that’s me in the spotlight

Paperie Boutique / Buttons and Bows Photography / yours truly were featured in the Monday, May 23rd blog post by Nashville Wraps.

Here’s an excerpt (which includes one of our previous features of Kelli France):

Please visit the Nashville Wraps blog to read the entire article! Many thanks to them for such a great promo / feature! (You can find our recent vendor / guest post by Nashville Wraps here.)

This week is not only the last week of school, but also finds my grandmother having her second heart surgery of the week on Tuesday, plus I’m still swamped with a busy spring of shooting and processing. I have posts, giveaways, and features in the queue and simply no time to wade through them all and edit for publication right now. Keep checking in because I promise once the floodgates open again it will be worth it!

In the meantime, don’t miss that we currently have a $100 gift certificate to Photo Card Boutique up for grabs. The contest ends late Tuesday night. Read here for more details…

Thanks for your patience as I try to catch back up to ‘normal’ life!
-Robyn

mini Cooper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck!

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

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

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

a cow goes…

Once more apologies for the lack of updates. I actually have posts waiting in the queue and no time to edit them. I confess I’m just not Superwoman and Supermom. I’m just a really tired photographer and writer right now, trying to make sure in all the chaos that her kids and family come first…

So a quickie today from the latest MOOsletter in which yours-truly was featured.

And don’t forget you can find FREE Moo templates in our free downloads.

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.

sweet soul

As promised, we’re back today with another of our popular packaging posts.

Today’s guest entry is by Kristen Hines of Anima Dolce Photography. Packaging like this makes me swoon, and I know you’ll love it as well! Read on (and click the packaging photos for larger pop-ups)…

Anima Dolce is Italian for “sweet soul” and I really wanted the concept of my brand to be reflected by those words and how they make you feel. I wanted to make sure I carried that over to my packaging and after refining it for quite some time, I think I have finally achieved my vision.

My brand was developed around three words: soul, warmth, and happiness. I chose the colors for my brand from a digital paper pack (Spice) that I bought from Sassy Designs, Inc. The warmth of the plum color is the base for my branding. I worked in the kraft color to keep the materials down to earth and I finished the look with a crisp cream to brighten it up.

In every package is a thank you card with a hand written note. The note is printed on a luxe card in the scalloped square shape from Miller’s Lab. I love the variety of shapes they offer. I use black photo corners to adhere my folded business cards to the back. I place them in a fig envelope with a kraft paper liner from Paper Source.

For the digital images, I have custom DVDs printed at Blank Media Printing. I write the session and the date on the front and put them in an enclosure from Kraft and Jute.

To add a sweet touch, I include a kraft pillow box with Jelly Belly’s inside and finish it off with a plum ribbon from Michael’s. I use an envelope from Paper Source for the prints in the stardream opal color to add some shimmer to the package.

Everything is wrapped up in a kraft suitcase and I place a luxe sticker from Miller’s Lab on top.

I hope I have inspired you to bring some soul to your packaging! It has been a lot of fun for me to put it all together. Here are the vendors that I used for the materials:

• Kraft suitcase: Kate’s Paperie
• Luxe Sticker and Luxe Card: Miller’s Lab
• Envelopes in Stardream Opal and Fig,
  and Kraft liners: Paper Source
• Custom DVDs: Blank Media Printing
• Folded business cards: MPix Pro
• DVD enclosure: Kraft and Jute
• Photo corners and plum ribbon: Michael’s

Thanks so much to Anima Dolce Photography for the beautiful feature! Have a great weekend everyone!

-Robyn

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.

pass the envelope

Sorry for the lack of new posts here right now… I had a sick husband and kids home for two days, a column deadline, client work oozing out of my ears. And well, I’m out of room to juggle. Something had to give and this week it’s been Paperie!

But I have some contest winners to announce so I’ll get to that right quick. Check back later today for another post – a packaging feature!

Without further adieu…the winners for Bad Sass / Sassy Designs are…
1. Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. $250 gift certificate – Knox Photography
2. Sassy Designs, Inc. $250 gift certificate – Laura Turner Photography

And the winners of the Color Inc. 12×12 Studio Mounts are…Tracy, Trina Weingart – VioletRay Photography, and Nicki Kristof Photography.

Congrats to all of our winners, thanks to everyone who entered, and thanks to Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc., Sassy Designs, Inc., and Color Inc. Pro Lab for the fantastic prizes. See everyone again later today!

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.

totally Bad Sass

I am so excited about today’s guest post / giveaway! Not only are the actual prizes amazing – so is the vendor!

I recently had a chance to try out the new Bad Sass backdrops, and I absolutely love them! They are printed on a nice, thick sturdy canvas and are so versatile. Here are a couple of my own shots featuring each of my drops and one in use at a recent session.

One of my favorite features is the 4″ of unprinted canvas left at both ends, meaning you don’t lose a single inch of actual backdrop if you choose to clamp the top to a background stand, or the bottom to a faux-baseboard. It also gives you space to add grommets, velcro, or attach to a hanging system.

So now that you totally want one of your own, read on for your chance to win it!

Hi everyone! Terry here from Sassy Designs, Inc. again!

First of all, I want to thank Robyn for having me back again on the Paperie Boutique blog. I’m sure most of you know of Sassy Designs, Inc. as Robyn has been generous enough to host Sassy giveaways numerous times over the past two years.

This time I am back to announce my newest venture with my oldest and dearest friend Kristen of Kristen Caldwell Photography. Together we have created a specialty backdrop company – Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. Utilizing the original digital paper designs from Sassy Designs, Inc. as well as exclusive patterns from Florabella Collection we offer a wide variety sure to meet the needs of any photographer!

Our backdrops are printed on 100% canvas with a matte finish sealant. The sealant acts as a UV protector as well as a water resistant barrier. It allows us to guarantee that you will never have a glare no matter what lighting situation you may be shooting in.

All of our canvas backdrops are 60” wide and come in lengths of 4’, 6’, 8’ or 10’. We offer the option to split all 8’ and 10’ canvas backdrops into two designs giving you more versatility and a cost savings! You can choose any two patterns available on our site for your split design canvas. Whether it be two different wall patterns or the combination of a wall pattern and a flooring design the choice is yours!

We’re sure the quality, clarity, and color of our backdrops will amaze you! Canvas backdrops are durable, versatile, lightweight, and an investment that will last you nearly a lifetime! For more details and to see our available patterns please visit: www.badsassbackdrops.com. Please be sure to also “like” us on Facebook to keep up with our news and updates! www.facebook.com/badsassbackdrops.

We’d like to give one lucky Paperie reader a gift certificate for $250 to Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc.– which is the cost of a 10’ canvas backdrop. (And as a special bonus another lucky Paperie reader will win a $250 gift certificate to Sassy Designs, Inc. to celebrate Sassy’s ninth birthday!)

How do you win? Easy!

1. Like Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/badsassbackdrops

2. Follow Sassy Designs on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/sassydesignsinc

3. Post the following to Facebook or Twitter (and tell us where you did it):
Win $250 gift certificate to Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. / BadSassBackdrops.com at PaperieBoutique.com / @paperieboutique – http://is.gd/6BTPlw

4. Leave a note in the comments here saying what your favorite Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc. product is.

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

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, May 8th. 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! Thanks again to Robyn and good luck to everyone that enters!

you might be a winner

There’s an awesome giveaway this week at the Barbour Backdrops blog and Facebook Fan Page.

And you just might recognize the first lucky winner on Monday… You can’t win if you don’t enter! Good luck!