Monday, April 30, 2012

Packaging - How I do it




Hello. Good Morning. Happy Monday!

In this post I'm going to share with you Packaging - How I do it.

Everyone has a different way of doing things. I love to scroll and click around pinterest to see others' ideas and inspirations. Having a different style and marketing your uniqueness are so important to set yourself apart from the slew of photographers piling through the door that flashes a sign surrounded by round light bulbs saying, "Step right up if you want to be a successful photographer". It is so interesting to see the fads in photography. I have succumbed to some of those fads. To save hurt feelings, I won't list the fads. If you've poked around enough, you know the fads I'm talking about. ALRIGHT! I'll share one with you. It comes from my own blog. I won't erase it because I want to remember how far I've come. ** Here you go!

The baby boy was absolutely adorable. I loved getting to know his family. **NOTE: This was not a paid session. Aside from my lack of technique and the unattractive flash light that is so evident on the baby's skin, can you tell which fad I'm talking about?! Good. It's out and I'm admitting that I've made poor photography decisions. I'm thankful for those decisions though because they brought me to where I am right now. I've followed much of "the thing to do" for your photography business. The best advice that I could share with you from what I've learned is RESEARCH. Research what you want. Research products. Research before you buy. Research vendors. Find out what others are doing and figure out a way to do it just as well, but differently. The last thing I want to portray is that I am a cookie cutter photographer. I don't want my business, my Welcome Packet, my website, my blog, my packaging to look like anyone else's. I want to be unique!

Now, on to my branding & packaging. I do not have the storage space in my home/office to purchase in bulk for my branding & packaging. I utilize the boutique packaging option that my printing lab offers. My logo is lavender & chocolate brown. So, I choose to purchase the chocolate brown boutique packaging from my printing lab when a client buys prints. I choose to do this because it works for me at the present time. I don't know if I'll do it forever, but this is what works for me in the stage that I am currently. The prints and packaging come neatly packed to my home...and I tweak it. I love my logo stickers. I place one on the front of the print box. I use one of my handy dandy postcards to write a thank you note. My mom taught me how to write thank you notes at an early age. I've implemented this practice into my business. I want my clients to know how appreciative I am for their choosing me. I don't do generic. I like to present myself as a personable business owner. I want my clients to know that I took the time to think of a thoughtful note to jot down to them. I place it inside the box on top of their prints, which are packaged in photo enclosures. I cut some raffia, and some lavender ribbon and tie a stamped thank you to the print package. The stamps are my own little touch. I've been collecting stamps since I don't know when. So I have one for every single occasion known to man :) I wrap all my print packages in brown paper.

This is how I do it. Decisions for your business are often so overwhelming. Your watching Suzie Cue Studios and how she does things, and the products she offers, and all her fans, and how many follow her, and leave sweet comments and AHHHHHH! Stop watching Suzie Cue. Do what is right for you. Be true to yourself and be like no one else.

Make it a great day!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Got the Life!


For those of you who have animals you know what I'm talking about. Society calls us their owners, their parents, their masters even. I think Disney's 101 Dalmatians got it right. Pongo, the Dalmatian that starts off the 1961 cartoon by a narration, calls Roger his pet. If you think about it that's pretty right on the nose. We do whatever they need or want us to do. If their bowls are empty, we fill them up. If they cuddle up next to us and lift their little heads, we pet them. If they hiss or bark, we back away. We love them though. Meet Frida & Francis. They are our family's feline friends. We consider them to be part of our family.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Gift Certificates!


Hi there! I just wanted to post an exciting new product at Karrie Drake Photography. I now offer gift certificates. Horray!! Just in time for Mother's Day. A family session or a Mommy & Me session would be a perfect gift for Mother's Day! You can purchase a gift certificate of any denomination  here, or you can contact me here.
I can't wait to hear from you. I hope you have a blessed weekend!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Vendor Love: thirty-one


Are you familiar with thirty-one? I'm sure you've either seen or heard about it by now, or maybe you've been invited to a thirty-one party. The first time I went to a 31 party I honestly had no idea what to expect. Inviting me to a party like that is "bad news bears" because I LOVE to personalize things. Bags, shirts, wall decor, pillow shams, and much much more have been branded with our initials. The above tote is the latest. We went to the beach yesterday and I put our drinks and bubbles inside. There was room to spare. So, if you're a mom on the go this is the perfect little tote to carry along with you. You can keep it in your car. The rim is hard and the body of the tote is soft. It is collapsible. It won't take up any room at all. I've got lots of odds & ends in my car, so this is a great place to pile it up and keep my car relatively neat. I'm so glad I decided on this one.

Vendor Love




Hello there! I received a pretty cool package in the mail yesterday. This messenger bag was lovingly made by Christin from Struttin' Your Buttons. Check out her etsy shop! Christin is the sister of my future sister-in-law. I came across her handmade creations on pinterest. She is super talented. I asked her to make a custom bag for my boys to take to the library. There is so much room in the bag. I love that the strap is long enough for my carry. To shorten the strap, all I have to do is tie a knot and it's the perfect size for my boys to carry. There is a lot of pocket space. It was a big hit with Julian & John when it came in the mail. 
Spider-Man is a popular super hero around here. Thanks so much Christin! We love it.



Monday, April 2, 2012

Motivation for Monday: A Little Peace



Trials, hardships, troubles, distresses. These words do not bring us peace or comfort, but they are a reality that we all face in life. Personally, this season has been difficult for me. A friend of mine introduced a daily devotional called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. The subtitle is: Enjoying Peace in His Presence. I could definitely use some that. Peace. This devotional has been a blessing to read. The Truth really helps me understand the lies that I've come to believe in my life. Listen to an excerpt from today's reading, "I have promised to meet all your needs according to My glorious riches. Your deepest, most constant need is for My Peace. I have planted Peace in the garden of your heart, where I live; but there are weeds growing there too: pride, worry, selfishness, unbelief. I am the Gardener, and I am working to get rid of those weeds."  
After venting to my grandmother one day about needing more patience among other things, she reminded me that I already have it. The day I asked Jesus to come into my heart He took up residence. He moved in. His Holy Spirit planted the fruit. It's already there. I just have to actively seek it out. So, the peace that I need so badly is already in my heart because God planted it in there when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Believing it is a decision. Displaying it in my life is going to take work. Those weeds of pride and selfishness often pop up, but they always will. I have to expect them. I won't be rid of them until the Lord takes me home to be with Him. He doesn't expect me to be perfect. Jesus took care of that for me on the cross. Peace be with you today!

John 14:27 ~ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give youI do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
 
© Karrie Drake Photography