A crafty idea: photographer and author Barbara Smith makes custom thank-you notes, invitations,...

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Several years ago, Los Angeles, Calif.-based photographer Barbara Smith found a way to combine two of her passions--photography and paper crafts. That passion evolved from handmade greeting cards, to invitations, albums, and more. When she became a wedding photographer, Smith

"Combining fine art with photography makes a nice combination," says Smith, who wrote "The Art and Craft of Keepsake Photography Engagements and Weddings: How to Take Perfect Photos and Make Stunning Invitations, Announcements, Albums, Thank You Notes, and More."

"Many people don't know of the incredibly beautiful papers out there. Even many of the pro photographers don't seem to know about them, since not all do their own printing."

The book is aimed at the professional photographer looking for additional revenue and is a natural fit, says Smith, as it enables the studio to become a one-stop shop. The book is also perfect for the advanced amateur who shoots weddings on the weekend, as well as the hobbyist looking for a creative outlet, Smith says. It's also a resource for the photo retailer who wants to create these products.

The book offers detailed, step-by-step illustrations and explanations of various products, including thank-you notes, handmade envelopes, albums, and custom business cards. It also includes instructions on different procedures, including digital darkroom techniques such as cropping, toning, spot coloring, and soft-focus effect, and creating layouts with a digital imaging program. It assumes the photographer has at least basic knowledge of a computer and a photo software program such as Adobe Photoshop.

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"Most photographers now have Photoshop, but many use it only to edit their photos," Smith says. "They don't realize they can do so much more. In addition, you can lay out photos beautifully. I've been making attractive business cards in Photoshop. Each [version] of the graphic design features, the fonts, all get better. And with the advent of desktop printers, it becomes really fun to be a graphic designer."

Getting started

Photographers can jump in and offer many products; but for the beginner who might be a bit hesitant, Smith says a basic thank-you note is a good place to start.

"That's probably the easiest one to do," Smith says, as it's usually a very simple piece. "You don't want those to be fancy." They are also a natural fit, as most wedding couples purchase thank-you notes--usually from a separate printer or stationary store.

Another good place to start--for much the same reason--is the basic invitation. "I tell photographers, 'Why let your client take the photo somewhere else for thank-you notes and invitations?' Photographers love add-ons, and these two are really easy to do."

Once the photographer is comfortable with one or both products, they can move to more detailed products.

In terms of equipment, photographers need little else besides a computer and printer. Specialty paper is one requirement, and Smith's book explains the different types of printable and nonprintable papers, companies that offer them, and where to obtain them. In addition, Smith recommends photographers purchase a high-quality paper cutter and a bone folder, which is a flat tool used to score a line in the paper for folding. It costs about $5.

Beyond the basics

In addition to making products for resale, photographers can also use the tools in the book for marketing purposes. One simple idea, says Smith, is a customized business card.

"Photographers can make these for every event they shoot, even while the client is still there," Smith says. "I have a template for pages of business cards. At the event, I select one of the best photos and then add it to the template, which has about 10 cards. I'll print them, use my paper cutter, and then hand out beautiful business cards to the client, with my name and information on it. The client will want to hand them out, because they feature the client's photo, and it's great word-of-mouth advertising. It's so easy to do."

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Photographers can obtain templates such as these from several sources--such as software programs--and the book also explains how to create the templates.

When it comes to pricing the final product, Smith says price depends on what the market will bear. Certainly, she says, photographers should at least double their cost. Special papers, ribbons, and embellishments should also be factored into the price.

"When a client contacts me, I talk to them to determine what they want. Then I tell them to come back and I'll show them three options," she says. "I'll give them a basic option, a fancier one, and one that is the top. When I show them how fancy we can go, they almost always choose that option."

Ultimately, she says, photographers simply need to pick a product and get started.

"I tell people just do it; just get started. Lots of people think about doing it, but don't actually jump in and do it. If you don't practice, you forget it," she says. "Find something you like to do--maybe it's thank-you notes--and keeping making them and trying to sell them. Once those become part of your repertoire, find something else. Thank-you notes and business cards, for instance, are an easy sell. They're something everybody wants."

About Barbara Smith

Barbara Smith (www.bsmithphotography.com), formerly doing business as Ladysmith, published several lines of photography-based greeting cards and stationery products. Weddings and births within her own family led her toward portraiture, which then led to custom invitations, thank-you notes, and handmade albums.

Today she is a Los Angeles, Calif.-based wedding and portrait photographer who specializes in creating photography-based stationery products. She has designed note cards with home decorating guru Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic Design, and has created a line of stationery products for the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nev., and the Hotel del Coronado, San Diego, Calif. Smith also teaches workshops on alternative photographic processes and paper arts.

She says, while the photography side has taken a backseat recently due to writing and teaching, "it's the heart of my business."

Smith encourages photographers with questions on the techniques in the book or related questions to contact her at Barbara@bsmithphotography.com.

For more information

"The Art and Craft of Keepsake Photography Engagements and Weddings: How to Take Perfect Photos and Make Stunning Invitations, Announcements, Albums, Thank You Notes and More" features color photographs and detailed, step-by-step instructions for each project. It's designed in the way author Barbara Smith would want to read a book.

"I'm a fan of how-to books," she says. "I knew how I wanted it to be. For instance, there are certain recipe books you go to again and again. I couldn't stand using a black-and-white cookbook."

The book was published by Amphoto Books in February 2007. The cost is $21.95. Amphoto Books is an imprint of Watson-Guptill Publications (www.watsonguptill.com), New York, N.Y.

Members save on books

PMA members purchasing Amphoto Books receive 20 percent off the list price. Watson-Guptill Publishing Amphoto Books are synonymous with design and art instruction, and the books are found in art schools, bookstores, universities, and libraries worldwide. Contact the PMA Store at http://services.pmai.org/online, ore-mail business_resources@ pmai.org for a complete listing of Amphoto photography books.