get it together

Today’s guest post is designed to help you “get it together”. Take it away, Millie!

In the Get It Together Kit, I share the systems, workflow and strategies I used to grow my business from a one-photographer studio that had me feeling constantly overwhelmed to a seven-person studio that has enjoyed exponential growth.

The kit is divided into six main sections (which follow an introduction). They are:

Brain Dump: In this section, I share my methods for clearing my mind, setting goals for the business, creating effective to do lists, and finding ways to accomplish those important goals that aren’t urgent, but are extremely important for growing a business.

Love Your Systems: Here, I give detailed examples of the day-to-day systems I’ve created to run my studio. I cover everything from office organization to tracking workflow to storing archived discs for clients.

Email (I Hate You): I get a few hundred emails per day. At one point, it seemed that email was controlling my life. I found a way to win the battle against my overflowing inbox, and I’ll tell you how. There are examples of how to automate your email, specifics on how to organize folders and subfolders in your email management system, and dozens of tips and ideas that will save you time!

Leadtracker: In this section, I cover my methods for tracking and converting leads. I discuss specifics on everything from the questions we ask future brides to the way we keep in touch with prospects to how we set reasonable expectations with a client once a contract has been signed. Even better, I’ll show you how we continue the sales process after the wedding and boost sales and referrals from our vendors.

Flowstand: What’s a flowstand? One of my proudest inventions. It’s an efficient fool-proof way to organize contracts, travel arrangements, payments, wedding details and more. I show you exactly how I created this system (there are even x-rays of my folders!) so that you can create your own.

Break it Down: This chapter takes you through my workflow step-by-step. I’ll explain the editing and production system we use to edit so many weddings at one time. The process is completely scaleable—it worked when I booked 15 weddings per year and it still works with a studio that handles 90+ weddings. We cover backing up files, rating files, editing, using actions, blogging, designing albums, and assigning tasks to team members to create a workflow chain.

But Wait, There’s More: Throughout the kit, I also share extra tips, resources, discount codes for my favorite tools and equipment, and worksheets that will assist you in starting to….Get It Together.

The Disc: In addition to our 100-page book, you’ll also receive a disc that includes the exact wording we use for simple client communications, the expectations sheet we send to brides, and a 90 Day plan to get you started on goal-setting for your own business.

If you think when you purchase the kit that you’ll just get a 100 page book then think again! The Get It Together Kit Disc has everyone raving about the kit even further. Some have said the information provided on this Disc is worth the price of the kit alone (as if there was not enough in the book itself). Take a peek at what you’ll find on the disc!

I’ve set up a discount code for $20 off the Get It Together Kit (the code is “paperie“). The code is good until July 16th, 2010.

But one lucky reader at Paperie can win the Get It Together Kit! Here’s how to win:

First, follow Get It Together Kit on Twitter.

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

Get it together now→win “Get It Together Kit” from @GITKIT / getittogetherkit.com 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 Friday, July 2nd.

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 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 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 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!

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




And don’t miss our latest offering…

For years, we could not find an attractive dry erase board for the studio. Being a visual person, I work best when I can see everything laid out in grids or patterns. I wanted to see EVERY single client’s job in process at a glance. It was important to me to be able to know when every wedding was shot and where each one was in our workflow process. I also wanted to know just how much work we had left to do.

Ready-made dry erase boards available at office supply stores didn’t serve my needs and looked too institutional. I even tried customizing them: I purchased black tape and made my own grid lines, but the final product was an eyesore in my otherwise cute studio. Because I didn’t like it, I didn’t want to use it. Enter the “Flowboard“. We provide you with a downloadable PSD (Photoshop) file complete with a video link once purchased to walk you through making the Flowboard for yourself for just $75. This will allow you to create multiple copies of the board, print them as large as you would like and frame them however you wish. The options are limitless since you are in control of the finished product.

Thanks so much to Millie Holloman and the Get It Together Kit for such an amazing promo and contest!

Don’t forget HB Packaging is taking photo box color suggestions in yesterday’s post comments! This is your chance to talk them into boxes and accessories that will match your branding and color scheme!

And check out the new MOOsLETTER—my candy button bags are featured!

If you purchase MiniCards through Sunday you will get free shipping on your order with code A2MEEH.

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.

the monster mash(up)

Normally I don’t post on the weekends because I’m shooting, but this past week has been anything but normal. And since I finally have a weekend off and a mountain of stuff to catch up on post-flu, today is a Paperie Mashup of photos, guest posts, and fabulous prizes. (Make sure you read ’til the end for the chance to win a little summin’-summin’!)

After 2½ months of non-stop, back-to-back shooting (including 6 babies born 4-6 weeks ahead of schedule), I finally have a few weekends free thanks to the early births to try and catch up on life (and work, and more work, and even more work) again. I’m surprised some of my clients haven’t started chasing me through town with pitchforks and torches. But before I could unclutter my to-do list, I had to get some sense of order back in my office. And I finally got the 33-year old portrait of me and my mom restored and up on the wall, so for the first time, the room looks as complete as I always envisioned it in my mind.

You can see more of my office / wrapping station over at Flickr in the post and in the comments.

This portrait of me and my mom (including the frame) hung above the wrapping station in my grandmother’s (maternity / infant / toddler / child) clothing store from the 70s to the late 80s. Now it has been restored and hangs above mine.

My red and Tiffany suitcases are no longer sold, but try Land of Nod for ones very similar.

A quick peek at my closet storage system. I also have 1-car of our 3-car garage. Will work for props!

And if you didn’t get quite enough office pics from me, here’s one more from Heather of Stylized Portraiture in Athens, GA.

“In our studio we have a sliding door with about 2-inches of wall clearance. It hides the door when we’re gone or during appointments and slides open when we’re open to the public. We needed a wall to show various print sizes and decided to put it behind that door. With only 2 inches of clearance, we couldn’t use frames. Originally, we were going to use vinyl stickers that looked like frames, but the least expensive place that we found ended up costing almost $300 for all of them – an amount we just weren’t prepared to spend. So, we bought designer thumbtacks at Hobby Lobby and used those instead! They’re paper over wood, but designer pushpins come in all kinds of materials, even glass! Just check on Etsy or your local stores.”

Recently Paperie had a Design Aglow “Studio Look Book” giveaway sponsored by one of our readers Tosha Francis of The Captured Life Photography in Washington D.C.

Tosha just finished her own “Wedding Look Book” (featured last week on the Design Aglow blog) and welcome packet (using vendors and resources seen here). It all turned out PERFECT – check it out!

Congrats Tosha and thanks for sharing – your clients are going to be blown away!

I didn’t forget my promise of “fabulous prizes” – here’s the latest giveaway – the “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” packaging collection courtesy of Paperie Boutique & HB Photo Packaging.

The “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” packaging collection includes:

• two 5×7½”-deep Wedding White / Paragon Brown photo boxes from
  HB Photo Packaging (a photo box look styled by Paperie – Wedding
  White box tops which are a gorgeous pearl-white and pale silver
  stripe pattern, and Paragon Brown box bases) — each box has a
  brown Tissue Fold and brown Stretch Ribbon Loop included
• two 8×10½”-deep Wedding White / Paragon Brown photo boxes
  from HB Photo Packaging — each box has a brown Tissue Fold
  and brown Stretch Ribbon Loop included
• two 6×4×2½”-deep Wedding White / Paragon Brown 250 Proof
  boxes from HB Photo Packaging
• four 3×4″ Clean Edge Card “Style H” Tags in Aqua from
  Envelopperinc.com
• two mini-frame + brad photo-charm packaging embellishments
  (as seen on my own packaging here)
• two rolls of “Aqua Essentials” (88146 & 88148) Elements 3/8″
  ribbon by American Crafts
• four aqua, white and brown thank you cards with white envelopes
• four 1.5″ round sticker seals in Pool from Paper Source
• one HB Photo Packaging “Professional Photography Presentation
  Packaging” guide (shown here)

Want it? Go to your blog, Facebook account, Flickr account, or Twitter account and post the following:

I want Breakfast at Tiffany’s packaging set by HB Photo Packaging / h-bphoto.com & @shutterblog ’s Paperie Boutique / 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 Tuesday, April 20th.

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.

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!

And check back often this week – more great posts are already on the schedule!

UPDATE: The winner Rachel Allison has been announced! Thank you to everyone who participated!

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.

wrapper’s delight

First things first… We are ELEVEN comments away from our 1000th published comment! So to say thanks, the 1000th commenter will win the following prize – two 2¾ x 4″ wallet albums (one black, one pink) with peel-and-stick pages.

UPDATE: We have our 1000th comment by raphotographs – thanks so much!

Today’s big giveaway is an “Apples to Oranges Packaging Set” courtesy of Paperie Boutique & HB Photo Packaging. Read on to see what’s included and details how to win!

The “Apples to Oranges Packaging Set” includes:

• one 5×7 1/2″-deep Kraft photo box from HB Photo Packaging
• one 5×7 1/2″-deep Red Ribbed photo box from HB Photo Packaging
• one 5×7 1/2″-deep Copper/Paragon photo box from HB Photo Packaging
• one 5×7 stretch ribbon loop in gold from HB Photo Packaging
• one Event Proof Box in Vanilla Rosebud from HB Photo Packaging
• one medium Earth Friendly Eco-Tote in Kraft from HB Photo Packaging
• 1.5-yards of Martha Stewart Crafts decorative ribbon tape
• one 1-foot acid free ribbon roll in multi-dot
• one Paper Source letterpress orange and red “thank you” note with kraft envelope
• one “To / From” gift tag
• one sheet (six total) metal-ringed circle greeting-tags
• one HB Photo Packaging “Professional Photography Presentation Packaging” guide

To win, it’s simple! Go to your blog, Facebook account, Flickr account, or Twitter account and post the following:

Win an “Apples to Oranges Packaging Set” from Paperie Boutique & HB Photo Packaging / h-bphoto.com – visit paperieboutique.com for more!

Please note: The link you post must direct to a public account. I cannot verify links on private, friends & family only, or passworded accounts and they will not be eligible to win this promotion.

You can enter up to four times total – one entry each per public, non-private blog URL / Facebook / Flickr / Twitter account. Post the URL to your link(s) in the comments for THIS ENTRY. Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 a.m. EST on Wednesday, March 31st.

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!

UPDATE: The winner was announced on Thursday and it’s Marcia Todd / mtoddphoto! Congrats to Marcia, thanks to everyone who participated, and stay tuned – more goodies on the way!

Thank you for reading, and please make sure you check out our new sponsors in the sidebar!

If you’re interested in having your own business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment).

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

Small wonders

Make sure you read ’til the end because there is another AMAZING (yes, AMAZING) give-away!

But since I’m a firm believer in “dessert first, main course later…” here’s another great packaging feature. Today’s guest post is by Carrie Small of Carrie Small Photography in Fayetteville, NC. You might remember that Carrie was featured here last August. She recently updated her packaging and it’s visual proof that lightning can strike the same place twice!

Appointment Reminder – sent out to clients after they send in their deposit to hold a session. The template came from Pink Ink Studios and is printed at my print shop as a folded bookmark.

Avery Notebook – holds my signed model releases, frames examples, and receipts. Purchased from avery.com [Note from Robyn: for more information about, and photos of, the Avery organizers see this previous Paperie entry]

“Flair for your Fridge” – used to seal the ribbons on my presentation boxes for my clients, I purchased them from somethingbluestudios.com. They are really magnets.

Copyright and Print Release – printed front and back press printed 5×7 card from my print shop. I add one to each presentation box. I purchased the template/wording from thepolishedphotographer.com.

High Resolution CD/Case – CDs are printed from CPQ, enclosed in a trifold 5×5 card from my print shop. The template/wording was purchased from thepolishedphotographer.com and includes copyright info, a signed print release, and printing recommendations. The CD hub was purchased at shop4tech.com.

Low Resolution CD/Case – I print the label for these CDs myself, and they are included free of purchased files. They are added to the presentation box with the clients images. Included is a the copyright information and terms of use for the photos. The CD hub was purchased at shop4tech.com.

Client Info Packet – includes a 5×5 Trifold Contract, Model Release and Price List (printed as a sell sheet from MpixPro) and 2 business cards, enclosed in a presentation envelope purchased from Paper Source.

Referral Packet – added to each client order. Includes a 5×5 flat press printed card containing my referral information. I print wallets of each order with my website information and referall information on the back of the wallets, and include them tied in a ribbon to the referral packet. They are then enclosed in a petal envelope from paper-source.com and sealed with custom stickers from Moo.com (not pictured).

Presentation Boxes – I purchase my boxes from Rice Studio Supply and enclose all prints in clear bags from clearbags.com. The box is then wrapped with a ribbon matching my branding and sealed with a flair for your fridge magnet from somethingbluestudios.com.

Calendar – printed from CPQ, I use this as my calendar for scheduling.

Thank You Card – this is a 5×5 print that I print after editing a favorite photo from the session – I try to do this the day after the session. It includes a thank you to the client as well as information on viewing the gallery when it is ready. I mail this in a 5×5 envelope from paper-source.com.

Thank you so much for coming back to share a follow-up, Carrie! Your work, and your packaging, are nothing short of perfection. You can catch Carrie to say thanks at her blog here.

Still with me? Good! Because here’s the amazing give-away coming up for one lucky reader!

Recently I was contacted by a regular reader, Tosha Francis, of The Captured Life Photography. This site has been a tremendous help to Tosha and her business and she wanted to “pay it forward”. So she is donating the “Studio Look Book – Basic” from Design Aglow ($175.00 value). I already have the download information. All you have to do is win it!

“Professionally written and graphically designed, our fully customizable template is divided into categories to help sell all your fabulous studio offerings, from everything from albums to wall galleries, specialty items, high resolution negatives and more. Our 30 page, 8×12 catalog template makes selling every single product your studio offers an easy and beautiful experience…simply insert your own product photo into our layouts.”

So exactly how do you win? That might be helpful information, no? Go to your blog, Facebook account, Flickr account, or Twitter account and post the following:

Win the @designaglow / designaglow.com Studio Look Book – visit Paperie Boutique / paperieboutique.com by @shutterblog to find out how!

Please note: The link you post must direct to a public account. I cannot verify links on private, friends & family only, or passworded accounts and they will not be eligible to win this item.

You can enter up to four times total – one entry each per public, non-private blog URL / Facebook / Flickr / Twitter account. Post the URL to your link(s) in the comments for THIS ENTRY. Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Friday, March 26th.

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!

Don’t forget to tell Tosha “thank you” over at her blog, too! I ♥ my readers!

UPDATE: We have a winner! It’s Belinda Olsen Photography!

Congratulations Belinda and thanks to everyone who entered. More giveaways are in the works (including this current one by Photoflashdrive.com that runs through Sunday evening) – so check back!

And just a little FYI, you might want to make sure you check back in Friday. That’s all I’m sayin’ for now!

Last but not least… If you noticed things were a little wonky here earlier in the week, my amazing host (Hosting Matters) has been taking great care of us. They put Paperie over in its own space away from my other business and personal sites to make it even bigger / better / faster. I’ve been with Hosting Matters since 2001 and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. If you need a web host, check them out! You can get quite a deal if you say you’re from Paperie Boutique!

If you’re interested in having your own business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment).

I want candy

Did you happen to catch the Moo blog last Friday? If so, you might have spotted someone you recognize!

There are more details in the blog entry, but recently I was asked to contribute to two workshop “swag bags”. This past Friday our home was turned into a make-shift assembly line of spouse plus sorority girls making sure everything got assembled and mailed out in time!

For one workshop, I had Moo MiniCards printed to top little bags of candy buttons, and also included 4×6″ Paperie Boutique promo postcards from GotPrint.

I bought the candy buttons after seeing a blog entry at Bake it Pretty. (In addition to the idea of bagged candy, they also provide free download templates for print which I later modified for my own use.) Shortly after buying the candy buttons, I received a sample candy bag from “the designer concept” (recently featured here on Paperie) and instantly knew how I wanted to package my own.

I’m extremely happy with how they turned out, but I wouldn’t expect any less from Moo!

For the other workshop, I used ProDPI for the printing.

In included 4.5×5″ Paperie Boutique postcards using their “press promo packs“, heart-punched a hole in the top corner, and attached mini toy cameras (with working shutter button and viewfinder). I also used two separate designs / sets of their “press tent cards“. One was the button candy bag topper – with two surprise photography-related quotes inside. The other was a business / promo card with my photography business card on the outside, and a mini-promo for Paperie Boutique on the inside. Everything was printed on their incredible, thick smooth matte paper.

If you’re interested in making candy bags of your own (they would be perfect to tuck in client orders!) check out the “Confections of a Secret Admirer” sets over at theDesignerConcept.com.

Recently I was also asked to test out the new ProDPI accordion booklets. I modified a new 2010 Pinkle Toes 4 Photographers (recently featured here on Paperie) CD / photo box design into an accordion template.

I ordered the Silk Upgrade Sapphire and Sea Green covers, and the Chrome Upgrade Platinum cover. I think Sea Green is my favorite although I keep changing my mind. It’s definitely the closest to my business colors. (You can view the second accordion photo larger here.) My favorite part about these accordions? They offer something no one else does – ProDPI’s smooth matte paper. In my opinion, it simply cannot be beat. These little books are going to make clients very happy!

Stay tuned this week…more great giveaways planned!

UPDATE: I found my candy at The Rosemary Company. Check them out for themed-candies and client gift-goodies – they even have eco-friendly products!

If you’re interested in having your own business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment).

what happens in Vegas

Yet another guest post from WPPI in Las Vegas last week. I love getting all the different perspectives. So many neat things to look at, and it seems something different caught each attendee’s eye. This next amazing summary is provided by Lydia Shannon. I’ll let her take it from here…

(The photos submitted with this entry are so good, I didn’t want you to miss any detail. So each one can be clicked on for a larger pop-up!)

Wow! If you didn’t go to WPPI this year, you CANNOT miss out next year. Start saving up, it is so worth it. I’m going to give you a rundown of some of my favorite items at the tradeshow. Make sure you check my blog for some fun photos from WPPI.

In no particular order…

Planetjill Jewelry
What a great investment for your business. For only $20, you can be a wholesale retailer, and they give you a sample, brochures, and a jewelry holder. It is super chic that they use only B&W images! Love it. Also, I met Jill, the owner and designer, and she is wonderful too! Make sure you tell them Lydia Shannon sent you!

MPixPro
Of course, I had heard of them before, but after looking at their products I was much more impressed. I especially loved this larger accordion book.

Oh and I loved the fact that their new mini accordion albums have magnets to close them up tight and you can buy just one if you want!

WHCC
I’ve always been a big fan of White House. This year I was especially impressed with their new Stainless Steel Standouts. It gives their old standouts a super modern, high end feel. Love it!

ProPhotoBlogs
I don’t have a picture to go with it. But I have to tell you how much I LOVE mine. I bought it last year at WPPI and I couldn’t be happier. Best, easiest way to blog, EVER! You can use my promo code for $10 off, LYDSHA432. I think there was a WPPI code floating around, but I don’t know it.

Kelly Moore Bag
It is even more beautiful in person then it looks online!

Canvas on Demand Pro
This is just such a brilliant idea! What a modern twist on a traditional signature frame.

H-B Packaging
These custom boxes are prefect for branding. You can either get your logo put on them or you can create a huge statement by custom designing your entire box.

Michael Chinn
I was in love with these exquisite folios the second I saw them. They are so classy looking. Also, there albums and DVD folios are beautiful too.

Pixel2Canvas
I know they have been featured on here before, but I have to tell you, Roxanne {the owner and creative director} is absolutely one of the sweetest and most enthusiastic people you will meet! They just came out with the most beautiful new product, ChromaLuxe Storyboards. AMAZING. Not only are they fabulous, but the price cannot be beat. I will be ordering a bunch of these.

Snaptotes
When I was going in to a class, I saw the coolest purse ever, and it happened to be Roxanne’s from Pixel2Canvas. Roxanne is teaming up with Snaptotes and creating incredible designs to go on their purses. Here’s the one that caught my eye on my way into class.

This is her personal purse, with an adorable picture of her son. I can’t wait for my clients to be carrying around amazing purse with wonderful designs.

Well there you have it, my favorite items! WPPI was absolutely amazing and I encourage everyone to go next year! I will be speaking at a tradeshow booth, I’m just not sure which one yet! hehe

Thanks! Lydia

Thank you so much for the amazing recap, Lydia! For more on her trip to Vegas, go here.

All of the 2010 WPPI Vegas recaps on Paperie Boutique can be found here.

Contest winners in the Photographer Cafe promotion and Hello Kitty Photographer window decal will be announced shortly on Thursday morning so stay tuned! I’m about to fall face-first into my keyboard so I’ll be on it first-thing when we’re up and around in the AM – promise.

If you’re interested in sending reviews / photos of WPPI 2010, or in having your own business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment).

leaving Las Vegas

Very excited to bring you the first of multiple features by “roving reporters” I asked to cover WPPI 2010 for those of us who could not attend. Give it up for Monica of Photoumbra Studios for providing today’s guest post!

This year’s trip to WPPI was really great. There seemed to be a resurgence of energy that perhaps our segment of the economy is recovering and on the rise. WPPI enrollment was up from last year and the vendors I spoke to said that big budget items were selling like hot cakes! As for myself, I was determined to be “good” this year and limit my spending. It was certainly hard to resist some of the awesome products that were at the trade show, and I did come home with a few things.

If you have ever been to WPPI, you know that the trade show is fun and stock full of companies, products, and people. I only had 3 hours to cover the entire trade show between classes, so I’m sure I didn’t catch everything, but here are some of the companies and products that caught my eye this year both new and old. And since Paperie Boutique is my favorite blog, I will share all of the awesome WPPI discount codes with you. Just visit my blog for a list of the companies and promo codes. Please be aware that most of the codes will expire very soon!

(View above collage larger.) Here are a few of my favorite things!

Priscilla Foster Handmade Books – These books were gorgeous. Covers are made from fine silks, bound with ribbons, and the papers inside were not only fun to touch, they are all archival. In these days where there are a thousand album companies, it was nice to see one that incorporated truly fine materials and craftsmanship.

Freedom Cloth – For all you studio shooters, these guys have some really great backdrops. The coolest thing about their backdrops is that they are wrinkle free, machine washable and BIG! While there is a lot of cheesy stuff on their site, I really like their Retro sets.

After Dark Education – After Dark Education gives you access to 35 top mentors where you will learn directly from your chosen mentor in various settings with hands-on-activities. Looks like they visit many major cities throughout the year and offer some great learning experiences.

Eternal Albums – These luxury albums caught my eye because of their unique cases that not only protected the albums but actually interacted with them as an artistic element. The Sensualle album was my favorite {pictured above}. If you are looking for some new albums and especially some new ways of uniquely presenting them, make sure you check them out. They offer 50% off studio samples, and I have a promo code on my blog for 60% through April.

Jamie Schultz Designs – Jamie was at the Mpix booth displaying her great designs on some of Mpix’s amazing products. I have code for $10 off a $50 purchase from her on my blog.

Triple Scoop Music – While these guys have been around for quite a while, I thought I’d include them on the list because they do offer a a great way to obtain legal music for your websites and projects. They have thousands of songs to choose from that will match your branding or project perfectly. I have a code at my blog for 10% off.

Color Inc. Digital Pro Lab (recently featured here on Paperie Boutique) – I use Color Inc. for a few of my printing needs and I was excited about a few new products that they are offering. The first that caught my eye was their spiral-bound books. While these are not new in themselves, I loved their rounded corners.

Color Inc. is also offering some new boutique packaging services that might be a nice start for someone who can’t quite afford to purchase all these sizes and colors in bulk.

Drop it Modern – You’ve got to love the backdrops from this company. Equally as impressive is their marketing and branding. Very eye catching and inspirational. If you’ve been waiting for a good time to purchase your favorite backdrop, see my blog for a coupon code good through this month.

Photographer Cafe – The Photographer Cafe offers templates, design elements, and even some business and marketing materials. Their blog also provides some great inspiration. Save 10% off your entire order with the wppi coupon code.

DNL Photo Packaging – I love DNL for their beautiful packaging. They offer bags, boxes, cd/dvd packaging, albums, folders, and folios. I have a killer coupon code that can be used on any of their products through the end of the month.

Kelly Moore Bags – This was Kelly Moore Bags first year at WPPI and I hope she had great success. These bags are cute and you’d never guess they were meant for photographers. They are even coming out with a men’s version soon which my husband is actually excited about since his bag strap is currently being held together by duct tape.

Sarah Petty’s The Joy of Marketing (recently featured here on Paperie Boutique) – If you haven’t heard of Sarah Petty, then you really need to get out more. While her Joy of Marketing program is not new, it is neat and I thought I’d mention it on this post because she has a few free things on her site you can enjoy. Also, if you are interested in joining Cafe Joy, you should do so before the end of this month when monthly membership dues will go from $35 to $59. I have a coupon code to get you the rate of $35. Also, if you like free, I know I do, visit HERE to download a free ebook on “The Boutique Experience” and for other goodies!

Barbour Backdrops – I know, I know, another backdrop company. But this one is really different. Their backdrops were of amazing quality and I loved the real texture on them. They also offer nice floor moulding options as well of some classy props. You’ve got to check them out if you haven’t heard of them.

Jolie Wraps – This company is right up Paperie Boutique’s alley! Talk about amazing packaging products and ideas. They offer beautifully designed print and album boxes, some great cloth wraps to house your artwork such as canvases, standouts, and albums. Their slide-out proof boxes are very impressive and they can customize anything for you! I also have a coupon code to save you 10% off your first order.

Moo (frequently featured here on Paperie Boutique) – Well I can’t leave Moo out of my list of favorite things. Moo’s booth was really cute and showed off some of their great products! I picked up a coupon for all Paperie Boutique readers that will get you a free pack of 50 business cards! Just visit my blog for the coupon code.

[Note from Robyn: Check out Shutterbug Portrait's Blog for the "WPPI 2010 Update". You can see yours-truly featured on the Moo booth backdrop!]

I want to thank Paperie Boutique for letting me cover the trade show for the readers. If you’d like to stay connected to my studio for upcoming products for photographers please join the UmbraClique here. You can also become a fan on Facebook and check out my website!

Monica Burby
Photoumbra Studios

Thank you so much for taking the time to share these reviews (and coupon codes), Monica! I know everyone really appreciates it!

Paperie Boutique is featured today on the “France Photography Blog” by Francypants Academy. There’s a special “Easter Egg” freebie if you hunt for it!

Don’t forget there’s just under 2½ hours left to enter the “Pink Boutique Packaging Set” from Paperie Boutique and HB Photo Packaging. Go here to enter!

If you’re interested in sending reviews / photos of WPPI 2010, or in having your own business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment).