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!

1 comments:

Brian French - Wildcat Photo Packaging said...

Hi Karrie,

Very unique and creative packaging. Have you seen our ability to print on photo boxes? Not foil stamping. Printing. In full color. On colored boxes. In case quantities. In a few days. Best of all, they cost a few dollars per box. No plates, dies, or art prep either. Check it out and let me know what you think. We make the boxes right in Ohio. http://www.wildcatwholesale.com/productcart/pc/viewContent.asp?idpage=26

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