We would like to take a minute to feature one of our very popular Premium designs: Aurora Way. The classic and elegant style of Aurora comes complete with a multitude of can't-miss features and options for further customization. Some of the features included are:

• Unlimited Pages
• Unlimited Galleries
• Unlimited Categories and Music Tracks
• A Fully-Customizable Contact Page
• Sub-page Creation
• And even a BiG Folio Blog

To see a sample of an Aurora design in action, please click here. For other information on BIG Folio, including additional BF designs and services, feel free to browse our website any time.

AND HAVE A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND, EVERYONE!

Each of the six shots was taken by a Holga, and we think it is clear that such a simple, little camera is capable of taking some classic wedding photos. What do you think? Should photogs add a Holga to their camera bag? Or stick with using only digital cameras and super lenses? Let us know your thoughts in our comments section.

Here are the important details:

WHEN: Sept. 1-4, 2009
WHERE: The Suncadia Resort located just 80 miles from Seattle in Roslyn, WA
WHAT: The Bent in Suncadia Workshop will feature two full days of shooting instruction with Jim Garner and Bambi Cantrell and an evening session with SEO Specialist Erik Dungan.

The instructors:

The Experience:

Tuesday Sept 1

• Afternoon golf with BIG Folio (optional)
• Hosted evening welcome reception featuring beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres

Wednesday Sept 2

• Breakfast at 8am (included)
• Morning photo instruction from 9am to 12pm
• Lunch at 12pm (also included)
• Afternoon photo instruction from 1pm to 4pm
• SEO workshop from 4pm to 6pm
• Evenings are open to enjoy the resort, shoot, and dine locally

Thursday Sept 3

• Breakfast at 8am (included)
• Morning photo instruction from 9am to 12pm
• Lunch at 12pm (also included)
• Afternoon photo instruction from 1pm to 5pm
• Optional Web and blog workshop at 5pm
• Evenings are open to enjoy the resort, shoot, and dine locally

Friday Sept 4

• Departure (checkout at 11am)

And if all of that wasn't enough... BIG Folio is also giving each attendee a ONE YEAR NextProof proofing account (a $280 value), a Search Engine Optimization DVD (a $79 value), a $25 ProDPI print credit, and even future discounts on other BIG Folio services and products. Plus, there will even be prizes given away during the workshop.

Remember, there is only room for 40 workshop guests, so reserve your spot today. And we will see you in September for Bent in Suncadia 2009!

The judges agree that this image from Tod O'Driscoll is the best representation of LOVE. The smiles on the face of the bride and groom are genuine and you can just see how much they care about each other and how happy they are to be married. Congratulations, Tod!

We received over 30 submissions for this contest and narrowed the selection down to seven Finalists. Here are the other six Finalists, each receiving an honorable mention:

Photo by Ryan Graham

Photo by Royce Rolstad

Photo by Lauren Aves

Photo by Kelly Baxter

Photo by Jemma Coleman

Photo by Andrew Jordan

Thank you to everyone who participated in this BIG Folio contest. And a special CONGRATULATIONS to all of our finalists! We have a few more giveaways up our sleeves, so keep reading the BF Blog for more chances to win.

That's right, BIG Folio is giving away a 16-GB iPhone 3GS for the best image of LOVE. Not the love shared by family members, but the swept-away sort of love felt between a bride and groom on their wedding day or a newly-engaged couple. It seems like a broad category, and it is, but we are leaving the creative component up to you photogs out there. Send us pictures from weddings, from engagement sessions (even from random events) and we will determine which image best represents true love.

THE RULES:

• Only two submissions per photographer will be viewed by contest judges.
• The image must contain a couple showing how much they love each other.
• Send images to lindi{at}bigfolio{dot}com.
• Image size should be no larger than 400px wide.
• The photo deadline is Thursday, June 25th at 11:59 p.m. PST.
• Have fun and be creative!

This unassuming, simple, easy-to-use camera has garnered its fair share of praise around the globe. Designed in 1982 by T.M. Lee, the Holga was originally introduced in Hong Kong, but eventually became a worldwide success. It was even at the epicenter of the first, big street photography trend.

The Holga, in all of its simplicity, is still capable of taking some amazing, artistic shots. Photographs taken by Holga's have even gone on to win some major photography awards. In fact, this image of former-vice president Al Gore was featured in a White House News Photographers Association "Eyes of History, 2001" exhibit. It was shot by David Burnett with, you guessed it, a HOLGA.

So, why are we talking about the Holga on a blog for professional photographers? The answer is simple: we want to know if any of you Photogs have ever used a Holga during a wedding or portrait shoot? And if so, how did the pictures turn out? Please leave your responses in the comments box, and as always feel free to submit your Holga images to lindi{at}bigfolio{dot}com.

NextProof is BIG Folio's online proofing platform for professional photograhers and every NextProof plan comes with a FREE 30 day trial.

With SIX available themes and FIVE available plans, there is something for everyone with NextProof. And if you want to do your own thing, NextProof can be easily customized to suit your personal style or match your existing website design.

Everyone knows photography blends art with skill, a natural talent with actual training. But which do you think is more important to have? The art or the skill?

And what attributes must a really great shot possess? What is more important, the composition, the subject, the lighting or even something else?

And how does a photographer become The photographer that is booked out months in advance?

We want to know what all you photogs out there have to say. So, please leave us your answers to these questions (and any other photography-related ideas) in the comments section. We look forward to reading your thoughts on the matter.

Also, if you have any images you think really capture the essence of great photography, send them to lindi{at}bigfolio{dot}com for your chance to appear on an upcoming feature.

BIG Folio's web services allow YOU nearly limitless control over page and gallery layout and design. If you can dream it, your site can be it. Check out the following example of a one-of-a-kind site design in only three simple steps:

1.  Lay out your design (we like to use Photoshop)
2. Upload the design to your BF admin as the "page texture"
3. Turn off the Page Text and Page Image

We encourage you to get creative. Come up with something you love or something you think the world has never seen before. Integrate your personal flare or the overall style of your business. Design your site around that one favorite shot, or use something as simple as a piece of office decor as your inspiration. The possiblities are as endless as your own creativity. The sky is the limit, folks. Enjoy.

BIG Folio has the answer for you. We recently teamed up with photographer and designer Jen Thompson to offer you a brand new, full-service Logo Design Package.

The package includes:

• 3 original creations based on your ideas and concepts
• 2 revisions to your concept choice based on your needs
• Your final design will be delivered in all popular print and web-ready formats (eps, psd, tiff, jpeg, png)
• A business card template as a layered psd file
• If you have BIG Folio or NextProof accounts, we’ll add your new logo to your website and proofing account

Want to see some sample logo designs? Check them out here or visit our official Logo Design site for more information or to sign up today.

To see more work from Erin J. Photo, click here. Have an image you wish to submit? Send it to lindi{at}bigfolio{dot}com.

Everyone knows weddings can be so fun that sometimes they get downright wild. But what about all the quiet moments tucked in between the funny toasts, the cake cutting and the Thriller-dancing grandmas?

We'd like to hear your stories about photographic the moments of tenderness between a bride and a groom stolen away during a reception, or the doting glances of the bride's father as he walks her down the aisle.

Send your images of wedding quiet times to lindi{at}bigfolio{dot}com and post your stories to our comments page, and you might see your work featured on the blog in an upcoming post.

It is the first official weekend of June, which undoubtedly means the summer WEDDING SEASON is in full force. We keep hearing a lot of good news out there from wedding photographers who say the wedding business is just as booming as ever, despite the economy and trends in other industries.

So, BF wonders how many of our photog friends will be out-and-about this weekend doing what they do best, shooting weddings and documenting the events of a joyful day. If you are a photographer and you have plans to shoot a wedding this weekend, leave us a comment with the date and location and any extra details you would like to share. Who knows, you might just earn yourself an upcoming blog feature...