Creating a Memorable Portrait Experience

Updated: March 12, 2021

Photo Packaging for Professional Portrait Studios

Are you leaving your clients with a lasting and memorable experience when they receive their family’s portraits?  As a family photographer once the portraits are taken and ready to be delivered to your clients, this is when you have another instance to stand out and deliver beautiful family portraits.  Have you seen an unboxing video lately?  My youngest son is fascinated by those videos and tend to spend hours watching them.  Unboxing videos have become a popular trend in recent years and with custom branded materials, you can give your portrait clients an unforgettable luxurious unboxing experience.  

​As a small business owner it's difficult to stand out from bigger established companies or other photographers; however, it can be done, and your clients will thank you for it.  When your clients receive their portraits are they mesmerized and blown away by your packaging? 

​The branding of your portraits and how they’re delivered is another way to illustrate to your clients why they hired you as their family, wedding, or headshot photographer.  It also establishes your value as a professional in the industry and making your portrait studio stand out from the rest.  Packaging is a significant component in communicating your brand to your portrait clients, therefore it’s vital to invest in a great design.  Creative packaging is more than just putting your portrait studio’s logo on, it needs to be creative and send a message that gives your clients the feeling of being special and important...because they are.  

Tissue Paper

Custom branded tissue paper is a great way to update your packaging and give it a luxurious touch.  Custom tissue leaves a positive and lasting first impression about your packaging.  It also sets your portrait studio apart from your competitors.  Of course it enhances the overall customer perception of the portrait products value.  

Your branded tissue can be used for several different things:

• Tissue inside boxes mailed to your clients
• Wrap products
• Wrap albums
• Inside bags
• more...

Have you shopped in a luxurious store in the mall?  It can be a life-altering experience, especially if you're a business owner.  Also consider a signature scent.  I picked up this tip after visiting France.  After making purchases, the shop owners would spray their store's signature scent on the tissues before placing them in the bag.  Yes, every time I smelt the tissue, I remember the store I visited.  That's why I'm a HUGE fan of L'Occitane.  I discovered this store in Paris and have been a fan every since then.  This store is AMAZING; not to mention, I love their products.

Branded Tissue Paper inside portrait bag

These tissue papers will have your portrait clients wondering what's inside their bag or box.  Again think about the significance of unboxing videos and the impression it leaves.

Branded Tissue covering Heirloom Album

Signature Scent

Or another way to state it; a Scent Logo.  As mention up top, this idea came to me after visiting France last summer.  Every store I visited had a signature scent (think about Michael Kors; every store smells exactly the same).  After I purchased something from their store; as they were wrapping my item, they spray their store's signature scent on the tissue paper.  So when I smell that specific scent, it reminds me of that particular store.  Do you need help finding the right signature scent for your brand?  Contact me and let's talk!

Folio Box

Folio Boxes are a great way to showcase your portraits and an excellent way to deliver your prints to your clients. These boxes on the top row are from Global Image Products.  I also like 3XM Solutions wood folio boxes.

Delivering Your Portraits

How do you deliver your clients portraits?  Your delivery is another way of leaving a memorable experience for your portrait clients.  I have two ways of delivering family portraits and portraits from National Archives military ceremonies.  For clients that are within the Los Angeles area, I hand deliver in a branded bag.  For clients in the Washington D.C. area, I mail their portraits in a branded box.  If you're looking for a Photo Case to place your portraits in, check out Tyndell Photographic.

Photo Cases

I purchase my photo cases from two places; Tyndell Photographic or Rice Supply Studio.  Tyndell has a Photo Case Designer where you can test the way your case will look.

Mailing Boxes

The company I use for branded boxes allows you to pick several different styles and dictate what size box you need.  It's really convenient and amazing.  You could also have a creative interior with different colors and more.

Mailing Tape

Have you received a package from Amazon and ever wondered where they purchased their branded tape and wondered how you could get your own portrait studios branded tape?  I have and looked for months to find something that would fit my brand.  Custom tape is great for improving your brand exposure and package deliverables.  Not to mention your photography clients will be ecstatic when they see it's a package from your studio.

Would you like to receive $10 off your next purchase?  I know I would!  Here's $10 off your next purchase from Sticker Mule.  It can be used on any of their products including the custom packaging products!

Ribbon

Branded ribbon is another way to give an added touch.  This is great for wrapping portrait folders, folio boxes, and more.

Custom Branded Ribbon

Pens

Do you have your portrait clients sign agreements or model releases?  Custom pens are a great way to reinforce your brand and a great way to show your professionalism.  I've even had clients beg for a pen because they write so smoothly.  

Branded Pens

USB Drives

In the images below you'll see customized branded USB drives and the luxe packaging for them. In each drive I create for my clients, I include a folder containing the High-Res portrait files.  I also include a Print Release file which gives the client permission to print their photos.

Thank You Cards

Do you send your portrait clients a thank you card?  This is a great way to show them appreciation and to keep them coming back to utilize your services a portrait photographer.  Saying "thank you" isn't enough, however receiving a handwritten thank you note with one of their favorite portraits inside will definitely leave a lasting impression.  

I went through several iterations of thank you cards until I began using this one below.  

This is another example of a thank you card.  This card uses a chain instead of a ribbon.  There are several different possibilities.  During the holidays, a bead of berries could be used. I get my paper supplies from Paper Source.

I now have a wax stamp with Tamieka Smith Photography on it.  The possibilities are endless.
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I NEED HELP!

Your clients spend countless hours looking for the right family or wedding photographer and hopefully they’ve picked you.  If they’ve selected you to photograph the story of their family or wedding, I’m sure they’ve spent significant money to ensure they receive a luxurious portrait experience.  You don’t want your clients to receive a Walmart bag with their images placed in a plain manila envelope or their digital images on a DVD-R jewel case from one of the office supply store.  How do you want your portrait clients experience to end?  

Remember when considering what packaging you will use for your portrait studio, you are original and stand out from others, evaluate the cost, and ensure your packaging is consistent with your overall brand.
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Force Insulated Bottle

This bottle is a great way to market your business.  I use it when I go to networking events to advertise my business or even give a door prizes.  This bottle is so nice, my husband wanted one.  Now he uses it everyday.  I even shared the niceness of this bottle with another business owner and she purchased some for her business as well. 

You see these bottles everywhere; but how nice and cool would it be to have a bottle with your company name on it?  Adding this bottle to your marketing will set up apart from other business owners.

I would love to see your packaging or answer any questions you may have about branded packaging.  Feel free to ask your questions in the comments below or send me a message.

I NEED HELP?

Branded Mats

Do you place your portraits in a mat?  If so, check out these branded mats from Global Image Products.  They make a wonderful statement and let's your clients know they are receive a piece of art from your photography studio.

Other Things to Consider

When creating and designing your photography packaging, these are several other things to consider:

• Eye Appeal - using decorative shredded paper
• Personal touches 
• Give your presentation and delivery something mega-classy; consider embossing or letterpress
• Portrait Envelopes or Portrait Boxes
• Glass or Wooden Box
• Embossing Stamp or Wax Seal (with your logo)
• Magnets
• Email Marketing/Newsletters (Continue relationship with clients) Email Templates for Family Photographers
• Drip campaign (thank you gifts) for VIP clients
• Client Relationship Management System (CRM)- keeping everything consistent and in one place

Magnet given to clients

You want your photography packaging and business to be the talk of the town.  What changes will you make?

Conclusion

Brand Consulting

Remember your brand is more than just a logo.  Your photography brand consists of your logo, your brand colors, your communication, your packaging, and the overall client experience. You don't want your clients to receive a wonderful portrait experience only to be left with receiving the family's picture in a brown paper bag.  What a let down!  Hopefully, the lists and resources listed above will give you a great start to create your own brand.

​Are you looking and in need of creative ways to brand and present your business?  Contact me at (571) 250-5073 or online to schedule a consultation.
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Will you be making any changes to your photography packaging?

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