I thought this might be fun… since we posted our MCP Actions review last week, and used a HIGH Key back drop, that this week…
we would do the same with a LOW Key back drop!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE a good low key photo… esp when you mix it in with baby, tub prop, and a reflection!

But what I don’t like… is all the work to make that low key nice, neat, and CLEAN!

Thanks to MCP Actions, the time you’ll spend on that low key back ground is cut in 1/2…
Ok… scratch that… cut it down by 99%!!!

Here is my before picture… I did a lil tweeking for some nice sharp colors using the MCP Quickie collection and using the COLOR SENSATION….

then, I needed to fix my back drop.. ugh, what a mess eh?
Well thanks to Jodi at MCP Actions, it was easy BAG OF TRICKS!!!

Take my original in Photoshop, and snap open MCP’s Bag of Tricks Collections (one of their newest, and imo, GREATEST!)

Run down the HUGE WONDERFUL LIST OF ACTIONS, and select
Magic Studio Spells, Studio BLACK Drop Spell..

Whala… it gives you a nice, deep… EVEN low key back ground… ahh, sign in relief my friends… it was that simple!

Just paint over a few lil lines in my mirror, and it was complete, and darling as can be!

Wanna see more?

Simply click on any of the links in this post.. or click on the banner below.. and yes, you’re welcome

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!!

Here our the winners for…..

Caps of Grace, Hats & Beanies is… Perry of PL Photography
Ivory and Moss Shoes is… Candy 3181!~
Pd Creations, Blocks & Hats is… Winner 1), Jennifer Rutludge AND Winner 2), Laurie Watson

Have a happy, and S A F E, Holiday weekend and ENJOY THOSE PROPS AND PRIZES!!!

I found these lil lovelies on Etsy.. and got excited! Now call me crazy… but I still love using blocks for baby shoots, and maternity.. I dont care if they call it cliche! lol And.. my clients almost always recommend them…

So.. I looked and looked for something more creative than the standard “toy block”,
and found PD Creations

Lovingly handcrafted blocks, CUSTOM made to your design taste, and client needs!!!
I had mine created to spell out BOY on one side, GIRl on another.. then filled in with lil icons and cute sayings on the other ends…
like “Live, Laugh & Love” for use on toddlers etc

The photo memory blocks come in two sizes.
The 2 inch blocks come in sets of 10. Each set is custom-made especially for you.
You may provide up to 10 pictures and I will fill the remaining sides with digital papers/letters of your choice.

The 3 1/2 inch blocks are sold as singles, customizable with your choice of pictures and/or digital papers.

So.. who wants to WIN their own set of blocks (or any other item in their store for that fact!)

Simply visit their shop: PD Creations (click HERE!)
And come back HERE to leave a comment on your favorite item in the shop

Even BETTER…. PD Creations is letting us pick TWO (2) WINNERS!!!!!

Come check out our Forums,
connect to us on Facebook,
follow us on Twitter,
and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter
for the fastest PI updates!!!!

We don’t want you to miss out on any fabulous props, or shops, that we feature or brag about.. they are just too good to miss out!
Not to mention.. our GIVEAWAYS!!!!!!!!!

So hook up with PI in all fashions.. and never miss another prop junkie beat!

This should be a fun one.. since it’s a favorite prop of SOOO many photogs!!!

Show us your fav fringe photo… like this, my fav!!!

Use the Linky below to enter in the “thumbnail” of your pic… then the link/url directly to the photo (so we can see it regular sized)

Heather Balassaitis!

I just thought this shot was sooo sweet, simple and PERFECTLY YUMMY BOUQUET OF BABY!!!

Thanks to everyone for entering… and check out this weeks Prop Junkie contest…

Do you offer custom cards to your clients? Whether it be a birth announcement or a cute little birthday thank you? We KNOW you spend most of the fall creating holiday cards! I do and I know how time consuming it can be! I cut my time in half by purchased some super cool templates from places like Uniquely You Designs, Album Cafe, and more BUT I was spending WAY too much time proofing for customers.

Design the card. Resize, drag and drop onto a blank page in PS type out all the obvious crop marks, fold lines, etc. It takes just as much time to proof the darn thing than it does to create it. And during the holidays…FORGET about it! SO much wasted time!

Not any more. We have created a Prop Insanity Time EZ Card Proofing Action for all you card creators.

In just seconds, you can take those individual files and make one easy to read client proof with all the fixin’s. The action will take care of all the text, gridlines in watermarking. You push play, select your files and PRESTO!

Action set includes:

4×6/5×7 Flat Card Proofing

5×5 Flat Card Proofing

4×6/5×7 Folded Card Proofing (both Horizontal and Vertical Layouts)

5×5 Folded Card Proofing (both Horizontal and Vertical Layouts)

5×5 Trifold Proofing Layout

Of course we will be giving away one free set!!! Just leave us a comment telling us what you PERFECT action would be. Is there something you would love to speed up with an action? Let us know!

Can’t Wait and want to start saving time right away?! Click here to purchase the PI – EZ Proofing Action Set for only $15! (Buy it now and if you are the winner we will refund your purchase!)

(Actions will be delivered within 24 hours of purchase. Actions are created to work in conjunction with WHCC print specifications, guides have not yet been tested with additional printers. Action uses Front, Back and Inside Spread layouts.)

Meet Ivory and Moss

Eco-friendly handmade goodies for babies and mama…  and  a shop that I just ADORE!!!

We had the enjoyment of trying out a pair of their Mirabella shoes, and Elena blooming headbands…
and were simply thrilled!

The little details put in to these darling shoes, from the tulle to the lil pearl,
topped with a delightful peep toe style… seriously.. I dream of this same pair for myself!

And simply take a quick peek at a few of their other creations, to see why we love them so much…

Now onto the really fun stuff…

WHO WANTS TO WIN ANY CHOICE OF PRODUCT FROM IVORY AND MOSS?!?!

Yep… thought you’d say that
To ENTER, simply visit their site at www.IvoryandMoss.etsy.com
and check out their shop… than come back here and leave your comment on that special favorite item from their shop.
We will randomly pick a winner in 1 week… ENJOY! And share with your prop junkie friends!

MORE ENTRIES!
*Hey! Become a fan of Ivory and Moss on facebook and twitter!
www.facebook.com/ivoryandmiss
www.twitter.com/ivoryandmoss

From newborns to adults… Caps of Grace has you covered… or at least your head!

They feature a variety of lovingly crocheted hats and beanies… but I had the pleasure of getting their Newsgirl cap in my hands.

Beautifully and lovingly hand crafted, their yarn is soft and their texture TREMENDOUS!
Great chunks of pink delight that “pop” like a rainbow, all in a size that will fit a wee head from 2t up to 4t!

This pretty Newsgirl cap is a new fav in our house… and worn regularly not only by my clients… but by my daughter as well!

So.. who wants to try out Caps of Grace and get your hands on a “hat of YOUR choice” from their shop???
Thought so!

ENTER TO WIN
by visiting their site at: www.Caps of Grace.etsy.com then come back HERE and leave a comment on your fav hat in their shop.

IN ADDITION, DISCOUNT ALERT!!!  They are offering our readers a 15% discount on any purchases made from NOW until, the end of June!!!!
**discount being refunded through PayPal after their purchase is complete.
Simply put “Props Insanity” in the “message to the seller” box at check-out to receive it.

Ever wonder how photographers get such great color, contrasts and all around “pop” to their portraits?

Or those great shiny white eyes, with out over doing it?

How about a sweet crispness that or brightness that just makes the portrait stand out from others?

Well… you need to come check out MCP Actions and see for yourself!

And right now, until tomorrow am (ending the am of 5/20!!!) MCP is offering a 10% discount to all orders!!!
Which is historic.. since MCP never offers discounts. So if your even thinking about buying… go CHECK IT OUT NOW!
Use code “mcp10k” upon checkout for your discount.. and remember, this is only good until tomorrow am!

See this picture… darling, yes… but much needed in terms of some spunky finishes!

Now see this….

Just drop in a couple tricks from MCP Actions and the difference was PHENOMENAL!

So, what all did I use to reach this transformation? You would think a handful of tricks.. nah, just a lil MCP Actions did the trick!
Four (4) easy MCP Steps… and I had the beauty above!

Step 1, I started with MCP’s Quickie Collection, and grabbed the Quick Color/Color Sensation!  Dropped it down to 80% opacity.. and onto step 2!
Step 2, Still in my Quickie Collection, I added a lil SNAP  for detail… left at 100%…
Step 3, I opened up my MCP Bag of Tricks Collection and ran Magic Light, brought my brush to 40% and whitened her eyes just a lil “pop”…
Then, onto Step 4 (final step)MCP’s Studio Magic Spell/Studio White Bright Spell, brought it down to 85%, and brushed back the layer onto of her skin.

D O N E

Simple.. yes… now what are you waiting for?

Click any of the MCP logos on this post, and be redirected to your new favorite website… MCP Actions!

Oh yeah.. and don’t worry, if you’re a beginner at photoshop, actions and all the pleasure of photography enhancements…MCP Actions also
has some of the best online WORKSHOPS around.  Helping you to rediscover a love for photography, or just give that oomph you need to add
a lil “wow” and pizazz to your portraits… MCP is an all in one goodies wonderland for photographers