HOT BUY! Canon SLR Essentials Kit

HOT BUY! Nikon SLR Essentials Kit

HOT BUY! Promaster Flash 7500 EDF

The Importance of Great eBay Photos:

The Importance of Great eBay Photos: Successful eBay sellers understand the importance of taking high quality photographs as a tool in closing the deal. If you’re currently selling online—whether as a way to turn some of your old things into cash or as a side business designed to bring in another stream of income, you’ll want to make sure your images demonstrate the value of the item you’re selling. Did you know that we can help you set up a table-top photo studio designed to help you get high quality pictures without breaking your budget or taking up a lot of space? We can also give you a few tips on how to best photograph reflective items such as jewelry, chrome or other challenging subjects. Just stop by our store so we can make sure you get just the right setup for your particular needs.

Turning Your Photography Hobby into a Business

Many a business guru will attest to the importance of following your passions when it comes to starting a business.  If you love photography and have entertained the notion of turning your hobby into a side business, here are a few tips:

What is Your Specialty?  Are you interested in shooting weddings, seniors or other portrait-related venues?  Are you hoping to expand into commercial photography for real estate developers and similar interests? While you may want to do all of it, consider specializing in one niche arena until you have built up a reputation and client list.  You can expand into new areas once you get your footing.  

Get Notable:  You’ll want to start brainstorming in a notebook to explore you ideas and possible obstacles to getting your business off the ground.  Keep it with you and write down ideas as inspiration strikes.  The written process can also help you uncover new avenues that may not reveal themselves otherwise.

Start Local:  Think about who might be in need of your services? Many small businesses have digital cameras but not the discerning eye to create a compelling image for their brochures, websites and sales materials. 

Sharpen Your Business Skills:  A thriving photography business is as much about powerful marketing as it is about high quality photography.  If you don’t feel you have the marketing and promotion savvy needed, enlist a partner or someone who can assist you in building the ‘business’ part of your new venture. 

Be Social:  Let your Facebook friends and Twitter followers know that you’re now open for business.  You never know where a new lead will come from, and your friends may help you spread the word about your new gig. 

Stop in Our Store:  We’d love to help you with your new venture.  Let us help you determine if you need any additional equipment or evaluate the camera and accessories you already own.  For example, we have a wide range of high quality studio lighting. 

http://www.promaster.com/lighting

 Maybe we can help you spread the word as well! 

Rent Scenic Backgrounds.com by Westcott

Would you like to save hundreds of dollars and have your images be the talk of the town? If you answered yes, then you've found the right place. Most companies charge about $300.00 to buy one single scenic background that only gives you one look for all the images you take. No one wants their photo to look the same as their neighbors did. Would you?

For only $49.99 (or $29.99 for those of you that most likely have "the coupon code") you could rent 6-10 backgrounds for the same price you could buy just one.

For you senior portrait and fashion photographers, options of over 100 backgrounds can set you apart from your competition ~ that has been using the same bench and garden background for years. Let your client choose backgrounds ahead of time, discuss clothing, then have it shipped in for the shoot and returned within a week.

For the photo enthusiast, get creative! Holiday cards, greeting cards, birthday invitations and more. The list is endless. The amount of things you can place an image onto now is mind boggling. Blankets, mouse pads, coffee cups, clothing...give a gift that is personalized and unique.

Take a look at what Westcott has to offer!

SAVE $20!

Use Code:AM0662QZ

Alkalines or Rechargeables?

Hi guys, Lets talk a little bit about Batteries.
Now more then ever people are asking lots of questions with regards to cost, recycling times and reliability on the life of the batteries and their chargers. And with everyone going green, the PRO AA rechargeables are a great green solution to save the thousands of AA’s from going into landfills every day. Plus they recycle flashes quicker (less wait time between flash shots) and they also work in many more applications that require AA’s. Perfect for Nintendo Wii remotes!!

These are some of the most common asked questions:

I charged my batteries three weeks ago and they did not last long when I tried to use them. What happened?
Rechargeable batteries lose approximately 20% of their charge in just 72 hours in warm conditions. Hot weather will accelerate this discharge. They will be almost completely discharged in 30-40 days. Simply give it a fresh charge before use.

How many times can I charge my NiMH rechargeables?
This varies depending on use and care, but you can expect up to 1000 charge cycles on average form properly maintained batteries.

How long will my rechargeable batteries last?
This varies as well. It is important to remember that the chemical reactions in your batteries are constant, even when you are not using them. The battery capacity will slowly decrease over time; you will lose approximately 10 - 15% after the first 350 charges and so on. You should expect to replace your batteries every few years.

My batteries get very hot during charging. Is this normal?
Yes, this is normal. Batteries can reach 120° F during charging. Your batteries will cool quickly after the charging cycle is complete. Do not install hot batteries into your device. Let them cool to room temperature before use.

How should I store my batteries once they are fully charged?
It is best to store your batteries in a plastic battery case. This will protect them from shock, short circuit hazards, and other damage. Leaving your batteries in your charger can accelerate the discharge. Carrying your rechargeables in your pocket or loose in your camera bag increases the likelihood of shock or short circuit damage.

How do I choose the best charger for my batteries?
Obviously, a quality charger is the most important factor in getting the longest possible life from your rechargeables. You may want a smart charger that can measure the charge in your battery and adjust accordingly. You may also consider a charger with a fan to reduce heat. A fan also increases battery life and reduces charge time. The best chargers will also have multi-channel charging systems (usually two or four) to treat each battery individually. While these chargers are more expensive, they will extend the life of your batteries and save you money in the long run.

But the most concerning question we have lately,(and with good reason!)is:

Are NiMH rechargeables better for the environment than the alternatives?
Yes. When you consider that standard alkalines are discarded after one use, and that NiCads contain potentially harmful cadmium, NiMHs are a good choice.

That is why we invite you to collect all (including alkaline, lithium, NiCad or NiMH) of your used batteries and bring them in to Fort Worth Camera, where we will gladly recycle them properly for you at no charge.

To help do our part, Fort Worth Camera and PROMASTER have teamed up to offer a fantastic recycle progam. Simply purchase a PROMASTER brand Lithium rechargable battery and Fort Worth Camera will warranty it for life* $15 handeling and disposal fee apply.

I want to know more about Chargers and which one is right for me.

*Only applies to PROMASTER brand Batteries.