Spotlight Feature: Melissa Founder of Krippits

 
  I met Melissa at volunteers event and she told me about her invention and I said one word "brilliant"

  Check out her website learn more

                                                         

Founder Melissa wearing Krippits on grass in Toronto! 

Event Review: Cast Meet Crew (new app)

              Friday March 16th

            It was great to attend the launch of a new app Cast Meet Crew at the Art Square Gallery and Cafe on Friday night.

             I had recently saw the event on Facebook and did some research and instantly loved the idea of this new app to professionals involved in the acting, theatre, fashion to better find work in their field through this amazing app

                   The energy was awesome and the brand ambassador we all wearing Cast Meet Crew shirts in red and white lettering. They had a media wall and banner all set up and ready for photos!

                    It can be download through App Store or Google

                   Check it out and find your next role!  learn more

Brand Ambassador for Cast meet Crew

                                               

Book Review: Cycle Style

                                         


                 Jim Pagiamtzis Review:
            " An amazing assortment of riders with their bikes!"




                 An acclaimed photographer introduces the incredible variety of stylish cyclists pedaling through city streets in this stunningly illustrated book. No city boasts of a more fashion-forward population of bicyclists than London. Photographer Horst Friedrichs meets his subjects in their own milieu: zooming around the city's streets on two wheels. There he encounters a dazzling array of style and a surprising amount of substance. In tweeds (both Harris and hipster) and Saville Row suits, in hightops and stilettos, in flowing skirts and the skinniest jeans, wildly tattooed and impeccably manicured, sporting bowler hats and racing caps, London's cyclists are jubilantly exercising their fashion freedom. Whether they're leisurely filling their baskets from market to home or pedaling purposefully to an important meeting, experiencing the city as cycling tourists, or getting from place to place in the most economical way possible, Friedrichs' subjects share a love of the bicycle culture that is sweeping the streets of London and the rest of the world.

    Buy book

Spotlight: Magdalena M

1^st You made a transition from working in the fashion industry to starting your photography business. What was the motivating factor to make the change?

My decision to go into fashion was made early in life. After graduating from Ryerson University, I worked as an in-house designer and pattern maker for a manufacturer in Toronto, in addition to creating a women’s wear line. I spent tremendous hours working both jobs. Burned myself out, physically and financially, just to make things happen. A few years into what sometimes felt like struggle, the fashion career was not working out the way I hoped. After barely breaking even producing a collection for four years, I clued in that perhaps it wasn’t for me. On the manufacturing side – things shifted, and I ended up “product developing” more so than the hands-on design I really enjoyed. I craved change.

Before working in the industry, I held a job at a camera store. Having met several fashion photographers, lead me to working as a part time fashion stylist and makeup artist. The hours spent on set enabled me learn studio photography and lighting, it was a natural transition to another creative genre. I’ve been a hobbyist photographer for years, it was something I loved and experimented with, but didn’t think I could make a career out of. 

In 2005 I made a career jump, and joined a shared photography studio. The first years of building my business were tough. I was lucky to have a few helping hands, people who were instrumental to my growth. Although having some trying times, I knew photography was my calling because there would  always be something amazing and unexpected around the corner. 

I’m glad I woke up one day and decided to listen to my inner voice. Freelancing is a lifestyle that is both rewarding and challenging. The trade off of never knowing what to expect, is getting to do what I love for a living. 

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” (Confucius)

2^nd Having ongoing business is key in creating success in any industry. Can you share few strategies that have let to referral success in your business?

A quality product or service is essential to growing a client base. Selling a service is more difficult, and quality can definitely add value to what you offer.  Some things that go beyond quality are consistency and overall experience. 

Being easy to work with, polite and attentive goes a long way. My clients can depend on me in case they lose images or need something completed in a shorter time frame. I provide the best possible experience, by being reliable, consistent, and deliver a quality product.

 Because every client is different, their needs and expectations will vary; the key is being a good listener. The easier I make it for my client, the higher the chances of them giving me referrals or hiring me again. Being likable and understanding your client’s needs are just a few key components to gaining new and repeat business. 

Magdalena M
Photographer
  416 858 2218 
http://www.magdalena-m.com/
http://magdalena-m.tumblr.com/
http://www.behance.net/MagdalenaM
http://twitter.com/#!/MagdalenaMPhoto