A few posts back i spoke about my intention of going paperless ...(i know it sounds gimmicky, but anything to cut down on the copious amount of receipts and paper i've got lying about in folders is great...)

anyway, i came across 42 tags on the enterprise nation website...and at around £25, it's hardly breaking the bank. All i have to do is scan the document, give it a name and then tag it.. (the same way you would when blogging) to help me find it later.... i suppose the only thing that i worry about  is my system crashing (God noooooo!!!!) and me losing all my information...but i do have backup systems both online and offline so i'm thinking that should cover it....

just a quick one for all you home workers out there... i.e : fellow photographers like me, who work from home ('cause we're too skint to afford the horrendous commercial rates or, if you choose to look at it another way, too savvy to spend that hard earned dosh on commercial space when we've done alright so far without it .... the choice is yours....pick one!!)

whichever category you choose to squeeze yourself into, Enterprise Nation is for you..... this hot home business website gives you all the information you need to start freelancing or working from home... the business section looks at how to deal with payroll, turn customer feedback into positive action, marketing etc... Technology looks at topics such as how to go paper less .... (something i'm looking to do for my new financial year starting in April...hmmm, we'll see how that goes!!)

there's so much more.....worth a browse..... 

Just thought i'd share a little resource with other photographers....ebrochures by Zmags. I actually found out about these when i had to send my portfolio out really quickly for an event i'm planning early next year.  You have to upload a pdf of your document and voila! your paperless brochure is created. There are other companies that create these but i like the interface for the Zmags ...clean and simple. here's a sample of a brochure i made earlier...please feel free to pass it on to your mates that are getting hitched :)

Thought i'd share a quick resource today..... Lynda.com is an online training library.... they offer information on just about everything from e-commerce, podcasting, digital imaging, print design, html, animation, illustration.... you get the drift!!!

this is information heaven for me!!! and i can do it all online....ahhhh....technology!!!..... it is a beautiful thing!!!!  and it ain't free!!!! thought i'd mention that..... otherwise, enjoy!!

My new sample frame came in this morning I could not stop jumping and screaming..... It is so exciting to see how my pictures look in a finished product as opposed to just prints.  My frame supplier is so fantastic! (i have to rave about them ..sorry!!!)  They are able to create bespoke designs of any mount based on the images I have chosen (for this one, I chose to have nine images in a frame), everything is done super fast and the finished product is delivered packaged in it's own carry case!!! ready to be delivered to my clients  without me having to lift a finger (except to spot check and make sure everything is ok before it is hand delivered to the client) ..talk about good service.... I love them 'cause they make me look good and i don't mind paying them what needs to be paid hence the prices I charge for my products.....It's the little things that count...... 

I love the white frame and mount combination...I wanted something different from the sometimes boring black and natural wood frames.....  I wanted the images to really stand out and I think the white frame and mount combination did this......

I get my signature stamp on there as well.......

Frame, just before the carry case is closed up for delivery to client.......

Right! off to continue with preparations for the Grand designs exhibition next week........

As I was taking a break from doing my business accounts and browsing Laura Novak's blog, i came across the pitch wizard. For all you photographers and indeed business owners out there who tend to waffle when asked what you do and what benefits you can offer... (you know who you are...) this is for you....: 15 second pitch

If you're a bride or portrait parent reading this, you should look at this as a good thing (and not the fact that i'm trying to perfect my selling technique on you)...it means i'm not slacking off just 'cause i got the booking, i'm working hard to be that good customer service person everyone keeps telling you about :) ...... this of course means you can give me a call for that portrait shoot you've been thinking about doing for a while now.... !!!!

Another fun  link.  These cards are beautiful... check them out at  Swiss miss cards 

I love all the designs especially the 'save the date' cards, as they can be used with engagement pictures. I also think the  new baby cards are cute as well.

This site may be geared more towards photographers but i think anyone with a bit of photoshop skills could use them.