Thursday, March 27, 2014

LIVE with GLOGIRLY – A BlogPaws Sneak Peek



GLOGIRLY:  Well hello Cody, Caren and all the Cat Chat fans! Thanks so much for inviting us to your blog today!

WAFFLES:  Where’s the snacks? I was told there would be snacks.

GLOGIRLY:  I’m super excited to be speaking at BlogPaws this year and I’m thrilled to share a little about my session with you today!

KATIE:  Don’t you mean to say you’d be thrilled if anyone ATTENDS your session?

GLOGIRLY:  Maybe my session should be called, “Everything you wanted to know about living with two opinionated cats but were afraid to ask.” 

KATIE:  Opinionated? Everyone’s entitled to an opinion … as long as it’s mine.

GLOGIRLY:  Alright, that’s enough smack talk. On with the show!


“A picture’s worth a thousand words.”
My absolute favorite part of blogging is visual storytelling. Taking great photos is not only fun, but for me it’s what defines my blog. Through photography I can give a voice to my cats and make people laugh. It’s also something that comes in very handy when working with brands.


“I wish I could take better pictures.”
I hear this from friends, readers and fellow bloggers all the time. And this is exactly what my session will focus on. Whether you’re taking photos with an iPhone, a small point & shoot or DSLR (that’s photographer-speak for a camera that has a detachable lens) you’ll walk away from this session with simple and actionable tips that will enable you to immediately improve the photos you take of your pets.  Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, I promise to deliver some “aha” moments.


A Sneak Peek
The session, called Photography Tips, Tricks & Product Reviews, is divided into two main chunks –
1.    How to take a better photo of your pet
2.    How to take better photos for product reviews


Some of my tips are technical. Some are creative and artistic. And some will even help you wrangle your pets!



Get Down!
Better start practicing your deep knee bends!  One of my absolute favorite tips is something that EVERYONE can do right now. Get down! WAY down! Get down to your pet’s level when taking their picture. Some of the best shots will happen when your lens is looking right into your pet’s eyes at their level.  

And if they’re lying on the floor, well I hope you have soft carpeting.

Eye contact is where some the magic happens and when you’re on the same level as your pet, it’s as if you can see into their soul. This is Waffles’ soul saying, “I’m bored…is it snack time yet???”


Lighting, Lighting, Lighting
It’s probably no surprise that lighting is a big deal. If eye contact is where some of the magic happens, good lighting is where the rest of the magic can happen. I always try to take advantage of natural light whenever I can.  Inside the house, I like to position myself with a window behind me and a cat in front of me.  That way the light from the window illuminates the cat, and gives them a nice sparkle in their eye.

If you do the reverse and shoot your cat with the window behind them, the view out your window may look nice, but all you’ll see is a dark shadow of your cat.  

  Product Reviews with WOW
For bloggers, photos can make or break product reviews.  Brands will sit up and take notice when you feature great shots of your pets interacting with their product.  They LOVE seeing their products put to use in a home environment and it will make writing your review a piece of cake… or as Katie & Waffles would have it, a piece of chicken.

And guess what? Great content and great photos are the name of the game when it comes to attracting sponsors. This session will walk you through how to get the best possible photos for whatever type of product you’re reviewing. 


A Purr-sonal Invitation – TONIGHT 7PM CST!
Come hangout with me and the BlogPaws gang at BlogPaws Live|365:2. This episode, Thursday, March 27, at 8pm EST / 7pm CST will feature three of the BlogPaws 2014 Conference speakers:

·         Dino Dogan, “Pet Blogging Business” Keynote Panelist
·         Carleen Coulter, Top Legal Issues Faced by Bloggers
·         Debbie Glovatsky (ME!), Photography Tips, Tricks & Product Reviews

Click HERE to join the conversation on Google Hangouts.




Join Me at BlogPaws!
So if you’re attending BlogPaws, I’d like to purr-sonally invite you to join me for Photography Tips, Tricks & Product Reviews on Friday May 9 from 2:00-3:30 pm.


And if you’re not attending BlogPaws…well what are you waiting for! This will be my third conference and I can guarantee you’ll have a blast!

Save 10%! Register HERE for the 2024 BlogPaws Pet Blogging & Social Media Conference. Enter promo code BlogPaws2014-Speaker-Glovatsky-10.

  

About Debbie Glovatsky:
Debbie is the creative, funny-girl behind the award-winning GLOGIRLY.com cat blog. Voiced by cats, Katie & Waffles, GLOGIRLY delivers daily doses of humor, cuteness and spiffy, new cat products. She’s an accomplished photographer and graphic designer and visual marketer. Through her online business, GLOGIRLY DESIGN, Debbie has partnered with brands and bloggers to help them find their own visual identity. Her signature style is sprinkled across the blogosphere like sparkling pixie dust.






FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY, thanks so much to Debbie Glovatsky for being our SPECIAL guest today!!!! I know I am hoping to sign up for your session at BlogPaws 2014! Oh and Waffles, I will bring SNACKS!



77 comments:

  1. Thank you, Caren & Cody, for inviting me to your blog today!
    SO excited for BlogPaws...I can't wait to see everyone!!!
    : ) Glogirly

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    1. Glogirly Thank YOU for being our most special guest!!!!!! I am praying my BP schedule allows me to attend your session. I am sooooo looking forward to it!! Can't wait to see you again! xoxo

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  2. Those were excellent tips. We will try them in our home. Oh how I wish I could attend Blogpaws :( I would love to come to Glogirly's session because I need tips to make my photos better!!
    Thank you Cody for inviting Glogirly to talk on your blog today!

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    1. Wait! I thought you were coming!!! What????? You are most welcome Carma, we were honored that Glogirly allowed us to feature her!

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    2. I'm SO bummed that you can't make it, Carma! I will really miss seeing you, Scooby, and your Ma & Sis. Thank you for your sweet words. : )

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  3. Great post!! We look forward to meeting you both (and Waffles hopefully too) at Blog Paws. The countdown is on!

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    1. Thank you so much, Pawsome Cats!!! We're SO excited for the conference. It will be fun to meet you in purr-son! Paws crossed that Waffles will be joining me too!
      : )

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  4. Cool post and we know everyone is going to have a great time at BP. Have a tremendous Thursday.
    Best wishes Molly

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Miss Molly!
      We wish you lived closer so you could come too!
      xo

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  5. What a great "interview" with Debbie......one of the most creative bloggers in the kitty world for sure........

    Hugs, Sammy

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    Replies
    1. Awww... Sammy, you just made my day! Thank you so much.
      xoxo

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  6. What a good interview. The mom looks forward to Miss Debbie's BlogPaws session so she will take better pictures of us (like we could ever take a bad one)!

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    1. Can't wait to see the yellow-haired-lady! This is going to be a FUN conference!!!
      ...and we agree, it's hard to improve on such kitty-perfection!
      ; )

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  7. We can't wait and we definitely want to take this class. A model dog like myself needs a better photographer ;)

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    1. Yay!!! It will be so fun to meet you! ...Kind of crazy that we have to go all the way to Vegas to meet, huh!
      : )

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  8. the picture by the table is priceless!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Hilary. Waffles is a ham.
      mmm... I think I'm hungry now.
      ; )

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  9. Great advice of course! But the Lady had a bad back & knees making it hard to get on the floor with me, but she tries! Love Dolly Pees: See you at BlogPaws!

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    1. Thank you, Dolly! I know...somedays my knees are black and blue with all the hardwood floors we have here. Sometimes I even cheat with knee pads!!!
      ; )

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  10. Oh wow! What a PAWsome interview that was!!!!! I love Waffles and Katie and am there every single day! Those cats are fantastically hilarious! Thanks for the great sneak peak of tips in photography! i try my best with photos but i know I need to learn some great tips and tricks, because I have a ton of work left to do in learning!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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    1. Thank you SO much, Jenna!!! You're a sweetie and we are honored that you pop in everyday. : ) Will you be making it to BlogPaws this year? Hope to see you!!!

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  11. Great posting! Wish we could attend would love to hear the your talk Debbie! Thank you Caren and Cody for the interview!!

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    1. Thank you so much!!! I'd LOVE to meet you in purr-son! So sorry you can't make it. I am a huge admirer of your photography. xo

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    2. You are welcome! Glad that Katie and Waffles interviewed their Mom so well!

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  12. What great tips!
    All we need to do now is say " cheese ", oh wait how about " birdie "...

    Noodle

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    Replies
    1. hehe!!! Cheese, birdie, chicken...the possibilities are endless.
      thank you!

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  13. Yeah, two of our fav bloggers at the same place ! We grab a few tips here, Mum cannot attend BlogPaws... We hope to see you later on YouTube ! Purrs

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    1. I would SO love to meet you, Claire. Maybe someday!!! Hopefully BlogPaws will make videos of all the presenters (as much as I HATE to think of being filmed!) ; )

      *See* you tonight!
      : )

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  14. Great to see Katie show up here. That’s a gorgeous pic of her and some nice tips. Somehow TW is feeling very small and inferior today.

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    1. Ok, CK...tell TW she has nothing to feel bad about. Nothing at all.

      Glogirly says she keeps trying to feel smaller, but apparently she's not spent enough quality time with the treadmill.
      ; ) ~Katie

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  15. They always have the cutest and most professional looking photos, so I'm sure they have something to teach us.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Vanessa!!! That means the world to me.
      : )

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  16. I'm always mesmerized by all those gorgeous photographs on Glogirly's blog. Entertained and amused too!
    Nice interview.
    xxoo
    Maggie

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    Replies
    1. Maggie, you're no slouch with YOUR camera!!! The photos you get of the shelter kitties are fabulous! And I'm sure they make a big difference in helping find them forever homes.
      xo

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  17. one day I will get there,great seeing you here,xx Rachel and SPeedy

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    1. It would be SO fun to see you in purr-son someday, Rachel!!!
      Nose kisses to Speedy!
      : )

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  18. Even though I don't use photos in my blog, I'd love to attend her session. Great sneak peek!

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    1. I'm such a fan of your illustrations, Ann! It will be an honor to have you at the session.
      See you soon!

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  19. Great info, Debbie,
    Especially like the tip about the importance of lighting and the direction it comes from. Same goes for video, right? Try to get the best light shining on your face from behind the webcam. Like for our Hangouts on Air tonight! (See how I snuck that in?) ;-D
    See you all there: https://plus.google.com/u/1/events/cp7fu45lhkme2fvi9gl7pfjde6o?cfem=1
    Tom

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    Replies
    1. thanks to Debbie for getting Tom Collins to visit Cat Chat...I seriously think it is the first time he has been here :)

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    2. Thanks so much, Tom!!! And thanks for putting the Google Hangout together tonight!
      Looking forward to seeing you and the whole BlogPaws gang soon!
      : )

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  20. Great interview. This makes me even more disappointed that I won't be at BlogPaws :( Next year, next year, next year - I will be there!!! :D

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    1. Sorry I'll miss you, Kitty Cat Chronicles! ...there might be some videos of the sessions that you can catch up on. I hope you can make it next year!
      xo

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  21. We know her talk is good 'cuz we've SEEN it. We give it four paws WAY up!

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    1. Awwww... thank you Max, Faraday & Allie! And I hear your mother has a pretty PAWSOME video session lined up! I'm SO there!
      : )

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  22. I'll be there to cheer you on at BlogPaws!!

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    1. YAY!!!! So very excited to see you, Meg!!! You know, you're the VERY FIRST blogger I ever got to know online AND in purrson!!!
      xoxo

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  23. We sure wish we were going to BlogPaws, because we know Deb's talk is going to be awesome!

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    1. I'll miss you and Tracey, Kevin! It was so much fun seeing you last year!
      Kiss the kitties for me.
      xo

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  24. could you share how to get down on their level and keep them from jumping on your camera..
    oooh... or keep them from chewing on your camera strap!! that one.. yes that one I need to know :)

    I'm so excited for your session Deb, I so wish I could be there to go to it.

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    1. I wish you could be there too, Connie! I'll miss you.
      As for the camera strap, I usually have mine around my neck...even if I don't need it. Then in my free hand I've got a treat or a toy. That helps...at least for awhile.
      : )

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  25. I love their blog. And all the wonderful photos. Wish I was going. Would love to learn more from her.
    Sue B

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    1. Thank you SO much Sue...that is so sweet.
      I wish you could come too.It would be fun to see you in purr-son.
      Maybe there will be a video of the session!
      : )

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  26. That lady has one cool blog. I mean Katie has one cool blog
    Lily & Edward

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    1. Awww... Lily & Edward, I'm a huge-O fan of YOUR blog!!! You two are always cracking me up! ...and that mom of yours knows her way around a camera too!
      : )

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  27. We love Katie, Waffles and Glogirly!
    They are the best and you Waffles, you keep us in stitches.

    Kitty Kisses,
    Cindi Lou & The Kitty Krew

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    1. Thank you SO much, Cindi Lou & the Kitty Krew!!!
      That's so sweet of you to say. Waffles keeps BOTH Katie and me on our toes!
      ; )

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  28. If I were coming I'd snag a front row seat!!! I learned a lot from this post too!

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    1. I SO wish you could come, Melissa!!! Paws crossed you can make it next time : )
      XO

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  29. Wonderful post and great tidbits...we so look forward to meeting GG in person and attending her session! We are big admirers of her beautiful photography.

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    1. SO excited to meet you TOO!!!
      Thank you for such a sweet comment. XO

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  30. Last night was our first Google Hangout and we had so much fun with Glogirly! GG has the best photos that really capture personality and love…and the humor is just the very best! Really looking forward to attending BlogPaws photo session! xo

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    1. Amelia you are SO sweet. And that means a LOT coming from you...I ADORE your photos!!!! You do an amazing job. I always love seeing how you put everything together. Can't wait to see you at BlogPaws!

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  31. So wish I could attend BlogPaws JUST for this if nothing else! Really enjoyed the Hangout last night too. I try to do a lot outdoor shoots for my blog because my house just doesn't seem photo friendly sometimes.

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    1. Oh Ann! I thought you were coming to BlogPaws! Bummer... I'll miss you. And it would be so much fun to have you in the session! ...you do a great job with the photos on your blog! It's so nice that you can take advantage of the outdoors! ...one outdoor tip I like to share with friends is to avoid harsh sunlight as well as a combination of shade and sunlight. Overcast, softer and even light is the trick outside. Or, if you ARE in the sun, keep it all-sun. The camera just can't properly expose a shot that has both sun and shade. : )
      Thanks so much for coming to the Hangout!

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  32. Oh, I just LOVE Glogirly! I sure wish I was heading to BlogPaws because her advice would be priceless! She takes some of the best photos (but I think it is because Waffles and Katie are professional models - BOL) and her designs are wonderfully fun.
    Happy Friday, Cody!
    Oz

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    Replies
    1. Oz, you are just a big, fluffy sweetie. Thank you SO much!
      I wish you and your mom were going to be at the conference. You will definitely be missed.
      Thank you for such a wonderful compliment.
      xo

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  33. Thanks for all of the great tips. Our Mom always says that she has a hard time getting cute pictures of us and she has the nerve to try to blame it on us. We knew all along that it was the way she takes pictures. She is going to use these tips and hopefully she will be able to take better pictures. Love, Cali, Andy, Tater and Shelly (C.A.T.S)

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    1. Thank you so much! I hope your mom has fun trying out these tips... and yes, we totally know that when if comes to you kitties, you are already model-purrfect. ; )

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  34. You guys are the best -- have a great time at BlogPaws. We will struggle along here in Arkansas. As you guys whoop it up in Vegas. No, no. We'll be fine. Go. No, really. Go.

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    1. Awww... I'm sorry you can't make it to the conference. We'll promise not to whoop so loud we get kicked out of the hotel. ; )

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    2. I sooooooooooooooo wish you could go!! I MUST meet you one day! xoxo

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