How to Start a Photography Business Using Microstock Sites

While photography can be a rewarding and fun hobby, it can also be a full time profession for many talented and skilled photographers. Not everyone can be a photographer for Sports Illustrated or Glamour but that doesn't mean that you can't make a good living from photography. Microstock photography, for instance, is a relatively new concept and a great way to make a little extra cash.

Understanding the Basics About Microstock Photography?

You may be familiar with the term "stock" photography - it refers to photographs that are licensed for a wide variety of uses. For instance, a photo of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco could be a stock photo, which could be used in magazines, ads, calendars, or whatever else the person who buys it wants to do.

The big difference with microstock photography is that the images can be uploaded by anyone with good quality images and the images sell for less than stock photos. Essentially, you make as much money as possible by selling many images at a lower cost. Some examples of microstock sites are Fotalia, Shutterstock and IStockphoto.

How You Can Get Started

You may be surprised to learn that using a microstock site is probably easier than you think. The two things you'll need is a basic editing and shooting setup but you can find these very inexpensively. A digital SLR will be suitable for most of the photos, and you can use a free editing program like Paint.net until you feel ready to invest in one of the paid ones.

Once you have the gear in order, all you need to do is shoot a bunch of photographs to prepare for the initial application process. If you want your images to sell, focus on subjects that are easy to sell in markets like business, home decor or other lifestyle themes. You should focus on creating and uploading images that someone buying photographs wants, but won't find anywhere else. It is important to remember that your images cannot contain copyrighted or trademarked subjects, and if they feature a person's face you'll need a signed release from the model.

Before you upload any images, check out the site and see what types of photographs they offer as this will give you a good idea of the types of images that will likely sell. Once you have a solid portfolio, choose a site (or sites) you like and start submitting your photos for review. Pay close attention to the training materials and description the sites provide and make sure your portfolio completely fits within their guidelines, otherwise you may be denied.

How Do I Profit?

Unlike traditional stock photography, with microstock images, it's all about quantity. Just remember that the more pictures you upload, the better your chance at making money. There are people who make thousands of dollars a month doing microstock photos, however, they do it full time and upload hundreds of photos a month. if you can invest the time needed to do the job, the income potential is truly endless.

The best thing to do is to start small and see if you can get a grasp on what works best for you. If it looks like microstock photography will work for you and you have the time and effort to upload a lot of images, then gradually increase the amount of time you spend on it. If microstock photography doesn't seem like a good fit, keep looking for other photo opportunities that are better suited for you. Remember that photography is supposed to be fun first, so always do what works best for you!

The Feast of Saint Eulalia

This party is also known as the Parades of the Giants.

The feast of Saint Eul獺lia or "Las fiestas de Santa Eul獺lia" is the biggest annual festival for children in Barcelona. The festival is held in the days around February the 12th. February the 12th is a special day, namely Santa Eul獺lia's day. Over 100 activities are being organized for children during this festival. Typical for this festival is the Catalan parade of giants or "gegants".

In this festival music plays an important role. There are several performances of music schools, choirs and children orchestras. Also every year a photography competition for children is held, called "Foto Laia".

There is a gruel legend about a child virging saint called Eul獺lia. The legend tells that Eul獺lia was a 13 year old girl who lived in a farmhouse called "un mas". This farmhouse was located in what is now called the district of Sarria. At that time this farmhouse was located outside of the city of Barcelona in the countryside. The girl became a martyr in Barcelona during the persecution of Christians in the reign of the emperor Diocletian for protesting against the persecution of Christians to the Roman consul. She got tortured for refusing to recant her Christian faith. The Romans subjected here to thirteen different and gruel tortures. For instance one of the tortures was that she was put in a barrel full of glass and knives. The Romans rolled the barrel down from a sloping street. This street is called after Eul獺lia and can be visited in the Gothic area.

Other tortures Eul獺lia was subjected to was crucifying here on a cross, cutting off her breasts and other cruelties. The last and final torture was decapitation. She died on February the 12th 303. Eul獺lia is commemorated with many statues and street names.

The body of Eulalia was buried in the Santa Maria de les Arenes church. The church of Santa Maria del Mar replaced this church. You can find this church in the Born area of Barcelona. During the Moorish invasion in 713 her body was kept hidden. At the beginning of the 14th century her body was moved to the crypt of the Santa Eul獺lia church. Later they were moved to the crypt of the Cathedral in Barcelona where they remain to this day and you can see the remains in the crypt.

For every year of her live there's a goose in the Cathedral because also on the farmhouse were geese. Visit Barcelona and rent a cheap apartment in Barcelona on this Web site.

Tips on How to Save Money in Buying DSLR Camera Accessories

If you are looking for tips on how to save money when buying for any DSLR camera, then this article can certainly help you. Any person may think that spending DSLR accessories costs a lot of money. To avoid this, here are effective tips that you can use when you start your venture for the best DSLR camera accessories.

Having a DSLR camera, you will most probably have to purchase interchangeable lenses and exterior flash equipment, and some other things. On the other hand, in case you have many of these DSLR camera equipments from the 35mm film camera or even another DSLR camera, it can save you some cash through re-using these with your DSLR camera. You will have to make sure that the zoom lens attached along with other connections in the Digital SLR can recognize your brand name and product of lenses as well as other add-ons. Tripods may also be re-utilized from the 35mm film digital camera using a Digital SLR, if the brands complement.

In case you are moving from the compact digital product into a Digital SLR type, you occasionally may re-utilize storage cards, USB wires, and some additional add-ons using your brand new DSLR. Once again, if you are planning to move to a Digital SLR camera to a compact digital camera, and you also need to re-use a few components, you will need to ensure that the elements are appropriate from manufacturer to manufacturer or type to type.

In the event that the components required for a Digital SLR camera are extremely costly, it is possible to choose a more affordable, starter level DSLR type. Several Digital SLR designs include a single integrated zoom lens that can't be modified. Clearly, this kind of types do not provide the versatility of more complex Digital SLRs, however, you can save some cash using these types. Photography enthusiasts searching for an advanced camera in between compact digital and sophisticated types may want to choose one of those advanced digital camera cameras.

A Look At The London School Of Fashion

What kind of passion do you have for fashion design? Is your style more traditional mainstream or do you like to think out of the box with an edgy style? Either way, the London School of Fashion (officially the London College of Fashion) could very well be the school for you. This well-known fashion school has an excellent reputation for producing top designers in shoe design, mens clothing, womens clothing and accessories. They also have top professionals in other areas of fashion such as fashion photography, fashion merchandising, fashion journalism, culture and communication, and many more.

As a fashion student at the London school of Fashion, you will learn pattern cutting, garment production, designing in both manual and digital formats, the history of fashion, etc. The school is equipped with various high tech machines that you don't find in most other schools. This gives students an opportunity to learn to use the latest machines that they would otherwise not have a chance to use until they were well established in the field of fashion design.

The school encourages thinking outside the box to stretch the limits of the students imaginations so the students have the chance to stretch their wings and be truly creative in design. This gives the students a real chance to explore and find their own unique niche while still giving them a good grounding in tradition design. You can dare to be different.

The tutors connected with the London School of Fashion are often successful working designers, so you have access to an invaluable resource here. Another extremely valuable resource is the work placement program where you get the chance to actually work in the field of design while you are still a student. This gives you experiences that will go a long way towards helping find a great placement after graduation in the exciting world of fashion and fashion design.

If fashion is your career choice, check out the courses at the London School of Fashion. Expect to work hard and be rewarded with the best possible education in the fashion industry. Whether you are more traditionally minded or lean to the edgy side of fashion design, the London School of Fashion is the best place to prepare for a most challenging and rewarding career in the fashion universe.

Unique New Zealand South Island Attractions

1. Aoraki Balloon Safaris - hot air ballooning in South Canterbury

Hot Air Ballooning is the air adventure giving you a tranquil and majestic flight, which no other aircraft can offer. It is the ultimate adventure, touched with serenity and romance. Beginning with the awe-inspiring balloon inflation, your sedate and mystical flight unfolds.

The Flight

Flights are generally flown around day-break, when air conditions are traditionally clear, calm, cool and stable. Having met at dawn, you will be driven in our 4-wheel drive vehicles to a suitable launch site chosen by one of our very experienced New Zealand licenced pilots.

Following a detailed flight briefing, you will then be invited to assist the pilot and crew to prepare the balloon for flight. Once aboard the wicker basket, your magical flight begins. The launch is so gentle you will hardly realise you have left the ground. The peace and gentleness of ballooning will surprise you and Methven flight views are unsurpassable. As you drift along with the breeze, the scenery slowly changes until, after approximately an hour in the air, it is time to land.

The successful completion of the flight is celebrated with a champagne-styled buffet breakfast, as a picnic in the field, generally served by a suitably attired waiter with a silver tray. You will also receive a flight certificate.

What a way to end a fantastic adventure!

2. On Yer Bike! - 4wd in the West Coast

Set amidst a backdrop of lush West Coast rainforest near Greymouth, brace yourself for the New Zealand Off Road adventure of a lifetime with On Yer Bike! At On Yer Bike! our tracks are a magical mix of mud, water and narrow, winding trails. You'll enjoy the thrill of navigating one of our 4WD motorbikes across rivers, through copious amounts of our famous mud and through puddles that resemble small lakes!

There are plenty of photo opportunities at the many beautiful spots in the forest. You'll see tall native trees, birdlife, views of the valley and maybe some wild deer tracks. You can even purchase a CD of Photographs of your muddy adventure to keep as a memento of your time with On Yer Bike!

On Yer Bike Adventures is now home to the Hagglund! - This is the most extreme way to get off-road on the wild West Coast.

3. Ziptrek Ecotours - ecotours in Queenstown

The best framed views of Lake Wakatipu can be experienced on an interpretive guided tour using flying foxes as low impact adventure access. Join us on a series of lines that traverse the forest in a way that will never be forgotten. This tour is perfect for families, groups and those who have never ziplined before.

Come join us on our exhilarating zipline (flying fox) adventure above spectacular Queentown! Ride up the Skyline Gondola and then glide through the treetops on a series of flying foxes. Your experienced guides will deliver an interpretive tour as you "Zzziiiiiip" from tree to tree. Breath in some pristine mountain air as you venture on a carefully crafted journey that combines exhilaration, adventure, and ecological exploration.

4. Rosco's Milford Kayaks - kayaking in Fiordland

Find out for yourself why Lonely Planet has rated sea kayaking as THE best way to see Milford Sound. Rosco's Milford Kayaks is New Zealand's longest established owner operated sea kayaking business. This is experience you can count on so relax, choose a trip that suits you and enjoy seeing the real Milford Sound up close and personal from a sea kayak.

Rosco's Winter Kayaking Experience is simply superb!!

You can expect:

• More settled weather conditions usually result in very calm water - ideal for exploring Milford from a sea kayak.


• Less crowds make winter the premium time to visit Milford.


• More wildlife frequent Milford during the winter months. Seals, dolphins and penguins can often be viewed from your sea kayak.


• Less motor boats cruising Milford. More peace and tranquillity - just the splash of our paddles.


• More photo opportunities often mirror like reflections of famous icons like mile high Mitre Peak.


• Less sandflies and usually none at all. Makes your day in paradise even more enjoyable.

5. Wanaka Transport and Toy Museum - museum in Wanaka

With a unique and fascinating collection that has grown to over 30,000 items, the Wanaka Transport and Toy Museum is one of the largest private displays in the Southern Hemisphere.

It is an enormously varied collection which has children's toys including a huge range of Barbie dolls, unusual motor-cycles and rare cars, trucks, ambulances, military vehicles, fire engines and aircraft.

The Wanaka Transport and Toy museum will surprise and delight, with something for everyone.

6. Wauraurahiri Jet - jet boating in Southland

Wairaurahiri Jet takes you into the Southern end of Fiordland National park. We set off from Lake Hauroko crossing the lower part of New Zealand's deepest lake then it's down the wild, grade three rock strewn rapids of the Wairaurahiri River to the sea.

Our trip passes through beautiful unmodified Podocarp forests. We have a short guided nature walk along the way.

Once we are at the sea we set you off to explore the rugged South Coast while we cook your delicious kiwi style BBQ lunch. After lunch it's back on board for the return journey up the river across the lake back to the departure point. We also involve our guests with our own conservation project protecting our native bird.

7. Maniototo Curling International Ltd - iconic New Zealand activity in Central Otago

The township of Naseby in the Maniototo, Central Otago, has become the country's curling capital with the completion of New Zealand's first International and Olympic standard indoor curling rink. (Currently the only dedicated indoor curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere.)

This new facility is attracting additional New Zealand and new international curling tournaments to Central Otago, an area already synonymous with curling. Curling worldwide has enjoyed remarkable growth since it achieved full Olympic status in Nagano in 1998.

Situated in the alpine village of Naseby, only 15kms from the Central Otago Rail Trail, this is the perfect activity for people who are at the midway point of their journey along the trail.

8. Driftwood Eco-Tours - ecotours in Marlborough

New Zealand bird watching and eco-tours.

The tidal estuary of Wairau Lagoon in Marlborough is home to more than 90 different kinds of birds. Royal Spoonbill, Black Fronted Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit are among the thousands that flock here, and it's easy to see why.

The light is always changing on these peaceful waters, there's no one around and the food's great. Driftwood Eco-tours offers you the same experience.

You can choose from the following:

• Full-day tours to catch the best time for bird watching and photography


• Access to private land - you have the place to yourself


• Tours tailored to your interests and you set the pace


• Small groups - you or you and your party will enjoy individual guiding


• Homemade picnics and fine wine from the gourmet province


• Multi day bird watching tours on request

9. Cape Farewell Horse Treks - horse riding in the Nelson and Tasman region

"Don and I reckon we live in the most beautiful place in New Zealand. We were lucky enough to have bought our farm some 17 years ago. We began life at Puponga with a "bull beef unit" (cattle), but moved onto the horse trekking a couple of years later. It is a very family-orientated business, and our main focus is on having a great time and giving people a chance to live their dreams, something we Kiwis don't realise...that we are so lucky to live here."

"Don and I still get a real buzz out of watching a rider who has waited a lifetime to gallop down Wharariki Beach. The feeling is just 'bloody awesome'".

"We are, I guess, very proud Kiwis. We reckon we live in the best place in the world. We love the lifestyle we've created and have the ultimate job."

"We look forward to meeting you, and showing you our corner of New Zealand."

10. Norwest Underworld Adventures - ecotours in the West Coast

Underworld Rafting & The GlowWorm Cave Tours are adventures in one of NZ's largest unmodified Cave Systems complete with spectacular Stalactites & Stalagmites creations & galaxies of GlowWorms that are unequalled on this planet. Adventure Caving is a full-on exploration style activity in a superb sporty active water cave complete with abseils, climbs, crawls and squeezes.

Underworld Rafting - Is our premier activity & the one for which we developed our international reputation. Underworld Rafting is a very special Cave Rafting adventure where you explore the formation filled upper levels before meeting the underground lake to float beneath the most amazing displays of GlowWorms. You complete the journey having fun bouncing down the Nile River Rapids. This is a soft eco-adventure suited to those with confidence in water, 10 and over. Allow 4hrs.

The GlowWorm Cave Tour - Is a dry passive version of the internationally acclaimed "Underworld Rafting". In this fully interpreted soft eco-tour visitors travel by Rainforest Train to the huge Nile River GlowWorm Caves System and are spellbound by the spectacular displays of Stalactites and Stalagmites and surreal galaxies of GlowWorms. This activity is suited for all that can walk unassisted on uneven surfaces. Allow 3.5 - 4hrs

Adventure Caving - Is full-on expedition style caving at its best- complete with abseils, climbs, crawls and squeezes. This is a challenging world class adventure suited only to those fit in body and mind, 16 and older. Allow 5hrs

The Nile River Rainforest Train - is a short interpretative train journey in open carriages through primeval rain forests in the Nile River Canyon. You will pass through the film sites of "The Lost World" and explore majestic cave & karst country. Suited to all, young & old, fit or not so fit. There is wheel chair access. Allow 1.5hrs return.

Pixilation Animation

Not all animation is done by hand. Many animations are done using different techniques, and in animation school, one of the most popular was pixilation animation. While somewhat similar to stop motion animation, pixilation often uses live actors and objects and sometimes other forms of animation, such as Claymation into its fun filled mix.

Pixilation uses the technique of shooting one frame at a time, just like in like stop motion and is primarily used with live actors. While it sounds easy enough, it can be a rather time consuming process, as you have to keep things like continuity in mind. If you're filming something outside, you want make sure the lighting is consistent and that there's no differentiation in the actual photography. The overall effect can be a rewarding exercise and if you're in animation school, it's a good way to play around and get a feel for it.

Say you're shooting a sequence where two people are walking across a field. You want to shoot one frame, then have them walk maybe about a foot, then shoot another frame, all the while repeating the process until they cross to the end. When reviewing the animation, it'll look as if they've bounced across the field rather quickly in just a few seconds, giving the actors the appearance of puppets.

Try the same thing using actors walking down a busy street, and you'll see how the characters, as well as others in the background, bounce all over the pace and how it makes for a startling effect. Pixilation is a great way for students in animation school to get a grasp not only of the genre's many possibilities, but also how to experiment with the camera.

Pixilation uses the same breakdown as does most other forms of animation. There's usually a storyboard involved with sketches on how the action should progress. If you're in animation school and trying this for the first time, it's a good way to get a grasp of how pixilation works. You might make a few mistakes, but the end result can be really cool looking and serve as a great learning opportunity as your style progresses over time.

Pixilation has existed since the early days of filmmaking, with the oldest known use of it in the short Spanish film El hotel el矇ctrico in 1908. Since then, it's been an extremely popular form of animation that has appeared in film, television commercials and music videos.

In fact, many celebrated filmmakers have flirted with pixilation, such as Norman McLaren, The Brothers Quay, and Mike Jittlov, with the best known being Czech animator Jan Svankmajer, who's created many surrealistic animated films and influenced many animators and filmmakers.

While the general technological approach to pixilation has remained the over the decades, probably the greatest use of it appears in the critically acclaimed "Sledgehammer" video by singer Peter Gabriel that combines elements of Claymation and stop motion animation. This particular video is ruthlessly inventive, featuring Gabriel in live action and in animated form surrounded by a myriad of objects. Its breezy five-minute running time cannot mask the fact that it took perhaps months to create, due to its complex fusion of live action and Claymation. Watching this particular video in animation school, as well as seeing it countless times on MTV, still remains a visual smorgasbord. Its inventive use of rapid paced imagery, especially the dancing chickens, has inspired numerous filmmakers and animators since it first appeared in 1986.

So, if you're unfamiliar with this type of animation, and have been dying to experiment with it, it can definitely be a fun way to create something unique and different. If you're in animation school, it's also a great way to let your imagination run wild.

How To Establish A Photography Studio In Your Home With Only A Small Investment

Setting up a photography studio can be very expensive; however, there are several ways to eliminate some of the costs associated with a home photography studio. Whether you need backdrops, equipment or lighting options, this article will help you find how to save the maximum amount of money. Continue reading to find how you can turn that unused space into your personal photography studio.

Photography equipment is extremely expensive; however, you can save a lot of money by purchasing used equipment. There are several sources available to find used photography equipment.

The first place to check is in your local newspaper. Many times someone who has upgraded their photography equipment will list their old equipment for sale in the classifieds. If after pursuing the classifieds in your local paper, you do not find any equipment, ask friends and family if they know anyone who may be willing to part with their old equipment.

You may also want to try visiting local camera shops or looking online. Many online sites offer auctions for used equipment.

The cost associate with beautiful backdrops can be astronomical. However, there are some wonderful sites available online that offer inexpensive backdrops. If you prefer, you can make your own backdrops using materials found at your local craft store. If you are artistic, you can design your own backdrops using nothing more than a large sheet of paper and paint.

If your photography studio has windows, you should take advantage of the natural light that pours in through your windows. There are many ways to utilise natural lighting to your advantage. For example, direct sunlight produces high contrast and appears warmer than indirect sunlight which appears cooler and offers lower contrast levels.

Another alternative when using sunlight is utilising a reflective surface and bouncing your light off of it. This creates softer lighting and eliminates some of the shadows generally associated with direct sunlight.

There are many lighting options available at your local hardware store. For example, you can purchase several halogen lights to help you highlight and create shadows on your subject. To help soften and create warmth in your photographs when using halogen lights, cut and tape coloured cellophane over the front of your lights.

The last thing to look for when putting together a home photography studio is props. Props should include such things as ornate chairs, mirrors and cuddly stuffed animals. One thing to consider when purchasing props is the type of photography you will be specialising in. If you will be photographing mostly children, you prop arsenal should include soft blankets, cuddly stuffed animals and toy trucks.

As this article has shown, there are many ways to build a photography studio on a limited budget. It takes careful planning and thinking outside the box, but it can be accomplished.

Employ your creativity and develop props, backdrops and lighting options inexpensively to create a photography studio fit for a king. Learn from the information in this article and utilise the tactics located above to create a special place for all of your photography needs.

Photography Is A Great Retirement Hobby

One of the most popular leisure time activities for Over55s is photography. This hobby can be inexpensive; although devotees find plenty of fancy equipment they feel they just must have!

The new digital era means that photographs can be downloaded and viewed almost as soon as they are taken. It has an immediate gratification that kept score of people from getting serious about it in the past. We all know how satisfying it can be to email a new batch of pictures to our friends and family. Did you know that many renowned photographers also use digital photography and rarely use a darkroom?

If you like doing things the old-fashioned way, however, and particularly if you've got a little extra room in your house (as many Over-55s do!), developing your own prints can be immensely satisfying. Retirees not only have extra time to devote to their hobbies, they are generally at an age at which they have a lot of patience! Learning the ins and out of darkroom technology is endlessly fascinating to scientists and artists alike.

If you need help getting started in your new hobby, there are classes available at any number of places. Continuing education classes at your local college or university are a great place to get started. This is a great way to meet others who share your interest. U3A or University of the Third Age caters to the Over55s age group very well.

You can specialize your photographic pursuits on any number of subjects. Perhaps you like nature photography, or are interested in doing portraits of your friends and family.

You can take vacation photography to a whole new level! There are several tour companies that arrange group travel based on scenery that is of interest to photographers. From tigers to polar bears, wildlife is available to you through your lens. So are Mayan ruins, European ports, and African savannahs. Finding a great shot may become the new focus of your travel plans. What a fantastic retirement gift to yourself!

Photography may not at first glance seem like an adventurous hobby, but it can take you to some unexpected places. As your expertise grows, so will your willingness to go wherever the dazzling scenery takes you. You may find yourself closer to a man-eater than you ever thought possible - good thing you've got your telephoto handy!

Color Harmony in Interior Design - Brighter Offices Induce More Productivity

The demands on oneself or employees is increasing continually: books and seminars on how to create more excellence, creativity, productivity and cooperative teamwork are manifold. However, this is expected to take place in dull offices that drain energy and alienate. Most workplaces are totally lacking aesthetic qualities. The importance of attractive surroundings for one´s wellbeing is often completely ignored. A pleasant environment can inspire us, activate the intellect, evoke a positive attitude to life: all qualities that contribute to improved performance, communication and creativity.

It is so easy and inexpensive to create pleasant surroundings with color, a few pictures, plants and light. The decision to do this is the only action necessary. In small companies, you will find the employees very willing to join in the venture of beautifying the offices. With color, it is important to identify the tasks that will be going on in each office. If high concentration is required, peaceful colors such as blues and greens would be ideal. Yellow is excellent for meeting rooms: it inspires creativity. Just watch how people start to chat when in the company of this joyful color. When there is movement going on, such as in a reception area, brighter colors can be very good. Paler colors will create space and light within a room.

Light is also extremely important for offices. Most office people spend the greater part of their lives in these rooms. Full spectrum light is very beneficial to health and hardly more expensive then other types of light. The sun contains all colors of the rainbow, which are imprtant to growth and health. Many lamps contain only a part of these colors. This can cause headaches and a general sense of fatigue. As far as the overall illumination is concerned, it would be appropriate to let workers decide upon the levels of lighting with which they feel comfortable. Dimmers could be added, especially in computer rooms.

It the interest of success and happy people, monotonous working spaces should be replaced with offices that have energy and personality. This expresses respect for the people helping companies to succeed. And it will become a place where people love to be.

How To Make The Leap From Amateur Photographer To Professional

Those new to this idea can be taken by surprise, and may even feel a little uncomfortable at the prospect of running a business where their photography is now a product that needs to be sold.

However, no one can run a successful photography studio in the long term if they persist with the idea of being primarily a photographer, while ignoring the necessary business aspects.

Professional Photography Is Fun, But It's No Game

Despite the serious nature of the photography business, being a professional photographer can be a lot of fun, highly rewarding, and deeply satisfying in the creative sense. Unfortunately, too many new pro photographers treat their business like an easy game, which is the fastest path to a business meltdown and ultimate failure.

But how can an amateur photographer who does take this seriously actually make the leap to becoming a professional photographer?

Start With An Inventory

The first thing to do is to take a complete inventory of everything the photographer already has that can be used for the business:

• Cameras and lenses (both primary and backup).


• Lighting equipment (indoor studio and portable lighting).


• Backdrops, props, and stands.


• Miscellaneous photographic and studio gear.


• Computing equipment, software and hardware.


• Office equipment and necessary supplies (for example, printers and ink).


• Physical studio space (rented or at home).

Most amateurs probably have many of these things to begin with, but it's important not to get bogged down with the details. Instead, list the available resources as a starting point. There will undoubtedly be gaps that need to be filled. For example, backup cameras are critical for the wedding photographer where failure on someone's wedding day is not an option!

With that said, this is no time to start shopping for all the latest and greatest gear! The idea that photographers must own the latest high dollar camera in order to be successful, for example, is a myth. The time to invest in better equipment is later on, when the business is generating sufficient revenue.

At the time of making the jump from amateur to professional photographer there's something far more important to be invested in - business and marketing education.

Invest In Knowledge - Not Just Equipment

For some reason business education is a difficult thing to persuade many photographers to invest in, but taking the time and effort to do so really separates the wannabes from the truly dedicated professionals.

Therefore, as soon as the photographer makes the decision to go pro, that's the time to figure out where their own personal strengths and weaknesses are with regard to business, accounting, marketing, and sales.

Of course, photography skills and a dedication to the art of photography are still important for creating a quality product, but they won't matter if the photographer has very little idea of how to run a business.

The early days in business are the time when the photographer is simply unaware of the things they need to know, but don't (in other words, "blind spots"), and a better understanding of where they are in their personal business development is of critical importance.

For example, here are some areas that most newcomers to the business should give serious thought to:

• Branding


• The importance of a positive business attitude and mindset


• How to create an attractive product range and price it accordingly


• Business communication skills - written and verbal


• Search engine optimization


• Persuasive copywriting


• Marketing know-how


• How to build relationships with other businesses


• Sales techniques and overall confidence in selling


• Creating and maintaining positive client relationships


• Business administration, such as legal and accounting tasks

Some of these may require extensive training, but education is perhaps one of the best investments to be made in any photography business.

Ultimately, the amateur-turned-professional photographer is now the CEO of a new business venture, and should therefore approach the acquisition of knowledge and skills required to run the business in just the same way as any other serious business owner would be expected to do.

Colleges Offering Online Degrees

With an online education, you don't have to have any major commitment. That's the best thing about it. You will be able to learn new languages, sharpen your business skills, continue to take classes of the degree that might be required for the promotion in your position and you can also build new skills such as photography and Web designs. You can have these things from the comfort of your own home. There are many colleges offering online degrees, like Devry University and American Intercontinental University.

Colleges offering online degrees also offer an associate degree course. Associate degrees that may take 2 years is the fastest track you can take for you to work in any company. Associate Degree courses will prepare you for any entry-level positions that is available in design, business, healthcare and many more. If you want to advance your career, you can take a bachelor's degree and transfer the credits you have accumulated in your Associate degree course. Devry University, Kaplan University, and American Intercontinental University also offer associate degree courses in Business, Nursing, Design, and Arts.

The standard requirement for a professional career is to earn a Bachelor's degree. They normally last for four years and provide you with better communication skills and critical thinking that is needed in career trainings. You can study online where time is flexible if you can't afford to get off work for four years. There are colleges offering bachelor degree such as Ashford University and University of Maryland. These colleges offer online degree courses in business, healthcare, Engineering, education and many more.

Upgrade your career by taking and online degree option. You should earn a Bachelor's degree before you can take a master's degree. They generally last for two years. During the two years, they will give you general knowledge for you to develop your specialized skill in education, medicine technology or business. You can earn more income if you have your masters. The colleges offering online master's degree are Jones International University, Devry University, and Colorado Tech.

Some schools offering online degrees also offer online doctorate degrees to the college students that have earned their masters. If you are indeed very dedicated to the field you chose and want to prepare to take leadership roles, set policy and perform intensive research for the industry to improve, you should take an online doctorate degree. Colleges offering online doctorates are Walden University, Phoenix and Capella University.

You can visit the sites of these colleges offering these degree to have more information about the background of their school.

A Short List of Money-Making Websites

In order to make money online, the first thing that you need to do is to search for opportunities in the internet that will let you earn cash. For some people, this is not an easy task. You might end up with a scam site and waste your time and energy. Here is a short list of websites which are 100% legit and guaranteed to pay you based on your rendered work.

1. About.com - Contributors or Guides are well-paid at a minimum of $500 per month. If you are an expert in a specific topic and you have a background in journalism, you can send your application plus writing portfolio in their website to be evaluated.


2. Ether.com - Offer your consultancy services to augment your income. You have to be an expert in a particular field to venture in this online-career. You can be a marriage counselor, or a technical support, etc. It all depends on your skills and qualifications. Clients will call you and you will charge them per minute or per hour.


3. Chacha.com - Be a Guide and get paid $5 to $20 per hour. This part-time or full-time job is perfect for you if you are a brainiac or a certified Einstein. You will be answering questions from searchers and your responses must be accurate and fast.


4. Cafepress.com - Graphics artists and web designers should take this opportunity not only to earn money but to have plenty of exposure as well. As a designer, you can customize mugs, t-shirts, bags, etc. Since this website is generating tons of daily visitors, it can be a very promising opportunity to meet big-time clients.


5. oDesk.com / Guru.com / Elance.com - These freelancing sites are primarily beneficial for independent contractors and freelancers who are looking for a permanent job. Online employers are looking for writers, bloggers, digital graphics artist, and many more.


6. Clicknwork.com - Most work opportunities that you are going to get from this site are similar to the ones that you can find from freelancing sites. The difference is that you will have to pass an extremely tough exam before you can start working.


7. AssociatedContent.com - Write about the things that interest you. It can be about your passion in cooking or movies, literally anything will do. Just make sure your article is readable and with good English grammar, submit it, and if the editors and admin liked it, they will pay you from $3 to $20 per write-up.

When choosing a website to earn money, make sure to read reviews from other users first. This is especially helpful if this is the first time that you've ever heard of the company. Always keep in mind that there are plenty of scammers in the internet and the only way to get away from them is to research for the profile and background of the site that is in question.

Points to Remember in Procurement Strategies

Entering the competitive world of procurement needs determination and resilience. You have to make sure that you have the right procurement strategies even before you start your endeavors. It's only natural for you to discern things first before you immerse yourself into brand new situations that you know could either make or break you.

Procurement strategies need to be studied well so that your next move will be to your company's benefit. Procurement, whether it's public or private, could lead to your entrepreneurial success if you do things right. You have to know when you have to select the right procurement strategies. It should not be a bandwagon thing that you decide on impulse. With today's modern, tricky economy, you have to make every turn count.

The Pointers

Making every opportunity in procurement count would definitely be a challenge especially if this is the first time you're going to venture in it. Take note of the following pointers in procurement strategies to help you on your way to entrepreneurial success:

1. Be flexible

It is always important in any business to be flexible. In procurement, you have to know the latest trends and the latest means to acquire projects in procurement. With today's dynamism, you have to be flexible and ready to modify your business whenever you need to. Make use of the technological advancements and the new opportunities that spring up at almost every minute. You should develop the right strategies to free yourself from conventional business models. You have to make smart investments like purchasing the latest organization and auditing software. This would help you monitor everything in your business no matter how fast-paced everything becomes. You have to take note of the ever-changing demands of the customers. You have to cater to them as much as you can to stabilize your niche. Flexibility enables your company to change your strategies to fit every situation so you could still gain profit as every opportunity changes. You really have to be flexible to survive in today's business world and make sure that you're here to stay. It's already considered as a necessity.

2. Selection of the strategy

Be ready to select the strategies that you need the moment the project is at its phase of development. Here, everything is decided upon very carefully to deliver everything well. The right procurement strategy should be identified in this stage.

3. Factors in selecting the strategy

Remember that you have to take note of the following factors to formulate that procurement strategy:

a) The project objectives and constraints

Know what has to be attained at the end of the project. Also identify the limitations that you have to face.

b) The risks

Identify the risks and if they are worth every step that you have to take. This will give you an idea if your strategy has to be modified further.

c) The complexity

In knowing how complex the project is, you have to consider the following:

• The project's length


• The project's size


• The project's scope


• How many stakeholders?


• Technological level involved


• Innovations that the client requires


• Conditions of the market

In the procurement business, you have to keep an open mind and an alert disposition. The right procurement strategies that you formulate will help you in your efforts to make each project successful. This way, you are confident that you would be able to set stable foundations for your company as you make your name known in either public or private procurement.

Freelance Photography: Options for the Amateur Photography to Make Money

In a recent television series, commissioned by the BBC, they looked at the top 10 jobs people would really want to do if they could. Basically what would make you jump out of bed first thing in a morning, eager to get to work? Well, the interesting thing is that the top 5 were all 'creative' careers, and at number 3 was 'Photographer'. In particular, Freelance Photography, where you are your own boss.

With the huge rise in sales of Digital cameras, everyone is enjoying the benefits of digital photography; low running costs, the ability to take a virtually unlimited number of photographs at virtually no cost, and the convenience of being able to edit and print them out yourself. The past couple of years has also seen an escalation in the number of digital SLR cameras being sold - in particular, the entry level models such as Nikon D50, Nikon D80, and Canon 350D.

Directly in proportion to this has been the upsurge of photography related sites, forums, galleries - such as Flickr.com for example - where every man and his dog force their photographic efforts upon us with relentless enthusiasm. Some great, some good and, to be frank, some absolutely dire efforts. However, with most people tiring of the daily 9-5 grind of office life, this is a superb creative outlet.

Most people are quite happy to continue with this for pleasure, but for me, I've always strived to find an income stream that can be derived from something which most people would deem a hobby. That's what I call Freelance Photography.

Now I'm not saying that you will become the next Lord Lichfield, David Bailey or Man-Ray, but there is quite reasonable money to be made in freelance photography, and the best thing is you don't have to be an outstanding photographer - just fairly competent and in touch with the basics.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Register with a stock agency site such as http://www.shutterstock.com or http://www.dreamstime.com. These in particular are what we call "micro-stock agencies". You upload photographs for approval (by the editorial team) and once approved they are available to download by the agencies customers. With only a small portfolio, this type of Freelance photography won't make you a millionaire overnight, but it will bring in a steady residual income that increases as your portfolio increases.

Set up your own website and sell prints to customers. There are a number of merchants on the internet who handle all the web design and shopping cart technicalities.I have a friend who makes quite a nice second income by selling his landscape photographs of the Peak District in the UK. The best advice here is to find a niche in something you are good at, and focus your efforts within that area.

Sell your photographs to the local newspaper. Seriously, if you've taken any decent pictures of the local football game, or community event, then see if your paper will be interested in using it. This sounds like a long shot, but local papers (in fact, national newspapers) use freelance photographers all the time. They often can't afford to employ more than one or two permanently employed photographers.

So, good luck in your efforts. Even if you don't quite get to quit the day job, it is very realistic to attain a very decent second income which will pay for all the expensive lenses, filters and accessories that come with having photography as a hobby.

Send Valentine Gifts to Pune Online Including Flowers & Cakes

Known as the "The Oxford of the East," given the number of schools, colleges and universities, Pune is also home to renowned giants of the Indian software industry. Naturally, the online bug has bitten the people of Pune much earlier. With Valentine's Day fast approaching, there would be sudden spurt in sending Valentine gifts to Pune online. And in case you happen to be out of Pune this Valentine, then do send Valentine flowers to Pune and wish your loved ones a 'Happy Valentine'.

Valentines day is here and the marketplace is inundated with mesmerizing red rose bouquets, yummy chocolate hampers, colourful greeting cards etc. However, unlike earlier times, when gifts had to be painstakingly chosen from gift stores and send in advance to people living in far off areas, gifts today can be send right away to your valentine at the click of a mouse, however.

Given the busy lifestyles, online gifting has become a rage in Urban India. Even online gifting companies are getting their acts together, by offering a host of exquisite gifts for every occasion. Be it birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, weddings gifts, romantic gifts, housewarming gifts and so on. There are gifts for every reason and for every season. For that matter, some sites even have sympathy gifts on display, in case you need extend your sympathy ASAP.

And with universal festival like Valentine's Day round the corner, it is but obvious these online gifting stores will go the extra mile in delivering the best of the services. Yes! It's a cut-throat competition even in the on-line world, each site trying to beat the other in terms of services.

Pune, akin to Bangalore, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, and Chennai is an IT hub, with scores of big and small companies filling up the industrial landscape. Online stores have a wide assortment of gifts on display for Valentine's Day. There are Flower Hampers, Cake Hampers, Chocolate Hampers, Love Hampers, to Royal Hampers etc. So this time you can pick from a wide variety of offerings, prior to sending Valentines Day gifts to Pune.

Portrait Photography Courses - The Business And Creative Aspects A Course Should Teach

There are plenty of photography courses offered by various institutes. You can choose some of the finest courses in portrait photography online and these courses are also quite informative. However, weeding out the unwanted courses and choosing the best option for you is a difficult task. If you are looking for an extra income from photography, a photography course that teaches you to click good pictures are more than enough but for those who are looking for a regular income, photography classes must cover the business aspect of photography as well.

Photography As A Business

These days, good digital cameras and lenses come very cheap and so many people can afford these. However, only a few of them can click good pictures and among this few, a very small percentage can make a good income from selling their photographs! This is because most photographers ignore the commercial side of photography and focuses only on the creative side of it. When you plan to become a portrait photographer, you need to know your customers. You need to know what your customers want and how to sell your pictures more than often so that you can enjoy a regular income.

There are different types of portrait images but not all of them generate the same amount of money. The customer demand varies based on location, customer's usage and cultural differences. By conducting a little bit of research, you can find more details about your customers. They may be purchasing your pictures for personal or professional use, their age group may vary and the print size/ number of copies that they order also can be different.

What You Should Learn?

From a portrait photography course, you should learn how to promote your brand. It involves market research, finding the right niche, budget research and marketing strategies. Constant email communication is common for portrait photographers so a good course will teach you how to communicate with your clients, answering their queries and working within budget. Portfolios are a part of your marketing strategy but creating an impressive portfolio require some skills. The way you place photographs, the portfolio format, design and size are important factors. With professional help from your teachers, you will learn to build great portfolios.

Portrait Trainings - An Overview

Once the business aspect of portrait photography is covered, it is the scientific and creative aspects that you need to learn. Executive portraits as well as pet portraits have lucrative markets and if you learn a lot about these two segments, you have high chances of penetrating into the market and making your own place. Portrait photography also includes shooting the pictures of pets.

A good course will help you to learn how to handle pets and human models in a studio setting without exposing them to stress. Arguably, portrait photographs have a constant customer demand even though the compensations are not very high. But the lower compensations are often not a concern as the volume of work can be quite a lot.

Unique Gifts at Hammacher Schlemmer

If you are looking for unique, unusual or one of a kind gifts then Hammacher Schlemmer should be first on your list of possible shopping destinations. The company opened its doors in 1848 and has been a fixture in New York City ever since. Their product catalog is divided into several categories: apparel, toys and games, electronics, holiday decor, sports and leisure, home living and office and personal care among others.

Many interesting apparel items are offered by the company. Interesting items such as a genuine Turkish bathrobe, solar watches and lighted reading glasses can be had for a reasonable price.

Items of note in the toys and games category include a voice activated R2-D2, a hand held constellation finder, robots, experiment kits for building fuel cells, hydrodynamic construction sets and a five foot illuminated Eiffel Tower kit.

The home living category features a progressive alarm clock, southern sweet tea brewer, cotton candy maker, and teak shower seats among other unique items. The home office category has gifts such as jellyfish aquariums, a New York Public Library reading lamp (why not), and The Oval Office Chair.

Hammacher Schlemmer as an excellent Sports and Leisure category where one can find a multitude of great gift ideas. This category has a GPS homing device, a stingray wallet and the world's only digital camera swim mask.

Hammacher Schlemmer has played a role in pop-culture as well. The company had a prominent role in the movie Joe Vs The Volcano. In the film, the lead character played by Tom Hanks stops by the retailer's New York store to outfit his venture into the unknown and the items he purchased end up saving his life.

For shoppers looking for a good deal, Hammacher Schlemmer offers great deals from time to time in the form of deep online discounts. They also offer free shipping deals and coupons that can be found only online. So, for those online shoppers looking for unique gift ideas. Hammacher Schlemmer is the place to shop!

Beauty School - What Is It Really Like?

If you are artistic and looking for a non-traditional college program, you may want to consider beauty school. Upon graduation, you can be working in a top salon in an exciting and challenging position. You may have many questions about the specifics of beauty school - what is it really like?

As with all college programs, it is important that the school is accredited. For beauty schools, make sure that the program is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS). There are currently over 1,000 schools accredited by the NACCAS.

You will not have to take an entry exam like the SAT in order to be accepted into a beauty school program. However, you must be able to meet the licensing requirements for your state. This often includes that you be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or GED.

Many cosmetology schools operate on a semester like system similar to a university. Therefore, you may have to wait until an open enrollment period in order to apply. However, other schools will start a class once it is filled. In this instance, you may only have to wait a period of weeks prior to starting. Typically, you will stay with your classmates throughout the entire program.

Coursework consists of classroom lecture and clinical work done in an actual salon setting. The curriculum will coincide with the program you are attending, for example hair, skin, or nails. You may also take classes dealing with business, fashion, and communications.

The clinical work will generally be done in a salon that is run by the school. Students will work on mannequin heads to begin. Once they are somewhat advanced, they will permitted to work on clients who come to the school for services offered at discounted rates. Some programs will also require that you perform an internship at a local salon. This can last from six to eight weeks.

Once you have complete the program satisfactorily, you will be required to pass your state's licensing exam. The exam will test you on the basics of your profession. The more advanced skills you will learn from training in your salon or from an advance cosmetology school program.

Cosmetology is an exciting and rewarding career field. Since it is constantly changing, it is important to note that your schooling is not over after you graduate. You will constantly be learning new techniques and procedures.

Senior Citizens and Digital Photography

With respect to photography and digital imaging, older folks may be thought of as in one of these three groups:

1. Non-technical and having little or no previous photography or computer experience.

2. Somewhat computer literate, and/or had some film photography experience in their earlier days.

3. Computer-savvy and eagerly dives into each new technical innovation.

This article focuses primarily on developing the confidence and skills of the first and second groups. If you are in one of these groups, or know someone who is, and would like to develop digital photography skills, here is a checklist of experiences that will build upon each other to create confidence and competence in digital imaging.

Step 1: Be comfortable with a digital camera. Spend some time with the camera. Most of them will work just fine with the automatic settings. Wander around and take some photos of regular items. Find out where the batter compartment is and how to change or charge the batteries. Figure out how to change the "mode" so that you can have the camera take images appropriate to the subject, such as portraits, sunsets, sports and babies. By spending a couple hours one time, and a few minutes a day after that, you can become very comfortable with your digital camera.

Step 2: Know how to play back images. Every camera has a Play function where you can see the images on the display, but if you are like me, it's tough to really enjoy them that small. Most cameras will plug into a TV with a black cable that has yellow and/or white ends. The small end will fit into the camera and the round, larger end (yellow) will plug into a yellow plug on many televisions. Sometimes you need to set the TV input to "AUX" or some other setting to see, but the slide show that is the result is a real treat. This should take you about an hour to master. Don't forget to take that cable with you on trips!

Step 3: Know how to print images at a Kiosk. Pharmacies and discount stores have those neat kiosks where you can transfer, edit and print photos. Spend some time with the technician in the photo lab and they will show you how to take the chip out of the camera, put it in the kiosk, and choose your photos. Then you can edit and play with layouts, and print them right in the store. They can also back them up onto a CD for you. All of this without having to sit down at a computer! Plan on another hour to master this skill.

Step 4: Know how to transfer images to a computer. This can be a very frustrating step to learn, because there are so many ways to do it, and so many places on your computer for the photos to hide! Method "A" involves plugging that chip into a memory card reader (internal to your computer or external), and copying from there to a folder. Method "B" involves plugging the camera directly into a little "USB" cable that goes to the computer, and copying to a folder. Method "C" involves putting your camera on a docking station (not many cameras have this), and Method "D" involves some wireless technology that automatically transfers the images once you get close enough to your computer. You'll most likely be using Method "A", as it is most common, and fast. The main thing is to be in control of where the pictures go. I like to create individual folders for each session so I don't end up with thousands of pictures in one folder. You can name the folders anything, but my recommendation is "2008-09-15 Mabels Party" or something like that. This way the folders show up in date order. Plan on a few hours to get this right. You'll know you have mastered this if you can boot up your computer and quickly find out where your photos are.

Step 5: Know how to back up your images. Every computer gets sick at some point. You need to make sure that you are transferring your images from the chip or computer to some other kind of backup. I recommend "burning" them onto CD or DVDs. Most computers made in the last 4 years can do this. You'll need to know how to start up the burning program, select the folders and/or images, start the backup, and then verify that the DVD or CD actually has the images on them. Then you can label the DVD or CD and put in a safe place. Plan on an hour or so. Make sure you also learn how to take that CD, pop it in and get from it any images you want.

Step 6: Know how to share your images. There are many free websites that will let you send your images there so you can share with others. Look for websites that let you set passwords for your folders so that only the people you want can see them. The key tasks (after enrollment) are to know how to "upload" your pictures to your web site and to make them available to others. Plan on a few hours to choose, enroll, load and and play with the website. Don't forget to try out the website's printing and goodies shop. Note that in some cases, the website will act as a backup site for your images.

Step 7: Know how to make stuff from your images. The step above showed how to have a website make things for you. If you have a home printer, you can print on paper, magnets, note card stock, stationery, T-shirt transfers and more. You can also take your pictures and make screen savers, wallpaper (the main image on your computer), slide shows that will play on DVD players, and lots more. Some examples of photo products that you can make or buy include: Quilts, blankets, sweatshirts, T-shirts, puzzles, coasters, dry-erase boards, canvas prints, playing cards, coffee mugs, bag tags, key chains, and many more. Plan on several hours to explore how your talents can be put to use!

Step 8: Know how to edit your images. Once you have mastered shooting, transferring, saving, sharing and producing, you can get really creative. There are a number of image editing programs out there. Your camera probably came with one. Most of them will perform some automatic editing for you, and will let you change many things about the photograph. You could spend many hours at this step, depending on your interest level in growing at this skill.

Step 9: Know how to take better photographs. There are formal and informal classes for camera owners. You can browse magazines and go to museum displays. Talk to local photographers. Join a photo club. Spend time volunteering somewhere where you can use your camera to help people. Check out some online discussion groups on photography. You can spend many hours here as well.

So, how do you remember all of this? Flash Cards! Get some old-fashioned note cards and write "Step 1: blah-blah" on it, and take notes about your specific camera. Then you can refer back to them if its been a while. And, if something changes in your world, like a new camera, computer or printer, you can revise the Flash Card with notes, or make up a new one.

So, there is no need to be intimidated by digital photography. Get out there and shoot!

Multicultural Education in Your Classroom

America has always been referred to as a melting pot, but ideally, it's a place where we strive to invite everyone to celebrate exactly who they are. As the US population is becoming increasingly diverse and technology makes the world feel increasingly smaller, it is time to make every classroom a multicultural classroom.

What is Multicultural Education?
Multicultural education is more than celebrating Cinco de Mayo with tacos and piñatas or reading the latest biography of Martin Luther King Jr. It is an educational movement built on basic American values such as freedom, justice, opportunity, and equality. It is a set of strategies aimed to address the diverse challenges experienced by rapidly changing U.S. demographics. And it is a beginning step to shifting the balance of power and privilege within the education system.

The goals of multicultural education include:

- Creating a safe, accepting and successful learning environment for all
- Increasing awareness of global issues
- Strengthening cultural consciousness
- Strengthening intercultural awareness
- Teaching students that there are multiple historical perspectives
- Encouraging critical thinking - Preventing prejudice and discrimination

Advantages of Multicultural Education
According to the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME), multicultural education:

- Helps students develop positive self-image.
- Offers students an equitable educational opportunity.
- Allows multiple perspectives and ways of thinking.
- Combats stereotypes and prejudicial behavior.
- Teaches students to critique society in the interest of social justice.

Road Blocks to Implementing Multicultural Education
Contrary to popular belief, multicultural education is more than cultural awareness, but rather an initiative to encompass all under-represented groups (people of color, women, people with disabilities, etc) and to ensure curriculum and content including such groups is accurate and complete.

Unfortunately, multicultural education is not as easy as a yearly heritage celebration or supplemental unit here and there. Rather, it requires schools to reform traditional curriculum.

Too often, students are misinformed and misguided. Not all textbooks present historical content fully and accurately. For instance, Christopher Columbus is celebrated as the American hero who discovered America. This take on history completely ignores the pre-European history of Native Americans and the devastation that colonization had on them. Some history books are being revised, but often, it's much easier to teach that "In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue."

Most curriculums also focus more on North America and Europe than any other region. Most students have learned about genocide through stories of the Holocaust, but do they know that hundreds of thousands of people are being killed in places like Darfur and Rwanda? Despite our close proximity to Latin America, American schools typically spend little time reading Latin American literature or learning about the culture and history?

Thus, multicultural education is most successful when implemented as a schoolwide approach with reconstruction of not only curriculum, but also organizational and institutional policy.

Unfortunately most educational institutions are not prepared to implement multicultural education in their classrooms. Multicultural education requires a staff that is not only diverse, but also culturally competent. Educators must be aware, responsive and embracing of the diverse beliefs, perspectives and experiences. They must also be willing and ready to address issues of controversy. These issues include, but are not limited to, racism, sexism, religious intolerance, classism, ageism, etc.

What You Can Do in Your Classroom
Just because we're facing an uphill battle doesn't mean we shouldn't take those first steps. To integrate multicultural education in your classroom and your school, you can:

- Integrate a diverse reading list that demonstrates the universal human experience across cultures
- Encourage community participation and social activism
- Go beyond the textbook
- By supplementing your curriculum with current events and news stories outside the textbook, you can draw parallels between the distant experiences of the past and the world today.
- Creating multicultural projects that require students to choose a background outside of their own - Suggest that your school host an in-service professional development on multi-cultural education in the classroom

Favorite Lessons in Multicultural Education
Analyze issues of racism through pop culture.
Example: Study the affects of WWII for Japanese Americans through political cartoons, movies, photography, etc.

Analyze issues of socioeconomic class through planning and development.
Example: Design a development project with solutions to the needs of those living in poverty stricken communities.

Analyze issues of sexism through media.
Example: Make a scrapbook of stereotypical portrayals of both men and women. Compare both positive and negative stereotypes and determine the struggles they face as a result of these stereotypes.

Recommended Resources
Books:
Becoming Multicultural Educators by Geneva Gay
Beyond Heros and Holidays by Enid Lee
Lies My Teachers Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James Loewen

Great Way To Starting A Photography Business

Now photography is a big part of our culture, something that everyone recognizes. Most everyone has family photos lying around their house, many people take these photos on a regular basis, preserving precious memories for years to come.

Do you like to take photos? Are you always standing by with your camera waiting for that moment that is meant to be captured on camera? You may even be taking photography classes or maybe you have already completed a photography course and you want to share your photos with others.

Do you love taking pictures? Are you considering making some money out of it? Starting a business photography is relatively easy, as long as you have the right equipment. You can to start a photography business with only a few bucks, or possibly nothing at all if you already have the right camera equipment. You can even start your business in the comforts of your own home. Anyone with the right camera equipment, and the necessary skills can set up a home business, marketing photography. You need only to convert a room of your house into an office, and then you can work immediately.

The most important element to starting a photography business is the market:

1. 
   Make a Photography Business Plan. Write an effective business plan, including a precise list of all equipment and start up expenses you expect to have initially and as your business grows. Let's face it, when is the last time you spent less than you anticipated? Know your current financial status and what you can reasonably afford to spend on your business start up.
   
   


2. 
   Decide a Photography Theme. The most important element to starting a photography business is the market. Your target market will play a big role in making your business successful. This will make sure that you have people buying your images. Thus, you must choose a particular type of photography. There are photographers who focus on portraits, some on weddings, outdoor landscapes, while others are into sceneries. Pick one that you desire, then focus and improve on it.
   
   


3. 
   Shop Photography Equipment. Of course, you need to have the right equipment that will enable you to proceed and starting a photography business. You can go with the basics if your funds are limited. A SLR camera, computer, printer, internet connection, photography softwares and marketing materials should be secured. Consider the upgrades later on once you have well enough profits.
   
   


4. 
   Marketing Images To Worldwide. Depending on what method you choose to market your images with you will either be selling them per download via sites or you may be selling them to celebrity gossip magazines via sites or even directly to clients on a contract basis.
   

If you are not clear on your photography business then you cannot possibly make a plan to bring about the success of that photography business. Of course, if you just want the focused nitty gritty but you want to ensure that your new photography business is going to be profitable first time round.

Dissection - Are There Any Benefits?

Dissection is just one of the approaches to teaching science that creates a lasting impression in the mind. What do you remember most about biology? Is it the dry textbook? Likely you recall the hands-on activities that you did. Despite the squeamish reactions of some students, frog dissection has many benefits. Amid the scissors, specimens, and unforgettable aroma of the lab you will discover specific lessons that extend beyond basic biology. The most obvious value revolves around the tactile experience, but students also learn respect for life and proper dissection skills that will be helpful in higher level lab classes.

Digital photography has evolved to the point that frog dissection can be captured beautifully in science textbooks and on virtual dissection websites. But pictures of frog dissection cannot replace a real life experience. A hands-on lab allows a student to understand the true positioning and feel for organs that just can't be expressed in the flat format of a book or computer monitor.

In the hands of a good mentor, any specimen lab, whether it is a fetal pig dissection, or even an earthworm dissection, can teach respect for life. Unnecessary damage to a preserved specimen should never be allowed even though the animal has already been humanely euthanized. This is the perfect time for young people to understand that there is much to learn about the creatures around us and that they depend upon us for proper care and protection. Engage older students in a conversation about ethics in science.

Although it may seem unimportant at this stage in life, good dissection skills can help a student in higher level science classes. Learning the proper procedure for frog dissection teaches following directions, observation skills, fine motor skills, the interrelationship between organs and tissue, and develops the ability to "feel" the body without seeing what is lying underneath. Many of these skills will be used in college level biology classes and some will be used in high school and college level chemistry and physics as well. If your student plans a career in any area of medicine, frog dissection or fetal pig dissection should be a requirement in high school.

Dissection bestows numerous benefits upon science students, but is not the end-all to biology lab exercises. If a student protests despite being informed of the reasons behind the activity, his values should be respected and a viable alternative sought.

The Roles of Libraries in Teaching and Learning

INTRODUCTION:

Libraries have long served crucial roles in learning. The first great library, in Alexandria two thousand years ago was really the first university. It consisted of a zoo and various cultural artifacts in addition to much of the ancient world's written knowledge and attracted scholars from around the Mediterranean who lived and worked in a scholarly community for years at a time. Today, the rhetoric associated with the National/Global Information Infrastructure (N/GII) always includes examples of how the vast quantities of information that global networks provide (i.e., digital libraries) will be used in educational settings. An important aspect of the Library's educational mission is to promote and develop informational literacy in its users. Information literacy, in general, is the ability to identify, locate, use and interpret information effectively.

Role of Modern Libraries:

A library is defined by three fundamental functions:

(1)selection to create a "collection";
(2) organization to enable access; and
(3) preservation for ongoing use.

Although technologies may evolve to add the second function to the Web, the first and third functions are antithetical to the very nature of today's Web. The Web's successor will become more "library-like," and libraries will continue to become more "Web-like," but each will retain some essential differences from the other.

The Web is most definitely not a library now, and it probably never will be. But the Web provides a wonderful mechanism for collaboration between and among scholars and librarians who want to create "libraries" of high-quality resources on a particular topic for scholarship and teaching. Another great concern about Web resources is that they are ephemeral. Libraries select and preserve information resources for generations to come. The longevity of Web-based resources is calculated in days!

How do libraries support teaching and learning?

A library is fundamentally an organized set of resources, which include human services as well as the entire spectrum of media (e.g., text, video, hypermedia). Libraries have physical components such as space, equipment, and storage media; intellectual components such as collection policies that determine what materials will be included and organizational schemes that determine how the collection is accessed; and people who manage the physical and intellectual components and interact with users to solve information problems

Libraries serve at least three roles in learning.

First, they serve a practical role in sharing expensive resources. Physical resources such as books and periodicals, films and videos, software and electronic databases, and specialized tools such as projectors, graphics equipment and cameras are shared by a community of users. Human resources--librarians (also called media specialists or information specialists) support instructional programs by responding to the requests of teachers and students (responsive service) and by initiating activities for teachers and students (proactive services). Responsive services include maintaining reserve materials, answering reference questions, providing bibliographic instruction, developing media packages, recommending books or films, and teaching users how to use materials. Proactive services include selective dissemination of information to faculty and students, initiating thematic events, collaborating with instructors to plan instruction, and introducing new instructional methods and tools. In these ways, libraries serve to allow instructors and students to share expensive materials and expertise.

Second, libraries serve a cultural role in preserving and organizing artifacts and ideas. Great works of literature, art, and science must be preserved and made accessible to future learners. Although libraries have traditionally been viewed as facilities for printed artifacts, primary and secondary school libraries often also serve as museums and laboratories. Libraries preserve objects through careful storage procedures, policies of borrowing and use, and repair and maintenance as needed. In addition to preservation, libraries ensure access to materials through indexes, catalogs, and other finding aids that allow learners to locate items appropriate to their needs.

Third, libraries serve social and intellectual roles in bringing together people and ideas. This is distinct from the practical role of sharing resources in that libraries provide a physical place for teachers and learners to meet outside the structure of the classroom, thus allowing people with different perspectives to interact in a knowledge space that is both larger and more general than that shared by any single discipline or affinity group. Browsing a catalog in a library provides a global view for people engaged in specialized study and offers opportunities for serendipitous insights or alternative views. In many respects, libraries serve as centers of interdisciplinary--places shared by learners from all disciplines.

Formal learning is systematic and guided by instruction. Formal learning takes place in courses offered at schools of various kinds and in training courses or programs on the job. The important roles that libraries serve in formal learning are illustrated by their physical prominence on university campuses and the number of courses that make direct use of library services and materials. Most of the information resources in schools are tied directly to the instructional mission. Students or teachers who wish to find information outside this mission have in the past had to travel to other libraries. By making the broad range of information resources discussed below available to students and teachers in schools, digital libraries open new learning opportunities for global rather than strictly local communities.

Much learning in life is informal--opportunistic and strictly under the control of the learner. Learners take advantage of other people, mass media, and the immediate environment during informal learning. The public library system that developed in the U.S. in the late nineteenth century has been called the "free university", since public libraries were created to provide free access to the world's knowledge. Public libraries provide classic nonfiction books, a wide range of periodicals, reference sources, and audio and video tapes so that patrons can learn about topics of their own choosing at their own pace and style. Just as computing technology and world-wide telecommunications networks are beginning to change what is possible in formal classrooms, they are changing how individuals pursue personal learning missions.

Professional learning refers to the on going learning adults engage in to do their work and to improve their work-related knowledge and skills. In fact, for many professionals, learning is the central aspect of their work. Like informal learning, it is mainly self-directed, but unlike formal or informal learning, it is focused on a specific field closely linked to job performance, aims to be comprehensive, and is acquired and applied longitudinally. Since professional learning affects job performance, corporations and government agencies support libraries (often called information centers) with information resources specific to the goals of the organization.

The main information resources for professional learning, however, are personal collections of books, reports, and files; subscriptions to journals; and the human networks of colleagues nurtured through professional meetings and various communications. Many of the data sets and computational tools of digital libraries were originally developed to enhance professional learning. The information resources--both physical and human--that support these types of learning are customized for specific missions and have traditionally been physically separated, although common technologies such as printing, photography, and computing are found across all settings.
Role of Digital Libraries:

Digital libraries extend such inter disciplinarily by making diverse information resources available beyond the physical space shared by groups of learners. One of the greatest benefits of digital libraries is bringing together people with formal, informal, and professional learning missions. Many of the data sets and computational tools of digital libraries were originally developed to enhance professional learning. The information resources--both physical and human--that support these types of learning are customized for specific missions and have traditionally been physically separated, although common technologies such as printing, photography, and computing are found across all settings.

Digital libraries combine technology and information resources to allow remote access, breaking down the physical barriers between resources. Although these resources will remain specialized to meet the needs of specific communities of learners, digital libraries will allow teachers and students to take advantage of wider ranges of materials and communicate with people outside the formal learning environment. This will allow more integration of the different types of learning. Although not all students or teachers in formal learning settings will use information resources beyond their circumscribed curriculum and not all professionals will want to interact even occasionally with novices, digital libraries will allow learners of all types to share resources, time and energy, and expertise to their mutual benefits. The following sections illustrate some of the types of information resources that are defining digital libraries.
conclusion:

As research and teaching increasingly rely on global networks for the creation, storage and dissemination of knowledge, the need to educate information-literate students has become more widely recognized. Students often lack the skills necessary to succeed in this rapidly changing environment, and faculty need training and support to make use of new technologies for effective teaching and learning. The current environment provides an opportunity for librarians to play a key role in the evolution of integrated information literacy. Thus, technology itself may provide a positive impetus as, "developments in education and technology are beginning to help academic librarians achieve new breakthroughs in integrating information and technology skills into the curriculum"

Technology allows library services to be available to students and faculty whenever and wherever they need such services. Technology makes possible round-the-clock library services without increasing investment in human resources. In addition, research materials increasingly exist only in digital form. Such resources are available only with the application of technology. Libraries will continue to exploit the inevitable technological innovation to improve productivity, control costs, enrich services, and deliver the high-quality content that is demanded.

Reference:

1. ls.unc.edu/~march/cacm95/main.html
2. educause.edu/pub/er/erm00/pp069073.pdf
3. informationr.net/ir/3-1/paper24.html

Nikon SLR Digital Cameras - D90 and D300

There are quite a lot of Nikon SLR digital cameras in the market that make for worthy investments, and one of these is the Nikon D90. The D90 is one of the Nikon SLR digital cameras that are suitable for casual users and beginners especially if they're not that concerned about the kit lens. The D90, however, gets plus points for having the brand's famous intuitive layout and video capabilities.

I was already thinking of getting the D90 even though what I really wanted was the D300, because of its weatherproof features and sturdy magnesium body. In the end, however, I decided that it wasn't worth shelling out the extra $600 just for a better camera body. The D90 and D300 have the same sensor and ISO capability range. Some reviews on Nikon SLR digital cameras say that the D300 pales in comparison to D90 in terms of noise reduction.

The D90 also has a superb control layout; single button choices are available on the left side of the screen which allow you to easily access image quality, ISO, white balance, and view previous shots. Yes, the D90 has video capabilities, but that's not why I decided to buy it instead of the D300. Sadly, the video feature fails to meet expectations because of its lack of autofocus and sound. It makes for a good extra feature, but it's lacking in essential features that would've made it a good video camera.

A lot of users like the kit lens that comes with the D90, but I think you can get better zooms from Nikon that falls within the same price range of the D90. The selling price for the 18-105mm Vibration Reduction (VR) is reportedly $400. I got my Nikon 70-300mm VR for around $485, and it has a far better build with a rubber gasket and metal mount. The kit lens that comes with the D90 has no plastic mount and rubber gasket, which makes it feel a bit cheap compared to the 70-300mm VR I bought.

If you're a casual or average user and all you need is basic lens, then the D90 kit lens would probably do. But if you're aspiring to go semi-pro or pro, I say you go for the same VR I bought. All in all, the D90 is a great camera even though it does lack in the weather proofing department. I give it a four out of 5 rating.

7 Ways a Model Can Turn a Photo Shoot Into a Nightmare - Simple Rules for a Successful Photo Shoot

Occasionally I come across models that out of carelessness and neglect they manage to turn a prospective photo shoot into a nightmare. Simple situations that could have been easily avoided turn to be the crux for a failed session. There are unwritten rules that are obvious for some but not for others when shooting a session. It is high time that these rules are put down in writing and followed rigorously.

I am sharing these rules with both models and photographers in mind.

Never Try to Fit In Clothes Smaller Than Your Size

If a model is a size 12 there is no point in wearing size 10 or 8 dresses. This would only make things worse. Dressing appropriate clothing according to one's figure is vital. A girl with a heavy bust should make sure that her shirt buttons up nicely and underwear fits properly. If a model has thicker legs direct her to go for longer dresses or trousers.

On the other hand, if your model still persists to wear certain sizes and styles one can consider other measures. If the shooting is being planned well in advance, one can easily enrol at a local gym and follow a programme intended for one's needs. Nothing is impossible if the model is committed and willing to do it.

Do Not Drink and Smoke

Any responsible model should avoid drinking or smoking heavily the night before a photo shoot. It would be difficult for the model to follow your directions and concentrate on the job. In short, the model will not give her best and perform poorly.

It is important that a model is in a sober state when doing the session.

Do Not Eat Before a Photo Shoot

Eating a snack is fine; on the contrary eating a three course meal would make the model look sleepy and tired. Heavy meals before a photo shoot should be avoided. A bloated model would likely be less able to perform awkward and demanding poses.

Never Try a New Brand of Make Up on the Day

The make up should be tried and tested way before the actual photo shoot. Particularly this is very valid if the model is going to work with a different brand of make up. Skin or other reactions arising from non compatible products is not uncommon.

Do Not Get Sun Burned

If a model intends to wear off shoulders, tank tops, boob tubes and other revealing clothing special attention should be given when sun bathing. Whereas a nice evenly golden tan is encouraged, sun burns should be avoided at all costs. It is imperative that the appropriate sun screens are used and mid day sun bathing avoided.

Do Not Wax Before a Photo Shoot

If waxing is done the night before, the results are a reddish skin covered with goose bumps. This is definitely unattractive and not always possible to cover it up with make up. Any waxing should be planned days before.

Last But Not Least Get Ample Sleep

In order for a model to be alert and manage to focus on her photo shoot she must get the right amount of sleep. A couple of days before the shooting the model should be getting roughly a solid 8 hours sleep every night. This means that a model should keep away from partying till the early hours!

Most of the points mentioned above are pretty obvious when you think about it. Still many tend to oversee them, be it by choice or by neglect. The end results are most of the time disappointing photo sessions. In making sure that you are not let down, next time you plan you photo shoot make sure that you check these guides.

Planning a Wedding That Doesn't Kill Your Budget or Your Relationship

If you're planning a wedding and you're concerned about your wedding budget, there are several ways to save. The keys to successfully planning a budget-conscious wedding are having the abilities to be creative, flexible, and opportunistic.

Think of this scenario: You wake up in the middle of the night with a craving for ice cream. All grocery stores are closed, so you run through the options in your head. You can go to the all-night convenience store or coffee shop and pay a premium price for this craving or you can settle for the granola bar in the back of your pantry. Then the thought occurs that you could have planned ahead while grocery shopping earlier that week and had your ice cream at a fair price. The same shopping options exist for every part of your wedding. Do you pay premium prices? Do you plan ahead? Or do you simply do without? There are no wrong answers, but planning ahead can almost always offer the most bang for the bucks.

The key trick in saving money for your wedding is flexibility. Think about your wedding date. It's probably a mild Saturday evening in late Spring or early Fall. I'm no Nostradamus, it's just a fact that the vast majority of couples choose the same dates for their weddings. You can slash your overall wedding costs significantly by changing your wedding date away from Saturday evenings in May, June, September, or October. Go crazy and avoid Saturdays altogether and have a raging Friday night wedding or a relaxing Sunday afternoon wedding. You might not think these date/time adjustments matter, but vendors' schedules are much less likely to be full on a Sunday afternoon in August or a Friday night in March. This availability can translate into staggering deals if you shop around. I've seen $10,000-$15,000 weddings (combined vendor cost) reduced to $2,000-$3,000 with every component of the wedding staying exactly the same, including the venue. The difference? An 11am ceremony time on a Saturday in June versus a 5pm wedding the EXACT SAME DAY. An unexpected perk to avoiding Saturday evenings goes to your guests who can now plan a weekend after your Friday night bash or before the Sunday nuptials. That Saturday night wedding breaks everyone's weekend in half. Having schedule flexibility is huge for all vendors, but specific savings can also be found for each part of your big day.

Wedding venues: The venue is usually the costliest of the wedding investments, but that only means it is also the biggest opportunity to save money. If you want elegance, maybe avoid the country clubs and golf courses and find a shady park or beach and spend a fraction of your budget on elegant tables, string lighting, and candle-lit centerpieces. If you're quirky and fun, bypass a regular venue and rent an old theater or local art gallery. Think outside the box. Depending on the size of your guest list, you can find venues that aren't considered traditional, but will more than fit your needs. Private residences and local restaurants might fit your needs perfectly. With any non-traditional venue, be sure to get all the details. Some places may require additional insurance or have restrictions on attendance, food/drink, etc, so be sure to be thorough in your interviews. If you are looking for a traditional venue, many times finding a location that can host both the wedding and reception is ideal. For both convenience and cost, this option almost always is preferable to separate locations. If you opt for a church wedding, keep in mind that some churches offer weddings a low or even no cost. Call around and you might find a great deal

Caterer: The ideal way to cut food/drink costs is to time your wedding between traditional meal times. Having a 11am or 2pm wedding allows you to escape providing full meals and instead serve small appetizers, sandwiches, desserts, etc. If you opt for this cost-cutting schedule choice, be sure to indicate to guests when type of food/refreshments will be served. Most people will grab a bite to eat before or after the wedding if they know in advance that only snacks will be available at the wedding. If you must serve food, shop around. Some venues require you to use their preferred caterers, so know this in advance. Sample each caterer's menus and ask them how savings can be found. Many times a limited menu with more appetizer options works well. If you decide to serve a meal, buffet style usually costs less than plated meals. And keep this question in mind: How was the food at the last wedding you attended? Most people don't remember. Find a balance between quality, service, and price.

Cake: There are reality TV shows dedicated to cakes. Amazing, beautiful cakes are everywhere. Now for the life-changing reality: Its still just dessert. I know, that sounds harsh and emotionless. But its sugar and eggs and flour, and you're in a market than can charge thousands of dollars for a, yes, dessert. Think about your reasoning behind the cake. Its fun and you want photos of the cake-cutting and subsequent cake-smashing. You can accomplish the same thing with a small but still elegant cake. The photos look the same, and the crowd still gathers around. And when the smashed cake is wiped from the groom's face, all the guests are served cute little wedding cupcakes or pieces of sheet cake that have been cut and are ready to serve immediately. Buy a pretty little cake for the two of you, or for the bridal party, and ask your baker to make a sheet cake or two, or cupcakes, of the same flavor as yours. Everyone enjoys the cake and you enjoy cutting your cake budget by 50% or more.

Photographer: Many couples make the mistake of forgoing a professional wedding photographer and hiring Uncle Harry because he always has a camera, and he'll be at the wedding anyway. Or a niece in high school just bought a really expensive camera and took photography in high school. Remember that your photographs are likely going to be the only tangible reminders of your wedding. When the cake and songs and flowers are long gone, you'll have your photography to enjoy and share for years to come. You want a photographer with wedding experience to ensure all angles are covered and all poses are ideal. This doesn't mean you have to blow your entire budget on photography, however. Search photographers' websites, and only contact those whose photos fit your style. When speaking with the photographer, request a quote that excludes prints, albums, or other photo products. Get the edited photography on a disc or flash drive with a copyright release that allows you to print your photos. Most photographers' profit lies in the printing, so you can save that money and print economically at your own convenience. If a photographer doesn't offer this, move along. There are plenty that will offer a no-prints option.

DJ: The DJ is the vendor that some deem unnecessary and others regard as invaluable. I think both are true depending on the type of wedding and reception you want. If you want a quiet, relaxed ceremony and reception with soft music in the background throughout, just find a venue with a sound system and plug in an ipod playlist of soft grooves. If you want your reception to be a party, then hire a DJ. DJ's styles and levels of interaction vary, so keep this in mind. If you want someone to keep the guests dancing, get someone outgoing and fun. Like the photographer, don't skimp too much and hire the high school tech geek down the street with the loud sound system. Weddings are unique, and you want experience. Ask for deals and compare prices. No real tricks here other than shopping in advance.

Florist: Flowers are beautiful and can enhance any wedding. They also sit in vases and soak up water. Each couple needs to decide whether a little color is pretty or more elaborate floral arrangements are necessary. If you find a venue that is attractive on its own, consider skipping or reducing the floral decorations. Many florists advise boosting the greenery in arrangement and using the actual flowers strategically, which makes a lot of sense both artistically and financially. Some couples are now opting for artificial flowers in lieu of actual flowers. This can be cheaper and offer the advantage of preparing months in advance. They also last forever, so your investment doesn't end up in the compost pile the next day. If you decide to go with real flowers, check independent florists first, as they can often work with your budget with more flexibility than a larger retail chain.

Videographer: Have you ever visited a friend and been subjected to watching their wedding video? It's painful. Now, with the development of high-def and superior editing, today's wedding videos are more like Hollywood features than handheld camcorders of the 80's. they can also be very expensive. The real question is need. After the first few weeks of being married, will your wedding DVD ever be seen? Aside from distant relatives visiting or an anniversary viewing, it likely sits on the shelf. Most budget-minded couples skip the videographer, but if you really want video then find a company that uses multiple cameras and edits in a style you enjoy. Be sure they know the style you want and ask them to work with your budget.

Other: There are several other ways to save that simply didn't fit the other categories:

Wedding favors are cute, but often sit in the backseat of your guests' cars and ultimately get tossed. If you have a budget for them, find something personal (a small framed photo of the wedding couple, a small package of candy or mints, etc). Find something fun or quirky, but cheap. Search online for many creative options.

With any wedding, avoid placing disposable cameras at guest tables. The idea is great, but the execution is horrible. You'll spend hundreds on these outdated cameras, and hundreds more to develops photos of kids' feet and empty plates. Don't even consider this for your wedding!

Limousines: Beautiful and elegant, but really only use if transportation is needed. Hiring a limo to drive you three blocks doesn't allow you to relax or save money. If you're travelling across town and want to splurge, go for it. Ask for wedding specials, and find a service that will allow you to use the minimum amount you need. Don't get locked into a six-hour minimum when you only need three.

Honeymoon: If you're wanting a honeymoon but don't have a big budget, consider registering for your wedding with a travel agent instead of a retailer. Your guests may gift you a vacation instead of cutlery! If you're considering a small wedding, think about a destination wedding for the two of you (or small family), and combine your wedding and honeymoon instead of a reception. Sometimes this is more economical than couples think and provides a romantic and less expensive wedding option.

Craigslist: OK, this isn't a wedding component. But Craigslist can be your best friend. You can find vendors, dresses, wedding locations, and much more in one convenient site. If you have a particular skill, service, or item, consider using the site's barter section to trade for wedding services. Trading your unused timeshare for a wedding photographer or bartering your automotive repair business to obtain catering can be empowering and budget-saving. Read through the section and find ideas that may help you save.

Hopefully a few of these suggestions give you ideas on stretching your wedding budget. Weddings are beautiful, amazing events and should be celebrated, not agonized. Enjoy the process, and remember that this is YOUR big day. Build the wedding you want, and let your guests enjoy the ride with you.