Free Mini Card Templates and Accordion Book Designs to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day will be here soon.  And MCP Actions has the perfect gift for photographers.  We teamed up with the talented duo at Photographer Cafe to bring you these fun, modern Mini Valentine’s Cards and Mini Accordion Books.  They make a gift for your customers or for your own kids to hand out at school.  Plus, while we had Valentine’s Day in mind, they really work all year long.

While these are FREE, we really appreciate you sharing out in on Facebook, Pinterest and other social networking sites.  Just use the buttons at the top or bottom of this page – THANK YOU!  This motivates us to make more freebies in the future. Click on the “download from Facebook” button and grab them there.  The templates are fully-layered .psd files so you have full control. Terms of use and instructions are included.  Please read both upon downloading.

Also, Photographer Cafe generously has offered all MCP readers a 10% discount through Valentine’s Day 2012, just use the promo code at checkout: PC10. This is not for use at MCP Actions.  

Every hobbyist and professional photographer with a d-SLR needs a way to carry his or her gear. Whether you want a bag to hold your lenses and flash or you want a camera bag that holds even more, our giveaway this week has you covered!

Two winners will be chosen – one will win Shootsac’s new product, the Tote & Shoot. The other will win the lens bag that started it all, the Shootsac + one cover.

Enter now. Here’s how…

The Prize:

• Prize 1: Tote & Shoot in your choice of colors, subject to availability.
• Prize 2: Shootsac Lens Bag with your choice of one cover, subject to availability.
• PROMO CODE for all: Everyone gets $25 off a $75+ purchase at Shootsac by using the discount code: MCPSSTS11. Code expires 12/31/2011. Order by 12/14/11 to ensure delivery by Christmas of all in stock products.

To Enter:

Add your comments on our blog post (not on our Facebook Wall/Notes section – these will NOT count)

For your main entry, reply to the questions below:

• Visit the Shootsac website and check out both products – then come back here and indicate which of the two bags you would prefer to win (the Tote & Shoot or the Shootsac)? If you pick the Tote & Shoot, indicate which color you would want?  If you pick the Shootsac, tell us which pattern cover you would pick?  
• “Like” MCP Actions on Facebook unless you don’t use Facebook (go here to “like us” if you have not prior).
• Subscribe to out “public” updates via Facebook. See top of our blog for the subscribe button.

Increase your odds of winning. Do any or all of these extra credit items (add a comment/extra entry for each):

1. Upload a photo on the MCP Actions Facebook Wall that you edited using MCP’s Photoshop actions or Lightroom Presets (they can be the free ones if you haven’t bought any yet). Tell us what actions or presets you used.  Please do NOT write that the photo is for extra credit on our wall.  To get credit for this, come back to our blog and just comment that you added a photo.
2. Spread the word about MCP Actions products, contest, or blog. Do this on social networking sites, your blog, or photo forums, as permitted. Comment and us know where you shared. For ease, use the Share Links for Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, Google Plus, Stumble Upon, and more. One extra comment/entry per place shared.
3. Add on your blog one of the following: MCP Actions Banner (html code on the sidebar of our blog) OR or a text link to our website (something like “MCP Photoshop Actions” or “MCP Lightroom Presets”)
4. Subscribe to our blog RSS feed for the 1st time – see the orange icon at the top right of our blog. If you add it today, leave a comment letting us know.

Contest Rules:

This contest is sponsored by Shootsac and MCP Actions. It is open to participants only where permitted by law.

Winner will be picked via random drawing on the evening of Sunday, December 18th and announced on the MCP Blog. Winners will also be contacted by email. If we receive the winners’ mailing addresses by the morning of Monday, Dec. 19th, and you are in the United States, Shootsac will do their best to deliver by Christmas. If we hear back past that time or your are outside the US, delivery will most likely occur after Christmas.  Odds are winning are 1/# of entries. Increase your odds by participating in our extra credit items.

Here are a few images of the new tote and shoot:

And the original lens bag – the Shootsac:

The winner of the Lightroom Goody Bag is: Melanie Williams (entry #130)

Please contact me at jodi@mcpactions.com within 2 days with your name and mailing address so I can get your prize ready for shipping. We will choose another winner if we do not hear from you.  Thanks!

Tomorrow through November 29th, save on the following products from Adobe:

• $100 off the Full version of Photoshop Lightroom 3. Only $199 for a limited time..
• Save $150 on the Full version of Photoshop CS5.
• Save $250 on the Full version of Photoshop CS5 Extended. Hurry!
• Save 30% on all qualifying upgrades to Adobe Photoshop CS5 or Photoshop CS5 Extended.
• Save 10% on Full versions of Adobe CS5.5.

And TOMORROW is our Annual Black Friday – Cyber Monday 10% off Sale.  Visit our blog later tonight and learn how to save.

WIN The Coolest Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Goody Bag Prize Package Ever!

The Prize: A Camera Bag Filled with Goodies: Lightroom 3 for PC or Mac, a LR Tee, A Luggage Tag, A Getting Started DVD, and fun LR Stickers.

• These Prizes were donated by Adobe North America
• Already have Lightroom?  This prize package makes the perfect gift for a photographer friend or relative
• Remember to download our free Lightroom Presets – Mini Quick Clicks to try them out!
• CHECK BACK TO SEE IF YOU WON AND WILL WILL ALSO HAVE MONEY SAVING DEALS FROM ADOBE ON PHOTOSHOP and LIGHTROOM

Contest Rules:

Winner will be picked via random drawing on Thanksgiving and announced on the MCP Blog. The prize will be sent out within 5 business days. Winner must check our blog and contact us to redeem prize within 2 days of the announcement.  Odds are winning are 1/# of entries. Valid only where permitted by law. If the winner is outside the United States, they are responsible for shipping costs and any imposed taxes and tariffs.

To Enter:

Add your comments on our blog(not on our Facebook Wall or Notes section – these will NOT count)

For your 1st entry, reply to the 3 questions below in one comment:

1. What editing program(s) do you currently use?
2. What MCP Products do you currently use?  And which are your favorites?  If you have never used our actions or presets, indicate “none.”
3. Confirm that you “like” MCP Actions on Facebook – if you do not confirm this, your entry will NOT count (go here to “like us” if you have not prior)

Do you really want to win? Here are ways you can get additional entries:

• Spread the word about MCP Actions products, contest, or blog. Do this on social networking sites, your blog, or photo forums, as permitted. Just leave a comment and tell us where you shared about us. For ease, use the Share Links for Facebook, Twitter, Stumble Upon, and more. You may also post about our contest to Pintrest or Google Plus. One extra comment/entry per item.
• Add the MCP Actions Banner or a text link to MCP’s site on your blog (code can be found on the sidebar of our blog). Then come back and tell us you did.
• Subscribe to our blog RSS feed for the 1st time – see the orange icon at the top right of our blog. If you add it today, leave a comment letting us know.

This season, why not try a few extra things to add a little more fun and revenue to your photography business?  Here Photo Business Tools shares 4 quick ways photographers can increase their photography income during the holidays.

1. Offer new and creative sessions to your clients.  We are all doing mini sessions already, but why not try offering Santa Sessions or Pajama Sessions through the month of December where you come and snap a couple of priceless memories of your clients kids around their Christmas tree?

2. Offer Gift Certificates!  This is a great one for the guys!  Contact the men in your circle of friends, family and clientele, and help them do their Holiday shopping with gift certificates for photography with you.  If he’s smart, he’ll know it’s a much better gift than electronics!

3. In addition to offering Holiday cards, add a few Holiday products to your sales.  Maybe personalized jewelry, or accordion books.  You could even sell personalized iphone skin covers, calendars or books.  Choose something that you love, be sure that your pricing includes your time and profit, and share it with everyone!

4. Create fun contests on your blog through the next few months and share on Facebook to increase your exposure.  Why not do a cutest pajama contest, or best cookie contest.  Design it so that your fans can enter through your blog and then they can have extra entries by sharing with friends through Facebook.  This is a great way to use inbound marketing and get your images in front of more people at the same time!

Could you get excited about having access to free contracts, forms and even templates to help you grow your photography business?  Would you love some help boosting your business with marketing and sales education?  PBT is giving 2 photographers their choice of either a year long subscription to the Photo Business Tools site, or 1 hour of business mentorship and we want you to win!!

Here is how you can enter:

• Leave a comment on this blog post, (not on Facebook Wall or Notes section).  In the comment share one “hiccup” that you are having in your business that you would like a little advice with, and one part of business that your great at.

For extra entries:

• Spread the word through Social Media.  Post about this contest in any social media site like Facebook, Twitter, Blog,  Stumble Upon, Pinterest, Google+, etc.   For each social media site that you share on, come back and leave one separate comment (up to 5 extra entries), with a link sharing where you did this.  You may use this statement;  “I hope I win the @photobusinesstools giveaway on @mcpactions blog!”
• Please like us on Facebook.  Make sure to “like” MCP Actions and Photo Business Tools on Facebook.
• Add the MCP Actions banner (or a text link to our site) on your blog.  Please use the text “Photoshop actions for photographers” and link to our site.  For the banner, grab the code from the sidebar.  Once you add this, leave a comment and let us know you did.

Rules and deadlines:

• Winners will be picked at random by random.org tomorrow (Tues., Nov. 22nd) morning and announced on this blog.
• To increase chances of winning, participate in the “extra” entries.
• This contest is sponsored by MCP Actions and Photo Business Tools.
• No purchase necessary.
• Good Luck!   We hope your a winner!!

Amy Fraughton and Amy Swaner are the founders of Photo Business Tools, an online site offering business resources and education for photographers through blog posts, podcasts and downloadable forms.

We wish everyone a fun, safe Halloween!

Today is the last to buy our Lightroom Presets and ACR Presets at special introductory pricing. Save $30 now. Don’t let our offer turn into a ghost.

We’re not masquerading. Here is what others are saying:

• Jean Smith Photography
• Brenda Acuncius Photography
• Rebecca Spencer Photography
• And a few reviews people left on our website

Also make sure to download our “virtual Halloween candy” – the FREE Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw Presets.

This photo was a result of lighting, not editing. Fitting for Halloween as she looks like a zombie.

We hope you enjoyed learning all about Jean and Travis: how they got started and even their photography tips!

We are excited to announce the winner of the He Said, She Said Photography Workshop on September 16th and 17th, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. 

The winner was selected via random.org. And the winner is comment #141 – Ashley Henry. CONGRATULATIONS!

For the rest of you remember if you sign up soon you can save $150 by mentioning this contest and MCP. I am planning to attend since Jean and Travis are amazing and they are local to me.  So as long as it works for my schedule, you may get to meet me too – not sure if that is a good selling point but….

Thank you everyone who participated. Hope to see some of you there. Jodi

Yesterday, you got to read all about Jean and Travis.  They answered questions about how they got started and even shared a few photography tips!

Now you have a chance to attend their He Said She Said Photography Workshop for FREE.  They will be covering everything from pre-production (location, style and creativity, etc), to production (posing and working with your subject, lighting with off camera flash, etc), and finally, to post production (workflow, post processing, and everything business).   They say “where one is weaker, the other is strong, and together, we offer a complete package with tons-o-knowledge.”

What does this mean?  What is included?  When is it?

• The workshop will take place on September 17th, 2011, with an optional lighting day on September 16th, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan.
• The winner will receive a free seat at the workshop on both days ($1350 value)!
• The winner will ALSO receive a one-on-one (well one-on-two) breakfast or lunch the following day with Travis and Jean to ask questions, get a portfolio review, etc!!!

Who can win?

• Any photographer who wants to learn from Jean and Travis!

What is not included?

• You will need to cover transportation, such as airfare, and lodging, food, spending money, etc…  But it will be SO worth it!

What if I win but cannot attend? What if I am not sure about the dates or if I can get to Detroit, etc? Can I still enter?

• If you win, you have four options: (1) attend, learn a lot and have a blast, (2) transfer workshop to a friend – this does not mean sell it and it cannot be given away on your blog, (3) let us know and we can draw another winner, (4) use it on a future He Said, She Said Workshop within one year (but keep in mind, no future dates are currently set and there are no guarantees these will work for you)

To Enter the Giveaway:

• Leave a comment. After reading the post from yesterday,come back and tell us the most interesting thing you learned and how attending this workshop could help you, your photography or your photography business (leave your answers in the comment section of the blog*). 
• Please like us on Facebook. Make sure to “like” MCP Actions on Facebook.

For Extra Entries:

• Spread the word through social networking. Post about this contest or about what you love about MCP Actions on any social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Stumble Upon, etc. For every place you post, come back and add a comment with a link sharing where you did this. You can get up to 5 extra entries for this – any additional may be deleted.

• Add the MCP Actions banner (or a text link to our site) on your blog- please use the text “Photoshop actions for photographers” and link to our site. For the banner, grab the code from the sidebar. Once you add this, leave a comment* and let us know you did.

What if I don’t win?

• Well, that would be a bummer.  But if you don’t win, and really want to come, Travis and Jean are offering anyone mentioning MCP Actions $150 off of the registration fee.

Contest Rules and Deadlines:

• The contest starts on Wednesday, July 27th, 2011 at 9am eastern time. The winner will be selected via random.org on the evening of Sunday, July 31st, 2011.
• To increase chances of winning, participate in the “extra” entries.
• * Comments must be posted on the MCP Blog, not in the notes section of Facebook. Follow the link to this post on MCP Actions Blog for your entries to qualify.
• Winner is responsible for any travel related fees, including but not limited lodging, food, and travel to Detroit, Michigan.
• This contest is void where prohibited by law.
• This contest is sponsored by MCP Actions and He Said, She Said Workshops.
• NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

If you want to learn more from Jean and Travis, make sure to “like” them on Facebook: Jean’s Facebook Page and Travis’ Facebook Page.

If you are looking for a unique, cutting edge product to offer your photography customers, you need to check out Artsy Couture’s Gallery Blocks.

Artsy Couture is a new sponsor on the MCP Blog and to celebrate, they are giving away a Gallery Block of your choice.  Dozens of styles and backgrounds to choose from – you get to design your dream block if you win.

• Grand Prize: Gallery Block (your choice of style) – up to a $200 product value + shipping anywhere in the world.
• Exclusive Discount: All MCP Readers get a 30% off discount code now through September 1st, 2011 on any Gallery Block products. Just use the promo code at checkout: ACMCP. Enjoy using this coupon code for the Artsy Couture Gallery Blocks.

To Enter the Giveaway:

• Leave a comment. Visit the Artsy Couture Website – check out the variety of styles.  Come back and tell us (in the comment section of the blog*) which layout you would pick if you win. 
• Please like us on Facebook. Make sure to “like” MCP Actions on Facebook.

For Extra Entries:

• Spread the word through social networking. Post about this contest or about what you love about MCP Actions on any social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Stumble Upon, etc. For every place you post, come back and add a comment with a link sharing where you did this. You can get up to 5 extra entries for this – any additional may be deleted.
• Add the MCP Actions banner (or a text link to our site) on your blog- please use the text “Photoshop actions for photographers” and link to our site. For the banner, grab the code from the sidebar. Once you add this, leave a comment* and let us know you did.

Contest Rules and Deadlines:

• The contest starts on Wednesday, July 13th, 2011 at 9am eastern time. The winner will be selected via random.org on the evening of Sunday, July 17th, 2011.
• To increase chances of winning, participate in the “extra” entries.
• * Comments must be posted on the MCP Blog, not in the notes section of Facebook. Follow the link to this post on MCP Actions Blog for your entries to qualify.
• This contest is void where prohibited by law.
• This contest is sponsored by MCP Actions and Artsy Couture.
• NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

The five lucky winners of the $100 Gift Certificates to the Kaleidoscope Store are:

1. #103 Stacy Buffington
2. #118 Katrina Mather
3. #147 Dawn Demeo
4. #156 Elena Gonzalez
5. #180 Aylin Aguilar

Patti, of Kaleidoscope, will be in touch to let winners know how to redeem their prizes.

For a limited time get an exclusive discount – now through July 3rd, take 25% off any textures on the Kaleidoscope website (just click on the link here and use the code: mcp011).