Finding the right photo book for your clients-in time for holidays!

Right now is the perfect time to start thinking about the holidays and your clients. Custom photo books are just the right personal gift to give a client.

As a photographer, I do a lot of photo books- a lot. I've been given the chance to try out many different photo book companies and while the books are okay, the design programs and prices aren't. Many are hard to be creative and only let you use their templates. Others are just plain confusing!

And then enters Blurb. The pricing is competitive, the quality is excellent and the program to make your photo book is user-friendly while at the same time allowing for the more detailed touch or professional to make minute changes. They have lots of different styles and they just added Planners too! Love it! This is the perfect time to get started at Blurb for the holidays.

I really stand behind Blurb and would recommend them even if they didn't have an affiliate program. They've been super good to me and they run lots of coupons, so I barely ever pay full price! They also notice when you order alot of products from them and they give you more specials. I've never felt like that from any other business.

Below are screen shots of one of my wedding books.

You can see on the bottom is all the pages. You can choose from their templates, or upload your own. I choose to make my own because of the style of books I do. Booksmart is the program you download to your computer so that if you don't have Internet, you can still work on your book, or create your own layout.

 

Shipping is super fast unlike other photo books I've ordered from other companies. You have the option of even faster delivery too. Perfect for getting out early for Christmas.

I've been with Blurb for probably 5 years now and I wouldn't go elsewhere. My clients love them and I use them for my personal use too. I would so be their spokeswoman if they would let me. ; )

Until then, I can let you know that if you order now from Blurb you can save 15% off! Use the code FALLTHANKS when checking out.

Featured Photographer-Sue Bryce

If you are a long time reader, then you know that my idol is Contemporary Glamour Portrait Photographer, Sue Bryce. When she agreed to answer my interview questions, I was thrilled! If you haven't read about her journey, please do so-she's a rags to riches photographer, and her story is wonderful!

Featured Photographer

Sue Bryce

Where is home?

Although I was born and brought up in New Zealand, home for me now is Sydney, Australia

How long have you been a photographer?

I have been in the Professional Photographic industry for 22 years, the first 4 years as a photographic retouch artist for professionals while I was shooting part time and the last 18 years in studio shooting portraits.

When did you get the ah-ha moment when you knew you wanted to become a photographer?

Working as a retoucher and seeing my first glamour shoot come though. It was 1990 Glamour was the biggest trend in Photography in the world at the time. I saw it and said to myself “I want to do that!” I was a girlie girl, I was never interested in shooting weddings or families.

How would you describe your style?

Contemporary Portrait. Modern Glamour or Fashion Inspired Portraits

What is the best part of being a photographer?

Being Creative. I never want to work in an office and I love that I can work my own hours. I don’t imagine working in the same place everyday. Wearing a grey suit. I love the hours and the creative process behind shooting and marketing my business.


Can you tell us what's in the bag?

Canon 1Dmk iv, Canon 5dmk ii, 50mm 1.0, 35mm 1.4, 24-105mm f4, Fuji X100

Which lens is your favorite and why?

35mm because it shoots at 1.4 and it just gets you close enough but it’s also wide, it’s great for video. I love it! In saying that I have had the 24-105mm in my kit for years. It is the most versatile shooting lens for close quarters/

Give us one way you market your business, please!

Only one! But I have so many!

Marketing should be the most creative part of your business not just photography. Once you learn to be creative in your marketing and think outside the square you will stand out from the rest.

Also, create a marketing plan to work for your business – don’t look at what every other photographer is doing, look at what others in the consumer markets are doing.
65% of people are watching YouTube over TV if you are not creating multimedia product for your business you are not competing in today's market. Connection communication is the new marketing.

What advice would you like to give other photographers?

Listen to your clients! They are one that is paying you. Ask them how they truly want to be photographed and then really listen to the answer. I know they choose a particular photographer for their style, but We are there to provide a service.

Featured Vendor: Speckled Frog

Today's Featured Vendor is

Cyprianne from

Speckled Frog Crochet

She's offering a giveaway for all you lucky readers!

She's giving 4 patterns away to one lucky winner. Find out how to enter after the interview.

What type of product do you offer to photographers?

I specialize in crocheted products. The majority of my business is crochet patterns but if someone is looking for finished items I will either make or recommend my customers who are selling my designs. I have many photographers who contact me for custom designs - they have an idea but are unable to find it anywhere. In most cases I am able to come up with a design they are looking for.

What made you want to start this kind of business?

I decided to stay home and give up my career after I found out that my first son was delayed, and would need extra help. I have always been crafty and I saw a need in the market for unique designs. There were tonnes and tonnes of the same patterns just different colours. I soon discovered that combining stitches created beautiful textures and this could make stunning items for either every day items and especially photo props.

Are you a photographer as well, or just a photo-taking junkie?

Total photo taking junkie!!!! I wish I had an ounce of a photographers talent. Out of every 100 photos there are probably about 5 good ones 2 great ones. I have over 20,000 photos on my computer (no wonder my memory is almost full) I really should print them off or my babies are going to grow up to be jpg;s (another mom told me that one LOL) When I first started designing I thought I would take my own pics. No way! I leave it up to the pros and they can leave the designing to me:)

Do you have a favorite photographer that you drool over their photos?

Too many to list. I really love when the photos look natural without being over processed. I can only imagine how hard it is to capture the personalities, mood and expressions the way so many great photographers do.

What do you do like to do when you aren't running your business?

Love my family. I really have started to take the time to look at them everyday, listen to what they say and look at life through their eyes a little more. They are a constant reminder of how great the little things in life can be. They are my rock, my strength and my drive. My business has made such a difference to their quality of life and I watch them flourish more every day.

Any advice to someone wanting to start a business?

Do what YOU love. Stay true to yourself, your style and your needs. Find a balance between what is important to you now and what you are working towards. Don't let it consume your days or you will look back and that time will be gone. Celebrate small successes and keep pushing forward even when you feel like they are few. There were many many many days I had no sales at all. Put your time into YOUR business not looking at what everyone else is doing. I feel so strongly about this - there are always people doing better and some doing worse either way it doesn't change how you are doing only the way you feel about it.

Still find a little time to just do what you love doing for the heck of it! And on that note - I'm going to make Mr Freeze Cozies for the heck of it!

Thanks for the great interview!

Enter contest:

Required:

Visit Speckled Frog Crochet and then come back here and leave a comment telling us which is your favorite product.

Extra entry:

Follow us.

Contest ends:

7/22/11

Featured Vendor AND contest!

Giveaway has ended:

Winner:

Lara

The Gowder Family

If you are looking for some new props for your newborn/children shoots, check out our Featured Vendor Sonia McCutcheon of

Milk Money

(cute name!)

AND...
She's giving something away!

Tell us about yourself, Sonia!

Hi! I am Sonia McCutcheon the fiber addicted owner of milkmoney http://soniamccutcheon.etsy.com/ I taught myself to knit about ten years ago, I needed a stress relief from my insanely paced job as a production coordinator for a media company. I had no idea that I would become so impassioned for all things fiber! Since launching milkmoney almost three years ago, I have also taught myself to spin yarn.

I absolutely LOVE THAT TOO! My wonderfully supportive husband bought me drop spindle about four years ago and my fabulous mother in law bought me a spinning wheel for Christmas about a year and a half ago. I love getting lost in the process of spinning yarn and love everything about making my own yarn. I am hoping to add a line of products to my shop that are made from wools that were spun and knitted by me. My latest adventure is learning to dye my own fiber. I am currently experimenting using natural and food grade dyes to color my wools. It is important for me to use something safe since my products are used on children.

What type of product do you offer to photographers?

milkmoney has a wonderful selection of hats, wraps, knitted bowls and am currently in the final stages of launching a line of tutu's and knitted cocoons

What made you want to start this kind of business?

milkmoney was launched at my sister's urging. I had inundated my family and extended family in hats and scarves. Living in the south there obviously isn't that great a need for these items so, in an effort save herself and others she suggested I check out Etsy and seriously consider opening a shop. I did, and haven't looked back. It is fulfilling and humbling to know that items made in my studio, with my two hands are being used by photographers and moms in places as far away as Vietnam and all over the United States, wow!

Are you a photographer as well, or at least a photo-taking junkie?

I am not a photographer but rather a great fan of photographers work. I am the mom that shows up at birthday parties and forgot the camera, thankfully my husband brings his! I love looking at Flickr and seeing the talented work posted there.

Do you have a favorite photographer that you drool over their photos?

I have to say that I adore all things creative. I love and appreciate how two people can look at the same item and not see the same thing. I have a close working relationship with Lisa Slate the owner of Lisa Slate Photography. She approached me when I first started out on etsy and has provided me with the most adorable photos to use in my shop but more importantly honest feedback on how my items work and fit. The feedback that I get from her allows me to make my items adorable but functional.
What do you do like to do when you aren't running your business?

When I am not running milkmoney...I have been married to the most wonderful and supportive husband. We have two children, my son is five and my daughter is four. I stay mostly at home, but do teach at my children's preschool, it's great for us to leave and come home together. My little one's play soccer, they love to do art and we spend a great part of our day covered in paint of some sort and/or markers, playdoh. We love to sing and dance and play outside. We read and have been known to jump on the bed.

Any advice to someone wanting to start a business?

Follow your dream, don't be afraid to take chances! Ask for advice and be willing to listen, sometimes we hear things we don't like but feedback isn't personal. The world is what you make of it!

Win it!

Would you like to win a product of YOUR CHOICE?

That's right!

Sonia wants one lucky reader to win one of her wonderful products!

How to enter:

Required.

-Leave a comment stating your favorite product from her store.

-Like milk money.

Three Extra Entries:

(leave three more comments)

Add my blog to your favorite blog list.

While you are waiting to see if you win, she is also offering a 15% discount to her shop!

Use PROTOGRAPHY101 for discount.

Thanks, Sonia!

Contest ends:

May 12th.

Featured Vendor: Ytwo.BIZ

Sorry that I've lagged on my posts this week. I have a difficult wedding to shoot this weekend and it's been taking all my time! Next week will be better-I promise! Also, I see more entries this week for our Photo Challenge-thank you!!

Today's featured vendor is Nicole Young
from Ytwo.BIZ. Find out how her business came about!

What type of product do you offer to photographers?

Ytwo.BIZ produces beautiful, durable and innovative backdrops and Floordrops for the creative photographer. We have a huge selection of images, from Vintage Wallpaper and Aged Wood Floors to gorgeous Location shots. We can also print custom backdrops, so that a photographer can have his or her own unique background. Our backdrops are 61" wide by 7 ' long, and floordrops are 5'x5'. They are printed on a strong, matte vinyl-coated canvas that does not wrinkle like fabric, or tear like paper. They can really add a distinctive look to portrait photography. Because they are so light-weight and portable, they are also very easy to bring along for location work, school shoots, etc.

What made you want to start this kind of business?

I began this business because I moved to Philadelphia two years ago and opened a new photography studio and gallery, after having a children's boutique with a photo studio inside for 10 years in New York. The first show in my gallery was "Two Generations", photography by Ira Yermish and Sculpture by his father Morris Yermish. I absolutely love the amazing images that Ira produces, and thought that some of them would make beautiful backdrops. He has location images from all over the world, and also some really interesting photos just about texture and color. I added the wood, brick, wallpaper and quilt categories, and a backdrop business was born. Ytwo- (Y squared)- the photography of Yermish and Young!

Are you a photographer as well, or at least a photo-taking junkie?

I am a photographer, have been for many years, and I use these backdrops in my own studio all the time.

Do you have a favorite photographer that you drool over their photos?

My favorite photographers are the photo journalists Tyler Hicks and Edward Keating, John and Cassie Marsh of Carolina Sun Photography, and Tarah Heitman of Heitman Photography.

What do you do like to do when you aren't running your business?

When I am not running my business I like to swim, bike and run and compete in Triathlons and 5k and 10k races. Helps to keep me young- no pun intended!

Any advice to someone wanting to start a business?

To start your own business, have lots of energy, persistence, don't be afraid to fail once or twice or ten times, and always remember a sign that I've had hanging in my various businesses- "Because Nice Matters!"

Nicole is offering a special for just my readers!
20% off any Backdrop or Floordrop, good through 05/15/11, coupon code to use is "pro-tography".

Thanks, Nicole!

Featured Vendor: {blissy grey}

As I mentioned awhile back, I wanted to reinvent my photography business. I wanted a whole new look and I decided to just specialize in newborns, seniors and weddings. I'm very excited to just focus and invest in these types of photography.

So, with that, I feel better about buying more newborn props!

This week's Featured Vendor is Meg York from {blissy grey}-http://www.blissygrey.etsy.com/.

I sure could use some of her beautiful coccoons!

What type of product do you offer to photographers?

We’re most known for our flowered cocoons. These come in a few different colors and even some fun chunky stripes and then are completed with a large flower. The best part is that each flower comes attached to a lined alligator clip so that it can be easily removed. I love the idea of getting 2 looks out of 1 thing! We also carry our beloved ruffle blankets in a rich chocolate brown and the blissy grey cheesecloth that’s perfect for swaddling. Every now and then you’ll also find a few fun vintage pieces that I come across and know will be perfect in a photography session. It’s tough parting ways with these great finds! Also, all our items are ready to ship because I’m an impatient person and know waiting weeks is no fun.

What made you want to start this kind of business?

I think my combined love for newborn photography and knitting. I started knitting my first cocoon for fun and then thought it’s “missing something”. So then I added a flower and just kept playing with it as the ideas came until I really perfected something I was proud of and thought people might like. I get really excited to just dream up and experiment with what I really think what would compliment a photography session. Even the ruffle blankets and blissy grey cheese cloths came about one late night when I couldn’t sleep.

What is your favorite of your products?

Oh, it’s so hard to choose. Out of the cocoons I’d say the Finley is because it was the first cocoon design I had. I love the simplicity and richness of the silk flower. Then I have to say the ruffle blanket. It’s so cozy and looks great laid out or placed in a basket with a baby nestled on it.

Are you a photographer as well, or at least a photo-taking junkie?

Right now I’m just a wanna-be photographer! I love just picking up my Nikon and learning something new or improving on something else. I just can’t seem to satisfy my thirst for photography knowledge whether it be from blogs like this or books. Right now I’m reading Bryan Peterson’s “Understanding Exposure” and making it a goal to be shooting exclusively in manual by the end of summer!

Do you have a favorite photographer that you drool over their photos?

Oh, there are so many amazing photographers out there that leave me breathless. If I have to narrow it down, I’d say Mika Beth Edwards and Sheye Rosemeyer. Both can capture light like no body’s business.

What do you do like to do when you aren't running your business?

When I’m not knitting/sewing away you can find me laughing with my hubby, chasing after my lovable but very spoiled pug, embracing my Bravo tv addiction, attempting pilates, drooling over the latest pottery barn catalogue, or checking the stock market (my other job).

Any advice to someone wanting to start a business?

Find your balance. For any business I think it’s important to start off at the pace that’s right for you and get into a groove that works. For me, {blissy grey} has been a passion project. I invested almost next to nothing, took advantage of the great features etsy.com has to offer, and decided that what we list in the shop is all ready to ship out. This is perfect for me because I can work at my own pace and my wonderful customers don’t have to wait weeks for their items so I’m not folding laundry knowing that such and such order has to get knitted asap. It can really be hard working out of the home and juggling business owner and wife/mom/friend so I really believe that finding your balance is important for managing your business.

Featured Vendor: Love By CC

Today's featured Vendor is Candice from LoveBy CC . She makes beautiful baby props!

Tell us about yourself and your business...

Hello there! I am Candice from LoveByCC. I am a 24 year old (going on 25) who loves to make create things and see my things in use. My business, LoveByCC, started when I started crocheting and it has just taken off, more than I could ever ask for. I am so lucky to be able to do this, something I really love, while going to school full time.

What type of product do you offer to photographers?

LoveByCC offers many different types of photography props for photographers. I am sure every photographer has a stash of different props, whether it be for family photography, wedding, animals, etc. LoveByCC specializes in newborn and baby props, however we have made things for adults as well! I hand-crochet all my props with love and care. I spend the time needed for the attention to detail for each and every prop going out to my customers. I want to make sure that you all, as my wonderful customers, get an item that you want to keep around forever. LoveByCC offers newborn and baby hats, cocoons, blankets, and more.

What made you want to start this kind of business?

I really started LoveByCC as a hobby to make a few extra dollars here and there. I didn't realize there was a huge market out there for photography props. My business took off extremely quickly to the point of where I had to quit my job. I absolutely love what I do and I think that is important in the hand-made business. I am lucky!

What is your favorite of your products?

I honestly don't have a favorite product of mine. I love making each and every one. My favorite part is to see photos of my products on the little babies. I think my favorite category of my products are my hats. I always imagine my little hat on the little noggin of a cute baby. It really is a pleasure to be making these items for all the photographers and the babies that will be wearing them!

Are you a photographer as well, or at least a photo-taking junkie?

I am not a professional photographer, however, I LOVE taking photos of my props and my dog. I have a 50mm 1.4 lens and I can say it was the best investment I made for my camera. I also got a faux wood mat that is wonderful for my props to lay on when I am taking a photo of them!

Do you have a favorite photographer that you drool over?

I do have a favorite photographer but I am partial to her because she does all my photos for my shop. She was a customer of mine and we started out around the same time. It is fun watching both of us grow together! Her photography is Moments ByJennifer. I also LOVE Pumpkin Pie Photography, Kelley Ryden, and Tracy Raver. There are many others but those would probably be my favorites.

What do you do like to do when you aren't running your business?

When am I not running my business! haha, I love to spend time with my wonderful boyfriend and my dog. I am almost always working in my awake hours. If I am not working, I like to go to Disneyland, see my friends, and spend some time with my best friend, who is my mom!

Any advice to someone wanting to start a business?

Just remember, when having your own business, you probably will be working more than 40 hours a week. I spend pretty much every waking moment on my business, whether it be promoting through Facebook, completing orders, emailing customers, shopping for supplies, or shipping packages. It is a lot of work but it is worth it in the end if you are doing what you love to do!

http://www.lovebycc.com/

For upcoming specials and to see new items:

Become a fan! http://www.facebook.com/lovebycc

Thanks, Candice!

Featured Vendor: JayBird Designs

I don't know about you, but I love doing Featured Vendor interviews. I love finding out the artist behind those awesome products that us photographers simply adore!

Today's vendor is Jennifer J. Cirka from JayBird Designs, a crochet products business.

My name is Jennifer J. Cirka and I am a crochet designer. I have been professional designing crochet items since 2007 and have had designs published in major crochet magazines such as Interweave Crochet, Crochet World, Crochet!, and Crochet Today. I will soon be published internationally in Inside Crochet and I also have a book of my designs published through Leisure Arts. Along with my professionally published designs, I also independently publish my own patterns under the name Jaybird Designs which I sell online. For people who do not crochet, I also sell my finished items and am always willing to work on custom orders.

What type of product do you offer to photographers?

I create some of the most unique and beautiful photography props for babies! I especially love to create hats and am constantly coming up with more ideas than I could possibly create! I love working directly with photographers to help make their dream creations come to life and I value the feedback I receive from professionals about how my items work for them and any changes that could be made to the design to make it better. But my work is not limited to babies! I am always happy to make items for older children or even adults! I love it when my items show how unique the subject is and the type of things they are interested in.

What made you want to start this kind of business?

Concerning my photo props, a good friend of mine decided to become a professional newborn photographer and knew that I crocheted. She asked for a few specific pieces and then my creativity just took off. Since I am only one person, and could never fill all the orders for custom made items, I decided to write the patterns for my designs so that others could crochet and make their own props. I also allow other crocheters to purchase and create my designs and sell them on a limited basis.

What is your favorite of your products?

That’s a tough question! I really think the photographers make my items look even more beautiful than they actually are. So, instead of having “favorite designs,” I have “favorite photos!”

Are you a photographer as well, or at least a photo-taking junkie?

NOPE!! That is why I love creating photo props! Someone much better than I can take my pictures for me.

Do you have a favorite photographer that you drool over their photos?

Yes, I have two, and both for very different reasons. I have luckily had the chance to work with both of them over the past few years. Robin Long Photography for her adorable newborn photos and Naturally Red Photography for her unique conceptual and edge/glamour photos. http://www.robinlongphotography.com/ http://naturallyred.zenfolio.com/

What do you do like to do when you aren't running your business?

I love spending time with my family! We live in the most beautiful area of the country, Western Colorado. Along with my husband, daughter, and Greyhound, we love camping and being outdoors. Together, we just started a large family garden in our backyard and can’t wait for some fresh veggies to start coming in. I also love to cook and bake, thus I also spend a lot of time at the gym doing Kickboxing and Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Any advice to someone wanting to start a business?

Do what you love. It’s that easy. Find a mentor, ask a lot of questions, and strive to learn new things all the time.

Featured Vendor: Chasing Dreams

This weekend was spent searching through thrift stores, looking for neat clothes for photo shoots and props. I came across some great finds that I will share with you tomorrow. Right now, I want to share with you an awesome photographer who also runs another business called, Chasing Dreams. She so graciously agreed to let me ask her some questions about her wonderful business!

I am Colleen, wife to my best friend and mom to six (four boys born to me and two little girls born in my heart). My company is "Chasing Dreams".

What type of product do you offer to photographers?

I create high resolution textures for photographers to use to enhance their photographs and fine art. I offer a wide variety of textures that can also be used to design cards, blogs, storyboards amongst other things. I often use my textures to add color to an image while removing the texture. There are so many things you can do with textures and I find myself discovering something new every day.

What made you want to start this kind of business?

I started out in photography and soon found myself addicted to photo shop. I came across some really cool textures on flickr and thought "hey, I can do that". I started messing around with color and brushes. The more I played, the more I wanted to play!!!!! I Googled and researched textures like crazy. Before I knew it I was creating textures for my own personal use and asking(begging) a few friends to test them on some of their photographs. A few of those "tester" friends encouraged me to put a small set of textures together and sell them on my photography site. I didn't advertise, I placed them on my blog and that was that! I could not imagine that anyone would want to pay me money for my scribbles. Then along came Angie (iheartfaces). Angie came across my textures when I entered an iheartfaces challenge. She wrote to me and asked if I would be interested in doing a giveaway on her blog. After I jumped out of my skin with excitement I wrote back saying "yes yes yes".. Angie put me on the map and I will be forever grateful to her!!! My textures started to sell like crazy!!! So to answer your question, I would have to say that Angie made me want to start a business.

What is your favorite of your products?

Oh my goodness this is a tough one. Every time I create a new set I think to myself "this is my favorite". I tend to create around feelings, family or a time in my life. I would have to say at the moment "The Tour of Europe" Collection is my favorite. I also love "The House of Vintage" which was designed from old wallpaper and other scraps I found in a box of my Grandmother's belongings. I am working on a new set called "Songbird" and the textures are being designed around my late Grandmother's favorite piano pieces. My Grandmother was an artist and piano teacher and I spent almost every day with her. I am really happy with the way the new set is turning out.

Are you a photographer as well, or at least a photo-taking junkie?

Yes I am a photographer as well. Although some may say I'm a photo-taking junkie LOL Either title is ok with me. I love viewing the world from behind my lens. I photograph children, families and seniors. I think children are my favorite because they are so unpredictable

Do you have a favorite photographer that you drool over their photos?

There are several photographers that I drool over. Amy Wenzel's work is totally drool worthy!!! She captures children like no one else!! I was lucky enough to attend one of Amy's workshops last year and she is phenomenal!!! Sweet and super duper talented!!! Amy is in a class all her own. And if only I could photograph florals, still life and scenery like Sylvia Cook, Claire Penn and Isabelle La France. Their work is exquisite!! Then there is Jessica Drossin who makes everything she touches look gorgeous!!!!! As for wedding photographer's, Jasmine Star or Salvatore Cincotta are at my top drool list. They make me want to get married again just so I could have them photograph my wedding (ssshhhhh, don't tell my husband that).

What do you like to do when you aren't running your business?

This question should read "what do you like to do when you are not being a mom". My answer "creating textures and photography". For me, the role I take most pride in is being a mom...that always comes first. Although I am very proud of my business it is not what defines me...my children and family define who I am...: )

Any advice to someone wanting to start a business?

Start off slow, research and don't be afraid to ask others for help and advice. The one thing you don't want to do is go in debt while starting up your business. Taking baby steps is smart. I believe in chasing dreams. You only live but one life, why not live it knowing that you went for it!!! I would rather fail at something knowing that I tried then succeed at something that didn't make me happy. Everybody has a story and something unique about them...find out what makes "you" unique and different from the others in the same field and use that as your plateau.

Thanks, Colleen!

Colleen is offering free textures for her fans on Facebook-check it out here.

http://www.chasingdreamsphotography.blogspot.com/

Featured Vendor: Alisha Klein from Sugar and Spice Crochet

Tell us who you are and the name of your business..

Alisha Klein. My Business is Sugar and Spice Crochet

What type of product do you offer to photographers?

I make Handmade crocheted and some knitted hats and photography props ( hanging stork pouches, hammocks, and fringe blankets) for those super sweet newborn photo shoots. I am starting branch out making One of a kind ready to ship items with hand dyed hand spun yarn. I really love that stuff!

What made you want to start this kind of business?

My Grandma taught me when I was about 8 how to crochet. I started with blankets for family members and friends. I really enjoyed making baby blankets and baby shower gifts for a few friends. Last Dec I had a friend mention to me that I should open a etsy shop. I noticed that there was a pretty big market for baby hats which photographers loved so my business kinds grew into photography hat and props!

What is your favorite of your products?

I love the One of A kind hats made from Thick and thin yarn. I only wish I could make my own yarn for them as well ( my next venture). I also making custom items. I just love it when some one has an vision of a hat they want and I am able to make it happen for them.

Are you a photographer as well, or at least a photo-taking junkie?

I wish I was a photographer I just love pictures! I do take a lot of pictures for scrapbooking. Gotta document everything I do lol!

Do you have a favorite photographer that you drool over their photos?

HMMM good question! Right now I really enjoy Itsy bitsy Newborn photography she takes amazing newbie pics. I also LOVE Making Memories Portraits INC. She has used a few of my hats in the most amazing themes! One hat was a dino hat and she actually and the baby wearing it in a large egg with ferns all around, Another theme she did with one of my hats was with a One of a kind white elf hat she did the whole vintage marshmallow set SUPER cute!

What do you do like to do when you aren't running your business?

When I am not busy making hats I am usually vegging out watching TV or sleeping lately LOL. If I do have time I like to scrapbook or just spend time with my hubby and dogs which just had puppies! I could spend all day everyday playing with them!

Any advice to someone wanting to start a business?

Just do what you love. If you don't have a passion or enjoy what you produce you wont be successful. Also always come up with new ideas or product just to keep things fresh!

Thanks so much, Alisha!