Well HELLO  Prop insanityiers (yep i made up a word! lol) 

I’m Tisha, and this is my first official post 

im SUPER DUPER excited to be a part of this amazing team of ladies, and to get a chance to work with such Wonderful talent! 

So for my first OFFICIAL post i will be sharing with you all my Sunset/Sunflare Tutorial! 

I have had  ALOT of emails lately asking me how do i achieve MY sunset shots… 

now i don’t claim MY way is the RIGHT way, but it is the way that has worked for me! 

all the pictures below are taken at about 7:45pm (just before sunset) 

Taken with my D300s/50mm 1.4 

F Stop -9      Shutter Speed – 1/400      ISO 320 

and edited with TRA ACTIONS  &  FLORABELLA ACTIONS 

OK so, first thing with this picture is i wanted to make it a little more UHMPHHHIER (yes another made up word!!) 

so following the RULE OF THIRDS i cropped it! 

and then edited it using this recipe…. 

Warm It Up Kris @ 55% 

Clarify @ 60% 

Oh Snap! @ 50% 

and then i used FLORABELLA’S 

Milk and Honey II @ 15% (just to give it a soft wash look) 

These next two sets of photos are both edited the same way! 

The first one, you can see that i cloned out the very distracting blades of grass! (yes you can call me a perfectionist!) 

and then the recipes for these ones are….. 

Warm it Up Kris @ 65% 

Lights Out @ 100% 

Punch Out @ 75% 

Wish You Where Here @ 100% 

Warm it Up Kris (again) @ 35% 

So i challenge you to get out there and shoot INTO the sunset! 

you will be AMAZED with what you come up with and have soooo much fun doing it!! 

Oh and don’t forget to check out these awesome action sites!! 

TRA ACTIONS              FLORABELLA ACTIONS 

TRA ACTIONS   has a couple of actions for you to TRY OUT  for free all you have to do is sign up for there email!!  Totally worth it!

After so many beautiful, wonderful, and amazing entries in our “Prop Junkie Addition” application post…
we have made our decision….

drum roll please….

We are very excited to release our choices for our newest additions to our PI Family of prop reviewers and writing team!
And in fact… we’ve chosen two, yes 2, amazing photographers to join us!

First up, is the amazing Tisha Johnson!

Yep, you recognize that pretty lil face!
Tisha has been featured on our site a few times, and it just seems we love her and her “skills”…. and our readers love reading all about her and the amazing work she gives us.

Tisha is talented… uber sweet… and an amazing photography from our northern sister country, Canada!
So we re-introduce you to Tisha… come check her out!
Tisha’s Blog
Tisha’s Flickr
Tisha on Facebook

And our second newest member.. oh, you’re gonna LOVE LOVE LOVE her too!

Ready for the drum roll…. please welcome, Laurie Nowling to our team!

Laurie is an esteemed St Louis Photographer… with an unhealthy (well, we think it’s healthy, lol) obsession with all things PROPS.
Laurie’s newly vamped studio, easily promotes this beautiful obsession… and her phenomenal photography skills.

Lauries Blog
Laurie on Flickr
and lastly… Laurie on Facebook

We are soooo very excited, to say it lightly, about our newest PI family members… and think they are going to be an amazing addition!
With their beautiful photography skills, fun & perky personalities, and LOVE of all things props… we know YOURE gonna LOVE them too!

And a special thank you to the dozens upon dozens (I think we ended up with close to 100 entries!!!)  It was a true JOY to look through each and every entry, and oogle at your work!
WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!!!!!

Hey there Prop Junkie… I have a few questions for YOU!

• Do you love Prop Insanity, and do you love all of our vendors and props?
• Do you blog, or have a knack for writing, and creativity on paper?
• How about a healthy client base… one that would appreciate and adore the use of some fun baby and kiddo props in your photography sessions?

Are you getting my hint yet?  

If you love all of the above things… then you might be the special person we’re looking for!

YES, Prop Insanity is looking for some guest photographers to use, photograph, and review props!

And that special addition could be YOU!!!
The perks…. well they are simple.. PROPS!  The props you review are yours to keep.  Just use them, photograph them in use, and tell the world what you think of them…
Easy, right?  AND FUN!!!!

The perks are endless…

If your interested in joining our review & writing team… fill out the below form.
We’ll go through the applications and contact you… so cross those fingers and toes… this could be your dream job (we know it’s ours!!

*Apps will be accepted through the next 24 hrs.. ending in the evening of 8/12/2010

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED… I will be reviewing them all in the next week, and announcing the winner…. winners?

They are here finally.. the new batch of GLEE bags from the JOY BAG COLLECTION are in!

The GLEE bags fit your dslr with lens attached… simply open the top of your GLEE, place your camera in (lens down), and zip up!
The soft and padded interior will keep your gear safe on the inside… while a light waterproof exterior keeps it safe on the outside!
A double zipper keeps the dust out, and gives YOU easy access to your camera!

Limited prints, with names like VERTIGO, BRING THE FUNK, LILAC DREAMIN’, and more… they are sassy, fresh, and ready to help you tote your dslr in STYLE!

So come check them out now at: the JOY BAG COLLECTION
before your favorite print is gone!

If you love unique and fun baby hats for props… then come check out Sonia McCutcheon’s MILK MONEY

Sonia McCutcheon’s MILK MONEY creates some really sweet, and unique, hats for us photogs (and mama’s alike!).

My favorite from her bunch was her “Mums the Word”… check it out.. .LOVE IT!

and a second close winner to a favorite is her LIMITED EDITION Feather Fashionista hat!

Seriously…. amazing hat, perfect for us prop junkies!!!

Discount alert below… so keep your eyes peeled…

All hats are made with her loving, and very crafty, hands,
and knitted with the softest most plump yarn out there!

Sonia has been a long time favorite of mine… so I encourage you to ALL CHECK HER OUT!
Sonia McCutcheon’s MILK MONEY
Sonia McCutcheon’s MILK MONEY
Sonia McCutcheon’s MILK MONEY

lol, you get the idea!

She has also installed an amazing REPEAT BUYER Program (great for us photographers!)
With discounts from 10-50% off!

DISCOUNT ALERT!!!
PI followers 25% off their order-
(just send her a convo that says PI Follower)
*this only applies to items NOT in her chrismas in july sale section*

Baskets and bowls are always fun, especialy with newborns! For so long I have stuck with the traditional wicker, wood or plain old brown basket. Until I found these!!

Also available in white and pink! And did we mention CHEAP! Each runs about $15 (includes shipping) but right now there is a 20% deal going on (checkou the code listed on the website!)

Head over to ihome.com and add some color to your basket/bucket collection!

Quick Link HERE!

When Gina and I started up Prop Insanity… it was for two things,
1) to showcase our favorite photography props
and,
2) to give notice to the smaller shops, the “ma & pa” shops as we call em’

In honor of our love for “newbie” shops, we introduce you to Cora’s Corner.  Cora is a SAHM, who started up her lil shop, Cora’s Corner and Cora’s Flowers, in order to stay home w/her 15y old… and her “soon to be 1y” girls!

She’s been a lifelong crochet & knitting queen… taking it up “professionally” about 4y ago when she moved to rural Maryland. In her own words she “enjoys the quite of the yarn work, and the thrill of the creativity.. and loves how the people in her life appreciate a handmade gift“.

And HEY PHOTOGRAPHERS!!!
If you help to support Cora’s sweet lil shops.. she’ll help to support your prop addiction! lol
She’ll help you in two ways..
1) FREE SHIPPING DURING JULY!
2) Buy any of Cora’s products, and send her your product pic for use.. and she’ll give you a super great discount on your next order!!!

WOOT WOOT!! Thx Cora

Well sweet Cora… you are correct’amundo!  We LOVE your handmade goodies, and appreciate your busy lil hands that create each and every yummy piece in your shop!

I had the pleasure to work with a few of Cora’s items… 1 being the above pictured “Lattice” knit hat… which, IMO, has great nooks of  of soft yarn goodness throughout the whole hat.  The yarn she uses is uber soft (not stiff at all), and the way she knits them honest to goodness looks like a lattice!   Add on a few of her sweet lil flowers (which are interchangable!), and your lil Lattice hat can have many faces.

As I mentioned above, Cora has a “soon to be 1y” old daughter… and in celebration of her babies 1st bday, which happens to be July 5th, she created the below hat, Ms Independent!

A sweet brimmed hat, topped off with a “independent” crochet flower and matching ribbon… I had pictured this hat on a lil newborn, but it happily fit on my nieces 9m old head! 
(thx to the ribbon which makes it fully adjustable for size!)

Cora is doing a great giveaway.. you can win EITHER of the above pictured hats from her shop!!!

ENTER TO WIN HERE
Enjoy the Lattice Hat, or Ms Indepentant.. simply visit Cora’s Corner, then come back here to comment on your favorite item in her shop.

For extra entries…. visit her 2nd shop, dedicated to flower clips and such, at Cora’s Flowers, and come back her to leave a 2nd comment…

….want more ways to win… visit and LIKE her facebook page,Cora’s Corner on Facebook! Then come back here and leave a 3rd comment!

Her Royal Fatness….. brings to mind darling babies with sweet chubber lil legs
(much alike my own daughter at that age!)

But, Her Royal Fatness is no laughing matter.
in fact, when I opened the box from Her Royal Fatness… I almost died of happiness!

A beautiful lil birdcage headband… adorned with flowers, pearls, and so much more frill than I ever imagined.. LOVE IT!

Perfectly soft, and uber easy to get onto a newborn or toddler for that matter…

With beautiful headpieces starting at only $10.95… you’ll wonder how you didn’t hear of her lil shop sooner……

A lil showcase of a few of my other favs from her shop…

So……..

HOW WANTS TO WIN their own Cluster Birdcage headpiece from Her Royal Fatness?
Simply visit their shop: Her Royal Fatness | CLICK HERE!
then come back HERE and leave a comment on your favorite piece in her shop!

We will pick a random winner in ONE WEEK!

Turn an ordinary photograph into a work of art that tells a story.

Add some cuteness to an already sweet photo.

You can do it with ease with Eye Candy Overlays.

The new cloudy set is just perfect to add some loviness to any shot, doesn’t have to be raining!

Eye Candy overlays are the perfect touch for storyboards and blog boards too!

Check out the shop for more overlays and endless ideas!

Jessica has been kind enough to offer a FREE set to one PI readers!!

HOW TO ENTER???
It’s simple… sorta   Copy the below 5 questions, and “paste” them into your comment here. Than fill in each answer… and WHALA, YOU’RE ENTERED TO WIN!!!!

1. what would YOU like to see featured from Eye Candy?
2. What interests you (from Eye Candy etc)?
3. How can Eye Candy help you make the most of your shapes?”
4. Are there photography or scrapbooking topics that appeal to you?
5. Maybe it has nothing to do with the shapes, and is meant to inspire creativity?

For instance… I copy, and paste.. and fill in my answers (see my comment below)

We will choose a winner in one week… so enjoy!!

Welcome to the next edition of Prop Insanity PHOTOG of the Month and Prop Junkie!
This one is extra special… she is not only an amazing photographer who happens to love props.. BUT also a prop creator herself!!!

We introduce you to
Robin Long | Baby Photographer & Prop Enthusiast

First of all… we include our interview and some darling samples of Robins work… then below, enter to WIN WIN WIN one of her amazing ruffle wraps!!!!

Let’s start this off easy…. Share with us your name, website, blog (so we can give some lovin”), and any other sites affiliated with your fabulous photography!!!

Robin Long, Robin Long Photography,
robinslittlenest.bigcartel.com,
www.robinlongphotography.com,
www.baby-lane.com
http://www.facebook.com/newbornphotographerrobinlong

Are you a pro photog, momtog, or just a camera junkie? And of course.. what do you shoot with?!
Pro Photog, Nikon D700

If you are pro.. what is your target audience?
Maternity & Newborn

How did you find out about Prop Insanity, and how long have you been a member?
I found out about prop insanity through Flickr.  I haven’t been a member very long, maybe a month?

What is your favorite prop, and where did you find it?
I don’t know that I have just “one” favorite prop…I’d have to say my favorite props are hats.  I love all kinds of baby hats.  I have 4 buckets full and I still look for new ones all the time!

Tell us more about your fabulous lil prop, and how you came about the idea?
I came upon the idea of making my ruffle wrap from a wrap that was made by Tracy Raver & Kelley Ryden.  They’re always making cute little props for babies.  I loved the idea of the wrap/cocoon being just like the knitted ones you see, except sewn with fabric.  I wanted something girlie and classy and came up with the ruffle wrap.  I love all the girlie ruffles and the babies just look darling in them!

Share your favorite photographer with us… and tell us “why” you adore their work!
oh gosh..there are so many I admire, but I would have to say my favorites are Kelley Ryden & Beth Jansen.  They’re so different, but my style is a mixture of both of them.  I love color, like Beth.  I love Kelley for the more organic feel.    I admire the creativeness of both of them.  I crack up with some of the props Beth puts babies in and Kelley’s have a nice warm feeling to them.

If you won $100,000 and could spend it ONLY on Photography “stuff”.. what would you buy/invest in?
Oh wow! That’s a lot of money to spend on photography stuff!! haha..I’d have to start off purchasing new lenses, like the Nikon 24-70 and the 105mm macro, maybe the 135mm.  I’d love to have all those lenses.  I’d also invest in more workshops.  I love learning from different photographers and getting inspired.  I’d buy some little kid chairs, the vintage ones, more baby hats & blankets…and wow.. have I used up the $100,00 yet? Lol

What is your WORST bad habit (don’t be shy, we all have them! lol)?
Trying to be too perfect.  I’m always wanting everything to be “just right”, when in fact most of the time it is, I just don’t think it is and keep striving to make it better.

Do you have a hobby, other than collecting photography props of course, ?
I love to sew.  I’m not the best at it, but do love it and wish I had more time.  I’ve made ruffle skirts and quilts mostly.

And last but not least…. what is your dream “prop”… something you’d love to have, but maybe dont have the room for it? Or maybe a prop that is so extravagent, it’s just not an ordinary “thing”?
I saw a small pink couch that I fell in love with.  It has swirly arms and curved back.  It’s about the size of a small love seat.  I saw it at Ana Brandt’s studio and I need to find out where she got it! I just love it!

Any other fun lil “quirks” or things about you that we’d love love love to hear about?
I’m in the process of coming up with another new prop from my Ruffle Line.  I think they are going to be darling, so watch my blogsite and become a fan of my facebook page to see when they’re released!  And as always…I love comments on my site and facebook, so share me some luvin’! (hugs)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

THANKS Robin… it was great to get to know you a little better… and see a smidgen of your fabulous work in art!

NOW WHO WANTS TO WIN Their own Ruffle Wrap, by Robin Long?!?!
I had the pleasure of sampling one myself… and LOVE IT! I think it’s my new favorite baby cocoon! Not only is it unique and fun… but uber cozy for the babies!!!!

the lil layers of ruffles are simply a pleasure… and the cocoon itself is very versatile!  Easy for a newborn… but also the 8w old darling pictured above!

We’re VERY excited to see more of Robins work, and all her upcoming NEW Ruffle Wraps for 2010!!!  Drooling in wait….

Now the fun.. TO ENTER TO WIN:
Simply visit Robins shop here>>> Robins Little Nest and take a peek around.
Then come back HERE and leave a comment on your thoughts… and favorite ruffle wrap!!!
FOR EXTRA ENTRIES, visit her sites below and take part if the prop junkie world of Robin Long:
blogsite: Robins Blog, comment on her top link, the ruffle wrap intro to enter!
Facebook: Robins on FB
Twitter: Tweet Tweet with Robin

A winner will be picked next week.. SO ENTER NOW!!!