Floordrop/ Backdrop Big (like crazy huge) Price Reduction

I am in the process of clearing out a space in our basement for a new studio setup. Switching from continuous lighting to strobes, blah blah blah......but in the process of looking for new studio equipment I found that floordrops have come down considerably since I last checked. Prior to this, I had seen a 3.5' x 5.5' mats for $199.

So now, at SwankyPrints you can get a 9'x5' for only $80 with coupon code: 20OFF4U (20% off for new customers) They also offer 15% off for your next purchase when you send then your pictures to use in their shop. 

Plus, from what I looked through they have the best photo selection. And if you see a photo you like in a size not listed, just request a private listing and they will do it for you.

Here's their average (prices can slightly vary from print to print) price list from lowest price to highest price. Even for a 10' x 10' vinyl floordrop it's only $160 with coupon.

4' x 3' = $28 (with 20% coupon code = $22.40)

3.5' x 3.5' = $31 (with 20% coupon code = $24.60)

4' x 4' = $38 (with 20% coupon code = $30.40)

5' x 4' = $51 (with 20% coupon code = $40.80)

5' x 5' = $57 (with 20% coupon code = $45.60)

6' x 5' = $60 (with 20% coupon code = $48)

7' x 5' = $70 (with 20% coupon code = $56)

6' x 6' = $71 (with 20% coupon code = $56.80)

8' x 5' = 80 (with 20% coupon code = $64)

7' x 6' = $87 (with 20% coupon code = $69.60)

8' x 6' = $106 (with 20% coupon code = $84.80)

7' x 7' = $110 (with 20% coupon code = $88)

9' x 6' = $130 (with 20% coupon code = $104)

9' x 7' = $140 (with 20% coupon code = $112)

8' x 8' = $160 (with 20% coupon code = $128)

10' x 10' = $200 (with 20% coupon code = $160)

And I have a bonus tip for you! If you are buying a backdrop instead of a floor drop it might benefit you to skip the vinyl and go with poly paper which is somewhat cheaper. I would NOT recommend poly paper for floor drops as I don't think they'd last very long.

SoSo Creative sells poly paper drops (as well as vinyl). Here's their average price list. I don't know if you can get anything above 5' in width but it's worth asking them.

5' x 5' = $50

6' x 5' = $60

7' x 5'' = $70

8' x 5'' = $80

9' x 5'' = $90

$25 Ring Flash Quick Review

I tried my new ring flash Brian's parents bought for me this Christmas. I can't wait to set up some backdrop and try this out on black paper. Here were some quick shots I took of the kids in our dining room. Love the eye effects! These shots were taken without any post-editing (besides cropping), straight from the camera.

I've never used a ring flash before so I don't have anything to compare it to. I realize that there are really expensive ones ie $200+ that have their own speed light that connects to your hot shoe. Mine was only $26 and it connects to a separate speed light (ie you must already own a speed light and the ring flash hooks over it). I've read reviews of photographers who have both and from what I gather, you can get the same results but you must increase the flash stops on your speed light. I took these between 1/4 and 1/2. 1/1 was way too bright. Other settings: 100 ISO, shutter speed at 1800, f/4-5. And my living room is very dim. Plus it's said that the color balance is cooler but this is easily corrected by adjusting your camera settings or in post-editing.

Photo via photojojo.
A friend said she thought the effect was very sci-fi. I guess my only issue with it was if I wanted the catch light in their eyes to outline their pupils I had to get REALLY close. And I couldn't zoom, I had to physically get in their faces. But I think the same would be true of the expensive ring flashes as well.

What's neat about the results from a ring flash is that you should have very little shadow on your subject with a halo effect in the background (and this is more noticeable with a backdrop). Plus you really can't beat that eye effect;-) Additionally the detail on your subject is crisp. It can be a very flattering look if done correctly.

For some good ring flash inspiration photography I recommend checking out Flickr's Orbis Ring Flash group.

Photoshoots: French Sequin Backdrops

My photography studio has been so neglected. It's sad. I have such limited space and we have grown out of our house so I don't have much to work with. But I recently bought frames at Micheals with a buy one get one free deal. The second one I bought is a very large 2'x3' frame that I plan on filling with a family portrait for my mother to give as a Christmas gift.

In order to do this I'll have to get my studio back on it's feet so all morning I've been looking at ways to make a small space work. In the process I've fallen in love with some pretty cool backdrops. This one below from Adorama Camera in particular is pretty neat, except for the price tag, $417.

But if you wanted to you could get the exact same thing if you bought four of these and sewed them together for only $100.

I also love this Adorama backdrop! A 9'x9' is $287.

Photoshoot Ideas: Black Balloon with White Writing

Use a black balloon and write on it with white ink. Could make for some cute couples photography. Write something sweet on a black balloon with stunning bright white ink. You can buy black 3' balloons here. And buy white permanent markers that can draw on rubber or glass here.

Source: emmas.blogg.se via Jan on Pinterest

Photoshoot Ideas: Mirrored Floor DIY

I don't think that she's sitting on a mirrored floor but it got me thinking how a mirrored floor would make this photoshoot look even cooler. 

To make a mirrored floor for your studio that wouldn't break when you stepped on it you can buy mirrored plexiglass from the Home Depot in sizes of 36" x 42" for $74 and 36" x 48" for $84. 

But the cheapest way to go might be to buy plexiglass from Lowes and mirrored wrapping paper from the dollar store. Lowes plexiglass comes in a very large size of 36" x 72" for only $55. Place the wrapping paper on the floor face up then place the plexiglass on top of the wrapping paper. 

And does anyone know where this image came from? Searched and searched to no avail.

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com via Karli on Pinterest

Photo Shoot Concepts: Chain, Chain, Chain

In need of a new photo shoot backdrop? Try paper chains. So easy your kindergartener can help you out. Via Momtog. Get more pics and her review through link.

Source: momtog.com via Shelby on Pinterest

Photoshoots: Pretty POP!

Check out these awesome photo ready balloons. I love the clear version with the metallic paper on the inside. Would also make for a pretty looking POP! Great idea for photoshoots! You can purchase via Bonbon Balloons.

Source: beyondbeyond.co.uk via Sarah on Pinterest

BHLDN Photo Backdrops

Did you know that BHLDN sells photo backdrops? Meet lovely and lovelier. Great for weddings but also budding photographers and just plain photo fun.

Photoshoot Ideas: Engagement Movie Themes

This couple recreated scenes from The Notebook for their engagement shots. Neat idea. Imagine what other favorite movies you could choose to do for your engagement shoot? Casablanca. Dirty Dancing. Gone with the Wind. Grease. A Room with a View. Breakfast at Tiffany's. Via Blushing Bride Studios.

Source: greenweddingshoes.com via Savannah on Pinterest

Fringe Balloon Tutorial

Tutorial for making your own fringe balloons! Via the Glitter Guide. We wanted to make some for our photoshoot. I even went as far as to MAKE the fringes but ran short on time and never got to attach them:( Look great in photo ops. Love the gold pastel look color schemes.

Source: theglitterguide.com via Thyme Maternity on Pinterest

Photoshoots Bridesmaids

What a great idea for the bridesmaids!

Source: style.icanhascheezburger.com via Kaela on Pinterest

Family Photo Shoot Props

I guess I've overestimated by time. I'll try to post a new hair video today but I have a lot to plan for. But later today I will have a special new giveaway courtesy of Shabby Apple. Tomorrow the girls, Brian, the new baby and I are going to Strites Orchard to take family photos with AllenAim Photography. I have one dress and two skirts to make before then. Our colors are jewel toney since it's early spring, lots of pinks, golds, oranges, silvers and whites. We've NEVER taken family photos before. And now that our family is complete I'm even more excited to take them. I've been using Pinterest for prop inspiration. Here are a few ideas.....

Source: chubbycheekphotography.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Bring blankets and pillows.

Source: bluelily.squarespace.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Balloons with streamers.

Source: erineverafter.blogspot.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

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Photoshoot Concepts: Floor Mats

♥♥♥♥Pin This!♥♥♥♥

If you live in an area that isn't conducive for outdoor winter shots and have your own makeshift studio set up in the basement (like me) then you might be interested in floor mats. Pepperlu has some pretty ones in eight different styles. But at $199 they are a bit pricey for floor mats.

There's also FoFlor featured below. It's a little smaller than the Pepperlu mats by a couple inches but they are only $102 on amazon. They even have 13 different available mats to choose from as well as various smaller sizes if you're looking to spend less. They have even more gorgeous options on their website but if you buy it from them they are $190 per 44"x66" sheet.

Source (below): Elzee Photography

But if you are super cheap (like me) you could even just buy some sheet vinyl per yard and only at most $8.82 a square YARD! Like this below:

But if you're looking for that distressed look, Armstrong has a good variety of vinyl sheet flooring for $2.75 a square foot. So for the same size as the FoFloors, you can get a sheet for $57.47.

See more wood vinyl varieties for less than $1 per square foot here. More wood grains here. Some interesting wood patterns here. And here.

Photoshoot Concepts: Cheap Vibrant Backdrop Idea

Via Martha Stewart. Claims this entire photo costs less than $10. And I believe it!

Rolls are 19" wide and 9 feet tall, only $1.05 per roll and come in 34 colors!

Source: marthastewartweddings.com via Leah on Pinterest

5 Minute Suspenders

These are totally easy and awesome! Would make for good picture taking too!

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.

Source: abeautifulmess.typepad.com via Kaiti on Pinterest

Photoshoot Props

Wouldn't this make a great photoshoot prop? Buy it here. Or you could try to make one for yourself with malleable gold wire from Home Depot.

Source: etsy.com via Maho on Pinterest

Photoshoot Concepts: Forced Perspective Pics

I'd love to go out one day and just take a couple shots like this with Brian, Lily and Molly.

Source: 9gag.com via Maho on Pinterest

Photoshoots: Fancy Backdrops

Oh Happy Day has the best impromptu backdrops. Here's her latest one.

I'd love to make a dozen different backdrops to use whenever I pleased. My biggest hurdle is space. Space and natural lighting. Right now I have my little studio in my garage but it's too cold to use during these winter months which is when I need it the most. I need to figure out something else. Like buying a new house;) My new house WILL have space for a studio. Even if it means the girls sharing a room (which they do anyway). But seriously, something like an exposed basement would be perfect. Would also like to try these ideas....

Ashley Meaders

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Photo Shoot Concepts 23: SD Card Tips

I recently mentioned that my sister, Chantalene, was married at the beginning of this month. They were really on a budget so she asked me to take her photos for her.

I was nervous and rightfully so! There was a lot I learned about wedding photography in the process. It's just not the same as portrait, at all! There are a lot of things I wish I could do over. And there are a few things I realize I would need if I ever shot a wedding again (which I have no intentions of;). A fast SD card for one. A lot of my images were shot in RAW taking up quite a bit of data so I missed a lot of moments because the darn thing wouldn't process fast enough. 

Here's a great page about choosing a memory card for your camera. With all the options and prices out there for SD cards, I definitely recommend it.

Photo Shoot Concepts 22: Photoshop Actions Learn It!

Ever wondered about Photoshop Actions? Here's an easy tutorial on how to use them.

See tut here.

Source: nightfateactions.blogspot.com via Trish on Pinterest