We are so excited about this product, can you tell us a little bit about how it will work?

We are as excited as well! We never expected to have such a response from the photography community. We are thankful to all of our friends for spreading the word about ProofPress. Our system will be a revolutionized photo cart which will give the photographer a multitude of options for client management. We spent hours interviewing many photographers to understand what other systems lack and what “special” features they feel are needed. Although we have developed  the system we prefer to say that it was created by photographers, because it’s their ideas that we are implementing. The system works directly out of your WordPress blog. We noticed that the majority of the photographers out there either own a WordPress blog or blogsite, or have been planning to switch to WordPress, and knowing that most of them struggle with having several administration sites to manage, we decided to develop our system to work from inside the WordPress admin.

When will the product be available?

We are planning to launch the first release in the beginning of October. We currently  have several photographers testing the product to insure that it is ready for release. Our entire testing team is comprised of professional photographers so as to make sure it works for their needs.

Do I need a word press site to use your product?

Yes. ProofPress will not be available as a stand-alone system. You will need a self-hosted WordPress installation to run ProofPress. Seeing as WordPress is the most popular CMS for blogs and blogsites, it was fitting to develop a system that worked with it.

There are a lot of proofing systems out there, what makes yours unique?

It has been created directly for the needs of photographers and works directly from your WordPress blog, simplifying your administration process. Our system will work on a per client basis and will include basic book keeping features. We are also enhancing the way in which collections and packages are managed. There are various other features we have been developing, but we do not want to give all of our secrets away just yet. As we inch closer to the launch of ProofPress, we will continue to release information about the features of our system. You can follow us on Twitter, or find us on Facebook to receive this information. Oh and before we forget, ProofPress will be packaged under a very competitive price. Sign up in advanced at www.proof-press.com to receive a 30% discount upon it’s launch!

Keeping my brand consistent is important within every aspect of my business from my blog site to my business cards and packaging. Is it  possible  to achieve this with your system?

Absolutely! Photographers can customize their proofing site by editing a multitude of options such as logo, background, fonts and colors without having any knowledge of HTML or other programming languages. ProofPress will also be compatible with custom developed templates.

Thank you so much for sharing your products with us! We can’t wait!!

Where were you in your photography journey when you decided to attend Launch?

I was such a newcomer!  A year ago I got my first digital SLR and kept it in the Auto mode almost all the time.  Then about 3 months before I attended LAUNCH I decided that I needed better pictures of my, then 3 month old, daughter.  I thought “how do I get those blurry backgrounds?” and thus I was bitten by the photography bug.  Every chance I got I was practicing my technique and reading photography books.  About a month before LAUNCH I had put a website together and was just starting to gather a few clients.  I just knew that the LAUNCH workshop was the next logical step towards success.

Where are you now?

After I came home from LAUNCH, with my new found knowledge, I decided to completely start over on my photography business.  I completely reworked my pricing structure, content of my website and basically my whole thinking behind running a successful photography business.  I am currently in a portfolio building stage and I cannot wait to jump into the business full force!

There are a lot of workshops out there, what attracted you to this one?

I actually was just googling around and stumbled upon the LAUNCH website.  I liked that it was geared towards beginners (which I totally was/ actually still am).  So I emailed Stacy for more information and she responded back right away!  I thought that was great that she was so on top of things to email me back so quickly.  I instantly liked her and knew that I wanted to learn from her.  Also the live newborn shoot was a major plus too!  I had done some newborn shoots before and was seriously excited about the opportunity to get to watch a “real professional” do one!

What was the number one thing you took away from the weekend?

Seriously…one thing! Only one?!  I could name 50!  Ok, though…to have confidence in your ability as a photographer and never stop learning or growing your talent.  You are worth what you are charging your clients!

How has your business grown as a result of attending Launch?

My business is completely different from where it was before I attended LAUNCH.  I am now more aware of how to market myself and am applying that daily.  I am starting to receive more clients from my website, facebook sites and the ever popular, word-of-mouth!  Business is definitely on the rise!

Do you think that coming to the workshop helped you avoid any mistakes, for example do you find you were headed in a different direction?

Wow – I hate to think about how many mistakes I would still be making if I had not attended LAUNCH!  I learned SO much at the workshop that I needed to implement into my business that the only logical step was to take a step back and start fresh!

Where would you like to see yourself one year from now?  How about five?

One year from now I will be out of portfolio building and running a successful photography business with a great client base.  My goal is to advertise in a children’s boutique…I have my eye on one already! J  Five years from now both of my kiddos will be in school and I hope to have enough photography business to call it a full time job.

And now, tell us a little bit about yourself.  Married?  Kiddos?

I have been married to a wonderful man, Matt for a little over 7 years.  He still makes me belly laugh, which I love!  I also have two wonderful kiddos.  Grant is 3 ½ and a total character.  Charlotte is 10 months old and honestly my favorite photography subject.  She just sweetly sits there and smiles for me every time!  What photographer momma doesn’t love that!  My family is my world and I am so blessed to have them!

Favorite guilty pleasure?

I love those little powdered sugar donuts!  You know the ones that come in the bag.  I could eat a whole bag!  In fact when my daughter was an infant and I was still getting up at all hours of the night, I would stand in the kitchen, make her a bottle and eat powdered sugar donuts…and not just one!  Wow, that was embarrassing to admit to!

If you could go anywhere and do anything tomorrow, where would you go and who would you take?

I would take my hubby and we would travel to Tahiti for a relaxing island adventure.  We would spend all day relaxing on the beach, soaking up the sun, and then we would sleep in till noon the next day!If you could have a super hero power what would it be? Honestly, I know nothing about any super hero’s or their powers so let’s go with something I know.  I would want to be Bella Swan from the Twilight series.  (I am considering her a super hero).  Her power of making Edward Cullen fall in love with her even when she was just a human.  A girl can dream, right?!

Dear Christie,

My name is Sarah, I am Stacy’s workshop assistant.  First of all, thank

you SO much for showing interest in the Atlanta Launch workshop.  It is a

big investment in your business and I can appreciate that you are thinking

this over.  We are unsure where the workshop will take us in the future,

however we do not have plans of heading back to Seattle for awhile.  We

hope that after reading this email that you will find that Launch will be

a good fit for you and you will be joining us in Atlanta!

This workshop is designed for those who want to start a photography

business from the ground up. It’s even for those who might have begun

their journey and are in the beginning stages, but are missing some

important pieces like technical or business.  It is not for those who view

photography as a hobby.  Our goal for the attendees is to leave the

workshop with the knowledge and skill sets that will allow them to begin

developing a profitable and successful business.

I would say that the workshop spends an equal amount of time on business

and technical.  You

might have amazing technical talent, but if you don’t have the business

knowledge, then you won’t succeed.  Good business insight is just as

important as great photography skills.  For this reason Stacy spends a

good deal of time talking about working with clients, marketing &

branding, processing orders, web presence, client forms, legal documents,

pricing strategies, and SEO.

In terms of technical, we will go over exposure, lighting and composition.

Stacy will show you her standard workflow process including Photoshop tips

and tricks that help sell your images and what exactly clients are looking

for.  Stacy hopes to be able to demonstrate a “live” newborn   shoot for

you on Sunday, but that all depends the timing of deliveries!  : )  We’ll

have to make do with a “fake” baby if don’t have a newborn.  She is

amazing at shooting newborns, seriously!  If you sign up for the third

day, you will watch Stacy run a photo shoot with a family start to finish

with instruction on lighting and posing as she shoots. After lunch we will

break into groups and everyone will have an opportunity to shoot models.

Stacy will spend time in each group answering any questions you might have

while giving tips on shooting and posing.

The workshop will be held in a beautiful house in Atlanta in the Buckhead

area. With a relaxed environment we feel you will not only have more fun

but also learn more than you would in a typical classroom setting.  Check

out the Launch blog for a sneak peek of the house.  I don’t think I am

going to want to go back to mine after staying here.  :)

http://www.launch-workshop.com/our-temporary-home-atlanta-photography-workshop/

The workshop fee does not cover accommodations.  If you decide to register

and are interested in sharing a hotel room with another attendee, please

let us know. We will keep a list of those wishing to share and will do our

best to connect you with someone who is also looking.  There is a

Residence Inn that is across the street from the house and within walking

distance so you really do not need a car.  It includes complimentary

breakfast, free parking and is around $140 per night.  There are not any

restaurants within walking distance that we are aware of, however since

breakfast is complimentary at the hotel,  and lunch and snacks are

included in the workshop fee, you will only have to worry about dinner.

In addition there are several other hotel options within a 2-mile radius.

Please see the attached map of hotel name and locations.  These hotels

would be a quick cab ride away.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlbh-residence-inn-atlanta-buckhead/

Since you will not need be need a car, here are some transportation rates

and options to get you from the airport:

The Atlanta Link Airport Shuttle

http://www.theatlantalink.com/

$20.50 per person/one way for travel to Buckhead

$37.00 per person round trip

Taxi Services

Call (404) 762-6087

Buckhead $40 ($2 charge for each additional person)

I hope I answered your questions and they have helped you in determining

if Launch is a good fit for you.  If you decide yes, then I can’t wait to

meet you!!  If you find that it isn’t a good fit for   you, then the best

of luck to you in your endeavors.  If you should have any other questions,

do not hesitate to ask!

Best Regards,

Sarah Lajevardi

Where were you in your photography journey when you decided to attend Launch?

When I happened upon a link to the LAUNCH workshop, I was a gal who loved taking photographs.  I also possessed a nagging curiosity about what it might be like to become a professional one day.

Where are you now?

I am a gal who loves taking photographs who also knows just what it would take to become a professional.  Not only that, but attending the LAUNCH workshop gave me a new found respect for how important it is to take my time, be patient while I continue to learn, and not ‘go pro’ too soon.

There are a lot of workshops out there, what attracted you to this one?

I LOVE natural light photography.  That was a big selling point for me because this workshop seemed to focus on that alone.  I also really appreciated the level of detail about the business of being a professional photographer.  Stacy shared nuggets of wisdom that would have taken me years to discover on my own.

What was the number one thing you took away from the weekend?

That’s a tough one.  I took so much away from this workshop that it’s hard to pick just one thing.  (I could have stayed another week!)  I think that the number one message that stuck with me is that practice practice practice is critical to improving.  That, and you can do irreparable harm to your career as a pro photographer if you take your show on the road too soon.

How has your business grown as a result of attending Launch?

Since I was a true beginner when I attended the workshop, I would say that the workshop absolutely has impacted my plans for embarking on this professional photography adventure.  I will spend a lot more time improving my skills, developing a portfolio, gaining experience, and networking with the awesome ladies that I met at the workshop before I ever ‘start a business’.  I am eternally grateful to Stacy for sharing her lessons learned with me so that I may avoid making the same mistakes.

Do you think that coming to the workshop helped you avoid any mistakes, for example do you find you were headed in a different direction?

Did it ever!!!  All I can say is that ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’ and that just about sums up the way I feel about most everything that I learned.  Seriously, I feel so well informed and prepared to start a business, build a client base, and conduct myself as a professional photographer after spending the weekend at LAUNCH.

Where would you like to see yourself one year from now?  How about five?

A year from now I hope to have developed my technical skills to a level that I am confident with, as well as begun to build a client base, hosted some ‘casting calls’, created a portfolio, and upgraded from the trusty Canon Rebel that has brought me thus far.    Five years from now I hope to be a well established part-time photographer.  I have a career that I love, so I never intend to make photography my sole source of income.  But I do hope to have established a successful business and respectable reputation as a professional photographer.

And now, tell us a little bit about yourself.  Married?  Kiddos?

Married to the most loving, considerate, driven, respectful, and handsome man I know.  I lucked out big time!  We have a sweet 7 month old boy who by now must believe that mommy was born with that camera attached to her face.  He gives me endless photo opportunities.  Parenthood rocks!

Favorite guilty pleasure?

Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches!  Yummo!

If you could go anywhere and do anything tomorrow, where would you go and who would you take?

I’d take my family to Ireland.

If you could have a super hero power what would it be?

I’d love to be able to pause time, and then scramble around and get everything done, and then unpause time so that I can get caught up on things.  That would be a pretty neat trick.

If you are interested in sharing a room with another attendee please email Sarah (sarah@launch-workshop.com) We have at least one person who is looking for a roommate. If you have registered you should have received an email with all the pertinent information you need for travel, hotel, etc.

Since we know you are all dying to know more about Jennifer, we asked her to share a little about herself.

How and when did you discover photography?

I have had a passion for photography ever since I was a little girl and

received my first Barbie camera.  Because of this passion, I was naturally

drawn to study art history at university and then moved over into the

digital world as a Web Producer/Designer after graduating.  I became

hooked on photography upon purchasing my first digital camera 12 years

ago.  Once I became a mom, I realized that photographing newborns, babies,

children and families was what I was meant to do.

Where would you go on vacation if money was no object?

Sweden!  For years I have loved their culture, art and design and would

love to explore and experience it … especially the Ice Hotel!

Where are you at in your business?  Where would you like to be a year from now?

I have officially been in business a little over a year.   In a year from

now I would love to develop a greater client-base while constantly

improving my skills.  I am a firm believer that one needs to continually

learn and perfect their craft — there is no such thing as too much

development.

When you aren’t behind the camera, what is your favorite thing to do?

When I am not behind my camera I love to hang out with my husband and

children (age 3 and 6).   We love to hit up farmer’s markets on the

weekends, go down to the beach,  and travel to new and exciting

destinations.

What are you hoping to learn most?

The art of posing newborns is something I would love to learn more about

at the workshop.

When is the last time you belly laughed?

The last time I belly laughed was a few hours ago when my 3-year old

decided to fly like superman off of the couch.  Good thing there were

pillows on the floor to soften his “landing”.

What was your reaction when you found out that you won a seat to Launch?

It sounds so cliche but I never win anything so I was so shocked and super

excited to see that one big word in the subject line — CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I can’t wait to meet Stacy, Sarah and all of the other attendees in

Atlanta.

Thank you so much Jennifer, we are so excited for you and can’t wait to meet you in September!

~Stacy

and not two minutes later we were back to this……

location: stacy’s natural light studio

light source: window to the right and window with cotton drapes directly behind subjects

ISO 320

f stop 3.5 

lens Nikkor 50mm 1.4

Congratulations to Jennifer Lavelle, the winner of the free seat! We will be sharing more about her this week and we can’t wait to learn all about her!

Registration is officially open and seats are limited. We can’t wait to meet our Atlanta group and have lots of big plans in store for you!

I wanted to share some pictures from the weekend along with a group photo but I have to say that I am sad that we forget to take it before Molly left. So Molly we love you and wish you were there for our group photo. Sarah and I had a bit of extra time before everyone arrived so we walked down to the Pike Place Market. I do have to admit that it is just not the same since some crazy group of animal lovers ( I love animals too but come on) decided that it was cruel to the dead fish to throw them. I mean really?! A million thanks also to all the beautiful families that came out to model, we loved each and every one of you!! We are already busy planning our next workshop and can’t wait to meet the next group budding photographers!!