Recently, I have received several questions about what type of equipment I use for photography and if I have any tips on taking good pictures. I am FAR from being an expert, but I will share some of the knowledge that I have gathered over the next few days.

Above is a picture of the setup I use for photographing my cards. My equipment includes:

• One Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-F828 Camera
• One Sony VCT-670RM Tripod
• Two ECT 500-WATT Photoflood Lamps with 12" reflector
• One ECA 150-WATT Photoflood Lamp with 5" reflector
• Two 33" White Umbrellas

Here are the basic steps that I use for photographing my cards:

1. Make card/project.
2. Put paper, embellishments, ribbon, stamps and anything that I used to create the card into a box with the card.
3. Find any props - books, dishes, or other stuff - that would look good in the photo and bring to photo room along with box of supplies.
4. Arrange the props and card supplies around the card.
5. Set up three point lighting, and set white balance on camera.
6. Take picture and put it onto my computer.
7. In Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0, adjust the lighting levels, blur the background - if needed, and add watermark.
8. Save image as .psd file for future editing and two .png files - one for my blog and one for my gallery.
9. Write blog entry for photo and post to website.

View Part Two here.