

She also has party packages for children's parties. Mom and dad- what can be better than sneaking in a cooking lesson while the kids are having a party? Learning and fun- what a combination. Check it out. Lessons are best as a package deal- $75 for 6...best part--you get to eat what you cook and let them do the clean up!

Watch for a full article in the May/June issue of Bay Area Kid Magazine--see more photos here

To find out more visit their website
cucinabambini.com

Articles get picked up across the web

2010-02-22T11:13:00.000-08:00

It is always nice to see when another site showcases your article!
I went out to the Pinnacles recently and I have to say, it was amazing. if you have never been- read about all you have missed!

Cheers!
Laura

2010-02-19T18:30:00.000-08:00

New photo Client - Award winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher- to see her interview on examiner.com
"Inside the Writer's Life" on Examiner.com.

Associated Content Featured Travel Writer

2010-02-19T18:09:00.000-08:00

Recent addition to my writing has included Associated Content Travel as a Featured Writer. See my articles on travel and many other topics at Associated Content.

2010-02-12T07:44:00.000-08:00

Photo shoot for Haddock House Concert- what an amazing group of artists playing that night. It was a lot of fun to be there!
Check it out-
BRAD HADDOCK HOUSE CONCERT

A Photo Diary

2010-01-19T08:10:00.000-08:00

I was going thorough an old album the other day and as I looked at some of the photos of my kids when they were young, I realized how glad I was to have those pictures. Children grow up really fast. While they are growing you don't think so...sometimes you even say to yourself, will this ever be over? And then..it is.

My biggest regret? Not capturing more of those little moments. When you take pictures of your family, take lots of goofy ones. Write a small paragraph about what you felt in that moment and what was going on. It becomes a great photo diary that you can share with your kids and their kids...for generations.

2010-01-15T18:47:00.000-08:00

Travel Alert and visa change for travel to India's Food and Wine Expo- TASTE
Today netted another article on the World News! Click above and follow the link on the WN site.

Each day brings so many writing opportunities and new photos. It keeps my day exciting! I was driving to San Jose at sunset yesterday and had to grab my camera to snap a few shots of the sunset over Mt. Diablo. I tried hard to not take my eyes off the road...oh I forget to mention I was driving on 101. Seriously, I didn't look! I just pointed and shot the shot. I will post the pic soon.

Writing Assignment

2010-01-12T19:09:00.000-08:00

New title from Examiner! I was honored with the new title of National Woman's Ministry writer for Examiner. Here is my first article.

Women Who Feel Trapped by Circumstances in Life

Follow me as I explore our journey of having a personal relationship with God on a daily basis.

Writing News

2010-01-10T16:02:00.000-08:00

Another one of my articles for Examiner.com was picked up by the international publication-

World News!

Photography as Art

2010-01-06T09:40:00.000-08:00

The San Francisco Bay Area is rich with photo opportunities. Each of these scenes are from around the Bay Area. Custom work is available on request. You may purchase photo prints of these images.

The following prints are available HERE

Photography on your Wall

2010-01-06T06:45:00.000-08:00

Art on your wall can often mean you found a vendor in the parking lot of your super store and you purchased a "painting" for $99. While these are usually acceptable images, we are not limited to just these types of art for our walls.

Photos make great art pieces and are often in the same price range. The variety is limitless too. Many photographers have distinct styles when it comes to shooting art photography. My personal style tends to lean towards the dramatic.

If the day is sunny, I like to "blow out" the picture and make the whites really white. If there is fog, I try to focus on the ethereal mood that fog lends. I especially enjoy photographing dramatic people shots like the one to the left. This type of shot not only allows me to capture an artistic statement, it also gives my client a chance to feel themselves in the mood portrayed.

Next time you consider buying a new piece of art, consider looking into photo art. To up the value, make sure you buy signed art. As an artist gains a reputation, their art will go up in value just as any fine art piece.