I’m so glad we decided to have this Facebook portrait contest. It was something that we wanted to do for fun, so people could share their work with others and have a chance to win something in the process.

We had over 75 entries and a few hundred likes

There were so many great portraits, but this contest was about getting the most “Likes” to your image.

We had so much response…so we decided to choose 2 Winners.

….and here they are.

Winner #1 Received 73 "Likes"

Winner #1 - Used 1 Digital Fish Prop (Very Creative)

Winner #2 - Received 47 "Likes"

Winner #2 - Digital Fish Prop/BW and Selective Color (Creative and FUN)

Check out the Honorable Mentions Below

Here's a few entries that received Honorable Mention

Congratulations to the Winners and thanks to everyone who entered.

Don’t worry…we’ll be having more of these in the future and everyone will have more chances to Win!

You can always visit our Facebook Fan page and see what others are posting.

If you want to share this with others…click the “Like” button below.

Update: If you already read the original post…scroll down to the bottom.

New Digital Creation’s Member Doesn’t Mess Around!

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Original Post:

I wanted to post a couple of new portrait ideas for you that will work well for Easter or Spring shoots.

These were created for our Digital Creations Club as Digital Backgrounds and Props, but you could create similar shots using unique props and backgrounds.

The first shot we named “Spring Bowl“. I know pretty unique

It’s pretty simple and only requires a few items to create this shot.

• 1. Hand painted background or soft muted muslin backdrop. The key here is to have soft colors that give a springtime feel.
• 2. Find a large bowl that is unique and has earthy soft colors. You want to have the bowl blend with the backdrop and have a special unique shape.
• 3. Add painted Easter eggs around the bowl. This is optional to give it a Easter theme and to accent the soft colors in the background.

The second shot we named “Spring Basket“. Yep…we got really creative with that name too!

This is very similar to the first shot. The basket is what makes this shot different from the last. Props can add so much to your shots…if not overdone. You want to find unique props at antique stores, thrift shops, flea markets, garage sales, any place that sell unique items.

This shot we used the same backdrop, but just added the new basket.

Now…because we created a Digital Creation Set, we produced two portraits with just one shot. We shot the baby on a white backdrop and then cut her out to insert her in the Bowl and the Basket.

So…I hope you can see that anyone can create unique portraits with just a few unique props. Sometimes clients will come to your studio for a special unique prop they saw from a friend’s portrait session.

My Final Thoughts…..

It’s all about being UNIQUE!

We wanted to make it even easier for you to give this Digital Background thing a try. Until Friday, the 25th you can gain access to the club for just $1. This is another way of saying thanks to our loyal NPB subscribers.

Check Out The Digital Creation’s Club Here

Here’s another example below

Check Out The Digital Creation’s Club Here

Update:

New Digital Creation’s Member Doesn’t Mess Around!

Misty didn’t mess around. She joined the club, downloaded the monthly Digital Creation and created a beautiful portrait. She asked for some advice through Facebook and I responded what I recommended. It’s funny, because I created a tutorial in the club for February that shows exactly what I did.

I’m including the before and after shot from the simple technique I shared with Misty.

Here’s the adjustments I told her I applied to the image that improved the overall portrait.

I wanted to share this image, because it shows how someone decided to give our club a try and received an AMAZING portraitin return.Misty didn’t waste anytime and has proved that she can do this.

Check Out The Digital Creation’s Club Here

It’s finally here! Our very first publication of some of our Digital Creations that we’ve created over the past 2 years for our NPB club.

We’ve included over 100 images in this Creative Guide using NPB Digital Backgrounds and props that helped create these Amazing Portraits.

(Right click and “Save As” to your computer)

Click Here to Download!

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*NOTE: If for some reason you can’t view the guide from the above download link, you may need to update your PDF reader.

Check for the latest reader HERE!

You can also try to download the optimized version below.

Click Here To Download

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Make sure to click the “Like” button and share this with your friends.

]]> http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/813/digital-backgrounds-portrait-guide/feed/ 39 http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/745/5-valentine-portraits-created-using-digital-backgrounds-and-props/ http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/745/5-valentine-portraits-created-using-digital-backgrounds-and-props/#comments Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:54:51 +0000 NewPortraitBiz http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/?p=745

I wanted to share a few of our new Digital Backgrounds and Props we created for Valentine’s Day with all of our NPB Blog readers.

I know how hard it is sometimes to be creative and I thought these new portraits we just created could inspire you.

We received a lot of emails from our Digital Creations Club members asking us to create some new themes for Valentine’s Day. That’s basically what they pay us to do…be creative for them

If you study these portraits, you can see that they’re simple…but very creative. That’s what people want when they hire you as a photographer to take pictures of their kids, families or pets. They want to have you be the professional and have great ideas.

Portrait #1

Sweet Little Surprise

Here’s the components for this shot:

1. Rose Colored Canvas Background

2. Floral Suitcase

3. Long-Stem Rose

4. Pearl Necklace

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Portrait#2

Valentine Basket Set

Here’s the components for this shot:

1. 6′ x 12′ White Vinyl Background

2. Tall Wicker Basket – We create a pink and red one for this set.

3. Felt Hearts Glued To Basket

4. Heart Overlay Applied To background (Optional)

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Portrait#3

Valentine Bag Set

Here’s the components for this shot:

1. 6′ x 12′ White Vinyl Background

2. Various Sizes For Bags

3. Tissue Paper For bags

4. Plastic Hearts Scattered On Floor

5. Heart Overlay Applied To background (Optional)

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Portrait#4

“Made With Love”

Here’s the components for this shot:

1. 10′ x 15′ Tan Muslin Background

2. Large Burlap Hearts

3. Felt Hearts Glued To Burlap

4. Close-Pins

5. (Optional) Paper Hearts For Subject To Create Their Own

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Portrait#5

“My Love Letter Box”

Here’s the components for this shot:

1. 10′ x 15′ Tan Muslin Background

2. Heavy Cardboard Letter Box

3. Plastic Hearts For Floor

4. (Optional) Tan Vignette Overlay

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So…there you have it!

We created 5 portraits that are simple to produce, but are very creative. Whether you use Digital Backgrounds in your business or not, you can easily create these for your business.

Of course…if you’re not a Digital Creations Club member and you want these done for you…check out our NPB club here!

I hope these portraits have inspired you to add new fresh ideas to your portfolio. Remember, it’s about being creative that will get you noticed and sometimes we need other Photographers to help us do that

I would love to hear what you think about these portraits. Post a comment below!

Click the “LIKE” button to spread the “Love“

Happy Shooting!

In this post I wanted to show you how one of our  Digital Creations Club Members created (3) Studio Portraits with just (1) shot. This is why Digital Backgrounds and Props are so Amazing and so powerful…when using them in your Photography Business.

Her name is Colleen Ballard Thomas and she has a Photography Studio named “Memories In A Flash”. She posted this comment on our Digital Creations Facebook Page and shared these wonderful images.

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Colleen said: One cutout…three great pictures! Mom bought a canvas of the 2nd one and we sold all of them to family! Thanks Scott, you make it all possible!

Portrait #1

This set above she used is called “Snowy Sleigh Ride” in the Digital Creations Club.

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Portrait #2

This set above she used is called “Unique Winter Sleigh Set” in the Digital Creations Club. This is the one portrait she sold to the MOM on a large Canvas.

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Portrait #3

This set above she used is called “Holiday Cottage Set” in the Digital Creations Club.

As you can see, by using Digital Backgrounds and Props she created (3) beautiful portraits that her clients loved. They purchased all 3 portraits and a Canvas of Portrait #2.

You Need To Be Different!

As photographers, we always want to be creative and offer our clients a variety of Backgrounds and Sets. But…it’s not cheap to do this in most cases and sometimes can limit you to what your studio has to offer…year to year. This can cost your business sales.

If she was to purchase these Hand Painted Backgrounds and Antique Sleighs that were used in these portraits, it would have cost well over a $1,000 dollars. But, I can tell you that she didn’t spend 1% of that on these Digital Background Sets from our Club.

Now…I’m not saying you shouldn’t use regular backgrounds and props, but you should be offering these as an additional service, if you aren’t already.

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Thanks Colleen

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I want to thank Colleen for posting these images on our Digital Creation’s Facebook Group and showing others how she’s adding these to her business. It’s always nice to see what other Photographers are doing and learning from what works.

I hope everyone can see how fun this business can really be!

Happy Shooting

Feel free to post a comment below and let me know your thoughts!

If you want to learn more about our Digital Creation’s Club and how it can help you and your photography…Click Here!

After I posted the Summer Lemonade Digital Background portrait idea, I received a lot of emails saying it really helped. As photographers we need to be inspired and sometimes pushed to think outside the box. That’s my job I guess.

So…I decided to share another unique portrait idea that anyone can use and start creating with very little equipment. We created a Digital version for our NPB Digital Creations Club called “Gone Golfing“. I know…pretty unique name. LOL

This example will show you how I used the power of Digital Backgrounds, but also how to create this set in your area.

Watch the video and I’ll go over all the components you’ll need to get started.

As always…leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

If you want to check out our NPB club…Click Here!

I was just updating our Digital Creations Club with 3 new Digital Backgrounds and it hit me. I need to show the world that most anyone can create beautiful portraits.  I say anyone…but you do need to have a passion for photography and truly Enjoy It!

But, if you’re reading this blog post…you must love photography.

I wanted to post a few shots from 2 of the new sets and show you the before and after shots, so you can see for yourself.

Here’s a shot that was taken from one of our  Digital Creations Club members (Judy Kasper). This was shot on a black background and made it pretty easy to cut out in Photoshop.

Here’s the after shot that I created. By using the Digital Creation, I was able to just cut out the dog in Photoshop and then insert him. I’m sure that if you had this image enlarged to a 16×20 or larger….you’ll get some heads to turn.

Now I wanted to also show how this same Digital Creation could be used for subjects other than pets. You always want to try and use subjects that target your market. If you’re creating a portrait to hang in your local pet grooming salon…go with portrait #1. This will align your services with their services.

Here’s the before image I used to create the 2nd portrait.

And once again, after about 5 minutes on this one…I created another beautiful portrait using a Digital Background.

For more information about our club…Click Here!

Here’s 2 more shots that were created with another one of our Digital Backgrounds. It’s called “Summer Picnic” and it works really well.

For more information about our club…Click Here!

So…I just wanted to post these examples of how using Digital Backgrounds and Props can turn you into a professional almost overnight. Plus…it gives you access to $1,000′s of dollars worth of hand painted backdrops and props that you don’t have to purchase.

…and yes I would love you to join our club and start using our Digital Creations in your business.

Even if you just add these to your existing business…I’m sure your clients will love them and you’ll start to create some buzz.

Talk to ya soon!

Learn More About Our Digital Creation Club…Click Here!

Here’s a few tips for better photography in 2010.

Here you’ll find 7 Simple Digital Photography Tips, that everyone should follow.It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned photographer or if your new camera appeared under the Christmas Tree this year. New Year’s Eve tends to make people reflect over the past year and look forward to new possibilities in the coming year.

Tradition has it that we should make some sort of list to try and motivate us to achieving greater success in different areas of our lives. It is no different for the professional photographer or the budding photographer. Making a list of New Year’s Resolutions can be positive and encouraging. Here are a few suggestions in making your list this year.

Tip #1: Read Your Camera Manual.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never read it or perhaps read it several years ago. It’s always good to refresh your memory and perhaps find a hidden nugget you’ve either never knew or forgot that you had. You can pick up new tips from your photography bible.

Tip #2: Take a Photography Class.

If you’re new to photography or if you’re seasoned but find yourself a little stale, look for a course that will broaden your horizons. There are numerous courses offered online from beginner to advanced. It is always a good experience to find a local school or experienced photographer that offers hands-on training. It might take a little digging but having ‘real’ people to talk to and learn from is worth the time and expense.

Tip #3 Join a Camera Cub.

Joining the local camera or photography club can help you network with local photographers. Meeting regularly with them can provide you with educational resources, motivation and offer you encouragement.

Tip #4 Learn to Use Your Lenses.

Chances are you have at least a couple of lenses in your bag. Sometimes we are tempted to buy a new lens when we can’t quite get the image we want with the lenses we have. Spend time this year learning how to use the lenses you have to their fullest potential. You might amaze yourself at what can be achieved by making more effective use of what you have.

Tip #5 Use Your Tripod.

I am sure most camera owners have a tripod of some sort laying in a closet or drawer somewhere. Learn to use your tripod and then make use of it regularly. It can increase the sharpness of your image by controlling camera shake and enables you to compose your shots more effectively.

Tip #6 Getting Off the Green Mode.

The auto (green) mode on your digital camera can do a wonderful job of taking snapshots. Take the time to learn about using your manual settings (this can be a scary thing to do) and you will find a whole new world of camera control opens up to you. Search the internet; there are plenty of books and tutorials that can help you learn about exposure, shutter speed and ISO settings.

Tip #7 Take More Photographs.

In photography, as in anything else, practice, practice, practice. In the digital world, there is no reason to limit your picture taking. It does not cost you to develop rolls of film, you simply hit the delete button and start over again. Make a commitment to take at least one photo every day. If you take more, pick out your best shot and save it in a ’365 Day’ folder. At the end of the year pick out your favorite image for each month, arrange them in a collage then print it. You will be amazed at your progress and have something permanent to remember your year in pictures.

These are just some Simple Digital Photography Tips, so feel free to add your own. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all much happiness and success in the New Year whatever your goals and desires may be.

Until next time, Happy Shooting!