Intro by Skip Cohen

The challenge for any business owner is finding a way to exceed client expectations. In today's photographic market, competition is fierce.  Every artist has to find creative ways to become habit-forming with their clients. If hybrid slideshow videos aren't part of the products/services you offer, then you're missing a potential revenue stream and a key component to creating goodwill.

In this new post from Suzette Allen she shares some of the benefits of the best FREE trial program in imaging. But even better is taking ProShow Web for your own test drive. With the seasonality of the fourth quarter right around the corner, here's your chance to bring a new level of excitement to your images and storytelling ability.

Photodex is providing photographers with the very best creative tools for imaging presentations. Check out ProShow Web and start enjoying the features available to make you a legend with each client, including great music! 

Your presentations deserve the very best and Suzette and Photodex are here to help you make that happen!

We have been telling you about so many great features with Pro Show Web, and my guess is many of you have tried it and already purchased it, seeing its value! However, my husband Jon, (mister techy), reminded me this week that Photodex has THE BEST TRIAL system ever, and I should let the readers know! And I heartily agree, because while MOST software companies offer the typical 30 day trial (which we sometimes don’t get around to using in time!!) this one is different! I actually wish more companies subscribed to this way of thinking!
 
So here is how it works: First of all, the Trial is FOREVER! Yeah! No kidding! You can use it and make as many shows as your lil’ heart desires for as long as you want!!  J  Ah, but yes, there IS a catch! What they DO limit, is a few features like the number of images or videos you can use in each show. So that means you can use a maximum of 15 files (any mix of videos or stills). It’s actually plenty to see how it works and make some cute shows. That's one of my favorite short shows above. It only has 13 files, including my logo slide!
 
A few other limitations… not the full selection of music is included…and not quite ALL the themes. There’s still lots of great options and all the customization capabilities are there so you can see how easy it is to make what you want!

When it comes to output, it will make a nice low rez (the default) but you can’t export it at full HD resolution with the trial. And one more thing—there’s a small credit line in the bottom edge and the last splash page that says it was created with ProShowWeb… that’s fair enough!
 
What I think is really thoughtful, though, is that when you DO fall in love with their product and actually purchase it, all the trial shows are still there! Nothing lost. And all you need to do is hit “rebuild” and each show will be rebuilt without the ProShow credits! I mean, how thoughtful is that? And of course, you can further modify any of them as well, since they are all intact, when you convert the account to a paid service. J I’m thinking this is a great deal.
 
So, while this article is a little more techy and not so creative, it’s a great thing to know about if you are thinking about trying out Pro Show before you buy! (or if you have friends who are curious). So, Let’s Get Creative and make some fun slide shows on them…. It’s always a bonus to be able to try before you buy, and it makes you want to do business with a company so generous!
 
Suzette Says: Try out the Best TRIAL in the world, and get creative this week!

Images copyright Cory Ryan

This past April we shared a "Building Your Business" podcast with Cory Ryan. Just listening to a few minutes of the recording and you can tell Cory loves being a wedding photographer. In fact, just the tone of her voice during the interview is contagious!

In May, Cory was featured in a Spotlight Post on the ProShow blog.  Cory's a perfect example of that saying we've all heard so many times, "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life!" 

The keys to Cory's success are obvious in every aspect of her business:

• She loves what she does. Her love for the craft and working with her clients couldn't be more obvious.
• Surprising clients with great images and especially well done slide shows has made her habit-forming. Think about it for a second - the younger the bride the more friends she has who are getting married and will need a photographer. This is a word-of-mouth business and Cory's past clients are often her very best ambassadors.
• Cory believes in marketing, but is so soft-sell she's really hard-sell without anybody knowing it or feeling offended. I shared her slide show in an earlier post, but all you need to watch is the first minute or so and then think about how you'd share your own images. It's all soft-sell - no pitch, just great music and images.
• She never compromises on the quality of anything she does - from her images to her relationships with her clients, the priority is always on providing the very best service and exceeding expectations.

Cory's quote from the May ProShow post really sums up how she uses slideshows to help build her business:

​"I love being able to provide a surprise slideshow to my client, in addition to the promised images. When the images are put to music, it can really create a strong emotional impact and connection with the couple. It is also a great tool for highlighting and curating your personal favorite images as the photographer, since they are otherwise bombarded with a gallery of hundreds of images.”
​

From the ProShow spotlight post: 

About Cory Ryan

Cory Ryan is an Austin based photographer. Her work is geared towards contemporary couples looking for vibrant, unique, creative and modern wedding photography. Ryan’s work is recognized by The Knot Magazine as one of the “Top 10 Best Wedding Photographers” in both 2010, 2011 & 2012. She also received the Bride’s Choice Award from Wedding Wire in 2011 & 2012, won a 4 Golden Boots at the 2009, 2010 & 2011 Austin Fashion Awards, and is an esteemed member of the Professional Photographers Association.

Want to see more from Cory Ryan? Check out her website or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

The ProShow Blog is loaded with great content going well beyond the topic of slideshows, and needs to be on your radar.

Photodex never slows down on their goal of helping you become a better photographer. For example, check out "Kathy's" recent post about macro photography. Even if you're a veteran artist, it's a great refresher. And while many of you don't think about shooting macro, if you're a wedding/event photographer doing detail shots is a necessary component of every story you tell.

If slideshows aren't part of your product line then you're missing an incredible opportunity for additional revenue and good will...and Photodex makes it so easy!

Intro by Skip Cohen

Suzette Allen is back this week with a solid reminder about an often underestimated ingredient for a great slideshow, the music! You're working so hard to capture stunning images and then put them together as the ultimate storyteller. Don't take shortcuts when it comes to your music selection.

You choice of music is critical to your presentation. It's not a process you want to rush, but it's also time-consuming chasing music when there's so much out there. So, Suzette shared the perfect tip from our mutual good friend, Roy Ashen at Triple Scoop.

Think about it for just a second. You took a lot of time to capture stunning images and put them together to share the perfect story for a client. Why not take the time to pick the right music?

Photodex never slows down in their efforts to provide you with the very best creative tools for imaging presentations. Check out ProShow 8 and all the features available to make you a legend with each client, including great music!  Your presentations deserve the very best and Suzette and Photodex are here to help you make that happen!

by Suzette Allen

One of the biggest factors in setting the mood for your images and slideshows is Music.  It is a vital element that can instantly set the tone of happy and energetic, or moody and dramatic with the same exact images!

I generally pick out my song early in the process when I am designing a show, so I can get in the mood and pace, especially if I am making a custom show. However, with Pro Show Web, which pretty much makes it for me, it’s not nearly as critical to choose your music early in the design process. [but it still helps to get you in the mood!]

Choosing music that is fitting can take time, too. You don’t want to just pick any song—it really needs to be a good tune- with the right feel. We tend to pick songs we like, although they may not do your story justice.

Here’s a great tip:  I saw a fabulous program by Roy Ashen of  Triple Scoop Music a couple years ago that was SO helpful in picking music. He said to choose three words that describe the person, the mood, the emotion or style/feeling you want to portray in your visual story, then listen to the music selections to decide if they support those three words. (instead of just choosing a tune you like).

It works like magic and gets you out of your personal music box and into some more exciting genres. Incidentally, I often use Triple Scoop Music, as they are one of the best royalty-free Music Providers in the industry. However, since Photodex provides such a great selection in their service (which is included in the price) I also use PSW (ProShow Web) music anytime it fits the mood! 
 
Here’s a big factor in music choosing—TIME! It is so helpful to have a good search criteria to find songs, because it can take a while, depending on how obsessed you are! I’ll be honest, too; I usually want to rush through that process—especially in Senior Season! It is a lifesaver that PSW allows you to mark your favorite songs and put them into your special favorites collection!
 
So just to help you out, and maybe expose you to some of the awesome music out there, here are three short shows, each one having a different mood, all thanks to the music I chose. The music you choose can make or break a great presentation - take the time to do a little exploring so you know what's available.

Enjoy!