Friday Shout-Outs, Holiday Happenings, and Instant Inspiration

Hey hey! We’ve got some holiday deals, inspirational photographers, some crazy looking (yet still lovable) pets, and a whole lot more in this installment of Friday Shout-Outs.

Shout-Outs are a regular Friday thing, and you can be part of it, too. Send us suggestions! If we think it’s worth shouting about, it will show up here in the blog on a Friday. To submit something, scroll to the bottom to see how.

CHECK OUT TRAVIS
I highly recommend checking out Travis Rowan, a professional photographer who shoots surfing, yachts and ships, interiors and architecture, portraits, and travel images.

Travis also has a blog, where he shares techniques, theories, opinions, and stories from more than a decade of travel and photography.

I spent some time looking at the images on his website, and reading the stories on his blog – and definitely thought it was worth mentioning here.

Kelly Slater wins his 10th World Title – Images by Travis Rowan

“SOCIAL NETWORKS ARE THE FUTURE”
Kike Calvo, a photographer, blogger, and author, recently posted a story on his blog titled “The ABC of the Social Networks and the Ipad for Photographers and Journalists,” which is available in both English and Spanish.

In it, he talks about the impact that social media and mobile devices like the iPad will eventually have on the publishing and photography worlds.

“Beyond sharing our emotional state of mind with the world, I believe social networks are the future. It is a revolution as radical as the press was in its day.

Interesting read.

SOME PET LOVE
Carli Davidson, a fine art pet photographer based out of Portland, Oregon, shot a series of pet portraits that really cracked me up, including what must be the ugliest least attractive dog I’ve ever seen. (Complete with painted nails.)

Also included in her gallery, titled “Cats and Dogs“, is a one-eyed cat, and another cat without hair that’s just plain scary.

I love looking at Carli’s photography. It’s amazing how she can get a group of animals to cooperate as if they were professional models.

HOLIDAY DEALS FROM CRADOC & FOTOQUOTE
Our friends at Cradoc fotoSoftware, the makers of fotoQuote (the most trusted photo pricing guide for stock and assignment photography) have put together a sweet deal for the festive season – a 30% discount on ALL Cradoc fotoSoftware products. Upgrades and full orders are all eligible for this special pricing.

This means you can get the following deals:

* fotoQuote retail $149.99, sale price $104.99
* fotoBiz retail $299.99, sale price $209.99
* fotoQuote/fotoKeyword Harvester $249.99, sale price $174.99
* fotoKeyword Harvester $149.99, now $104.99
* The Works (all 3 programs) $379.99, now just $265.99

The special offer is valid unti January 7, 2011. No coupon code necessary discount applied automatically.

To take this deal, visit the Cradoc fotoSoftware Store.

GREAT NEW PHOTOG WEBSITE
Jonathan Bowcott is a commercial, advertising and portrait photographer based in Bristol, UK. He recently launched his PhotoShelter-powered website, and it looks great. He has a great logo, and his website maintains a nice clean and simple design, allowing the photos to really stand out.

Great job!

WEBSITE/PORTFOLIO MAKEOVER SESSION
Well-known photography consultants Stella Kramer and Allegra Wilde are holding a website/portfolio makeover session on December 14th at Calumet Photographic in New York City.

Join Stella and Allegra for “a session of hands-on editing of your portfolio, recent project, print-on-demand book, or website gallery. You will get the tools necessary to gain an objective distance from your work, and receive a thoughtful critique from two top photography strategists.”

Attendees will also participate in collaborative peer reviews and will receive in-session editing guidance from Stella and Allegra on the body of work that you bring with you to the event.

Each session is 2+ hours, and will include a basic overview of the market, and how it informs the editing process. Learn important tips on sequencing, pagination, web editing, departmental architecture of your website, and how your work is looked at and received by potential clients.

Space is limited to 20 participants, so if you’re interested, cruise on over to their Facebook event page and get the rest of the details.

PUT A LITTLE CHIP ON YOUR WALL
If you’re looking for some photographic inspiration, or maybe some really nice prints, or possibly both – check out the work of Florida-based freelance photographer Chip Litherland.

He put together an impressive gallery of images called “Fine Art Prints” – all of which are available for sale for a wall near you.

I have been a fan of Chip’s work for years. If you’re ever running low on creative energy, go take a look at his work – it’ll recharge your batteries quickly.

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I am always looking for things to include here in our Friday Shout-Outs – so if you have anything you think is worthy, let me know. One great way to do that is to post a note to Twitter with my name in it (@heygrover), and that way I won’t forget it later. Don’t have Twitter? Email me: grover-at-photoshelter-dot-com.