Schooled.

This little business of mine is about to get schooled.

I mean it.

Overhaul.

All in or all out. Details forthcoming.

Did you get engaged over the holidays? Let's create a wedding package that will blow your mind. alli(at)allismiles(dot)com.

My Memories | Review & GIVEAWAY!

Happy 2012! What better way to start off the new year than with a giveaway?! And one that I bet makes many people's resolution lists: doing something with all the photos from the last year.

My Memories sent me their digital scrapbook software to review and share! I'm not one for regular scrapbooking. I tire of the glue, mess, and constantly trying to come up with something creative for every page. Being a photographer, I want my photo albums to be image-focused. That being said, my baby just turned one, and I have yet to actually design and print his birth story, let alone his one-year album. Something about gathering all the supplies, narrowing down which photos to use, and actually sitting down and making myself do it is daunting.

Enter My Memories Suite. This software is simple, easy to use, and actually quite fun. And totally affordable to boot! The menus are user friendly, and they have lots of fun templates if you aren't feeling particularly creative or just need somewhere to start. They even have options for picking a template and letting it auto-fill all the spaces with your selected images--it will do all the work for you. For those extra-busy moms, this would be a great option. For others who desire more creative control, you can either start with a template and completely customize it (changing/adding photos, text, embellishments, etc.) till your heart's content. Then, just export and print, and your book is done.

Here are a few pages I made (in literally a few minutes' time) using the "funky" template.

You can start a project, and if you don't have time to finish it, you simply click 'save' and open it up later. No table full of paper, glue, photos, and glitter to clean up. If you want to add a few more pages, you don't have to run to the store to get more supplies. The basic software package comes with more backgrounds and embellishments than I could ever use, but for the scrapbook extraordinaire, there are additional design packages available for purchase.

My Memories is not limited to just digital scrapbooks. You can also use the software to make photobooks, cards, calendars, and other gifts without Photoshop or InDesign. It's taken me years to really learn how to use those programs, so for someone not in the business, My Memories is a fantastic alternative!

Now for the best part, My Memories Suite is offering one lucky reader a free copy of the software! To enter, visit www.mymemories.com and leave a comment with your favorite digital paper pack. For extra entries...

1. Like All Smiles Photography on facebook (and leave a comment saying you did)
2. Follow All Smiles Photography on twitter (and leave a comment saying you did)
3. Subscribe to All Smiles Photography (and leave a comment saying you did)
4. Share the link to this giveaway on facebook (and leave a comment saying you did)
5. Share the link to this giveaway on twitter (and leave a comment saying you did)
6. Share the link to this giveaway on your blog (and leave a comment saying you did)

This giveaway ends Monday, January 9th at 12:00 A.M. MST. If you don't win, not to worry! My Memories is offering $10 off the My Memories Suite v3 AND $10 to the MyMemories.com store (total $20 value) to all my readers! Just use coupon code STMMMS75953.

Good luck and Happy New Year!

Reminder!

Today is the last day to enter my photo session giveaway! Head over HERE to enter!

Photo Session Giveaway!

Just in time for the holidays . . .

It could be your lucky day! Today I'm giving away a photo session over at the Good Life. To find out how to win, go HERE.

Featured!

This shoot was featured today over at a fabulous new portrait photography blog Let The Kids Dress Themselves. Go check it out!

Spring Mini-Sessions!

Spring Mini-Sessions

$75

One roll color film

One roll black and white film

One 8x10 print

Mini sessions are perfect for some updated kids' portraits, or for a quick maternity, engagement, or senior session. Book your session now for Mother's Day gifts and graduation announcements!

Available only during March and April 2011

Please pray.

My sweet baby brother is in Tokyo. He is safe for now. Praying for his continued protection from this crazy storm.

Film is Not Dead: A Digital Photographer's Guide to Shooting Film. A Review

Film is Not Dead: A Digital Photographer's Guide to Shooting Film by Jonathan Canlas is good. It is not perfect. It will not teach you everything you ever wanted to know about film--it will likely create more questions. It will, however, teach you what questions to ask. It will pique your interest in shooting film, and it will help you build a rock-solid foundation in shooting film. Rock-solid.

It's written in Jon's voice. If I didn't know Jon personally, this writing style would probably bother me. A lot. That's the editor in me speaking (I got my editing degree before I became a photographer). The book is colloquial, for better or for worse. It was written that way intentionally, and it definitely sounds like Jon. He often speaks in clichés and colloquialisms, so it is appropriate that the book be filled with them. Some may be off-put by the conversational tone, as it is less "textbook" or "professional" than most photography books. But this is no typical photography book. As I was reading, I could actually hear Jon's intonations, see his crazy facial expressions, and imagine his big, brown hands waving in the air. To that end, Jon, you've achieved your goal. Readers will get to know Jon Canlas in addition to learning how to shoot film. That's a bonus in my book.

From a technical standpoint, it cannot be argued that Jon knows his stuff. And he's sharing it with us! He explains the basic ins and outs of shooting film from why he does it, how he does it, and what he does it with; not only that, but he describes it in a way that is comprehensible to the newest of photographers. So anyone, yes, anyone, can get out there and shoot film!

Typographically speaking, there were some distractions. Not with the design, organization, or flow--it is neat, tidy, and visually appealing. But for me, the use of all caps is obnoxious and does not add positive emphasis, especially when it's used in that scripty title font. That breaks basic design rules. There were also some minor grammatical problems that could have easily been fixed with a quick run-through by a technical editor. But if those are the biggest flaws with the book, I say run with it.

Overall, I give this guide a solid 9.5/10. If you have any interest in shooting film, I highly recommend purchasing this guide. Yes, I get a coupla bucks if you buy it, but I'd be promoting it even if I weren't. This is quality I can stand behind. You won't regret it. You can buy it

HERE

Pick it up before February 23rd, when the price increases from $89 to $149! Remember, the first five people to purchase will get a couple rolls of my very favorite film (bw400CN) in 35mm in hand to get them started on their film journey!

On why I shoot film.

Film is not dead. There, I said it.

The digital photography world has exploded the last several years, and it's easy to get your hands on an top-of-the-line digital SLR and make high-quality photos. I still shoot digital. Sometimes it's just easier, and it is definitely cheaper than shooting film. But for me, it's also more frustrating. Yes, I can review my images instantly to check my exposures. I can upload them quickly to my computer and they are immediately accessible. There is a place for digital photography, to be sure. But it does not give me the joy that film does.

I learned photography on film. I learned proper exposure through study and practice, and each click cost me money. I got good at knowing my exposures, my film, my equipment, and how they all interacted with light to make my photographs sing. Then I got my first DSLR, and I got lazy. Frustrated that my images lacked the look of film, I returned to it after just two years of digital. Getting my scanned film back reminded me of the Christmas-like magic of watching my images appear in the darkroom. Finally reminded of the softness and light quality of film, I got re-hooked. I attended Jon's Film is Not Dead workshop back in 2009 and never looked back.

BW 400CN 35mm film

If you've been looking for a way to get back into film, or you're wanting to learn it but are nervous about how to go about it, look no further! Jon's gone and outdone himself yet again by writing a book. A film book. A book on everything you need to know to shoot film. And people, it's good. I've got it, and I am still devouring each page, looking for ways to refine my work and my vision.

A full review of the book will be up tomorrow, but I had to tell you about this amazing deal today! Until February 23rd, Jon is offering the book at the unreal price of $89. After that, the price goes up to $149, which is not as good, but still amazing.

Here's a link to purchase this bad boy. Full disclosure: I get a small percentage of each sale. Incentive to you: a coupla rolls of my all-time favorite film in your mailbox to get you (if you're one of the first 5 to purchase from the link above) started on your film journey. You won't regret it.

Now get out there and shoot some film!

Website revamped!

Check out the new look of the website! Fully updated with new pricing, new photos, and new direction: 99% film.

Oh, there's a whole new section called "new life" dedicated to all things baby, naturally. And while you're at it, "like" All Smiles Photography on facebook.

Holiday Cards

I just ordered my Christmas cards from mango ink, where I am an affiliated photographer. If you haven't already ordered your holiday cards, definitely check out their products. They are beautiful, modern, and so nice. The "classic" versions are mounted on heavy cardstock and come with matching colorful envelopes. Tell 'em I sent you!

This year our cards are a combo birth announcement/Christmas card. Joy!

Maternity Leave

I will be officially going on maternity leave starting November 1, 2010. If you have been waiting to book those fall family portraits, now is the time to act! I only have a few openings left.

Now booking!

This little baby boy is finally allowing me to get out of the house occasionally. If you'd like some beautiful photos shot on gorgeous film, I am now booking a limited number of family, engagement, individual, and newborn sessions, birth stories, and weddings in August, September, and October. And now offering mini sessions! Email me for more info! alli@allismiles.com

Duckling...

I captured this mama duck and her baby during our graduation/anniversary vacation to Palm Springs over a month ago.

Our own little duckling is set to hatch this November, and we couldn't be happier.

It's been a long, rough, complicated road so far. So don't be surprised if there is another big break before my next post.

Law Student Special!

Up for grabs during the month of March only: graduating BYU Law student portrait packages!

• (30) minute portrait session
• (20) 3x5 photo inserts (for grad announcements)
• Low-resolution images on disc (for making prints up to 4x6)
• $50

Congrats, graduates!

P.S. If you're graduating from a different program this year, let's chat.

In the spirit of Christmas . . .

I really need to get into the Christmas Spirit (studying 12 hours a day for finals has a way of draining all happiness from my life). You, lucky readers, are the beneficiaries of my Christmas cheer.

I will be giving TEN of you a free print--just in time for Christmas! It can be an image from your session/wedding with me or any image you find HERE.

To qualify, become a fan of All Smiles Photography on facebook and share the link (facebook/blog/or twitter). Easy as that!

I'll announce the winners tomorrow (December 12th) night!

Holiday Print Sale!

All prints are 30% off until midnight this Saturday! Click HERE to see the galleries.

I've been a blog slacker, but for good reasons: Thanksgiving, finals, and tragedy that struck a little too close to home. We lost one of our best friends early Thanksgiving Day.

Ada: Featured!

Head on over to Showers & Flowers and check out cute Trina's feature on my photographs from this shoot. The blog showcases ideas for event planning and decor, and naturally, Trina loved the details in Ada's nursery (as do I!).

Oh, and if you're looking for a way to spruce up your blog (or your hair), check out Ada's mom's design blog.

Good Fruit

...is what you all are. I can't believe the overwhelming support! Attending Jonathan Canlas' workshop is a dream come true for me, and I honestly couldn't have done it without all of you. The finalists' photos were incredible, and I honestly was completely intimidated by them, and so tickled that Jonathan chose mine to be among the others.

But the real thanks go to you, the voters, for making it happen! Thank you!

Film Your Heart Out Scholarship Project: FINALIST!

One of my images made it to the finals in Jonathan Canlas's workshop scholarship project. I have been dying to attend his workshop ever since I first heard of it, and knew I wouldn't be able to afford it for years. However, this year, he offered a scholarship for someone who could go out and shoot, on film, a quintessential Utah story.

Because Utah, to me, is all about the people, this image represents the hard-working people that make up the great Beehive State. Here's the quote: “Good fruit: hard-working people with good values, producing the best of the best. That’s Utah."

This image was selected as one of the five final images, and the result depends on you! Whichever image gets the most votes wins, so please take 10 seconds and go to this link: http://yourheartout.com/?p=6507 and vote for my image!

Thank you so much!