And as a welcome back for my loyal readers, here is a freebie just for you. I created this texture you can add to any photo to give a grungy vignette. Drop it on the top layer over your photo, then free transform it to fit your photo, and change opacity and erase out important bits that you need to be able to see from under the texture. Have fun! Please do not share with anyone, you are welcome to refer or link to this post if anyone would like this free texture. Thanks!

Here is the texture used on top of a photo, then I will add the texture link  below it in just a minute. Right click on it and save to your hard-drive.

best,

Mary

Click this link to open the full size texture in another window where you can save it…

I’ll put the link to the layered .psd file for this card I made into the freebie section in a minute. Let me know if you like it! Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

best,

~Mary

I’ll send this Holiday card psd to the first 15 people who leave a comment requesting it and letting me know 1. How often you visit Blogs of Photogs and 2. How you originally found it, and 3. What you like best (or least if you feel like it!) Leave a comment and fill in your email so I can contact you to send the link for the card by Friday. best Mary

Thanks Jolene!

~Mary

Thanks Jolene!

Mary

Leah Harb is located in Vancouver, WA, but works all around the Portland/Vancouver area, as well as in her studio which you can see in much of her lovely work. The current post on her blog is a beautiful tribute to her just turned 12 yr old son, which I really enjoyed, but make sure you move past that. My main reason for featuring her, {aside from her rocking engagement work, her striking commercial work, and her fab children’s images…} is her recent on location work with high school seniors/grads. Check it out here and enjoy. I’m just kicking into gear with seniors myself, and I know many of you are as well, so I know you are going to love her senior work for inspiration, it is divine!

Since Leah didn’t have a header image on her blog, I’m using her splash page for her post image up top, here on Blogs of Photogs.

And the winner of drawing for the soldered jewelry pendant from below is Karen McKinnon. Email me and we will work out the details. Congrats!

Mary

I’ve been making these necklaces/pendants and bag tags/keyrings for clients and wondered if other photographers would buy them for their clients. A bit about them: they are each handmade with two pieces of hand cut glass, photo is placed between the two pieces of glass, which I then wrap in copper foil tape, burnish smooth,  then they are soldered shut with lead free silver solder.

They are each unique and no two pieces are exactly alike, due to the handmade quality. I wanted to gauge interest in them and would appreciate if you leave a comment as to if you’d sell them (or gift) to your clients, and what price range you could see paying for them.

I’ll do a drawing for a free pendant from amongst all those who leave comments as requested within the next week. Thanks!

Mary

Since I have so many new readers, wanted to re-iterate a few things I have not mentioned in a long while. First off, I want to remind everyone that the sponsors, with banners along both sides (more in depth info about them can be found by clicking the small “sponsors” link up top) help to support Blogs of Photogs so I can spend all this time checking out blogs, so please visit and support our wonderful sponsors! They are awesome and I’m a personal fan of all their wares.

Second, I get dozens and dozens of emails each week asking me to review photographers blogs, and also get lots from newer-just starting out photographers asking me for in depth feedback on their portfolio/style, etc. I wish I had 50 hours in a day to do all that, but I haven’t figured out how to stretch the day further. So just a note to let you know: if you send in your blog, I will look at it sometime, could be in 2 weeks, could be in 8 months, but I’ll get there someday I hope. Click the “about” link up top for more info on how to get reviewed. Other questions will be answered as time permits, which means, unfortunately, rarely. My 3 kids and hubby need to see me too!

And lastly: I’d really like to revive the “freebies” offerings. I’d love if some designers or (photographers who also dabble in design!) send in some templates, or blends, or textures or even business tips, and I will add them to the freebies page. It was lots of fun during the holiday rush, and I love the karma of sharing. So, send things in via blogsofphotogs@gmail.com and we will get the freebies going again!  Yes, you! You have something to share I’m sure!

Thanks everyone for all your support and kind emails and comments. I read every single one, and I appreciate so much the enjoyment other photographers get out of each other’s work. Thanks again!

Mary

Today from Angela Kiefer~thanks so much! Click “freebies” link above to view downloads page. If anyone else would like to donate, please email it to blogsofphotogs@gmail.com

Thanks!

Mary

~M