The first 5 sign up's today (11.30) for any Standard or Premium template will have their setup fees refunded tomorrow (12.1). Monthly hosting fees still apply, but your setup fee ($149-599) will be refunded.

Click Here to chose a template and get signed up.

The final tweaks are done with the new TEN Bricks template, T10.

This template allows for:

• control eight different colors
• 5 songs in your play list
• nice movement of the menu between pages and galleries
• slideshow view for all galleries
• a nice contact form

We are offering the template for $900 for the first 5 days. After the first 5 days it goes to the standard $1,200. If you are interested in licensing this template, email mike [at] bigfolio [dot] com.

Today BIG Folio, Inc. was announced as the "leading company being considered for the task of designing and developing the website for the new publication, AfterCapture". Brought to you by Rangefinder Publishing, AfterCapture is an entirely new venue in imaging education. Starting with the first publication of AfterCapture magazine in January, the new project will focus entirely on what happens to an image after it’s captured.

Stay tuned here for updates through the month of December as the site goes live on 1.1.07.

Introducing pixelicious

We've launched a new site this week. pixelicious is a free tool allowing professional photographers to find, share, and attend photography trade shows, conventions, workshops, seminars, and events. We built pixelicious to be a community resource - finding and submitting events will always be FREE. While our database is sparse at the moment, please come back regularly as events and features will be added often.

If you are an event coordinator or photographer who teaches workshops, please use the submission page to add your event. All events - big and small - are welcome as long as they are aimed at professional and aspiring photographers. pixelicious is not just for wedding photography either. Did we mention its FREE?

New Admin Features

Most of our recent announcements have been focused on new templates - but we've quietly released some nice new features to our admin tool as well. For templates with contact forms, all form submissions by your visitors are now saved in your site's database. If a form submission never reaches your inbox or is inadvertently deleted, backups are always available.

Additionally - and this is really cool - contact form submissions can now be sent to your mobile phone. Simply enter your mobile information when editing your profile and turn on SMS in your contact form options. Never miss a potential customer again, even when you're on the road.

To all of our clients who are still on Version 1 templates (Cambria, Santa Maria, Avila Beach, Morro Bay) you can upgrade to the new Santa Maria template for only $50. if you would like to do this, simply email me at mike {at} bigfolio dot com.

This weeks highlighted photographer is Daniel Weiss. Find below Daniel's response to our common questions:

What is your primary camera body?

Canon 30D. I am wrestling with getting the 5D and I know in the end the 5D will win.

Two lenses you use the most

85mm 1.8 hands down is my favorite lens. I love the crispness of the images combined with the shallow depth of field when I am shooting wide open. When I am not using that I love the 35 1.4 for ambient light images, especially during the reception. Can I say a third? I don’t love zooms but the 17-35 really does come in handy during the ceremony and “getting ready” images.

Do you shoot RAW?

Yes. Saying that I have spent all this year trying my hardest to get it right in camera (basically pretending that I am shooting jpegs).

How would you describe your photography style?

Evolving J. I guess if I had to pinpoint it, I would say I am striving for an editorial/lifestyle look to my images.

Do you normally employ assistants or 2nd shooters?

For the most part I am on my own. But I always enjoy having another set of eyes on the wedding. To be frank, I have had a hard time finding someone reliable...which is even more important then the images they take.

What do you remember about your first (or one of your first) wedding?

Well, it was a million dollar affair for a NFL player. I was asked to be the third shooter for this very sought-after LA wedding team. It was at the Montage Hotel in Laguna Beach…and I remember thinking, “Yeah, I could get used to this.” I was naïve then—I didn’t realize it might take some time before I get to shoot such high-end weddings. I think the flowers alone cost 100k.

If you were getting married this year, who would you want to shoot

your wedding?

Um, that’s a hard one. First name to pop into my head: Joe Buissink. When I saw his work, I realized what wedding photography could be about. I decided to become a wedding photographer as a direct result of seeing his images.

What advice would you give to someone just beginning their career as

a wedding photographer?

Since I am just beginning myself (I am 10 months into this), this is what I have experienced so far: You shoot way less then you think you will. Also, this business is first about being likeable (to vendors, other photographers and EVERYONE at a wedding) and second about delivering the goods. A smart photographer told me, “If they like you, they will like your images.” I have also learned that going digital ain’t cheap. I have spent way more then I expected to on hardware, software, gear, classes, books etc. The learning curve can be overwhelming at times. Also, and maybe this is just my personality, but I think you have to be obsessed with making this work. In the beginning, it is a herculean effort to get started and I can’t imagine it not overtaking your life. Next year I am aiming for some more balance. Oh, and one more thing…join the Digital Wedding Form (DWF). That’s a must.

Well, most of you are probably already in bed getting your rest for Black Friday- or, for the few dedicated folks, you are sleeping in a tent on the sidewalk in front of BestBuy.

Good luck on the mad rush tomorrow. Stay safe and save yourself some moo- lah.

We'll admit, Santa Maria isn't the prettiest city in Santa Barbara County. Okay, its not even close. That's not to say the town doesn't have any redeeming qualities. Hard working people. Yellow street lights. Costco.

Just like the city, our Santa Maria template has "just always kinda been there". It was never too big or flashy, but it was one of our first and best selling templates.

Times have changed and we're proud to announce that the Santa Maria template has undergone a major renovation. Its now compatible with version 2 of our admin tool, supports bigger images, and has some really smooth transitions. But don't worry, Santa Maria is still a standard template - that means you can get a new site with this template for under $200. Visit our templates page to sign-up.

View the new Santa Maria template in action

When we were in high school, Santa Maria's mini golf course was called Camelot ... but we called it scam-a-lot.

We finally received our 2nd correct answer and winner of this week's mini contest.

Colin Michael, a wedding photographer from Paso Robles California and Michael B, a wedding and children's photographer from Minneapolis both correctly guessed that our crates contained new booth displays for next year's conventions and trade shows.

Congrats to both of you. Both winners will get a Starbucks gift card. Be sure to check out both of their websites and great photography.

Thanks to everyone who entered - your guesses were both entertaining and disturbing.

Speaking of trade shows, don't forget to check out the WPPI 2007 Tradeshow and the DWF 2007 Convention, both coming to Las Vegas this Spring.

The guesses have been pouring in for our little contest this week. We have received one winner and we're looking for one more.

Some popular and funny wrong answers:

• Servers
• Shirts
• Fish (?)
• A whole lotta' nothin'

Keep guessing everyone. We'll let this baby drag out until Friday.

The long- awaited T10 is going to be ready this afternoon. The link will be here on the blog as well as at TEN Bricks. Check out the few screen grabs below for a glimpse.

Don't forget the $300 discount on the Chorro Street template is only good through 11.22.06. Use the coupon code, 'GROUPER' when signing up here.

Fairly soon, we'll be announcing some fun holiday contests, new templates, and more. To get warmed up, we thought we'd run a quick contest - so, here goes ...

Last week a couple of large wooden crates were delivered to our office. The first two people to guess the contents will receive (a) a $30 Starbucks gift card and (b) a free BIG Folio Blog account (if you want one - but seriously, who wouldn't?).

Cloned Dinosaurs? Maybe. WMDs? You never know.

1. Your guess
2. Your name
3. Link to your website (if you have one)
4. A snazzy picture of you (optional)

Here are your jpeg clues

No cheating: employees and family members of big folio, contributors to wed shooter, and kenneth morgan are not eligible :)

This weeks highlighted photographer is Dana Rossini of DR Weddings. After spending years in the commercial photography market, Dana is taking the wedding photography industry by storm. Dana recently placed in the Wedding Photography International Photography Awards, Lucie Awards. Find below Dana's response to our common questions:

What is your primary camera body?

Canon 1D Mark II

Two lenses you use the most

50mm 1.4, and 24-70mm 2.8

Do you shoot RAW?

yes

How would you describe your photography style?

I take on a very artistic painterly way to my photography. I like to say my photography looks more like a painter's documentary style, then a photographer's documentary style. The way the story is portrayed is very important to me. I always try to keep a good mix of real and fantasy to achieve the perfect balance.

Do you normally employ assistants or 2nd shooters?

I mostly shoot with my husband Spencer, and at times we bring in a 3rd shooter.

What do you remember about your first (or one of your first) wedding?

That I did it for free, and I had way too many camera's hanging off me.

If you were getting married this year, who would you want to shoot your wedding?

I WAS married this last year and I had Todd Johnson shoot my wedding and next to the husband I picked it was the best decision I made.

What advice would you give to someone just beginning their career as a wedding photographer?

Assist first and really get the feel of how fast the day moves. Notice all the details, as the bride puts so much thought into each and every one. Lastly, treat each wedding as if it were your own, all the moments would be important to you if it was your day, keep that in mind as you are running wild throughout the evening.

We are releasing another Premium template today, the Chorro Street. We are once again going to offer a $300 discount on the setup fee for the first 5 days this template is available. So, follow these steps:

1. go here: BIG Folio, Inc.
2. chose the Chorro Street template
3. follow the sign up steps and enter the code 'GROUPER' to save $300. This offer ends at the end of the day on the 22nd of November.

We added some functionality to the Lopez Drive template. The site now allows for a intro slideshow with unlimited images. By popular demand, the site now has a contact form as well.

Please don't forget the $300 discount on this template is only available through the end of the day tomorrow (11.17.06).

Tis the season for new templates. This new TEN Bricks template will be released within a week. We have a BIG Folio Premium template coming within two weeks and two more TEN Bricks templates before 12.15.06. We also just released the Lopez Drive template that is 1/2 off until 11.17.06. Read the blog 'New Template Released' below.

Here are a few screen captures of a new Premium template coming within a couple of weeks. The site will allow for a new type of gallery for BIG Folio templates. The gallery will be viewed as a horizontal slider with all images for a gallery already loaded. Stay tuned.

Fresh out of the oven (and freezer), 3 new blog themes are now available from your BIG Folio Blog admin panel.

If you'd like a sneak peek at one of the new layouts, my own blog is now sporting the "Vanilla Bean" theme. There's also "Rocky Road" and "Apple Pie".

If you don't have your own blog yet, now is a great time to join. We have more themes and other cool features coming soon. Remember, you don't need a BIG Folio website in order to use our blog.

You can learn more and sign-up here

check in by Wednesday for 3 new blog template designs for you to leverage with the BIG Folio Blog solution.

While in GA we have finalized all the details and features of the new Lopez Drive template. It is a Premium template with a 3 song jukebox, big images, and sweet transitions. When signing up use the coupon code 'TROUT' to receive $300 off the setup fee. This code is good for one week and will expire on 11.17.06.

Hello from Tybee Island, GA. A couple of us guys from BIG Folio are out here in GA meeting with Jim and Roxy Stone, owners of Shot by Roxy. I must say things are a bit different than the norm we are used to back home on the Pacific Ocean. People, food, climate and more are a nice change. I had my first taste of grits today when I had 'shrimp and grits' at the Breakfast Club. Good stuff. On the second day of our trip we visited for a while with Tim Zielenbach. Erik will be shooting a wedding with the Stone's tomorrow while i take a mini tour of the Savannah area. Thank you (Jim, Roxy, Scott, Brett, Chris, Walt, Tim and Greg) for the hospitality while in GA. We felt welcome. To all of our clients, we will be back in the office on Monday morning.

What is your primary camera body?

I am still using Canon 10d's. They still work great and more resolution than I need. I'm not into the Megapixel race.

Two lenses you use the most

I mostly use Canon 17-35 2.8 and Canon 28-135 3.5 IS

Do you shoot RAW?

No I don't shoot raw.

How would you describe your photography style?

My photography style changes with the mood and desires of the bride and groom. But I don't focus so much about my style but more of what I am giving my clients for a final product. I try to design albums as I shoot.

Do you normally employ assistants or 2nd shooters?

I usually don't have assistants or second shooters, but my new bride has been getting more involved and loves to work with me.

What do you remember about your first (or one of your first) wedding?

My first wedding was for someone who used to crew for me when I raced cars. He begged and begged me to shoot his wedding but I finally gave in and fell in love with the business.

If you were getting married this year, who would you want to shoot your wedding?

I did just get married in Nassau and I had 6 wonderful photographers. Mike Purvis, Cyndi and Tony Araujo, Gary Webber and Kathy Montefusco.

What advice would you give to someone just beginning their career as a wedding photographer?

I would advise a new photographer that this is a fantastic business, and to do the job right, you need to fulfill all their needs. That means, not just photographing the wedding and giving them a disc, but becoming the family photographer and historian. That is the future of our business.

Photographer's Office is a web- based tood that allows photographers to have one place they can go to manage their daily office tasks. Please take a moment and visit the site to view a QT movie about how it works or sign up and start using it today.

Ladies and Gentlemen- On Saturday night, at 11:59 Pacific time, BIG Folio is going to be upgrading software on the servers here. The process will take about 2 hours and the server will be unavailable twice for 15 minute intervals during the process.

We appreciate your patience and are happy to continue providing you the best service in the industry.

Mike Caston CEO BIG Folio, Inc.

Featured this week is Croatian wedding photographer Olaf Siebert, founder of Olaf Siebert Photography.

What is your primary camera body?

Mostly I shoot with one of my Contax G1's, though I really enjoy 'playing' with my Rollei as well. For me, film still fits my needs as I love the 'soul' it has.

Two lenses you use the most

Carl Zeiss 45mm 2.0 and Carl Zeiss 28mm 2.8. I like to come close to my subject.

Do you shoot RAW?

No, Kodak Portra will do.

How would you describe your photography style?

I am not sure how to call my style. It is a bit journalistic although I photograph a lot of details as well. For me it is important to capture the love between the couple. This should be visible on the images.

Do you normally employ assistants or 2nd shooters?

I am considering the use of an assistant since a good assistant will be extremely helpful. A second shooter is no option though.

What do you remember about your first (or one of your first) wedding?

The stress and nerves... I hoped they would go away but the remained, which is good though cause it keeps me alert.

If you were getting married this year, who would you want to shoot your wedding?

There are so many great wedding photographers out here. Joe Buissink or Annabel Williams maybe. However, I wonder if I not would use the opportunity to learn from them and peak of their shoulder instead of being their subject...

What advice would you give to someone just beginning their career as a wedding photographer?

Try to work with a professional first, it will be the best learning school.

BIG Folio, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Kent Akins.

Kent is both photographer and designer. Kent owns/ operates Kent Akins Photography and starting November 1st (today), will be devoting a good amount of time and energy into assisting BIG Folio with some new blog designs, new BIG Show designs, and some brand spanking new templates.

So, welcome to the team Kent and we look forward to all you are going to do for the fabulous BIG Folio clients.