Accomplishment = Mine!

Hello there!

So I have wrapped up quite a bit tonight without even meaning to... Well, sort of not intending to. 

1) I finished up the signs for Salon Artist Suites! Okay, there are still a few questions and fixes to make... BUT, they are printed and look awesome! Here, see!

Just one of the almost 30 that I did! ^_^ Woot!

2) CD labels have been made and printed. I am now stocked up for a while on those. Now, I need to pick up some CD and jewel cases just for MelJean Designs. Anyone know what kind I should get... which is best? (I mean as far as CD-R- or R+... I guess I'm still fuzzy on the difference.)

3) Thanks to Sami, I was able to write up my print release form. I was having trouble with the wording and such. She showed me one of hers and it helped SO much! Ta-da!

Now, I'm just working on getting organized again. Been a little lacking in that department for a few days while I was sick, but I'm back on track now. 

Thank you for tuning in! Hope you're all doing as well as I am.


Side Note... Thinking of completely forgetting about meljean.com.... Not entirely, but I mean as far as trying to get a server and all. I kind of want to just start brand new with one of those sites online... Any suggestions? Has anyone had a great experience with any? Also, I do have a site put together in iWeb... so if I could just upload that to somewhere, that'd be awesome... Let me know! Thanks!

Project: Klimes Fall Photos

Client: Britney & Aaron Klimes
Service: Couple Photography
Date: October 2012
Completion: Ongoing (Seasonal)
Referred by: Britney Klimes

A couple of my best friends were married this past June and this was their first shoot since their wedding. I was so honored to do this for them! Being as much of a Pinterest-freak as myself, Britney saw a pin about a married couple taking pictures in each season during their first year of marriage. Well, this was the start of it! I can't wait until Spring!

Just a few of my faves....

Positive: We are all comfortable with each other, so it was easy to take the pictures. 

Negatives: I'm not as familiar with my camera as I'd like to be. Especially with the motion-capturing part....

Biggest Lesson Learned: External flash and reflector will be my next purchase.

Project: Salon Artist Suites' Shelf Toppers

Client: Diane Lorang with Salon Artist Suites
Service: Graphic Design
Date: September 2012
Completion: TBA
Referred by: Casey Swanson

Last year sometime, Casey was in touch with a lady who needed to have her business' logo vectorized for further use. After receiving payment, I didn't think that I'd be hearing from her again. Boy, was I wrong... and delightfully so! Once numbers were traded, she contacted me about making up some shelf toppers for her hair and body products that she's produced. Why would I say no!? We had a meeting and she handed me a stack of papers and I went to work. We just had another meeting yesterday and she loved the results! What do you think?

3.5 x 5

My thought is to put these in simple, plastic picture frames (the L-shaped ones) and have her actually attached the bottom of each one underneath the shelf, instead of sitting on the shelf. I'm very excited for this project! ^_^


Positives: Simple, clean design.
Negatives: Getting past the handwritten notes. 
Biggest Lesson Learned: Never loose contact information from past clients. If they like your work, they will come back for more.

Another session down, 2 more to go!

Halfway point through the twins' Senior Pictures.... which got me thinking.

I'm giving them... quite a bit. 4 total sessions (2 separate, 2 together).... printing rights... etc. I'm thinking that I need to come up with package ideas and prices if I'm going to keep this up. As of now, I've been going with the flow... kind of just tossing out what I think is a reasonable price. So... basically, cheap. Guess I know what I'm doing on my next day off. Invoice and package brainstorming.

Suggestions?

So, I've had a family session since I started this post... And I have another 2 planned. As much as I'm wanting to have print design be my main focus... it's not turning out that way, is it? Hm... more thinking.

Need to get back to editing. Hope everyone is doing well and thank you for visiting! ^_^



G'night!

The Burn Of Rejection

Well.... had my first sting of rejection.

I did a maternity shoot with a friend of mine. Her husband ended up not liking the pictures.... Not exactly sure why. I'll admit, it wasn't my best work... I was having an off day. We went to a playground and shot a few different poses here and there. I just... *sigh* Wish I could try again.

So, fellow photographers, how do you deal with this situation? I hadn't charged her anything, so there's no money to be refunded... but still. I can't help but think that I failed. :S

Creative Advice Wanted

Alrighty.... So I've been editing the Rice Twins' pictures and have come to a hiccup...

Now, as far as my watermark for the one going online, I'm curious if I should use the entire logo, just the text, or just the splash with the "MJ".... Examples:

Text Only

Splash & "MJ" Only

Whole Logo

The past photos that I've done, I've had the whole logo on there... But it is a little bold to have on a photo... so I'm confused. Just from putting them up here, I like the text only one best.... But I also like the thought of using just the "MJ".... Let's see....

"MJ" Only

Kinda looks like I signed it... which I like. *sigh* INPUT APPRECIATED!

Now, there's another question all together... Do I not include the logo and only put a disclaimer....? Sooooo confused. 

Thank You!

Project: Rice Twin Senior Shots

Client: Nikki & Julia Rice
Service: Senior Pictures
Date: September 2012
Completion: TBA
Referred by: Donna Rice

Brand new photo shoot! (Pictures will be posted later) Donna's twin sisters wanted me to do their Senior Photos after seeing what I did for Donna. Very excited! We still have more sessions, so this will be updated as needed!

Moving Forward!

Alrighty! Things are moving!

I've set up a new phone number exclusively for MelJean Designs so that I won't be giving out my personal phone number. Yay for Google Voice! Very excited!

I have 3... count 'em... THREE photo shoots coming up in the next couple of months! ^_^ Still working on a few sketches for some Wedding Invites. Hopefully will be wrapping those up soon.

Next move? Filing my DBA (a.k.a. "Doing Business As") and with that, I'll be able to legally publish "MelJean Designs" everywhere! After that, hopefully, I'll finish up switching my website to a new server.

I'm very excited for the upcoming changes! A new motivation has overcome me and I'm ready.



Now, I have to make up some of those invoices! G'night!

Newest Project: Donna's Headshots

Client: Donna Rice
Service: Headshot Photography
Date: July 2012
Completion: July 2012
Referred by: Donna Rice

Last week, my friend Donna got a hold of me to take some headshots for her. She's getting her foot in the acting realm and I'm just happy to help! These are a few of my favorites!

This one is a sweet look. Friendly without being cheeky.

Very intense. Almost devious.

Serious.

Not a headshot, but it was a great candid shot! 

Positives: We're comfortable with each other, so getting up close and personal wasn't weird.


Negatives: Headshots are actually pretty limiting... Typically, little to no smiling, and nothing flashy.


Biggest Lesson Learned: Just because the "type" of shoot is supposed to be "limited" doesn't mean the end result has to be. :)