Spring Mini Sessions Inspiration

I have received several questions about colors that will be used for the studio mini sessions. So I have put together a little inspiration graphic and also started a board on Pinterest. I will continually be updating it with images, outfit ideas, etc. >> Follow my board to stay updated.

Automate with Actions

Photoshop actions are a routine part of my photo processing. They can save a ridiculous amount of time if you seem to be doing the same steps over and over in photoshop, why not automate it. Then make it even easier and faster by assigning your favorites to your F-keys (you can set up to 3 actions per F-key).

There are endless amounts of actions available out there but many of them are just ok at best. One of the best sources for really good actions is MCP Actions. Their Fusion actions are the ones I use most frequently and rely on the most. Kevin Kabota has some descent ones too. 

One issue I have had is finding an action that works well on fixing skin. A lot of them would take away too much detail or leave halos around the edges. That is why I just ended up creating my own. Now it is one of my most used actions and I want to share it with you.

Photo from Improve Photography • www.improvephotography.com

 
Download the free DC Skin Fix action here.

The first time you run it messages will pop up to tell you how to use it and the best settings to use. Please let me know if you have any questions about it.

Thanks!
D

Product Spotlight: Silhouettes

Left: My beautiful niece's picture on an 11x14 standout. 
Right: Bag that I made about three years ago and it's still holding strong
(I have plans to do a tutorial on this bag in the not-so-distant future).

 I love to create silhouettes and hardly anybody knows that I even make them. So this is my silhouette-coming-out-party =) Seriously, you can do so many things with them and it's another way of capturing and saving your child's sweet profile.

Silhouette art has been around since the 1700's and still holds its old world charm today. Bringing them in to your decor instantly adds a traditional elegance to the room. There are so many ways to use them. Not only in the conventional way of being framed but also on stationary, transferred on to any kind of fabric like tote bags, clothing or pillows, jewelry, birthday or wedding decor and invitations. Even used in the traditional manner the silhouette itself or the background can consist of a pattern or print to match exactly your taste and the space it is adorning. 

Here are some perfect examples of how you can incorporate this vintage art into your own style:

 

1. Apartment Therapy has a ton of ideas (and 'a ton' is an understatement).
2. Turn thrift store art into your favorite silhouette done by The Bee & the Bobbin.
3. Sweet Paul Magazine gives an array of ways to use them in unexpected ways.
4. Alkemie shows several different grouping ideas as well as different applications.
5. I had saved this picture from West Elm a while back, although it is no longer on their site, I love the pillow idea.

Speaking of unexpected ways to use silhouettes... what about your pet? And what about cookies for your special occasion? Martha Stewart gives some great ideas on how to utilize these fancy profiles...

• How cute would your pet's outline be on a onsie or a bib? Here is the guide on Martha's site.
• Either for a wedding or a girl's birthday party, creating food in their likeness would be very impressive. There are companies that will make custom cookie cutters or you can make your own (Roots & Wings has one of the best tutorials). 

Let me know if you want a custom silhouette made. You can definitely do them yourself if you have  time but if not, I can take care of it. Then you will have the digital files to use wherever your imagination takes you. 

>>Email me to get your own custom silhouettes<<

Digital Couture Blog

OK here we go! Along with the new Digital Couture website (that will be unveiled soon!) I am starting a new blog in hopes that I can more easily post resent shoots. I'm sure a lot of you out there know exactly what I'm saying when although you have the best intentions to keep something organized and up to date it always seems that kids, home, work projects and just the daily grind seem to gobble up any extra time you thought you were going to have. So instead of relying on my website for posting pictures I'm going to give the blog world a go. I'm also anticipating that it will motivate me to keep up with all the many creative projects I am constantly doing. Wish me luck! =)

Thanks bunches!
Donnis