Packaging Week~ day two

How about a little burlap and twine to give your packaging a boost? The cream boxes from Mpixpro look great with this natural burlap. You can use any color ribbon to match your brand...and a bit of twine to complete the look.


Boxes~ Mpixpro
Green Stripe Ribbon~ Hobby Lobby
Burlap~ found this in Japan :) I did find some on Amazon that is similar... Burlap Tree Wrap - 4 Inch x 100 Yards
Cream Flower Ribbon~ Hobby Lobby
Twine~ found on Amazon  Natural Twine
  
In case you missed yesterdays packaging ideas, you can see it here. I had many request for a buying guide for the items posted yesterday...here it is:
Boxes~ Mpixpro
White gift bag~ Michaels (12 bags for $5.99)

Green and white tissue paper~ Michaels

Pink Ribbon~ Hobby Lobby ($3.99 retail...it was 40% off when I purchased it)

Green Flower~ Michaels (they were in the store...not online)

Striped and patterned ribbon~ Hobby Lobby  (also found these in the store...not online)

Packaging week~ day one

Mpixpro is our favorite lab {and Miller's Lab..they are "sister" labs} so we thought it would be fun to show the different ways you can make your packaging stand out to "wow" your clients... all while using the boutique packaging from Mpixpro. We love the clean look of the cream boxes and the simplicity of the chocolate brown grosgrain ribbon that Mpixpro offers...but dressing it up a bit can be fun and your clients will love it! 

Each day this week we will feature a new look...enjoy the inspiration! 

The 5x7 card is an example of the beautiful new Signature Letterpress Cards from Miller's Lab.

These cards are such great quality...and who doesn't love the feel of letterpress!

A Coastal Retreat...Swell

A little note from Catherine Clay...


The Swell Retreat is quickly approaching and we would love for you to join us. Marla and I are beyond excited to do this retreat again. I can not wait to get to the beach and spend three amazing days focusing on my business and yours! Last year, well exceeded all of our expectations. We knew that we were trying to put together something different: a weekend that was safe, intimate, and where every person's experiences and journey mattered. We believe we will provide this and so much more! There is so much to learn from an open discussion with other women in business. We hope you will register today for what will be another amazing weekend. Here are the specifics and a testimonial from one of last years attendees.


"I can honesty say Swell has been by far the best learning experience for me. I have attended a few other workshops that were lots of black and white business information that was beneficial to me during that point in my business, Swell was completely different from my previous experiences but exactly what I needed. I was at a point in my business where I felt like I was just going through the motions and doing what I thought I should be doing, I was lacking motivation and drive. The wealth of information that was shared by you both and the other speakers and attendees has truly changed my business. I left the retreat inspired and motivated and was able to take all the information and implement the bits and pieces that worked for me and my business as well as set goals to move toward. I loved the intimate setting, with the group of fabulous ladies who were each talented and so willing to be an open book. The "paradise" setting only made the weekend better, I mean honestly laying in lounge chairs, overlooking the ocean, and talking about photography, it really doesn't get much better than that! The bike rides with old and new friends, and the late night laughs made it feel more like a vacation with a bunch of old girlfriends. The format of the retreat was perfect, I loved that it was more of an informal discussion setting mixed up with some time to enjoy the beautiful Watercolor area. I left the retreat counting down the days until the next year, if I had one complaint it would be that it was just not long enough! :)" Jennifer Griffin, Jennifer Griffin Photography


Like us on Facebook for regular updates and info on Swell. The Swell Facebook Page


DATES: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 THROUGH SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2012 
Retreat activities will begin Thursday evening and commence after breakfast Sunday.


WHERE: WATERCOLOR RESORT


“Tucked away on the shores of the gorgeous Gulf Coast, the WaterColor Inn & Resort has become a luxury escape for those looking for a vacation destination to unwind and indulge in a natural paradise. Designed by famed architect David Rockwell, the Inn captures the essence of a tranquil getaway. The perfect combination of Florida family resort, warm Southern hospitality, the intimacy of a bed and breakfast, and the fun of a classic beach house, the WaterColor Inn & Resort creates the ideal setting to relax—and to play.”

THE INVESTMENT: 
$ 1900 New Attendees


$ 1500 Repeat Attendees


Your investment includes…..pretty much everything!


• Luxury Condo Accommodations for 3 nights in your own room.


• Cocktail reception Thursday evening. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday. Breakfast Sunday.


• Bikes, workout facilities, kayaks, tennis, and gulf views!


• Full access to Marla and Catherine and all the special guests! 
See you at SWELL!

Simple Tricks for Organizing Your Workspace

Simple Tricks for Organizing your Workspace
By Leah Remillet at Go{4}Pro Photos ☺

Time. The one commodity that everyone wishes they had more of. But in order to have more time, we need to be more productive. And in order to be more productive, we have to get more organized.

I'm sure you can relate, but my productivity levels have a night and day difference from when I've got it together and when I don't. Clutter kills creativity and chaos stumps productivity. In short - organization is crucial. In a world where we're constantly trying to be it all, we've got to start with being organized.

Confession: It's really easy for me to think about what pretty things I would like in my office! A flip through the Pottery Barn Magazine, a stroll down the aisles of Target and those ideas are flow'n! The fresh flowers, the vintage cameras and the beautiful canvases adorning the walls... I can see it all now. Isn't it lovely?


But pretty does not always translate to productive. I need both! So, I began my attempt to figure out this magical land of organization.


First I created a Functionality Plan. Instead of planning the color scheme or furniture layout, I scrutinized over what actually makes my workspace workable...


This is my list of what I need in my office to be able to accomplish something...
1. Computer Station: Clean/clear desk with computer.
2. Reference Station: Archival disks, notebooks, client paperwork, etc.
3. Supply Station: Office supplies such as ink, paper, etc.
4. Packaging Station: Ribbon, boxes, bags, tissue, tags, press printed products, etc.
5. Prop Station: Tutus, hats, bowls, clothing, fabric, etc.
6. Equipment Station: Camera gear, projector, screen and such.


Does it sound like I have a studio space to organize all of this? I don't! I have the extra bedroom, and that's my office. But by creating "stations," I could start to determine what it is I really needed in order to create functionality. Try it and see what you come up with.


Moral of the story... Think past just pretty and on to pretty functional!

Leah Remillet is the creator and author of Go4ProPhotos.com, a website dedicated to helping photographers thrive as business owners. Connect with Leah on Facebook and Twitter. And make sure you check out all of the awesome freebies Leah gives to her readers!


Leah would love to give you a FREE DESKTOP WORKFLOW ORGANIZER (as shown on her computer desktop) by getting you in on the fun at facebook.com/go4prophotos.

Also, make sure you check out the monthly giveaway from Leah on the blog...you don't want to miss the chance to win! 

Are you looking to win a little "Blog Sugar"?

Our sweet friends from Dear Miss Modern (the designer who created our cute Savvy blog design) sent us over some info to share with our readers...


"This is Dear Miss Modern's first big giveaway and BOY, are we excited. We hope that you'll be just as excited since we're giving away a Blog Sugar Design Kit and custom installation on your blog! That means we will update the colors, add your logo, link your social buttons, etc. We'll basically customize up your favorite Blog Sugar Kit, wave our magic wands, and VOILA! You'll have a brand new, customized and fully installed blog! You must have either a Pro Photo or Blogger Blog to qualify for the installation. Winner will be picked randomly on Tuesday, January 31st, and be notified by email. Ready, set, GO!


For Full images and descriptions of our Blog Sugar Kits, please visit our design shop: www.dearmissmodern.com
To enter the contest, please visit the blog here.


350.00 value.
*So sorry, but we cannot answer any emails or questions regarding the giveaway."


You must enter on their blog..not here...good luck! 

more images from Imaging USA 2012

The booth from Life Camera Actions. 

We loved their booth and we LOVE their actions! If you haven't tried them, you should! Brett, the owner, is the nicest guy who is also incredibly talented. I'll be telling you more about these actions  in the future. 

 Do you use Big Folio? These guys are great! 

 The adorable Vicki Taufer posing beside her daughters image in the ad. Vicki had just finished her class, Simplify Your Business and Get Your Life Back, which was great! She is always a pleasure to listen to...and such a sweet person. 

 Kevin Kubota teaching at his booth

Gotta love the fun booth at moo.com

The Wild Sorbet booth always does a great display! 

Miller's and Mpixpro booth~ Imaging USA 2012

We loved the Miller's and Mpixpro booths! They have wonderful products and the people that work there are simply the best! We can't say enough good things about this company...they make their clients top priority and it shows. We consider them friends...they are not just our lab...they are the lab we can trust to deliver our products beautifully and so quick it's amazing!

We love the display of the new LUXE frames from Miller's.