Good Morning Lovelies,

If you read my 2nd step on MCP’s site yesterday then you know I’m not an advocate for spending money on things you either 1. don’t need or 2. can’t afford. But, that doesn’t mean I can’t talk about (and give discount codes) to things I think rock. So, read below and see if any of these products are something that might fit you and your needs and if so enjoy the discounts. : )

Love!

jc

A few weeks ago when I was preparing for my teaching series over at MCP I knew I wanted to give away an Easy as Pie Pricing Guide. I’ve actually never owned one, (you see, as a workshop runner/owner lady I am very sensitive to buying other people’s products because I don’t ever want to unintentionally steal ideas that aren’t mine) but I’ve always wanted to!

I mentor aspiring photographers every week and a common question/problem is “I’m not sure how to price my stuff.” My response: “Um, me neither.” I mean I get the whole business planning and knowing how much you need to make in order to sustain your business, but when it comes to pricing 5×7’s or creating collections oh good grief. I suck. (you heard me.)

So, when I contacted Alicia to see if she’d be so kind to offer one for a giveaway she not only said, “ABSOLUTELY!” she also offered to send me one to use and review.“Um, okay. It’s not like I’ve ever wanted to buy one, but you can send it if you want.”

Holy goodness. I have such amazing feelings and thoughts about this little Easy as Pie Pricing Guide that I’m seriously at a loss for words. Let me just say this: it changed my life. Does that sound dramatic? Good because it’s true. It really is an incredible resource and I have now become her *biggest* evangelist! Not only is it witty and fun, so well-written and easy to understand, but it walks you through how to price your stuff and how to do it with confidence.

I have spent the last two-weeks working on my new and updated, makes-SO-much-more-sense pricing (with more savings for my clients so they’re benefiting, too!) and I am so excited. Finally, for the first time all of my pricing - a’ la carte and collections makes so much sense. And, the items I’ve been selling for years - yea, the ones that make me want to pull my hair out - Alicia gave me permission to stop. You mean I don’t have to sell everything? Thank you, sweet Jesus!

So, that is my review. It’s 2 thumbs up, 5 stars and an A+ combined.

If you are at all struggling with how to price yourself and need a (swift) kick in the arse then this is the guide for you. Honestly, you will not regret the purchase and with your new pricing you will quickly get your money back.

Click here, order the Cookbook & Pastry School together and use code: MCP50off by May 19th for $50 off. Awesome! Thanks, Alicia. : )

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Next up, *gorgeous* letterpress business cards. You know the type of cards that you can’t stop manhandling because their bumpy and texturized and unique and so darn timeless? I have always wanted some for myself, but let’s be honest. They’re CRAZY expensive. I have never been able to justify the price. They’re usually at least $2 each. If I spent that kind of money on business cards I’d have to get them insured and make people sign a contract that they would frame it as soon as they got home!

Then, I met this adorable girl at WPPI and when she handed us her business card we all swooned for like 10 solid minutes. We emailed a bit after WPPI and I found out that she ordered them on Etsy (of course). When I went to check out Invited Ink I found out that they were actually affordable. Like, totally affordable!  Awesome! I ordered myself the prettiest business cards I’ve ever owned. And, although I will probably still ask people to frame them (I mean why wouldn’t they want to anyway?!) when I give them one I won’t cry if they decide to do otherwise.

Click here, order up before June 15th and mention 503 Photography for free shipping. : ) Thank you, Sally Ann. : )

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So, you probably already know that 60% of web-surfing is now being done on personal cell phones. For us flash website owners this is no bueno. Luckily, super cool companies like iFolio are here to save the day! I personally do not need iFolio because Showit has just announced mobile websites for all Showit users. You may be wondering then why I’m sharing about iFolio here. First, not everyone owns a Showit site and secondly, everyone is getting to the point of needing a mobile website. It’s just the facts. Plus, after corresponding with Brian a bit I wanted to mention him here anyways. He is incredibly kind and I know his business is going to be crazy successful.

If you own a flash site and don’t want a blank screen to pop up when someone visits your site then check out iFolio. They’ll get you set-up in no time.

At iFolio you can order yourself a mobile site for $49 along with the assisted set-up fee for $80. But, for 503 Lovers they’re offering the set-up fee 1/2 off so you can get both for $89. Saaaaweet!

Click here, order up before July 1st and mention 503 Photography for 50% off the installation fee. : ) Thank you, Brian. : )

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Now, it’s no secret that I LOVE what Jesh de Rox is doing to our industry. He’s a mastermind with an incredible heart for people. I quickly snatched up one of his BELOVED field guides (and did you know I WON a free spot to one of his workshops??! I’m going in September and counting down the days).

If you’d like to join in on the Beloved movement then you must order yourself one of his field guides (pictured above - isn’t it the prettiest thing you’ve ever seen?!).

Click here, order up and use code: JESSICA when checking out for 15% off the field guide. If you’re interested in his actions (the ones I use and LOVE) use code: 503LOVE for 15% off. : ) Thank you, Jesh. : )

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Okay, Lovelies. That’s it for now. Enjoy your Thursday! I’m heading out of town twice in the next 4 days and will be traveling in the car for 34 hours. One trip is because my bestie is having her bachelorette party in the farthest city ever and I’m the bestest friend ever. Give me my cookie.

p.s. If you’re on the hunt for freebies (including a free spot into my sold-out June workshop) make sure to hang out at MCP these next 2 weeks b/c the giveaways are incredible!

p.p.s. Promise did a really sweet write-up about her sponsors, one including me and my workshops for kids and teens. If you’re looking for more time to kill then check it out here.

p.p.s.s. I wrote my favorite post ever over at The Creative Mama this week. I think it’s a message everyone needs to be reminded of. So yes, I’m the bestest friend ever and the bestest message reminder ever.

p.p.s.s.p. How obnoxious is this post getting? Ciao, Loves! ; )

She asked me to write a guest post. She told me I could teach whatever I wanted. I wrote her back a few suggestions … I could teach on toggling focus points, Lightroom, or maybe the pertinent steps one must make to become a professional photographer. She told me to teach whatever my heart desired and she gave me ample time to prepare. That’s when I knew I had a friend in Jodi.

Jodi Friedman (aka the mastermind behind the wildly successful teaching blog, MCP Actions) quickly learned that she had bitten off more than she could chew (or was planning to chew) asking me to guest teach. ; ) I decided to teach the idea I had for a 2nd workshop. I had it on my “dream list” to start prepping for this winter, but I just couldn’t do it. My love and desire to branch out into the world of art+kids tugged at my heart more. So, the Workshop for Oldies Level 2 took a back seat. (Maybe forever???)

As I started writing the ideas poured forth faster than I could write. And, to teach was not enough. Oh, no! I wanted to partner with an army of other people as well. There have been several people/products that have helped shape who I am as a photographer and business owner and so I wanted to not only give them a bit of exposure (I knew Jodi’s 10,000 subscribed readers would do the trick!), but also organize some giveaways.

Jodi suggested we make my teaching 2 days. Then 1 week. Then 2 weeks. I laughed. And, loved it. Working with Jodi to prepare for these upcoming weeks has been easy and fun (she’s so gracious and kind)!

And, so I’m excited to link you guys on over to MCP Actions for the next 2 weeks.

FROM HOBBYIST TO PROFESSIONAL: THE 6 VITAL STEPS TO YOUR DREAM JOB.
(+ over a dozen really, awesome giveaways!)

Enjoy!

jc

A couple weekends ago I went down to Knoxville for my cousin’s wedding shower. It was titled “Secrets to a Successful Marriage” and the host had each of us write down our secret and tape it to our gift. One of the guests was my cousin’s family friend and 3rd grade teacher. She asked her current class of 3rd graders what they thought was the secret to a successful marriage and the things they said were so profound. I wanted to share it with you guys. (It was a good reminder for me as I’m spending all my time preparing for our workshops this summer. I do not want to underestimate kids for even a second.)

THE SECRETS TO A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE:
(taken from the advice of 3rd graders, Mrs. Read’s class)

1.  You need to kiss every once in a while.
2.  Try to agree on things.
3.  Try to have triplets. One child is too few.
4.  Take turns doing the chores.
5.  To show you love each other, take the smallest cookie.
6.  Mostly say yes!
7.  Be together when you can.
8.  Share a pet.
9.  Wear something beautiful.
10. Have a fun marriage and love each other no matter what.

Isn’t that so amazing?!

jc

Brandie! : ) Congrats! Email me for which prize you want (I have a sneaky suspicion it’s gonna be the workshop).  ; )

xo,

jc

This week Simple Organic is hosting an incredible themed week encouraging families to “TURN OFF YOUR TV AND MAKE LIFE HAPPEN.” I love how they chose to use the word “make”. When we sit around and expect life to happen for us we find ourselves busy, but without purpose. You know what I mean? To create and live a meaningful life we have to work at it. And, what better way to do it then to turn off the TV and make life happen? I love that idea and I promise if I had a kiddo or two I would *never* turn on the TV. Ever. Okay, I lie. But, for a week? Absolutely, I can handle that! Especially when there are incredible sites like this that encourage living life organically.

So, anyway … today they are highlighting 503 Workshops for Kids and Teens and have written a great little article about them. I love seeing these things highlighted on other websites as cool as Simple Organic. It’s a dream come true! Together we are offering one free spot for the summer! Hop on over and enter to win! : )

Happy Wednesday,

jc

Remember when I shared with you all how Jesh’s talk at WPPI changed my life? The audio is now available! Listen, learn and join the movement.

Oh, and I’m not trying to be all whatever, but I seriously can hear my laugh in the audio. It’s that cute, Southern giggle in the front row. Can you hear it?

xo,

jc