Please post anything that’s on your mind here that doesn’t have an applicable category.
Call it “midlife crisis” or just a little insanity. Last Saturday was my latest “bucket list” moment as I joined dozens of Northeast Ohioans for the 2015 Arctic Plunge at Edgewater Park near downtown Cleveland.
…
Cleveland Arctic Plunge – Another one for the “bucket list”Read More »
Cleveland Arctic Plunge – Another one for the “bucket list” Read More »
Yep, I knew it would happen eventually. I've been waiting to be asked to participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge but I never thought it would come from our Australian foreign exchange student from 24 years ago – Rebecca Freeman Haines! I asked her to do the ice bucket honors. She came all the way from Australia to be with us!
In this video, I weathered a bucket of ice water dumped over my head and then challenged my neighbors at Cypress Station in North Ridgeville and my co-workers at University Hospital’s Eye Institute Reading Centers to also support this worthy cause. …
My ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Has Surprise Ending Read More »
Now that John Lanigan, the popular and sometimes controversial radio host/DJ has retired, I thought I'd share an awkward moment I had with him during an on-air visit to Cleveland radio station WMJI.
I was invited to appear on a COSE sponsored segment where member businesses try to stump the DJs with the type of business they own. After guessing that I owned a portrait studio, John Lanigan then asked if I did nude photos. To be clear – I DON’T do nude photos although I have done several glamour sessions over the years – all done in a tasteful fashion. Any way, my mind began to race as I began to sweat while I quickly formulated my response. How do you think I did? What would YOU have said? Please comment below!
Mark’s embarrassing moment with John Lanigan on Majic 105.7 Read More »
Tonight, I'll be teaching local professional photographers how to turn their client photo sessions into simple-to-create videos that will help their studios be found easily on YouTube and Google searches.
The presentation is titled, “Explode Your Business with Simple-to-Create Videos and Your Own FREE YouTube Channel.” It will be held at the North Olmsted Library at 7 p.m. for the Society of Northern Ohio Professional Photographers (SONOPP) monthly meeting.
Through a series of short demonstration videos, attendees will discover how to “grab” new clients with simple videos that will help their studio's website outrank their competition's in Google search results – all without having to appear on camera or buying expensive video equipment.
At the end of the evening, attendees will:
• Review great and not-so-good videos of Ohio portrait photographers so they will understand the key elements of successful, client-capturing videos (Here’s a sample video they’ll see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY30tAkpwaM)
• Discover how to make videos with impact from existing photos with cheap, easy-to-use video editing software to get their first videos online immediately
• Learn the importance of having a “video intro” to brand their videos for instant recognition by their prospects and clients (They’ll also see SONOPP’s new video intro.)
• Understand what an actual photography studio YouTube channel looks like so they’ll have a guide to create their own, free channel
• Discover how to create their very own YouTube channel to host their videos and make them available for prospective clients who search Google for businesses like theirs
• Get a list of inexpensive, must-have video equipment for creating live videos for minimal cost
• Hear about an online, step-by-step training course for creating videos that includes tons or marketing tricks that will get their videos watched AND convert their viewers into paying customers
• Discover an online course on how to easily create promotional videos with a smartphone
Why should SMART business owners attend this program? Because:
• Video drives engagement. Engagement increases revenue.
• Websites with video are more likely to be featured on the first page of Google's search results.
• Video adds credibility and is available 24/7.
• Video makes a website SIX times more likely to convert a visitor into a paying customer.
• Video is easily shared with other potential customers. It can be viewed on many devices.
• Video is memorable. With video, more content will be remembered and for a longer period of time than with text alone.
• Providing a link to a video within an email will increase response and drive more traffic to a website.
• A visitor will stay on a website featuring a video at least two minutes longer and is 64% more likely to purchase than a website without video.
• Video will enhance all other marketing efforts. Using video on a landing page will increase conversions.
• A professionally produced video outperforms user generated video by at least 30%.
Local photographers to learn how to use video to promote their studios Read More »
I discovered a unique way to “print” my art that sets it apart from all other medium. Instead of using traditional photographic paper, the images are rendered as AlumaGraphsTM – a proprietary process that transforms photographs into faux paintings and then melds them into aluminum. There’s nothing as captivating as a photo that shines on aluminum with a bright, clear, glossy base and brilliant color that pops.
I've always wanted to create stunning images of landscapes and unusual architecture. Unfortunately, I never did well in art class as a child. I knew what good composition was but just couldn't draw a stick figure to save my life! I then fell in love with photography and was finally able to capture amazing scenes with a camera where an artist brush failed me. Nevertheless, my images still looked like pictures. The digital process I now use has elevated my photographs to look like the paintings I wanted to create since I was a little boy.
Some of my work may be viewed or purchased at www.mark-madere.artistwebsites.com.
New “Metal Prints” or AlumaGraphs Now Available Read More »
For little girls, princesses are always popular with Star Wars’ Princess Leia, Snow White and Cinderella in high demand. There are plenty of super hero costumes for the younger set including Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman – even the Incredible Hulk.
For “crafty” people who like making their costumes, there are sources on the Internet with tons of ideas. With a few materials and some imagination, you can make a unique costume unlike anything found in stores.
What will your baby or child be wearing this Halloween?
Check out some of the cute costumes this year's best dressed babies will be wearing in the related video! Shop for baby costumes at http://superproductreview.info/BabyCostumes.
Please share this article with you friends on Facebook, LinkedIn or via e-mail.
Adorable baby Halloween costumes create the best photo memories Read More »
Punxsutawney Phil is about to do his annual prognostication (OK, prediction) on how much longer we have to deal with cold, snowy, winter weather. After Clevelanders got socked with a rough morning commute to work in near white-out conditions and many schools canceled classes – spring can't come soon enough! …
Phantastic phfurry Phil is at it again Read More »
I had two thoughts driving home from the hospital with my wife, Divya. The first was, “I can’t believe I’m a Dad.” The second was, “I hope I can get our new baby, Max, out of that new car seat when we get home.”
During the first couple weeks, we started to figure out all the little things that are second nature for experienced parents: changing diapers, swaddling a wriggly infant, and doing every household task with one arm. As usual, Divya was a few steps ahead of me. When our doctor suggested we buy a humidifier she said, “Oh, I already have one!” When I was getting Max ready for his first bath, she pulled out a neat homemade bath kit, complete with a tiny towel, comb and toothbrush. I felt like I’d forgotten to read a secret New Baby Instruction Manual. In an exasperated moment, I remember asking Divya, “How did you figure all this stuff out already?!” She looked at me and and cheerfully replied, “I just follow other parents on Pinterest!”
Over the last year, there have been so many ways, big and small, that the Pinterest community has made my life better. I’m happy to say that I’m not alone. We’ve heard from teachers who use Pinterest to plan lessons, chefs who share recipes, and museums that pin their archives. We've also heard from millions of people who’ve been inspired to pick up an old hobby or try something new. It’s honestly more than we ever expected when we started Pinterest. We’re humbled to be part of such a positive, warm and creative community.
Today, we’re excited to continue this tradition with a new feature we hope will make Pinterest even better—secret boards. Secret boards give you a place for things you’re not quite ready to share yet, like a surprise party, special gift ideas, or even planning for a new baby. We’re testing out the feature by giving everyone 3 secret boards. You’ll find them at the bottom of your profile. We can’t wait to hear what you think!
On behalf of our team here at Pinterest, thanks so much for pinning, inviting your friends, and sending us ideas for how we can improve. Most of all, thanks for sharing your inspirations. With your help, we’ll make Pinterest a little better every day.
—Ben & the Pinterest Team
The SECRET is EXPOSED on Pinterest’s “Secret Boards” Read More »
So what do you give to the guy who has everything on Father's Day? Ahh, a dilemma for the ages. Most dads don't wait for a special occasion to get their “toys.” If they want it now – they get it now.
Fortunately, a San Francisco based company has come to the rescue. Blurb.com provides the resources to create a personalized book with your own snapshots that look as good as one you’d get in a book store.
What dad with a heart wouldn’t appreciate a hard cover book with photos of his children and stories of their experiences with dad? Dad’s the guy. The hero. The rock star. The guy who fixed it all. Photos from then. Photos from now. Make him a book that will make him proud.
Even though it may be too late to have the book delivered by Father’s Day – you can always tell him in a card that “a very special gift that you’ll treasure for a lifetime is in the works and that you’ll be getting it soon. I promise it will be worth the wait.”
Right now, Blurb is offering a special discount of 15% off ANY book until June 30, 2012(and it doesn’t even have to be for Father’s Day). Why not check it out right now?
Have you ever wanted a high quality, hard cover book of your personal photos? Have you already created one? Did you give it as a gift? How did the recipient like it? Please comment.
A dilemma for the ages – what to get Dad on Father’s Day? Read More »
A picture really is worth a thousand words. That's why I love the idea of gathering family photos and creating a Blurb photo book for Mother's Day this year. No more spending time trying to figure out what to write in that generic card you purchased from the drug store. The pictures will speak for themselves. A card is thoughtful but is easily thrown out or tucked away in a drawer. Creating a Blurb book will allow any mother to flip through and see memories she help create that you both share. I could almost guarantee it would be a gift that would be left out all year.
I created my first book with Blurb and was thrilled with the results. Although you can't actually see the quality of the cover and pages, you CAN see how nice the design looks using Blurb's free book design software. Check out my book – Picturesque Olmsted Falls.
Start creating your Blurb book today and save 15% with promo code 15OFFBOOK valid through 5/30/12.
How much do you love YOUR mom? Read More »
