Barbara Smith

Barbara Smith is a photographer, author, and self-admitted Photoshop junkie. Having designed stationery items for Rachel Ashwell (Shabby Chic Design), the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, and the Hotel Del Coronado, she is also the author of 'The Art & Craft of Keepsake Photography' (2007 - Watson-Guptill/Amphoto). Her second book, 'Baby Face: Celebrating Your Pregnancy and Baby with Beautiful Photo Crafts,' will be published in the spring of 2008.

Barbara teaches workshops in her West Hollywood studio, offering detailed instruction on combining photographs, graphic design, and book and paper arts to create unique social stationery, small books, albums, and distinctive promotional material. Photographers are thrilled and often surprised to discover that, using Photoshop (the full version or Elements), they're able to design simple yet dynamic layouts.

Here's what others have said about her books and workshops:

'This class offered something I haven't seen anywhere else. I don't know anyone else who is teaching this ' I didn't even know it was possible. '

'I have searched the Internet extensively to gather information and how-to in this specialized area of photography, and I haven't had much luck. I was overjoyed to discover Barbara's books and workshops!'

'In three hours Barbara totally changed the way I'll be doing business cards, note cards, books, photo albums, etc. This is a big part of the answer to my perennial question ' what do I do with my favorite photos? Barbara combines easy, elegant design with quality materials and techniques to bring your presentation to a whole new level.'

'It is astounding to me how many referrals you get by incorporating this type of product into your photographic business. I was contacted by several different people who, after seeing the holiday cards, decided to have their own custom stationery made using personal images.'

Please visit Barbara's website (www.bsmithphotography.com). Be sure to sign up for her newsletter, and be on the lookout for a new line of Photoshop template-based kits she'll be offering in 2008.