eco-friendly

A beautiful “green” packaging feature / guest post, and a special lab contest, on tap today…

My name is Brittany Langfeldt, of B. Langfeldt Photography, and I am a custom on-site photographer from the Chicago area.

I have always tried to keep my business as “green” as possible and had previously begun using organic and natural materials for my albums and CD cases. But once I saw Caroline Ghetes’ article featured here on Paperie Boutique I was truly inspired. I began trying different ways to package my products and quickly realized how difficult it can be to find organic or recyclable materials.

I bought a copy of Caroline’s resource list and felt like I hit the jackpot! I ended up using a lot of the same vendors or types of materials and ideas that Caroline uses but the only exact item we share is the CD box. I love all the natural products not only because they are eco-friendly but they also have such a unique and beautifully simple look to them.

My albums are made of all natural materials. They are packaged in this beautiful slipcover with a beaded closure.

For my prints I use black recyclable folders in various sizes wrapped in ribbon.

I tied up 2 tags in the ribbon; 1 stamped prints and 1 stamped with my logo.

My CD cases are made of all natural and organic materials not to mention they are gorgeous! I package them in the same box that Caroline uses and again tie them up with ribbon and 2 tags and add a sticker to the lower left corner.

I stamp my info directly onto the CD.

I include a hard copy of my print license printed on natural handmade paper in a matching envelope. I also have a secondary envelope containing proper storage information, business cards and my refer-a-friend program.

View of the print license.

Everything all put together!

Although I didn’t use a lot of the same items as Caroline, I did use a lot of the vendors provided to me through the resource list she sells. Therefore I can’t disclose my vendors, but I can tell you if you are interested in this style of packaging you should definitely buy a copy of her list! All the proceeds go towards funding for mission trips!

Thank you Caroline for the wonderful inspiration!

(And thank YOU, Brittany, for sharing such lovely packaging with our Paperie readers!)

We’d love to feature your packaging here as well! Please e-mail robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.




Color Inc. Pro Lab is having a Facebook Photo Contest. Photographers can send in their favorite image of a child / baby and they will add it to an album on their Facebook page.

The image with the most “LIKES” wins a $300 Color Inc. lab credit.

• Contest started Wednesday, March 9th
•  Entry deadline is Friday, March 11th
•  Voting Ends Monday, March 14th
•  e-mail to send images to:  contest@colorincprolab.com

Learn more about the Color Inc. Facebook Photo Contest here!

simply. baby.

Today’s guest post is by Lisa of Simply Baby Photography in Hawaii. It’s a post I’ve been begging her to make for quite a long time – it’s “simply” one of the best expo-booth examples I have ever seen. The fact she even matched her skirt to her booth is just the icing on top!

Twice each year, in spring and fall, my city holds a baby expo. The spring expo focuses on products and services for new babies and families, while the fall expo is geared toward older children and families, with an emphasis on holiday gift giving.

For my first expo, held in May, I chose to promote the baby side of my business- Simply Baby Photography. I selected a slightly less costly center booth so I would have 3 sides for image display. Booths run several hundred dollars for the two day expo, so I set an expo budget of $1500. My idea was to design a chic nursery space and display large images that could be seen from a distance. I began planning for the May booth in January, when expo registration begins.

I built the walls of the both using 78″ high bifold closet doors found at a salvage and overstock warehouse for only $5/pair. (I bought 7 pairs- 3 for the back and 2 each for the sides) and hinged together using screw plates.)

Most of my furnishings were Craigslist finds. I scored a white mini crib for $20 and sewed my own bedding, including sheets, dust ruffle, and crib quilt. I re-upholstered the chair in the foreground to match the reverse of the quilt. I stored additional samples, sales material, and miscellaneous items under the crib.

The two damask chairs in back I found for $20 each, originally upholstered in a hideous yellow and green plaid. After refinishing and reupholstering (I spent $100 on supplies!) I got the shabby chic look I wanted. These chairs served as a great consultation area for potential clients to view books, announcements, and other product samples.

The table in front is another Craigslist find, refinished and gilded for use as a display table to hold business cards, samples and contest entry forms. Just behind it on the left is a console, purchased at Ross and refinished, with more product samples on top and additional promotional materials stored in the drawer.

More than a few people thought I was selling furniture! I wanted my booth to be eye-catching, and it did receive a lot of attention.

I had my Simply Baby booth sign custom made from plexiglass and vinyl decals and mounted in a curve, standing out from the back of the booth. The expo only provides a paper sign tacked to the curtains (the color of which, unfortunately, I had no control over), and I wanted my business name to be prominent.

I selected the images I thought best displayed my work in a clean, simple fashion, highlighting babies at the ages I most enjoy photographing – newborn and 7-9 months. My color palette of blues, aquas, and pinks complemented my vibrant apple green logo.

By watching for sales, I was able to order half off canvases for my display. The four shown are a 24×30 center canvas flanked by 20×24 canvases, with a 20×30 canvas on the right wall. I hung these using 3M Command self-adhesive hooks.

To the left, I created a gallery wall of 6 images ranging in size from 8×10 to 16×20. To save costs, I had all but the one 16×20 printed at Costco and mounted them myself. They were attached to the wall with self-stick velcro.

I wanted to put a rug or other floor covering down to cover the ugly cracked concrete, but couldn’t find an inexpensive, portable solution. A friend of mine recently “tiled” his booth floor very creatively, using con-tac paper cut into squares and adhered directly to the floor. Wish I’d thought of that!

Looking back, my front table was a bit cluttered, and there wasn’t much room for visitors to fill out their contest entry forms (I gave away a session and print). The seating area was used, so I’m glad I had that. Having a few large images on display drew a lot of attention.

Overall, the booth was a lot of work, requiring nearly four hours to set up the night before and two hours to break down, plus the two 9-5 days doing a meet and greet. I directly booked five sessions from the expo, and talked to dozens of parents. There were at least 5 other photographers with booths (coordinators make sure similar vendors aren’t nearby), though it was largely friendly and my booth received several compliments from my colleagues.

While the expo is billed as attracting a large number of upscale attendees, I found that those who stopped by my booth were largely price conscious and actually had a few Bugaboo-pushing parents literally gasp at my price list. The clients who did book were wonderful to work with and spent well.

Before the expo I laid out a list of goals to target. While many photographers book at the expo itself, that wasn’t a primary goal of mine – I did offer an Expo Special, but extended it for a few days after the expo and did get a few bookings in the 48h following the expo. I wanted to converse with a minimum number of visitors, get 200 names for my mailing list, and make a splash in the community to get the attention of both attendees and other photographers, presenting Simply Baby Photography as an upscale boutique studio.

I feel that I was successful in meeting all my goals, and the summer after my booth I grossed just over double my spring averages.




Don’t forget that Paperie Boutique has an amazing stationery set giveaway and a contest to win a free logo right now – enter both while you still can!

we got the beat

This vendor / guest post is jam-packed with giveaways, a coupon code, prize winners, and more… Read on, starting with JewelBeat Royalty Free Music!

JewelBeat Royalty Free Music has over 1000 free royalty free music, sound effects and musical effects. The best part about it is it is free. Yes, FREE to use in any projects including advertising, video, web, film, commercials for TV or radio, product placement and more. All that is required is that an active link to like this “Royalty free music by Jewelbeat.com” with a hyperlink to JewelBeat Royalty Free Music.

What is important to note is that music from JewelBeat Royalty Free Music is true royalty free music and completely free from any future royalties. JewelBeat owns all copyright and produces their own music. They are not members of any performance rights organizations so it is royalty free worldwide.

Since everything on JewelBeat Royalty Free Music is free now, all of you are already winners!

But to make things a little sweeter, JewelBeat Royalty Free Music is giving away a CD / DVD set which holds every free royalty free music and sound effect – plus musical effects – on their site. This makes it much easier to search for the perfect piece, plus it saves you time as all their music is in high quality uncompressed native WAV format. With that you can convert it to any format you require for your project.

Here’s how to win…

To win this special CD/DVD set with all the free high-quality royalty free music for your projects, simply comment on this post telling us you did one of the following:

1) Retweet the following (and tell us where you did it):
Win CD/DVD w/ royalty-free music & music / sound effects from JewelBeat.com at @paperieboutique / PaperieBoutique.com – http://is.gd/WmtyNc

2) Facebook “Like” us at: facebook.com/jewelbeat

3) Link to JewelBeat Royalty Free Music from your website or blog about us (and let us know where to find it)

Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, January 28th. JewelBeat Royalty Free Music will be selecting two random winners. So be sure to add your comments and enjoy using the free royalty free music!

Thanks so much to JewelBeat Royalty Free Music for this great giveaway – what a great product!

The Boudoir Business Boutique has a lot of great sales going on. As a special treat for Paperie readers, you can save an additional 20% off with the coupon code PB20.




We have a couple of contests who need winners announced! First up are the two $25 gift certificate winners to the WHP Designs Shop – Silver J Photograhy and Lynette Weber Photography.

Next up is the winner of the brandsushi Complete Album System – sara wilde: design + photography.

Congrats to all of our winners and thanks to brandsushi and WHP Designs Shop for the amazing prizes!




Last but not least…have you thought about advertising with Paperie lately? Kathy of the Boudoir Business Boutique writes:

“I just thought you’d like to know that I’ve received triple the amount of traffic from your site than any other site I’m advertising on! I’m so pleased with choosing to advertise with you!“

Stats don’t lie! Contact todd @ this domain if you are interested in joining our advertising family. And if you are a photographer and are interested in having your packaging featured – or are a vendor and are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured – please contact robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.

mmmm…sushi

Today we have a great new vendor / guest post / giveaway from brandsushi. Read on to win their The Complete Album System!

about brandsushi:
brandsushi is here to make your life — and your workflow — easier to manage. With product and marketing templates; custom branding, consulting and design services; and no short supply of inspiring ideas and market trends, brandsushi is a one-stop shop for transforming your boutique photography studio into a full-fledged brand. Our collections are hand-crafted with professional wedding and portrait photographers in mind, and extensively field tested to ensure they’ll be loved by studios and clients alike.

about the designer:
I’m Claire, and I’m the designer behind brandsushi. I’m an East Dallas raised, Art School educated, working pet photographer who left the glitz (and sleaze) of the Advertising industry to pursue my true passion for the marriage of photography with sleek, modern design. My commercial portfolio includes clients such as Neiman Marcus, Toni & Guy, Bergdorf Goodman, and ABC, but what I really love is working one-on-one with photographers and fellow creatives to craft timeless & chic bespoke brands and identities.

about the giveaway:
Now, on to the good stuff! One lucky Paperie Boutique reader will receive a copy of The Complete Album System! From marketing your album pricing and options to completing a customized album just for your client (and everything in between), the The Complete Album System will help you breeze through the entire album creation process — saving you time with layouts, revisions and image selection!

What’s more, every Paperie Boutique reader can enjoy 20% off their total brandsushi product order from now until the giveaway deadline with promo code PAPERIE20!

How do you enter to win the The Complete Album System? You have four chances!

1. Tweet the following on Twitter (and tell us where you did it):
Win the Complete Album System from @brandsushi over at @paperieboutique / PaperieBoutique.com – http://tinyurl.com/brand-sushi

2. Post the following to Facebook (and tell us where you did it):
Win the Complete Album System from brandsushi.com over at PaperieBoutique.com – http://tinyurl.com/brand-sushi

3. Like brandsushi on Facebook: facebook.com/brandsushi

4. Follow @brandsushi on Twitter: twitter.com/brandsushi

Then come back and comment here that you’ve done so – each entry requires its own separate comment. (In simple terms: If you want FOUR chances to win, you have to do all four things listed above, and then make four separate comments telling us how you did them.)

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Thursday, January 20th. You can enter up to four times total. Post that you have “liked” the Facebook fan page, followed on Twitter, posted to Twitter (with link), and / or posted to Facebook (with link) – in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

ATTENTION: All links you post must direct to public-access accounts. We cannot verify links on private, friends & family only, or passworded accounts and they will not be eligible to win this item. If we have to subscribe to your feed, a website, or forum – or request permission to see them – your entry will automatically be disqualified.

You can enter / post up to four total times – one entry each for the four options listed above.

You have four chances to win, but only one chance PER OPTION – please do not post the same link multiple times. Duplicate links will be removed. Each entry requires its own separate comment to have multiple chances to win!

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 24-48 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize.

Thanks to brandsushi for such a fun, fantastic giveaway – and GOOD LUCK!

You say boo-tique, I say bow-tique

Very excited to bring you our first vendor / guest post of the year by the Boudoir Business Boutique…

The Boudoir Business Boutique – a resource for boudoir photographers including lighting and posing guides, branding, marketing, album and product templates! A great resource for all boudoir photographers – those who are just starting out or those who want to improve their boudoir business. Brought to you by Kathy Honeybourne of Honeybourne Intimates, Toronto’s leading boudoir photographer. Visit the store, have a look around and enjoy!

Lighting Guide – The Lighting Guide is finally here and on sale until Monday January 10th:

With over 200 images, lighting diagrams and pull-back shots demonstrating everything from lighting basics to advanced techniques in an easy to follow format, this is the complete guide to boudoir lighting! Over sixty pages packed full of information, this manual is all you will ever need for shooting boudoir photography and creating beautiful images.

From soft wrap around lighting to the most dramatic of looks, you’ll learn the principles and lighting set-ups and be able to apply them to any environment from a studio backdrop, to a lavish bedroom or hotel setting.

The principles and lighting set-ups demonstrated throughout this book can also be applied to other areas of photography. Many are ideal for shooting seniors, maternity, model portfolios and general portraiture.

Posing Guide:

Your time during a boudoir shoot is precious and quite often very limited. The posing guidelines are designed to be the most flattering and fitting to all women, regardless of body type or comfort level. Containing over 300 pages, the poses are tried, tested and true and will get you started, keep your shoots flowing efficiently and enable you to capture more than enough poses and looks to fill an album. The sequential nature of these standards allow you to flow from one pose to the next in a timely, efficient manner capturing a great number of flattering, sellable images for women of all sizes.

Boudoir Marketing & Business Sets:

Boudoir Business Sets include everything you need to get your boudoir business up and running: information guide, client guide, digital negative trifold, business card, marketing card, gift certificate, thank you tag, sticker, generic CD and case. Also available are website wording, faqs wording and boudoir investment guide templates. All pieces coordinate with one another for perfect boudoir branding. Also available are marketing pieces to boost your sales, attract new clients and have current clients returning over and over. All marketing materials co-ordinate with our other business and branding templates.

Album Templates:

The store is brimming with boudoir album templates! Rich and creamy damasks, textured blacks, hawt pinks, sultry blues, romantic word art and much more. Ranging from 3×3 to 10×10, each design has coordinating templates for image boxes, proof borders and cd/dvd cases. Matching papers are also available to create your own coordinating designs.

Visit the store at:
boudoirbusinessboutique.com
Check often for new items and sign up for our newsletter for updates.




Great news for Paperie readers – thepolishedphotographer.com is giving everyone 25% off your purchase over $50. To take advantage of this awesome offer, just use the code PAPERIE6686424401 through January 15th!

Thanks so much to the Boudoir Business Boutique and The Polished Photographer!

And don’t forget this is the last day to VOTE in the packaging contest!

Have a great weekend!
-Robyn

8 days a week

Every year I make client calendars as a New Year’s gift for my Buttons and Bows clients. (Last year’s, and links to years-previous, located here.) This year I decided to speed up things a bit and go with mini-accordions and custom pearl photo-covers (i.e. no paper trimmer and case assembly).

The design is a modified version of two Design Aglow “Playful Calendar Collection” templates. I couldn’t be happier with them and the feedback I’ve got so far solidifies the decision.

2011. The year I try to simplify! simplify! simplify! once and for all….

(don’t) paint it black

It. Just. Got. Interesting! If you’ve been thinking of entering your packaging photos in our best business packaging / holiday packaging contest, now’s the time to start “doing“.

In addition to a $20 Paper Source gift certificate as a prize – now HB Photo Packaging has also kicked in an additional $100 gift certificate to their store!

Have no idea where to get started? Check this old Paperie entry for inspiration!

Get wrapping and send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com]! Submissions last thru Tuesday, November 30th.

[ And a tip from Robyn: If you have a Michael's near you, go raid their $1 bin. You'll find dozens of holiday-themed goodies to stick, hot glue, or tie on your packaging - some in multi-packs making the cost of a little "spice" less than a gumball! ]




I’ve known Justyna Nielsen of Funky Monkey Photography for years now and I’m so excited to have her here for a guest post on Paperie!

Creating whimsical easels

If black isn’t a part of your branding, why use black easels? Spice things up with your favorite colors or even use special effect such as distressing or crackling. Match up colors to your branding or room décor.

Creative uses:
I used one as a menu holder for my leather-bound price list I keep in my studio. A few other ones hold colorful frames with product descriptions. I also used a few for gifts for my clients when they purchased storyboards. Here are some other creative uses:

1. Price list. Place a price list or brochures in one of these easels for a beautiful display in your studio or at an auction, expo or event. For best results, your price list can be in form of a fabric/leather bound menu or mounted on a sturdy backing. Choosing the correct easel size is important so items don’t fall out or cause the easel to tip over if too big.

2. Collages. Provide your clients the whole package. If you offer styrene or board mounted collages, offer easels for “display ready” option to your clients. Perfect for mantels, desks, shelves, tables. You can look into wholesale easel purchasing and make sure you add the cost to the item price. This is called “value adding” in pricing.

3. Smaller frames fit in easels too. Place a cute 5×7” birth announcement (or a photo) in a matching color frame and display it on an easel. We recommend using a different shade or a complimentary color for the easel. Can make a special product or a gift.

4. Album or press book display. Instead of laying your albums on a table, create a more visible display by placing albums in easels. Especially impressive if your albums open up flat and have seamless spreads. Open it to your favorite panoramic image and place in the easel. Your clients can create different displays each month by opening to a different page.

5. Holder for product shots. Colorful holder for product shots to make an appealing price list.

6. Sign holder. If you participate in any expos or auctions, you can have your logo printed and mounted on a styrene or foam board and then placed in a matching color easel. Ideal for the expo tables. Place any other display items that may fit in them to create more interest.

7. Holiday card display. Choose this standard easel or one of the photo/note holder trees, paint in your chosen color and attach holiday cards.

8. Props. Have a lot of paint left? Sand a kid chair or another wooden prop and use the spray paints to give them a new look. Spray paint an ordinary garden tub or a planting pot to transform it into a new prop. Spray paint cans or small buckets for pen holders.

9. Uniform frames. If you’re like me, you have a collection of empty mismatched frames. Pick 6-7 of your favorite and spray paint them the same color. Perhaps a distressed or crackled antique white for the shabby chic look. You can use 2 colors such as hot pink and black to split amount frames. Hang them up empty on your wall for a creative wall decoration if you feel you can’t fill them with photographs right now. You can also cut corkboard to fit a frame for a creative reminder board or frame a chalkboard for a funky message board.

You will need:
- Metal easel any color
- Spray cans of primer (optional)
- Paint spray cans in desired color
- Cardboard and gloves recommended to keep your area and hands clean

Time:
The paint in spray cans is pretty fast drying but you will need multiple coats for best coverage.

Process:
1. Prepare a metal easel. Easels can be purchased online or in most craft stores (mine are from Michael’s Craft Store). Wipe clean and dry. Place in a well-ventilated space on a cardboard or newspaper. The spray paints will have a big reach so avoid spillage by protecting the area. I sprayed mine outside but I had to watch out for wind blowing any leaves my way.

2. For best coverage, spray the easel with a primer. This step is optional. I made most of mine without the primer.

3. Find your favorite color in spray paint from a local hardware store. I found mine at Home Depot, Menard’s and Ace Hardware. I picked these colors because they fit my logo colors (orange, lime green and purple). The rest were fun shades I found for chairs and other props.

4. Shake the can vigorously before each use. Spray from about 1 foot away in thin coats. Let dry in between multiple coats. For best coverage, avoid getting too close or going over in the same spot multiple times without letting it dry. Once the paint gets pretty thin and starts running, remember to shake the can again. I tend to start with the bottom so I flip the easel upside down. Spray. Wait. Flip on the other side, repeat the process. Inspect from all sides when dry. If you mess up, wait until it dries, sand with fine sand paper and re-paint a larger area.

Versions:
- Use one color (such as turquoise) for under coat and a different
  one (such as green) for the final coat. Wipe off the outer coat
  in a few spots with a dry bristle brush to reveal the under coat.
- Use sand paper to rough up the edges for a distressed look.
- Try a crackle or other special effect paints.

Justyna Nielsen is the owner and photographer of Funky Monkey Photography with a tale. She specializes in baby and children photography in Madison, Wisconsin.

[ Note from Robyn: Easels can also be purchased inexpensively onllne from Display Collections and Easel Moments. ]

Thanks so much for stopping by Justyna! I think I have some painting to do now…

Happy, merry!
-Robyn

P.S. If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain. If you are a photographer and are interested in having your packaging featured – or are a vendor and are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured – please contact robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.

I like it like that

Posting has been light around here as summer wraps up. I’m back to shooting again, I’m swamped under a mountain of old orders and proofing during my off-time. And my assistants are gearing up for another semester of school.

Thought this is the perfect time to share a few more of ‘my favorite things‘…

1. “Vintage Camera Photo Album” from Galison / Mudpuppy
2. “Camera Lens Mug” at Photojojo (even the Nikon girl in me approves)
3. “SuperHeadz 110 Book Camera” at Four Corner Store
4. “A ‘Camera’ Camera Case” by Hine

Earthen-wares

In honor of the upcoming Fourth holiday weekend in the U.S., we’re celebrating our independence from boring packaging. Today’s guest post and giveaway is by Loktah. They have products so beautiful you really must see / hold them in-hand to believe!

Loktah is inspired by the natural beauty of the earth, featuring products that recall the planet’s majestic form. Loktah’s essential element is the organic paper, a renewable source in the foothills of the Himalayas.

This green product rises from the earth to showcase your work to your client. Each product is dipped in bee’s wax to preserve the quality of the paper yet allow the product to age with natural beauty. Soft twine encircles the product with an organic bead completing the look. Created by hand, each case is slightly unique.

Portfolio folders feature sleek rounded edge corners on the cover flap and have the ability to hold a 8.5 x 11 size sheet on both sides, and can hold multiple sheets.

The mystery and beauty of the Himalayan region offers inspiration like no other place on earth.

Loktah cases will give your CDs and DVDs a gorgeous presentation that you and your clients will enjoy, and cases have the ability to order a logo add-on.

So now that you’re sold on Loktah, now you have the chance to win some of their products, too! Up for grabs are:

1. Two lucky winners will each win 5 Loktah DVD/CD Cases (any case)
2. One lucky winner will get 2 Loktah Portfolio Folders (any color)

First follow Loktah either on Facebook or Twitter.

Then post the following to either your public Facebook wall or public Twitter stream:

Celebrate your Independence from boring packaging – win from Loktah.com / @loktah at Paperie Boutique / paperieboutique.com by @shutterblog

Post the URL(s) to your link(s) in the comments for THIS ENTRY. Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, July 5th.

Please note: The link you post must direct to a public account. We cannot verify links on private, friends & family only, or passworded accounts and they will not be eligible to win this item. If we have to subscribe to your feed or page or request permission to see it, you will automatically be disqualified.

You can enter / post your links up to two times total – one entry each per public, non-private Facebook and / or Twitter account.

You have two chances to win but only one chance PER LINK – please do not post the same link multiple times – duplicate links will be removed. And post your separate links in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

Comments are moderated and may be slow to be added today but they will be added by late afternoon or early evening.

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning numbers will be chosen by Random.org, and the winners will be contacted within 24 hours of contest’s end to claim their prizes. Good luck!

UPDATE: The winners have now been posted here.

Big thanks to Loktah for such amazing prizes. Stop by their blog to tell them thanks in person!

Don’t forget you have until 11:59 p.m. EDT Friday to win a “Get it Together Kit“. Have a wonderful Fourth of July weekend!

two-fer Tuesday

I apologize the winner in the Jamie Schultz Designs $50.00 gift code giveaway was not announced yesterday. A 4-day migraine turned into a 4½-hour ER visit and updating the site again simply proved an impossible task. But upward and onward…and I’m happy to announce the winner is…Pleasant Vonnoh of Pleasant Vonnoh Photography:

Because I didn’t get the winner posted on time, I’m going to donate your choice of one of the three new mini-book templates from Jamie Schultz Designs (shown below – “Little Cutie”, “Organic Goodness”, or “Vintage Floral”).

To be eligible to win this prize you need to have entered to win (but not have won) the original Jamie Schultz Designs giveaway. If you entered, please leave a comment on THIS POST and list your comment number(s) from the previous giveaway. All comments are numbered so look up your original comment number(s) and that’s all there is to it. Really. Simple as that. If you were comments #1 and #2 in the original giveaway, you would leave two separate comments on THIS POST (so you would have two separate chances to win now as well) – on one comment here you would say “comment #1″, and on the other you would say “comment #2″. Clear as mud? Good! Ends 11:59 p.m. EDT Thursday, May 20th.

UPDATE: The winner has been posted here – thanks again everyone!

Reminder: Jamie Schultz Designs is offering Paperie readers a $10 gift code off $50 or more with the code paperie10.

Last but not least — another really cute giveaway is going on over at Modern Magical today. Stop by for your chance to win a magical fairy door!

P.S. If you’re waiting on an e-mail from me, please be patient. I’m extremely behind right now due to this weekend’s / week’s events. I’m catching up as fast as I can!

Look around the sidebars and say “hi” to several of our new advertisers. If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain. If you are a photographer and are interested in having your packaging featured – or are a vendor and are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured – please contact robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.

but Friday, never hesitate…

An incredible end to an incredible week – today an amazing giveaway / guest post from Jamie Schultz Designs. I’ve been a fan of Jamie’s work forever and I’m beyond thrilled to have her here at Paperie!

Jamie Schultz Designs is so excited to be featured as a guest on the Paperie Boutique blog. Let me take a moment to introduce myself. I was raised in a very small town in Nebraska where my passion for all things creative developed. My grandmother owned a charming flower shop and I spent countless hours watching her design works of art right before my eyes. As a child, I dabbled in art but didn’t find my niche until I picked up a camera. At that point it was evident that photography would serve as my creative outlet.

A childhood dream was realized when I opened my studio loft in the quaint downtown area of Hudson, Wisconsin. Inspired by the charming details in my grandmother’s shop, my boutique style studio offers the capability for unique custom photography. With that came a client base who came to expect a wide array of products to preserve and showcase the images from their session. As my photography business grew so did the number of inquiries from other photographers interested in purchasing my designs for use in their own businesses. Thus, Jamie Schultz Designs was born.

Using my signature style, I create templates that are clean and simple with a splash of defining detail that will undoubtedly impress your clients. These timeless designs include collections of holiday cards, birth announcements, graduation announcements and coffee table books for engagements, high school seniors, families, and babies.

As a token of our appreciation to the loyal Paperie readers, Jamie Schultz Designs is offering a $10 gift code off $50 or more to you just for reading this blog! (Enter code: paperie10)

In addition, one lucky winner will receive a $50.00 gift code to www.jamieschultzdesigns.com

See below for details how to win!

First become a Facebook Fan of Jamie Schultz Designs.

Then post this in your status…
I’m loving http://paperieboutique.com -and- http://www.jamieschultzdesign.com

Next come back here and leave a comment here where you’ve done so … and you might just be the lucky winner. Good luck!

UPDATE-EDIT: Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 16th.

Thanks so much Jamie (and Natasha)! Don’t forget to stop by the site, the blog, and become a Facebook Fan to show your appreciation!

UPDATE: The winner has been announced here. Thanks again to Jamie Schultz Designs and everyone who entered!

Also don’t forget that the iPhone case template kit collection by Go{4}Pro is still up for grabs through 11:59 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 15th – there’s still a chance to win!

Have a great weekend everyone!
-Robyn

P.S. Look around the sidebars and say “hi” to several of our new advertisers. If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain. If you are a photographer and are interested in having your packaging featured – or are a vendor and are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured – please contact robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.

wanna buy 5 copies for my mother

In case you missed the big news on Twitter this weekend, a sneak-peek of the May 2010 issue of Rangefinder Magazine was released online — and Paperie Boutique / yours truly are featured in the “Marketing Mojo” section (along with the photos of a couple of previous Paperie guest posters)!

I’ve had to sit on this news for weeks now and I’ve been bursting at the seams to share it here. Watch your snail-mail boxes because the actual print-magazine should start arriving soon!

It’s been an amazing spring for my businesses. This national print campaign just launched last week. (I knew it would be late spring or early summer but I wasn’t sure exactly when.) The Rangefinder online edition went up Friday. And I’ll get to spill the biggest news of all this June — I got the final confirmation on it this past Friday as well. Strange days, indeed.

To thank everyone for getting us here, we’re giving one lucky Paperie Boutique reader a $20.00 gift certificate to Robyn’s favorite place online – Paper Source.

To win just go to your blog, Facebook account, Flickr account, or Twitter account and post the following:

To celebrate Paperie Boutique / @shutterblog being in May Rangefinder Magazine / @RFWPPI — win $20 to @Paper_Source at paperieboutique.com

Post the URL(s) to your link(s) in the comments for THIS ENTRY. Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 5th.

Please note: If you have won a prize within the last 30 days, please sit this one out and give someone else a chance to win please! The link you post must direct to a public account. We cannot verify links on private, friends & family only, or passworded accounts and they will not be eligible to win this item. If we have to subscribe to your feed or page or request permission to see it, you will automatically be disqualified.

You can enter up to four times total – one entry each per public, non-private blog URL / Facebook / Flickr / Twitter account.

You have four chances to win but only one chance PER LINK – please do not post the same link multiple times – duplicate links will be removed. And post your 1-4 separate links in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 24 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize. Hope YOU win!

UPDATE: The winner has been announced here – thanks to everyone who entered!

The cool kids over at Photojojo asked us to share one of their new products with you – the Shinjuku Photo Scrap-Kit. If you’re stuck on what to get your mom for Mother’s Day, this might be the perfect solution!

They discovered this kit on a recent trip to Japan and imported it just for you. It’s vintage / retro. It’s hip. It’s acid-free. And it has pretty vellum, photo tape, and cinema film sticky notes.

I think I’m turning Japanese. I really think so!




Miss all the packaging features? We can’t post them if you don’t send them! If you would like your packaging featured, or would like to nominate someone for us to contact and request they submit their packaging for a feature, please write Robyn (e-mail link is in the sidebar or you can type it out – robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment).

I don’t care if Monday’s blue

Nothing will help cure a case of the Mondays like a great big giveaway!

Today we have Leah of LCH Photography & Design stopping by to offer just that in a new guest post…

So excited to do a guest post today! Thanks so much Robyn for inviting me — I truly appreciate it!

What is better than sitting down with a client and handing them pictures from a photo shoot that turned out perfectly? How about using those images in beautiful baby announcements, custom albums, wall collages and more?!

LCH Design offers templates, actions, and marketing tools for photographers.

Delight your clients with:
• Baby Announcements
• Holiday Cards
• Cutting Edge Senior Products
• Custom Album Templates—Family, Children, Seniors & Weddings
• iPod Skin Templates
• Marketing Tools
• Wedding Album Templates and Guest Albums
• …..and MORE!

LCH Design began 5 years ago as I anxiously awaited the news of the pending adoption of our daughter from Taiwan. Waiting on the process seemed like FOREVER! An outlet was needed as we finished the paperwork for the adoption and waited to receive the news that we were able to travel to meet our daughter for the first time.

So…I began creating art (with the help of Photoshop!) for photographers to have elegant products to offer their clients. I never dreamed that the business would grow the way it has over the past 5 years. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to combine my passion for photography and my passion for creating.

It is my hope that these templates will benefit your business as they have others. A new online store was just launched early this year with a new storefront, easy to find-navigation, PLUS instant downloads! There is a wide selection of items. So take your time, enjoy, and please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Below is a sampling of some of my designs. Please check out the store at lchdesignstore.com to see all the goodies!

A new popular line at LCH Design is the Pressley Senior Collection including CD templates, iPod skins, image boxes and album templates…..

So excited about the new iPod Skin templates now available in the store! Perfect for your Seniors, advertising your business and showing off your images!

Another iPod skin example:

Babies, Babies, Babies……templates for announcements and albums!

Expressions Frames v.1 have been a hot seller! They are perfect to add to albums, splash pages, blog posts and gallery mounts! These make great ‘thank you gifts’ to clients as well. Layer a frame on a Vintage Paper and order a mini gallery mount or a desk-sized standout from ProLab Express.

Now…for the giveaway… (Gotta love giveaways!) The winner will receive a $100.00 gift certificate to LCH Design!

¤ STEP ONE (REQUIRED) — To win the $100.00 gift certificate, first become a LCH Design Facebook fan! Join here!

¤ STEP TWO (REQUIRED) — Post the following to your Facebook wall, your Twitter stream, or your blog:

Win a $100.00 gift certificate to LCH Design / lchdesignstore.com — details how at Paperie Boutique / paperieboutique.com by @shutterblog

¤ STEP THREE (REQUIRED) — Post the URL to your link with the above text in the comments for THIS ENTRY. Comment must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 28th.

Please note: If you have won a prize within the last 30 days, please sit this one out and give someone else a chance to win please! The link you post must direct to a public account. We cannot verify links on private, friends & family only, or passworded accounts and they will not be eligible to win this item. If we have to subscribe to your feed or page or request permission to see it, you will automatically be disqualified.

You can enter once per person using a public, non-private blog URL, Facebook, or Twitter account. Please do not post the same link multiple times – duplicate links will be removed.

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 24 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize. Good luck everyone!

Also for all you Paperie Boutique fans — save 20% at the store using the code PAPERIE20. Valid for one week only. Use as many times as you would like during the week. Coupon valid until Monday, May 3, 2010.

Happy Shopping!
blessings,
Leah

Thank you so much, Leah! Definitely a prize I’d like to win myself. There’s going to be one very lucky winner this Wednesday! Don’t forget to stop by the LCH Photography & Design Blog and tell Leah thanks as well.

And if you missed Friday’s post, there’s still a few more hours left to win three prizes from LolliPockits!

ATTENTION VENDORS: We tuck business cards, coupon inserts, and promo pieces inside of our prize packages. If you are interested in having yours included, please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment). Also contact me if you are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured on Paperie Boutique.

ATTENTION PHOTOGRAPHERS: Show us your packaging! If the features here have helped you pull together your own look, please share with the class and pay it forward. Contact Robyn (e-mail link in the sidebar / robyn @ this domain) to be added to the posting schedule.

If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain.

Oh lolli lolli lolli

Thought it might be nice to kick off the weekend on a sweet note. Stacey Severt of Wild Hearts Photography is offering up this next guest post and giveaway. Stacey also owns LolliPockits – a store for unique, hand-crafted mini-album / album slipcovers, tote bags, and more.

I started the LolliPockits online store because I wanted something to put my albums in when giving them to clients. I have a boutique photography business, with mostly child/family clients, and I’m always searching for great products for them. My clients appreciate something very high-quality and unique.

The first LolliPockit product was the Mini Album Pockit. I have added the mini albums as client gifts and also for clients to purchase to my product line for 2010. Everyone that sees them just loves them! They love the idea of having a little brag album to carry around with them to show off their favorite images. The problem is that I was afraid that the album covers would get scratched or the pages bent by just throwing them into a purse or bag. And, since these little albums aren’t exactly “cheap”, I came up with the slipcover pouch to hold them. It’s far beyond a paper or plastic wrapping in the fact that it’s very durable and high fashion at the same time. Clients love the extra attention to detail and the fact that I’m willing to go a bit beyond what other photographers offer.

The next logical product was the Album Pockit. These are custom made to fit any size book-style album. Certain fabrics are available as shown on the site, however, I’m also willing to try to custom match a fabric to your specific album or branding colors. These pockits are fully-lined for a beautifully finished and durable product.

I’ve also added some fun and beautiful Pockit Totes and Media Pockits to the mix. The tote bags aren’t really designed for toting camera gear, but really could be used for paperwork or toting all of those samples to client ordering sessions.

The Media Pockits have one product out-a cute slipcover for smart phones. If you have a beautiful tote bag-why not have a matching cover for your phone? These can also be made for eReaders and ipads, as well. Possibly considering custom slipcovers for netbooks and laptops in the future.

Some other products that are in the works include: Custom Canvas Pockits for delivery of canvas prints, camera strap covers, notebook covers and also a line of hand-crocheted baby hats (which are being made by my mother).

I am proud to offer exceptional customer service as well as a high-quality and affordable products. I hope everyone will check out my shop. All feedback is also appreciated!

And now three lucky Paperie viewers will have the chance to win one of three prizes from LolliPockits:

1. one set of 3 Mini Album Pockits in Black Damask
2. one $20.00 gift certificate to the LolliPockits shop
3. one $10.00 gift certificate to the LolliPockits shop

To win just go to your blog, Facebook account, Flickr account, or Twitter account and post the following:

Win great prizes from LolliPockits / lollipockits.com & @WildHeartsPhoto at Paperie Boutique by @shutterblog – http://paperieboutique.com

Post the URL(s) to your link(s) in the comments for THIS ENTRY. Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 26th.

Please note: If you have won a prize within the last 30 days, please sit this one out and give someone else a chance to win please! The link you post must direct to a public account. We cannot verify links on private, friends & family only, or passworded accounts and they will not be eligible to win this item. If we have to subscribe to your feed or page or request permission to see it, you will automatically be disqualified.

You can enter up to four times total – one entry each per public, non-private blog URL / Facebook / Flickr / Twitter account.

You have four chances to win but only one chance PER LINK – please do not post the same link multiple times – duplicate links will be removed. And post your 1-4 separate links in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 24 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize. Good luck everyone!

You can also follow LolliPockits at the Facebook fan page and Etsy store.

Thank you so much, Stacey! What a fun sweet treat for the Paperie readers!

UPDATE: The three winners have been announced here!

ATTENTION VENDORS: We tuck business cards, coupon inserts, and promo pieces inside of our prize packages. If you are interested in having yours included, please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment). Also contact me if you are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured on Paperie Boutique.

ATTENTION PHOTOGRAPHERS: Show us your packaging! If the features here have helped you pull together your own look, please share with the class and pay it forward. Contact Robyn (e-mail link in the sidebar / robyn @ this domain) to be added to the posting schedule.

If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain.