sprinkles on top

Today’s guest / vendor post is by one of my favorite sellers on Etsy – Shimrit’a cupcakes. One of her cupcakes has made a cameo here before, and now I get to feature her store!

I love having these cupcake props for my birthday sessions. For example, in the photo above, mommy had his special outfit made just for the session and didn’t want to ruin it with icing stains and grease. These look so real (both in person and in photographs) only you will know the difference! They are also great for outdoor birthday sessions because you don’t have to worry about the icing melting and sliding off the cake before you even get a chance to take the shot.

And now a little more from Shimrit’a cupcakes about her fabulous product – plus the chance to win one of your own below!

I guess it all started when I visited too many galleries and bought all kinds of cake stands. One for my kitchen, one for the dining room – but they always stood empty and lonely without a cake to keep them warm. So i thought maybe I would bake a cake ‘one of these days’, but that day never came since I’m not much of a baker… I gave up the idea of making a real cake and started looking for non-edible cakes to put on my stands 365 days a year.

I searched all kinds of places and found nothing. Recently I was in New York and thought it would be the perfect place to find what i was looking for, but yet again came away empty-handed. And that’s how my days of making display cakes and cupcakes began.

Now after a lot of experimenting I’m making beautiful and colorful cakes and cupcakes which will light up any dining room, living room, kitchen, coffee shop, or bakery. They can be used as a Christmas tree ornament, as centerpieces for baby showers and baby’s first birthday parties, as photo props, as paper weights for the office, and as photo-holders.

My cakes and cupcakes also make great gifts for birthdays and the holidays. Recently I even started making miniature cupcakes for necklaces!

You are more than welcome to browse my shop at Etsy: shimrita.etsy.com

And please follow me on Facebook: facebook.com/…/Shimritas-Cupcakes/

As a special treat for Paperie readers, this cupcake will be given away as a prize!

How do you win? Easy! Just do one (or all) of these three things:

1. “Like” the Shimrit’a cupcakes “Facebook fan page”

2. Post about Shimrit’a cupcakes Etsy store on Facebook

3. Post the following Tweet on Twitter:
I want to win a cute CUPCAKE prop with SPRINKLES from Shimrit’a cupcakes / shimrita.etsy.com at PaperieBoutique.com by @shutterblog

Then come back and comment here that you’ve done so – each entry requires its own separate comment.

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, August 25th. You can enter up to three times total. Post that you have “liked” the Facebook fan page, or post the links to your Facebook enteries or Tweets, in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

Please note: The link(s) you post must direct to public 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 or page or request permission to see it, you 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 ITEM – 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 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize. Good luck!

UPDATE: The winner has now been posted here! Check it out!

Hey, guess what?! Francypants Academy is having a workshop this October and you’re invited! (Click each of the images – 1, 2 – for larger detail.)

Kelli has been a frequent contributor here at Paperie and this is an amazing opportunity – make sure to stop by Francypants Academy for more!

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!

where tomorrow shines

We’re very lucky to have Jessica Cudzilo of 503 Photography and 503 Photography Workshops here for a guest post today. Don’t just skim this one because she’s given Paperie readers a couple of amazing treats at the end!

I am a lifestyle photographer based out of Cincinnati, OH. I shoot 75% children and families and love what I do! My favorite thing is showing up for a shoot with a grumpy kid who thinks getting his picture taken is the equivalent of sitting in timeout. I absolutely love the challenge of winning over a child’s giggles!

I also photograph individuals and always love the creative freedom that comes with working with just a single soul. There is so much freedom creatively when you’re not having to entertain a baby while shooting or having to adjust your settings AND run around in circles.

Apart from my photography I also run online workshops. I’ve found that people all over the country and world are hungry to learn how to use their cameras. So, I started hosting online workshops January 2009. The first one slowly filled up with 21 people. This last one filled up with 55 in less than 20 minutes!

We love the energy surrounding these workshops! We are getting ready to open registration for a new one so if you want in, check us out and send us a note. We look forward to meeting you!

Something we have just kicked off that I am MOST EXCITED about is our new set of workshops for kids and teens!

To read the heart behind these workshops click here and read the note I have written specifically to parents.

These workshops are for 7-10 year olds, middle schoolers and high schoolers, with each age group having their own set of lessons and online forum to connect with other kids their age. For loads of information about these workshops check out the site for more info.

These workshops are brand new and only offered during the summer so any and all spreading of the word you can do is greatly appreciated! We believe SO much in the value of art, the value of children and the value of family and hope you’ll join us for an incredible summer of learned photography!

And just because Jessica is so awesome…

Paperie readers have the chance to win one spot to the online workshop for kids and teens!

¤ STEP ONE (REQUIRED) — Visit the workshop website and discover your favorite thing about the workshop itself or the idea of promoting kids and art through photography.

¤ STEP TWO (REQUIRED) — Go to your blog, Twitter, or Facebook account and post the following:

I want to win a spot in @503Jess ‘s “503 Photography Workshops for Kids & Teens” at Paperie Boutique / paperieboutique.com by @shutterblog

¤ STEP THREE (REQUIRED) — First list your favorite thing about the workshop for kids & teens, or the idea of promoting kids and art through photography. Then post the URL to your link with the above text in the comments for THIS ENTRY. Comment must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Friday, April 30th.

Please note: If you have won a prize within the last 30 days, please sit this one out and give someone else a chance to win please! 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. If we have to subscribe to your feed or page or request permission to see it, you will automatically be disqualified.

You can enter once per person using a public, non-private blog URL, Facebook, or Twitter account. Please do not post the same link multiple times – duplicate links will be removed.

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. Hope you win!

But wait…that’s not all!

We are offering a discount to our kids & teens online workshops for all Paperie Boutique readers. Use the discount code PB503 for $25 off the workshop for 7-10 year olds and $40 off the workshop for middle and high schoolers!

Thank you so much Jessica – you’re going to make someone’s weekend! Take a few and drop by her blog and Facebook fan page to say thanks…

UPDATE: The contest winner has been announced here – thanks to everyone who entered!

Don’t forget there’s just under two hours left (11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 28th) to win a $100.00 gift certificate to LCH Design here on Paperie Boutique. Check out Monday’s post for more details!

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.

’til Tuesday

Recently I posted a storyboard collage on Flickr that I made for one of my clients.

With Mother’s Day rapidly approaching, I thought you might like to do the same for your clients – so I’ve modified my design above into a 10×5 “mini-storyboard” you can add photos to, edit as much or as little as you’d like, and give to your clients.

I suggest having the image lustre-coated, fine-linen textured, and mounted to styrene or double-weight matboard. You could even add in a cute tabletop easel as an extra special touch.

You will need to add three vertical / portrait images that are 750×1050 pixels, 300 dpi. You will see three folders for each of the images (left, middle, and right) – and inside each of the folders you will see the image frame on top, and another layer on bottom that you will hide after adding your image on top of it.

The white background color can be changed with one click as shown in the Photoshop background color fill layer in the Layers Palette. The text for the word “mom” and the pronunciation cannot be changed. However, the text for the definition CAN be changed. The font used is Garamond.

→ download link ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

I recently ran across this marketing set on Flickr (in the “Promote This!” pool) and immediately asked Cindy Irene Photography to feature her work here on Paperie. Her presentation is just so unique. I had never seen anything like it!

“I have been in business for close to a year now, just recently branding my business thanks to all the wonderful ideas here at Paperie Boutique! But, when I first started I didn’t care for the non-personalized choices so I created my own.

I made these client packets for 8x10s out of card stock. The front pocket is another decorative card stock to hold the low resolution CD that my clients receive with their prints. I used a bone scorer around the edges for added effect. I cut another designer cardstock to create a ribbon on the front (real ribbon could also be used) and leave a spot for my sticker or business card to be placed.

I also have these on hand now as gift packaging that the clients can purchase when they give prints to family and friends. Different sizes are available for wallets all the way up to 8x10s and can be created for Christmas, weddings, birthdays, etc.”

Don’t miss Cindy’s marketing set on Flickr – there are a couple of additional photos for ideas and inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing, Cindy!

Recently Paperie Boutique was a featured sponsor at “Photographer’s Kick Start | Guides and Products for Professional Photographers“. If you’re a fan of “Hey Girl, Nice Shot” you’ll definitely want to check out Jessica’s latest venture! (And not just because Paperie will be a part of the ‘virtual swag bag’…) It’s a great training program to help photographers teach other moms how to use their DSLRs. The pre-release is available on April 30th.

Last but certainly not least, don’t forget you have until 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 28th, to win a $100.00 gift certificate to LCH Design here on Paperie Boutique. Check out yesterday’s post for more details!

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.

The 10×5″ storyboard template is ©Robyn Pollman, 2010. All rights reserved. It may not be copied, resold, made available for download or given away elsewhere, or redistributed without my written permission.

viva Las Vegas

Today I thought I’d start off by getting right to the good stuff – the freebie! One of my most prized possessions is my Hello Kitty photographer sticker on my car.

I recently bought another one and it came in a set of two. Since I only need one, the second one (shown here) is up for grabs!

Here are the details about the sticker:

• Outlasts and outshines regular vinyl
• Water Resistant: Designed to withstand all types of indoor and outdoor weather conditions
• Clear transfer tape for easy peel-and-stick installation
• Clear tape allows you to easily see where you want to stick the decal
• Intense look at night and stands out
• Appears silver/metallic white in daylight, but glows brightly at night when light hits it
• Sticks to any smooth clean surface: Cars, Notebooks, Windows, Walls, Mirrors, Laptops…

To win, you know the drill! Go to your blog, Facebook account, Flickr account, or Twitter account and post the following:

I love photography and I’m not ashamed to admit I ♥ Hello Kitty, too – visit Paperie Boutique / paperieboutique.com to win both-in-one!

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 Wednesday, March 17th.

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

And if you just can’t wait to win one, you can buy one on eBay!

UPDATE: The winner has been announced here! Thanks everyone!

Now on to the good stuff! We have another guest post / 2010 WPPI Las Vegas recap, this time provided by Ursula of Sweet Shots Photography.

The photos submitted with this entry are so good, I didn’t want you to miss any detail. So each one can be clicked on for a larger pop-up!

And away we go…

Being that I live in Las Vegas, there was no way I was going to miss attending WPPI. Sunday through Tuesday consisted of classes and more classes which left Wednesday to do nothing but stroll the Tradeshow and let me tell you, Wednesday could not come fast enough! Not because I didn’t enjoy the classes, but because I was so excited to see the Tradeshow.

There were hundreds of fantastic vendors and here are some of my favorites:

Photo Flash Drive
• Huge variety of USB flash drives with free logo engraving
• Coolest part? No minimum order!
• Get 50% off any custom iPod case, Lanyard, Pen or USB Flash Drive. Code: CSPPAS5

Planet Jill Photo Jewelry
• Nice selection of jewelry and a wide variety of photo key chains, charms, etc.

Metal Mural
• They specialize in printing metal murals that are assembled with 4”-12” sized metal tiles.
• What caught my eye? The Mini Metal Mural Stand. This would make a great display for your studio.

H&H Color Lab
• Hot item: the 2×2 Square Minis. Every card can have a different image on one side and the same text on the other. These would be awesome for marketing cards and even to give your business cards a new look.

The Boudoir Divas
• A workshop in Paris, France! What, what!! April 29-May 2, 2010 Full of shooting, sales and everything in between. Oh, how I would love to check this out!!

Bayphoto
• A full service printing company offering prints, albums press printed and more. One of my faves, metal prints in almost every size, from a 4×6 to 30×40.

StudioCloud
• Need business management software? Check out this company for FREE business software that will help with Client Management, Scheduling, Bookkeeping and more. This is a definite check out!

Triple Scoop Music
• Awesome place for royalty free music for your website. Want to save 10%? Discount code Awesome2010 within the next 30 days for 10% off.

Scenes from the MPix Pro booth…

One of Robyn’s (paperieboutique.com owner) promo pieces spotted at the ProDPI booth.

The Finao booth…

The Wild Sorbet Frame Company booth… (UPDATE: It has now been noted twice in the comments that the frames shown above are Whimsical Frames by CPQ, and not by Wild Sorbet.)

Here are some other miscellaneous Coupon Codes:

WHCC – Save 25% on focused templates (Code WPPI2010)

ACI American Color Imaging – Existing customer? Get a free 16×20 print (Code: W1620A)

ClearBags – 10% off (Code: WPPILV3)

All in all, WPPI was AWESOME! Next year if you have to choose between buying a lens and attending WPPI…..attend WPPI. The people you meet, the classes you can attend, and the experience you will have gained—priceless!

Ursula Valmore
Sweet Shots Photography

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with everyone, Ursula! Please drop by her blog and tell her thanks, too! And don’t miss our other Vegas recap from last week with even more vendor codes!

And don’t forget to enter the contest up above. You have until 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, March 17th. Hope you’ll have some Luck o’ the Irish!

If you’re interested in sending reviews / photos of WPPI 2010, or 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).