So here I am, a obsessed lover of canvas prints… with them all over my home! And I find this new company, U Printing.com… where they not have regular printed goodies like business cards and such…but also a variety of canvas prints.. Canvas, did someone say CANVAS?!

HEY.. PROPS ARENT JUST FOR PRETTY POSING… they are also graphic props, and printed props too! hehe

I cant resist… so I order up a “rolled canvas”…. something new for me. I have always had my canvas on stretcher boards before, but this time, I want something nice that I can fully frame… so I give  U Printing a try, and fall in LOVE!

U Printing sends them neatly packaged, beautifully printed on a full canvas backing.  Thick, bright colors… perfection!
Having a printed canvas to frame, just looked so much more textured and full of class… I really am going to enjoy this print! Not to mention… they are DURABLE! I dont have to worry about my rolled canvas ripping or wearing with time…. I’m a happy gal…

And if you really want to display a piece of art, I always SAY CANVAS!!!
The difference in quality from a standard print is unsurpassed…

And not only did U Printing.com give me a quality canvas… they shipped it SUPER QUICK!
With their 1 day transit… I was more than impressed.

So head on over to U Printing.com…

I will be heading back myself in no time flat!

 WHO WANTS TO WIN?!
One lucky PI reader will win their own ROLLED CANVAS PRINT!

Prize details:
one (1 ) piece 16″ x 20″ rolled canvas print, for one winner with 2-inch border or No border, 1 Business Day Turnaround *Free shipping
Restriction: Limited to *US residents 18 years old and above only.

To see more of their canvas printing, visit – http://www.uprinting.com/canvas-printing.html
canvas sizes – http://www.uprinting.com/stretched-canvas-sizes.html

Disclaimer: Required as per FTC Ruling (Please see example below) This canvas printing giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given for hosting. Check out UPrinting.com for more details about canvas sizes.

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** contest now closed**

Lighting 101: Studio Lighting for Beginners, with Jes Gwozdz (ClickinMom Workshops)

Looking for a fabulous online workshop?
Do you already own studio lighting, but would LOVE to become a true pro at it?
The ins & outs, tips & tricks, about studio lighting?
Wanna learn from one of the best?

Ok… then I guess I’ll let you in on this good lil treat…
Lighting 101: Studio Lighting for Beginners, with Jes Gwozdz (ClickinMom Workshops)
is getting ready to launch it’s next group workshop, and they have a space for YOU!

And it’s all held online… so no traveling from you!

This introductory studio class will start from the ground up as participants will learn how to position their lights and take a handheld meter reading. We will learn about how to use light ratios and various lighting styles to create portraits to flatter our subject. Accent lights such as background lights and hairlights will also be taught. Detailed lighting diagrams and sample photos will be shared to help participants create stunning images, including Jes’s recipe for perfect high key every time.

Now why am I so excited about this course?
Well… Jes G is a good friend of mine,
and in fact, one of my photography mentors!
She is not only a fabulous photographer,
but a superb teacher at her trade of studio lighting.

Trust in me when I say learning from Jes is a honor,
and I would only trust in her to do my upcoming studio maternity pictures!

There are only 30 seats open for this class… so if you have been waiting for a fabulous Studio Lighting class… this is yours baby!

Have I goo’ed enough about Jes?
I can go on?…. lol…Ok, I’ll spare you my girly crush on her anymore…

The nitty gritty details…
course fee: $300/person for full participation
This $300 fee takes you through FIVE (5) WEEKS of class!
And even though it’s provided through ClickinMoms Forums, you
DONT HAVE TO BE A CM MEMBER!
Anyone can take this class…
CALLING ALL MEN!!! You dont need to be a “mom” to take this class!

This class is geared towards ALL studio lighting photographers…

what you’ll need:

• DSLR and portrait lens
• Two studio strobes
• Two modifiers. One larger-sized softbox or umbrella to be used as a main, and one smaller modifier that will give a more focused stream of light. This second modifier can be a grid, snoot, or strip box.
• Two light stands
• Method to trigger strobe (either sync cord or wireless trigger)
• Gray card, zebra card, or another method to set CWB in a strobe situation
• Reflector or large piece of white cardboard
• A handheld meter that records flash readings. Recommended meters are the Sekonic L-308 series (308, 308B, 308S all OK) or L-358.

The Above photogs are all from students in Jes’s class!
These images created by students in the April 2011 studio lighting workshop.
1st Row: Becky Van Cuyk, Romana Wyllie
2nd Row: Trish Millard
3rd Row: Liana Clark, Wendy McGraw
4th Row: Sandy Tidy
5th Row: Karen Bavender, Kelly Sparks, Emilyn Guillermo

 what Jess will cover in her class:

• Basic studio lighting terminology
• Overview of basic studio lighting gear
• How to use a handheld light meter
• Setting up and positioning your studio lights
• Various lighting styles
• Using light ratios to set the tone of your images
• Multilight setups:  Using hairlights and background lights to enhance your images

what you get:

• one week for gear Q&A prior to the first lesson
• four weekly lessons
• four weekly assignments
• detailed lighting diagrams and example images
• PDF copy of all posted lessons and exercises
• detailed, personalized critique and guidance every week

course instructor:
Jessica Gwozdz, Jessica Gwozdz Photography, is a Certified Professional Photographer and mom of two.
She is located in Chicago and specializes in studio portraiture of kids and families.

Lisa Harrison of Lisa Harrison Photography will be a teaching assistant in this workshop.

David Sutton of Sutton Studios will be a guest in this workshop. He will be available for Q&A.

I know this will leave you drooling..
So here we go… WHO WANTS TO WIN A FREE SEAT IN JES’S CLASS?!?!
(I do! I do!!!)

To enter, simply leave a comment HERE, saying WHY you NEED to take part in this class…
(make sure you have the above equipment first! purdy please).

And dont worry… you can sign up for this fabulous class ahead of time (since there are limited seats available), and if you are the chosen winner, you will be REFUNDED YOUR SEAT PRICE. Super duper spiffy fantastic prop junkies!

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Want to bring some FUN into your summer time sessions?
Then come scoop up some PARASOLS!!!

My favorite place, is of course The JOY Bag Collection… and it’s simply due to the fact that I know these are fabulous parasols, at affordable prices, with GORGEOUS colors.. and fast shipping… cuz this is one of my (Tracy Joy) lil companies (sign… love)!

I dug around trying to search for parasols that I loved, which has superior quality, and decided to stock up on wholesale bundles myself. This way, I had not only a rainbow of colors myself, but I was also able to share with my fellow photographers who had the same.. uh hum… obsession… as I! hehe

However, my wholesaler is tight on quantities right now… so there are only a few more of my goodie yum yum parasols to go around right now! So if you love parasols, and want to be able to purchase a single one (vs dozens at a time), come check mine out at >>>> The JOY Bag Collection<<<< and scoop up your favorite color before I sell out!

I find parasols to be sooo versitile, which is just another reason for me to obsess over them!

Use them with babies…
bid kids…
bellies…
weddings…
so many options, and so many great colors to choose from!

So come peek around now… and in the mean time.. IM GONNA TRY TO STOCK UP MYSELF!!!

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And this decision wasn’t easy! What I thought would be an easy process… turned in to a heart wrenching few days (enough drama for you there? lol).

Originally, I was going to select 2 new PI members, like we have done in the past… however with around 150+ applications, all fabulous photographers with rockin’ portfolios… it didnt make it easy! I narrowed it down to 20… then to 10…then to 7… and when I got to my top 5, I just couldn’t go any further!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who applied… I struggled through each of your lovely portfolios, trying to find a way to hire on everyone (lol yes, I would LOVE TO!).  The applications and words you all gave were more than precious, and beyond appreciated. It’s nice to know there are so many other prop junkies like myself out there! hehe

So without any further painstaking waiting…I introduce to you, the newest FIVE (5) members of the Prop Insanity team!!!
I’m so very excited, each of these darlings brings a different flavor and vibe to the scene. I know YOU as readers and photographers will love and appreciate their work… and YOU, our vendors and craft team, will ADORE working with these talented photogs… here they are…..

Staci Bailey
Hi Everyone! My name is Staci Bailey – cancer survivor, mama, wife, and natural light newborn and baby photographer! I love photographing sparkly eyes, chubby toes and fingers, sleepy newborns of course, and most of all I love being able to freeze time and document history with my camera. I knit, sew, and create many of my own props….but have to admit I do have a serious antique store addition! So yeah….you can call me a prop junkie! I can’t wait to start this adventure and share my love of photography with you!!! xo

Cherise Kiel
I am an proud Army wife and mother to 3 beautiful children (7,4 &21mo). I am a self taught, natural light photographer who specializes in newborns, children and families. Along with taking photographs, I am starting some affordable newborn workshops so that everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow! I enjoy photographing and teaching and am truely blessed to be able to do what I love!

Krista Campbell
Hi! I’m Krista… lover of vintage props, golden fields and backlight and momarazzi- extraordinaire to a 4-year-old who dons pink tutus and cowgirl boots. I’m also an on-location, natural light photographer serving Northwest Arkansas and I’m absolutely ecstatic about joining the Prop Insanity Team!

Lindsey Mills
Hey Y’all! I am Lindsey Mills, a 90% of the time natural light photographer that is based out of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I have two cool kids, and another baby coming in October 2011!I’m married to a man that I met we were in the sixth grade, and I’ve thought he was pretty cute ever since I’m super excited to have the opportunity to share with you what I LOVE to do… photograph newborns, kids, couples, brides & everything else pretty much!! Feel free to chat with me I love talking to new people!!

Shallyse (Shadeleaf Studios)
Hi, I’m Shallyse. I’m a wife to a super tall hubby (he’s 6′ 9″ and I’m 5′ 2″ – we get some pretty strange looks when we’re out in public) and mama to two beautiful, spirited girls (ages 7 and 3). I’m a studio and natural light photographer based out of Durham, NC. I love vintage props and spend way too much time stalking Craigslist and browsing at antique stores, and I’m a sucker for beautiful fields with tall grass as well as eclectic urban locations. I love photographing newborns, kids, and families as well as high school seniors. I’m beyond thrilled to be joining the Prop Insanity team and sharing my favorite prop finds with everyone!

And in case you are curious… here are our faces!! Don’t be scared… we got a good looking bunch here! haha

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Well of course you can find them HERE at Prop Insanity!

But looking for more? We have just the spot for you… Taopan Magazine!

Take a peek over at their online magazine >>> Taopan Magazine<<<
and sign up for their publications (easy as entering in your email addy),
then flip onto page 37 for some FABULOUS PROP TIPS!

In this article, written by our long time prop junkie and member
Debi Gomez of Hope Calendar,
where she chit chats about photography props and why they are so important,
and much loved, by so many professional photographers.

You’ll even see a small segment & interview Debi conducted with me… Tracy Joy (squeal!)!

So if you LOVE babies…
and you LOVE Props.. head on over to >>> Taopan Magazine<<<
and sign up for their workshop magazine…
IT’S FREE!!!!!!

And check out this months article on PHOTOGRAPHY PROPS!

Enjoy junkies!

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