Category: Freelance & Self Promotion

How to add Photo Mounts to your Portrait Studio Packages

How to package your prints with studio photo mounts

How to add Photo Mounts to your Portrait Studio Packages

Published August 23, 2021

Senior photos, family portraits, pet pictures… whatever your photo studio focuses on, you need high-quality photo packaging to present those prints.

And acid-free photo mounts fit the bill.

Like the vintage portrait folders of times gone by, studio photo mounts are a highly practical portrait package add-on because:

They protect the prints. Package one, or hand out a few folders at different sizes.
They last. Crafted out of acid-free, archival-quality material, these mounts will still be protecting those portraits many, many years from now. They last long enough to become a family heirloom!
Gives you a solid branding opportunity. Add your studio logo to the portrait mount. We recommend either the front cover bottom or back cover. Keep it subtle—but noticeable.

Inserting a flower picture into a white studio portrait folder — The print easily slides under the window frame border, and the cover closes to protect the print inside. Acid-free material means long-lasting print protection. See more portrait holder options.

But here’s the big question: how to sell photo mounts to your studio portrait clients.

How to convince clients they need photo mounts: 3 easy options

We talk to many portrait studio photographers, and it seems everyone does things a bit differently when offering package add-ons like portrait folders. Here are a few ideas.

1. Build the portrait folders into the package.

This is the most common method. It’s also the easiest because consumers are accustomed the “upgrade” feature.

Think about it: we see this with streaming services, app subscriptions, and even portrait studio equipment bundles.

If the big dogs can do it, so can you. Maybe you add a few portrait holders to your mid-tier package. Or perhaps part of the premier bundle. Wherever you place them in your portrait package structure, your clients will inherently see them as a premium upgrade.

2. Offer as a small upsell.

Not as popular, but if you’re suave with the sales pitch, it’s a cakewalk. Here are some tips:

Sell them just one or two to protect just a few of the prints. Perfect for if they want to keep some in storage for safe-keeping.

It makes a more unique gift for loved ones. Yes, you can display studio photos with photo mounts! And if they need or want to package it away for a while, the acid-free material means that print will be perfectly protected.

3. Include one as a gift.

When the prints are ready for your clients to pick up, present them with one of their prints mounted in a portrait folder. Mention that it’s a gift, and it’s designed to protect the print for display or storage.

If you do this, be sure to include your studio logo on the folder so they remember who you are… and they can easily recommend you to friends and family.

Include your portrait studio logo on the back of the photo mount folders for long-lasting branding.

Not just for the studio: photo folders are the perfect wedding favor

Complement your photography with a print holder that matches the luxury of the wedding. The textured feel, the deckled edges… it’s much more upscale than a plain photo folder. Trust us, these portrait holders are popular with brides, and they’ll often willingly spend a bit more on these than the more economical event folders.

Whether you include these as part of a package or upsell them separately as a wedding favor, you’re doing the bride and groom a favor: you’re taking care of the photos AND the wedding favors.

Textured white photo mount folder on bed of flowers. Front cover is stamped with bride and groom's name in gold foil. — White studio portrait folder with elegant foil stamped imprint. A simple—but luxurious—wedding favor. Shown: Horizontal Contemporary White Portrait Folder with optional gold foil stamped personalization.

Are you a studio photographer? Check out our wholesale photo mounts.

With savings of up to 60% for professional photographers, we can help you build your portrait packaging collection without breaking the bank.

All of our portrait folders are crafted in the USA out of recycled paper. Browse our entire collection or sign up for a wholesale account.

How to Turn Your Art into Greeting Cards

Published September 15, 2020

Learn how to use photo insert cards to frame your art, cross stitch, drawings, and small media

Have you ever thought about making your own greeting cards? You have the art, but no way to make a one-of-a-kind card out of it.

Let’s look at it this way: if you can frame your art the same way you frame photos, why not create greeting cards the same way photographers do? And it’s simple, really. Here’s how you do it:

Get a photo insert card. And then you just slide your 4″ x 6″ artwork in the window frame.

Done!

Now you have a beautifully finished piece that you can mail to loved ones or sell at art shows, craft fairs, and farmer’s markets or even online.

Who knew that creating a greeting card with your art could be so easy—and protect what you created?

Why are photo insert cards so popular with artists?

The photo insert cards we make are popular with photographers and artists because:

The 5″ x 7″ card holds a standard 4″ x 6″ print

The window opening measures 3-½” x 5-½”, meaning more of your art shows.

Recycled photo insert cards. 5x7 cards for 4x6 photos. — Mini watercolor prints are perfect for inserting in these 5″ x 7″ blank greeting cards.

Many recycled card options for your eco-friendly art.

Especially important if you create art using eco-friendly materials or design art focused on environmentalism.

Nature art print in recycled kraft photo insert card — Small art prints, like this botanical print, fit perfectly in photo frame greeting cards, especially cards made from recycled card stock, like this kraft photo insert card.

Made of acid-free, archival quality materials.

No yellowing or aging. Protect what you created.

Black photo insert card holds a watercolor print of a tiger splashing through a river in the forest. — Your art is protected in this acid-free, archival-quality paper stock.

No glue or tape needed—just slide your art in.

No damage to your photos or art with glue or tape. Your art is held in place by the window frame border. And this makes it easier if the buyer or recipient wants to re-frame your art; just slide it out, and frame it as you wish (psssst… check out our mat board for framing art prints).

Sliding 4 by 6 photo into a white photo frame card. — Just slide your 4″ x 6″ photo or art print under the window frame border.

Come with mailing envelopes.

Perfect for mailing prints to clients or selling at art shows. If you’re selling at an art show, consider packaging the card and envelope in a clear greeting card sleeve for added protection.

Charcoal art print in recycled kraft photo frame card with white envelope — All of our photo frame greeting cards come with plain white mailing envelopes.

What kind of art can you frame (and mail) in a photo insert card?

Ultimately, you can insert any thin 4″ x 6″ piece of art into this 5″ x 7″ blank greeting card. Photos fit nice and snug (so they stay put without glue or tape), so keep that in mind. Cross stitch and embroidered pieces do fit in the window frame border as long as the stitching isn’t too thick.

Drawings (by kids or adults!)
Watercolor paintings
Ink drawings
Mixed media creations
Calligraphy or hand-lettered art
Digital or giclée prints
Cross stitch or embroidered pieces
Nature photography

Something important to keep in mind: the window opening measures 3-½” x 5-½”, meaning ¼” of your art is hidden under the frame edge.

Art insert card cut off areas — The purple represents the area that would be hidden under the window frame edge to keep your art print nice and secure without the use of damaging tape or glue.

Learn more about insert greeting cards for art

Never used a photo insert greeting card before? See how easy it is to insert a photo or art print, and learn about customization options for your business.

Ready to frame your art with photo frame greeting cards? Check out the full photo insert card collection. Coming up with some Christmas-themed art? Check out our holiday frame card designs.

Photographer Spotlight: Melanie Taylor | Tips for Beautiful Event Photography

Published February 21, 2017

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.

Bridal portrait by Melanie Taylor Photography

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.

Fireworks photo by Melanie Taylor Photography

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.

Bride and groom sitting in front of a lush green background. Photo by Melanie Taylor Photography.

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.

Engagement photo of man proposing to woman. Man is kneeling in moving water while woman stands against a colorful graffiti wall.

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.

Woman in a red dress next to a man with a guitar. They are standing with the setting sun behind their backs.

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!

How to Sell Your Nature Photography

Published June 15, 2011

Make money doing what you love by selling greeting cards of your photography.

Taking photos of nature and wildlife is a passion for outdoor enthusiasts. Nature photographers spend hours at parks composing beautifully proportioned images of landscapes or taking crisply detailed macro shots of a single flower.

Some are fortunate enough to work for National Geographic or have thriving careers in the photography industry. For many others photography is a hobby.

How do you take your hobby to the next level and make an income stream from it? An easy way to get started is by selling photo insert cards. It’s easier than you think to make nature picture cards, and we’ll show you how.

Recycled black and natural flax photo insert cards for nature photographs — Examples of nature photo cards. Blank greeting cards with a “picture frame” style front cover make it easy to insert your own photographs. Shown: Black insert photo card and Natural Flax insert photo card.

How to make nature photo cards

Select Your Best Photos & Make Prints. Take inventory of your photo collection and narrow it down to just a few of your strongest images. Make prints (usually 4″ x 6″) of these photos.
Assemble The Cards. With pocket-style photo insert cards, the front cover has a window opening to slide your photo in. This makes it easy to create instant photo greeting cards, and if you change your mind, you can remove the photo without damaging the image or card. Something to keep in mind: how much of the photo are you ok with being covered up by the window frame edge? Simplicity photo insert cards from Studio Style have a 3-½” x 5-½” window opening, so ¼” of your photo edges would be covered up when inserted into the card.
Add Your Personal Touch. Don’t forget to include your name, web address, and the title of your photo and location. Some photographers like to handwrite this on the window border or back of the card, some create printed labels to stick on the back, while others choose to have us foil stamp their cards for a truly professional look.
Consider Product Packaging. While not necessary, it is a good idea to insert your cards into a clear cellophane sleeve to protect it from fingerprints and moisture. Place cards in a bin, basket, or box at the front of your booth or by the cash register.

Cards with photo insert for nature photography — Photo frame cards are perfect for wildlife and scenic photography alike. Shown: Desert Storm and Navy Blue.

Where to sell your nature photo cards

Parks & Forests. A great place to sell photo cards is within gift shops at parks and tourist areas. Many larger parks and wildlife areas have gift shops on site to sell souvenir pins, walking stick medallions, iron-on patches, ornaments, commemorative pins, and other souvenir items. Greeting cards of photographs taken at the park are the perfect compliment to these other items! Visitors love to take home visual reminders of places they’ve been.
Local History Museums. An often overlooked place is your local history museum. People visit museums to learn more about specific regions, so selling cards featuring photos of that area is a natural fit.
Tourist Areas. There is great opportunity to sell your photographs to tourists visiting your area. Take photos of the natural surroundings in town, perhaps even expand into local architecture & landmark photography. We’ve seen photo cards at coffee houses, fudge shops, ice cream parlors, flower shops, apple and pumpkin farms, and general gift shops. Photo cards also do great when merchandised at the front counter of locally owned restaurants that require you to pay at the cash register.
Farmer’s Markets. Setting up a booth in a farmer’s market is a great way to meet new people, sell your cards and get fresh air all at the same time. If running your own booth is too much work or money, see if another vendor would be willing to partner with you. For instance, selling cards at a booth that also sells fresh cut flowers or handmade gifts is a smart idea.
Art Fairs. If you are already selling larger prints, why not offer some smaller gifts as well? Your photo cards are at a price point that most art fair goers will gladly pay for. Be sure to include your studio logo and website info to lead them back to your online shop for your larger prints.
Food Co-ops. While it might seem an unlikely place, it’s worth checking into your local food cooperative. While some are strictly member-only, stores that are open to the public often sell work from local artists and photographers.
Etsy.com. Etsy offers photographers a place to easily sell their photo cards and reach a wide audience. Try setting up your own Etsy shop and promote it with your blog, website, or Facebook page.

Sell your art and advertise your business with custom foil imprinting. Shown: gold foil on Black insert photo card.

Marketing & selling tips for nature photo cards

Advertise your business. Studio Style offers foil imprinted personalized on all of our cards with photo insert. Take advantage of this by adding your studio name and website to the back of each card.
Display Your Goods. For offline (in-store) sales, in most cases you’ll be responsible for your own card display. This can be as simple as a basket filled with your cards or a wire greeting card display rack.
Welcome & Inform With Signage. Try creating a sign with the name of your photography business, price and a short bio. Make it personable by including a photo of yourself. Any little bit of information can help make a connection between you & the customer. If selling to a local market or if your work has been acknowledged, make that a selling point. Example: “Martha Williamson – Award Winning Local Photographer”
Take Photos of Your Cards. For selling online, you’ll need crisp and attractive photos of your cards. Set aside an afternoon to do a product photo shoot. Optimize your images in Photoshop using the “Save for web” feature to create quick-loading optimized images.
Determine Your Selling Price. Do other photographers in your area also sell cards? Do some research and find out what they are charging and price yours accordingly. Generally speaking, you can easily sell cards in most markets at a price point between $5-$8 per card. Buying your insert frame cards and prints in bulk can help cut costs and keep more money in your pocket.
Think Seasonal. In most parts of the world, nature changes with each season. Varying your photo card selection by season will keep your work fresh and current. Don’t forget the time of year people send the most cards – Christmas! Create seasonal winter and holiday theme cards and make these available starting in early November.
Be Patient & Positive. Like with any new adventure, results can take time. Don’t become frustrated if your cards don’t sell right away, give it time. If your cards still are not selling, evaluate your photo choices, selling location and marketing efforts. Make adjustments and keep a positive attitude!

Recycled Photo Insert Cards | Made in the USA by Studio Style — Black and white nature photos look great in any color of frame card. Shown: Gold foil on Mint Green (discontinued).

Want to learn more about photo insert cards from Studio Style?

Selling photo art greeting cards is a great way to make extra money, express your creativity and gain exposure of your photography. Browse Studio Style’s collection of photo frame cards, including many that are made of recycled paper.

We have even more selling tips, marketing ideas, and pricing strategies for selling photo frame cards. Interested in selling photo holder cards for your photo studio or business? Learn how to sell photo greeting cards on our wholesale photo insert card resources page.

Watch this short how-to video to see how easy it is to use our photo frame cards and how you can personalize them.

Related: Don’t forget that June 15th is Nature Photography Day!

Do you have any photo card selling tips or ideas? Feel free to share your experience in the comments below!

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