liveBooks Launches RESOLVE, a Community-Driven Blog to Unite, Educate Photographers

Hires Former American Photo Magazine Senior Editor Miki Johnson as Social Media Editor

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - February 11, 2009) - liveBooks, Inc. (www.livebooks.com), the leading provider of customized portfolio websites and marketing software for professional photographers, today launched a new collaborative online community, RESOLVE, that brings together photographers and photo industry professionals of every kind to find ways to keep photography relevant, respected, and profitable.

RESOLVE is a place for experts from every corner of the photo industry to share knowledge, expertise, lessons from the field, how-to information, Q&As, personal work and educational content. Social Media Editor Miki Johnson has collaborated with contributors, including photographers, editors, curators and agency representatives, to create focused blog posts that will inform photography professionals about the issues their colleagues have faced and how they have overcome those obstacles.



"RESOLVE is one of the most significant ways we can extend liveBooks' long-standing commitment to uniting the photo community and helping photographers build successful businesses," said Andy Patrick, president and CEO of liveBooks. "Miki's vast understanding of and passion for photography, along with her deep relationships in the industry make her the ideal person to shepherd this initiative."

More than just providing inspiration and advice, however, the blog unites professionals from an array of photo markets (fine art, editorial, fashion, commercial, photojournalism, wedding and more) to discuss photography's most pressing issues and encourage photographers to collectively find innovative solutions. Johnson will welcome and coordinate content from some of the most respected experts from the photography industry in the world, including Reza Deghati, Greg Gibson, Michael Jang, Ed Kashi, Garth Lenz, Lou Lesko, Rachel LaCour Niesen, and Chris Rainier.

"I've always admired liveBooks' commitment to empowering photographers. RESOLVE extends this commitment by providing a new resource for photographers to inform, inspire and incite positive progress in the community," said Johnson. "By taking advantage of the latest online and social technologies, RESOLVE provides a robust platform for individual photographers to immediately and collaboratively share ideas and content."

Johnson joined the liveBooks team from American Photo Magazine where she was senior editor. Prior to beginning her role at American Photo in 2006, she acted as a freelancer for publications like Editor & Publisher and Specialty Food magazines. Johnson has a Bachelor of Science degree in magazine journalism from Northwestern University.

RESOLVE is available through the liveBooks' website at http://blog.livebooks.com/resolve.

Source: Marketwire

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liveBooks Reports Strong Revenue Growth in 2008 Despite Global Economic Turmoil

Success Credited to Impact of World-Class Marketing Tools on Photographers' Businesses

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - February 9, 2009) - liveBooks, Inc. (www.livebooks.com), the leading provider of portfolio websites and marketing software for professional photographers, today reported strong business growth in 2008.

The company saw a 26 percent increase in revenue year over year and, despite a worsening economy, it experienced a particularly strong fourth quarter with 38 percent growth over 2007's year-end quarter.

"We are proud of our achievements in the face of market turmoil," said Andy Patrick, President and CEO of liveBooks. "This success is a testament to our wildly talented and inspiring clients, top-notch employees and continued efforts to provide photographers with innovative and effective resources to build and grow successful businesses. We hear weekly from our clients about how our software is positively impacting their business and their career. Ultimately, that's what matters."

liveBooks' 2008 achievements included:

-- Enhanced search engine optimization features for liveBooks Professional to help photographers increase search ranking without complicated programming

-- An enlightening and engaging free webinar series with tips, insights and best practices from industry experts

-- The relaunch of liveBooks|edu, a student and faculty version of liveBooks Professional with a templated Flash website and editSuite tools for $99/year

-- The launch of Luminance, which combines personalized websites with professionally-produced, promotional videos

-- The addition of search marketing consulting services

-- Establishment of annual payment plans to help customers continue marketing their businesses in a down economy

With its June 2008 announcement of Conscious Communities, liveBooks demonstrated its ongoing dedication to the photo community by strategically aligning the company's numerous educational contributions and philanthropic activities, while maximizing their impact to help drive social change.

Michael Costuros, founder of liveBooks, said, "We are very fortunate to work in a market that not only enables us to build a successful business, but also allows us to make a difference in the world."

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