Rachel Brenke and the Awesomesauce

I just had to share some things with you today!  First on the list, is someone that you need to know about...Whether you are a beginner, needing help with learning to operate your camera in manual mode, or a seasoned photographer looking for some expertise and direction in marketing and business, Rachel has something for you in the way of her fabulous workshops and 1:1 mentoring. So without further adieu, meet Rachel Brenke!

"Why Rachel?"

Rachel Brenke is a photographer, business consultant and social media marketing strategist based out of El Paso, Texas.   She currently holds an MBA (Marketing), MA Human Services and a doctoral degree in law.  Prior to becoming a business consultant she began three online apparel stores that are self-sustaining and profitable today.

She has also worked as a financial analyst for the United States military advising on federal appropriations and evaluating spending of appropriation budgets.    Rachel also has 5 online eWorkshops, and legal forms drafted specifically for photographers.

Since starting her online eWorkshops she has consulted with over a thousand photographers in all stages of business.  Last year’s mentorship program was such a success as the group bonded, progressed and resulted in photographers quitting full time positions to pursue photography full time and others opening a studio.

She is obsessed with Dunkin Donuts coffee, diet Dr Pepper and green Orbit gum.  Rachel has also been blessed to be cured from cancer, survived numerous deployments as a military spouse and achieved multiple masters and doctoral level degrees in business and law.

So don't hesitate...if you are looking to grow as a photographer or grow your photography business,  Rachel can help you! 

Click here to visit Rachel Brenke Photography.

In addition to workshops and mentoring, Rachel has also provided another great asset to photographers-  Her legal expertise!  Rachel has created all the forms and contracts we need as photographers, from model releases, session contracts, wedding contracts and more. 

These forms are essential for every photographer's business, and Rachel's experience and degrees in business and law ensure that these contracts are solid in protecting you and your clients.

you can learn more and get them HERE

And just when you think she's done it all, she adds a Client Guide Template to her treasure trove of assets for photographers.  Check it out!  It will save you time and give you a beautiful and easy way to prepare your clients for upcoming sessions.  

Now, on to the "Awesomesauce" (as if that weren't awesomesauce in itself!)

Rachel has been spotted using my new texture collection, FOLLOW: Textures Collection II and she likes them so much, she wants to give them to one lucky fan!

I love how Rachel used the textures to add depth, warmth, contrast and vignette to these gorgeous shot! 

And BTW, I want pink hair now!

So what are you waiting for??? Head on over to Rachel's Blog and find out how YOU can win the Follow Textures Collection!  Be sure to tell her THANK YOU for all the "Awesomesauce"!

P.S. - be sure to come back here on Thursday for a special blog from Mrs Brenke herself! You don't want to miss it!

Follow: Textures Collection II

Introducing my second textures collection, Follow.

24 high resolution textures in a variety of tones and intensities, 

to add illumination, tone, depth, drama and texture to your images.

Compatible with any editing software that allows for layering, including the free software, GIMP

Use by placing on your image, and adjusting the opacity or fill mode. I especially love them in soft light mode for illumination.

Grab these stunning textures for just $24

See the beautiful detail and the depth in these gorgeous textures???

*due to the digital nature of these products, they are non-refundable

P52 | LABOR

P52 | Labor

Few creatures on Earth labor harder than the bee.  They are born to labor.  For the first three weeks of their adult lives, the workers confine their labors to building the honeycomb, cleaning and polishing the cells, feeding the young and the queen, controlling the temperature, evaporating the water from the nectar until it thickens as honey, and many other miscellaneous tasks.  At the end of this period, they function as field bees and defenders of the colony.  The workers that develop early in the season live extremely busy lives, which, from egg to death, last about six weeks.

Honey bees have become the primary source of pollination for approximately one-fourth of all crops produced in the United States and some other countries. The value of the crops that rely on such pollination has been estimated as high as $10 billion annually in the United States.

Many species of wild pollinators have disappeared from the land as their habitats have been destroyed or altered by humans. The honey bee has taken over as pollinator of many of the wild plants that remain; its ecological value in this regard is tremendous.

Honey bees are the sole source of honey and beeswax. They also produce propolis, a gummy substance made from tree sap that has antibacterial properties, and royal jelly and pollen for human consumption. Honey bee venom is extracted for the production of antivenom therapy and is being investigated as a treatment for several serious diseases of the muscles, connective tissue, and immune system, including multiple sclerosis and arthritis

So next time you see a Honey Bee, tell him "Thank you".  I can think of very few creatures on Earth that labor as hard as he does.  And without him, the world as we know would likely cease to exist.

Now, head on over to Erin Norman Photography's Blog and check out her interpretation of this week's P52 theme, "labor".  Be sure to follow the link in her blog to see other interpretations as well....

Have a happy and safe Labor Day! 

If you are a photographer, 

check out the Flash Sale I am having on Actions and Textures!

thanks for visitng, 

Leah Nicole

P52 | DIRTY

P52 | Dirty

Fungus is such an ugly word. Dirty, almost.  But I have to admit, I am one fungus-loving woman, and this week I couldn't resist the urge to get down and dirty for some lovely mushroom shots.  I even busted the seam of my jeans on the backside and threw caution to the wind as I crawled on the ground near a busy street with my bottom up and my underwear exposed.

And oh- The constable even stopped to ask what I was doing (I suppose the 2 cameras around me weren't the dead giveaway you would think), and tell me that some folks boil mushrooms and make dope with them.

Interesting.

But mister, these aren't that kind, and I'm not looking for any trouble.

I just want to photograph them.

I love the little dirt dustings on their tops; an evidence of their recent birth.

I love mushrooms. They invoke daydreams of faeries and mystical creatures of my childhood imagination.  I'll get dirty for that, anyday.

Now, head on over to Erin Norman Photography to get a look at her take on "Dirty", and follow the chain of artists expressing their vision through p52 inspiration.

P52 | Desire

P52 | Desire

I can't say much about this amazing Boudoir session from yesterday, but this image is a perfect representation of this week's theme of "Desire".  I must say though, this mom totally rocked my camera!

Now head on over to Erin Norman Photography and check out her interpretation for this week's theme!

P52 | SMALL

Got my hands on a couple of little beauties this week....thanks to a little wine, $40 in my paypal account and eBay.

This week's P52 theme was "small", and while these little treasures are small in size, they put a great big smile on my face.  That "Bullet" seriously fits in the palm of my hand, about the size of a small apple.  I am in love.

Did I mention that I collect antique cameras?

Now, head on over to Erin Norman Photography and check out her interpretation of this week's inspiration, Small....

Pimp Your Image Contest

It's time to show me what you got. 

Download these freebies, (the "Kiss"* action from the Modern Whimsy Action Set, and the "Hinge" texture from the Debut Textures Collection, and work your magic. Simply post your edit using one or both freebies on my facebook page with the caption "My entry using the freebies for the 'Pimp Your Image' contest!" or something like that.  Then, share your before and after on your page (personal or business, making sure to tag the Swoon the Moon Photography facebook page in your description.  YOU MAY ENTER UP TO 5 IMAGES

(If you choose to purchase the action or textures set, you may submit using any of the actions or textures. If you win the contest, I will refund your purchase price.)

I will be choosing my favorite entries to share in the newsfeed from the STM page.  If I choose your image to share, you will be entered into the finalists round.  All finalists will be featured on a special blog on September 1, 2012, upon which a panel of judges (some of my colleagues and action testers) will help me choose a winner.

*The Kiss action is for CS3 and higher. Elements users can still participate using the free texture, though!

To learn more about the Modern Whimsy Action Set and the Debut Textures Collection, CLICK HERE

What's the prize???

The winner will receive the Modern Whimsy action set, the Debut Textures collection, and a spot as an official Swoon the Moon action tester FOR LIFE.  This means you will get all future action sets at no cost....before they are released to the public.


So.....show me what you got!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FREEBIES

***disclaimer***

Winner WILL NOT will not be notified publicly via Facebook.  You MUST be 18 to participate.  A

ccording to Facebook rules, residents of

 Belgium, Norway, Sweden, or India ARE NOT eligible to participate.  This promotion is in NO WAY sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.