“These are products and services that I really love and have used and enjoyed. No one can pay me or give me free stuff to be on this group.” David Beckstead
Print Fulfillment
SmugMug – http://www.smugmug.com/
The best online hosting for my images and print fulfillment. http://www.smugmug.com/.
They are quick to communicate by phone or email and this is as important in today’s world as great products and services. Their layouts are clean and easy for my customers and the prints and products are perfect for how I do business. They ship internationally and make it easy for my world clients to receive exactly what they need and want. The interface and administration has been improved continually during my time with the company.
They are a contemporary company with contemporary employees. Perfect for a contemporary photographer like myself! I like my companies to expand and innovate. Thanks Smugmug!
Royalty Free Music
Triple Scoop Music – http://www.TripleScoopMusic.com
“I have seen the royalty-free style music sites get better with each passing year. Still many of the sites are difficult to navigate. The worst is the music player: most of the time it runs in its own window with dubbed copyright narration that drives you crazy! Not Triple Scoop Music, these guys have done their homework with regards to the listener/buyer experience. Everything is simple, easy and creates a great atmosphere where you can hang around and just listen to music! The music is over-the-top great! This site really shows you how far music sites have come. Yet Triple Scoop Music has gone further out and surpassed all the royalty-free music sites I have used yet! I get all my music from here now!”
We’ve created a discount code that will save your students and Facebook friends 10% on their initial TSM purchase. Promo Code: rockwithbeckstead – To redeem the discount, simply enter it on the final screen during checkout. It will save them 10% on anything in their cart.
I have the coolest collection with them on this page. I picked my favoite stuff and put it in an album called: Urban Beckstead! http://www.triplescoopmusic.com/About/Featured/David-Beckstead-Vol1.aspx
Wedding Albums
Albums Epoca (out of Italy) – http://www.albumepoca.com/en
Great album site with very high-end albums with some very unusual and unique covers! I love to brand Italian and this is one amazing company! I should know, I have walked through their plant in Italy and watched one of my albums made firsthand!
Albumesque – http://albumesque.com/
Amy Nave and I have been friends for a long time. She and her team make great album designs! They can design for any company including my favorite: Albums Epoca!
Fundy Album Builder – http://www.fundysoftware.com/album-builder/
I have been looking for a fast and easy software to build albums for…forever! Fundy has released something revolutionary! It truly takes me forever to learn new software and this was not needed with Fundy. Now I can build a nice album for my clients in a few hours. Not one day! Not 8 hours! Not 5 hours! 2 or 3 hours max! Thank you guys for creating a great product! Also check out all the other products Fundy has.
Image Competition Site
ViewBug – www.viewbug.com
Just love the fun way Viewbug is laid out and enjoyable to just play around! You have your own area where you upload imagery. Enter contests, make albums, comment on other images, endless ways to spend an hour just learning from all the great compositions posted all over the site. I get lots of inspiration at Viewbug!
Follow me!! http://www.viewbug.com/member/davidbeckstead#/davidbeckstead
Photo Equipment
B&H Photo – http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
My most trusted camera equipment store! I find their service is the best! At times I need to talk on the phone for advice on equipment and they are always willing and helpful!
Spider Holster – http://www.spiderholster.com/
Best dang belt system for my cameras! I love this concept and have used it close to 3 years. Amazing!!
Best service and coolest guys! Check their booth out at WPPI in Las Vegas each year.
Brenthaven BX² – http://www.brenthaven.com/bx2-camera-cases
One of the great camera bags I use
Life Pixel – http://www.lifepixel.com/
Where I converted my Canon 20D Digital camera Canon Rebel T3i IR
Started taking IR photography more seriously lately. I am going to shoot the heck out of it this year. I like to leave some in the color they have right out of the camera. If you meter for the grass (what you are supposed to do) and shoot urban without trees and grass you get a cool look when left in color. I convert to B&W using Nik filters.
Gary Fong’s Camera Products – http://store.garyfonginc.com/
I have been using Gary’s products from the very start!! Of course it helps that we are friends and he keeps me in swag, often before it rolls! 😉 Like I said at the top of this group page, no one can pay me to be on here…I appreciate his products and appreciate the man for what he has done for our industry! If you want to learn to be a better entrepreneur, follow Gary on Facebook and every move he makes. I have learned so much from him! Thanks man!!
Photo Organizations
WPPI – http://www.wppionline.com/
My first organization I joined and my first convention. Amazing! I have gone 14 years in a row now and have been teaching at the yearly Las Vegas convention for 8 years in a row. You just have to go to the convention every year!! I learn something new that has changed my business forever…every dang year!!
I will see you there in 2014! They produce the best photo magazine out there also: Rangefinder
Best of Wedding Photography – http://www.bestofweddingphotography.com/
Nice to be called the Best!!!
Best Online Education
I.C.E. Society – http://www.theicesociety.com/
The ‘coolest’ online educational site branded by one photographer: Jerry Ghionis.
I have spent a little time with Jerry Ghionis in Paris and he is just about the most talented all around photographer, teacher, marketer…and everything else kind of guy! I mean he has ‘all’ the talent! When I think of Jerry I think of jealously! Jealously of this amazing guy and how he has helped change our industry for the better. It is a good kind of jealously because it makes me work harder to figure out ways to top the man! And that ain’t gonna happen anytime soon!! Love ya man!!
Fisheye Connect – http://www.fisheyeconnect.com
This is a great place to find workshops and the best place to post them if you do them!! Amazing service and they answer every email so quickly.
Lena Hyde – http://www.designaglow.com/
Lena Hyde: Talented in all she does!
Had lunch with Lena in Florida and was impressed at her drive and yet laid back personality. Kind of like me! Everything she touches turns to emeralds! The Design Aglow site is so worthwhile joining! She puts her heart into it and I love each issue! Totally great for my business and my art!
Nice being friends Lena!!
Dane Sanders – http://fasttrackphotographer.com/
Dane Sanders: a business leader
You will not meet a nicer guy! I can count on a warm open smile and a firm handshake coming from Dane at every convention I see him at. His books are amazing and will help you take your business to the next level.
DPReview – http://www.dpreview.com/
By far the best place to research photo equipment.
Photoinf.com – http://photoinf.com/
Best place to read about composition! Tons of articles!
Fred Miranda – www.fredmiranda.com
Best place to sell your used equipment and great place to learn
Photoinf.com – http://www.skipcohenuniversity.com
Best place to read about composition! Tons of articles!
Skip Cohen – http://photoinf.com/
Skip is always out to help photographers grow!
CreativeLive.com – http://www.creativelive.com
KelbyTraining.com – http://kelbytraining.com
Cool Links
David Beckstead App – Android Store • iTunes
My free app. Go check it out!
PicPockets App – http://www.picpockets.com/
Cool app and I am even on it!! Fun! Buy them all! They are cheap with great value! Or just buy mine!! 😉
Photoquotes.com – http://www.photoquotes.com/
Photography Glossary – http://www.photographyreview.com/photoglossarycrx.aspx
I was looking for the spelling of the word Bokeh and had the hardest time finding it. I then searched for Photography Glossary and found this site. Good to have it when you need it!
June Bug Weddings – http://www.junebugweddings.com
Great place to get listed as a wedding photographer! Very active place! Love everything they do!
Thirst Relief – http://thirstrelief.org/
One of my favorite places to donate my time. Started by photographers.
Imagery Workflow & Repair
Unique Retouch Photos – http://www.uniqueretouchphotos.com/
Sam contacted me about retouching work. I sent in a very hard shot to work on and they sent back the job done perfectly with all of my needs met. Their prices are great! I would recommend their fast service to anyone!
Done Images – http://www.doneimages.com/
I used these guys to fix a brides dress in 207 shots. The downward lighting and the way the dress fitted made the bride look more overweight than she was. They did a great job and very great pricing! I FTP’ed the high-rez shots (they wanted Jepg) and got them back within a few days. Nice!!
Inspiration
Asheandsnow.org – http://www.ashesandsnow.org
Wow!!
Ecentrics.com – http://www.eccentris.com
Fashion!!
Places to Buy Stuff
Jensfabulousstuff.com – http://www.jensfabulousstuff.com
PhotoDough.com – http://photodough.com
PhotoWhoa.com – http://www.photowhoa.com
PictureCorrect.com – http://www.picturecorrect.com
Beckstead’s Personal Links
Davidbeckstead.com – https://www.davidbeckstead.com
5th generation A little older. Needs update
Davidbeckstead.net – http://www.davidbeckstead.net
new site!
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/David.A.Beckstead
My Fan/Business page 16k fans and growing quickly!
Groups.to – http://groups.to/abstractcanvas/
The best critique group out there! Over 10k members!
Liquidbeckstead.com – http://www.liquidbeckstead.com
You have to see this!