Since more and more of you are uploading high resolution images now that you can allow the client to zoom in on them and for Send to Print, we just launched a little update that’s going to speed up the processing of those high res images.

In my own semi-scientific test, my full res images processed 287% faster!  Hope you notice things being a little speedier too!

Cheers!

For those of you who were at WPPI this year, we showed off a few new features that we’re excited about, and that you requested on our feedback page.  Here’s a sneak peek of what’s going to launch next week:

	Comment Conversations We’ve revised the client interface to create an interactive conversation on each spread. Comments will be posted in a chat style format that’s familiar and intuitive to clients.  As previously discussed, everything is now in HTML to improve reliability and promote a consistent client experience.
	New Comment View We’ve redesigned how you’ll view comments when you log in to albumexposure.  You, as the photographer or album designer, can now reply to client comments inside albumexposure and those comments will be displayed to the client the next time they log in.  Click on a spread to see the entire conversation history for that image.
	Fullscreen Zoom Screen sizes vary and sometimes the client wants to get a closer look at the images that will be included in their album.  That’s why we added a feature where a client can click at anytime to get a full screen display of any image.  We of course take every precaution to make sure the client can’t download your images.

We hope you love the new additions! Feel free to post any comments or questions below.

Cheers!

The AlbumExposure Team

During WPPI 2011, 3 lucky photographers will win the WALK, SHOOT, SHARE package:

	You’ll win a pair of TOMS shoes, and TOMS will give a pair to a child in need.
	There’s only one way to shoot, and that’s with a shootsac, so you’ll get one of those too.
	We think you’ll get ahead faster with a little help, so enjoy a year of the NEW [b] school free!

To top it off , we’ll throw in six months of AlbumExposure free .

Here are four ways you can enter to win the WALK, SHOOT, SHARE package during the show:

1. Signup for a free AlbumExposure account or upgrade your existing account
2. Tweet “I want to WALK, SHOOT, & SHARE! Thx @albumexposure, @TOMSshoes, @shootsac, & @thebschool”
3. Find Becker at the show, say “I want to WALK, SHOOT and SHARE” and hand him a business card
4. Buy a shootsac product online or at the show.

Do all four for additional chances to win!

See you out there!

Cheers!

The AlbumExposure Team

We wanted to do something fun at WPPI this year for all of you and find a way to involve those of you who can’t make the show as well.  We love giving things away, so we teamed up with TOMS Shoes, ShootSac and  The [b] School to bring you:

We’ll announce details of what the prizes are and how you can enter the Walk, Shoot Share giveaway on Sunday night before the show, it’s going to be fun!

If you’re going to be in Vegas next week, make sure you stop by our booth, #1571 and say hello, we’d love to meet you!

Here’s us at our booth last year :)

WPPI 2010
By AlbumExposure  |  View on Facebook

MissingElement is a personalized after-capture solution for professional photographers.  They offer services like color correction, retouching, custom album design and more. Check them out at http://loveshootingagain.com

For the entire month of February, we’re going to give away a free album design each day from Missing Element so that you can have a chance to try out their services risk-free.   We’ll announce the winners every Friday at noon PST!

Every week you’ll have a chance to enter, and any albumexposure upgrade in February will automatically be entered to win as well!

For this week, just tweet: I’d like to win a free album design from @albumexposure and @miss_ngElement!

Week 2: Like AlbumExposure on Facebook and tag us and Missing Element in a post: I’d like to win a free album design from AlbumExposure and Missing Element!

Week 3:Either tweet or post on facebook: I’d like to win a free album design from @albumexposure and @miss_ngElement!

(Make sure to get the tags in there if posting to facebook so we see your entry!)

Cheers!

The AlbumExposure Team

Check out the Ultimate Photographer’s Source Book, a great resource that’s full of tips, tricks, discounts and freebies for taking your photography business to the next level.

If you order by Sunday January 23rd, you’ll also save $40 off of the retail price!

Spoiler alert: we’re in there ;)

WPPI 2011 is right around the corner and we’ll be exhibiting again this year!  We’re giving away 8 trade show passes (worth $399 each!). Here’s how you can win one:

1. Like us on Facebook
2. Post a review of AlbumExposure on our Facebook Page
3. Post why you like AlbumExposure on your Facebook wall and tag us.
4. Post why you like AlbumExposure on twitter, and use the hashtag #aewppi

Each of the above will enter you once into the drawing, so you can enter up to 4 times! We’ll be drawing two winners each day at 5 PM PST until Friday.

The fine print conditions about the pass:

• You can’t already be registered for WPPI (but you could give the pass to a friend)
• Registration doesn’t include a guest
• You must stay at the MGM Grand Hotel to receive the free registration.

If you’re coming to WPPI this year, make sure and stop by our booth (#1571) and say hi!

If you’re in the UK or Europe and planning to attend SWPP, make sure to visit our good friends Folio Albums.  They will be showing off their amazing products at the convention and will have a special treat for those interested in adding AlbumExposure to their arsenal of studio tools.

Since we integrate with Folio via our Send to Print feature, you can create a seamless workflow and sell more albums with ease!  Give it a go and make sure to tell Stewart hello for us when you cruise by their booth.  Cheers!

Today’s entry is a guest blog from Jared Bauman of Shoot Dot Edit.  We asked him to share about the benefits of post production and how services like these, combined with AlbumExposure, can make your life easier and improve your bottom line.  Hope you find it helpful. Cheers!

As a wedding photographer, album proofing was always a huge issue for our studio.  The back and forth emailing made design changes a huge strain, and our display method didn’t match our studio’s brand.  AlbumExposure was a huge advancement for our studio, and really did embody simplicity and elegance.  In the end, AlbumExposure provided high quality proofing, and simplified our entire album process.

Garrett and I created ShootDotEdit for some of the same reasons.  ShootDotEdit is a post production company that provides high quality image editing services for photographers.  For our studios, editing had become a huge strain.  It took time, energy, and resources.  Not to mention the fact that at the end of the day, we are photographers …. and not editors.  We were mediocre at best when it came to editing.

“Why should I let go of my post production?”  That’s the question we hear the most, and it’s a completely valid one.  Letting go of your post production is not an easy decision, because images are the reflection of the art each photographer creates.  Many determine that letting go of the post production is letting go of the creative process, and letting someone else determine the final look and feel of the image.

So why let go of the post production?  Well, in the end, editing is not a part of your business.  You’re a photographer – not only is that what you love to do, but its what you get paid for.  And, beyond that, editing is not the main component involved in why your clients book you.  They book you because you’re you and because of the images you take.  Have any of your past clients asked what color temperature a photo was?  ;)

We understand the importance of quality, turnaround time, and customization, because we’re professional photographers as well.  Both Garrett and I have successful wedding studios in Southern California, so we understand the integral demands on today’s wedding photographer.  Like proofing with AlbumExposure, ShootDotEdit  focuses on quality and ease of use.

Partnering of AlbumExposure and ShootDotEdit made a lot of sense.  If you’re interested in giving it a try, feel free to take a 20% discount off all jobs over $100 submitted by 1/20/2011!  Use promo code:  “AESDE”

Jared Bauman

CEO / ShootDotEdit
ShootDotEdit.com

Still looking for the right post production partner for your studio? Revolutionize your efficiencies and effectiveness with Revolution Imaging & Design. They are one of the best in the industry at partnering with photographers and studios to achieve an in-sourced feel with their outsourced services. And now it gets even better as Revolution can kick your album designs directly into your AlbumExposure account (with your permission, of course), for a seamless workflow into proofing with your client. Add in our Send to Print option and you’re linked in from post production to proofing to print with the easiest workflow available. No more multiple uploads and downloads, just one easy and smooth process…give it a try, it’s well….revolutionary. Make sure to tell Jack and the team at Revolution that we say hi!

Cheers!
The AlbumExposure Team