Fireleaf Design has had a great year and as we approach 2012 we want to help you have a great year too. Business cards are one of the most important tools you can have when creating your brand so to help you get started we’ve teamed up with imageMEDIA to give away a set of 1000 business cards to 2 lucky winners looking to advance their brand in 2012.
Start the New Year with New Business Cards.
My Photography Story
Ever since I was young I’ve been known as the creative one. I used to draw all the time and every Christmas I can remember I got at least one art kit. But we never had the money for a real camera, so I never really considered photography. Back then I had no idea what I was missing.
Missing out
Over the last several years I have been fortunate enough to work with some seriously amazing photographers, actually I am pretty much surrounded by them. But I had always been on the other side, creating websites and designing logos. I wasn’t out shooting, or a part of meetup groups like Tampa’s Strobist and Photoshop Collective. There are so many photographers out there, I wondered what would I shoot that hadn’t already been done?
The Ultimate Mixer January 2011
Thursday night, my wife Nicolle and I headed out to the 2011 Ultimate Mixer, an event sponsored by some of Tampa’s elite marketing, public relations and creative associations. We were on the planning committee this year and the changes we recommended had a huge impact on the turnout. Despite the chilly weather, nearly 300 Tampa Bay professionals were mingling under the Green Iguana’s tiki roof. The venue even got so crowded it was standing room only but everyone seemed to have a great time.
Of course to gain access to such an awesome party you had to pay a cover, non-perishable food items or a $5 donation. That’s right, we turned the Ultimate Mixer into a food drive and by the end of the night had collected 654 pounds of food and about $300, all of which is on its way to Feeding America — Tampa Bay, a non-profit organization. Every 13 pounds of food collected provides 10 meals for those in need across 10 Florida counties!
Writing for Photoshop User Magazine
As I searched the jumbled shelves of periodicals at a Borders in Clearwater yesterday, I found just about every magazine you could ask for. But there was just one that I needed to find, the latest Photoshop User Magazine, a publication all NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals) members are familiar with. But for those of you that haven’t heard of it, Photoshop User Magazine delivers high quality training and how-to information to graphic designers and photographers internationally.
This month’s issue was different though. I wasn’t just a reader anymore, and featured on the cover is an article I wrote, “Your Most Important Client is You.” In the article I encourage readers to start treating their own business just like their very best client. If you own a small business there are some important basics to remember for your marketing efforts to be successful. My hope is that this article will provide you with some innovative ideas to help you build a stronger business. You can read the intro and more about the article below.
Help Portrait 2010
Recently Fireleaf Design was a part of something amazing. An event that touched thousands of lives all over the world. Just one day, photographers, designers and other volunteers share their talent with those in need. An event known as Help Portrait. Announced on Scott Kelby’s blog last year by photographer Jeremy Cowart, Help Portrait is based on a simple idea — make portraits of people in need and give them the prints. The idea may be simple but the impact is astounding.
Creating Your Brand
So just the other day, I received a shout out via twitter by a friend, Mike Wiacek. He was thanking Fireleaf for creating his new logo. In response I mentioned that it was a great start in helping to establish his brand, which I feel is important, especially for photographers. Well my response drummed up quite a discussion that played out live on twitter. There were so many great questions that came from this, even the suggestion of a class on the basics of establishing a brand, and needless to say, my next post topic was decided.
Getting Scott Kelby Ready for the iPad
On June 22nd Apple® announced that it had sold its three millionth iPad™, that was just 80 days after its introduction to the United States. That’s three million opportunities for you to showcase your website right in the hands of possible new clients.
If you’re a photographer, chances are you’re also a MAC person and have added this “magical and revolutionary device” to your list of must-haves. Unfortunately as a photographer, you probably also have website portfolio that is completely Flash. Too bad… you just lost all of those opportunities. That’s right, the iPad™ doesn’t support Flash. So when people go to visit your site on an iPad™ it’s rendered pretty much useless. Oh and don’t forget iPhones, another Apple® favorite, which has also left Flash behind.
Mailer Design
When designing a direct mail postcard it’s best to keep it simple. A successful campaign can create recognition for your business and even generate leads and income. You must grab the recipients attention with a stand-out design and give them an offer that they can’t refuse.





















