I would like to start by thanking each and every one of you who has signed up to be a part of this exchange.  The response has been so wonderful and it makes me exceedingly happy that everyone is having such a good time of it!  Due to the rapid growth of the group, some guidelines have been set in order to streamline the whole process:

~The PhotoExchange is now The Photo Trade and it even has it's own home here;

~ I have enlisted some help from this wonderful friend - so if you see her responding to your emails or posts on the Flickr group - all is right with the world;

~ Because of the enormous time it takes to gather names and match partners from email, the Flickr group and Flickr mail, we will now only be excepting sign-ups through the website; additionally, we are unable to provide contact information on your partner {again due to time constraints}.  However, we have created a participant roster that you can check in on once you receive your partner's name - you are not required to include your own information to this roster, but it will make it a more personal experience for everyone if you do;

~ As we have yet to build a database {we are not that big yet}, it would be most helpful for you to include your full name and address each month that you join The Trade {even if you have participated before}; if we do not receive a mailing address with your request, you will not be included in that month's swap.  Unfortunately we do not have the time to reply to every request that is not properly addressed - so be sure to include it;

~ I have created a side banner for anyone who would like to put a link to The Trade on their site - if you would like it, please email me at [email protected]

~ I am no longer asking that you hold your own photos from the Flickr group.  We all have such busy lives and it takes some of us longer than others to scan or reshoot the photos and post them.  So please feel free to post the images you are sending as well as what you have received;

~ And on that note, please realize that this is an international affair - it does take some time to receive packages from the other side of the world - be patient my friends and I am sure you will rewarded!  And do not stress if you photo goes out a week late - you are having fun - remember? ;)

~ Lastly, we are unable to police non-participants.  Please understand that you enter The Trade at your own risk of giving and not receiving.  We have a wonderful group that is dedicated to this project, but in all likelihood, there will be people who forget, get too busy or packages that get lost in the mail.  If you do not receive anything after a month of the shipping deadline, please email [email protected] and she will pass on your partner's information to you so that you may contact them if you wish.

Thank you so much - these new guidelines will allow this group to grow and flourish - we look forward to building so many wonderful friendships through this project! 

Okay then, on to the fun stuff!  The theme for April is "A Faerie Tale Told".  A challenge this month my fellow photographers!  I would like you to interpret, however you see fit, one of your favorite tales from childhood; a nursery rhyme, a book, a faerie tale {can you guess the tale pictured above?}  The deadline for sign-ups is 4 April and you can sign-up right here.  Photos should be mailed by 18 April {or there about}.  As always, please send at least one 5x5 or 5x7 and be sure to post your photos to the Flickr group!

For general inquires regarding The Trade, please email [email protected]

Have fun friends - I truly can not wait to see your tales unfold!

xoox~jla