Camera Repair: 5 Tips On How to Pack and Ship Your Camera For Repair

'If I could just contort my body this way and stay still for a few seconds, this would be a great shot!' If being the operative word here! Now you've lost your balance, dropped your camera in an attempt to brace yourself for the fall, and both you and the camera are lying shamefully on the ground--broken! Hopefully you were able to call for help for yourself, but as for that nice camera of yours, it's off to the camera repair center. Even though the camera is obviously already in need of repair (that rattling sound inside the body was definitely not there before!), you should still take the time and care to package it so that it doesn't sustain any further damage while in transit to the repair shop.

Keep Data for Reference: First things first, make sure you've recorded all of the serial numbers in a safe place for reference. Should you need to confirm the contents of the package or make a claim in case the package is lost, having this information available is extremely helpful. Once you've done this, it's time to pack it up for shipment.

Seal Your Camera and Accessories: Just in case any parts come loose during shipping, it's wise to encase the camera and any necessary accessories in a sealable plastic bag. This is also a good idea if the camera has been exposed to liquid. In terms of accessories, most repair facilities recommend that you only send those accessories that are pertinent to the repair, such as the lens for a digital SLR, if you think that may be part of the problem. Sending too many accessories increases the risk of something getting lost. It's also a good measure to include a note with your camera that includes your contact information (name, phone, email, and address) and a description of the problem.

Choose the Right Box: When it comes to a box to pack the camera in, you'll want to use one that gives at least three inches all around the camera, this way you have ample room to fill with packing material. A box that is too small runs the risk of passing on impact to the camera. A box that is too big and not enough packing materials are used allows for the camera to jump around and cause further damage. A word to the wise: a padded envelope is NEVER an adequate means to ship your camera!

Packing Materials Are Key: There are many resources available for packing materials, but probably some of the best to use are packing peanuts and bubble wrap. Remember that you want to allow for at least 3 inches of packing material around all sides of the camera to cushion it from any potential impact.

Insure Your Product: After you've properly packed your camera, it's time to ship it to a reputable repair center. One of the most important actions you should take when shipping your broken camera is to insure the package for the product's value. It may be an extra expense, but if something happens to the package in transit, you're covered. A few dollars can go a long way in this case.

Photography Jobs in Texas - Capturing the Beauty of the Lone Star State

Texas is one of the most beautiful states in the United States. Nobody that has visited will argue with that assessment at all, but could you capture that beauty on film given half a chance? Anyone can take photographs of the landscape but only a true photographer could capture it's essence in picture form. This is why Texas is a good location to embark on a career in photography.

Many photographers head to the obvious states of New York and California, believing that there is money only in photographs of celebrities. Whilst that may be the case for some, it may be worth pursuing photography as a career where photography is more in demand. Those looking for fame and fortune may have saturated the market in other states but choosing Texas will enable you to fulfill positions that fewer candidates are going for.

Your Options

As in any other state, if you are looking to pursue a career in photography in Texas you have several options. Magazines, newspapers, large commercial businesses, government bodies and colleges all often have in house photographers. You could also choose to become a freelance photographer. There is less risk in the former as well as a steady income that averages at around $28,000 a year. However, working for yourself can also be rewarding if you have the contacts and organizational skills to be able to succeed. Many photographers actually secure a permanent position with a newspaper or magazine before becoming freelancers.

Another pointer to bear in mind is that Texas is unique for photography in that images of the landscape are in demand. There is everything you could want in terms of nature - sea, desert, lush grasslands, major rivers, unspoilt natural habitats and various animal sanctuaries and zoos as well. If you would like to focus on nature then this is the place for you. There are plenty of opportunities with the local press, wildlife societies and research facilities often in need of a talented photographer.

The Education For Texan Photography

To achieve any measure of success as a photographer anywhere in the world, you need to know your trade, but this is especially important if you do want to focus on the natural world in Texas. You need to know what you are looking for in a picture, as do your employers. As such, you need a firm educational grounding in biological sciences, which may mean a quick course at the local college or a foundation class as part of a degree. Be prepared to share your knowledge in order to get the job you really want.

Legal Talks: Judicial Binding Precedent Vs Judge Made Law

The question on judicial precedent being the binding precedent has to be distinctly differentiated. Binding precedent confirms to the hierarchy of courts whereas mere precedent could be persuasive. Today, this doctrine is in the danger of fading off due to the departure mechanism being a tool for judges to move away from the precedent created by higher courts or the same capacity courts. Whilst such endeavor, the question arises does this leads to judges to be a "judicial legislator" i.e. to make law. This discretion apparently is argued as too liberal because the orthodox belief that judge should only interpret statutes and higher court's decision by looking into the "ratio decidendi" and "obiter dicta" is being defeated. Obviously, this is their constitutional role.

The doctrine of "stare decisis" would sufficiently mean all cases which have similar facts that shall be treated alike simply for the reason for the degree of certainty and in order to avoid injustice at the same time restricts unduly development of law to some extent. However, what generally binds is the ratio decidendi which is the material significant decision and not the obiter dicta which is merely the significant opinion or view provided by either assenting or dissenting judges in the higher court. This argument today is being whittle down for the reason of the attitude of judges i.e. the school of thought of declaratory theory and judge made law theory.

Judges who adhere to the declaratory theory of law where the allegiance owed to the parliament which is considered to be the most supreme law making body based on doctrine of parliamentary supremacy and notion of separation of powers, judges consider themselves to be merely interpretative. Those who belonged to this school of thought undoubtedly Ld Simmonds, Ld Hodson and Ld Salmon who do not give room for judicial creativity and label themselves as passivists judge.

On the contrary, some judges do create reasons and do not want to mechanically follow higher court's decision by creating new law or expanding the old law. The question is who lingers on this arguments without doubt is Ld Denning or Ld Woolf who have this contention that they're activist judge whom I would daringly say has created many rooms on judicial creativity. One of the case that ought to be applauded by Ld Denning was Central London Property Trust v High Trees House where he championed the doctrine of Promissory Estoppel and also in the case of Brb v Harington that an occupier owes a duty of care to non-visitors based on grounds of common humanity which later this principle was formed in the Occupier's Liability Act 1984. this evidently shows that activists judges have prompted parliament to enact law while the conservative beliefs would be enactment of Parliament prompted judges to make law.

To reconcile this two position could be an attempt which would be beyond imagination because this is two different world of school of thoughts. It can be easily concluded that it is the attitude of judges respectively that brings about the judge made law theory on their own whims and fancies probably out of necessity and for want of justice.

However, the departing tools of the exception as laid out by Ld Gardiner in Practice Statement 1966 for the HoL and the Young v Bristol Aeroplane exception has seeped into the system besides the distinguishing factors as what Prof. M. Zander profoundly said "distinguishing the indistinguishable" to some extent.

Hence, there seems to be too many opinions on whether this doctrine of binding precedent is a myth or is it a rule of law that all judges should adapt the "stare decisis" attitude. Prof. Glanville Williams found it strange that the authority that precedent is binding them is the normal HoL instead of parliamentary authority. This clearly indicates why should a judge follow higher authority's decision besides parliament. Sir Rubert Cross was on the contrary opinion where he indicated that a judge is bound by ratio decidendi. This jurisprudential debate has been going too long. however, there has been no attempt by parliament to put a stop, hinder or prevent that judge made law theory. But whenever lower courts depart from their decision, [higher courts] they are normally reprimanded and admonished upon an appeal either by overruling or reversing which is best illustrated when Murphy v Brentwood District Council overruled Anns v Merton, Anderton v Ryan being overruled by R v Shivpuri, and DPP v Lynch being overruled by R v Harvey.

The question as to what extent the doctrine of binding precedent allows judges to make law would be to be accurately stated depends on other factors such as some judges would avoid the clutches of an unwelcome precedent. Some judges do not believe in the fairy tales of cases. Some judges believe that an adjudication must be settled according to the growth of time and the sophistication of today's world. some judges also believes that "nakedly usurping the function of parliament" as Ld Simmonds indicated and as what Ld Denning identified his position that at times judges ought to "fill up the gaps" that was unintended by parliament.

Looking at the above argument, it would be wrong to say that the doctrine of binding precedent allows judges to make law; but rather it helps to develop law w/o limits. Another stand would be the various departure mechanisms available to the judge although each mechanism can only be exercised with their respective limitations which again was created by judges has prompted judges to make law rather. As what prof. M. Zander's that precedents should be treated as the next best evidence rule" and judges will always wish to have the best evidence or precedents as the case may be. This view reflects the fluidity and flexibility of the common law system and the actual practice of courts.

What Is Boss Key Software and Why Would You Need It?

Boss key software goes way back in time. Even the earliest computer games had a boss key sequence that you could quickly press and it would appear as though you were diligently using a spreadsheet rather than goofing off playing a game. But games aren't the only time you might need to quickly hide what you're doing on screen.

Leaving aside any habit you might have for browsing adult entertainment sites - in which case you've probably already learned how to minimize your browser or switch tabs at a millisecond notice - there are plenty of occasions when you need to be able to instantly switch what you're doing.

Not just at work but at home if you're shopping for a present and don't want the person concerned to know what you're looking for.

So using a small piece of software that allows you to hit a precise combination of keys to do something on your computer. It's still regularly referred to as boss key software, even if it doesn't mean that you're hiding something from other people.

Windows even allows you the option to minimize everything and show a clear desktop, so it's actually quite a common thing to use. You may even have done that and wondered if you've broken your computer but that's another story.

In the same way that games have progressed, modern boss key software has extended way beyond just stopping some frantic game of killing aliens.

The best software is actually very configurable. So you can use different key sequences to perform different tasks.

The first thing to look for is the option for the software to start up whenever you start Windows. That is an essential requirement, otherwise you'd have to know in advance when you were likely to need the software and that would defeat most of the object of using it.

Then it's a matter of deciding what other things would be useful to stop in an instant.

If you work from home, you may use the CD in your computer to play some background music to keep you on track. Or maybe you switch between that and YouTube. Either way, it helps to be able to mute the sound on your computer when your phone rings or a Skype chat starts without having to slide the speaker volume down or figure out which program is making all the noise.

Another common use for boss key software is that it is actually likely to be used by your boss.

Some documents are confidential. So if you walk into the room when your boss is updating the pay spreadsheet or making notes for your next performance review, they don't necessarily have time to clear all the relevant program windows. Setting a boss key combination to minimize all word processor documents, spreadsheets and PDFs is a quick way to clear potentially private information in the blink of an eye.

All of which means that boss key software has evolved a lot from its origins on early computer games. And that it has lots of legitimate uses as well as covert ones.

Choosing A Camera For Children For Under $100

It is certainly true that you do not need to spend a lot of money to get a good digital camera for a child. You can often find special offers that will get you a model with extra features for no more money than a basic model. Looking online for deals and bargains is often a good way to get a camera suitable for an older child of eight years plus as children in this age group will definitely appreciate a more advanced model than younger, pre-school children.

Children in this eight to twelve years age group spend a lot more time thinking about what they want to photograph and setting up their shots - whereas pre-school children are very likely to just snap off hundreds of pictures of anything and everything, just for the fun of doing it!

For older children, a good quality digital camera will be an added resource for their school work, enabling them to add pictures to projects and to create covers for folders, etc. They might want to upload them to a computer to share with friends online or even create their own blog, illustrated with the images they have taken.

Older children will learn how to use the features on their new camera very quickly indeed and whereas you may have to show a younger child how to work all the controls, it is quite likely that an older child will be explaining to you how to get the best out of it within a very short time!

The ideal camera for a child in this pre-teen age group will have some automated features for ease of use, but should have some features with adjustable, manual settings that will enable a child to have fun learning how to create special effects and discovering more about the techniques of digital photography for themselves. However, it is also important that you choose a model that is robust and durable - although a child in this age group might be perfectly capable of operating an adult model, they are still children and the inevitable rough and tumble of their lives may result in breakage or damage due to a knock or dropping the camera if you do not buy a model specifically designed for use by children.

Another point to bear in mind when choosing the camera is the length of time that it can be used before either the batteries run down, or the memory becomes full. With regard to the batteries, choosing good-quality, rechargeable batteries will pay dividends. With regard to memory in the camera, remember that a pre-teen will want to produce better quality images than his younger siblings. This inevitably means larger picture file size, so the amount of storage available is going to be important if the child is to be able to store a good number of images between downloads.

Another aspect of having a digital camera for a pre-teen is the ability to edit their own images. Many cameras come with free editing software that can either be downloaded from the Internet or supplied on a CD which can be uploaded to the home computer. Editing software definitely adds another dimension to the experience and children become very adept at manipulating images to create funny effects like giving the dog a moustache or the cat a 'santa hat'. The process has a serious side too as it can help children develop skills such as spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination and organization.

If you have no experience of buying a camera for a child in this age group, checking one of the online review sites to see what other buyers are saying about the models available is a good place to start. You will find there are many models to choose from and often, sites will tell you which models are 'on sale' at the moment and/or where you can get the very best deals.

7 Reasons to Keep Shooting and Sharing Your Photography

I can see how photography can be very frustrating for some people. If you come into the field with the sole purpose of making money, then you will be in for a difficult experience. Photography should be fun and enjoyable for the photographer. The beauty of being a photographer is being able to reinvent yourself each time you approach an image. You can constantly challenge and better your work and that (for me) is where the passion is created. If money comes as an incidental part of your desire to shoot portraits or weddings, then it allows you to buy more gear, which gets you right back to where you started. Keep on shooting and remember why it is you do it.

For those of you that don't do it for monetary purposes, photography can be a stress relief and gives you reason to explore more places and look at more things that you would have never looked at before. It truly opens your eyes to the world around you and makes you more appreciative of life and the beauty that exists beyond all the ugliness and negativity we are fed each and every day of our lives. You can get great shots with any camera. Never let your gear limit you, instead learn to master what you've got and try to capture the best possible images you can. Here are my seven reasons to shoot and share your images:

Even iPhone shots are good enough to print: We are seeing more and more publications accept images shot with an iPhone. The most recent MacWorld Cover was shot with an iPhone 4. F-Stoppers shot an entire fashion shoot with a 3GS. It doesn't matter if you are shooting with a point and shoot camera or a $5000 Professional DSLR, its your eyes that find and capture the great image, not the camera.

The more you shoot, the more you learn, the better you get: I feel like I've come a long way in a very short time. I honestly didn't have a clue how to do anything technical when I started out. I often made big mistakes and took crummy photos. Instead of feeling bad when you take a poor photo, analyze it and try to figure out why it's poor and how you can improve your skills for next time.

Most learning happens by "just doing it": I have taken photography classes and have read hundreds of photography related articles and publications. I must say that there is no substitute for "just doing it." Trial and error and learning from your mistakes has served me the best thus far.

Other photographers are your greatest allies: Whenever I meet another photographer, I completely barrage them with questions about gear, lighting, techniques, etc. I find most photographers are completely open to sharing information and are looking to trade secrets and tips. You can meet tons of photographers on Twitter, Flickr, and Facebook. Share your ideas, go for photo walks and garner inspiration from them.

Believe in yourself and your photographic abilities: We all have bad days, unproductive days, but it's the people that keep plodding through the difficult times that end up succeeding. I'm very hard on myself and my photography, and I know that I am my own worst critic. Now, if I'm having a bad day with my Nikon, I'll switch things up and shoot with my iPhone. I find by taking the pressure off and just shooting for fun, I can overcome a lot of my self-critical negativity. At the end of the day, we shoot because we love photography, not to create perfect images.

Share your photos: If I hadn't started by own website, flickr, Facebook, twitter, pinterest, Google+ and every other social/photography related web source, I would not have learned as much and would never have received the constructive criticism I needed to become a better photographer. A second bonus is the greater distribution your photos have, the more people will see them and the greater opportunities you have to publish or sell your images. So start sharing your shots! Plus, it really helps to have others both praise and criticize your work.

I was told that if you put in the time and effort and have the proper dedication (and a little bit of an eye) one can make money with photography. For me, its not so much about the money and more about having fun and being able to support my hobby turned second job. Making money, although not a necessity; would be a welcomed bonus. Unfortunately, every Tom, Dick and Harry has a DSLR and is running a photography business out of his or her home. Challenge yourself to be one step above the rest so that you can stand out from the sea of photographers. More importantly, remember to keep on smiling and having fun with it!

Regards,

Derek Halkett
Halkett Photography

"Living Life One Photo at a Time"

How to Organize a Summer Camp for Kids

Winter is over and now summer is fast approaching. It is now time for kids to play outside and enjoy the outdoors. However, it would be more significant if kids can experience camping outdoors so that they can have fun with nature and bond with other kids, friends and classmates. In essence, summer camps always bring about educational experience for kids because the outdoors offers so many different kinds of discoveries. Kids can be able to realize all the things that are worth knowing even these are outside their homes and schools. They can be able to feel the value of survival, experience camaraderie and teamwork. So how to organize a summer camp for kids can be one of your agenda if you want your kids and other kids to enjoy their summer vacation.

On the other hand, you must remember that kids unlike adults are more prone to stress but have unstoppable energy that is why they must be guided accordingly when they are in their camps. This is why organizing a safe but fun camping must be properly thought about. Here are some tips that could help you along in coming up with a nice summer camp for kids.

Advice on How to Organize Kids' Summer Camp

1. If you are organizing a large group and want to indulge kids with various activities like sports and contests and you want to give away prizes to make the event more memorable, you must find sponsors to help you out with the expenses. However, have a clean budget plan before starting to solicit sponsorship from different organizations. Draft your goal so that your potential sponsors will see that your goal has a good cause. If organizing a summer camp is for the school children, the school's alumni can be asked to provide financial assistance.


2. If you already have sure potential sponsors, check for the required legal issues such as parent's waiver and insurance for all the kids including you and your assistants. You can consult a lawyer about this because as an organizer, you are most liable for each and every camper including the staff or teachers who will want to attend the camping.


3. Find the best location for the summer camp. Don't think about going to remote areas because your companions are the kids. You can consider nearby national parks, forest reserves or city-owned parks if ever the management will let you camp for free. If there are no parks available, there can be the community centers, farmsteads or even schools that don't have summer classes. These may not be part of the outside world but you can at least make the children develop their sense of teamwork, independence and comradeship with camping.


4. Think about the activities that anyone can enjoy and include activities that will enhance the physical, mental and logical skills of the kids like sports or discovering things around. There could be the study of flora and fauna around the camp, photography or just plan nature tripping.


5. Find people that can assist you. These can be young volunteers that have knowledge about supervising kids' summer camps. Teenagers or college students are ideal assistants because just like the kids, they also have lively dispositions and can get along well with the kids. If there would be no volunteers, you must at least hire camp workers to make sure everyone and everything goes well within the camp.


6. To enable many kids to participate, take your time in advertising your summer camp. You can create flyers, posters or advertise the activity in a local radio station and invite parents to include their children with the activity. You can also use the technology like the web, radio or local newspaper just to reach many people.


7. Make your registration form easy to access. You can upload a registration form online through a Facebook account or through the camp's website. You can also borrow a small office where people can personally get registration forms and file completed forms directly.


8. Inform parents and participants about the requirements needed for the camping and don't forget to tell people the exact date. If possible, you can broadcast about the number of kids that have already registered. This is to tell everybody the remaining slots. Remember that you must have a limit on the number of kids attendees because you literally cannot handle hundreds of campers even you will be personally assisting the camp activities. Around 150 to 200 kids are manageable if you have reliable staff with you. More than this, it would be hard for you to monitor each and every kid. You can group the kids once they are in the camp.


9. Advertise actively. You can post your posters inside daycares, parks, schools, community message boards or websites. You can also ask the help of your local radio station in the campaign and you must also have a ready landline phone if someone needs to inquire about your coming summer camp.

How to organize a summer camp for kids must take a lot of considerations on your part because you would not want anything bad to happen to even just one kid. Your goal is to make kids enjoy the experience. To let them be with other kids and do various fun activities so that they can learn the significance of teamwork. You want them to stay in the outside world for a while to let them know that the world needs someone like them to rely on. As an organizer, probably your greatest satisfaction will come from seeing kids enjoy the camping experience and see them learning from it.

How to Learn Amateur Photography

Photography is one the most fascinating and engaging hobbies. The diversity of themes and photography techniques makes it very approachable and allows for combining with other interests - take landscape photography for example, which seems to perfectly complements travelling and spending time outdoors. On the one hand photography can become fine art with weeks, if not months, of planning before an important shoot. On the other hand it also excites technology enthusiasts with abundance of available high class hardware. One thing is for sure - if you look to take make your entry into photography and start using a camera with at least a decent effect, it's best to get the foundations out of the way first. With so much information available it's easy to get lost and waste your time and money on inefficient online courses and basic bits of advice published on the Internet. Before you spend any money make sure you know how the purchase is going to benefit you and your photography.

Internet. It's easily the best place to get your basic information about photography. The only problem is that it's really easy to get lost and confused with the sheer volume of information. It also doesn't help that certain controversial topics, like what beginner camera to buy, are often subject to heated discussion. Some companies offer comprehensive online photography courses but before taking your credit card out make sure that offered training suits your needs.

Books. Probably the best source of information on intermediate and advanced photography techniques. Bear in mind that, unlike the Internet, most publishing houses would never release a book written by an amateur, filled with unreliable information and wild guesses rather than facts based on actual experience.

Live class courses. Once the theory foundations have been built it's time to get your amateur photography to the next level. While it's alright to just go out and experiment with various settings, compositions and subjects, many people choose to attend additional training in order to consolidate the existing knowledge and see a real photographer at work. Class courses are expensive when compared to books or free information available on the Internet, but if you plan to get a photography part time job it's an investment which will provide a return.

Experience. Without solid photography knowledge your learning curve would be much worse but once you have it - it's all about experience. Nothing will substitute shooting pictures and expanding your perception as you gain more experience.

Find Out How to Become a Professional Photographer

Do you have a creative eye and looking for a rewarding career where you can use that creativity? You may want to look into how to become a professional photographer. It can be a difficult industry to break into, but there are many opportunities as well.

It is good to get some formal photography education. Community colleges have started offering photography and creative arts classes. These include things you need to know to not only take pictures, but also to manipulate the photos using the various software programs.

Practice makes perfect! Start by practicing on your family and friends. If your cousin is having a wedding, see if they will let you take the pictures. Don't limit yourself. Volunteer to take pictures for many different kinds of events, even if you volunteer to take them for free. This will give you pictures to put in your portfolio.

Set up marketing tools for yourself. Print out business cards and flyers to place in various businesses. Also, create a website detailing your services and place your portfolio on it. You can set up a booth at wedding or other conventions for advertising as well.

While you are working on starting your own business, you may want to also work for another photographer. This will give you the experience you need and give you some additional pictures for your portfolio.

It is important to be patient when trying to become a professional photographer. It may take a little while to generate the amount of business you desire. Just keep networking and advertising and you are certain to succeed in the industry.

Digital Photography Lessons - 10 Reasons You Should Take Digital Photography Lessons

Everyone should take digital photography lessons. And I'll give you ten great reasons why.

1. Taking digital photography lessons is not just about learning digital photography, it's also learning about PHOTOGRAPHY and how to take great photos.

2. You'll be able to take gorgeous photos of your family, friends and pets, as well as taking poster quality photos of your vacations and trips. And those beautiful professional images will be cherished and handed down to future generations.

3. Learning photography will save you lots of money. Why hire a professional photographer when you can take beautiful photographs yourself.

4. Own the rights to your family portraits and wedding photos. When you hire a professional photographer guess who owns the negatives and the rights to those images? It isn't you!

5. Many people make a career in photographer and there are so many different fields of photography to choose from. Some specialized photography careers include: wedding, portraiture, pet portraiture, industrial, stock, photojournalism, travel, fashion, sports, and food photography, among others.

6. There are lots of opportunities to earn money part-time with photography; like entering into photography competitions, selling photos to newspapers and magazines, making money online with stock photography websites, teaching photography classes, and more.

7. Digital photography lessons will unleash your creative side (even if you think you don't have one). You'll begin to look at the world through a trained eye. You'll notice and understand shading, lighting, composition, form, and colors in a way you probably had not before.

8. It's much less expensive to be a photographer now. No more spending tons of money on film, negative development, and prints. The digital camera has taken all those high costs away.

9. Everyone has a digital camera now and yet, many people don't know how to use them. Digital photography lessons will make you the expert at gatherings when others are stumped on how to operate a camera.

10. Get into places others can't go, like backstage at concerts, sidelines during sports events, and special events for celebrities.

High School Senior Portrait Season is Coming

In this article I hope to explain the myths surrounding high school senior portraits and what every family should know to prepare themselves and their rising senior for their portrait session.

First of all, when are senior portraits generally taken? Most of the time it is in the summer before their senior year. Many photographers start to advertise in the spring to announce there upcoming services. In Georgia, the last day of school is May 23. The busy senior portrait season is in summer months between the last day of school and the first day of school in the fall. It is a short season so if you wait until the summer to book your appointment be prepared for time slots that may not be convenient for you. Many photographers offer specials if you make your appointment before summer. Teens do not change that much in one or two months, so if you can swing getting in earlier, you could save money.

The choices for senior photographers vary in the state that you live in. If you live in a contract state (Georgia is one of them), the schools have a contract with a photography studio. It is mandatory to see them for yearbook pictures but optional for more casual poses. In this case you will need to see the school photographer for the head-shot in either the tuxedo (guys) or the drape (gals) for the yearbook. You may have them take casual photos or you may go to another photography studio.

If you live in a contract state you have three choices:

1) Go to the school photographer for all the photos
2) Go to the school photographer for the head-shot and another photographer for the casual photos.
3) Do nothing at all except for the head-shot

Your school photographer will start to send postcards to you approximately one month before school gets out, so keep an eye out for it. Book with them, as soon as you can even if it is only for a head-shot because the wait tends to get long. If you can book with them before the last day of school you will be ahead of the game.

If you do not live in a contract state you can choose any portrait photographer in your area. You will most likely be flooded with postcards beginning in April.

What should you look for when choosing a photographer for senior portraits? I have been photographing high school seniors for over 10 years and feel that uniqueness and creativity are essential. Look at websites of photographers in your area for poses and styles that you like. I also think that choices and options are important. You can ask the photographer the following questions:

1) How many clothing changes can I have?
2) Do you use any outdoor locations
3) How many pictures do you take?
4) Do your prices include retouching
5) What type of enhancements do you provide?
6) How long is the session?
7) Is a session fee required in advance and what is your cancellation policy?
8) Do you offer a senior ambassador program where I can receive discounts?

Not all photographers are created equally. The senior milestone is monumental and very important. Look for a photographer that will create an experience and not just take boring pictures. I always encourage my clients to meet me in advance of the session. That way we will have already reached the comfort zone by the time we have the session.

Pricing is also an important element in choosing a photographer. The average price industry wide in the country last year was $800 including the session fee and the portraits. It may go down slightly this year because of the recession, however senior portraits is a big business. It is the 2nd largest event for photographers next to weddings. It is not just about taking a few pictures and printing a few 8 x 10's and 5 x 7's anymore. The digital revolution has spawned many new exciting products that are all done in Photoshop. Collages, multiple exposures, digital backgrounds, borders with swirls are just some of the newer products available.

Why are senior portraits so expensive? Just like most photography, you are not paying for a piece of photographic paper. The value is in the image, the artistic creativity of the photographer and the heirloom value of the image. It will last forever (or at least for the rest of your life) to enjoy and cherish. That is why it is so important to know and trust the photographer you are working with. Whoever you use, make sure you are offered a 100% money back guarantee in case you are not satisfied.

You will probably find smaller studios more pleasant to work with. There is more consistency in working with one or two people in a studio than a larger staff. Lastly, many studios offer senior ambassador roles as models and spokespersons for them. These promotions generally start early in the spring before the senior season begins to help jump-start the season. This is a good way to save money, as discounts are generally applied.

Besides being a professional photographer I am also a mother of two children ages 17 & 21. I know first hand how quickly the time goes and how soon they grow from childhood to adolescents to young adults. Our children's senior portraits are a constant reminder of the tapestry of our lives. It is our personal artwork that has meaning.

My Daughter's Graduation Reminds Me to Keep on Dreaming

On Saturday, my oldest daughter will dawn her cap and gown and cross the stage to collect the diploma she worked hard to earn. As I watch her and her friends finishing off their four years, a few things in particular strike a chord in me. They've got something so many of us older folks forget. They remind me of how important it is to make a difference in the world and how making a difference gives meaning to our lives.

When my daughter graduated from high school, she wanted to become a science teacher. She had some great role models. She liked working with kids and did really well in her science classes. As she started the science program in college, side-by-side with pre-med students, she realized it wasn't exactly what she expected.

Somewhere in the middle of her sophomore year, she told us she'd picked her major - Integrated Communications. She explained that it was a combination of marketing, advertising and communications. But somehow she still wanted to be involved with children. So that summer, she made some connections and landed herself a fundraising job at a children's cancer hospital. She returned there again this past summer for her second year as an intern. A few weeks ago, she interviewed for a position in the same office in a fund raising (they call it development I hear) position. (No news yet, but please keep her in your prayers.)

Contrast this with a conversation I had with an old high school buddy of mine. His daughter's graduating this month too and she's been accepted to a New York City program teaching inner city kids. He was proud of her accomplishments, but was concerned about her safety, the affordability of NYC and her "Peacecorp" like salary. "How's she going to make it?" he asked.

As the father of an almost college grad, I can completely relate. But in the back of my mind I can so identify with the passion driving that kid. She so badly wants to make a difference and that energy source drives her more powerfully than caring for her own self interest. Good for her!

A few weeks back, I caught the movie Mr. Holland's Opus on TV. In it, Richard Dreyfuss plays a musician who early in life stumbles into teaching leaving behind his desire to write his symphony, his opus. Over his 30 year career at the school, we watch him inspire students and making a difference in the lives of his students. Unfortunately, his career ends with a school cutback in the arts progam. He is forced into retirement and describes it like this to a friend:

You work for 30 years because you think that what you do makes a difference, you think it matters to people, but then you wake up one morning and find out, well no, you've made a little error there, you're expendable.

It isn't until we see his students give him a surprise recognition event that we see so clearly that Mr. Holland's Opus was never his symphony, but the impact he made on so many lives.

We need meaning in our lives. We need careers that support some aspect of that meaning. In the movie "Up in the Air" (a MUST see for every working and non-working professional out there) Ryan Bingham, played by George Clooney, confronts a guy he's just fired with the following words:

Ryan Bingham: Your resume says you minored in French Culinary Arts. Most students work the fryer at KFC. You bused tables at Il Picatorre to support yourself. Then you got out of college and started working here. How much did they pay you to give up on your dreams?

Bob: Twenty seven thousand a year.

Ryan Bingham: At what point were you going to stop and go back to what made you happy?

I'm at a point in my life where I really enjoy what I do. I've switched from a hardcore software development career to marketing, business development, blogging (you're sampling ny stuff) and teaching as an adjunct at the local colleges. I needed to venture in a new direction to make better use of my interpersonal skills and interact with students at this critical time in their lives. I really enjoy giving them the guidance I know I was missing when I was in college.

It's been a sharp and sometimes tough career turn, but it's definitely given me purpose and I feel jazzed every morning taking on the next thing my work dishes out at me.

I've coached people who complain about the fruitlessness of their careers. They are dissatisfied with their lives and sometimes are even aware their careers are at the center of their problem. At the same time, these people can't bring themselves to make the changes needed to reach a better alignment. They're too:

• accustomed to the money,


• burdened by responsibilities and obligations or


• unwilling to face the fears and insecurities a change might entail.

That's really sad.

To my daughter and the graduating class of 2010, I say avoid this mistake. Follow your dreams. Take some chances. Take some risks. Go out there and change the world. Very few people reach my age and says to themselves,

"I wish I had been more conservative. I wish I had taken a more secure route in my life and career."

Many do live with regrets concerning things they wish they had done and never got around to doing.

Responsibilities and obligations will follow. I can assure you of that. But do not let them blow out your flame. You may not always be able to keep you dreams front, right and center, but keep them in there somewhere so your passions continue fueling you and driving you to deliver as you were meant to deliver.

Hope this helps.

How to Sell Your Photos at Stock Photo Sites

Many of your avocations can be turned into business ideas that can create you money. As a digital photographer you will be able to sell your best images online. Here are a few ways to do that.

Digital photography allows you to capture an assortment of images and then modify them into a variety formats. For example, remember when you used to visit the carnival or funfair and they took those old-fashioned looking pictures of people? The pictures looked faded but that was simply a sepia tone. You can create the same impression with your photo processing software when you edit a photo. By applying a variety of different filters and selective editing you can spin the same image into several saleable variations.

Stock photography is one of the best ways to break into the online digital photography market. You will be able to sell your photos to others who need pictures for websites, newsletters, brochures, magazines, ezines and other media. By listing your unique images on stock photography sites you can add a fresh flavor to what is currently being offered.

Locales, people, especially celebrities, news shots and other shots that only you are able to capture may lead to enormous future profits. It's just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. And having your camera handy of course.

First, understand how the stock photography business works. On these sites, buyers normally purchase a use license rather than an exclusive right to the image. This means you can sell the same image over and over again without any further work on your part. Sometimes a buyer may require exclusive rights which will be considerably more expensive.

As a photographer, you'll make more money if your photos are leased as opposed to being sold. The one time sale may net you some immediate payment but the lease will provide a continuous source of income off each photograph. Many people can pay to lease the photograph at once. Through the leasing process, your work will be viewed by a large audience.

Start by researching current stock photography sites. Find one that offers the leasing option to customers and also has an easy-to-navigate site. Begin here and test the waters with your work.

Now, all you need to do is produce some quality work. View other stock photographs. What do they have in common? Are the pictures clear? Can you discern all of the features of the photo? At least, your photographs need to be clear with the subjects in the foreground.

Another consideration is the type of digital photos you're trying to sell. More of the same that already exists won't be received well. The stock photography companies are intent on making money too. Don't be afraid to try some new ideas for holiday photos or for day-to-day photos. They will let you know what does and does not sell.

As you create a body of work, start a website or blog with links to the stock photography sites featuring your work. This will send more people to consider your photographs and may lead to other opportunities in the future.

Photography Marketing - Increase Profits in Your Photography Business Through Article Marketing

The Easiest Article In The World To Construct

Notice I didn't use the word "write", typically when non-writers hear the word "write" they immediately create a mental block against the process. But never fear, I promise the process I'm about to outline for you today is painless. You see the easiest article in the world to write is known as the Tips Article.

The tips article is essentially a "to-do list" with bullet points, a title and a carefully crafted closing paragraph also know as a resource box that leads readers to your website where they'll learn more about your services.

Below are my five simple and effective ways photographers can do this.

1# - Make a list of three (or more) things you know how to do well in your field of expertise. (The following are my examples)

- Internet Marketing For Photographers

- Building Websites

- Creating Profitable Joint Venture Partnerships

2# - Under each heading make a list of three steps that the reader will take to achieve that result. (For the purpose of this exercise I selected Internet Marketing for Photographers)

My three bullet points are:

- Using Article Marketing to Attract Prospects

- Using Social Networking Websites Like Facebook and Twitter

- Create An Inviting Website

3# - Select one of the three topics from tip #1 , with it's list of bullet points from tip #2 , and turn that into the foundation for your tips article.

I selected Internet Marketing For Photographers as the topic for my article. Next I provided three tips that will guide the reader on how to achieve this from tip #2, now the only thing I need to do is write a brief couple of sentences on each tip.

4# - Next write a brief sentence or two on each tip (the example for my article on Marketing For Photographers On The Internet, I suggest the following:

- Article Marketing (what I'm doing right now) here I suggest the easiest article in the world to construct being the Tips Article. I illustrate how the use of articles can extend ones reach and increase the flow of prospects into your business. In addition I suggested the following:

- Using Social Networking Websites like Facebook and Twitter, every photographer should have a presence on these two sites. The benefits are: they offer a wider reach, plenty of networking possibilities and they're easy as heck to set up. You can have your own prospect-generating page just by going to Facebook.com and Twitter.com and setting up a free account.

- Create an Inviting Website , your website will instantly become inviting when you extend an invitation. You can achieve this by registering with an email mailing list management service like Aweber at http://www.aweber.com or Constant Contact at http://www.constantcontact.com and simply add an email sign up form to your existing website inviting visitors to sign up for your mailing list.

5# - Finally I close the article with a resource box this is designed to guide the reader where to go for additional resources of information like I've done with this article you can read mine below.

How to Look For Photography Equipment

Many ways can be taken to gain photography equipment. It is not really difficult. People can go to a shop, or by browsing in Internet. Related to the reasonable offers and quality of products, another way can be taken such as by publishing these guidelines to look for the best equipment for photography.

Step 1

You can observe to photo processing lab in your area. You can also know for further information while photography equipment is available there. Small photo labs frequently provide the equipment in a limited amount for the consumers. The needs in photo labs such as batteries, straps of camera should be available. Others such as cameras and its lenses including the cleaning supplies and guidance books are generally provided at the larger ones.

Step 2

You can also get a lot of information by reading some trade magazines. Journals of photography and magazines give promotion to the retailers of the equipment that you need. The promotion through these magazines is offered an assortment of apparatus from lighting to camera bodies, the props and photographic offers. While at the back page of the magazine, there is a new and used ads collection of the equipment for trading.

Step 3

Besides that you can also go to the internet and observe online for photography retailers. An online edition for products and services is also supplied by many stores of brick and mortar. There are many websites which note their available product and recommend online order. Observing the best equipment for photography through websites is not difficult because this is classified and well arranged.

Step 4

In order to search used and new photography equipment, you can also browse online to auction sites. This process is used as an alternative way to sell their apparatus by the personal parties and retailers.

Step 5

You can confirm through newspaper in your area. Qualified photographers, college students of photography, and people who fond at intend to trade and promote their apparatus on an accepted basis. So, you can search the equipment for trade through newspaper in your residence.

Step 6

You can visit pawn counters. Granting prized electronics, like photography equipment is usually found at pawn counters. Firstly, you can make sure that the equipment is in good condition, and make sure if it is still functioned. You can also ask for guarantee when it is out of order.

Step 7

You can ask for the art and journalism departments at the colleges in your area. Then you can discuss with the photography instructors. When a class schedule finishes, so that the students who spend their time to find for customers especially for their second apparatus. This commonly has not been frequently operated and can make a high value.

Why Laughter Is Good For You

How Laughter Can Reduce Stress and Improve Your Health

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones. -Proverbs 17:22

Feeling stressed out, angry or sad? Dread going to work?

Try this: Open your mouth as wide as you can, bug out your eyes, stick out
your tongue, bring your hands up like the claws of a lion, then erupt in a
mighty roar of hearty laughter.

Or this: Sitting down, pretend you're on a roller coaster approaching the
top of the hill. Slowly raise your arms higher and higher, bend back, lift your
feet off the ground, and in a rising tone of voice, exclaim: "Oooooohh." Then,
as the imaginary coaster races downhill, bring your arms crashing down with a
big belly laugh that crescendos as you bend over at the waist.

Even if your laughter seems forced, don't be surprised if you feel much
better. Just as lifting weights and doing aerobic exercises can strengthen the
body and invigorate the spirit, scientists today believe that the act of laughter
can be a physically and emotionally therapeutic force.

The lion and roller coaster laughs, together with about a dozen others, are
now featured exercises in 1000 "laughter clubs" worldwide. A growing trend
first reported on by ABC's Peter Jennings in a l9981 World News Tonight
report, laughter clubs (about 100 in the U.S.) are the absolute latest in stress-
reduction therapy, easing tensions of modern life and enhancing one's health.
And laughter workouts are being effectively used in corporate settings,
hospitals, nursing homes, and even grade schools.

Frame Your Mind To Mirth

Ever since the mid-l960's, when the well-known Saturday Review writer
Norman Cousins was diagnosed with a terminal disease and said he laughed
himself to health by watching "Candid Camera" and funny Marx Brothers
movies (and by ingesting megadoses of vitamin C), scientists have been
tantalized by the possibilities of this mind-body connection.

Four centuries before this, Shakespeare was writing about the healing
power of levity in The Taming of the Shrew: "And frame your mind to mirth
and merriment, which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life."

Today, Dr. William Fry, a psychiatrist, laughter researcher, and professor
emeritus at Stanford University Medical School, agrees with Shakespeare:
"When you're laughing you discharge tension associated with the three primary
negative emotions--anxiety, fear, and anger," says the physician, who has
devoted 30 years to laughter research. "Any of these emotions in excess can
lead to diseases that shorten life. If you can laugh at what you fear, the fear
just vanishes.

"Mirthful laughter," he continues, "is a total body activity that conditions
the heart muscle, exercises the diaphragm, abdominal and thoracic muscles,
and augments our respiratory exchange, with more oxygen coming in and
more carbon dioxide going out, improving lung capacity."

Moreover, the stimulation of laughter, he explains, improves circulation
because it elevates the heart rate and blood pressure. "A day's worth of hearty
laughter," Dr. Fry figures, "is about equal to ten minutes on the rowing
machine."

"Without question, laughter has a healing and preventive effect on our
health, much like moderate exercise, meditation, prayer, or yoga," adds Dr. Lee
Berk, associate professor of pathology and human anatomy at the School of
Medicine of Loma Linda University, in southern California.

"In fact, the parallels between laughter and exercise are uncanny," says
Berk, a laughter pioneer who reels off a list of health benefits that make
laughter a virtual panacea: "Laughter," he reckons, "can relax the muscles,
increase alertness and memory, reduce physical pain, lessen emotional stress,
boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, improve circulation, increase
vigor, defuse anger, and may even produce endorphins that provide a natural
high."

Such dazzling gains have not gone unnoticed by many U.S. hospitals, which
offer humor rooms, humor wagons (filled with videos, oversized props like
Groucho glasses and stick-on noses, and magic tricks), in-house humor TV
channels, and clowns. Practitioners believe that any of these methods--
through the laughter they produce--can improve respiratory ailments like
asthma and chronic bronchitis (forcing air out of the lungs), and the outlook of
patients.

Not to mention cardiac rehabilitation, where laughter may be key, notes
Berk:

"In a study of cardiac patients asked to watch humorous videos for 30
minutes daily for an entire year, there was an 8.3% recurrence of heart attacks
as compared to 41.7% in the group treated by conventional methods. If I had
come up with a medication that accomplished that--I'd be on my way to
Sweden to get a Nobel Prize! Laughter is FREE--which means we have the
ability to heal ourselves and reduce stress. Isn't that amazing?"

Taking Laughter To Work and School

Small wonder that some companies are now extending themselves beyond
dress-down days, sports tournaments, and ice-cream parties to offering
employees organized laughterfests, aided by more than 20 U.S. humor-
consulting firms.

One key player in the U.S. laughter business is psychologist Steve Wilson, a
self-proclaimed "joyologist" who left behind his private practice in Gahanna,
Ohio to co-found both the North American Laughter Club and World Laughter
Tour Inc.,which certifies "laughter leaders."

"When you double over and go limp with laughter and end up telling your
friends-- 'Thanks I needed that!'--you really did need it," exclaims Wilson. "A
laughter burst in a corporate setting," he observes, "gives employees a chance
to discharge tension, it energizes them (better than a coffee break), and boosts
their creativity. And creativity is essential for planning, problem-solving, and
decision-making. Employees who are creative and energized are going to be
more productive."

Just ask Bobbe White, a business development officer at the State Street
Bank and Trust Co. in Quincy, Illinois, who paces employees through giggles
once a week: "When I first did this at a staff meeting, they thought I was nuts!"
laughs White, who received laughter leader accreditation at Columbus State
Community College, in Ohio, where she was trained by the World Laughter
Tour Inc.

"Employees," she admits, "were apprehensive and reluctant. But a year
later, they're more relaxed, they laugh more easily, they deal with customer
conflict with less strain--and our laughter club has created a feeling of overall
camaraderie."

Bank vice president Glennon Rost, 42, agrees: "At first, I couldn't believe
they were asking me to do this," he chuckles, "but in no time I was laughing all
over the place. Life's too short to spend any of it mad at the world. And you
can't be mad or worry about a bad loan while you're laughing. It's also easier
to approach a colleague later in the day if you've seen them break loose in
laughter."

The irony is that humans laugh less and less as they mature, attempting to
squelch their childlike giggles, an instinct contrary to their emotional and
physical health.

"The average American pre-school child laughs about 400 times a day,3
marvels Steve Wilson, "while the average American adult is maybe laughing as
little as 15 times! That's because we're bogged down by stress."

To prevent this happening to a new generation, some grade schools are
addressing the problem head-on, using laughter clubs to reduce peer and
parental pressures. "These kids," says Wilson, "are getting a lifetime
inoculation to protect them from losing their ability to laugh so they don't lose
385 laughs by the time they're grown up. My philosophy of life is: DON'T
POSTPONE JOY. Mark Twain said 'life is uncertain, so eat your dessert first.'"

Laugh For No Reason

The laughter club movement began in Bombay in l995, when an inventive
Indian physician, Dr. Madan Kataria, a longtime student of humor and yoga,
observed that patients who laughed frequently tended to recover more quickly
from illness and stayed healthier longer. He discovered that a session of forced
laughter in the morning could create a sense of well-being and leave behind an
emotional glow.

"The idea came to my mind in a flash," says Kataria, in an interview from
Bombay. "I had read so much research about the health benefits of laughter,
yet nobody was laughing enough in our stressful, modern life.

"So one day," he recalls, "I went to a public park at 7 a.m., stood on a
corner, and started laughing at jokes with five people. But then I thought, why
not laugh for no reason--because laugher is infectious."

So it was. Kataria founded a company, Laughter Clubs International, which
has sprouted more than 400 affiliates in India with 50,000 members, most of
whom meet in the early morning at public parks or apartment complexes
before going to work.

Dr. Kataria, who has written a landmark book about his techniques, Laugh
For No Reason [Madhuri International, l999], believes a laughter "prescription"
is the best prevention:

"More than 70% of illnesses--like high blood pressure, heart disease,
anxiety, depression, frequent coughs and colds, peptic ulcers, insomnia,
allergies, asthma, menstrual difficulties, tension headaches, stomach upsets
and even cancer--have some relation to stress," he says.

"A good laugh," he concludes, "brings you instant relaxation and has been
proven to reduce the blood levels of stress hormones like adrenalin, dopamine,
and cortisol."
Fake It Till You Make It

Whether in Bombay or Chicago, the format of laughter clubs is the same,
consisting of a 20-minute blend of mirthful laughter, deep breathing and
stretching exercises. No jokes or comedy are required!

Certified laughter leader Margot Escott of Naples Florida, a psychotherapist
and national speaker on humor and healing, prepares participants in the
following way: "I always begin by saying: 'Forced or simulated laughter might
seem phony or fake to you, but the body doesn't know the difference. You get
the same benefits from laughter--whether it's 'real' or not!'"

"Self-induced laughter," adds Dr. Kataria, "is contagious--and very soon the
voluntary laughter does get converted into genuine peals of giggles."

Steve Wilson, who was trained by Dr. Kataria, notes: "You don't even have to
be in the mood to laugh. Motion creates emotion," he believes, "so fake it till
you make it."

At the start of every laughter session, members launch into a three-minute
warm-up, repeating, "Ho-Ho,Ha-Ha-Ha"--a rhythmic chant spoken in unison
with brisk clapping.

"Doing this," says Wilson, "stimulates acupressure points in the palms of
the hands and oxygenates the blood."

Next is deep breathing, a core element borrowed from yoga that releases
tension and relaxes participants.

Then the real fun begins with a group of interactive laughs. The first is
called the Greeting laugh: Look into the eyes of the person next to you.
Exchange a hand-shake or high-five while laughing in a warm, inviting tone.
Then keep changing partners, shaking hands, and laughing.

Any number of improvised laughs may follow, such as the roller coaster
and lion, or the always popular Humming: Laugh with the lips closed, so the
sound of the laugh has to come out of your nose. This makes a humming
sound which resonates throughout the skull. "Fluttering your arms and hands
like wings is optional," says Wilson, "but it's a sure fire way to augment
laughs!"

Other staples includes:

Cocktail laugh: A parody of superficial party behavior. Pretend you're
holding a martini on one hand, shake hands daintily with the other, and then
laugh in a "kiss-kiss," phony, coy, sarcastic manner.

Argument laugh, one of the most cathartic, is especially popular in schools:
Two people face one another, both wagging an accusatory index finger at the
other in an angry posture while vigorously laughing.

This one's a favorite of ten-year-old Nick White, son of laughter leader
Bobbe White: "My older sister [Korey, 12] and I argue a lot and I like doing the
pointing!" Nick reports in a gleeful telephone interview. "When we're doing the
argument laugh, we're not really mad. Laughing makes kids feel better so you
don't worry about anything."

Nick says he also likes the Crazy Dance: You dance any which way, arms
and legs in motion, while you're shaking with laughter.

And don't forget the Penguin: You keep your arms at your sides, your heels
together, and just waddle around and laugh, circulating from member to
member.

Don't participants feel a bit silly roaring like a lion or flapping hands
around like a bird? "The word 'silly' comes from an old English word meaning a
blessing or a gift," says Escott, "so to be silly is to give someone a blessing."

Interspersed between structured giggles are exercises--gentle neck and
shoulder stretches and side-and waist bends, all meant to limber up and tone
the muscles and promote flexibility and relaxation.

Due to the sometimes intense physicality of a laughter workout, Dr.
Kataria and his followers warn that pregnant women, those with uterovaginal
prolapse (weakening of the ligaments supporting the uterus), heart patients,
individuals with high blood pressure, anyone with eye complications (especially
glaucoma), a hernia or hemorrhoids, or those recovering from recent
abdominal surgery should not participate in a laughter session.
Laughter For Seniors and the Chronically Ill

Perhaps its most seductive effect, laughter (like chocolate) nearly always
provides a potent euphoric benefit, reports Dr. Kataria, "because it increases
the release of endorphins--the body's own morphine, natural pain killers,"
producing a "runner's high." Endorphins, he has proven, can lessen pain
perception in those suffering from arthritis, tension headaches, and a myriad
of other maladies faced by seniors or the chronically ill.

As Norman Cousins wrote in his bestselling book, Anatomy of an Illness,4
"ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give
me at least two hours of pain-free sleep."

That's why laughter clubs are becoming increasingly popular in nursing
homes, says laughter leader Barb Templeton, activities director at the Heritage
Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Naples, Florida, a skilled nursing
home with 97 residents.

"Laughter therapy is an elixir that can absolutely mask pain and cut
through the depression and boredom of being in a nursing home," remarks
Templeton, who says residents who are disabled can fully participate--whether
lying down, or using walkers or wheelchairs.

Talk to Yvonne Cook, a resident of the home, age 62: "I had a stroke and
can't move my left side," she says in a phone interview,"but the exercises help
my strong side and I can laugh sitting down. After laughter club, there are lots
of smiling faces in wheelchairs!"

John DeBruyn, although only age 50, is also a resident at Heritage after
suffering multiple strokes. "Laughter club," he confides, "keeps me out of the
dumps. I see what depression does to people...it's a killer. So I always feel like
laughing."

Thomas White, age 83 and suffering from Alzheimer's disease, attends
laughter club every week at the urging of his wife Marguerite, a non-resident at
Heritage: "I've noticed he's less tense, more relaxed and happy. We've laughed
all our lives--through 50 years of marriage--and we're not stopping now!"

Finally, for seniors living independently, like Dottie Wilson, age 89, of
Naples, Florida, laughter clubs provide an emotional boost: "The first time I
went to a laughter club, at my church, I was on a high until I went to bed! I
could hardly sleep I was so stimulated," she recalls. "I didn't know any of the
50 people in the group and it was a great icebreaker. Seniors need this. It's
better than a visit to the doctor because it takes the focus away from age and
ailments. You get in touch with your lighter side."

Speaking of icebreakers, nothing works faster than the Ice-Cube Down The
Back, says Steve Wilson: "This laugh was invented by women in their 80's and
90's--members of a laughter club in an assisted living facility in Canton, Ohio.
They tried it out on the day they went on a picnic. You pretend someone just
put an ice-cube down your back, wriggle around, and start giggling."
The Spiritual Component of Laughter

The finale of each laugh workout arrives with three affirmative cheers: The
leader delivers the first punch line by saying: 'We are the happiest people in
the world.' Everyone raises their arms and says, 'Y-e-ee-s!' 'We are the
healthiest people in the world.' 'Y-e-s!' 'We are Laughter Club members! 'Y-e-
e-s!'" Then members stretch their arms out toward the sky, close their eyes
and, in India, pray for world peace.

"If we laughed more, we'd fight less and there would be more peace in the
world," exclaims Steve Wilson, who explains that laughter clubs always feature
an underlying spiritual component:

"If you only derive the physical benefits of laughter, that's good, but not
good enough. We also have to get the spirit of laughter. So when we're cooling
down at the end of a session, the leader always mentions 'emotional
balancing,'" comprised of three practices: On Mondays, group members are
encouraged to pay compliments; Wednesdays are reserved for practicing
gratitude;Fridays are centered on forgiveness.

The end result is no less than a spiritual makeover, promises Wilson: "With
all this, in the face of a setback or disappointment, you can make an RMA--
rapid mental adjustment--and decide to be amazed and amused, rather than
angry or hurt.

"Your anger," he warns in parting, "is your worst enemy--for your heart and
for your attitude. So laughter workouts turn out to be the ultimate cost-
effective therapy. Laughter is free, it's easy to pass around, and it prevents
hardening of the attitudes!!"

* * * *

Side-Bar

Tips for Putting More Laughter Into Your Life

1)Create your own Mirth-Aid Kit: Find humor videos, toys, and fun props like
wind-up toys, Groucho glasses, a clown nose, a mechanical laugh bag, a horn,
bubbles--anything that amuses you, and tuck them into your desk, glove
compartment, or briefcase. The next time you're stressed, take them out and
amuse yourself and others.

2)Join or start a laughter club (for instructions log onto:
http://www.worldlaughtertour.com)

3)Find a humor ally--a laughing buddy who makes you laugh and vice-versa.
Trade funny stories and laughs. Or subscribe to Humor
Pal@http://www.jesthealth.com.

4)Surround yourself with humor: At home, decorate the refrigerator with
magnetized cartoons, humorous columns, and fun photos, or create a family
humor bulletin board.

5)Tell stories on yourself:Take your bloopers, foibles, and shortcomings...and
laugh about them.

6)Spend time with preschool children: Kids are natural laughers who don't put
a negative spin on setbacks. Let it rub off on you.

7)Loosen up unrelenting standards: Anything you can do to reduce
perfectionism and create a casual atmosphere will increase potential for
laughter in your life. Worry, anxiety and perfectionism kill laughter

8)Share the laughter wealth:When you read a newspaper or magazine, keep a
pair of scissors handy, cut out cartoons or articles that strike you as funny, and
pop them in the mail to friends and family

9)Exploit the contagious laugh effect: Laughter loves company-- As Victor
Borge said: "A smile is the shortest distance between two people." So seek out
cheerful, good-natured people and avoid crabby, grouchy, negative, or
sarcastic people.

10)Bring your sense of humor to work: The funny line and bottom line can go
hand-in-hand.

Side-bar based upon interviews with humor consultants: Steve Wilson of
WorldLaughterTour; Joel Goodman of The Humor Project Inc.; and Patti Wooten
of Just For The Health of It.

Mirth Aid Kit available for photography, created by Patti Wooten.

For more information about laughter clubs: http://www.worldlaughtertour.com

For more information about developing humor skills: Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor

Photography Composition and Story Telling

When I started taking photography more seriously I realized that the majority of my photos were dull, uninteresting and not very appealing. At that time I realized that I didn't really know how to take great photos. I have found out that my photos were pretty average. Since I didn't want to stay at that level I have decided to study photography more seriously. During this time I found out why some photos just grab your attention and keep it for a while, and others get unnoticed. So what makes some photos stand out?

In my experience, photographic composition plays a huge if not the biggest part in photography. Images that are composed purely don't grab your attention. These are usually mediocre photos without a story behind it. As you already know, stories are very powerful. So a good way to improve your photos is to look for a story before you compose your photo and press the shutter release.

A story could be anything. It could be a child's smile at the birthday party. Emotions can also create great stories. Just think for a while. Don't you agree that most of the photos you like have a story behind it?

If you can find a way to tell a story with your photos, you are on the right way to become a better photographer. If you want your story to be captured in a single picture, it should speak like a headline in a newspaper. The photo should make a powerful statement by itself. The content should be understood immediately without a need for explanations.

Composition is not only about storytelling. If you can't find a story you could capture, you can still compose beautiful, eye catching photos by following the basic rules of composition. Most commonly used rule of composition is the rule of thirds. Even though it's the rule is very popular, it's still under used among amateur photographers.

The rule of thirds helps us avoid putting the subject in the dead center of the picture. If you look closer at the photos you like, you will discover that most if not all have the main subject somewhere of center.

If you follow these two tips, you will see a big improvement in your photos. Just keep exploring and most importantly, enjoy taking photos. Also make sure that you review your photos as soon as possible and make a mental note why some photos stand out from the others.

Video Camera Tripod in Filming and Shooting

There are many camera and video accessories available in the market such as video camera tripod, zooming lenses, camera bags and many more. Photography and videography are fast growing hobbies for many individuals. Many workshops and schools profit out from these individuals who are in love with this art. They are not the only establishments that profit from the growing demand for professional studies in these fields, and many sellers of camera equipment and accessories profit a lot from them too.

Pictures and videos are always worth a thousand words and it is a settled rule that people resort to this kind of hobby because it is a form of art. Pictures and videos bridge the gap between some things that you haven't seen in the past or places that you want to go to in the near future. It keeps memories at the same time as it shows you many stupendous things, animals, places, unbelievable creatures that you don't know. We would not have great movies nowadays if this kind of media arts was not discovered.

For experts in filming and photo shoots, they highly require their cameras to be ready at all time. Equipments and other enhancement accessories are very important to produce great video or movie. The most common equipment that you can see in a photo shoot or taping venue is the video camera tripod. Most experts use this often specially in creating a movie and in photo shoots. This helps them to stabilize the video camera that they are using while shooting. You can never rely on your hands for how you may spend many hours just holding the camera up. Sooner or later you will get tired and it will affect the quality of the video that you are making. During some running scenes in many movies you have watched, videographers actually used a video camera tripod placed in a moving platform while filming. With the help of the tripod, your filming and shooting activities would surely be clear and vivid. But it would be useless if you are using a low mega pixel video camera. No matter how nice and stable your tripod is, the result will still be ugly.

There are plenty of tripods out there. It can be second-hand, refurbished, or brand new but the important thing is that it is still in a good condition that can perform the entire task you need in filming or shooting. There are also a lot of designs when it comes to a video camera tripod. They vary in sizes, shapes, and functionalities like being foldable or not. There are very handy tripods that are fit for travelers and people who make documentaries.

Wedding Photography Pricing - Money Isn't What Matters

When it comes to wedding photography pricing, you get what you pay for.  Make sure your research for the right professional is complete and thorough so that you have pleasant memories of your special day.

First, look at your wedding photographer's website, and study their portfolio of previous projects.  Decide if that style and quality is suitable for your own event.

Study their rates.  Good professionals will always charge around the market rate for your region.  Many amateurs are also trying their hand at wedding photography, but though their pricing is lower, you're taking a chance on quality.

The best photographers who specialize in covering weddings will charge around a thousand dollars for four hours of work.  If your chosen photographer charges well below this level, ask yourself why.

Also, pricing will differ by country, city and area.  Don't expect to pay the same rate in New York city as you would in rural Montana.  And international pricing for wedding photography is even more varied.

How much can you afford?  While you may want the very best, you might not be able to spend so much on wedding photos.  So work within your budget and try to get the highest value.

If you are set on a particular professional, but find his rates too high, think creatively.  Maybe you can have them cover only the ceremony and not the reception?  Or cut down on which part of the celebrations to record, which will mean lesser hours of work for them.

Essentially, the cost you pay is for specialized equipment, which determines the quality of the photos you will receive.  Top of the line cameras, lighting, tripods and more are expensive. 

And there's also post processing work after the actual photography shoot, which will take some time to get done.  To deliver a finished album or portfolio will involve costs.  All this is usually included in the contract.

Your wedding photography album is a treasure.  Fill it with valuable memories.  Don't obsess over pricing alone.  Good talent and skill is worth paying premium rates for.

Benefits of Starting Your Own Photography Business

Have you thought of starting your own photography business after achieving some experience in the field? Then, this is the right time for this. This is because there's great chance for growth so far as the field of photography is taken into consideration. You can leave your very own mark and create ideals for other people to adhere to. One of the benefits is you don't have to restrain your artistic skills to a particular organization or business unit as you will be owning your own business unit along with a set of dedicated customers. Concurrently, you could take on projects on an individual basis. The success factor will depend on the factor that how effectively you will be able to balance your projects.

A Profitable Career with No Risks

As far as setting up a photography business is regarded, the inputs you might need are absolute talent and determination. Developing your business is the real factor that matters considerably once you start your company. There might be few difficulties initially that can be dealt with when you're confident of increasing the network. Additionally, you need not take any chance and no money to invest. Increase your photographic expertise and remain faithful to the output deadlines whenever you agree to a project. It is one of the few innovative businesses where you will be in a position to learn something as you earn.

Check Out Your Creative Skills in the Best Manner

Starting your own photography business needs promotion expertise, creative thinking and advertising understanding. Whenever you are conversing with clients about photography, always remember to target them with your company website, services you provide and also the advantages of choosing you over others. These facts might help in convincing them. But, the key part is you should be able to start checking out your expertise to showcase your creativity. Working on things in a different way often can assist you in gaining the highest level of success with this field.

Generate as much Profit as You Can

Individuals who consider setting up a photography business will have the distinctive advantage of setting their own objectives. Stay away from the feeling of working under other people and bogging down to work pressure consistently. As you will be working alone most often, your profits will be the amount that remains finally from anything you earn. But, you may want expert consultancy prior to when you could establish your business. Seek advice from people who already have similar businesses so that you'll be able to assess the amount they have realized, both independently and mutually.

Improve your Expertise While you are Still Working

There's so much of opportunity to educate yourself even while you think about starting your own photography business because there are numerous online courses available that can be completed within a couple of weeks. Its not necessary to go to instructional classes regularly. Finish the course according to your suitable timings. All these courses are going to be offered free of charge normally and you will probably be provided with all the material so that you can successfully finish the course.

How to Make Your Photography Business Grow

Do you want to get ahead of the competition? Are you passionate about your photography business?

Making your photography business grow does not need for more investments on camera gear and photography equipment. It does not need you to invest much money on marketing. Discover some easy methods to make your photography business grow.

The Power of Online Social Networks and Creating a Photo Blog.

Almost everybody goes online and with the popularity of online social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. All you have to do is use these networks to create your personal brand. These websites can help you get your photography business by being able to connect to other users of these social networks.

It has also become very easy to create a website. A blog is the easiest way to create an online presence. It does not need to be a fancy looking blog. What is important is that you post the best photos that define the kind of photography that you do. If you are trying to become a popular portrait photographer showcase your best portraits. Make sure that the portraits will show the best character of your subject. If you would like to be the best wedding photographer showcase the wedding pictures of couples you think will best describe your kind of wedding photography. On your website create a section where your previous clients can put their testimonies which can help in influencing prospective new clients.

Your photo blog should also represent the kind of person you are. Prospective customers will surely want to know more about your character as a person if you are a type of person who can bring out the best in them as you photograph them. Every photographer can learn all the technical side of photography but what really matters is being able to come up with good photos and a photographer can only do that if one has the patience and if one finds joy in interacting with his subjects.

Networking

Always be ready to promote your photography business. Every time you meet up people in events or in any gathering is an opportunity to promote yourself as a photographer. Be ready to show your portfolio and one of the best way is have a business card with one of your best photos. You never know if the person you are talking to might become your next big customer.

Open up your photography business to the public. You can also be a volunteer to charity events in your local community. This will give you the opportunity to get published in your local newspaper and that's free advertisement for your photography business.

Never Underestimate Customer Service

Go beyond what is expected of you by adding your own kind of quality customer service. If a client is not satisfied, manage the situation by offering to re-shoot the project. Make the client feel that you are ready to work to come up with the best photos and that you are creating a memorable experience for them through the photos. If you give the best quality of customer service, you can expect to see more referrals from satisfied customers.

Develop New Products and Services

The photography business has become very competitive. The technology has allowed hobbyists to turn their hobby into a side business selling photo services. You must always try to be a step ahead and invest in learning new trends in photography. Remember that photography is an art and a craft. Marketing is important but you can only market something if the product is basically good to begin with.

Last thing to keep in mind, your photography business is just a part of who you are as a photographer. Stay passionate about photography and never forget that you are a photographer first.

Keep shooting.

7 Event Planning Tips

To become a good event planner, one must understand the pros and cons of event planning as a business and consider the finer aspects of the process, on the whole. Thus, the planner must ensure that all the jobs are being handled in order to meet the expectations of the client. A single mistake can ruin the event and all the effort hard work will be in vain.

So, here is a list of event planning tips that will assist you to make your event unique and memorable.

1. The foremost thing that the event planner must keep in mind is to maintain a checklist and note down important tasks that needs to be executed within the specified timelines. Keep handy, the contacts of the suppliers in case you need to get in touch with them for emergencies. Also have a back-up list for suppliers just so if one of the key suppliers fail to meet the target. If budget permits, engage the best suppliers; this will add up to your reputation.

2. The budget is the most important factor and if the funds are not distributed in proportion, there will be chances of a deficit. So consider the capital required for various expenses such as the menu, stage arrangements, decorations, transportation, payments to the suppliers and vendors, etc.

3. Book the venue at least six months prior to the event date. This will provide you with ample time to inspect the venue and deal with any issues that may arise in this interim period. Additionally, it is advisable to hire the venue in advance in order to out in the details in the guest invites as early as possible.

4. Effective communication is essential while planning an event. You have to follow up with your clients regularly and keep them informed of the updates related to the event. Always keep in mind that the needs of the clients are primary and must be given utmost importance. This will also help to build a personal connection, as the client will feel a sense of involvement.

5. Aim at maintaining good rapport with your previous clients as much as possible. This will keep the clients engaged with your upcoming events, well-informed about the services offered by you and fortunately you may also get new assignments through recommendations.

6. Create a personality which is comfortable, so that everyone can interact with you freely. Try to create a light environment and handle work collectively with a positive attitude. This will help in expanding your network and grow as a successful event planner.

7. Promotion is also a vital part where you need to think of creative ideas and thoughts to make your event extraordinary. Promote the event on social sites and other media platforms to attract the attention of the prospective attendees.

Inspire Others to Achieve Excellence

You are great at what you do but are you inspiring others to achieve excellence? What is the sense of being great if you cannot inspire other people to maximize their full potential.

Allowing your life to be a model for others to follow is a noble calling. It reminds me of the time I was growing up in a small town and after graduating from high school, I attended college in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The town I grew up in was very small compared to other cities and even though the college I attended was only 45 miles south of my parents house, the differences were remarkable.

The differences take into account the people in my home town compared to the people in Raleigh. While in high school I wanted to play on the high school basketball team, unfortunately my skills did not fit in with the coaches plans.

Our high school coach led our high school to victory in the state of North Carolina during my sophomore year in school. I tried out for the team a year later and simply was not prepared for it. My solution to this issue was to try out for the football team.

I made the football team during my junior year of high school and the reason I excelled was because the football coach was a great role model. The fact of the matter, he inspired me to believe I could achieve anything I put my mind to.

Fast forward, two years later I was attending college. Raleigh, North Carolina is home to numerous colleges and universities in the state. One of the more prominent college coaches at the time was Lou Holtz. Coach Holtz led the North Carolina Wolfpack to prominence during his tenure at North Carolina State University.

I admired Coach Holtz and after graduating from college I joined the USAF. While attending a conference in Kansas City, Missouri, I met Coach Holtz. He was one of the keynote speakers at the convention I was attending.

Even though I do not personally know Lou Holtz, he continues to inspire me to this day. I attend conferences he speaks at, read his books, and since I am a speaker we travel in similar circles.

The bottom line is, people can inspire you even though they do not know you. But what about people that know you? Are you inspiring people you work for or with to achieve excellence?

Adopt a new strategy for your life, inspire as many people as you possibly can and see what a huge difference it will make. Chances are someone wants you to inspire them, do not disappoint them.

Photography Marketing - Blogging For Photographers 101 - How to Set Up Profit Generating Blog

The Benefits To Blogging For Photographers:

1. Hosting your own blog will help to establish your expert status in the eyes of your readers and fans because you can offer many more ways to share your expertise.

2. You become more accessible. Artists already carry a certain mystique, so when you freely share not only what you do but how you do it with your blog visitors the veil is lifted and your readers will begin to connect you on a personal level.

3. You'll have a platform where you can demonstrate your expertise through a series of short tips articles just by posting them on your blog.

4. You can share photographs or even video clips from a recent shoot, highlighting some of the behind-the-scenes footage -or- images with your readers.

5. You can promote your other services like workshops and seminars you teach.

6. You'll over time begin to create a relationship with the "fans" of your blog who will gladly become subscribers to your list. Collecting the names and email addresses of your readers is as simple as adding a form to your blog that will collect this data.

7. Blogging regularly will help establish your credibility with readers and will help you create a list of interested prospects. Your list will lead to sales for your paid photography services because you now have permission to contact them over and over again with your information and offerings.  

Blogging Platforms: There are a variety of platforms that you can use to set up your own Blog; two of the most popular is Blogger located at Blogger.com and Word Press, located at WordPress.com. The difference. Blogger is a totally free service provided by Google. You can literally have a blog up and running in less than 10 minutes.

Wordpress on the other hand offers is a relatively easy self-install software program that you host on a paid web hosting service. The only bill will be your monthly hosting fee; those typically run under $10 dollars a month.

Pros and Cons: While Blogger is a free service you are sort-of stuck using dot blogspot in your URL. Some experts feel that having the word blogspot in your URL is not considered professional enough for a business blog (I don't happen to agree) or that it suggests that you're not taking blogging seriously. Again I don't agree. Where I do agree is that Blogger doesn't offer as much flexibility in the design, look or feel of your blog.

Blogger provides you with a variety of pre-designed templates for you to select from, but the "risk" you run into is in your blog looking like someone's else's Blogger, blog. On the contrary Wordpress does offer you a multitude of choices in how your blog works, looks and feels.

In my opinion you may need to hire a professional designer to at least help you with the template design & set up. You can create your Wordpress blog to look like an extension of your website. But honestly I suggest that you select whatever platform your budget and time will allow. *Remember you are a photographer who blogs for your business, not a Blogger who happens to be a photographer.

If you are intimidated by the process of setting up your own blog or you just don't have access to a web tech that can set this up for you Blogger may be the best solution for you. Whatever platform you select just make sure you commit to blogging regularly, communicate with you audience frequently and be generous with your knowledge, talent and expertise and you'll go a long way towards turning your blog into profit generating machine.        

7 Questions To Help You Find Your Perfect Personal Photography Project

Looking for the perfect photo project can sometimes be as challenging as searching for the perfect shot.

Personal photo projects are a good way to motivate yourself to shoot more pictures, stretch your creativity, or even support the causes that are important to you, but how do you find the right ones? What do you do with the photos once you've found the perfect project? Here are seven questions to jump start your creative thinking.

1. What are your hobbies?

This should be obvious, but you want your project to be something you will be motivated to continue over the long term. What better motivation than something for which you already have an interest? Take your hobbies and look for ways to document them, explain them, or showcase them.

2. What are your communities?

Churches, clubs, or informal groups can also provide options for personal projects. Because you are a member of these communities, you have access to get in close and share what attracts you to them. Alternatively, you can help them tell their story.

3. What magazines do you read?

The magazines you read reflect your interests, but you can also find another creative benefit. Each magazine has its own editorial style. Give yourself the assignment to shoot in their style and then personalize the photos to make your own version of the publication.

4. What skills do you want to master?

Let's say you want to get better at portrait photography, a project that allows you to focus on that skill would be ideal. 100 Strangers is a project that lets you pair portraits with street photography. That can be a fun combination.

5. What are your values?

This is a little more abstract, but your value system can be an interesting place to find ideas. What do you care about? There's probably a way to tell that story or support a cause with your talents.

6. What makes you angry?

Someone once told me that the things that make you angry can usually point you to your purpose. For instance, if you get mad every time you think about (insert your issue here), working to right the wrong might be your true calling. What makes you crazy out there? Use your photos to document those injustices, or maybe you can highlight your solution. That might be more satisfying than you think.

7. Who inspires you?

This could actually be a portrait angle or a values angle. A theme that follows the people who inspire you can be rewarding. One of my friends created a personal heroes project that is similar to this idea.

What will you do with the images?

Finding a personal project is satisfying all by itself, but what you decide to do with the images could provide an extra level of motivation.

Blog them - This is probably one of the easiest ways of sharing a project. Blogs allow you to become your own publisher and share your photos and thoughts in an ongoing timeline. Share them with your community and inspire a conversation.

Donate them - For every cause or topic, there is likely a nonprofit in desperate need of photos. Volunteering to support a needy organization is a great way to use your talents. You get a creative outlet. They get resources to tell their story and propel their mission. You can't beat that.

Photo book them - These days it's so easy to create your own photo book or other product. Online sites make it easy to create a coffee table-quality book that showcases your work and ideas. You can sell them or keep them as your own personal brag piece.

Publish them - If there is a news component to the project you select, you might find your community newspapers eager to publish your photos. All editors love impactful images, and someone who sends them great storytelling photos will soon become a best friend. You get exposure. Newspapers get content. Readers learn.

Sell them - Just because it's a personal project, doesn't mean you can't make money from it. Your personal online gallery could allow you to offer your photos for editorial or commercial use. You might even consider stock or micro stock photography sites.

If none of these ideas appeal to you, try a Project 365 - photo a day or Project 52 - photo a week. This has the added benefit of motivating you to take more pictures regularly.

No matter how your personal photo project unfolds, you will find that there are great rewards both in the process of creating and in the sense of accomplishment when you have completed it.