This post is jam-packed full of giveaways and goodies to kick off your weekend on a good note! First up, one of our favorite vendors – BrandSushi – is back with an amazing birthday bash guest post / giveaway for Paperie readers!

The BrandSushi Grand Prize is a logo design ($650 value). And two runners-up will each receive a $75 gift certificate. BrandSushi is also running a promo code for 25% off with the code BIRTHDAYBASH throughout the entire month of November!

So how do you win one of these amazing prizes? It’s easy!

1. Tweet the following on Twitter (and tell us where you did it):
Win logo design ($650 value) + gift certificates for BrandSushi.com / @brandsushi birthday at @paperieboutique – http://is.gd/S4RZoa

2. Post the following to Facebook (and tell us where you did it):
Happy birthday BrandSushi! Win a logo design ($650 value) and gift certificates from BrandSushi.com over at PaperieBoutique.com – http://is.gd/S4RZoa

3. Like brandsushi on Facebook: facebook.com/brandsushi (or tell us you already “like” them)

4. Follow @brandsushi on Twitter: twitter.com/brandsushi (or tell us you already follow them)

Each entry requires its own separate comment here. (In simple terms: If you want FOUR chances to win, you have to do the FOUR separate 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 BrandSushi on Facebook and/or Twitter – 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. EST on Tuesday, November 8th. You can enter up to FOUR times total. Post that you have met the individual requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

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

You have 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 to everyone who enters, and thanks to BrandSushi for such incredible prizes for this giveaway! Happy birthday! And many more…




In case you haven’t heard, MOO.com is having a big sticker sale this weekend – stickers are 15% off through November 6th!

Don’t forget we have several FREE Moo holiday sticker templates available for download here at Paperie!

My new column in the November 2011 Professional Photographer Magazine has several “client gift ideas” suggested by your favorite photographers.

Here’s another – right now Groupon is having a sale on Snaptotes custom photo tote / diaper bags and clutches. The bags are normally $105 and $65, and the Groupon special (which includes shipping costs) has them for just $39 and $27 respectively.

It’s a great chance to put your logo on photos they’re sure to carry with them everywhere! As of 10 a.m. Eastern on Friday, November 4th there were still 15 more hours left to take advantage of this deal.




We have a couple of contest winners to announce! The winner of the “Organic Bloom frames for the Photographer’s Wall Display Guides” is…Jessica Hilborn Photography!

And the winner of the Rice Studio Supply “12×12 album box stuffed with ECO CHIC goodies” is…Brianne Osborn Photography & Design!

Huge thanks to Photographer’s Wall Display Guides and Rice Studio Supply for the fantastic giveaways, thank you to everyone who entered, and congratulations to our winners. I’ll be in touch with both of you this weekend with information on how to claim your prizes!




Whew! That was a lot for one entry!

Have a great weekend and good luck in the BrandSushi giveaway above!
-Robyn & Todd

Today we have a guest / vendor post by Leslie Vega Design (with a very special discount for Paperie readers), and I share my latest column in Professional Photographer Magazine.

Leslie Vega Design is a brand design studio offering inspiring brand designs for photographers, wedding professionals, and other creative businesses. From your logo to your web image, we keep you and your business personality in mind every step of the way. Whether you’re classic, chic, modern or go ga ga over all things vintage, we help you put together the perfect brand that reflects your business.

We offer logo design, stationery, web graphics, packaging and any other creative piece to complete your look.

We would love to have you visit our Facebook page, check out our website and jump on over to our Twitter page to keep up with the daily fun at the Leslie Vega studio.

Through September 15th, Paperie readers will receive a $100 discount on the design project of your choice! Whether you need your logo designed, or any other part of your brand!

All you need to do is join us on Twitter and follow us, and visit our Facebook Page! Like our page and comment to let us know Paperie brought you to us and your $100 discount is yours!




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

For this month’s article I reviewed albums and books by Loktah, DigiLabs, AsukaBook, KISS Books, Dream Album, Collages.net, Miller’s Professional Imaging, WHCC, Cypress Albums, GraphiStudio, Bay Photo Lab, H&H Color Lab, Finao, and Pinhole Pro.

Click the magazine pages above for a larger .pdf version. You can find the article on page 54, page 56, page 58, page 60, and page 62 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.

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

Winner announcements started on Monday, July 25th…

We’ve officially been at this a week now and we’re still going strong! Shame when you have so many amazing vendors donate so many awesome prizes, huh? Stay tuned today because we’ll start announcing winners to the earlier contests soon…

But first! How about we kick off with another giveaway — this one will have THREE winners! This one is from a Paperie favorite Design Aglow and DeVoe Creative Photography & Design.

Portrait Studio Welcome Packet
A fine “How do you do?”

Preparing your clients for investing in the ultimate custom portrait experience with your studio? Design Aglow’s Portrait Studio Welcome Packet is our latest comprehensive collection that sets the scene for a complete luxury experience. As time-saving as it is beautiful, all the information you’ll need is in one place and plants the seeds for ordering wall galleries and your finest products. Clients will look flawless—we supply tips for great hair, makeup, and clothing—and you’ll look even better, with a suite of items you can print yourself, or order in short runs at the your lab of choice.

A small investment to look like a million bucks (and the most impressive studio in your town), our products pay for themselves, setting the bar high for customer satisfaction and a true, customer portrait experience—and with the professional, inspiring appeal clients will want to share with friends.

INCLUDES:
•   welcome note: defines the custom portraiture experience and
    how your studio exceeds client expectations (5×7 flat note card)
•   session info card: time/date/location of session, plus studio
    information (2×7 folded bookmark)
•   fashion tips: a clothing, hair and makeup guide to help your
    clients look their best (5×5 trifold)
•   portrait referral cards to share with clients for marketing
    (business card size)
•   studio policies: what session includes, what to expect during
    and after the session, policies and copyright info (5×7 wide
    format card)
•   sticker: for branding the front of your packet (4×5.5)
•   essential “getting to know you” questionnaire to print yourself
    (8.5×11)
•   product menu: shares wall gallery and product introduction
    and ordering requirements (8 panel accordion card)
•   client gift: customizable mini promo book with 10 panels,
    quotes and studio info, plus front and back custom covers
    (3×3 accordion hardcover book)

•   BONUS: 8 page tutorial of must-have sources and information.

See more info & lots of images here:
designaglow.com/store/product…Studio-Welcome-Packet

One lucky Paperie reader will win: one $150 gift certificate to Design Aglow
- and -
one concept logo design ($250 value) from DeVoe Creative

Two other Paperie readers will each win: one $75 Design Aglow gift certificate

That’s THREE winners! So how do you win these great prizes? It’s simple!

1. Post the following to Facebook or Twitter (and tell us where you did it):
Win 3 DesignAglow.com / @designaglow giftcards + @devoecreative logo at PaperieBoutique.com / @PaperieBoutique – http://PaperieBirthday.com

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

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

4. Like DeVoe Creative on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/devoecreative

5. Follow DeVoe Creative on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/devoecreative

Each entry requires its own separate comment here. (In simple terms: If you want SIX chances to win, you have to do the six things listed above, and then make six 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 six times total. Post that you have met both requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to six 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 six 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!

Thank you Design Aglow and DeVoe Creative Photography & Design for the fantastic giveaways. Don’t forget to check the Paperie birthday celebration coupon codes. You can find coupon codes for several other vendors here!




Believe it or not, we still have more giveaways left! We’ll keep
going ’til all of the giveaways have winners – see ya’ soon!
-Robyn

Our next giveaway is courtesy of Rice Studio Supply! They are donating a super-cool prize pack that includes 8×10 White Portrait Cases* (25), Sheets of Damask Tissue (96), and a roll of Damask Paper Ribbon. (*Optional studio logo-imprint extra.)

So how do you win this wonderful prize pack? 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 packaging prizes from Rice Studio Supply / RiceStudioSupplies.com at @PaperieBoutique / PaperieBoutique.com – http://PaperieBirthday.com

2. Like Rice Studio Supply on Facebook.

3. Visit Rice Studio Supply and then come back here and tell us your favorite product of theirs in the comments.

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!

Many thanks to Rice Studio Supply for this great prize pack! And don’t forget Rice Studio Supply is offering 10% discount off one order valid July 18th-22nd for all Paperie readers! You can find that code, and several others from our featured vendors (recently updated) 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 tomorrow and at this rate, possibly even Saturday! 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!

Today we have another great vendor / guest post and giveaway from Dear Miss Modern and Deluxemodern Design – plus a discount code for all of our readers.

Hello Darling!

I’m Christine from Dear Miss Modern…..the chic and stylish design + branding shop from Deluxemodern Design.

While Deluxemodern Design specializes in high-end custom branding, Dear Miss Modern specializes in instant gratification!

In the design shop you will find pre-made logos, marketing sets, all kinds of fabulous patterns, cards, and our latest and greatest, The Blog Sugar Design Kit! What is THAT, you ask? It’s a neatly packaged group of design elements for your blog. Use all the elements, or just a few. Change the colors, or keep them. You decide. Works with any blog platform. Lots of new designs in the works!

We’d be so pleased if you’d come say hello, join our Facebook page, check out our site, and peruse our design shop!

And one lucky Paperie reader will receive a pre-made logo OR $100.00 to the shop {in case you don’t need a logo}.

You have three ways to enter:

1. Visit the Deluxemodern Facebook page at facebook.com/deluxemodern
    and LIKE it.

2. Follow Deluxemodern Design on Twitter at twitter.com/deluxemodern.

3. List your favorite Dear Miss Modern product in the comments here.

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.)

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Thursday, June 23rd. 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 with the giveaway darlings…I wish you all could be winners!

And right now all Paperie readers will receive a 10% disicount to Dear Miss Modern with the code MISSPAPERIE!




And lastly, a very belated announcement for the BrandSushi eBook giveaway…the winner is…Alison Douglass Photography!

Congrats to Alison and everyone who entered, and special thanks to BrandSushi for such a fantastic prize!




I know updates here have been quite sporadic due to health issues I’ve been having – but don’t forget to tune in often because there are several great vendor giveaways and features in the queue and I’ll be posting them as frequently as possible!

Thanks for your patience!
-Robyn

Today Khimberly Caton of Snaptastic Shots Photography is stopping by for a vendor / guest post and is giving away one of the three logos below to a lucky Paperie reader.

From the time I was a little girl I was fasinated with photography. I love the beauty and memories that come from photographs. I’ve been shooting since I got my first Polaroid – before digital cameras were around. I am totally and utterly addicted to the feeling I get from producing a wonderful work of art. Without it I am not whole. I feel an instant puppy love crush with my favorite photos.

I am an addicted photography-crushaholic.

I always knew the typical 9-5 job wasn’t for me… Converting my role from a Director and Lead Pre-K teacher into a full-time photographer wasn’t what I expected but it’s what I always wanted. A little bit of me goes into each of my photographs. I’m incredibly self-critical, not to mention a perfectionist. If my heart’s not in it then 9 times out of 10, the photograph is deleted because it just doesn’t evoke any emotion in me when I look at it.

As with most aspects of life, moments in time flash by in a buzz. This happens so quickly that we often miss the fine-tuned details of life which occur with beauty and synchronicity. I cannot explain the beauty that I discover. It comes to me in a flash as if it is an innate sense of knowing when to snap.

It is out there for all of us to discover.

Win one of the following three logos from Snaptastic Shots Photography!

You have three chances to win!

1. “Like” / follow Snaptastic Shots Photography on Facebook:
    facebook.com/pages/Snaptastic-Shots-PHOTOGRAPHY/

2. Post the following about prettygirldesigns.com on Facebook
    or Twitter (and tell us where you did it):
    I need to win a new logo design from Snaptastic
    Shots Photography over at @paperieboutique /
    PaperieBoutique.com – http://bit.ly/hxxl0n

3. Tell us which of the above three logos is your favorite – and why!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck – and thanks to Khimberly for this great contest!




Don’t forget we have an amazing stationery set giveaway going on, too!

Today we have a gorgeous packaging / guest / vendor post feature by Farrah Braniff Photographs. From the PPA Website, “Farrah Braniff is a Houston, Texas-based photographer, specializing in contemporary portraits of babies, children and families. Recognized for her unique design approach, she has earned numerous awards, including winning PPA’s AN-NE Marketing Awards for the last three consecutive years.”

And you’re in luck! At 2 p.m. EDT today (Thursday, February 23rd) you can participate in a PPA Webinar with Farrah Braniff:

“Become an Image Marketing Dynamo”
Creating a unique and cohesive image marketing campaign is vital in today’s world. But our clients are being bombarded by marketing messages every day…so how do you make yours stand out? It’s not “magic,” as you’ll see. In this webinar, Farrah will explain how she creates her own award-winning marketing materials and websites, walking you through the steps needed to create your own dynamic campaign (including how to keep your designs unified and cohesive). Open your eyes to find your visual inspiration, and get ready to wield that inspiration with true effectiveness.

This is my newest piece- a folder that will house my welcome pack of info. I am designing that now. This folder is about 8×8 and printed on pearl paper.

I am big on thank you notes and these are a few of the ones I send out. The second one is a personalized thank you note. I take an image from the client’s session, pop it into this template that I have made and send it off to White House to print. I make a pack of 25 cards for them. They go crazy and love it! The best part is that they send these out to their friends, which is a little bit of extra marketing for you!

I also love making fine art cards. I use images from my travels and personal photography. I include these as freebie gifts in people’s bags when they pick up. I think it is a great way to elevate your work and show your clients another side of you.

These are my print boxes and the laminated tags that I make for them. My clients LOVE the tags!

I also make great use of the White House Custom Color stickers. They can be used for everything!

Every year I have a batch of cute onesies and kid T’s made. I give them away at sessions. Clients love them! I get pictures emailed back to me of my client’s kids in the T’s. It’s fun and different and helps you stand out!

This is how we package up our gift certificates. I use 5×7 boxes, my logo ribbon and 5×7 flat printed cards from White House Custom Color.

These are my referrals cards. Almost all of my business is from word of mouth so rewarding my clients for this is really important. Each client gets a set of 50 cards. They give them to friends and, when friends book, both of them get a $100 studio credit. I firmly believe that, if you want to get clients talking and spreading the word, you have to make it worth their while!

I have a set of digital elements that I created and sell. You can see more about that at thedesignersmix.com. The yellow and blue backgrounds on these are from “Volume 1″ of the set.

Stay tuned for a very special giveaway from thedesignersmix.com! Don’t forget to drop by Farrah’s website and blog – and her webinar at 2 p.m. Eastern today!




I’m excited to announce the three winners of the $50.00 gift cards to Photo Card Boutique – Julie Wagner Photography, DeAnna Newsome, and Denise R. Contreras:

Congrats to the winners! Thanks so much to Photo Card Boutique and everyone who entered!

Heads-up there’s still a giveaway from Design Aglow that’s being extended through midnight tonight – so enter fast!

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.

I love being able to put up posts like this. It’s confirmation this site isn’t just random words floating out there into the ether. It really is helping people kick-start their businesses and launch their brand. Keep ‘em coming and pay it forward, I say! But first, enjoy a new guest post right-quick featuring a beautiful charity auction gift basket by Elizabeth Sethi Photography.

I started my photography business about a year ago, and have avidly read your blog for 6 months.

Through you I found Leah Remillet / GO{4}PRO who did my custom logo – and I have learned so, so much about creative packaging and marketing.

Last week was my very first charity auction, and my basket (thanks to all your blog posts and vendor ideas) was the hit of the auction! The ladies setting up the show spent at least 15 minutes “ooh-ing” and “aah-ing” over my packaging, my basket items, and my very own ‘Martha-esque’ bow. Without this blog I never could have created something so special, and set my photography business apart from the rest of the donors. I just had to share.

P.S. – I just got my Zazzle stickers in the mail…I’m in love!

ATTENTION PHOTOGRAPHERS: Show us your packaging! If the features here have helped you pull together your own look, please share with the class and pay it forward. Contact Robyn (e-mail link in the sidebar / robyn @ this domain) to be added to the posting schedule.

ATTENTION VENDORS: We tuck business cards, coupon inserts, and promo pieces inside of our prize packages. If you are interested in having yours included, please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment). Also contact me if you are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured on Paperie Boutique.

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

Today we’re very lucky to have a guest post by Kim Drury of MadiLu Designs. Kim also designs for one of my favorite template sites Pink Ink Studios. Read to the end for a chance to win one of TWO fantastic prizes!

What’s best for you? Custom or premade design?

I was so excited to hear from Paperie Boutique! Packaging and presentation is something I’ve loved my entire life. Thanks for having me!

There are many design resources for photographers. While some can, and ENJOY doing it for themselves, there are many others who don’t have the time to devote to designing their own marketing materials. It’s great to have so much to choose from, but can be overwhelming!

Many sites will offer premade marketing templates. You basically download the files, pop in your info and you’re finished. Easy peasy! Premades are great for the photographer on a budget or when you need something right away. They are also nice to have when you aren’t sure about your look or style, yet you need something to present a professional image. You’ll find some of my premade sets at Pink Ink Studios. There are many talented designers over there who offer great marketing templates and they are ready to go!

Custom design is beautiful and by far my favorite thing to work on. I recommend going the custom route when you’ve got a good idea of what image you want to portray to your clients and if you’ve been looking at premade sets and can’t seem to find “the one”. Custom work does take longer and is typically more expensive. It requires focus and input on your part, but when you’re finished it’s very rewarding. It belongs only to you and can set you apart from your competition.

I’m sharing a custom logo and set I recently created for Jack and Jane Photography. It was so much fun to watch this come together.

But wait! That’s not all!

One lucky Paperie reader can win this Premade Set from MadiLu Designs! (Premade Set includes business card, gift certificate, thank you, 2” sticker, print care card, copyright card, referral card, #10 envelope, 5×7 card, letterhead and 5×5 digital negative holder. Colors can be customized.)

Another lucky Paperie winner will win a Custom Logo Design from MadiLu Designs! (Custom Logo Design includes logo and watermark.)

Since there are two great separate prizes (and not everyone needs a logo) we’re going to split the chances to win. So to enter one of the giveaways, or both, please make sure you follow the directions closely for each one – as the contests and your entries are separate.

To win the MadiLu Designs Premade Set:

Go to your Facebook account or Twitter account and post the following:

I want the MadiLu Designs Premade Set from @madilu_designs / madiludesigns.com – enter to win at Paperie Boutique / paperieboutique.com

Post the URL(s) to your link(s) in the comments for THIS ENTRY. Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Thursday, April 22nd.

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

You can enter up to two times total for the MadiLu Designs Premade Set – one entry each per public, non-private blog Facebook or Twitter account.

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

Post your comment in the following format (up to two separate entries per person for this prize):

I posted to win the MadiLu Designs Premade Set on Facebook: [insert your Facebook link here]

  — AND / OR —

I posted to win the MadiLu Designs Premade Set on Twitter: [insert your Twitter link here]

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by random drawing out of a hat, and the winner will be contacted within 24 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize. Bonne chance!

To win the MadiLu Designs Custom Logo Design:

Go to your Facebook account or Twitter account and post the following:

I need a MadiLu Designs Custom Logo Design from @madilu_designs / madiludesigns.com – enter to win at Paperie Boutique / paperieboutique.com

Post the URL(s) to your link(s) in the comments for THIS ENTRY. Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Thursday, April 22nd.

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

You can enter up to two times total for the MadiLu Designs Custom Logo Design – one entry each per public, non-private Facebook or Twitter account.

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

Post your comment in the following format (up to two separate entries per person for this prize):

I posted to win the MadiLu Designs Custom Logo Design on Facebook: [insert your Facebook link here]

  — AND / OR —

I posted to win the MadiLu Designs Custom Logo Design on Twitter: [insert your Twitter link here]

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by random drawing out of a hat, and the winner will be contacted within 24 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize. Good luck everyone!

Thanks so much to Kim Drury and MadiLu Designs for this fantastic prize! Stop by the MadiLu Designs Blog and tell her thanks!

UPDATE: The winners have been announced here. Congrats to them and thanks to those who entered and once again to MadiLu Designs!

ATTENTION VENDORS: We tuck business cards, coupon inserts, and promo pieces inside of our prize packages. If you are interested in having yours included, please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment). Also contact me if you are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured on Paperie Boutique.

ATTENTION PHOTOGRAPHERS: Show us your packaging! If the features here have helped you pull together your own look, please share with the class and pay it forward. Contact Robyn (e-mail link in the sidebar / robyn @ this domain) to be added to the posting schedule.

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

I am so excited about this guest post—it has really inspired me to change things up a bit and add a few new items to my packaging arsenal. Sit back, take five, grab and drink, and prepare to be wow’ed by Heather of Heather Garland Photography!

“Wow, I feel like it’s Christmas and I just got handed the most beautiful present under the tree.” When a client told me this one day, I knew why I put so much work into my package. It wasn’t just because I loved packaging, it was because my clients loved it too and it made them feel special. Of course, I do love packaging too. It is so exciting to me and I am always working to improve my packaging. Most people think it is silly to put so much investment and work into handing clients who have already booked you their prints. I think that is quite wrong, our clients that have had sessions are photographers MOST important marketing tool. Every one of them has friends, family, and co-workers who get married, have babies, and want family portraits. Making my clients happy is my biggest goal, not just for referrals but because I genuinely consider them friends after our sessions. Because of this, when I hand them their prints, I want them to feel like I handed them something worth the hundreds of dollars they paid for it.

First off my amazing marketing products and logo are from Amy Grace at candyapplestudios.com. She is absolutely incredible. I already had my logo done before and just switched to her to give me a somewhat new look. She made me feel so professional and amazing. Every design she handed me I was in awe because they were so incredible.

Above is my packaging. I have 3 different sizes of bags (one for sizes up to 5×7, one for prints up to 8×10, and one for sizes up to 16×20), a few different sizes of boxes (wallets, 4×6, & 8×10), and multiple shipping boxes (4×6, 8×10, and DVD sized).

My bags, boxes, tissue paper, and shipping boxes are all from papermart.com.

My tags are from cpq.com, are tied with raffia from bagsandbows.com.

My 8×10 boxes (apparel boxes), which I place inside the bags, have ribbon from Hobby Lobby and are secured with a 2 inch sticker I made myself. (I am probably going to start an etsy store eventually, just because there aren’t a lot of places to get quality round stickers. I’ve tried tons of places like Zazzle and can’t stand the shift.) I also have a 2×3.5 inch sticker from whcc.com on the bottom of my boxes and in the middle of my bags.

Inside my boxes I put the prints, an envelope with a copy of the contract, a business card, a referral post card with referral cards, and usually a little post-it note with a note to the client.

Here is a close-up of the envelopes with the contract. They are from vistaprint.com.

I include referral cards that share my referral program, along with a baggie from clearbags.com with 5-10 referral cards. The large postcard is from whcc.com and the business cards are from gotprint.net.

These are the post-it notes from 123print.com.

My prints are secured with the appropriate bag from clearbags.com and have white backing board.

I also have little wallet boxes and 4×6 boxes (jewelry boxes) that are inside the bag (if applicable).

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They have small 1 inch stickers on them, which I use on a lot of my products. I also make these myself.

If clients order a gift card, I package them the same as prints but in a 4×6 box. Here is a close-up of my gift cards.

My shipping boxes are new for me, I figured if I was professional in my other packaging I should have the same look for my shipping too.

I get my shipping labels from 123print.net and use a 2 inch sticker to seal it.

I include a tag (unpunched), the pictures, and tissue paper. This a 4×6 sized box with 4×6 prints and wallets.

For my wedding clients, I have my contracts printed and put in a folder from Office Depot. My folders are the only thing I am changing soon. I am looking into brown folders from paperpresentation.com. I put a 1 inch sticker in the corner and a business card in the slot inside.

When they book I send them a copy of the contract, a thank you card, and a candle. The thank you is from whcc.com and the candle is from Bath & Body Works.

I also include a link to a personalized site. This site has dates their payments are due, a copy of the contract & model releases, a get-to-know-you email form, and special tips for the wedding. If you want to see an example you can check it out here: http://heathergarland.com/bridesite/

Here is a close up of the thank you cards, referral cards, and business cards again.

The only thing not shown is my DVD cases, they are from jewelboxing.com and designed by my amazing designer. They are personalized with pictures from the shoot, along with a print release, and a panel explaining cropping of the photos and recommending Mpix.com.

My marketing materials change all the time, but I feel like now finally my packaging is established and I will only be adding on new and more exciting pages in the future. I am so excited to be able to share my packaging and hope it can inspire someone. This blog has definitely inspired me in my packaging and I love Robyn’s packaging and every person featured on the blog. So I hope I can pay back in a way, what has inspired and helped me so much. Thanks!

Love, Heather

Did I tell you that you would be wow’ed or what? Please stop by Heather’s blog and / or leave a comment to tell her “thanks!” What a way to kick off the new week!

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

This has been a week of giving and freebies here at Paperie Boutique. Now with the next gift, in that spirit, it’s time to pay it forward and lend a hand. Please welcome Stacey Duncan of Goldapple Photography and La Pomme Design for today’s guest post.

It’s so great to be back on Paperie Boutique! I loved showcasing my boudoir packaging a few months ago, and its such an honor to get to introduce my new venture to Robyn’s loyal blogstalkers!

I started La Pomme Design a couple months ago when I was designing lots of cards and storyboards for my photography clients. I had photographer friends ask me to share my templates, I had a couple photogs ask me to design a logo for them, and I was developing new papers and my own textures to use to enhance my images. So I decided a great way to use these templates and things I was spending so much time designing would be to share them with others!

I simply can’t decide what type of design I love the most – simple and elegant, grungy and urban, fresh and modern, bright and colorful, or the so many other fabulous types of design. It is a curse and a blessing, because I don’t have a cohesive look that defines me, but that means I get to play all over the design spectrum, and I don’t feel backed into a design corner!

I am constantly working on new designs and templates, and I am still in portfolio-building mode in terms of custom design, but I am loving it! I offer card templates, album templates, storyboards, textures, digital papers, premade logos, and I am working on releasing more templates and expanding my offerings.

Until January 23, I am donating and matching all sales from La Pomme Design to the Red Cross to benefit the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Also, I designed a digital paper set based on and inspired by the Haiti flag colors, and I am offering it for free to all the Paperie Boutique readers. I hope you enjoy the papers (view here larger), and thank you so much for helping me save lives in Haiti by shopping in my shoppe!

Thanks for reading, and Robyn, thanks for taking the time to do this blog – I adore it, and am such a blogstalker! Thank you letting me be a guest!

{much love} stacey

Thank you so much, Stacey! There’s no better excuse to shop ’til you drop while getting an awesome freebie in the process! Please drop by Stacey’s blog and show your appreciation.

Just seen on The Savvy Photographer…..Photographers for Haiti: “Photographers for Haiti is a collaboration of photographers across the United States who are pledging to donate proceeds from one day of mini-sessions to one of four relief organizations to help with the destruction in Haiti.”

Also, if you haven’t heard about it yet – switchcities.com has photographic prints up for auction – the proceeds will go toward the relief efforts in Haiti. Word was just posted on their Twitter account that they’ve broken the 2K barrier!

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

P.S. In case you missed it, Paperie Boutique made the PPA / Imaging USA “What a great show!” newsletter this week – click here to see!

New week – new guest post! Today Jen Gentry of Mesmerizing Moments Photography shares how she set up a booth for a recent community event.

So grab a pen and paper to take notes. Ready? Set? Go! Take it away, Jen…

I think booths at local events are the best marketing you can ask for. They typically run about $100 for the entry fee, and then you can just bring whatever samples you already have, maybe order a few more, order a few hundred business cards, then borrow some tables and a tent! That’s it! One new client from it will pay for everything you put into it, but YOU WILL get more than one!

To make my booth a little snazzy, I just create a few different unique ways to display business cards, and decorate the whole thing with colors that match my logo and marketing. ☺

I set up my booth in way that catches people’s eyes (with large prints & canvases)—then to make them stay I put out lots of little photos, and candy with my business cards attached, and products. The longer you can get them to stay looking through your stuff, the longer you will have to sell yourself!

This booth was a big success, because I was approached by a local pediatrician office, and asked if I would like to do a big display in their office…ummm, “yes please!” These events are great ways to show your work, and get known in the area, for very little cost. I still get people from events long ago saying that is how they found out about me. And once somebody has met you in person, I think they tend to remember you more, so when need of a photographer comes up, they will spread the word for you!

Word of mouth has truly been my most successful marketing, and has kept my calendar full! You can just check your town’s website, and be on the lookout for fliers at local stores. Hope all that helps! Thanks so much for the guest spot. ☺

Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us, Jen! Don’t forget to stop by her website and blog and tell her you appreciate her time!

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