Jun6

How To Organize Your Photography Portfolio

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How To Organize Your Photography Portfolio

Whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur snapper with ambition, it is sensible to have a portfolio of work that you can show clients, friends, and anyone else who shows an interest. These days, photography is mainly digital, so an online portfolio is the way to go, but even if you still develop your photographs the old-fashioned way, the same tips apply:

Quality Control:

The best thing about digital photography, is that you can take hundreds of photos in a very short time. The bad thing is, that you end up with thousands. Be honest: most of your photos are not worthy of a place in a portfolio. This is not to say that they are no good, but the whole point of creating a portfolio is that you are highlighting your very best work.

The first step in creating a portfolio is to curate your work. Go through your best shots and select the ones that you think are worthy of a place in your portfolio. Don’t just rely on your own judgment, as it will almost certainly be biased. Instead, ask a selection of people to choose their favorite shots based on artistic qualities and technical ability. The photos that make the grade should tick the right boxes for everyone.

Quality control isn’t just about your pictures itself but employing best practices at every shoot so you can continue to grow your portfolio. Come prepared to smile, be engaging, and have fun. Don’t forget backup equipment because nothing halts a photo shoot like technical problems. However, if you forget a spare film camera battery, it’s worth noting that many film cameras can still function, allowing you to take pictures even without a working light meter. Your clients have the potential to review you via word of mouth and online so you always want to put your best, most professional face forward.

Professional Portfolios:

If you are a professional photographer, or you have aspirations to become one, you need to organize your photos to fit your business model. For example, a Suffolk Wedding Photographer wouldn’t include images of edgy urban scenes, as clients are not going to be interested. Instead, he/she would make sure that there were plenty of wedding themed photos in the portfolio so potential clients know exactly what they are getting when they book the photographer.

Organize into Themes and Galleries:

Check out Virtualphotographystudio.Com to see how to organize your work into galleries. Themed galleries are very important, as they help clients and viewers find the images that they want to see.

Using our example of a wedding photographer, we might have separate galleries for couples’ shots, family portraits, and perhaps miscellaneous photos of kids, animals, and even wedding cakes. If you have several existing clients, you might choose to organize your work by the client rather than subject matter. This would be applicable to a fashion photographer. You could also organize by creative theme. For example, if you have a series of images of Tuscan villas or Canadian landscapes, add them in separate folders.

A portfolio needs to be easy to navigate. Use a main menu and sub-menus. The harder it is to find images, the more likely you are to lose a viewer.

Caption Images:

Images should be captioned with key details such as title, the year it was taken, etc. If you have an online portfolio, images also need an image tag so that search engines can identify what they are and include them in search results.

Choose the right portfolio design. There are many themes to choose from if you decide to create an online portfolio, so select the best one for your business model and impress the socks off of potential clients!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun6

English Factory Tennis Dress

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English Factory Tennis Dress

Hello!! My favorite thing about TJMaxx, other than their amazing prices, is that it gives you access to brands that you’ve never heard of or brands that are a bit out of your budget. Both of these go for the brand English Factory, which I discovered during an online shopping stint on TJ’s website. Upon inspection of English Factory’s own page, I saw that there was really nothing on there that I would be comfortable paying for, because all of their items were upwards of one hundred dollars. But, thirty five dollars for the beautiful, albeit a tad wrinkly dress seen below? I can swing that! Take a look:

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Before we go any further – yes, this dress has been ironed since these pictures have been taken! Lol!

I haven’t had much luck recently when it comes to finding some cute new dresses. And, with summer officially here, I was getting pretty desperate to find a lightweight dress or two to wear for work or play. And then, this English Factory beauty comes along and knocks me off of my feet. As soon as I saw this online, I loved it and I was completely confident that it would look awesome on me. And, obviously I was right. So much so, that out of the seven or eight items that I ordered, this dress is the only thing that I kept.

I love the quirky retro brickabrack detailing on this little number. It looks so sailor girl chic against the crisp, white cotton and I’ve never seen anything that looks like it before. The shape is also extremely flattering on me. The more structured top that turns into a flouncy skirt gives a unique silhouette – very different than every single piece of clothing in my wardrobe. And, the best thing about this dress, is that there is a slip built into the skirt so that your underwears don’t show through. Freaking SCORE.

My new English Factory dress doesn’t need much when it comes to styling an OOTD. A fun pair of platforms and one of my new Foley + Corinna purses are all I need to create a statement look!

How would you style this dress? What are some of your favorite, lesser known brands? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun5

“You Don’t Wash Your Hair?!”

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“You Don’t Wash Your Hair?!”

Hello!! So I have received many a request asking me to write about how I don’t wash my hair, so here it is. Bear in mind, that these are the results for my body. I can’t promise anything for anyone else, so please don’t get mad at me if a similar phenomenon doesn’t happen for your hair! Okay, with that disclaimer out of the way, here we go:

I began dyeing my hair when I was fifteen or so, and even at that age, I was a penny pincher. I would avoid washing my hair for as long as I could to keep the color looking fresh and sleek. But, it wasn’t until red became my staple color that I began thinking about what would happen if I just stopped washing my hair altogether.

Throughout my life, I never had problems with oily or greasy hair and never really experienced dandruff or dryness, either. My hair has always been very healthy, so it made the early stages of my no wash regime easy, because even after a week, my hair still remained nice and fresh. It was awesome.

I think that I was about seventeen when I began dyeing my hair red regularly, and it pissed me off when I would wash my hair and see the color literally washing down the drain. But, still, I was in high school and for fear of people thinking that I was weirder than I already was, I kept with my weekly washing routine. And, all of the while, my hair was just fine. No oil, no grease, no odor, nothing.

I maintained my week or so wash schedule for a while, but then, a new beauty revelation came out about four years ago – dry shampoo. So, you’re telling me, that there’s a product out there specifically made so that you don’t have to wash your hair?? Amazing!! For the next one or two months, dry shampoo became my best friend, and I worked my way up to just not washing my hair, period.

But, then, I noticed a few major character flaws with dry shampoo. It left my hair SO difficult so work with, it looked dusty, and I hated the baby powder smell. I also didn’t see the point in paying for it when my hair was doing fine without any products like that for years. So, I eliminated dry shampoo and washing in one foul swoop.

And, guess what? It was all okay. Even with using product in my hair daily and being a cigarette smoker, my hair has been so used to cleaning itself that it remains oil, grease, and odor free for an entire month. The only time that I get my hair wet now, is when I redye it monthly. And, even then, I only condition my hair because I am so anti shampoo.

I have literally been training my hair for this point in my life for seven years. And now, for a solid four of them, I haven’t been washing my hair at all. My hair is my crowning jewel and its vibrant red summarizes my personality and brand perfectly. And, with a wash free lifestyle, I get to keep my color looking freshly dyed until I need to touch up my roots. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Who else embraces a no wash lifestyle? Who is willing to try out something like that? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Giphy

Jun4

You Don’t Have To Be A Suck Up To Get That Promotion

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You Don’t Have To Be A Suck Up To Get That Promotion

No one like that one person in the office that is always laughing way too hard at the boss’s joke or begging for extra work! Luckily, you don’t have to be that gal or guy to get where you need to be in your career. You can excel without being a suck up, just read the post below to find out how:

Actions speak louder than words:

One way to prove yourself worthy of a promotion and a position of responsibility is to let your actions speak for you. What this means is that you don’t waste your time handing out hollow compliments to people or playing the political game but, instead, keeping your head down and focusing on the work.

Then, you can demonstrate your focus, dedication, and commitment without having to do anything else. These are all qualities which any manager worth their salt will recognize as being top of the list when considering you for a promotion.

Educate:

Next, you certainly don’t have to suck up to get a promotion if you can prove that you have the necessary education and experience. One way to achieve this is to complete a specialized course like this electrical engineering degree online in your own time. Then, you can fit your studies around your current work commitments and get qualified for the promotion that you want. Studying in your field puts you in a great position for a promotion.

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Hit the books!

Of course, it’s also possible to enroll in courses that provide on the job training, that will set you up nicely for the role that you want. Yes, these may pay a little less in the short term, a consideration that is important if you have a family to support or bills to pay. However, such courses do have the advantage of providing practical experience as well as just book learning. Something that is often perceived as incredibly valuable by potential employers and those in a position to offer a promotion.

Lastly, do not forget the power of volunteering in your chosen field in your own time. This shows your dedication to the area and can provide you with the relevant experience that you need to climb the ladder.

Be your own person:

The temptation in a work environment is to become a yes person or join a group or clique for safety and security. However, sometimes being a part of a larger group can do more damage than good when it comes to landing that promotion that you are looking for.

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Pexels Image

Those in power may associate you with the group first and not judge you on your own individual merit. In fact, they can also be concerned that because of your loyalty and friendships within the company that you will provide favorable treatment to those that you are close to; that could compromise the running of the business.

To that end, it’s always best to be your own person as much as possible while at work, and don’t be afraid to speak out if you think something is a bad idea. Although, do remember to do this constructively with valid reasons. Otherwise, you risk being labeled as a complainer, and that certainly won’t be too good for your promotion prospects, either.

Being up for a promotion is a big deal, and following the above steps can help you land the spot that you’ve always dreamed of!

Jun4

NYX Lipstick Swatch In Indie Flick

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NYX Lipstick Swatch In Indie Flick

Helloooo! Today’s NYX lippie that we’re going to swatch is called Indie Flick. At first, I thought that purchasing this shade would be a good idea, because it does have hints of red in it. But, upon trying it on at home, I was gravely mistaken, because this color is straight up orange! Lol, check it out:

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I have always really liked the idea of orange lipstick, because it looks SO cute on the gals that can pull it off. But, unfortunately, Indie Flick is just too orange for me. If it were still a red color with orange undertones to it, maybe it would be a different story. But, it’s definitely an orange shade with a tiny smidgen of red thrown in for good measure.

Would a color like this look awesome with bright red hair and pasty pale skin? No, absolutely not. But, maybe – just maybe – a pale peach or something soft and sweet would look better, instead! I guess I’ll have to find a color like that and see what happens! 😀

Who here can rock an orange lip? What is your favorite brand of lipstick? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun3

NYX Lipstick Swatch In Shocking Pink

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NYX Lipstick Swatch In Shocking Pink

Hello everyone!! Back in the day, before I became a loyal red lipstick lover, I was all about experimenting with different lippie colors. But, now, I really only buy more reds or nudes, because I know that they will look good on me. With red hair, the pinks, purples, and the more out there colors all look a hot mess on me. So, I have a box full of lippies from my “let’s try every color ever” phase to swatch for you guys. And, now I present to you, Shocking Pink by NYX:

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Shocking Pink is definitely an appropriate name for this lippie, because this is PINK! But, to be more precise, I would call this fuchsia. 😉 Obviously, I would look like a clown in a color like this, but I can picture it looking SO stunning on someone with jet black hair. Shocking Pink has very cool blue undertones to it, so combining it with the sleekness of black hair would be really fabulous.

I used to think that I could get away with wearing any lipstick color, but I don’t think I ever even tried wearing this one. Shocking Pink looks like a really difficult color to pull off and I applaud anyone who can manage looking fantastic in a fuchsia lip!

Which color of lippie looks best on you? What are some lipstick colors that you would never wear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun2

It’s In The Bag: Foley + Corinna Pt. 2 Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Foley + Corinna Pt. 2 Edition

As I was saying yesterday, my beautiful off white Foley + Corinna purse was so perfect that… I had to get it in black, too. *Face palm*

BUT LET ME EXPLAIN!!

As I admired myself with my white purse in the mirror at TJMaxx, I thought to myself “Boy, I sure hope that they don’t have this in another color”. I was so enamored with this bag, that if presented with it in a rainbow of colors, I would have bought every single one of them. But, luckily, TJs only had it in one other color, and it just so happened to be my favorite:

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Yeah… I bought it in black, too.

Finding this purse in black was like a kick in the gut and a complete brain blast all in one. I loved both of the colors so much and now I had to pick between the two?! I must have spent a solid half an hour at TJMaxx weighing in the pros and cons of each purse and each time I thought that I was making progress, something about the color that I was about to eliminate made me fall in love with it all over again. I was torn.

So, I guess it’s a good thing that my twenty-fourth birthday is coming up in five days because my mom pulled through in the clutch and offered to get me one of them for my b-day! How could I pass that up?! Was it necessary to get both colors of this bag? Absolutely not. But did I really, really want both? You have no idea. So, thanks to some birthday magic and a cool mom, I got to bring the only two of these purses in the store back home with me. HURRAY! 😀

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Have you ever bought anything in multiple colors? How has retail therapy helped you out during a tough time? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun1

Do Right By Your Kids With These Parenting Hacks

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Do Right By Your Kids With These Parenting Hacks

Being a parent is not easy, and you need to make sure that you do what you can to raise your kids to the best of your ability. There are a lot of considerations to make, and you need to figure out what is involved in the process of improving things for the kids. These are some of the key ideas that you might want to bear in mind that will help you do what’s best for them moving forward:

Keep Them Safe:

The biggest concern that so many parents have these days is whether or not their children are safe. This is something that all of us worry about at one time or another, but we can influence this in some way, as well. The best thing to do is to make sure that you take the steps to ensure that your child is being looked after properly. Choose the safest childcare options, make sure they know their address and phone number, and that they learn not to talk to strangers. Keeping your children safe is such a big concern as a parent, so the more that you can do to achieve it, the better.

Make Sure They’re Well Educated:

Education is so important, because it gives your kids opportunities and opens more doors in the future. Consider what is involved in your child’s education, and how you can improve these prospects as much as possible. Primary school kids need to learn their times tables, they need to be asking what is a composition? And they need to know about electricity and gravity, and all of those important things. So, do be sure you’re helping them study and keeping them on track at home.

Look After Their Future:

You need to do as much as possible to look after your kids’ future financially. You need to have money to help support them as they get older, and that means taking the time to start saving and being more financially sound as a family. Preparing for the future is so important and can help you do a lot to improve your financial situation as long as you are careful.

Don’t Overparent:

So many parents make the mistake of overparenting their kids, and this can be a negative thing. You don’t want to be smothering your child and not allowing them to experience new things because, otherwise, they will not develop properly and will not be involved outside of home as much as they should. You have to work on being the best parent you possibly can be, and this involves giving your kids space to make their own mistakes.

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 :*)

If you can follow these parenting hacks, you will be well placed to make sure that you do right by your kids as much as you can. It’s important to look after their future and help them to grow and develop as people. And you can do so much to achieve that, including looking after their education and financial futures.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun1

It’s In The Bag: Foley + Corinna Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Foley + Corinna Edition

Hey! So as I mentioned earlier this week, your girl was in desperate need of some retail therapy. And retail therapy I did. Oh yes, retail therapy I did. Although I love all accessories equally, I can’t say that I am a huge purse girl. I’d much rather buy a new pair of shoes. But, that doesn’t mean that I don’t love purses and I definitely have a collection in my own right. I’m very particular when it comes to my bags, so when the right one (Or two!) come along at TJMaxx, it’s very hard to say no! Take a look:

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When I saw this GORGEOUS Foley + Corinna bag, it was really love at first sight. I loved the chain straps, the contrast between the off white color and the black spikes, and I am a sucker for all things studs and spikes in general. This purse is just the right size to hold all of my necessities and will be nice to carry around during the summer thanks to its small size. It really is just perfect. So perfect that I…

Find out tomorrow!!

What do you think I did next? What is your favorite style of purse? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May31

Gift Ideas For Your Best Friend’s Milestone Birthday

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Gift Ideas For Your Best Friend’s Milestone Birthday

You and your best friend have been close for many years and you have never celebrated a birthday without being by each other’s sides. Reaching those milestones together has been a ton of fun and you can’t wait for her big birthday to approach. You are always giving the best gifts to each other and this year will be no exception. You want to make sure that she has one to remember and that means going bigger and better than ever before. Grab some inspiration from here and light up her eyes with glee as soon as she receives her perfect present:

Beautifully Blooming:

A bunch of bright and beautiful flowers are bound to brighten up anybody’s day, especially when they are turning a year older. Make their day even better by organizing a flower delivery straight to their home or workplace. In the personal message you could include a special clue about what their evening ahead might entail. You can choose from an array of colors, species, and sizes too, so make sure you pick their favorite. From lovely lilies to perfect poppies you are bound to bring a smile to their face.

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 So pretty!

Happy Holidays:

Celebrating a milestone birthday can bring a sense of panic to anybody, so why not whisk them away and allow them to forget about their troubles? Choose their favorite holiday destination and book them a lovely trip away so that they can truly relax and celebrate their birthday. Whether they’d love an Australian adventure down under or a sun soaked beach holiday in Spain, book their tickets and join them for the trip of their lives!

Picture Perfect:

A picture is always going to be one of the most personal gifts that you can give to somebody. You could create your very own collage book filled with memories of your friendship. Allow them to travel back in time and smile to themselves as they flick through the personalized scrapbook that you created just for them.

Excellent Experiences:

Instead of a physical gift, you could take your friend on a day out to celebrate their birthday. There are so many experience days to choose from, no matter what your favorite activity is. You could go for a wine tasting afternoon at a fancy bar or take a trip to the theater and meet the cast at the end of the show. Think carefully about what your friend would really like to do and make it happen for her; you will never forget the huge smile on her face when she realizes what you’re doing together.

Whether your friend believes flowers are fabulous or a holiday would make her happy, be sure to go with her individual preferences. No matter what the milestone is, make sure it is one for her to remember forever. You might find that a combination of these gifts would make the ideal offering, so don’t be afraid to go all out and choose a few. Her birthday is going to be unforgettable, so splurge on something special and share the happiness on her big day.