Couple of Things

First, THANK YOU for such a fantastic response to the release of Snaptatic: Clicking Your Way To Beautiful Jewelry Photos. I am gitty everytime I see a new student registration or eBook download. I couldn't be more excited about the adventure we are going to have!! If you haven't signed up, you should.

Second, I have ANOTHER surprise for you! My box of ArtBliss supplies arrived and I have just a few kits left from the retreat. If you hop on over to Kits & Supplies, Oh MY! you'll see three new kit offerings. I have a couple of those coveted ArtBliss Bang Gal sets, some new Split Personalities in BRIGHTS (one of which I made in the studio today and I love it), and lastly there is the Flying Trapeze pendant too. With all that I have on my plate over the next several week, these will be the last new things (kits/beads/jewelry) that will be posted on my website until Decemeber.

The Snaptastic eCourse & eBook

Oh my stars... I am full of that nervous energy and butterflies that come with an exciting announcement and putting yourself out there in a vulnerable way. This is my 1500 post on this blog and I can't think of a better way to celebrate that than with something I am incredibly thrilled to share with you. Deep breath... strong heart... let's do this!

Snaptastic:

Clicking Your Way To Beautiful Jewelry Photos

In this fast paced digital age and highly competitive market, beautiful photos are a must if you are looking to sell your jewelry. If you have been struggling with your digital camera, and just can't seem to achieve the images you are hoping for, then this is the class for you. I am thrilled to offer my first eCourse and eBook in the form of Snaptastic: Clicking Your Way To Beautiful Jewelry Photos, a beginner's guide to setting up, styling, and editing jewelry pictures. I'll be sharing my knowledge of jewelry photography in a way that is fun and informative. We'll cover everything from how to set up an inexpensive photo booth in your home studio, to tips and tricks on taking unique shots that grab attention, to talk about props and product styling, and I'll walk you through the various settings on your camera for getting the types of images you are looking for. Plus the class will cover instruction on photo editing in both free and professional grade programs. It is time to stop taking photos on your kitchen counter! This is truly a must-take class for jewelers looking to take their digital presence to the next level.

*IMPORTANT NOTE*

This class is designed for BEGINNER to ADVANCED BEGINNER students!

I am offering Snaptastic 3 ways.

Option 1 - The eCourse! - $75

The Snaptastic eCourse is run over a 5 week time frame. Once registered, you will receive an email before the start of class inviting you to log into the private blog where class will be hosted. If you do not have one already, you will need to register for a free Google password to log in. (Please email if you need information on how to do this.) Posts will appear daily on the blog, Monday - Saturday. Your access to this private classroom will never be closed, so you can work through the content at my pace or your own. You will also receive an invitation to share photos on a private Flickr group created just for Snaptastic students.

After my recent live version of this class, I am now expanding some of the content and going even deeper into what students really want to know!! There will be more on shooting in Manual Mode, a glossary of photography terms, additional comparison photos, and so much more.

Class will begin October 17th 2011 and run through November 20th 2011. Once class ends, you will still have access to the private classroom! So keep coming back to read the posts, classmate comments, and visit the class Flickr group.

*Special Note* - I will close the eCourse comments on December 10th. Any questions that come up after that time can be sent directly to me. Remember, you will still be able to read all the comments and responses which will be loaded with information.

Option 2 - The eBook! - $25

The Snaptastic eBook is a 100 page PDF version of the content that will be shared in class. With more than 140 photos, this comprehensive guide to digital jewelry photography and photo editing is a must have for those that want to take beautiful photos of their designs.

Option 3 - The Combo Pack! - $90

Sign up for both the eCourse and eBook and save! You will have the same unlimited access to the private blog and Flickr group while also having the content PDF to use as a reference guide.

Some FAQ's -

How do you register? Visit the Snaptastic page on my website. Check out as you would in any other online shop. You will receive an order confirmation and before class begins, I will send all your class log in information. If adding the eBook to your order, you will automatically be redirected to a download page where you can save the book to your computer.

What are the benefits to choosing the eCourse instead of just the eBook? Within the daily eCourse posts you will have the opportunity to comment and ask questions. I will be replying to your comments and also creating comprehensive Q&A posts. Although I will be available to answer questions that may come up via email, these Q&A posts will not be available in the eBook. In class, we'll be digging a little deeper and expanding on some of the topics and having discussion on thing not covered in the eBook as well.

Can you still register for class even though the first 5 weeks have passed? YES! The way that this course is set up, you can join at any time. Comments may be closed, but I will always be available via email to answer your questions and you will have unlimited access to the site so you can work at your own pace.

Is this a MAC friendly eCourse? YES! I have viewed the two editing programs I use in the eCourse and eBook on a MAC and they work the same. Sweet!

I truly could not be more excited about this new offering! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me a message at kerry(at)kabsconcepts(dot)com. It is going to be a Snaptastic few weeks, my friends. I hope you'll join me!

PS... Help me spread the word about Snaptastic with a badge for your blog! Simply highlight the text in the box below and paste it into an HTML gadget on your blog!!

<a border="0" href="http://www.kabsconcepts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=479" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l614/kabsconcepts/snaptasticblogbadge.jpg"/></a>

What's to come...

I really couldn't be more excited to be previewing this project with you!! This right here, these few pictures, are a sneak peek at what Brandi Hussey and I have been working on for the past month. Back in August, after I a rather frustrating few days at the computer, I tweeted a cry for help in the design department and oh boy how she came to the rescue! Thank you, Brandi, for helping make my vision come to life. You ROCK my friend. Truly peps, if you need graphic design work done, she is your gal!

As you might have guessed (since I have mentioned it so often recently), this preview goes along with my new class, Snaptastic, that I'll be debuting at ArtBliss this weekend. There are still spaces open in class if you would like to join us. Today is the last day of online registration and after that, you can register at the door. I am about to tell you about my future plans for this class, but I want to stress, nothing is ever as good as being there, in person, learning hands on, asking questions, and bonding with other students. So, get there if you can!!

Now, back to these pages... they are from the eBook written to coincide with my new class. What I first thought would be simple slide show presentation splash pages evolved into a full blown eBook. I figured if I was prepping the content anyway, why not really bring it all together? I have had several emails and a few comments here on the blog too asking for this to be released in another form other than a retreat class.

I am thrilled to tell you that is going to happen... in two ways.

There are still a few details to work out, but the first of the two ways this will be release is as an eCourse. I am a bit of an eCourse junky. I have lost track of how many I have actually taken. And the good thing about that is that I have been exposed to many different styles of eCourse. I know what I like, and I know what I don't like about them. So, in building mine, I have been able to take all my favorite elements and build the best eClassroom I can.

It will be hosted on a private blog over a 5 week timeline. Once registration opens and when class begins, you will be sent an invitation to the virtual classroom. Each day through out the week, new content will be posted. You'll be able to ask questions in the comment area and on Saturday I'll post a summary of the most frequently asked questions from the week. We'll also have a private Flickr group where we can share photos and have encouraging critiques. When I return from Washington DC, I will narrow down the dates for the class, and set up a registration page.

Along with the interactive eCourse, I will release the eBook. For those that don't have time to commit to checking into a blog daily, you will have the eBook as a comprehensive reference guide for taking great jewelry photos. The eBook is 99 pages, with more than 140 photos, and it details exactly how I approach my jewelry photography. I share with you step by step everything from how to create a stage to take your photos to how to edit them after they come off the camera.

Now, why take the eCourse instead of just getting the eBook? It will be that fantastic Q&A component and having my undivided attention. The eBook will be the exact same content as the eCourse, minus the question and answer piece. And yes, you'll be able to send me a question if something comes up, but I will be hosting an eCourse and it may take time to get to it.

After the first 5 week run, I won't be taking down the eCourse site. It will remain available indefinitely so that you can come back at any time and follow the content at your own pace. Life gets crazy, I for one know that! And I want you to know you won't miss out. I will close comments after the eCourse ends but you will still be able to read them and have access to the Q&As. It also means that people will be able to join Snaptastic at anytime. If eCourse students would like the eBook to have for quick reference, that will be an option too.

This is a thrilling new adventure for me and I can't wait for you to join me on it. If you are ready to stop taking blurry photos with your flash washing out and over exposing them while having a piece of jewelry your proud of sitting on a kitchen counter... well then, you won't want to miss this!! I truly believe anyone can take great photos and you don't have to spend a fortune to do it. Now, who's with me?