Thursday, May 21, 2009

product photography

I added a few new products to my website today (including the folded owl note cards pictured above), and since I had time this afternoon I took some actual photographs rather than only posting digital images.

I've been buying lots of new props over the past several weeks, and "update product photographs" has been on my to-do list for a couple of months now, but it stresses me out every time I think about it so I always find something else to do.

Also, I've been hoping for an overcast day so I could take some pictures outside, but we've had lots of sunshine recently with really harsh shadows. So I took these pictures indoors using my little tabletop fluorescent lights, and I'm pleasantly surprised with how they turned out.

Vintage Floral Pattern Folded Cards:
Owl Flat Cards:
Vintage Floral Pattern Calling Cards:
Owl Calling Cards:
Of course it's such a time consuming process, the thought of updating the rest of my product photographs is overwhelming, but I think my plan will be to just keep doing a few each day as I have time.

14 comments:

susan@tickledpaisley said...

Your photographs are really beautiful. What are you using as a backdrop? They're just so clean and crisp - nice job!

Sara Tams said...

Thanks, Susan! I just started using 19.5" x 27" solid wrapping paper sheets for backdrops today. I borrowed them from my sister who bought them from Paper Source.

Mrs. Holmes said...

Sara - i love your blog and thank you for sharing your tips. i have a question about the notepads. what kind of paper cutter do you have and would you recommend it for cutting stacks of paper? thank you. eliz.

Sara Tams said...

I use a roller paper cutter (http://sarahandabraham.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-paper-cutter.html) from South Coast Designs. http://www.southcoastdesigns.com

I've been very happy with it. It seemed like a really big investment at the time, but I think it was definitely worth the expense.

Alison said...

Photos look great! I have the roller cutter on Sara's rec and I LOVE it too. Worth the investment!

Mrs. Holmes said...

regarding the cutter...how many sheets can you cut at once?

Sara Tams said...

I usually cut one folded card at a time (80 lb card stock folded in half before I cut it), 2 sheets of 110 lb card stock (for flat note cards), 1 sheet of chipboard (notepad backing), or 4 sheets of 80 lb text (notepad sheets).

Jen said...

Just discovered your blog, everything is so beautiful and sweet. I can't wait to decorate our nursery so I can order your prints. Congratulations on your growing business! You have a great balance of creativity and business sense. Love how you share tips and how you're learning to balance life, I'm right there with ya.

Jaimee McClellan said...

They look fantastic!
The lighting is perfect...not an easy feat!

Louise :: Pretty by Pistachio said...

I really enjoy reading your blog, and wanted to pass on the Lovely Blog award :)

http://prettybypistachio.blogspot.com/2009/06/lovely-blog-award.html

Louise xo

Heather | Cookie Mondays said...

I was so excited to use your dinner table design on evite tonight! It's for a Father's Day brunch, but I couldn't resist using Sara Tams!! I made it work! :)

mdh design said...

Hi Sara. I am researching paper cutters and have been looking into the South Coast Design one as well. I make cards and notepads- is this cutter more time consuming since you can only cut so few sheets at one time or is quality worth the added time? Just was looking at some stack paper cutter and was curious which was the best investment. You mention another paper cutter in a previous blog- would you buy different in the future? Thanks for your help! MDH

Sara Tams said...

I've been really happy with my paper cutter & recently bought a second one so my part-time employee could work from a home office. But I've never researched any other options - I just really liked this one, which I tried out at a Kinkos.

Anonymous said...

I cannot find out where to purchase the RCM12 from South Coast Designs anywhere, anyone else have any luck? did they go out of business? Or does anyone know of a comparable cutter?