I've been working on product updates for the 2015 Pin Up Pets promotional sessions in May. It’s been very difficult to decide which products that my clients might find interesting and attractive. The professional labs I work with are constantly developing new products and styles for displaying images. As a creative professional that enjoys getting innovative products to my customers, having variety is a good thing. As a customer trying to narrow what to buy - it can be a problem. Over the years, I've noticed that a lot of clients get overwhelmed by the vast number of products that are available.
Which image do we like best? Do we get a wall portrait of a single image or an album of the best images? A canvas wrap or maybe a print on watercolor paper? Or maybe something edgy like a print on steel?
It's not the studio of the past when a client had only to decide the size of the print and color or black and white. I've decided to jokingly call this I.O.S: Image Overload Syndrome. ;-). I.O.S. can be recognized by a blank stare, confusion, elevated pulse and feelings of panic. I know I.O.S. because I'm beenthere myself after looking at hundreds of images on a computer monitor over the past 8 hours! To help minimize the effects of I.O.S., I've put together some information that may make the decision making process easier.
Here are a few descriptions of some of the most popular products my clients tend to gravitate towards:
Prints: standard photographic prints from 5 X 7 table portraits to 30 x 40 suitable for wall framing. A variety of paper types.
Canvas: photographic image printed on artist's canvas, mounted on stretcher bars and having unfinished edges - ready for framing.
Image Blocks: funky, modern, multi surface display of up to 9 images, each printed on a single wood block. Suitable for wall or table display.
Gallery Wrap clusters: a grouping of canvas with either one image stretched across several canvas or one image per canvas. They are designed to be hung in groups on a wall above a couch or fireplace.
Canvas collage: 3 or 5 images printed on a canvas on stretcher bars that can be framed.
Art Albums: Traditional, heavy pages that are flush mounted. Padded cover with leather spine is one of many options. Multiple sizes. Any number of pages.
Coffee table books: Thinner pages, hardcover bound. Multiple sizes. Any number of pages. Books are often more personal than a wall portrait because of the tactile feel of holding the image in your hands.
(I have samples of all these products and more at the studio for you to evaluate)
About a week after your portrait session you will come back to view and order your portraits. There are a few things I'd recommend ahead of time to help avoid contracting I.O.S.(Image Overload Syndrome). ;)-
- Have an idea of what type of products you would like to display.
- Consider your lifestyle - which product would fit best in your life.
- Have an idea of the space in your home you are looking to fill with your artwork.
- Take measurements of wall space because it’s almost always different than your estimate.
- Consider colors that will accentuate the furniture in the room your images will be displayed.
- Have an idea of your framing and matting to best present your images.
- Have a general budget in mind prior to looking at your images.
If you are the type of person that loves to consider all the options, absolutely anything and everything is available! Dive into Image Overload Syndrome and find something really special! If you want to create unique, one-of-a-kind art work; I can make that happen. I understand that whatever product is ordered, it will be displayed proudly for many years to come and needs to be very high quality. I re-touch every image that goes to my customers. I custom design every cover and every page of all albums that are ordered from Tangerine House of Design. My goal is to have my products exceed the expectations of my clients. I do not send a product home without first being satisfied with the results, and knowing that my customer is also satisfied with their images.
Lisa Asp, M.Photog., CPP, is the owner& photographic artist at Tangerine House of Design, Edina MN. Tangerine House of Design specializes in portraiture of pets, kids, and families.
