stitch in time

Guess who’s joining us today for a giveaway and vendor / guest post? It’s Swanky Stitch! Hooray!

When I’m not chasing my adorable, 2 year old little son, Jack, or spending quality time with the hubs, I’m crafting, creating, baking, and sewing. Swanky Stitch was born after I had many requests from friends & family to start selling my creations.

We love custom orders, so if you don’t see the fabric you combo you like or want a special Lens Friend made just for you we are happy to create something. You can see a list of the Swanky Stitch products here.

You can stay connected with us via Facebook to be up to date on new products, discounts and giveaways!

And now two lucky Paperie readers will each win a Swanky Stitch package featuring a Camera Strap Cover and a Lens Friend! To win, please do the following:

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

2. Comment here and tell us what your favorite Swanky Stitch product is

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

Comment – in separate comments here – to have multiple chances to win!

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, October 9th. You can enter up to two times total. Post that you have met both requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to two 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 two chances to win, but only one chance PER OPTION – please do not post the same thing multiple times. Duplicate comments 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.

And all Paperie readers can take advantage of a special offer from Swanky Stitch!

Thanks to Swanky Stitch for the awesome giveaway and promo for our readers! Good luck to everyone who enters!




We’d like to extend a big welcome two of our newest advertisers and sponsors…Senior Portraits 101 and ONA Bags!

With the senior market getting bigger every year, it is never too late to start your senior program. If you are looking for help to build your program, the Senior Portraits 101 Guide can help you do it. This guide was designed to help you start a successful senior portrait program and senior rep program.

Whether you are a new photographer looking for guidance and a solid strategy, or you have been around for a while and would like to jump into the senior pool, the Senior Portrait 101 Guide includes everything that you need to get going in the senior portrait industry. The marketing pieces, contracts and forms are all customizable and can be easily changed to match your studio and branding.

Once you have read through the manual and watched the detailed video, you will feel confident and ready to start your senior business! Visit us on Facebook at: facebook.com/seniorportraits101

ONA is a purveyor of fine camera bags and accessories. Launched in 2010, ONA products are handcrafted with premium materials, such as full-grain vegetable-tanned leather and waxed cotton canvas.

ONA is proud to offer photographers around the globe top quality bags and accessories that are discreet and stylish, and that provide premium protection for photo gear. Visit us on Facebook at: facebook.com/onabags

If you’re interested in being an advertiser and / or sponsor at Paperie Boutique and having your business featured on our main page like Senior Portraits 101 and ONA Bags, check out this post!




We are currently running a fall special with ad rates up to half-off (or more) — and we’d love to have YOU join us!

Coming up soon we’ll be featuring our other new advertisers Paisley Pear Frames and Swoone for Photographers, so don’t miss it!

And don’t miss this chance to connect with our readers! Offer ends October 15th.




It’s time to announce the two lucky winners in our Black River Imaging photo ornament contest! They are…Mary Eklund and Laura Evangeline!

Congrats to both of our winners (I’ll be in touch within the next 24-48 hours with information on how to collect your prize) – and thanks again to Black River Imaging! And don’t forget that all Paperie readers can now receive 25% off their orders by using the code “PBBRI” in the promotional code field. (Code may only be used once, is not redeemable for cash and does not carry a balance.)

More fun up ahead so stay tuned!
-Robyn & Todd

P.S. Wanted to share Robyn’s tribute to Steve Jobs.


tag you're it: business • camera strap • camera straps • contest • custom • designs • giveaway • guitar strap • lens friend • materials • photographer • photography • prize • seatbelt cover • supplies • swanky stitch • winner • winners

what’s the deal?

Like everyone else in North America, Paperie is switching gears from summer to fall / winter. This means shorter days, longer shooting schedules as the holidays approach, and giveaways galore!

In a few weeks we’ll be announcing the exciting details for the second annual “best packaging contest“. Remember how much bigger / better this year’s second birthday celebration was? Well the next packaging contest will be no different! One vendor has already kicked in a $500.00 gift certificate!

What does all this mean to photography-related vendors? There’s never been a better time to advertise on Paperie! During our birthday celebration in July we logged well over 7 million unique hits and over 450,000 page views. We’ve followed that up with over 10 million unique hits from early August – mid September! Those numbers are only guaranteed to climb as the holidays and the annual packaging contest approach!

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!“

In addition to deep-discounts on our normal ad rates, we are also going to include each new vendor (that signs up between today and Saturday, October 15th) in a blog entry for better Google indexing through text links! So take one of our most recent advertisers, for example… This is what your entry would look like:

Paperie Boutique is proud to announce a recent addition to our vendor family / elite sponsors — CPQ Professional Imaging!

The CPQ Lab was started in 1972 with a small group of 15 employees, and since that time CPQ has grown to over 150 employees providing superb quality in a timely manner to the discriminating photographer. The current CPQ location, built in 1993, encompasses 47,000 square feet and houses a full-service lab (both optical and digital) that serves clients from all over the United States.

Users can sign up with CPQ, and receive free evaluation prints, here.

Sound good? Here’s all you need to do to sign up… Just select your ad-purchase in the pull-down menu below, send your payment via PayPal, and voilà!

Miss the sale? Go here to advertise with us!

Once payment has been made, write todd AT paperieboutique DOT com and include a copy of your receipt and attach an image for the ad-size purchased.

If you are interested in being a sponsor + advertiser, please e-mail todd AT paperieboutique DOT com for the additional discounted rate.

We look forward to having you join the family soon!

Hey, guess what? Moo.com is having a SALE this weekend!

click above image for a larger pop-up version
You can see just some of my Moo business cards, rounded business cards, folded cards, postcards, stickerbooks, round stickers, and labels by clicking on the photo above. And you can see some of my Moo minicards by clicking on this entry.

@overheardatmoo recently Tweeted: Stickers, Business Cards, MiniCards, Postcards and Greeting Cards – 25% off until Sunday (in case you didn’t hear) at http://www.moo.com.

And don’t forget Paperie offers several FREE Moo templates for download!




We also have a couple of recent contest winners to announce! First up are the two Capturing Couture camera strap winners…Connie McClain and Kim Young!

And the Fanciful Kites giveaway winner is…Michelle McDaid!

Thanks to both Capturing Couture and Fanciful Kites for the fun giveaways, congrats to our winners (watch your inboxes this weeked!), and a thank you to everyone who entered!

New contest coming up momentarily so stay tuned…
-Robyn & Todd

tag you're it: ad • advertising • business • business cards • camera • camera strap • cards • contest • DLSR • folded cards • giveaway • handmade • kite • kites • labels • materials • Moo • photographer • photography • postcards • press • prize • prop • props • rounded business cards • SLR • sponsor • stickers • supplies • winner • winners

it’s Friday – I’m in love

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://www.facebook.com/jamieschultzdesigns

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




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

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

Have a great weekend everyone -
-Robyn & Todd

tag you're it: album • announcements • backdrop • background • Bad Sass Backdrops • birth announcements • books • branding • camera • camera strap • canvas • cards • CD cases • Christmas • Christmas card • Christmas cards • coffee table books • column • columnist • contest • custom • designs • giveaway • guest post • holiday • holiday card • holiday cards • image boxes • marketing • materials • notecards • photographer • photography • prize • Professional Photographer Magazine web exclusives • Professional Photographers of America • published • supplies • templates

capture this!

Excited to have another guest / vendor post for a product I use (and love!) – a giveaway for two camera straps from Capturing Couture!

Capturing Couture is a company founded a little over 2 years ago by two working moms; one with a fervor for design and the other with a profound passion for photography. Capturing Couture breaks out into the accessories market with a collection of fashion forward camera straps, adding color and style to a category that has been, to this point, severely monochromatic. The time has come for fashion, form and function to completely merge.

We create two types of straps: One for the SLR/DSLR camera worn around the neck and a second for smaller cameras worn around the wrist. The straps are designed with comfortable padding in the neck to help distribute the weight of the camera, (SLR/DSLR camera straps only) velvet backing, nylon webbing for durability and adjustable hardware for preferred positioning.

Not only do we have fashion forward straps for women, we also carry a hip men’s line. [ Note from Robyn: Shhh! Don't tell anyone but my Capturing Couture strap is from the men's line! ]

And now two lucky Paperie readers have a chance to win a Capturing Couture camera strap of their very own! The style is the winner’s choice, up to a $39.00 value (shipping included).

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

Win your choice of camera straps from @CapturingCoutur / CapturingCouture.com @PaperieBoutique / PaperieBoutique.com – http://is.gd/z6j0gV

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

3. Follow Capturing Couture on Twitter and come back here and let us know (or tell us you’re already a follower)

4. Post your favorite item from Capturing Couture in the comments here

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 posted to your Twitter and/or Facebook account(s), with a link to where you did it – or that you’ve liked Capturing Couture on Facebook and/or Twitter – or your favorite Capturing Couture product – 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 Monday, September 19th. You can enter up to FIVE times total. Post that you have met the individual requirements in separate comments 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 Capturing Couture for the awesome giveaway!




We have a few contest winners to announce!

The first three winners of the “Fit to Print” giveaway…Susan B, thougham, and Jenn S.

Congrats to all three of you, and thanks to everyone who entered! I’ll be in touch with download information for the winners within 24 hours!

And the winner of the One King’s Lane $25 gift certificate…Larissa pavei! Congrats to our winner, and thanks to those who entered. I’ll have your gift card sent within 24 hours Larissa!




Last but not least, we just finished assembling the first round of goodie bags coming soon to a workshop near you! (The batch after this goes here.)

The toy cameras can be found on eBay. The little bags are from Celestial Gifts on Etsy. And they are stamped with a polymer stamp from Write with Moxie. You can read more detail on the candy bags here.

Check back Friday – another special offer for Paperie readers on tap!
-Robyn & Todd

tag you're it: assembly • branding • business • business cards • camera • camera strap • cards • contest • custom • designs • DSLR • Fit to Print • giveaway • guest post • marketing • materials • Moo • packaging • photo • photographer • photography • photos • point and shoot • prize • referral cards • SLR • supplies • templates • winner • winners • wrapping

be trendy

New guest / vendor post and giveaway is courtesy of Trendy Camera Straps!

Why use a generic camera strap when you can show off your personality with a Trendy Camera Strap?  Whether you need a neck strap, wristlet or a point & shoot, Trendy offers high quality straps for every novice and professional photographer. The point & shoot straps are making their come back next week with many new options and designs. These work great for point & shoot cameras, flip video cameras, keys and school / ID badges.

Three “New Designs” coming soon, just in time for Spring! With dozens of designs that Trendy offers, you’re sure to find a strap that fits your style!  

Trendy also has just introduced a new line, the SwitchBack camera strap.  This strap allows for the interchangeability of designs without the hassle of removing it from your camera.  Whenever you want, you can change the look of your camera strap to match your outfit or mood, without having to buy a whole new strap!

We’re giving away 3 camera straps – 2 camera straps and 1 SwitchBack Starter Kit – to Paperie Boutique readers. 

Additionally, all readers who make a purchase can receive 20% off their order and a special surprise gift.  Just email info@trendycamerastraps.com before you place your order and state that you are a Paperie Boutique reader to receive the coupon.  

See all the styles at: www.trendycamerastraps.com

And like us on Facebook!

Enter to win one of three Trendy Camera Staps —

Go to your blog, Facebook, Flickr, or Twitter account and post the following:
Make my camera strap Trendy!  Visit paperieboutique.com to win a Trendy Camera Strap from trendycamerastraps.com.

After posting this, make a comment on this blog post with the URL to your post. (Only public accounts are eligible to win. If we have to register to see your comment your entry is disqualified.)  Comments will be numbered and there will be a random drawing from Random.org within 24-72 hours after the contest ends at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, March 20th.

Good luck!

Thanks to Trendy Camera Straps for today’s fun giveaway!

Quick reminder – you have until 11:59 p.m. EDT Friday to win a vintage camera necklace from Vintage U Creations.

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.

tag you're it: business • camera • camera strap • contest • DSLR • flip • fob • giveaway • guest post • ID badge • ID tag • key • keychain • keys • lanyard • materials • photographer • photography • point and shoot • prize • SLR • strap • supplies • video • video camera • wrist strap • wristlet

eyes all aglow…

The digital edition of the August 2010 Professional Photographer Magazine was released today. (P.S. Keep reading for a special giveaway from Design Aglow!)

For this month’s article I paired with Heather Lickliter of Stylized Portraiture – we reviewed camera straps / accessories by The Strap Buddy, Photojojo, My Funky Camera, Priddy Creations, PhatStraps, Pepper, Capturing Couture, Black Rapid, and Abie.

You can find the article on page 46 and page 48 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.

Today’s guest post / giveaway is courtesy of one of our favorite vendors – Design Aglow.

Want to be the photographer EVERYONE wants this year, just to get this completely unique keepsake? You will with these ornament card offerings!

Hot off of the presses at Design Aglow, these innovative holiday cards promise to leave your clients hanging… in the homes of friends and family. Simply choose one of the five delicious two-sided designs, print, and add your own ribbon for an inspiring way to wish loved ones the best while earning a prominent spot in their homes (and their hearts). A revolutionary idea to create a bold new market for the holidays!

Not sure every client is ready for round? Design Aglow also includes a set of coordinating 5×5 flat square cards to help you sell a more traditional option too!

PERFECT FOR:
• Holiday ornament cards not offered anywhere else
• Round cards for birth announcements, save the date or any occasion
• Two sided square cards
• Your own studio greetings to clients and those who refer you

See more info about these lovely ornaments and printing pricing too, right here.

Now for the fun part…the giveaway!

Winner gets a $100 gift certificate to Design Aglow!

How do you win? Link to Design Aglow’s new cards on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog with the following text:

See the new Holiday Ornament Cards http://is.gd/dYrNP by designaglow.com / @designaglow and win $100 gift certificate at paperieboutique.com

Then come back here and comment that you’ve done so – each entry requires its own separate comment.

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, August 4th. You can enter up to three times total. Don’t forget to post your Twitter, Facebook, or blog links in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

Please note: The links 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 the gift certificate. If we have to subscribe to your feed or page or request permission to see it, you will automatically be disqualified.

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 announced here!

Thanks so much to Design Aglow for another awesome giveaway, and to all the camera strap vendors that allowed me to review your products for the August 2010 issue of Professional Photographer Magazine

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!

tag you're it: August • August 2010 • business • camera • camera strap • camera straps • cards • Christmas cards • column • columnist • contest • Design Aglow • designs • gift certificate • giveaway • guest post • holiday cards • magazine • marketing • materials • photographer • photography • prize • Professional Photographer Magazine • Professional Photographers of America • published • supplies • templates • The Goods

you spin me right ’round

So you saw the My Funky Camera party invitation below – but did you drop by Facebook to try and win a FREE camera strap and get the discount code?

If you follow my Flickr stream, you’ve seen the Verbatim vinyl hub-printable CDs I recently product-tested.

As a birthday gift for everyone, I’m putting a template up for download for the Verbatim #94550 CD-R. You’re on your own to change the colors – but text can be edited in the layered .psd file. I designed it to print on the HP Photosmart C309a printer (but you’re more than welcome to try it with yours). Please note I do not provide product support for free downloads. Template was designed for use with Photoshop CS2 and above.

For more info on the CDs, printer, and packaging please see my Flickr stream.

Thanks for a great first year! I’ll see you back here SOON!
-Robyn

tag you're it: anniversary • birthday • camera • camera strap • CD • CD-R • celebration • contest • DVD • Fit to Print • free • gear • giveaway • HP • materials • My Funky Camera • one year • party • photographer • photography • prize • Rice Studio Supply • strap • supplies • template • Verbatim

the party just got Funky

If you didn’t believe me that it was worth it to check back often you’ll be sorry!

My Funky Camera is throwing a Paperie-party over at Facebook today. Paperie readers get 10% off on all orders through Saturday, July 17th (see here for more details, and go here to order) – and one lucky commenter will get a free strap!

So go there, but don’t forget to check back here! Happy birthday to us!

tag you're it: anniversary • birthday • camera • camera strap • celebration • contest • free • gear • giveaway • My Funky Camera • one year • party • photographer • photography • prize • strap • supplies

Priddy awesome

Today is the appetizer to next week’s main course.

That’s the only hint I’m giving, but with that hint (and a heads-up that you’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t check in every. single. day. next week) comes an awesome giveaway from Priddy Creations!

Two lucky Paperie readers will win a camera strap cover from Priddy Creations. (Paperie Boutique already has the straps in our possession so they will ship next week.) All Priddy Creations fabric creations have finished seams, re-enforced stitching and are topstitched where necessary for a lasting item. Camera straps are designed as slipcovers to dress up your existing nylon camera strap. They will fit most existing Canons, Nikons and other SLR camera straps. To ensure the giveaway items will fit your camera, please measure your camera strap. Strap covers are padded and lined for added comfort.

One strap up for grabs is the “Light Pink Brown Damask Camera Strap Slipcover“. (“This removeable camera strap is like a slipcover for your existing camera strap. No need to have multiple straps. Measures approximately 22″ long and 2¼” wide. It has a little extra padding to give your camera strap a more comfy feel.”) The other strap up for grabs is the “City Girl Pink Patchwork Camera Strap Slipcover“. (“This removable camera strap is like a slipcover for your existing camera strap. No need to have multiple straps. This patchwork strap uses fun and vibrant coordinating fabrics from the Park City Girl fabric line. Measures approximately 22″ long and 2¼” wide.”)

So how do you win? It’s simple! There are two different ways to win — each entry requires its own separate comment:

1. Follow Priddy Creations on Twitter – Tweet the following (and then comment here with the link to your Tweet):

I wanna win a free @priddycreations camera strap from priddycreations.com / priddycreations.etsy.com at PaperieBoutique.com by @shutterblog

2. Like Priddy Creations on Facebook – post the following on your Facebook wall (and then comment here with the link to your wall post):

I want a free camera strap from Priddy Creations / priddycreations.com/ priddycreations.etsy.com – enter to win one, too, 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 Sunday, July 11th.

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 these items. 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 two times total – one entry each per public, non-private Twitter and/or Facebook 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 link(s) 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 two winners have been announced here – check them out!

Stop by Priddy Creations, the Priddy Creations Etsy site, and the Priddy Creations Blog to say thanks for this fantastic giveaway!

Don’t forget you have until 11:59 p.m. EDT Friday night to enter The Drop Shoppe giveaway. Have a great weekend and be there or be ☐ on Monday!
-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.

tag you're it: camera • camera strap • Canon • contest • gear • giveaway • guest post • Nikon • photographer • photography • prize • slip cover • slipcover • strap • supplies

Funky! fresh.

You’ve got the camera. You’ve got the hip camera bag. So why on earth are you still using that factory-issued camera strap? It’s time to get funky!

The photo below shows my own “My Funky Camera” straps. I have four total – 2 sets of matching neck straps + wristlets. (Although I have to confess, I love my wristlets so much, they rarely leave the cameras.)

The product is described as a “fun, funky, trendy camera strap or wrist strap” and has been featured in Amateur Photographer Magazine, Digital Photographer Magazine, and Digital SLR User Magazine.

And just in case you haven’t graduated to a DSLR yet or have a weekend “play” camera, My Funky Camera also has a product line for point-and-shoot cameras. These mini-straps also work well for cell phones, hand-held video games, video cameras, ID badges, and keys.

But wait… There’s more! You can even get Funky Jotters notebook covers to match your camera strap.

And because the owner of My Funky Camera, Gabi, is a long-time fan of Paperie Boutique – she is offering two straps (any size, any kind) up to our readers.

UPDATE: The two winners have been announced here and here – thanks to everyone for participating!

To make this giveaway a little fun, this time it’s going to run two days (edited to add: ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, March 4th), and there’s two different ways to win each strap:

1. The first way / easy way to win is go to your blog, Facebook account, Flickr account, or Twitter account and post the following:

Get Funky with Paperie Boutique & @myfunkycamera / myfunkycamera.com – visit paperieboutique.com to win a My Funky Camera strap!

You can enter once via this method – one entry can be posted to your blog URL, Facebook, Flickr, or Twitter account. Then post that (ONE) URL to your link down in the comments for this entry. Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by writing the comment numbers for “chance 1″ on a slip of paper and drawing the number out of a hat. The prize information will be e-mailed to that person within 24 hours of contest’s end.

To be clear, you can post via any of the methods listed (blog, Facebook, Flickr, Twitter) – but you can only link ONE of those methods here. That is your first chance to win. Which brings us to the second chance to win, using a separate comment…

2. To win the second strap is going to require more creativity. We need a shot of you, or you and your camera, or even just your camera. But one of those three has to be in the photo. And either you or your camera have to illustrate through the photo WHY you need a new camera strap. Maybe you can take your cell phone and snap a photo of your DSLR on the street corner holding a sign that says “Will work for My Funky Camera strap”. Or maybe you can take a photo of yourself all pouty, holding your ratty old factory-issued strap that’s now held together with duct tape and safety pins. Perhaps even get a couple of friends sporting their super-fly straps to point and laugh at you sadly without…

The possibilities are endless. But creativity counts! Gabi and I will select the winner within 24 hours of the contest’s end.

Post a link to your photo entry in the comments.

You may enter two times total – once for posting the quote above online, and once with a photograph. Good luck! And thanks Gabi for such a fantastic prize!

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).

tag you're it: business • camera • camera strap • contest • DSLR • guest post • photo • photography • photos • point and shoot • SLR • supplies

we’re gonna score tonight

It’s no secret that I love my two jill-e bags. (I have the small leather and the large suede rolling.) I sing their praises quite often, not only for how much they carry, but also how protected they carry the cargo.

But for the upcoming weekend I wanted something “tiny” – something “camera only”. Tiny is usually not a luxury afforded to DSLR users. I also didn’t want it to scream “please steal my camera / bag”. And of course I wanted it to protect my camera and lens. Oh yeah, and be cute. No problem, right?

Thankfully my needs were met the instant I hunted around the Photojojo store and found their Bad-Ass Bowler Camera Bag.

The inside view in the photo above shows my Nikon D200 (sans grip) with a Nikon 12-24mm f/4G lens attached. The bag also comes with a removable divider (more photos at Photojojo) just in case you should require such a thing. Oh yeah, and it also comes with a cute plastic dinosaur (and is conveniently designed in OU’s school colors). Can’t forget that!

(Camera wristlet strap courtesy of My Funky Camera. Check the comments to see a size-comparison of the new bowler bag and the jill-e small bag.)

Nothing like a little shiny patent leather to make a girl all happy and smiley. Let’s bowl, let’s bowl, let’s rock-’n'-roll!

tag you're it: bowler • bowling bag • camera • camera bag • camera strap • jill-e • My Funky Camera • photographer • photography • Photojojo • wristlet