What are Gallery Wraps, Standouts & Print Wraps and Why You Should Care!

 

  I am beginning to offer gallery wraps, standouts and print wraps thru my business and have realized that many people (including myself just a while back) don't know what these items are, or the differences between them.  All of these terms can be a little (or a lot) confusing so I hope this short post helps to clarify them for you!

  So, here is a small tutorial with links and photos from arond the web stating the differences between a gallery wrap, a standout and a print wrap!!!

Gallery Wrap: is a method of stretching an artist's canvas so that the canvas wraps around the sides...and is secured to the back of the wooden frame. (the photo can stretch around or the part that stretches can just be a plain color).  via Wikipedia.
Here is a photo of a gallery wrap:


Standouts: Standouts are....Photographs mounted on thick, light weight Gatorfoam (heavy duty foamboard). via Mpix Pro.  Photos on standouts will do just that "standout" from the wall and give a little more "oomph" than a flat print.

Here is a photo of a standout:

Print Wraps: Print Wraps are printed on photographic paper and laminated with a mounting block on the back. Via Mpix Pro.  These seem to be a flatter, less stretched out version of a gallery wrap. 

Here is a photo of a Print Wrap:  via this site

  That is the basic definitions of gallery wraps, standouts and print wraps.  Now, on to why you should care.

  Really it's all about your personal style and what you'd like to showcase in your home. 

  For me, I would put things like weddings, family portraits and special occasions on a gallery wrap.  For standouts, however, I would showcase my favorite photo of a child, a cute shot of a couple or an adored pet.  Print Wraps make me think of fun, summertime and playfulness;  therefore, I would put things like vacation photos, ocean photos and casual family outings on them.

  Bottom line, it's all about what YOU like and feel should go on there. 

  I hope this little tutorial on the differences between three popular ways to showcase photos has helped you out and given you some inspiration.  If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.  I would love to hear from you!!

Sara

PS. If you haven't already, go to Sara Vogt Photography on Facebook and "like" my page to stay updated with what's going on!!

Project 365 Photos & a New Year's Giveaway from Sara Vogt Photography

  Hi all, it is December 31, 2011.  Wow! 

  I don't have a lot to say so I'm going to post the most recent 365 photos I've done and then tell you about a cool giveaway from my company to you!

  December 27, 2011

   This is the moon lying in the branches of one of our Pecan trees =).  This photo reminds me of a storybook.  I think it's the rich color of the sky.

December 28, 2011

 On Wednesday I was in a very depressed state of mind.  I went shopping (doesn't that always seem to help?) and found the CUTEST figurines called Heartstring Teddies.  I looked them up online to see if I could find a website but wasn't able to.  Anyway, I found four very very cute ones with bunnies (and you know I'm obsessed with bunnies) at Ross.  I bought all four and this is one that just spoke to me.

 I missed two days of the Project.  One day I was just SOOOOOO incredibly tired it wasn't even funny and went to bed as soon as I walked in my door.  Last night I spent an amazing night with two wonderful girls and although I took my camera, it never felt right to bring it out.  I felt that if I brought it out it would detract from what was going on rather than enhance it.  Does anyone know what I mean? Anyway I'm back again today.

Here's today: December 31, 2011

  I bought these incredibly sparkly earrings (don't they look like the mirrors Snow White's evil witch looked into?) at Belk today and the more I looked at them wanted to take a picture of them with something dark silver or black.  I think I captured their charm and aura.  I plan to wear them tomorrow with that necklace.  Perfect for New Year's Day, right?

  Ok, so there are my photos.  I am excited to see what the new year will bring but also a little nervous too.

  On to other things.  Over at my facebook page, I am hosting a New Year's Giveaway.  I do this monthly (November was a Thankgiving Giveaway, December was a Christmas Giveaway).  This month the contest is very simple.  Just submit to me your favorite photo from this Christmas along with a short, sweet statement as to why and then, get all your friends to "vote" for your entry.  Whoever has the most votes at the end of the giveaway (January 22, 2012) will win a very cool, handcrafted creation from my crafty friend in Texas.  Please, go over to my facebook page and enter to win.  It's lots of fun and I'd love to see you there.

Sara

Mad Mimi, Taking Action, & Feeling Like a Failure

  On a sidenote (as soon as I begin this post), I hate that the Christmas season is over.  I hate the fact that the day after Christmas, the station that I had been listening to with Christmas music 24/7 since the beginning of December, went back to regular programming.  I hate that the anticipation of Christmas morning is gone....Boo Hoo, right?  As I was mulling over these things this morning I had a thought!  Christmas is about Christ, ALL about Him.  After all, if He would not have given Himself as a babe, I wonder would we give gifts today?  Anyway, since Christmas is ALL about Him, why can't we recreate those feelings we have at Christmastime all year round?  The truth is that we SHOULD!  But sadly most of us do not.  Because you know what? It takes work, hard work and hard work is HARD! So, I'm going to attempt to keep that Christmas time feeling alive even though we have a year until next Christmas but I may need some encouragement along the way.

  Alright, now for the reason I began this post.

  A few weeks ago I was reading my assignment from Brand Camp (it's free by the way go over and check it out).  And the assignment was to set up an account for Mad Mimi.  I did but I have been trying to figure out how it works ever since.  Well, to backtrack to this morning before I get back to Mad Mimi, I was in a desolate mood.  One of the moods where I feel like a failure and feel that I'm worthless as a photographer.  To backtrack even farther, the reason I began feeling this way was because I delivered photos to a lady this morning.  Now, as a general rule, that should be joyous and wonderful and it was but her reaction through me for a loop and got me down.  I had packaged the prints in a Christmas bag, carefully protecting them with cardboard and such inside.  Then putting the outer paper in the bag.  Anyway, I gave the lady the bag and she proceeded to take the photos out and ask me, "Are these all mine?" To which I replied, "Yes".  I wondered why she was asking.  In a moment I knew.  She placed all the "wrapping" back into the bag and walked off with the photos in her hand.

  Ok so why do I get all desolate about someone not taking the bag?  Because my packaging is part of what I give my client that some other photographer's dont give.  Granted, the bag was a Christmas bag and it was a little large for the prints but the point is, I took the time to package them nicely (not in the plastic and cardboard envelope they came in- which, I am sad to say, not very long ago, I did).

  So, when the lady walked off with the prints some of my first thoughts were: "she doesn't value what I have created for her because she didn't take the bag" and then, "what kind of clients am I trying to attract?  Those who are just out for the best 'bang for the buck', or those who truely value photography as an Art, a way to capture moments"?  So after those initial thoughts, more desperate(ish) thoughts popped in to visit, like, "I need to revamp my pricing", "I need to take a course on branding/selling to the type clients I want" (which isn't a bad idea, actually), etc.  You get the picture.

  Anyway, I vowed to myself this morning that I was going to start trying to attract more of the clients that I want (not necessarily rich people because I didn't start my business with rich people in mind) but people who value photography, my time and my creativity.  That's where Mad Mimi comes in!

  Back to that.  So I finally (after trial and error and several test sends to my personal email) figured out how to work Mad Mimi.  Basically, it's a site where you can have all your business contacts in one place, group them in different listings and send out mass emails to them.  I'm excited!

  I decided to help make myself and my business stronger that I am going to send out monthly emails with photography tips, hints, and a Q&A from readers (if you want to sign up for it, send your email to: svogtphotographer@yahoo.com).  It will be a challenge but in a good way!

  That was my day, summed up into a blog post.  Leave me some feedback!!!  I'd love to hear your take (and similar stories) about all the stuff that happened today.

Sara <3

*NOTE: I am not saying that this client is someone who doesn't value my work.  The point of this post was how the situation made ME feel!  I value all my clients and am grateful that they have given me the opportunity to work with them and their families.

Confidence - That Quality That Makes A Person Successful...Or Not

  8:53 AM

  I lack confidence.  That's a scary confession but it's the truth, so why not admit it?

  I have been an aspiring photographer since I can remember but I began my business in April 2009 (www.saravogtphotography.com).  When I had my first session, I was extremely nervous.  Questions and doubts surged through my mind: "Will these people click with me?" "Can I really take a good picture of them?"  "What if they hate the photos I produce of them?"....And on and on it went. 

  I prayed before every session.  I still do.  Even though it has gotten a little easier meeting and shooting new people (and those I know but don't really know) over the past 2 years and 8 months, I still lack confidence.  A LOT.

  When I'm at a session and I switch to Manual Mode, man, does that feeling of nervousness, doubt and inadaquacy fill my mind!  I forget the things I new, I forget poses I'd like to try.  All I can think of is, "can I produce work that these people will love?  Me, Sara Vogt, a small-town southern girl with one year of college and a southern drawl...." and then I begin wondering, "They'll think I don't know a thing about what I'm doing because I'm fiddling with these dials and telling them to wait while I get this right...."  Yup, I do that. 

  I guess in a sense it's not a bad thing.  At least if you're wondering if they'll like something or if they'll think you're stupid you see there's room for improvement.  That's one way of looking at it.....  But I typically don't look at it thru that rose-colored filter.  I typically see it as, "I really don't know what I'm doing and I'm shooting these people for money!!!"

  Really though, in all honesty, unless those you're photograping are photographers themselves, they don't really see all those things that you're worried about.  They just see you as a Photographer who knows about their camera and who is trying to create the perfect photo for them!! 

  That should ease my mind (and yours), right?  It doesn't really help.  But that's where having and building confidence comes in. 

  Lately, before each session I go into, when I hear those doubts and insecurities tapping down the drive to the front door of my mind, I begin reminding myself of all the other sessions (successful ones, I might add) that I've held.  I remind myself of all the new people I've met and connected with (there really isn't ANY client I've had that I haven't connected with in some way) and all the positive feedback from those clients.  I remind myself that I did it last time, so I can do it again!  And then, I pray.  For wisdom, for understanding of my client's needs, for strength, creativity of thought and for remembrance of the things I've learned.

  I'm working on my confidence.  It's not always in place but it's coming along.  And as Phillipians 4:13 says, "I can do all things thru Christ which strengtheneth me".  I can do EVERYTHING thru Him. 

  If you're new to photography, or even an old hand at it and still have days where you lack confidence, I hope this helps you to know it's not just you and that you can create confidence by remembering what achievements you've made in the past and practicing being proud of the images you create for others.

Sara

Sara Vogt Photography Christmas Giveaway!!!

If you are sending out personalized Christmas greeting cards this year, don't miss out for a chance to win a FREE 8 x 10 Fine Art Landscape print by me!!  Just email a copy of your card to: svogtphotographer@yahoo.com and I will enter it onto my business facebook page.  Then, tell everyone you know to vote for you!  Whichever card has the most votes will win!

The deadline for entering the contest is Wednesday, December 14th at Midnight so hurry and enter your card!!