The BetterPhoto Girls Blog

Our Gift To You - MVBP Rewards

MVBP Rewards

BetterPhoto is launching a fantastic new program on January 1st to express our gratitude to our active photography class customers. MVBP Rewards Program is our way of giving thanks to you - our valued customer. MVBP stands for Most Valued BetterPhotographer. We appreciate your loyal patronage at BetterPhoto.com and your continuing commitment to learning the craft of photography.

For every five courses you take, you will receive a 50% discount on your next course! For instance, after your purchase of five full-price courses, you will see in your Member Center a listing of available classes in the Courses tab. You will be provided with a non-transferable promo code on the order form to get your personal 50% off discount. Select one of your favorite classes and enter your promo code when you order to get your discount.

For more info, check out our FAQs:
MVBP Rewards

Happy New Year, everyone! We look forward to seeing you in a photography class soon.

Three Cups of Tea – a Book Recommendation

Sister © Qazi Usman  Hussain All rights reserved

This year our family tried something different. In lieu of Christmas presents, family members each chose a charitable organization to which to donate his or her saved Christmas funds. Interestingly, we all, including our 20-something sons, chose organizations that serve children in some capacity. We had a great time Christmas morning sharing thoughts about the charities we chose.

My husband and I recently read the book “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin and were inspired to give to the Central Asia Institute, the organization which grew out of the efforts of the book’s protagonist. Greg Mortenson, a true hero, to us and I’m sure every reader of the popular book, built (and continues to build) schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan on a very small budget and under unbelievably trying circumstances - truly promoting peace through education. Not to spoil the “read” for you, I can only say that I have rarely been so profoundly moved as I was by this amazing and beautiful true story of a courageous man and the humble, selfless people who helped him. My heart continues to be full with its message.

'Hope you like it as much as I did!

Maureen

The kids are all napping,

The kids are all napping, resting up for the excitement that is on it's way. I was just sitting here at the kitchen table, getting some work done while it's quiet. I'm looking at our tree, decorated with colorful ornaments, lots of little presents wrapped under it and just waiting to be ripped open and enjoyed. I love these few moments of quiet I have right now. The laundry can wait a few more minutes while I sit and think about how blessed I am. How fortunate to have these three beautiful kids, a family I truly love.

For one more moment, I'm going to sit here and think about all the kids still waiting to be adopted back in Russia, and in other parts of the world. I'm just going to send them a thought full of love. A little prayer of peace and hope their way.

Someone is thinking of you.
You are loved.

Happy Christmas, From Denise (and Jim, Julian, Alex, and Alina)

ClassTracks are Back! New and Improved!

Due to popular demand, we've brought back our ClassTracks option, but made it even better! Joining a ClassTracks path allows you to easily sign up for a year of BetterPhoto Online Photography Courses and include these incredible free perks:

© Brenda Tharp

Free Bonus Course and Pro Betterpholio - a $547 value!

Your ClassTrack Counselor - your counselor is here to guide you throughout the year

Support from Fellow Classmates - access to an exclusive BetterPhoto Club to interact with your fellow class student who are also enrolled in ClassTracks

Certificate of Mastery

There's four paths to choose from:
ClassTracks #1 - For the Nature Photographer
ClassTracks #2 - Photoshop for Photographers
ClassTracks #3 - Making Money as a Photographer
ClassTracks #4 - Customize Your Own Track

With this fantastic selection of classes, money back guarantee, and amazing price, you can't go wrong! Check out ClassTracks today - and please feel free to email us if you have any questions.

New and Improved Image Uploader at BetterPhoto!

Our brilliant Tech Team has been working diligently on a new and improved image Uploader for BetterPhoto, and if you haven't used it yet, I'm sure you'll be happy with the results!

The new updates to the Uploader include:

1. Quality. The color handling is drastically improved. The colors are clear and the image has increased sharpness. Yipee!

2. Watermarking. Watermarking will now be available from any operating system and browser rather than just IE PC.

3. Image Sizing. Betterphoto images will be resized based on the long side of the image rather than the short side. This means no gigantic panoramic images that blow your screen formatting all over the place. And it will make squarish images appear slightly larger.

4. Send button modified. This one is minor, but has bugged many of us. The drag and drop uploader had a button called "send" instead of "upload" which was less clear. So now you click "upload" to upload. Genius :)

5. Exif data. Exif data displayed in the course area is now extended to the single image uploader.

More exiting improvements at BetterPhoto - we're always aiming to make all our customers happy!

Spread Some Joy - it's free, and it's contagious!

Over the upcoming weeks, BetterPhoto members will be experiencing the holiday season in many ways. In our diverse community, with people from all over the world, December is different for everyone. The holidays are sometimes the toughest time of year, for some, finding joy or a reason to celebrate can be challenging.

Simple Joy © Karen Chappell All rights reserved

In this season of giving, the greatest gift of all can be of your time. We want to know how holiday cheer is spread in your community. Is someone you know making a difference? Sometimes people just need a fresh idea to encourage them to volunteer. If you are giving of your time, please let us know how you are spreading joy this season.

What's happening in your home town?

Email me at Karen@betterphoto.com and I'll share it here. Let's spread some joy together!

New Session of Online Photo Classes!

Due to popular demand, we've been able to add a new special session of 8-week online photo classes at BetterPhoto. There are only 19 classes being offered for this special session, so make sure to grab your spot now.

The new session of 8-week classes will start soon - December 5th. The instructors offering these classes are all fantastic professional photographers - Jim Zuckerman, Vik Orenstein, Peter Burian, Jennifer Wu, Robin Nichols, Kerry Drager, and Rob Shepperd.

What a great opportunity to work with a professional photographer, learn something new, and get your photos personally critiqued over this holiday season!

For more info, here's a link to the December 5th session:
8-Week Online Photo Classes

Hope to see you in a BetterPhoto online photo class soon!

Chasing the Light

Went shooting with my daughter Lissy last week and found out the hard way how fast the sun goes down. In an effort to catch the light, we drove west, and chased the light for miles. We gave up as the sun disappeared over the hill, knowing rush hour would prevent us from getting to any of the city architecture we were after.

Bad Light, Good Girl © Karen Orr All rights reserved

I stopped the car and looked around. There seemed to be nothing to shoot until we noticed a parked firetruck. This made for a nice background color, but as you can see it's not the best shot. Using the available late afternoon light and my auto mode, this is the best shot I could get. Lissy is a beautiful, photogenic girl, but I know I can make a better image.

With shorter days ahead, and even less available light, I need to get out of auto mode. I am eager to learn how I could improve a moment like this especially when gas prices are making "chasing the light" an expensive outing. I will take my questions to class next week as I start Ibarionex Perello's Available Light Portraiture class.

Photo Essay: Julian Digs for Buried Treasure!

The morning following the discovery of a treasure map, Julian goes digging for the buried treasure! Aaaaaarrg!

Is it any wonder why Daddy is Julian's favorite?!?!

www.BetterPhotoDenise.com

Photo Essay: Julian Finds a Treasure Map!

On a recent trip in California, Jim made our son's dreams come true by "helping" him find a treasure map! There may be nothing better in the world to a 5 year-old boy than happening upon a treasure map!

www.BetterPhotoDenise.com

Stay tuned to see Julian dig for the buried treasure!