Have any of you visited Clickin’ Moms?  It’s a group that I joined several months ago and I can’t tell you how much I have learned from its members since then.

As a source of inspiration for taking pictures of kids, the place is invaluable.  Many of the members are professional photographers.  Looking at their Clickin’ Moms galleries is always a font of ideas for poses, styles and Photoshopping techniques.  And many of these women blog – I subscribe to their blogs just to learn from their beautiful photography.

And just as important as the galleries are the forums.  There are always many active discussions going on where people answer questions promptly and nicely.  The amount of photography and Photoshop knowledge here is amazing.  And while many members are experienced photographers, many are amateurs and hobbyists.  No question is too basic to ask.

Do you want to know multiple Photoshop methods for getting beautiful, flawless and perfect skin tone in kids?  Look here.  Did you know that the best way to improve the color of grass is to add yellow?  I wouldn’t have guessed that in a million years, but learned it from a Clickin’ Moms tutorial.  

Other features available in this community?  Discounts on photography supplies like equipment or actions.  Product reviews and help.  Buy or sell used photography equipment.  You can solicit critiques and help on your photos, read advice on starting a photography business and find free actions and templates.

The membership fee is $50 for one year, $30 for 6 months or $6 per month.  One benefit of paying a membership fee, on top of everything I mentioned above, is that the registration with both Clickin’ Moms and PayPal contributes to making Clickin’ Moms a safe community.  Many members feel perfectly safe using their kids’ names and talking about where they live.  There aren’t many places on the internet where people feel comfortable doing that.  But always use your best judgment!

And people form friendships here.  A sense of comaraderie is apparent in almost every conversation.  Having someone to share the photography bug with when you’re up late at night just might be the biggest benefit of all!