During the process of planning to open my photography business, I knew right away I was headed for more than just photos, meetings, editing, blogging, bookkeeping, and running a website. I have seen and I have learned the importance of truly "branding" yourself, and your business. Good news is that I'm pretty big (and by big, I mean OCD) on things being consistent. And folks, consistency is great when you're talking about your brand.

I wanted my overall brand, my logo, my website, my cards - everything - to look and feel unique, a little shabby-chic, creative, vintage, and inspiring. The easiest thing of all was deciding on colors for everything, and luckily for me, my top favorite colors look great together!

At this point in the story, I can quickly sum up that:
1. Designing my logo was quite the undertaking, I learned some stuff about myself through that one..
2. Designing my business cards was moderately easy.
3. Designing the website was a bit messy.
4. Designing my packaging (which is the whole point of this post!) was F-U-N!

It probably stems from the fact that I am a self-proclaimed "crafty cat" - I like to make stuff.

At the end of the day, I want my clients to walk away from their session with Elizabeth Ladean Photography feeling great, and being able to say they truly had fun. And I want them to feel like the end result, getting that tangible item, is more than just a disc of photos. I want them to feel like they are getting a GIFT!

I get SO EXCITED putting all the final stuff together and packaging it up. Handing it to my client, I catch myself wanting to shout "SURPRISE!!!!!" I'm really happy with how this all came together!
In the art of full disclosure I can tell you openly that I still have so many ideas in my head that I absolutely foresee this entire "brand" growing and developing over time. And hey that's okay! It shows I'm versatile ;o)

I save the images to the disc with the nifty label. And the case is just your normal slimline case, but it's been classed up ;o)

Yes, yes I do still enjoy an old fashioned handwritten note!

Everything goes into these awesome kraft bags!

And TA-DA! that's a look at everything! Yes most stuff was indeed handmade, crafty-cat ain't no joke!Oh and that heart... ? Yeah that has nothing to do with my branding style. That was purely a moment of "hey! look what I can do!" — And TA-DA! that's a look at everything! Yes most stuff was indeed handmade, crafty-cat ain't no joke!
Oh and that heart... ? Yeah that has nothing to do with my branding style. That was purely a moment of "hey! look what I can do!"

Photography Packaging!