News

This is the time of year when everyone starts thinking about doing some spring cleaning, and that holds true for those of us in the publishing business as well. With that in mind, I thought this would be a good time to share some of the fresh ideas we’re rolling out in Shutterbug Magazine, on www.shutterbug.com, and within our social media initiatives.

Perhaps the most obvious change will be apparent when you open up your June issue of Shutterbug: While we continually evolve the magazine and make incremental improvements to our covers and page layouts, we’re unveiling a significant redesign in June. Our editorial and art teams have been hard at work creating a fresh new “look” for the magazine that we feel is more attractive, easier to read and considerably more compelling. We hope all of you agree and we’d love to hear your feedback.

Likewise, we’ve recently completed a redesign of our website that’s not only more attractive, but is easier to navigate and find what you’re looking for. In addition, we’re featuring web-only reviews of the latest cameras, lenses and other imaging gear, offering breaking photography news, interviews with notable photographers, and a variety of photo tips to help you make the most of the gear you already own. So if you haven’t visited our website lately, please head over there and check it out!

We’re also upping the ante on the interactive components that are so popular among the Shutterbug community, and one good example is our new Instagram Photo Contest. Every Friday we pick an Instagram photo of the week and feature it on Shutterbug's Instagram feed. The weekly winner gets a cool messenger bag from Ogden Made. Here’s a link with all the details on how to enter: www.shutterbug.com/content/enter-shutterbug%E2%80%99s-instagram-contest-chance-win-snazzy-ogden-made-bag

And if you hurry there’s still time to enter the Shutterbug Photo of the Month contest where you’ll have a chance to win a $1,000 pro printer from Canon or a $500 gift certificate to LensRentals.com. This contest is only running the month of April, but we hope to do this periodically throughout the year. You can find details on how to enter here: www.shutterbug.com/content/win-canon-pro-1-printer-or-500-lensrentalscom-gift-certificate-our-new-photo-contest

Another way for you to strut your stuff is by posting images to the popular Galleries on our website at www.shutterbug.com/galleries. Here you can contribute to our Photo of the Day feature, our monthly Picture This assignment, or just share your best work in a variety subject-matter categories. You’ll also find a healthy dose of inspiration by exploring the work of other like-minded photographers. And, of course, our website is a great place to keep abreast of the latest photo gear, breaking industry news and the latest photographic techniques.

Finally, if you’re not already a member of our rapidly growing Facebook community, head over to www.facebook.com/shutterbugmag and “Like” the page. There’s a lot going on there, including an opportunity to gain some notoriety by posting images to our ever-changing assignment themes.

All this may sound like a lot, but we’re sure you’ll like what you see. And best yet, it may even give you a good reason put off some of that spring-cleaning of your own!