Paperie Boutique • products, packaging and marketing ideas for professional photographers » Christmas cards

I’ll have what she’s having

robyn — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:25:28 +0000

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

For this month’s holiday-themed article I contacted everyone’s favorite photographers and asked, “What are YOU giving your clients this year?”

Those who answered the call include:
•  Michele Anderson (pinkletoes.com)
•  Lena Hyde and Design Aglow (designaglow.com)
•  Beth Jansen (bethjansenphotography.com)
•  Beth Forester (foresterphoto.com)
•  Alycia Alvarez (alyciaalvarezphotography.com)
•  Kelli France (francephotography.com)
•  Shannon Holden (shannonholden.com)
•  Lori Nordstrom (nordstromphoto.com)
•  Jamie Schultz (jamieschultzphotography.com)
•  The Boudoir Divas (theboudoirdivas.com)
•  Heather Lickliter (stylizedportraiture.com)
•  Sarah Petty (sarahpetty.com)
•  Kelley Ryden (kelleyryden.com)
•  Clark+Walker Studio (clarkwalkerstudio.com) -and-
•  Me / Robyn L. Pollman (buttonsandbowsphotography.com)

There’s also a bonus-supplement on holiday cards featuring designs and kits by Design Aglow, Jamie Schultz Designs, Simply Color Lab, The Album Cafe, Designs by Taz, and My Lil’ Creations.

Click the magazine pages above for a larger .pdf version. You can find the article on page 42, page 44, page 46, page 48, and pages 50-51 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.

I just put together my own charging station / valet using a much less expensive desk organizer from Amazon.com – I saved half of the Pottery Barn counterpart.

You can read more plus pricing comparisons at Pinterest if you’re interested.

Don’t forget Wednesday is the last day to win an album box full of ECO CHIC goodies from Rice Studio Supply:

Happy November everyone! Check back this week for MORE fun giveaways!
-Robyn & Todd

it’s Friday – I’m in love

robyn — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:30:07 +0000

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

sign on the dotted line

robyn — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:51:58 +0000

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

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

my announcement guide that now goes in my welcome kit

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

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

Included in this supplemental packet:

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

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

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

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

shown above – Baby Girl Quotes (left) / Baby Boy Quotes (right)

shown above – Press Card Release (left) / Holiday & Seasonal Quotes (right)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ATTENTION: All links you post must direct to public-access accounts. We cannot verify links on private, friends & family only, or passworded accounts and they will not be eligible to win this item. If we have to subscribe to your feed, a website, or forum – or request permission to see them – your entry will automatically be disqualified.

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

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

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

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

Good luck!
-Robyn and Todd

guess who’s back – back again

robyn — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:28:27 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to check them out in the shop with introductory pricing! (Save $20!)

And here’s a teaser of what’s coming up next week – you won’t want to miss it!

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

Have a great weekend everyone!
-Robyn & Todd

you’ve been carded

robyn — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:12:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to check it out in the Design Aglow shop with introductory pricing!

And a heads-up from Robyn… I recently started using Design Aglow’s “Essential Birth Announcement Worksheet“:

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

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

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

-Robyn and Todd

mini Cooper

robyn — Sat, 21 May 2011 15:15:33 +0000

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

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

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

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

↓ click image below for larger version ↓

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck!

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

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

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

perfect design

robyn — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:13:41 +0000

Excited to have another guest / vendor post with giveaway today by Design Aglow! Yes, I said Design Aglow!

Design Aglow’s Ultimate Album Builder is all your studio will ever need to create amazing albums time and again with ease. In addition to breathing any type of album into existence, this generous, 302 pages of album templates and five optional background textures is also fantastic for marketing, holiday cards, portfolios, slideshows and any application your studio can dream up.

Simply select your desired layouts and create an album or project with as many pages as needed by simple drag-and-drop for the easiest workflow yet! A seriously stunning tool for serious studios, don’t hesitate to incorporate this robust product into your arsenal. Build your best albums today with our instant download.

PERFECT FOR:
• Photographer’s portfolio
• Unique and flexible client album
• Baby album
• Studio marketing
• Card or postcard (one page), a tri-fold card (three or more),
or more for a studio brochure
• Show one page at a time for a DVD slideshow product
• Frame several pages for a wall display
• Holiday cards
• Thank you notes

PRODUCT DETAILS:
• 302 pages, 12×12 square design
• Fully automatic. Bundled actions make inserting images a breeze
• Five optional background textures
• Suitable for any album company
• Includes bonus InDesign version of the templates for a speedy
  drag-and-drop workflow
• Compatible with Photoshop CS and newer, InDesign CS3 and
  newer, Photoshop Elements 6.0 and newer (templates will work,
  actions will not), Windows and Mac

*Special thanks to Anna Mayer Photography, Sarah D Harper, JG Photography, Angela Weedon Photography, Paul Johnson Photography & Untamed Heart Photography for the lovely images.

Click here to check it out in the shop with introductory pricing through March 29th at 5 pm EDT.

To celebrate the release of the Ultimate Album Builder, Design Aglow is giving away a $100 gift certificate to one lucky Paperie reader! How do you win? Easy!

1. Like Design Aglow on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Design-Aglow/100326373364376?ref=ts

2. Follow Design Aglow on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/designaglow

3. Post the following to Facebook or Twitter (and tell us where you did it):
I want to win a $100 gift certificate to DesignAglow.com / @designaglow over at PaperieBoutique.com / @paperieboutique – http://is.gd/heq8QX

4. Leave a note in the comments here saying what your favorite Design Aglow 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 Monday, March 28th. 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 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!

Good luck!

P.S. From the Design Aglow Twitter account today: a Facebook fan and a Twitter follower will win a $75 gift certificate today…tell your photog peeps! (nothing to do, just join us)

We have another giveaway going on this weekend as well from Color Inc.

Check it out!

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.

7 levels of the Candy Cane Forest

robyn — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 02:44:05 +0000

It’s completely unlike me, but this year I just didn’t have time to do a lot of product and packaging shots for the holidays. 2010 has been anything but normal. Between being sick and juggling three jobs, I still haven’t caught up on Paperie mail and “business packaging / holiday packaging contest“ entries from November. I’m getting there. Just not there yet.

But cheating the clock…I’ll share what few pics I did take. This isn’t my standard Christmas card packaging. (This year I used 5x7x1″ red boxes from H-B Packaging, decorated with white groisgrain ribbon with red stitching and holiday-colored buttons, then adding on either mini candy cane or peppermint twist faux candies.) The box shown below is by Jolie Wraps for a particularly large card order:

The white chipboard is from CK Resale, the candy decoration is from Michael’s, the grosgrain-stitch ribbon is from eBay, the aqua tissue is from Paper Source, the snowflake and satin ribbon are from Michael’s, the bag is from H-B, the snowflake on the bag is from the Michael’s $1 bin, I switched out the regular white bag handles for Christmas fabric ribbon from Michael’s, the red and cream snowflake tissue is from Target, and the Moo minicard bag-tag is available for free download here at Paperie.

Don’t forget – you can still get the entire “Fit to Print” store on sale (for $40.00) through January 1st, 2011! Get over $300.00 in products (including the binder template) for $40.00 – an 87% savings and some designs retire in 2011!

And I’ll be posting more “business packaging / holiday packaging contest“ entries soon so stay tuned!

(don’t) paint it black

robyn — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:09:24 +0000

It. Just. Got. Interesting! If you’ve been thinking of entering your packaging photos in our best business packaging / holiday packaging contest, now’s the time to start “doing“.

In addition to a $20 Paper Source gift certificate as a prize – now HB Photo Packaging has also kicked in an additional $100 gift certificate to their store!

Have no idea where to get started? Check this old Paperie entry for inspiration!

Get wrapping and send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com]! Submissions last thru Tuesday, November 30th.

[ And a tip from Robyn: If you have a Michael's near you, go raid their $1 bin. You'll find dozens of holiday-themed goodies to stick, hot glue, or tie on your packaging - some in multi-packs making the cost of a little "spice" less than a gumball! ]

I’ve known Justyna Nielsen of Funky Monkey Photography for years now and I’m so excited to have her here for a guest post on Paperie!

Creating whimsical easels

If black isn’t a part of your branding, why use black easels? Spice things up with your favorite colors or even use special effect such as distressing or crackling. Match up colors to your branding or room décor.

Creative uses:
I used one as a menu holder for my leather-bound price list I keep in my studio. A few other ones hold colorful frames with product descriptions. I also used a few for gifts for my clients when they purchased storyboards. Here are some other creative uses:

1. Price list. Place a price list or brochures in one of these easels for a beautiful display in your studio or at an auction, expo or event. For best results, your price list can be in form of a fabric/leather bound menu or mounted on a sturdy backing. Choosing the correct easel size is important so items don’t fall out or cause the easel to tip over if too big.

2. Collages. Provide your clients the whole package. If you offer styrene or board mounted collages, offer easels for “display ready” option to your clients. Perfect for mantels, desks, shelves, tables. You can look into wholesale easel purchasing and make sure you add the cost to the item price. This is called “value adding” in pricing.

3. Smaller frames fit in easels too. Place a cute 5×7” birth announcement (or a photo) in a matching color frame and display it on an easel. We recommend using a different shade or a complimentary color for the easel. Can make a special product or a gift.

4. Album or press book display. Instead of laying your albums on a table, create a more visible display by placing albums in easels. Especially impressive if your albums open up flat and have seamless spreads. Open it to your favorite panoramic image and place in the easel. Your clients can create different displays each month by opening to a different page.

5. Holder for product shots. Colorful holder for product shots to make an appealing price list.

6. Sign holder. If you participate in any expos or auctions, you can have your logo printed and mounted on a styrene or foam board and then placed in a matching color easel. Ideal for the expo tables. Place any other display items that may fit in them to create more interest.

7. Holiday card display. Choose this standard easel or one of the photo/note holder trees, paint in your chosen color and attach holiday cards.

8. Props. Have a lot of paint left? Sand a kid chair or another wooden prop and use the spray paints to give them a new look. Spray paint an ordinary garden tub or a planting pot to transform it into a new prop. Spray paint cans or small buckets for pen holders.

9. Uniform frames. If you’re like me, you have a collection of empty mismatched frames. Pick 6-7 of your favorite and spray paint them the same color. Perhaps a distressed or crackled antique white for the shabby chic look. You can use 2 colors such as hot pink and black to split amount frames. Hang them up empty on your wall for a creative wall decoration if you feel you can’t fill them with photographs right now. You can also cut corkboard to fit a frame for a creative reminder board or frame a chalkboard for a funky message board.

You will need:
- Metal easel any color
- Spray cans of primer (optional)
- Paint spray cans in desired color
- Cardboard and gloves recommended to keep your area and hands clean

Time:
The paint in spray cans is pretty fast drying but you will need multiple coats for best coverage.

Process:
1. Prepare a metal easel. Easels can be purchased online or in most craft stores (mine are from Michael’s Craft Store). Wipe clean and dry. Place in a well-ventilated space on a cardboard or newspaper. The spray paints will have a big reach so avoid spillage by protecting the area. I sprayed mine outside but I had to watch out for wind blowing any leaves my way.

2. For best coverage, spray the easel with a primer. This step is optional. I made most of mine without the primer.

3. Find your favorite color in spray paint from a local hardware store. I found mine at Home Depot, Menard’s and Ace Hardware. I picked these colors because they fit my logo colors (orange, lime green and purple). The rest were fun shades I found for chairs and other props.

4. Shake the can vigorously before each use. Spray from about 1 foot away in thin coats. Let dry in between multiple coats. For best coverage, avoid getting too close or going over in the same spot multiple times without letting it dry. Once the paint gets pretty thin and starts running, remember to shake the can again. I tend to start with the bottom so I flip the easel upside down. Spray. Wait. Flip on the other side, repeat the process. Inspect from all sides when dry. If you mess up, wait until it dries, sand with fine sand paper and re-paint a larger area.

Versions:
- Use one color (such as turquoise) for under coat and a different
one (such as green) for the final coat. Wipe off the outer coat
in a few spots with a dry bristle brush to reveal the under coat.
- Use sand paper to rough up the edges for a distressed look.
- Try a crackle or other special effect paints.

Justyna Nielsen is the owner and photographer of Funky Monkey Photography with a tale. She specializes in baby and children photography in Madison, Wisconsin.

[ Note from Robyn: Easels can also be purchased inexpensively onllne from Display Collections and Easel Moments. ]

Thanks so much for stopping by Justyna! I think I have some painting to do now…

Happy, merry!
-Robyn

seeing double!

robyn — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 21:21:39 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, October 25th. You can enter up to four times total. Post that you have “liked” the Facebook fan page, followed on Twitter, posted to Twitter (with link), and / or posted to Facebook (with link) – in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to four total times – one entry each for the four options listed above.

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 24-48 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize.

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

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

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

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

The piece above was inspired by fall in New England.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Comment(s) must be posted on this entry by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, October 25th. You can enter up to three times total. Post that you have “liked” the Facebook fan page, posted to Twitter (with link), and / or posted to Facebook (with link) – in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to three total times – one entry each for the three options listed above.

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting – entries for this contest will begin at comment #28. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 24-48 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize.

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

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

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

Have a great weekend!
-Robyn

wild are aces

robyn — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 03:47:12 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Friday, October 15th. You can enter up to four times total. Post that you have “liked” the Facebook fan page, followed on Twitter, posted to Twitter (with link), and / or posted to Facebook (with link) – in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to four total times – one entry each for the four options listed above.

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

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

If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain. If you are a photographer and are interested in having your packaging featured – or are a vendor and are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured – please contact robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.

you’ve been carded

robyn — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 01:28:50 +0000

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

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

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

card photos from Buttons and Bows Photography, LLC

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

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

So how do you win? You have four chances!

1. “Like” Photo Card Boutique on Facebook

2. Follow @PhotogBoutique on Twitter

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

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

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 22nd. You can enter up to four times total. Post that you have “liked” the Facebook fan page, followed on Twitter, posted to Twitter (with link), and / or post the link to your Facebook, blog, forum, or Flickr posts – in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to four total times – one entry each for the four options listed above.

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

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

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

makin’ a list – checkin’ it twice

robyn — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:40:41 +0000

The following is something I ran across while hunting for card templates earlier this morning, and I purchased it on the spot — the “Holiday Cards: Vol. IV” kit (licensed for professional photographer use) by TheShabbyShoppe.com.

The Christmas card kit is currently on sale for a steal at $9.95 and it includes:

14 – 4×6 and 5×7 cards, both sizes (total of 28)
7 – 4×8 cards (4 unique)
5 – 5×5 cards
34 – word-art graphics

Here’s a couple of cards I whipped together with my own Buttons and Bows Photography holiday images as an example:

TheShabbyShoppe.com also has a page with tons of sample cards made from the “Holiday Cards: Vol. IV” kit to give you a better idea of all you can do with it.

Please note: This is not a vendor or guest post – this is a product review of a kit that I purchased myself from a vendor (without being contacted by that vendor in advance of this post).

Don’t forget to check @theShabbyShoppe on Twitter for good freebies! Just make sure you pay close attention to licensing / usage terms for each download.

Earlier this week we held a contest for a chance to win the “Photographers SEO Book” and “Photography Blog SEO Zen“.

Zach Prez has announced the two winners!

“Photographers SEO Book” winner is: Stacy Z / stacyziegler.com

“Photography Blog SEO Zen” winner is: Erika / bluebombphotography.com

Congrats to both winners and thanks again to Zach for the terrific prizes!

FYI: Check in all week. There are giveaways and features coming up that you won’t want to miss!

Happy Labor Day!
-Robyn

eyes all aglow…

robyn — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:40:43 +0000

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

but Friday, never hesitate…

robyn — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:38:51 +0000

An incredible end to an incredible week – today an amazing giveaway / guest post from Jamie Schultz Designs. I’ve been a fan of Jamie’s work forever and I’m beyond thrilled to have her here at Paperie!

Jamie Schultz Designs is so excited to be featured as a guest on the Paperie Boutique blog. Let me take a moment to introduce myself. I was raised in a very small town in Nebraska where my passion for all things creative developed. My grandmother owned a charming flower shop and I spent countless hours watching her design works of art right before my eyes. As a child, I dabbled in art but didn’t find my niche until I picked up a camera. At that point it was evident that photography would serve as my creative outlet.

A childhood dream was realized when I opened my studio loft in the quaint downtown area of Hudson, Wisconsin. Inspired by the charming details in my grandmother’s shop, my boutique style studio offers the capability for unique custom photography. With that came a client base who came to expect a wide array of products to preserve and showcase the images from their session. As my photography business grew so did the number of inquiries from other photographers interested in purchasing my designs for use in their own businesses. Thus, Jamie Schultz Designs was born.

Using my signature style, I create templates that are clean and simple with a splash of defining detail that will undoubtedly impress your clients. These timeless designs include collections of holiday cards, birth announcements, graduation announcements and coffee table books for engagements, high school seniors, families, and babies.

As a token of our appreciation to the loyal Paperie readers, Jamie Schultz Designs is offering a $10 gift code off $50 or more to you just for reading this blog! (Enter code: paperie10)

In addition, one lucky winner will receive a $50.00 gift code to www.jamieschultzdesigns.com

See below for details how to win!

First become a Facebook Fan of Jamie Schultz Designs.

Then post this in your status…
I’m loving http://paperieboutique.com -and- http://www.jamieschultzdesign.com

Next come back here and leave a comment here where you’ve done so … and you might just be the lucky winner. Good luck!

UPDATE-EDIT: Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 16th.

Thanks so much Jamie (and Natasha)! Don’t forget to stop by the site, the blog, and become a Facebook Fan to show your appreciation!

UPDATE: The winner has been announced here. Thanks again to Jamie Schultz Designs and everyone who entered!

Also don’t forget that the iPhone case template kit collection by Go{4}Pro is still up for grabs through 11:59 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 15th – there’s still a chance to win!

Have a great weekend everyone!
-Robyn

P.S. Look around the sidebars and say “hi” to several of our new advertisers. If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain. If you are a photographer and are interested in having your packaging featured – or are a vendor and are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured – please contact robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.