STEVIE NICKS "LIKES" OUR PROJECT!!!

Yes, that's right...Ms. Stevie Nicks!

I will send her a copy of the book when it is complete...she will love it and all of you!

Good afternoon everyone, it is an absolutely gorgeous day here in the majickal city of Salem!

Several of you have inquired about Akuura's shoot and wondered why there are only three photos of her in the MWS gallery http://allure.smugmug.com Mystic Women of Salem gallery. I was very dissatisfied with the background tones/colors that was selected for Akuura's shoot. After discussing this problem with Akuura, she graciously agreed to do a re-shoot in November, 2011. Thanks Ak!! When we do her re-shoot and the photos are complete, I will upload the best shots to the gallery and will begin promoting her shoot...just as I have done and will do for each Mystic woman.

Brian, the Cyber Wizard, and I met last Friday. It is his professional opinion that we have outgrown the Blogger template for the MWS blog/site. His suggestions for the new one are "jaw-droppingly" beautiful and will catapult our blog/site to an incredibly high level of professionalism and will feature your actual shots (from the studio) while still being protected (to keep them from being copied, distributed, shared, etc.,). Security is a huge issue with a project this big. Which brings me to several issues that need to be addressed.

Prints - When you purchase/are given a print from me directly or from my smugmug site, you have obtained a hard copy print only. In other words, buying a print and scanning/copying it and turning it into a jpg for use on your websites/facebook/internet is prohibited. To use your photos on the internet as digital copies requires a license agreement (I will furnish this to you upon request for Past shoots). This also assures that your images are of the highest quality. Copying, etc., etc., definitely compromises the quality of prints and eventually jpgs will lose critical information and become unusable. Usually a digital copy is purchased just as a print is purchased, although the fees are quite expensive. However, since I did not make this clear in the past, I will be happy to do this for you upon request (if you have bought an 8x10 or larger).


It is important that you all know that I own the copyrights for every photo that I take. Meaning, if Joe Public of Magic Carpets sees your photo that I've shot, and wants to use it in his advertising campaign, Joe Public must purchase that right from me/Performance Art Photography. The more successful I become, the more valuable my photographs.

Mounted Prints - If you have received a mounted and signed print from me, I strongly suggest that you hold on to it. The value will only increase over time...especially signed prints. Mounted prints have very specific needs/care that is required. For instance, these prints are museum quality and must be framed by a professional. The glass must not touch the print itself. Prints of this caliber are saturated with ink on museum quality paper/canvas...humidity and the elements themselves will eventually destroy it. Also, they must not be hung in direct sunlight, even if you have it protected with museum glass (has major filters)...not a good idea.

New digital photos will have "photo by..." on the photo itself, so you don't have to worry about including that verbage when you use the photo, only if the text has been cropped off will you be required to include "photo by...". Also, it is imperative that you all understand that changing the content of the photo in any way, shape or form (photoshop, adding/deleting props, any manipulation of the photo whatsoever) is also prohibited, and there are no exceptions to this rule. If you have a situation that requires additional work/manipulation to your photo, I MUST be the one that does it.

I want all your photographs to be the highest quality possible and the only way to ensure this is for me to process all phases of your photographs. I have spent thousands upon thousands on my photography education and feel that my clients benefit greatly from that education. I will develop (hard copy) an agreement that must be signed prior to a shoot, to ensure that there are no misunderstandings in the future. Please understand that I LOVE all of you promoting your photographs and will do everything in my power to assist you in the future!

Rebecca :}

Happy, happy spring to all! Salem is just glorious right now (have photos at my facebook page and on the website...http://allure.smugmug.com Favorites Gallery). And I am so happy and relieved to report that the Cyber Wizard and I made it through yet another semester, maintaining status on the Dean's List (straight A's in Photography - yea!).

Needless to say we are exhausted. The last few weeks of school are really grueling, and it does not seem to matter how well you plan ahead during the semester, the last few weeks are a nightmare. BUT, we made it through.

I have great personal news, my son is coming soon and he is looking for a house/condo to buy here in Salem. My realtor, Virginia Carson of Tache Real Estate is handling the sale and knows all there is to know about Salem (she's 4 generations here). I will be moving in and taking care of his property for him.

In the meantime, I am steadily working on photos (as usual). Have added Akuura, Jac, and Penny to the "My Favories" gallery (of the website) ...congratulations ladies...great work! Been adding those "majickal" touches to the final portraits and I am pleased with the outcome.

I am working steadily on the historic shots as well as the blog, facebook, and the website. No rest for the weary. Am gearing up for the upcoming shoots as well. Have numerous shoots scheduled AND the design of the pr materials begins in July. Will be contacting Aepril Schaile about doing a shoot at one of her classes. Her shoot is going to be a bit different, as there is physical preparation involved. This will be an extremely difficult shoot for both her and I, due to demands of the body. But, I will tell you this...all the preparation will be worth it. My vision is extraordinary and haunting in many, many ways. It will be glamorous, dark, seductive, and beautiful...all at once and just like Aepril herself. This shoot has haunted me for months...mostly in dreams, so I will be VERY relieved when it is complete. Much planning ahead though, much planning ahead.

So, there's lots going on with the project. Check out all the sites and don't forget...BECOME A FOLLOWER and spread the news..."The Mystic Women of Salem" are coming soon!

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