We are selling Boxes of Crap, so you can get cool stuff too!

You can buy a Belle’s Box of Crap for only $49.   You will get anything in it from jewelry to designer wedding gowns.  That’s why its SO cheap.

Basically, I gotta get rid of this stuff, and since lots of photogs ask me about using models to beef up your portfolio - this is the perfect time to snag some wardrobe.  Or Christmas presents.  Or wear it yourself!  Do what ever you want with it.  :o)

Belle’s Box of Crap may include any of the following:

• Designer Wedding Gown (value $500-$1300)
• Designer Bridesmaid Dresses (value up to $300)
• Designer Jewelry (value up to $250)
• Prom Dresses (value up to $1300)
• Cocktail Dresses (value up to $200)
• Satin Shoes (Value up to $120)
• and anything else we sold in our store!

Belle’s Box of Crap F.A.Q’s (frequently asked questions)

What exactly is in the box?
What ever I can shove in it.

Can I be sure to get a _______?
Nope, its a box of crap - you get what you get.

Will the stuff in the box be valued at more than $49?
Hell yeah!

How many items will be in the box?
Each box will have different contents with a different number of items. The box will be packed with as many items as I can fit in it, and sealed. This may be one fluffy prom dress or 3 bridesmaids dresses or any combination of the stuff listed above.

What can I do with this stuff?
Use it for model shoots, Christmas presents, sell it on ebay, or wear it yourself.

How fast will it ship?
Allow 10 days for your box to ship.

What’s the S&H fee?
$12 per box.

Can I get more than 1 box?
Yes, until all the stuff is gone.

Can you combine S&H into one box?
No. These are shipping in flat rate boxes, which gets your stuff to you faster AND I can shove more stuff in the box for less S&H cost.

I want one now!  What do I do?
Click the link below to order your box now.

When this sells out, the link will be disabled.

Thanks! And congrats on getting an awesome box of Belle’s crap!

I am always looking for products that make my job easier.  This is working smarter, not harder.  These products save time, and make your client look SO much better.  It’s the difference between your client looking like a luxury client, and a Sears client.  So we are talking major!

We’ve not released this information before.  It’s one of Belle’s secrets to getting the luxury look with EVERY client.  It doesn’t matter if you are shooting bridal or boudoir - same tips, same products.  The best part - most of these products cost less than $10 each.  But the difference in your images is HUGE!  Seriously, $10 products that help me sell my stuff and stand out from the crowd…are you serious?  YES!  It’s awesome.

The new Luxury Beauty Secrets guide tells:

• Which products we use
• Includes a product pic (so you can find it to buy)
• Product Description
• What it is
• Why you want it
• What it does

These products make my post processing time SHORTER, while making my client look BETTER.  And that is the whole point!  And you guys know we do magazine style editing, where we spend a LOT of time processing each image.  These products don’t totally cut that part (when I find underpants that can totally replace liquefy, I’ll let you know) - they make it faster.  My ideology on post processing is to fix everything you can BEFORE you take the shot.  Then use the PP to enhance the image.  And that is exactly what these products do.  It’s awesome!

This is a limited edition product.  It will only be for sale for a short time.  Grab it if you want it!  And the first people who purchase can save a chunk.

LUXURY BEAUTY SECRETS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

Get 50% off by entering code: FOXY

Price: $29.99

Sale Price Only: $15.00

HAPPY SHOOTING!

It has stuff on there about writing, reading, and art too. And of course, a lot of Hollyness.

She’ll order this on canvas and go at it again with a brush.  She also wanted me to tell you that she’s going to start her own blog soon, so watch for that.  She’ll go into more detail about her techniques.  Example:  There are many computer programs that will create a smudge painting for you these days.  Holly still chooses to create her own because she has more control over the final image.  She often adds highlights, folds, curls, and things that weren’t in the original photograph.  She paints them in, as she creates the piece of art.

And since this is a promo piece for her book - the title is there.  You can see the real finished painting on canvas in our boutique this fall.

Here is the link for full details on the selling book:
http://blog.bellesphotography.com/?p=598

Grab it before its gone.

Enter code awesomeaustin to save yourself some money and learn how to have some mad selling skills.

Keep your eyes peeled for a selling class this summer.

Enjoy the rest of your day!!!

That is the part where you sell prints and products to your clients. We are going to be talking about good proofing/ selling techniques that you can use with or without a projector. PLUS, we will be talking about using your projector to help you sell.

I dont hit people over the head with a shovel to make them buy stuff. This is really easy once you know what you’re doing. The people in this section are going to be ecstatic when they go home and use these techniques.

So, yup, proofing = showing & selling your clients their images so they can buy your prints/ product.

See you guys on Sunday!!!

INFO: If you haven’t been to this location before, please note. It is a private residence. It does NOT look like a castle from the front. Totally surprising if you haven’t been there before. The house is in a cul-de-sac and looks like a normal house. You can check it out on google maps and see the street view. There isnt much to see from the front.

PARKING - There is NOT on site parking. There will be a shuttle going back and forth b/t the location and the school that is down the road. Just pass the house and drive down Lost Oasis until you can see the school (see link below). We have permission to park in their parking lot.

Please arrive 15 mins before your workshop. A shuttle will bring everyone over. Do NOT be more than 5 minutes late! You’ll miss the last shuttle and have to walk. Since the classes are back to back all day long, we can schedule breaks to allow for people to come and go to each session. Those who are staying all day can use it to grab a drink or chill out for a few mins.

If anyone has a handicapped permit and needs to park on site, please let me know.

Here is a link so you can see where the school is. Even I found it and I cant find anything. Its the only large building there.

FOOD: Make sure you bring bottled water and a bagged lunch with you if you are staying all day. I’ll have a little cooler with me and some ice. Feel free to bring your cooler TO the location with you.

BUG SPRAY: This is an indoor outdoor location. You might want some OFF! due to all the water features.

DRESS: Its gonna be a million degrees. While we can cool down inside, we will be inside and outside all day. Dress COMFY and be ready for the heat. I would also suggest sunscreen so you dont burn.

ADDRESS: 12504 Black Mesa Cove, Austin, TX 78739

If you are attending and have any questions, please email ASAP. Please check your directions prior to leaving. I’m not from Austin, so I’m not much help if you get totally lost.

Should I bring…? Bring what ever you have! Camera bodies, lenses (especially wide angle ones), flashes, reflectors, tri/ mono pods, and anything you think you may use. We will be shooting inside and outside. We are on whether we have rain or shine.

There are several different models lined up! It’s looking like it is going to be a great day!

What else could you do with $99? Learn how to sell your photos like a rock star! Stick around to see how the pros at Belle’s proof their weddings and portrait sessions. Learn how to double your session fee easy.

So you might be wondering, good God, why are these priced so cheap? SO YOU CAN COME! It cost more to get into this location and walk around than the cost of the class. It gives me a nice break from Abilene too.

So, come on out. There is limited seating in each section.

And if you have $299 burning a hole in your pocket, check out our live wedding workshop. We are shooting a mock wedding in full wedding day attire. It’s almost filled up and its awesome!

For more info on these classes and workshops, click here baby and read all about it!

If you can only afford to buy one of my books or go to one of my workshops - I would tell you to get this one.  Why?  Because it will make the most tangible financial difference to you the fastest.  You can be an awesome photographer, but have no clue how to sell.  And that, my friend, is where many many photographers lurk. Whether they are new or not.  They get stuck by failing to see selling is a key part of being in business.

And shake off your ickies with selling right now.  Good sales people aren’t slime.  They are helpers.  They help the client purchase what they need.  Good sales people never make a client feel “sold.”

Over the past six months we have compiled this information and put it in 7 simple steps for you to follow.  Its so easy a monkey could do it.  Im totally serious.  I took the normal stuff I do and put it into 7 simple steps.  You read it and follow them, and you’ll be instantly better at selling.

There are several selling factors that go into how much you can gross at each session.  One factor that people mess up big time is their price list.  They have no idea how to price their work and time, and as a result, they fail to make any money.  Some unlucky bastards are even loosing money and going into debt.  That is insane!  There is no reason for that to be you!

In this electronic book (e-book) I took the time to point out the biggest and most common price list mistakes photographers make. So you can understand whats happening, and then not do it.  Better yet, if you follow the advice in this section,  you can instantly double your post session sales.

I’m not joking or exaggerating.  I’ve already shared this info with some photogs in our guild and it did make an instant difference.  It’s funny how simple some things are, but if you don’t understand selling, you sure as hell won’t understand pricing.  They are one and the same thing.  That is why most folks have a whacked price list.  Then a newB photog comes along and copies it.  And the insanity continues.

If you have copied someone’s price list, you need this book.  You can learn what not to do, and then what you should do and create a price list that is perfect for you and your studio.

This book contains a couple of examples of other REAL photographers price lists.  We collected several dozen photographers price lists last fall for this purpose.

I know these people.  They are good people who are trying hard to make a living.  They are smart people too, and good photographers.  However they fell prey to some very common selling blunders.  If you get this book, you can see exactly how to avoid those blunders.  And based on the price lists I collected, most people have at least one major blunder in their price list that can be corrected.

After the section on price lists, we attack selling head on.  I’ve formatted it for you into 7 simple steps.  They are easy to understand and Ive given examples and reasons behind the method.  Basically, if you follow it and do it, you’ll sell better.

This is the soft release of this e-book, which means this isn’t the final sales copy for the book.  This is also your chance to get this book at a price that is reduced and will never be seen at again.  When this book launches for real it will be $149.  I had a hard time with the price, since most people will see at least a $250 increase off their first sale following the info in the book.  I made it cheaper to give some latitude for screw ups.  But seriously, most photogs will see a $250 increase in their sales with every client.  Some may see more, some may see less.  Other photogs Ive given this info to have finally broken the $1,000 mark using this info.

But you don’t have to pay $149 for this ebook if you buy it during the soft release.  Why?  Real simple.  I want your feedback.  I’d like to know how easy it is to use, and your real life experiences on how this helped you sell better, so I can share them with folks during the main release.

The soft release price is 1/2 off!  You save 50% for being one of the first people to get your hands on this highly demanded info.  That means its only $75.00!

And I know, you may be thinking, that’s a lot.  But when your sales double and triple from where they are now, you are going to know this was the best investment you could have made in your business.

And best of all - this info is contoured FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS.  We discuss and apply the info for wedding photographers, baby photogs, portrait photogs, boudoir, seniors, and more.  Basically, if your client is human (and not an heiress cat) this information is golden.

I wish to God that I had this information when I started.  I didn’t know what to do, so I just winged it with my price list and my print prices.  I had no clue what front loading and back loading meant.  I didn’t even know how to ask for payment.  Is that you?  Have you ever had the client standing there and then there is this awkward pause as you try to figure out how to ask for the money?  Or better yet, I know some of you didn’t ask and shot for free when you started.  Ooops.  Or how about you spend a couple hours picking out images at proofing, and then they leave to “think about it?”  Dude, that is totally controllable.  I didnt know it then, but I do now.  All of our clients (no matter which division they are shot under) purchase at proofing - now that I have figured out how to do it.

I admit that I did a bunch of the stuff the wrong way when I first started.  I figured it out the hard way.  It took time to learn how to stop making mistakes, and it took longer to learn how to earn a profit.  And I PAID for my mistakes through the eyes.  All this stuff is all related to selling.  And I didn’t know that at the time.  I felt my way along blindly, and smacked into stuff.  Now we have a proven selling method that works for brides, babies, boudoir, seniors, and all the what-have-youz in between.

New photographers think the best investment they can make is in their gear.  But, I got news for you.  The best investment you can make is in your brains.

That’s right, I went there!  Your gear is a tool, and without the proper brain waves, a monkey could do your job.  Oh snap!  Yeah, everyone knows it.  That’s why you have people saying, “I could do your job.”  No one says that to me anymore.  And they wont say it to you either.  Get your ass in line.  Supe-up your crainum and add some skills that you will be glad you have.  Cause I gotta tell ya, no matter what is going on, a good sales person always has income.

Despite the recession and economic turmoil, our business is growing.  And we ain’t no cheap-ass studio!  WalMarts of the world, look out!  Because there is a new breed of photographer coming.  They are saavy, smart, and know their stuff.  Including how to sell!  So buy the book.  In exchange for the discount, I want to know how much MORE you make after you utilize all the stuff in the book.

And I’m not promising that the whole thing is a snap.  You  have to apply the stuff in here.  It’s not a magic book.  Holding it in your lap won’t make money fall on your head.  But if you read it, take the info, and adjust your price list, packages, proofing, and selling techniques - well you are gonna want to kiss my designer shoes!

And best of all - you can adjust one thing at a time and see it make a difference.  You don’t have to do a mass reboot, but when you finally get everything geared and double check how much you were grossing before and after, you are seriously gonna want to give me your firstborn as a thank you present.  (And while I love babies, I have enough of my own kids.  You can keep yours.)

Here is the link to buy:

Here is the coveted discount code (which will be stripped after enough people have bought it that I can get some feedback):
awesomeaustin

Enter the promo code and update your cart to see the sale price!

So if you just happened to stumble upon reading this, consider yourself a lucky bastard and click the button!

Peace out!  You lucky people watching the RSS feed!!!

Sunday, June 27th - Austin, Texas

ONE DAY only, wedding workshop event.

Come for one class or stay for the whole day!

These are the different sections being offered on ONE day at ONE great location! Read below for more info on each one.

-Weddings 101: Basics of Wedding Photography (intro level class)

-Proofing for Profit: The Basics of Proofing (w/ focus on projected proofing)

-Weddings 102: The Wedding (You get to shoot a mock wedding in full wedding day attire)

The day has been split into three different classes to offer some affordable options for those who just want to come out and shoot. This is a flippin’ awesome location (one of my favs) and I know lots of you like to come out for practice, so feel free!

Below is a description of each section. Class size in each section is LIMITED.

SECTION I. Weddings 101 Basics of Wedding Photography

This workshop covers the basics of wedding photography in an affordable way. This is a workshop that Belle’s offered a few years ago. And for a limited time, it is only $99. Despite rising prices on models, the $$ location, and gas (OMG - gas), I love this workshop! $99 workshops make it possible to learn a lot in a short amount of time without financial burden. In other words, if you aren’t 100% committed to this pro photog idea yet - you can attend with minimal investment. And if you booked a wedding and have no idea what the heck you are doing - you can come out and get a clue before its too late. ;o)

This workshop is aimed at photographers considering wedding photography, however we have had lots of photographers attend these for fun, to sharpen their skills, and get killer portfolio pieces.

This workshop is 1/3 lecture and 2/3 workshop aka shooting. We’ll cover the basics about weddings - what is expected by the bride and groom, their parents, the church, etc. We will also talk about minimums needed for shooting weddings; examples - insurance, equipment, assistants.

We will be covering the following content:

* Basic Lighting Techniques
* Formal & Contemporary Bridal Poses
* Using Natural Light Effectively
* Basic Technical Techniques - aka figuring out how to use your camera (ISO, DOF, flash, etc)
* Adding Drama with light, color, texture
* Flattering Posing for Different Figures
* Basics of Composition
* Negative Space & How to Utilize It
* Basics of Shadows and Light
* Basics of What to Expect at Weddings
* Alter Shot Basics
* Bride Model(s) Provided
* Key Shots & When to Take Them
* Getting Started in Wedding Photography
* Model Release provided

Weddings 101 was created to allow photographers to establish a sense of what skills are needed to shoot weddings. It is a BASIC level class. The only recommendation is that you have a DSLR camera, although students have attended in the past with SLRs and point and shoots. This is a good workshop to see if wedding photography is for you.

This workshop will be held at a real wedding location in Austin, Texas. Dunvegan Keep is a STUNNING location in Austin. This private residence has a medieval flare, with lots of stone and stained glass. ITS AWESOME!

During the workshop you will have the opportunity to shoot a bride in a designer wedding gown. You’ll learn quickly the challenges of shooting a white gown in sunlight, shade, dappled lighting, outdoors, and indoors.

You will learn the basics of alter shots so you can get them more efficiently during a real wedding. A major newB wedding day mess up is feeling pressure to hurry and get the shots, so the newB photographer either messes up the shots or skips them. We’ll show you some fast, traditional poses that your bride expects. During the day there will be on-going speaking and opportunity for Q&A.

*****YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER TO BENEFIT FROM THIS CLASS!*****

This workshop will talk about lighting, posing, basics of photography and issues that apply to photography in general - the model will just be decked out in a wedding gown.

This workshop is a BEGINNER level class which means newBs are welcome. We will have 1 model per 8 photographers max. If more than 8 people sign up - there will be 2 models, which lowers the ratio. This class can accommodate a larger group of photographers than our other workshops. Teacher student ration will not exceed 1:10. This workshop may be set up rotation style. You’ll have time allocated to each model and instructor.

This is the BASIC entry level wedding photography class offered by Belle’s. The model:shooter ratio is higher b/c it’s cheaper.

ENROLL IN INTRO TO WEDDINGS & BRIDALS SECTION ONLY:

Date: June 27, 2010Location: Dunvegan Keep, Austin TX
Instructor: Mike and/or Holly
Time: 11am-2pm
Investment: $99 per person
To sign up: CLICK HERE

SECTION II. Proofing for Profits!

Effective ways to proof weddings to increase your total sales.

This section is a short but valuable lecture on proofing with a specific focus on projected proofing.

Find out about Belle’s proofing parties and easy ways to make your proofing more profitable. Belle’s proofing parties have been a huge success since we started offering them. The 1st proofing party paid for an expensive projector with profit left over.

As some of you know, Holly is a selling wiz. She’ll also clue you in how to do paper proofing with exceptional results.

******This section is perfect for wedding & portrait photographers!****

Whether you shoot brides, babies, or boudoir - proofing is a place where you can easily increase sales - when you know how to do it [U]right[/U]. And about the price of this class…its peanuts compared to what the information is worth. A monkey could make back their $99 after applying the principles we’ll discuss. Normally I’m not so brazen, but when ever we have discusses this topic with any photogs in the past, Ive had to pry them off my hand before they thank me to death via handshake.

Proofing is where over 50% of sales are made. And it doesn’t matter if you are front loading your packages, back loading, or if you have no clue what front/ back loading means…this will HELP YOUR BUSINESS immediately.

And there are no stupid questions. And Holly is nice. :o)

ENROLL IN PROOFING FOR PROFITS SECTION ONLY:
Date: June 27, 2010
Location: Dunvegan Keep, Austin TX
Instructor: Mike and/or Holly
Time: 2pm-3:30pm
Investment: $99 per person
To sign up: CLICK HERE

SECTION III. Wedding Photography 102!

This limited edition class/ workshop focuses solely on wedding day photography.

Weddings 102 Workshop is 1/3 lecture and 2/3 workshop aka shooting. We will discuss and practice shooting a wedding. You will quickly learn what it’s like to shoot a wedding in poor lighting. You’ll find out what to do when your movements are limited so you still get great images. Belle’s Photography always goes for stealth mode for weddings - so you’ll learn how to be an unobtrusive photographer as well.

We will be covering the following content:
* Shoot a Mock Wedding
* The Flow of the Wedding Day
* Key Shots & When to Take Them
* How to Nail Difficult Shots (even in poor lighting)
* Low Lighting Challenges
* Quick Posing for Alter Shots
* Fun & Contemporary Bridal Party Poses
* What to Expect on the Wedding Day
* Working Effectively with a Wedding Coordinator
* The Rules About the Rules
* Limitations and How to Work with Them
* 2nd Shooter Tips that lead to More Gigs
* Major Mess-ups and how to Avoid Them
* Getting Started in Wedding Photography
* How to Nail Difficult Shots
* Low Lighting Challenges
* Quick Posing for Alter Shots
* What to Expect on the Wedding Day
* 2nd Shooter Tips

Weddings 102 was designed to allow photographers to get their feet wet in wedding photography, by shooting a mock wedding. So there is no risk of messing up someone’s once in a lifetime event. This workshop will be a staged event. Photographers will have the opportunity to shoot the bride, groom, ceremony, alter shots, and bridal party as a wedding photographer would normally progress through the day. If you haven’t shot weddings before, it may surprise you to see how flexible the day is with getting the shots you need.

This workshop will be held at a real wedding location in Austin, Texas. Its may FAVORITE place to shoot in Austin!

During the workshop you will have the opportunity to shoot a mock wedding in full wedding attire. There will be the bride in a designer wedding gown, groom decked out in a tux, and attendants in matching attire. You’ll learn quickly how a wedding day typically progresses. After the shooting in the chapel, we will do posing and move through a typically wedding day requests including alter shots. During this time there will be on-going speaking and opportunity for Q&A.

How does this class help you? There are lots of practical ways this class will help your business. Not only will you walk away with portfolio pieces from a wedding, but you’ll grasp some crucial information that can make or break you in the wedding photography industry.

This workshop is a 100 level class which means newBs are welcome. The only requirement for the class is that you have a DSLR camera. You do not need to have taken Weddings 101 prior to this class. They can be taken interchangeably. Weddings 102 builds on Weddings 101, but branches off into a different, yet practical direction.

What’s the difference between Weddings 101 & 102? Well, 101 focuses largely on discussion of key shots, and wedding portrait basics with an emphasis on bridal portraits. Bridal portraits are a key component in booking weddings. In weddings 102 you’ll actually be shooting a mock wedding. The class fixates on the wedding day itself and you will have the opportunity to shoot a full wedding party.

The class size for this event is extremely limited, so if you want to sign up, do it early. The smaller class size means more attention, more help, and more opportunity to participate. This isn’t a little lecture where you sit back and listen. This is a jump in and get your feet wet workshop!

Last time we offered this workshop it sold out. There aren’t many workshops that offer shooting a full wedding party decked out in tuxes and gowns at a real wedding venue for under $500. And this class size is limited. So 1st come 1st gets the slot!

ENROLL IN PROOFING WEDDINGS 102 SECTION ONLY:
Date: June 27, 2010
Location: Dunvegan Keep, Austin TX
Instructor: Mike or Holly
Time: 4pm-7pm
Investment: $299 per person
To sign up: CLICK HERE

ENROLL IN [B]ALL THREE SECTIONS:
Date: June 27, 2010
Location: Dunvegan Keep, Austin TX
Instructor: Mike or Holly
Time: 11am-7pm
Investment: $497 per person
To sign up:CLICK HERE

Here are some photos of the venue…See!  I told you its friggin awesome!!!

_

Got questions?  Contact us via our website at www.BellesPhotography.com -OR- email INFO at BELLESPHOTOGRAPHY dot COM -OR- text or call (325)201-7458.  We are crazy busy with clients at this time of year, but I promise to get back to you within 24 biz hours if you leave a message & make sure you say you are calling about the workshop…And a tip - we almost always get to email 1st.  And its checked often.  So if you are in a hurry, go that route.  TTYL!

UPDATED CLASS LIST (if you think you registered and do NOT see your name on the list, please contact me ASAP)

SECTION I:
1. Margaret W
2. Isela C
3. Jodi S
4. Jennifer C
5.

SECTION II:
1. Margaret W
2. Isela C
3. Juan E
4.Jennifer C
5.

SECTION II:
1. Jo Ann S.
2. Margaret W
3. Isela C
4. Jennifer C
5.