This week Kathy at Photodex shared five of their favorite slide shows for 2016. While I could just link you to her blog post right now, this is too important a topic just to send you over there directly.  While slides shows in themselves are certainly not new to professional photographers - how you can use them is changing every day.

• Hybrid technology has given you the ability to combine video with still images, giving your presentations more impact.
• Technology, like Panasonic's LUMIX cameras give you the ability to switch from still images to video and back again, all with just a push of a button. Plus, don't forget 4K technology.
• Social media has given you the ability to share your work with literally thousands of potential clients. Slide shows aren't just great products for clients, but represent one of the very strongest marketing tools you have available!
• And last, but hardly least, Photodex keeps make it easier and easier for you to create presentations that are exciting and memory-making! Have you checked out ProShow 8?

So, as we close out 2016 with my last Photodex Friday, take the time to watch each of these videos, starting with one of my personal favorites from my good buddy, Sal Cincotta!

CONTINUE WATCHING...

Wishing everyone a HAPPY and HEALTHY NEW YEAR! And, a big thanks to Photodex for all their support to the industry and helping artists raise the bar on their images and presentations!

by Kathy
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The year is rapidly coming to a close and along with December, the busiest time of year for most photographers comes the challenge of what to buy for your gift-giving. In the middle of chasing/fulfilling orders for your clients, and often burning the midnight oil, you've got to find time to do a little shopping for some fun things for a few special people in your life.

Remember the word fun? It's one of those very critical words so often lost in business today. We're stressed, overly focused and often just miss the point about having fun with everything we're doing. Seriously, what good is working this hard if you're not having a little fun at the same time? 

Well, Kathy at Photodex never slows down on great blog content and remembering the importance of fun.  She shared the post below on five great gift ideas last week. I wanted to share it again here at SCU because they're all such good ideas, and yes, they're fun.

I also know many of you have kids interested in photography, and as they follow in your footsteps, photo-centric stocking stuffers sure seem like a great addition to this year's holiday choices.

Here's one more fun idea Kathy didn't suggest - a little gift you give yourself - bookmark the Photodex blog and then find the time each week to catch up on your reading. Kathy and the team are always sharing great content, and they go far beyond ideas to enhance your presentations. You'll find a never-ending series of great posts on virtually every aspect of photography.

Along with great content, check out a great holiday discount, soon coming to a close, on upgrades and FX packs. Just click on the banner to the right for more information.

by Kathy

Are you struggling to find the photographer in your life something special? We’ve compiled a short list of 5 fun gifts all for $50 or less. We all know a shutterbug and these gifts will definitely put a smile on their face and a little joy in their heart.

• The GorillaPod, King Size
  Tired of carrying heavy gear? The GorillaPod is lightweight with flexible arms to wrap around almost anything to help you get more creative and take pictures from different angles. It can support cell phones, and even your camera with a zoom lens and flash! Price: $50
• ProShow Web Plus
  Share you holiday memories by combining videos and photos from your camera roll, Facebook, and Instagram. Instantly apply tons of special effects and access tracks directly from the built-in music library to create amazing on-the-go HD slideshows. For faster slideshow creation ProShow also offers a free app for current subscribers for your mobile device. Price: $48/year
• Ring Light
  The macro ring light is great for detailed illumination and creating ring lights in the subjects eyes with fashion and portrait work. It’s also a must have for nature photographers who like to capture macro and close ups of wildlife. It’s lightweight and compact so you can take it with you anywhere! Sale Price:$29.95
• 5-in-1 Reflector Pro
  Be prepared! Not all locations are the same…which means the lighting will be different for each situation. Included in the pack is the diffuser disc and 4 reflectors in soft gold, soft silver, soft white, and black. Available in a variety of sizes. Price: $39.95 for 32in
• Camera Lens Mug
  Keep your drinks hot or cold with this silly lens mug. Perfect for this winter weather. It also comes with a lens hood that doubles as mini plate for cookies and other small snacks to munch on. Just remember not to confuse it with your real camera lens. Price: $10.99

Last week Kathy from Photodex shared the blog below and it got me thinking about packaging in general. I've done a number of posts over the years about professional packaging. Sadly, I've seen photographers deliver finished products to clients with about as much thought as the kid at the supermarket packing groceries.

Here's my point today - you've got a unique opportunity to elevate everything you present to your clients with great packaging. Make the extra effort to add a gift quality to every product you deliver, regardless of the time of year. It's another dimension to elevating your work from you competitors!

And, if you're not following the Photodex Blog, this post is a perfect example, as Kathy shares a few great ideas in packaging for your slide shows. The Photodex Blog needs to be on your radar - they're always sharing great content to help you not just with the quality of your slide shows, but with your skill set as an artist!

by Kathy
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Admit it. It’s always nice when we receive a customized gift, such as a slideshow made with ProShow. Take this one step further and present your creative slideshow with some impressive packaging.

We’ve reached a point where technology is being used as gifts. Just handing someone a USB drive or a plain DVD isn’t very stunning. It’d still be nice to have it show some effort went into the idea, whether the recipient be personal or professional.

Aside from packaging, we’ve also found some great options to customize the USB drive and DVD itself. This allows you to be very creative and to be able to bring those ideas to life.

You’d think there would be a limited variety, but the choices are endless. Simple and sleek, complex and fancy, cork, crystal, leather, and more!
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Here are some of our favorite folio and flash drive packaging sites. The choice is yours.

​What is great about Photo Flash Drive is that they don’t have a minimum order requirement. Just choose the capacity of the USB then begin to customize. Some interesting options they offer are drives made out of Bamboo and a cork flash bottle. Check it out.

​All the way from Scotland, Loxley Colour offers beautiful covers for your DVD folio or USB box. The Damask and Linen material have some very pretty patterns formed.

Check out H+H Color Lab if you’re interested in the vintage style. They have cute wood boxes with a distressed look. Finish it off with a simple custom engraving.

​Keep it modern with some customized acrylic USB drives. This is available to purchase as a combination with a custom USB box as well. Save time and create/order everything at once.

To make this gift even more special, MpixPro has handmade DVD cases wrapped in textured satin. This gift will always be remembered because their DVD printing won’t fade.
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Are you giving a beautiful slideshow and want to share it with others? Submit your slideshow to be a spotlight on our blog. Select the Blog Submission option.