My digital files collections are set up in four different levels.: sets of 3, 6, 12 and 24 poses. With the purchase of any file collection, clients receive a 50% DISCOUNT off retail for prints made the files in their collection.  I’ve extended this offer to collages as well, offering 50% off retail for framed wall collages. This has been a great option for clients who want both digital files and a fun, custom and ready-to-hang piece of wall art.

I also use collages as an INCENTIVE to select a higher level digital file collection. For clients who select the 12 or 24 pose collection, they may opt to have a collage artwork file created with 9 or so of their favorite images in their collection. Typically I recommend a 16×20 ratio collage for the client as they can easily have it printed as an 8×10, 11×14 or 16×20 and then use off-the-shelf frames.

The key to both of these options is that the collage I am creating for the client must use images that are already selected as part of their digital file collections. The price of the collections themselves account for the editing of each image, so the only “cost” of the collage file (such as used as an incentive for the higher level file collections) is the time spent designing it.  By using the Collage Connection templates, I typically spend under 10 minutes designing the collage. For the discounted framed wall collages, the cost covers the design time as well as the cost of printing and framing the actual collage.

Tech details – the collages are set up at 1200×1600 pixels. You can easily upsize PRIOR to inserting images, or downsize before or after you have added your images. They are layered and images are inserted using the clipping mask option in Photoshop (instructions included.)  If you are using Photoshop Elements, you may need to Google “Photoshop Elements Clipping Mask Tutorial” for specific instructions on how to insert images into the various layers.

Click HERE to download the Collage Connection Blog Collage .zip file

Here’s the story… of a lovely lady…

For most of us those lines conjure up visions of that fabulous 1970s family in their 9-frame box all glancing around at each other.  But, by paying close attention to where the characters NEVER look, you will pick up on a very important rule when working with collage design.

Marsha, Peter, Jan, etc never look OUTSIDE of the box – always in towards their respective family members, as illustrated by the following diagram.

For me, designing a collage is a multi-step process that involves balancing out the color and directional feel of the images that the clients select for their piece.  The First Draft example shows the selected images simply dumped  into the template. This gives me an overall idea of what I am working with and quickly identifies any problem images (i.e. for this template, any images that won’t work well with a square crop.)

Next, I work to balance color, or in this case, light vs. dark images.  The Second Draft shows the images arranged to balance low key vs. light key. However, problems still exists.

Here’s the story… of a man named Brady…

I have a directional issue with three images, as illustrated with the red arrows.  A simple rearrangement of those images will pull the design into compliance with the Brady Effect and establish a well balanced collage.

Something that was really important to me as a professional photographer was to have something for my clients to take away with them after their session – something that would remind them of the next steps in their portrait experience, information on key products along with suggestions on where and how to create wall displays and ideas for portraits as gifts. This evolved into a Post Session Information packet that included the previous items and also included a monitor calibration sheet as most of my clients view and order their portraits online.  I also included a printed product guide that detailed the pricing information.  I packaged it all in a black pocket invitation and sealed it with a foil logo sticker.

Like what you see below? It’s easy to put together!  All you need is:

1. Collage Connection’s POST SESSION GUIDE

2. Collage Connection’s PRODUCT ACCORDION GUIDE

3. Paper Presentation’s POCKET INVITATION STYLE B5

4. Business Card (optional)

5. Sticker for invitation closure (I recommend the Deluxe Foil Sticker from Rubber Duck Design)

The card is designed as a 4×5.5 flat card that meets WHCC guidelines. It’s two sided – one side features an image and fun background text graphic and the other side has just the PERFECT amount of room for you to write a quick note to show your appreciation. All colors are completely customizable!

DOWNLOAD HERE – Many Thanks Card

Download available until 12/31/10

4×6 image opening with a border – total size is a 5×7. Perfect for mounting in an album or as a mounted print within an image box!

DOWNLOAD HERE | Collage Connection Border 1 Link Expired

Expires 11/30/10

DOWNLOAD LINK | 10×20 4 Square Collage Template EXPIRED

Hopefully you’ve had a moment to check out the new mini-square accordion album templates in the store – these things are wildly popular and just as cute as can be!  Being that I am still in the “honeymoon” stage with this new product, I thought I’d put up a very basic “Simply Shabby” accordion album template for this week’s freebie template.

The colors of the background and the borders are changeable – the sample show is a modern gray on gray color scheme, but the true possibilities are endless.  For some color inspiration, I suggest you check out Portrait Allure’s posts on the subject – some great ideas!

DOWLOAD LINK | EXPIRED!

There are four templates available:

To obtain the 3×3 prints, I use a 10×13 template that has ten 3×3 squares. This is perfect to upload to the lab (I always get lustre coating!) and then I just trim down to size with my Carl 18″rotary trimmer. I put a foil sticker in the back of the album that has my logo on it (I get my logo-labels from Rubber Duck Design) and slip the whole thing into a 5×7 organza bag from Papermart.  Oh, and don’t forget to put a few business cards in there for your client to give to their friends!)

LINK EXPIRED

Link expires 3/31/10 at 11:59 PDT.