Jamie Schultz Designs is back again for another vendor / guest post! (And if you missed our latest camera strap giveaway, be sure you read on to the end!)

Jamie Schultz Designs is proud to partner with the Paperie Boutique as a new vendor. Jamie has an array of templates available including coffee table books, cards, CD cases, image boxes and much, much more. With the holiday card season quickly approaching be sure to check out Jamie’s fabulous new holiday card collection.

About Jamie:
Jamie Schultz Designs was created by professional photographer, Jamie Schultz, who started creating cards, books, and other photography products for her clients. As quickly as her portrait business grew so did the demand for the templates she was selling to her clients. Thus, Jamie Schultz Designs was born. Jamie’s designs are best known for their timeless features with just enough defining detail that allow your client’s photos to take center stage. As a professional photographer, Jamie knows that no two clients are alike which is why she offers a wide variety of designs from traditional to contemporary.

There’s always something for everyone at Jamie Schultz Designs!

And now Jamie is offering an exclusive discount to Paperie Boutique blog readers. Simply enter code: paperie10 at checkout to receive $10 off your next purchase of $50 or more. (Valid through 12/31/2011.)

Here are some of the latest holiday card designs from Jamie Schultz Designs:

Be sure to fan Jamie Schultz Designs on Facebook to receive special offers and to keep up with all the latest product releases.

Thanks so much to Jamie for stopping by, and for the great offer for our readers! I’m a huge Jamie Schultz Designs fan and have been for quite some time. I just bought this announcement template set and I can’t recommend it enough!




My latest “Web Exclusives” column went live yesterday on Professional Photographer Magazine’s website.

It’s titled “Hot Stuff: Bad Sass Backdrops” and features a favorite Paperie vendor Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc.. Make sure to read it all the way through because there’s a big discount for Professional Photographer readers!

Have a great weekend everyone -
-Robyn & Todd

Recently I shared my purchase of the Design Aglow “Essential Birth Announcement Worksheet“. Even if you’re not a newborn photographer, if you sell press-printed cards, this post is for you!

Since that original post I have added to my purchase with birth announcement quotes and religious phrases I have collected, and the press-card print release form I have created, during my five-plus years of being a newborn photographer. (Read to the end to find out how to win!) This makes a stunning presentation to your clients, and also makes their ordering much easier, sparing you both countless time spent back-and-forth during the design process.

I have designed the following as a supplement to the Design Aglow “Essential Birth Announcement Worksheet” (although it can certainly be purchased / used stand-alone with much more limited function). The Design Aglow “Essential Birth Announcement Worksheet” includes one full page of birth announcement quotes and phrases for boys, girls, twins / multiples, sibling-welcomes, religious-themed cards, adoptions, and all-purpose introductions.

My new four-page supplement includes three pages of additional quotes and phrases – plus religious quotes / scriptures – for baby boys, baby girls, and seasonal / holiday-themed birth announcements (Valentine’s, St. Patrick’s, Fourth of July, fall / autumn, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). And a one-page release for your clients (see below) saving you from expensive reprint costs due to their errors, omissions, or typos on press-printed cards.

Included in this supplemental packet:

1. Press-printed card print release for clients (applicable to
    announcements, invitations, seniors, etc.)

2. Boy-themed birth announcement quotes and phrases
    (including religious and scriptures)

3. Girl-themed birth announcement quotes and phrases
    (including religious and scriptures)

4. Holiday and seasonal quotes, phrases, and scriptures for
    birth announcements

In addition to that, I have included my “Press Printed Card Release” (wording included). This is a form I make all of my clients read and sign off on before their cards and announcements go to print. It eliminates reprints at my expense for their misspellings, typos, and failure to include information. Once this form is signed off on, the customer is liable for the cards or announcements as they approved them (unless the error is a print lab defect or I failed to order the cards as they were approved, for instance if I accidentally submitted the lo-res version for print).

If you’ve ever been burned with the reprint of an expensive card order – this form is for you! And if you haven’t, you need this now before it happens!

This form wording will work for birth announcements and / or any kind of press-printed card you sell (Christmas / holiday card, birthday invitation, wedding announcement, graduation announcement, etc.)

I use the “Press Printed Card Release” text in an online web form that my customers sign off on digitally. You can print and use the text as presented if you do ordering in person, or convert it for online or e-mail use.

These forms are bare-bones to work within the template by Design Aglow (which I highly recommend purchasing). The one .psd file is divided into four folders of text. The only graphic included is a division line. There are no additional graphics or design-elements. Just the text, ma’am! If you choose to use them as a stand-alone product rather than a supplement, space has been left at the top to add your logo / letterhead to each of the pages. See below for excerpts from the different pages.

My holiday / seasonal wording quote sheet helped a customer create this design:

Purchase this now at a special rate before it’s available on Fit to Print:

Purchase this four-page kit:

Special Paperie Price $15.00

This is a layered .psd file design created in Adobe Photoshop CS2 and should work in Elements, but I cannot provide technical support for Elements purchases. The background color can be changed from white with just one click. Purchases will be e-mailed the download link during “normal waking hours” (U.S. Eastern Daylight Time). Please ask any questions before you buy! You are responsible for checking these files for spelling and formatting before presenting to your clients.




And just because we care, three lucky Paperie readers can have a chance to win the card / announcement four-page supplement. If you buy it and win it, we will refund your purchase!

1. Go to your Facebook and Twitter accounts and post the following on either or both (then tell us where you did):

Win birth announcement / holiday / religious card wording & press card release @PaperieBoutique / PaperieBoutique.com http://is.gd/KPTM5W

2. Friend / Like / Follow Paperie Boutique on Facebook and come back here and let us know (or tell us you’re already a fan)

Each entry requires its own separate comment here. (In simple terms: If you want THREE chances to win, you have to do the three things listed above, and then make three separate comments here telling us how you did them.)

Comment that you have posted to your Twitter and/or Facebook account(s), with a link to where you did it – or that you’ve liked us on Facebook – in separate comments here 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.

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Saturday, September 10th. You can enter up to three times total. Post that you have met each of the requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to three times total – one entry each for each of the options listed above. (PLEASE NOTE: Comments are held for moderation and may not appear immediately. Please be patient! They will show up eventually.)

You have three 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 48-72 hours of the winner-announcement to claim their prize.

Good luck!
-Robyn and Todd

A few days ago we featured the new “Modular Holiday Card Sales Kit: Merry Modern Collection” by Design Aglow.

Now they’re back for another guest / vendor post to promote their new “Modular Holiday Card Sales Kit: Nostalgic Splendor Collection“.

Design Aglow presents a revolutionary way for your photography studio to sell holiday cards. We’ve designed the mix & match studio sales system to enable you to work smarter, not harder, save time, increase sales, and streamline your holiday workflow. This product is more than just vintage holiday card templates, it’s like having a stationery shop in your studio and comes complete with everything you will need to launch your holiday card line within minutes of download.

INCLUDES:
• A 10-page holiday card sales catalog. This catalog is a turnkey, professionally designed way to present your holiday card offerings to clients. The catalog easily walks clients through every step involved in designing the holiday card of their dreams. It includes a built-in order form on the last page on which your clients will note their design choices, keeping their information impeccably organized, and saving you lots of valuable time.

But, by far, the most unique feature of the catalog is that it includes professionally, studio-shot stock photos of finished holiday cards. This means you won’t have to worry about taking the time to photograph your holiday cards for the catalog – this step is already done for you. All that is required is that you add your studio logo, update the policies to reflect your own, and add your pricing on the last page.

• Three beautifully designed card modules (a cover, an inside design that includes 12 different greetings, and a back), consisting of six different designs each. These are in fully layered Photoshop PSD format and will allow you to design your clients’ cards with just the click of a mouse, all in under 15 minutes per card. Simply mix and match the front, inside and back (which are completely interchangeable) for virtually limitless combinations.

• A comprehensive 10 page tutorial that will easily explain everything you need to know about launching your holiday card line. It also includes ideas for presentation, selling, and publishing your catalog online.

Don’t forget we have a giveaway going on now for a Shoot Baby!™ beanbag!

Have a great weekend everyone!
-Robyn & Todd

Did you know there’s only 132 days left ’til Christmas? Design Aglow is to the rescue with a special offer in this new vendor / guest post!

Design Aglow presents a revolutionary way for your photography studio to sell holiday cards. With a mix & match studio sales system to enable you to work smarter, not harder, save time, increase sales, and streamline your holiday workflow, this product is more than just holiday card templates. It’s like having a stationery shop in your studio and comes complete with everything you will need to launch your holiday card line within minutes of download.

INCLUDES:
• A 10-page holiday card sales catalog. This catalog is a turnkey, professionally designed way to present your holiday card offerings to clients. The catalog easily walks clients through every step involved in designing the holiday card of their dreams. It includes a built-in order form on the last page on which your clients will note their design choices, keeping their information impeccably organized, and saving you lots of valuable time.

But, by far, the most unique feature of the catalog is that it includes professionally, studio-shot stock photos of finished holiday cards. This means you won’t have to worry about taking the time to photograph your holiday cards for the catalog – this step is already done for you. All that is required is that you add your studio logo, update the policies to reflect your own, and add your pricing on the last page.

• Three beautifully designed card modules (a cover, an inside design that includes 12 different greetings, and a back), consisting of six different designs each. These are in unflattened Photoshop PSD format and will allow you to design your clients’ cards with just the click of a mouse, all in under 15 minutes per card. Simply mix and match the front, inside and back (which are completely interchangeable) for virtually limitless combinations.

• A comprehensive 10 page tutorial that will easily explain everything you need to know about launching your holiday card line. It also includes ideas for presentation, selling, and publishing your catalog online.

I am completely in love with this – talk about impressive to clients and a time-saver all in one! If you sell birth announcements, you must check this out!




We have two winners to announce in our See Jane Work giveaway…and they are…Jamie Delight Photography and Jessica Hester Photography.

Congratulations to both winners and thanks again to all of our vendors and readers that made our birthday celebration such an amazing success!

-Robyn and Todd

Photo Card Boutique is back again for a vendor / guest post and giveaway!

But first… Recently I was given the opportunity to try out a few of the templates, and a Buttons and Bows client just selected the “Cooper Baby Boy” design as their birth announcement. Here’s the front and back as submitted to ProDPI. (Last names were blurred out for privacy reasons.)

The images below show the finished product. The templates were so easy to tweak and customize. (You can see I changed the back up somewhat from the original and made it a 3-photo design.) Changing colors and inserting images was a breeze with the multiple layers. Font information was also included so any alterations could remain true to the original.

And now Angie is back with another great giveaway and deal for Paperie readers!

One lucky Paperie reader will win their choice a $100 gift card OR one limited edition marketing set. How? It’s easy!

1. Like Photo Card Boutique on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/PhotoCardBoutique

2. Follow Photo Card Boutique on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/PhotogBoutique

3. Post the following to Facebook or Twitter (and tell us where you did it):
Win a $100 gift card to PhotoCardBoutique.com / @PhotogBoutique from PaperieBoutique.com / @paperieboutique – http://is.gd/92ZZS1

4. Leave a note in the comments here saying what Photo Card Boutique item is your favorite.

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 here telling us how you did them.)

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 24th. You can enter up to four times total. Post that you have met all four requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to four times total – one entry each for the options listed above. (PLEASE NOTE: Comments are held for moderation and may not appear immediately. Please be patient! They will show up eventually.)

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 24-72 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize.

Good luck!

And everyone can take advantage of this special offer – Paperie readers will receive a $5 gift card to Photo Card Boutique good on their next purchase when they spend $15 or more. Just enter the code paperie!

Thanks so much to Photo Card Boutique for the awesome giveaway and promo offer! Have a great weekend everyone!

P.S. If you’re waiting to hear from Robyn, please be patient. The inbox is more backed up than the Mississippi River!

Today we have a vendor / guest post by Design Aglow. They’re announcing the release of the adorable new “You’re My Type” cards.

You’re My Type: Multipurpose Cards
Perfect match

Although pictures are worth a thousand words, it doesn’t hurt to use a few once in awhile! This set of multipurpose cards uses cutting edge typography in a variety of styles to let your loved ones keep track of your life’s milestones. To satisfy all your design needs, this set comes with six different and fully customizable designs that announce everything from your new bundle of joy to your high school graduation, to your engagement!

PERFECT FOR:
• Birth announcements
• Event invitations
• Marketing materials
• Thank you notes
• 5×7 note cards
• Holiday Cards
• Save the Date

PRODUCT DETAILS:
• 6 distinctive two sided designs
• Fully layered PSD files for unlimited customization, including color changes
• Designed using WHCC’s flat 5×7 card templates for easy printing
• Cards can be customized to be flat or folded
• Compatible with CS2 and newer, Photoshop Elements 6 and newer, Windows and Mac

Click here to check it out in the shop with special introductory pricing through May 5th!

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.

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!

I am so excited to announce today’s vendor / guest post and giveaway. It’s a prize I truly covet myself!

“Happy Girls are Pretty Girls” is our motto and what makes a girl happier than a little bit of extra something? Glitter, Shimmer, Personalized Gifts…our ideas are endless And because we’re small and nimble we can work with you to create the perfect invitations, announcements, cards or gifts!

My name is Darcy and I am the girl behind “pretty girl designs”. My husband and children can often be found covered in glitter. I love all things paper. Fonts make me happy. Photography makes me swoon. And I have a weakness for stickers!

Jamie Schultz from Jamie Schultz Photography and Design Studio recently asked me to create fun and unique packaging for her clients. I gave her these three options. Can you guess which one she chose?

I am excited to be giving away one of these sets to a lucky Paperie reader! You have three chances to win!

1. “Like” / follow pretty girl designs on Facebook:
    facebook.com/prettygirldesigns

2. Post the following about prettygirldesigns.com on Facebook
    or Twitter (and tell us where you did it):
I want to win a ‘pretty’ stationery set from prettygirldesigns.com at @paperieboutique / PaperieBoutique.com – http://is.gd/a9JXlY

3. Tell us which of the above three sets is your favorite – and why!

Each entry requires its own separate comment. (In simple terms: If you want THREE chances to win, you have to do all three things listed above, and then make three separate comments here telling us how you did them.)

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Thursday, February 10th. You can enter up to three times total. Post that you have “liked” the Facebook fan page, posted to Twitter or Facebook (with link), and / or listed your favorite stationery set – 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 three total times – one entry each for the three options listed above.

You have three 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 24-72 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize.

I’m so jealous one of you gets to win this prize – good luck! Thanks to Darcy at pretty girl designs for giving you the chance! And don’t forget to visit her Etsy shop, too!




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.

Rare weekend post for an even more rare sale opportunity – the one-year birthday / anniversary of La Pomme Design! Read on for the incredible offer in today’s guest / vendor post and giveaway…

It has been such an exciting year for La Pomme Design! LPD opened on January 15, 2010, and had our first sale that day! We started out selling card templates and storyboards, and throughout the year have added digital papers, album templates, accordion album templates, business cards, phone skins, textures, designed textures,marketing supplies, business forms, pre-designed logos, custom logos, custom marketing design, and so much more! It is only because of our amazing fans that we have grown and flourished so much, and I cannot tell you the sense of awe I feel when I read the emails and notes of appreciation I get, and when I see photographers using LPD’s products in their marketing and client products! It is incredible, and I love each one of my fans!

So, on to the celebration! To celebrate our One Year Anniversary, La Pomme Design is having a sale that is bigger and better and more incredible than any sale we’ve ever had – and will ever have! La Pomme Design has over 100 fantastic products in the Shoppe, and if you were to buy them all at the regular price, you would spend over $1000 stocking up!

But for one week – from today, January 15th, through Saturday, January 22nd, you can buy the entire Shoppe – EVERY SINGLE PRODUCT – for a grand total of $49!!! This is such a phenomanol deal, and it is the perfect time to stock up on everything you need, in one fell swoop! And for one incredibly low price!

So what do you get? You get holiday card templates, birth announcements, boudoir templates, marketing collections, textures, designed textures, actions, Dream album templates, accordion album templates, canvas templates, storyboards, digital papers, ornament templates, bookmarks, business cards, stickers, Moo minicard templates, phone skins, and more!

And because this week wouldn’t be complete without at least one fabulous contest – at the end of the week, I will draw one order number from everyone who purchases the whole Shoppe, and the order number I draw will receive their purchase FOR FREE! I will send the winner a refund of the Shoppe – and they will get the whole Shoppe FREE!!!!

Thank you to all of our loyal fans who have brought LPD to where we are today. Enjoy this sale as a huge “thank you” (and if you know me, you know I’m big on hugs) and a hug from La Pomme Design.

Happy birthday, La Pomme Design from Paperie! And many more!




P.S. We have other contests going on right now, so don’t forget to scroll to enter those as well!

And one to grow on!
-Robyn

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.

We’re kicking off the weekend with a bang – not just one, but TWO amazing contests are in this entry! Each one is by a favorite vendor we’re glad to have back for another spin at guest posting! First up is Terry of Sassy Designs, Inc.

[IMPORTANT ADMIN NOTE: Read each contest carefully to enter in right place!]

What’s this season’s hottest holiday item? The die cut greeting card!

I am SUPER excited to announce that Simply Color Lab and Sassy Designs, Inc. have partnered to offer you a larger selection of die cut card shape options for this holiday season and beyond! Simply Color Lab has added eight (8) new custom shapes of Sassy Designs Inc.’s to their standard die line. What does this mean for you? A larger, more unique shape selection to offer to your customers, more individuality, and NO ADDITIONAL COST since these shapes are part of their STANDARD line!

You can see the shape selection here:
http://www.simplycolorlab.com/designcenter/standard-die-templates.php

As of right now I have designed and released 30 templates based on the expanded standard die line. I do not yet have all of the shapes covered, however I have MANY more in the works and will be releasing them over the next couple of weeks…just in time for the holidays!

Each of these templates is fully layered allowing you the flexibility to use them exactly as they are shown in the previews or swap out the included patterns for your own to completely customize for any occasion or holiday! They’re so versatile you can even change them up and use them as part of your business marketing materials – think gift certificates, referral cards, or thank you cards with your branding and a totally unique shape to truly wow your customers!

How would you like the chance to WIN ALL 30 TEMPLATES that are currently in the Sassy Shop?! Your chance is NOW! A huge thank you to Robyn for hosting this giveaway – GOOD LUCK to everyone that wishes to enter!

How do you win? It’s easy and you have four chances!

1. “Like” sassydesigns on Facebook (or let us know you have already)

2. Follow @sassydesignsinc on Twitter (or let us know you have already)

3. Post the following on Twitter (and tell us where you did it):
Win THIRTY die-cut card templates from Sassy Designs Inc. / sassy-designs.net / @sassydesignsinc at PaperieBoutique.com / @paperieboutique

4. Post about Sassy Designs die-cut cards on Facebook (and tell us where you did it)

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 Monday, October 25th. 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.

UPDATE: The winner has been announced here – check it out!

Good luck, and thanks to Sassy Designs for another HUGE giveaway here at Paperie!




And because it’s Friday, I have a special treat for everyone out there – another giveaway!

This time Stacy Murphy of The Girlie Girl Bowtique is back and is offering up one of her famous feather bands to a lucky Paperie reader!

The entire couture headband line makes wonderful photo session props and the feather bands come in all sizes.

To help keep today’s two giveaways separate, please pay close attention.

To enter the Girlie Girl Bowtique contest you will comment on their previous feature here.

There’s three chances to win! (But read fine print – do not enter on THIS POST!)

1. “Like” The Girlie Girl Bowtique on Facebook (or let us know you have already)

2. Post the following on Twitter (and tell us where you did it):
I need a couture feather headband prop from Girlie Girl Bowtique / girliebowtique.etsy.com – win at PaperieBoutique.com / @paperieboutique

3. Post about The Girlie Girl Bowtique on Facebook (and tell us where you did it)

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

Comment(s) must be posted on this entry by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, October 25th. You can enter up to three times total. Post that you have “liked” the Facebook fan page, 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 three total times – one entry each for the three options listed above.

You have three 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 – entries for this contest will begin at comment #28. 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.

UPDATE: The winner has been announced here – check it out!

Thanks to The Girlie Girl Bowtique for stopping by again with such an adorable prize, and good luck to everyone in BOTH of today’s contests!

Plus – don’t forget the HB Photo Packaging contest runs through midnight Friday!

Have a great weekend!
-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.

We’re very lucky to have Andrea Halsey of The Designer Concept back again today for another guest / vendor post! She’s sharing new designs for Luxe Card line by Miller’s.

The 5×5 and 5×7 Luxe Card Templates are now available for all your flat, folded, and die-cut holiday cards! But these cards are not exclusive to the holidays and can also be used for custom birth announcements, graduation announcements, and more! This is probably the most versatile template set there is.

★★ There is a secret discount code hidden somewhere on the page and it expires on Friday, October 22nd at midnight. ★★

As with all templates from The Designer Concept they are extremely easy to manipulate to create completely unique designs every time. Two different photographers can have this same template but produce products completely different and unique to their style and branding. You may never need another card template again!

So how does this work in real-time with your clients? Simply show them one or two of these template designs as an example and they will have a general idea of how their cards will turn out. Then they choose their favorite photo from the session and their desired text (available as a printout). Now, you have the creative freedom to produce a design that compliments the colors of their photo. Thus, giving them a completely customized experience and yet in turn it streamlines your holiday card design and sales. No more going back and forth, and back and forth with design proofs!

Now these templates are just a bit sweeter with the ability to print on Miller’s new Luxe Cards! Die-cut shaped cards are the NEW thing this year that will have your clients picking up their jaw from the floor. Show them one with a nice little bow as a converted ornament and they will want to snag it right out of your hands!

Thanks for checking these out and don’t forget to hunt down that discount code before it expires!

And I’m happy to announce the two winners of the Ear Candy Digital contest – Creative Clicks Photography and Vicki Knights Photography!

Congratulations to the two winners, thanks to Ear Candy Digital for the amazing giveaway, and thanks to each of you who entered!




Stay tuned this week… More great giveaways on tap!
-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.

Been a crazy week here so today’s post is jam-packed to make up for it!

Read all the way through for a great freebie download, and a fun vendor guest post / giveaway at the end!

But first up is the 2011 PPA Hot One Awards. They’re now taking nominations for products that offer services to pro photographers, so read up…and then head on over to participate… Deadline is November 1st!

There’s an awesome new free template giveaway from Photo Card Boutique – Miller’s Luxe Template Sample Frames.

I have created a set of Millers Luxe frames for you to show your clients the final “look” of the card. Simply copy and paste your flattened sample onto the template and resize to fit! This download includes all 6 of the die cut card frames from Millers.

UPDATE: “Thank you Robyn for featuring my free Miller’s Luxe template samples. Any of your readers can use coupon code paperie-boutique for 25% off other items until October 17th!”

And Wild Hearts Photography is back with a new product and a contest to win it!

The newly released Print & Blog Templates {Rounded Basics} are fun, hip and modern! Just the {Basics} set, they include 10 high-resolution storyboard layouts for printing and 10 web-sized replicas for blogging. Just clip your images into the layers, flatten and save-easy as pie! For web use, I always add my logo and sharpen for web. These templates are flexible and can be rotated, resized and backgrounds changed to maximize your options.

These are priced at the special introductory rate of $15.00 for this week only! And, if you head over to my Facebook page you can pick up a coupon code for an additional discount! I would love to have you become a fan while you are there!

Another template set is currently in the works-watch for {Funky Basics} to be released soon!

How do you win? It’s easy and you have four chances!

1. “Like” wildheartsphotography on Facebook (or let us know you have already)

2. Follow @WildHeartsPhoto on Twitter (or let us know you have already)

3. Post the following on Twitter (and tell us where you did it):
Win Print & Blog Templates {Rounded Basics} set from WildHeartsPhotography.com/ @WildHeartsPhoto at PaperieBoutique.com / @paperieboutique

4. Post about Print & Blog Templates {Rounded Basics} on Facebook (and tell us where you did it)

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 Friday, October 15th. 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.

UPDATE: The winner has been posted here – check it out!

Good luck, and thanks to Wild Hearts Photography for another great template set giveaway!

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.

We’re lucky to have Sherri Sanchez of Beyond Red and Green back again for another guest / vendor post with a special giveaway!

Hi everyone! My name is Sherri Sanchez, and I’m the designer behind Beyond Red and Green! Photography is my first love, but I have always enjoyed creating in many different ways. Five years ago when I was looking at templates for my photography business, I found that there really wasn’t much out there that suited my tastes. I didn’t like the traditional bright red and green colors and styles that I saw. I wanted something “beyond” all that so to speak, and decided to put something out there that I felt other photographers might appreciate as well. I love the simple and understated. Crisp and beautiful elements. Pretty colors and vintage touches. I feel that my design work expresses a little of each of those things, and I hope that you do too!

Beyond Red and Green offers a completely new set of Christmas templates each year. (One thing I’ve always offered on my Christmas templates is the ability to order them individually.) But I have also found a way to express my love of newborns with my beautiful baby announcement collections. I try to make each set with care and attention to detail…only creating something that I would be willing to send out for my own baby.

All of my templates come in complete layers, so that each element you see can be moved around to your liking. Colors can be changed, and image boxes can be duplicated, moved or deleted to meet your client’s needs. Text can be deleted if needed as well. Each template is sized for WHCC’s specifications, and come in psd format.

And just for Paperie readers I would like to give away two sets of my Autumn Love set.

“Each style in this autumn set comes with a front and back template for a flat 5×7 card, as well as a front, back and inside spread template for a folded 4×5.5 card.”

How do you win? It’s simple! You have four chances to win!

1. “Like” Beyond Red and Green on Facebook

2. Follow @bragtemplates on Twitter

3. Post the following on Twitter:
Win an “Autumn Love set” from beyondredandgreen.blogspot.com / @bragtemplates at PaperieBoutique.com / @paperieboutique / http://is.gd/fLZoL

4. Post about the “Autumn Love set” on Facebook

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, October 7th. 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.

UPDATE: The winners have been posted here – check it out!

Good luck, and thanks for dropping by again Beyond Red and Green!

“The Album Cafe will be donating 100% of sales from album template purchases on our site today (Tuesday, 10.05.10) to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer.

We are also trying to support an amazing photographer who is doing a huge auction this month raising money for breast cancer, Lydia Shannon. You can see her site “F/Stop Breast Cancer” here.” (And read more about F/Stop Breast Cancer in yesterday’s Paperie entry.)

Would you like to help spread the word?

Sample Facebook post:
Please help spread the word! The Album Cafe will be donating 100% of album template sales made Tuesday, October 5th to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer. Get some awesome templates and help fight breast cancer! http://www.thealbumcafe.com

Sample Tweet:
Spread the word! Tue, 10/05 Only: The Album Cafe is donating 100% of album template sales to help fight breast cancer. http://tiny.cc/2nuzj

And last but not least, I want to give another shout-out to PhotogFreebies.com. Their site is taking off like wildfire, and for very good reason!

Photog Freebies is the hottest place on the web to find free products and downloads for photographers! We also offer giveaways and partner with photography vendors to offer exclusive free products for our readers!

You can see their Paperie Boutique freebie links here – prepare to have fun and be amazed!

P.S. Don’t forget we have a Design Aglow holiday ornament card giveaway going on as well!

One more big thank you to Kotori Photo Jewelry for their recent giveaway! They’re offering a special offer to all Paperie readers to say thanks right back – $10 off the purchase of a studio package with the code PAPERIE through Friday, September 24th at midnight.

And now I have a guest / vendor post for you from Angie of Photo Card Boutique. Keep reading for the special giveaway!

Howdy Paperie Boutique Readers! I am so excited to introduce myself to you and can’t express my gratitude to Robyn enough. My name is Angie Sandy and I am the designer behind Photo Card Boutique. Mother of 3, lover of coffee, wanna be photog and all around computer nerd. My goal is to bring unique card templates to the market with a fresh style. I love adorable illustrations, rich textures and fun color combinations.

I am just over the top excited to give 3 lucky readers a $50 gift card to Photo Card Boutique and it’s easy to win! (See below.)

But that isn’t all! I am also including a 30% off coupon good until September 26, 2010. Simply enter paperie-boutique at checkout and the discount will be applied to your purchase (excluding gift cards).

So how do you win? You have four chances!

1. “Like” Photo Card Boutique on Facebook

2. Follow @PhotogBoutique on Twitter

3. Post the following on Twitter:
Win one of three $50 gift cards to Photo Card Boutique / photocardboutique.com / @PhotogBoutique from @paperieboutique – http://is.gd/fko7i

4. Post about Photo Card Boutique and this giveaway just once on any of the following – public-access Facebook account, public-access blog, public-access forum, or public-access Flickr account

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 Wednesday, September 22nd. 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 post the link to your Facebook, blog, forum, or Flickr posts – 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 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize.

Good luck and thanks to Photo Card Boutique for kicking the week off with a bang!

P.S. NEW! Please follow our brand new Twitter and Facebook accounts!

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.