Welcome to the second interview in our series featuring clients whose businesses are thriving despite the current economic climate. Click here to read the first interview with Christian Oth. In the same year they had their first child, Chris and Darcie Siiteri started their Austin (Texas) photography business, Innovative Photography. Fifteen years later they’re still at it and doing better than ever. I gave an initially nervous Darcie an early morning call to chat about how they approach their album sales, and what they do to ensure their clients have an amazing experience and to foster relationships To View More >>

It's not all bad out there you know! There are plenty of people doing better than ever, even considering the recession. So over the next few weeks we're bringing you a series of interviews with clients who are doing just great. We'll share their advice, ideas and opinions as they give us some insights into how they're successfully running their businesses. Here's the first. He's been recognised as one of the world's best photographers, serviced clients like the New York Times and Apple Computer, photographed celebrities such as Alec Baldwin, Amanda Peet, Isabella Rosselini and Donald Trump,  regularly To View More >>

Having worked on the Photojunction help desk for the last six weeks I have had a very good chance to look more closely at this great piece of software. I have seen the problems people have with it. The problems fall into three categories ... The software, the user, the computer. The software is good. Actually it is really good. It's not perfect, but with every iteration it gets better, and if it was ever perfect the developers would be out of a job. It has weaknesses but they are outweighed by its strengths. It could never be perfect because it is constantly evolving to meet the needs of a changing To View More >>

Remember the very first time you sent a letter? (Or for those who have never posted a letter - sent an email?) There were doubts - would it get there? Would strangers look at it in transit? Did I have enough postage? Did I have the right address? Do I trust the postie to take great care of my efforts? The same goes with sending orders to Queensberry through Photojunction for the first time. We need assurances that I know, as a very regular user, become less relevant with experience. Photojunction has many 'safety' features to prevent people from mucking up their orders. These safety features exist To View More >>

Picture this! Some magic lighting, a beautiful bride and a handsome groom, standing staring emotionlessly at a camera. In ten years time what does this picture say about the happily in love couple on the happiest day of their lives? Actually what it says about them now is that they appreciate a current and popular expression of fashionable imagery. It isn't possible for them to say that they didn't know it was happening. Because something is fashionable doesn't make it good, or that it suits the outcome. We go out of our way to keep up with current trends, sometimes losing sight of what we are To View More >>

I daren't start this blog with 'In my day ... things were different!' In my day 'We' were the difference ... we were the new generation biting at the heals of 'the old guard'. There was always going to be a new generation coming in to replace what we did. Several things happened in the wedding industry when I was starting up. People started looking for images that were less formal and more photojournalistic, and people started asking for their negatives. Enter Generation 2.0, invigorated and empowered by the digital revolution. Camera makers have made it easier for our audience to be better aligned To View More >>

Yesterday Johannes asked if you could send PJ Support some interesting design questions, and I think you'd better. Methinks his mind's started wandering - Ed. The first time you have sex there are so many things that could go wrong. The second time you know a bit more about what happens, but that doesn't mean that things are any easier. If, the first time you had sex, you focused on having fun over getting it right, the experience would probably be 100 times more enjoyable. 100 times more enjoyable because you would be free to get it wrong, or right, without the judgement. If you watched all the To View More >>

I have taken up a temporary position helping out with the Photojunction support team. One thing that I have noticed is that people seem to have more problems with the mechanics of Photojunction not fitting into their own experience or habits. Hardly ever does anybody ask for design advice. I wonder if it is the same with photography. People will ask about technical things like lighting and composition but much less often about content and emotion. ARE WE TOO SHY? I don't think so! As photographers we are called upon to be the creative voice for our clients. Is it that we don't like to ask for help? To View More >>

I used to have a rule, 'If there is a black and white image in an opening the whole opening should be black and white!' It was a good rule because it fitted well with my 'Keep it simple' approach to album design. I have however seen some lovely designs from some very talented photographers where they are using the contrast between the black and white image and the colour one to either remind you of colour, or remind you of form. So I have modified my rule. Use colour and black and white together with intent only. Random meaningless mixing creates visual chaos and disturbs the viewing experience. To View More >>

When your first ever album order catches Queensberry’s eye you’ve got to be pretty pleased with yourself. Especially when you designed it in a program you’ve never used before. Keryn Sweeney of Keryn Maree Photographer recently opened her studio in Auckland, New Zealand, and shot and designed this little gem as a studio sample for the beauty side of her business - an area she’s had plenty of experience in. Keryn recognises the benefits of offering her clients albums, but although she'd come from a well-established beauty and glamour studio she'd never used them before. When it came to choosing To View More >>