Monday 28 February 2011

Barcelona: The Best Attractions in the City

By Becky Padmore


Barcelona is the capital and the most populous city of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, after Madrid. It's also one of the most popular destinations in Europe, especially for spring and summer city breaks. The city went through a major transformation in the early 1990's and now it includes a man made but attractive beach, lots of palm trees and a lively cosmopolitan port. The city has a lot to offer the visitor, here is a guide to the best attractions in town:

*Visit Picasso's Museum even if you only have a slight interest in art. It's definitely one of the best art galleries in the city.

* Park Guell is a pretty garden complex filled with some unique architecture. It's great for a romantic stroll.

* La Sagrada is a huge Catholic church, although incomplete, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is worth putting on your attractions to visit list.

*The Batllo House is a house being renovated by open-minded designers - it seem like they wanted to avoid straight lines at all costs! It's great to visit and highly photogenic.

*It if worth a trip to the Camp Nou, Barcelona's world famous stadium. There is an excellent tour which appeals to football fans and non football fans alike.

*Family attractions include Tibidabo Amusement Park, the IMAX cinema and the lovely Magic Fountain of Montjuic.

* The world famous Las Ramblas is a must see. It's a lively street which has an abundance of street performers and a great happy atmosphere.

*If you are looking for a good place to eat out or have a drink, try the Olympic port and you'll be spoilt for choice! A casino and beach can also be found here.

Tips for getting around - The city is actually quite spread out but you can make good use of the public transport system which is both reasonably priced and reliable. Enjoy the city and stay as long as you like!




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The Versatile San Diego Family Photographer Knows What Has Changed in Digital Photography

By Peggy Warny


Starting in the year 1981, with the release of an electronic camera by a well-known manufacturer, the world of the brilliant San Diego family photographer changed forever. This kick-started battles in digital photography and from then on, the world of photography was permanently affected. Unlike decades ago, when photos were developed through special methods and chemicals, the digital ones today record visual information through electronic means.

A modern photographer knows that digital and conventional photography are similar. For instance, the two are able to capture an image by focusing light using lenses. The difference is that each of them focuses the light on a different medium, the conventional camera has it on a piece of film, while digital aims it on a semiconductor device. The camera electronically records the light and breaks down the electronic information, thus making development of photos much faster.

Once it became digital, camera pictures improved dramatically with 1.3 mega pixels, eventually going to 5mp and may even reach up to 20mp today. Although mega pixels may not seem that essential, they are, the larger the photo is, the more pixels it needs to look good, or else it will end up pixelated. A professional good San Diego family photographer doing large events will usually take photos intended to be hung on the walls of the guest of honor, so the pictures are made larger. Another change in these cameras is the anti-shake feature, great for professional candid shots.

Photographers also have an option of using self-cleaning cameras. Dust particles usually accumulate in the lens and it must be cleansed by the photographer, so the photos won't have specks. The photographers don't have to worry if the camera is capturing the best pictures with this self-cleaner feature. The advancements made in digital cameras made it possible to capture good photos of moving objects.

A good San Diego family photographer has no problem in taking photos of their subject's every move, but, a feature like this can surely help get good shots. Additionally, the alteration and even removal of defects in the photo can now be made possible with the special effects in digital cameras. A particular scenario is when someone takes a great picture, but the flash managed to be caught by their eyes, this feature is responsible for fixing the red eye instantly. It is because of these features that mediocre photos can turn out great.

Additionally, the edit feature can get rid of those unwanted parts of a photo. People who got into the photo who were not meant to be included can also be cut out by the photographer. With this new innovation and a skillful San Diego family photographer, you can expect to get amazing pictures in digital.




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Sunday 27 February 2011

Make Your Own Wedding Album...And Make It More Stunning Than You Ever Imagined!

By Kevin Browne


Whether you are someone about to have your big wedding day, or you are the photographer hired to shoot that same day, you need to know that one of the hottest keywords in Google right now is "make your own wedding album."

And what does that mean? Well, on the consumer side, it means that brides and couples obviously want far more control. And for photographers, it means needing to being able to offer it as part of your business packages.

Enter Collages.net, a wonderfully dynamic company started in 1999 with the sole purpose of helping photographers sell. The founders knew that a dedicated effort that was laser-focused on assisting photographers would become quite profitable as relationships were formed and nurtured.

The founders of Collages saw, even that far back, that photographers all needed and still do need ways to expand their reach.

So Collages went out and assembled passionate teams of people who would then develop and implement and create some of the best products and services for photographers that would allow just that.

Of course, these are no ordinary wedding albums either.

And here come some rather remarkable options with those albums: like cover options to please any bride, 100% customization, FREE design software availability, and, naturally, a cost that makes complete sense. Pretty well though out, huh?

This is what is being asked for. And this is exactly what Collages.net has been tirelessly perfecting for so many years now.

Whether you are a bride to be or a photographer in search of answers, you need to understand that the keyword "make your own wedding album" is white hot right now. It also means that people, especially brides, want and deserve almost full control over every aspect of the wedding. And the wedding album is a very big part of that very important day.

That being the case, isn't it beyond comforting to know that a company called Collages saw that coming years ago? And is now on the cutting edge of those exact solutions?




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Friday 25 February 2011

Photo Coffee Table Books: How Collages.Net Lets Your Work Thrill From Them

By Kevin Browne


"Oh, this is just gorgeous...when did you have this done? Do you still have their number? Oh, I just love this!!!"

The idea that your best shots could soon be sitting in some of the most stunning photo coffee table books inside the homes of your clients, where tons of other potential clients will visit is an exciting thought, huh?

And to be honest, one of biggest reasons why Collages.net works so hard at coming up with products as wonderful as their photo coffee table books is so that it will become one of the best ways for photographers to deliver their best shots.

The moment that coffee table book is opened, the second other people gather around it and start seeing your shots in it, a world of new potential clients forms. Everyone will instantly want ones of their own.

Of course, when you order these beautiful books from Collages.net, you will get a staggering amount of options.

Ordering through Collages, you'll have high gloss or matte cover options, you'll be able to add as many pages to your book as you want, you'll be able to preserve your images for years and you can even design your book in the free design software that Collages features. These are the kinds of features that really set this passionate company apart. And keeps them there.

Need more convincing?

Okay, how about a support team that is more experienced and energetic than any you've ever seen, five paper options including lay flat pages and the fact that your books ship within two business days?

If you really want to propel your photography business, look into the photo coffee table books at Collages. Hey, for that matter look into everything at Collages and imagine how far your business CAN go with the most perfect back end products and services. Thousands of other photographers have daily since 1999.




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Thursday 24 February 2011

Find Famous People's Autographs At Sashasadiepup

By Robert Witherspoon


One of the most popular hobbies of all is to simply collect things. Many people may find that the gradual collection of items which form a conceptual set is a nice, easy, and cheap way to amuse themselves. Sashasadiepup has a website where those who collect the autographs of famous people may find interesting things for sale.

Offering authentic collectibles to interested enthusiasts, this small company boasts a wide range of merchandise. Copies of historical and political documents, sports memorabilia, and celebrity autographs sit side by side on their pages. A few moments of browsing will provide nearly all the information necessary, and contact options are given in case more questions need to be asked.

You do not have to actually be a collector yourself in order to find something interesting to look at on the site. Think of the potential gifts available. Even people who are not collectors themselves may find that giving a signed photograph or piece of memorabilia as a gift can be a thoughtful gesture.

Sometimes it can be amusing to just have random autographs on display in the home. Of course your friends are never going to think that Humphrey Bogart and Angelina Jolie are close personal friends of yours, but they may appreciate the decorations regardless.

Collecting things is very similar to any other hobby. However, unlike lots of other hobbies these are usually displayed to visitors. This is often an excellent way to express oneself, as well as a great way to let one's guests know more about their host.

It is perfectly alright to be a fan. Nearly everyone who chose to pursue a life in movies or television did so at least in part for the attention. It is absolutely unlikely that merchandise from Sashasadiepup will cause anyone with an important opinion to form negative opinions about you. Unless you have a hundred signed photos of Idi Amin, but they don't sell those.




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Wednesday 23 February 2011

Holiday Village of the Peak District - Matlock Bath

By Becky Padmore


Matlock Bath is one of the best villages in the Peak District National Park. Its best known for its great family tourist attractions and also its exceptionally stunning surroundings. The village is a conversation area and has an abundance of gorgeous well preserved buildings. Its also surrounded by very tall limestone cliffs which tower above the centre.

History of the village - In 1698 warm springs were discovered and a Bath House was built. As the waters became more famous, access was improved by the building of the bridge into Old Matlock and in 1783, the opening of a new entrance at the south of the valley. Princess Victoria's royal visit in 1831 confirmed Matlock as a society venue of the time.

Royal visits in the 19th century meant that Matlock Bath gained fashionable status, and even Queen Victoria visited on two occasions in the mid 1800s. These visits served to enhance the reputation of the resort but eventually, the advent of the railway changed all that by bringing 'day trippers' by the score. It was at this time that Matlock Bath developed its inland 'seaside' resort image that it still carries today.

Matlock Bath is blessed with natural beauty and incredible scenery. Perfect for rock climbers is the tall High Tor which overlooks the community. The River Derwent is another popular natural feature which is certainly great for lazy afternoons and boating. If you're interested in history or trains then also try the charming stream train which runs between Matlock Riverside and Rowsley South.

Nearby between the town of Matlock and village of Matlock Bath is Riber Castle which is a country house built in the 19th century with interesting architecture. It's gothic style is not to everyone's tastes but it's an imposing site sitting high on a hill. It was once a stately home, a controversial zoo and an MOD storage facility.

One of many of the things Matlock Bath does very well is attractions. There are many places to choose from including great museums such as Life through a lens and a lead mining museum. There is also a countryside centre, and the very popular Abraham Heights (which is complete with a cable car ride) and the fun theme park Gulliver's Kingdom.




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Monday 21 February 2011

Andreas Looks at Electric Motors For Boats Exactly how They Could Impact The Marketplace.

By Ramitin Goodman


Precisely how They May Impact The Market.

Electric boat motors are by no means new they are improving in popularity for many good reasons.

Environmentally they obviously make a considerable amount of sense plus its definite that many additional rivers and lakes shall be imposing prohibitions regarding marine motors that may cause pollution.

The management over velocity is another benefit of electric motors if you are manoeuvring some sort of craft in small spots the electric marine power plant is actually ideally suited.

Noise levels are profoundly lower regarding electric motorboat engines; this really is particularly significant should you be upon canals within metropolitan places and desire to perform a little early morning fishing. Nonetheless it might be really nice to float along on the river in near silence.

It is often the norm for electric boat motors to always be utilised as a secondary energy system, frequently utilised by fisherman (typically known as Trolling motors) or perhaps on more substantial craft for manoeuvring nevertheless this really is altering with the enhancements in both motor and also battery rendering it much easier to possess electricity as your own primary method of energy.

When picking your electric boat motor there are a number of things to consider for instance where the motor will probably be mounted the front as well as back and when you have an existing engine mount will it be ideal for an electric equivalent. How much power do you need, electrical boat motors tend to be measured in pounds of thrust and a good rule of thumb can be 1 to 40, which is forty pounds of boat demands one pound of thrust. Needless to say it is a minimum and also in terms of power the more the better up to a point.




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The Increasing Love For Miniature Arts

By Robert Hudson


Miniature painting can be defined in terms of the size and proportion of the subject to the actual object or the technique used. The art started in the West when the manuscript illumination took place. The paintings are about the saints and angles. It also has scenes of daily life of middle ages included in this category.

The artists began to make miniature painting for their customers privately or for the royal family members as soon as the innovation of printing press took place. It was a trend then to keep such paintings in a bag or pocket by the owner and take it to anywhere he/she goes. This is like what many people do when they want to show their love and care for their loved ones and take carry their photo along with them.

Delicate skills and techniques are employed in the miniature paintings. The material and surfaces used for the paintings are several but the basic technique is the composition and use of colors.

There is no standard size of a miniature painting. Some prefer 5x7" or smaller size. Other professionals use 11x14" size. For some, the frame is also included in this standard and still others exclude the frame of the painting form these sizes.

The size and its specifications are ignored by some experts. They are of the view that the thing that matters in a miniature painting is the "miniaturization" factor. As long as this factor is accurate in the painting, the painting is worthwhile. The size of the painting can even be as large as a room will even but the depicted object has to be small enough.

There are several factors that have made miniature painting so popular. The size is usually considered ideal for small offices and apartment walls. Large interior decoration is also done by using large number of miniature paintings together. This idea is useful for those who don't like single large image.

Another thing that makes the miniature paintings famous is the reasonable price it is sold at. Many people love paintings but the high price on the account of the large size of the paintings deprive them of the opportunity to appreciate the art they love. For such people miniatures are best as they can enjoy the pleasure of having original paintings at a price that is very reasonable.

If you believe miniature paintings have their place on the office tables or apartment wall, you are probably wrong. They can be used to decorate any place you want, be it the coffee table, fireplace, study table, meeting room or shelves. Your friends and family members will also feel really happy if you choose beautiful miniature paintings for them as gift.




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Tuesday 1 February 2011

Freelance Photography Is The Nice Idea To Get Income For Your Photos

By Isabella Brown


As a person who is interested in making money with your freelance photography, think seriously about selling your wares online. People of all sorts, amateurs and professionals, are finding ways to sell their products on the Internet.

So take out your digital camera and start shooting great pictures. You will be paid for your efforts; your passion can be transformed into good money. Here's what you should do:

Realize this simple truth: digital photography is an up and coming thing. The World Wide Web offers you incredible opportunities for making money from the comfort of your home. These days it's not impratical to reach potential customers anywhere around the world. There are online stock photography sites where you can upload your photos to begin with.

It would behoove you to try and find out what types of photos are in demand. And don't overlook the areas where the need seems to be the greatest.

If you study what's going on online, you will quickly see what kinds of photos are popular with people; those will be the ones that are downloaded most commonly.

If you want to invest in good equipment, that's a good idea as well. To take the best kinds of photos, you need the best equipment you can afford. As it is with everything else, the right tools are the best for going into business. With the right tools, your pictures will be of a professional excellence; don't overlook good editing software either.

There is no getting away from this simple truth: taking extraordinary photos is what will get you places in this business. Crack open some good books, surf the Web for additional ideas, find sites that offer courses that will give you the knowledge to take advantage of all opportunities out there.

If you want to get ahead in this business, it behooves you to gain the necessary knowledge with which to reach the best possible clients out there.

Find the best stock photo sites to which to submit your wares. These sites are sometimes called "microstock photography" sites.

These microstock photography sites are not the same as the conventional ones. They usually deal just on the Internet, so they are working with a much larger number of photographers and can sell their pictures at very reasonable prices. And they like to work with amateurs and hobbyists as well as with the pros.

Of the many unusual ways you can make money with photos, stock photography places are among the best. So start making pictures for this market and start making money. There are many ways of cashing in: think prints, posters, T-shirts, postcards, even books.

So check things out really well and you will quickly be paid for the pictures you take. If you take your talents acutely enough to go on this road to success, you are bound to reach your goals. Photography can, in this way, go from mere hobby to highly profitable venture.




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SLR Camera Bags: For Your Camera's Safety

By Jessica Van Looven


If there is one thing that you must not forget to bring when you have an outdoor trip aside from other necessary stuffs like tents, sleeping bags and others that would be a camera. It would be great to have picture of you and your family or friends while having fun and trekking the woods together. There are so many cameras today but then again if you wish to capture a picture on high resolution then you need to make use of an SLR. The good thing about this camera is that even though you are an amateur in taking pictures, you can still get wonderful photos. The camera is quite costly that's why you need to be extra careful when you bring it with you during your outdoor adventure. Try to have an SLR camera bags. When you buy SLR camera bags, here are some things that you need to remember:

Find A Store: When looking for camera cases don't just enter into a shop and then ask anyone sandier without knowing what kind of store it is. You first need to verify your choice of stores that offer SLR cases so you won't your time. Don't push yourself too hard when searching for an item or whenever you need to compare prices. Don't you know that you can just search on the internet and results or suggestions will be given to you for just a few seconds?

Test the Quality: If you are looking for SLR bags or other thing, always make sure that you test the quality. For sure, you don't want to put the safety of your camera in danger. Choosing substandard quality bags is useless for these bags can easily get damage and what if your camera is being place inside? Try to be very meticulous when choosing and pay only for the right camera cases.

Choose The Right Design: If you think that you can just use anything for your camera, you are wrong because you still need to choose the best designs for the camera bags. Pick those best designed SLR camera bags. You have the edge if you own the best camera in town, but wouldn't it be nicer to own stylishly designed camera cases?

If you and your loved ones plan for another trip outdoor, don't be scared to bring your camera with you, now that you already own quality camera bags for good.




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How to Use A Flash Diffuser with Your SLR

By Mark Chams


As a budding photographer, you probably have at several digital SLRs, along with several lenses and an Olympus Flash. In addition to taking pictures where there is enough light, you have probably tried to take pictures in low-light environments, such as night-clubs.

Because of this, using an Olympus Flash with your Olympus camera is important, as is learning how to use it properly. There are times when not using a flash works, but it is generally an important addition to your photography equipment.

Your on-camera flash is easy to use, but creates a problem. On my Olympus E-510, the on-camera flash is fundamentally poor. As a result, I purchased an Olympus Flash FL-50, which has greatly strengthened my photography technique.

Unfortunately, this Olympus flash is still too harsh and results in sharp shadows, which does not result in pictures I showing other people. For example, if you snap a picture of a person leaning against a wall, the flash can create a black shadow on the wall, which makes the person look wider than they really are. It was time to get a flash diffuser, and my sto-fen omnibounce is now always stuck to my flash. It is a little white box that is perfect for spreading the light around.

Flash Diffuser will save you!

Before I bought a diffuser, my external flash was too harsh.

What the flash diffuser does is "diffuse" the light. It spreads the flash light around so that it will not hit your subject immediately. By spreading the light, it also creates a more natural touch, which is great to have with flashes. Furthermore, it enables you to give your image a softer look without reducing the flash power. This aids with any fill flash issues you may have previously had.

Buying a Flash Diffuser

As I previously mentioned, I used an omnibounce diffuser, which results in a more professional job than the diffuser with my Olympus FL-50. There are also larger diffusers as well that can be used with your Olympus Flash.




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The Purposes Of Camera Lenses

By Grant Funshallen


Most of us spend some time looking at photographs taken long ago. Those pictures bring back sweet memories and make us feel lighter and happier. With camera mobiles in hand, it is common to makes use of every opportunities and take a picture to have as a memory.

But haven't you felt that certain pictures are clearer and bring out the content more beautifully. The quality of the image depends on the lens in the camera. The quality of the camera lens is very important. And even a basic camera can take a good picture if it has a good lens.

A lens is nothing but a piece of curved glass. Light can travel in any direction when it enters a glass. Therefore, the lens receives the light rays through the aperture and channels it to the focal point to form an image. The aperture size determines the quantity of light entering inside.

Using the right lens for the right image becomes important as the lighting and environment affects the quality of the picture. Knowledge of this becomes vital especially to people who use a camera in their profession. The distance between the lens and the film is referred to as the focal length. It represented in millimeters.

The type of the lens depends of the focal length. The lenses with a standard focal length are the prime lenses and the lenses that allow the adjustment of focal lengths are zoom lenses. The ultimate picture is largely dependent on the intensity of light gathered and focused by the lens. The lens is moved far from the film to focus on a closer image.

An object far off can be captured to look closer with proper use of the lens. The entire picture can look different, clear and better if the lens is used properly.

With the advancement in science, all the lenses available today are of good quality. However, there are various types meant for various uses. The lens with a wide aperture would generally cost more as it allows shooting even in dim light and is fast. By using the right lens, you will be able to capture images to your utmost satisfaction.




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Large Format Print Advertising - The 4 Primary Styles

By Demarious Carrington


Have you wondered about advertising your business via large format printing? Do you know your options with this type of advertising? The truth is, this is exactly what you'd guess it is... large prints meant for massive, attention-grabbing views. The things that are advertised with large format printing are varied, and usually consist of film and television series advertisements, big product promotions, and charity. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, large format graphic advertising is among the most optimum alternatives for a company to gain an unfair advantage over the competition and stake their claim as a serious player in unmistakable fashion.

There are four popular choices available to you when it comes to implementing a large format print campaign. These are giant banners, billboards, building wraps, and vehicle wraps. At this point, we are going to briefly touch on each of them, starting off with banners. Undoubtedly, banners are standard choices for grand openings and going out of business sales, auto dealerships, and even major community activities. Banners are an adaptable and cheaper route for establishments to get their message across.

Perhaps the most common form of large format print advertising is the use of billboards. This is especially true for major food organizations and charitable causes, but anyone is welcome to use them. A primary advantage of applying billboards is building brand recognition on a repetitive time frame for tens or even hundreds of thousands of travelers every day... and and evening... and night! You can constantly have your message being viewed by someone, even when you sleep. It is a very strong jump for a small business, yet it could certainly take you right to the top in a hurry!

Building wraps are serious business. This is a perfect option for capturing attention in the center of a major metropolis. They're universally recognized as attention-grabbers, and will likely be detected much more than practically any other type of exterior promotional tool. This particular ad platform is not just wildly powerful, but also gets a lot of praise for its relative affordability.

If you would like to spread your business' message while you drive, vehicle wraps are with you for the long haul, and can be adhered to any type of vehicle you drive. This includes pretty much anything you can think of, on wheels or otherwise. Airplanes, trains, automobiles, choppers, boats... take your pick, you can totally promote your business as you operate it! Most people don't actually realize how inexpensive this is, and the more you drive around, be it for business, pleasure, or necessity, the more likely it is that you will drum up business just based on the number of folks who will see your advertising.

Large format printing advertisements make a bold statement to the public, and an oversized image is sure to linger in the memories of all who see them. The exact kind of printing that's used during production is commonly performed using a system that prints on giant paper or other material that measures 2' - 15'. They're done using technologically advanced professional printers which provide first rate photo quality with ongoing shades and tones. Large format printing may improve your organization immensely, but make sure that you locate a qualified printing company that's able to handle any printing project you can throw their way.




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Online Photography Storage: You're Using Collages.net Aren't You?

By Kevin Browne


As a professional photographer, you know you need to find and nurture the best back office systems that you can for your business. And needless to say, online photography storage is right up there in terms of the things you need most.

Obviously, finding ways to store your best shots will have wonderful implications for your business in the near term and very long term.

Once a new project is wrapped and the proofs have been uploaded to the web, you will now be able to share all of those images with everyone involved. Brides will be able to take their time with every shot, portraits can be gone over endlessly, and extended families can be given access to weigh in on the photo decision making process. That time savings to you alone is massive.

Beyond that instant assess, online photography storage means having those images stored for YEARS...and that is precisely what a company called Collages.net enables professional photographers to do.

In fact, Collages stores and backs up all of your professional shots for an incredible 5 years. And as you know, those are 5 years that can roar by in the blink of an eye.

Think about this...you've delivered your job and everyone is thrilled. Two years later, someone remembers a particular set of shots you did and wants to see them again. Bingo. Since your shots are sitting on the Collage servers, they are all there...just ready to be accessed.

Since 1999, Collages has endlessly created incredibly smart ways for photographers to make more money with their businesses, and simple, yet ultra- powerful online storage of images is sure one of those ways. The founders of the company saw a unique business model in front of them...and it all had to do with helping photographers get the products and services that would get them more exposure. And much more business.

Online photography storage became a natural progression of what the photographers needed most as securely and as powerfully as it could be made for them.

The company's sophisticated platform allows photographers to sell photographs and other products online and market their shots to guests, associates, friends and family members who previously had no access to the professional photographs. With over 200,000-300,000 unique visits to Collages.net each month, Collages.net photographers enjoy a unique online presence. This broad exposure results in increased revenue and referrals.

So no matter where you are in terms of your photography business, you will not find a better online photography storage option than Collages. Go ahead and look. It's not out there.




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