Tag Archive for photo book
Our Little Green Piece
Category: Uncategorized |
Tags: album company, Album Vendor, Earth Day, Earth Friendly, Eco, Eco-Friendly, Green, Light Footprint, photo album, photo book, photographer, Recyclable, Recycle, Recycled, Vegan, Vegetarian, vendor, Wedding Album
Best Albums for Guest Books
It’s that time of year again! Time to start thinking about GUEST BOOKS! They are super easy additions to your packages. A couple popular suggestions:
Engagement Sessions – guestbooks can be created for engagement parties, bridal showers and the wedding day.
Child & Family Portraits – perfect for birthdays, family celebrations, reunions and anniversaries.
I’ve compiled a list of my top album recommendations you can use for your photo guest books, and hope it brings you some inspiration and an always welcome increase in sales at your studio!
Elements TXT
Elements albums fall under the category of “self-mount” which means that there is adhesive on the pages so you can mount your own prints to the page. It’s super easy to do, we’ve even got video instructions, but we also offer a Print & Assembly option if you want us to deliver a fully finished product. They come in beautiful linens, silks and leatherettes and also have upgrade options for high-end leathers.
The original version is a regular album that holds prints on all page-sides. With this version you can create your own prints on different paper finishes (like watercolor maybe) and include borders around signature areas, or little headings at the top, etc. It’s all up to what you are comfortable designing or creating.
OR you can opt for the “TXT” guest book version which holds prints on the right page-sides and the left page-sides are blank paper for signatures (black or white pages). There is no price difference on this page style option. Test out pens on some heavy cardstock for use to make sure they dry quickly, but because it’s paperboard on the TXT pages, you should be pretty free to choose an appropriate pen. Silver, gold and white Sharpie markers work great on the black pages.
playBOOK
playBOOK is the hottest photo book on the market!! playBOOK features real portrait grade photographic prints, skinny page styling, and seamless, lay-flat binding for breathtaking panoramic spreads. The playBOOK comes in TONS of gorgeous fabric, silk and vegan leather cover options as well as image covers. This is the book for the client who wants a magazine style, designed book without the hefty price-tag. You would submit your finished layouts to us to be printed and bound, and within those layouts is where you may let your creative juices flow to create signature spaces. Now, this IS photographic paper, so you do need to worry about choosing an appropriate pen. I’ve written another article dedicated to just this subject that you can read over when you’re done here.
playBOOK photos provided by Zofia & Co.
Gallery
Gallery albums are gorgeous matted albums that are perfect for portraits and guest books. They come in either a 9″ or 12″ square, have TONS of cover options from linens to fauxs to fine leathers and image wraps, capacity of up to 30 mats in your choice of 4 styles and numerous mat configurations.
Gallery albums are a breeze to assemble yourself with your own prints – here’s a short video so you can see how it’s done – but if you prefer, we also offer a print & assembly service for a low price per page (software required for P&A).
To create a gorgeous guestbook, you can simply write on the paperboard matting around your prints, or you can choose to place mats on some pages that have no print openings in them at all (blank mat – do not confuse this with a “blank mat with adhesive” which is meant to mount a full print across the front).
Portfolio Box
And lastly, for something a little different, a Portfolio Box can be a new and interesting twist on the traditional guest “book”. The Portfolio Box has been made popular lately by revered portrait photographer Sue Bryce, and with their simple sophistication, it’s easy to see why she sells so many! With custom image covers, Natural Blend Linen or black silk or buckram to choose from, you can create a beautiful presentation that your clients will adore. Simple white or black frame-mounts will showcase your prints inside the box, and once the matting is filled with signatures, your clients can enjoy them over time by highlighting various prints on an easel in their home.
Customer Service is available to answer any questions on these products that you may have along the way. Just email info@finao.com or call 888-346-2687. We’re happy to help find the right options for your studio!
Category: Design, How-to, Portrait, Product Comparison, Product Recommendations |
Tags: Best, Book, Elements, Elements TXT, Finao, Folio Box, Frame mounts, Gallery, Guest, guest book, guest sign in book, guestbook, guestbook pages, image box, List, mats, matted, photo album, photo book, playbook, Portfolio Box, recommendations, sign-in, Signature, Signature Album, signature book, signature page, Sue Bryce, Suggestions, Top
WANTED: Professional Album Company
We found a WHOLE LOT of people looking for a NEW ALBUM COMPANY at the recent Imaging USA Expo. If you’re not already a Finaon, you may be one of them. Or, perhaps you have a friend in need of a change. Well, send them our way because Finao has it all! A new year and new plans for a successful 2013!
The photographers we met wanted MORE OPTIONS. Finao offers options, lots and lots of options. This is a good thing because we live in a society fraught with options. People are not confused by them. In fact, they deal with them every day from the moment we wake and start to decide what to wear and what we could have for breakfast. Brides deal with even more options than most and seem to be eating them up! Have you ever been on Pinterest? Not so long ago wedding cakes were white, round, tiered and had frosting flowers on them. Not anymore. Invitations came from the big Stylart book, not anymore. Getting the picture? The wedding business thrives because of options and those who offer the most options get the most business. Come on, don’t be afraid, you know you need this to be competitive! Finao will also help you select super great samples. We can help with material choices, size considerations, even image choices. So send them our way, we’re here to help!
CONSOLIDATION was also mentioned often. Over a few years time many photographers found themselves with too many album companies. One company never had everything they needed and along came vendor overload. Finao offers everything: fabulous playBOOKs, the famous ONE, luxury printing on the artONE (a Jerry Ghionis favorite), portfolio boxes (like Sue Bryce uses), guestbooks, folios, sophisticated matted albums, CD/DVD cases and the list goes on. You do not need to deal with a multitude of vendors when you can have one that fits all of your needs completely. Establishing a solid relationship with a vendor makes doing business easier; You have a contact you know, questions get answered, and help is always there.
Photographers praised our CUSTOMER SERVICE and DELIVERY TIMES. We know that both are very important to many photographers and factor-in highly when selecting a vendor partner. Our Customer Care people are the best (I really mean that) and are always available to take as much time as you need to feel comfortable about our products. It’s just a part of who we are.
PRICE. Some photographers were price conscious. Many more were looking for better quality. Finao offers both – very competitive prices and unbeatable quality. We hear it all the time when a photographer looks up and says, “Does that price actually include the prints?” YES. When you read the fine print, WE ACTUALLY COST LESS than many well known companies. Some charge extra for coating and texturing – it’s included at Finao. Some charge outrageous prices for real leather – Finao offers so many amazing, real, high-quality leathers AND they are included in the price. A 12×12 flush mount album could easily cost an extra $100+ dollars from many companies and rarely cost even $20.00 less from only a few companies, who again, have very limited options and usually lower quality. Some photo books were inferior quality and actually cost more elsewhere. Even press books from most other vendors cost more than our playBOOK which features true photographic printing, seamless binding, custom covers and 100 material options – all for one price! Isn’t it nice when you can actually offer your clients the best with out costing yourself more?
UPGRADING IMAGE and BRAND VALUE was important to many. You bet it is. It’s a competitive world out their and you won’t reach the best clients with second rate products. We heard a lot of that. “I’ve always wanted to use Finao and now I’m ready. My work deserves it and I’m charging more. It’s time for Finao.” We love to hear that. Your work and your business do deserve the best. And your clients deserve products that are built like they are the family heirloom they will become.
We heard some say they were not happy with the PRINTING at their album company/lab. Too bad, because Finao clients RAVE about the printing! Even some very discriminating photographers like Nick Ghionis (yes, it’s Jerry’s brother) in AU said he loved his test prints and placed an immediate client order.
Some people were ready, not just to upgrade their image, but wanted to jump to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL. The artONE got a lot of attention, and not just because it’s the album of choice for Jerry Ghionis, but photographers went crazy for the look and feel of the Hahnemühle paper and giclée printing. They loved our proprietary surface protection – still looks and feels like the amazing paper it is printed on, but becomes one of the most durable print surfaces we offer.
For three days our booth was filled to capacity with PHOTOGRAPHERS ON A MISSION. They sought out Finao. They brought their friends and said “you need to use these people”. Over and over we heard, “this is exactly what I’ve been looking for.” So if you’re looking, we bet we have exactly what you’re looking for. Give us a call at 1-888-346-2687 (1-888-FINAO-US) or send an email to info@finao.com. We’re looking for long term relationships, so let’s get together.
Category: Events, New Customer, Photography Talk, Product Comparison, Product Recommendations, Reviews, Sales & Marketing |
Tags: album company, Album Company Recommendation, Finao, finao albums, flush mount, matted album, photo album, photo book, photo box, photography, Professional, professional album, professional photographer, recommendation, vendor, Vendor Recommendation
Elements Simplified
For those of you who use Finao’s self mount Elements albums in your studios, good news: things just got easier! WOOHOO!!!
Instead of the 4 styles of Elements that we had before:
- Elements (non-leather covers)
- Upper Elements (leather covers)
- Elements TXT (non-leather guestbooks)
- Upper Elements TXT (leather guestbooks)
We now have cut out the fat and combined all four separate products into one simple product line: Elements.
The base price includes your non-leather covers, and guestbook style pages are an option in the order form. Leather covers (what used to be Upper Elements) are available as a premium option in the order form as well (see pricing-step 2). So it’s all still there, it’s just organized in a new format that is much simpler to handle! Okay, now you can do your little happy dance (quick, while no one is looking!).
Finao Elements have adhesive on the pages so you can easily mount your prints.
Guestbook style pages are also an option with the Finao Elements albums. The right sides are for your prints and the left sides are blank for signatures. Available in black or white pages.
Finao Elements self mount album with cutout for a cameo image on the cover. “Sidewinder” leatherette is pictured here.
Category: Boudoir, IT, New Products, Product Comparison, Uncategorized, Updates |
Tags: adhesive, Album, baby book, boudoir, Elements, Finao, guest book, guestbook, lay flat, photo album, photo book, Portrait album, Portraits, prints, Professional, self mount, Senior, senior photos, sign in book, signature book, sticky, Upper Elements
PARENT ALBUMS: Finao has your answer!
Many of you can say that you have had no bigger fans in your life than your parents (even though sometimes they show it by embarrassing you in front of all your peers LOL). How many people in your life can you think of that would be beaming with joy to pass around photos of your milestones to friends and strangers alike? Not many is my guess; but parents, that’s a different story!
From a photographer/business-owner point of view, these proud parents make fantastic marketers for your brand! And what new bride or new mother wouldn’t want to provide their own parents with the gift of sharing in their most special moments? Parent books are key, and being able to offer an affordable parent book option that doesn’t compromise quality will put you heads above the rest.
The Finao playBOOK is the perfect parent album solution! Press printed books have been the standard on the market for too long. Now you can offer a higher quality book photographic album with a much more substantial feel for prices that would shock you! The playBOOK is priced* the same as or less than most lesser quality press books on the market!
*Finao strictly services professionals in the industry and you must have a valid account in order to view pricing information.
The playBOOK features real photographic prints, just like the flush mount ONE which would typically act as your main album.
The same high quality, professional prints your clients expect in their main album are also in the parent albums, rather than lesser quality press prints which have inherent limitations to color and clarity. Also, unlike the fast delivery books on the market that are not coated, we take the time to coat your prints and ensure that your getting the quality that best represents your brand.
The playBOOK also beats the other books with it’s cover options! Gone are the days of “photo cover only”. People want choice, and parents and grandparents would love to display a beautiful fabric bound book on their coffee tables. By offering the largest array of gorgeous silks and linens, fine woven fabrics, faux leathers and tantalizing textures you are able to offer parent albums that coordinate with your client’s main album. Coordinating or complimentary colors and textures will add that extra polish and sophistication to your packages. (and speaking of fabrics….watch for a special announcement soon! ;) Of course, photo wrap covers are also available, and at no additional cost!
Finao’s photographically printed playBOOK is the ultimate in a luxury album feel at a press-book price.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your studio sample now at 25% off and start making those other moms your biggest fans too!
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playPAL around: mini duplicate books
Category: New Customer, New Products, Product Comparison, Product Recommendations, Sales & Marketing, Uncategorized |
Tags: baby, duplicate album, duplicate book, new mother, Newborn, parent album, parent book, parentbook, photo album, photo book, photoalbum, photobook, portrait photography, Wedding, Wedding Album, Wedding Photography
Boudie-licious!
A lot of people think that we pretty much just work with wedding photographers to make wedding albums, and although that is a big portion of what we do, it’s definitely not the only thing we’re into. Boudoir photography has really been growing in recent years and many of the photographers that work with us sell a wide range of Finao and Seldex products to their boudoir clients. Nothing sexier than a little book of secrets….maybe a BIG book of not-so-secrets >=)
Here’s a selection of our steamiest albums and boxes that could really give a rise to your boudoir business ;)
Elements
Finao’s seductive collection of tantalizing textures.
Elements albums are fantastic books by Finao that fall under the category of “self-mount” which means exactly what it sounds like (hey, get your mind out of the gutter!) – there is adhesive on the pages so you can mount your own prints to the page. It’s super easy to do, we’ve even got video instructions, but we also offer a Print & Assembly option if you’re of the “do it for me” mindset.
Elements come in super sexy silks, linens, fabrics and fauxs, or upgrade to incorporate sultry leathers and suedes. Guest book “TXT” versions are also available. Studio samples are 25% off and available through the Sample Order Form.
playBOOK
Finao’s photographically printed playBOOK is the ultimate in a luxury album feel at a press-book price.
playBOOK is the hottest new photo book on the market and will make you kiss press-books goodbye! playBOOK features photographic prints, skinny page styling, and seamless, lay-flat binding for breathtaking panoramic spreads. The playBOOK comes in TONS of gorgeous fabric, silk and vegan leather cover options as well as image covers at no additional cost. This is THE book for the boudoir client who wants a higher-end, magazine style, designed book without going all the way for a flush mount.
Get some more play with a playBOOK! Studio samples are 25% off and available through the Sample Order Form.
Seldex Gallery and Twin Sets
Gallery albums come with tons of cover options and make gorgeous portrait albums and guest books.
Gallery albums are gorgeous matted albums that are perfect for portraits and guest books. They come in either a 9″ or 12″ square, have TONS of cover options from linens to fauxs to fine leathers and even image wraps, capacity of up to 30 mats in your choice of 4 styles and numerous mat configurations.
Gallery albums are a breeze to assemble yourself with your own prints – here’s a short video so you can see how it’s done – but if you don’t want to, we offer a print & assembly service as well for a low price per page (software required for P&A).
Portrait Suite
Seldex’s Portrait Suite is the total package!
If it’s the total package you’re looking for, the Portrait Suite by Seldex provides you with an all-around presentation to your clients. A matted album wrapped in a photo cover is nestled inside a matching photo-covered box. Hide a little CD button and coordinating printed disk on the inside of the lid, and you’ve got yourself a “suite” deal!
Just like the Gallery albums on the inside, the Portrait Suite albums are easy to assemble yourself with your own prints – here’s a short video so you can see how it’s done – but if you don’t want to, we offer a print & assembly service as well for a low price per page (software required for P&A).
Portfolio and Preview Boxes
Design Aglow provides “Boudie Call” boudoir themed templates for albums, boxes and more. Visit www.designaglow.com. Image courtesy of Design Aglow.
For those who are into something a little different, a Portfolio Box or Image Preview Box by Seldex may be the remedy. The Portfolio Box has been made popular lately by revered portrait photographer Sue Bryce, and with their simple sophistication, it’s easy to see why she sells so many! Try a custom image cover, black buckram fabric or “Black Pearl” silk brocade. A Natural Blend Linen is also available and quite popular for child & family sessions. Simple white or black frame-mounts showcase your prints inside the box and make for the perfect way to add-to over time, or highlight various prints on an easel. Styrene mounted prints are also available for both box types instead.
The Seldex Image Preview Boxes are smaller boxes that keep loose prints (or styrene mounted). Available in a variety of sizes to accommodate many needs, the Image Preview Box is perfect for anything from a sneak peek to the full Monty!
A 25% Studio sample discount is available for the Portfolio Box when you order through the Sample Order Form.
Like what you see? Want more? We’re happy to please! Just ask and we’ll make sure all your needs are satisfied… ;p
Category: Boudoir, New Customer, New Products, Product Comparison, Product Recommendations |
Tags: Album, boudoir, Elements, glamour, matted, matted album, photo, photo book, photo box, Photo Cover, photographer, photography, playbook, Portrait album, Portraits, Press Printed, proof box, Seldex
playPAL around: mini duplicate books
You know those little books that photographers keep telling us their clients can’t live without? The ones that cause them to stay with an album company they really don’t like and doesn’t have the service, options or products that Finao has?
No more excuses! Finao is introducing playPAL: smaller, duplicate albums for your wedding/portrait clients that play perfectly well with our ONE and artONE albums. These books come in two size buckets: Itty Bitty and Little. They are companions (exact duplicates of the main album) and are sold in groups of 3 or 6. (Not to be confused with its big brother the playBOOK, which is a separate product.)
Finao playPAL photo books in hand made paper covers.
Photo covers and non-traditional sizes are also available with playPAL at no additional cost.
Finao PlayPALs and small playBOOKs are packaged in a bag with a heart charm.
PlayPALs are one price regardless of how many sides, pages or spreads. Should I repeat that? ONE PRICE* REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF PAGES! Yeah!! (*Link takes you to flush mount ONE pricing where playPAL pricing is near the bottom of page)
Six ITTY BITTY playPALs – try this: One for the bride and one for each Mother to carry in their purses (playPALs come in cloth bags so they are very easy to carry around), one for your sales table so you have an example of every wedding you photograph, and that leaves two that can be used for advertising. Give a playPAL to a venue, a florist, a wedding planner, a cake baker, even a bridal salon. If you give away two for every wedding, that will be a nice collection and a lot of referrals.
Three LITTLE playPALs – try this: I’d try not to use these as parent albums. playBOOKs are much better suited for the task and have a higher perceived value. But even Little books can be gifts after purchase, grandparent books (with the purchase of parent albums), venue books (love me those vendor books) and photographer keepsakes. When someone asks if you have ever worked at the botanical garden – “sure, here’s an example of a wedding I shot there”.
You can sell the playPALS to the bride or offer them as an incentive to book, purchase a bigger package, get an album or purchase parent books. Whatever, doesn’t matter. It does matter that they have value, so put a price on them and put the price on your price sheet – make it high so when you give it as a reward it makes for a real reward.
playPALS offer 10 handmade paper covers from our special “playGROUND” collection or a custom photo cover (sizing templates available on website). Light weight and portable, they are perfect pursePALs. So, come on, get your play on and kiss all your excuses goodbye! Finao offers it all!
Finao Playground collection of handmade papers are exclusively available with playPALs.
Category: New Products, Product Comparison, Product Recommendations, Sales & Marketing |
Tags: accompanyment, brag book, companion album, companion book, duplicate album, duplicate book, Finao, little black book, parent album, parent book, photo album, photo book, photobook, photographer, playbook, playPAL, professional album, purse book, vendor book
Putting more PLAY in your day…
Thought we should have another short post on the new playBOOKs. First, without much publicity and certainly no big roll out, this became a hot product virtually overnight. We had to hold off on the “announcement stuff” because we had more orders than we were prepared for. Fast forward a month or two and we are ready! Play books are moving right along and getting more and more popular every day!
That brings me to a few comments that I want to share:
1. Delivery time. Most playBOOKs will have a 1 week turn around! Photo Wrap covers can add two to three days to the production time due to it’s special protective lamination process. Although the printer produces an instant dry print, that doesn’t mean it’s really dry. We find waiting a day before laminating produces better results. It’s kinda like nail polish: feels dry to the touch, but a pattern can show up later. Better to wait and make sure you receive the best product we can deliver.
2. Unlike most books on the market, we do not use standard, pre-made covers. Finao still makes each cover with a custom fit for each book. Only 1mm difference sometimes, but that cover will be a perfect match for that album. No covers are made until the block is complete and measured. Time, my friends, time.
3. We offer photo covers at the same price as our many fabric covers. The fabrics are more expensive to purchase, have some yield issues and require us to hold inventory. BUT, they are better, and we’ve decided to offer them all at the same low price we offer the photo wrap cover. Many of the materials we use come from outside the book binding industry and go through some serious wear testing. They will last. They can take a bit of abuse. And in 10 years your client will have an album that looks as new as the day they received it. Finao likes it that way.
4. Offering fabric covers just might give you a competitive advantage. This is not something your client will find at an online album-creation site. They are unique to you. The choices are fantastic and the price is all the same. That means they can select anything we offer and you know you will always pay one low price. Hint, hint, we have 10 new materials almost ready to go. The last ones just arrived so we will be working on a new swatch card. Watch this space, it’s coming soon!
5. The Paraphernalia Collection is now part of the Non-Leather swatch kit and playBOOKs can be ordered in these deluxe fabrics at NO ADDITION COST. Try any of these HOT fabrics for an extreme sexy look on your boudoir books.
6. Try a different size. The 10×4 is a real hit at shows and if photographers like it that much, well, we figure the client will like it even more. 12×8 and 9×6 are other great size options. Again, you’re giving yourself a competitive advantage by offering something they can’t get elsewhere.
7. Think portraits. Yes, playBOOKS are a great low cost option for parent albums. However, they are an even better option for portrait sessions. Lots of great images translate into client “wants” and playBOOKs are the perfect answer. Low cost books combined with simple designs just means added profits for your business.
So don’t mess around deciding to make albums an integral part of your product line. playBOOK around! A little play can make for happy clients and happy wallets!
PS: Take a look at the pics here for a sneak peek at a few of our upcoming material options! And don’t forget about the playBOOK’s little brother playPAL that is available with the purchase of Finao ONE and artONE flush mount albums!
Finao playBOOK photo books in new fabric cover materials.
Finao playBOOK photo books in new fabric cover materials “Bookie” and “Narcism”.
Finao PlayPALs and small playBOOKs are packaged in a bag with a heart charm.
Finao playPAL photo books in hand made paper covers.
Finao playPAL photo books in hand made paper covers.
Finao playPAL photo books in handmade paper covers or photo wrap image covers.
Category: New Products |
Tags: baby book, duplicate album, duplicate book, parent album, parent book, photo book, playbook, playPAL, Portrait album, senior book, vendor book
