Archive for How-to

| May 14, 2013
Comments

Showing Sample Albums

PeelStick1

Having enough samples in your studio to show a client the real depth and breadth of all the products you can offer them can be a challenge.  For many, adequate display space, portability and expense can play against us here.  Studio sample albums, for a realistic feel of the quality of construction of an item, and swatches, for a firsthand experience of textures and finishes, are a must in any successful photography studio.  Debi and Amanda Tipton of Kokoro Photography in Littleton, Colorado have expanded on that standard and shared their fantastic idea for showing even more sample albums to their clients for inspiration!

Now every time a couple orders a different album cover design we photograph the book before delivering it to them. We then lay out a 10×10″ image with photographs of that book, add them to our website here, and then get the layout printed. We have a Finao Elements peel-and-stick album that we can then add each cover option to as the layouts arrive! Now when you sit down with us to design your wedding album you have a lookbook of full album covers to help you with your design.

PeelStick0002

 

They use a self-mount Elements album which has adhesive on the pages so you can easily mount your own prints, or add-to over time as you take new photos.

 

PeelStick1

 

PeelStick0011

 

PeelStick0008

 

PeelStick0006

 

PeelStick0004

 

PeelStick0010

 

The last page is blank and ready for new covers! We are almost ready for a whole new album.

Other similar options would be to design sample images and descriptions into layouts for a Finao playBOOK, or create sample images and/or pricing and package menus that can be displayed in frame mounts on an easel and kept organized in a Portfolio Box with a custom designed image cover that features your branding and logo.  Not into design?  Check out Design Aglow for a great selection of templates!

Jamie Westman

Jamie Westman

Jamie is Finao's resident Guidance Guru and Marketing Assistant to the Queen of All Things Finabulous, Christine Perry-burke.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

Category: Design, Guest Blogger, How-to, New Customer, Product Recommendations, Sales & Marketing, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
| February 20, 2013
Comments

Photography Education Guide

Get Educated, Don’t Get Burned

Seminars, workshops, online schools, online courses, mentor groups, universities…….what’s it all about and where do you get the most for your money?

It seems like there are almost as many people trying to tell others how to be a photographer as there are photographers that are doing well.  That means an overwhelming number of chances to dip into your wallet, but also many ways to spend more than you get in return.  Some say that if you learn one thing, the program was worth it.  I’d say that depends a lot on the quality of the “one thing” and the cost in both dollars and time.

Check out different formats before jumping.

1. WORKSHOPS: They are generally spread over 3-5 days and cost the most.  However, if you are looking for better shooting skills this is the format that will work best.  Look for hands-on shooting opportunities with models and daily critiques of what you are doing.  An ideal format would have a morning to cover a lesson and watch the instructor work with the model, an afternoon for you to try your hand at that day’s lesson, and evening to edit your work with a critique scheduled for first thing in the morning.  Then repeat but don’t rinse. I consider Cliff Mautner an excellent educator.  He and his soon to be wife Susan Stripling both do workshops and will give you great value for your dollar.  Jerry Ghionis (his workshops sell out fast) delivers a mind-blowing bang for your buck.  Boudoir workshops are popular, and I know there are many presenters out there and I don’t know most of them.  Critsy Rowe gets great reviews and has a book out.  I love the book because you could purchase it before the workshop and come prepared, or after and have it as a posing, lighting, and selling guide.  Chuck Arlünd does a great lighting workshop.  If you can get on one, Tamara Lackey, Lori Nordstrom, Khara Plicanic, and Laura Novak all occasionally offer workshops.  Keep your radar up to get in them.

2. SEMINARS: They are the most common and usually less expensive.  They can last anywhere from most of a day to just a few hours.  Here is an area where we get into motive.  Is the presenter there to truly educate, or is the main goal to teach a little and then sell you on the products and services he/she offers.  Most offer DVDs, some add in continuing educational and business growth programs, and some will sell you the kitchen sink if you get your credit card out.  I have no problem with product sales, in fact, I think they help to make the seminar a more complete experience.  It’s difficult for even the best note-taker to get it all down, and a DVD means you can take the lessons along for closer review and implementation.  Good one-day or one-evening seminars are not as popular as they were a few years ago, and I think there are good reasons for that.  Too much information in too little time.  It’s frosting without the cake.  The cost to the presenter is high, so you can expect a pretty heavy sales pitch.  Narrow topics can be covered in this format and are sometimes offered through your local guild; this can be an excellent value.

3. ONLINE LEARNING:  This is relativity new and seems to be pretty exciting.  creativeLIVE is a biggie and offers a great chance to try before you buy.  The workshops (yes they have full-on workshops that can last 5 days) are completely free.  Just tune-in and check it out.  If you like what you hear, the DVD is available at a very reasonable cost.  This is truly a try before you buy experience, which I love.  Sue Bryce has been their most popular presenter, and what she teaches really resonates with the audience.  Well worth checking out.  Sandy Puc’ has SPTV.  Again free.  Not only can you learn from Sandy, but she interviews and works with photographers throughout the industry.  Another great value to check out.

4. MENTORING:  This is developing an ongoing relationship with a photographer or business consultant.  It can last for a year or more, can provide great marketing materials, and gives assistance that is personally directed toward your business.  Many photographers who have signed up for mentoring programs feel they got a jump-start on a great business model, but others feel disappointed.  DO YOUR HOMEWORK before signing up.  Mentoring costs are high, so you have to be ready to ask the right questions, sold on the concepts, and positive you want to make the changes that might be recommended.

5. CONTINUING GROUPS:  I love these and think they are popular for a reason: new information every month.  Some are very marketing-based like Sarah Petty’s The Joy of Marketing.  SPU (Sandy Puc’ University) gives marketing materials for every month, and posing and lighting guides.  Jerry Ghionis’s ICE Society is wedding-based.  You get a new workshop every month with lots of help for improving your shooting and sales skills.  Most of these groups come complete with a forum to interact with your fellow professionals.  You can ask the mentor and also get feedback.  Conversations start, things get talked through, even friendships are made.  These groups offer a smaller, more intimate experience than general forums which are often very broad-based and members offer opinions when they are not necessarily qualified.

6. CONVENTIONS:  Small like Mystic, or large like WPPI, conventions offer the opportunity to hear a number of speakers on a variety of topics.  Don’t expect in-depth classes.  These are usually short and scratch the surface.  However, they provide a chance to “try out” many different presenters and glean those aha moments that just might excite you to make a change in your business.  They come complete with a trade show and many people tell me they learn as much from the vendors as the programs (we try).  Conventions provide opportunities for meeting many more people, to do more networking, and to look at tons of images and get inspired.  I think the bang for the buck is usually there.  One caveat, every speaker at WPPI is sponsored by someone so be prepared for some pimp time.

In the next segment, we will look at how to make a decision on where to spend your money and making sure you find what’s right for you.

Christine Perry-Burke

Christine Perry-Burke

Managing Partner and "queen" of Finao. I'm responsible for all the cool materials and products at Finao. A vegetarian and animal lover to my core, we run a dog friendly office. I believe Finao should be a good corporate citizen and tread lightly on our planet.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

Category: Events, How-to, Photography Talk, Sales & Marketing, Uncategorized, Webinar | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
| February 15, 2013
Comments

How to Sell Portrait Albums

Albums and portraits are a perfect match in this digital world.  Far more images, and good images, are created in an average session than ever before.  That means more images your client wants.  And often that “want” turns into, “I want the digital negatives.”

Include this with a session and kiss your money goodbye.  It’s that simple.  You might want to sell them for a high dollar and offer a “discount” with a certain size purchase.  Perhaps you want to sell only a few select files from a session, again, after the client’s order has been taken.  But, listen carefully:

You will not make a living or build a sustainable business if your end product is files.

Files on a disc don’t speak to the quality of what you can do.  And they don’t leave your clients feeling that they got something for the money they spent.  Imagine how you would feel if your favorite outfit was only in a picture and not in your closet.  What if you came home from shopping and looked at your purchases on a computer screen instead of decorating your home with them, or your child’s images were lost to a hard drive crash?

We think albums are a great way to see that your clients get the images that are most important to them while making sure your sale (i.e. profit) stays at a comfortable level.  Children, families, and pets are all sessions where your goal is to sell a wall image or grouping.  I’m making an assumption here that you will be projecting the images as part of the sales process.  This is imperative, ‘nough said. The album is an add-on sale that adds extra profits on images that have already been taken.

Let’s start our client conversation:

“Before we begin looking at your images, and I’m so excited to show them to you, I want to warn you that we have a lot, I mean a lot, of great poses and expressions.  We have to try to find the ones you like the very best that will hang in your home.  So I know that means we might be “giving up” some pretty great ones along the way.  But don’t worry; you’re really not giving up anything.  I have a great, inexpensive idea that will help you have exactly what you want even when everything won’t fit on the wall.  Ok, let’s get started…..”

As you begin projecting the images, you will need to guide your client.  You know which images will be great options for wall portraits or groupings.  You also know there will may other beloved images.  The client will move forward with a decision when she doesn’t feel that an image will be “lost” to her.  You can quell that fear by saying:  “Ok, let’s compare.  The one on the right has some great expressions but the one on the left combines the expressions with a more striking composition.  Let’s put the right one in the album folder.”

Your client is now moving along, making decisions and the album folder is starting to grow.  You are continuing on your goal of thinking walls; canvases, framed portraits, and great groupings.  When all the images have been viewed, there will probably be a need for some additional editing.  Remember, she’s not giving up anything just by moving an image to a different category.  Your goal is to focus on your primary sale.  Nothing happens with the album folder until the primary goal has been met.

When everything is done and the main order is set in stone, return to the album folder, “I see we have xx images here, just the right amount to make a great little album, like this” (show playBOOK sample).

Finao playBOOK: Cover image by Jason Groupp.

Finao playBOOK in “Crave”. Cover image by Jason Groupp.

Time-out for some background info.

Yes, some people might be able to sell a flush mount ONE album, but I would much rather you sold something and made a nice profit than sell nothing and make nothing.  The playBOOK is very inexpensive; a 20 side 8×8 is $75.00.  If your client has anywhere from 15 to 40 images, 20 sides will do.  This means you can fix your cost at $75.00.   To price, consider how much you charge for an 8×8 print and multiply that by 20, then add $200.00 for the album.  This is your regular retail price.  Now decide what you can sell the book for.  I suggest the size of the discount should be related to the amount of the portrait sale.  The more your client has spent, the greater the discount.  Bear in mind, wall portraits don’t travel well and cell phones/iPads/Facebook are not going to show the quality of your work.  Small albums travel very well and act as little billboards wherever they go. (Don’t forget to include your studio logo inside the cover)

Now back to our conversation,

“….the regular price of this book would be $XXX, but I know you have pretty well taxed your budget and I love the images you have selected for your home.  I’ll tell you what, I really want you to have these images as I know you will have so much fun showing off your beautiful family, (kid, dog).  How about if we make the book half price?  It’s just my way of thanking you for being our client.  I loved working with you and I know how much enjoyment you will be getting from both your home décor images and your show-off book filled with the extra memories you loved.”

Cha-ching!

Another way to have this conversation is to start with the price of the album: “There are so many great images here that I know you’re going to want, so let me just tell you what we can do.  These beautiful albums (present sample playBOOK) are regularly priced at $XXX, but with the purchase of a 20×24 we offer them at $XXX AND, if you decide on a 24×30 the price drops even further to $XXX.  Ok, let’s not worry about that now, let’s get started.  I can’t wait for you to see these ‘cuz I know you’re gonna luv ‘em.”

Moving along, you show and select exactly as in the first example with the client putting loved, but not right for the wall, images in the album folder.  Don’t worry, every time she adds an image to that album folder she will be thinking “wall portrait” so she can get the discount.

I hope these suggestions help.  The real key to the success of adding albums to your sale is planning ahead and making sure the album presentation becomes a part of your thinking and your process.  Buyers don’t add what they don’t think is expected, or is something that others don’t do.  Remind your client that everyone loves their albums.  Treat this add-on sale as an expectation, an “I want you to have this because it’s way cool and you’re going to love it“ feature. AND, think profits. A $300 album sale with a very simple layout is $225 profit that you would not have gotten otherwise.  It might not be you’re biggest sale, but wealth comes a little at a time.

Something added to every client’s order adds-up to increase your bottom line.

Peace out,
Christine

Christine Perry-Burke

Christine Perry-Burke

Managing Partner and "queen" of Finao. I'm responsible for all the cool materials and products at Finao. A vegetarian and animal lover to my core, we run a dog friendly office. I believe Finao should be a good corporate citizen and tread lightly on our planet.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

Category: How-to, New Customer, Photography Talk, Portrait, Sales & Marketing | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
| February 7, 2013
Comments

Capturing Love

Capturing Love

The Art of Lesbian & Gay Wedding Photography

 

Introduction by Christine Perry-burke of Finao:

Thea Dodds submitted an album to us and I loved it.  I asked if we could make a sample for our convention booth.  She graciously said yes.  It is a beautiful lesbian couple, both in wedding dresses.  At Imaging USA she spoke with me about her book project.  As I looked through Capturing Love, admiring the images and loving the chapter titles, I was blown away.  I can’t say enough about how well the subject of gay and lesbian weddings is covered.  It’s just an excellent exploration of a timely and sometimes confusing topic.  Wherever you live, this is a must read.  Below is the article that ran in the Huffington Post.  Enjoy!

 

Capturing Love

It’s not rocket science, but there is an art to it

 

By Thea Dodds, co-author of Capturing Love: The Art of Lesbian & Gay Wedding Photography

In my past fifteen years as a professional photographer, I’ve photographed more than two hundred weddings. So, you could say that I’ve gotten pretty comfortable working as a wedding photographer. I’ve got an established routine to meet and exceed my clients expectations, and I’m able to offer guidance, based on my extensive experience, to better create beautiful and lasting wedding photographs for them.

But, in 2005, I photographed my first same-sex couple’s wedding and realized that, while I had plenty of professional experience to lean on, I felt, in many respects, like a beginner.

That first gay wedding represented many firsts for me. It was, in fact, the first same-sex wedding I’d ever attended. It was the first wedding I’d ever photographed where neither member of the couple was wearing a wedding gown. And it was the first wedding where the ceremony kiss turned out to be the first time this couple had ever kissed in front of their families.

This couple was fantastic, two beautiful people who truly and deeply loved one another. But capturing their love in camera was challenging. My “regular bag of tricks” was no help when I tried to convey the level of intimacy I usually capture at a wedding. Even simply posing this couple, because they were similar heights and weights, made the “standard” images difficult, since they couldn’t physically dip or lift each other.

Flash forward to today and I’ve learned a lot. Namely, that love is love and gay and lesbian weddings have a lot in common with heterosexual weddings. There are, however, some key differences that a photographer must understand and I wanted to do something more to share my experience with other photographers.

That’s why I called Kathryn Hamm, president of GayWeddings.com, a the first online resource specializing in support and information for same-sex couples, their families, and the wedding pros who wish to work with them.

The end result of that fateful call? Together, we designed a groundbreaking guide–Capturing Love: The Art of Lesbian & Gay Photography–designed to help photographers and engaged couples understand the art and mechanics of photographing lesbian and gay weddings and engagements.

To understand in depth what we’ve discovered and the tips and information gleaned from so many talented photographers and beautiful couples, seeing a copy of Capturing Love is well worth the time and effort. We scoured through thousands of photographs to select 65 outstanding examples of same-sex engagement and wedding photography, which represent the work of 38 photographers and 46 couples from 19 states, Canada, the U.K. and Italy.

Just a few examples of what we reveal in the book:

Seasoned photographers will recognize this pose from the traditional wedding playbook for grooms and their best men. This casual, yet connected pose generally conveys a connection of friendship and support. In this image, however, the direct and meaningful gaze shared by the two men indicates a much closer, more intimate relationship.

Meredith Hanafi Photography

Meredith Hanafi Photography

 

Nothing says love like a nuzzle. The challenge with a couple of the same height (often occurring for same-sex couples) is getting the couple close without covering up too much of their faces. Layering their bodies is key to solving this challenge. Guidance with phrases like, “put your shoulder into your partner’s armpit,” can reduce confusion so the couple can stay in the moment and focus on their nuzzling.

CHARD photographer

CHARD photographer

 

It can be challenging to create contrast and visual appeal when photographing two grooms in matching tuxedos or dark suits. Here, the simple request to have one groom hold his jacket over his shoulder creates a nice contrast between the men, and it allows plenty of room to play up the traditional wedding colors: black and white. At the same time, the slight difference in height is played to perfection with a thoughtfully posed embrace and gentle kiss to the forehead to finish this tender moment.

Jen Lynne Photography

Jen Lynne Photography

 

Wedding couples are often photographed kissing in public. Even those couples normally averse to public displays of affection may be game for this pose on their wedding days. Even so, this pose doesn’t always convey the love and connection it intends to symbolize. Enter two grooms—or two brides for that matter—and this pose takes on a whole new dimension. A same-sex kiss shared in a public space remains inherently powerful and meaningful, both as a symbol and reality.

Leslie Barbaro Photography

Leslie Barbaro Photography

 

With two brides, you might have two bouquets for one couple, and large bouquets can be an obstacle when creating physical closeness in an image. Photographer Kat Forder had her brides lay their flowers aside so they could get close. The result? A classic wedding pose with a playful, color-infused twist.

Kat Forder Photography

Kat Forder Photography

 

The Old Standard dictates that the man should stand behind the woman when posing in a layered way. Head’s up! Just because one bride wears pants and the other wears a dress doesn’t mean that the bride in pants should be posed as a heterosexual man would. Consider thoughtfully the couple in front of you—their physical expressions and traits—and then apply them to a pose suited for them, not someone else.

Maggie Rife Photography

Maggie Rife Photography

 

We are standing at the edge of a new frontier of weddings; one inclusive of all couples of all shapes, sizes, ages, ethnicities, religions and orientations. These are exciting times indeed and Kathryn and I look forward to the exciting developments to come for same-sex couples and their inspirational weddings.

—
Thea Dodds is the owner/photographer of Authentic Eye Photography a boutique wedding and portrait studio based in New Hampshire.

Visit www.capturingloveguide.com to order the book and find a list of our scheduled appearances.

Also “like” us on Facebook (facebook.com/capturinglove) for the most up to date information on our book release and appearance schedule.

Update 2/13/2013: This topic has also been picked up by ABC News, read more about it at their site http://abcnews.go.com/Health/capturing-love-photographers-strive-sex-weddings/story?id=18479462

Christine Perry-Burke

Christine Perry-Burke

Managing Partner and "queen" of Finao. I'm responsible for all the cool materials and products at Finao. A vegetarian and animal lover to my core, we run a dog friendly office. I believe Finao should be a good corporate citizen and tread lightly on our planet.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

Category: Guest Blogger, How-to, Photography Talk, Sales & Marketing, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
| November 20, 2012
Comments Off

IMAGE COVER TEMPLATES

template-update (2)

IMAGE COVER TEMPLATES HAVE BEEN UPDATED THIS YEAR.  MAKE SURE YOU’RE USING THE CORRECT TEMPLATE FOR YOUR COVER IMAGE BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR ORDER.

This is IMPERATIVE to make sure your order is counted as a HOLIDAY ORDER.  All orders expected for holiday delivery MUST be submitted COMPLETE AND CORRECT before the product deadline.  Incorrect cover images will delay your order and could disqualify it from being included as a holiday order.

Not sure which to use? This should help:

Example 1: You’re ordering an 8×8 playBOOK with 12 leaves/24 page-sides and you want a Photo Wrap cover.

Use the playBOOK photo wrap template for an 8×8 playBOOK with 12 leaves (NOT 24 leaves). You select the “LEAF COUNT” at the beginning of the order. So, if you selected “12 leaves/24 sides”, you’ll refer to the template for 12 leaves, NOT 24 (as 24 is the number of page sides).

Go to PRODUCTS > PLAYBOOK > PHOTO WRAP > select “Download playBOOK photo wrap template kit”

The most recent templates at this time are from a .zip file named “finao-playbook-photowrap-10262012.zip”  Please DOUBLE CHECK that this is the correct folder you are pulling your templates from!

The template to use in this example should be named “pb-8×8-10-13lvs“.

Here’s a pic for reference:

Download the playBOOK photo wrap template kit .zip folder and open it, select your size (in this case 8×8) and now select your LEAF count (1/2 the total page-sides).

 

Example 2: You’re ordering a 14×10 horizontal ONE with an Armour metal image cover.

For specialty covers like ICE, Armour, Erotika, Bebbalicious and Canvas Panel that only have an image on the front cover, you do not need to worry about the leaf count as you do for the Canvas Wrap or the photo wraps for the other album lines.  BUT, you do need to use the appropriate template for your album’s size and orientation.  You also must FILL the entire template.

Go to PRODUCTS > Finao ONE > SPECIALTY COVERS (find your cover, in this case it’s Armour) > select “Download ICE/Armour template kit”

The most recent templates at this time are from a .zip file named “finao-ice-armour-09102012.zip”  Please DOUBLE CHECK that this is the correct folder you are pulling your templates from!

The template to use in this example should be named “ia-14×10-horizontal”.

Here’s a pic for reference:

 

Example 3: You’re ordering a 10×15 vertical ONE with a Canvas Wrap cover and 15 leaves/30 page-sides in the medium page style.

Just like example 1, you will choose the appropriate template based on the album size AND the number of LEAVES. BUT, since the ONE offers two page thicknesses, you’ll ALSO need to account for the page style you are choosing, Thick or Medium, as this will affect the thickness of the spine area on the design.

Remember: # of leaves = 1/2 of your total page-sides.  So you will choose the folder of FULL CANVAS (canvas wrap) templates for Medium Pages > then the folder of 10×15 vertical templates with medium pages > and then select the 10×15 Vertical template for 14-20 leaves.

Go to PRODUCTS > Finao ONE > SPECIALTY COVERS (find your cover, in this case Canvas) > select “Download Canvas template kit” (includes both Canvas Wrap and Canvas Panel templates).

The most recent templates at this time are from a .zip file named “finao-canvas-10042012.zip”  Please DOUBLE CHECK that this is the correct folder you are pulling your templates from!

The template to use in this example should be named “10x15v-med_14-20lvs”.

Here’s a pic for reference:

 

Please contact Finao Customer Service with any questions BEFORE placing your order at 888-346-2687 (888-FINAO-US).

Jamie Westman

Jamie Westman

Jamie is Finao's resident Guidance Guru and Marketing Assistant to the Queen of All Things Finabulous, Christine Perry-burke.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

Category: Design, How-to, IT, New Customer, New Products, Uncategorized, Updates | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
| October 25, 2012
Comments Off

Finao Holiday Orders 2012

FinaoHolidayDates2012

I know we’re not even past Halloween yet, but the question on everyone’s mind deserves an answer!

“What are the Finao Holiday Order deadlines for 2012?”

**ALL ORDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED COMPLETE AND CORRECT BY 11:59PM EST ON THE RESPECTIVE DATES IN ORDER TO QUALIFY. INCORRECT/INCOMPLETE IMAGES OR ORDERS WILL NOT BE INCLUDED WITH THE HOLIDAY ORDERS.

 

Nov 16 – Seldex Matted Albums – Bookbound Art (international and domestic)

Nov 18 – All Finao INTERNATIONAL orders with STANDARD shipping

Nov 23 – Seldex Portrait Products – Gallery, Twin Sets, Portrait Suite, Boxes, Portrait Folios & DVD Folios (international and domestic)

Dec 02 – Finao ONE*, artONE and Ravebooks with US STANDARD SHIPPING

Dec 02 – All Finao INTERNATIONAL orders with AIR SHIPPING

Dec 09 – Finao ONE*, artONE and Ravebooks with US OVERNIGHT SHIPPING

Dec 13 – Finao playBOOK, Elements, Xcetera & EFXs with US STANDARD SHIPPING

Dec 19 – Finao playBOOK, Elements, Xcetera & EFXs with OVERNIGHT SHIPPING

*In house Finao printing only. Print partners add a minimum of 1 week.

 

Now that you’ve got that down, just a few tips for making sure your holiday season is stress free! (at least when it comes to your albums).

1. Get your orders in BEFORE THE DEADLINE. This will ensure that your album gets all the TLC it needs. We’ve pushed the deadlines to the max so that people with emergencies and oversights aren’t left out in the cold.  Please get your orders in as early as possible in order to avoid problems at this busiest time of year.

2. Don’t rush. Take your time on each order and triple check every detail before submitting it. Make sure to carefully VIEW YOUR FILES AT 100% BEFORE UPLOADING to find any small mistakes that can be overlooked when you are zoomed out like misplaced/misaligned strokes, pixelated/grainy areas or misspelled text.

3. If you have a number of items to order for multiple clients, we advise that you PLACE SEPARATE ORDERS for each client. We will NOT separate and ship individual items from orders.

4. DROP SHIP YOUR ALBUMS directly to your clients. I know that some of you want to have control and inspect the album first and maybe hand-deliver it, but we cannot guarantee your order for delivery any sooner than December 24th.  Your clients will be much happier having their album in their hands to share with family and friends over the holiday than they would be if you inspected the album, realized you spelled the groom’s name “Brain” in the order form and didn’t want to deliver the album to them because of the mistake.  Changes can be addressed after the holidays. Besides, you deserve to have a life too!

5. Kick-back and KEEP THE FAITH! During the holiday season we are not able to provide individual order statuses or estimates on shipment dates. “Delivery by December 24th” means delivery by December 24th. We can not take requests for orders to be delivered on December 18th, 21st or any other date.  Please be patient and know that if you’ve followed these steps, you should be in for a very happy new year filled with very happy clients!  BRING ON THE REFERRALS!!!

NOW GET OUT THERE AND GET THAT HALLOWEEN CANDY!!!!

Jamie Westman

Jamie Westman

Jamie is Finao's resident Guidance Guru and Marketing Assistant to the Queen of All Things Finabulous, Christine Perry-burke.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

Category: Events, How-to, New Customer, Promotions, Updates | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
| October 3, 2012
Comments

ONE “plusONE” = Extraordinary

The Zumanity Collection - Ultra high-end leathers exclusively from Finao.

plusONE Materials: Exotic Accent or Unbelievable Upgrade Cover

So you may have noticed (among other HUGE changes) a change to the flush mount ONE and artONE album order forms where there is an option for a Material Upgrade to a “plusONE” material.  If this new option has you a bit confused, this is the post for you. Read on to understand what this new option is all about.  Now hold on a sec! If you saw the word “upgrade” and it makes you want to run, hang in there for a minute as there’s news here for you too!

If you know anything about Finao at all, you know that choice is king.  With over 100 standard materials to choose from, you’re sure to find something for just about everyone.  But for those who want to take it a few steps further and offer their clients something completely unique and extravagant, the plusONE materials are the answer.

plusONE (at this time) is made up of the Zumanity collection and The Nines collection of ultra high-end leathers.  These materials can be used by everyone on their flush mount albums as an accent stripe for NO ADDITIONAL COST!  Simply select the tooTone or 3Tone cover upgrade as you would for any other book with multiple cover materials.  If, however, you want to use a plusONE material for more than an accent stripe, like the spine & back, front & back cover, or the whole book, you would simply select the “plusONE Material Upgrade” and choose your materials.  See Armour/ICE/Bullet specialty cover pricing.

The Nines Collection – Ultra high-end leathers exclusively from Finao.

 

The Zumanity Collection – Ultra high-end leathers exclusively from Finao.

 

Jamie Westman

Jamie Westman

Jamie is Finao's resident Guidance Guru and Marketing Assistant to the Queen of All Things Finabulous, Christine Perry-burke.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

Category: Design, How-to, New Customer, New Products, Updates | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
| May 29, 2012
Comments Off

New Cover Image Templates for Finao’s ICE & Armour

We’ve been doing a lot of spring cleaning and thought it was time to spruce up some of our old templates too!  The ICE acrylic image cover and Armour metal image cover have been updated to help eliminate a little wasted space that fell under the leather spine material.

If you have one of these specialty covers in the works already, no worries, your old template will do the trick too, but if you haven’t finished your design yet or are planning one down the road, please take a second to grab the new version.

  • ICE and Armour cover template kit w/instructions | DOWNLOAD

Jamie Westman

Jamie Westman

Jamie is Finao's resident Guidance Guru and Marketing Assistant to the Queen of All Things Finabulous, Christine Perry-burke.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

Category: Design, How-to, New Products, Updates | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Entries