We are so excited to finally announce the winners of the 2010 Images for a Cure Giveaway!  Thank you so much to everyone who participated with their talent, time and effort in 2010′s events.  Images for a Cure would not be the same without you, and we’re so happy to be building such a wonderful community of like-minded photographers.  A special thanks also goes out to all of our amazing 2010 sponsors who have generously donated to the giveaway.  Without further ado, here are the 2010 winners!

*If you won a prize that you already own, or have, kindly let me know so I can draw another lucky winner!
***Winners, please contact either Reema or Adrienne to claim your prize or account details! Must claim within 14 days or another winner will be drawn.

One Year Premium Snapknot Membership:  Melissa Diep

$100 gift cards: Kristan Bishop, Lori Robinson, Kathleen Bentley

Flip HD Pink Video Camera: Bill Gellerman

Fuji Instax Camera in Pink: Leah Harvey

Apple 8gb iPod Nano in Pink: Kristin Kraczek

Free year of Collages.net, $150 print credit, 1 free design print and bind album, $100 press printed card credit, 1 free coffee table book, a free gallery wrap and a free proof book:  Susan Prater

1 Year Pro SmugMug Account: Kelly Canova, Kathy Rappaport, Michelle Guzman

1 Year Power SmugMug Account: Heinz Weidmann, MADE Images

All Totally Rad Action Sets: Maris Ehlers

Doug Gordon Workshops Flow Posing DVDs:  Bryan Kannowski

9×9 Swanky Backdrop:  Noelia Kline

1-1/2″ Gallery Wrap:  Jennifer Ring

8×8 Press Printed Album:  Christina Trulelove

4 Sets of Holiday Card Templates & a $50 gift card:  Joshua McCaghren

Backdrop:  Jessica Liane Photography

Tamrac Camera Bag:  DB Impressions Photography

Kubota Full Creative Pack:  Mark Doescher

Thank you again to ALL of our wonderful sponsors for supporting us.  We’re already gearing up for 2011′s event and we can’t to see all of you participate again and build our already amazing community!

I’m giddy! Seriously! This is a long blog post… but I have a lot to say! So fellow photographers – listen up! Because you’ll WANT to participate!

I’ve been waiting for months to finally “officially” announce the first ever Images for a Cure workshop this spring (in a month, actually!) We have been working like gangbusters to finish up our planning, and if it weren’t for the amazing support of my friends, vendors and hard-working IFAC team here in Orlando – we may never have gotten this done! (aaaand end Emmy speech, cue music, cut to commercial)

So if you’re unfamiliar with Images for a Cure or the workshop, let me shed some light!

I started Images for a Cure (IFAC) back in the fall of 2009. I worked really hard to make something out of nothing, and together with some incredible photographers, we raised slightly over $13,000 to benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation! Our efforts were put to the test in the fall of 2010 when we launched in to our second year with new branding, new tier-based participation system and a brand new (fancy-schmancy) website! But I’m so proud to announce that 250 photographers joined us, raising over $15,000 – making our lifetime grand total over $28,000!

I’m seriously amazed, thankful and so appreciative of everyone’s hard work to make the event so successful!

Which is why we decided to host our first ever Spring Workshop! Just a little thank you, from the team here in Orlando to everyone across the world who helped see us through such a challenging year!

The Workshop!

Our workshop is a 2-day intensive workshop that will have one day of speaking and one day of shooting under some of the most talented, funny and business-savvy photographers in the country! Lucky for me, they’re all based relatively locally and I can abuse my friend-powers to get them to come share their secrets!

These aren’t career motivational speakers. These are true-life, successful photography studio owners who make their living by booking clients – not selling things or writing books. They won’t try to get you to buy anything, or tell you that you can’t be successful without a crazy 60 lb. camera bag and boom stand that they developed. They’re real. And they’re really entertaining!

The Speakers!

Our workshop is being headlined by the esteemed Brooke Thomas, editor of Weddings Unveiled Magazine! It’s honestly my FAVORITE industry magazine. She’ll be speaking on getting published and what editors are looking for.

And listen to this lineup:

Melanie and Brad Watson from La Dolce Vita Studio will be discussing “Finding Your Sweet Spot”.

This is what Melanie (or Brad… who can keep track?) had to say about their topic: “Our topic will focus on the keys to success and balance as a photographer and creative spirit. This often elusive place of balance is what we call the “sweet spot.” Finding your authentic voice, running a thriving business and maintaining balance in your personal and professional life is what every photographer strives for. We will be talking about how you can be true to who you are as an artist; how this will help garner the right clients for you; how to keep them and attract more clients like them all while maintaining your sanity. There are many paths to success, we intend to help you figure out which road is best for you.”

Becka and Nate Robinson from Studio 222 Photography

Abby Liga from Liga Photography – “Shooting to Get Published”

Amy Smith from Amy Smith Photography – “Confessions of a Child Photographer”

Joey Wright from Joey Wright Photography – “Lighting for Fashion Photography”

Jennifer Frances, retouch artist

Melanie Pace, personal stylist – “Directing Client Wardrobe for Shoots”

Luisa Valdes, Hair and Makeup from Lunatic Fringe Salon – “Makeup for Photography Lighting Conditions”

The Shoots!

Then we have a half day of shooting with our photographers and their models! Some of our shooters will also be hosting a critique following their shoot so that you can get some feedback on the images you took!

Kristen Weaver – Fashion Bridal

Melanie and Brad Watson – Bride and Groom

Becka and Nate Robinson – Engagement

Abby Liga – Shooting to Get Published

Melissa Diep - Trash the Dress

Amy Smith – Actions of a Child Photographer

Joey Wright – Lighting for Fashion Photography

Now let’s talk about this GALA!

Seriously, you can’t get a bunch of wedding people together without throwing a huge party! So we’re celebrating our 2010 IFAC success with a grand party full of food, drinks, an amazing DJ, a super talented singer/songwriter, amazing decor, venue and showstopping florals! No pressure, right?

Forget the learning – we’re rocking from 8pm until midnight and everyone is invited to attend! You don’t need to go to the workshop – in fact, round up family and friends (must be 21 or older, sorry kids) and join us! We have a guest list working and tickets are $50 per person. So if you want to attend, make sure to email gala@imagesforacure.com to get on the guest list and pay for your tickets!

Special thanks to our venue, The MEZZ, and these amazing vendors:

Kristen Johnson from An Affair to Remember
Josh Bales, Singer/Songwriter
Al Dee Productions, DJ and Entertainment
Lee Forrest Design, Floral Designer

How you can help!

I am super excited at how quickly the workshop is selling – so make sure you register if you want to come! If you can’t attend, please help us by spreading the word on Facebook and Twitter! We have a strong community of colleagues and I hope we can fill the room with like-minded pros ready to share with each other!

Help us Spread the word by Tweeting: Are you attending the first @imagesforacure workshop?! I’ll be there! You can register here: http://ow.ly/3Ke9p

Reposting this blog post

Sending some love to our Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/imagesforacure

Register here: http://app.shootq.com/public/images_for_a_cure/pricing/current

Written by Platinum Photographer Maris Ehlers

You see an image posted by a photographer, and he or she writes above it:  “Straight from the camera, Baby!”  We’ve seen those posts and most of us have written a post or two like that in our time.  That’s because we’re so excited when we do get an image that is perfect, just as we shot it.

Unfortunately, in our day to day shooting lives, most of us have more pictures than we’d like that are less than perfect.  At least I do.  Sometimes, believe it or not, that’s the picture the client wants. This means that the image may need an expert hand to help create the quality of image your client expects from you, and that can be tough on a photographer.  Why?  Because you’re a photographer, not a Photoshop whiz kid.

Another scenario might be that you have an image that truly is amazing and you want to take it to the next level by submitting it somewhere for publication.  A professional edit can be a great investment for a photographer at a time like this.  The trick is knowing who to trust your images with.  You need someone who can improve upon your original vision and who can get the job done on time.  I have found Jennifer Frances of Jennifer Frances Retouching to be that resource.

Jennifer has a remarkable skill, and I’m so thankful that she shares it with the likes of me when I need it!  Extremely competent with a wide range of photographic styles and subjects, she can make a great image look spectacular, and she can “save” an image from the computer recycling bin.

Her work has been published in many of today’s top fashion and entertainment magazines, and she really is an artist in her field of expertise.

So the next time you have an image you absolutely love, consider sending it to her and find out how much MORE you love it when you get it back.  She’ll completely amaze you with what she does.

Oh… and the next time you have an image where the client says “If only Bob’s head didn’t look so funny twisted at that angle I’d order ten of these…” send Bob on over to Jennifer, too.  She’ll get his head on straight.

Before / After

Written by Platinum Photographer Maris Ehlers

I am totally embarrassed to admit how I handled my professional lenses before Shootsac.  During a shoot I’d get so focused on what I was doing, I’d end up leaving lenses lying in the grass, up against walls, you name it.  On more than one occasion a client would say “Um, don’t you want that?” while pointing to a lens that I had taken off my camera, set down and completely forgotten about!

It’s like Jessica Claire designed this bag JUST for me, but it’s really for any photographer who wants to be able to access a variety of different lenses at any moment, and keep their investment safe by protecting them during every other moment of the shoot (Please note that Shootsac is not recommended as a replacement for your camera bag, to transport your lenses from shoot to shoot, or to hold your camera with a lens attached).

I bought my first Shootsac about two years ago, and I now own two of them.  I insist my second shooters wear one (especially for weddings), and we have a variety of fantastic covers to choose from for different looks when shooting.

So often with even great products there is a compromise between form and function, but not with Shootsac!  The neoprene bag has mutliple pouches to hold several different lenses plus other accessories you need throughout your shoot, i.e. flash units, cell phone, car keys, memory cards, etc., etc, and is every bit as stylish as it is functional.  With a fantastic selection of cover designs, you can always make sure you look your best and get the shot – quickly and easily with Shootsac!

Be sure to visit them at http://www.shootsac.com to see the awesome lineup of products  and covers!

The Shootsac / Images for a Cure Partnership
by Kristen Weaver, Images for a Cure Founder

It is with a lot of excitement that I share the amazing partnership that Shootsac and Images for a Cure has created this year! While most of our sponsors have tirelessly supported and encouraged our photographers and their goals, Shootsac has taken that one step higher by contributing 50% of all sales from their new Images for a Cure inspired Cover – “Uptown with Flowers“. Thinking about purchasing one of these amazingly cute new covers? Sorry, but they sold out just a few days after their website launch! Shootsac sold 81 of these gorgeous new covers which contributed $2,025 to Images for a Cure!

I was lucky enough to snatch a couple for me and Reema (my second shooter) and wanted to show you how gorgeous these covers are!

Check out the email newsletter here!

I just wanted to extend a HUGE Thank You to Jessica Claire, and all of the members of the Shootsac team for their tireless support of Images for a Cure and our photographers. – Kristen Weaver

Written by Pink Photographer Trish Finfer

You didn’t even know you needed Lightroom presets, funky textures and Photoshop actions for your photographs till you’ve seen what Totally Rad Actions has to offer. They have some of the most amazing tools for digital photographers I’ve ever seen – and what’s even more rad, is they offer total support for any question or problem you have.

‘Smack My Pix Up’, ‘Bitchin’ B&W’ and ‘In-Faux-Red’ are just a few of my fave actions and presets – not only are they fun to say; they are fun to use too. Totally Rad makes it a point to create tools that are easily customizable and work with each other so when you need to tweak a little something, or use more than one on a single photo, it’s a snap!

The in-depth video tutorials on their website are an amazing resource to learn more about actions and how to use them. And if that isn’t enough, you can go to the Totally Rad Help Desk and read through the help book or submit your problem or question and get personalized technical assistance. From time to time they post tutorials on their blog too – so be sure and stalk it if you don’t already.

My favorite resource on their site (besides the actions of course) has to be the Recipes. I go here for inspiration and to see what other folks are doing to their photos and how they are manipulating actions to get a desired result.  It’s fun to look through the thumbnails and pick one that looks interesting and try to guess what’s been done to enhance it. Many times I find myself saying, ‘I would have never thought to try that!’

Possibly the raddest thing about Totally Rad is their sponsorship of Images for a Cure. They have donated an entire TRA Suite to one lucky photographer! That includes The Original Totally Rad Action Set + Totally Rad 2: The Revenge + Dirty Pictures + Totally Rad Lightroom Presets! We are so happy to have you guys on board this year – thank you for your innovation, support and contribution to the cause!