wild at heart

Today’s vendor / guest post by Wild Hearts Photography also includes a great free download. This is one you don’t want to miss!

I have been a child/family photographer offering custom, lifestyle sessions for approximately 6 years. I absolutely love what I do! Throughout the process of teaching myself about Photoshop, I realized that I had an affinity for creating custom-designed pieces for my clients. This has translated into creating unique templates for other photographers to use.

I have and still do use many templates from other sites, but truly love just starting from scratch and working through the design process myself. One thing that has frustrated me with some of the templates that I have used from other vendors is the level of complexity that they involve. For my templates, I have worked to create a simple, user-friendly format, eliminating unnecessary steps and making them understandable for the basic to intermediate PS users. I’ve also tried to make these templates affordable-something that anyone can get and use.

I currently have many templates in the works, but the first to be released are the Print & Blog Templates {Basics}. This is a set of 10 storyboards for printing and 10 duplicate storyboards, sized for blogging. It also includes a bonus 16-image template.

The print templates are high-resolution, sized at 8×10, 10×10 and 10×20 and are very flexible in that they can easily be resized, rotated and backgrounds changed for an even greater amount of layouts.

The blog-sized templates are low-resolution, duplicate copies of the print templates, sized at 900 pixels wide and these can also be resized for other blog formats or website use. The Basics templates are clean and modern, fitting well with any style of photography and the storyboard format showcases your images in a unique, dynamic way that will appeal to your readers.

These templates are specially priced at just $15.00 for this introductory week only! Other promotions/discounts will be offered on a regular basis and are announced on my Facebook page. When purchasing the templates, you receive an email with download links immediately after payment-so no waiting for items to be sent. You can get started creating right away!

In the Works: I am working on another set of the Print & Blog Templates that have the ever-popular, rounded corners. These should be released within this month sometime. I have many other templates (cards, marketing items, storyboards/collages, etc.) that may also be added in the near future.

Free download: Paperie readers can snag a free PS action that I created to get some of the red out of my images. This is especially useful when using the soft light layer that tends to create more red tones. Find it here!

I would also love to give away a set of the Print & Blog Templates {Basics} to a lucky PB reader. If you just cannot wait to get your hands on these-get in on the special introductory pricing, offered this week only!

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

1. “Like” wildheartsphotography on Facebook

2. Follow @WildHeartsPhoto on Twitter

3. Post the following on Twitter:
Win Print & Blog Templates {Basics} template set from WildHeartsPhotography.com/ @WildHeartsPhoto at PaperieBoutique.com / @paperieboutique

4. Post about Print & Blog Templates {Basics} on Facebook

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 Friday, October 8th. 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!

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 four total times – one entry each for the four options listed above.

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 24-48 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize.

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

Good luck, and thanks to Wild Hearts Photography for the great free action and template set giveaway!




We have a winner in the Design Aglow ornament contest and it’s Three Graces Photography!

Congrats to Three Graces Photography, thanks to everyone who entered, and thanks to Design Aglow for such a fantastic prize!




If you missed it earlier, we have a great advertiser special going on right now – and it includes a gift certificate to Paper Source! Check it out…

P.S. 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 here at Paperie – please contact robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.

can you catch the moon?

I’m really excited about today’s guest / vendor post! Paint the Moon has been a long-time advertiser here at Paperie, and now Annie is offering up a giveaway, and a special promo for Paperie readers.

Plus read ’til the end for FREE Moo holiday sticker template downloads!

Paint the Moon offers Photoshop actions to help bring new life to your images and take hours off of your editing time. Offering professional editing tools that help you do everything including extensive retouching, essential workflow edits, and beautiful and unique artistic processing. Using Paint the Moon actions will make complicated processing amazingly quick and are a breeze to use. Paint the Moon actions are also highly customizable for just the right look.

Also offering vintage and fine art textures to add a unique and high end look to your final images. Included with every texture purchase is my exclusive “Textures Rock” action set that makes applying textures and customizing the final look super easy.

Paint the Moon also offers video tutorials to help guide you through the editing process (new ones are now being added weekly) and beautiful free actions and textures to try before you buy.

And now you can win the NEW “Whole Shebang Action and Texture Bundle” from Paint the Moon!

Also included in the giveaway prize is Paint the Moon‘s newest set, to be released this week, “Picture Perfect {mega portrait package)”. Here are a couple sneak peeks of before and afters using the new sets:

So how do you win? You’ve got four different ways to try!

1. “Like” Paint the Moon on Facebook

2. Follow @paint_the_moon on Twitter

3. Post about Paint the Moon on Facebook

4. Tweet the following on Twitter:
Win the new “Whole Shebang Action and Texture Bundle” from paintthemoon.net / @paint_the_moon over at PaperieBoutique.com / @paperieboutique

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 Thursday, September 30th. 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!

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 four total times – one entry each for the four options listed above.

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 24-48 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize.

Good luck!

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

And right now all Paperie readers can use the code paperie15 for 15% off at Paint the Moon until October 15th!

Thanks so much to Annie and Paint the Moon for today’s guest post, giveaway, and reader-discount!




Today’s Moo.com newsletter announced that sticker books are now available in the U.S.! Up until now, they had to be purchased through the European store.

To celebrate, I’m making two holiday sticker templates available for FREE download – these coordinate with two Moo mini card templates I put on Paperie for download last year. Here are what the stickers look like:

→ download link ←  ¤  “elf-inspected” sticker (right-click, save-as)
→ download link ←  ¤  “(HO)³” sticker (right-click, save-as)
    UPDATE: third FREE Moo holiday sticker template now here

Both stickers are flat .png files sized for print at Moo.com. Visit this old Paperie post for information on purchasing additional Moo sticker templates.

New Moo.com customers can get 10% off their Moo orders through 9/30 with the code W9K55V.

The stickers above match these Moo mini card template FREE downloads (click the images for download links / info):

Be very merry!
-Robyn

These templates are ©Robyn Pollman, 2010. All rights reserved. They may not be copied, resold, made available for download or given away elsewhere, or redistributed without my written permission.

you spin me right ’round

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

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

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

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

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

your connection to the party line

We have a winner in the Go{4}Pro iPhone case template collection giveaway! It’s Rebecca Strang of Wise Idea Portraits:

Thanks again to Go{4}Pro, congrats to Rebecca, and a huge thank you to everyone who participated as well!

And don’t forget, Paperie readers have one more day (through Monday, May 17th) to use the discount code Paperie to get 10% off the iPhone case template collection at Go{4}Pro!

You also have until 11:59 p.m. EDT Sunday night to win a $50.00 gift code from Jamie Schultz Designs. Get to it!

win-win situation

We have a winner in the LCH Design $100.00 gift certificate giveaway, and it’s Susan Peck Photography!

Congrats to Susan, and a HUGE thank you to LCH Photography & Design for such an amazing, sought-after prize.

Thanks also to everyone who entered! If you entered and didn’t win, don’t forget that all Paperie readers get 20% off at the LCH Design store through May 3rd using the code PAPERIE20. There’s no limit to how many times you can use it!

And a new contest for 503 Photography Workshops launched last night — Paperie readers have the chance to win one spot to the online workshop for kids and teens! Check out yesterday’s post for more details!

golden ticket

I’m so excited to have Stacey Duncan of La Pomme Design and Goldapple Photography back for another guest post (January 2010, October 2009)! Make sure to read all the way to the end, because one Paperie viewer will get very lucky this week!

It’s a pleasure to be back at the Paperie Boutique! I have received so much inspiration from this blog and from the generous souls who are featured on here, so I love that I get to be part of it!

I have spent several months developing my branding, my marketing materials, and really, my business, and have fallen in love with it. Last year was my first year in business, and I didn’t realize how important it was to really LOVE the business side of my business. I mean, as photographers, we love the photography side of the business, but there is so much more to it! Even if you aren’t a business-oriented person, as a business owner you have to be somewhat savvy (or hire someone who is!), and you can enjoy the business more when you develop it to your tastes.

After determining my ideal client, my market, my business plan, and it was time to let my branding follow accordingly. I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted, and I knew how my main competition is branded, so I knew how to NOT brand myself as well! My logo was my starting point.

I developed a brand that is elegant, timeless, and is adaptable to all different types of portrait photography. It is appealing to my ideal clientele, and I am absolutely in LOVE with it – which is the most important part!

When a client books a session over email/the internet, they fill out the info form and contract online and pay online. I then mail the client a welcome packet in an envelope from Paper Source. The welcome packet includes a general information brochure, an investment brochure (which is my full price guide), a client gifts card, a session card that is specific to their session type (maternity, newborn, engagement, etc), a personal note handwritten from me, a fashion wallet guide, a set of paper examples, and a couple business cards.

If a client wants to meet in person for a consultation, I will bring the physical info form and contract for the client to sign. I bring the exact same welcome packet, except I bring it all in a large Paper Source envelope with the forms.

Some of my other marketing materials include a gift certificate, referral card with personalized image wallets, and a personalized 11×17 wall calendar. I also print stickers for my welcome packet mailings, shipping labels for client purchases, and copyright stickers to put on the backsides of image enlargements.

I get so many compliments from clients about my marketing, so I know it is successful in that they recognize it and admire it. I actually did a family session last Sunday night for two graphic designers, and they both were thoroughly impressed with it, which I took as a WIN. It’s like when another photographer admires your work, you take that as a higher compliment than when a client admires it.

Many of you know I am the owner of La Pomme Design, The Photographer’s Boutique. I have taken all of my marketing templates and made them completely customizable, able to work with any branding, and a perfect jumping off point for photographers who don’t have the time, inclination, or knowledge to create a full marketing campaign. I have even included a couple templates that I know other photographers use that I haven’t incorporated yet!

Introducing the Goldapple Photography Premier Marketing Kit! The kit includes unflattened .psd templates of the following:

- Business Card (front and back) (ProDPI)
- 2010 Calender
- Copyright Sticker
- Gift Certificate (WHCC)
- Special Occasion Gift Certificate (WHCC)
- Information Card (ProDPI)
- Investment Card (ProDPI)
- Session Type Card (ProDPI)
- Notepad (VistaPrint)
- Post-it (VistaPrint)
- Paper Texture Wallets (WHCC)
- Referral Card (WHCC)
- Referral Wallet (front and back) (WHCC)
- Shipping Label
- Limited wording is included

The Premier Marketing Kit is on an introductory sale for only $48 through April 30, 2010, only at La Pomme Design. On May 1st, the price will go up to $68, so now is the time to invest in your business and create a solid marketing campaign!

Also through the month of April, use the code “PBROCKS*” in the La Pomme Design Shoppe and get 20% off your purchase – no minimum!

*This discount does NOT apply to the Premier Marketing Kit, but does apply to everything else.

And just because I love getting free stuff as much as you, here is your opportunity to win the Premier Marketing Kit!

Step one to win: Either subscribe to the La Pomme Design newsletter or become a fan of the La Pomme Design Facebook page.

Step two to win: Go to your blog, Facebook account, Flickr account, or Twitter account and post the following:

I want the @goldapplephotos & La Pomme Design / lapommedesign.com Goldapple Photography Premier Marketing Kit – visit paperieboutique.com!

Step three to win: 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 8th.

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 four times total – one entry each per public, non-private blog URL / Facebook / Flickr / Twitter account.

You have four chances to win but only one chance PER LINK – please do not post the same link multiple times – duplicate links will be removed. And post your 1-4 separate links in separate comments 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 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize. Good luck everyone!

(P.S. If you win and have already purchased the kit, you will get a refund of your purchase!)

UPDATE The winner Sean Walker Photography has been announced here! Congrats and thanks to La Pomme Design and everyone who entered!

Thank you so much Stacey – you’ve been so good to the site and I know everyone appreciates it! Drop by and see her work at Goldapple Photography.

Don’t forget to enter the new Design Aglow contest (open until 11:59 p.m. EDT) if you haven’t already!

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).

If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain. Check the sidebar – several new advertisers are joining us this week!

all aglow

April is going to shower you with giveaways here at Paperie so make sure to check in often! To kick things off for the new week, Design Aglow has offered up an amazingly fantastic prize with their guest post. The last Design Aglow giveaway here was a smashing success and I have no doubt this one will be, too! So…take a peek at the new product “For collectors of art and style” for yourself!

Design Aglow’s got its eye on style, and these deliciously divine DVD covers in six sumptuous, show-stopping designs are no exception. For the client who wants it all, including a beautiful custom collection of digital negatives from your session, this product makes a case for a quality presentation clients are sure to want to collect for their own. Unlimited customizations, double and single case designs and even coordinating labels make this offering a masterpiece you’re going to Louvre.

PERFECT FOR:
• a beautiful custom keepsake for those who want to
  invest in all the images as high res files
• turning any session into the ultimate collection with
  a highly valuable digital product
• sending potential clients or those who refer you a peek
  at your portfolio
• to create matching cards, album covers, and even wall art
• use for your own fresh marketing materials, website and
  blog to help you stand out

See all six designs here. (Also recently featured on the Design Aglow Blog.)

Now the details on how to win this amazing prize… There are THREE up for grabs! Follow @designaglow on Twitter. Then either post the following to your Twitter or Facebook account:

For 24 hours get 15% off @designaglow & visit Paperie Boutique / paperieboutique.com to win 3 Design Aglow DVD cover collection templates!

Then come back here and post where you left the comment (one entry per person) in the comments.

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 prize.

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 6th.

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning numbers will be chosen by Random.org, and the three winners will be contacted within 24 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize. Good luck everyone!

But wait – that’s not all! If you follow Design Aglow on Twitter, all purchases (today, Monday April 5th) are 15% off for 24 hours!

Thanks so much to Design Aglow for this amazing prize giveaway! More are in the works so spread the word and stay tuned! (P.S. Want to know my favorite Design Aglow product as of late? The Parisian Collection photo and proof borders. I take two 4×6 vertical/portrait shots, add a border, and then add an additional white ‘digital border’ to make the image 5×7 – same with one 5×7 horizontal/landscape shot plus border, add an additional white ‘digital border’ to make the image 8×10 – then have the images mounted and fine-linen textured with a protective coating. Makes the perfect client gift. Instant fine-art wall gallery! UPDATE: By request, put an example of the bordered prints in the comments.)

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).

If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain. Check the sidebar – several new advertisers added recently!

Small wonders

Make sure you read ’til the end because there is another AMAZING (yes, AMAZING) give-away!

But since I’m a firm believer in “dessert first, main course later…” here’s another great packaging feature. Today’s guest post is by Carrie Small of Carrie Small Photography in Fayetteville, NC. You might remember that Carrie was featured here last August. She recently updated her packaging and it’s visual proof that lightning can strike the same place twice!

Appointment Reminder – sent out to clients after they send in their deposit to hold a session. The template came from Pink Ink Studios and is printed at my print shop as a folded bookmark.

Avery Notebook – holds my signed model releases, frames examples, and receipts. Purchased from avery.com [Note from Robyn: for more information about, and photos of, the Avery organizers see this previous Paperie entry]

“Flair for your Fridge” – used to seal the ribbons on my presentation boxes for my clients, I purchased them from somethingbluestudios.com. They are really magnets.

Copyright and Print Release – printed front and back press printed 5×7 card from my print shop. I add one to each presentation box. I purchased the template/wording from thepolishedphotographer.com.

High Resolution CD/Case – CDs are printed from CPQ, enclosed in a trifold 5×5 card from my print shop. The template/wording was purchased from thepolishedphotographer.com and includes copyright info, a signed print release, and printing recommendations. The CD hub was purchased at shop4tech.com.

Low Resolution CD/Case – I print the label for these CDs myself, and they are included free of purchased files. They are added to the presentation box with the clients images. Included is a the copyright information and terms of use for the photos. The CD hub was purchased at shop4tech.com.

Client Info Packet – includes a 5×5 Trifold Contract, Model Release and Price List (printed as a sell sheet from MpixPro) and 2 business cards, enclosed in a presentation envelope purchased from Paper Source.

Referral Packet – added to each client order. Includes a 5×5 flat press printed card containing my referral information. I print wallets of each order with my website information and referall information on the back of the wallets, and include them tied in a ribbon to the referral packet. They are then enclosed in a petal envelope from paper-source.com and sealed with custom stickers from Moo.com (not pictured).

Presentation Boxes – I purchase my boxes from Rice Studio Supply and enclose all prints in clear bags from clearbags.com. The box is then wrapped with a ribbon matching my branding and sealed with a flair for your fridge magnet from somethingbluestudios.com.

Calendar – printed from CPQ, I use this as my calendar for scheduling.

Thank You Card – this is a 5×5 print that I print after editing a favorite photo from the session – I try to do this the day after the session. It includes a thank you to the client as well as information on viewing the gallery when it is ready. I mail this in a 5×5 envelope from paper-source.com.

Thank you so much for coming back to share a follow-up, Carrie! Your work, and your packaging, are nothing short of perfection. You can catch Carrie to say thanks at her blog here.

Still with me? Good! Because here’s the amazing give-away coming up for one lucky reader!

Recently I was contacted by a regular reader, Tosha Francis, of The Captured Life Photography. This site has been a tremendous help to Tosha and her business and she wanted to “pay it forward”. So she is donating the “Studio Look Book – Basic” from Design Aglow ($175.00 value). I already have the download information. All you have to do is win it!

“Professionally written and graphically designed, our fully customizable template is divided into categories to help sell all your fabulous studio offerings, from everything from albums to wall galleries, specialty items, high resolution negatives and more. Our 30 page, 8×12 catalog template makes selling every single product your studio offers an easy and beautiful experience…simply insert your own product photo into our layouts.”

So exactly how do you win? That might be helpful information, no? Go to your blog, Facebook account, Flickr account, or Twitter account and post the following:

Win the @designaglow / designaglow.com Studio Look Book – visit Paperie Boutique / paperieboutique.com by @shutterblog to find out how!

Please note: The link you post must direct to a public account. I 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 four times total – one entry each per public, non-private blog URL / Facebook / Flickr / Twitter account. Post the URL to your link(s) in the comments for THIS ENTRY. Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Friday, March 26th.

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 everyone!

Don’t forget to tell Tosha “thank you” over at her blog, too! I ♥ my readers!

UPDATE: We have a winner! It’s Belinda Olsen Photography!

Congratulations Belinda and thanks to everyone who entered. More giveaways are in the works (including this current one by Photoflashdrive.com that runs through Sunday evening) – so check back!

And just a little FYI, you might want to make sure you check back in Friday. That’s all I’m sayin’ for now!

Last but not least… If you noticed things were a little wonky here earlier in the week, my amazing host (Hosting Matters) has been taking great care of us. They put Paperie over in its own space away from my other business and personal sites to make it even bigger / better / faster. I’ve been with Hosting Matters since 2001 and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. If you need a web host, check them out! You can get quite a deal if you say you’re from Paperie Boutique!

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).