Fast Track Photographer

Fast Track Photographer

Dane Sanders has written a book for building a photography business from the ground up, and it is available at many retailers. There is also coaching, which is Free! Groups, workshops and mentoring are also available to you. Check out the blog for past Fast Track Coaching sessions.

Swoon

Swoon

Here is another cute template shop. They have the most adorable baby announcements! Simple yet elegant too. Try them out!

Custom Photo Props

Custom Photo Props

These props are perfect for the newborn and baby photographers. These items are reasonably priced too. They even have props for little boys! And they are too cute.

Reverie |The Blog Christmas give away

http://reveriemine.com/christmas-giveaway-day-one

Skye Hardwick of Reverie Blog, is have a 12 days of Christmas giveaway, and Today is day one. Each day there are some great prizes to be won and there are even sales codes for some great products. So mosey on over there and have a look see!

Good luck!

ONA Camera Bags

Ona Camera Bags


These top of the line bags are handcrafted using only the finest materials. They have limited quantities, so if you see one you like, buy it! Very stylist and sophisticated.

Photo Card Boutique

Photo Card Boutique

Offering hand designed photoshop templates for greeting cards and marketing purposes.

Photo Pro Network

Photo Pro Network

Convention, competitions, member forum, and an expo.

Finao

Finao

This album company has many great cover choices, lots of album choices, including a series of albums. Gift boxes to match, image preview boxes and so much more. Also, made in the USA! Awesome!

Forbeyon

Forbeyon

Exceptional albums for the professional photographer to offer their clients. They also offer classy boxes to store the albums in. Very nice!

Crave Design

Crave Design

Crave Design sells custom templates for the modern photographer.They also have stylish marketing material templates as well. Worth a look!

Certified Photographer Academy Blog

Certified Photographer Academy Blog

This blog offers resources for passing the Certified Professional Photographer exam given through the Professional Photographers of America.

Photography Newsletter

Photography Newsletter

This site looks like a great source for ideas and templates for staying in contact with your clients. They will put together your newsletter for you. It can be mailed or e-mailed too.

The offer a free webinar to help you understand the ins and outs of a successful newsletter.

The Polished Photographer

The Polished Photographer

The polished photographer offers "polished" templates for the modern photographer. These include marketing kits and templates, album templates, card templates and much more. These all mix and match very nicely.

Click Pixx

Click Pixx

Lab offering canvas and more

Retouch Pro

Retouch Pro

This is your one stop place for retouching artist. There are webinars, a forum, gallery, challenges, and much, much more!

The Grand Format

The Grand Format

Custom backdrop printing

h-b photo

H-B Photo

Photographers source for all their presentation needs: boxes, folders, tissue, ribbons, bags.
They do have a die option for having your logo printed on the pieces.

Pixel2Canvas

Pixel2Canvas

Pixel2Canvas is a professional lab offering optimal quality in canvas prints as well as fine art prints. They offer the Wall Riders that are so popular now amongst Senior photographers.

You can even order canvas backdrops here, to have a truly unique set.

Design Revolution

Design Revolution

Only the cutest props for baby! If you are looking for a fully designed set for babies or children, then this is the place for you. They have coordinating everything from hats, to blankets, to headbands, tutus, petty skirts, backdrops, floors and so much more! And I bet if they don;t have it, they'll make it for you. Doesn't hurt to ask! ;)

As if that wasn't enough, they also offer coordinating templates as well.

Julie Klaasmeyer also offers workshops for the baby photographers.

Love this stuff, and wish I could afford to buy the store!

Hello Canvas

Hello Canvas

I just ran across this company today! You send in the picture you would like to have printed on canvas, and they'll make a beautiful canvas print of your image. The image can be digital or print, and if it is a print, they can scan it for you.

Shoot for a Cure

Shoot for a Cure

This is a charitable organization for photographers to donate their time and talents to families gripped by cancer. The photographers are there to capture happy memories for the families who want to remember their time with their loved ones, and might not be able to afford a professional due to treatment expense. This is a great opportunity to give back to the community and help out a family in need.

Seamless

Seamless

Seamless offers lightroom presets, photoshop actions, templates, and more. They offer workshops and seminars to photographers to help them with their photoshop retouching and work flow.

Texture King

Texture King

This is a free premium texture site, for all your texture imaging needs. jpg files.

I heart Faces

I heart Faces

I heart faces has a fun photography challenge every week, most with a theme. There are so many great entree's, it must be so hard for them to chose the winners! Along with the challenges, they also offer tutorials and tips and tricks from everything about exposure, composition and post processing. There are even "fix it Fridays" where they take an image and use different techniques to improve it, or make it unique.

But it doesn't stop at the blog! They even have a community section where you can plug in and get connected to other photographers and bounce ideas and such of each other. It is in a forum format, so it makes posting and responding easy.

Every now and then, they also offer give aways, with lots of goodies for any photographer!

But wait, that's not all! They even offer workshops! These are designed for women and offer photo sessions and business advice.

So, check 'em out! They have a little bit of everything, so there is bound to be something for you! ;)

PWD Labs

PWD Labs

Professional Lab that also offers post production work for you images. They also offer album, etc. design options, helping you to have more time doing what you love, photographing. It's like having staff, but it's your lab. :) They also offer school and event options.

I Love Photography

I Love Photography

This is a forum dedicated to children portrait photography. They have different levels of access to the forums, depending on how much you want to spend. There is a gallery to share your images and a calendar to keep up with what's going on.

ProDPI

ProDPI

ProDPI is a professional photography lab that offers many different products. Their press printed papers are very nice. They use Fuji papers for their traditional prints, and their new mini snapshot size is lots of fun! They also offer fabric wall clings and press printed albums.

Collages.net

Collages.net

This professional lab offers more to their clients. They have website options for event photo carts for photographers to sell prints to their wedding and sports clients. They offer albums, gallery wraps, traditional prints, and more. They even offer free album design software to their customers to help your digital work flow.

Clickin Moms

Clickin Moms

This is geared more toward the woman photographer as the name hints to. Most members are professionals making money at this art. This group helps develop and encourage photographers in their business and craft. There are tutorials, templates, photo help and critique and even a paid forum for more one-on-one help.

Barbour Backdrops

Barbour Backdrops

They sell trendy backdrops and props for the modern photographer. They have even included the baseboards and "floor" to make it look like a room. They also offer posing tools for babies, as well as a "bed" for babies.

Epiphanie

Epiphanie Bags

Stylish camera bags for the female photographer. These bags look like a purse, but hold your camera, lenses, other gear and even have a model that holds your laptop as well.

Macro Fine Arts

Macro Fine Arts

This lab offers many different fine art paper and canvas options. Bamboo, Giclee, and acrylic are all options to have your image printed on. Prints are available up to 40x60. They also offer framing.

Photographers Against Copyright Theft

Photographers Against Copyright Theft - Facebook Page

This is a page on facebook where you can send in screen shots of people using other photographers work and saying it is their own. This is a huge concern in the digital era, and the ease of "lifting" photographs off of the internet makes it very tempting to others.

Media Lab

Media Lab

Media Lab offers a way to upload your website directly from photoshop with their product SiteGrinder. Add-ons are available for more control and options. There is a free trial if you would like to check it out.

Manfrotto

Manfrotto

Manfrotto sells high quality tripods and monopods. They also have stands, bags, and lighting systems. Clothing for photographers is also available with lots of pockets. Buy on line or in stores.

Albums On Demand

Albums on Demand

This company has all kinds of different albums available to meet your clients needs. Flush mount albums, guest books, coffee table books, cases and more! Choose from leather covers or a custom photo cover.

Lumiere Photo

Lumiere Photo

This company offers professional presentation supplies to the fine art photographer and artist. Presentation boxes, gloves and mat board are available to make your presentation of your images top notch.

Rule of 3Rd

Rule of 3Rd

This site has photoshop and lightroom tips and offers DVD tutorials for purchase. There is also a blog with post on fashion shoots and details about up coming workshops. The focus seems to be on the technical side of photography.

Soarority

Soarority Forum

A free forum dedicated to inspiring and encouraging photographers to follow their dream in their pursuit of a photography business. There are photography exercises geared to improving your technique and creativity. Once a month there is a two hour Q&A with a guest professional photographer who share their stories and what has helped them trough their journey.

While you are there, check out the blog for other inspiring posts and behind the scenes looks (which are always my favorite!)

TAoPAN

The Art of Pregnancy and Newborns

This is a forum and blog dedicated to the art of photographing newborns and maternity portraits. There is a one-time fee and you are a member for life. Lots of downloads and tutorials are offered throughout the forum, and a weekly photography contest is offered and encouraged.

If you are love to photograph newborns and maternity, this is definitely the place for you! Ana also offers workshops in the US and Canada covering all aspects of newborn photography and business.

There is also the Momma Threads line of maternity clothing for portraits. Very chic and elegant pieces offered.

Photo Pantz

PhotoPantz

Yes, that's right, Photo Pantz!!! These pants are made for the working professional photographer, to keep you looking professional while allowing you to carry all the necessary little things us photographers need to carry with us on a job, such as business cards, extra memory cards and the like. And they are stylish too!

Greener Photography

Greener Photography

Greener Photography sets out to educate photographers and consumers on greener photography products. They are a non profit organization encouraging photographers to "go green". There is a forum to share ideas and suppliers, articles about greener photography techniques, a list of "green" suppliers , as well as a group blog that readers are encouraged to participate in.

Rock That OCF!

Rock That OCF! Blog

This is a handy little blog that helps you learn off camera flash. Learn by creating, not by being technical. See pull back shots as well as the final product. Workshops are available for more in-depth learning. Or, buy the workbook and field guide!

Reverie | The Blog

Reverie | The Blog

This is a brand new blog by Skye Hardwick. She hopes to inspire your children's portraiture and to keep your vision fresh and creative. There is even a section to submit one of your own sessions to possibly be showcased on the blog. I am interested to see what all she will have to offer!

Storyboard by Code and Hustle

Storyboard by Code and Hustle

This is a nifty little photoshop script to optimize your photo blogging power. It's not a template and it speaks that it is very fast at creating a blog storyboard with many images for you. It works automatically. Hmmm.. Interesting.

Direct Service Photographers

Direct Service Photographers

This is another on-line listing site for photographers. You can pay extra to have your site featured on the home page and listed in the top of your town's directory, or you can use the free option.

Digital Photography School

Digital Photography School

This website has tips and tutorials available on it for the new photographer to the more experienced ones. There is also product reviews and post production tutorial, as well as a forum to get feed back from other photographers.

Assignments with weekly winners make this site one worth checking out!

Love Afafir Workshop

Love Affair Workshop

This workshop is taught by four different photographers over the course of three days. It looks like they cover just about everything, from posing and lighting to business planning and pricing. There is a limit to the number of attendees.

It does look like this hasn't been kept up with since 2010. So I am wondering if they are still doing it?

Tiffany Kelley Design

Tiffany Kelley Design

Tiffany is a graphic designer for photographers. I love the color inspiration she posts on the blog using an image to draw the colors from.

Song Freedom

Song Freedom

This is a site where photographers and cinematographers can use mainstream music legally in their slideshows and film. There are three different levels of service depending on how many songs you are going to use. Includes artist such as: Train, Dave Barns and many, many more!

The Savvy Photographer Blog

The Savvy Photographer Blog

This is a wonderful blog dedicated to inspiring other photographers, typically women, in the art and business of photography. Photographers share about their businesses and share images of their workspace too. There is even a store to buy rugs and templates and such. It is a fun blog to visit, and I could spend hours browsing through older post.

Accounting for Photographers

Accounting For Photographers

For photographers who might need a little help with the business side of their business. There is a workshop coming up soon, that is reasonably priced. If you can't make the workshop, there is a workbook spreadsheet that will help you track your finances. Or, you can opt for a 60 minute phone call for some one-on-one time.

Lemon Drop Stop

Lemon Drop, backdrops and floor drops

I found these backdrops today from a link posted in a forum. Looks like they offer canvas, vinyl and poly-paper backdrops and floor-drops (that is, drops that look like floors). They also offer baseboards, so your set up will look like a wall.

The Soulographer

Soulographer Blog

A blog offering photography help and inspiration. There are workbooks, posing guides and more available for sale.

If you hurry, there is a HUGE give-away going on now with over 25 vendors, but you have to post to enter!

Blair Phillips Photography

Blair Phillips Photography
Break the Mold Workshop

Blair offers a light Cart for shooting on location, Posing cards with details on the pose and how to do it, work flow including forms and more on dvd, and templates. Blair also offers a workshop where he sets up his eclectic sets and lets you shoot with his lighting and is there to help you get it right, so you really learn it.

Wildflower Workshop

Wildflower Workshop

A workshop to help inspire your creativity. Each workshop includes three fully styled photo shoots with instruction, help with design consolations, how-to story telling and more.

Into The Darkroom

Into The Darkroom

Wordpress plugins, photo carts, slide shows, blog and website templates for the professional photographer's on-line branding and experience.

Digital Wedding Forum

Digital Wedding Forum

This is a paid forum for professional photographers to talk and share about the business of being a photographer. There is a success educational series for all members as well as many tips and tricks for post production and business advice. Members also get discounts and credit to many different sponsored vendors.

Charles J. Lewis - Photo Business Building Secrets

Charles J. Lewis

Charles Lewis offers tips and tricks for marketing a photography business in today's economy. He offers e-books and webinars, along with an "Inner Circle group" that is a paid membership.

Wedding Photographic Society

Wedding Photographic Society

WPS is a membership based organization to help the wedding and portrait photographer accelerate in their craft. They hold conventions and print competitions. Many keynote speakers come to the convention.

Friday Photo School

Friday Photo School

From the website:
"Fridayphotoschool is project lead by photographer, writer and photo educator Will Crockett. Based in suburban Chicago, the company actually creates the monthly content inside the fridayphotoschool studio located in Montgomery IL. Will is widely known as the "go-to" guy for solving technical problems and is counted on by many of today’s top photographers as well as photo manufacturers for fact-based info on how to get the tools like cameras and flashes work correctly. As an expert in light control, TTL flash, getting screen to print match, and more, Will invites only the photographers who have a successful business - and know what they are talking about - to present their info on fridayphotoschool. All the content you see is carefully guided by Will to be accurate and useful. This is a no baloney resource!"

ProPhoto Blogs

ProPhoto Blogs

Custom blog options for professional photographers. There are many options to chose from and even customization to fit in with your studio's look and feel.

Epiphanie Bags

Epiphanie Bags

Epiphanie bags are a stylish and functional way to transport your camera every where you go. No need to lug around an extra bulky geeky camera bag.

Soul Road Trips

Soul Road Trips

Photography Workshops led by Jeff Johnson, Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, PPA Certified, Fellow PP Colorado

Photo Production

Photo Production

PPS remains a very small, "boutique" digital printing service catering to portrait and wedding photographers as well as advanced amateurs and fine artists in West Virginia and throughout the surrounding states. PPS continually strives to create an environment of client focused innovation, combined with operational simplicity and precise attention to detail.

offering press printed cards and books, fine art and traditional prints, canvas and more!

Studio Cloud

Studio Cloud

Studio Cloud is a free studio management software program for the portrait photographer. There are options to add on features for a small monthly fee, such as employee boost, for employee management, and cloud boost to sync other computers together. There is even an app for the iphone, so when you are on the go, you have access to the cloud!

Time Exposure

Time Exposure

The creators of ProSelect, one of the best sales software programs for photographers on the market. They also offer an on-line web gallery for photographers to sell their photography on the web.

Paperie Boutique

Paperie Boutique

This is a fun blog that covers everything paper related, from cards and forms to packaging and presentation. There are lots of great ideas and inspiration here. There are also giveaways to some of the vendors highlighted from time to time.

Kelby Training

Kelby Training

The world's leading source for Photoshop training, education and news.

Photoshop Lab

Photoshop Lab

This site is a great resource for all things photoshop related. Looks like they might even have some lightroom tutorials as well. I found this site when I was searching for a keyboard short cut, and there it was on this site. :)

RetouchUp

RetouchUp

RetouchUp streamlines your workday. Set your profile and send bulk orders.
Low Cost. No Contracts or Minimums. No complications. So you can focus on profits. And simplify your life.

Sign up and get 10 free retouches, see site for details.

Quantum Instruments

Quantum Instruments

Quantum offers quality flash systems, including power packs and light modifiers. On their website, they also offer tutorials and videos om using their products. There is also a portfolio of professional photographers who use their products available for viewing on their website for inspiration and learning.

Shoot Sac

Shoot Sac

The shoot sac is a great camera bag to have extra lens on hand out on a shoot. They even offer a variety of different cover options as well.

B&H

B&H

B&H is a photography source for just about all the photography, video, audio, etc. equipment you could need. They are a company out of New York City.
Sign up for their free catalog.

Brand Camp Blog

Brand Camp Blog

This site sells a book that is dedicated to helping you write better blog posts and more. It is not just for photography, but anyone in business can use it. This site also offers one on one help. It includes give-a-ways on the blog from other vendors.

Jill-e Bags

jill-e designs

Extraordinary bags for tech-savvy, on-the-go people like you. What better way to carry your "lifestyle essentials" safely and with style!

The Joy of Marketing

The Joy of Marketing

The Joy of Marketing teaches you to perk up your small business by focusing on building a brand and strong relationships instead of relying on price discounts to create sales. We're the only place you'll find focused marketing education, small business marketing ideas, beautiful design, and inspiration to help you enJOY marketing and build a powerful business. Whether you're a photographer, a hair salon, online store, cosmetic dentist, fitness center, specialty store or any other type of niche business, you have come to the right place! We have small business marketing ideas for practically every industry.

Graphic Authority

Graphic Authority

Premium tools and templates for use in photoshop.

Burns Picture Frames

Burns Picture Frame

A picture frame dealer out of Texas

Full Color Lab

Full Color

Professional Lab offering traditional prints, metals, press printed items, canvas and more!

Miller's

Miller's

Professional Lab. Press printing, albums, books, traditional prints, film processing, Luxe cards, stickers and more!

Nik Software

Nik Software

Everything you need for post processing. Color, black and white, HDR, sharping and more!

Strategy Avenue

Strategy Avenue

A 4 part DVD and workbook set to help you set business goals and vision, target marketing and how to profit.

Photo Dough

Photo Dough

A discount site for photography products, but you had better hurry, because it is one day only deal!

Deals have included canvases from professional labs, website templates, workshop discounts and more!

The Dedicated Photographer

The Dedicated Photographer

This is a great blog for those photographers who specialize in children portraiture. There is also the option for you to share as well. There is lots of great tips and interviews of noted children's photographers, one of my favorites being Karen Carey!

Silber Studios

Silber Studios

Blog that offers tips, techniques, video lessons and inspiration, buy books, and more!

LabApollo

LabApollo

A professional lab offering:
prints
press printed products such as planners, journals and calendars.
Specialty products such as: signature boards, photo banners and white boards.
and much more!

Jen's Fabulous Stuff

Jen's Fabulous Stuff

This site has a mix of templates by a slue of photographers and designers. There should be something for everyone here! They also offer actions for post processing. Posing guides for all types of photography will help with inspiration and give a good guideline on where to begin. There are lots of marketing kits to get your brand rollin' too!

Cypress Albums

Cypress Albums

Beautiful albums and presentation boxes. Very stylist.

Prairie Fire Productions

http://prairiefireproductions.com/

PhotoVision

PhotoVision

If anyone wants to learn from some of the best photographers in the portrait industry, you need to check out Photo Vision! They feature different artist every other month on DVDs that come directly to your mail box! I have learned so much from these DVDs, like lighting techniques, photoshop techniques, how to work with a client and soooooooo much more. I encourage you, if you are thinking about starting a new photography business or have just started one, or have had one for a while, to check out Photo Vision.

Use code PVFAN and save $150!

Photographer's Toolkit

Photographer's Toolkit

Heritage Home Collection

Heritage Home Collection


Tin frames, has wholesale

Hand Crafted Frames

Hand Crafted Frames

Hear they have great customer service. offer a wide variety of frames

Her Photography Conference

HER Photography Conference

A new conference dedicated to women photographers. Sorry men, you are not allow to go to the conference.

Calumet Photo

Calumet Photo

Calumet has everything you need to run a studio and feed your creativity photographically. Gear, backdrops, film, video, lighting, props, and more!

Kelly Moore Bags

Kelly Moore Bags

Bags for the professional woman photographers. Styles and sizes to fit any photographic fashion need!

Corina Nielsen Design

Corina Nielsen Design

offering full branding, custom logos, templates and more. Also has a small selection of props

Workshop Jungle

The Workshop Jungle Blog

This is a blog dedicated to helping you find the photography workshop that is right for you. Reviews and contests of different workshops offered around the country and even online

Kubota Image Tools

http://kubotaimagetools.com/

PhotographyBLOG

PhotographyBLOG

Photography reviews and news along with techniques.

DNL Photo Packaging

DNL Photo Packaging

Presentation boxes, folders and bags for delivery of portraits. products for prom and sports. Also offer small selection of albums.

Denny's Manufacturing Company

Denny's Manufacturing Company

Backdrops, props, studio lighting, and more!

White House Custom Colour

White House Custom Colour

Professional Lab catering to the professional photographer.

Aspen Creek Photo

Aspen Creek Photo Professional Photo Lab

Digital Photography Lab for the professional photographer. Uses Fuji Papers.

OnOne Software

OnOne Software

All kinds of post processing goodies for the busy photographer

Texas Photographic Society

Texas Photographic Society

Includes membership, competitions, exhibits and others. Focus is on the art of photography.

Digital Negatives

Digital Negatives

Site dedicated to the book bearing the same name. This is about making digital negatives for traditional and alternative print processes.

Art Photography Today

Art Photography Today

A blog dedicated to the fine-art of photography, not necessarily to portrait photography. Might learn something from other fine artists.

After Dark Education

After Dark Education

After Dark is one of the best experiences I have had in my pursuit of higher photographic education. Learning with some of the top portrait photographers in the country and at your leisure, really makes this workshop the best "bang for your buck". There are shooting bays with backgrounds and props, along with studio lighting, to work along side of other photographers and business bays to learn marketing, selling and more from successful mentors in the industry. Highly Recommended!

Jewel Images Workshops

ProSelect Worshops with Julia Radlick- Kelleher

Workshops teaching on the art of Proselect

AsheDesign

AsheDesign

Card, album, etc. templates and digital papers. There are freebies to try as well!

Portrait Professional

Portrait Professional

Software for photograph editing

Fiip

Fiip

Fiip stands for Fix It In Photoshop. This forum is ran by Kirk Voclain for more of photoshop side of photography. This forum features photoshop actions, templates and short cuts. It is a paid membership.

Mac Group

Mac Group

Providing the professional photographer tools of the trade

Digital Silver Imaging

Digital Silver Imaging

This lab prints digital images on real fiber based paper, no inks! Only available in black and white. They also process B&W film. Matting and framing your images are also options.

Little Ones Workshop

Little Ones Workshop

Workshop dedicating to the art of photographing babies

Pro Photo Coalition

Pro Photo Coalition

Lessons on all things photography related.

The Coffee Shop Blog

The Coffee Shop Blog

This blog has a lot of free actions for Photoshop and presets for Lightroom. There are also free templates and digital papers available for download.

Dane Sanders TV Chanel

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/danesanders-tv

Ron Nichols - Digital Solutions

Ron Nichols

Ron Nichols has developed these different products to help simplify your digital work flow. There are palettes that work with Adobe Photoshop to enhance your images, help you get the very best black and white image possible, one for retouching, and others. For Proselect these will help improve your sales with different presentation options. There are even royalty-free music options available on the site.

Ibobi

Ilbobi

"In case you are wondering, what is a lbobi?

lbobi (pronounced luh-bo-bee) is the creative inspiration blog created by myself ( Jeff Rodgers) and my wife Allison Rodgers. It stands for the Little Blog OF Big Ideas. It is is free to join and every member can create a blog post. What to post? If you come across something very cool then there is a really good chance that others would find it interesting as well. That is what the perfect blog post is made of."

Photography School House

Photography School House

This forum is a free forum that caters to anyone who loves photography. There are professionals and amateurs just starting out too. The threads cover all things related to photography. Even share your work and get it critiqued by your peers. And at least once a month there is a free webinar offered to members covering a wide range of topics. There are also guess speakers for these webinars such as Sandy Puc, and Mike Long. Most of the webinars are archived on the forum, but the ones Sandy does are located on her forum, on a rotating basis.

Sassy Designs

Sassy Designs

This is a great template and digital paper shop. Very versatile in designs and themes. The prices are very affordable, and they run some great specials throughout the month. I have some of the papers and elements form Sassy Designs and have used them in several projects I have done.

Rock The Shot

Rock The Shot

Just found this site on Facebook tonight. Not quite sure what to make of it yet because it is brand new. It looks like it will be launching after WPPI this year. From what I can tell, it's another forum and blog dedicated to helping photographers improve their skills and businesses. This is also be a paid site, so you have to pay to join the forum. They do have a life time subscription, where you only pay once. Honestly, I have never heard of the photographers that are heading up this operation, so I am not sure what kind of content this forum will contain. I believe that this will be geared more toward the emerging, beginner photographers, who either just do photography as a hobby, or are just starting, or are wanting to start a photography business.

Francy Pants Academy

Francy Pants Academy

This workshop focuses more on the business side of a photography business. Also offered are online mentoring options.
There are also templates available for purchase.

John Paul Caponigro

http://www.johnpaulcaponigro.com/downloads/

John Paul Caponigro has written several articles to help the fine art photographer hone their skills and posted them on this website. From creativity, to technique, he gently guides the reader through artistic principals. Though it is geared more toward a fine-art photographer, there is no reason any photographer would not benefit from his teachings. He also leads workshops to some very exotic locations, such as Africa. If you would like to make your work more a work of art, then these articles are a must read.

Jessica Dittimer - Original Illustration and Design

Jessica Dittimer - Original Illustration and Design

Actions, digital papers, templates and web design. Features Hand Drawn templates as well.

Design Aglow

Design Aglow

Marketing Templates, general templates, business form templates, magazine for photographers.
Very Chic and stylish

My Lil Creations

My Lil Creations

Templates for professional photographers. She has some really neat designs available here, very elegant and old world like, soft and has a Victorian feel to them.

The Shoppe Designs

The Shoppe Designs

Templates, digital papers, photoshop actions, brushes and more. Branding packets available as well as pre-made logos. Blog backgrounds.

You can subscribe to get everything included.

Marcus Bell Actions

Marcus Bell Actions

Presets for lightroom, actions for Photoshop. Tutorials also available.

Workshops are also offered

Project 52

Project 52

Just found this Free site. I recommend starting at the beginning. The weekly lessons have already started, but I think that is okay, just start at the beginning like I said before. It begins with writing a simple mission statement about what you want to do with your work. It also looks like if you want to participate in the discussions, you will need a flickr account. These assignments will challenge you to really look at who you are and what you do.

Free Music

http://dig.ccmixter.org/

Haven't checked it out yet. On the To Do list...

Photo Talk Forum

Photo Talk Forum

I absolutely LOVE this forum! This a great community of professional photographers from around the country. Everyone is there to help everyone else, mentors and beginners as well. Ask any question and there is always someone with an excellent answer for you. It's even great to see the mentors asking questions there! That's a huge reminder that none of us have it figured out completely.

There is marketing help, image review, image contests, monthly template downloads, just getting started, etc. It is geared more toward the baby and children photographers, but other genres of portrait photography are addressed as well.

This is a paid forum, but it so worth it! It's like having 1 on 1 mentoring 24 hours a day! There is even a mentor spotlight, where one successful photographer, usually in the speaking circuit, shares marketing, shooting styles, work flow, etc. I have been a member Since October 2009, and plan on staying a member as long as I am in business, or they shut the forum down. :)

The Pioneer Woman

The Pioneer Woman - Photography

This site has a little bit of everything, and while the photography tutorials are not geared toward professionals, it is good to get back to the basics once in a while. Plus there are ideas on their for what to do after the photograph has been taken.

Posh print and Design

Posh Print and Design

This is another great template resource site. There are many great templates for cards, images boxes, albums, and more. Sign up for their e-mail list for announcements and specials.

PhotoDuds

PhotoDuds

Photo Duds is a template and photoshop tools site for photographers. Included are brushes, digital papers, elements, textures, etc. that you can use to create your own creations, or purchase pre-made templates. You can even purchase a "cookbook" for help and inspiration with putting different coordinating elements together.

EW Couture Collection

EW Couture Collection

This site has some great templates available to professional photographers. They also have a line at Miller's Lab that use their new Luxe Press Cards. These templates have a modern vintage feel, and are super customizable, so you can blend them in with your current marketing identity. By signing up for the e-mailing list, you not only get access to new products and recent happenings, but you also get a free template each month!

Art and Commerce Workshop with Karen Carey

Art and Commerce Workshop

I took this workshop with Karen Carey at the beginning of January, 2011. I was struggling with finding a direction to go with my photography business. She helped me stop, focus on what I was are already doing naturally, so that I could make that the focus of my business. She made me do it, so that it actually has meaning to me. I have heard many other photographers, and other people “out there” talk about “being you”, but I always struggled with defining that. This workshop was a nice kick in the pants, so to speak, to help me “get it” finally. It was staring me in the face the entire time. I now feel like I can move forward with confidence and strength, because I can now focus on who I am and what I do well.

If you are struggling, trying to figure out what you are doing, where you need to go, or if you are just starting out, need a new look at your business then this is the workshop for you. Karen will force you to look at yourself and see you in your work. It is amazing at what you will find out! I highly recommend it! :)

The Drop Shop

The Drop Shop

I just came across this website today. I had never heard of it before. This company sells backdrops printed on a thick vinyl. They offer all sorts of designs, and you can even get a double sided backdrop featuring two designs of your choice.

Might be one to check out later.

Imaging Workshops of Colorado

Imaging Workshops of Colorado

I first heard about these workshops at SWPPA Convention in 2010. For 2011, they have two 5 day workshops and five 3 day workshops available with some of the top portrait mentors in the industry. I have not been to any of these workshops, but I might give them a try someday! Any excuse to go to Colorado! ;)

These classes are affiliated with the PPA and the PPC, and is a PPA Affiliate School.

The Album Cafe

The Album Cafe

This site is dedicated to the photographer who wants a fun, easy solution to album design. They offer many different types of album templates and layouts that include an image resizing action in Adobe Photoshop. Album types include wedding, senior, children and mini books. They also have a few other templates available as well, such as image boxes, cards and more. They are reasonably priced, and are formatted to print at WHCC.

Ukandu

Ukandu

Along with Sandy Puc University, comes Ukandu.com. This site is ran by Sandy Puc, and offers her marketing campaigns for sale to all. You can buy individual campaigns, and get just the ones you want. There are also marketing kits available as well as business forms. Greeting cards and art products, such as Adobe Photoshop brushes and textures are also offered in the shop. Also offered are educational videos about lighting and posing, and DVDs of her past tours.

Sandy Puc University

Sandy Puc University

This site is headed by Sandy Puc, a photographer out of Littleton, Colorado. She has been in the business for a long time, and wanted to give back to the photography industry. On this forum style site, you can find marketing templates and campaigns, ready for you to drag and drop in your own images. This also includes a monthly marketing calendar, which guides you in sending out your marketing materials. There are also tutorials for lighting and posing. In the forum, you can ask questions and get answers from other members there.

This is a great resource for those just starting out, and for the seasoned photographer. There is a monthly fee, but for everything you get, it is a great deal.

Moms With Cameras Blog

Moms With Cameras

This blog is dedicated to all the Moms who also love photography and are in the business of portrait photography. Posts include techniques, ideas, tips, product reviews and even contests. There are also Photogra-mama guest "speakers" that write in and share some of their success stories, their failures and what they are doing now. This is a great resource for all of us busy moms who also are wanting to run profitable photography businesses. And non-moms are always welcomed. :)

The Strobist Blog

Strobist (http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/)

The Strobist blog is one you probably have heard about. There is lots of great information on here about lighting, how to use it, do it your self ideas, and money saving tips. If it is your first time, start by clicking the "Welcome to Strobist" link. This will help you get acquainted. They also have a Flickr group to share your images and ideas with other Strobist Blog followers. Why not go and check it out?

Texas Photo Forum

Texas Photo Forum (www.texasphotoforum.com)

The Texas Photo Forum is a great resource for photographers in any genre, from beginner to professional. Geared toward photographers in Texas, they are not at all exclusive and allow any and all with a passion or interest to join. It is free, and there is a paid membership option as well.

There is talk of camera and studio gear, lighting set ups, image critiques, business, best location options, get togethers and so much more. If you are a photographer in Texas, then you need to be on this forum!

Portrait Photography Resources

My thoughts on this blog are to have a cohesive place to find different resources available on the web for those in the portrait photography business. These resources are mostly for the professional photographer, but can be for the advanced as well as hobbiest photographers.