Have a BOO-tiful day!

Happy Halloween! Today we have a treat instead of a trick for you – a giveaway and vendor/guest post by one of our new multi-advertisers Rice Studio Supply!

While traveling in India, Scott Rice visited a village where the art of paper making has been practiced since 1590. Handmade paper is crafted from 100% recycled cotton fiber. The stock is acid free, archival quality, and simply beautiful. Scott knew this was the answer to your requests for stylish photo packaging that is safe for photos and safe for the environment.

The Artisan Portrait Case is an eco-friendly presentation package with natural deckle edges. The paper is handmade one sheet at a time, using natural products, so no two deckle edges are identical. The deep cocoa color is available in 5×7, 8×10, 8×12, 11×14, and 16×20 sizes. Rice Studio Supply will sell these handmade products from eco-friendly paper at the same cost as mass produced wood pulp papers.

For one week from the date of this post, Paperie readers can order the new Artisan Portrait Case at the 500-quantity price, regardless of how many you order (that’s a 30% discount off the each price). Shipment will begin the first week of November.

“We can’t brag enough about how wonderfully your product presents our photography! Our clients comment all the time about how beautiful our packaging is. Thank you so much for offering such an outstanding product and service.” -Leeann and Winnie Greer, Lexington, KY

And now one lucky Paperie reader will win a 12×12 album box stuffed with ECO CHIC goodies, value $120.00! Here’s how to enter:

1. Like Rice Studio Supply on Facebook and come back here and let us know (or tell us you’re already a fan)

2) Post on your Facebook account what your favorite product is from Rice Studio Supply (then come back here and tell us where you did it)

3. Post the following to Facebook or Twitter (then come back here and tell us where you did it):

Win a 12×12 album box STUFFED with Handmade Packaging goodies from RSS ( http://ricestudiosupplies.com ) at @PaperieBoutique – http://is.gd/nWIMrf

4. Leave a note in the comments here saying what Rice Studio Supply product is your favorite

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

Comment that you have liked their Facebook account(s), or already follow them – and / or posted your favorite product to Facebook – and / or posted to your Facebook or Twitter accounts about the giveaway – and / or list your favorite product in the comments here (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.

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, November 2nd. You can enter up to FIVE times total. Post that you have met the individual requirements in separate comments here to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to five times total – one entry each for all 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 FIVE 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 to everyone who enters!

And thanks to Rice Studio Supply for the wonderful giveaway!




Don’t forget we also have a contest going on right now to win the “Organic Bloom frames for the Photographer’s Wall Display Guides” set!

-Robyn & Todd

joyeux anniversaire – giveaway 5

Up for grabs now is a “prize pack” combo from two popular vendors – Flourish Emporium by Nichole Van and WHCC – one lucky Paperie Boutique reader will get both prizes!

Winner will receive a $125 gift card to Flourish and a free WHCC Image Box with custom cover! Image Box will be winner’s choice of size and paper type. WHCC Images Boxes are a great way to present and store proofs, photographic prints on black styrene, or a Press Printed Album! Image Box is a $42-$110 value depending on size and depth selected.

So how do you snag these great prizes for yourself? It’s easy!

1. Go to your Facebook and Twitter accounts and post the following on either or both (then tell us where you did):
Win the @WHCCpro / WHCC.com & shop.nicholev.com prize pack from @PaperieBoutique / PaperieBoutique.com – visit: http://PaperieBirthday.com

2. Like Flourish Emporium on Facebook.

3. Like WHCC on Facebook.

Each entry requires its own separate comment here. (In simple terms: If you want FOUR chances to win, you have to do the four things listed above, and then make four 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 one or both vendors 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 Friday, July 22nd. You can enter up to four times total. Post that you have met both requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to four times total – one entry each for both 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 48-72 hours of the winner-announcement to claim their prize.

Good luck!

Thanks to Flourish by Nichole Van and WHCC! And don’t forget Flourish Emporium is offering a 25% off coupon code to all Paperie readers this week! You can find that code, and several others from our vendors, continually updated this week here!




Don’t forget several of our merchants are offering discounts and coupon codes to all Paperie readers this week! Check and see if your favorite vendor is there!

Click over here and see what you missed. A special sale, and a teaser of the great giveaways ahead this week, were posted over the weekend!

There’s a limited-time offer for advertisers / vendors this week, too. Over half-off some ad rates for new advertisers. Check it out!




Check in often today! More fun is on the way…
-Robyn

P.S. Vendors, if you are interested in being a part of the birthday celebration, e-mail me at “robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com” ASAP!

a tip of the (party) hat…

Paperie Boutique started on July 18, 2009, with this simple little post:

“Welcome to the new Paperie Boutique blog. This is an expansion on my popular “Fit to Print” set on Flickr where I have shared 3 years worth of new products, marketing materials, packaging, and how-to assembly demos for professional photographers…”

I never dreamed that in just two short years we’d have crossed the 1-million visitors milestone and have over 10,000 comments. Nevermind that just under a year after launch that we’d be featured in Rangefinder Magazine and I’d start writing for Professional Photographer Magazine (eventually being promoted to technical, then contributing editor and also tapped to write for the “Web Exclusives” section of the website).

There are so many people who have made this all possible – and without them, there never would have been a Paperie Boutique. First and foremost my amazing husband Todd who buckled up in his computer chair and learned his job on the fly. For over a year he has been handling most of the backend of the website communications and advertising. I would never be able to get through the volume of e-mail we receive without him! Stacy for taking this blog design’s code out back, showing it who’s boss, and keeping things afloat over on the technical side. And Hosting Matters, our host of almost 10 years now, for supplying the bandwidth and dedicated server space that makes it possible for us to stay online.

I also need to thank our loyal vendors who have kept the site stocked with amazing content in addition to supplying countless prizes and giveaways. They not only keep you coming back, but wanting “more! more! more!” This has been a place to share, showcase, window-shop, and educate. And then last but certainly not least, our loyal readers who have patiently stood by during the health-hiccups I’ve had along the way, and always came back to help us plow forward. You have always been there to teach and inspire, to “pay it forward” to your fellow peers, and you make this all worth it every day / week / month / year.

We can’t wait to see what the next year has in store!

And many more…
-Robyn & Todd

P.S. More giveaways will be posted tonight. Keep refreshing the page!




We have another new advertiser we’re excited to welcome into the Paperie family: Handmade Paper Album Boxes by Leah Gibbons Photography.

Handmade Paper Album Boxes by Leah Gibbons Photography – Shop my brand NEW Album Boxes for photographers page! Here, you’ll find handmade paper boxes that are eco-friendly and gorgeous! All boxes are quality made, sturdy & archival safe (acid and lignin free). Offered in two very versatile colors, they have a gorgeous natural look, and are earth-friendly! They’re quite lovely all by themselves but are also very easy to “doll up” with ribbons and/or accessories to match your branding!

The boxes are made with all handmade and eco-friendly papers, recycled board and organic glues. They are strong, heavy weight and perfect for book & album packaging. I’ve been searching for high quality and eco friendly album packaging myself for quite some time and am so pleased to offer these to other photographers! Visit them at: leahgibbonsphotography.com/albumboxes/albumboxes.html

And check this post for a birthday discount code from this vendor.

Click over here and see what you’ve missed. A special sale, a teaser of the great giveaways to come, and more were posted over the weekend!

P.S. Vendors, if you are interested in being a part of the birthday celebration, e-mail me at “robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com” ASAP!

Amazonian

LOKTAH is back with another incredible Paperie giveaway – the first of two – plus a guest / vendor post to celebrate the upcoming launch of their new Amazon Collection.

A Little Info On The New Amazon Collection:

A textured handmade paper produced with a mixture of wild grass and hemp materials is the essential element of Amazon. Featuring a hand carved coconut accent that is perfectly woven into the beautiful paper. A hidden tab locks the flap in place to prevent any opening, but also maintain a simplistic look. Amazon features a full faced media tray made from corn starch and water that allows the case to remain light in weight but also secure.

We at LOKTAH are happy to give one lucky winner the chance to win one of each of our latest cases from our new AMAZON collection.

How do you win? It’s simple – you have three chances!

1. Follow Loktah either on Facebook or Twitter.

2. Post this to Facebook or Twitter (and tell us where you did)::
    I want to win the new LOKTAH Amazon Collection
    from Loktah.com / @loktah and @paperieboutique /
    PaperieBoutique.com – http://is.gd/DmDdVx

3. Go check out the LOKTAH website – then come back here
    and comment what your favorite product is 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. EST on Saturday, February 26th. You can enter up to three times total. Post that you have “liked” the Facebook fan page or Twitter stream, posted to Twitter or Facebook (with a link to where you did it), and / or listed your favorite product from website – 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.

Good luck – and thanks to LOKTAH for today’s awesome giveaway. Stay tuned because as mentioned earlier, this is just one of two. We’ll have LOKTAH back again tomorrow for another one!




Don’t forget there’s still a chance today to win a 20-box packaging set from HB Photo Packaging! More details here…




Last but not least…have you thought about advertising with Paperie lately? Meet the latest member of our family – the EW Couture Collection.

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.

gimme an S! an E! an O!

The digital edition of the September 2010 Professional Photographer Magazine was released today.

(P.S. Keep reading for a special giveaway from photographers-seo.com!)

For this month’s article, I reviewed several digital media storage products by BellaGrafica (“Jeff & Julia Woods General Collection“), DNL Photo Packaging, JLee Albums, Loktah, Miller’s Professional Imaging and The Designer Concept, MpixPro, Pexagon Tech, Rice Studio Supply, and Verbatim.

Click each of the magazine pages above for a larger view. You can find the article on page 48 and page 50 of the print-version when it hits mailboxes. And you can also download the digital edition now if you’re a PPA member or digital subscriber.

And last month Heather Lickliter of Stylized Portraiture helped me write the August “The Goods” column. This month she’s escaped over to the new “Workflow Polish” column where she shares her post-session workflow, with added comments / critique by Audrey Woulard. Congratulations Heather!




Today’s guest / vendor post is by Zach Prez. He has freebies and a prize for Paperie readers!

Hi, I’m Zach Prez. I specialize in search engine optimization for photographers, although I’ve been helping small businesses rank in Google for about 10 years. There’s no better feeling than helping someone become successful on the web and grow his or her business. Okay, maybe there are a few things better, like cycling on the American River Bike trail near Sacramento, CA.

I wrote Photographers SEO Book almost 2 years ago now. What started as some informal phone conversations with my photographer friend quickly expanded into ninja tactics that boomed her business from Google in a matter of weeks. Everyone wanted to know her secret, so I turned those conversations into a non-technical how to guide that any level of photographer can follow. It has since helped hundreds of people understand and improve in search results.

Earlier this year I released Photography Blog SEO Zen. It’s an ebook for photographers, designers, or wedding vendors on how to update your blog infrastructure and write blog posts to rank more easily. Blogs typically output many more pages than a traditional website, meaning more chances to rank in search. Blogs are especially helpful in ranking very specific phrases (long-tail SEO) so I would hope you see about 3x the traffic from your blog compared to your photography website. My blogs and ebook help you get there.

I’m giving away one of each product above for Paperie Boutique readers. Enter to win by commenting on any blog post on either of my websites – photographers-seo.com -OR- photoblogseo.com – by the end of the day on Saturday. (We’ll notify and announce the winners on Monday.) You’ll learn something new and hopefully share your thoughts about the post, what you learned, or something insightful

If you want something FREE right now, check out my Search Engine Optimization Guide for SmugMug Sites -OR- Email SEO Class for Photographers.

UPDATE: The winners have both been announced here – check them out!

Thanks Zach for sharing such valuable information with our readers!

And don’t forget we currently have two giveaway-contests going on here at Paperie. Through midnight Wednesday you can have a chance to win your choice of camera bags from Jo Totes. And through midnight Thursday you have the chance to win a $50 gift certificate from Denny Manufacturing.

things are going to start
     happening to me now

A few weeks ago I Tweeted about a very special secret project I was invited to be a part of, and how it was finally underway. Now I can give you a little peek into the end-results! There is a lot more on the way, but for now, a teaser if you will…..

HB Photo Packaging recently launched a packaging design-it-yourself line called “Print Your Own“. They invited me to be a part of a packaging design test project, and I truly believe (*crossing fingers”) it’s going to take off like wildfire as the plans for it continue to develop.

I mean, look at the photos – and the quality – below! How can it not?

The images shown above are of my “Classic Stripes & Solids Collection” — box sizes shown are 11×14, 8×10, and 5×7. The Buttons and Bows Photography logos and button icons on the bottom-right of the boxes are NOT stickers. They are actually printed on the boxes!

These next two photos are of the custom CD / DVD cases in the “Classic Stripes & Solids Collection”. I cannot describe how fantastic these look in person! My clients are going to flip!

These next two photos are of the “Dots and Stripes Collection”. I think these will be great for newborn photography packaging. I can go from ‘classic’ to ‘whimsical’ whenever the mood strikes.

To see larger images of the “Classic Stripes & Solids Collection” and the “Dots and Stripes Collection” head on over to Flickr…

“Print Your Own” is now offering a more economical option as well — you can still design custom box tops, but use their regular line of stock box colors instead on the bottom.

You also might remember that a few weeks back HB asked Paperie readers to suggest new colors for their Boutique Color Line.

I’m excited to announce that four five new colors have been added to the lineup – Razzle Berry, Orange Fiz, Lemon Drop, Lime Green, and Titanium. You can also finally purchase the Aqua / Aqua combo! (Check out the Boutique Color Line for more sizes and colors.) And if you don’t see the size of box you want with the new colors, hang tight — more are on the way!

Plans are in the works for coupons and packaging-set giveaways for Paperie readers from HB, so stay tuned!

And don’t forget, just a few more hours to win a $200 gift certificate from Sassy Designs!

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.

Earthen-wares

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First follow Loktah either on Facebook or Twitter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UPDATE: The winners have now been posted here.

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

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

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.

pick a color – any color!

My recent aqua / aqua photo boxes from HB Packaging have caused quite the Internet stir. The company is actually considering offering that combo as an option now. Raise your hand if you’re interested in the comments!

HB Photo Packaging would also like to know, “Is there a color or packaging item you want for your business but can’t find?” If so, please post about it here in the comments – they are listening! If your branding is centered around colors like grey or orange that are impossible to find photo boxes to match, this is your chance to speak now or forever hold your peace.

HB does offer “print your own” packaging that you can design from scratch using blank templates—but these color suggestions on Paperie Boutique would be for their Standard, and Boutique, and Prestige packaging lines.

So dream it and post it! They’re waiting to hear from you…




And now the follow-up to yesterday’s guest post / photo teaser by Photoumbra Studios. Everyone loves the packaging posts here and this one will not disappoint!

Inspired by so many posts on the Paperie blog, I set out a few months ago to give my packaging, marketing, and price menus a good dose of consistency, simplicity, and of course some pretty! I didn’t venture far from what I had already been giving my clients, but I felt like I could vamp up my look and information a little better. I didn’t change my color scheme nor my logo, which I do think is important because as we all know, it is so crucial to be consistent and it was very important to me to incorporate my website and blog branding into my print and packaging.

Besides staying true to our current branding, it was also very important to me to be able to design tools that could help my clients make smarter and hopefully larger purchases by providing them with an easy to navigate price menu, a wall display design guide, and the ability to choose a portrait collection or build their own. As with any project, there are things I would do differently next time, but also things that I learned work great and I will continue to implement.

First lets start with the packaging. I’ve been using Kraft products to package with for some time, but what was new was some new little cards that I made up that I now include in every order. The cards include a blank “Thank You” card where I can hand write a message, a “Portrait Care Tips” card that is included with any enlargements, a “Spread the Love” card that talks about our referral program, and a “Copyright Info” card.

(If you are interested in purchasing the templates or a copy of our “Portrait Design Guide”) see the bottom of this post.

Our packaging includes:
• Boxes from Rice Studio Supply
• Stickers from WHCC (but I will soon be trying out
  Black River Imaging‘s die cut stickers)
• Bags, Tissue and Ribbons from Nashville Wraps
• Little stickers from MOO
• Thank You, Copyright Info, Referral Info, and Portrait
  Care Tip Cards printed by Overnight Prints

Next up is our “Portrait Boutique Catalog”. The version that I give to each of my clients is 5.5×11 folded press printed card with a 5x5x8.5 insert. The Catalog outlines each of our print and product lines with brief descriptions of each and standard size pricing. The insert features our “Portrait Collection” on one side (5 to choose from) and a “Build Your Own Collection” option on the other side. The BYOC has been very popular and I have found that most of my clients are enjoying the freedom of it.

Our Catalog and insert cards were printed by Overnight Prints.

Finally, is our “Portrait Design Guide”. This guide is given to select clients who are interested in investing in wall portraits. It includes a cover, an introduction to the guide, 14 inspiring designs for wall displays, a card for them to record measurements throughout their home where they would like to create a wall display, and a card where they can jot down any notes, or draw ideas. The cards corners are rounded an they are bound by a single hinged silver ring. Also included along with the guide is a 60″ measuring tape that we had custom branded for our studio with the tag line “Design Away – Photoumbra Studios“, they also receive a pen branded with our studio name and website. Each of these items fit into a nice 5×7 box decorated with our studio logo and a ribbon.

The “Portrait Design Guide” vendors are:
• Cards printed by Overnight Prints
• Wall Display Design purchased from Gradybug Designs
  but altered to reflect our studio colors and I also included
  some other design elements and text into these
• Tape Measures from American Bridal
• Pens from Ink Spot

If you are interested in receiving a digital or hard copy of our “Portrait Design Guide” we are offering them for sale for Paperie Boutique readers.

** Please note that I will not include the actual wall display templates in the sale of the digital copy because I purchased those from another vendor. However, I will include the cover pages I designed myself along with a digital copy of our Thank You, Copyright Info, Referral Info, and Portrait Care Tip Cards. You can order yours HERE. If you say you are a Paperie reader you will get $20 off the digital download price ’til July 4th – making it just $29 instead of $49.**

Huge thanks to Monica Burby and Photoumbra Studios. I learned of new vendors myself with this post, and have a lot of fun ideas swirling around in my head now! Don’t forget to stop by Monica’s website and blog to say “thank you”, too.

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.

weekly wrap-up

When I saw the “Nate Berkus™ 26-piece Gift Wrap Kit” at Apartment Therapy recently, I knew it would make the perfect prize here at Paperie.

It’s minimalist and classic, so if you’re just starting out or haven’t quite settled on a look yet, youy’re not tied down by a color scheme or print – but can still present your clients with something expensive looking and stylish. The kit includes:

•  6 – gift bags 12½” x 10″ x 5″ (3 black stripe, 3 gold stripe, die-cut handles)
•  4 – 10′ x 30″ wrapping paper rolls – 25 square feet of each (4 designs)
•  12 – 3″ x 3″ gift cards with envelopes (4 designs)
•  2 – black raffia 20′ rolls
•  2 – natural raffia 20′ rolls
•  storage box

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

Win a Nate Berkus™ 26-piece Gift Wrap Kit at Paperie Boutique / paperieboutique.com by @shutterblog and get a FREE Mother’s Day template!

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, May 10th.

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!

UPDATE: The winner has been announced! See the announcement here!

Recently I put up a download for a 10×5 inch “mom” storyboard. This morning, I put up a link to download the following 8×8 inch story-art on my Flickr account.

The editing instructions for the 8×8 are the same as for the 10×5.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend!
-Robyn

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 10×5″ and 8×8″ templates are ©Robyn Pollman, 2010. All rights reserved. They may not be copied, resold, made available for download or given away elsewhere, or redistributed without my written permission.

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).