don’t blame the messenger

Paperie had one more *emera camera bag to give away, and this time we’ve partnered up with The Savvy Photographer Blog to do it!

Go visit the Savvy Blog for more details on how to enter – and good luck!




Just finished the new splash page on my Butttons & Bows site – wanna peek?

I’m really pleased with how it turned out! For more information on using QR Codes on your website, go here.




I have a “pretty packaging” board on Pinterest if you haven’t seen it ’til now.

One of my favorite boards is “Cool branding and packaging“ by Phreckles Photography. What’s yours?

Leave a link to your favorite pinner or Pinterest board in the comments here – one Paperie reader who does will win this cute camera magnet set:

Have a great week everyone!
-Robyn & Todd

tag you're it: bag • blog • business • camera • camera bag • contest • emera • emera bag • gear • giveaway • green • guest post • handbag • messenger • photographer • photography • pocketbook • print • prize • purse • Savvy Photographer • strap • supplies • tote • tote bag

the winner’s circle

We’re excited to have one of our regular vendors back for another giveaway / guest post! I have this prize here with me in person and it’s sometthing I’d love to have for myself!

Nathiya at *emera has donated one of her new Circle Print Tote camera bags – and one lucky Paperie reader gets it!

The above images show the (interior of the) bag filled with my own equipment. I did not fill any of the pockets. To give you an example of what the interior compartment holds, pictured above with the Circle Print Tote are a Nikon D700 body with grip, a Nikon 50mm f/1.4G lens, a Nikon 85mm f/1.4D lens, a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G lens, a Nikon SB-800, an Apple iPad2 with Speck iPad2 FitFolio Cover, and an Abie Designs camera strap. Here are the specs on the bag:

    • Water-resistant PU coated canvas with soft leather straps and trim
    • Zipper top for security
    • Quick-access outside pockets for phone, keys, ID and emergency mints
    • Generous interior zip pocket for very important accessories
    • Large interior compartment for iPad, magazines, and file folders
    • Modular Velcro dividers create seven padded, customizable compartments
    • Durable canvas interior lining
    • Small metal feet help protect the bottom of the bag
    • Bag size: 15 x 11 x 6”

So now that you WANT it, how do you WIN it? It’s easy! You have FIVE chances!

1. “Like” *emera on Facebook

2. Follow @emerabags on Twitter

3. Post about *emera bags on Facebook

4. Tweet the following on Twitter:
Win a Circle Print Tote designer camera bag from Emera / @emerabags / http://emerabags.com from @paperieboutique – http://is.gd/LjW34x

5. Leave a comment here and tell us what your favorite *emera bag is.

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

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

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

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Friday, October 14th. You can enter up to FIVE times total. Post that you have met the individual requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

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

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

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




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

Don’t miss this chance to connect with our readers! The Paperie new advertisers sale ends October 15th.

More giveaways coming up – including ANOTHER *emera bag – so stay tuned!

-Robyn & Todd

tag you're it: bag • camera • camera bag • circle • contest • emera • emera bag • gear • giveaway • guest post • handbag • photographer • photography • pocketbook • print • prize • purse • strap • supplies • tote • tote bag

sign on the dotted line

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:

Purchase this four-page kit:

Special Paperie Price $15.00

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

tag you're it: announcement • announcements • approval • assembly • autumn • baby • birth • birth announcements • branding • business • card • cards • cardstock • Christmas • Christmas cards • contest • custom • Design Aglow • designs • fall • Fourth of July • giveaway • holiday • holiday cards • infant • lab • marketing • materials • newborn • photographer • photography • press-printed • print • prize • quote • quotes • release • St. Patrick's Day • supplements • supplies • templates • text • Thanksgiving • Valentine's • Valentine's Day • winter • wording

it’s in the bag

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

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




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

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

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

tag you're it: business • canvas • Christmas • client • client information form • column • columnist • frame • frames • gift • hand crafted • hand-made • handmade • hemp • holiday • Loktah • magazine • marketing • materials • mini frame • natural • organic • ornament • ornaments • photographer • photography • print • product • products • Professional Photographer Magazine web exclusives • Professional Photographers of America • published • supplies • The Organic Bloom

c’est fini – giveaway 32

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

Winner announcements started on Monday, July 25th…


The title from the last giveaway (#31) is the French translation of “My Way” – I thought the lyrics quite appropriate for what turned out to be an 8-day event! I also have a special connection to the song. It is one of my first memories as a child, and I could not have been more than 4 years old at the time. I remember walking up to the counter at TG&Y with a 45-record of the song, and plopping down my ‘hard-earned’ allowance on the counter. I felt so big and so proud at the time, and now it just makes me giggle (as I’m sure my family did watching me). No Bay City Rollers for me! Even at an early age, it seems I always overshot my mark and did it “my way“! But now that I’ve lost 75% of my audience with Sinatra, Bay City Rollers, TG&Y, and 45-record references…before you can all run off to Google to figure out what in the world I’m rambling on about after a week of sleep-deprivation…I’ll just say, “And now, the end is near“…and we’ll move on to the fun stuff! PRIZES!

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

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

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

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

And last but certainly not least…



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

So how do you win? It’s simple!

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

2. Like WHCC on Facebook.

3. Like WHCC on Twitter.

4. Like HB Photo Packaging on Facebook.

5. Like HB Photo Packaging on Twitter.

6. Like Patti Brown Photography / Kaleidoscope on Facebook.

7. Like Patti Brown Photography / Kaleidoscope on Twitter.

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

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

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

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Thursday, July 28th. You can enter up to eight times total. Post that you have met both requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck!

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

Our other birthday giveaways you may have missed…
Contests # 1-32 now all closed – winner announcements ongoing!

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

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

Here’s all YOU need to do to sign up… Just select your ad-purchase in the pull-down menu below, send your payment via PayPal, and voilà! [more]

click here to order now



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

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

tag you're it: 2 • 2nd • action • actions • anniversary • birthday • bow • bows • boxes • branding • business • canvas • celebration • contest • custom • decor • designs • digital • elements • favors • float mount • float wrap • giveaway • guest post • H-B Packaging • HB Packaging • HB Photo Packaging • lab • laminate • lustre • materials • mettalic • packaging • party • photo • photograph • photographer • photographs • photography • photos • Photoshop • print • print lab • prints • prize • ribbon • supplies • templates • texture • textures • two • WHCC • White House Custom Color • wrapping

deux années – giveaway 27

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

Winner announcements start on Monday, July 25th…


Prize pack time again – whoo hoo! This time we have great birthday gifts for one lucky reader from Collages.net, BrandSushi, and Noel’s Paperie.

Noel’s Paperie features custom paper-related items such as custom invitations, favors and decor for events of all kinds. All items are handmade, with your wants in mind. No one has ever had the same designed invitation, and creating unique items for almost any event is what Noel’s Paperie is here for! Thank you!

Included in this prize pack are a $50 Print credit to Collages.net, “The Wedding Workbook” ($95 value) from BrandSushi, and $25 off any invitation order from Noel’s Paperie.

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

1. Go to your Facebook and Twitter accounts and post the following on either or both (then tell us where you did):
Win a @Collagesnet & @brandsushi & NoelsPaperie.com gift pack @PaperieBoutique / PaperieBoutique.com – http://PaperieBirthday.com

2. Like Collages.net on Facebook.

3. Like BrandSushi on Facebook.

3. Like Noel’s Paperie on Facebook.

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

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

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

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 26th. You can enter up to five times total. Post that you have met both requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

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

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

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

Good luck!

Big thanks to Collages.net, BrandSushi, and Noel’s Paperie for this amazing prize pack. Don’t forget to check for their Paperie birthday celebration coupon codes. You can find those codes, and several others from our vendors, continually updated this week here!




Weekend’s almost over and we still have several more giveaways left!
We’ll keep going ’til all of them have winners – see ya’ soon!
-Robyn

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

tag you're it: 2 • 2nd • 2nd shooter • anniversary • birthday • Brand Sushi • branding • BrandSushi • business • card • cards • celebration • Collages.net • contest • contract • custom • decor • designs • favors • giveaway • invitations • materials • party • photo • photograph • photographer • photographs • photography • photos • portrait care • price sheet • print • print release • prints • prize • questionnaire • second shooter • set • shot list • supplies • templates • two • wedding • wedding announcements • wedding invitations

deux années – giveaway 23

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

The goodies just keep on coming — a gift pack from Collages.net, BrandSushi, and Handmade Paper Album Boxes by Leah Gibbons Photography.

Included in this prize pack is a $35 coffee table book credit from Collages.net, “The Portrait Workbook” by BrandSushi (worth $95), and a “Sample Pack” of album boxes by Handmade Paper Album Boxes. (Sample pack worth $70 includes four boxes: {1} size-8×8 in Natural, {1} size-10×10 in Natural, {1} size-8×8 in Charcoal, and {1} size-10×10 in Charcoal.)

So how do you win? It’s simple!

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

2. Like Collages.net on Facebook.

3. Like BrandSushi on Facebook.

4. Comment here with your favorite Handmade Paper Album Boxes color.

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

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

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

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, July 25th. You can enter up to five times total. Post that you have met both requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

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

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

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

Good luck!

Huge thanks to Collages.net, BrandSushi, and Handmade Paper Album Boxes for this awesome giveaway. Don’t forget that Collages.net, BrandSushi, and Handmade Paper Album Boxes all offered coupon codes for our Paperie birthday celebration. You can find those codes, and several others from our vendors, continually updated this week here!



It’s the weekend and I still have several more giveaways left!
We’ll keep going ’til all of them have winners – see ya’ soon!
-Robyn

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

tag you're it: 2 • 2nd • album • anniversary • birthday • book • boxes • branding • BrandSushi • business • business forms • catalog • celebration • coffee table book • Collages.net • commercial • contest • contract • digital pricing • forms • giveaway • Handmade Paper Album Boxes • indesign • lab • licenses • marketing • materials • Microsoft Word • model release • packaging • party • photo • photograph • photographer • photographs • photography • photos • Photoshop • portrait • portraits • print • prize • product care • questionaire • studio • supplies • templates • two • workbook • wrapping

all shapes ‘n’ sizes

One of the biggest perks of my job is the “sneak-peeks”. I’m excited to share what I recently received from Black River Imaging!

click photo above for a larger pop-up version

They announce… Black River Imaging just introduced their super-stylish Specialty Shaped Metal Prints in 7 sizes and 30 silhouettes.

Inspired by French flea market mirrors and vintage signs, Specialty Shaped Metal Prints blend the modernity of metal with Old World charm.

You choose the surface type that suits your style: Vibrant produces crisp detail and rich colors; subtle color gradations become dream-like with Metallic Fade. Each print is finished in gloss or matte.

Metal prints are lightweight and easy to clean. They are made from 100% recycled aluminum. You can mount them easily with an optional float block (for sizes larger than 5” square) or opt for drill holes to thread your favorite ribbon or chain.

For an eclectic look, try a cluster in various shapes and sizes on a client’s wall or mantlepiece. Or hot-glue atop a fabric-covered clamshell box for an exquisite wedding memory keeper.

Specialty Shaped Metal Prints from Black River Imaging
• 30 designs, 7 sizes from 5” to 45”
• Eco-friendly 100% recycled aluminum
• Two surfaces and finishes: Vibrant or Metallic Fade surface,
  Gloss or Matte finish
• Mounting options: float block; drill holes for your own ribbon or chain
• 3-5 business day turnaround time

For more information, please visit the Black River Imaging website.




I’m elated to announce that I am now writing for the Professional Photographer Magazine “Web Exclusives” column online, in addition to being a Contributing Editor and freelance columnist with the print-magazine. You can read my first article here titled “6 Etsy Shops We Love“.

I look forward to submitting more articles in the near future, so stay tuned!

Don’t forget we currently have a giveaway going from BrandSushi. It’s a chance to win a copy of their eBook “Total Package Pricing“!




Last but not least, we have a winner in the Cindy Irene Photography giveaway…and the winner is…Erika of Just Peachy Photography!

Congrats to Erika, and thanks again to Cindy Irene Photography!

tag you're it: aluminum • business • column • columnist • contest • Etsy • giveaway • marketing • materials • metal • packages • packaging • photographer • photography • print • prize • Professional Photographer Magazine web exclusives • Professional Photographers of America • published • ribbon • shapes • supplies • website • wrapping

pick a Color

It’s a rare weekend post at Paperie Boutique! I’m excited to share our newest giveaway from Color Inc. Pro Lab, my latest column in Professional Photographer Magazine, and the winner in the recent Pinhole Press contest.

First up, welcome back Color Inc. for this vendor / guest post and giveaway.

Our solid wood 3/4” ready to hang Studio Mounts are a great way to creatively showcase any of your favorite family, wedding, newborn or senior portraits! Each Studio Mount is professionally finished with a smooth black laminate beveled edge and your choice of one of our 4 quality finishing options. Additionally, each piece will arrive with a pre-cut keyhole slot on the back, ready to hang straight out of the package!

• Print Finishing Options: Canvas/Satin/Matte/Velvet
• Your choice between black or white edging under the
  ’Options’ tab in ROES.
• Studio Mounts have a 3-5 business day turnaround time.
• 4×6, 5×5, 5×7, 8×8 & 8×10 Studio Mounts come with an
  Acrylic Dowel Rod Easel Back for quick shelf display.

And now three lucky Paperie readers can win a 12×12″ (or smaller) Studio Mount from Color Inc.! How do you win? It’s simple:

1. Like Color Inc. on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Color-Inc/190322407656875

2. Follow Color Inc. on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/colorinc/

3. Post the following to Facebook or Twitter (and tell us where you did it):
Win a 12×12″ solid wood Studio Mount from @colorinc / colorincprolab.com at PaperieBoutique.com / @paperieboutique – http://is.gd/pWJ39N

4. Leave a note in the comments here saying what Color Inc. product 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. EST on Tuesday, May 10th. 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!




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

For this month’s article, I reviewed photography-related props by American Photographic Resources, Inc., Barbour Backdrops and Props, Bugs-N-Blooms, Denny Manufacturing Company, Marketing and Props for Photographers, Design Revolution, Savvy Photographer Store, and Virtual Backgrounds.

Click the magazine pages above for a larger .pdf version. You can find the article on page 70, page 72, and page 74 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.




Last but not least: Pinhole Pro has selected a winner in their Paperie giveaway…and it’s Jennifer Farris!

Congrats to Jennifer and thanks so much to Pinhole Pro for the amazing prize!

Don’t forget we also have another giveaway going through Sunday night – it’s your chance to win two $250 gift certificates to Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. and Sassy Designs, Inc.

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

tag you're it: backdrop • backdrops • background • backgrounds • barnwood • column • columnist • contest • faux flo • faux floor • flooring • giveaway • magazine • materials • May • May 2011 • mount • photographer • photography • print • prize • Professional Photographer Magazine • Professional Photographers of America • prop • props • published • The Goods • website • winner • wood

gratitude. journal.

When word got out from a recent post, I can’t even begin to describe the response. My brain, and heart, are overflowing with joy and amazement. How do you truly say thank you for something like this? Or the forum posts full of concern? Or the vendor notes of support (like the one when Moo‘s Vice President alerted several colleagues on staff to make sure I was taken care of just because he could). Or surprise gifts in the mail. Or Tweet DMs to check in – one from Pixel2Canvas on vacation in the middle of the Grand Canyon. Or the dozens of e-mails we’ve received. Or a note from a photographer who had just lost her husband and the father of her 5 children, worried about MY FAMILY. (We are so ok by comparison.) Or the little surprises in our PayPal account just because. I mean, it’s more than the human mind can really wrap around.

You go through life trying to do good and just make it day to day. You stumble. Sometimes you stumble hard. Sometimes you even hurt people. You dust yourself off eventually, regroup, reprioritize, remember you’re not really all that (well maybe all that, but often minus the potato chips), and promise yourself that if you don’t learn from those past mistakes what’s the point of the future…so buckle down and get to it… That’s been my 2010. I’ve buckled down and got to it. I had another such gut-check / perspective experience on a CT-scan table just over a week ago to make me even more focused on what’s really important.

In my recent Rangefinder piece, I wrote about the photographer community and my close relationship with my vendors. While being interviewed about this website, the article opened and closed with the following:

I let ‘Fit to Print’ evolve into Paperie Boutique, a standalone blog, through which I’m paying it forward to those who helped me along the way…..What has this experience taught Robyn? “I’ve learned to never underestimate the generosity of people and their willingness to teach and share,” [Robyn] says. “Just when you think you couldn’t possibly be more proud of your professional community, something as simple as a ‘thank you’ or ‘I can help with that’ never ceases to amaze.”

How could I have known when I wrote that, just a few short weeks later…

I’m used to being on the organization and donation collection end of things. It’s been humbling to be on the receiving end to say the very least.

Then yesterday the latest ‘random act of kindness’ showed up on my door step.

It’s no secret that I love HB Photo Packaging, but this was just beyond unreal. This was a surprise just for me, just because. You can read more of the details over here at Flickr – please make sure to add to the comments and thank them on behalf of our professional community!

And shop their weekend sale—HB Packaging is having a 10% off summer sale!

And speaking of vendors, we have a winner in the recent Design Aglow contest! It’s Silvine Designs / Silvine Photography:

Congrats to Michelle and another huge round of THANKS to Design Aglow for being such big supporters of this site, and for donating such fantastic prizes! Thanks to everyone who participated as well, and have a great weekend!

tag you're it: Acrobat • bags • Bella Terra • bows • boxes • branding • Bridge • brochure • business • client • clients • contest • custom • Design Aglow • Fit to Print • gift • giftwrap • giveaway • guest post • h-bphoto.com • HB Packaging • HB Photo • HB Photo Packaging • HB Photo Packaging Store • Lightroom • Mac • magazine • marketing • materials • newsletter • packages • packaging • photographer • photography • Photoshop • Photoshop CS • presentation • print • prize • promo • promotional • ribbon • slideshow • studio • supplies • templates • THANK YOU HB! • vendor • Windows • wraffia • wrap • wrapping

EXTRA! EXTRA!

We’re back in limited capacity! Thanks so much to everyone for their well-wishes and support! To our new advertisers, welcome! We’ll do our best to get you added in the days ahead.

I’m happy to announce we have an awesome Design Aglow giveaway this week – their new Studio Newsletter Collection magazine-style marketing tool. Read on and see more!

Want to get in front of your target market and stay in touch with your best clients in the most beautiful way? Our quarterly newsletter collection is a must for the studio who wants to stay at the top of their market!

Pre-designed, pre-written, yet 100% adaptable, we offer up a bounty of fresh ideas for topics that easily market all aspects of your studio. Show off new products, your most current images, and inspire with fab session ideas while you keep in touch with clients and prospective clients.

Four quarterly issues used for marketing with a luxury feel, printed as quadfold and mailed to best clients or used in high-tech yet cost efficient way, online. We have included instructions to make sideways scrolling online newsletter to blow your clients away via the web.

This beautiful product includes:
• four sets (winter, spring, summer, fall) of professionally written and designed pages complete with patterned backgrounds, design elements, and space to insert your own images
• A full tutorial

PRODUCT DETAILS:
• Fully customizable, consisting of unflattened .PSD files to customize all colors, text, fonts, and images
• Each brochure contains 8 – 4 x 5.5 inch pages – easily print as an accordion at your favorite lab
• Includes product images, but not portraits
• Contains directions to make an amazing online pdf with Photoshop, Acrobat and Bridge, and a slideshow with Lightroom
• Compatible with Photoshop CS or newer, Windows and Mac

How do you win? It’s simple! Leave a comment here with a positive testimonial why you love Design Aglow.

Then go to Twitter or Facebook and post:

I love Design Aglow / @designaglow – visit Paperie Boutique / paperieboutique.com by @shutterblog to win a new Studio Newsletter Collection

One lucky reader will be picked at Random by random.org from the numbered comments. Contest ends at 11:45 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 25, 2010. Good luck!

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

tag you're it: Acrobat • branding • Bridge • brochure • business • client • clients • contest • Design Aglow • giveaway • guest post • Lightroom • Mac • magazine • marketing • materials • newsletter • photographer • photography • Photoshop • Photoshop CS • print • prize • promo • promotional • slideshow • studio • Windows