NEWS:

As of May 1, 2013, I am no longer taking clients or offering most of the services listed on this website (except for mobile photography, iPhoneography, visual social media, and workshops and speaking engagements, which WILL continue) for an indefinite period of time.

Please visit me instead, at BrendaJohima.com

Thank you,

— Brenda Johima

JOHIMA Designs/JOHIMA Social Media + Marketing

I am speaking at Social Media Camp 2013, May 6-8, in Victoria, B.C. This will be my fourth year in a row as a featured speaker.

I LOVE this conference and the quality of education and speakers, as well as the great friends I have made, who are with me still. I offer a BIG Thank You to the brains and talent behind instigating this conference, Paul Holmes and Chris Burdge. Thank you both for believing in me, and for giving me this opportunity to share what I LOVE to do, one more time.

What am I speaking on? My favorite topic! iPhone photography and iPhoneography of course, relate to the Apple iPhone camera. Cell phone photography, smart phone photography, and mobile photography are related, and sometimes the terms are used interchangeably, but it really boils down to the same thing. You are using a mobile device (your individual choice for a technology brand) to create photo-art on the fly, while making an impact and communicating a message and/or story.

Personally, I create photo-art on the fly using an iPhone. I’ve chosen to make my photographs with an iPhone camera since 2008, and can’t believe that it’s now been almost 5 years!

5 years with an iPhone lovingly glued to my hand. It’s not only me who loves the iPhone as a camera. Many claim that the iPhone is the most popular camera, and even Apple proudly claims that “Every day, more photos are taken with the iPhone than any other camera.”

Having said that, whether or not you own an iPhone, does not matter in my session. Please show up with ANY cell phone camera … or none. I have had people attend my sessions with no cell phone camera. Whether you have an iPod, iPad, Blackberry, SONY, Nokia, or other Android device does not matter, and you will find out why … when you hear me speak. (p.s. It’s not about the gear, and to show you how open minded I am about gear, please do not tell Apple, but I have a secret love affair in the makings with a Sony XPeria Z/ZL)

Here is the official conference session blurb, and I do hope to see you at this stellar social media conference, right in the heart of beautiful Victoria, B.C., Canada.

Session Title: Mobile Photography: Everlasting Ever-Changing

Session Extract: Mobile Photography : WOW Yourself! Turn Blah cell phone photos into WOW images with impact. Your OWN mobile photography and visual social media can transform lives, make business more fun, and make a lasting impact through social sharing.

The only one thing you can really count on is your own inherent creativity. With mobile technology changing at rapid speeds, those who embrace change and their own creativity will lead the way. Cell phone cameras have put creativity in our pockets, always accessible. Mobile photography is a brilliant creative tool for marketing, advertising, real time news and for personal artistic expression. The images we make are permanent memories online and in print. What are you communicating?

“Creativity is not only for arts and culture. Creativity, innovation, imagination, the ability to invent and to think creatively is crucial for business, science and technology, health, education, construction, for the development of new products and services, for employment and job creation and, for every day life. Creating the business, life and career we dream of and long for, requires imagination and creative thinking, combined with the courage to take the action required to get there and to reach our goals.” — Brenda Johima

Think about it, everything we purchase, has been touched by a creative, in order to market it, whether it be a photographer, visual artist, designer, writer, dancer, actor, videographer or singer. The arts are crucial not only to life, but to every business. Add now to this list, iPhoneography and mobile photography, it’s crucial.

You will take away:

• Inspiration via a fast moving, never boring presentation
• Brenda’s top 10 recommended apps (iPhone and Android) for creating mobile photo-art on the fly
• Tips on how you can use mobile photography to your advantage
• Brenda’s top 5 list of crucial elements of fine art and design
• Stunning examples of iPhone photos turned into works of art
• Brenda’s camera of choice is the iPhone but the session is applicable to all mobile photographers, no matter the camera (* you do not have to own a cell phone camera to attend this session *)

About the Speaker:

Brenda Johima joins us for her fourth year in a row as a featured speaker at Social Media Camp. Impressive!

A passionate speaker, artist and prolific iPhoneographer, Brenda Johima IS Art, Creativity, Design and Social Media combined under one roof. Her own roof.

In 2002 Brenda Johima started her home based business, JOHIMA Designs, which provided graphic design for print and web. In order to provide clients with a one-stop shop for success, she later jumped into SEO, Internet Marketing, and Social Media and rebranded as simply, JOHIMA. During the entire time Brenda has also been very active as an visual artist (painter) and photographer creating images for personal and artistic expression.

Always remaining nimble to change with the times, Brenda has been making mobile phone art (iPhoneography) with her iPhone almost on a daily basis since 2008, and after literally thousands of images, is excited to share her expertise, tips, tricks and enthusiasm with you.

Brenda’s Twitter profile says it all; a Multi-Talented-Creative-Type, Designer, Visual Artist, Photographer: phoDOGrapher: Creativity Consultant for Business. And for Social Media Camp, we add iPhoneographer!

I will see you at Social Media Camp 2013, and there is still time to REGISTER HERE.

— Brenda Johima

P.S. All of my image samples and apps at the conference for demonstration purposes will be  for iPhone, however, the session is applicable to anyone, due to the crucial elements of fine art and design that are also covered. And, nowadays, more and more apps are available that are compatible with Android as well.

Good Morning! Today is change your password day! OK, I made that up, but it’s a good idea to change your password on a regular basis.

You must create strong passwords and change your passwords on a regular basis. It’s your best defense against hackers.

And … even if you do create strong passwords, there are people out there who have nothing better to do than to try to figure out how to hack your website(s) … It happened to me.

Anyway, onward and upward! I’m back online thanks to some secret help. You know who you are, and thank YOU!

My domains were hacked in addition to (apparently) hundreds of other customers so as an added protection, I’ve also happily moved all of my domains to a new web hosting company, Media Temple :  http://www.mediatemple.net#a_aid=50aa25ae17f0e (join me via my affiliate link)

And do you know what?

Many people don’t know how to do this … how to create a strong password. Is that you? It’s OK. So today I’m giving you some tips right here so you can quietly go away and do this right now and nobody will know you didn’t know

Here we go. TIPS. How to create a strong password :

1. Use a minimum of 10 characters, yes, that’s TEN. And yes, that’s a “minimum” of ten characters.
2. Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols.
3. Avoid repeating characters. For example, “222″ or “Bbb.” Mix it up.
4. Don’t use your birthdate, name, initials, dog’s name, nickname, child’s name or anything easily identifiable as you.
5. Don’t use recognizable words and phrases. For example “mydogToby” or “sunny1234″
6. If you can remember your password, it’s likely not strong enough. Yes, make it hard to remember.
7. Use different passwords for different websites, social networks, email accounts and banking. Meaning, do not use the same password across all accounts. Think of it like having a different key to your house, office, car … one key doesn’t open all the different doors.
8. Never use the same password for banking that you use for email or social networks.
9. In addition, password protect your actual digital device … computers, iPhone, iPad etc. Yes, it may be a nuisance, but think of it like locking the door before you leave the house to go out. Make it harder for them to get into your “house” without a key. Make yourself have to login to each device with a password every time. (I admit, I don’t even like doing this but I do now)
10. If you are using WordPress, change your password from within the dashboard while logged in. Try to avoid using the “forgot my password” option that emails you a new password reset via the web if you can, unless you really have no other way to get in.
11. Log out of social networks, GMail, banking, WordPress dashboard etc., when you’re finished what you are doing. This is especially difficult (and inconvenient) to remember for those of us who work online and are often managing multiple accounts simultaneously.
12. Don’t give anybody your password(s) except for paid trusted professionals that you KNOW, who need access to assist you with your websites, online marketing, etc., and even then, what I advise clients to do is to change the password again, after their work/tasks are completed each month, if you’re in a monthly contract agreement.
13. This list is a working document and will change again, as the web changes constantly. This is a pretty comprehensive list, but it seems there’s always more. *This is not a legal document. These are my TIPS for today. Always do your own research and keep up to date with any changes and recommendations by your service provider and social  networks, for ways to protect your assets, your business, your privacy and security online.
14. If in doubt, or if you want to learn more about password security, every social network, Google and Bing all have documents that lay out their recommended guidelines for password protection, security and privacy. Read them and keep things up to date.

Hope this has been helpful!

—Brenda Johima

Mine. Mine. Mine. All Mine.

As a photographer, fan and regular user of WordPress, and from my love of, and support for the tech community in Victoria B.C., I spoke at WordCamp Victoria 2012 on the topic of Copyright and joined my friend and colleague, Janis La Couvee. The title of our session was Disclosures, Attribution and Copyright.

As an update to the blog post above (follow the links) I’d like to say Congratulations! and a big YaaaHoooo!

Today, November 7th is a great day for Canadian photographers, who have finally won the battle to own what was always rightly theirs, image ownership via copyright to their own work.

“As of today, Canadian photographers now officially own the copyright to all of their work whether the photograph is commissioned or not, thanks to the new Copyright law.”

Here’s a link to the full article that explains the great news, from the Canadian Association of Image Creators (CAPIC) with their blog post titled, A Great Victory for Canadian Photographers and they will have more news posted in the coming week, I understand.

Canadian Photographers OWN Their Own Copyright. It’s now time to CELEBRATE!!

Finally! Copy. RIGHT.

— Brenda Johima

“Mine. Mine. Mine. All Mine.” Hopefully We Will Now See Less Disappearing Images. © 2012 Brenda Johima

(Revised April 11, 2013, I have scaled this event down to a smaller, more manageable size, within the conference, so please stay tuned for an updated blog post … and get ready to start to share cell phone images

I’m thrilled to announce and to make public, that I will be once again coordinating the Mobile Phone Photo-Art Show for Social Media Camp 2013 in Victoria B.C.

To date, I’ve instigated, designed, implemented and coordinated 3 mobile phone photography shows. (two in Victoria, one in Courtenay) This will be my fourth, and is the second year in a row for this social media conference.

In past, I’ve called the displays “Mobile Phone Photo-Art Shows” in order to be inclusive of all cell phone camera phones, and not only iPhones. (even though personally, I’m an avid and prolific iPhoneographer) Also, I wanted to be reflective of  mobile photography not only as a powerful marketing tool, but also as an art form, where social media marketers, advertisers and business owners can showcase their very best. We also have now, more than ever before, an opportunity to take even more risk to get even more creative.

In brief, there will be several ways that you can participate at the conference, and for this year, not only at the conference, but also leading up to the conference. We’ll be making a difference with cell phone photography leading up to Social Media Camp 2013 and I’ll announce how you can start working towards that, very shortly. Very exciting! Two, Three, and Four … well, the rest of the details will be announced online shortly, right here.

In addition to this blog, which will be the hub for it all, I’ll also be contributor to the Social Media Camp Blog.

The power of mobile photography is in the hands of almost everyone nowadays. Yet we’ve only just begun to harness the power of photos for social media sharing of images, community building and for relationship building. It’s no longer only about marketing, it’s about posting quality images that connect mobile photographer to viewers and subject, in an emotional way that has impact. In essence, how I see it, the photos that are works of ART, will, more and more, stand out from the rest of the sea of images online.

“Better quality images make for a more beautiful web.”

Having said that … you also don’t need to be an artist or designer or photographer to create great images that have impact! There are tools, techniques and tips available to everyone via mobile photography that help celebrate creativity and build community. We’ll be doing just that.

See you in 2013 at Social Media Camp.

— Brenda Johima

BREAKING NEWS!

I’m adding a specialty in special needs and disabilities (challenges of all kinds) in my social media business as a new service from here forward. I do believe that there is a lack of representation for persons with disabilities and special needs online via social media, and at conferences as well. This new addition to my services brings in my past experience as a professional Music Therapist and Counsellor.

I’m really excited about this newly added service which applies to only to social media marketing, education, training, workshops and speaking engagements.

I’ll write up another blog post which details my work with persons with disabilities, and add a new page to this website as well. These new social media services will include training on social media marketing tools and technology, training on the use of social media for both clients and caregivers as well as education, workshops and speaking engagements.

— Brenda Johima

“Silence is more powerful than noise online.”
— Brenda Johima

This could simply read “silence is more powerful than noise.” Period.

Online, this means, only post, write, Tweet, Facebook, blog when you feel, when you want, when you have value to add, and something that has emotional impact and/or an opportunity for learning. Having said this, there still are no “rules” on when you must post, despite what “experts” may tell you. It’s simply my take on things.

People shut out noise. They listen, we listen … when wisdom and smarts jump out from within the silence online … and even more so, if you’ve opened hearts at the same time.

What are you adding online? Heart, smarts, value, love, learning, meaning and connection?

Or … noise ?

— Brenda Johima

I’ll be in the Northern Interior of B.C., in Prince George this fall (2012) for two workshops, at the Two Rivers Gallery.

In the workshop below, I’ll cover the basics of iPhone photography (iPhoneography) and mobile photography for artists and business owners. It’s intended to be an introductory workshop but anyone at any level of ability is welcome to attend

This session will be hands-on so please bring your choice of an iPhone or any mobile phone that has the ability to connect WIFI or 3G. There will be no boring PowerPoint in this session. You’ll be active, interactive, learning and busy. The  majority of the presentation will focus on iPhone photography and apps available for iPhone cameras, however, I’ve had people attend this session with almost any cell phone camera (or no mobile phone at all) and still received benefit, as we also cover the very basics of fine art and design principles as it applies to improving your photography skills for either personal use or for mobile phone marketing online. Everyone is welcome!

Here is their write up below. Please contact the gallery directly and visit the Two Rivers Gallery website as they are taking care of all payments and registrations for me. Thank you!

iPhoneography Workshop

Saturday, September 22, 1:00 – 5:00 pm

Facilitator: Brenda Johima

Bring your iPhone to the Gallery for some hands-on fun! Comox Valley artist and photographer Brenda Johima wants to share with you the world of iPhoneography. Brenda uses her iPhone to capture the images and for all post-processing involved in creating a piece of art. She will introduce you to cool photography aps and open your eyes to the possibilities of photography with your iPhone. Head out for a “photo walk,” create on the go and share back in the studio. Android smartphones are welcome too.

Website : Two Rivers Gallery
Facebook page : TwoRiversArt
Twitter : @TwoRiversArt
Address : Two Rivers Gallery, 725 Civic Plaza, Prince George, B.C., V2L 5T1
Phone : 250-614-7804

Find out more about Brenda Johima’s business(s) right here :

brendajohima.com (art and photography website)
JOHIMA Social Media + Marketing

The second workshop in Prince George is all about Social Media For Artists (and business owners) and is on Sunday, September 23rd, right after the one above. I’ve got a FUN weekend planned for you!

I’ll be in the Northern Interior of B.C., in Prince George this fall (2012) for two workshops.

One, in the workshop below, I’ll cover the basics of social media for artists and business owners.
It’s intended to be an introductory workshop but anyone at any level of ability is welcome to attend

This session will be hands-on so please bring your choice of a laptop, tablet, iPhone, iPad or any device of your choice where you are able to connect via WIFI or 3G. There will be no boring PowerPoint in this session. You’ll be active, interactive, learning and busy. The time will fly by.

Here is their write up below. Please contact the gallery directly and visit the Two Rivers Gallery website as they are taking care of all payments and registrations for me. Thank you!

Social Media for Artists

Sunday, September 23, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Facilitator: Brenda Johima

Calling all artists! Join artist and social media expert Brenda Johima and learn what the world of social media can do for you. Brenda will introduce you to tools and techniques to further your business, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest. Learn how to better connect with other artists and potential clients, helping you to promote yourself and your art in the virtual world.

Website : Two Rivers Gallery
Facebook page : TwoRiversArt
Twitter : @TwoRiversArt
Address : Two Rivers Gallery, 725 Civic Plaza, Prince George, B.C., V2L 5T1
Phone : 250-614-7804

Find out more about Brenda Johima’s business(s) right  here : 

brendajohima.com (art and photography website)
JOHIMA Social Media + Marketing

The second workshop is all about iPhoneography (iPhone Photography) and Mobile Photography. (this will is in a separate blog post and is on Saturday, September 22nd, right before the one above. I’ve got a FUN weekend planned for you!

P.S.

>> I’m looking forward to my stay at Coast Hotels & Resorts at the Coast Inn Of The North <<

YAY to #SMPhotoArt Giveaways at #SMCamp of @SocMediaCamp

It’s a HAPPY Hashtag kind of day.

It’s the day I get to giveaway freebies to people who attended Social Media Camp in Victoria, June 8-9, 2012. All of these people  participated in the mobile photography show and/or came and chatted with me about iPhone photography and mobile photography and placed their business cards in the box at Booth 24.

If you missed the massively-long, lengthy and enormous, lots-of-vertical-scrolling-to-get-to-the-bottom-blog post that explains what this is all about, please read iPhoneography and Mobile Phone Photography Photo-Art Show at Social Media Camp

Thank you to some very generous app developers and online experts and kind business owners, I was able to acquire SIXTY-FIVE (65) Giveaways for Social Media Camp mobile phone photographers!

So, if you are one of the people on the list below, I’m sending you codes or contact information via email for downloads so you can get your giveaway, as long as you gave me your correct email address. If I cannot read your writing or if you have an incorrect email address, no download Thanks for understanding.

• Please download your gift ASAP as there is an expiry date on some downloads.
• Please contact the developers directly for support, not me
  
• If you’re Android and received a MAC giveaway, please pass it on to a friend. Best we can do this year with my volunteer time. Thanks.

Congratulations! See you next year!

Local Comox Valley photographer Barbara Legg had the stress and pleasure of selecting the winners for a couple of categories for me, fair and square. The categories of “the elements of fine art and design” and “creative self-portrait” were selected by Barbara Legg. Who selected the person from the friendly category? Brenda Johima (me) chose the “friendly helpful person” category. (“UN-Judges Kris Krug and Derek Ford were not available) All other giveaways were drawn out of a wicker box by random draw. Everyone who submitted photos during Social Media Camp via the CapsuleCam app got a giveaway (selected by random draw). The remaining were drawn from business cards left at Booth 24, again, as random draw. (By the way, I could have selected many, many, many people for the friendly category. Thank YOU everyone who popped by to chat with me at Booth 24! You were all awesome)

ONE.

1. You did focus on things like composition, line, pattern, shape, texture and the elements of fine art and design. Barbara Legg chose three people instead of only one. Lucky YOU! :

1. Katharine Holmes
2. Leo Tabibzadegan
3. Tia Kelly
   You THREE lucky people receive one of EVERYTHING provided for this show by MacPhun, which includes one of all of these each :  FX Photo Studio for iPhone, FX Photo Studio for iPad, FX Photo Studio for MAC, Color Splash Studio for MAC and Snapheal for MAC.

TWO.

2. You did a Creative Self-Portrait. Barbara Legg chose one person, who opted to do something very different and unique. Lucky YOU! :

1. Nicki Schell
   You receive a (one) 1-year SmugMug ‘Pro’ account and a Photoshop eBook (1 copy) by Trey Ratcliff

THREE.

3. You were the most friendly, and helpful, encouraging, motivating, supportive to others (including me)

1. Catherine Novak (Catherine went out of her way to be kind and helpful and volunteered to help me set up and run Booth 24 at the conference. She’s an amazingly kind and helpful person, an awesome writer and creative, and I was fortunate to have her skilled help. Thanks Catherine!
   You receive a HDR Video Tutorial Total Package with BONUS! (1 copy) AND a Photoshop eBook — “10 Essential Photoshop Skills Everyone Should Know (for beginners and just beyond)” by Trey Ratcliff (1 copy)

Here’s a full list of all of the giveaways and recipients of each :

1-year SmugMug ‘Pro’ account :  (3) Courtesy of SmugMug you get (1) each:

1. Nicki Schell
2. *Another name will be selected
3. Peter Papagiannis

FX Photo Studio for iPhone (11 copies) Courtesy of MacPhun you get (1) each:

1. Katharine Holmes
2. Leo Tabibzadegan
3. Tia Kelly
4. Bonnie Chomica
5. Omri Cohen
6. Ricky Munday
7. Les Holmlund
8. Donna Longley
9. Jennifer M. Lang
10. Jody Heavener
11. Saira Waters

FX Photo Studio for MAC (6 copies) Courtesy of MacPhun you get (1) each:

1. Katharine Holmes
2. Leo Tabibzadegan
3. Tia Kelly
4. Kerry Broome
5. Janet Stewart
6. Mica Knibbs

FX Photo Studio for iPad (6 copies) Courtesy of MacPhun you get (1) each:

1. Katharine Holmes
2. Leo Tabibzadegan
3. Tia Kelly
4. Dustin Ray-Wilks
5. Darrell Pacini
6. Cheryl Alexander

Color Splash Studio for MAC (9 copies) Courtesy of MacPhun you get (1) each:

1. Katharine Holmes
2. Leo Tabibzadegan
3. Tia Kelly
4. Andrew Waring
5. Doug Grant
6. Nan Leather
7. Joanie McCorry
8. Lacey Geary
9. Mary Katharine

Snapheal for MAC (9 copies) Courtesy of MacPhun you get (1) each:

1. Katharine Holmes
2. Leo Tabibzadegan
3. Tia Kelly
4. Victoria Klassen
5. Kate Jones
6. Nicole Stewart
7. Tanya Thompson
8. Tara Lynn
9. Cheryl Wirch-Ryckman

Camera+ app for iPhone (10 copies) Courtesy of Lisa Bettany and TapTapTap you get (1) each:

1. Joe Wozny
2. Kathleen Burton
3. Joanna Hesketh
4. James Young
5. Philip Hulme
6. Kai Mundigler
7. Lori Elder
8. Janet Stewart
9. Mat Wright
10. Stephanie Slater

100 Cameras in 1 iPhone app  (5 copies) Courtesy of Trey Ratcliff of Stuck in Customs you get (1) each:

1. Sarah Tripper
2. Shae Code
3. Tara Coulter
4. Ian Kopp
5. Heather Tysowsld

HDR Video Tutorial Total Package with BONUS! (1 copy) Courtesy of Trey Ratcliff of Stuck in Customs

1. Catherine Novak

Photoshop eBook — “10 Essential Photoshop Skills Everyone Should Know (for beginners and just beyond)” by Trey Ratcliff (5 copies) Courtesy of Trey Ratcliff of Stuck in Customs you get (1) each:

1. Nicki Schell
2. Catherine Novak
3. David Cusack (David was also a very helpful volunteer for me, spreading the word at the conference about the mobile photo show. Thanks David!)
4. Debra Morse
5. Don B

P.S. Thank you to Ryan and Cyrus of CapsuleCam app, which is a mobile phone app for sharing images, for both Android and iPhone. There is also a web version at TryCapsule.com and let’s have some loud applause for these app developers for all their support in helping make this happen!

In closing, thank you to everyone for taking part and have FUN with your new toys. Just so you know, I’m Brenda Johima, and I’m a visual artist, avid and prolific iPhone Photographer and Social Media Consultant. I initiated and coordinated this Mobile Phone Photo-Art show for the conference, and I’ve done this all, by myself, to encourage participation and to inspire creativity by iPhone and mobile phone photographers at the conference … a few new tools in the kit bag always helps

See you next year! This is happening next year in a BIG way at Social Media Camp. Thank YOU to Paul Holmes and to Chris Burdge who saw my vision, said YES, and allowed me the space, time and support to make this all happen for YOU!

—Brenda Johima

Copyright 2012 Brenda Johima. Self-Portrait.