Intro by Skip Cohen

Welcome to another "Suzette Says." 

Just a few days ago Suzette shared the post below, but I've expanded it with two more videos of Panasonic's LUMIX Luminary team. Without ProShow Web these would have taken her hours to create.

As you watch Suzette's video, then Bob Coates' and Julio Sciorio's, pay attention to the design elements Suzette talks about in her post. These are just thirty second spots meant to be marketing pieces, while sharing beautiful images and creating impact.

Suzette's quote below really says it all. You have more creative tools at your fingertips today than at any other time in the 175+ year history of photography. There's no excuse for being "stuck in your ways." If you're not offering slideshows in your services and products you're missing an incredible opportunity to build a stronger revenue stream. Even more important is goodwill with your clients and establishing a reputation as the leader in storytelling!

In another 2-3 months we're going to hit Spring seasonality with Mother's Day, graduation and Father's Day. Now is the time to be thinking about how to take full advantage of the timing and utilize your skill set to create high-impact presentations that leave your clients speechless!

Photodex has created the very best presentation tools, but you have to start with the right ingredients - great images. Remember, you've got a responsibility to always give your clients the very best.

We're a word-of-mouth business and there's little that will get people talking about your work more than terrific slide shows. It all starts with stunning images pulled together with the very best software - ProShow 8. To learn more just click on the thumbnail to the left.

by Suzette Allen

Making videos does take time. I'm not going to lie to you. But there are ways to make it go faster and shave off time if you utilize the right software. And it doesn’t look like you cut corners- it actually can make it look even MORE customized!

How is that possible? Well, I use Photodex’s ProShow Web to put many clips together and add the pretty transitions and flow. The extra special touches I love are the ways it takes a square or vertical video and fills in the sides of the video frame with blurred-out-but-matching moving areas that look SO good! It would take a ridiculous amount of time to do that by hand!

So, today I made a short 30 sec. video to represent me as a LUMIX Luminary for Panasonic, and I’m actually going to make one for each of the team – all 12 Luminaries!  How best to save time, than to use ProShow Web to do the heavy lifting for me and put all the pieces together?

I pulled my videos and stills into ProShow Web and created a show without music. Then I downloaded it as an HD version and opened it in Photoshop. One of the reasons  I did that was I need two sound tracks. One of my voice over and one of the music. That can’t be done in ProShow Web, but is easily done in Photoshop.

I created a blank doc in 1080. I added my voice track and music and trimmed to 30 sec and saved it. Then I just pulled in the PSW video on top of that! In the end I shortened a few clips and added a few stills on top, but overall it saved me a ton of time and made the cool backgrounds for the verticals and beautiful edges!

The final version is exported out of Photoshop and posted on YouTube and in our presentation…. now to do this 9 more times! Thanks, Photodex, for making life easier!

 
Once a week I like to wander through the Photodex blog archives. I'm NEVER disappointed in the ideas they share to help artists build better presentations.

I found this post from late last year, and it's one more example of the tools Photodex keeps developing for artists to help make life easier.



Ten years ago I put together my first slide show using ProShow. It was before "hybrid" was part of our everyday vocabulary. I had images from a high school reunion and included one short video clip with 40-50 photographs and a few slides of text copy. While it was never nominated for an Oscar, it was award-winning to me and a handful of close friends.

Here's my point - I told the Photodex team at the time they should use me in a testimonial ad campaign with the tagline, "If Skip can do it, ANYBODY can!"  Seriously, those of you who know me recognize that I'm the low-tech poster child of our industry. My passion is on the business/marketing side. Photodex made it so easy...and that was ten years ago! Today, a decade later, they're got even more tools and keep making me look better than I deserve!

Check out these two gems I found about exporting images from Lightroom and a video on importing images from social media, e.g. Facebook, Instagram and just about any place you're sharing photographs.

Photodex never slows down in their effort to simply make your life easier, and help you create terrific presentations!

ProShow’s Plug-In for Lightroom allows you to export all your photos directly from Lightroom to ProShow quick and easy. After editing your photos in Lightroom, select the photos you want to use in a new or existing slideshow. Hit the export button in Lightroom, then select ProShow Gold, Producer, or Web, and adjust your slideshow settings in the pop-up box, then export.

The plug-in will automatically re-size and export your photos and videos from Lightroom. If you decide you don’t want the settings you have chosen after the export, no worries, you can continue the adjustments when you open your slideshow in ProShow before your final product.

A great tool for anyone that wants to save time and already has an idea of what they are looking for in their slideshow. What better way than to export everything at once without all the extra steps.

REMINDER!! ProShow’s Plug-In for Lightroom supports video exports as well! Giving you more variety and fun surprises in your slideshow.

Works with MAC and PC.
​
Don’t have the ProShow Plug-In for Lightroom? Download it directly from our site for free.

Want to make a slideshow with images you’ve uploaded to an online account? Learn to easily import content directly from your Facebook, Instagram, and other social platforms in this week’s quick tip tutorial video.

Add images to your ProShow slideshow by simply clicking the main import icon in the toolbar or import directly into the wizard by clicking the icon at the top of the content area.

Available in ProShow Gold 8 and ProShow Producer 8.

Download a free trial today and check out this easy-to-use feature.

"Practice doesn't make perfect!" What if you're practicing it wrong? Only perfect practice makes perfect."
Roberto Valenzuela

Intro by Skip Cohen

That's one of my most favorite contemporary quotes, thanks to good buddy Roberto Valenzuela. In every workshop, Roberto talks about the importance of practicing and getting to know your equipment and the lighting in every situation.

Joe Buissink, in a recent episode of "Why?" talked about how he's trained his mind's eye to visualize the best image, paying close attention to composition and lighting.  He's regularly looking at everyday scenes and anticipating how he might compose the best shot.

While "Suzette Says" is most often going to be about helping you create better slideshows, your final presentation is only going to be as good as the images you use to tell the story. So, I wanted to step away this week from slideshow creation tips and focus purely on a great tip Suzette's sharing on learning to see the light.

Although Suzette posted this on her video channel just a few days ago, I want to expand her suggestions. The most successful portrait and wedding artists ALWAYS check out their location before the sitting or event. Most wedding photographers will visit the venues for both the ceremony and the reception. They're always looking for the best light and backdrops to capture compelling images.

What I love about this two-minute video is the way Suzette looks at her environment, as if she was in a studio. In reality, she is in a "studio" - it's just a little larger than most! She's looking to get as much control as possible in the quality of light.

Dean Collins used to say the only difference between his studio lights and the sun was the recycle time! Well, Suzette has learned to pay attention to the environment, especially that "giant softbox" above her.

Putting her points about finding the light to practical use, both images in today's post were captured after she recorded the video below. Working with her clients, she knew exactly the look she wanted in every photograph and took full advantage of the natural light to create beautiful portraits.

As you think about your ProShow presentations, think about the quality of the photographs and video you're using to tell the story. Photodex can help you give them more impact with the very best software, but you have to start with the right ingredients.  You've got a responsibility to always give your clients the very best.

Create slideshows that leave your clients speechless, starting with stunning images and pulling them together with the very best in slideshows with ProShow 8. To learn more just click on the thumbnail to the right.

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to the commitment to excellence,
regardless of their chosen endeavor."
Vince Lombardi

by Skip Cohen

I read the quote above recently and couldn't help but think of Suzette Allen and the team from Photodex. Both committed to excellence, they create an energy of creativity and technique helping all of us raise the bar on the quality of our images, presentations, business, and marketing.

This is an exciting time for SCU as we introduce a new feature thanks to Suzette Allen's never-ending focus on education and creativity. If you've attended any of her workshops then you know first-hand the energy, enthusiasm, and passion she brings to every program.

At the same time, the team at Photodex never slows down in their quest to provide you with the very best in presentation software. In addition, their blog posts have helped photographers with every aspect of imaging from resources for taking better macro images and scenics to techniques to raise the bar on presentations.

Welcome to "Suzette Says," a new SCU/Photodex feature where each week we want to bring you great content to help you create more excitement for your clients.

​Slideshows have evolved into the "next big thing" thanks to great software and hybrid technology. Putting still images together with video and great music have given photographers a new product line for their clients, as well as marketing tools to promote their own business.

I wanted to share two videos in this first post featuring Suzette's work, but this is only the beginning. In the future, we'll be showcasing tips on technique, shortcuts, and creative ideas all designed to help you become a stronger artist.

The first video combines still images with short video clips and was produced at the Texas School last year. As you watch the video, think about the impact a presentation like this would have on a senior client. Even stronger, think about "Mom."  Women make 98% of the purchase decisions to hire a professional photographer in the portrait social categories. Get "Mom" excited about your images, and you've got an instant word-of-mouth publicity machine right in your community.

I wanted to share the second video because it's more personal and a great way for you to get to know Suzette and Jonny just a little better. While there's no video component, it's one more example of the strength ProShow can add to your ability as a storyteller!

This was their 2016 New Year card video. Together with a few dozen whimsical moments, you couldn't ask for a more stunning display of images and techniques.  Now imagine what it's like to take a class with them. Even closer to home for SCU, think about the kind of content we're going to be sharing here in the Proshow Annex in 2017.

A big thanks for Photodex for their never-ending support along with Suzette (and Jonny too) for being two educators who never stop giving back.  And, to all of you our readers, thank you for being part of this new journey and never being willing to say, "That's good enough!"

Your clients deserve the very best in images and presentations. In the months ahead we've got one goal - to give you the support you need to help build a stronger business.