The digital edition of the January 2012 Professional Photographer Magazine is now online for digital subscribers.

For this column I got to review eco-friendly / “green” products by Miller’s Professional Imaging, Moo.com, Botanical Paperworks, Loktah, HB Photo Packaging, Globe Guard Products, Kraft and Jute, Nashville Wraps, Rice Studio Supply, ReBinder, and ProDPI.

There is also a supplemental mini feature by Nathan Welton of Dreamtime Images that discusses carbon-offsetting for your business with carbonfund.org.

Click the magazine pages above to read a larger .pdf version of the article. You can also find the article on page 78, page 80, page 82, and page 84 of the print-version when it hits mailboxes – and you can see the online supplement here. Plus you can download the digital edition now if you’re a PPA member or digital subscriber.




If you went to Imaging USA 2012 in New Orleans, you might have seen Paperie Boutique and Buttons & Bows Photography sprinkled about. Here are a couple of peeks if you missed it:

You can see more over at our Facebook page! Thanks to Ryan at HB Photo Packaging for these photos!

If you have photos from Imaging USA 2012 that you’d like to see published here, contact Robyn at: robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com




It’s the New Year and it’s time to restock your arsenal. A few of our favorite merchants are running sales!

1. HB Photo Packaging – 15% off through January 22nd with code
    WinterBlues

2. Moo.com – 10% off all printed products through January 25th
    with code MOOPRINTJAN

3. ReBinder – 20% off all ReSleeve and RePlay products through
    January 31st here

Hope everyone is having a wonderful 2012!
-Robyn & Todd

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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




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

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

Have a great weekend everyone -
-Robyn & Todd

Once again, I’m about a week behind on everything – work, life, this blog – you name it, I’m behind! I do apologize.

It is belatedly, but with much excitement, that I announce the winner of the Shoot Baby Ottoman Posing Beanbag…and it’s…Elissa Dahlgren Photography!

Congrats Elissa – I’ll be in touch soon with your win notice! And huge thanks to Shoot Baby for one of my favorite Paperie giveaways yet!




And in case you haven’t heard, Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. is having an amazing 30% off sale and giveaway this holiday weekend!

The above photos are from two of my recent Buttons and Bows Photography newborn sessions. The first background with the shutters is a Heather Green Designs background (#HG006) for Bad Sass. The second floral backdrop is from the Bad Sass Florabella Collection (#FB002).

Go here for more details on the 30% off sale and giveaways!




Many updates are in the queue so check back this week! I’ll do my best to get them up ASAP!

Have a great Labor Day holiday everyone!
-Robyn

Two posts in one day…I think it’s time to play the lottery, girls and boys!

I just realized (almost a month later!) that my “Web Exclusives” column about Loktah’s LifeStyle Bags had gone live. Read more here.




And before I head back to Photoshop, a bit of product envy from Kelli France:

Photo by pure7studios.com (via Facebook), product by The Organic Bloom.

It’s beginning to look a lot like…
-Robyn

Happy 2nd birthday to Paperie Boutique!
Visit PaperieBirthday.com for all events!

Winner announcements started on Monday, July 25th…

In a week that’s seen over $8200 in prizes donated (that averages out to over $1000 / day!), you didn’t think we’d go out any other way than with a “BANG!“, did you? In our final giveaway – #32 – one lucky Paperie reader will win a prize pack from WHCC, HB Photo Packaging, and Kaleidoscope!

WHCC Float Wraps are a new, unique option to display images. Float Wraps are similar to Gallery Wraps or Standout mounted prints in that they add dimension by extending out from the wall. Float wraps are unique in that they appear to be floating on the wall with the main focus on the image! Create a modern display with a Float Wrap wall collage that is ready to hang once removed from the box!”

Included in this prize pack is a 16×20 float wrap with laminate in your choice of lustre or metallic photographic paper, or as a fine art or metallic canvas.

Also included in this prize pack is a “Boudoir Collection” sampler by HB Photo Packaging. (I recently featured the “Boudoir Collection” products in the June 2011 issue of Professional Photographer Magazine.) You will receive five large “Eco Totes” in black, ten small “Eco Totes” in black, five 8×10 boxes in “Razzle Berry“, five 5×7 boxes in “Razzle Berry“, five 8×10 boxes in “Black Velvet“, five 5×7 boxes in “Black Velvet“, ten 8×10 tissue folds in “(hot) pink”, ten 5×7 tissue folds in “(hot) pink” and “polka dot”, three rolls of “Bella Terra” paper ribbon (Black, Beauty, and Zebra), a “Hot Pink Tiger” ribbon sample, and ten assorted black “stretch bows“.

And last but certainly not least…



The lucky “grand finale” winner will also receive a $200 Kaleidoscope gift card! (You can see their recent Paperie feature here.)

So how do you win? It’s simple!

1. Go to your Facebook and Twitter accounts and post the following on either or both (then tell us where you did):
The BIRTHDAY FINALE giveaway with @WHCC & @HBPhotoPkging & @pattibrownphoto / Kaleidoscope by @PaperieBoutique – http://PaperieBirthday.com

2. Like WHCC on Facebook.

3. Like WHCC on Twitter.

4. Like HB Photo Packaging on Facebook.

5. Like HB Photo Packaging on Twitter.

6. Like Patti Brown Photography / Kaleidoscope on Facebook.

7. Like Patti Brown Photography / Kaleidoscope on Twitter.

Each entry requires its own separate comment here. (In simple terms: If you want EIGHT chances to win, you have to do the eight things listed above, and then make eight 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 Thursday, July 28th. You can enter up to eight times total. Post that you have met both requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to eight 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 eight 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.

PLEASE NOTE: I hit “publish” a bit too soon and people were following the wrong instructions to comment and enter. They have been contacted and their comments automatically validated due to “Robyn-error” (as noted below each comment).

For those of you who commented due to admin error before this post went officially live, do not worry. Your comments have been left here with an admin note and THEY WILL COUNT. However, each commenter gets EIGHT chances total to win, so please make sure you do not exceed this number of eight-total-entries with any comments that follow your originals. Thank you!

Good luck!

Heartfelt thanks go out to WHCC, HB Photo Packaging, and Kaleidoscope for this amazing birthday finale! And a big thank you to each and every vendor and site visitor over the last 8 days. This has by far exceeded our expectations (and wildest imaginations) and we couldn’t have done it without you!

ATTN. VENDORS: Don’t underestimate the power to reach your target-market during the Paperie birthday celebration! We’ve had 5.43 million hits and over 387,000+ page views during this event already.

In addition to deep-discounts on our normal ad rates, we are also going to include each new vendor (that signs up between Monday, July 18th thru Tuesday, July 26th) in a blog entry for better Google indexing through text links!

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! [more]

click here to order now



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!

Th…th…that’s all folks! Thanks to EVERYONE for such a great birthday!
-Robyn & Todd

Happy 2nd birthday to Paperie Boutique!
Visit PaperieBirthday.com for all events!

Winner announcements started on Monday, July 25th…

But we’re not done quite yet. We have one big “prize pack” giveaway for one lucky reader (from Melissa Davis Designs and Collages.net) before we sign off for the evening tonight – and another big “final giveaway” on Tuesday before we empty the punch bowl and take down the streamers. So let’s get to the fun, shall we?

Melissa Davis Designs is offering up a $100 gift certificate for this prize pack! You can see a sneak-peek of her new 2011 holiday card templates above.

And Collages.net is back one last time – this prize pack winner will also receive a $25 gift card for a Canvas Gallery Wrap.

So how do you win? It’s simple!

1. Go to your Facebook and Twitter accounts and post the following on either or both (then tell us where you did):
Win a @Collagesnet & @brandsushi & Handmade Paper Album Boxes gift packWin a @Collagesnet / Collages.net and Melissa Davis Designs gift pack at @PaperieBoutique / PaperieBoutique.com – http://PaperieBirthday.com

2. Like Collages.net on Facebook.

3. Like Melissa Davis Designs on Facebook.

4. Comment here with your favorite Melissa Davis Designs template.

Each entry requires its own separate comment here. (In simple terms: If you want FIVE chances to win, you have to do the five 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 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 Wednesday, July 27th. You can enter up to five times total. Post that you have met both requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to five 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 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!

Huge thanks to Melissa Davis Designs and Collages.net for the amazing prize pack! Check in on Tuesday for the very last birthday party gifts!




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!

Just one giveaway to go – make sure you check back Tuesday!
-Robyn

We’re going to kick off the giveaways today with another pop-quiz! So get out your #2 pencils because one lucky reader gets this fabulous prize pack up for grabs… The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to CanvasRox, a “My Little Chickadee Set” from Fiber Arts by Boondock Studios, and a “Notched Bowl” (or same value toward another bowl) from Marketing and Props for Photographers!

Answer these questions in the comments (no need to retype the questions, just list the numbers / answers) – the first person to answer all questions correctly wins. It’s just that simple!

1. What city is Imaging USA 2012 being held in? [hint: Robyn and Todd were married there.]

2. What is the other awesome canvas company that CanvasRox is affiliated with?

3. A listing in the Fiber Arts by Boondock Studios Etsy store features my product photography. Give the URL / link for the listing.

4. I feature Marketing and Props for Photographers in a 2011 issue of Professional Photographer Magazine – which one?

Ready? Set? Google! First one to answer all questions correctly wins! Good luck!

WE HAVE A WINNER!
THE ANSWERS —
1. New Orleans, Louisiana
2. Pixel2Canvas
3. etsy.com/listing/69720462/the-ultimate-grassy-blanket
4. The May 2011 issue of Professional Photographer Magazine

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!

Another Paperie favorite is back to celebrate our birthday this time – give it up for Sassy Designs, Inc. and Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. One lucky Paperie reader will win a $100 gift certificate to Sassy Designs – and another lucky reader will win a $50 gift certificate to Bad Sass Backdrops!

(You can see Paperie’s recent review of Bad Sass Backdrops, with photos, here.)

So how do you win this wonderful prize pack? It’s easy!

1. Like Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/badsassbackdrops

2. Follow Sassy Designs on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/sassydesignsinc

3. Post the following to Facebook or Twitter (and tell us where you did it):
Win gift certificates to @SassyDesignsInc / Sassy-Designs.net and BadSassBackdrops.com at @PaperieBoutique – http://PaperieBirthday.com

4. Leave a note in the comments here saying what your favorite Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. product is.

Each entry requires its own separate comment here. (In simple terms: If you want FIVE chances to win, you have to do the five 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 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 Saturday, July 23rd. You can enter up to five times total. Post that you have met both requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to five 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 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!

Thanks Sassy Designs, Inc. and Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. for the awesome gift certificates! And in case you don’t follow Bad Sass Backdrops on Facebook (and why not?), right now they are running a “Christmas in July” promo. Receive 25% off your entire purchase and FREE SHIPPING with code CHRISTMASINJULY25 at checkout! Sale ends 7/31 at midnight EST.



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!




It’s Friday and I still have two more pages of giveaways left!
We’ll keep going ’til all of them have winners – see ya’ soon!
-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!

Our next giveaway is from one of my favorite guilty pleasures – The Savvy Photographer. Marsha is offering up some amazing prizes from her Savvy Store.

“The Savvy Photographer Blog is thrilled to be a part of the Paperie Boutique Birthday celebration! The Savvy blog is an inspiration blog for photographers with eye candy to delight and inspire you along with beautiful studio tours and photographer interviews. Visit the Savvy Store to find products for your business and flooring you will love!”

One reader wins a 46×66 Barnwood Flooring rug at Savvy Store ($180 value)!

And three winners will win the Beach House Collection Canvas Templates from the Savvy Store ($75 value / each)!

So how do you get these awesome items 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 a barnwood rug & Beach House Canvas Templates from @thesavvyphoto at @PaperieBoutique / PaperieBoutique.com – http://PaperieBirthday.com

2. Like The Savvy Photographer on Facebook.

3. Follow The Savvy Photographer on Twitter.

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 Saturday, July 23rd. 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 The Savvy Photographer and the Savvy Store for these great prizes! And don’t forget the Savvy Store is offering 20% off everything through July 31st for all Paperie readers! You can find that code, and several others from our featured vendors (just updated TODAY) 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!




More prizes coming after dinner tonight – check back soon!
-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!

Batter up… An awesome prize pack from my favorite canvas vendor – Pixel2Canvas (and their new offspring Wall Riders)!

Included is an 11×14 Metal -AND- your choice of a 20×24 Gallery Wrap Canvas OR a Wall Riders skate deck. (I reviewed the Metals and Wall Riders in the March 2011 issue of Professional Photographer Magazine.)

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 a metals + gallery wrap canvas OR WallRider duo from @Pixel2Canvas & PaperieBoutique.com / @PaperieBoutique – http://PaperieBirthday.com

2. Like Wall Riders on Facebook.

3. Like Pixel2Canvas 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 Pixel2Canvas and Wall Riders! Don’t forget to follow Pixel2Canvas and Wall Riders on Twitter!




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 back in tonight! I’ll be adding new giveaways after dinner! Mmmmm…tacos!
-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!

Another cool vendor / guest post and giveaway up for grabs…from LOKTAH!

LOKTAH was founded in 2008 with a desire to create natural packaging for our own clients, unlike anything seen before and not have to spend countless hours in photoshop designing case inserts for those plastic cases we all know and don’t care for. We later decided to open LOKTAH with that single idea and share that thought to the photographic and videography industries.

Since the birth of LOKTAH, it has always been a desire to continue the growth of LOKTAH and share our unique look on how eco-friendly packaging doesn’t have to be ugly, but that it can actually be a stunning work of art. We at LOKTAH strive to always serve you, the customer and make your experience with us positive and unique.

As the LOKTAH team grows and our line expands, we promise to always uphold the highest quality standards and more than anything, provide you with the best customer service. Please join us on the journey!

NEW! CaseBag | LifeStyle:
Warm earth tones textured by handmade hemp fabric. Refined by champagne toned edges and waterproof lining. Can be used with or without padded shoulder strap. Creatively timeless in design. Designed for the iPad featuring a speaker opening – power opening and volume opening.

     • One Back Magnetic Pocket
     • Two Magnetic Closures
     • Hemp; Waterproof Champagne lining
     • Up to 23″ Strap Drop
     • Designed For iPad

And one lucky Paperie reader will win a LOKTAH Signature Collection 10×8 Mystery Album & Gifts!

Gift set includes:
1 – 10×8 Mystery Album Cover; Matte White Paper; 10 Full Spreads/20 Sides
1 – 5×7 Mystery Photofolios with Prints; 3 – 5×7 images
1 – Mystery Medium Print Box
1 – Hemp Portfolio Folder
5 – Hemp Single DVD/CD Cases
(Total Value $406.50 plus FREE Shipping)

How do you win? It’s easy!

1. Follow Loktah either on Facebook or Twitter.

2. Post this to Facebook or Twitter (and tell us where you did)::
Win a LOKTAH.com / @loktah Signature Collection 10×8 Mystery Album & Gifts at PaperieBoutique.com / @paperieboutique – http://is.gd/Jp0g9c

3. Go check out the LOKTAH website – then come back here and comment what item is your favorite and why!

Each entry requires its own separate comment here. (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.)

Post that you have “liked” the Facebook fan page, or followed the Twitter stream, or posted to your Twitter or Facebook account(s) – with a link to where you did it – 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 Thursday, July 14th. You can enter up to three times total. Post that you have met all three requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

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

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

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 48-72 hours of the winner-announcement to claim their prize.

Good luck!

LOKTAH offers world-wide shipping via UPS & USPS. Volume discount available on large orders. And check out LOKTAH PRO exclusively for Professionals – APPLY FOR A PRO ACCOUNT (processed within 24 to 48 Hours).

Thanks so much to LOKTAH for the awesome gift set giveaway!




The digital edition of the July 2011 Professional Photographer Magazine is now online for digital subscribers.

For this month’s article I reviewed the ‘latest and greatest’ lab products by Pixel2Canvas, Miller’s Professional Imaging, Moo, WHCC, McKenna Pro, MPixPro, ProDPI, Collages.net, Color Inc. Pro Lab, MeridianPro.com, Black River Imaging, and H&H Color Lab.

Click the magazine pages above for a larger .pdf version. You can find the article on page 52, page 54, page 56, and page 58 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.

In case you didn’t notice, we also have $500 worth of gift cards up for grabs from Patti Brown Photography, LLC and Kaleidoscope. That one ends on Wednesday, July 13th – don’t miss it!




Don’t forget – if you notice the site not being updated, please check Facebook for announcements. Thanks!

I am so excited about today’s guest post / giveaway! Not only are the actual prizes amazing – so is the vendor!

I recently had a chance to try out the new Bad Sass backdrops, and I absolutely love them! They are printed on a nice, thick sturdy canvas and are so versatile. Here are a couple of my own shots featuring each of my drops and one in use at a recent session.

One of my favorite features is the 4″ of unprinted canvas left at both ends, meaning you don’t lose a single inch of actual backdrop if you choose to clamp the top to a background stand, or the bottom to a faux-baseboard. It also gives you space to add grommets, velcro, or attach to a hanging system.

So now that you totally want one of your own, read on for your chance to win it!

Hi everyone! Terry here from Sassy Designs, Inc. again!

First of all, I want to thank Robyn for having me back again on the Paperie Boutique blog. I’m sure most of you know of Sassy Designs, Inc. as Robyn has been generous enough to host Sassy giveaways numerous times over the past two years.

This time I am back to announce my newest venture with my oldest and dearest friend Kristen of Kristen Caldwell Photography. Together we have created a specialty backdrop company – Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. Utilizing the original digital paper designs from Sassy Designs, Inc. as well as exclusive patterns from Florabella Collection we offer a wide variety sure to meet the needs of any photographer!

Our backdrops are printed on 100% canvas with a matte finish sealant. The sealant acts as a UV protector as well as a water resistant barrier. It allows us to guarantee that you will never have a glare no matter what lighting situation you may be shooting in.

All of our canvas backdrops are 60” wide and come in lengths of 4’, 6’, 8’ or 10’. We offer the option to split all 8’ and 10’ canvas backdrops into two designs giving you more versatility and a cost savings! You can choose any two patterns available on our site for your split design canvas. Whether it be two different wall patterns or the combination of a wall pattern and a flooring design the choice is yours!

We’re sure the quality, clarity, and color of our backdrops will amaze you! Canvas backdrops are durable, versatile, lightweight, and an investment that will last you nearly a lifetime! For more details and to see our available patterns please visit: www.badsassbackdrops.com. Please be sure to also “like” us on Facebook to keep up with our news and updates! www.facebook.com/badsassbackdrops.

We’d like to give one lucky Paperie reader a gift certificate for $250 to Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc.– which is the cost of a 10’ canvas backdrop. (And as a special bonus another lucky Paperie reader will win a $250 gift certificate to Sassy Designs, Inc. to celebrate Sassy’s ninth birthday!)

How do you win? Easy!

1. Like Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/badsassbackdrops

2. Follow Sassy Designs on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/sassydesignsinc

3. Post the following to Facebook or Twitter (and tell us where you did it):
Win $250 gift certificate to Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. / BadSassBackdrops.com at PaperieBoutique.com / @paperieboutique – http://is.gd/6BTPlw

4. Leave a note in the comments here saying what your favorite Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. product is.

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

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, May 8th. You can enter up to four times total. Post that you have met all four requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

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

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

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 24-72 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize.

Good luck! Thanks again to Robyn and good luck to everyone that enters!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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




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

And one to grow on!
-Robyn

I’ve worked all week and have two more sessions today and tomorrow, so I’m just going to start posting new “business packaging / holiday packaging contest” entries as I can individually – make sure you scroll down to the previous entry to check so you don’t miss anything!

Up next is Heather Beadles of Heather Beadles Photography & Design…

I’ve struggled with knowing how to package large canvases so that (1) the client could easily get them home, (2) they would be cute and not in the shipping box, (3) not cost an arm and a leg, and (4) protect the canvases. So…I decided to get out my sewing machine and play. Besides, I LOVE burlap and floral fabrics!

This past weekend I made very rough-sewn bags out of cheap burlap and twill lining fabrics, along with a floral that matches my logo colors. I am NOT a great seamstress…I even sewed the seams on the outside…burlap on the outside, the twill on the inside! My logo is printed onto printable fabric 8.5×11 fabric sheets and sewn on. I got everything at Hobby Lobby. I’m not totally happy with the ribbons….but didn’t have time to order a darker red grosgrain ribbon to match. The fabric “envelopes” were a cinch and perfect for DVD cases, prints (all of which are in plastic from Clear Bags), and albums.

Honestly, the bags took me too much time, but I wrote down my dimensions and next time it will go a lot quicker. (A rotary cutter / mat is a must!). I’m able to do this because I limit my sessions to only 2-3 per month right now. When I start getting busier (i.e., when the kids are in school), I’ll probably hire someone to mass-produce these. My prices are high enough that I feel like if I’m selling an album or canvas for $1000+, the least I can do is provide a cute bag. My clients have LOVED them and are using them for other things…all while carrying my logo around town! My marketing/branding hopefully communicates very custom photography, so these really fit because they are custom made.

In the photograph, the largest bag is for a 20×30 gallery wrapped canvas. The other two medium-sized bags are for a 16×16 and 16×20 canvas. I left the canvases in the plastic and the sheet of foam that they were shipped in for even more protection. I love how they turned out!

Wow Heather – I love this idea! They look fantastic!

If you’d like to enter the contest – the awesome prizes are a $20 gift certificate to Paper Source and a $100 gift certificate to HB Photo Packaging – send in one (or more) photos of your business packaging. It can be your everyday packaging, something special for the holidays, or both!

Happy wrapping! Send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com] thru Tuesday, November 30th.