Winners! And 25% OFF Supernatural Textures!

THANK YOU to everyone who entered for this giveaway and left your insightful comments!
I love reading about how others use their textures and how they've transformed our editing capabilities~


Now, on to the winners!  These 5 people will receive a set of the Supernatural Collection from Patti Brown:


Kim Hartmann
Charlottes Web
Tara Eckert
Traci 
Sarah Cox


If you see your name please email Patti at:
patti@pattibrownphotography.com
I've emailed her your names and she will be expecting to hear from you to confirm your win and send you your download.  


It's so hard for me to not be able to give everything to everyone!  But Patti has been very generous and offered a 25% OFF DISCOUNT for everyone who wants to purchase her fabulous Supernatural collection!    Just use the code "wayoutnumbered" when checking out for your discount.  How cool is that...I have my own discount code!  


{by the way...using that discount brings this set to under $30....way cheap!}


So get your textures and Get Busy!!  And don't forget that I'd love to see your creations with textures or anything else...post to my facebook page and show off your wonderfulness!  Just search "Inspired by christy" and Like my page!


And....since I MUST have a photo in a post...here's one more shot of yours truly edited with a texture from the Supernatural collection....Sarah had requested a "color" photo of myself and this is the best I could do!  Take a good look because I won't be posting pics of myself again anytime soon~  I prefer to show off my beautiful models!

My Story

Amy Wenzel, a fabulous photographer and Christian woman, is generously offering a seat at her workshop.  The entry requirement?  Amy wants to hear my story…how I inspire others and what the workshop would mean in my photography journey.

So here ya go…my story…

I've been told that I inspire others not thru my confidence and wonderfulness, but thru my relentless efforts to forge ahead in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty.  

In 2009 my husband and I had to close our business of 11 years which was also our sole source of income.  With 4 kids and all the financial responsibilities that come along with it, every day was a test of faith.  Many days, I failed the test.  My very weak, non-inspirational prayer would be "God, I see no light at the end of this tunnel.  You'll have to make a way."  

I would have never imagined that my obsession for photography would be the opportunity for me to help keep our family going.   I had turned down doing "real" photo session requests for years but when they started coming more and more often I decided to start saying "Yes."   At first I just did one for a friend…then another friend…then the email requests started coming…and I started enjoying myself…and the turmoil didn't end…but day…after day…I forged ahead…not knowing what the next day would bring.

I didn't go searching to start a business. I'm all too familiar with the unglamorous side of business ownership.  Reality states that I don't have the resources ~ time ~ equipment ~ knowledge ~  or on-call babysitters to make this business thing really work.  But I have to believe that since I didn't seek this opportunity, it was provided, that the means will be provided as well.  

The ironic part of my recent photography adventure is that I've discovered that children's photography is truly my specialty.

I say this is ironic because, having 4 kids myself, I used to think "Anyone would have to be crazy to try and photograph kids all day!"  Seriously…they're awful!  You know exactly what I'm talking about…the crying…the attitudes…the expressionless faces for two entire hours…I didn't know that was even possible!

But then I'd catch a moment like this between brothers...

…and this one of a lovely little girl that will never, ever, never pose…

…and these sisters, who thought it was cool to hang out with an old lady for the day and hike into the muddy woods...

…and this one, of the reasons I exist…

Since Amy's workshop is primarily focused on the art of children's portraits along with girls seniors {how cool!}, the opportunity to learn hands-on from someone who's been there already would be unmatched.  I'm pretty confident in my editing style, fully realizing that my look is not for everyone.  But I want to be able to achieve the best possible shot to work with…technically…beautifully…wonderfully.  I have soooo much to learn~  

The business aspect of the workshop would be invaluable…I've struggled with my pricing…asking myself "Am I worth that amount?  Can I confidently produce results that are worth the price I'm charging?  As much as I love this job, I have bills to pay!  Is it worth my time how I'm operating now?"  I need advice and instruction and will gladly follow it~  And…if I'm completely honest…the opportunity for 2 whole days of nothing but photo talk sounds like a dream come true!!!

So there's my story, in 600 words or less, and yet there's so much more to be said...

Win a Custom Photo Necklace !

If you hate fighting the crowds for your Christmas shopping, I've got the perfect solution for you!
If you like free stuff, I've got the perfect solution for you!


Memory Round My Neck, my newest obsession, has generously offered 1 FREE Custom Photo Necklace to a very lucky wayoutnumbered reader.


I'm generally not obsessive by nature but this combination of cherished photos plus fabulous jewelry has just captured my attention!  Mary Sue has always been known for her flair for jewels so when she started making her own jewelry from the family photos I took, things just went crazy:)  Everywhere she went people were asking "Where did you get that and how can I get one?".


Of course I did a little creative bartering and was able to get a few of her first designs for myself.  Here's a few of my favorites...


This Silver Pendant is classic, no frills and shows off my favorite things in the world.  The large pendant sizes really help when you've got a lot of stuff you're wanting to squeeze into one picture!

This Black Princess Rope is great for casual dress and it's pretty funky~cool.

What I absolutely love about all of these necklaces is the clasps.  Even the clasps are ornamental which is perfect if you have short hair like I do and the backs are always showing.  

Here's the best part...one of you lucky photo fanatics is going to have your choice of one of those necklaces to custom design with YOUR favorite photo!

Just as a teaser...here's a few of her pieces that are still on my wishlist...

I love love love these little charms she has with sayings on them such as "hope" ~ "friends" and "inspire"...

And this chunky chain is so cool...please Santa...please!

But I will tease you no longer:)  I'll turn you loose to check out Memory Round My Neck and choose all your favorite pieces for loved ones, friends, babysitters, the list is endless of people who will cherish the gift of memories.

Here's all you need to do to enter the contest to win 1 Free Custom Photo Necklace:

~ check out memoryroundmyneck.com and browse thru her designs.

~ come back here and leave a comment telling the world if you would give this necklace as 

   a gift or hold onto it as a "Merry Christmas To Me".

Winner will be announced early next week (I'm non-committal today) and there may even be a little somethin-somethin for those that don't win.  Contest ends Saturday night at 9pm eastern time.

Stay tuned...there's lots more comin your way!

Win the Entire Kaleidoscope Texture Collection!

You may not have known it when you woke up this morning, but this is your Lucky Day!


The fabulous Patti Brown has given wayoutnumbered
5 Complete Sets of the Kaleidoscope Collection to give away to 5 lucky photo fanatics!


I'm a Texture Junkie and I use Kaleidoscope creations on almost every photo I edit...typically I use 2 or 3 at a time and just layer them up and see what happens:)  Textures are wonderful for so many reasons...

1. No actions to install or run. Just download and open like a regular photo.
2. Compatible with all versions of photoshop AND elements! 
3. Simply lay over your photo and completely adjust to your desired look.
   

If you're new to using textures, there's no better collection you could win!  If you love using textures, there's no better collection you could win!


I just can't even describe how awesome this giveaway is...you'll be getting the ENTIRE Kaleidoscope collection...


The Dream Collection
    ~ 24 Fine Art Textures
I used the Dream Collection to create this portrait of a rowdy young man in a not-so-rowdy moment.
(of course I've posted Before & Afters because I'm also a B&A freak)

Don't you love the grungy effect on the edges and the background...

The Lite Flare Collection

 ~ 20 overlays to fabulously flare out your photos.

I used Lite Flare to add a little sunshine to this beauty.

It looks like the sun is shining down just for her!

The Light Set Collection

~ Over 30 translucent overlays inspired by light.

I used the Light Set to seriously add some background enhancement to this dreamy little girl.

See that great background twinkle on the left?  That's Alien Sprinkle...cool name and cool effect!

The Gallery Collection - The newest collection just released on Monday!

~ over 80 textures and 9 artistic edges.

I've got a mini-tutorial for you on these textures:

Here is my original photo.  I love the content expression but I wanted to bump up the intensity a bit...

I cropped the photo, softened her skin with coffeeshop powder-room 2 then added 3 Gallery textures and 1 Artistic Edge...

1. Smoke @ 84% opacity
2. Watercolor @ 100% opacity
3. Dust clouds @ 100% opacity
4. Abstract Edge 1 @ 71%

After I placed each texture over the photo I added a layer mask to that layer.  Then I lightly erased the texture away from her face until I got the desired color.

Here's a screenshot of what my Layer Palette looked like with all 3 textures, 1 artistic edge and their layer masks...

Here's the finished portrait...I love how the textures really brought out the warm colors!

I could post for days about the wonderment of the Kaleidoscope Collection...but instead I'm going to give you your chance to win over 160 incredible textures and overlays!

Here's all you have to do to receive an entry:

1. Check out the Kaleidoscope site then leave a comment here saying which Collection you're most excited to work with.
2. For an extra entry post a link on your facebook page to this giveaway post and leave a comment here with your facebook ID.

The contest starts NOW and will close at 9pm Eastern time on Friday, November 20th.

I'll post the 5 WINNERS on Monday, November 23rd.  

Good Luck!