Yes, I am just nowlearning how to use clipping masks off of a You Tube tutorial. I did try to upload Picasa but it wanted to transfer all 20,000 of my files and I grew impatient. I should probably check them out anyway. But I just finished a sample in PS and I can post it later, once I get client approval. I am off and running! Thanks to all who gave good suggestions. You are all awesome! ;-)

Kristine, besides retouching and editing, have you figured out how to work with layers?
If you have, you can very easily make your own template(s), store them as a .psd file and use them over and over again, and when you use them, make changes in the layout on the fly.
Let me know if you're interested.
EstherP[/quote]

I work with layers and masks all the time, but I guess I haven't gotten the concept down for the "design" side of things. I tried to make something in Lightroom, as suggested by a friend, but my "design" looks dreadfully amateurish. I then tried to download templates online but nothing fit with the photos my customers wanted. I am at a loss as to what size to even begin with. If you had 8 photos and made them all in a 4 x 6 size, how large of a canvas would you even begin with?

I'd like to recommend a good book,,,,what version of PS do you have?[/quote]

I have CS 5 and have been working in it for about a year. Mostly self taught with some seminars on the side. ;-) Love to hear your ideas or book titles!

Thank you Kerfree! I appreciate the kind words. I have been blessed with a lot of wonderful clients this last year, my first year, in "business." ;-) Hoping to take things up a notch this year. I'd love to have you as a follower on FB. Comments are always welcome. ;-)

I am not planning on printing these myself but will send them to my lab.

Hello fellow hedgehogs!

I am a newer pro and would like to be able to put together a collage of portraits for my clients. I have downloaded a few free templates, but nothing really seems to work. At present I only know how to use Photoshop for retouching and editing and not for anything really in the design realm.

I would love to be able to put together a "9 up" for clients (9 vertical shots in a tic tac toe type formation) plus have the ability to do other possible combinations. I have one client that wants a collage with 2 vertical and 6 horizontal shots that has me really puzzled.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Thanks to any and all who respond.
Kristine

If you would like to see samples of my work it is posted here.

http://www.facebook.com/KristineLoganPhotography

As a newborn photographer I can assure you this is not an easy task. The age of the baby is critical to what types of photographs you are going to get. To get all the cute poses that you see out there, you need a newborn no more than 12 days old. The sleep cycles are critical to shoot around and knowing all the other tricks requires both practice and skill.

I have yet to meet a newborn photographer who hasn't studied the posing to some extent in the hands of a true professional. The "secrets" to posing go far beyond composite work in photoshop but in also having the parents follow specific instruction prior to the shoot and also having the photographer confident in the posing and how the set ups work. In other words, there is no easy tricks to getting it right, including just looking at pictures on line. The secrets are really pretty closely guarded in the professional community and every pro I know will happily share them for a sizable mentoring fee. For those who "go it alone" it shows up in their work unless you get a lot of newborns to practice on and eventually figure it out.

Are there people out there who do it as favors or on the cheap? Of course, but the results are often less than what is expect by the parents. If you have never done it before, own up to it and let them know it will be difficult to match all the poses they have seen on line for a variety of reasons. It is a specialty and should be treated as such.

I've been photographing newborns for a year and a half and I am still tweaking out all the details. I have also worked with and studied with some of the best and continue to work with another assistant on every shoot with is ALSO trained. Yes, it can take two, unless you know how to train the mother in what to do. And for now, it is easier for me to work with another pro then to try to teach the Mom how to help me. I like to work quickly, get it done as it can be VERY stressful. Especially with new moms.

So my advice is this:

If you really want to make this a specialty, find a mentor and get hands on experience BEFORE you charge a dime. If you are doing this as a favor, try to copy only the easiest of poses. Do not attempt self supported poses "just for fun" or a "lets give this a try."

If you are looking for tutorials, they are out there but they will cost you $300 or more for the "books" but what you need is hands on practice. The cheapest mentoring I have found, by someone with an outstanding portfolio of work, runs around $700-$1,2000 for a full day including hands on experience with several newborns. If you don't want to make this into a specialty, then keep it very simple.

To come up with a series of images you can bank on it taking 2-4 hours. It all depend on the baby and if they parents followed the preshoot instructions carefully or not. I am part of a network of newborn photogs who consistently complain about the parents who don't and how wretched the shoot went. So be prepared that if you don't understand the basics (which again, no one is likely to share with you ahead of time unless you take their class), this could be a rather painful experience. Trust me I know.

When I first got started I tried it alone. I looked on line, found some cute things to try and then attempted it on a "friend" who I offered to shoot for practice. Everything that could go wrong did. They baby cried, wanted to be held, didn't like having its diaper off....didn't want to be photographed. It was a total train wreck and I was embarrassed as my skill level in basic portraiture was fine. Then I sought out a pro, took her class and things got easier with practice. These little tykes, much like horses, know when they are on confident hands and when they are not. And when they are not they will say so. Loudly!

I'm getting off my soap box now. But at least I hope I gave you something to think about.

Good luck!

I bought my Canon 7D from there. Not a problem for me either.

Just got the book at this sale. A quick perusal does not disappoint. My head is swirling with ideas.

Thank you so much for your suggestion here. This is certainly worth considering. I am a total newbie to the macro world and appreciate you helping me "see" the difference between close up and macro. You have me thinking..... ;-)

This is something that I am attempting to have as a specialty too. But be prepared to not work at it a lot as most can't afford it. I have done quite a bit of research on birth photography and also have been present at several births to capture those firsts. They are amazing and very joyful experiences but hard on the schedule. You need to keep that in mind when you are pricing and determining how many you WOULD do a month. Please don't "give it away" or you will get a reputation of being cheap, even if it is in an effort to get experience. Once you do, you will never be able to un-ring that bell and will be locked into low ball shoots. Gain your experience in general photography and apply what you know to birth situations. Don't attempt to "learn on the job" here.

My advice to you is to get that insurance before you set foot in another hospital or birthing center. Some places will ask you to have proof of it on your person even if you have permission from the family. You don't want to be turned away from the get go and disappoint the parents with your lack of preparation. You can gain greater access at the hospital too with their staff as you aren't just some "friend with a camera." Every place is different and if you are going to be a pro, prove it from the get go and the staff will be your friend. And they can be a source of referrals.

Also, like the Captain said, price accordingly without apology. I know this is hard to do when first getting started. I charge $750 and I'm present for "labor" as defined by the mom to be through the first 1-2 hours after delivery. This can make for a very long day and you should be paid to be present for what can be extended periods of time and ON DEMAND. One of the most "active" birth photographers I know charges $800. She also turns over the images on a CD.

As a general portrait photographer I do NOT and never have turned my images from a shoot on a CD. I will admit to struggling with this for birth photography, but have yet to do so. But, here is what I am doing at present:

I charge $750 which is paid upfront. Half is paid to reserve my availability the month they are due, the other half is payable 30 days before their due date. Babies can come very early too, so 30 days just about covers most situations.

I provide the family my choice of the best photos, edited, typically all in black and white, for an album included in the price. I work with them to pick their favorites for a coffee table styled hard cover book/album. (my cost is about $35 for 20 pages, I do charge extra if they go over 20 pages. Pages can have 1-8 images per) They are also able to order for an additional cost, extra copies of the album or prints, but rarely do they want to order extras. The album covering the "experience" is a big hit and seems to cover what they are after.

If I have also shot a maternity session for the Mom, these can also be included in the album as well.

Again, your price should reflect the unique gift that you offer, not just your interest to take birth pictures. If you really need to practice, go to a women's care clinic where they support pregnant teens or low income Moms with prenatal services and support as they carry their baby to term. They truly can not afford ANYTHING, so if you are going to give it away, give it as a gift to someone who will truly appreciate it. Low balling your price will never help you get in business or stay in business.

Good luck!

As for the "second shooters," I have intentionally taken a photo with them hiding in the bushes, and left it in the proofs, so Mom and Bride realize how dumb it was to ask a "fried with a nice camera to also shoot the wedding" You can even charge to photoshop the second shooter out of the bushes.

Brilliant! It is also something you could show to future brides to let them know what kind of "challenges" can ruin wedding photos. Prevention can do wonders, no doubt!

Great idea, but sadly those in my immediate circle use macros. I do have a newborn photog friend out of town who is going to try the reversing ring and let me know how it works for. So while she is ordering hers, I am tapping the Hogs for their experiences. ;-)

Yes, I am an experienced newborn photographer. As stated above I shoot them in natural light situations only and while they are sleeping. It is all designed around keeping them happy, sleepy and safe. ;-)

I understand what you are saying and appreciate you taking the time to respond. However, in newborn photography macro lenses are a standard for the close up imagery of the baby "bits" as we refer to them as. I have attached a few sample from the Dallas Photographer, Esther Dorotik to help illustrate these types of images.

I guess I am wondering if anyone thinks such images can be gained with a reversal ring or if the macro lens is the only way to go.