If your clients have a long wish list for family and friends, then grab a pen and start taking notes. We’ve got THE gift-giving guide to save them time and help you score big. Take a look at some of the hottest products coming out of our lab that will make this the hap-happiest season of all!

Accordion Book – A playful alternative to the traditional book, clients can show off more than just one favorite image, making it the perfect gift for family and loved ones who crave pictures but need something more compact.

Custom Framed Prints –A perfect backdrop that puts your image front and center, a Custom Frame can enhance the look of a print and makes a beautiful, polished gift for parents, grandparents and special loved ones.

Custom Image Box – Clients will love this chic way to share with family and friends their most beloved photos this season while also giving a unique home décor piece.

Layflat Book – This versatile press book tells a story without distorting or creasing your beautiful images, making it the ideal choice for a client who wants to share several photos in one pretty little package (see main image for example).

Make this a Most Wonderful Holiday Now!

Need some more ideas on how to maximize the season with fun gifts for your clients? Rejoice! There’s no need to look any further. The lovely Laura Winslow, star of the latest MpixPro ad, is sharing the scoop on what’s hot in her studio for the holidays.

Accordion Book – The perfect gift for someone who wants to share more than just one favorite image.

“Accordion books are the perfect stocking stuffer for grandparents, family and friends. Modern and unique, they instantly catch your eye and are a true client-pleaser,” Laura says.

Custom Image Box – A modern alternative to the traditional album, this makes a great conversation piece or memento. Here’s Laura’s take:

“The Custom Image Box is the perfect way to package my Digital Collection – a gorgeous keepsake that looks perfect on a coffee table or bookshelf. They are pieces of art that my repeat clients love to collect from each session. I include a custom printed DVD and prints inside, and clients love these as either an addition to their albums or in place of.”

Gallery Wrap – Give the gift of high end art with a contemporary edge. The frameless presentation of the Gallery Wrap is perfect for clients looking for a gallery-quality, ready-to-hang piece. A tip from Laura:

“I recommend Gallery Wraps to my clients because they are timeless, stunning and ready to hang when they receive them. They will cherish them for a lifetime and are true pieces of art.”

Layflat Book – Have more design freedom with a Layflat Book. Printed on pro-quality press paper, this book saves photographs from being distorted or lost in the gutter, so you can do more with your images. Laura uses bold, bright images to tell the story of a precious memory that can be shared with family and friends as a gift or left on the coffee table for holiday visitors to browse.

Print Wrap –Printed on photographic paper and laminated with a mounting block on the back, Print Wraps add dimension and sophistication for a unique wall art piece. Here’s how Laura uses them:

“Print Wraps are modern and stunning. I love mine printed on metallic paper. They are perfect by themselves or as part of a larger gallery wall and are perfect for the client who wants an alternative to Gallery Wraps. A large Print Wrap given as a gift is the perfect way to wow your family.”

Standouts – Lure the eye in with an image that stands out to create a simple yet stylish home décor piece perfect for gift giving.

“Standouts are a favorite among clients because of their beauty and versatility. Many choose square smaller ones to gift to family for the holidays as they look perfect perched on a desk or side table,” Laura says.

We hope Laura’s ideas have inspired some glittering gift ideas of your own. Check out the website for more specific product details and to start making this season a little merrier for your clients.

Do you have clients asking for high end holiday cards this year? Do you have clients looking for different ways to give their photos as gifts this year? If you answered yes to both these questions, we’ve got the perfect option for you: Luxe Card Ornaments, the perfect accessory to any Christmas tree.

Printed on high quality press paper, Luxe Cards offer an elegant, unique way to send a photo greeting for the holidays. Get the Circle or Scalloped Luxe Cards with a pre-punched hole to create a card that doubles as a custom ornament and is sure to hang around for many holidays to come.

Help your clients create a family gift giving tradition. Visit the website to find out all the details on these knockout cards and then start making Christmas trees more stylish one Luxe Card Ornament at a time!

Want to save time without sacrificing beautiful design? All the templates featured above for the Luxe Card Ornaments, plus many more, can be found in Miller’s Design Market or at Jamie Schultz Designs.

As we speak, your clients are looking for unique and personal gifts for family and friends. Need some ideas? MpixPro has easy and affordable solutions to please everyone.

One of our top picks: the Accordion Mini as a calendar. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles love the cuteness and convenience of this product. They also make great bonus gifts for your clients.

Hint: Design as a 2012 calendar to create a marketing tool for your studio, as clients will use them day in and day out. Product features include:

• Two sizes:  2.5×3.5 and 3×3
• Colorful Art Cloth or Custom Photo with satin finish cover options
• Magnetic closure so your mini snaps shut
• Available on Pearl and Linen Paper
• Quantity pricing available when ordering three or more identical minis

Clients will adore this irresistibly fun way to share photos, so help them create a new gift-giving tradition with the Accordion Mini Calendar. See all your options on our website.

Looking for calendar templates for Accordion Minis? Check out a few options in Miller’s Design Market and Jamie Schultz Designs.

We hear it all the time. Clients crave a high end card for the holidays, a card as beautiful and special as the images you’ve taken of them. Do you hear the same thing but perhaps you’re not quite sure what to show them? Have no fear! We’ve got something to make them swoon.

Printed on high quality press paper and with a number of unique shapes and sizes, our luscious Luxe Card line will undoubtedly be a huge hit among your clients this season. Product details include:

• Eleven different shape options, including our popular 5×5 and 5×7 Folded Luxe Cards
• Choose from Cover Stock, Pearl or Linen press paper
• Prices start at $27.08 for a set of 25

Want to help clients start a new family tradition? Get the Circle Luxe Card with a pre-punched hole to create a custom ornament that is sure to get hung on the tree year after year. See all the options the Luxe Card line has to offer on our website.

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” -Dr. Seuss

Do you think of a photograph when you think of Mod wall art? Maybe now you will! Let your imagination run wild with MpixPro Modern Wall Art. With a number of unique pieces for clients or for your studio, you’re sure to find an awe-inspiring combination to bring your most compelling images to life. A few of our favorites include:

Fine Art Acrylic Prints - Printed directly on acrylic substrate, your images pop with vibrant color and crisp detail. Order includes stainless standoffs to make mounting easy.

Fine Art Metal Prints – Printed on the face of a brushed aluminum box and on top of a coat of white ink, create a hip, edgy image sure to make an unforgettable impression.

Fine Art Metal Murals – The epitome of modern and cool, your image is printed on brushed aluminum tiles, creating a distinct work of art of which Dr. Seuss would be proud.

Standouts – Lure the eye in with an image that stands out. Make your images pop with a simple yet stylish foam-mounted Standout.

Gallery Wraps – Help turn your clients’ favorite memories into a high-end art piece worthy of any museum wall. Printed directly on premium canvas and wrapped around a stretcher bar, this piece comes ready to hang.

Print Wraps – Add dimension and sophistication to any image with this unique wall art piece. Printed on photographic paper and laminated with a mounting block on back.

Oh the possibilities! So, what images inspire you? And, just out of curiosity, what’s your favorite Dr. Seuss book? Let us know, and then go channel your inner Theodor Geisel with MpixPro Modern Wall Art.

Hey MpixPro friends!

When I started my photo business more than 13 years ago, I HATED business. Boring! I wanted to change the world through art and photography and my passion was oozing out of every follicle of my body.

Well, it didn’t take long before I realized there is a lot more to running a business than just taking good photos. In fact some of the best photographers in the world, and who can certainly outshoot me, are going out of business because they aren’t business savvy. Sad. But true.

I’ve acquired a new addiction over the past few years: Inc Magazine. I buy it. I read it. I re-read it. The articles in Inc Magazine are SO relevant to me as a photography small business owner, and I wanted to share that with you. Even if you don’t want to purchase the actual magazine, you can subscribe to Inc Magazine’s RSS feed. Here are some examples of relevant posts just published in the last few weeks:
How To Keep Up With a Fast-Growing Company
How to Monetize Social Media (make sure to read the “Dig Deeper” articles with this as well)
Leadership Lessons From a SEAL - slideshow – easy read!
How to Evaluate Your Sales Success – the “Dig Deeper” articles here are great!

I’m here for your marketing/business needs! Feel free to leave a question or comment below and I’ll make sure to answer or respond!

Here’s to growing your business!
Dale

Day Twelve: Framed Prints + Closing Thoughts

Hey friends!

Well, here we are. ((sniff sniff, sob sob)) Why can’t it be 25 days of Christmas?

For our final day, I wanted to hit up the old standby: framed prints. There have been lots of new ideas presented over this series, but framed prints have withstood the test of time. MpixPro can print all sorts of sizes, up to 20×30, so they’re good for just about any budget. What I love about sending framed prints is that I make sure my art is displayed how I want it displayed. Having control over the final product is huge. Good for families and vendors and clients, this is really a great way to take care of anybody on your gift-giving list.

Okay, so that’s it! More than anything, I hope that you’ve been inspired in some way to show your appreciation this holiday season. I’m appreciative of all my clients – they allow me to have the life I love. I’m appreciative of my fellow vendors – they refer me and keep me in business. I’m appreciative of my family and friends – they’ve created a support system that has encouraged me in my endeavors and loved me unconditionally. And, I’m appreciative of you – you’ve helped me feel valued and appreciated myself. Thank you!

And to all a good night,

Dale

http://www.benfieldphotography.net
http://www.twitter.com/dalebenfield

Day Eleven: Custom DVDs, aka Slideshows That Stick

Wow! We’re almost finished with this series. Honestly, I’m a little sad! It’s been so fun writing these for you. I hope they’ve inspired you in some way or another.

Today I want to talk about an easy way to breathe new life into an older photo shoot: slideshows on custom dvds. If you’ve earned all you can from a shoot, why not give it new life by sending your clients a slideshow to play on their big ol’ HD TV (this also teaches them that bigger is, in fact, better). Furthermore, MpixPro has the ability to make you look like a SUPERSTAR to your clients. Their custom dvds and custom dvd cases take you from ordinary to over-the-top awesome! Seriously.

For the slideshow part, I have a mac so it’s quite easy to do. If you don’t have a mac, get one. Just kidding. There are many many slideshow programs out there (check out Animoto if you need something that’s trendy – I was Animoto before Animoto was cool. Haha!). Whatever your means of creating your slideshow, a custom disc and case is the best way, hands down, to present your product.

Happy 12 days of Christmas!
Dale

http://www.benfieldphotography.net
http://www.twitter.com/dalebenfield