{reported by Noel Culbertson}
I joined Clickin' Moms in April of 2008, after clicking on a blinkie on a blog I was surfing. I loved the idea of a bunch of snap-happy moms sharing photo tricks with each other. I also liked that the forum was a members-only site, for posting stuff about our little ones. What I found when I perused the message board there was so much more than simply photo-clickin' moms. (oh I'm so funny! ::cough::)
Being a totally self-taught-trial & error-obsessive picture taker, it sounded like a place for me. Clickin' Moms is a forum for all levels of photography, but there are an especially high number of pros and semi-pro photographers. Now there are lots of ways to dive into a site like that.
{1} Cower in the corner from intense intimidation. If you want to find out just how little you know. Reading threads from the huge knowledge base there can be sort of intimidating.
{2} In message board terms... LURK and lurk often. Read everything you can find, it is a huge wealth of all things photography related. Printing, camera equipment, composition, settings, Photoshop, actions, posing, etsy finds, honest reviews, backgrounds... I mean, everything! If you're wanting to find out tons of great info from real live clickin' moms (I really can't help myself), there's a never ending supply there.
{3} Jump right in! I've found everyone to be really nice and extremely helpful with all of the questions I've asked as a member. There are lots of different forums to check out including: tutorials, lighting, photography as a business, a buy/sell area, and if you're brave... a critique area. (I, however, am not that brave!) To top it off they've got a great affiliate program. If people sign up through your link, you get paid back. How cool is that?
Of those three categories, I fall mostly into the second one. Lots of lurking, reading, and link hopping for inspiration. I found discounts for my handmade Tracy Joy camera bag there through their group ordering, and a link to the ultra-cool etsy camera strap I have. I've also learned a ton about white balance, exposure, sharpness and so much more. I do wish I had a resource like this when my girls were babies because I've seen the cutest baby pictures on the planet on that site! I have occasionally posted asking questions, but really find I definitely get my money's worth even just reading the info available there.
Bottom line, if you're a momarazzi who is looking to take your photography to the next level, but doesn't have a pro photographer to coax into being your new best friend, this site is for you. If you're just looking for a couple of helpful hints here and there, you could just as easily befriend Google. I've found it to be a great resource for me, but then I'm a message board hopping clickin' mom. (Had to throw one more of those in for good measure!)
Tell us what YOU think! Leave a comment here before noon EST tomorrow (Thursday) and you could win a year long memership to Clickin' Moms.
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I joined Clickin' Moms in April of 2008, after clicking on a blinkie on a blog I was surfing. I loved the idea of a bunch of snap-happy moms sharing photo tricks with each other. I also liked that the forum was a members-only site, for posting stuff about our little ones. What I found when I perused the message board there was so much more than simply photo-clickin' moms. (oh I'm so funny! ::cough::)
Being a totally self-taught-trial & error-obsessive picture taker, it sounded like a place for me. Clickin' Moms is a forum for all levels of photography, but there are an especially high number of pros and semi-pro photographers. Now there are lots of ways to dive into a site like that.
{1} Cower in the corner from intense intimidation. If you want to find out just how little you know. Reading threads from the huge knowledge base there can be sort of intimidating.
{2} In message board terms... LURK and lurk often. Read everything you can find, it is a huge wealth of all things photography related. Printing, camera equipment, composition, settings, Photoshop, actions, posing, etsy finds, honest reviews, backgrounds... I mean, everything! If you're wanting to find out tons of great info from real live clickin' moms (I really can't help myself), there's a never ending supply there.
{3} Jump right in! I've found everyone to be really nice and extremely helpful with all of the questions I've asked as a member. There are lots of different forums to check out including: tutorials, lighting, photography as a business, a buy/sell area, and if you're brave... a critique area. (I, however, am not that brave!) To top it off they've got a great affiliate program. If people sign up through your link, you get paid back. How cool is that?
Of those three categories, I fall mostly into the second one. Lots of lurking, reading, and link hopping for inspiration. I found discounts for my handmade Tracy Joy camera bag there through their group ordering, and a link to the ultra-cool etsy camera strap I have. I've also learned a ton about white balance, exposure, sharpness and so much more. I do wish I had a resource like this when my girls were babies because I've seen the cutest baby pictures on the planet on that site! I have occasionally posted asking questions, but really find I definitely get my money's worth even just reading the info available there.
Bottom line, if you're a momarazzi who is looking to take your photography to the next level, but doesn't have a pro photographer to coax into being your new best friend, this site is for you. If you're just looking for a couple of helpful hints here and there, you could just as easily befriend Google. I've found it to be a great resource for me, but then I'm a message board hopping clickin' mom. (Had to throw one more of those in for good measure!)
Tell us what YOU think! Leave a comment here before noon EST tomorrow (Thursday) and you could win a year long memership to Clickin' Moms.
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67 comments:
I also love this site but I dont have the money to become a member right now!! I love love to win this prize!!
Thanks for sharing this site with us. It is definitely one that I will be joining. I have so many questions with my new camera and it sounds like this is just the type of place I need
I look forward to learning from all these gals
Tina
Thanks for the review - I've seen the site but didn't know how much I would really get from it. Glad to know how much is out there will have to take a look at it again.
I love your review! Since it's members only we can only know what's on the other side of the subscription button if someone tells us. I love all your pictures, too. I'd love to win this prize! I'm addicted to learning as much as possible about my camera :). Thanks for the great review!
learning new info is what i'm all about. you can always better yourself. i read about this place a couple months ago & thought i starred the entry in google reader to come back to but alas, i didn't & lost it. couldn't remember for the life of me what it was called...woo hoo...it's found & hopeufully i win a membership! :)
That's just up my alley and just what I need...photo help
This sounds like a fabulous resource!! Off to check it out right now!
This site sounds perfect for me! I don't even know what half of the settings are on my camera and would love to find out and hear how to take awesome pics! Thanks!
Sounds like a great site with tons of info I could use!! Thanks for the great article Noel!!
I've been contemplating joining..hmmm, maybe I'll just win a membership..now THAT would rock!
Looks like a great site, but can't afford to join right now. Winning a year long membership would be FANTASTIC!
Oh wow I think a site devoted completely to photographing our kids is awesome!!
I need all the help I can get and soo many sites seem to focus on formal photography, still photos and staged photos that they are only a bit useful to someone like me who is still fighting to figure out how to get could shots of an ever moving toddler with my point and shoot camera!!!
It sounds like a great group! I am really trying to develop my photography (in the same way you do...trial and error) and would love pointers from other mommy photographers!
going to check it out now, love taking photos of my little ones!
The photos on the main page are beautiful!
I would love to win this...thanks for the chance!
what a fabulous idea for a site! would LOVE the opportunity to join!!! :)
Sounds like an interesting site...will have to check it out!
Looks like an awesome resource for momarazzis (love that!). If my job wasn't uncertain for the next school year I would just join.
So for now I will cross my fingers to win :)
Sounds like a great site. I could do with a few lessons. LOL Ain't that the truth! Great article, Noel Joy.
Hugs,
PattiM
(Pattie's passion)
I Scrap So All Moments Are Remembered!
Thanks definitely for the link! I have been known as the "Mommarazzi" for a long time and some of by pictures LOOK like they could have appeared on one of those "RAG" mags! {not good} I would LOVE to win a year membership for I've had to cut back a lot since "retiring" from childcare! MAJOR source of pictures!!!! Any help is appreciated!! LOL
As a card carrying momarrazi, I think this sounds like just the place for me. :D
Oh I have going back and forth for a few months now about joining, it looks like a fabulous site to be a part of! Thanks for the review
This looks awesome. I want to be a Clickin' mom! Really, I WANT to! So just pick MEEEEEEEEEEEE!
WOW! The pictures on their site are GORGEOUS. Maybe if I join (or even better if I win a membership), I can improve my very basic photography skills. I have the perfect subject...a 2 year old.
what an awesome site! I really need a site like this one how cool is that!
oooh, I've been looking for something like this...would love to win!
Amy in CA
mommyinca(at) yahoo.com
What a very, very cool site. Would love to win a membership, but intend to gather my "play" money to get one for myself if I don't win. Thanks for sharing, Noel!
As a Scrapbooker, for me, it's all about the photo! A site that can help me take better photographs, and enjoy the wonderful, (but complicated) camera I have, would be a joy. To win membership to Clickin' Moms would be even better. Thanks for giving us the chance to win!
From Beth Woods
What a great site - thanks for the review!
Slightly intimidating for a very amateurish photographer, but I'd love the chance to check it out a bit more.
Great review. I love to take photos but am not a real photographer. I would LOVE to learn how to take better photos.
Your review was great. I went and checked the link out, WOW! What awesome and gorgeous photo's. I would love to join this site!
hmm this site sounds neat, sometimes i feel silly asking questions and i think i'm a hands on type of learner, so i hate looking up in the manual, i want answers quick
lynda in calif
Great review - off to go check out the site!
I have heard about this site but do not have the means to join the group! I would love to win this give-away! I'm a young mom and new to the photography arena and I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all of the info I could get from this site!
Barb M.
looks like a great site!
I'm sure I am not the only busy lady out there who just doesn't have the time to do a lot of surfing to find sites like this. Thanks for finding it and reporting on it for us!
Yep, sounds like the place for me. Thanks for the review - I learn about so many new places here that I am eager to check back every day!
OMG, I so need to be a member, I stink horribly at taking pics and operating the camera!
Sounds good, I might have to try it out!
looks great, i would love to win that membership!
Sounds like a group I would like! Thanks for the review.
Great review Noel! This place sounds like EXACTLY what I need! I've been wanting to start charging for photo shoots to bring in a little extra income for my family but I feel like I still have so much to learn! Thanks so much!
ohh, sounds fab, Noel. I am definitely a mum in need of tutorials, and one who is EXTREMELY keen to learn. Love lurking on sites and learning ways to improve. This would be a perfect prize for me... and my family :) Thanks for the review!
Sounds like a great site; I had not heard of it before. Count me in as someone who'd love to win a membership.
I love your pictures and took a peek at the ones on the site and wow, I would love to get help so my pictures would be half as good as yours and the others. Looks like a great place to be!
Sounds like this site is exactly what I need to take my photography to the next level. Thanks for your review--hate to sign up for something that I don't really know what it's about.
I may feel like a slow learner most of the time, but wow, one look here and I can see why you are recommending it. I wish over and over for more answers to camera questions, and how to do wonderful photography. I'd love to win the membership! Thanks again Noel,for leading the way...
I'd love to be a member...I keep clicking on links to it and looking longingly! Can't afford it right now, maybe someday! Hope I win!
Ohhhh!! A new MB to lurk on! Since I just uploaded my PSE7 and have no idea what I'm doing I could use the help.
WOW - this sounds like a great site to check out - I can always use hints on taking better pictures !
Ute
Thank you, thank you, thanks again! I had never heard of this site before and it looks AWESOME!! All of the pics are spectacular and I would LOVE to win this prize. I am an amateur, but have my camera w/ me always and could totally use some advise and tips!
Thanks for sharing this site !! I was unaware of its existence & it looks great !! Would love to win this giveaway !!
I am trying to learn more about photograpy right now-might be just the site for me! Thanks for an opportunity to win!
Marsha
Thanks or the review. I've seen the clickin moms blinkie, but have never clicked on it to see what it's all about. I'll have to check it out.
i saw the blinkie on your blog months ago and loved the idea of a photography playland but like someone else said, money has been tight. Hopefully one day. love your blog Noel and love this review site - such great info....Karen L in SC
Sounds like a cool site. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the review. I have so much to learn, so a membership to this site would be awesome!
not so much into the one-purpose equipment; but I am a mini-booker so things could change
Thanks Noel - I know you've said you were a member before, so it's nice to hear more detail! Might have to check it out....
i would love the opportunity to have a place to ask questions and not feel totally stupid for not knowing the answer
That sounds like a wonderful site! Thanks for sharing all the 411!
Great review! The pictures are beautiful I would love to be able to join the site. Thanks for the opportunity to win a membership
Sounds like a great site - I hadn't heard of it before - I'll defintely be checking it out. I've been wanting to take photography classes, this could be my new photography source!
Sounds like a great site! Thank you so much for this review. Again it was just what I was looking for. :)
sounds like an awesome sight...i am wanting to learn more about photography and how to change the settings, etc...
:)
I got a new DSLR and I'm ashamed that I haven't learned how to use any of the different settings in the past year. This site sounds perfect for me!
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