Make Valentine’s Day special this year, by sharing your favorite memories with your loved ones. Here are a few DIY Valentine’s Day Card ideas to help you spread the love!
DIY Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids:
Let the kids get creative! Start out with your choice of a blank photo folder or a blank photo card. This fun DIY Valentine’s Day Card activity for kids can be done at home, in the classroom, or even at daycare. You’ll want to choose a blank paper photo folder or blank photo card to accommodate your print size.
If you have a parent volunteer available, have them snap a picture of each student with their phone so you can print it off at school or through a photo processing service.
Next, let the kids decorate their DIY Valentine’s card with:
Stickers
Rubber stamps
Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Tissue paper (just use a dab from a glue stick)
Sequins and glitter
Pre-cut paper hearts
Once they’re done decorating, add a printed photo or drawing to your photo card or paper frame.
Finally, have each student write a special message or Valentine’s Day poem inside the card. Let the card dry and seal it up safely in an envelope for the safe journey home from school. Photo card envelopes can be purchased separately here. Please refer to the matching envelope style on your product page.
DIY Valentine’s cards are wonderful gifts for:
Grandparents
Godparents
Aunts & Uncles
Teachers
Babysitters
Coaches
Far-Away Friends & Family
Photo Cards For Valentines Parties and Events
Custom Photo folders are great giveaways for Valentine’s Day Parties, a Daddy-Daughter dance or Princess ball, school events, park district events, singles’ celebrations, Galentine’s events, and beyond! We have photo folder designs for 2×6 photo strips, 4×6 prints, 5×7 prints, and more. Choose one of our stock designs or download our template and customize your own! Guests will love to have a photo to take home, and the photo folders offer plenty of branding space for any corporate sponsors or non-profit organizations supporting your special Valentine’s event.
DIY Photo Cards For Your Valentine
Use a 4×6 photo from your wedding, first date, or any special memory with your Valentine to create a sentimental DIY Valentine’s Card. Pictured here is our flint white photo insert card. Your photo slips easily into the top pocket opening on the outside of the card- no glue or tape needed!
Another great option is our elegant Valentines Day Heart photo folder with a red foil stamped heart on the front cover (your 4×6 or 5×7 picture will go on the inside).
Many of our blank or custom photo folders can be made into the perfect DIY Valentine’s Day card. Print out your favorite memories with your Valentine and share the love. With our “quick ship” designs, you may order as few as one piece (no personalization). Hand-write a note, or a short memory inside, slide in your print, and you’ve got a sentimental DIY Valentine’s Day card!
There are lots of memories to be made this holiday season – and what better way to capture the holiday magic, than with a photo? Whether it’s a snap of you and your coworkers, a candid shot of the kids, a family portrait, or an adorable picture of your furbaby, we’ve got the perfect line of custom paper photo frames and cardstock picture holders to create a beautiful DIY Christmas card, event keepsake, party favor, or holiday greeting.
We’ve added a few new designs this year, and we’d love to hear what you think! Leave us a comment below or drop us a note in the comments below, or visit us on Facebook.
New Holiday Foil Stamped Photo Folders
We launched four festive new designs this year to hold your 4×6 photos. Great for company parties, holiday events, winter weddings, fundraisers, and even as holiday cards. View the new Christmas photo event folder designs here.
New 2×6 Photo Strip Holders for Holiday Events
These are great if you’ll have a photo booth at your event. We love working with DJs, event planners, and photo booth rental companies to create the perfect picture folders for every celebration. Photos make a nice keepsake for your guests, and these 2×6 photo strip holders protect the prints from fingerprints, smudges, and creases. The 2×6 designs are made to order with your choice of corner cut slits or a fold-over pocket to hold your photo booth print. View all holiday 2″ x 6″ folders here.
Printed Photo Folders for 4×6 and 5×7 Pictures
These full-color folders are a beautiful take-home piece for corporate events, weddings, school, church, and park district events, fundraisers, and holiday parties. The window border lifts up so you can easily slip your photo into the folder, and the fold holds the print securely in place. View all printed holiday photo folders.
Holiday Photo Insert Cards for 4×6 Prints
DIY Christmas cards are easy with our beautiful holiday photo insert cards! Just choose a design, write your message inside, and slide your 4×6 print into the outside pocket. No glue or tape needed. View all photo insert cards here.
Whether you’re making your own photo Christmas cards to send to friends and family this year, or you’re an event planner, DJ, or photo booth owner looking to add an upsell to your event packages, we’d love to help you create the perfect piece with our versatile line of custom photo folders, photo cards, and paper photo frames. Need something fast? Choose one of our “Quick Ship” products! They’re on the shelf, already printed, and ready to ship within 1-3 business days. Questions? Give our team a call at (800) 346-3063.
The air is getting crisp, the leaves are changing, and the sun’s setting earlier each evening. This means one thing: fall is almost here! And with it, fall festivals and Halloween parties.
At Studio Style, we love this cool, colorful season and all of the fun events that come along with it: pumpkin patch outings and apple picking to fall harvest festivals, costume contests, and fall photo shoots. We have some fun ideas to help you celebrate all of the special memories you’ll make this fall. Try our custom autumn themed photo folders for your Instax, Polaroid, 2×6, 4×6, and 5×7 fall and Halloween photo prints!
If you’re a photographer or an event organizer we’d love to help you create the perfect photo folder as a giveaway or party favors for your guests’ fall memories. Check out our fall and Halloween themed photo folders, or give us a call at (800) 346-3063 to chat about creating a completely custom paper frame for your Halloween event.
1. School events
Send parents home with a “back to school” photo of their child working on a project in class or playing outside on the playground. Whether the kids are decorating gourds, playing in the leaves, or making a scarecrow, capturing candid school shots can make sweet memories during the fall season.
2. Fall fundraisers
Fall fun-runs and 5k events are popular in October because it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Photos can be a great way to raise some extra cash for your philanthropy, and your community will be glad to chip in for a good cause.
Set up a photo booth area with a fun fall-themed backdrop so participants can pose with friends and family. Take donations for those who want to have their picture taken, and offer them prints inside a custom photo folder to match your event theme.
Offset the cost of the photo booth and accessories by finding a “photo sponsor” to cover the cost of the booth, props, and photo folders. The sponsor’s logo can be included on the front or back of printed photo folders at no extra cost, providing them recognition and exposure to your guests.
3. Pumpkin farm, haunted house, and apple orchard outings
Nothing says fall like taking a trip to the farm! Orchards, farms, and haunted house attractions can boost engagement by offering seasonal photo ops to their guests, with on-site prints and custom photo folders for sale for a small fee.
4. Oktoberfest and autumn harvest festivals
You may only don the lederhosen once a year, but you can proudly display your Oktoberfest memories all year long with a custom photo folder. Guests at every fall festival love to take home a personalized photo keepsake, and photo folders are a great way to keep prints safe from beer splashes and mustard smudges.
Custom photo folders for your fall festival also present a great advertising opportunity for event sponsors who want to build brand awareness. Add a logo or a special offer to the back of your custom photo folder or paper frame for targeted advertising exposure to festival goers.
5. Halloween parties and costume contests
Take photos of everyone as they line up for the costume contest. Pose them in front of a plain background or a branded step-and-repeat backdrop. Have couples pose together and print the images as souvenirs for your guests. Some costume contest ideas:
Best dressed
Scariest costume
Best couples costume
Most creative costume
Winner by votes
Don’t forget best pet costume!
This can be a blast for your furry friends, too. Pet costume contests can be a great way to drive business to your doggy daycare, pet store boutique, or pet spa. A Halloween costume contest can also help raise awareness for shelters and adoption centers. Hold a special event to drive foot traffic to your location and delight your customers with photos and other prizes! Bonus idea: sell the photo prints or take donations as a fundraiser to help a local animal shelter or wildlife rehab center.
6. Fall photo shoots for engagements, families, and pets
Turn your favorite fall photos into homemade greeting cards! Landscape shots, family photos, engagement pictures, or snaps of your pet against a fall backdrop fit perfectly inside our blank photo insert cards for 4×6 prints.
Best of all, you won’t need any glue or tape to hold the photo in place; just slide your print into the front pocket. Try the natural flax or desert storm colors to make your own DIY autumn and Thanksgiving greeting cards.
Have another fun fall event or photo idea? We’d love to hear it! Drop us a note on the Studio Style Facebook page, or leave a comment below.
Want to grow your photo booth business without spending an arm and a leg on advertising? Referrals are the key. Here are a few tips to get more referrals:
1. Do a memorable job—every single time.
This means consistently delivering great communication, being prepared with backup equipment should a printer or camera fail, and delivering above and beyond what you promise. Put on consistently amazing events, and people will take note. When people have a great time at their wedding, party, or special event, they talk about it. Referrals from happy guests are the best way to build your photo booth, DJ, or event entertainment business organically.
2. Make the client and the guests feel special.
Take time to get to know your clients as best you can before the event. Your job as a photographer, DJ, or photo booth operator is to make sure your clients have a blast at every gig they hire you for. You’re there to help them create great memories. Throw in some fun surprises like unique props and signs (and custom photo folders) that will WOW them!
That’s a big responsibility– but we’re here to help. Custom photo folders and frames are an affordable way to exceed your client’s expectations. We’ll help you design the perfect photo holder to match the event theme. Surprise your clients with the folders as a complimentary value-add, or use them as an upsell to help you grow your bottom line after you’ve booked the event.
3. Ask for the referral.
After you’ve pulled off a great event, and you’re sure your client is happy, snail mail them a fun photo from the event inside a photo folder with a signed thank you note. Add a P.S. line asking if they have any friends or co-workers planning an event that would be a good fit for your services. Let them know that it would mean a lot if they’d refer you to their friends and family.
4. Add your logo & contact info to your photo booth giveaways.
Add this to the back of each custom photo folder (free of charge on our printed designs), and you have an instant referral piece that goes home with every single guest. It’s a business card that sticks around. When they remember how much fun they had at the event, they’ll want to book your services for their next celebration, too.
What are some other ways you’ve had success with getting referrals? We’d love to hear what works for you and your photo booth business. Leave us a comment below, or share with us on Facebook!
Hot Foil Stamping is one of our favorite personalization techniques at Studio Style. Great for personalizing photo folders and paper frames for holiday events, weddings, fundraisers, galas, prom, graduation, golf events, company parties, and special celebrations.
Foil stamping takes a plain paper folder and turns it into an upscale keepsake.
The shimmering embellishment brings a truly elegant look to your custom photo folders, photo cards, and paper photo frames. Here’s an overview of the Studio Style foil stamping process, and some of our photo products that look beautiful when customized with a decorative foil imprint.
The foil stamping process
1. Choose the folder or frame product you’d like to personalize. Almost all of our products can be foil stamped! We have horizontal and vertical styles available for all of our products. Type in your desired quantity, and click the teal Personalize button. On our imprint form, you can type in any text you want to be included, choose your foil color, imprint location, and upload your logo or artwork.
2. Please check our artwork guidelines for our accepted file formats, and file size. For a great foil imprint, we need a crisp, clean, black and white image. Your artwork can be a graphic, a logo, typographic lettering, just text, or a combination of these elements. Artwork should not contain fine lines, gradients, drop shadows, or textures as these will not produce a desirable result for foil stamping. (If you cannot supply us with satisfactory art, our experienced art department can help.
File formats we accept: PDF, AI, EPS, PSD, JPG, JPEG, TIF, TIFF, and PNG file formats. As a general rule, we require a minimum of 300 dpi for foil stamping
3. Next, submit your order. Our team will review the art and we’ll contact you if we need any further information. We’ll prepare a free proof if you requested one, and will send it your way within 1-2 business days for approval. Let us know ASAP if your proof looks ready to go, or if you need changes. Once your layout is finalized and approved, we’ll move into production.
4. Your image or artwork is now etched onto a magnesium foil stamping plate (also known as a metal die). New imprinting orders are charged a new plate and machine set-up fee. Foil stamping plates are kept on file for one calendar year. If your order is repeated within a one-year time frame, the next order will only be charged the machine set-up fee, as we are able to re-use your original plate.
5. Finally, we take our blank product, your magnesium plate, and a large roll of your chosen foil to our specialized foil stamping press. The foil film is unrolled and sandwiched between the magnesium plate (which has been heated to an appropriate temperature) and the blank photo folder, frame, or card. The plate and folder, frame, or photo insert card are then pressed together. Through heat and pressure, the thin layer of foil is transferred off the roll and onto the product.
A Few More Tips for Foil Stamped Photo Folders & Frames
Please allow 7-10 business days for production time on custom foil-stamped photo products. Often, we can turn them around sooner than that, but we want to ensure that we have enough lead time to do a great job and get them shipped to you well before your event day.
Your first order will incur a plate and setup charge (to make your custom plate, and set up the machine). You’ll also have a small running charge for each piece ordered.
Have an annual event? Leave off the date and order extra product for next year! We keep your custom plate on file for one calendar year, after which it is recycled. If you place a repeat order with us, we can re-use your original plate, and you won’t be charged a plate fee the second time around.
We do offer several ready-made foil stamped photo folder designs, so if you don’t have enough time to personalize a custom folder, we can ship out a pre-made design right away. Just look for the “quick ship” emblem in red on our products page. We have these ready to go for most major holidays and for golf events.
Want multiple foil colors? We can do that! For an extra charge, we can create your frames, photo cards, or folders with two foil colors.
If you need an exact PMS color match for your art, we’ll move you to an ink-printed photo folder instead of foil
Golf season is in full swing, and if you’re planning a tournament, we’ve got the perfect keepsake for your guests. Our line of custom golf photo frame products is great for golf outings, company tournaments, and charity fundraisers. Here’s a quick overview of a few products, and some ideas for how to use them as giveaways at your golf event.
1. Golf Dimple Easel Frames
Dimpled like a real golf ball! These bevel cut frames are available in a single or double mat construction for 4×6, 5×7, or 8×10 prints. These golf frames are made of textured mat board that feels like a real golf ball! Great for raffle prizes, framing awards, presenting certificates or for holding golf foursome photos.
2. Printed Golf Photo Folders
We can create a fully custom, full-color printed folder for your golf event. Highlight your logo, event details, and the story behind your tournament by printing on the front, back, inside, and outside. Include sponsor recognition for additional branding and exposure. Send these home with every guest to keep your message going long after the tournament is over. Don’t forget to add a website address and contact information. This can be especially helpful when raising money and awareness for a charity to let guests know where they can go to get involved with the organization.
Photographers who affiliate themselves with a country club or golf course can use these folders to highlight the signature hole – golf pros and venues LOVE this because it builds awareness for where the event was held.
3. Quick Ship Golf Folders
What if your event is right around the corner and you didn’t order soon enough for a personalized folder? (Custom orders typically take 5-7 business days for production). We also have quick ship designs like the Golf FORE, the Golf Crest, the Golf Ball Tee, and the Golf Gatefold printed photo folders. These designs are pre-made, and are ready to ship the same day you order.
Bonus tip: Get a photography sponsor to cover the cost of the golf folders and frames to help stay on budget when planning your golf tournament.
See more custom photo folder designs at StudioStyle.com/Golf or call us at (800) 346-3063 with any questions. We’ll see you on the green!
Photo Booth Owners: want to grow your bottom line? Add custom photo folders to your event packages! They’re a great upsell and make affordable, personalized party favors. They also protect your prints!
In this video, we chat about how to sell Studio Style photo folders to brides and the wedding market. We came back from the 2017 Photo Booth Expo last month, and wanted to address a question we heard from some photo booth owners: “Now that we have our photo folder sample kits, how do we sell these to our customers?”
Here are some of the big takeaways:
Chat with your bride about her theme. Mention that you can offer custom photo folders to match the colors and style of the wedding.
Photo folders protect the prints. Slip the prints inside to keep them safe from fingerprints, creases, and food/drink spills.
Pitch the photo folders as inexpensive party favors. This ensures that all guests get a nice personalized keepsake to take home.
Our designs are fully customizable. Change the colors, the text, or add a special message from the bride and groom.
Offer a discount when they book. As a photo booth owner or photographer, you get wholesale pricing, so you can use these as an incentive to get brides to book with you, or offer them at a special price to thank them for choosing your photo booth service.
Quick turnaround time (7-10 business days for production). Assure the bride that you’ll gather all of the details she wants to be printed on the folders, and you’ll take care of the ordering process for her.
Get to know our themed designs. You can use our product photos on your website and in your marketing materials to showcase. Have samples on hand to show your prospective clients, and let them feel the quality and durability of the cardstock first-hand.
Call us at (800) 346-3063 or chat with us online at StudioStyle.com if you have any questions, or are ready to order!
At Studio Style, we’re a team of designers, marketers, and printers who manufacture custom photo folders and frames for all kinds of special events. We’re here to help photo booth owners, DJs and event planners increase their revenue with a unique add-on for their photo booth rental packages.
We want to help you get more customers and grow your presence in the marketplace. You spend all night taking memorable photos, keeping the energy up and the props organized, making sure the bride and groom are happy and their guests entertained.
What better way to send guests home than with a memorable photo souvenir?
Instead of just handing each guest a photo strip, give them something nice to take home. We’ll help you design personalized photo folders for each event with your logo and company info on the back, in addition to a special greeting from the bride and groom, or a message from the corporate sponsor or host of the event.
Here are some of the highlights from our interview with DJNTV.
Ways to Use Custom Photo Folders
Tell your story. Include a client’s corporate logo on the folders and highlight your mission + brand identity
Order a custom branded folder to show your clients the possibilities. Include photos of your booth setup and a brief list of your offerings. This makes a good promotional giveaway at event trade shows and bridal fairs.
Thank a photo sponsor who covered the cost of the booth rental services. Include their logo on the folders for extra recognition at a fundraiser or corporate event.
Custom photo holders can serve as a business card given to all guests at the event (be sure to add your photo booth logo and website on the back!)
Great referral tool in lieu of handing out business cards or using a traditional digital template with a logo overlay on the print.
An inexpensive party favor to give guests to thank them for being a part of the journey (for a wedding or corporate event)
An economical up-sell to a booth rental. Charge the customer retail pricing for adding custom folders to their package – grow your bottom line!
Put your website and social media icons on the folder. drive them to your online platforms to get in touch and learn more about your services.
Ask for happy customers to leave a testimonial or review to help build trust and credibility online for your brand.
Network with other vendors and the venues themselves. Send a photo folder with a picture from the event to the venue manager thanking them for having you there.
Use branded folders as thank you card to clients. Send one out after each wedding, party, or event with a photo. Handwrite a short note inside with what you enjoyed most about being part of their special event. Great for a personal touch that goes a long way!
Why Work with Studio Style?
We enjoy working with our customers to come up with a memorable custom design that fits their needs, whether it’s designing a marketing piece for a bridal fair or a special themed piece for their client’s event.
We have an in-house art department: free design consult prior to ordering.
We’ll happily show you a proof of a layout if you need to spec it to one of your clients
We’ll send you free samples to show your clients – best way to upsell them is to have some physical samples on hand to demonstrate.
If you call us at (800) 346-3063 or chat with us on our website, you’ll talk to a real human!
Easy process: personalize and order custom photo folders from our website: StudioStyle.com (or place your order over the phone!)
7-10 day turnaround for production of custom folders and delivery to your location
Quick-ship stock folders available for last-minute events (no personalization)
Made in the USA from high-quality 14 pt. card stock
We are the manufacturer. We make the photo folders and know how to use them – so we can brainstorm ideas for design and construction of custom pieces.
Low order minimums
Online product images and sell sheets and digital mockups to help you sell
Photo Folder Features + Benefits
Preserve the prints: turn photos from the event into photo souvenirs
100 square inches of design and customization space on our 4×6 folders. Compare that to your traditional 4×6 or 2×6 digital template.
Ensure each print is safe and not left behind on the floor or table, or used as a coaster. Guests will take your custom branded event photo folders home.
Custom photo folders provide a safe place to store the pictures while guests enjoy the event.
Studio Style Customer Testimonials
Dennis Marentette, Owner at DDM Photo Booth and a 30+ year veteran of the photography and videography industry says:
“These Photo Folders are one of my most effective marketing products that I use. I will speak about it at the Photo Booth Expo this year. Studio Style is the best in the business. We booked this event with Northstar Aerospace as a result of their General Manager being at a wedding back in September, where I gave out your photo folders. I have booked 2 events from handing the custom photo folder samples from Studio Style out to guests. I could go on and on– the bookings are in the thousands of dollars from using your material!”
“We use an assortment of 4X6 & 8X10 frames and photo folders from Studio Style. We love the excellent quality, and the amazing pricing. Using the custom photo folders and photos frames has helped our business by allowing us to offer upgrades that other vendors do not feature in their packages. It has made us look extremely polished. Plus, the customer service team is second to none! Kevin helps me brainstorm ideas on how to incorporate and market different Studio Style products into my event services all of the time.”
We hope you enjoy these tips and ideas to increase your profits in your photo booth business! Have more ways to grow your bottom line? We’d love to hear them. Please leave a comment below, or share with us on the Studio Style Facebook page.
Melanie Taylor is a photographer who’s passionate about capturing stories on camera. She specializes primarily in event photography, but her talents and experience also span commercial and residential photography, candid and portrait photography, wedding photography, photojournalism, styled interior architectural photography, and beyond. We sat down with Melanie to pick her brain about what it takes to be a successful professional photographer. We’re excited to share her tips and tricks learned over her 20+ years of experience with you!
Tell me about your journey to becoming a freelance photographer.
I started shooting in high school. It was back in the days of wet labs and film. My first camera was a Canon AE1 with a 50mm 1.8. I had a big crush on Georgia O’Keeffe and my early work had a lot of flowers. When I started incorporating people, I loved it. I’ve never been much with a brush and paper, so photography gave me creative freedom. I put in years and years of wedding photography for bigger companies before I was comfortable shooting on my own. I got to mentor under lots of different photographers as a second shooter and with that experience, you start to see how to work on the fly.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned as a photographer?
It’s as much about the images as it is about how you make someone feel about themselves. I once worked with a wedding photographer who had a really big, over the top personality. He’d exude positivity and enthusiasm, and knew exactly how to make people feel confident and relaxed. He’d be shooting a bride and groom and he’d say “OH MY GOD– these look so good, you look so amazing,” and just kept the praise going. He did it so well that they believed it, and they felt more confident all day, without even seeing the shots he’d taken. Half of it is making someone feel like they look really good, and then they’re going to do better for you during the shoot. I tried to absorb that and it’s definitely one of my stronger aspects.
I’ve photographed a lot of families – and sometimes the men can get weird and awkward. They do this tense smile, and turtle themselves (rigid shoulders and neck) so it’s really important to help them relax and get them into a more natural pose, with the shoulders out, neck back, and a slight turn of the head. To help them feel more comfortable, it sometimes helps to touch them gently and give them eye contact, which boosts their confidence. Don’t be afraid to say, “You look so good!” and tell them how beautiful their wife and children are. Bring some jokes into it, softly feel out their interests. 95% of the time it’s the women who are booking the shoot, so it’s helpful to quiz them a little bit. Ask what her husband is into, take note of any special interests, ask about his cars, favorite sports, just to have something to talk about. “Oh, I hear you have this really big truck,” you say — then you can see when someone cracks and you break past that uncomfortable barrier.
What’s your favorite subject matter to photograph and why?
I really enjoy photographing events and the people enjoying them. It’s super rewarding to see people interacting and capture their feelings toward each other and the space where it’s all taking place. My favorite event last year was the 4th of July celebration at Rolling Green Country Club. So many happy people, amazing food, beautiful decor, and a huge firework display!
What’s the biggest challenge you face as a professional photographer?
It can be a highly competitive field. I’m very fortunate to be part of the Happy Tog group. They are like minded photographers who enjoy sharing knowledge and resources. With wedding photography, the biggest challenge is usually managing the client’s expectations and talking them down from anything that’s unrealistic.
How do you prepare for a wedding shoot? Any rituals or special techniques to get to know the bride and groom beforehand?
When a couple inquires about a wedding, we always meet for coffee first. I want to get to know who they are and if we are a good match. We usually hang for an hour and talk about their priorities for the day. If they have a Pinterest board already, we look at it together. About a month before the date we spend another hour on the phone talking about the timeline and what are realistic expectations within it. The week before the wedding, we confirm addresses. On the wedding day, we relax and have fun!
Any advice for other photographers just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?
Find good mentors and DON’T work for free! There’s nothing like tons of experience to make you better. Just putting those hours under your belt will help you learn to work on the fly and adapt to the environment.
Can you tell me about the most fun photo shoot you’ve ever done?
Last fall I had the opportunity to take pictures for an engagement. We had so many rainy weekends in a row that scheduling had been a problem. Finally, we had a 2-hour window on a Saturday morning. We tromped through the woods to a spot that had some colorful graffiti I had scouted earlier in the year. Well…now there was a raging stream halfway into it due to the rains. It was unexpected and I have to hand it to the guy, he kneeled down right in it and proposed. The water soaked his pants and shoes and made for an amazing image. It was so beautiful, I couldn’t help but let a couple tears flow!
How do you market your photography business? Can you talk about your social media strategy and what works to secure new clients?
I have my website, MelClicks.com (currently under construction). I use social media to tag photos of my clients, and request if they post that they also tag me. I also tag the venue in my posts which helps me build great relationships with the facility coordinators and gives the venue some exposure, too. I find that sharing amazing GIF images works really well for high engagement on social media! Posts with just text, not so much. Jimdo is my website provider and it’s been eye-opening watching the flow of traffic and that 99% of the time it’s being viewed on a mobile device. As always, the best advertising is referrals from former clients.
How do you stay inspired?
I stay creative by being involved with the local photo community. Sometimes it’s a photo shoot that has nothing to do with my genre that gives me a burst of new ideas. Sure it can be tough to walk into an event where you might not know anyone, but the payoff can be a great new contact!
Note: This post originally covered just the SP-2 printer. It has been updated to include the SP-3 printer.
Want to print your event photos on the go? The Fuji Instax SHARE Printers lets you instantly transfer photos from your smartphone via Bluetooth so you can print them out on the spot.
Whether you use it for printing Instax photos for friends and family, or do a fun DIY photo booth, these affordable Instax printers add that vintage, instant-print charm to your photos.
How do event and party planners used Instax printers?
We love this printer as an alternative for event photography. Now, if the event calls for it, hire a professional. But if it’s a casual event, or you want that free-and-easy, vintage flair that Instax prints offer, here’s where party planners are using Instax prints and frames:
Birthday party favors
Photo ops at fundraisers
DIY photo booth prints
Summer fairs and festivals
Sports games
Animal adoption events (bonus: unlike the flash, which is auto on many Instax cameras, you don’t need to use flash on your phone or tablet—no scaring wary animals!)
Holiday photos with Santa or the Easter Bunny
Halloween costume party photos
School or church events
The DIY event photography possibilities are endless! But let’s learn about the printers.
Fujifilm Instax SHARE SP-2: Print Instax Mini Photos From Your Phone or Tablet
The SP-2 model prints 62mm x 46mm images—just like those adorable Instax Mini prints. This printer features high-speed printing (just 10 seconds!) and produces high-quality, high-resolution images with an impressive 320dpi.
To print your Instax Mini photos from your phone or tablet, all you have to do is download Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Link app. In the app, you can edit photos and select from templates provided by Fuji. Templates include split, collage, real time (with date, place, weather, temperature, AND humidity!), limited edition, and more.
Instax SHARE SP-2 review from a professional photographer
Here’s what travel photographer Kien Lam has to say about the SP-2 printer, plus you get a good overview on what the inside of the printer looks like, and how to load your film.
Fujifilm Instax SHARE SP-3: Print Instax Square Photos From Your Phone or Tablet
The Instax SHARE SP-3 isn’t a step up for Instax printing, it’s a printer designed for those who just prefer a different photo format. If you love the look of Instax Square prints, you want the SP-3 printer.
Though it take a little longer to print than the SP-2 (13 seconds for your print), you get a 62mm x 62mm print with a resolution of 318dpi. That’s a fun size at an impressive resolution.
Like the SP-2, all you have to do is download the free Instax Square Link app. The SHARE app works for both the SP-2 and SP-3 printers, so you’ll see the same editing features and template options.
Instax SHARE SP-3 review from a professional photographer
Here’s what architectural photographer Usmand Dawood has to say about the SP-3 printer. Not only does Usmand review the SP-3, he also talks about the pros and cons of the app from a professional photographer’s standpoint.
Don’t forget to frame your Instax Mini & Square prints
We have paper frames for your Instax square prints. Choose from 25 themed designs, buy a blank white frame for a DIY party favor, or design a paper frame with YOUR branding and we’ll print it.
Studio Style has a collection of 30+ themed Instax Mini paper frames and 25 themed Instax Square paper frames. Christmas, Halloween, red carpet, sports, and more—we have designs for the most popular event themes.
Don’t want one of our themes? No problem. Download a Mini or Square frame template and design it yourself, complete with your logo, branding, or event visuals. (P.S. If you need help designing your frames, our creative designers can help bring your vision to life!)
Want to take the DIY approach to Instax picture frame party favors? We have plain white Instax Mini frames and blank Instax Square paper frames. Let your guests decorate the blank frames with markers, gel pens, stickers, or—if you’re daring—glitter. Decorating your own frames is a fun activity for the kids at any event.
