ProDPI Love!

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I’m a maternity and newborn / baby photographer for the greater Orlando, Florida metro area. I’ve been in business since 2006. Prior to that, I was a part-time web and blog designer and ran a wedding-related website called “Wholly Matrimony!”

I’ve been married to my husband Todd for over 13 years and we have two sons, ages 6 and 4. We moved to Florida in 1997. We’re both Sooner born and Sooner bred and met at the University of Oklahoma.

I was recently voted the 2009 “Best Family Photographer” winner for Orlando, Florida, by Nickelodeon’s Parents Connect and goCityKids.com. I am a featured photographer at The Knot / The Bump’s “The Nest Baby” and my photographs appear in “A Scrapbooker’s Guide to Walt Disney World”.

I also maintain a product, packaging, and marketing website for photographers called Paperie Boutique.

What got you into wedding/portrait photography?
My husband and I were told we could not have children and after trying for several years, had all but given up when our oldest son was born. Surprise! I had blocked off all things maternity and baby during those years, but once they were actually a part of my own life and I saw how fleeting the moments really were, I never wanted to let them go… Now I don’t have to.

What are your favorite types of subjects to shoot and why?
I love shooting newborn sessions. Each one is different and challenging in its own way. No two babies are ever the same. It’s one of the happiest times the parents will ever experience together and it really is a privilege to witness the love and awe in the glances they exchange. Helping a family preserve a smile, a sigh, a yawn, a kiss, or the way their baby looked at a moment in time is honestly the reason I love being a photographer.

What is your favorite piece of photographic equipment?
I could not live without my SB-800 and SB-600 speedlights. Although I love natural light photography, it’s just not what I feel that I do best. I learned to photograph my two boys in our first home located in the middle of a nature preserve. We had tall trees all around and sunlight never entered the windows. I quickly had to learn how to use artificial light effectively and I’ve never regretted it.

What ProDPI products do you use?
I use ProDPI for prints and press-printed products. However, if it all possible, I won’t use anyone else for birth announcements, birthday invitations, and holiday cards. There is simply no comparison. I am totally addicted to their Smooth Matte paper and so are my clients. I provide a paper sample kit when a baby plan books, and 90% of the time they will pick ProDPI’s Smooth Matte.

Are there any ProDPI products that have enabled your success?
ProDPI’s folded and flat press-printed cards are known all over Orlando as the standard for birth announcements and holiday cards. My button logo on the back is somewhat of a status symbol for my clients, which is very flattering (and humbling). And that would not be possible without the right lab to print it on.

Why do you love ProDPI?
I love ProDPI because they aren’t just a lab or a vendor. They make you feel like family. If you call for assistance or with an issue, you get a real person who is genuinely interested in your call. If you send an e-mail, the reply is almost instantaneous. So many labs have a “take a number” policy, and when my clients need an answer “now”, so do I. I can’t imagine placing something as important as a birth announcement in anyone else’s hands.

I also loved it when I sent out our own personal holiday cards on ProDPI Smooth Matte and it caused other photographers to finally make the switch. Seeing really is is believing!

Website URL - http://www.buttonsandbowsphotography.com
Blog URL – http://paperieboutique.com

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We met while attending one of the most prestegious photography schools in the world: Brooks Institute of Photography. Our combined passion for photography and capturing emotions was a big part of our relationship and remains so to this day.

Tim’s history as a photojournalist shooting for the The Tehachapi News has been a huge influence in his documentary style take on weddings. Cheryl’s love for children and their playfulness has led to her fun picture taking style.

For a while Tim was working toward a carreer as a professional mountain biker and trials rider and Cheryl was classicaly trained as a bassoonist while attending college at Biola and both realized that their calling as photographers was what they preferred to persue.

You’ll still find Tim riding his mountain bike and backpacking and Cheryl still appreciates a nice date enjoying an orchestra performing Beethoven.

Our imagery has been featured on Jay Leno, The Knot Southern California, TheKnot.com, Santa Barbara Magazine, Weddings 2006, Savor Wine Country… Our cameras have captured Ray Charles, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller, Ray Bradbury, Gwendolyn Osborne and others.

What got you into wedding/portrait photography?
My friends asked me to photograph their wedding in 1999 while I was working as a newspaper photographer and writer. I refused cause I felt it was too important for me (Tim) to be trusted with. Eventually they talked me into it, and I loved it. Shot a million rolls of film, and then handed them all to the couple.

But… I didn’t think you could make a living from weddings, cause the guys back home made maybe $500-$1000 per wedding and that in my mind wasn’t sustainable.

Then, while at Brooks, I was convinced weddings were for losers and I was ready to be a fashion photographer. Yeah, I sucked!

So, I saw Mike Colon speak at Brooks (I went to heckle him with my friends, cause he was some loser wedding photographer) then I heard him talk about his work and about how much he charged, and by the end of the night I knew I was back in love with weddings and that I was going to pursue weddings.

What are your favorite types of subjects to shoot and why?
I love photographing couples. I just enjoy the interaction between two people who love each other and are playful. Engagement sessions are definitely my favorite thing to shoot.

What is your favorite piece of photographic equipment?
1ds MkIII. Hands down, so epic.

What ProDPI products do you use?
ProDPI’s prints rock my clients walls!! Press printed stuff is always super useful, and ProDPI’s mounting services.

Are there any ProDPI products that have enabled your success?
The press printed products have allowed us to help brand ourselves with beautiful materials to hand out to potential clients and other vendors.

Why do you love ProDPI?
I love ProDPI because there are absolutely NO worries about the quality of anything they are printing for us.

Beyond that, the drop shipping is AWESOME! Looks beautiful and enables us to get prints to our couples quickly.

Did I mention it’s sooo great to have a lab we can send images to and have them printed and delivered to our couples with no concerns about the quality??

Website URL - http://www.halbergphotographers.com
Blog URL - http://blog.halbergphotographers.com

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Michelle started her career as a band photographer in 2003, and has since shot many weddings, actors, senior portraits, models, and local events. Her focus is now on Fashion Editorials, and her boutique-style High School Senior Portraits.

What got you into wedding/portrait photography?
I started photography in high school, my style was very abstract, and did not involve people. It was in college when I started doing headshots for my actor friends. I always had a love of fashion and photography when I was in high school, and it wasn’t until college that I realized I could combine my love of those two things into one profession. I shot my first senior portrait in the late spring of 2007, and posted it on my blog. Almost immediately I noticed how many people were searching for “Senior Portraits” and landing on my blog, so I decided to try taking my career in that direction. It totally blew up, and got me to where I am today; shooting fashion, and high school seniors.

What are your favorite types of subjects to shoot and why?
Fun high school seniors with loads of personality and style, and of course models!! Seniors are so much fun because they each shine in their own way, and I love to give them something fun to remember themselves by when they were in high school. And of course, I love working with models because I can bring to life the images and ideas floating around in my head.

What is your favorite piece of photographic equipment?
I would have to say my camera (of course!), but more importantly my lenses are what allow me to create. The Canon 35mm 1.4L is my favorite go-to lens, and is appropriate for just about everyone, and any situation!

What ProDPI products do you use?
We use ProDPI for all our client print orders (Lustre and Metallic Finish). We have quite a few large Metallic prints hanging in our loft, and our clients love them for wall prints! We also use their Press Printing for our Thank You cards, Gift Certificates, and Senior Grad Announcements. In particular I LOVE the Eco-Matte finish (100% wind powered, recycled, and environmentally friendly!) I’m really looking forward to trying out the new products (Stickers, folded business cards, and also the Green Executive Drop Shipping!).

Are there any ProDPI products that have enabled your success?
Having such great turnaround, products, and customer service have enabled me to keep the print order portion of my business running smoothly. I am really looking forward to starting to use the Executive Drop Shipping to cut out a step in my print orders, and save materials (so as to be more environmentally friendly). Creating marketing materials with their postcards, and awesome press-printed products has boosted brand recognition, and created happy clients!

Why do you love ProDPI?
I was able to meet them at WPPI in 2009, and it was so refreshing to meet such great people running such a fabulous company! I was extremely impressed with the Eco-Matte papers, and the Green Executive Drop Shipping. Being environmentally aware is extremely important to me, and offering such a great earth-friendly product has allowed me to keep tangible products in my clients hands all while lowering my business’s impact on the earth.

Website URL - http://michellemooreseniors.com
Blog URL - http://michellemooreblog.com

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I never knew that I’d end up a wedding photographer. Though I purchased my first camera in high school I went to college to study theatre and dance, obtaining a BFA in 2001. Shortly upon my move to New York after college graduation I realized that the life of a starving actor was not for me and went on to consider several career paths. I waited tables, was a receptionist at a failing dotcom, worked in a broadway theatre casting office, and finally found my love for photoshop when I began studying digital and graphic design.

Upon my move to Florida in 2001 I picked up my camera and looked at it seriously for the first time. I photographed my first wedding that fall and was in love. The fantastic theatre and emotion of weddings moved me in a way nothing had before and my business was born that year.

I have photographed weddings all throughout the US, the Caribbean, South America, Finland, France, and the Bahamas. I’ve been published in Inside Weddings, Bride and Bloom, Modern Bride, the Knot, Professional Photographer Magazine, the New York Times style section, Martha Stewart Weddings,in trade publications for Nikon USA, Rangerfinder, Capture, and this fall will be featured in Town and Country Weddings.

I live in Brooklyn, New York with my two beautiful daughters.

What got you into wedding/portrait photography?
I-was-asked-by-a-friend-of-a-friend : that old song and dance. I had never shot a wedding before or anything but images of my own daughter on a point-and-shoot camera but truly was very randomly asked if I “did weddings”. As a favor I accepted an invitation to shoot a wedding in the fall of 2001. I had no idea what I was doing. I bought an external flash for my Canon Rebel, grabbed a bag of film, surfed a few websites for luck and truly went out and winged it. I had no plan to turn it into a career and truly didn’t think of the shoot as anything other than a favor – until I actually got to the wedding and got to work and was fascinated.

What are your favorite types of subjects to shoot and why?
Weddings. I know that may sound crazy but besides photographing my children my true love is WEDDINGS. When I get stuck or feel I need to freshen up my work I don’t take on personal projects or go out and shoot nature or street scenes because I don’t find that inspiring – I go shoot weddings with friends!

What is your favorite piece of photographic equipment?
My Nikon D3. I’d tuck it right in next to me in bed at night if that wouldn’t be incredibly weird.

What ProDPI products do you use?
I’m in love with the press printed products right now, the paper choices are beautiful. I love everything ProDPI does (yay, Fuji paper!) but the press printed products are truly beautiful to behold.

Are there any ProDPI products that have enabled your success?
I use the press printed products to correspond with my clients, be hang tags for product delivery, be inserts for albums (“how to care for your album”), be promo packets…in short, everything!

Why do you love ProDPI?
WHY DO I NOT? They’re lovely people with incredible customer service. They’re fast and sharp and reliable and their quality is beautiful. They use Fuji paper! They make me smile!

Website URL – www.susanstripling.com
Blog URL - same as website!

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Coming from a family full of artists, from oil painters to wood workers, I have been surrounded by art and artists my entire life. I suppose it was destined that I would eventually become an artist, although until just a few years ago I did not know what medium would inspire me. When I found photography, I knew I had found the vehicle by which I was meant to create memorable and unique art, and my desire to create great art is deeply embedded and central to all of my photographic work.

What got you into wedding/portrait photography?
I started my journey into photography as a hobby after my second child was born. I wanted to document everything: his first gummy smile, his first wobbly steps, and everything in between and after. I poured myself into documenting the special moments in my son’s life wholeheartedly. In the process I started to learn not only the technical details that make a competent photographer.

After seeing my pictures of my son, it wasn’t long before friends started asking me to take pictures of their own children. All of the requests brought me to the realization that I had discovered in myself the ability to help others document those special memories I had been capturing for my own family, and that this ability was coupled with a passion for doing just that. I started out simply doing some shoots for friends and family, but as I began getting requests from people I did not know who had seen the work that I had done, I decided that I would make full time career of photography.

What are your favorite types of subjects to shoot and why?
Maternity and Babies for sure!! There is nothing more beautiful than an expectant mother they literally glow and exude such confidence, I know I am much more confident when I don’t have to suck it in .. My favorite baby age to shoot is between 6-9 months. Babies at that age are so expressive and as an added bonus they don’t move around much.

What is your favorite piece of photographic equipment?
My 5D Mark II… my preciousss….

What ProDPI products do you use?
So far I use ProDPI for prints and I am planning on moving my press printed products over to ProDPI as well!

Are there any ProDPI products that have enabled your success?
Sure! I don’t know what you guys do over there but I swear my prints come back from ProDPI looking better than they did in photoshop. It is AMAZING!

Why do you love ProDPI?
Oh let me count the ways.. I love ProDPI because like I said above, My prints always come back looking amazing! But more than that, they are professional, they are on time, and their product is always consistent. That is a big deal. I have used MANY labs and ProDPI is by far the best in my book.

Website URL - www.ashleymcnamara.com
Blog URL - www.ashleymcnamara.com/articles

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Katie is a self-proclaimed emotional gear head. She loves the technology of photography combined with the emotions of weddings.

What got you into wedding/portrait photography?
Ohhhh…I was trying to woo a cute boy. He was a water polo coach. So, I went to a lot of water polo games trying to impress him. I decided to take photos at the games to pass some of the time. The local newspaper printed the photos, hired me as a photographer…and from there a career was born. (And a husband found…the water polo coach is Mr. DiSimone now)

What are your favorite types of subjects to shoot and why?
People…they give me emotions and interactions. I could look at a beautiful sunset or gorgeous mountains…but they all look better with someone smiling in front of them.

What is your favorite piece of photographic equipment?
my favorite piece…that’s like asking for a favorite kid. BUT, I suppose it would be the body 1DsMark3. Dual slots allow for instant backup of images, my fingers can fly through the buttons and menus, and it takes MIGHTY FINE pics!

What ProDPI products do you use?
All of them. Albums, proof books, standouts, press prints. I’d use more if they offered them. ProDPI is like a drug.

Are there any ProDPI products that have enabled your success?
Absolutely. My clients LOVE their proof books!

Why do you love ProDPI?
ROES, quick turn around time, awesome Fuji paper, quality smiles from the service people, and great promotions.

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I was born and raised in the San Diego, California area. I’ve been married for eight years and have three gorgeous children. I guess it’s a mute point that I love photography seeing that I am a photographer. But it is a serious passion of mine and I LOVE capturing real life. I love getting expressions from people that catch a glimpse into their souls and portray who they really are. I love creating art and having people get excited about what I’ve captured. It is such a fun profession and something that I am really proud of.

What got you into wedding/portrait photography?
My kids were my sole inspiration for getting me into this amazing profession!!! I wanted to take better pictures of them and it spiraled from there!

What are your favorite types of subjects to shoot and why?
My favorite subjects are pregnant momma’s, babies, children, and families! I love to

What is your favorite piece of photographic equipment?
My Canon 24-70L lens! It’s super sharp and very versatile.

What ProDPI products do you use?
I print all of my client orders through ProDPI and have my business cards printed through them as well.

Are there any ProDPI products that have enabled your success?
Just the amazing quality of the prints. My clients oooo and ahhhh over them!

Why do you love ProDPI?

I love how fast I get my orders and their customer service is TOP NOTCH. They are always willing to lend a helping hand and fix any problems that might arise.

Website URL - www.kristinrachellephotography.com
Blog URL - www.kristinrachellephotography.com/blog

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I’m in my early thirties, shooting weddings and portraits all over the West Coast, from my home base in beautiful Bandon-by-the-Sea Oregon.

What got you into wedding/portrait photography?
Truthfully? My experience with my own wedding photography. I was unhappy with the old school ways of low upfront cost, high per print costs, matted gold spine albums and withholding the negatives. I knew I couldn’t be the only one who wanted everything, from beautifully designed contemporary albums to stretched canvas, and was willing to pay for it all in one shot! Every product I use is something I would have wanted to have the option of getting when I was a bride!

What are your favorite types of subjects to shoot and why?
People in love! There is something so fleeting about those first few moments of unabashed adoration at a wedding, and also at the engagement session. I think with great photographs of these moments, the couple can look back and feel those feelings all over again years down the road. I am honored that people keep choosing me to document all the amazing moments in their lives.

What is your favorite piece of photographic equipment?
Right now it would have to be the combo of the Canon 5DMKII and the 85mm 1.2/f L lens. Pure bliss.

What ProDPI products do you use?
All the prints sizes, from wallets to 30×40! Press printed promo products from business cards to accordion wallets.

Are there any ProDPI products that have enabled your success?
I get oohs and ahhs every time I hand someone a business card printed on the pearl paper. It causes them to take a second look every time! I also love the executive packaging for my existing customers, I get raves about how excited they were to open up that box and fold back the tissue nearly ever time!

Why do you love ProDPI?
I love ProDPI because they are able to turn my thoughts into reality. To bring the ideas and images that I create on my computer into the real world, and fast!!

Website URL - http://cardasphotography.com/
Blog URL - http://cardasphotography.typepad.com/blog

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If you had asked me when I was young what I wanted to be when she grew up, I would have answered, “a writer.” So I dutifully attended the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University and majored in advertising. But it was the layout and design aspect of advertising that really caught my attention, and a desire to make everyday things beautiful became her career goal. She also developed a love for photography – capturing everyday moments and making them extraordinary.

I live in Ona, WV with husband, Evan, and our son Mason and daughter Sydney. In my spare time, which there isn’t much of, she loves to read, cook, blog and organize obsessively.

What got you into wedding/portrait photography?
I had this little point and shoot camera and I got in the habit of taking photos of our dog, flowers, landscapes – the usual beginner stuff. A friend of mine asked me to do her engagement photos as a favor at a local park. That was my first – and very inexperienced – entry into portraiture, and I was hooked. I started learning/reading everything I could get my hands on.

What are your favorite types of subjects to shoot and why?
Probably newborns and weddings, because they both hold so much hope and promise.

What is your favorite piece of photographic equipment?
My Canon 50mm 1.4 lens. What did I ever do without it? I’m hoping to start saving up for the 1.2L… if the 1.4 is this good, the 1.2 has to be amazing.

What ProDPI products do you use?
What ProDPI products don’t I use? Luster prints are a standby, as well as nearly all the press printed products. I’m planning to order standout mounted prints for a bridal fair display this winter.

Are there any ProDPI products that have enabled your success?
Even before I became interested in photography, I worked (still do) as a graphic designer. The entire line of press printed products has allowed me to sell custom-designed wedding invitations to brides. Before, traditional offset printing costs were just too high for my brides’ budgets. The affordability and quality of the ProDPI press printed products has allowed me to add a profitable – and still surprisingly affordable for brides – product for my business.

Why do you love ProDPI?
What’s not to love? Affordable, quality and creative products by a company who offers extraordinary customer service.

Website URL - www.thirdlinestudios.com
Blog URL - www.thirdlinestudios.com/blog

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I am a pet & people photographer in Southern California that loves to photograph pets and people of all kinds! I have way too many shoes, way too many camera bags, and way too many dogs. (Well, just kidding on that last part, kinda!)

What got you into wedding/portrait photography?
My dogs! I’m a DMWAC (dog mom with a camera!) turned pro. When one of my dogs passed away unexpectedly, I realized how few “decent” photos I had of her. I was so upset when I went to make a scrapbook of her because everything was blurry and awful. The following year I bought an SLR camera and decided that for the people and pets in my life, I wasn’t going to settle for snapshots anymore. After over a year of photographing the ones close to me, I ventured out and into business!

What are your favorite types of subjects to shoot and why?
Dogs & Weddings/Couples are just absolutely my favorite. I love photographing everything – but especially those two areas.

I “get” dogs… I grew up with them, I have 4 (plus a foster dog), I volunteer for the French Bulldog Rescue Network, and in general I just love them all. So it is natural for me to connect with them with a camera in hand. I love being able to give loving pet owners a cherished gift!

And brides – I mean really, who doesn’t love a stunning bride? Or a groom seeing her for the first time? A loving father giving his daughter away? It’s just such an amazing experience for me, I am so blessed to capture those moments!

What is your favorite piece of photographic equipment?
That’s a tough one. I love my lenses though! I shoot with a Canon 5DII and could not be without my 24-70 2.8L (awesome for pets) and my 85 1.2L (awesome for people!)

What ProDPI products do you use?
All kinds! I LOVE my ProDPI prints – the paper is fabulous and the color is amazing! The press products are also incredible! The paper choices make me feel spoiled, and I am able to offer my clients such a wide variety of options.

Are there any ProDPI products that have enabled your success?
Absolutely. The prints finally match everything for me (some labs were too red, some the paper just didn’t feel right) but with ProDPI everything comes together.

The press products are incredible and are such an easy “sell” to my clients. They love the paper options, especially now that there are some beautiful recycled options!

Why do you love ProDPI?
Besides the already mentioned reasons (the product quality & variety) the customer service is top notch! I’ve had fast responses to emails, a person answer quickly when I call, and even an occasional note in my order! You just can’t beat that!

Website URL - www.melissapalomo.com
Blog URL - www.melissapalomo.com/blog